Page 83 of Through Uncharted Space

For so long, her one goal had been to find this treasure. To take it, sell it, and build a life for herself. One that was hers, and that no one could take away.

Now, she stood here, staring at it, and she felt hollow inside.

Taking this treasure would be a desecration. What right did she have to it? What right did she have to steal Maro’s history?

Suddenly, clanking noises and voices echoed from outside.

The men all tensed.

“Did Olok come back?” she whispered.

“Ry? Justyn?” Dare said, staring out at the entrance.

Ry crept forward, peering out. “Looks like your buddy Korrdo has arrived.”

“What?” Dakota bit out. She couldn’t believe that asshole had found them.

“Go out the back of the temple,” Dare told his brothers. “Circle around them and disable their ship, if you can.”

His brothers nodded and ran through the temple.

Dare grabbed Dakota’s arm, and pulled her deeper into the temple. “We need somewhere to hide.”

They crossed the space, and she couldn’t help but stare at the gold and silver treasure.

He pulled her behind a large pillar, tugged her close. The golden rock was actually rougher than she’d guessed, but she stayed pressed against it, and waited.

“Sweet mother of the stars.” A voice echoed in the temple.

“Maxir is going to be real happy with you, Korrdo.”

Dakota moved an inch so she could peer around the pillar. Ahead, she saw Korrdo’s tall form. He was wearing a deep-water envirosuit, and holding his helmet under his arm. He was taking in everything in the temple, while his team of goons moved around him. Some of them were hooting with laughter.

“Start loading the treasure,” Korrdo said. “Be careful and don’t drop anything.” He turned to look at a large, quiet man beside him. “Take a look around, I don’t want any surprises.”

The rest of the men, who were all wearing the same envirosuits, opened up bags and started loading the treasure into them. Dakota felt a surge of anger. Olok might have left them to die, but she could understand why. Korrdo was just greedy. He wanted the treasure so he and Golden Nova could hurt people.

Korrdo smiled. “This will fund Golden Nova for decades to come.” He smiled. “Max will be very, very happy.”

Dakota’s stomach turned over. That the treasure would be used for such terrible things felt so incredibly wrong.

But what could they do? They had no weapons. No way out. Nothing.

Suddenly, Dare stiffened, his fingers digging into her skin. She looked over and saw Korrdo’s right-hand man heading in their direction.

She ducked back behind the pillar. The man was only steps away from their hiding spot.

Dare held his hands up, ready. Dakota’s muscles stiffened as she waited.

The big man rounded the corner, and when he spotted them, his eyes widened and his mouth opened.

Dare rammed into him, grabbing the man’s arm. “Dakota,” he said with a hiss.

She leaped up, and jammed her fingers into the side of the man’s neck.

He fell like a ton of bricks, but Dare caught him, and lowered him quietly to the ground.

The goon hadn’t given them away, but it wouldn’t be long before he’d be missed.