The Trojan Icon (Ethan Gage Adventures Book 8) by William Dietrich Read Free Book Online Page A

from Egypt. She’s an expert on the artifacts of the East.”
    “A woman … scholar.” He hesitantly bowed. “It’s my honor … priestess.” Like most men his eyes paused to appreciate my features, his mouth frowned at the idea I might be capable of thought, and he then turned back to the tsarina. “Rarities of the Byzantine church?”
    “Of the Turks and Persians, but our business is not yours, colonel. Astiza can establish the provenance of many fabulous things, but which treasures, and why, is my concern alone.” She looked as if this were my cue.
    “I’m Greek as well as Egyptian,” I said. “Of Isis and Thoth, Athena and Odin, Enoch and Buddha. I’ve studied all creeds and all cultures.”
    He looked wary. “But you’re satisfied, I trust, by the revelations of the One True God?”
    “All spiritual paths lead to the same destination, colonel. At least according to Napoleon Bonaparte.”
    His expression narrowed. “I’ve lost comrades to the fight against the French usurper. I wouldn’t heed anything he says.”
    “This is a holy woman,” the tsarina injected impatiently. “We didn’t ask for your views.”
    He bowed stiffly. “I’m honored to escort you both.”
    “We’ll tour the repository alone.”
    Now Karlinsky blanched. “That is against procedure.”
    “It is
my
procedure, colonel. With
my
expert.”
    “I annoy people with my unorthodox views, and find it simpler to consult with clients alone,” I justified. “My scholarship would bore you.”
    “Apologies at my presumption.” He looked unhappy.
    “As I’ve explained before, discretion and privacy remain a necessity,” Elizabeth said. “This visit, like my others, will go unrecorded.”
    “Yes, tsarina.”
    We passed by an office and then guardroom where the door had been shut on the soldiers inside to keep them from gawking. Next was a massive wooden door leading to the treasury. The colonel unlocked this, handed Elizabeth a ring of heavy keys, gave me a lantern, and hesitated. “May I again offer assistance?”
    “Shut the door behind us.”
    Its boom made us jump.
    We were in a barren cell, looking ahead at a succession of grilled iron gates. Each marked a treasure room roofed by one of the brick domes, reminding me of the succession of chambers in Catherine’s palace. The storehouses were dark, their windows bricked. I lifted the lantern. The building felt like a tomb.
    Elizabeth smiled like a conspirator. “Thanks for helping shed him. It’s quite enchanting to see these treasures and much more fun without Karlinsky hovering like a bat. He regards the repository as his.” She unlocked the first gate. “It’s even more enchanting to be, for one moment, alone.”
    “I don’t count as a companion, tsarina?”
    “You don’t count because you’re tolerable. Despite my commands Karlinsky spies, makes mental notes, and acts as impatient as a man in an embroidery shop. Besides, you were never here. Understood?”
    I nodded.
    The chambers beyond were like Ali Baba’s cave.
    Weighty crowns. Jeweled scepters. Ermine robes. Sparkling tiaras. Ornate clocks. Golden swords. Inlaid boxes. Gem-encrusted rings. A mechanical peacock. Any single item would set an ordinary person for life. They gleamed like toys at Christmas, or the sacred candles in the Orthodox cathedrals. Many had been gifts from other monarchs or ambassadors. Some were spoils of war. Precious treasures are captured light, drops of the sun, and these shone with soulful fire. They were usually shut away in the dark unless brought out for a coronation or funeral. I felt privileged, but uncertain why I was here.
    We passed through five rooms, unlocking each gate and then relocking it behind us. “The colonel will not come upon us unawares,” Elizabeth said.
    The sixth room held Persian and Turkish items. I paused to admire their intricate Islamic designs in onyx and alabaster. Fabulous carpets were rolled and stacked like logs. Ancient gold jewelry from