Page 48 of B Negative

Seventeen

The cool aircoaxed gooseflesh from my arms as we entered a room that could only be described as a museum. In it stood large plinths with glass enclosures, under which were countless artifacts and treasures from scores of cultures throughout the world’s history.

Spotlights hung from the ceiling, one sometimes two for each item.

And like a museum, each had a small plaque or card describing the item. Unlike a museum, it also detailed how and when Titus acquired the item.

B and I huddled close, my arm strung through his, as if the proximity might keep us safe. From what, I wasn’t certain.

“The room is open to the public. It’s on the directory. The door isn’t locked or guarded.” I said, shivering against him.

“And yet, the place gives me the fucking willies like nothing else.”

“Wards?”

“Yeah, probably. I wonder how deep he’s in with the witches. He seems to have them at his beck and call.”

I nodded. “He told me they built his building with magic to appease his ego.”

“Yeah, seems about right.”

“Do you think this is the kind of place Titus would have kept…”

“Shhh,” I reminded. “We don’t know who’s listening. But yes, I do.” If Titus still dipped people in gold, I imagined this is exactly the type of place he’d display them.

“Hey, you don’t think he’d keep…” B wiggled his eyebrows at me.

“I already checked. But, even if he did, he made me swear I wouldn’t touch any of his things before I entered. I couldn’t take it even if I wanted to.”

“Shame,” he said, eyeing Attila the Hun’s helmet.

I wasn’t drawn to the weapons and armor. The artwork caught my gaze. Titus had actual vellum manuscripts and papyrus sketches. He even had a slab of stone with etched runic symbols and drawings on it. And a beautiful jade and onyx necklace the plaque said was prized by none other than Cleopatra herself.

“Jeez, how old is this dude?” I asked, mostly to myself.

“Old enough to know Jesus, apparently.” B pointed to a tattered piece of cloth.

“No way.”

“Way. Says it was some kind of burial shroud.”

“Yeah, maybe we should get out of here,” I said, tugging B toward the exit.

“Good call.”

“Man, if this is the stuff he has on display—” I started.

“Imagine what he’s got hidden away in safes,” B finished.

We headed back upstairs, planning on getting right back to the books, but standing outside Sunny’s suite was Sherrie, waiting for us.

Well, she wasn’t waiting for me.

“Did you like Ye Old Restaurant? Isn’t it fun?”

“Um, it certainly was different,” B hedged as I unlocked and entered the room. Sunny had given me a keycard that unlocked the top floor of the elevator and the room.

After a minute of two in the suite, I had to tell the two of them to come inside. They just stood in the hallway, locked in each other’s gaze. They hadn’t noticed I’d opened the door.

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