“Snake oil as some sort of cure has been peddled for decades,” Blair said.
Spinning, Nat tapped on her laptop. “Wait. Look at this.” She pulled up several images of statues of Minoan figurines.
“There’s one of those statues in the artifacts.” Ty carefully pulled it out. The woman had a full skirt, her breasts on display, and her arms held aloft. In each hand, she held a snake.
“The Minoan snake goddess,” Nat said. “British archeologist, Arthur Evans, found the first of the snake goddess figurines at Knossos. He was the man who first discovered the ruins.”
“What’s it mean?” Axel asked.
She glanced at him. He looked much better today, although his face was still pale.
“We aren’t entirely sure who she was or what she represented, but other cultures, like the Egyptians, also had a snake goddess. She usually symbolizes both the home and handicraft, but she had a flip side and also represented warfare.”
“Warfare,” Lachlan murmured.
Nat nodded. “The Minoan snake goddess is heavily linked to the Greek goddess, Athena. She was both the goddess of the home and wisdom, and a warrior.” Nat tapped her notebook. “I’m still combing through the texts, but what if this snake goddess is a representation of the advanced people who handed the virus down to the Minoans? Someone who survived the floods at the end of the ice age, and brought with them this snake-based virus that could create a warrior beast of horrific strength and power?”
“Ty, does this help you find a cure for it?” Lachlan asked.
Ty shoved his hands on his hips and blew out a breath. “Vaccines and cures for viruses can take years to develop and test. And they are prone to mutating and changing.”
“Is that a no?”
“I’ll do what I can, but no promises.”
A tablet on the table chimed.
“That’s Brooks,” Lachlan said.
They clustered around the screen. Brooks appeared looking rumpled, his T-shirt creased and stained with what looked like coffee. On the front of it was a cute Baby Yoda, and under the tiny alien was written, “No coffee, no workee.”
Nat swallowed her giggle. You could always count on Brooks and his shirts to brighten your day.
“Hey Axel, how are you feeling?” Brooks asked.
Axel grunted. “I’ll survive.”
“Lucky he has a very hard head.” Blair broke a piece off the cupcake she was holding and shoved it in her mouth.
Axel gave her the finger and she blew him a kiss.
“So, bad news,” Brooks said.
Lachlan made a sound that made Nat wince.
“Well, I wasn’t expecting good news,” Lachlan growled.
“I hacked into CCTV at Heraklion Airport.” Brooks pushed his glasses higher up on his nose. “Several hours before the attack in the labyrinth, these people entered Crete.”
Images of several unsmiling people popped up on the screen. Nat studied them. Not one of them looked like someone she wanted to meet on a well-lit street, let alone in a dark alley. One of them was the dead merc they’d found in the tunnels.
“Look ex-military,” Seth noted.
Brooks nodded. “Two Russians, both former Spetsnaz. A former Navy SEAL who was dishonorably discharged.”
Smith, a former SEAL himself, made an unhappy sound.
“A guy who’s worked his way through most of the private military contractors around the world. A woman who used to work for Mossad. Another woman who worked for British domestic counter-intelligence at MI5. And their leader.”
A final picture of a muscular man with a rugged face appeared. His features were dominated by a straight, large nose that made Nat think of images of Julius Caesar.
“This is Hugo Vernier. Former French Intelligence. They kicked him out for torturing suspects to death.”
Blair wrinkled her nose. “Nice.”
“Who do they work for?” Lachlan asked.
Brooks sighed. “A group called the Hannibal Syndicate.”
“Never heard of them,” Axel said.
“I’ve lost track of all the different assholes we deal with,” Smith grumbled.
River shook her head, her dark curls bouncing. “MI6 had a dossier on them. A very thin one. They are secretive as hell and bad news.”
“Bad news is right.” Brooks pushed his glasses up again. “They’re arms dealers. Expensive ones, specializing in providing very dangerous weapons to very dangerous clients.”
“Fuck.” Lachlan leaned back in his chair.
“Why take Kitchener?” Nat asked.
