Free Soulstone by Katie Salidas Page A

been removed,” Santino replied.
    “My mate can handle it.” She squeezed Drew’s hand. He looked down and nodded.
    “Where is this repository, and have you been inside before?” Nicholas asked.
    “Years ago, yes. It’s in an old church,” Santino said.
    “Surprising,” I said with a laugh, which earned me a dirty look from everyone in the room.
    Santino let out an impatient sigh. “Below the chapel, in the crypt, there are various rooms used by the Acta Sanctorum. One such room is the artifact repository. All the local unnatural artifacts are stored there unless Rome has a particular interest in them. I would guess that the crystal will be held there until transport can be arranged.”
    “Wait, does that mean every city has a repository?” I asked.
    “No. They are set up in major areas. Luckily for you, Boston happens to be where the local repository resides for the New England area.”
    That was a stroke of luck for sure.
    “Being a church, and one currently occupied and in use, will pose some problem,” Santino continued. “There will be civilians and clergy there… even during the evening hours. If indeed they were after the crystal as an item of interest, it will be under heavy guard. You can expect to see more soldiers on patrol.”
    “Would it be better to go in during the day?” I asked.
    For the second time in only a few minutes, all eyes were on me as each person in the room gave me dirty looks.
    “What I mean is, we have non-vampire friends who are not limited to night time, and may not be known to the Acta Sanctorum. Would it be easier to send them ahead of us to scout what they can?”
    “Anyone you sent in there would be putting their life at risk,” Santino said. “And I doubt you have any friends the Acta Sanctorum doesn’t know about. They were meticulous in setting up this ambush. I can guarantee they’ve been keeping an eye on anyone you might be in acquaintance with. Even your human friend.”
    I crossed my arms and let out a desperate sigh. “Then we’ll just have to go in with force.” It seemed like we’d been backed into a corner that was impossible to get out of.
    Nicholas approached me and put a hand on my shoulder. He looked down with what I assumed was meant to be a reassuring smile. “We’ll get him back. We’ll figure out a way. Try to relax.”
     
     

CHAPTER 10
     
    Relaxing was the last thing on my to-do list. We spent the day trapped inside, helplessly waiting for the opportunity to retrieve Lysander’s crystal.
    As night fell, Santino, Nicholas, Ariana, and I assembled and headed toward the old church. Drew decided to stay behind to watch over Crystal and Ian as they healed from their injuries. Zuri went back on her regular patrol, which was part of the duties of being a member of the Olde Town Pack.
    None of the clan wanted me to go with the raiding party, but I wasn’t taking “no” for an answer. If Lysander’s crystal was in the old church, that’s where I was going.
    Ariana insisted she be allowed to go too. She demanded the opportunity to prove her innocence in our betrayal by offering her services, and magical knowledge, to help make our mission easier.
    The evening felt unbearably cold. Perhaps it was the fact I hadn’t fed since sharing blood with Ian, or that I was still not used to the New England winters. Whatever the reason, even through the layers of clothes I’d piled on, I felt like my whole body was slowly turning into a popsicle. I found myself moving slower and trailing behind the others.
    “I’m not sure of what to expect when we get in there. You will listen to everything I say. If I say run, you run. You hear me?” Santino warned as we approached the old red-brick building with its pristine white steeple.
    “Let’s get on with it,” Nicholas grunted. I could tell he wasn’t pleased with having to take orders from Santino. Being a former Roman Legionary hadn’t ever left him. Battle strategy and giving orders were his