But even as I said it, I thought about my dad’s office, and my certainty that someone had gone through it. I caught Ben’s eye and he nodded, remembering the same thing.
“Okay,” I said to Sage. “How do we find what we need if it’s in the house, then?”
“We go there, but we’re smart about it. I need you both to listen to me. I’d say ‘trust me,’ but that might be too much to ask.”
Ben crossed his arms over his chest. I looked at Sage noncommittally.
“Right,” Sage noted. “We have to fly completely under the radar. Either of you ever done that before?”
I shook my head.
“The first thing we do is wait until night. My guess is those guys are long gone by now, but I’d rather play it safe. It will also give your ankle a chance to heal. I’d carry you,” he added, “but I’d have to get you declawed first.”
“Don’t count on it,” I replied.
Sage did an exaggerated stretch. “In the meantime, I think we should all get some sleep.” He sprawled out across the dirt floor. “Good night.”
He shut his eyes and was perfectly still. There was no chance he was asleep already, but Ben spoke his mind anyway. He pulled me aside just the slightest bit and sneered down at Sage.
“I don’t like any of this, Clea.”
“Really? Because when he started talking about the Elixir of Life, I thought the two of you were ready to become blood brothers.”
“I believe in the Elixir,” Ben said. “Enough that I want to believe Sage’s story. I just don’t know if we can. And we still can’t explain the pictures. I don’t trust him.”
“I don’t care, Ben. Dad trusted him. And Sage’s plan is my best shot at finding him alive.”
“I guess. Just …” Ben took a moment to put together his next words. “Be careful around him, okay? I feel like …”
I waited, but he wasn’t going to finish. “Feel like what?”
“Nothing. I’m here for you. You know that, right?”
I could see him struggling. It was like he was trying to tell me something monumental, but the words that came out weren’t doing it justice.
He sprawled out on the cave floor as far away from Sage as he could, and patted his chest. “Need a pillow? It’s not really in my job description, but I’m happy to offer.” He pinched a corner of his shirt between two fingers. “Cotton twill. Very soft.”
I forced a laugh. “I’m okay. Thanks.”
I curled up on the cave floor in between the two guys. Despite everything, I could already feel myself drifting away.
“Clea?” It was Ben’s voice, now right next to my ear, but I was too tired to turn and respond. I think I managed a “Hmm?” but that might have been in my head.
“Good night,” he said, then I heard him lie back down.
Sleeping on the cold hard earth is underrated—at least when you’re really tired. I was actually very comfortable, and had no doubt I’d be asleep in no time.
I could only imagine what my dreams would hold.
I WAS OLIVIA, and I sat in a rowboat oared by Sage along the Tiber River.
“If you think the Society is so ridiculous, tell your father you refuse to go!” I said.
“Really? And lose my share of the family fortune? I’d be destitute. You’d have to leave me for a Medici—a fiancé who could keep you in the style to which you’re accustomed.”
“Paints, canvas, and you. That’s all I need. Maybe a little extra artistic talent.”
Sage gave me a pointed look. He loved my artwork and always gave me a hard time for doubting my own ability. I liked to remind him he was biased.
“How about food?” he asked. “You’d need food.”
“Wild fruits and vegetables.”
“Roof over your head?”
“We’ll build a hut.”
“Clothing?”
I gave Sage a knowing smile, and he almost tipped the boat.
“Sage!” I cried, holding the sides for dear life. “I can’t swim!”
“I’m sorry, but that was an absolutely valid response. Any man would tell you the same.”
I laughed. “So what do you do in the Society meetings?”
“I can’t tell you. I’m sworn to absolute secrecy.” He said it with a haughty affectation that I mimicked as I pretended to zip closed my lips and throw away the key.
“My lips are sealed,” I intoned.
“Really? Because mine are not.”
He deftly pulled his oars into the boat so he could sit across from me and bend his head to mine as he spilled, exaggerating every word and gesture to make the story larger than life.
“The Society, my love, is a circle of far-too-wealthy men and women—myself included, thank God—who have clearly gotten so bored counting their money that they have to make up fairy-tale rituals to keep life interesting. Their specific fairy tale of choice …” Sage looked over his right, then his left shoulder, pretending to make sure no one was eavesdropping, then said in a loud stage whisper, “The Elixir of Life!”
“The what?!”
“Exactly.”
“What does it do?”
“Let’s see … it’s an elixir … and it grants eternal life …”
“You’re making fun of me.”