“They don’t want Kitchener,” Axel replied. “They want the virus.”
She stared at him in dawning horror. “No.”
He nodded. “They’ll try to weaponize it.”
Blair shook her head and reached for the pack of cupcakes. “Screw it, I’m having another cupcake.”
River pressed her hands to the table. “I know the Hannibal Syndicate was fingered for selling biological weapons to crime groups in Eastern Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Local law enforcement could never pin anyone down in order to prosecute.”
“Where are Vernier and his team now?” Lachlan asked.
“I picked them up at the port of Rethymno.” Brooks tapped his screen. “That’s a smaller port on the north coast of Crete. One boat left in the right timeframe, destined for the island of Santorini.”
“They’ll have a jet waiting there,” Lachlan said. “We need to stop them before they leave Greece.”
The entire team rose.
“Brooks, we’ll take the X8 to Santorini. While we’re in the air, you find the Syndicate’s plane.”
Brooks nodded, his fingers flying across his keyboard. “Already on it.”
“Everyone, pack up,” Lachlan ordered. “We’re moving out.”
It didn’t take long. The entire team worked quickly and soon, they were in the SUVs racing toward Heraklion Airport.
Nat sat wedged in between Axel and Ty in the back seat. She pressed a hand to Axel’s thigh. “How are you feeling?”
“Head’s still thumping, but I want to stop these assholes.”
She nodded. “If the Minotaur gets loose…” She shuddered.
“Not gonna happen. We won’t let it.” He put his hand over hers, and she flipped hers over and tangled their fingers.
“Lachlan?” Brooks voice came from the SUV’s dash.
“Yeah,” Lachlan said.
“I found their jet. It’s at the Santorini Airport. Unmarked private jet at a small, private hangar at the southern end of the airport. Aircraft is showing as owned by a pharmaceutical company. Company’s bogus.”
“Good work,” Lachlan said. “We’re on our way.”
“Good luck, and be careful,” Brooks said.
Soon, they hit the outskirts of Heraklion, and not long later, pulled into the airport.
Nat settled into a seat on the X8 and stroked the leather. The mission wasn’t over, but she was damn glad to be leaving Crete. She’d always dreamed of visiting here, but this wasn’t how she’d envisioned it going. She crossed her legs, one leg bouncing. Now, they just had to stop the Hannibal Syndicate and get the Minotaur back.
Seth and Blair’s murmurs came from the cockpit, as the pair did their pre-flight checks.
“Buckle up,” Seth called. “We’re cleared for take-off.”
Minutes later, they were taking off over the jewel-blue waters of the Mediterranean toward another island steeped in history and linked to Atlantis.
Nat had always wanted to visit Santorini as well. She had found that wherever there were myths about Atlantis, she usually found signs of the advanced, ancient cultures who’d come before.
She just really wished this one hadn’t left a deadly virus that could mutate people into monsters.
A lean hand touched her bouncing leg. She looked across the aisle at Axel.
“We’re going to stop these assholes,” he growled.
She
nodded. She just hoped that before they did that, no one else got hurt.
* * *
Santorini offered a damn fine view from the air.
Axel looked out the window at the crescent-shaped island. The island’s history was stamped all over it. It was very clear that it was the remnant of a volcano. The steep cliffs on one side were dotted with the white buildings the island was known for.
When they landed, two SUVs were once again waiting for them.
“Kinsey is a goddess,” Axel said.
“Or a magician,” Nat suggested.
A tiny smile curled Smith’s lips.
“Here.” Lachlan moved to the back of the jet-copter. He opened a black bag filled with sleek, black masks. “The Hannibal Syndicate gassed us once, and since they specialize in biological weapons, we aren’t taking any chances.”
Axel clipped his mask onto his belt. He watched Nat examine hers, and it set Axel’s nerves on edge. He didn’t want her breathing the same air as these fuckers.
Blair strode out of the cockpit. Lachlan handed her a long tranquilizer gun, which she checked over. A small case was full of red-tipped darts.
“Veterinarian-grade tranqs,” Lachlan said. “Should bring down the Minotaur.”
