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“I don’t think that will be necessary.” I walked to the first tunnel and peered into the darkness. The offshoot shimmered with more hidden treasures. “This is basically The Corporation’s bank vault,” I murmured. One of many hidden around the world, I imagined.
“An offshore account,” Jason corrected me. “Bruce broke through the barrier for them and then was assigned to guard it.”
“Why Bruce?”
“Haven’t you figured it out?” Jason asked. “And here I thought you looked intelligent. Brains today aren’t what they used to be. I bet they don’t taste the same either.”
My gaze snagged on a red and yellow sliver on the floor. “Bruce was a dragon shifter.” Dragons were long associated with guarding treasure, although usually it was their own.
“Thank the gods. I was about to lose all respect for you.”
“He could fly,” I said, more to myself. I touched a bar of gold, half afraid that it would trigger a monster.
“Yeah, he wasn’t one of those Celtic dragons. He was more serpentine with wings.” Jason turned his head toward me. “Which begs the question, what in the hell are you?”
“Never mind.”
“Seriously. I can’t get a read on you. Are you another djinn?”
“No.”
“Well, you must have some innate ties to treasure like the other two. The Corporation selects their guardians very carefully.”
“How did Bruce knock the basement through to another realm?” I asked. I didn’t associate dragon shifters with that kind of ability.
“That was before my placement. The crossroads made it easier; I know that much.”
“They probably choose their locations based on whether there’s a powerful crossroads nearby.”
Jason clucked his tongue. “I would think they would’ve explained that.”
“My employment was rushed under the circumstances.”
“Who’s your friend?” Jason asked.
I barely registered his question. My attention was still focused on the insane amount of riches. I felt like Aladdin in the Cave of Wonders. “My friend?” I repeated vaguely.
“Whoever’s upstairs,” Jason said. “Who’d you bring?”
I turned toward the doorway and heard Matilda’s shrill voice as she spoke to Monty. This was not ideal. I’d persuaded them I was Solomon’s replacement, and Matilda could ruin that belief in a single breath.
“The Corporation asked her to supervise the transition. Matilda,” I called. “I’m in here with my new pal, Jason.” I prayed that she hurried past Monty without another word.
Her mouth was hanging open by the time she reached me. “Glory to the gods. I’ve never seen so many riches in one pile in my whole life, and that’s saying something.”
“Matilda, meet Jason. I was just telling him how you’re supervising me.”
“Right. Yes, of course.” Matilda was transfixed by the gold and unable to look in our direction. “What she said.”
“What did you say to Monty?” I asked, maintaining a casual tone.
“Only that I was looking to see where you’d gone.” She eyed Jason. “Do you have a way of communicating with The Corporation directly? Like if my young charge gets hurt while she’s here and can’t contact them, can you do it?”
“Didn’t they tell you about that either?” Jason shook his head again. “Someone’s falling down on the job.” His demon face contorted. “How did they know to send you so quickly? I didn’t even realize Solomon was gone.” His eyes widened as the realization hit him. I slapped my hand across his mouth before he could alert Monty.
“He and Monty are the last layer of security,” I said in a hushed tone.
Her nose twitched. “What can they possibly do? Even their heads aren’t the proper size.”
