Alexandria-June
“Our meeting in Venice was stupid. Too dangerous,” Lydia said when the man emerged from the shadows in the nightclub alley. Caleb was back at the hotel, a block away, finally resting after nearly two sleepless days of research and work on the codes. They had settled in at Alexandria a month ago, and had started to work immediately.
“I hadn’t expected him to be so paranoid,” Nolan Gregory said.
“He has a right to be,” said Lydia, “after your dramatic appearance in the hospital. Was that necessary?”
“We will see, in time, what was necessary.”
“That’s not something he’ll ever forget.”
“All I know is that we need to keep Caleb on the path. Continue to steer his thoughts and dreams back to the Pharos. Otherwise-”
“Yes, yes I know. Otherwise, we’ll never succeed,” Lydia said impatiently. Then, quietly, with urgency, she added, “But he’s making progress. He’s seen them-the founders! Sostratus and Demetrius. And much more.”
“Good, good. You must now make him see the rest.”
“Why not tell him to the truth about who he is?”
“No. When he finds that out for himself, he’ll understand, and then he’ll lead us to the Key. Any other way could invite a disaster.” Gregory pulled his face back into the shadows. “And another millennium of darkness.”
A cab’s horn blared into the street, and a trio of laughing young women went running out of the club to their ride.
She sighed. “I fear I may have to do something drastic.”
“You have my confidence. I trust you will know the time.”
Turning, Lydia walked slowly east toward the hotel. Cars rumbled past, and the warm air played with her blouse and tickled her neck. Out in the harbor a few lights twinkled. Dim flickering beams cut through the night over Qaitbey’s fortress.
Lydia took her time, walking and thinking. And fighting back her emotions.
She put a hand to her stomach, and began to cry.