Blair nodded.
“Guys,” Brooks’ voice came through Lachlan’s tablet. “The Hannibal Syndicate mercs are boarding their plane and prepping for takeoff.”
“Let’s move.” Lachlan leaped out of the X8 and strode for the SUVs. The team picked up their gear and followed.
“Ty and Nat,” Lachlan said. “You two need to stay in the SUV.”
Ty didn’t look thrilled.
Nat shook her head. “We could help—”
“No.” Lachlan’s tone said it wasn’t up for discussion.
Axel was damn glad Lachlan had made that decision. He turned to face her. “Here.”
She stared at the Glock in his hand. “You need it—”
“It’s my spare. Take it.”
She checked it over. Not professional, but she knew what she was doing. He’d seen her at the base firing range a few times.
Beside them, Ty yanked River into his arms and kissed her.
Nat sucked in a breath and looked at Axel. “Stay safe.”
He nodded. Something shifted in her eyes, and before he guessed what she was doing, she grabbed the front of his vest and tugged. Her lips hit his, her tongue darting inside.
Shit. Damn. He got a hit of her taste before she broke the kiss. Then she swiveled and headed to the second SUV, her hips swaying. Ty shot him an amused look and followed.
The rest of the team stared at him.
Axel fought the urge to hunch his shoulders. “I’m trying to stay away from her.” He stomped toward the first SUV. “She’s being stubborn.”
“You’re being an idiot,” Blair climbed into the vehicle.
Callie shook her head and followed.
Axel looked at his remaining teammates. “She deserves better than me.”
Lachlan just stared at him, Seth shook his head, River raised a brow, and Smith grunted.
Axel scowled. “She does.”
“She deserves you stepping up and giving her what she needs,” Lachlan said.
“It isn’t that easy.”
“We always think that,” Seth said. “Our demons tell us that.” He clapped a hand to Axel’s shoulder. “But it can be easy, trust me.”
Axel climbed into the back of the SUV. He didn’t want to talk about this. Soon, they were speeding toward the far end of the airport.
“Pull up behind that hangar,” Lachlan ordered.
The team slid out. They skirted the hangar, and around the other side, he saw the sleek, private jet.
A few of the mercs moved around the plane, but there was no sound, so he guessed the Minotaur was drugged, or well contained.
A man ducked out of the jet, pausing at the top of the steps. Vernier.
Yep, these were definitely the assholes Brooks had showed them. Vernier looked like a bruiser.
“Incoming,” Blair murmured.
A van pulled up beside the plane. Vernier opened the side door and waved at a man.
“Bring it,” the man ordered, his French accent clear.
Several mercs slid out of the van, then heaved the motionless Minotaur out.
“Fucker’s heavy,” someone muttered.
“Wait, 52,” Lachlan murmured.
Axel gripped his CXM tightly. He was itching to take these assholes down.
One man dropped the Minotaur’s legs, and the mercs all cursed.
“Now,” Lachlan said.
Team 52 sprinted out from behind the hangar. Axel fired on the mercs.
As bullets whizzed, he saw several mercs go down. Others dived for cover.
“Close in.” Lachlan’s steady voice. “Take them down.”
Axel saw a female merc pop up from behind some boxes and lob something into the air. Sunlight glinted off metal.
“Watch out, grenade!” Axel yelled.
It hit the ground and rolled. Axel slammed his mask into place.
The grenade exploded, but there was no gas. Instead, there was a burst of bright, disorienting light, followed by an earsplitting sound.
What the fuck? He’d never seen anything like it. The light speared into his eyes and he blinked, trying to see. His brain switched off, like it couldn’t process all the stimuli.
He blinked and saw dark shadows. Dammit, the mercs were advancing.
Where was his team? He looked down and heard Blair cursing steadily. Smith was on his knees, a gloved hand pressed to the side of his head.
“What’s wrong with us?” Seth barked.
Axel dropped to one knee. His heart throbbed and his eyes streamed. He fired his CXM in the general direction of the plane, hoping to stop the mercs dragging the Minotaur to the aircraft.
