The Spell of the Mayas: Dr Byron Willoughby Mysteries, #2

By Penny BroJacquie

Time travel, murders, and hidden identities!

After discovering that Byron Willoughby is her biological father, Amy decided to accompany him on his expedition to the Mayan ruins, hoping to earn his trust and prove her own worthiness.
But of course, Amy couldn't resist the temptation to explore the ruins at night against his warnings.
Big mistake.
Amy fell back in time. And some of the students were murdered.
With a murder mystery on her hands and her own innocence at stake, Amy must navigate a world of secrets and deception.
Will she find a way back to her own time and clear her name? Is the mysterious Elkay a friend or her enemy?
Tor who looks as gorgeous as Thor reenters her life with promises of help, but can she trust him?
Little does Amy know, both men are hiding secrets about their true identities that only Dr. Byron Willoughby knows.

Get ready for a twist-filled journey to unlock the truth, where not everyone is who they seem.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penny BroJacquie
• Release date: Nov 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223594505

Book preview

Chapter 1

My stepfather always told me my impulsive tendencies were going to get me into trouble. And he was right. I had joined a team of rogue archaeologists who raided ancient tombs and stole magic relics.

But this time, I was on a mission to steal a magic golden leaf from a living human being, a man who was very much alive and having lunch in the diner where I worked part-time.

With Dr. Byron Willoughby’s blessings, I had been working undercover as a waitress in the diner he frequented for over a month in order to figure out his routine; when he dinned in there, with whom and how long he stayed there. I did not know what that golden leaf was about and why Byron wanted it so badly. But I knew I could trust him. He was my biological father after all.

Whatever the magical properties of that golden leaf, if Byron said we should acquire it on behalf of the Society, then that was exactly what we should do. There always was a reasonable explanation behind Dr. Willoughby’s motives.

Today was the day. The clock was ticking, and Byron warned me that if I did not manage to steal that leaf today, I should abort the mission.

Ivan Ivanov sat there with his loud and cheerful friends, who acted like they were kings of the world. I was not surprised. The glasses of beer in front of them were the cause of their ridiculous behavior.

As I walked up to their table with the menu, I formulated my plan. Ivan always wore the golden leaf; it was attached to a golden chain around his neck. Once I heard him saying to his friends that he considered it to be his most precious lucky charm.

I watched as he perused the menu. He was tall and muscular, with a twinkle in his eye and a thick foreign accent. He seemed like a man who knew what he wanted.

Fried chicken and waffles.

Pork chops and hash browns.

Meatloaf and maple syrup.

They ordered their food like they owned the place. I wrote down their orders on my notepad and went off to fetch the food for them.

When I returned, I set it down in front of them. They all dug in hungrily. As I turned to leave, Ivan called me back and asked for a knife. I think one of my friends dropped theirs, he said with a smile. I handed him a clean knife and went back to my station.

A few minutes later, a crash sound came from their table. The knife I had handed him was sticking out of the wall opposite their table. Ivan just laughed and went back to eating his dinner like nothing had happened. The other diners in the restaurant did not seem to care either.

Ivan was one of the most sought-after criminals in the city. He was smarter than most, and more ruthless. He never hesitated to kill anyone who got in his way.

That was why Dr. Willoughby wanted me off; he did not want anything to happen to his only daughter. It was just because of how much I insisted on taking over and trying for a month that finally convinced him otherwise.

Are you sneaking behind my back to see me? Ivan said as he noticed me watching him.

Oh, thank you, but I’m not allowed to socialize with customers before my shift ends in five hours. I bit the inside of my cheek, wondering if he would get the message. And he did.

What about after your shift ends? he asked.

I’ll have to check my schedule.

Ivan checked on my nametag as he pulled his phone out of his pocket. What’s your phone number, Amy? he asked.

Trying to keep my voice low, I slowly uttered the digits of my phone number one by one. Anxiety crept up my spine as I wanted to make sure that I did not mess it up.

You have a text, he said, following his words with a snicker.

I’ll check it out later, I whispered. I am not supposed to have my phone on me while I am working.

We will have another pitcher of beer, he said loudly to make sure he would be heard at the other side of the room from where my manager was looking at us, frowning.

I’ll bring another pitcher, I said and held my notepad close to my chest as I walked away with quick steps.

After a few minutes, I returned with their drink.

Did you check your phone? Ivan whispered and put his hand on mine as I placed the pitcher on their table.

No, I did not get a chance to do it, I replied, trying not to show I was annoyed by his touch. I turned all the way around and looked at the back of the room where my manager was standing. He seemed busy with a pair of customers. But I’ll make sure to do it, I reassured him, keeping my voice low and my eyes down.

I don’t like to have to wait, he said and tightened his grip.

My boss is watching us. I need this job. I don’t want to get into any trouble, I said trying to pull my hand away from his.

Don’t worry about him, he’s a friend of mine, Ivan insisted.

Okay, I said, keeping my voice low and my eyes down. Just give me a couple of minutes.

He nodded and released my hand from his grip.

My heart hammered in my chest as I walked towards the back of the restaurant. I was playing with fire here. Trying to calm myself down, I took a deep breath as I passed the curtain that hid the narrow corridor leading to the kitchen door.

Quickening my steps, I walked down the corridor and pushed the door open. I had headed the wrong way. It was the men’s room. Great.

Hey!

I turned back to see Ivan blocking the way. Well, this was not going the way I planned. My original intention was to go for drinks with him and get him so drunk that he would hand me his golden leaf without even realizing it. But now I was cornered in some smelly restroom with him with no exit strategy whatsoever.

Trying to avoid eye contact, I moved to walk past him. I’m sorry I have to go back to the kitchen.

Work can wait, he insisted.

I am sorry… I really must go back to work. I was now terrified.

You are a beautiful girl, Amy. His words came out slurred due most likely to the number of beers he had been drinking with his friends.

You’d better let me go!

Hey, bitch, I gave you a compliment! He grabbed my arm in a vice grip. You could at least thank me.

Let go of my arm! I yanked my arm hard, but his grip did not yield.

You think you are too good for me? His face was now inches from mine while still holding onto my arm tightly.

I said let me go! My voice rose into a higher pitch as I used my free hand to clutch the front of his jacket while using my leg to force him down. My knee hit where it counted, and he let out a groan of pain that echoed through the room as he folded over his legs.

Hey! Let her go! The door opened behind us, and a tall young man with shoulder-long black hair came from behind and stood protectively in front of me.

In a matter of seconds, the two men started fighting. They struggled on the ground, and it looked like the stranger was winning while holding his own against Ivan who had started getting tired. I shouted for them to stop, but they ignored me.

Then, it happened! The golden chain around Ivan’s neck broke and the golden leaf fell shining on the dirty restroom floor. With a quick move, I picked it up and slipped it into my black pants pocket before the fighting men noticed.

Ivan let out a cry as the stranger kneed him in the groin. He tried to fight back, but in vain. The stranger was stronger and made Ivan sink onto his knees asking for mercy.

Get out of here, the stranger said. I don’t want to see you again anywhere around her!

As Ivan ran out of the restroom, the tall young man turned to me. He smiled as he gently eased my stretched white shirt back on my shoulder.

Thank you, I whispered.

No problem. It’s not often I get to help someone with such a pretty face, he said smoothly.

As I glared at him, I could not help but appreciate the view. He was tall, his black t-shirt slightly askew, showing off his arms. He had an air of mystery about him that I found irresistible.

I watched him with awe as he took my hand and kissed it softly. That was the most impressive thing anyone has done for me. I wondered