Page 63 of Sins of Leo

“I don’t recognize those symbols,” she indicated, waving at the door.

“Me either, but it must have something to do with the Zodiac. I mean, they look kind of familiar.” He squinted at them as if they would suddenly become clear.

“This one looks like half a Libra symbol mixed with another one.” She indicated, pressing her finger to the carving.

“Here’s the other half of the scales.” The moment he touched it, the libra sign faded out of view, leaving only half a symbol behind.

She blinked. “Wait a second. Is this like a word jumble with your star tokens instead?”

“Might be. What’s left of yours?”

She lifted her finger and pursed her lips, trying to recall what the Zodiacs looked like. “I want to say Pisces?” She couldn’t help a questioning lilt.

Leo glanced around before finding the missing piece. As they both touched the mark, it also disappeared.

It didn’t take long after that to figure it out, although it became clear it took two of them to do it. None of the symbols were within reach of the match, so while she would press one down low, he’d be stretching high, poking its mirror.

Once the symbols disappeared, the door groaned before sliding open.

Ruth hesitated before entering. She glanced at her father and knelt, murmuring, “Bye, Dad.”

Leo envied her in that moment, for at least she’d found closure.

The next room reminded Leo of Scorpio’s debrief report. A massive, vaulted chamber whose walls glowed as soon as he touched them. A room seemingly empty until he glanced overhead.

“There’s the relic.” He pointed to the metallic orb.

“Is it me, or is that thing floating?” she remarked.

“It’s definitely not being held up by anything.”

“How do we get it down?”

“Remember what I said about Scorpio having to kiss his lady friend?”

She arched a brow. “I don’t see how smooching will lower it.”

“Me either, but I’m not about to argue a chance to kiss your lips.” He reeled her close and dipped his head to press his mouth to hers.

He could taste the skepticism in the hesitation before her lips softened and parted.

They kissed, long enough he was ready to lay her down on that floor and make her scream his name.

Only…

“Leo, it worked!” He opened his eyes to see her staring upward.

The orb lowered slowly, and when it got close enough, he grabbed it, the sphere a little less than football-sized and fitting easily in the palm of his hand.

“We did it,” she crowed, happiness shining in her eyes, which faded as she added, “Now how do we get out?”

In Antarctica, Scorpio claimed the ceiling caved in and they escaped through the resulting hole. The ceiling didn’t appear ready to crack.

“I don’t know,” Leo muttered, only to frown. “Do you hear that?”

The rumble started out faint but grew in tenor, and Ruth tucked close to him, seeking reassurance. “What’s happening?”

Before he could reply, the rear wall burst open, literally, as water pummeled its way through.

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