“Four indentations? No. There’s only one that we saw in the middle of the mosaic of the black orchid,” Dominic corrected.
“I never looked there. What a perfect hiding place. Hmmm. I wonder what the four indentations on the wall behind the bookcase in the little room on the left are for then?” Julianna wondered.
“I don’t know. But if this does open a door, maybe we’ll find out what the other indentions are for in the contents of the hidden room,” Dominic concluded.
Chapter Twenty Four
The following day, they planned to meet Julianna at the altar room after a visit to the hospital. As they closed in on the last few doors before their room, Katarina said, “Niky, I’m going to use the bathroom before I go in. Does anyone want any coffee or something to drink? I was going to get myself a cup.”
Most of the crowd shook their head ‘no’ except for Dominic. “Thank you, Kat. I really would love some coffee.”
“Good, then I will meet you in the room in a few minutes,” Katarina said.
Dominic kissed her cheek as they parted.
Before they all descended on the patients, Dr. Donaldson spotted them and invited them into his office for a quick update. Once they were all in the office he began.
“Good news. I think we are starting to see signs of the treatments working. The latest blood tests on all three patients show a decrease in the red blood cells dying off. I’m not saying we are out of the woods just yet, but I feel optimistic that we are on the right track in treating them.”
“That is excellent news, Dr. Donaldson. Have you told Darby and Rowan yet?” Dominic asked.
“I have. They went to have a bite to eat in celebration,” the doctor said. Then he went on about the procedure and how it worked using medical terms that no one in the room understood but dutifully listened to anyway.
In the interim, Katarina had used the facilities and went to the cafeteria to get two cups of coffee. She entered the room to find a dark-haired doctor attending to one of the machines. He excused himself upon her entry and brushed against her, nearly spilling the coffee in her hands on his retreat. She sat the coffee down on one of the rolling tables and readjusted the blankets on Anton’s bed. She could see Dominic’s genes in Anton and hoped soon she would get to meet him in person along with the other handsome gentlemen in the room.
As she was attending to Devon’s blankets, the rest of the visitors came in the room and Dominic beamed, “Kat, sweet Kat, they’re getting better. The doctor feels the last set of test results shows improvement. Isn’t that wonderful?”
“It is. I’m so happy. I can’t wait to meet them all. When will he know for sure if the treatment is working?” she asked.
“Within another day or two. He’s hopeful they will be coming out of their comas soon,” Dominic relayed.
“That’s wonderful news,” Katarina said as she hugged a very pleased Dominic. “Where are the girls?”
“The doctor said they stepped out for a bite to eat,” Dominic answered. The others meandered from patient to patient saying their hellos and giving their good wishes.
“That’s good. I’m glad they could get out of here for a few minutes and enjoy the day,” Katarina said.
“Me too. I’m glad we all have something to celebrate,” Dominic said then patted his son’s hand and said a few fatherly things to him in almost a whisper.
*****
With a feeling of relief and jubilation, the group set out to meet Julianna in the altar room under the castle on Heart Island. Even if nothing came of it, it had been a good day. The sun was shining brightly on the water as the boat made its way to the dock of the island in the St. Lawrence River. They met Julianna at the dock and all proceeded through the deserted tunnels and to the altar room.
Julianna inspected the mosaic, noticing for the first time the indentations hidden in the pattern. “Amazing!” she said quietly to herself as Dominic pulled out the insignia, twisted it, and then inserted it into the indentation the opposite way he had before. Placing the ring on his pinky finger, he twisted his wrist to the right. A loud mechanical sound was heard like a clock unwinding itself, but nothing in the room seemed different.
“Okay, gang, spread out and see if you find anything different,” Dominic said excitedly.
Footfalls were heard all around and it was Mark who had ventured into the room off the right side of the big room. “In here,” he called out. “The bookcase has opened up. There are some steps leading downward. Did anyone think to bring a flashlight?”
Sally said, “I have a little one in my purse.”
