“Nor share who its leader is, or who any other Themis’s in the organization are.”
“Nor share who its leader is, or who any other Themis’s in the organization are.”
“Upon pain of death.”
“Upon pain of death.”
Ansaldo gets to his feet.
Removing my hand from the tree, I look up at him. “That’s it?”
“Believe me, it’s plenty,” he assures me, expression serious. “And I don’t think I need to remind you: it’s quite binding.”
“No, I recall,” I mutter, hoping I never have to stab my left foot with my father’s switchblade for some unfathomable reason.
“What about the word I need to know?” I wonder. “The one I’ll have to say to activate the oath?”
Bes kneels down beside me and points at an etching in the bark I didn’t notice above the bowl: LETHUM.
“It means death in Latin,” he explains.
“Subtle,” I mutter.
“Now that that’s settled,” I continue, getting to my feet and turning my back on Ansaldo, “I need to speak with you.” I glance at Bes and Cec. “Both of you, privately.”
Ansaldo bows wordlessly and hurries off, leaving me with Bes, Cec, and dozens of watchful eyes.
I take their hands and pull them into the hallway, toward my room.
Before I can ask them anything, Cec slams the door. “What the hell, Hawkins? You decide to take the blood oath without telling us?”
I put my hands on my hips. “Since when do I needyourpermission to make a decision for myself?”
“Never, but you could’ve at least warned us,” Bes adds.
I glance at him and away again, embarrassed for what I did yesterday. “I only came to the conclusion last night, when I couldn’t sleep.”
Neither of them say anything.
“It was the right thing to do,” I say finally. “Ansaldo was never going to let me leave without swearing that oath.”
“He won’t allow you to leave until you bear the ouroboros tattoo, either,” Bes argues.
“I know, but I’m hoping it’ll soften him up for what I’m about to do.”
“Have you heard anything more about what Nonna Alessa told us?” I ask before either of them can ask me what I mean. “About the Ahnenerbe?”
“Only rumors,” Cec admits. “We only heard it for ourselves from the Maestro. When I spoke with my father about it, he said we’ll have to find a way to place someone on the inside, to get a complete idea of what we’re up against.”
“And what about Gurlitt?” I wonder.
“We’ve narrowed down his location to the Gutenberg Castle in Balzers, Liechtenstein,” Bes interjects, “where he’s staying with an acquaintance, and the owner of the castle.”
I swallow, not sure how the two of them will react to my next suggestion. “I have a proposition for you.”
Cec grins. “Not that you’re not my type, Hawkins, but this is neither the time nor place for it.”
I slap his arm with the back of my hand. “No, you idiot. I want to go after Gurlitt before the order does.”
