“Then stand.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m already covered in dirt. What’s a few footprints?” He let go of her left leg to reach a hand up. “Here, use my hand to steady yourself. Just be careful with that lighter.”
“I can put it away.” She clicked the lighter shut, throwing them into shadow again.
“I can hold it. Then you’ll still have light.”
“I’d rather you hang on to me.”
That made two of them. “Okay.”
“Besides, once I get to my feet, I can feel for what I need. And I have to get the locket out anyway. I’m assuming it will be the key, like it was in Dublin.” She took his hand. “Here goes.”
Carefully, she repositioned herself. First, she lifted a knee, then with a hand on his head, she brought her other foot straight up onto his shoulder. He held perfectly still, moving only to put his hands securely on her feet to hold her.
A little more movement, and her hand came off his head. “Okay, I’m up. And I can reach.”
He dare not move to see what she was doing, in case shifting would throw off her balance, so he kept his focus on the ground under his feet. Even so, he could hear the sounds of her pulling the locket from underneath her turtleneck, then fitting it in place.
“It’s in. Fits perfectly. But I don’t know what to do now. It doesn’t push in or turn, and nothing clicked or moved or—”
Light flared up around Greyson’s feet. “The cobblestones,” he said. “Look.”
The area of stones within the shrine looked as though they’d been marked with phosphorescent paint. The design was a sun, of course, its rays spiraling out from the round orb, much like the locket.
Kora made a little noise of surprise. “Oh wow. You can see that even without holding on to the locket?”
“Yes, but we are connected. That might have something to do with it.”
“True. Coming down.”
She jumped, landing next to him. The sun glowing on the stones disappeared. “Can you still see it?”
“No. It’s gone now. You?”
“I can still see it.” The locket was in her hand, the ribbon wrapped around her fingers. “Put your hand on my arm and see if it reappears.”
He touched her. “It’s back.”
“It has to mean we look under the stones. Don’t you think?”
“Yes.” Greyson crouched down and pulled out a switchblade, releasing the knife with a little click. He slipped the blade into a crevice and worked it to loosen the stones where the glowing symbol had been.
Kora crouched beside him and flicked on the lighter. “Is this okay? Or should I just keep a hand on you so you can see the sun sign?”
“Either is fine.” He looked up at her. “Thanks.”
She smiled. “Thank you. I couldn’t have done all this without you.”
“I don’t know about that.” He scraped away at the compacted dirt holding everything in place. Ages had passed since these stones had been put in place. But then again, that wasn’t necessarily true if they’d been lifted to hide something underneath.
“I do.” Her voice was softer and more introspective now. “I owe you a lot, Greyson.”
He pried the first stone free. “I don’t feel like you owe me anything.” He went to work on the next one. “In fact, this whole trip has been a lot of fun. Not the part where we were threatened by the Brotherhood, but the rest of it.”
She laughed softly. “I’m so grateful that you came. And are having fun. But I definitely feel like I owe you. And that’s not even taking into consideration the money that you turned down from my father.”
The second stone popped loose. He picked it up and was about to respond, when the dull, dark glint of something odd caught his eye. He brushed the dirt away. “Hey, look.”
“What is it?”
He stuck two fingers through the iron ring he’d just exposed and tugged. The movement loosened a few more stones and revealed two edges of an iron box. “I’d say it’s whatever we came to find.”
“Yank it free,” Kora urged. She’d been about to spill more of her heart out, more than just how grateful she was for Greyson’s help on this crazy trip, but also about how she’d come to realize that it was possible to be a strong woman and rely on a good man at the same time. How he was that good man and how thankful she was that she’d gotten to know him as more than just a guy who worked for her father.
Greyson had proved himself to be a wonderful, caring individual with a surprisingly tender side. He was sharp and witty and resourceful. He was, Kora thought, very much like a male version of herself.
Except with money.
The metal box scraped the remaining cobblestones as Greyson strong-armed it out of its resting spot. It was about six-by-six square, a little patinaed with age, and locked.
Greyson handed it to Kora. “This is your adventure. You open it.”
She handed him the lighter. “You really think the source of Rasputin’s power is in here?”
“I have no idea. But I hope whatever’s in there is the thing you need to get the truth about your mother.”
“Me, too.” She shook the box lightly. No sound. But there was some heft to the thing. “I guess brute strength is the way to go since we don’t have a key, and I don’t feel like picking the lock.”
“Go for it.”
She got a firm grip on the top and bottom halves of the box and applied upward pressure until the hinges creaked and the lock popped. She looked at Greyson. “This is tripping my nerves like crazy. Wild, huh?”
“But the reward that awaits you is what matters.”
“Right. So let’s see what we’ve got.” She opened the box.
Nestled inside was a remnant of animal pelt bound up with red silk cord.
Greyson leaned in for a better look. “Looks like ermine.”
“A favorite of the Romanovs, if I recall.” She took the bundle out of the box and began to unwrap it. “There’s something heavy in here. Egg shaped.”
“Fabergé?”
“That’s a very real possibility. We’ll see in a sec.” She tugged the remaining bit of cord free, then unwound the pelt carefully. At last, she tumbled the contents into her hand.
