Bes sits back, coming to his own conclusion. “You don’t think the Third Reich wants it for the invisibility at all, but for its ability to see into people’s souls, in life and in death.”
I nod. “While the invisibility could be helpful on a smaller scale, being able to see someone’s aura… it’s the only explanation for chasing us all the way from Cairo. I have no idea how the Third Reich might be aware of this particular power, but I imagine it has something to do with this Ahnenerbe—the new God Men. There must be a rare text somewhere that details what the amulet can do, and they possess it.”
I glance over at the amulet. It lies on the table, completely unassuming. I can’t imagine the Egyptians thought something so beautiful might be used for something so vile.
“What if he tries to use it as a way to claim certain peoples are”—I swallow hard—“tainted? That their souls are unworthy? He wouldn’t even need the laws he has in place if he could claim such a power.”
Bes looks away. “I imagine you’re right.”
While he stews over what I’ve said, I look down at my half-eaten dinner, stomach turning. His remains untouched.
“Do you think my nonna knew about the invisibility?” I ask after a moment. “Or the auras?”
“It’s possible,” he admits. “Would you have believed her if she told you.”
I snort. “Not a jot.”
He places a hand on my arm, and my skin aches at the contact. “I’m not sure if there’s more to be found, but I’ll help you look into it further, if you wish. For now, let’s take a moment to step away from this; clear our minds.”
I nod. I do need to take a break—I wasinvisiblefor a moment, after all, and my entire worldview turned on its axis—to gather my bearings following such a revelation. And after the whirlwind this day proved to be, exercising both my body and my mind, I could use the distraction. Because, as curious as I am to know if there’s more to the Amulet of Amun, I’m of no use to anyone if my eyes are crossed.
He cocks his head in a direction that would take us deeper into the Archives. “I could show you where we keep the first editions.”
I can’t help smiling.He certainly knows the way to a woman’s heart.At least, this woman’s heart.
A mischievousness flashes in Bes’s gaze, and I find it impossible to say no.
“I suppose it couldn’t hurt.”
The first edition room of the Archives is almost as imposing as the library at the University of Michigan. Which is saying something. All that’s missing are the stained-glass windows and lofty chandeliers, lighting the long days and longer nights of relentless studying. It makes me homesick in a different way, for the academic life I left behind.
For a room with books in them, there’s not nearly enough light. A few unlit lamps rest on small tables pushed against one of the walls, surrounded by brown leather reading chairs.
It’s also completely empty—except for the books, of course—and has been since I first stepped down into the sunken space.
Bes showed me the way and told me to go on without him so he could put the texts we were using back in their place for now, in case anyone else from the order came by. I’m not sure why he wants to hide our findings from them, but I’m not complaining. The less people who know about it, the better.
I also slipped the Amulet of Amun back over my neck, for safekeeping. Bes didn’t say a word.
My fingertips graze the shelves, bursting with old leatherbound books. They’re not carved out of the rock here like they are in the main room. Instead, they’re built out of rich mahogany. Dozens of dusty rows with wooden ladders line the room, lit only by the soft lamplight.
Head tipped back toward the high ceiling, I feel as if I’ve traveled backward in time: firelight, romantic castles, dastardly villains, ancient magic, good versus evil. It’s all so improbable. Completely inconceivable until only very recently.
My gaze falls back to the book spines.God, I’ve missed books. I miss how good people often prevail over the bad, no matter how bleak things appear; how every problem has a solution. Most of all, I crave the unchangeable plots. The words written on these pages will never change, never surprise you after having read them once, twice, or a dozen times before.
Whether you’re reading it for the first time or the last time, the endings are inevitable.
My stomach tightens—despite having a few bites of my dinner, anticipation of Bes’s return has tied my stomach in knots.Anticipationandeverything that’s happened. I hope our discovery of the incantation for the Amulet of Amun will stay between the four of us, though I never said as much. I imagine rumors fly around this place like wildfire in a windstorm.
I’m also not sure what the order plans to do with the information about the Ahnenerbe—the new and improved God Men. About Gurlitt and the Arma Christi. They’re sending a team after him, but what do they actually expect him to admit?
A sick, twisted part of me wants to be included on that mission. To be the first to know if the Arma Christi can be found and if they do in fact hold any magical properties. To be the one to beat the God Men at their own sick game.
The mere notion of the Holy Grail being real is radical, much less it wielding any kind of tangible power when combinedwith the other Arma Christi—a concept I’m still having trouble wrapping my mind around, despite what happened with the Amulet of Amun. And in the hands of the Third Reich, I have no doubt they’d be used as a deadly weapon.
“I’ve read nearly all of these,” Bes says behind me.
I whip around and practically jump out of my skin at his abrupt appearance. He said he’d meet me here once he was done shelving the books, but he moved quicker than I expected.I thought I had more time. More time to what, though, I can’t say…