In the distance, he heard car doors slamming. Then, Nat and Ty ran into view.
Nat. God, no.
She was firing the Glock he’d given her. Ty fired a CXM. Mercs dived to the ground.
Nearby, a merc rose, blood streaming down the side of his head. He lifted a gun, aiming at Nat.
Axel growled and jump on the merc, tackling him to the tarmac.
The pair rolled several times. Axel elbowed the man and he grunted. Axel followed with a punch to the face.
The merc slumped, and Axel looked up. The rest of the team were fighting hand to hand. Nat and Ty were still firing on the mercs near the plane.
A merc ran toward Axel, and a second later, a bullet whizzed past. It almost clipped Axel’s arm.
“Hey!” Axel punched the merc.
“Sorry,” Nat yelled. “Not my best shot.”
Axel strode to her and took the Glock. He turned and fired. His shots missed, but several mercs ducked. Shit, his senses were still off.
A female merc appeared out of nowhere. She was almost as tall as Axel and her eyes were ice-cold. He shoved Nat back and the merc charged.
She swung out and Axel dodged. As he turned, she rammed her other fist into his gut. Pain exploded through him, the air rushing out of his chest. She was wearing metal knuckles on her hand.
The woman smiled. She clearly liked inflicting pain. Bitch. Axel swung out, and the woman ducked. He followed through by ramming his elbow into her stomach. She wheezed and doubled over.
Then he heard Nat.
“Fuck you!” she yelled.
Axel spun and his blood turned to ice.
Vernier had Nat, her back pressed to his front. He was holding a knife to her throat.
“Stop, or the woman dies,” Vernier drawled.
Team 52 all stilled.
“Get the asset on the plane.”
Several mercs shuffled to the lifeless Minotaur. They grunted and heaved, and carried the creature up the steps and aboard the jet.
Fuck. Fuck. Axel kept his gaze on Vernier.
The leader stepped back, using Nat as a shield. A tric
kle of blood seeped down her neck, and Axel took a step forward.
“Uh-uh.” Vernier dug the knife in, his gaze pinned to Axel.
Nat gasped and winced. A larger trickle of blood soaked into the neckline of her T-shirt.
The merc leader watched them with cold, impassive eyes.
“Let her go.” Axel was going crazy inside. He fought for some control.
“She’s a pretty thing.” Vernier reached the base of the plane’s steps. “I might keep her.”
Axel’s hand clenched.
“Yes,” Vernier said. “I think she’ll come with us.”
No. Axel took another step.
“Axel,” Lachlan warned.
All of a sudden, Nat rammed her head back and smashed into Vernier’s chin.
The man yelped, the knife jerking. Fear exploded through Axel. As Nat threw herself forward, he expected to see her throat slit open.
Vernier cursed and grabbed for her, but missed. As Nat ran toward Axel, Vernier cursed again, then swiveled and jogged up the steps.
Nat fell and hit the tarmac on her hands and knees.
Axel sprinted for her, just as the plane’s engines started up.
Ty fired as Vernier ducked through the door. Axel snatched up Nat and she threw her arms around him.
“Don’t ever do that again!” he roared over the jet’s engines.
Nat buried her face in his neck and Axel pulled her close, trying to calm his out-of-control pulse.
Nearby, Lachlan stood with his hands on his hips, glaring at the departing plane. “Fuck.”
Axel thought it was definitely worth a fuck or three.
Chapter Eleven
Moments later, the team was back on the X8. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured, but unspoken rage filled the jet.
Nat could feel the anger throbbing off them all. Axel set her down gently in a seat, and she smiled weakly at him. He grabbed her palm, rubbing a finger over the abrasions there, then his gaze moved to her neck and something dark shifted in his gaze.
“Callie, gauze,” Axel barked.
The medic handed some over and he carefully pressed it against Nat’s neck.
“I’m okay,” she said.
His mouth tightened.
“Brooks, find that jet,” Lachlan snapped.
Mission: Her Shield: Team 52 #7 Page 8