A large, partially faceted stone lay in her palm. It was slightly larger than a quail’s egg and, in the flickering flame of the lighter, shone with a deep blood red that seemed fathomless.
“Ruby?” Greyson asked.
Kora held it up between two fingers and looked at it with the lighter behind it. “I don’t think so.”
“You can tell by looking at it?”
“No, that’s almost impossible. But my gut says this is spinel.” She squinted at the stone. “I feel like I’ve seen this stone before. But how would that be possible?”
“I’m not sure.”
She kept studying it, the nagging feeling that she ought to recognize it gnawing at her. “It’s not exactly faceted in the traditional way. It almost looks…I don’t know, as if it’s been partially left in its natural state and just polished.”
“Does holding it make you feel any different?”
She cut her eyes at him. “You mean do I have the sudden urge to turn into a bat? No.”
He shrugged one shoulder. “Just asking.”
“Well, whatever it does, it doesn’t matter. We need to get out of here, and I need to contact the Fox to let him—or her—know I have the item.”
“Agreed. But we should cover our tracks.”
She looked at the hole in the floor. “Right. That’s kind of noticeable.” She tucked the red jewel into her belt bag, then worked on getting the metal box back into the space it had occupied.
With that in place, they returned the cobblestones to their spots, which was a little like working a puzzle, then they smoothed the dirt into the cracks and stood back to admire their work.
“It’s not perfect.” Greyson brushed off his hands. “But the good thing is no one ever really ge
ts this close.”
“Yeah.” She shook her head. It was pretty easy to see the stones had been disturbed. “Actually, the really good thing is that no one knows we were here.”
“Hang on.” Greyson crouched down again and used the edge of his fist to pound a few of the stones flatter. He stood again. “Better?”
“You know, I think it is. Now let’s get out of here.” As they left the shrine and headed back toward the main part of the cathedral, she glanced at the window they’d come through. “How are we going to do that? Think we can jump up to the window and pull ourselves out?”
“Yes. I know I can. Can you? If not, I might be able to find some rope or—”
“No, I can make it.” She looked at the window a little more. How high was that? Twenty feet? “I think I can.”
“Why don’t you try first?”
A soft shuffling sound behind them made them both whip around. A bearded man in a black cassock, brimless black cap, and white collar stood in the center of the cathedral. They’d been surprised by a priest.
He blinked at them, then said something in Russian.
Kora shook her head. “Sorry, we only speak English. We got stuck in here when the cathedral closed. Can you let us out?”
The priest frowned. “You should not be in here.”
Kora smiled and tried to look apologetic. His English was good, despite the heavy accent. “I know. I’m so sorry. We’ll be on our way.” She pointed behind him. “Is that door open?”
Greyson put his hand on Kora’s arm to stop her. “Look in the shadows.”
Her gaze shifted deeper into the darkness at the back of the cathedral.
Two more priests emerged.
She took a step back toward Greyson, putting her in direct contact with his left side.
He kept his hand on her arm and spoke very softly. “Inhale.”
An odd request, but she did as he asked. And realized a second later that the smell of incense had been replaced with the musky, earthy aroma of wolves.
The Brotherhood had found them.
“The window,” Greyson said in a tone that clearly wasn’t to be argued with. “Now.”
The next few seconds happened in a blur of time that was both lightning quick and molasses slow.
She bolted for the window, her leap fueled by adrenaline as the snarls of wolves filled the cathedral. She caught the sill with her fingertips, but hit the wall hard. She hung on as lights flashed before her eyes.
More snarling echoed up from the chamber below her. Then the metallic snick of a blade being brandished.
She pulled herself up and through the window. Low growls rumbled through the air. Then a yelp.
Then Greyson was at the window, hauling himself out. “We need to run.”
The sleeve of his sweater was torn at the shoulder, revealing three deep, bloody scratches. A single, smaller one cut across his jaw.
“You’re hurt,” she said.
“I’m fine. We need to move. I only slowed them down.”
They swung through the scaffolding like acrobats, skating from platform to platform with speed and ease until their feet were on cobblestones again. They slipped through the tarps on the ground level and mixed in with the tourists, though Greyson’s injuries got them a few looks.
They kept going until they were several streets away, then found a taxi.
Greyson directed the man to take them to the airport. “Pulkovo.”
Kora frowned at him. “Won’t they expect that?”
“Maybe. But we’re safer on the plane than anywhere else. Plus, we can get out of here. Have you made your contact yet?”
“No, but I’ll do that now.” She pulled out the burner phone and sent a text.
I have what you want. Exchange point?
“Done.” She looked at his scrapes again. “Are you sure you’re all right? Those should be healing already.”
He glanced at his arm. “You’re right. They should be.”
Suddenly, his eyes seemed to lose focus, and a curse slipped from his lips.
Alarm bells went off in her head. “What?”
He shook his head slowly as his eyes started to roll back in his head. “Their claws…tipped with…something.”
He went silent and still and a tiny bit gray.
“Greyson.” She grabbed his uninjured arm and gave him a little shake. Nothing. He was out cold.
