Jamison frowns. “That’s odd. I set up a magical alert, but it never pinged me.”
Gatlin goes rigid. “That is fucking odd.”
“Only another mage could dismantle my spell,” Jamison spits out, his own anger rising at the thought. “Who, though? One of my father’s lackeys?”
“It doesn’t matter,” I tell them. “Their attention will soon turn from the condo to us.”
All four of them turn to me, and I hold up the small key. “Letz gave me two keys that night. The ancient key I bought from him and this one.”
“What does it unlock?” Jamison asks, looking closer at it. “Is it a house key?”
Mathias holds out his hand. “May I?”
“So formal,” I murmur, teasing him a little. “Here.”
Lightly running his thumb over the dips and valleys, I can practically see the wheels turning in his brain. “It’s thinner than a house key. Safety deposit box?”
“Correct,” I reply. He holds the key out, and I take it. “Ever hear of C. Hoare?”
Only Jamison nods. “C. Hoare & Co is one of the oldest private banks in England.”
“You got it. I’ve banked with them myself in the past. Very discreet,” I confirm. “Letz passed along the key and box number.He also gave me a password. Further instructions are in the box.”
This is where it gets a bit tricky. I want to share the parts of me that I can without revealing the full truth. “Letz belonged to a society of supernaturals whose sole purpose was to find cursed objects and remove the danger from them. To protect both supes and humans.” I bite the inside of my cheek for a second, wondering how to tell them. “I’ve been doing similar work for a long time. Apparently, they’ve been searching for me. To join them, I think. He made me promise to find them because they have the answers to some of our questions.” I watch their reaction.
Hawthorne’s face fills with interest. “A secret society that neutralizes dangerous artifacts?” When I nod, he lifts a shoulder. “I’ve never heard a whisper. How long have they been around?”
“It started with Letz and two others about a thousand years ago,” I inform him, telling them the same story Letz told me, but without my part in it.
“And how long have you been doing this same work?” Hawthorne asks, a speculative look in his eyes.
“A lot longer,” I reply, but hold up a hand when he opens his mouth. “My age is not something I share with anyone.” It might be too easy to connect the dots, especially for someone with his knowledge of history.
He chuckles, but if anything, the interest in his eyes flares brighter. “So, are we going to London?”
Gatlin’s expression becomes fierce. “Does that mean I have to call Maverick again?”
Jamison snorts. “Hell no. There’s no need to hide our actions from the council. We’re returning to London to file our weekly report.” He turns to me. “With a secret passenger, of course.”
20
PHAEDRA
Mathias slides into the seat beside me on the plane. Incredibly handsome and impeccably dressed in a black button-down shirt and pressed slacks, he exudes sophistication. If it weren’t for his glasses, I’d be a bit intimidated by his demeanor, but the latter lends him an almost nerdy vibe. A divine smell wraps around me, and I subtly inhale. Vampires have no magic and, therefore, no scent, but whatever cologne he’s wearing is seductive.
He’s the quietest of the group, and I can’t help but wonder if he resents me being here. Not that he has said much to me. The only times I’ve been around him are in my condo when he slit the throat of my intruder without an ounce of remorse or when he’s lost to the computer he commands with such speed.
Which is the real Mathias? The ruthless adversary or sophisticated tech genius? By all standards, he’s unusual for a vampire. Most of the ones I’ve met seem kind of cold. Heradiates a quiet confidence that comes across in his loyalty and dedication to the team.
He sets his laptop on the table in front of us. “Do you want to see footage of the last break-in at your condo? I must warn you. Their search caused a lot of damage.” His dark eyes flicker with concern.
I couldn’t care less about the damage, but I do want to get to know Mathias a little better, so I nod. He presses play, and I watch them destroy the beautiful condo. “There’s nothing of value in there, but I hate that they’ve done so much damage.”
“Do you recognize any of the faces?” he asks, tapping on one face in particular. “How about this guy?” When I shake my head, he flashes a dangerous smile. “He was one of my attackers at the museum. At the time, the cameras couldn’t get a clear enough shot of their faces, but I remember him. Pretty soon, I’ll have all his information.”
The cold satisfaction in his voice makes my toes curl. A predator stalking his prey. “Let me know if you need help.” My words seem to surprise him, and his gaze drifts from the computer to me. The corner of his mouth lifts.
“Who’s the girl in the locket?” I ask softly.
