Gene of Isis

when Mr Molier looked my way.

‘Allow me to present my sister-in-law, Lady Oxford.’

‘It is a rare pleasure indeed to meet another female of Cavandish blood. Your aunt was very well respected here.’

Molier kissed my hand before I could prevent it, and the way his eyes stayed glued to mine as he did so made me feel uneasy.

With a knock on the door, a gentleman entered. ‘Mrs Devere is here, sir, but as she asked to view the archives again, I took her there to await you.’

‘Thank you, Jenkins.’ Molier dismissed the librarian. ‘I must ask you both to stay here,’ he said. ‘In all fairness to Mrs Devere, I should speak with her alone before I bring her forth for this reunion.’

Devere was clearly worried Ashlee would flee again. ‘But she will not—’

‘I understand your concerns. Truly.’ Molier was mysterious and convincing. ‘Please trust me.’ FROM THE TRAVEL JOURNALS OF MRS ASHLEE DEVERE

I was looking a little plumper today, as Nanny had made a special corset with several pockets that were padded each side. Our treasure was cushioned between the padding. Nanny felt that, since I was such a skinny thing, the corset gave me a healthier appearance. I had stuffed the precious Star vial in between my breasts, and as I wore a very modest gown I had no fear of the vial coming loose or being spotted.

All the blinds in the library were closed today, but lanterns and candles were lit for my benefit. I wondered why Jenkins had not drawn back the blinds, but perhaps too much daylight wasn’t good for the old scripts.

Once we were alone, Albray joked about Nanny’s solution to our security problem. Do you feel like a million gold francs?

I didn’t feel his jesting warranted a response.

So, what would you like to destroy today?

‘I told you this morning, and last night, I’d like to try and verify what I read yesterday.’ I was startled by a tap on my shoulder. I was looking at Albray so I quickly turned and was confronted by a floating scroll. ‘Oh my.’ I was shocked that my will could be so powerful. ‘I didn’t even do a summons!’ I took the item in hand and then spotted a multitude of documents all floating in the air, waiting to be beckoned.

Thou art a true Master. Albray flattered me graciously. There seems to be a bit more here than we have time for today. However, it seems you can rest assured that the account you read yesterday can be verified. He enjoyed making light of my disbelief, being such a strong believer himself. Why are you so bothered by the fact that you are a descendant of Jesus, when you now know he was a very great, very enlightened man?

‘I’m sure I won’t have a problem with it once I separate the man from the institution in my mind.’ I’d spent so long blaming Jesus for the disgrace that was his church, it was hard to fathom that, not only had the church not been Jesus’ doing, his bloodline had been repressed by the very church devoted to him. ‘Is that what has you so cheerful today, Albray? All the explaining you don’t have to do?’

No. He shook his head, still smiling. Keeping your company each day brings its own rewards.

Was he flirting with me? He had ceased trying to charm me the day I married, but I guess he figured that now I’d left Devere, I was fair game again.

‘I was interested to note in the manuscript yesterday,’ I decided to sidestep the issue, ‘that after being excommunicated by the Sanhedrin, Jesus’ older brother, James, took the name Joseph ha Rama Theo…Joseph of Arimathea, do you think?’

Albray applauded. He eventually settled in England.

One of the doors opened and all the floating texts ceased to defy gravity and dropped to the floor. Fortunately, the man who entered was wearing a large hood over his face, and did not see the cause of the thud that preceded his entrance.

He removed his head covering after closing the door. ‘Bonjour, Mrs Devere.’

No, it can’t be. Albray was extremely alarmed.

‘I am Christian Molier, curator of this collection.’ The pale handsome man came forward to make my acquaintance, and Albray’s reaction made it very difficult for me to keep my focus on Molier. ‘I apologise for the unusual daytime lighting arrangement, but my skin is very sensitive to sunlight.’

You’re an abomination, Molier, Albray harshly accused, although only I could hear him and he was making me nervous. Hereford must have released you from your imprisonment.

‘That’s quite all right, Mr Molier. It was very good of you to go to such pains to meet with me.’ I allowed him to kiss my hand, noting that his light-body was very strange to perceive. His aura sparkled golden, whilst his chakra centres were bogged with darkness. I had to agree with Albray; Molier was an abomination of some kind.

You must leave, Ashlee, Albray insisted very passionately. This man is a vampire and he is after your blood.

Albray’s panic was not very conducive to my concentration.

‘How can I help you, Mrs Devere?’

‘Well, actually, as it turns out…I no longer require your assistance, but I did wish to thank you and Mr Jenkins for your time. It was greatly appreciated.’ I placed aside the scroll in my hand, curtseyed and made to leave.

‘Ah, Mrs Devere…’

Molier pulled me up and I hid my misgivings. What could he do that I could not defend myself against? I turned back to him.