“The Stone Masters have something I need.” I studied him and then said, “Ancient scrolls.”
“Why do you want them?”
“I’m afflicted with a condition that if left untreated . . .” I shrugged, indicating I didn’t want to talk about that just yet.
“So whatever’s written on these scrolls can help you?”
“Apparently.”
“They are meant to have a collection of sacred scrolls.” He stared off past me. “Though I’ve never seen them.”
A part of me feared I too may never get to see them, these elusive rolls of parchment that were meant to have scribed upon them a guide to my way back. Perhaps, if it weren’t for knowing about Paradom, I might never risk everything for such a tenuous chance to revert to what had once been.
These moments spent with Sebastian soothed my soul and as I observed the way he took in the foyer and then took me in, I realized why: Sebastian was free of judgment. He merely observed the world around him without offering criticism.
He leaned toward me. “Several of my friends were recruited and one of them put a good word in for me.” Sebastian was momentarily distracted by the candle flames flickering in the chandelier.
“Your fathers’ connection didn’t help?” I asked.
“Still have to be found appropriate member material.”
“Where were you initiated?” I asked.
“Not sure.” He shrugged. “A car picked me up from Cambridge. I was blindfolded during the journey there.”
“Go on.”
“The rule of secrecy is sacrosanct,” he continued. “The Stone Masters have a tier system. Seven levels. New members never get to know anyone from the above level.”
“How do you communicate?” I asked.
“Through a designated Custodian. One member from each group communicates with him to get a message to the next level up.”
“Tell me about your initiation.”
“The things they did to that woman.” He covered his face with his hands in shame. “I had no idea it was real.” His hands fell to his lap. “When I arrived, a man dressed as the Grim Reaper met me at the door.”
My expression shifted.
“Oh yes, skeletal mask, black robe and even a scythe that was all too real. I think it was meant to serve as a warning that this was serious. The Reaper gave me a black masquerade mask to wear and told me that under no circumstances was I to remove it. Once I got inside the grand hall, I realized I was joining about fifty other men, all of them wearing the same black masquerade mask. The place was dark. Everything lit with candles. Classical music played in the background. That is until the chanting began.” He reached down and caressed his calf.
“I appreciate this is difficult for you, Seb. I’m thankful for your candor.”
He hesitated. “How come you didn’t go after someone more senior? As you can see I hardly know anything.”
“You know enough.”
“So that girl . . .” Sebastian knitted his brow.
“If her wounds healed no matter what they did to her, then she was most certainly a vampire.”
He stared off at nothing. “I just stood there, watching . . .”
“The Stone Masters were watching you, gauging if you were suitable.”
His eyes glazed over. “There were five senior Stone Lords acting out the ceremony. “
“And the girl?”
“Blindfolded and gagged.” His face flushed with guilt. “It was meant to be a great honor to become a member.”
“You didn’t know.”
He cringed. “It was barbaric. They drank her blood.”
“I’m sorry you had to see that.”
“What list was my name on?” he asked.
“Aristoi.”
“Then the list you have is of new recruits.”
“Ah.”
“My old custodian from the society, Jeremy Montague, might know where the scrolls are,” he said. “He buys up art and auctions it off to fund the Stone Masters.”
“Interesting.”
“So if we find him . . .” Sebastian puffed out his lips. “But he’s not going to just tell us.”
“Perhaps he might show us.”
“There were probably hundreds of names on that Aristoi list,” he said, “Why me?”
“You were homeless. You had nothing left to lose.”
“Talking with you back in the Savoy . . . it really helped.”
“You’ve seen how many bedrooms we have here,” I said. “Shame they go to waste.”
He turned to look at me. “You’re saying I can stay?”
“Someone needs to help Alex improve his chess.”
“Hate to break it to you, but this place has more spider webs than a haunted house. You need someone to manage this place.” Sebastian lifted his trouser leg and examined his calf again. “To think I might even be able to dance again.”
