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SAN GERVASIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL ZONE
COZUMEL, MEXICO
January 10
Suki felt like she was in an action movie. The helicopter flew low across the ocean, the rotors loud and constant. She was surrounded by the toughest-looking dudes she’d ever met, dressed for war, their faces smeared with camo paint, wearing jungle fatigues with assault rifles strapped to their shoulders. Each had a patch on their left arm with a double-A insignia. They were part of the 82nd Airborne division. But all that firepower would be worse than useless if she didn’t bring the kem äm shields down.
Jordan lifted the microphone part of the headset away from his face and leaned forward.
“Want a Pop-Tart?” Jordan asked her, offering her a package in a metallic foil wrapper.
“Not really hungry, to be honest,” she replied, copying him by moving the microphone away.
“Ever flown in a jet before?” he asked her. “That was a pretty sweet ride.”
“Yeah, all the time,” Suki drawled. She also wore military-style fatigues—in her own size—and camo paint. She had a canteen of water, night vision goggles, and boots that were surprisingly comfortable.
“Five minutes from target,” came a voice over the headset.
The other soldiers began to prepare for their exit.
“You used to be part of these guys, right?” Suki asked Jordan.
“Yup. I was with the Old Guard in DC for a few years and then joined the 82nd. We trained to be deployed anywhere in the world within eighteen hours.”
“Ever been to Mexico?” she asked him.
“Does Tijuana count?”
“I’m not sure where that is.” They were going to San Gervasio, to the shrine of Ix Chel. From there, she would have to attempt to use her power to move them. “I just hope I can do this alone. Last time, my mom and Jane Louise helped.”
“I believe in you,” Jordan reminded her. “And so does Monica. You saved us.”
The memory of her healing in the hospital was still fresh for all of them. She’d been on the cusp of death, her recovery nothing short of miraculous. When Suki had watched Jordan sweep Monica off her feet and whirl her around, she’d gotten a lump in her throat. Moments before, Monica had been alive only by the grace of machines. There was power in the Maya magic that would change the world. Power Suki somehow had access to.
“I’m glad you’re both okay. You were pretty messed up.”
“What you did? That was pretty dope. And without you, we won’t be able to win this fight. Did I mention I’ve already killed a jaguar priest? And smashed into another with a car? I’m practically a pro.”
“About five times already.” She twisted the ring around her finger nervously.
“Good. I wouldn’t mind taking out a few more. Your dad is pretty awesome. Our job is to keep you safe and get the hostages out of there.”
Suki nodded, feeling her stomach lurch as the helicopter began to descend. Her dad would have hated this ride. Some of the 82nd Airborne team had parachuted into the San Gervasio ruins earlier to secure the location for the helicopter to land. They were going to use the parking lot next to the ruins since it was a more open space, and the tourists were already gone. The park shut down after sunset. Suki had memories of sneaking on board the van from Huellas de Pan in that very parking lot. Looking out of the helicopter, she saw complete darkness, except for the moon. A team would wait for them at the ruins to extract them, presuming they were successful, and bring them back to the aircraft carrier off the coast of Mexico.
The helicopter went down fast and hard, and Suki felt her spine jolt as the aircraft met the pavement of the parking lot.
Jordan helped unbuckle Suki from the protective straps, removed the head gear, and then assisted her out of the helicopter. The other soldiers had already jumped out. Once they were clear, the helicopter lifted up and took off again.
“Welcome back to the unit, Scott,” said one of the soldiers who’d secured the site as he came up and gave Jordan a fist bump. “Miss us?”
“As much as I miss diarrhea,” Jordan shot back. “How long have you guys been here?”
“Four hours. A long time. Area is secure.”
“Awesome. Suki, this is Captain Mike Rose, winner of the Best Ranger competition two years back-to-back. He’s a good friend of mine. This is Suki Roth. Captain Rose is going to protect our back door and get us out of there.”
“How’s civilian life?” Captain Rose asked.