The Belial Library (The Belial Series) (11 page)

“But why here?  We’re heading into the middle of nowhere.”

“Have you ever heard of Father Carlo Crespi?”

Jake shook his head.

“He was sent to Ecuador by the Holy See in 1923 and stayed there until his death in 1982.  In return for his kindness and services, people began bringing him incredible artifacts.  Crespi maintained that all the artifacts predated the great flood.   At one point, he’d had the greatest collection of gold and silver artifacts in all of Ecuador.  And these artifacts weren’t rudimentary tools or evidence of a simple civilization.  They were evidence of a highly advanced civilization.”

“What types of artifacts?”

"Incredible ones.  Sheets of gold covered in symbols from an unknown language, statues, bowls, you name it.  And then there are the rumors of an ancient metal library filled with the knowledge of an ancient civilization."

Jake stifled another groan.  More people searching for an ancient civilization.  He was beginning to think the world would be better off if the evidence of the past stayed buried.  “And let me guess.  Huge worldwide ramifications if the library’s uncovered.”

Patrick smiled.  “You have to understand.   If the legends are true, Atlantis was a highly advanced civilization.  Their technology might rival what we have today and, in some ways, even surpass it.  That knowledge could open the door to incredible advances in medicine, science, architecture, and a dozen other fields.  And then there’s the financial incentive.  An Atlantean collection would be truly priceless.”

All the men killed in the last search for an Atlantis artifact flashed through Jake’s mind.  Hundreds had been killed.  His brother Tom had almost been one of them, along with Laney.  And if the reports on the attacks on the village and church were accurate, this search for Atlantis artifacts didn’t look like it was going to have a smaller body count. 

“You know, Patrick, I get the whole historical intrigue thing.  But so far, all the return of Atlantis seems to be doing is getting a whole lot of people killed.”

Patrick paled.

Jake cringed, realizing how harsh his words were, especially with Laney in danger.  “I didn’t mean . . .”

Patrick waved his words away.  “I know.  And you’re not wrong.  It seems we haven’t learned the lessons of Atlantis: the quest for power will destroy everything in its path.  I just pray Laney’s not one of those objects in its path.” 

Patrick turned and walked towards the hangar, his shoulders lower than they’d been earlier.

Jake watched him go, feeling like ten different kinds of jerk.  He followed behind Patrick, promising himself to do everything in his power to keep Laney from being a casualty in this latest search for the remnants of Atlantis.   

CHAPTER 21

Laney opened her eyes to daylight streaming through the hut's doorway.  She watched from her hammock as tribespeople went about their morning rituals.   Children ran along the bridges, laughing.  But the men and woman walked in groups, their steps hurried. 

And there seemed to be an increase in guards watching the forest below.  The whole village was on alert. 

Laney looked over as Jen stirred from her sleep.  “Morning.  How’d you sleep?”

“Like a log.  But with really rich and terrifying dreams."

"I know what you mean."

Last night, after the King and Queen’s announcement, there’d been a welcoming meal.  Although the Guardians tried hard to hide it, Laney could sense their deep sense of loss.  Occasionally, she'd catch a tear in someone's eye or a downed face.  But they were an incredibly resilient group.  After the meal, they each stood and spoke the names of those they’d lost.  Laney lost count at somewhere around forty-three.  It had been a simple and moving tribute. 

Then Julian had spoken about how their friends had gone on to join the Teachers.  And that was the cue for the dance to begin.  Seven tribesmen came forward and began a dance as old as the group, with only the beat of a single drum to accompany them.  The dancers re-enacted the arrival of the knowledge-bringers.  Elena sat in between Jen and Laney, interpreting the dancers moves.

There had been seven of them.  They had arrived with giant ships filled with treasures.  The dancers indicated that the greatest treasure was a set of books detailing their history and their understanding of the world. 

Laney's mind whirled at the possibility of finding that library.  What humanity could learn from those tomes was beyond her wildest dreams.  A documentation of an incredibly ancient civilization. 

As she fell into her hammock, her mind had filled with everything she’d seen.  It was incredible and yet horrible at the same time: an incredible cache of ancient knowledge, and a group chasing them capable of merciless violence. 

  She knew she’d never fall asleep with her mind so crammed with thoughts.   But she'd dropped off almost as soon as she closed her eyes, her body all but shutting down.  Her subconscious, though, had continued the questions the dancers had raised.  Artifacts, the Guardians, a world flood, the knowledge-bringers, death, and despair.  They’d all jumbled together in a kaleidoscope of images as she slept. 

