Page 27 of Monsters in the Museum

Nora sighed and turned back around to face the case, putting her back to Adam as she considered.

“There is no winning, is there? Either I let myself most likely get killed by the incarnation of evil, or I take precious time away from life and work to learn how to defend myself.”

“You’re too smart to see things in such all-or-nothing terms.”

“You sound very sure of that.”

“I am.”

Nora glanced up at his profile, strikingly defined in the backlighting, and considered what he said. Her eyes caught on the glimmer of bronze behind him, and her mind whirred.

“So, if I were to choose to train, do you think Ezra could be convinced to train me to fight with a spear?” Nora asked slowly.

Adam glanced down at her, with a smile starting to form on his lips, but he played it cool.

“He could be.”

“And I could be given insight into ancient fighting techniques? Say… even techniques that a well-studied weapons expert may not have known about?”

“Absolutely.”

Nora hummed in thought. “And I could maybe even write an academic paper and present my findings about these techniques to my peers at an upcoming conference?”

“Of course.” Adam was no longer trying to hide his smile. “But you would need to come up with a way to cite your sources that would be believable. Perhaps you could cite some texts that have been newly translated by a local professor of ancient languages.”

“That could work.”

“So, do we have a deal?” Adam held out his hand for Nora to shake on it, but she hesitated.

“I have just a few more requirements.”

Adam tilted his head, indicating that she should state her terms.

“My temporary guard while I’m learning would have to keep their distance, not interfere unless I was in immediate danger. And they can’t follow me around Chicago wearing a toga.”

“They aren’t togas; they‘re called peplos. And deal. You won’t even know they’re there unless the Shadow tries to attack.”

Reassured, Nora took his hand and shook on the arrangement, and Adam offered her a grin that made him look almost boyish. As she smiled back, she realized something about him looked off. She squinted as she scrutinized his face, trying to figure out what was different.

“Your glasses! I forgot they were crushed at the museum. Can you see all right?”

Adam shoved his hands in his pockets, “Oh yeah, I’m fine. I don’t need glasses.”

“Then why do you wear them?”

“I guess I view them as kind of a disguise. I guess nobody in Chicago is going to recognize me as a member of the Eteria, but still. They make me feel kind of like a superhero with a secret identity.”

Nora blinked, incredulous.

“I’ve had a lot of free time through the years, and I’ve filled some of it by consuming excessive amounts of pop culture.” Adam’s tone was defensive.

Nora snorted. “Well, I kind of get why you do it. The glasses suit you. They add to the whole sexy professor vibe.”

Adam raised his brows. “Sexy professor vibe?”

It was Nora’s turn to get defensive as she snapped, “I said what I said. Don’t let it go to your head.” To his credit, Adam didn’t press the issue.

“Come on,” he said, turning to lead her from the room. “You still need to finish your lunch.”