A/N: Thanks to xtremesnapefan for the great review. Maybe her review can get some of you to review too! And now, on with the show:
Chapter 8
A few days later Lana and Severus were relaxing in the tent with Knave. He was telling them of his exploits hunting lizards and rodents in the wilderness when there was a ring of the bell outside.
"Come in," Lana yelled over her shoulder.
Claudio burst in excitedly. He was carrying a large book in his hands. Lana was motioning him to have a seat when she noticed the book.
"Is that…"
"Yes, we just got it out. Can you read the title?"
He placed the book in her lap. It was very old and was about three inches thick. The exterior was covered in worn satiny blue cloth. There was an oval of red rubies in the lower half of the book. In the center of the rubies was a teardrop diamond. The title was embroidered into the book above the jewels.
Lana studied the title. "The Book of Life," she read. She touched the cover of the book and tried to open it. It wouldn't budge. It was as if someone had cemented the book shut. "Why won't it open?" she asked Claudio.
"I was hoping you would know. None of us have been able to open it. It doesn't say on the cover?"
"No, there's just the title. Severus, have you ever heard of this book?"
"I'm not an authority on vampires, Lana. I just know the basics about them." He leaned over Lana to get a better look at the book. "I've never heard of any Book of Life attributed to vampires. It sounds Egyptian."
"I wonder if it's derived from Egyptian beliefs and customs?" she mused. "How long before you reach the book in the other chamber?"
"It will be a couple more days," replied Claudio.
"Maybe we'll get some answers then." Lana responded thoughtfully.
Severus' two week hiatus was ending. He and Lana were getting ready for his departure. Not much had happened at the site since the first book had been found. The researchers were still working furiously to dig out both chambers and unearth the second book, but it had been slow going. The farther back they dug, the harder it was to excavate. The earth became more compacted and difficult to break apart. Lana hoped they would be able to clear the two rooms soon. She was anxious to start in on the Master Chamber that held Von Kryger.
She turned her attention to Severus, who was shrinking things and placing them into his back pack. She put her arms around him.
"Are you sure you can't stay just one more night?"
He turned and looked at her. She was pouting. He couldn't help but grin at her. "Honestly, Lana. You understand about jobs and work ethic. I have to go, not that I want to." He put his arms around her. "Now you promise to send Knave with a note every evening, right? If I don't hear from you, you'll have to deal with my wrath." He had made his voice sound particularly stern for the last part.
She giggled. "Does that mean you'll come back and punish me?"
He scoffed at her. "Woman, you won't be able to bear the things I'll have in store for you if you disobey my will."
She became mockingly serious. "Yes, dear, I wouldn't think of going against your will."
He picked her up and spun her around. "I'll miss you terribly," he confessed. He knelt down so he could speak into her stomach. "Don't give your mother any trouble, young man, or you'll have me to answer to." He stood again and patted her stomach lovingly.
She reached her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately. They didn't separate for a few minutes. "Something to remember me by," she told him huskily.
"Even without such a precious gift, I couldn't forget you." He kissed her again, and then reluctantly pulled away. They walked out of the tent and over to the apparition spot. He gave her a final good bye kiss and turned and disappeared. She sighed. She had gotten used to him helping out around the site. This next week was going to drag without his company. She sighed again and started counting the hours until the weekend would come and he would return to her.
Severus paced back and forth in his room. She's late he thought grumpily. It had only been three days since he left and she was already keeping him waiting for Knave to bring her letter. She always got engrossed in her work and forgot about him. Hopefully she would remember to even send the bird.
Without warning Knave appeared on the couch, flapping his wings a bit. Severus didn't say a word to him. He stalked over to the bird and released the letter.
It's not my fault I'm late. There was some big hubbub at the site. Lana just barely got home.
Severus only gave him a glaring look, so the bird turned away and sat on the sofa waiting for a reply letter.
Dearest Severus,
I know this letter will arrive late and I apologize. I ran all the way here from the castle, but I'm still running behind. I do have a good reason. We finally unearthed the second book! It is much like the first, except red in color. It has the same jewels on it, but the title of this one is The Book of Death. This just keeps getting more curious. We are unable to open this book either. I can't imagine why. I would think that if these vampires wanted to be resurrected, they would make their rule books a little easier to get into! We have almost gotten to the far wall in the first room, I'm hoping there will be a door there leading to the Master Chamber. If not, we'll have to wait until we fully excavate the second chamber. Anyway, as you can see, we have had an exciting day. Of course it would be more exciting if you were here with me. Remember, I always love you. I'm sorry again to be late, I hope you weren't worried.