Jen swung her legs over the edge of the hammock.  "What’s going on out there?” 

“It looks like everyone’s getting ready for a fight.”

“Think they’ll find the village?”

“I don’t know.  How’s your arm?”

Jen looked away.  “Um, fine.”

“Want me to take a look at it?”

Jen stood quickly, turning her injured arm away from Laney.  “No, that’s okay.  I changed the bandage last night.”

“Good.  I’m not much of a nurse anyway.”  Laney spied a backpack over by the doorway.  She hopped out of the hammock and made her way over to it.

“What’s that?” Jen asked.

Laney unzipped the pack and starting pulling out its contents.  Two disposable cameras, a notepad and pens, plastic bags, two flashlights.  “I think these are our inventory tools.”

“What?  They can’t expect us to still go on to the cave with all this happening.  Can they?”

Carefully wrapping each piece of equipment in the plastic bags, Laney loaded the equipment back into the backpack.  “I don’t know.  But let’s keep this with us until we know what the plan is. Let's go see about-"

An explosion at the base of the tree holding the big hut cut off the rest of her words.  Laney dropped to the ground as the blast rocked their hut.  The giant tree across from them wobbled, but stayed upright. 

One tribesman wasn’t so lucky.  He plummeted from a rope bridge, his screams following him down.

Blasts of gunfire cut through the morning air. 

Laney got to her feet and helped Jen up.  Her tone was
grim.  “I guess they found us."

CHAPTER 22

It had taken them forty minutes to fly from the airport to the site of the attacks.  Jake sat in the gunner’s seat of the helo, his eyes scanning the forest below them as they flew past.  He made sure to keep his mind on the mission, not letting his fear for Laney worm its way into his thoughts. 

Five miles out from the village, he saw the smoke.  Another minute and they were flying over the still smoldering ruins. 

Not a building had been left standing, and bodies dotted the burnt landscape.  A few animals scattered as they flew over, but others stayed with their meals.  His gut clenched.  Whoever had done this had been thorough.  There was nothing left. 

Jake signaled for the pilot to head to the church.  A few minutes later, they were hovering above it.  It was still standing, but more bodies were strewn across its grounds.  A group of about ten people looked up, policemen and some volunteers, who’d been collecting bodies and digging graves.

Yoni peered out the helicopter door next to Jake.  “These people never stood a chance.”

“No, they didn’t.  So let’s make sure Laney and Jen do.”  He attached a carabiner to a zip line and threw the rope out the open door.  “You ready?”

Yoni mimicked Jake’s actions on a second rope.  “I’m right behind you.” 

Jake stepped out into the air, flying down the line.  He landed lightly and disconnected himself.  

Yoni dropped to the ground next to him.  “I’m going to do a quick sweep.”

Jake nodded, heading for the man in the dress shirt standing next to the police jeep.  The shirt was stained with dirt and blood, as were his tan pants.  He doubted the man even noticed.  There was a horror in the man’s eyes as he looked around him. 

Jake held out his hand.  “Mr. Carmichael? I’m Jake R
ogan from the Chandler Group.”

James Carmichael returned the handshake.  He was a small, thin man with stringy grey hair that fell over his small blue eyes. The U.S. consulate had sent him to meet with them.  “You certainly
know how to make an entrance.”

“Nowhere to land the helicopter, and time’s cri
tical.  What can you tell us?”

Carmichael pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his brow, a tremor in his hand.  “I’ve never seen anything like this.  They killed everyone, men, women, children, old, young.  It
’s a miracle anyone survived.”

“How m
any survivors have you found?”

“Not enough.  Maybe thirty.  The priests hid some away in the cellar.” Carmichael looked away, his eyes haunted.  “They guarded the entrance to that
hiding spot with their lives.”

Now it was Jake’s turn to look away, his thoughts on Patrick.  More bad news
to share with the priest.    

Carmichael cleared his throat.  “A few others were found in the woods
.  It’s been a rough morning.”

“I’m sorry.  And I hate to rush you, but t
here are still lives at risk.”

With a steadying breath, Carmichael led Jake over to a land cruiser a few feet away.  He pulled a map off the driver's seat and laid it on the hood.  “We’re here.  Your friends were put in a
truck and headed northwest."  

“What’s up there?”

Carmichael shook his head.  “Nothing.  I can’t figure out where they would be headed.  It’s almost completely undeveloped.  We traced their route until here.  The police refused to go further.  There are reports of unfriendly indigenous people up there.  If you’re going to follow your friends, I would suggest you take care.”

