Page 174

Adam gaped at theglowing bone in Dawson’s hand, shocked speechless.

“Yes, well—I think that’s enough of that,” Dawson concluded and popped the thing—anarcanum, he had called it—back into the wooden box. He snapped shut the lid, cutting off the unnatural, blazing light.

It took Adam’s eyes another minute to adjust. The darkness had grown deeper.

Dawson returned the box to his pocket. He seemed to have forgotten the rifle, which hung loosely from his shoulder.

“The only other thing I will say on the subject for now is thatourside, Mr. Bates, seeks the arcana for noble purposes,” he concluded.

“You mean, there’s more of them?” Adam burst out.

Dawson straightened self-importantly, though the weight of the gun still dragged him down a bit on one side.

“Of course!” he confirmed. “As an educated man, you must be familiar with the stories of powerful artifacts scattered through the historical and mythological record. We presume that the rest of what those old texts tell us holds at least a shadow of the truth of what passed in ancient times, yet we dismiss the more fantastical elements as fiction—but why should they be any different? It is only because our imaginations cannot expand to acknowledge the truth, even when it is staring us right in the face… and what potential that truth holds! Think of some of the objects you must have read about during your time in Cambridge—the death ray of Archimedes, which burned the ships at Syracuse. The spear of Cú Chulainn, which must strike and kill every target at which it is thrown. These are the powers of gods!”

Adam’s mind was reeling. He would’ve laughed Dawson out of the room… if he hadn’t seen that damned glowing bone for himself.

Dawson’s voice grew both lower and more intense as he plunged onward. “We live in a time when the British Empire has spread its peace and prosperity across the globe, and yet those very imperial holdings are the places where such artifacts are most likely to emerge. Simply imagine what chaos might result if they were to fall into the wrong hands, like some ignorant batch of farmers or… orrevolutionaries.”

Dawson made the word sound like a disease.

“My fellows and I would see the arcana used to uphold the principles of law and order,” he continued, “of enlightenment over ignorance. I am sure you must agree that order is preferable to the sheer chaos that must result if such powerful objects are left scattered about the world willy-nilly!”

“Your fellows?” Adam echoed carefully.

“All in good time, Mr. Bates,” Dawson returned. “Should you prove your utility, then perhaps I might gain permission to reveal it all to you. For now, I am afraid you must proceed with me on trust.”

Adam’s temper flared, cutting through the haze of his shock.

Sure.Trust. Why wouldn’t Adam take the word of a bunch of guys who’d coerced him into helping them by threatening to cut up somebody he cared about?

“You there!” Dawson called.

Staines poked his head into the room a moment later, carrying the lantern.

“Summon those other two fellows, if you would. We are going to find our way inside this pyramid!” Dawson declared cheerfully.

“What do you mean—inside?” Adam returned.

Dawson blinked at him with surprise. He handed Staines back the rifle as Pacheco and Lopez returned.

“Into the interior of this structure, of course,” he explained. “That is where the most holy sanctum must be—and that is where we shall find what we are looking for!”

“Nobody’s ever found anything inside these pyramids except rubble,” Adam retorted.

“But why else would the people of Tulan have built them?” Dawson pushed back.

“Maybe they liked the view?” Adam said as his exasperation rose, driven by his already frayed nerves.

Dawson paled a little.

“No,” he concluded as he paced across the floor. “That can’t be right. If not within the pyramid of their greatest temple, then where else could they have possibly concealed the mirror? Why…” he paused and gave a nervous giggle. “Why, it could be absolutely anywhere if it isn’t here! Anywhere in this entire city complex. It could takemonthsto search the whole of it.” His tone shifted to one of obvious panic. “We can’t possibly stay out here that long!”

“You could always go home,” Adam helpfully suggested.

Dawson flashed him a narrow, angry look. Clearly Adam had touched a nerve.

“That is not an option, Mr. Bates,” Dawson shot back thinly. “Which you would do best to remember if you wish to get out of this place alive. Search this room!” he ordered, waving a hand at the other men. “I want to know if you see any hint of a possible opening.”