Erik grinned triumphantly. “I knew you’d see things my way. What I need from you is some information. You’ll have to stroll around the grounds of the compound and note the location and angle of every surveillance camera on the outside wall. You’ll also need to check the cams around Hannah’s room. I’ll want schematics of all that stuff.”
“What possible good would that do?”
“It will help me pinpoint blind spots. There are bound to be sections along the fence line that can’t be seen by one or more of those cameras. The same rule applies to the corridors inside the building. I should be able to map a path to get her out of there without anybody noticing.”
Erik paused as another thought struck him. “I assume she’s got somebody guarding her room?”
“Actually, no. She’s locked inside her chamber but several people have the key. I’m sure I can get a copy myself.”
“Hmmm,” Erik rubbed his chin. “That’s a break for us. How long will it take you to pull the information together about the cameras?”
“A few days, I suppose. How will I get in touch with you?”
Without replying, Erik handed him a cell phone. “It’s a burner. My number’s already programmed. When you have the intel I need, call. I’ll meet you here.”
“Don’t expect to hear from me for at least two days.”
“Fair enough.” Erik handed the car keys back to Daniel and opened the passenger door.
“One final question before you go.”
Erik was already outside the car but he leaned back in. “What is it?”
Daniel wavered. “I know my reasons for wanting Hannah to escape. Her return could create some difficulties for me personally.” He eyed the thief skeptically. “But why on earth would you go to all this trouble to help her?”
Without even pausing to consider his answer, Erik replied, “Because everybody should have the right to be free.” He slammed the door and disappeared.
Chapter 44—Choosing Up Sides
The Pythia sat behind her obsidian desk with the Chatelaine and the Scrivener opposite. They’d chosen this venue for their strategy sessions since it was larger than either Maddie’s or Griffin’s offices. Cassie also found she could think more clearly surrounded by lighted waterfalls and the grounding stone of the desk itself.
“Hey.” Erik strode into the room carrying a roll of papers under his arm.
“Um, how are you?” Cassie asked tentatively. It was the first time the two had met since their conversation on her birthday.
“Fine.” The Paladin shrugged. “I hear your retrieval went well.”
“Who told you that?” Griffin sounded surprised.
“Rinchen. I’ve been getting an earful from him about the Dynamic Duo. That’s his new name for you and Cassie. He can’t seem to talk about anything else.” For some reason, Erik appeared mildly irritated by their success.
“We were rather brilliant.” Griffin gave Cassie a conspiratorial wink.
She laughed.
“So I’ve heard,” the Paladin said testily. “Again and again and again. The only time Rinchen isn’t singing your praises is when he’s skyping with his new girlfriend in China.” He abruptly threw his stack of papers onto Cassie’s desk. “How about we skip the chit-chat and get down to business?”
“What put you into such a foul mood?” Maddie asked.
“Something a little birdie told me. Daniel says Hunt knows about the Arkana.”
His listeners exchanged shocked looks.
The Chatelaine pursed her lips. “I guess I gave that hayseed one too many breadcrumbs to follow. Who would have thought he could put it together on his own?”
“He doesn’t know where we are, just that we exist,” the Paladin added. “Daniel says the Diviner ordered Hunt to find us and shut us down so we can’t get to the Sage Stone before he does.”
Maddie shrugged. “He’s welcome to try.”
Erik unrolled the sheaf of papers he’d brought. “We can talk about that another time. Right now, we’ve got an extraction to plan.”
The other three stood up to get a better look at the diagrams.
Erik went straight to the point. “This is what Daniel was able to map out about the security set-up.” The top page contained a rough sketch of the perimeter of the compound with markers to indicate the location of each camera. “He gave me enough intel about the types of cameras and lenses they’re using for me to be able to calculate the angle of coverage.” He traced his finger over green lines which had been drawn across the map. “You can see the gaps. There are blind spots along the fence line, especially at the back of the property. As long as I stick to those, the Nephilim will never see me.”
Erik selected another schematic and placed it on the top of the pile. “This is the corridor outside Hannah’s room. The camera is mounted up high and her door is right next to an intersecting hallway so the cam doesn’t quite cover it. I guess when it was first installed she’d already flown the coop and nobody cared about an empty room. There should be enough of a blind spot for her to slip out.” He leafed through the pile of papers and extracted another map. “This is the corridor layout for the main compound. We can thank Metcalf for his paranoia. Some spots have too much coverage, like he was targeting specific individuals. Other spots have no coverage at all. As long as Daniel follows the route I mapped out, he should be able to get Hannah out of the building via a service door. I’ll be waiting outside to take her the rest of the way through the grounds.”
“What do you want us to do?” Cassie asked.
“Us?” Erik’s eyes narrowed at her choice of words.
“Yeah, us,” the Pythia repeated in annoyance. “Griffin and me.”
“So are you two joined at the hip now?” the Paladin asked sarcastically.
Griffin turned on him. “And how is our relationship your business?”
“It’s not,” Erik admitted off-handedly.
The Scrivener warily returned to studying the diagram.
“How do we fit into your plan?” Cassie persisted.
