Jake Ransom and the Skull King's Shadow by James Rollins

massive stone dragon hovered over the treetops, its wings spread wide. It seemed to be staring straight at Jake. Only the dragon was visible fromthis angle. The pyramid was buried in the forest.
    Jake shared a hopeful glance with Kady. Even this close, the dragon appeared an exact match to the artifact at the British Museum. The pyramid had to offer some clue as to a way home.
    Marika must have read the desire in Jake’s face. She shook her head warningly. “It is forbidden to trespass there. Only the three Magisters of Alchemy are allowed to enter and gaze upon the crystal heart of Kukulkan.”
    Jake heard the longing in the girl’s voice, which further set fire to his own curiosity.
    The crystal heart of Kukulkan? What was that?
    Heronidus grunted his displeasure. “Enough, Marika. I’ve already told you. No speaking to the spies.”
    “They’re not spies!” she insisted yet again.
    Kady cleared her throat. Loudly. All eyes immediately turned to her. Even the chariot’s two pygmy dinosaurs swung their long necks in her direction.
    Jake frowned. How did she do that?
    Kady planted a fist on one hip. Her initial shock had grown into irritation. She fanned her face with her khaki hat, then waved it at the group. “I don’t understand. All you weird people. How come you all speak English?”
    Heronidus cocked his head, appraising her. “ Ang-lash? It this the tongue of your land?”
    She nodded. “Of course. It’s what you’re speaking, too.”
    “No. Here we speak All-World. As you are doing now.”
    Kady touched her fingers to her lips, looking concerned.
    “All-World?” Jake asked.
    “It is a gift of the temple gods,” Heronidus said, and pointed his sword toward the pyramid, violating his own order not to talk to them.
    Marika explained in more detail. “The same shield that rises from Kukulkan and protects our valley also grants a common tongue to all the Lost Tribes. So one neighbor can understand another. To unite all in peace and harmony.”
    Jake stared toward the stone dragon. It sounded like some universal translator.
    “But we have not forgotten our own tribe’s language,” Heronidus said, and puffed out his breastplate. “It can be spoken, but it takes concentration.”
    Demonstrating this, Heronidus spat out something in Latin, aimed at Pindor. It sounded like an insult.
    Pindor blushed, while Marika bristled. She must have understood the Latin. “Pindor is not a coward! He’s a thousand times braver than you!”
    This only earned a dismissive chuckle from Heronidus.
    The Mayan girl pointed back the way they’d come. “I’ll have you know that we were not just at the Broken Gate. Pindor and I went outside them.”
    Pindor stiffened. “Mari!”
    “We went off into the jungles to snatch an egg of a thunder lizard!”
    Heronidus’s eyes grew huge as he turned his full attention back upon his younger brother. “You went beyond the Broken Gate?”
    “Heron…” Pindor blustered for a bit, searching for words. “I had to try…because…”
    Heronidus cut away any further explanation with a swipe of his sword. “When Father hears about this, you’ll be locked up in your room until the next full moon. And rightfully so!”
    Pindor gave Marika a sad shake of his head.
    Marika winced and mouthed, I’m sorry .
     
    Marched even faster, they quickly reached the gate to the city. The walls climbed two stories tall. The heavy iron gate stood open.
    Heronidus ran forward and spoke to a guard leaning on a spear. Jake could not make out what was said, but Heronidus pointed an arm toward him and Kady.
    The guard leaned out. His eyes grew huge upon seeing the strangers. He finally nodded, stepped back, and waved. A moment later, two huge beasts stamped into view.
    Jake recognized the species.
    Othneilia .
    Standing on two legs, each beast bore a rider in lightarmor, burnished and shining in the sun. One rider leaned from his saddle and spoke to Heronidus, who nodded and came running