Page 87 of Eternal Surrender

“Never met one.”

“What’s to stop me from going to the Stone Masters and reporting where you live?”

“Seb, you’re not that kind of man.”

“How can you tell?” he asked.

“I’m an expert on the human condition.”

“Huh.” Sebastian scrutinized my face. “You’re not going to kill anyone, are you?”

“Not unless they try to kill me.”

“Can’t blame you for that, I suppose.” He scratched his head.

“What you witnessed during your initiation with the Stone Masters was real,” I told him.

“There was a girl. . . they tortured her.” He frowned, remembering. “I thought they’d hired some actress.” His expression became strained.

It was in his eyes. That look. He had seen something no one should. What they had done to her. “I walked out,” he admitted. “Didn’t believe any of it.”

“It’s what they would do to me.”

He looked pained. “What are you planning to do?”

“The Stone Masters have something I need.” I studied him and then said, “Ancient scrolls.”

“Why do you want them?”

“I’m afflicted with a condition that if left untreated. . .” I shrugged, indicating I didn’t want to talk about that just yet.

“So whatever’s written on these scrolls can help you?”

“Apparently.”

“They are meant to have a collection of sacred scrolls.” He stared off past me. “Though I’ve never seen them.”

A part of me feared I too may never get to see them, these elusive rolls of parchment that were meant to have scribed upon them a guide to my way back. Perhaps, if it weren’t for knowing about Paradom, I might never risk everything for such a tenuous chance to revert to what had once been.

These moments spent with Sebastian soothed my soul, and as I observed the way he took in the foyer and then took me in, I realized why: Sebastian was free of judgment. He merely observed the world around him without offering criticism.

He leaned toward me. “Several of my friends were recruited and one of them put a good word in for me.” Sebastian was momentarily distracted by the candle flames flickering in the chandelier.

“Your fathers’ connection didn’t help?” I asked.

“Still have to be found appropriate member material.”

“Where were you initiated?” I asked.

“Not sure.” He shrugged. “A car picked me up from Cambridge. I was blindfolded during the journey there.”

“Go on.”

“The rule of secrecy is sacrosanct,” he continued. “The Stone Masters have a tier system. Seven levels. New members never get to know anyone from the above level.”

“How do you communicate?” I asked.

“Through a designated custodian. One member from each group communicates with him to get a message to the next level up.”