Siren's Secret by Trish Albright

Author:Trish Albright [Albright, Trish]
Format: epub
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 9780843960877
Publisher: Dorchester Publishing Co.
Published: 2009-05-01T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Later that evening, after they had safely set sail from Algiers, Olivia assembled her friends in the chart room and presented the ancient artifact.

“Careful,” she said reverently. “It’s over two thousand years old.”

Stafford raised a brow. “You recently used this two-thousand-year-old artifact to beat a man.”

“He was three times my weight, and he nearly pulverized you, Stafford.”

“Pulverized is a bit strong,” Stafford said. He shifted in his seat, cringing from his injured ribs. “Actually, I feel quite refreshed from today’s exercise.” The others laughed. “Now, let us see this piece of rock you risked all our lives and limbs for.”

Olivia scowled. Then she apologized. “I’m sorry I put you in danger, Stafford. Of course, I knew you were up to the challenge or I wouldn’t have risked it. And, Elizabeth …” She smiled. It felt strange to call her chaperone by her given name. “I didn’t know they would come after you in London, but you met Mr. Riedell, so it all turned out for the good, don’t you agree?”

The happy couple smiled at her, forgiving. “All is well. Though I wouldn’t have minded one more night in a hotel,” Elizabeth said, reaching a hand over to her husband.

“Yes, yes. But look!” Olivia held up the funerary cone, triumphant. “This is a night for celebrating!”

She put the cone down just as quickly, closing her eyes at a sudden sensation. She laughed and took a breath of air, explaining. “Dizzy.” Without touching the cone, she continued. “I have made another discovery.” She pulled an iron nail from her pocket and displayed it.

“Filthy,” Elizabeth said.

“Yes,” Olivia agreed. “But look.” She held it to the star side of the cone, and the nail visibly attached itself.

“It’s magnetized,” Riedell said.

She pulled the nail free and put it at the end of the table. “Many Egyptians believed magnets had qualities that can affect the body, even cure ailments.” Could that be what caused her uneasiness when she touched the cone? A magnetic force upsetting her equilibrium? “But I think the librarian, being an architect and engineer, used the magnetic force inside the stone as a means to lock and unlock elements inside the tomb. That is why the men on the expedition need the cone.”

“Why did no one notice before?” Riedell asked.

“I don’t know. When they were collecting, some things were sent back to England by type. So the cone was sent with several others. It wasn’t until they got back to that tomb and tried to enter that they realized there was something unique.

“The magnetic rock is actually inside the granite and strongest at the star side, which is slightly obscured by the indentation. This symbol is engraved on the magnet portion. It a fabulous piece of work. Ingenious.”

Stafford took the granite cone from her and inspected it.

Olivia poured the celebratory toast. “Here we go then, a bit of the good stuff for you, Stafford, and the new couple and me.” She put the bottle of rum down as Stafford examined the cone at the star-shaped end.

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