The Serpent's Curse by Lisa Maxwell (read an ebook week .TXT) 📕

looked around the chamber, his eyes widening a little as he looked around. “It’s quite a lot to take in,” Barclay murmured, running his finger along one of the carvings in the wall. “The detail is astounding.”

Jack understood the awe that colored Barclay’s expression. He’d felt it too, the first time he saw the walls of intricately carved sandstone blocks, inlaid as they were with gilding and marble and onyx. Now the walls glittered in the evening light that poured through the open balcony door. An elaborate golden staircase, delicate and intricately wrought, wound itself upward in the center of the room to a large, circular medallion carved with the Philosopher’s Hand. Beyond that portal, an even more fabulous chamber waited.

All around the triangular chamber, burnished walnut shelves stood in rows precisely arranged to take advantage of the power derived from sacred geometry. Presently, those shelves were empty and waiting to be filled with the Order’s remaining books and scrolls, which would be brought into this room as soon as the danger had passed. In the center of the room stood an altar that had been rescued from the charred remains of Khafre Hall.

“This room is actually modeled on one in an ancient Egyptian temple, you know.”

“Is it?” Theo turned, his expression betraying his open interest as he dropped his guard.

“The Temple of Thoth had one of the greatest libraries in the world,” Jack told him. The Book throbbed against Jack’s chest—a reminder and a promise. “Some called it the Library of Life. It’s said that writing was invented there, along with the same rituals we still practice today.”

“Thoth?” Theo pursed his lips, his brow furrowing. “One of the more minor gods, wasn’t he?”

“On the contrary,” Jack said, forcing his voice to remain even. “To those who understand the history of the occult sciences, he is absolutely peerless.”

“Well, this room is certainly impressive, as is the entire arrangement, Jack. Five floors of the highest and most exclusive real estate in Manhattan,” Barclay said. He gave Jack a half smile that looked tense. He was scared and clearly nervous but trying to play it off. “Everything is beautifully appointed. No one could doubt the Order’s influence once they see this.”

“It is rather impressive, but we had quite the bar to meet after what Khafre Hall had been,” Jack told him, pretending not to notice how on edge Barclay was. “Though you were never invited, were you?”

“No,” Barclay said with a shake of his head. “I never had the honor.”

“It was a beautiful old building. Inside and out, Khafre Hall stood as a monument to the majesty of our civilization and to the wonder of the occult arts,” Jack told him, feeling a wave of regret for his own hand in its demise. The regret, though, swiftly turned to anger.

Because I was tricked. Because Darrigan and that bitch of a girl made me look like a fool. But Jack wouldn’t allow himself to be deceived again. Barclay would learn that soon enough.

“Khafre Hall was a marvel,” Jack continued, running his fingers over the granite top of the tall, square altar that anchored the room. “We believed it to be impenetrable, with all of the various wards and protections placed around the building.”

“It’s a shame what happened to it,” Theo said, still looking gratifyingly uneasy. “So much history and art… lost to a band of thieves.”

“Lost to maggots,” Jack corrected, allowing the fury to infuse his words before reining himself in once more. “But not all was lost. So much of this chamber was taken whole from the levels far beneath the city streets. This very altar once stood in the center of the old Mysterium.”

“It’s a beautiful piece. Fourth century, I believe?” Theo asked. He glanced up at Jack. “It’s amazing any of it survived the fire.”

“Not really so amazing. The Mysterium itself was warded with protections that other parts of Khafre Hall did not have.” Protections that had kept Jack out, but he would be kept out no longer. He smiled at Barclay. “The old Mysterium was also far below ground level, carved into the very bedrock of the city and protected by the many rivers that still run beneath these streets. Of course, those rivers provided a means of escape for the maggots who attacked the Order this past spring. The new Mysterium won’t have that particular weakness.”

Theo looked around, far too interested for Jack’s liking. “It does look well secured.”

“This is simply an antechamber,” Jack corrected, amused at the surprise in Barclay’s expression. “The new Mysterium is above.” He lifted his eyes to where the spiraling stairs disappeared into the ceiling. “The chamber above us is even more secure than this one, and far more so than its predecessor. Only the highest level of the Order has the privilege of entrance. If the alarms are triggered by an unworthy soul, the seal will engage, the air will drain from the space, and only the blood of the High Princept himself will be able to open it,” Jack said.

Or at least, that’s what the Inner Circle believes.

“But enough about that,” Jack said, changing the topic to keep Barclay off-balance. He was enjoying the way Barclay’s nerves were growing more frayed by the second. “Come, have a look at this view.” He opened the glass door and stepped out onto the balcony, and when Barclay hesitated, he taunted him. “Don’t tell me you’re afraid?” He leapt up upon the wide stone railing so he could stand, a god above the men below. “It’s incredible, this city. Come, see Manhattan as you’ve never seen it before.”

“Come down from there, Jack,” Barclay said, stepping out onto the small stone terrace. “There’s no sense taking chances.”

“What chances?” Jack laughed. “Don’t you see? As above, so below. We’re now the ones above, Barclay. Far above. We’re practically in the clouds. Closer to heaven and the angels themselves. Closer, as well, to the power those divine beings will inevitably bestow upon those who are worthy.” He