Page 14 of Curses & Keys
My eyes slide to the woman sitting at the table, staring into the computer with a smile on her face. She definitely finds Hawthorne interesting.
“See what you can dig up on Dr. Galanis. It’s rare someone goes unnoticed in our society, especially someone as beautiful and accomplished as her. Something is making my gut churn,” I order Mathias.
He tilts his head at the screen, eyes sparking with interest. “Few can truly hide in this modern world. I’ll get right on it.”
I scowl at the look of intrigue on his face and head out the door. Time to go to work.
Connecticut is a bloody shitshow.Sia, Kline’s assistant, was found dead beside the crate an hour before I arrived. Based on the footage, she was killed by humans. Contents are strewn everywhere. Apparently, she surprised the thief, and he wasn’t alone. Like the attack on Mathias, the group of five humans was well-armed and prepared to fight a demon. Cameras show they didn’t take anything. Sia was killed for nothing.
Dr. Kline glares at me in fury but answers all of my questions. He’s adamant Sia didn’t know anything about a magical key, or she would have told him. In the demon world, he’s her superior, and she has little ability to act without his permission.
Doran Kline thrusts a hand through his hair. “Don’t look at me like that. It’s fucking archaic, I know, but demons aren’t known for their democracy. Satan’s a bit of a dictator, if you haven’t heard.” He slams his fist on a nearby table. “Damn it. Sia didn’t deserve to die. She sure as hell didn’t deserve to die at the hands of humans.” His lip curls as he says the last word. “Satan is going to push more demons through the portal in retaliation, which is the last thing any of us needs.”
His eyes sweep the room. “Did they take anything?”
I hand him the catalog with no explanation. “You tell me.”
Kline walks around the small room, ticking off each of the items in the catalog. He bends down and traces over the shattered pieces of a vase. “This was a six hundred-year-old Ming vase. It was to be the prize of our collection. Worth an estimated twenty-one million.” His eyes turn red. “Whatever they’re after, it’s not money.” He returns the catalog to me.
“The catalog lists a set of keys, but we didn’t sign off on any keys. I’m not sure why they would be on there. Regardless, if they were in the crate, they’re not here now,” he informs me, his eyes still on the broken vase. “When can I get a team in here to salvage the contents?”
“Our forensics team will be done by tomorrow,” I assure him. “Where should we send Sia’s body?”
He shrugs. “It will be ash by the end of the day. Demons return to our creator, one way or another. There’s no escaping the devil, Jamison.” A wicked smile spreads across his face. “If there’s nothing else, I need to leave and pick up my children.”
Mostly truths, but there’s also a hint of nervousness. “You’re good to go. If you think of anything that could help us, give me a call.”
He takes one last look at Sia and the vase, then heads out the door.
I call over Cian, head of the surveillance team who will be stationed here. “I want to know everything about him.” The blue lines of the vase are bright in the dim room. “Pay close attention to his finances.”
I could repair the vase, but I don’t. Some things aren’t meant to live forever. As a mage, I probably understand that more than most supernaturals. Our life span is typically shorter than the other races but not always. Sia’s sightless eyes stare at me from the floor. She deserved better.
10
PHAEDRA
Libraries are magical places full of knowledge, adventure, and people, and one of my favorite places to spend time. Even with all the years I’ve lived, there is always something new to learn. It’s also a great place to search for information behind a wall of anonymity.
Desks are hidden around the library, but I leave those to the students. Instead, I head to the one on the left that provides me a clear view of anyone approaching. Some universities offer a dedicated nexus linking journals, websites, chat groups, and other sources for students of that department. We offer one to our Classical Studies students. Every student has access to the most in-depth information in their field of study, allowing them to easily research topics without spending an inordinate amount of time searching for it or weeding through irrelevant topics.
Clicking on a specific chat group, I enter and post a message.
CursedGreek: Seeking information on a key; original origin unknown; source: vampire collection. Willing to pay.
I scroll through the most recent posts, but I don’t see anything that mentions a key. Leaving the chat, I open a second window to search for information on Egyptian weaponry. The mace-ax in the museum is the first Egyptian piece I’ve collected for this university. I wonder if there are other items I could bring back from Egypt.
Engrossed in reading about the khopesh, it takes me a second to realize someone is standing next to me, but the subtle earthy smell of sage, moss, and musk slowly pierces my intense concentration. I look up to find Hawthorne Wylde standing next to me with his eyes on my screen.
“I came over to ask you about collaborating on a seminar,” he inserts smoothly. Pointing to the screen, he continues, “A combined lecture that will get them thinking about ancient civilizations and the tools and weapons crafted from the same materials. Like copper, then bronze, and later, iron.”
Passion sparks as his gaze returns to me.For the topic, not me,I remind myself, clearing my throat. “Yes. Sounds great. When would you like to get together and discuss the details?”
“How about now? Unless you have a class?”
“I don’t teach classes here. Only procure items for the museum,” I reply with a smile.
He walks off to grab his messenger bag and the chair he was using. While he’s gone, I click to the chat window and close it. When he returns, I scoot over to share the small single desk with him, and he crams in beside me.