“That’s who you are, Sebastian.” I gave his back a pat. “And I’m excited for your future.”
Chapter 16
“FATHER JACOB ROCH is expecting you,” said the short frail nun.
Escorted by the Sister we strolled down Salisbury Cathedral’s North Quire Isle, and my attention was drawn to the gothic arched ceiling with its intricate curves masterfully bestowing the illusion of movement as though nature herself had forged the design.
We arrived in a second small transept where the cruciform church crossed between the nave and the choir at right angles. The nun gestured I was to proceed alone through the door before us.
I stepped inside Trinity Chapel, admiring the slender colorful columns rising up effortlessly and supporting an illustrious ribbed-vault. I took a moment to savor the craftsmanship imbued in the remarkable stained-glass windows.
Just ahead, Jacob was talking with Marcus and Rachel.
Rachel, who’d been turned at sixteen or so, looked weary, her paleness emphasizing her vibrant titian locks. Having disappeared over fifty years ago, it was good to see her alive. Marcus was talking softly with her, evidently relieved to have her back.
Jacob came over to greet me.
“I can understand why you like it here,” I said, walking with him.
“It’s peaceful,” Jacob agreed.
“How is she?” I gestured toward Rachel.
“No better, no worse,” he said. “The nuns watch over her when I can’t.”
Rachel’s hands trembled though she didn’t seem to notice.
Jacob sighed. “The quiet keeps her calm.”
Rachel pointed to me. “Who’s that?”
“A friend,” Marcus told her, failing to hide his sadness.
She snapped her head round toward Jacob. “Is he one of us?”
“He is,” Jacob reassured her.
“You’ve forgiven me then?” She tilted her head.
Jacob hesitated, and then said, “There’s nothing to forgive.”
“But I told you that your father Orpheus is a vampire?”
“Rachel, that’s all forgotten now,” Jacob reassured her.
Marcus glanced at his mobile, reading the text. “It’s Anaïs. Belshazzar’s is officially closed.” He frowned miserably and shoved the cell back into his pocket.
“It’s not permanent,” I reassured him.
“Belshazzar’s is living history,” Marcus said. “I’m having a hard time with it.”
“Is it my fault?” Rachel asked.
“No.” Marcus kissed her forehead tenderly.
“What day is it?” she asked, bewildered.
“Wednesday,” Marcus said. “You’re safe now.”
“Has she told you anything?” I asked Jacob quietly.
He shook his head. “And there was nothing unusual found in her blood results. Snowstrom’s scientists were quite thorough.”
Rachel’s attention fell on me again. “Do you have any apples?”
Jacob coughed. “You can’t eat apples, remember?”
She turned back to face hi
m and rubbed her eyes. “I feel funny.”
Marcus took her hands in his. “You and I, we’ve been through so much together and seen so many things.”
“You always made sure I was safe.” She snuggled in to him.
I approached Rachel and asked, “How long have you been back in London?”
She stepped away from Marcus. “A few days.”
“Where were you?” Marcus asked.
She went to answer but the confusion on her face gave away that she didn’t remember.
Marcus tried to get her attention. “I love you, you know that right?”
“You told me that every day.” She waved her hands out by her sides, swinging them from side to side as though hearing some invisible music.
She balanced on her tip toes. “What’s your name?”
I lifted the strap of her dress back up over her shoulder. “William.”
Her hair fell into her face. “I wasn’t the only one there.”
“They captured other vampires?” Marcus asked, dismayed.
Rachel pointed to the door. “Can I go out?”
Jacob gave a shake of his head as though conveying she wasn’t making any sense. “Orpheus always told us to be careful with doors.” She pointed her right toe out and balanced backward. “Doors lead to places.”
“Doors might lead to sunlight,” I clarified.
She held my gaze for a while and then said, “Where’s Sunaria?”
