Risen (Haunted Series Book 22)

have never gotten in this position.  The treasure is nowhere near here.”
“Mason found proof it was put on the America.  They came to Guadeloupe, but they didn’t leave anything there.  However, they were going to stop on a private island before heading to someplace in North America.  After questioning a few of the locals, we determined that Lanfé is the island in question.  There, we found clothing from a French seaman in a cave behind the waterfall.”
“The America went on to the port of New Orleans.  Did you follow up on what the America unloaded in New Orleans?”
“No.”
“Or where the ship headed next?”
“No.”
“Or that it was seen heading down the Saint Lawrence seaway to Montreal a few months later?”
“No.  We were here and decided to check out here first,” Patrick defended.
“Probably what most people would have done, I’ll give you that,” Burt said.  “The situation is, you placed Sabine in jeopardy by landing on Lucifer’s Lip.  It’s a place where they exiled a flesh-eating demon.  Who they are, I don’t know.  Why they thought a Caribbean island was a good place to imprison it is beyond me, but it’s there.  It has in its employ a kraken type of beast that has hundreds of tentacles.  It can pull a ship out of the sea.  It eats humans, as does its master, a demon who was stripped of his name.”
“Why is Sabine in danger?”
“She’s a vessel.  She can transport entities.  With Sabine, the creature can leave the island.  She won’t survive long.  As soon as the creature sets foot on a continent, it will cast her away and take on another form, most likely bringing its pet monster with it.”
“You’re telling me a good tale, Hicks,” Patrick said.  “I don’t get why you’re here.”
“The Wall treasure is part of the Bea White investigation.  I have the legal paperwork to put me here filming your little treasure hunt.  Ted’s setting up a secure satellite link.  The phone you’re using, the Feds have been monitoring since you got here.”
“Why?”
“A six-boat beach excursion from a cruise ship has gone missing.  There are forty people unaccounted for who were last seen headed towards Lanfé, which is otherwise known as…”
“Lucifer’s Lip.  So, our secret treasure hunt is no longer a secret.  I’ve roused a beast, and the fair Sabine is in peril.  Well, if that doesn’t beat all.  It’s my luck doing this.  There is no unluckier feller than Patrick Callen.”
“Hey, you got the fair Sabine to go on a cruise with you.  Seems to me you’re doing quite well,” Burt commiserated.
“I suppose you’re here to put a stop to the investigation.”
“No, just to redirect you.”
“What’s in it for you?”
“Film.  I’m sure you’re going to run into some ghosts or other paranormal things that I can present on our show.”
“Things can’t be that bad in the ghost-hunting business that you have to cross the sea to get some pictures.”
“I’m trying to salvage and legitimize your being here.  If you want to face Whitney Martin and his federally funded paranormal investigative group on your own, then we’ll pack up and leave you to it.  But we’re taking Sabine with us.”
“Heartless creature,” Patrick said.  “My boat is your boat.  Just try to keep your mitts off the gold doubloons.”
“Doubloons are Spanish coins. You’re looking for whole and half guineas.  You do need us, Callen.”
“Forgive me if I’m not exactly pleased to see you.”
“Mia wants to get you up to speed.  We’ll meet in Sabine’s stateroom in a few minutes.”
“Mia’s here?”
“Yes.”
“So, Sabine asked you guys to come?”
“Not exactly.  Mia was all but ordered to by Angelo.”
“I don’t remember her working for him?”
“She doesn’t, but it did light a fire under her and spoil her vacation from the kids.”
“So she dragged you guys in too.”
“That’s one way of looking at things.  I volunteered.  Ted too.  We believe in what you’re trying to do.  We’re just worried about the wasps’ nest you ended up sticking your head into.  I’m going to get settled in one of the empty rooms.  See you in a few minutes.”
Patrick waited for Burt to shut his stateroom door before he climbed out of bed.  He looked in the mirror, and although he could use a shave, he had better not take the time.  Mason was on his shit list.  Where was he?  Why hadn’t he raised the alarm of intruders onboard?  How did they all get onboard in the first place?
Mia lifted Sabine into Nicholai’s arms.  “Take her to the farmhouse.  Cid will call Orion if she doesn’t come out of this funk soon.”
“I’ll turn around and come right back.”
“As much as it would comfort me to have you by my side, after you are well rested, I would appreciate it if you would speak with Angelo and let him know what exactly is going on down here.  Wings or no wings, that’s a hell of a trip, and you’re doing it back to back.”
“Until we meet again, Little Bird,” Nicholai said and took off.
Mason watched Mia as she walked down to the cabins, relighting the deck lamps as she went.  “How does she do that?” he asked Murphy.
“The bulbs just needed to be resettled.  Mia’s not a wizard.  She’s just using basic telekinesis.”
“When Sabine was extinguishing the lights, I thought she was a wizard,” Mason admitted.
“Have you ever seen Mia’s trick with a knife?” Murphy asked the young man.
“No.”
“She tosses the knife behind her attacker, and then she uses her mind to return it to her hand after bisecting the combatant.”
“Remind me to treat her with better respect,” Mason said, fighting off the chill that had settled in after realizing that Mia was indeed a trained fighter.  “When you look at Mia, how do you see her?  Do