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They hadn't gone very far past the gate, when Nick held up his hand to signal a halt.
Livingston came up behind him.
"Why are we stopping?"
"Because of that."
A dozen tall posts topped with skulls blocked the way.
"Somebody posted a no trespassing sign," Nick said.
"Not very friendly," Lamont said.
"You get the feeling we're being watched?" Ronnie asked.
"Yeah. Since before we walked through that gate. You?"
"Yup."
Livingston looked as though he'd eaten something that didn't agree with him. He cleared his throat.
"There are indigenous tribes in this area," he said. "Some of them are hostile to outsiders."
"Now you tell us," Ronnie said.
"I did mention it before."
Lamont gestured at the skulls.
"Looks pretty hostile to me."
Nick reached up to scratch his ear. If someone was watching, it was impossible to see them in the thick growth.
"Weapons free," he said.
Safeties came off with a series of clicks. Livingston carried a pistol. Alonso and Diego still had the pistols Nick had given them when the pirates attacked. After seeing how they'd handled themselves, he'd let them keep the weapons. Now he was glad he'd made that decision.
"Listen up," Nick said. "It feels like someone's out there watching us. We have to assume they're hostile. Where we are now, we're vulnerable. This isn't a good place for a fight. The ruins must be nearby. Our best bet is to find them. They ought to give us some defensive cover if things go south."
"How do you want to do it, Nick?" Ronnie said.
"You and I will take point and cut trail. We continue in column. Ten foot intervals. Jeffrey, you, Alonso, and Diego get in the middle. Selena, Valentina, you bracket them. Lamont, you take our six. Everyone keeps their eyes peeled."
"Do you really think this is necessary?" Livingston asked. "Those skulls could have been put there years ago."
"Or last week," Nick said.
"I would rather be up front."
"You hired us to protect you," Nick said. "That's what I'm doing. Take your place in the middle of the column."
Livingston was about to protest. Then he saw the look in Nick's eyes.
"Trust me," Nick said. "We'll discuss everything later. For now, please do what I say."
Livingston sniffed. "Very well."
"Anyone who lives here knows how to stay hidden," Nick said. "Don't stare at the jungle trying to find them. Let your eyes move freely. Our minds are good at noticing something that doesn't belong. Trust your instincts. If you see something, call it out. It doesn't matter if you're wrong. If somebody's out there, don't worry about alerting them. They already know we're here and where we are."
"Damn," Lamont said. "I thought I was done with Indian country."
"Ronnie is Indian," Valentina said. "What is this you mean?"
"He means we're in hostile territory," Ronnie said. "My ancestors were pretty good at making enemies discover they were in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"Like your Western movies?"
"You know about the Battle of the Little Big Horn? General Custer?"
"Yes."
"Like that," Ronnie said. "Indian country."
"I wish you hadn't brought that up," Lamont said.
"Okay," Nick said. "Form up."
They headed out. Nick tried to pick the easiest path through the thick growth. Monkeys chattered overhead, annoyed at the intrusion. It wasn't long before they began to see more signs that there had once been buildings here.
Nick cut away a hanging vine and stepped out into sunlight. His boot came down on a hard surface. He looked down and saw he was standing on a wide, smooth stone, at the edge of what had once been a broad square. Up ahead, a large, dark shape loomed among the trees. Until that moment, it had been invisible. Stunned by the sight, Nick held up his hand to signal a stop.
"What's up?" Ronnie said.
"Take a look," Nick said.
Ahead was a large stepped pyramid, hidden from the air by the canopy. The stones were dark with age and mold, stained with centuries of rain and neglect. Plants and trees had taken root on the terraces. Thick, woody vines crawled over the structure. A wide flight of steps rose from the square, straight up the front of the pyramid. At the top was a tall, rectangular structure flanked by two square pillars. A black opening yawned between them.
In places where the jungle had not covered or stained the stones, the pyramid gleamed like dull gold.
"Man, that's something," Lamont said.
Selena shivered.
"It looks a lot like that one in Mexico," she said.
Years ago, she had nearly died on the steps of a pyramid like this.
Livingston came up beside them.
"Oh my," he said. "It's complete. Do you realize what an astounding find this is? Until now, the best example that's been found of an Inca temple is the Temple of the Sun at Machu Picchu. This puts that to shame."
"Must've been something when it was new," Ronnie said.
Livingston was ecstatic.
"Look at the size of those stones and the way they're fitted! They did all this without mortar. The Incas didn't use it."
"I have bad feeling about this place," Valentina said.
"Me too," Nick said. "We'll move to the base and set up camp."
Eyes watched from the jungle, as they moved across the broken plaza toward the pyramid.