“Can you tell us where you’ve been all this time?” Jacob asked, trying to bring her focus back on us.
“In a cold room with no furniture.” She pressed her fingers to her lips. “Aiden told me I was special because I knew Orpheus.” She looked so frail, lost. “He dipped apples in blood and let me lick it off. It made him laugh.”
“Who is Aiden?” Marcus asked.
Rachel pointed at nothing. “Aiden is Lord Crowther’s son.” She reached for Jacob’s sleeve and pulled him closer, whispering. “Will it make them angry?”
“Not at all.” Jacob smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes.
Rachel seemed to remember something that scared her.
Entering her thoughts, I caught hold of the fleeting images she was reliving. “She was definitely captured,” I whispered.
She ran her fingers over her collar bone. “Aiden told me I was his favorite.”
“Did Aiden hurt you?” I held my breath.
Rachel’s pale white fingers covered her mouth. “I escaped.”
“Sweetheart, did they make you sick?” I knew to rush her might derail her. “Do you remember how they . . . poisoned you?”
Her head shot up. “Aiden fed me blood but it tasted funny.” She looked up at Marcus. “Am I going to die?”
“No,” he said. “We need you to tell us everything you can remember.”
“Lord Crowther . . .” She stroked her long locks. “He’s the one in charge of Sovereign. The Stone Masters and Sovereign don’t get along anymore.” She pointed at Jacob. “Isn’t that true?”
Jacob pulled the edges of his lips downward hinting he had no idea what she was suggesting, though something in his eyes reflected guilt.
“Who the hell are Sovereign?” Marcus mouthed to us.
Jacob gave Rachel a nudge and that was all she needed to pirouette away from us; an ethereal titian vision of loveliness.
Jacob turned his back on Rachel, lowering his voice. “Sovereign is a faction of the Stone Masters.” And on my reaction he added, “You’re not the only ones spying and collecting names.”
I resisted throwing him a look of distrust.
“Sovereign, what’s their purpose?” Marcus asked.
“It’s the conservative arm of the Stone Masters,” Jacob explained, “Just as secretive, but rumored to hunt the supernatural with an unmatched ferociousness.” He glanced back at Rachel. “Their symbol is a skeleton key with a snake wrapped from its handle, down and around to the blade. The very fact they let her go is a miracle.”
Rachel danced her way back to us and rose onto her tip toes. She leaned into my ear. “I have a secret.”
“What’s that my darling?” I asked, my focus staying on Jacob, trying to read him.
She raised her forefinger. “Where’s my ruby ring gone?”
“I’ll get you another one,” Marcus said. “Rachel, what more can you tell us about Lord Crowther?”
Rachel spun round. “Crowther wants to kill Dominion.”
“Dominion?” Marcus asked, trying to keep up.
And then I remembered seeing it. “The name’s written on one of the cells back at the Mount.” I gave a shrug. “It’s written in Latin, Dominatio.”
“William, when did you see it?” Marcus asked.
I threw Jacob a wary glance. “I was unfortunate to spend a few hours in that very the cell.”
“Huh.” Marcus raised his eyebrows. “And you have no idea who wrote it?”
“No,” I said. “Not sure how long it’s been written there either.”
“Who do you think Dominion is?” Marcus asked us.
“He’s very dangerous,” Rachel answered.
I took a step closer to her. “Do you know why Lord Crowther wants him?”
“Aiden’s father told him that Dominion will wipe out Sovereign.” Rachel covered her mouth. “I overheard them talking.” She seemed to have a moment of clarity, her gaze falling on Marcus. “I overheard men from the Stone Masters arguing with Lord Crowther to let me go.”
Marcus gestured his uneasiness to us and whispered, “What if they let her go in order to follow her?”
Jacob raised his hand to reassure us. “We used every precaution when we found her. No one knows we’re here.”
Rachel pressed her fingers to her lips. “When will I be able to see Orpheus?”
“Soon,” I said.
