by L. D. Hall
"I'll feel better once I eat," Naomi replied, with a bright smile. Over the years, she'd become an expert at lying about her state of mind to friends and coworkers, now it was like second nature to her. Most of the time they accepted her excuses, which ranged from dehydration to migraines.
Emma hesitated, a hint of suspicion on her face. Naomi braced herself for another probing question, but Emma gave her a quick nod and left.
For the rest of the work day, Naomi tried to focus on her tasks, which consisted of a paper she was writing for a historical journal, a conference call with the museum director about an upcoming collection, and jotting down marketing ideas for a fall exhibition.
But her thoughts kept returning to the artifact, and she had to resist the urge to go back down to the storage area to seek it out.
What is it about that tablet? she wondered. Maybe it was just professional curiosity; her mind trying to decipher those inscriptions. But professional curiosity didn't explain the whispers.
When the work day drew to a close, Emma appeared at her doorway. They lived in the same neighborhood and often shared a cab home.
Naomi gave her an apologetic smile, gesturing toward her laptop.
"I want to get this report done before I leave."
Emma left with a wave. Naomi watched her go, annoyed with herself for lying. She could have just told Emma she wanted to take another look at one of the artifacts. But something compelled her to keep quiet.
She made her way down to the storage area as Dimitris and the other conservators were filing out. Dimitris raised his eyebrows at the sight of her.
"I wanted to take another look at that clay tablet," she said.
"I sent it over to the archivist, but she's gone for the day," Dimitris said, frowning. "Was there—“
"I can just look at it tomorrow," Naomi interrupted, though an inexplicable sensation of loss filled her. "Thanks."
She took a cab home, but asked the driver to drop her a few blocks from her apartment so she could walk the rest of the way. Maybe some fresh air and outdoor stimulus would shift her focus away from the artifact. She walked through the winding and picturesque streets of the Plaka neighborhood, trying to focus on the sights around her. Tourists crowded the outdoor patios of the various restaurants that dotted the streets, their voices mingling with the honks of cars and roars of engines that sped by. Even though a heavy smog hung in the air, Naomi could still smell the salt of the nearby sea in the late summer breeze.
By the time she reached her block, she was more at ease. But as she reached her building, she felt eyes on her.
Stiffening, she scanned the bustling streets, but no one paid her any attention. What is it about today? she wondered, turning to enter her building.
In her apartment, she kicked off her shoes, taking in the small one-bedroom apartment she'd attempted to make into a semblance of a home. Vintage furniture, collectibles from digs she'd gone on with her parents as a child, and knickknacks she'd picked up from the Pandrossou Street Market in her neighborhood, filled every corner of the apartment. A jolt of sadness hit her as she thought about how many apartments she'd had just like this over the years . . . and how none of them had truly felt like home.
She moved to her kitchen counter, opening her laptop to check her personal email. She smiled at the sight of an email from her Aunt Katherine. Kat had taken Naomi in after her parents' death. Though no one could ever fill in for her parents, Kat had come close, and Naomi felt just as loved. The email contained her aunt's trademark concern. You should check in more often. How much longer will you be in Greece? Are you taking care of yourself? Please call soon, you know how I worry.
Naomi typed out her reply, insisting she was safe, and she'd call her this weekend. She almost mentioned her episode with the artifact, but decided against it. She'd only make her overprotective aunt worry even more.
Naomi made herself a meal of vegetable moussaka, using a recipe that Emma had given her, before moving out onto her balcony to eat. She tried to focus on the sounds of the city. Snatches of conversation from the various groups of tourists below, the pulsating strains of music from nearby bars, the rumble of engines and honking horns from the cars crammed into the streets. But the artifact wrestled itself back into her mind.
She set down her plate in her lap, closing her eyes. First thing tomorrow, she'd request vacation time. Maybe this was her mind's way of telling her she'd been working too hard and needed a break.
Later, when she drifted off to sleep, she once again heard those strange whispers in her mind.
The story continues in SHADOW DESCENDANT.
Also by L.D. Hall
(Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy)
THE DESCENDANTS SERIES
Shadow Descendant
Marked Descendant
Dark Descendant
As L.D. Goffigan
(Historical Fiction / Historical Fantasy)
THE MINA MURRAY SERIES
The Beast of London
Fortress of Blood
Realm of Night
Mina Murray Series Bundle: Books 1-3
About the Author
L.D. Hall writes thrilling and fast-paced paranormal romance and paranormal fantasy novels. She studied film and dramatic writing at New York University. She grew up on the East Coast but now resides in a large city by the sea on the West Coast. When not writing, she enjoys traveling and dreaming of new fantastical tales to tell.
[email protected]
Copyright © 2018 by L.D. Hall
All rights reserved.
This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the express written permission of the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously.
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