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shaman’s power.”
    “How so?”
    “Alert the shaman at Machu Picchu to prepare for a great sacrifice.” Kentar turned toward the window, his eyes glowing red.
    The hairs on the back of Imac’s neck stiffened.
    Marisol reeled backward against the stone wall. Did Kentar plan to sacrifice Gunnar so that Pachacuti could assume the shaman’s powers?
    Marisol had to get back to Gunnar and warn him, but she couldn’t until she knew Imac was safely away from Pachacuti and Kentar.
    “How will I get him to Machu Picchu? He is a shaman. Won’t he see through your plan?” Pachacuti asked.
    “You are a master tactician, Emperor. How have you conquered so many thus far?”
    The emperor stared straight ahead, a scowl hardening his jaw. “Imac. She is my most trusted warrior.”
    “Send her and the jaguar warriors to Machu Picchu. Tell her that if Ollantay is successful against General Rumi-Naui, Machu Picchu could be next. She needs to be there to defend it. Assign the shaman to Imac as protection. She will not suspect a thing. You will have the shaman out of Cusco and have protection for Machu Picchu.”
    “Imac will be gone for many days.” Pachacuti’s scowl deepened.
    Marisol felt Imac’s anger lessen, the rumble in her throat turning to a purr. The woman obviously had feelings for her lover, Pachacuti.
    “Use the time to plan the future expansion of your empire, unencumbered by a jealous female. A great warrior is Imac, but first and foremost, she is female and very demanding of your time.”
    Pachacuti stepped toward the window.
    Imac shrank back against the stone wall, ready to leap to the ground should the emperor come closer.
    The Incan ruler crossed his arms over his chest. “I could use time to think, and I greatly desire the power of the Inti shaman.”
    “Your greatness, you might consider also that Imac’s power grows, as well,” Kentar persisted.
    Imac hissed quietly, her fingernails digging into the stone.
    “Careful, Kentar,” Pachacuti warned. “Imac is my heart, my soul.”
    “Beware she is not also your mind.” Kentar’s tone was low, intense.
    The hairs on the back of Marisol’s neck rose as did Imac’s. Kentar’s words were meant to drive a wedge between Pachacuti and Imac.
    Kentar’s gaze shifted from Pachacuti’s back to the window where Imac perched. His eyes narrowed.
     
    Kentar stepped around Pachacuti. “The air grows cold. Let me close the shutters.”
    Imac leaped to the ground and padded through the garden, careful to stay in the shadows. As she passed a pool, she stopped to drink, dipping her face close to the water’s edge.
    The moon chose that moment to break free of clouds, shining down on the garden, creating a reflection in the pool.
    Marisol considered breaking contact and hurrying to warn Gunnar of Kentar’s plan. But as Imac paused beside the pool, Marisol peered into the water through Imac’s eyes and stared into the golden eyes of a black jaguar.
    Marisol jumped, her head hitting the rim of the pedestal with the statue. Pain radiated from the point of impact and for a moment, she lost contact with Imac. When she returned, Imac was on the move, weaving through the bushes and trees to a doorway leading into the palace.
    She stopped in the shadows, stretching her muscles, straightening to stand upright. She shivered, gooseflesh rising on her arms. Until that moment, the cool night air had not affected her. The pause before entering the palace had given Imac the necessary time for her anger to cool.
    Then Imac bent to sift through a pile of clothing at her feet, slipping a tunic over her head and shoving her legs into wool pants. She lifted a medallion dangling around her neck to adjust it before tucking it back beneath the neck of her tunic.
    For a brief moment, Marisol could see intricate carvings in bronze. Shock rippled through her.
    When Imac stepped through the doorway, Marisol could feel the other woman’s lips curl into a smile. Then a wall of darkness