Now it was her turn to swear. The Brotherhood had drugged him or poisoned him or something. Whatever they’d done, it was clear he’d been compromised.
Her phone buzzed. She grabbed it and checked the response.
Well done. Where are you?
Saint Petersburg. There was no point in being secretive about anything now.
Interesting. I will meet you in Rome. Text me when you arrive. Don’t be long.
Greyson wouldn’t be happy about going to Rome. Actually, there were officials in Rome who wouldn’t be happy about her showing up there. But what choice did she have? Will do.
She checked out the back window to see if they were being followed. Traffic was thicker than she would have expected for the time of night, but she didn’t see any cars that looked suspicious. Still, she didn’t want to take any chances.
She dug into Greyson’s pocket and found his cash. He had a lot on him, but all she needed was a single hundred-dollar bill.
She leaned forward and held the banknote up so the driver could see it in the rearview mirror. “Faster. Understand?”
His eyes flicked from the money to her face, and a big smile bent his mouth. “Da. Fast is good. Da?”
She nodded. “Da.”
Then she got snapped back against Greyson when the driver stepped on the gas. She laughed softly. Money always worked.
She stayed snuggled up against Greyson, placing her hand on his chest. He probably wouldn’t be out for long. Vampire metabolisms were hard to subdue. Of course, she didn’t know what the Brotherhood had used on him.
What was their goal? Knock them both out, then what? Take the jewel? Kill them?
That was a terrifying thought.
But it was the kind of thought that got her thinking even more. If the Brotherhood was willing to kill to stop this jewel from falling into the hands of the Fox, that was pretty hardcore.
Who was the Fox?
And what could this thing do that made everyone want it so badly?
Greyson’s body ached, and his head felt like it was wrapped in cotton wool. He groaned as he accidentally rolled over onto his injured arm, then realized he had no idea where he was. It was dark. And very quiet. Except for a dull hum. Had he been captured? If he had, the bed was exceptionally soft for a prison cell. But, no. That wasn’t right. He’d been with—
Kora opened a door and let a blinding blast of light into the room. “Was that you? I thought I heard a noise. How do you feel? Are you awake?”
“I am now,” he groused as he blinked at the light. “We’re on the plane?”
“Yep.” She shut the door and turned on the room light, which was softer.
“Headed where?”
She made a little face. “Rome.”
He grunted. “Are you even allowed back in that city?”
She came over and sat on the edge of the bed. “I wasn’t going to ask permission. But forget all that for a minute. How are you feeling? You look a little pale. Paler than is standard.”
“A little weak and foggy.” And his arm was killing him, but that would pass. “What did the Brotherhood do?”
“Scratched you up in the fight, remember? I’m pretty sure their claws were laced with sedatives. My guess is they planned on knocking us out and possibly staking us.”
That woke him up. “Wow.”
“Exactly.”
He thought back. “I remember the fight. And getting out through the window. Then…we got in a car?”
“Right. We got a taxi. That’s about when you passed out.” She put her hand to his face, turning his jaw slight
ly. “Your handsome face seems to be healing up nicely. That’s good. Let me see your arm.”
“It still hurts.” He’d admit that much. He brought it across his chest to show her. Surprisingly, he liked the attention. Liked her being concerned about him and his well-being. It was sweet. And something he could easily get used to. Too easily, maybe.
“Hmm. I’m not sure those scratches look better. For some reason, they’re healing slowly. Maybe it’s whatever drugs the Brotherhood used. Look how raised and red the marks are.”
He glanced down. Three thick, jagged welts had scabbed over across his bicep. “Probably more than just sedatives on their claws. Could have been some poison, too. My arm is a little hot there.” Actually, it was on fire and throbbing, but he didn’t want to worry her.
“Well, something’s irritating your skin, but obviously your system is working to get rid of it. Which is more reason for you to feed. It’ll help.”
“I will in a bit.” He put his arm back at his side, tired of talking about his injury when there was more info to be gathered from her about what was happening next. “Why are we headed to Rome?”
“To meet the Fox.”
“The big exchange, huh?”
Kora nodded. “At last. I want you to go with me.”
“Weren’t you told to come alone?”
“Yes, but it would be foolish to walk into a meeting with a stranger and not have backup.”
“Agreed.” Greyson was impressed. Kora really had changed. Not long ago, she would have insisted on doing a thing like that on her own.
“Plus, I’m sure the Fox will have people with her, don’t you think?”
“I’d imagine so. Are you worried she won’t give you the information you want, though? I mean, since you’re breaking the agreement by bringing me along?”
Kora shrugged. “I have the jewel. I’m in the catbird’s seat, so to speak.”
“Very true.” He yawned away the last of his grogginess.
She dipped her head for a moment, breaking eye contact. “I was worried about you.”
“Thanks. I was worried about both of us for a minute there. Three against two is pretty decent odds when you’re talking werewolves and vampires, but you never know. Sure, we’re faster, stronger, and obviously superior creatures, but they had the upper hand in that situation.”
The Vampire’s Priceless Treasure Page 19
