Page 4 of The Lost Guardian

“I didn’t mean to interrupt,” she said, her voice hitting his system like café con leche. “You seemed preoccupied.”

Her tone had the melody of an accent, and he wondered where she was from. Did she live in LA, or was she only visiting? He chided himself for thinking it would make a difference.

“Who, me? No, no.” Santiago tucked the rope back into his pocket. “I was just practicing, but it’s not important…not more important, I mean, than you. Than helping you…”

Santiago stopped and took a breath. Fucking hell, he thought.

“What I mean is, you didn’t interrupt at all. How can I help you, Miss…” He let his voice trail off into a question.

“Ali,” she responded, still smiling despite his ramblings.

“Ali,” he repeated, a smile of his own creeping onto his face.

“And you are?” she prompted him, her tone teasing.

“Oh! Santiago Rios,” he said, jerking his spine straight and sticking out his hand.

A handshake, Santiago! Really? He wished his inner monologue would take a day off.

“Mr. Rios,” Ali repeated, amused. She reached out, placing her hand in his.

“Santiago.” He shook his head. “Just Santiago is fine.”

She chuckled softly, then stepped away, turning to take in the room. “I was hoping you could tell me a bit about this exhibit.”

Santiago’s palm tingled where it had touched hers, and an electric energy flooded his system, making up for the missed coffee. He rubbed his thumb over his palm to calm the sensation.

“I certainly can,” he answered, instantly grounded. History was a topic he could handle.

“That’s wonderful,” Ali said.

Santiago remembered to breathe.

“Ancient civilizations fascinate me. Particularly from Central and South America,” she continued.

“Well, you’re in luck.” Santiago hoped he sounded cool and confident. “I’m doing my PhD in archeology with a focus on pre-Columbian Andean societies.”

“Really?” She cocked her head to the side. “Archaeology?”

He fought back the grin that threatened to overtake his face.

“You go to ruins, then?” Ali leaned in. “I’ve always wanted to see one.”

“Yeah.” He recalled a trip he took as an undergrad, back when grants were easier to come by.

“Have you found any treasures of your own?” Her eyes caught the light, sparkling like gold, and Santiago felt suddenly and intensely connected to his ancestors. He, too, had the urge to fashion an entire temple out of precious metal.

“Well, no…” He hated the answer, but he wouldn’t lie to her, either.

“Oh.” Ali’s face fell for a fraction of a second, nearly bringing Santi to his knees.

“Someday…” Santiago decided right then—he would work up the courage to ask Dr. Silva about joining the upcoming dig. Funding be damned.

“So, where do you study?” Ali salvaged the conversation, and Santiago briefly admired her social graces.

“UCLA.” He smiled. “The museum’s resident historian is my adviser, so I get a job and a mentor.”

“Impressive,” she said. “You must be very clever.”