Tyranny of Coins (The Judas Chronicles) (Volume 5) Paperback by Aiden James Read Free Book Online Page A

resides in Berlin, and we know two other bidders have emerged. Correct? Didn’t you say one is a Saudi Shiek, and the other a collector of Nazi memorabilia in Switzerland?”
    “Yes, this is true,” confirmed Roderick.
    He released a low sigh and eyed me sullenly, as if forced to re-explain his preferred protocol to an imbecile for the umpteenth time. Unlike the mortals in our midst, he and I had avoided rest and consistent meals the past few days. He was running himself ragged, looking for an alternative solution that wasn’t there. As much as he dreaded it, risking a direct confrontation with Krontos was necessary in gaining an edge.
    “Then let’s quit this frigging charade and go to Germany,” said Cedric, to which Amy and Alistair agreed heartily. “William made the same suggestion last night, after you, Roderick, gave us the latest info on the coin’s price. There must be some other way to snag the sucker before the official auction event takes place. There’s still five days to go, and last we heard, the early bid was sitting at eighteen million. It’s probably higher now, since we haven’t heard a damned thing all day!”
    “You still fail to understand what Krontos is capable of doing to all of us if we disobey his admonishment to stay here!” said Roderick, angrily. “We need to stay put—right here—until he says otherwise. He will summon us to New York again, or even Europe very soon. I’m certain of it.”
    To Roderick’s credit, he was right. Krontos would likely be enraged if we weren’t relaxing at our Sedona ranch when he made contact again. But I was surprised to find my druid pal’s usual gumption had been sucked dry since the strange experience the other day. Roderick’s growing subservience to Krontos made it increasingly clear the sorcerer’s subtle attack on Roderick’s psyche was successful. My buddy’s normally clear perspective on all things had been muddied.
    “So, when the auction takes place in five days, you’re content to just sit here and bid remotely for the Stutthof-Auschwitz coin? And that’s if we can come up with the money,” I said. “You sure you’re ready to simply take your chances from five thousand miles away?”
    “Yes,” he said softly, shaking his head as if he understood he couldn’t defend his point of view.
    “Meanwhile, we have one of the most diabolical minds you and I have ever dealt with—maybe the worst in all of recorded history—residing in New York, or more likely, someplace in Europe.” I closed my laptop and notepad, signaling my resignation from the bullshit exercise. “He could very well be in Berlin right now. Do you honestly believe Krontos is going to leave the bidding for the coin to chance?”
    “Perhaps not. But if we can’t win fairly, he would beat us anyway!”
    Roderick’s voice shook, and I worried our adversary had tapped into our latest conversation.
    “Well, I’m done, too. I guess we should clean up here and pick out a movie to watch tonight,” said Alistair, closing his laptop. Amy and Beatrice did the same, and I expected Cedric to soon follow. “Pops, we’ll have to see about this coin some other time. Hopefully, it won’t be in some twisted new reality created by Krontos.”
    Well done, my boy!
    Roderick continued to type updates into his laptop. But I could tell Alistair’s words affected him.
    “Is everyone forgetting about the coin photographs and carbon dating reports promised to us from the dealer?” asked Roderick, pleadingly. “We’ll have as much information as anyone physically in Berlin will receive. What if we traveled there and the coin turned out to be a fake?”
    “All the more reason to give up now and polish up the Dragon Coin for his highness, Krontos Lazarevic,” I said, rising from the table. “I’m done, my brother.”
    “But… but you can’t quit. It’s your coin, and your responsibility!”
    I was on my way to the splendid plasma television set, wondering if it was