Maybe. But only because that’s what we are used too.
You wanted to be Alpha.
He shrugged. I guess part of me would enjoy the power, the control. But I have other responsibilities.
“You mean me.”
“I mean protecting a treasure who, luckily, is you.”
“Why did you send them away?”
He sighed. “They aren’t nice guys, Hev. They might have been willing to accept me as leader for a while, but then the fights and the power struggle would have begun. I don’t want that. I don’t want them around you. They are dangerous, and I don’t want to deal with them.”
I feel like you’ve given up so much for me.
He made a scoffing sound. Those guys were nothing to give up. Besides, I wouldn’t have anything if I didn’t have you.
His fingers stretched across the table to lace with mine, and we sat there quietly watching the people in the boat. They were definitely in love, I watched as the pinks and purples of love bloomed around their heads like little clouds and reached out to one another. As the man rowed the boat rocked and one of the oars slipped out of his hands. Mustard bloomed around the woman in worry when the man leaned overboard to grab the oar. Then he rocked the boat – on purpose – judging by the way his aura flared and the woman screeched. When she realized his trick, she playfully pushed him then slid over in front of him, as close as she could get, and he settled back into a harmless rhythm of rowing.
I smiled to myself. The guy sure knew how to get her closer.
“I know Airis said that there was a reason that I am considered a supernatural treasure, but I just can’t imagine what that is.”
He shoved a whole oatmeal cookie into his mouth as he thought about my words. The way his jaw flexed as he chewed turned me on. And shot of heat streaked through my body. He glanced at me, gold streaking his eyes. I was suddenly glad Sam wasn’t able to see auras too. It was bad enough that he could practically hear every thought I had.
I blushed and looked down. Sometimes having a Mindbond was embarrassing.
“I don’t really know what is going to happen.” His voice was huskier than usual. “But to me, you are a treasure with or without a supernatural power.”
He had a way of making me forget exactly what we’d been talking about. He came around the table and crouched in front of me, taking my hands. “Thanks for lunch.”
“You’re welcome.” I stood, Sam moving with me. “I’ll see you later.”
He groaned and pulled me in for a long hug. I wish I didn’t have to work so much.
When are you moving into your new place? It was a lot less rent and maybe he wouldn’t need to work as much.
They called me today. I can move in tomorrow.
“Great! Want me to help you finish packing tonight?”
“Sure. I get off here at four. I’ll come pick you up.”
Sam’s two roommates actually kept to their word and moved out. As far as he could tell they’d left town too. It was nice not to have to look over our shoulders everywhere we went. It was nice to see Sam actually relax a little.
I finally got to see the apartment they’d been renting. It was a lot bigger than the tiny efficiency he was moving to, with its two bedrooms, separate kitchen, and living area. But the place was more depressing than I could have imagined. It made me more determined than ever to make sure his new apartment was a real home for him.
Even though the place had two bedrooms, Sam didn’t have one. China had claimed a room of her own, and the other two boys had shared a room. Sam had slept on the couch. It was an old sofa in blue plaid that sagged slightly in the middle. A threadbare, ugly, green blanket hung off the back that I pictured as being Sam’s only source of warmth. Sure, he might be a hellhound, and he might not need a lot of blankets…but shouldn’t he have a nice one just in case? Shouldn’t everyone be entitled to at least one comfort? It made my heart hurt.
There was a TV on a little table across from the couch and a brown, wingback chair with holes in it adjacent to the TV. The walls had all probably once been white, but were yellowed with age, and the carpet was rust-colored shag that seriously needed cleaning. The kitchen was very outdated, and I wasn’t sure if any of the appliances worked other than the fridge, which was pitifully empty.
I understood Sam’s hesitation to bring me here, even after he knew it was safe. I knew, because of the Mindbond, that he hated for me to see the way he’d lived. He was embarrassed that he didn’t have more.
I didn’t acknowledge that I knew these feelings because I didn’t want to hurt his pride. And honestly, it didn’t matter. I loved him. He did the best he could to take care of himself, and I was proud of him for that. But I was equally thrilled that he was moving, and when I was done with his little apartment, it would be suitable for someone as special as he is.
I was taping up the last of the boxes from the kitchen when he caught me behind the waist and kissed the back of my neck. His tongue snaked out to trace a line up to my ear where he stayed to nibble. My heart thundered and my knees felt weak. Oh, what he did to me.
“Sam,” I groaned.
“Sorry,” he released me, keeping his hands out to steady me.
Passion and teenage hormones were pumping through my veins. I bit my tongue to keep from blurting out that I wanted him. Although I was certain he already knew.
“Soon,” he murmured, taking my face in his hands.
“When?” I asked, breathless.
His lips brushed mine. Once. Twice. The third time they lingered. “Not here,” he whispered against me.
I closed my eyes and willed myself to calm. I took in the feel and touch of him. Finally, I stepped back and cleared my throat. “This box, uh.” My voice sounded like I’d eaten gravel. This is stuff that is going to your new place. I put all the other stuff to be donated by the door.
