“But how...” Daniel trailed off, even more perplexed.
“Our people snagged it the week before,” Zach informed him.
“That’s impossible.” The new Diviner rubbed his forehead distractedly. “When we all entered the cave, I checked. Nothing had been touched.”
“Like Cassie said, you saw what we wanted you to see,” Maddie informed him. “I wasn’t going to risk losing the biggest find in Arkana history, no matter what the outcome of our confrontation with Metcalf. All five artifacts were already locked in the Vault so there was nothing to stop us from opening the reliquary. Sure, Lars was guarding the place, but he was there to protect it from outsiders—not other Arkana agents. I sent a crew to Sweden while we were all waiting for your father to pick a date for the rendezvous. Our people took the real artifact, substituted a fake, reset the mechanism, and patched up the wall.”
Daniel squinted at Cassie. “But even if the relic was false, it was still a solid piece of rock. I saw you destroy it. And what about the green glow?”
“It was a baetyl from the Arkana’s extensive collection,” Griffin interjected. “Nothing with any special significance but it was approximately the right size and shape. We encased it in several inches of crumbly material and applied a luminescent coating.”
“Gave it more bling than the original,” Cassie said. “We needed something your father would believe had mysterious powers. Nothing says mysterious like glow-in-the-dark. Also, crushing a chunk of rock bare-handed is guaranteed to wow an audience.”
Faye picked up the Sage Stone and inspected it. “Given its legendary reputation, it’s not very impressive as a physical specimen, is it? Looks rather like a lump of bread dough that hasn’t risen.”
“Hence the need for bling,” Maddie said.
Addressing Cassie, the Memory Guardian asked, “Has the artifact spoken to you yet?”
“Not a peep,” the Pythia admitted.
“Well, perhaps it’s just groggy after its three-thousand-year nap.” Faye laid it back on the table.
“But the power of the Sage Stone surely protected you from my father’s second attempt to kill you,” Daniel insisted. “Are you saying that was a trick too?”
“No,” Cassie conceded. “The split second before Metcalf fired, I could sense he was about to pull the trigger and that he was aiming for my head. I tried to shield my face the best way I could. The rock I was holding was made of iron and when a bullet hits iron, it ricochets. I expected the rebound but there was no way I could have controlled the trajectory of that bullet.” She shrugged helplessly. “I have no explanation for how that happened. It was purely an act of goddess.”
Daniel rubbed his temples. “This is a lot to take in.”
“Forgive us the elaborate charade, my dear,” Faye said. “I am truly sorry if our strategy distresses you.”
“We thought that if we could rattle Metcalf enough, he might back down and call off his army,” Maddie explained.
“Best case scenario, everybody might have walked away from Ahkka Mountain in one piece,” Cassie added. “Of course, we also had a last ditch back-up plan to trigger a cave collapse.”
“That option would only have worked if our guns hadn’t been confiscated.” Zach darted Maddie a sullen glance.
“You’re never gonna let that go, are you?” the Chatelaine muttered. “Everything worked out anyway since Leroy Hunt took care of the cave-in for us.”
“All’s well that ends well, kid,” Erik advised. “Take the win.”
“We really didn’t want anybody to die,” the Pythia reassured the new Diviner. “Not even Metcalf or Hunt.”
Daniel regarded the group solemnly. “It’s strange that you would seek my forgiveness after my father and Mr. Hunt repeatedly tried to kill you all. As far as I’m concerned, they both met the fate their murderous actions invited. I understand that you only resorted to trickery in the hope of saving lives. I just need a little more time to make sense of it all.”
“I’m sure we’ve left Daniel with a lot to think about.” Hannah stood up. “Maybe we should switch to a less intense topic. Anyone for pie?” she asked brightly.
Chapter 55— Réveille
Before the dessert course was served, the guests pitched in to clear the table and carry food back to the kitchen. While everyone was busy with plastic wrap and storage containers, Erik tugged at Cassie’s sleeve. “I need to talk to you.”
