Tainted: Book Two - Coerced

2. An Amazing Thing

Gemma

On Wednesday, our mission skills class went on a field trip.

"One of a warden's responsibilities during a mission is to take into custody any items of Divine or Diabolical power as well as those that have been Blessed or Cursed," Ms. Chapman explained. "Centuries ago, the Council created Repositories, where these artifacts could be stored and studied in safety. Our Sanctuary is privileged to host one of the world's largest Repositories, of which you will now take advantage for a research project."

She gave us the assignment to begin while we were there, then led us to a small clapboard house about a mile off campus. Outside, a sign read, "New Hope Museum." The room we passed through was filled with maps and display cases, but Ms. Chapman led us to a door marked private and down a winding stone staircase. There were no windows and very little light.

Without a word, Kerry reached for my hand as we started to descend - and my heart turned to mush. He knew I had an irrational fear of the dark and was trying to help me deal with it.

We wound down the stairwell until we came to a stone room with an iron-bound wooden door set in one wall. As the others filed in, he drew me to the side and I knew he was wary of anyone bumping into him. Gigi and Chessie joined us, but I wasn't sure if it was to support him or because they were a little unnerved. The vibe coming from the other side of that door was not a pleasant one.

"All right, class." Ms. Chapman wasn't the kind of teacher to put up with any nonsense, and everyone fell silent. "Only one with Divine blood can open this door. Humans do not see it and the Diabolical cannot unlock it."

As I watched, her hand sank into the door, which creaked as it swung open.

"Everyone in." She stood aside as the class entered, but held up a hand when Kerry and I would have followed. "Harker, the layers of wards should protect you; however, I wish to see your grace to be sure."

He raised his eyebrows, but tugged the gold chain out from under his shirt and swung the small white amphora into her open palm. As she examined it, I wondered once again what might be inside it. Concentrated power? The blood of an angel? Fairy dust?

Hmm. I have to ask Gigi if there are such things as fairies.

There was still so much about the nephilim world I didn't know, but I usually kept quiet and tried to find the answers myself. As far as his grace went, I didn't want Kerry to think I was stupid, and broaching a potentially taboo subject with Ms. Chapman was risky business. I swallowed my curiosity and let it go.

"A grace of refuge. Good." She nodded and let it drop. "Hank Bishop knows what he is about. You should be grateful to have him as your warden."

"I am."

He slipped the necklace back under his shirt, and we followed her into a bright chamber that looked like the foyer of an office building.

"There are a few rules for visiting the Repository," Ms. Chapman told everyone. "First, touch nothing. Second, especially do not touch the exterior doors or walls of the Vault."

"Excuse me." Chessie raised her hand. "What is the Vault?"

"It is the internal safe at the heart of the Repository where we keep the most dangerous artifacts. Ones that can kill or corrupt too easily. Others that begin to do your thinking for you. Every few decades, we must change the wards on the Vault because the items inside slowly dismantle them." Ms. Chapman raised an eyebrow. "Some theorize that those artifacts have, during their long existence, gained a semblance of sentience and seek their freedom."

I shivered a little and Kerry noticed. He reached down and took my hand again, and Chessie huddled against me.

"Hold my hand, too, Kerry," I heard Gigi whisper.