It’s a key. An old one. The metal is aged and tarnished by time. The shaft is plain, but the ornate head swirls into delicate patterns.
For a second, no one moves or says anything. Suddenly, big, toothy smiles begin to spread across the men’s faces.
Antoine lets out a laugh, sharp and exhilarated.
“We did it!” he says to me, before turning to Nate and Elias. “We did it!”
“No,youdid it,” Nate says.
Elias nods toward me. “The two of you.”
“Eh?” I look from him to Antoine to Nate. “What did I do?”
They respond with a good-natured laugh. The next minute or so is all about unrestricted celebration. Fist-bumping, hugs, cheers… When Antoine hugs me, his embrace is tight and warm.
“Laura,” he whispers, “you turned out to be the best Key to the Key I could wish for.”
“I don’t understand?—”
The door opens a crack, and Sam and Jeff peek inside.
“Mission accomplished!” Elias tells them. “Congratulations, everyone!”
What mission?
The two posted outside clench their fists in a celebratory yes, high-five each other, and pull the door shut. Clearly, whatever mission we just accomplished still needs someone to keep a lookout. My head is spinning. To keep my composure, I remind myself that Antoine promised to explain everything.
Believe you me, he will!
For now, I bite my tongue and watch the men pass the key around like a trophy. When it’s my turn, I run my fingers over the cool metal, before handing the mysteriously precious object back to Antoine.
He holds it up, and Elias photographs it from every angle. They also make a 360-degree video, and then they email everything to a guy named Adam.
“Who’s Adam?” I ask.
“My boss,” Elias replies.
“It’s a safety measure that’s been added to the protocol,” Antoine says to me. “In case the key is intercepted on the way home.”
Intercepted? By who? And where’s home?
My head feels like it’s about to explode.
Antoine nods to Elias and then Nate. “Have a safe trip to Pombrio.”
“You’re not coming?” Elias’s eyebrows rise. “You should be the one to deliver the key to His Most Serene Highness.”
His… what? Did I just hear what I think I heard?
Antoine squints at him. “Does Laura have permission to enter Mount Evor?”
“Not yet,” Elias answers. “Damn bureaucrats are too slow.”
“Then I’ll stay here tonight, so I can explain everything to Laura as I promised,” Antoine says. “I’ll fly out tomorrow.”
Elias nods and tucks the key into his inside pocket which looks about as secure as a bank vault. The men say their goodbyes, shaking Antoine’s hand with an odd mix of reverence and camaraderie. I get bows and words of sincere gratitude. Jeff and Sam peek in again to wish me all the best. Elias pats his pocket, as if to make sure the key is still there. Nate packs up the equipment, and then he and Elias step out. The door closes softly behind them.
I turn to Antoine. “Talk.”
