Read Online The Nekropolis Archives by Tim Waggoner - Free Book Online Page A

and take my chances."
      "I don't blame you."
      "When I reached my forty-fifth birthday, Father called me in to his study and told me that he wished me to join the staff of the Cathedral and serve him. It was a great honor, and I accepted thankfully."
      "What did he want you to do?"
      "I was given charge of his Collection, and I have taken care of it for the last twenty-eight years."
      I noticed a black spot on the far wall – a spot which hadn't been there when we'd started talking. It was a roach-like insect. Gregor, or rather one of his little informants. I nearly waved hello, but I didn't want Devona to think I wasn't listening to her. Besides, the bug didn't care if I acknowledged its presence or not. All it wanted to do was observe.
      "His… Collection?" I said, returning to the conversation.
      "Father is incredibly ancient; how old, even he isn't certain. Thousands and thousands of years, at least. And in all that time, he has acquired quite a number of items. Some are merely mementos of lives lived, countries and cities long dead; others are trophies: of triumphs, conquests, battles won, enemies defeated. Still others are tokens of magic, mystical objects of great power – any of which the other Darklords would dearly love to get their hands on in order to increase their own strength.
      "As I said, I have watched over, cared for, and guarded the Collection for nearly three decades. And I have never had any problems," she said proudly. But then she lowered her head. "Until yesterday."
      "Let me guess. You went to check on the Collection and found something missing."
      "How did – of course, you're a detective."
      I almost protested that I wasn't, that I was just an ex-cop – and ex-human – who did favors for people, but I decided to let it lie.
      "Yes, something was missing. And I want you to help me get it back."
      I thought for a moment. "Why come to me? Why not go to Lord Galm? He's a Darklord. With the powers at his command, I should think he'd be able to locate the object easily."
      "Perhaps. But I cannot go to my father. Lord Galm is not especially… understanding of failure. Or forgiving. My only hope is to recover the object on my own, or at least discover what has happened to it. If I am unable to do either…" she trailed off, shuddering.
      "But you're his daughter."
      "Yes, but the Bloodborn have a different set of values when it comes to determining family relationships. Those who are chosen for transformation are considered true children, and are closest to their sires' hearts. Half-human get like me… well, I suppose the closest human equivalent would be children born out of wedlock. Our sires still care for us, just not as deeply.
      "Most of Lord Galm's staff are children of his, whether fully Bloodborn or partially. And there is a great deal of competition among us for our father's favor."
      "And so you can't turn to any of them, either."
      She nodded. "That's why I need your help. You have a reputation for not only getting the job done, but for keeping quiet about it as well."
      "I didn't know I had a reputation. I don't suppose you heard anything about my sparkling personality or my dazzling wit?"
      She smiled. "Unfortunately not."
      She had a beautiful smile, the effect spoiled only slightly by her revealed canine teeth.
      "Tell me about the object."
      "It's a crystal a little larger than my fist called the Dawnstone. What it does precisely, I'm not certain. While I tend his Collection, Father doesn't entrust me with complete knowledge of it. The Dawnstone is one of those items whose secrets he wishes to keep to himself."
      I thought it ironic a vampire would own an artifact called a "Dawnstone."
      "But you know it's powerful," I said.
      "Of course. Why else would Father be so secretive about it? And the wardspells which protect it are among the most potent in the Cathedral."
      "Yet someone got past those