Page 93 of A Dawn Of Blood

“Really. And to further prove my point…”

It’s with a plea in my eyes that I reach out my hand. Hesitantly, she gives me the folder back.

Praying I really did see what I think I did, I open it to the picture I’d been looking at before she interrupted me. I point at the top right corner of the runestone. “Do you see this symbol right here?”

She folds her arms, narrowing her eyes at me. “What about it?”

“It’s Egyptian. And it means Reh-yah.”

Surprise flashes through her eyes.

I get up and look around the room, only to find everyone already staring back at me. “It seems we’re going back to the site of the first temple we checked, people.”

Chapter 64

Wearing the uniforms, we gather in front of the Pull Chamber with de Groot, Lorcan and Nimueh coming to see us out. There’s an air of anticipation that’s telling me I’m not the only one feeling nervous excitement. Everyone else also seems to think this might actually be over soon.

But before we can step into the Chamber, Alaric steps out, de Groot rushing to him even faster than Raven.

“She’s okay,” he reassures us, as usual starting his report with what we’re most eager to hear about — Jaeger.

We nudge him to keep going.

“They still think she’s too low-level to actually know anything of importance, but they’re not letting her go simply because they’re too afraid of disobeying…” He glances at Cain. “His direct order.”

It’s with a dose of hesitation that de Groot asks, “They’re still not…”

He shakes his head. “Miserable conditions, but no torture.” Without waiting for reactions, he says, “I’ve nothing else to report this time.” Then he turns to me. “Anna, a word?”

I glance at Raven, who’s frowning, but he’s already taking me aside with a brusqueness in his demeanor. “I know his real name,” he says once we’re out of earshot.

Everything else falls away. “Cain’s?” I mutter.

He nods. “It’s either Alexander or Maximillian Wolfram.”

I frown. “Why do you sound like that’s a problem?”

He takes a deep breath. “Heis thirty five, right?” I nod. “Well, the Wolframs used to be a highly influential vampire line in my part of the world. Which is why I know there haven’t been any descendants in over a century.”

My frown grows deeper. “I see.”

“Well, that’s that,” he abruptly announces. “I will see you next time.”

My eyes widen in shock. “Wait, you’re leaving already? What about Raven?”

He shrugs, seeming so cold, I can barely recognize him. “You’re all off on your own mission anyway.”

With that, he steps away from me and heads back to the Chamber. “Bye, everyone.” Raven comes to block his way, putting her arms around him and whispering something in his ear. “No,” I hear him say with this awkwardness in his voice, “yeah, of course, love you too.”

Without another word, he ducks out of her hug and jumps back into the Chamber, almost instantly disappearing.

When I look around, I see everyone but Cain immersed in a slightly relieved conversation about Jaeger, only Raven standing desolately to the side, staring at the Pull Chamber.

I rush over, my heart breaking when she turns to me and whispers, “Now I never even get to see him anymore.”

I move to pull her into a hug and she’s already leaning in, when Nuala’s concerned voice booms from behind our backs. “What’s wrong?”

Raven quickly steps back and squeezes my hand, mouthing “Thank you” before turning to Nuala and saying “Nothing” in a sing-song voice.

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