The Sage Stone Prophecy (Arkana Archaeology Adventure Series Book 7)

by N. S. Wikarski

  Chris barely noticed. He was staring open-mouthed at Daniel, trying to process this barrage of information.

  “Why don’t we eat something and talk afterward,” the Scion suggested. He wisely concluded that Chris needed time to digest the facts along with his lunch.

  The librarian didn’t argue. Instead, he directed his attention to his plate.

  Neither one spoke for several minutes.

  Half a sandwich later, Chris stopped chewing and fixed Daniel with an earnest gaze. “So now what? Is Erik going to rescue Hannah and escape again?”

  Daniel shook his head. “He’s in no shape to rescue anybody right now. The head of his organization instructed him to stay at the compound. She wants him to engage in surveillance to see what my father is up to.”

  Chris broke into a radiant smile. “That’s terrific! You’ve got an ally on the inside now.”

  “Hannah is certainly relieved to have someone watching out for her,” the Scion equivocated. “Late last night I was able to sneak Erik into her room to introduce them. Their chambers are adjacent. Hannah had been fretting about her isolation in the guest wing. Now she feels more secure just knowing a friend is within earshot.”

  “How is Erik supposed to surveil anything if he’s locked up?” Chris objected as he began working on the second half of his sandwich.

  Daniel had lost his appetite and pushed his plate away. “I made a spare key for him today and also copied a set of blueprints that contain the security camera set-up. While I’m out of the country, he’ll find a way to get into my father’s office and search it. I gave him a phone so he can communicate what he finds to his superiors.”

  “You must be relieved,” the librarian observed. “I know I am. I thought it was going to be just the two of us against the Nephilim.” He frowned as he noted his friend’s expression. “You don’t look relieved. Why is that?”

  Daniel sighed. “I’m relieved that Erik is alive. I’m more than relieved that Hannah has someone besides me to watch out for her. It’s just...” He threw his arms up helplessly. “I don’t know if I can fully trust his associates. I don’t know if they intend to harm the Nephilim when this quest is over.”

  The librarian raised a skeptical eyebrow. “I’m having a bad case of deja vu right now, Danny Boy. We’ve been over this before. Your problem is you don’t want anybody to get hurt on either side of the conflict. It’s inevitable that somebody will. You need to stop dancing around and take a stand once and for all.” Chris tapped the tabletop impatiently. “Between the relic thieves and the Nephilim, I’m more inclined to side with the thieves. Your father’s weaponized plague is going to hurt a lot of people—thousands, if not millions. Is that really what you want?”

  “Of course not!” Daniel exclaimed hotly. “But you keep forgetting that my family is involved.”

  Chris paused to consider before he spoke. “Family loyalty is an admirable thing. Blind devotion to a mass murderer simply because he’s your father isn’t! Do you want the deaths of all his victims on your conscience?”

  Daniel grimaced with pain at the impossible choice set before him. “It isn’t simply my father I’m defending. The lives of my daughters and wives are at stake too. The relic thieves work for a formidable organization. We’ve recently learned that their reach and resources may well exceed our own. How do we know that they won’t want to take revenge on the Nephilim? How do we know—”

  The librarian cut him off. “We don’t. We can’t know if we bet on the right team until this scavenger hunt is finished. But actions speak louder than words. Your father aimed Leroy Hunt at those thieves and gave him orders to kill. They never retaliated in kind. Your father abducted Hannah and is holding her hostage. These thieves have risked their lives to free her. Your father is creating a weapon of mass destruction. The thieves are trying to stop him.” Chris halted a moment to study Daniel’s reaction.

  The Scion’s internal conflict must have been written all over his face.

  The librarian continued in a softer tone. “You need to trust your own instincts instead of the dogma your father drummed into your head.”

  Daniel cast his eyes downward. “In order to trust my own instincts, I need to have a clearer view of what lies ahead. As you said yourself, somebody is going to get hurt no matter where I place my loyalties. I just need to be sure I’ve minimized the damage by choosing the right side.”

