Page 12 of Eternal Surrender

“There are ancient scrolls,” Jacob said, “Documented evidence of how one might attempt this. If we’re able to translate them, maybe. . .”

“What language?” asked Alex.

“Egyptian,” Jacob answered, distracted.

“We’ll find an Egyptian scholar,” Alex said.

Jacob’s brows furrowed. “We’re talking Coptic.”

“Then we’ll find someone who understands Coptic,” I said. “Where are these scrolls?”

“I’ll do everything I can,” Jacob offered.

The trembling in my hands was getting worse.

Alex climbed to his feet and walked to the tipped-over chair in the corner, grasped the backrest and righted it. “Here.”

I shook my head, feeling somewhat safer on the floor.

“We’re going to find a way back for you.” Alex turned to face Jacob. “Aren’t we?”

“We’ll certainly try,” Jacob said, rising to his full height and looming over me with a knowing ease.

Alex was staring at Jacob as though searching for truth in his words.

I gestured my frustration. “I’m your Gordian knot, as you so eloquently pointed out.”

“I’m afraid you’re a little unstable still.” Jacob gestured to the mess.

I hated the fact he was right. “You’re not going to tell me where I can find these scrolls, are you?”

He gave what was probably meant as a sympathetic shrug. “As soon as I know, you will.”

Alex was now staring at me, trying to figure out what I was thinking and what I might do if I didn’t get the answers I needed to hear.

“Lucas Azir is one of the world’s foremost Egyptologists,” Jacob said. “I’ll find him.”

Staring at the ceiling, I tried to control all thoughts that might sabotage my one chance of Jacob helping me. I did, after all, know who Lucas Azir was.

“What are you thinking?” Jacob asked.

I kept my voice low and suppressed the suspicion in my tone. “You met with Jadeon?”

Fragments of memory slammed back—Jacob and I at Leeds castle, before I left him there and flew toward Stonehenge, where everything shattered.

Jacob stepped forward. “I did spend time with you, yes.”

The bitterness of recollection ate away my trust. “Jacob, you betrayed me.”

“You are Jadeon,” he said, puzzled.

I raised a finger to protest and then realized he was right.

“Did you know this was going to happen?” Alex asked him.

“No.” Jacob blinked with frustration that he would even be asked.

From outside the window came the hoot of an owl, the only noise of the night that dared to interrupt.