She registered surprise. “What about?”
The Paladin glanced around him. “Let’s go outside.”
As they moved toward the dining room, Griffin asked in an overly casual tone, “Where are you off to?”
“Erik wants to talk to me in private.”
The Scrivener’s eyes narrowed as he watched them go.
Erik led Cassie through the parlor and out the door. He came to a stop in front of his Corvette which was parked by the curb. Leaning back against the vehicle, he folded his arms. “You can tell your boyfriend he doesn’t need to be jealous. I’m not trying to hit on you.”
“He’s not my—”
“Oh, don’t even.” Erik cut her off. “I’ve seen how you two act around each other. It doesn’t take a psychic to pick up on that vibe. So how come you don’t see it?”
Cassie peered at him. “What are you talking about?”
The Paladin sighed. “There’s a saying in the Arkana. Never play poker with a Pythia.”
“Because we cheat?” she speculated blankly.
“No.” Erik rolled his eyes in exasperation. “It’s because Pythias have mad skills at reading intent. They don’t even need a physical tell to know when a player is bluffing. So why is it that a chick with trans-dimensional 20/20 and X-ray vision into people’s psyches suddenly gets so nearsighted that she can’t see past the end of her own nose?” He stared at her fixedly. “I think it’s because of us.”
“You can’t be crazy enough to believe that I want to get back together with you,” she protested in irritation.
“Calm down.” He raised his hands. “I know that ship sailed and sank a long time ago. That’s not it. I mean...” He hesitated, searching around for the right words. “It’s just that... When it comes to romance, I play at the shallow end of the pool.”
“When I play at all, I play for keeps,” she shot back.
“Yeah, I get that now.” He lowered his head briefly. “In my defense, I never hooked up with a Pythia before. I should have realized your entire job is to feel things that the rest of us can’t. Or maybe the rest of us are just too scared to jump that far down the rabbit hole. Either way, it’s not a skill you can leave behind when you clock out at the end of the day. It’s who you are. While I was splashing around in water up to my knees, you were piloting a mini-sub on the ocean floor. That pairing was doomed from the get-go. So after I bailed, I’m guessing you made up your mind to dodge a future catastrophe by taking yourself out of circulation.”
“I’m massively defensive, remember?” In a small voice, she admitted, “I had to protect myself somehow.”
“Protection doesn’t mean shutting yourself down,” Erik insisted earnestly. “I like the wall around my own heart just fine but I’d hate like hell to see you build one around yours.” He placed a hand on her shoulder. “Listen, it’s simple. All you have to do is find somebody who can brave those rip currents right alongside you without drowning.”
Erik grimaced as a new thought struck him. “I mean, can you really see us together as a long-haul couple?”
“Honestly?” Cassie smiled in spite of herself. “After six months with you, I’d be tempted to set your head on fire just to see if you could feel anything at all.”
“Six months, huh?” The Paladin raised his eyebrows. “Frankly, I would have given it three.”
They both grinned.
Erik continued. “I may not be Mr. Right but we both know who is. Jeez, the guy took a bullet for you in Spain and another one in Sweden. What else does he have to do to prove he’s
head over heels?”
“And I care about him too. I care about everybody at the Arkana,” Cassie asserted primly.
Erik snorted in disbelief. “Try again.”
“You want me to say it, don’t you?” She glared at the Paladin. “OK, fine! I think Griffin is terminally adorable. He’s the kindest, most decent human being I’ve ever known and the only guy in the world I’d actually trust with my heart. There! Are you happy now?”
The Paladin listened impassively to her declaration. “Don’t tell me. Tell him!”
Cassie stepped back and studied Erik.
“You’re reading me!” he noted uneasily.
“Uh huh.” Her tone was distant. “Like you said, mad skills at judging intent. Right now I’m scanning for a hidden agenda but I’m not finding one. So here’s what I can’t figure out. During our last face-off, you pitched a hissy fit because Griffin and I were getting close. Now you want to play cupid. What’s up with that?”