Seeing ‘Find Dominatio’ written on the cell was the first time I’d ever come across it. I wondered who might have written it and why. I recalled seeing Jacob’s reaction when he’d seen it.
“You sure you don’t know who Dominion is?” I asked Jacob. “Or where we can find him?”
Choir music carried into the chamber as Mozart’s Requiem in D minor resonated, embracing us with its subdued intimacy.
“Jacob?” I pressed him for an answer.
Jacob loosened his clerical collar, his attention seemingly drifting off to another time, another place. “Rachel needs our full attention,” he said. “Let’s not get distracted by hearsay.”
Marcus’s grip on my arm broke my concentration and he guided me toward the back of the chapel. “I’m her brother,” he said. “It was my job to keep her safe.”
“You can’t blame yourself,” I said.
Rachel’s always been ditzy but never made stuff up,” Marcus defended her. “She really believes she was captured.”
Jacob was close behind us. “Clearly the poison’s affecting her,” he told us.
Marcus rubbed his face in frustration, trying to ease the tension. “She’s not making any sense.”
I squeezed his shoulder, doing my best to comfort him.
“Rachel believes the Stone Masters aided her escape,” Marcus continued. “She made it sound like the Stone Masters and Sovereign are now enemies.”
“When was the last time you saw her?” Jacob asked.
“Fifty years ago,” Marcus said. “That was the last time I heard from her. She wrote to me from Scotland.
I leaned back against the wall. “Paradom mentioned the Stone Masters too.”
Marcus waved that off. “We have that list of names of new members.”
“What list?” Jacob asked.
“How about telling us what you know, first?” I asked him.
Jacob gestured he knew nothing. “What’s this list?”
“We obtained a flash drive with the names of new Stone Lords,” I said, though wasn’t sure I should have shared that with him.
“Where is it?” Jacob’s tone was tense.
“Secure,” I answered. “What do we know about the Stone Masters?”
“They still exist in a modest capacity.” Marcus caressed his brow. “Are we missing something?”
Jacob’s eyes softened. “We need to find out what’s poisoning your sister. That’s the issue here.”
“If we can find whoever kidnapped her,” I said, “perhaps that will lead us to the source of the poison.”
“Rachel may tell us more,” Marcus said. “We need to be patient with her.”
I tapped Marcus’s shoulder. “I agree.”
“May I take a look at the names on your list?” Jacob asked.
“Yes,” I said, trying to shake off this feeling that Jacob knew more but was failing to reveal it.
“Anything you can offer us from your days with the Stone Masters?” Marcus asked Jacob. “I know it was centuries ago, but you may remember something that can shed light.”
Jacob paused as though thinking how best to answer.
“Any news from Lucas?” I asked him.
“He’s ready to work on the scrolls as soon as we have them,” Jacob said.
“Tell him to contact me personally,” I said. “No more of this intermediary stuff, Jacob. Understand?”
“I’ll certainly ask him,” Jacob said.
“Can Snowstrom help us with any of this?” I asked.
“I’m meeting with him tomorrow,” Jacob said, “If he has anything for us, I will of course share it.”
“Now that’s a meeting I’d love to sit in on,” said Marcus. “Is Snowstrom really the Oracle everyone says he is?”
“He is,” Jacob admitted. “The only downside, Snowstrom always tells you the truth.”
Chapter 17
THE SOHO ART GALLERY was currently closed.
Leiden, New Compton Street’s private art house, was named after Rembrandt’s birthplace. Although appearing rather modest in size, it honored the Victorian architectural tradition of extending back and generously accommodating a vast area of space with its high ceilings and simple lines, making it perfect to showcase paintings. The largest room was tucked away in the anterior and was currently hiding a grand collection of seven freestanding sculptures.
Having removed the last dust sheet, I took a moment to admire the collection, watched on by Alex who sat in the saddle of an enormous eighteenth century bucking bronze horse.
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