Phoenix Contract: Part Three (Fallen Angel Watchers) Read Free Page B

the wrapping to avoid touching the sword. The hilt bore two dragons, one on each side.
    “What is it made of?” Aiden ventured, her gaze drawn to the hypnotic swirling blade against her will.
    “I’m not sure,” Matthew said, removing a round magnifying glass with a folding handle from his breast pocket. He opened it and held it over the blade, scanning the length until he reached the hilt. “Hmmm.”
    He strode to one of the bookshelves, leaving Aiden in an uncomfortable face off with Desdemona across the table. Aiden frowned, and the older woman scowled back at her which led to a staring contest. Breaking eye contact would have been a sign of weakness, and Aiden refused to back down after the way Desdemona had treated her.
    After an eon, Matthew returned to the table with a large tomb bound in dark red leather. His finger marked a page, and when he laid the book on the tabletop alongside the sword, he opened it to a two-page illustration of a dragon that closely resembled the one depicted on the hilt.
    “It appears to be a drake with six appendages. Two hind limbs, two forelimbs, and two wings. The eyes are forward, set with a vertical-slit pupil, indicating stereoscopic vision, and there are four fingers on each hand. Traditionally, drakes breathe fire. However, ice and acid are not unheard of.”
    “You can tell all of that?” Aiden asked, surprised at the amount of detail he disclosed. Her entire body tingled with excitement and intense curiosity.
    “Yes, see for yourself,” Matthew offered her the magnifying glass which she accepted.
    Aiden positioned the lens above the hilt and then moved it closer to bring the dragon into focus. A soft gasp escaped her lips. The detail work was exquisite! She could make out individual scales on the serpent’s hide and each individual talon on the four-fingered claws.
    “Can you extrapolate anything specific about the serpent?” Desdemona asked. “Is it a depiction of a specific dragon, or is it a generic representation?”
    Father Matthew shook his head. “There’s no way to be sure. If I had a name, something more to work with... No, I’ll have to do more research. Perhaps if I can find out more about the sword itself, then I can make such a determination.”
    Pursing his lips, Matthew looked up and removed a pen from his pocket which he moved back and forth along the length of the blade without touching it. “This, the blade isn’t forged from steel. It’s been carved out of bone, or possibly a claw.”
    “Dragon bone?” Aiden said in awe.
    “You were correct not to touch it, Mrs. Leromenos,” Matthew said, nodding.
    “It’ll require study before I know anything more. I’ll need to consult Ondik’s Mystic Weapons of Antiquity and Modesto Marevka’s Western Dragon Anatomy ,” the priest continued, verbalizing his thoughts. “If I can determine what body part the blade is composed of, it might provide insight into…” Turning and hobbling over to a bookcase, he trailed off with a thoughtful mumble.
    Impatient, Desdemona gave a sharp nod. “Very good. Keep me informed.” She left without waiting for Father Matthew to provide acknowledgment.
    Familiar with her mentor’s eccentric methods, Aiden knew better than to disturb him while he was thinking. She settled for edging closer to the table in order to get another look at the sword.
    It wasn’t her intention to get dangerously close, but abruptly Aiden became caught up in its spell. The patterns dancing across the surface of the ebony blade swirled faster, and it took on a sensuous luster. Black and silver glowed in startling contrast, the serpentine handle writhing with sinuous grace. The dragon came to life.
    Hold me. Touch me. I am yours…
    The command filled her mind, a husky and beckoning voice whispering to her of its desire to be held, caressed, and possessed…
    Aiden extended her hand and reached for the weapon. Her mind was both blank and full, with no thought other than for the sword. Her