  “Then I guess you’ll keep dancing til doomsday because what you’re asking is impossible. Nobody can foresee every possible bend in the road that lies ahead of them.”

  The Scion continued to stare down at the floor.

  “Hey, look at me.” Chris tried to capture his friend’s unwilling gaze. “If you don’t take a stand on your own, circumstances will eventually force you to choose. When that day comes, all you can do is make your best guess given what you know at the time.”

  Daniel stared off across the river, an ominous vision forming in his mind. “And what if my best guess isn’t good enough?”

  “Then you’ll learn the toughest life lesson of all.” Chris finished his wine and murmured somberly, “Que sera, sera, Danny Boy. Que sera, sera.”

  Chapter 19—Let It Ride

  Cassie climbed into the back seat of the limo while the driver loaded her luggage. Griffin slid in beside her and pulled the door closed.

  The driver shut the trunk and took his place behind the wheel. He discretely raised the glass partition separating him from his passengers so they could speak privately and then pulled the vehicle away from the curb. They were heading to O’Hare Airport to catch a plane bound for Sapporo, Japan.

  “Pretty swanky, huh?” The Pythia turned to the Scrivener for confirmation.

  “I must say, Erik’s resurrection has put Maddie in an unusually benevolent mood,” he agreed.

  “Ordinarily, she gives me a hard time if I forget to turn in parking receipts for my trips to the airport,” Cassie said. “This time she booked us a limo. What’s up with that?”

  “I say we should enjoy the ride, pun intended, while her good mood lasts.”

  “True enough but I give it a week before something new sets her off.”

  “Oh, surely longer than that,” Griffin protested. “After all, not only is Erik alive, but he’s ideally positioned to give her exactly what she wants—inside information regarding Abraham Metcalf’s ultimate scheme.”

  “Looks like she got her miracle after all,” the Pythia observed.

  “Daniel has proven to be surprisingly accommodating. First, helping to rescue Hannah and now enabling Erik to spy for us.”

  “Maybe he finally figured out that his old man is nuts.”

  “No doubt he’s known that for some time.”

  Cassie shrugged. “As long as he’s helping us, even just a little, I’m not going to question his motives.”

  “It isn’t his motives that trouble me.” Griffin’s voice grew somber. “It’s his uncertainty. Daniel strikes me as deeply ambivalent both with respect to the Nephilim and the Arkana. He may be willing to aid us in some respects and not in others. Taking him fully into our confidence would not be in our best interests.”

  “You think he might turn on us before this is all over?” Cassie peered at her partner in the dim light.

  “It’s a distinct possibility.”

  “Okay then. We proceed with caution.” The Pythia cast a glance out the side window. Abruptly changing the subject, she asked, “And what about you?”

  “In what sense?”

  “You haven’t said how you feel about Erik’s return from the dead.”

  “Oh, that,” Griffin murmured. “To be perfectly honest, I have mixed emotions.”

  The Pythia registered surprise. She opened her mouth, about to speak.

  Anticipating her question, he hastened to add, “Of course, it goes without saying that I’m enormously relieved he’s alive.”

  “But...” she prompted cautiously.

  Griffin shifted uncomf
ortably in his seat. “I’m worried about you.”

  “Huh?”

  He cleared his throat. “How do you feel about his return?”

  “Like I’ve been kicked in the stomach and can’t catch my breath,” she stated flatly. “Mainly I feel disoriented. I already came to grips with him being dead. Accepted it. Mourned it. Moved on. And now that he’s back, all those emotions are churning around again.”

  Griffin turned to face her with a troubled look. “Which is precisely my concern. It seems to me that losing someone you care about makes that person all the more precious if he’s been restored to you.” He hesitated. “Perhaps it might make you want to rekindle your romance.”

  “What?” Cassie stared at him in disbelief. “There’s no way that’s going to happen. Goddess, no!”