The Paladin rubbed his jaw, considering the question. “Let’s just say that several recent brushes with death adjusted my attitude. I’m feeling the need to make amends for cutting out on you.” He chuckled ruefully. “I don’t know how long this surge of generosity will last so you’d better take advantage of me while you can.”
At that moment, Chris strolled up the block with Sarah at his side. “Is the party over already?” he asked.
“No, I think they’re setting out dessert. Why don’t you go on in,” Cassie suggested.
“Time we went back too before your boyfriend has a nervous breakdown,” Erik counseled archly.
Cassie regarded him a moment longer. “Whatever the reason for your one-man intervention, this is a gift horse I’m not about to look in the mouth.” She pulled him into a hug. “Thanks, dude.”
“No problem, toots.”
They followed Chris and Sarah back to the house.
***
Half an hour later, the party began to break up. The cherry pie had been demolished. Daniel and company departed for a power shopping trip to the city. Zach and Hannah wandered off to the far side of the garden to exchange sweet nothings. Faye and Maddie sat beneath the pergola, discussing Arkana business. Erik made his farewells, glancing pointedly at Cassie as he left.
The Pythia stood up and held out her hand. “Griffin, can we go inside and talk?”
The Scrivener paled at the suggestion, a shadow crossing his face. “If you wish.”
As they walked past the end of the table, Faye called out, “Cassie dear, would you carry this into the parlor, please? I’d like to examine it more closely this evening after everything quiets down.” The Memory Guardian held out the Sage Stone.
Cassie took it and contemplated the lackluster object with a shrug. “All that fuss and it turned out to be nothing but a lump of rock after all.”
She drew Griffin to the front of the house, pausing to lay the artifact on the end table next to Faye’s plum armchair.
The Scrivener stood in the middle of the room, regarding the Pythia cautiously. “What did you and Erik have to say to one another?” His attempt to sound casual proved unconvincing.
“Nothing important,” Cassie countered. “I’d rather talk about something else.”
“Oh, yes? What might that be?”
“The conversation you and I never got to finish in Sweden.”
“Now?” Griffin’s eyes flew open in wild alarm. “You want to talk about that now? But I... I haven’t had time to prepare. I haven’t thought about what to—”
She gently pushed him backwards into Faye’s armchair and then dropped onto his lap.
He stared at her in shock.
“Why don’t I cut to the chase?” Cassie leaned in and kissed him. When their lips parted several moments later, she asked, “Was that what you were trying to tell me?”
Recognition dawned brightly in his eyes. He reached up to caress her cheek. “By comparison, I recall using far too many words.”
“Just for the record, you were going to say you’re in love with me, weren’t you?”
He nodded mutely, too overcome to speak.
“Just for the record, I’m in love with you too.”
He drew her head toward his, about to kiss her again, when she sat bolt upright.
“Did you hear that?”
“Hear what,” he murmured, still intent on another kiss.
“A sound coming from...” Cassie swiveled her head. “There.” She pointed to the object on the end table.
“Good grief!” the Scrivener gave a start. “It’s glowing.”
The core of the dead black rock had begun to emit an incandescent aura. Waves of golden light danced across its surface.
“It isn’t just glowing. It’s whispering something.”
Cassie held the Sage Stone up to her ear but all she could discern was an echo—like ocean waves in a conch shell. “I can’t make it out. What did the Minoan legends say this thing was supposed to do?”
“It purportedly offered them advice—providing guidance on difficult questions.”
“So it’s a Minoan magic eight ball?” Cassie shook it slightly.
“Not Minoan anymore if it’s begun to speak to the Arkana.”
She held it up to her ear again. “It still sounds like waves crashing on the shore.”
Griffin removed the stone from her hand and placed it back on the table. “Perhaps Faye was right. After sleeping for three millennia, the Sage Stone may be a bit sluggish. It’s bound to regain its voice in due course. For the present...” He turned Cassie’s face back toward him. “I’m sure we can find some way to occupy ourselves.”