He stared at me for long moments before he nodded and took the box to add it to the ‘keep’ pile. “That should be everything then. There’s just one room we haven’t cleaned out…”
All the sexual tension disappeared. “China’s room.”
“Why don’t you wait out here? I’ll take care of this, and then we can leave.”
“No.” I shook my head. “I’ll help. It will go faster and then we can leave.”
“You don’t have to,” Sam said gently.
“I know.” I grabbed his hand and we walked together back to Evil’s den.
Her room was a little nicer than the rest of the place. That made me angry. She didn’t deserve nice. Although, I guess it wasn’t really nice, just more livable. If this room had an aura it would be icky brown. She had a double bed with sheets, a pale blue comforter and two pillows. A small ratty dresser with a mirror sat off to the right and a small closet filled with clothes. Two pair of shoes – one running, one heels – were tucked to the side of the bed.
“I’ll get a trash bag,” I murmured and went from the room to find a large bag. Half of her stuff was going out to the garbage. I would like to throw it all out, but some of it was usable and someone might need it, so those items would be donated. None of the stuff in here would be making the move with Sam. I shuddered at the thought.
“You really don’t need to do this,” Sam said, taking the bag from me.
I grabbed the shoes and tossed them into the bag. He chuckled and began taking the bedding off the bed. We made short work of the room. I filled a few boxes for Goodwill and two big trash bags.
I was giving the room a final ‘once over’ before shutting the door, when something struck me as odd.
“What is it, sweetheart?” Sam asked, coming up behind me to run his hands down my arms.
“There’s something there. It looks like there’s something sticking out beneath the…”
Sam moved swiftly, lifting the mattress up. Between the mattress and mattress pad was a cylinder-shaped tube. It looked like it was made of metal – bronze, in fact. Sam frowned and picked it up, letting the mattress fall back in plac
e.
“What is it?” I asked, peeking around him to see.
He shrugged, “Probably junk.”
It wasn’t junk. “Why would she hide junk under her mattress?”
The object was pulling me forward. My hands tingled with the urge to touch it. “Can I see it?” I whispered.
Sam looked up, his eyes narrowing. “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing,” I said impatiently. “Can I see?” I held out my hand while studying the tube. It was maybe six inches in length and was about as wide as a drinking glass.
He handed me the object. My hand closed around it, and I swear the metal vibrated in my palm. It was lighter than I would have expected. I turned it around, feeling a little lightheaded. “Look.” I pointed to the top of one end. “You need a key to open it.”
He looked down. “Weird.”
“Yeah, it…” my voice trailed off as the room began to spin. “I – I’m not feeling…” I reached out to grab for Sam.
“Heven?” He grasped me with both hands. “What’s wrong?”
Everything went white.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Heven
“Heven?” Sam called. He sounded so far away.
I turned my head toward his voice. Where was he?
“Not again,” he murmured.
I could feel his panic and worry. I didn’t want him to be worried. I forced my eyes open, blinking against the light.
My eyes adjusted to the light and I looked around. The place was familiar. We’d been here before.
The last time we both died.
“Hello, Airis.”
“We meet again.”
“Why is that?” Sam asked.
I realized that I was still clutching the bronze tube in my hands. I held it out.
Airis inclined her head. “You found it. Well done.”
“I didn’t know we were supposed to be looking for it,” Sam said.
“It was time,” Airis replied.
“I guess you want it…is that why we’re here?” I asked, not quite knowing how I felt about that.
“It is yours, for now. We need you to keep it safe.”
Curiosity flowed through me.
“Can you tell us what it is?” Sam asked.
Airis inclined her head. “You hold in your hands a true treasure.”
Beside me Sam jerked. He looked down at the bronze tube in my hands with renewed interest. When he caught me staring at him he said, “This is what China has been searching for. She found it.”
“So it’s a map? Like – to find treasure?” I asked, knowing it felt wrong.
Sam shrugged. “I don’t know. She never told us anything about it. Just that it was a map and she wanted it. I didn’t really know what to expect.”
We both looked at Airis, hoping for some sort of explanation.
“This parchment doesn’t lead you to treasure. It contains very specific words of God’s knowledge that reveals certain appointments for people who will do extraordinary things in their lives.”
“It’s a list of names?” Sam asked a little disbelieving. Then he muttered, “I’ve been searching all this time for a list of names?”
“It’s not just any list,” Airis said. “This list is very important. It contains the names of the people who will do extraordinary things…the people who cure cancer and initiate peace. This list contains the names of every single person, in the present and future, who are going to be responsible for stopping the evil influences that Satan has spread on earth. These people are going to return Glory to the world.”
The bronze tubing that I held suddenly seemed heavier.
“And China wanted it so she could destroy it and spread evil.” Sam stated, flat.
“It’s possible.” Airis said, bowing her head. “Those down below have been searching for that scroll for centuries. It could mean the difference between world salvation and world destruction. China was most likely looking for it at the request of a higher power. Someone was probably using her as a means to an end.”
