The second box with a number one was a steel box, gray, with a silvery flip-switch that held the top shut, and a lock beside it. It was very sleek and modern, but very plain. It was little more than a lidded cake pan with a hinged top and handle. Very practical.

The last box was white, with ornately carved designs and bejeweled corners. It was like a small house, the top peaked like a roof. The handles on either side were very feminine and curvy.

"Line up after making your selection," Desdemona called.

While I didn't expect we were going to keep these boxes, if that happened to be the case, I liked the little pirate chest the best. I picked it up and carried it to my place in line.

Amber and Maria had already selected their boxes; we waited only a moment more for Hunter. She'd chosen a very femininely decorated box. I wasn't surprised.

"Open them," Desdemona said, "and begin your inspection."

Trying not to think about the story of Pandora, I sat my box on the floor and slid the key inside. The others were trying to open theirs while standing, but Maria saw me and mumbled, "Good idea," and knelt down to do as I was doing. To me, it was a precaution against anything jumping out at me. Hunter and Amber followed suit and placed their selections on the pine floor before turning their keys.

We glanced at each other to affirm we were ready to lift the lids "as one."

The candlelight would not illumine much, so I cautiously turned the box away, hinges toward me. With it backward, I slowly opened the lid to reveal—

"A scroll," Maria said.

"They're all scrolls," Hunter affirmed.

Desdemona cleared her throat daintily, then said:

"On the parchment, rolled and sealed

Find a truth that cannot be revealed—

Though the vampires will use wiles and wit

In hopes you will give in and surrender it.

Also there is sound advice

Adhere, and it may suffice

To help you obfuscate, twist, confound

And see you through this wicked round.

Test order is dictated by the brass token.

Bring your scrolls, with seals unbroken."

Lydia asked, "Numbers?"

"One," I said, holding up my key. Hunter would follow me, then Maria, then Amber.

Lydia handed each contestant a length of white yarn. "For your key," she said. "Vampires and Persephone, if you would follow me. The rest of you, I will return momentarily to lead you below."

Scroll tucked under my arm, I looped the string through the key and tied it around my neck as I walked behind Lydia. She took up a candelabrum with three tapers as she started down the stairs, and lit the way. We went into the conference room of the office. "Persephone, you remain in the hall a moment." She led the vampires into the conference room, lit enough candles around the room so that it was almost bright, then exited and shut the door behind her.

"Your scroll," she asked, hand out.

I gave it to her. She inspected the seal, though I hadn't had time to read it since opening the chest. I grinned at her.

"What?" she asked.

"That's an awfully by-the-book inspection for someone who suckered me into this whole thing."

"Gobbledygook." She handed the scroll back. "When I leave, break the seal, open it, and read." She spoke as she lit a pair of tea lights in decorative lanterns hanging in the hall. "You have a few minutes to gather your thoughts and form a plan, but get in there quick as you dare. Keep the scroll with you; don't let them see it. There's a hint written at the bottom. Unroll the scroll and hold your hand over the end of the page. Heat activates the ink." She patted my arm. "This night has been more dangerous and deadly than I ever imagined." There was an apology in her eyes, but it remained unspoken. "Blessed be," she said.

"Thank you, Lydia." I took her hand and squeezed.

Then she left.

Tapers illuminate much better than tea lights. The short hall dimmed into near darkness without Lydia's candelabrum. After a fleeting thought of whether Holly could possibly be lurking nearby—a thought I scolded myself for having—I cracked the seal and unrolled the scroll and held it near the lanterns.

It read:

Scene:

A coven member, high-ranking, has been hit with various misfortunes lately: her husband died, she lost her job, she has a disease that requires expensive drugs that she cannot pay for without a job and insurance. She contracted with vampires to make blood donations regularly in exchange for cash. Even then, she has been forced to skip doses of her medication to make it last longer. The vampires have ceased accepting her blood. The medicine is «tainting» it. As the vampires have advanced her money, she now owes them and cannot pay. She has a five-year-old daughter.

Secret:

The coven member has been told her disease is worsening, and she will die in a few months.

Unrolling it fully, I held it against the wall and pressed my hand over the lower section. The words faded into view.

Hint:

MAY

CATCH

OYSTER

ECLAT

What kind of cryptic, hellish hint was this?

I reheated and reread that last part three times. I read it backward, I tried rearranging the letters of each word to make other words. «May» could mean «possibilities» or the month of May. «Catch» could imply its literal meaning, catching a ball or a cold, or it could mean mentally understanding. «Oyster» made no sense to me, but «eclat» meant reputation, acclaim, so maybe they went together, insinuating the oyster's reputation for libido enhancement. All in all, these clues made my head hurt.

Putting my game face on, I went into the conference room remembering how collected Hunter had been when confronting Lehana about her magic and the vinculum, and hoping I could convincingly exude that level of confidence.

I scanned the room. Sever seemed at ease in a chair with his feet propped on the table between candles. Heldridge paced, shrouded in shadows, at the far end of the table, while Menessos held a small candle close to a framed painting on the wall. He appeared to be studying it. Even without his awareness centered on me, his proximity created a reaction that warmed my body in a way that could have been comforting if not for my aversion to being manipulated.

"Gentlemen—"

I politely called them each by name, intentionally mispronouncing "Menessos." Didn't want these others, or the Elders watching, to think I knew him at all. "What can I do for you?" I asked, keeping my eyes on their chins.

Heldridge came from the shadows toward me. "One of your witches owes me."

The brighter light made the angles of his face harsher. "Who?"

He smirked. "We'll call her Ann."

"What is it that Ann owes you?"

"Blood, money, or some combination of the two."

He was going to play his role as "intimidating," so I sat opposite Sever and relaxed into the seat. My role was going to be "unaffected." Hard to do with Menessos in the room, but I was going to do my best and get through this without delay. "And you have discussed this with her?"

"Of course." Heldridge looked down his nose at me. "I wouldn't be here if I were satisfied."

Looking down at me did not reinforce his attempt to intimidate. As our roles went, this was the high priestess's territory, and therefore my place he was invading. I had to be comfortable. Cocky, even. And I could do cocky. "And you came to me for your satisfaction. I'm flattered."

"I want my money!"

Most people who expose their anger expect a similar emotional response. Instead, I smiled sweetly. "I'm not a banker. Did you misread the sign on the door?"