“You don’t,” Erik said. “This is a one-man operation not a three-ring circus.”
“But you’ll need some kind of backup,” Maddie objected.
“Why?” the Paladin challenged. “I think I can fetch one little girl all by myself.”
“That’s crazy!” the Pythia exclaimed.
Griffin laid a restraining hand on her arm. “You’re wasting your breath, Cassie. Clearly, a superhero like Erik doesn’t require the assistance of mere mortals.”
“You’re going to take at least one person with you.” The Chatelaine’s tone was menacing. “And make no mistake. That’s not a request.”
“It has to be someone who has some context and knows Hannah’s story,” Cassie said. “Preferably somebody she trusts. Your choices are pretty limited. It’ll have to be me. She’s never met you or Griffin.”
“Not you, toots,” the Paladin countered. “If I’m gonna be forced to take somebody, I’ll take Zach.”
“Zach!” the other three shouted in unison.
“You have got to be joking!” Maddie snapped.
“The kid has a bigger stake in this than anybody,” Erik retorted. “It’s his girlfriend who’s being held captive.”
Cassie shook her head vehemently. “That’s all the more reason to keep him out of it. He’s too emotionally involved.”
“Being emotionally involved never stopped you from going on a mission,” Erik grumbled in a low voice.
The Pythia walked around the desk until they were standing nose to nose. “If you’ve got something to say to me, then say it!”
The Paladin’s eyebrows shot up in mock surprise.
“What is going on with you?” she demanded. “The three of us used to be a team.”
“You and I used to be a lot of things.” His tone was cynical.
“And if we’re not anymore, whose fault is that?” the Pythia shot back.
“Shut up!” Ma
ddie stamped her foot. “And I mean all of you! This sniping is getting us nowhere. Cassie, sit down! You too, Griffin! Erik, cut the snark! If you three want to stage a brawl, do it on your own time. Right now, there’s a girl whose life might be in danger. I need you people to check your personal baggage at the door and get it together! Alright?”
Cassie and Griffin resumed their places. Erik folded his arms truculently. They all lapsed into a mutinous silence.
“That’s better.” The Chatelaine settled into her own chair and turned toward Erik. “Now explain to me why Zach is your pick to go on this mission. The kid has barely finished his first round of self-defense training.”
Erik rolled his eyes at having to justify his choice. “Hey, I’m just trying to cooperate. You tell me I can’t make this a solo mission so I agree to take backup. Cassie says I have to take somebody Hannah already knows. Who’s a better choice than her boyfriend?”
“I don’t like this,” Maddie said ominously. “The kid might be reckless.”
“He won’t be involved in anything dangerous,” Erik protested. “All Zach has to do is hook a ladder over the wall, act as lookout and drive the getaway car. I’m pretty sure any tyro on his first day could manage that.”
“When?” Maddie asked simply.
“I’ll need a couple more nights to coordinate everything. I have to notify Daniel and get Zach on board.”
The Chatelaine remained silent for several seconds, tapping her long fingernails on the arm of her chair. Finally, she said, “This plan has disaster written all over it. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t approve but I’ve seen you pull crazier stunts than this and come home without a scratch.” She studied Erik intently. “Don’t make me regret my decision.”
“Trust me, chief. It’ll be a walk in the park.”
“Yeah, with snipers,” Cassie murmured.
Chapter 45—Cage Fighters
Daniel knocked lightly on the door to Hannah’s chamber. It was a polite formality. He had already made a copy of the key for himself. After waiting a few seconds, he let himself in. He hadn’t seen the girl since he’d helped her originally escape from the Nephilim. She was standing in the middle of the room when he entered as if poised for flight.
“Daniel!” She ran into his arms and buried her head against his chest. “I’m so glad it’s you. I thought it was your father. He’s the only one who knocks. The rest just let themselves in whenever they want. I feel like an animal in a zoo cage—a specimen on display that people come to stare at.”
He hugged her for a few seconds. With a growing sense of alarm he realized she was shaking. “Are you alright?” He held her at arm’s length to study her face. She’d changed so much during her time in the outer world. When she left, she’d been little more than a frightened child. She was still frightened but definitely no longer a child. Her short cropped hair made her look like one of the so-called Fallen, as did the expression in her eyes. There was a keen spark of awareness which hadn’t been there before. He’d grown used to the dull submissiveness of most Consecrated Brides. Hannah no longer belonged among them.
He led her to a seat on the bed and drew up a chair facing her.
She laughed a trifle hysterically. “It feels so good to hear my own voice again. I haven’t spoken to anybody since they brought me back.”
“Why not?” Daniel registered puzzlement.
She dropped her voice to a whisper. “I don’t want them to know anything about the people I was with. Not about Granny Faye or Zach or Cassie.”
“Cassie!” The Scion flinched at the name. It brought back a memory of her last ominous words to him. “See you at the finish line.” He switched his attention back to Hannah. “I was told you were being sheltered by Cassie but I didn’t believe it. How on earth did she find you?”
“She didn’t.” Hannah shrugged simply. “I went looking for her. I thought I’d be safest staying with an enemy of the Diviner.”