As Cassie sank into the depths of their next kiss, she felt a presence hovering beside her shoulder. The Minoan priestess had raised her hands in benediction—an affirmation of life that refused to stay buried beneath the wreckage of time. The Pythia could sense that her ancient guardian was smiling.
THE END
NAMES YOU SHOULD KNOW
(Through The End Of Volume 6 In The Series)
Key to books in the series:
GK – The Granite Key
MM – The Mountain Mother Cipher
DW – The Dragon’s Wing Enigma
DD – Riddle Of The Diamond Dove
JL – Into The Jaws Of The Lion
SH – Secrets Of The Serpent’s Heart
Abraham Metcalf – Prophet and autocratic leader of the Blessed Nephilim. In his seventies.
Annabeth – Third wife of Daniel. Nervous and high-strung. Wants to improve her position in the Nephilim hierarchy by birthing more children.
Archwarden – Leader of a Nephilim satellite compound.
Arkana – Secret organization whose mission is to retrieve and protect the artifacts of lost pre-patriarchal civilizations around the globe.
Blessed Nephilim – Fundamentalist religious cult which traces its lineage to the Nephilim of the Bible. They practice polygamy, live in isolated compounds, and maintain a strict separation from the rest of the world.
Bones Of The Mother – Collection of Minoan artifacts which have been hidden among the ruins of forgotten civilizations on every continent. Each artifact provides clues to the location of the next relic. Collectively, they will lead to the location of the Sage Stone.
Brother Andrew – Elderly convert to the Blessed Nephilim with previous experience as an herbalist. Prepares questionable medicines for Metcalf.
Cassie Forsythe – Psychic with the ability to touch an artifact and relive scenes from its past. She succeeds to the title of Pythia within the Arkana after the murder of her sister. Nineteen-year-old college freshman at the beginning of the story.
Central Catalog – Abandoned rural schoolhouse outside the Chicago metro area which contains the records of Arkana troves throughout the world. Also known as “the Vault.”
Chatelaine – Arkana honorary title meaning “castle protector and keeper of the keys.” Rank conferred on Maddie in recognition of distinguished serv
ice (DD). This title carries with it voting privileges within the Circle.
Chief Scrivener – Person responsible for managing the records of the Arkana Central Catalog. The title is currently held by Griffin. His rank was elevated to Right Honorable Chief Scrivener in recognition of distinguished service (DD). This title carries with it voting privileges within the Circle.
Chopper (Orvis) Bowdeen – Mercenary and friend of Leroy Hunt. Hired by Abraham Metcalf to provide weapons training to the Nephilim and set up surveillance systems at all Nephilim compounds around the world.
Chris (David Christian) – Librarian at the Chicago Public Library who assists Daniel with his research and becomes his friend.
Circle – Governing body of the Arkana.
Concordance – General council of the Arkana.
Consecrated Bride – Nephilim term for married women within the cult.
Daniel Metcalf – Lesser son of Abraham whose skill with ancient languages has made him an unwilling participant in the quest to find the Bones Of The Mother.
Diviner – Title given to the prophet of the Nephilim. A role currently occupied by Abraham Metcalf.
Dr. Rafi Aboud – Foreign doctor with a mysterious past who has been hired by Abraham to perform experiments at a secret laboratory. The purpose of his experiments is known only to the Diviner.
Erik – Martial arts and weapons expert, in his mid-twenties. His job is to protect the Pythia on field assignments and arrange for the safe transportation of artifacts. His title is Security Coordinator.
Fallen – Term used by the Nephilim to describe inhabitants of the outer world. Anyone who doesn’t belong to the cult.
Faye – Elderly leader of the Arkana. She holds the title of Memory Guardian. Her age is unknown but it may exceed normal human limits.
The Sage Stone Prophecy (Arkana Archaeology Adventure Series Book 7) Page 33