“Me too,” called out Alyssa.
“The rest of you should use your phones for lights. The steps are narrow so go slowly. Dominic? You should do the honors and go first,” Mark said.
Dominic smiled and led the rest slowly down the stairs. The cobwebs were as thick as curtains, and rats scurried along the edges of the lights’ illuminations.
“Anyone have any matches?” Dominic asked.
Alyssa was the only one who had a lighter in her purse and she handed it to Dominic. He had found a candle on a table as the others spread out. He and the others started lighting candles, sconces, and torches that seemed to be everywhere. Though it wasn’t great reading light, it was enough to see the whole of the room and its contents. It was definitely a library of some sort; a little more investigation would reveal if it was indeed the ancient lost archives of the vampires.
They looked around in silence, wiping and blowing dust and webs away to see the titles on the bindings. There were thousands of books here - a treasure trove of history and when Dominic reached the realization that this indeed was the archives, he was as giddy as a school boy. The smile on his face could have lit the whole room with no need for candles or flashlights.
“We’ve found it. This IS the Ancient Archive of the Vampires and it’s all in pretty good shape despite the dampness. Can you believe it?” Dominic said out loud. The closest person to him was Katarina and he picked her up and spun her around, making her giggle as the others watched and smiled.
“These books really ought to be moved, but I’m reluctant to do so since they have been safe here for so long. How about each of you grab a couple of books that look interesting and we’ll take those back to the house, locking the rest up safe and sound here. Then at some given time I’ll come down here again and start cataloging the books and their contents for future reference. To start with, be on the lookout for any books on the Ancient Ones or something pertaining to the four brothers.”
Julianna came over to personally congratulate Dominic on the find. She knew the books would be in good hands with him and eventually the world would have access to the great treasure that had been found. “Dominic, congratulations. I’m so glad I could be here to find something so significant.”
“Well, you were a big part in our finding it, Julianna,” he said.
“I was? How?”
“If it hadn’t been for you and your relationship with Anton, we wouldn’t have had the Blood Diamond and the key wouldn’t have been whole,” Dominic admitted.
“Thank you for that, but the diamond was your family’s and it seemed only right that it should be back in your hands. You give me way too much credit, Dominic, but I’m glad I was here just the same,” Julianna said.
After about a half an hour or more exploring the contents of the library, they slowly ascended to the altar room with their load of books. The bookcase was slid shut and the ring and insignia taken from the black orchid. But before they left for the docks, Julianna said, “Mark, Josh, and Dominic? I’d like to show you the indentations I found. They obviously don’t pertain to the archives, but I think it’s important. I found them some years ago by accident. Maybe you can make heads or tails of what it’s for.”
They all followed Julianna into the opposite room from the one that had the door to the archives. This room had an alcove built into the wall that looked like it was deep enough to house a fe
w books. Due to the black soot that discolored part of the wall, it had obviously had a candle set there at some point. Julianna went to an ancient sconce on a nearby wall and turned it counter clockwise, making a sliding noise at the alcove. A piece of wood in the back of the alcove had slid down revealing four rectangular indentations splayed out like north, south, east and west of a compass rose on a map.
“I found this one day when was trying to see if the sconce had any oil in it and I heard it trigger the mechanism,” Julianna explained, “but I have no idea what it’s for. Obviously something important, or it wouldn’t be hidden like it is.”
“Fascinating. I wonder if it is just another compartment to the library so that in case one side was found, not all the books would be looted - like the many rooms of an Egyptian tomb. Josh…look at this!” Dominic said.
“What is it?” Josh said as he came closer.
“Here…inside each of the indentations…see?” Dominic directed.
“Oh yeah! Look at that. Mark, Lanie, the rest of you, look. In each of the indentations is a symbol of an animal. The same animals associated with the Ancient Ones: a lion, an eagle, a bear, and a wolf,” Josh noted.
