I questioned my sanity until I moved the blankets, noticing the dust and dirt clung to the bottoms of my shoes — which were still on. It would have been easy to stay in the bed and get some much-needed rest, but the last artifact was somewhere in the house. Since I might be the only person who could retrieve it, I had to force myself out of the bed.
Swing my legs over the side of the bed, I stared down at the medallion. With a breath, I held it out like a diving rod.
“Show me where it is,” I whispered before holding my breath.
Unsurprisingly, nothing happened. I groaned as I slid off the bed and onto my wobbly legs.
“Why is everyone so interested in you when you don’t actually do anything?” I huffed.
The medallion pulsed after I took my first step. I swallowed hard and took another step forward, waiting for it to pulse again.
“Are you listening to me?” I asked, my words hanging on the edge of audibility.
It pulsed again, an ominous beat in the stillness. Gently, I stroked the markings on the front of the medallion.
I looked around the room before focusing on the symbol carved into the unique material. I chewed my nails as I drew in the courage to ask the object another question.
“Do you belong to me?”
After a brief pause, it pulsed once again and gently warmed my skin. It was strange how it was both comforting and somewhat frightening at the same time. I pressed my cool fingers against the back of my warming neck.
“Okay, well, let’s find that last artifact together. Not that I even know what I’m looking for,” I muttered. I let out a long breath as I pressed my hand to my chest. “Is it in this room?”
The medallion remained icy. It reminded me of a time many years ago when I would play hot or cold with my younger brother, only my brother was more talkative.
I stepped out casually from the bedroom, walking down the hallway with calculated grace, every step shrouded in silence. Noah’s house was always well-lit, so there wasn’t a single shadow for me to hide in if necessary.
None of the people who worked for Noah would question my being there… at least, I hoped they wouldn’t. Surely, he would have told them that he was leaving and that I was allowed to stay on the property.
My fingertips brushed against the polished wooden rail as I glided down the stairs. I jolted to an abrupt stop when one of Noah’s guards stepped out from around the bottom of the staircase.
“Miss Remy,” his voice was smooth like melted butter.
“Hi,” I blurted.
His demeanor exuded calm and serenity, dressed in his usual white uniform, while my heart pounded in the center of my throat. The sweat on my palms caused me to slip slightly to the bottom step, where he caught and steadied me.
“What are you doing up at this hour?” He breathed. “You startled me.”
“Thirsty,” I said, awkwardly pointing at my throat.
“All dressed up?” he asked, cocking his head, his eyes focusing on my dirty shoes.
I laughed, looking down at myself. “I was so tired I forgot to change, I guess.”
“Mm, yes,” the guard said, nodding. “I can relate. The night shift would not have been my first choice tonight. Would you like me to accompany you to the kitchen?”
“Oh, no. That’s totally unnecessary,” I said, waving my hand in the air. “I know my way.”
He bowed his head. “Of course, Mr. Noah would prefer I get back to my post, I am sure.”
“Thank you, though,” I said, pressing my lips together. “Good job keeping watch.”
His eyes narrowed slightly before he walked away. My hand gripped the bottom of the railing as I squeezed my eyes shut and controlled my breathing.
The air was thick with tension. The soft tick tock, tick tock of the golden grandfather clock that sat just outside the hallway to Noah’s office quickened my pulse. I craned my neck around the corner to make sure the coast was clear.
I sprinted down the empty corridor with my heart thudding in my chest and twisted the knob as I held my breath. The almost blinding light cast an overwhelming golden glow to the room.
There were several monitors on the desk and walls showing various locations on the property. Someone had been in the room, and it likely hadn’t been Noah since he’d left with the Army of Light.
One of the screens showed the now empty bedroom where I’d waken not long ago. Had anyone seen that I’d been gone? Feeling as though I was being watched, I knew I had to work quickly.
I ducked down behind the desk and opened the drawers one by one. The medallion pulsed against my wrist as I moved past the large bottom drawer.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” I mumbled as I grabbed the handle and pulled back.
It didn’t budge.
“Shit,” I said, jiggling it harder as if it might miraculously pop open.
Knowing Noah, he probably had the key with him. The Army of Light would eventually demand it, or maybe they already knew where it was, and I couldn’t let them get to it.
Desperation gripped me. I wrapped my fingers around the handle and leaned back, hoping my weight would be enough to pop it open.
Nothing.
I glanced up at the monitors and noticed one of the guards coming down the stairs. He moved fast as he appeared to be looking for something… or someone.