  The Scrivener seemed thrown. “What do you mean, ‘no’?”

  “It’s a two-letter word. Not much room for misinterpretation.”

  “But—”

  “What is it with you and my love life?” she challenged. “Right after we thought Erik was dead, you were wondering who I’d hook up with next.”

  “I—”

  “Can’t you just give it a rest? I already told you, it will be a cold day in hell before I get involved again. Being an artifact hunter is stressful enough given the high mortality rate. Do you really think I need to add another layer of drama to that?”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

  “Why does this matter so much to you anyway?” She glared at him fiercely, demanding an answer.

  He averted his eyes. “It’s because I couldn’t bear to see you hurt again. That’s why!”

  Cassie abruptly suspended her tirade. She tilted her head to the side, eyeing him appraisingly.

  He stubbornly refused to meet her gaze

  She reached out for his hand and squeezed it gently.

  The Scrivener finally glanced at her in surprise.

  Cassie smiled. “I’m used to toughing things out on my own because that’s the way it’s always been. So when somebody comes along who actually cares how I feel, I don’t automatically recognize kindness for what it is. I’m sorry.”

  “I do care, you know,” he murmured. “I find it very distressing to see you injured.”

  “When it comes to caring about women’s feelings, most guys are jerks.” She released his hand and sat back. “I guess there are a few good ones left after all.”

  Griffin tried to stifle a jubilant smile. “On behalf of my gender, I really must protest though I think there was a compliment buried in that statement somewhere.”

  The Pythia laughed outright. “You ought to be happy that I think most male-type people are low-lifes. It makes you look like a prince by comparison.”

  “Two compliments in one conversation—an embarrassment of riches,” the Scrivener observed dryly, his eyes twinkling. “But seriously, I’m very glad that you’re handling Erik’s reappearance so pragmatically.”

  “It isn’t only because I’m once bitten, twice shy either.” Cassie’s tone grew solemn. “It’s because, alive or dead, Erik will always be Erik.”

  Griffin squinted at her. “Meaning?”

  The Pythia gave an exasperated sigh. “He’s the ultimate adrenaline junkie. Erik doesn’t have romantic relationships. He has sex-themed adventures. No way is he quality boyfriend material.”

  “I see.” The Scrivener hesitated. “But surely, for a woman like you, even our Casanova Erik might be willing to change.”

  Cassie rolled her eyes in disbelief. “People don’t change. If I held my breath for that, I’d die from lack of oxygen. Besides, everybody has a right to live the life that suits them best. Nobody should change just to please somebody else.”

  “Love can profoundly change people and not just because they want to please someone else,” Griffin protested. “I’m loath to admit it but I truly believe Erik cares for you.”

  “And I care for him,” Cassie readily agreed. “But it isn’t the kind of love that conquers all.”

  “You’re quite sure of that?” Griffin asked guardedly.

  “Oh yeah, I’m sure.” Cassie leaned her head against the seat cushion, preparing to take a nap in anticipation of a sleepless flight ahead. “You can stop worrying about my heart, Griffin. If I ever fall for anybody again, you’ll be the first to know.”

  Even though her lids were closed, she could feel him beaming at her.

  “You have no idea how much consolation I derive from that fact.”

  Chapter 20—Need-To-Know

  Joshua sat apprehensively in one of the bucket chairs in his father’s office. He had been ordered to arrive at 10 AM for an unexpected meeting. No further details were given and the Diviner hadn’t arrived yet. During the past few days, the spymaster had begun to grow uneasy. It was nothing he could pin down yet he had formed the unshakeable impression that his father was secretly offended with him. He tried to attribute this paranoid notion to his line of work. As the head of the Order Of Argus, he spent his days unearthing secrets people wished to hide. Small wonder that he fancied his father had something to hide from him too. The spymaster jumped slightly at the sound of the door opening. He hurriedly tried to repair his fractured composure.

  Abraham tottered into the room with the aid of his cane. He sat down heavily behind his desk, winded by even this small amount of exertion. His complexion looked more grey and bloodless than usual.

