“WHAT aren’t you telling me, old boy?” Gryffen’s arched brow and clenched jaw accompanied his uncharacteristic patience.
Figures he wouldn’t stay away long.
Drawing breath and releasing it on a sigh, Lukas knew he’d have to give some type of explanation for the women’s continued presence. “It’s the prophecy.”
“Yes. That’s why we’ve searched for the artifact. How’re the women involved?”
“Seems you have more than a passing fancy for my black-haired guest.”
“Okay, fine, yes. Now spit out the rest.”
“There’s more to it than you know. The witch’s help is needed to destroy the gem.” He wouldn’t reveal Sariel’s origins. “And apparently I have to acquire some education.”
“Damn. What type?”
Anxiety over his Engel’s protection divided his loyalties as he dragged his fingers through his hair, unsure how much to share with his long-time friend.
“I’m to learn about physics and topology. More specifically, the work of Johann Listing. You’re not serious enough about such studies to remember, but Listing happened to be a formidable mathematician about a century ago.”
“Am I to assume this Listing fellow is dead versus undead?” Length of limb determined breadth of stride; the younger vampire’s tread ate the expanse between office walls in a few, purposeful steps.
“Yes.”
“Though not as old, I have traveled extensively. How can I help? What is the old dog to learn?” Clipped speech and a restless gaze further alienated Gryffen from his usual nonchalance.
“The impossible. There is an acquaintance of his en route to help me figure out what I need to know. It’s something I’m tasked to work out alone.” Again, Lukas felt trapped even though his friend’s interest lay elsewhere.
“In addition, when I’ve mastered Listing’s work, I’ll earn the censure of The Brotherhood if not their enmity. They deem traveling in time and space illegal, destroying anyone who attempts it.”
“Do they know you’re obligated to figure this out to prevent demons from fulfilling the prophecy?”
“I don’t know and they made it clear they’d say nothing more on the matter. Regardless of the consequences, I will protect Sariel.”
“If they turn against you, you’ll have my support.”
“Hmm, I’ve never seen you so serious, Gryffen.”
“Well, I’ve never encountered a reason to be serious.”
“Long black hair?” Lukas grinned.
“And devilish blue eyes that complete the package. Intricate layers of intelligence, independence, and cocky attitude masking a vulnerability I can’t deny any more than I can turn away.”
Gryffen’s confession earlier about the witch allowed Lukas to relinquish a bit of possessive anxiety over Sariel’s significance. After the younger vampire departed, waiting for his expected guest was spent in consideration of the changes taking place in his life and those anticipated in the near future.
Crisp steps echoing off the foyer’s stone floor jarred him from his musings.
“Hello, Dietrich, thank you for coming.”
“When someone from the Gottingen Academy asks such a favor, it is a great honor. Not many of us are interested in such things. What can I do for you?”
Dietrich Braun stood six-feet tall and personified formality in his impeccable three-piece suit. Sandy-blond hair cut short around the back and sides left the top length longer to give him a bookish persona, whether by design or happenstance was irrelevant.
“I need to learn everything I can referencing Johann Benedict Listing’s work. Most importantly, what he didn’t publish among his colleagues. Things he worked on just before his death.”
“Ah, you mean the work for which Mobius took credit? Fancy yourself a traveler in time and space, do you? A few have tried to travel on the continuum. I’ve never heard from them again, and I don’t know if it’s due to execution by The Brotherhood or they just ended up in some twisted dimension. What makes you think you’ll succeed when so many have failed? And how will you deal with The Brotherhood?”
Lukas’ deep scowl precluded further questions.
“All right, fine. I’m just here to educate. Those are your concerns. I’m still glad to help. Let’s start with what you know and go from there.”
The study of physics and aerial dynamics had occupied Lukas’ time since developing the ability to soar. This research would absorb his attention white testing the limits of his reasoning and improvisation.
The extent of what he didn’t know soon daunted his spirit. Is this why The Brotherhood chose me? Age and fascination with physics?
Rooted to his seat in a combination of fascination and trepidation, he consumed and dissected each piece of the scholar’s information, praying the superiority of the vampire mind could solve this puzzle—in time.
With Sariel’s life in the balance, failure breathed fear down his neck, coating his aura with its malignant taint and wrapping him in an incongruous varnish so repugnant even his advanced powers couldn’t thwart its public message. Like failure, there was no room for doubt in this endeavor.
Hours of concentration skirted his efforts to form a complete theory, considering the paradoxes and enigmas involved. More than a mathematical tourist, Lukas let his intuition lead him into and navigate the schism between current reality and philosophical debates of traveling through space and time.
His guest left as the last rays of sunlight slunk below the horizon, leaving him with infinite equations swirling around his brain posed by Listing and modified in his own mind. Instinct and fanatical speed combined to have these hieroglyphic figures coalescing and bridging gaps. Each time a possibility seemed viable, the numbers and letters disintegrated only to start the process again.
His frustration rose exponentially with each defeat. How could he accomplish in days what others failed to do in their lifetimes? Or—had they failed?
Dietrich didn’t know of any travelers. He wasn’t sure they’d all failed either.
“I will not fail my mate.” Sariel’s life, hence his own, depended on his mastery of this puzzle.
With the ghost’s prediction of more evil headed their way, time stacked a formidable barrier before them. Demons reserved the title of endless filth in his world. They never relented.
