No Such Thing As Werewolves by Chris Fox Read Free Book Online Page A

Zin isn’t going to drink itself.” Blair hefted her tiny frame in a fierce hug. “I missed you too, by the way. Even if you did get old. What are you, like forty now?”
    “Forty? I’ll show you forty. God, it’s good to see you, Blair.” She returned the hug just as fiercely.  
    She leaned in close and whispered the rest. “We should talk in private when you have a minute.”  
    What didn’t she want the rest of them to know?
    Blair set her down, giving her a quizzical look. She shook her head slightly and resumed her smile as she led him and Bridget toward the pavilions. Neither woman acknowledged the other. Guess he shouldn’t be surprised, given their history.
    He was thankful the moment he stepped beneath the blue canvas, because someone had the foresight to set a large space heater near the center. A pair of men stood next to the collapsible table, a black plastic top with aluminum legs. The map atop it was an aerial survey.  
    “When was this taken?” Blair asked, stabbing the center of the map with a finger.
    “Boy, you get right to work.” The shorter of the two men laughed. He had a dark complexion and an easy smile. His accent had probably landed the man a lot of tourist girls. “I’m Alejandro, and this dour fellow behind me is Doctor Roberts. That’s his first name, Doctor. I’m convinced of it.”
    “Ignore the artist. He doesn’t appreciate the rigors of science,” the taller man droned, glancing up from a thick textbook. Seismic Wonders was emblazoned on the cover in blocky red letters. The man placed an arm over the cover when he realized Blair was staring. His face sported a bristly black beard badly in need of shearing. “I’m Doctor Roberts and prefer to be addressed as such. To answer your question, that survey was done three months ago. It’s a Google Earth satellite image, and as you’ve deduced it shows no trace of the structure behind me. That’s why I’m here. To determine where it came from and how it appeared. If I understand correctly, you’re here to tell us who built it.”
    “Let’s hope so,” Blair said, offering Doctor Roberts a hand. The man’s grip was surprisingly firm. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
      Blair offered Alejandro his hand, but the man swept him up in a hug.  
    “We are beyond handshakes, my friend. Together, we will unlock a world not glimpsed in thousands of years. We are more than friends. We are family.”
    “Uh, nice to meet you too. So where’s Steve?” Blair asked, disengaging from the strange little Latino. There was no sign of his former friend among the makeshift pavilions. He scanned the area around the pyramid but saw nothing else of note. Perhaps there was another set of pavilions on the far side?
    Everyone looked pointedly at Bridget, who dropped her gaze. Jesus. Given how uncomfortable everyone looked, Blair thought maybe she wasn’t being melodramatic about Steve’s condition.
    “Blair, why don’t I show you your tent?” Sheila said, trying to fill the lengthening silence.
    “I’d appreciate that. It would be good to drop this pack and get settled in. Afterwards, maybe you can show me the site.”
    Bridget raised a hand as if about to say something, and then she let it fall limply to her side. She turned to examine the aerial photo, though he seriously doubted she saw any part of that map. He’d seen that expression before. She wasn’t concerned. She was terrified.

Chapter 6- Ahiga

    Crouching atop the tree’s limb many feet over the jungle floor, Ahiga knew despair. The strangely armored warriors with their deafening armaments had driven him from the Ark. The fight had been brief but bloody, and he had fled when his energy waned. True, he could have stayed and likely slain them all, but at what cost had he failed? His role was vital. If he did not wake the Mother, this new world would be naked before the coming storm.  
    He kicked off the limb of a capirona, vaulting from the arboreal crown to a perch