  “Good morning, father,” Joshua began. “I hope you slept well.”

  “Ha!” the old man barked. “You hope in vain. I slept even more badly than usual but that’s neither here nor there.” He shuffled a stack of papers on his desk, apparently looking for a particular sheet. When he’d selected it from among the pile, he set it down and regarded his son with a cool gaze. “I have a new project I’d like you to handle.”

  Joshua relaxed slightly. The Diviner couldn’t be all that displeased with him if greater responsibilities lay in store. “I’d be happy to take on whatever task you have in mind.”

  Abraham waved his hand dismissively. “Before we get to that, there’s a more pressing matter I need to discuss with you.”

  The spymaster gripped the arms of his chair apprehensively. “Yes?”

  The old man measured his words carefully. “Tell me about the state of security at the compound.”

  Joshua blinked in surprise. “It’s excellent, sir. We now have round-the-clock surveillance. No one can get in or out without my staff knowing about it.”

  “Perhaps your staff knows but what about me?”

  “Sir?” The spymaster’s sense of uneasiness grew.

  “Do you inform me of all threats to our security?”

  “Of course, father. It goes without saying that I would tell you immediately if the Nephilim were at risk.”

  “Yet you took it upon yourself to keep me in the dark about an intruder on the grounds!”

  The spymaster could feel the blood draining from his own face. He imagined he must look as ghastly at the old man glowering back at him.

  “An intruder,” he echoed to buy time and find out how much his father knew about the affair.

  “Yes.” Abraham’s eyes bored into his son like search beams. “About a month ago, a man was shot while attempting to enter the compound.”

  “How did you...” Joshua trailed off.

  “How did I learn of an incident which it was your duty to report?” The Diviner slammed the top of his desk for emphasis. “Doctor Aboud told me of your unexpected visit and the man in the body bag.”

  The spymaster cleared his throat nervously. “I saw no point in upsetting you, father. My guards were overzealous in apprehending the intruder. He was dead by the time I reached him. There was nothing to be done but dispose of the body.”

  “Who do you think he was?” the Diviner probed.

  “I have no idea, sir. I didn’t recognize him. No doubt he had befriended Sister Hannah while she dwelt among the Fallen. It’s logical
to assume he came to abduct her.”

  “Yes, that is the most probable explanation.” Abraham paused to treat his son to a contemptuous stare. “Providence offered you a golden opportunity to capture and question him and you let it slip through your hands.”

  “As I said, sir, my guards shot him before I had the chance.”

  “And then you multiplied your error by failing to immediately notify me of the situation.”

  “I apologize, sir. It won’t happen again. In my own defense, I acted with your best interests at heart. I didn’t wish to disturb you when I know how much you need your rest.”

  The Diviner scarcely heard him. “I’m beginning to wonder if you’re worthy of the trust I’ve placed in you.”

  Joshua sensed his position was eroding. He sat forward tensely. “You must believe me, father. Your well-being is my greatest concern. If you’ll recall, I even saved your life not too long ago. Was that the action of an untrustworthy man?”

  “You did save me, didn’t you?” The Diviner’s eyes narrowed briefly. “Thank you for reminding me of that fact.”

  Despite his father’s conciliatory statement, the spymaster couldn’t quell the sense that he was still in danger.

  “Henceforth, I am to be informed if something as small as a squirrel manages to crawl over the fence. Is that clear?”

  “Yes, sir. Perfectly clear.”

  Abraham searched his son’s face for several more moments.

  Joshua fought an overwhelming urge to squirm in his chair.

  Finally, the Diviner turned his attention to the sheet of paper he’d been perusing earlier. Without preamble, he said, “I want you to set up a task force for me.”

  “A task force?” Joshua repeated, relieved to be off the subject of his transgressions.

  “Yes. Here is a list of the compounds I’ve selected. There are fifty of them from all around the world.” He handed the sheet of paper to his son.