Julianna said, “I didn’t know the animals were related to the Ancient Ones. That’s very interesting. How did you come to know that?”
“Dominic’s a pretty resourceful guy. He’s been studying this stuff for a long time. It’s amazing all the stuff he knows,” Josh pointed out.
“Then he is truly the perfect librarian for the archives. Well, I guess I better head out. Looks like you have everything you need. Thank you for the happy news you shared with me about Anton’s treatment. I really appreciate it and your letting me be involved with this. This was great,” Julianna said.
“What? You’re not coming back to the house with us?” Josh asked.
“No. I think I’ve imposed on the family enough, but I will keep you posted if I come up with any hard proof for you about your enemies,” Julianna assured him.
“But. That’s it? You’re just going to recede into the shadows again?” Josh said rather disappointed.
“No. I’m not going back to that life ever again. I’m done, but now that I know Anton is recovering, I should probably back off. He was pretty angry with me when we last spoke and I’m not sure, given what he went through with Libby, that he will be able to forgive me,” Julianna said.
“But we may need you! If push comes to shove and we have to fight, we’re down three vampires,” Josh said.
“You can get a hold of me if you need me. I’ll fight with you if it comes to that. I left my number with your father, I mean, Dominic,” Julianna explained.
“You can call him my dad. I’m cool with that,” Josh said and then shared a glance with Dominic who had an arm around Katarina and was beaming like a headlight with pride and gratitude.
“I wish you would reconsider, Julianna. We can always use another pair of eyes looking out for us, and of course, there’s always research…” Dominic chided.
“That’s very kind, but I’m sure Mark would feel more comfortable with me out of the picture,” Julianna remarked.
“Well they say: Keep your friends close and your enemies closer - that way I can keep an eye on you,” Mark retorted.
“I’m not your enemy, Mark,” Julianna defended.
“Hmmm,” Mark said, rolling his eyes.
Alyssa hit him hard with an elbow and said, “He knows that, Julianna; he’s just being a smart-ass, using his tough-guy act on you. He’s a big, gooey marshmallow just below the surface. Don’t let him fool you.”
Dean started laughing and was awful proud of himself when he moved quickly, avoiding an elbowing of his own from Sally, only to receive one from Alyssa from the other side.
“Hey…that’s not cool. You don’t elbow a werewolf without consequences, girlie,” Dean threatened.
“If I can elbow a dragon, I sure as heck can elbow a werewolf, especially when I have permission from your girlfriend,” Alyssa said and then high-fived Sally.
“Hey now…you can’t gang up on a guy like that. It’s not fair,” Dean whined.
“Aw, is the poor little wolfman gonna cry because a girl poked him?” Alyssa said with her best pouty lip and baby talk. Sally was barely able to stifle her giggles.
Mark started laughing when he got elbowed by Alyssa, again staring him down with her ‘I’m not messin’ around’ look, and he looked away, trying to ignore her.
Dean said to Mark, “Hey man, are you going to let her talk to me that way and smack me with those evil elbows? Control your woman, monkey-man!”
“Monkey-man? Did you just call me Monkey-man? That’s Dragon-man to you, Wolfie!” Mark said swaggering towards Dean in a bad John Wayne impression. But the girls knew where this was going and stepped in front of both of them, backs to each other, hands on their man’s chest, as the two men eyeballed each other with strange, contorted faces.
Alyssa said, “Unless Monkey-man and Wolfie would like to sleep with each other on a bench by the pond tonight, knock it off now!”
“I’m with Alyssa. You don’t want to mess with either one of us. Save your snarky remarks for when we get home,” Sally added.
Both guys backed off, grumbling under their breath as Dominic, Josh, Melanie, and Julianna tried to hold back their laughter.
Julianna said to Josh, “Thanks for the vote of confidence and the kind words. I’ll think about what you said.”
“Please do,” Dominic said and Katarina, huddled safely in the crook of his arm, nodded in agreement.
“Okay,” Josh said and Melanie smiled.
