Chapter 9
Discovery
Nighttime had arrived, but the lights coming from below almost kept the moon and stars at bay. Neither did the noise abate.Garenthhad hoped that the squawking and growling would lessen after the sun god went to sleep, but nothing seemed to change. If anything, it almost became more frenetic.
He’d come to the conclusion that sittingatop this tall temple would not help him find the missing vial. He needed to move about while keeping his senses open for it. At least the semi-darkness would help somewhat in keeping him out of the public eye.
Shoving himself away from his perch, he soared over the streets clogged with litters. This era was filled with many marvels that were nearly magical in their construction.He’d seen enormous boats moving upon the waters. Boats which needed no sails, and he assumed no oars. More astounding were the loud birds who moved overhead. Birds whose wings never flapped.
There was so much to take in, and deep down he hoped he could explore the wonders of this new world. But first, the vial.
Something tugged at him, like an invisible rope. He followedthe siren call as he wove between the tall temples, soaring on the warm air currents rising from the streets. Within minutes he found himself gliding over the treetops, skimming just above their surface as the pull grew stronger.
Large buildings ringed the area of trees, almost barricading the greenery with their stone walls. One in particular, a large rectangular block, drew himto it. He circled the structure several times, looking for a way in. He didn’t want to use the large doors which faced the street. He needed a back way. A rear entrance. A rooftop opening. Perhaps a window.
A light glinted off a shiny surface. It was on the side of the building where the glare from a tall lantern was blocked by another tree. Landing, he strode across the expanseof greenery that covered the ground, up to the wall of stacked stone blocks. It looked like a window, except there was a thin sheet of some sort of clear rock covering it. He scraped it with one talon. It squealed like an iron blade on rock, but it didn’t appear to be impenetrable. Pressing his palm to the covering, he sensed a slight vibration. There. What he sought lay just beyond, on the otherside.
The mother idol.
After giving the window another close examination, he made his decision. Walking some distance away, he turned to face the strange clear wall. Spreading his wings, he lifted himself high into the air, then swooped down, his head tucked as he hit the window.
The clear wall shattered like a thousand drops of solid water. The piecesflew inward as he dove into the building. He hit the floor and rolled, but immediately jumped to his feet. At the same time, the darkened room lit up. A raucous noise screeched overhead, and he realized he must have triggered an alarm.
The room was filled with large creatures. Some were nothing more than skeletons. Knowing there was no time or place to hide, what he did next waspurely instinctive. Pressing his back against the nearest wall, he dropped into a crouch and froze in that position.
Several people in odd-looking clothing rushed into the room and went directly to the busted window. They examined the destruction. One man tried to see outside but the sill was too high up off the ground. He left the room as the other two began checking the place forsigns of the intruder. AsGarenthexpected, they glanced over at him but neither man found his being there odd or out of place.
He continued to watch as they conversed among themselves, speaking in a language he didn’t recognize. They checked the room again, bypassing him as if he belonged there. The third man rejoined them, and by their actions he could tell they were stumped.Finally, they left, and the lights were doused.
Garenthremained there, listening to the sound of their voices and footsteps as both died away. He would wait and give the men time to grow lax before moving on.
The mother idol was here. Its presence was almost a quivering in the air. All he had to do was follow its silent call. That, and have a little more patience.After thousands of years, he was in no rush.
* * *
It was long past quitting time, but Brielle couldn’t call it a day without checking out the unusual little idol she’d stashed in her uncle’s desk safe. All during her meeting, she’d spent the time drawing a picture of it on her notes, trying to get it as life-size as possible as she recalled the features on its face.
She’d handled similar statuettes before. Usually referred to as Venus figurines, they were generally maternal in shape, meant to boost fertility or promise the owner children who would live to see adulthood. But those idols were always featureless, without faces or discernable hands or feet. Just the noticeable breasts, wide hips, and sometimes the labial slit between the legs.
Why this particular Venus had a face, and a horrendous looking one at that, was a mystery. Which was why she was eager to sit down when she had some free time to study it under a magnifying glass. But since she had no idea how hectic things would get tomorrow, she debated with herself whether or not to scoot back over to the office after hours to do a little investigating off the clock.
Once the meeting was over, she allowed Tanner to talk her into getting some Thai food. In the middle of her red pork noodle soup, she realized she wouldn’t be able to get any decent sleep until her curiosity was assuaged. So when they were done, rather than head for home or spend the night at her sister’s place, she begged off, saying she had some work she needed to finish up before the nextday.
She let herself into the museum via the side delivery door, into the large warehouse. A guard met her as she stepped into the main hallway.
“Trying to amp up those overtime hours, Miss Van de Camp?” the man she knew as Chancy teased.
“You know me. Once I get my hands on a new find, I’m like a dog with a bone.”
“Well, let me know whenyou’re ready to leave, and I’ll wait with you outside until the metro bus arrives.”
She thanked him for the gesture and took the elevator down to where the offices were located for the staff. Her first impression when she stepped into the hallway was that it appeared no one else was down here, or had returned since they’d left for the day. She was alone, and that was fine with her.
Maybe I can actually get something accomplished without having to answer questions or put out little fires every fifteen minutes.
She went directly to her uncle’s office. Grabbing a pair of latex gloves from the box mounted to the wall, she removed the idol from the desk drawer safe and sat in the chair. Clicking on the magnifying lamp, she swung the neck down to whereshe could examine the figurine more closely.
From the back, the idol looked like a typical mother statuette if one disregarded the gold band around its neck. Flipping it over, the sight of the hideously distorted facial features sent a chill through her, surprising her. She’d never had such a gut reaction to an art object before. Why did this one?