“Okay.  Thanks.  If you hear anything else, contact us through the Chandl
er Group.” He turned to leave.

Carmichael grabbed Jake’s arm, his eyes intense.  “Mr. Rogan, I've spent my morning digging graves.  These were good people.  They didn’t deserve this.  I hope you find the monsters responsible for this and
give them what they deserve.”

Jake looked at the fresh graves around him, his eye focused on one that was impossibly small.  He looked back at Carmichael, letting some of his anger into his voice. 

“Don’t worry about that.  I plan on making sure they pay for what they’ve done here.”   

CHAPTER 23

Laney peered through the hut’s doorway. The men who’d attacked the village and the church swarmed the grounds below them like ants. 

The rope bridge in front of her swayed violently as round after round slammed into the huts.  Guardians returned fire, cutting down their enemies’ number, but not enough to make them turn tail and run.  Two more buildings to their right erupted in flames. 

Laney glanced over at Jen.  “I’m open to ideas.”

Jen gave her a determined smile.  “I vote for escaping and taking out as many of those bastards as possible.”

“Sounds good to me, although I was hoping for a more detailed plan.” 

Laney whirled around as flames crept over the back of their hut.  She snatched the backpack from the ground and secured it to her back.  Then she grabbed Jen’s good arm.  “Never mind.  Escaping works.  Let’s go.”

She made Jen go first on the wobbly bridge.  Worried the injury to her arm was going to make the crossing difficult, she wanted to keep an eye on her.  But, graceful as ever, Jen moved across the bridge with little difficulty.

Laney said a quick prayer of thanks for Jen’s natural balance as she raced behind her.  Reaching the boardwalk of the community hut, her eyes darted to a hut across from them.  Icy fear raced through her.  She nudged Jen’s shoulder.   “Over there.” 

One hut over, Elena and Eddie stood.  Tears streamed down Elena's face.  Eddie stood next to her, trying to look strong.  But devastation surrounded him, and his eyes telegraphed his terror.  The bridge that connected them to the community hut had been cut down.  There was no way for Laney and Jen to reach them. 

Julian appeared at the hut on the other side of the children.  Laney released her breath.  The bridge leading to the children was still attached from his side. 

“Stay there.  I’m coming,” he yelled to the children.  He took a step onto the bridge, but bullets blasted through it. 

“Grandfather!” Elena cried as Julian leapt back.

In disbelief, Laney watched the ropes attaching the bridge untangle and then swing free.  Her eyes flew to Julian.  Even from this far, she could feel his fear for his grandchildren. 

Laney’s eyes darted around, looking for any way to reach them.  Two ropes swung between their boardwalk and the children’s, both attached to the lookout tower above.  One was only a few feet from the children, too far for Laney reach.  But the other was much closer to their side.  “Jen?  How stable does that rope look?”

Jen looked at the rope swinging ten feet away.  “You can’t be serious.”

“Do you see any other way to get to them?”  Laney glanced into the hut behind them.  There was nothing to grab the rope with. 

She dropped the backpack to the boardwalk and handed Jen her gun.  Taking Jen’s knife from her belt, she secured it in her own.  “Just try to keep anyone from shooting me, all right?’

Jen took the gun. “Damn it.  Don’t get yourself killed.”

“Hey, I’ve seen Tarzan.  How hard can it be?”  Her tone was intentionally light, but it was an effort.  Her heart hammering, she backed up to the edge of the platform.  She dug her feet in like a sprinter, her eyes locked on the rope.    

Don’t miss.  Don’t miss.  Don’t miss.
  She sprinted for the edge of the platform and leaped. 

She hit the rope.  She was surprised by how light it was, how narrow.  Her hands scrambled to hold onto it.

“Laney!”  Jen screamed as she began to fall.

CHAPTER 24

Laney scrambled to get a grip on the rope.  Her heart in her throat, she finally wrapped her hands around it, the coarse fibers cutting into her hands. 

“I got it,” she called, her voice shaking.

Jen glared down at her.  “You’re officially nuts.” 

Can’t argue there.
She took a second to calm down her breathing.

She had the rope, but she was too low on it.  Unwrapping her hands, she began to climb.  Wrapping her right foot as high as she could, she stood, pulling her hands up.  Step by step, hand over hand, she climbed, ignoring the violence around her. 

