Free Gryphons Quest by Candace Sams Page A

all," Gryph told her.
    "I've thought about that all afternoon. That's why I didn't come to work today. I don't really know what to think, or what to do anymore. That's why I left the damned things there .The only thing I'm certain of is that you haven't lied to me yet."
    Gryph followed her as she walked around a side entrance, avoiding the security guards and the museum's security cameras. He believed she was confused, hurt and afraid. But she had enough strength of character to want to get to the truth, even at considerable risk to her own safety.
    "You should leave. You're getting yourself far too involved in all of this."
    "No, I'm not leaving. Ned was my friend. I want to know why he was killed and who did it. And would you please tell me how the hell you know my name and where I live? That's really been bugging me."
    Gryph smiled. "I overheard you and the blond man talking in the parking lot. He called you by name.
    When you left, I followed you to your apartment."
    "Crafty," Heather murmured.
    "Survival," Gryph responded.
    "You see what you did as surviving!" she asked in surprise.
    Gryph didn't answer. If she knew who and more importantly what he was, she would never question why he maintained a low profile. She would run in horror.
    They went up the back stairwell to the upper floors where the archives and new collections were kept.
    Gryph made very sure they weren't discovered by any of the security guards. She unlocked the last door and turned the dead bolt behind them.
    "Even the security people aren't allowed in here," she explained. "The artifacts are too valuable and fragile for anyone but the professor, Niall and some of our staff to be around."
    "Niall?" Gryph asked, looking around the room at the large boxes scattered about.
    "He was the blond man you saw me talking to in the parking lot. I'm surprised you didn't remember his name, too. You've remembered everything else," Heather said sarcastically.
    "He's of no concern to me," Gryph remarked, shrugging his shoulders with disdain.
    Heather led the way to a large shipping crate at the center of the room. She knelt down to the floor, pulled off the wooden slat that had come loose earlier and reached inside the space. She reached even farther inside until she touched wood. "They're not here!"
    "That doesn't surprise me. Whoever has them will probably hide them separately from now on.
    Especially if that person thinks the law is too close. They may have been taken from the crate so they can be used again tonight. According to legend, their power can be addicting."
    "What do you mean by used?" Heather spoke as she stood up and looked at Gryph.
    "I thought you knew about the Rune Stones of the Tuatha De Danann." Gryphon's gaze moved up and down her jean-clad figure. Inappropriately, he imagined her wearing a soft gown of Fairy gauze, then tried to pull his mind back to the business at hand.
    "I know they're a legend, and that's all."
    Gryph looked at her for several more moments, wondering how much more he should say. Finally, he explained. "The stones have the power to give their possessor the ability to shape shift. Deciphering the symbols on all three stones and chanting their meaning out loud is all that's necessary for the magic to work. After the initial enchantment takes place, the stones are no longer required. That person may change at will."
    "That's the myth, right?"
    "If it makes you feel better to believe that, then think what you must." He turned to look at some of the artifacts that had been placed on a nearby table. He picked up the small figure of the man Heather had been studying earlier. "This was taken from somewhere near Galway," Gryph declared.
    "Professor McPherson has it listed as coming from Cork," she responded and wondered how he knew so much. It occurred to her that Gryphon O'Connor might be an antiquities expert as well. He certainly spoke about the subject matter with authority. It further piqued her curiosity about the man.
    "These