Chapter Seven #2
“Yes, I wasn’t aware of the symbology until now,” Dante said as a darkness sparked in his emerald eyes.
“In Rome. More than six hundred years ago, in the catacombs where Idris and I were lost for three days. We were there because Idris thought there was a clue to finding Atlantis. That symbol was carved into the corner of an old tomb.”
Talik had heard this story countless times, predominantly from Idris’s perspective, who had claimed the only reason they had gotten out was because Idris had found a hidden tunnel and led them to freedom.
And each time Talik had laughed at the tale and assumed it had been an adventure for the young Atlanteans.
But what had it actually cost Idris? Is that how Idris found a way out—did he encounter a wayfarer, or even one of the Anki?
“Are you sure?” Chaucer asked.
Dante shot him a glare that didn’t need to be translated.
“How do we get access to the catacomb?” Khalida asked. “If we can retrace your steps, we may find Ninhursag or a clue to locating the Anki. And get one step closer to finding Atlantis.”
“The catacomb was sealed shortly afterward.” Dante tapped the table as he looked up to the domed ceiling, as if he was trying to recall an old memory. “But the opening Idris and I used no longer exists. The Italians built Biblioteca Angelica over it.”
The move was uncharacteristic for Dante. He rarely let anything slip, even when he was surrounded by confidants. It was slightly unsettling and drove home the precarious position they were in.
“By whom?” Sypha asked.
“The hunters. I had assumed that it was because the catacombs were decrepit, but now I am unsure. Perhaps they knew what was down there,” Dante answered.
Talik let out a low whistle. The hierarchical class system within Atlantean society was convoluted and downright archaic, and a headache to learn when you were an outsider like he had been.
The hunter class had been simultaneously the most feared and hated Atlantean class in their history, as well as one that had been ruthlessly used and controlled during periods of turmoil and military expansion.
Just like the gifted Atlanteans, the hunters were a genetic quirk of fate.
Instead of powers and special abilities, they were born faster, stronger, and more predatory than most of their species.
It wasn’t a surprise that the hunter class produced a disproportionate number of murderers and serial killers.
The hunters looked like perfect Atlanteans, except for the handful who were the apex predators among their class.
They had either pure black or white eyes without a hint of the pupil or iris.
“The hunters were trusted?” Khalida’s eyes narrowed with distaste.
Dante looked at his watch. “As trusted as their class could be. The hunter archives are still kept within Rome.” He glanced at Chaucer before returning to Khalida. “Most of the records have not been digitized, and the council could not bring themselves to destroy the records.”
Talik snorted. Of course. Not when access to the archives would bring them unprecedented power and the ability to control the hunters, even if the class were no longer the enforcers within Atlantean society.
“Good thing we know a hunter who can get us access to those records,” Talik said. If Idris had been turned in the catacomb, there may be a clue on how to reverse it or at least find out more information about who the Anki actually were. “When do we leave for Rome?”
Khalida stared at Dante. “Can you give me access to Rome and the catacombs?”
A pin could have dropped in the room. Talik opened his mouth to say no but stopped himself.
It wasn’t his decision. Because of Khalida’s status as head of security of House Azaes, only Dante could ask for permission for her to enter House Mneseus territory in an official or unofficial capacity.
The Atlanteans had plenty of archaic rules and traditions that should have been stopped centuries before, but he was grateful for this one.
He could go to Rome and find Ninhursag without Khalida, so he didn’t need to worry about drudging up old memories that should remain buried in the past.
Talik faced Dante. “And what exactly are we searching for within the catacombs?”
He didn’t want to face the wayfarers or the serpopards again. The best way to win a fight was not to get into one.
“The symbol. We found it a few hours before Idris discovered our way out.” Dante glanced at Sypha before he turned to Talik and Khalida.
“And the relic from Sypha’s vision. Any information we can glean from the catacombs can be weaponized against the Anki.
We need to be fast and search the area before they send in wayfarers.
It can be done as a reconnaissance—covertly go in, map what you find and return. ”
“No requirement to engage with anyone within the catacombs?” Khalida asked, her tone indicating that she was taking this harebrained idea seriously.
“No,” Dante agreed.
Talik opened his mouth, ready to protest the idea that he needed Khalida in Rome. Both he and Dante knew he worked better alone in these situations. Better if Kade was with him.
“I have already requested permission,” Sypha said. “The relic will be near the symbol. It is a key to finding Atlantis.”
The hairs on the back of his neck rose. Some form of premonition warning that was too late to do any good.
“I had another vision.” Sypha continued.
They looked him straight in the eye, daring him to argue with them.
“Khalida and Talik both need to go. If there are any remnants of what corrupted Idris still within the catacombs, it will be harder to influence the two of them because of their consort mark.”
His senses tingled. For the first time since he had known Sypha, he didn’t believe them.