Daniel found himself smiling in spite of himself. “That was a very clever thing to do. I don’t know the Zach or Faye you mentioned. Only Cassie, Griffin and Erik.”
The girl looked confused. “Who are they?”
“The three people who are making it extremely hard for the Diviner to get the artifacts he wants.”
“Good!” she exclaimed decisively. Her mood shifted immediately to one of concern. “Is Cassie alright?”
“Oh yes, quite well,” Daniel replied dryly. “I recently crossed paths with Cassie and Griffin in China. They very nearly stole the relic I was sent to retrieve. As for Erik, he stalked me at the library last week.”
“Why would he do that?”
Daniel patted her hand. “Because he and his friends want to get you out of here. He asked me to help.”
Contrary to his expectations, Hannah didn’t receive the news gladly. She sank her head into her hands and began to sob.
“Oh my goodness, Hannah. What is it?”
She raised her tear-stained face and smiled. “Not what you think. I’m crying because I’m so relieved. It all came out in a rush. I’ve been walking a tightrope ever since I was brought back. Not talking to anybody. Your brother Joshua coming to visit every day—trying to force me to give him information.”
“Joshua?” Daniel’s heart sank at the name. “He’s been bothering you?”
“He keeps questioning me, trying to break me down. He wants to know how I got out, details about the people I stayed with, all of it. I haven’t said a word though. I promise I won’t.”
“He’ll try to find your weaknesses. Hannah, he can be relentless. I ought to know. I grew up with him. Be on your guard around him, always.”
“I’m trying.” Tears streamed down her cheeks. “I think I can take anything knowing there are people who care about me. People who want to get me out of here.”
“You do! Absolutely.” Daniel came to sit beside her on the bed. He placed his arm comfortingly around her shoulder. “Erik and I are putting together a plan. It won’t be more than a week. You just have to stay strong til then.”
She nodded vehemently. “I will. I promise. Joshua can’t lay a hand on me as long as your father still thinks...” she trailed off with a grimace.
“So long as my father still thinks you’ll share his bed again soon.” Daniel completed the thought.
She nodded and wiped away her tears. “That’s never going to happen but he doesn’t need to know that.”
Daniel gave her arm a reassuring squeeze and then rose to go. “I’ll come back to see you as soon as we have our escape route finalized. Hannah, don’t ever forget. You’re not alone.”
She flashed a grateful smile. “I’ll remember. Thank you, Daniel!”
***
The Scion backed out of the girl’s room as quietly as possible. He didn’t want his visits to be noted by anybody in the community. Sliding the door shut noiselessly he turned, almost jumping out of his skin at the sight confronting him.
“Hello, brother.” Joshua gave a triumphant smirk.
“Where did you come from?” Daniel demanded angrily. “You nearly scared me half to death.”
“Only half?” the spymaster asked dryly. “You look pale as a ghost.”
“I just went to visit Hannah,” Daniel stated the obvious.
“So I see. I suppose it’s only natural. She was your wife before she was reassigned to our father.” He eyed his brother slyly. “I do hope you’re not asserting any conjugal rights. She isn’t your wife anymore, you know.”
Daniel flushed angrily. “What a despicable thought!”
Joshua shrugged. “In any case, I don’t imagine you would experience much success in gaining her favor. The girl has been uncommunicative ever since her return.”
The Scion took a moment to remind himself to keep up the pretense. “She wouldn’t talk to me either. I just wanted to make sure that she was being treated well.”
“In my opinion, she’s being treated far better than she deserves,” Joshua commented.
Without replying, Joshua fell in step with him. “Her silence may indicate a darker problem than simple female perversity.”
“What are you talking about?” Daniel asked impatiently.
“Being forcibly removed from the Fallen home may have seemed a traumatic experience to the girl. I’ve heard there’s a medical term for it.”
“You mean post-traumatic stress disorder?”
“Yes, that’s it. You were always so knowledgeable when it comes to trivia. I believe mutism is one of the characteristics of this condition.”
“Your point being?” Daniel nudged the conversation forward.
“Perhaps she requires professional help like your wife Annabeth did.”
The Scion stopped dead in his tracks and swung to face his brother. “You mean you want to have her institutionalized.”
Joshua adopted a disingenuous expression. “It seems to me the girl needs professional care. I’m sure I could prevail upon father to see things my way—for Hannah’s welfare, of course.”
Daniel was speechless. A horrifying vision of history repeating itself shot through his brain. He turned and marched forward again but his brother hung back.
“I forgot something in my office,” Joshua explained. “I need to go the other way to retrieve it.”
“You do that,” Daniel cast back over his shoulder. He suspected Joshua had retreated because he’d lost interest in baiting him further. Or perhaps he’d gleaned whatever inscrutable tidbit of information he’d hoped to find. As the Scion walked on alone, he knew one thing for certain. Getting Hannah out of the compound had now been escalated to an immediate priority.
Chapter 46 —One Step Beyond
Secrets Of The Serpent's Heart (The Arkana Archaeology Mystery Series Book 6) Page 25