She saw Jen take a shooter’s stance aiming for a target below her.  She didn’t stop to look.  She couldn’t do anything about the shooters below.  That was Jen’s job. 

Finally, a little below the boardwalk, she began to swing.  As she got closer, Jen extended her good arm.  On the third swing, Laney grabbed her hand and Jen hauled her in. 

Laney’s legs felt like Jello when they touched the solid surface.  She almost collapsed to the ground.  Her words came out in bursts.  “See?  Piece of cake.” 

“If we survive this, I’m dragging you to a psychologist.  You literally need to have your head examined.”

Laney nodded, but kept her eyes on the children across the way.  Fire spread across the hut behind them.  Julian was nowhere to be seen.  No doubt looking for another way to get to them. 

Elena’s eyes locked on hers.  Laney could feel the girl's trust.  Laney nodded back at her.  “I’m coming!”

With a deep breath, she backed up, giving herself some slack on the rope, knowing she’d need it to cover the distance. 

Jen gripped the Beretta, her eyes alternating between Laney and the ground below.  “Another piece of cake?”

Laney gave her a shaky grin.  “Absolutely.” 

Exhaling a breath, she threw herself over the edge.  She went weightless.  Her arms and shoulder jarred as the rope went taught.  She swung her legs around, aiming them straight for Elena and Eddie. 

Bullets whipped through the air around her.  One grazed her thigh.  The sting made her flinch, but she held on.  

She looked ahead. 
Oh crap.  I’m too low
. 

Slamming into the boardwalk with a grunt, she grabbed on to the planks, sucking in a breath. 
That’s going to leave a mark.

The kids ran to her.  They grabbed onto her arm, trying to pull her up.

Laney shook her head.  “No.  Just grab the rope.”

Eddie held onto the rope and Laney climbed up.  She lay down of the boardwalk, trying to get her breathing under control.  

“Laney?” Elena asked from above her.

She sat up.  “I’m fine, sweetheart.” She took the rope from Eddie.  “Thanks.”

He gave her an abrupt nod. 

Laney felt heat from behind her.  One side of the hut was engulfed in flames and spreading quickly.  She’d planned on taking them over one at a time but there wasn’t going to be time for that. 

Maybe I can lower them down from here.
  She peered over the edge.  The rope fell short by about thirty feet.  Too long a drop for the kids. 

“Of course.  Why would this be easy?” she muttered. 

She pasted a smile on her face, hoping the kids couldn’t see her pulse beating away like a majorette.  “Okay.  So, we’re going to take a little swing.”

“Laney?”  Elena asked, her voice catching. 

Laney put an arm around her. “It’ll be okay.”  She spied the other rope, swinging only four feet away.  She looked around for a pole or something to pull it in.  "Eddie, do you have any kind of hook we can use to pull that rope in?" 

He nodded, dashing into the hut.  He returned seconds later with a boomerang. 

“That'll work." She took it from him.  "You two hold onto my hand, okay?" 

They grabbed on and Laney leaned out, stretching the boomerang towards the rope.  She hooked it on her second try. 

"Pull me back," she said.  They yanked on her arm.  When she was steady on the boardwalk, she gripped the rope, blowing out a breath. 

She tossed the boomerang back into the hut, and turned to Eddie.  Spying some rope hanging from the doorway, she grabbed it, splitting it in two. 

She looked at Eddie.  "I 'm going to wrap this around you and you're going to swing over to Jen.  Can you do that?"

He scoffed.  "I am a Guardian.  Of course I can."

She smiled at his bravado, but the tremor that ran through his body told her the real story.  He was terrified. 

She looped the rope around his shoulders, securing it in case his hands slipped.  She knelt down, taking him by the shoulders, looking into his eyes.  "I'll follow you with Elena.  You show us how it's done.  I'll count you down."

He swallowed hard but stepped to the edge.

Laney squeezed his shoulder, then stepped back.  "One, two, three, go!"

Eddie jumped, and Laney’s stomach leaped into her throat.  He sailed across the space, his body aimed right for Jen.  Time seemed to slow.  Finally, Jen reached out and grabbed him, the two of them falling to the planks. 

Laney released her breath. 
One down, one to go
. She turned to Elena.  "Okay, little queen, our turn."

Her face unnaturally pale, Elena nodded but didn't say anything.  Laney took the other half of the rope she'd cut and secured Elena to the rope.  She glanced back at the hut, the fire crept over the wall they stood in front of. 

The center of the hut groaned.  Laney knew it was about to collapse, sending flaming projectiles at everything around it.