They said their goodbyes and headed home.
*****
When all had taken their leave of the dinner table to go about their business in their individual rooms or for a walk around the grounds and pond, the doorbell rang. Before Dominic could make his way to the door, it opened and Dr. Michael Rowe appeared.
Dominic was stunned, but after all, it was quite normal for the doctor to enter on his own as he had for years. Dominic decided right there that he was going to act as if he knew nothing of the possibility that his very best friend was a traitor. If he was a traitor, then it would be better for him not to know they knew he was until they were able to get more information. If he wasn’t a traitor, then there would be no harm done.
“Michael! What a surprise?” He reached out to shake his hand, as he always greeted Dr. Rowe.
“Well, you are a very hard person to meet up with these days,” Dr. Rowe said.
“Yes, well, with being in California it has been difficult indeed,” Dominic said. “Can I offer you a nightcap?”
“Oh no. I can’t stay, I just thought I’d stop by on my way home and see how Blake is doing? Since you are back home, I assume better?”
“He’s still in a coma, but he’s on the east coast now - under Dr. Donaldson’s care,” Dominic explained.
“Why did you move him? Things not working out with Dr. Andrews?” Dr. Rowe asked.
“No. It just made more sense when Devon came home from Ireland in the same condition, and now Anton too,” Dominic answered.
“Oh, Dominic, I’m so sorry. All three of them? That’s terrible. Do they know what’s wrong? I just saw Anton not two weeks ago and he seemed fine,” Dr. Rowe said, seemingly concerned.
“He told me you stopped by while I was gone. That was very kind of you. All three of them seem to have been poisoned by Deadman’s Blood, they just don’t know how,” Dominic said, watching Michael for some kind of reaction that might give something away.
“That’s absolutely horrible. Why would anyone poison them? They’re such good boys. I still remember how thrilled I was to be there to greet Anton at his birth. Is there anything I can do? Maybe I could go and confer with Donaldson and lend a hand. He’s still working out of Johns Hopkins, right?” the doctor asked.
“Yes, he is. Thank you for the offer, Michael, but today the doctor told us he thinks that they
may be making progress. He’s been using this procedure used for victims of overdoses, when dialysis, transfusions, and detoxing don’t seem to be doing the trick. The good news has really been a nice change, but I will keep your offer in mind if the need should arise,” Dominic explained.
“That’s great news, Dominic. Guess I should have tried harder to see how things were. Deadman’s Blood, huh? That’s a painful way to go; I’m glad Donaldson decided to use hemoperfusion. Too bad Andrews didn’t think of it first,” Dr. Rowe said.
“Yes. That was the name of the procedure - hemoperfusion. Have you used that before?” Dominic asked, hoping his suspicion would not be evident.
“No. I’ve read about it. I imagine it is pretty experimental on a vampire though. I wouldn’t get your hopes up too much, I’m sorry to say. It’s really designed to filter the blood from toxins,” Dr. Rowe said.
“Isn’t Deadman’s Blood considered a poison of sorts?” Dominic asked.
“It is and it isn’t. I mean, it’s still blood; it’s just dead blood, not necessarily a toxin. It has all the same properties…what am I saying? I’m sure Donaldson knows what he’s doing. Like I said, if I can be of help, just let me know. Anything else going on? The rest of the bunch of hooligans okay? Anything your old buddy should know about or you want to talk about before I head home?” the doctor asked.
Dominic thought hard about whether or not he should mention Katarina or the attempts on Josh’s life. He decided to go with, “Well, there’s other stuff, but nothing as huge as the boys being in the hospital. The rest can wait until we have some more time; maybe we can have dinner soon,” Dominic suggested.
“So there is more?” Dr. Rowe asked, concerned.
“There is…Bernard seems to have gone missing. I’ve got Mark working on that, and someone tried to run down Josh when he was in Minnesota burying his parents, but we’ll talk soon,” Dominic said.
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