"What the hell?" Graham leapt out of his chair. "Cy's been a part of this organization since he was a kid. If anyone deserves membership, it's him."
"Please calm down, Dutch."
"Screw you, Andy."
For as long as I could remember, the Explorer's Society had been a second home to me. I could barely contemplate life without it. "Why?" I asked numbly. "Because I'm a treasure hunter?"
"I like you, Cy," Zyler said. "I think that goes for everyone here. And while I don't agree with your career choice, I don't hold it against you either. All else being equal, I'd gladly overlook it."
Graham slapped his palm against the table. "Then what the hell is this about?"
"Our ranks include some of the greatest explorers in history. People who visited the far corners of the Earth, discovered new things, published works, and increased the general knowledge." Zyler looked me square in the eye. "You have zero books and articles to your name. What exactly have you done to improve our understanding of the world?"
My stomach started to hurt. "How do I change this?"
"As far as we're concerned, you've got a blank résumé. So, your best bet is to grind it out, join a few digs, get your name on some papers. I suppose you could also take a shortcut. You could do something big, something spectacular. It's really up to you."
Zyler stepped away from the table. Adopting a quick pace, he exited the room. The other men followed him out.
I sat still for a full minute, replaying the conversation in my head. Surprisingly, I realized the worst part wasn't the revocation of my membership.
The worst part was I agreed with the decision.
Chapter 59
"Roy?" Holly cracked the door. "What do you want?"
"Couldn't sleep. So, I figured I'd check on our patient." Roy Savala produced a cup of coffee. "Want some? It's cold, but chock full of caffeine."
Holly took the cup. "Thanks."
Roy tried to push past her. "So, how is she?"
Holly blocked his path. "I don't know yet.”
"Do you need help?"
"No thanks."
Savala cursed under his breath. It was one thing to kill Beverly. Her death — assuming he staged it right — would be attributed to her injuries. But Holly was a different matter. "Are you sure?"
She gave him a skeptical look. "When did you start caring about other people?"
"Look, I'm just trying to be nice here. Do you need help or not?"
"I'll be fine." Holly shut the door.
Roy turned away, barely concealing the sneer on his face. He saw Reed leaning against the wall, fast asleep. A deep frown was etched across the man's face. It looked like he was in the middle of a nightmare.
Roy felt a brief moment of sympathy toward Reed. But he quickly quashed it. There were only two possible outcomes of the present situation. Either Beverly died or his secret would be exposed.
And he'd do anything to protect his secret.
Chapter 60
"Cy?"
Holly's voice penetrated my brain like a bolt of lightening. My eyes shot open. I lifted my chin. The left-side door was opened a couple of inches. Her face jutted out into the hallway.
I tried to read her expression, but it proved impenetrable. "What time is it?"
She checked her watch. "It's four in the morning."
"How is Beverly?"
"Still unconscious."
I cringed. It wasn't great news. But it could've been worse.
"On the bright side, she's warming up."
I looked at her face. Met her eyes. "Give it to me straight."
"Well, it's still touch and go." Holly smiled. "But she's turned the corner. I think she's going to make it."
Chapter 61
Roy Savala snuck down the hallway. He stopped just outside the laboratory. Quietly, he rubbed his hands together. Kirby's windows and doors were shut. But cold air continued to seep into the powerless building.
He nodded at his brother. Then he opened the door. Several candles flickered gently in the darkness, illuminating the entire laboratory. He slid into the room. He waited for Ben to follow him inside. Then he quietly shut the door.
After Beverly's rescue, he'd called Ben back to Kirby. They'd waited in the common room all night, sitting in the darkest corner. It had taken hours but their persistence had paid off when Reed and Holly walked into the kitchen area. The two of them had looked tired but cheery. It didn't take long for Roy to realize Beverly was going to be okay.
He'd waited until they were totally distracted. Then he and Ben had snuck past them and darted down the hallway. No one had seen them. No one would see them. The Ice Pyramid would remain a secret.
He cast his eyes from side to side. It didn't take him long to spot Beverly Ginger. She lay on a long table. A mattress, probably dragged in from one of the empty rooms, supported her weight. A soft pillow rested under her head.
Roy stood still for a couple of minutes. He listened to her soft breaths. He inhaled the scent of her blood. He tasted disinfectant and other chemicals in the air.
He walked to her side. He felt bad about killing her. She didn't deserve to die. But he didn't have a choice. The Ice Pyramid was too important. He couldn't allow her to reveal its existence to the world.
He picked up a pillow. He lingered for a moment.
Then he pushed it into her face.
Chapter 62
Beverly couldn't breathe.
It was strong, way too strong. It pinned her down, crushed her under its giant body. She thrust in every possible direction. But she couldn't escape it.
Snow swirled around her. It completely engulfed her, blocking her vision. Then it parted. She got a brief glimpse of the beast.
It lunged at her. She lifted her left arm, shoved it against the beast's throat. It grunted. Its gnashing teeth halted just inches from her neck.
What in God's name was it? She couldn't tell. It was moving far too fast.
Her lungs starved for air. She pushed her arm, driving the beast back a few inches. Then she coiled up her other arm and balled up her fist. With a sudden movement, she unleashed it. Her fist soared upward. It sank into a soft belly. The beast winced. Its eyes watered. Lifting its head, it sucked at the air.
For a split second, the heavy weight on her body vanished. Beverly tried to scramble away. But the beast was too quick. It fell back on top of her, smothering her beneath its massive weight.
She tried to breathe. But she couldn't fill her lungs.
The beast pushed down on her, forcing more air out of her body.
She saw hints of blackness. Swiftly, she formed another fist.
This time, the beast blocked her attack. Its paw felt pulpy and free of hair. It forced her right arm into the cold snow.
She jammed her left arm deeper into the beast's throat.
Another paw appeared. There were paws everywhere. What was going on?
A weight pressed against her left wrist. Beverly steeled her muscles. But the beast was too heavy, too strong. Slowly, it forced her arm toward the snow. Its jaws inched closer to her. Teeth grazed her neck. Blood — her blood — dripped down her skin and mixed with the white powder.