“That doesn’t sound like something she would agree too.” Sam said, shaking his head.
“Would she if she was promised power or something powerful that she wanted?” Airis asked, patiently.
“She was obsessed with power…” Sam said thoughtfully. “And that might explain why it seemed like she was killing people like she had something to prove.”
Airis nodded encouragingly.
“But where did she find it, and what was she going to do with it?” I asked.
“I would think she meant to take it to Hell.” Airis replied.
“Hell!” I exclaimed. “How in the world would she be able to do that?”
“There are portals to Hell all over Earth. Ordinary humans do not notice them; they never realize what could be right in front of them. Even if they did find one, they wouldn’t be able to open it. But China was a hellhound. Hellhounds can sense them, sometimes they are drawn to certain places where the portals are. A hellhound has the ability to open a portal. The portal itself recognizes what once resided within, and the portal opens for them.”
I glanced at Sam. “Did you know any of this?”
“No.”
“I am thankful that you found the scroll before she was able to carry out her plan.” Airis said.
I looked down at the bronze tubing that held the scroll. “She didn’t get it open,” I said with certainty.
“No. You cannot open this without a key.”
“Where is the key?” I asked.
Airis stared at us without responding. I realized something I hadn’t noticed; she didn’t have an aura. I was wondering why when Sam seemed to become upset about something.
“Sam?” I turned to him, placing a hand on his arm. He caught my wrist and lifted it, staring. I followed his gaze to the bracelet he gave to me. My most prized possession.
Keys dangled from the chain.
“I have the key,” I whispered. Sam released my arm, and I slipped the bracelet off and lined the largest key on the chain up with the keyhole at the top of the canister. It matched perfectly.
I slid the key into the lock.
“No!” Airis called.
Sam and I both looked up.
“It is not necessary at this time to look at it.”
“Why?” I asked.
“It will only make what you need to do more difficult.”
“What we need to do?”
“This treasure map is very sacred. It was stolen from its rightful keeper, and it has taken a long time to relocate it.”
“What does that have to do with us?” Sam wanted to know.
“As a supernatural treasure, Heven, you are the rightful person to return this treasure to its rightful place.”
“I don’t understand,” I said, frustrated. “I see auras. Who cares?”
“Do not make light of your gifts,” Airis began, but I cut her off to say, “Wait. You said gifts with an ‘s.’ I can only see auras.”
“For now,” Airis replied and pressed on. “Possessing this scroll puts you in great danger. Many will come from far and wide to take this from you. You cannot allow this. Use your gift to know with certainty that these people mean you harm.”
So that was the reason I could see auras? To know who wanted to hurt me and who didn’t?
“Where does the map need to go?” I asked Airis.
“To Rome.”
I gasped. “I’m a high school student. A financially challenged one at that. How do you expect me to get to Rome?”
“You will find a way.”
I laughed.
“More specifically, the scroll must be delivered to one of the catacombs in Rome. The Catacomb of San Sebastiano. It is located beneath the thirteenth century church, which sits atop the catacomb. You will find its entrance along the famous ancient road Via Appia Antica.”
“I can’t,” I told her.
“You do have a choice, you do not have to do this. I thin
k that deep down you will find within yourself the desire and the fortitude to accomplish this task. Think about what will happen should you refuse. This treasure could once again fall into the wrong hands. If someone manages to get the cylinder open and read the contents, then every living person named on the list will be killed. Those not yet born will be born into a world of anarchy and their destinies will be ruined. The world will be doomed.”
Is that all then? World damnation and death?
I began to shake as I thought about my decision. There really wasn’t one. I knew what I had to do. The shaking in my limbs began to ease, and I glanced up at Sam. We have to do this. We have to at least try.
World damnation is a pretty strong motivator, huh? He smiled down at me.
I looked back up at Airis who stood, patiently waiting my decision. “We’ll do it.”
“I knew that you had it in you. Thank you.” Airis said and waved her hand in our direction.
Everything went white. Again.
Just like that we were back in China’s empty room.
“What have we gotten ourselves into?” Sam said, staring down at the scroll, still clutched in my hands.
“We were meant for this Sam. I don’t really understand how or why but I can feel it, deep down. I – we – were chosen to do this for a reason; it’s the right thing to do. Besides it’s not really about us, it’s about something bigger than either of us.”
He shook his head slowly, digesting my words. His mouth drew into a straight line. “I can’t say that I am happy that you’re going to be in danger because of this, but I understand.” I smiled and wrapped my arms around his waist and hugged him close. He said nothing for a while, just rocked me gently back and forth. When he pulled back he glanced down at the bronze cylinder that held the scroll. “I guess we can’t let everything go to hell.”
My lips twitched. “I guess not.”
“I guess I’m back on the clock as your bodyguard.”
I laughed. “You got, like, a whole ten minute break.”
He hooked his arm around my shoulder. “Come on, sweetheart, let’s get out of here.”
“I’m hungry,” I complained.
Masquerade Page 34
