The Immortal Scrolls Read Free

“Araceli,” he said mournfully. He thought about the horrible way she had died every day of his existence and always regretted not turning her when he had the chance.
    Andy walked back into his large closet and opened the false wall, revealing a safe. He spun the numbers and then pulled on the handle. The door made a clicking noise and then swung open. He reached in and opened another smaller compartment. Inside was a woman’s bracelet and a small picture frame with an ancient hand-painted portrait of a beautiful young woman. He picked up the portrait and held it gently as he stared at Araceli’s lovely face. Andy had never loved another in all his years. Sure, he had been with many women, but he had used them for brief moments of pleasure.
    He put Araceli’s portrait back into the safety of her container next to the bracelet. Then he removed the container and took it to his suitcase. It seemed fitting to take her with him back to Herculaneum. He rearranged some clothes to make room for the container and then zipped his suitcase shut.
    Andy walked over to his laptop and turned it on. He searched for a Dr. Costa in Naples. With a little memory manipulation, Dr. Costa would soon be seeing his “old friend” Andy de Luca, and Andy would have his cover in order to retrieve his scrolls. He was almost certain this could be resolved without any unnecessary bloodshed.

.
    Chapter Two
    N APLES, 2011
    S ome other time had come. Marco had surprised Skye at the lab the night before with takeout. Skye was working in the lab now, waiting for Dr. Costa. One of his former colleagues was going to help her translate the scrolls. But Skye was distracted as she remembered the hot and heavy make-out session she and Marco had had right here in the lab. It was very uncharacteristic of her, but they had incredible chemistry. She’d had to stop herself from going any further. She couldn’t bring herself to have sex with someone on the first date, no matter how badly she wanted to.
    Marco came into the lab and tried to sneak up behind her. It was no use, though. She could smell his cologne a mile away. He put his arms around her and licked her neck, stopping to nibble at her ear lobe. “Ciao,” he whispered.
    Skye turned around to face him. “Hey, I didn’t know you were coming tonight,” she said, happily surprised.
    “I didn’t think I was going to be able to, but I couldn’t stop thinking about you,” he said flirtatiously. Marco leaned in to kiss her. Skye parted her lips, and he eagerly thrust his tongue inside her mouth. He held her close with one arm while his other hand explored the curves of her body. Their relationship was progressing at an alarming rate.
    Skye pulled away. “Marco, Dr. Costa will be arriving any minute now with the translator,” she said breathlessly.
    “That’s too bad,” he said. Marco returned his lips to hers and slowly backed her toward the break room. She did not resist him. When he reached the door, his hand reached around her to turn the knob. “A minute will have to do then,” he said. Skye giggled as he struggled with the door. When he finally got it open he slapped her rear lightly and led her into the dark room. They collapsed on the black leather sofa where they had been the night before. Marco kissed her lustily as he pulled up her shirt. He cupped her breast with his hand and removed it from the cup of her bra. Then he bent his head down to suck on her taut nipple while his other hand undid the button and zipper on her pants. Skye could still not believe how she let herself lose control around Marco. In the past, it would take her several weeks before she would feel comfortable enough to be intimate with a man.
    Marco ran his hand down her flat stomach and then beneath her underwear. Skye was happy she’d thought to wear a sexy thong today instead of regular briefs. He cupped her and then slid his fingers inside her. She moaned softly as he massaged her nub. Marco tugged at her pants