Love, Lana
His anger abated a little. The woman was too sweet to stay annoyed with for very long, especially when she was professing her love for him. He took a piece of parchment and began to write a return note.
My beautiful Lana,
You had me scared to death! I could just imagine you buried under a big pile of rubble from a cave in or something. Maybe we should change the time of your letter delivery. Let's do it an hour later. That should give you the time you need to wake up from the trance you always fall into with a new discovery. I am excited for your find. Perhaps you need all three books to be able to access the information within them.
Hogwarts is very quiet. I have enjoyed the solitude, but I find myself constantly wishing you were here with me. I will see you in a few days.
Love, Severus
He rolled the note up and went over to Knave. He strapped the note to the bird's leg.
He spoke to the bird with his mind, Please keep an eye on her Knave; you know how she gets when she's absorbed in something. I have unexplained misgivings about this whole dig. I think she is in danger, but I don't know from what.
The bird gave him a quick nod. You can count on my help sir.
With that the bird flapped his wings and disappeared, leaving Severus to ponder his apprehension. He didn't think it was simply not being able to watch over her every minute, although that would put his mind at rest somewhat. Maybe it was because she was with child. He had become extremely over protective over the past few months, much to Lana's annoyance. But there was something more to this. Perhaps it was the vampire angle of the whole mystery. His fear was deep seeded, leaving a ball in the pit of his stomach whenever he thought of Lana being in Albania. Years of being a spy had taught him to trust his instincts. There was something more than meets the eye with this castle. Maybe he could uncover the cause of his trepidation this weekend.
Severus stared at the two books. The blue one lay on the left and right next to it sat the red. He lifted the red one and fingered the jewels and then the title. He tried to open it, to no avail. Turning to Lana, he asked if they had tried the various unlocking spells. Of course, they had, plus a myriad of other incantations, all to no avail. Severus turned the book over in his hands. He noticed some blue and yellow markings smudged on the back of the faded red satin. Picking up the blue book he noticed wear and pale markings in red and yellow. Staring at them for a moment, an idea began to form in his mind. He took the red book and placed it on top of the blue book. Within a matter of minutes the two books were absorbed into each other magically. It was as if they were melting together. Lana rushed up next to him to get a closer look. After a minute a purple book, twice the thickness of the other two sat in the old book's place. Instead of one oval ring of red jewels, there now were two, and the center diamond had grown to twice its size. Both titles were emblazoned on the cover. Lana's eyes grew wide as she reached for the new book. She excitedly tried to open it, but it wouldn't budge. She looked at Severus with disappointment.
"I think you're right, we need all three books to be able to unlock this." Brightening she exclaimed, "That was a great move! I would have never placed the books one on top of the other like that. They're so fragile I have been keeping them apart." She looked at him admiringly. "What would I do without you?"
He got a mischievous look on his face. "Oh probably wither away and die. You're so weak and uneducated. Without me to guide you, I'm afraid you'd just be lost."
She folded her arms and looked at him. "Don't push it Mister. There are other tents that you can sleep in, you know."
He took a step closer to her, "But they don't have you in them."
She looked up at him smugly, "Exactly my point."
Closing the distance between them, he pulled her close to him. "You think I can't live without you?"
"If I'm not mistaken, you tell me that at least once a week," she replied lustily.
He arched an eyebrow at her. "I've been condemned by my own words." He scooped her up and headed toward the bedroom. "You're getting a little hard to carry around these days," he joked.
She looked at him furiously. "You try carrying your daughter around in your abdomen night and day and see if you don't get a little heavier than you are now!" She began to swat at him.
He placed her on the bed laughing. "I'm just kidding!" He shielded himself from her frantic blows.
"Well, it's not funny, I'm only six months pregnant and I already feel as big as a house! I won't be able to even fit into Hogwarts by the time this kid is ready to come out."
His mirth disappeared as he realized she was really agonizing over this. He sat on the bed and took her hand. "Lana, you're beautiful pregnant." Placing his hand on her stomach he looked lovingly into her eyes. "I'm amazed every time I look at you. Just think; you're creating a life. It doesn't matter to me how big you get, I'm just thrilled you're carrying my son."
She gave him a genuine smile. "Once again, your silver tongue has flattered me into thinking better of myself." She curled her arms around his neck and pulled him down onto the bed. "I love you," she purred.
"And I can't live without you," he whispered before he enveloped her in an embrace and placed his lips on hers in a hungry kiss.