The task before him appeared insurmountable. He’d consider asking for help if he knew anyone with an equal knowledge base and intellect, plus a willful disregard for The Brotherhood’s condemnation. The sooner he neutralized this prophecy, the sooner he could claim Sariel.
It came as no surprise to realize Gryffen had remained near Crystine, which kept him within earshot of the learning session. Soundproofed rooms offered little protection from vampiric hearing. How much had Gryffen understood? Considering his carefree lifestyle, probably not enough to help.
Shadows splayed on the stone wall as he ascended the steps, reminding him of the malevolence coming for them and the consequences of failure. A quiet knock gained him an invitation to the girls’ room.
To find Gryffen occupying a corner chair wearing a foolish grin was unexpected and a new look for the younger vampire. The fact that the witch accepted his presence declared a bewildering truce in place.
Lukas breathed a sigh of relief.
Crystine sat near Sariel, between his friend and his Engel, always protective. “Demons can’t attack us here,” she assured Sariel. “This castle is well guarded with strong magick.”
“They wouldn’t attack us during the night, regardless. We’re too powerful. They’ll probably wait until daybreak to come at us,” Gryffen added. “But they will come.”
“Normally, I’d say yes, but the things we fought today exhibited incredible speed and strength. We’ve no idea how they found us.” Sariel shuddered as she rubbed her temples. “We don’t know for sure they couldn’t breech this castle, do we?”
“No, we don’t.” The witch’s frown echoed Sariel’s doubts.
“Then we need to terminate their reason for searching.” Gryffen’s simple explanation brought a groan from the witch.
“Are you close to figuring out the Listing Band, Lukas?” The steely edge in Crystine’s voice held a warning.
“No. The answer feels like it’s—right there, yet I can’t quite hold onto it.” Both Sariel and Crystine looked away, their gazes bleak.
“We’ll do our part in destroying the artifact while you ferret out your puzzle, Lukas.” Gryffen’s hand fisted at his sides. “But hell, we don’t even have the damn ruby—much less know how to destroy it.”
“I can destroy it when I find it.” Crystine’s confidence stemmed from eons of training and practice.
“Well…actually, I do know where it is.” Lukas’ slow drawl brought a mixture of shock and relief from all three.
“Vampire, so you did find the ruby?” The hope in the witch’s gaze echoed that in his heart as he glanced at Sariel.
“Yes, it’s not far from here, though I don’t know how to destroy it. I figured that’s where you come in, Crystine. If you could destroy it now, it would take away the demons’ reason for hunting Sariel.”
“I can destroy it, but not tonight, and not here.” She glanced uncertainly at Gryffen. “I have to take it to Lake Ranier. There’s a sacred area on the north shore, suitable for powerful rituals. It’s only a few miles.”
“Why not tonight?” Lukas asked, the tip of his upper canine biting into his lower gum line until he tasted his own blood.
“I’ll need to harness the power from sunlight to perform the ceremony. It’ll only take a few minutes. Preparations will take about ten minutes, and I’ll need Sariel’s help. Her blood is key.”
“Crystine, can you cloak yourself and Sariel from evil, sight, sound, and scent?” Gryffen’s speculative gaze roamed over her curves. Like Lukas, he multi-tasked well.
“For a short while, yes. But that type of spell doesn’t last long. If I included two more people, it probably wouldn’t hold long enough to travel there.” Her look of disgust at the younger vampire indicated the unlikely success of Gryffen’s obvious intentions.
“Won’t need to; Lukas and I’ll draw the demons to us while you girls head to the lake.” Gryffen’s hungry gaze mapped and consumed Crystine’s curves.
The frown on the witch’s face gave way to widened eyes and her jaw dropping. “I understand Lukas’ motivation.” Her scowl delineated her feelings toward Lukas. “But why are you helping us?”
“Are you kidding me? It’s my nature. I always lend a helping hand when possible.” Gryffen’s comment elicited a darker scowl and snort from the witch.
“We’ll go to my cabin in the wee hours. It doesn’t have the same protective spells as my home but we won’t be there long. It’s only a mile from the lake.” Finally, a path Lukas could see to victory and his goal of claiming his mate.
“If we all leave a trail to my cabin, that should give you ladies time to break this damn prophecy, once and for all. We’ll pick you up once the artifact is destroyed.” Lukas closed his eyes in relief as at last their plan came together.
“We’ll leave just before daybreak.” Crystine started to get up but paused when Gryffen cleared his throat.
“It would be wise, and increase your strength if both of you women took some of our blood tonight.” Gryffen’s wolfish grin let Crystine discern the details of how he’d donate.
The witch sucked in a breath. “You will be the death of me yet, vampire.” Hair on her arms stood on end, her face flushing as Gryffen’s smile widened.
Clenching jaw and fists betrayed her inner turmoil. In her expression, a longstanding and obvious mistrust warred with the urgency and demand to fulfill her goal and protect her protégé. “If it weren’t for Sariel’s safety, I’d…”
“Nuh-uh. No, Tabby. I’ll never hurt you.” Gryffen’s nickname for his newest infatuation resulted in Crystine’s narrowed eyes.
“Sorry to interrupt the heavy nonverbal, guys. I’ll retrieve the ruby after first watch when Gryffen takes over. You girls get some rest.” How in the hell did Gryffen get the witch to be so agreeable instead of throwing more knives? Regardless, there would be little sleep obtained by anyone tonight.