Page 154 of The Lost Guardian

He saw Mario land near him, then Leo. Torres was deposited a moment later, and Santiago would’ve taken great satisfaction in his pained grunt, had he not been so worried for Ali. When she emerged a few seconds later, he exhaled deeply.

Finally, Rodriguez was spat out. His body lay in a crumpled heap, water pooling around him like blood. He didn’t move. Santi didn’t know if it was the water, or a blow to the head, or a heart attack, but the man was clearly dead.

Atahualpa’s tomb had claimed another victim.

The water that had flooded the last room drained quickly in this new chamber, sloshing over the side of the large platform they lay on. Ahead of them was a wide set of stairs.

Up to that point, Santiago had been able to guess, more or less, what part of the temple they might be in. After their ride on the current, though, they could be anywhere. Without windows, he had no way to be sure. What he did know was that the sun had almost reached the highest point in the sky.

He picked himself up and crossed over to Ali, who cradled her arm gently with a grim expression on her face.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

“Hurts,” she gritted out through clenched teeth.

“Do any of you have a first aid kit?” he asked the men. Torres looked disgusted, ringing out his sodden clothing. Mario helped Leo off the floor. None of them answered.

“At least give me my pack,” he told Mario. “I have one in there.”

Not to mention Abuelo Manco.

Again, there was no reply. Irritation ignited within him.

“She’s hurt! Give me the backpack!” he yelled.

“She’s fine,” Torres answered dismissively. “You can tend to her after we find the treasure.” Flipping his hair off his face, Torres looked at the stairs. “Come along now.”

He sent Leo up first, tailing him slowly. Mario stayed behind, glaring at Santiago. With a sigh, he helped Ali up, supporting much of her weight.

“Can you make it?” he whispered, glancing at the expanse of steps with worry.

“Do I have a choice?” She began to move.

The climb couldn’t have taken more than a few minutes, but it felt much longer. Santiago’s body was beaten and battered, his muscles still wobbly from his effort moving the stone cover off the coffin. Not to mention the aggressive tumble that came after. And every minute of the days before.

Ali was in even worse shape. Each step seemed to cost her, until he was practically dragging her up the last of them.

When they reached the top, Santiago lowered her as gently as he could, doubling over to catch his breath. When he looked up, it was knocked right back out of him.

There it is.

The space was…pure gold.

The floor beneath their feet was studded with jewels, golden tiles laid in intricate geometric patterns. The walls were gold, of course, overlaid with golden columns and arches. Even the ceiling above them was fashioned completely of shimmering mineral sunlight.

The room’s interior was built like a vast and luscious garden.

There were trees of gold with individually woven golden leaves, stalks of golden maize with golden husks, and individual golden nuggets comprising the cobs and kernels. The bushes were spun gold with silver flowers, at each of their centers a precious jewel winking in the light.

There were at least ten golden llamas tucked into the foliage, their eyes made from brilliant emeralds.

Santiago could see other golden animals and piles of decorative vases and jars, overflowing with coins and jewelry.

The place was so filled with the refracting yellow metal that it gave off a minor fun-house effect.

Objects warped and distorted in Santi’s vision as he walked forward to take it all in. Sharp gleams of light ricocheted off reflective surfaces, and the result was both brilliant and disorienting.

At the center of it all was an elevated coffin, an exact replica of the stone version from the room prior. This one, of course, was cast in gold.