Tears slip from the corners of my eyes, but I refuse to let go of him. “I promise.” It’s the least I can do for him.
Someone drops down beside me and places a glowing palm on Letz’ chest. “Damn it, Letz.”
I freeze. I’d know that voice anywhere. Jamison. From the corner of my eye, I see the black fatigues covering his body. That must be the standard uniform for the council’s army. Sweat rolls down the back of my neck, but even with the suit covering my face, I don’t dare turn my head toward him.
A whistle pierces the air, and Jamison jerks his head up. “The whole building is going to blow. We need to get out of here!” Grabbing my arm, he stands and signals to the rest of his men across the roof, and they disappear.
I look down and see Letz staring sightlessly into the night sky. A loud rumble fills the air, traveling from the outer edges of the building to the center, and the concrete beneath my feet shakes violently. Taking advantage of the moment, I jerk my arm from Jamison’s grip and leap over the lip of the roof to grab the rope. A bullet strikes my shoulder just as I grab it, causing me to slam into the building. Pain radiates across my body. The rope slips through one hand, causing me to fall several feet, but I snatch it with my other hand and slow my descent.
Right before I reach the bottom, I look up and see two huge fireballs flying toward me, but they swerve at the last minute. Unnerved, I follow their path and watch as they hit the two men on the ground below me. For the second time today, a mage protected me.
My feet land hard in the packed dirt, now full of ash, blood, and guts, and I tilt my head back. Jamison steps through a portal just as the roof explodes behind him.Damn it, Jamison, that was close.I take off running toward the water and dive in.
13
PHAEDRA
My shoulder is almost healed by the time I land in North Carolina nine hours later. I slip into the car and make my way to the farm. Numb from last night’s events, I grab a shower then sit and swing on the porch with my head on my knees, thinking about Letz and everything he told me, letting the peace of the house and the sounds of the night soothe me. A light breeze drifts across my heated skin.
For three thousand years, I’ve been alone, doing this job for the gods. Sometimes I’ve felt like a ghost. Here but not here. Time sliding by like sand in an hourglass. No permanent relationships. It’s lonely, but the alternative, serving Hades in the Underworld, was a much worse option. The only thing keeping me sane is a tether to the real world and the humans in it, living their best lives. It reminds me I was once human like them. What I am now is what my own actions made me. This existence is my doing. I chose this path because I believe it willeventually lead me to my sister. I try to remember that on the hard days like today.
I look down. The large key, still in its velvet bag, lies on the table beside me. I’ve yet to study it. The second smaller key, the one Letz gave me right before he died, lies next to the bag.
I don’t know what to do with everything he told me. His dying words were full of pride and caution. He made me promise to visit his group’s headquarters, see for myself the work they’ve done. Help them continue it.
But his most urgent words were rushed and hard to hear, warning me not to trust the council. They were divided and no longer interested in serving the people.
The last two words he uttered were an apology.
I drop my head back and sigh. Letz and I worked together for two months, establishing a camaraderie and professional respect for each other, but I realize now our secrets prevented us from really knowing each other. And as I learned last night, he was a truly remarkable supernatural. Most supernaturals don’t think the way he does. They couldn’t care less if humans were hurt by magic or if the council took over this world.
I gave him my word to visit, but honestly, I’m reluctant to open that door. While I haven’t spoken to the gods in at least two hundred years, they’re quick to reveal themselves if I veer off their chosen path. Technically, a visit won’t break the rules, but if more supernaturals find out about me and share that info with the council, it would be the end of my usefulness, and I refuse to let that happen. I’ve got too much at stake.
Maybe I should wait. Let things cool down. Immortality gives me an abundance of time, and Letz’ group is full of supernaturals who have been doing this for years. I doubt his death will make them stop, especially since they now have the necessary funds. Still, a tinge of guilt hits me, knowing he wanted me to visit sooner rather than later.
The sun rises on the horizon, and the sky lightens. Dawn. My eyes drift to the table beside me. The damn key is calling to me. Snatching up the bag, I pull it open and tip it over, letting it fall into my palm. The second the cold metal touches my skin, a white light encompasses my vision, and the key begins to burn like fire. I try to drop it but can’t. It’s welded to my hand.
Images appear in my head, scenes from my past fly by in a whirl as if they’re reminding me of who I am and the path I chose. Pain and sorrow flow through me as I watch the scenes unfold. Before my emotions can bury me, new images appear. Unfamiliar objects shining brightly. Blue panels with gold scenes etched on their surface. I tilt my head but can’t quite see the details except for one. Gods standing in a circle. The panels fade. A lock appears, then this key. Everything goes dark, and the key stops glowing, but the burning sensation remains, and when I scan my left palm, I see Hephaestus’ symbol branded into my skin. A deep-seated fear rises at the sight of it.
I hold the key up to the light to get a closer look. The reason it doesn’t register as magical is because the gods don’t use magic. They have powers from a source I don’t even understand. This key with Hephaestus’ symbol—an anvil and hammer—is real…and now it’s branded into my palm. He obviously created this for me, but why? Is it another punishment? What are the gods up to? Am I not doing enough?
Before I lose the details, I jump up and run inside to grab a pen and paper. I sketch out the panels and the way they connect. It’s definitely a box. He must want me to find it. But why and where? Letz said the key was found at Hephaestus’ temple in Greece. Are the other pieces buried there too? What will happen when the box is assembled?
Sharp pain pricks my palm, and I peer down at the brand just in time to see the symbol fade into my skin. I wait for it to reappear, but nothing happens. Was it temporary?
My alarm goes off, startling me, and I tap the phone. I’ve got an early morning meeting with Dr. Berne to discuss an expedition to Egypt. While there, I can use the campus network to do a search for this key and the panels.
Hurrying to dress, I drop both keys off at the vault, then drive to work. I rush into my office to pick up my notes on possible Egyptian digs that could lead to pieces for the university.
A knock on the door startles me, and I look up to find Hawthorne standing in the doorway. “Hey, sorry I missed you the other day. Do you have time to meet about our project later?” While his smile stretches across his face, there isn’t an ounce of amusement or kindness in his blank eyes.
Surely he isn’t upset because I had to cancel. “I’m sorry I couldn’t meet, but something came up. Yes, today works for me. How about one o’clock? In the library.”
He nods. “I’ll see you there.” Without another word, he’s gone.
I frown. Maybe he really is upset with me. The only supernatural I spend time with these days is Cara, and that’s mostly at the gym. She’s pretty easy to read, though. Her shifter nature is closer to human than she cares to admit.
With a sigh, I head to my meeting. Sticking to the Egyptian theme, I show Dr. Berne a map of all the historical sites found and the ones yet to be found. We have a lively debate about whether the land under the sea holds the treasures archaeologists are seeking and whether it would be beneficial for me to join their expedition. Reluctant to commit to one project, I promise to get back to her after I’ve done more research.
