She glanced at her feet. Sure enough, there was a silver link around her right ankle. Gem reached back and turned it, unable to find the opening. It fit snugly against her skin with no wiggle room.
“They are so rare to find on the black market,” Cyrus informed her. “So very rare. And this one is far superior to the one they sell for the wrist. You’d be surprised how a determined person will break their fingers and cut through skin to remove them. Not so easily done on the ankle, I’m afraid. And if you manage to sever off your entire foot, good luck escaping.”
“What do you want from me?”
He laced his fingers together. “Our Nikodemos has been very uncooperative.”
“How do you know him?”
His gaze drifted off. “We go… way back.” Cyrus slapped his knee and stood up. “Who knew that he would lead us on such an expedition across the globe? The greatest quest of all time and led by a blind man.”
She tried to be concise, but none of his answers gave her any inkling of what he wanted. “What do you want from Niko?”
“So much, little Mage. He’s a conniving thief who absconded with my greatest treasure many centuries ago. He broke my trust, and I want my book.”
A book? What would Niko—of all people—be doing with a book?“He can’t read, let alone care for a fragile book that would have fallen apart and decayed from improper care through each passing century. It’s impossible.”
Cyrus spun on his heel and looked at her with sudden interest. “What wouldyouknow about such things?”
With all the strength she could muster, Gem pushed herself to her feet to face him. “I study language, and part of my interest involves books.”
“Ah, so you’re a scholar.”
“Not exactly.”
“A studious woman is a blight that insults the gods.”
Ignoring his ignorance, she went on. “You say the book you’re looking for is hundreds of years old? I’m assuming we’re talking about a book and not clay tablets,” she said with derision. “Without proper care, it wouldn’t have survived in the hands of a blind man traveling the globe. Books decay when stored in an attic or garage for a long period. Even parchment buckles with humidity. Books that survived the ravages of history were cared for, kept in libraries or churches. Many didn’t survive fires and floods. Do you really believe a blind man traveling on foot could have kept it from sunlight, water, or thieves?” Gem huffed and shook her head. “Why kidnap me when I’m not even the one who has what you’re looking for?”
Cyrus tipped his head to the side. “Friendship is a bond that is rarely tested, and when it is, it often crumbles. Nikodemos has proven this theory, but I am fortunate that my other brothers are loyal. Even in death. Do you know why? Fear. That is the strongest influencer of all. Except for love, perhaps. Funny how humans romanticize such a fleeting emotion when it is the very thing that brings them to ruin. Love makes men weak. But it can also be used as a weapon. I can manipulate anyone I want simply by threatening to destroy what they love.” He gave Gem an oblique grin and turned toward the door. When he reached for the knob, he looked over his shoulder and studied her for a moment before turning to face her. “You don’t know what I’m talking about, do you? Let’s take that little boy, for instance. Everyone loves a child, am I right? It’s automatic, even when he’s not yours. If I told you that I would murder that boy if you escaped, what might you do? Save yourself and let the boy perish? Do you think you could protect the child from my reach forever and ever? Do you think I wouldn’t follow through with my word?”
Chills rippled down her spine at the thought of anyone hurting Hunter. Now she couldn’t escape—not if it meant this maniac going after a little child.
“Isn’t love a fascinating emotion? That which makes you feel invincible actually renders you powerless.” Cyrus opened the door and gave her a baleful look. “I do not enjoy listening to the wails of a woman, fists pounding on the walls, or having to sleep with one eye open. No doors will be locked. You are free to walk about. You are also free to escape… should you feel so inclined.” Cyrus bowed his head and left the room, leaving the door wide open.
Chapter 12
Idreamed of falling down a hole that tunneled through the center of the earth. The walls around me were made of beautiful crystals, but each time I tried to reach for them to slow my descent, they would slice my hands.
“Raven, wake up.”
I gasped and rose to my elbows. Out of breath, I stared into Christian’s welcoming eyes, but part of me still felt tethered to the dream world as the road hummed beneath the tires of the RV.
“Are your nightmares back?” he asked quietly.
I relaxed my shoulders. “No, it wasn’t one of those. I felt helpless, and I think I know why. Any updates on Gem?”
“No word on anything new.”
“I can’t believe someone took her. I hope Niko finds out who it was and puts a dagger in their eye.”
“That man can find a needle in a haystack. You want a glass of water? Perhaps with a splash of blood?”
I glared at him.
“Don’t be giving me the evil eye. A tiny drop will calm you down. It’s not enough to cause any problems, but it’s just enough to smooth out the rough edges.”
“No thanks, Poe. You’re the one who told me I shouldn’t drink on the job.”
