Immortal Stonekeeper (2022) Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Treasure Hunters

Read chapter 14 of Immortal Stonekeeper (2022) by Mercynarie on NovelPedia.

The door slammed shut as boots clacked forcefully against the wooden floorboards. The chattering neighbours barely avoided the woman stomping their way, muttering under her breath. She flipped open her phone, staring at the missed calls and messages for the last time before slamming it shut vindictively. A pleasant scent of petrichor wafted in the air, carried by the cooling breeze that billowed Anya’s flaming hair as she walked along the street. She looked around for a taxi, her already sour mood getting worse by the minute. Fortunately, a yellow cab showed itself around the corner before her face could get darker than the lingering rain clouds. “Jon, you git… I even specifically reminded you last night…” Anya muttered to herself as she got in the vehicle. “And who does that woman think she is, taking him away like that…” “M— Miss? Where to?” Anya looked up, meeting the eyes of the driver in the rear mirror. She could see a slight hint of terror in his eyes. The policewoman straightened her clothes and relaxed against the seat, flashing the most polite smile she could muster at the moment. “His Majesty’s Prison Brixton, please. Thank you.” ~ ~ ~ “I must confess, inspector. I did not quite expect to see you for the rest of my life.” Anya maintained her strict expression at the man smiling warmly across her. Although she was clearly in a position of power now, something about the mafia boss’s gaze unnerved her. It felt almost as though he could see through any facade she put up. But she had a job to do here, so the show must go on. “Neither did I, but I have some questions for you.” Anya leaned against the cold metallic chair with her arms still folded. “Questions regarding Warner?” She flinched slightly at the accuracy of his guess. This man seemed a lot more intelligent than the bumbling, cowardly boss his gang usually painted him out to be. “Questions regarding some evidence we found at your place,” Anya replied in a tone sharpened by years of interrogating criminals. “Is that so?” Oliver Harred smirked. “Then why, pray tell, have none of your colleagues paid me a single visit yet? Unless you have been doing some private sleuthing on your own, Inspector Sechina?” “You seem to know more than you let on.” Anya exhaled loudly, tapping out from the powerplay she was clearly losing. “So let’s speak plainly. How did the Lily Noir gem come into your possession?” Oliver’s expression hardened. “You speak of it as though they are mere jewellery. But do you understand the true nature of the Lily Noir?” “Nature?” Anya scoffed. “You make them sound as though they are sentient. They’re nothing but a craftsman’s tribute to a tragic folklore.” “And who was that craftsman? It seems your knowledge is limited to internet searches and police archives, detective.” Oliver chuckled slightly. “The Lily Noir currently are, and will always be alive.” Anya leaned forward. “The Lily Noir are what remains of three sworn sisters, their essence crystallised in the form of three gems for all eternity. I believe their tale is common knowledge, so I shall spare you the details,” Oliver continued. “The three sisters were persecuted by humanity for witchcraft practices, and thus they forged a covenant with an angel of death to borrow its power.” “Angel of death?” Anya raised a sceptical eyebrow. “One sister believed the world would never change and wanted the power to manipulate everyone else to leave them alone. Another sought an impenetrable shield for her family. The last one preferred a more direct approach and asked for boundless power to fight off those who hunted them. And the angel did grant their wishes.” “So you’re telling me genies exist.” Anya rolled her eyes. “What’re you going to tell me next? That you’re secretly a fairy?” “I wouldn’t disrespect mythical beings if I were you, inspector. They’re more often much closer than you think,” Oliver said sharply. “Anyway, each sister draws power from three sources; fire, lightning, and the moon. The gems