“We’ll be right there!”Grayson called, his voice a little hoarse.He turned back to Rachel.“I want… want you and Mom… in my life.I just don’t know how to do it yet.”
“I’ll help you figure it out, Grayson,” she promised, beaming up at him.“You’re not alone.I’m right here.”
Let The Game Begin
Grayson crouched by some bushes.He could see that there were two “guards” at the well-lit front doors and there were another two that were circling the building at regular intervals.He would go into the building while Mairead would run interference to get the guards away from the secret basement entrance that Grayson would be using to get inside the Helm mansion.
The location of the treasure maps was on the third floor.Amana would be available on the ground to catch the maps if Grayson feared getting “captured” or believed it would take too long to exit. The faster those maps got to Eiji, the faster they would be able to plan their next moves.He, Nero and Rachel were sitting on a nearby bench, chatting.
Already, Grayson saw other teams of players hiding in various bushes, behind trees, giggling or being soberly serious.They didn’t have the advantage of the blueprints.But they also didn’t have a guard lingering around their objective either.
The basement entrance is covered with vegetation, but she’s just standing there.Shifting from foot to foot.She’s not even yawning.Wide awake and alert.
There were no phones that worked in the Ever Dark and walkie talkies had not been provided.He wasn’t sure those would work either.And since Balthazar couldn’t be used as a go-between either–that would be cheating, Grayson!--he had to hope that Mairead saw what he saw and headed out to intercept.
And he didn’t have long to wait.Mairead suddenly dashed out from the side of the building, waving several pieces of paper in her hands above her head, as if she had come out of the Helm mansion.
“Guys, I got them!I got them!”Mairead called gaily to… no one.
She was simply pretending to have gotten the maps.The guard jerked straight and pivoted towards her.When Mairead “discovered” there was a guard there, she let out a squeak of “surprise” and started to runbadlyas the guard took off after her.The guard wasn’t the only one who chased.
“Oh, my God, how did she get the maps?”A student gasped.
“I don’t know.But let’s stop that guard and get her!”Another student suggested.
“You take the guard and we’ll take the girl,” a third student ordered.
The three of them took off after Mairead and the guard.Mairead cast a glance over her shoulder.When she saw the guardandthe students chasing after her, she really started hoofing it.No longer was she acting like a person in a horror movie.Now she was like a marathoner.
Grayson didn’t waste time.He immediately ran to the bushes that hid the basement entrance. He kept low and slid along the ground the last five feet.The soles of his shoes hit the edge of the entrance.It was something akin to a storm cellar that many farms in the Midwest of the United States.There were several ornamental bushes around it and vines had crawled over the two doors. So far everything was going according to plan until Grayson went to open the doors and found the heavy-duty padlock.
The options of ropes, crowbars, lockpicks or other accouterments of thievery had not been provided.That was likely a smart idea.The idea of people breaking windows or doors, hanging precariously off of buildings and more was likely anticipated.Though Grayson knew that there were Vampires everywhere, watching them all very closely.
But not this closely.
Grayson closed his hand over the lock and used his powers to simply break the hasp.He picked up the remnants and stuffed it into a pocket.
Grayson, you’re being so naughty!Balthazar chuckled, evidently watching through his eyes.
Do you disapprove?Grayson asked as he opened the one door to reveal a staircase leading down.
Not at all.I am so enjoying this cut throat side of you,Balthazar said.
Grayson slipped inside, closing the door behind him.Hedidhave a flashlight, which he switched on as he walked down the stone steps.The steps led him into a basement room with vaulted ceilings.He saw one wall containing wine bottles lying on their sides.Likely, they were the ancient blood wine, which strangely was still good such as the stuff Ryder had found in his palace.There were crates marked with glyphs burned into their sides that caused Grayson’s eyes to blur if he stared at them too long.The hair on the back of his neck stood on end when he was near one crate that had an infinity symbol on it.
Could it be one of Daemon’s magical weapons?
Grayson’s hand hovered above the top of the wooden crate.With his powers, he could easily take off the top of the crate and see what was inside.He swallowed deeply.What mystery was inside?He gritted his teeth and turned away from it.This was likely a real treasure.
Focus on the current task,Grayson reminded himself then sent to Balthazar,Make sure Daemon knows about this crate.It shouldn’t just be sitting here.
Yes, I tend to agree.I’ll have it removed tonight,Balthazar promised.What do you suppose is inside?
Don’t ask me that!I’m having a hard enough time as it is getting away from it!
Even now, Grayson found himself turning towards the box.A coppery taste was in his mouth as he did so and a stab of weakness went through him.He quickly backed away, wiping a hand over his brow that came back coated with cold sweat.
I believe that whatever it is drains life,Grayson said.From mortals anyways.
