Masquerade (Heven and Hell #1)(93)
Author: Cambria Hebert

I looked down at the bronze tubing that held the scroll. “She didn’t get it open,” I said with certainty.

“No. You cannot open this without a key.”

“Where is the key?” I asked.

Airis stared at us without responding. I realized something I hadn’t noticed; she didn’t have an aura. I was wondering why when Sam seemed to become upset about something.

“Sam?” I turned to him, placing a hand on his arm. He caught my wrist and lifted it, staring. I followed his gaze to the bracelet he gave to me. My most prized possession.

Keys dangled from the chain.

“I have the key,” I whispered. Sam released my arm, and I slipped the bracelet off and lined the largest key on the chain up with the keyhole at the top of the canister. It matched perfectly.

I slid the key into the lock.

“No!” Airis called.

Sam and I both looked up.

“It is not necessary at this time to look at it.”

“Why?” I asked.

“It will only make what you need to do more difficult.”

“What we need to do?”

“This treasure map is very sacred. It was stolen from its rightful keeper, and it has taken a long time to relocate it.”

“What does that have to do with us?” Sam wanted to know.

“As a supernatural treasure, Heven, you are the rightful person to return this treasure to its rightful place.”

“I don’t understand,” I said, frustrated. “I see auras. Who cares?”

“Do not make light of your gifts,” Airis began, but I cut her off to say, “Wait. You said gifts with an ‘s.’ I can only see auras.”

“For now,” Airis replied and pressed on. “Possessing this scroll puts you in great danger. Many will come from far and wide to take this from you. You cannot allow this. Use your gift to know with certainty that these people mean you harm.”

So that was the reason I could see auras? To know who wanted to hurt me and who didn’t?

“Where does the map need to go?” I asked Airis.

“To Rome.”

I gasped. “I’m a high school student. A financially challenged one at that. How do you expect me to get to Rome?”

“You will find a way.”

I laughed.

“More specifically, the scroll must be delivered to one of the catacombs in Rome. The Catacomb of San Sebastiano. It is located beneath the thirteenth century church, which sits atop the catacomb. You will find its entrance along the famous ancient road Via Appia Antica.”

“I can’t,” I told her.

“You do have a choice, you do not have to do this. I think that deep down you will find within yourself the desire and the fortitude to accomplish this task. Think about what will happen should you refuse. This treasure could once again fall into the wrong hands. If someone manages to get the cylinder open and read the contents, then every living person named on the list will be killed. Those not yet born will be born into a world of anarchy and their destinies will be ruined. The world will be doomed.”

Is that all then? World damnation and death?

I began to shake as I thought about my decision. There really wasn’t one. I knew what I had to do. The shaking in my limbs began to ease, and I glanced up at Sam. We have to do this. We have to at least try.

World damnation is a pretty strong motivator, huh? He smiled down at me.

I looked back up at Airis who stood, patiently waiting my decision. “We’ll do it.”

“I knew that you had it in you. Thank you.” Airis said and waved her hand in our direction.

Everything went white. Again.

Just like that we were back in China’s empty room.

“What have we gotten ourselves into?” Sam said, staring down at the scroll, still clutched in my hands.

“We were meant for this Sam. I don’t really understand how or why but I can feel it, deep down. I – we – were chosen to do this for a reason; it’s the right thing to do. Besides it’s not really about us, it’s about something bigger than either of us.”

He shook his head slowly, digesting my words. His mouth drew into a straight line. “I can’t say that I am happy that you’re going to be in danger because of this, but I understand.” I smiled and wrapped my arms around his waist and hugged him close. He said nothing for a while, just rocked me gently back and forth. When he pulled back he glanced down at the bronze cylinder that held the scroll. “I guess we can’t let everything go to hell.”

My lips twitched. “I guess not.”

“I guess I’m back on the clock as your bodyguard.”

I laughed. “You got, like, a whole ten minute break.”

He hooked his arm around my shoulder. “Come on, sweetheart, let’s get out of here.”

“I’m hungry,” I complained.

“Pizza it is.”

Sam was loading the last box into the bed of his truck when I realized I left one last box up in the kitchen. I ran toward the stairs calling out what I forgot.

“I’ll get it,” Sam called after me.

“It’ll take two seconds,” I yelled back. I ran into the kitchen and grabbed the box. When I spun around I was met with a pair of curious dark eyes. I screamed and the box fell to the floor.

“Who are you?” I stammered, stepping back.

The boy (he was most definitely younger than me) seemed amused by my fear. He took a step toward me. Sam thundered through the front door. “I heard you scream.”

The boy turned around, and Sam’s mouth fell open.

“Long time no see,” the boy said.

“Logan.” Sam murmured.

“In the flesh.”

Sam grinned and rushed forward, scooping the boy up in a bear hug. He came to my side, grinning, when he put the boy down. “Heven, this is Logan.”

“Logan,” I said, giving him a little wave. I felt a little recognition at his face but wasn’t fast enough to put two and two together. I leaned in close to Sam to whisper, “Who is Logan?”

Sam laughed. “My brother.”

Chapter Thirty

Heven

“Your brother!” I rushed forward to greet him, but something stopped me from throwing my arms around him in a big hug. Instead I threw out my hand. “Hi! I’m Heven.”

Logan returned my handshake with a shy smile.

“So you are Sam’s younger brother. I have heard a lot about you.”

“Man! You have gotten so big! You’re going to be as tall as me soon!” Sam said, smiling. “What are you, like, thirteen now?”