Wild: The Pack of St. James by Noelle Mack

Author:Noelle Mack [Noelle Mack]
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2008-01-06T07:00:00+00:00

7

S he touched the marvelous egg, not of her own volition. Her hand seemed drawn to it. Lukian held it by the base and turned it slowly, allowing her to look her fill in silence. Vivienne let her hand fall to her side. She should not play with it—it had to go back to where it belonged. It occurred to her that she would not want it in her house, should anyone come looking for it.

She could not comprehend how a holy man had come by such a valuable thing. That he might have stolen it seemed incredible. Vivienne glanced into her study at Osip, who had slumped in his chair. His hands were covered by his long sleeves. It would be a shame to wake him once more, she thought absently.

“I expect the Tsar wants it back.”

“What do you mean, Lukian?”

He sighed. “As you may have already guessed, Jozef Taruskin was not inclined to give it to Alexander’s predecessor upon the throne.” Lukian lifted the egg so that she could see the bottom of the base. “That is his mark in our alphabet. J.T.”

“And how did it get to Russia?”

Lukian studied her for a long moment. “The Tsar’s agents took it by force. They killed a dozen men in the process.”

“Was Jozef Taruskin among them?”

“No. His remarkable skills were too valuable, even though he lived in exile. He was persuaded, shall we say, to listen to reason and handed it over. With reluctance. It was his masterpiece. But that was many, many years ago. Alexander I only inherited it.”

“I see.”

“Nonetheless, although its existence is not widely known, it is worth more than most of the Russian crown jewels.”

“Why?”

“The great diamond at its heart is unique in all the world. It could be removed and used to adorn a scepter.”

“Ah. As a symbol of wealth and power.”

“Exactly. Alexander likes to show off, especially now that he is the most powerful sovereign on earth.”

“I am surprised Napoleon did not demand the Serpent’s Egg or the diamond for himself.”

“It was kept in the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. Napoleon did not get that far in 1812. The Grande Armée was swallowed by the Russian winter.”

“But Lukian…”

“Yes?”

“How in God’s name did that poor old priest come by it?”

Lukian lowered the egg.

“I have no way of knowing that. I need to examine it thoroughly. It may be only a very good copy, meant to lure—” He stopped himself, not wanting to say lure Kyril out into the open.

She did not notice his slip, because at that moment the monk groaned. Vivienne looked through the open door again. “Oh, he is uncomfortable—but why is he lifting his arms like that?” She craned her neck to see. “Good Lord! His wrists are tied!” She looked wildly at Lukian. “Did you do that?”

Lukian glowered at her. “He did not want to stay put.” He snarled something at the monk. As it happened, she understood the Russian words.

“Be still? Why should he be still? What on earth is going on?”

“I cannot tell you.

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