Chapter One
The sun filtered through the window, the soft light warm against my face. I blinked opened my eyes and lazily turned my head to look at the clock. My eyes were still unfocused and I couldn't make out the red numbers. I yawned and blinked my eyes a few times, stretching my stiff muscles.
I let out a soft groan and rubbed my sore joints.
Note to self…Do not go out with Sam when she mentions the words 'drinks' and 'hike' in the same sentence
I propped myself up onto my elbows and peered at the clock. 8:21 am
I jumped out of bed and cursed, scanning my room for some clothes. I couldn't believe that I was late for work. I was never late for work.
I pulled on an old spring dress and tugged on a pair of leggings, not caring if they matched. I raced out of the room and hurried through my apartment, grabbing my bag and a few files that I still hadn't looked through.
One thing about being an assistant curator was that I usual got the worst jobs, mainly filing and any other odds and ends that the curator didn't want to sift through. This week it had been files on the new exhibit details on "Early 12th Century Weaponry" and not that it wasn't fascinating or anything but there were many artifacts that needed to be catalogued and marked down and I just didn't have the time.
I raced through the door and locked it, hurrying down the apartment staircase. The streets were already busy and many glared openly as I bolted through the crowds. I spotted the bus just ahead of me and I ran to catch it.
"Hey!" Someone called as I bumped into them. I stuttered an apology but I continued to the bus stop.
The bus driver must have pitied me, for I must have looked like a maniac. Hair not brushed, no makeup whatsoever and an outfit that would have the hosts on "What Not to Wear" cringing. He held the bus and I stumbled on, sitting down heavily as I tried to catch my breath.
An elder woman smiled weakly at me but turned away quickly. I cringed at her reaction but didn't have time to really dwell on it. I rifled through my bag and pulled out my phone. I quickly dialed the number of Diana, one of the other assistants at the museum and waited.
"Hello?"
"Diana? It's Kris…"
"Kris? Where the hell are you! George has asked me like ten times since I got here!"
I rubbed the spot between my brows and let out a sigh. Things were going to get a lot harder that my boss knew I wasn't there.
"Yah I know, I know. I was out with Sam last night and let's just say that hiking up a small mountain at night isn't the best idea…"
"Kris there are no mountains in our area…"
I groaned. "I know. Anyway I got a little drunk and slept in. I'm on the bus now so I'll be in within the hour. I need you to stall for me."
I could almost see Diana's dark brows rise in shock. "You're not serious?"
"Deadly. Now I'll be in soon! I just need to put some files away then I'll talk to George myself. Just tell him I am looking over some artifact details for next week's opening and that I am in the basement. No one goes down there anyway."
I heard her sigh but I knew I had won. "Thank you! I owe you!" I said happily then hung up, not wanting to hear what I would have to owe her eventually.
I looked out the bus window and calculated it would take about fifteen more minutes to get to the museum. I ran my fingers through my hair a few times but gave up, throwing it into a messy ponytail instead. I then pulled out the files I didn't check over the night before.
I skimmed most of the files, just double checking cataloguing numbers and shipping information when a small piece of paper slipped out from one of the files.
"Excuse me…" a voice behind me said. I turned and a young girl in a purple coat gestured to the paper on the bus floor. "That fell out of the pile."
I looked down and picked it up, smiling at the kind lady. "Thank you." I said and she turned away, flicking open a magazine.
I looked down at the paper in my hands and frowned. It was a small letter about an artifact, but not for 12th Century weapons. Instead it was a hand-written note for an antique necklace found in an abandon British warehouse. I pulled the small paper closer and recognized the hand writing to be that of George's, my boss.
Necklace found in warehouse in old York in a box hidden under the floorboards. Has silver chain and a black jewel set in the middle. Could be Nordic but has engravings unlike any known culture. May be what they are looking for. Will keep safe until they come. Catalogue number 3457 40A.
CONFIDENTIAL
What is this…Who are they? I thought, completely confused by the small note. It must have been a note for George himself to keep as a reminder. I happened to catch a glimpse of the road outside and with a start realized I was right outside the museum. I jumped up pressed the stop button. The bus squealed to a halt and I hurried out, the note still clutched in my hand.
Being early, the museum was still closed. It didn't open today until noon so luckily there were no crowds. The security guards waved at me and I absentmindedly did the same.
"How's it going Kris?" one asked, I think his name was Jack.
"Hmm, good. I'll see you around…" I managed, rushing through the lobby. My mind was still stuck on that necklace.
I couldn't figure out why George was keeping a mere necklace so secretive. Why was it so special?
I walked through the employee hall and stopped at storage. One peek won't kill me. I'm already late as it is.
I smiled to myself and let myself into the storage room. The door clicked softly behind me and I began scanning the tags.
I put my bag down and made my way through the large room. It was only one of the storage rooms in the entire building but this was where we usually kept the most delicate or rarer artifacts.
I found the tag easily and pulled out the small box. I glanced around nervously but quickly pulled the lid off.
The black jewel glowed in the light, the chain bearing odd marks that I couldn't place. The jewel was onyx, though I had never seen one glow the way this one did. I felt a slight tugging at my chest and felt the need, no, the want to touch the jewel. I frowned at the sensation but I could feel it building inside of me. I reached out and lightly touched the jewel, the strong urge to too powerful.
The room faded away and I gasped, feeling myself falling. I tried to steady myself but the room disappeared, leaving nothing but darkness. I felt myself fading as well and with my last breath, screamed.
