Cult of the Black Jaguar Read Online Free PDF Page B

Popi sprang forward to slide the ebony fur from her shoulders. He bowed and stepped to the side.
    Ethan’s breath caught in his lungs as he realized she wore almost nothing under the robe.
    Long, raven-black hair fell in a straight line down to her waist. It flowed in a midnight waterfall over her naked shoulders, chest, and waist. The effect was at once exciting and chaste, as it covered her while at the same time offering tantalizing glimpses of forbidden flesh.
    An ornate skirt-like garment, fashioned from spun gold and decorated with precious stones, went from her waist to just above her knees. The honey-yellow color of the jewels matched the woman’s eyes exactly.
    The haughty expression on her full lips bespoke of generations of aristocratic lineage, as did her perfect posture and icy demeanor. Seeing her, Ethan knew it wouldn’t matter if she stood in front of an ancient temple or a modern skyscraper. In any time, in any place, there could be no mistaking her for anything but royalty.
    The dark angel’s slender, scantily clad body would normally have been the focus of Ethan’s thoughts, but it was her eyes that drew his attention.
    Elliptical pupils sat within the almond-shaped, amber orbs. As alien as they were in her human face, they were somehow familiar to him. Then he remembered where he’d seen eyes like that before.
    On the jaguar he’d killed the previous night.
    The Priestess cast her disdainful gaze towards the prisoners. With a slight motion of one hand, she motioned them forward. Hector and Luz gave them no chance to object, prodding the captives with their rifles.
    â€œI am Ix Chel, Moon Priestess and living body of the Balamob. You have intruded on our lands and angered the Gods.” Her surprisingly powerful voice echoed from the surrounding buildings. In contrast to her graceful beauty, her words came out harsh and low, almost a growl.
    Ethan cleared his throat, momentarily at a loss for something to say. When no one else spoke, he said the first thing that came to him. “You speak our language well.”
    â€œI speak many tongues, as befits a Priestess. For one hundred years I have ruled Ah Puch. I have learned much in that time.”
    â€œYou rule an empty city?” Ethan allowed himself a trace of mockery. If he could anger her enough to make her approach him…
    The Priestess raised one regal eyebrow, as if she knew exactly what game he was trying to play.
    â€œMy duty is to the Gente de Jaguar. Since the night I became queen, I have gathered my strength so that one day I can return them to their glory, to rule this land as my people once did. Now that power is within my grasp. With one last sacrifice, I will bring forth my priests and priestesses, and Ah Puch will live again!”
    Heathcliff called out in a thin voice. “What about my daughter?”
    Ix Chel stared at Pascal for a long moment before speaking. “You are the historian. I can see you possess a great mind, housed in a weak body. Death already summons you.”
    She smiled, a wide grin that exposed long, pointed teeth at the corners of her mouth.
    â€œYour bodies will feed the balamobs , the jaguar spirits, who will smile on us and bring good fortune. As for your daughter…” Ix Chel turned her head upwards, towards the top of the great pyramid behind her. “See for yourselves. The virgin awaits my blade even now.”
    The powerful voice grew even louder, the rumbling tones deepening to a feral snarl. She raised her hands upwards in supplication. “Tonight I shall dine on her living heart and her blood will give me strength to free my priests!”
    Ethan looked up at the top of the pyramid. Distracted earlier by Ix Chel’s lissome descent, he hadn’t noticed the second figure in the chamber.
    The figure that stood bound and gagged at the wide opening.
    Even from a distance, there was no mistaking her identity. Jenny wore only a thin, white robe.