But there, right at the center of the map, instead of an X marking the spot there was a symbol he recognized.
A triangle, with three lines pointing upwards. The same symbol found on the amulet around his neck. And the same symbol that had appeared on the mysterious fifth plinth in the council chamber.
No one had any idea what it stood for—but it seemed he was close. He had to be. It couldn’t be a coincidence that a human woman had found a strange map with the same symbol on it.
“What does it mean?” he asked her, tracing the symbol carefully with a fingertip.
“It means there’s a powerful magical artifact hidden there,” she said, then sighed. “Or maybe it’s not magic, but alien technology. Did you know that aliens built the pyramids?”
“I thought you didn’t believe the alien theories,” he said teasingly.
“It’s a lot easier to believe in aliens after all that happened.” She grinned at him, then grew serious. “But you see it, don’t you? This attack—they wouldn’t have attacked and demanded the map if it wasn’t real. I’m close. I’m so close...”
“How did they know about the map?”
“No idea.” Chiara grimaced. “I didn’t tell anyone about it—but I guess I was a little too excited in that bookshop when I found it. There were others in there. Most of them just tourists. But if there was even one person who was there for the same reason—”
“Word got out that you’d found something,” Jared said.
Or perhaps it was easier than that. Gareth the chimera had told them that the Darkness they were fighting was old and very powerful. Maybe it knew about the fifth plinth that had appeared. Maybe it knew even better than they did what was at stake if they found out what the strange symbol stood for.
But it meant that he was definitely on the right path.
At any other time, he would have immediately set out on his own. But how could he leave his mate behind when she was in danger here?
Chiara yawned, then gave him an apologetic look. “Sorry, I guess the adrenaline is wearing off. I should probably sleep. I was planning to head out early tomorrow.”
“Will you be all right?” Jared asked.
The griffin within him was still alert. He didn’t want to leave their mate alone even for a second.
But Jared could hardly demand to spend the night in her bedroom, especially after one man had already turned into a creature of darkness right in front of her eyes.
“Oh, I’ll be fine,” she reassured him. “I’ll be safe. I’ve brought an entire bag of charms. No werewolf and no vampire is going to get in.”
“What about the aliens?” he couldn’t resist asking. “Are there charms for those?”
Chiara laughed. “You think I’m crazy.”
Jared grinned at her and shook his head. “Not at all. I just think you’re wrong about aliens. Whatever this is, it’s from this planet.”
She tilted her head at him, amused. “You’re the first guy I’ve met who actually takes me seriously. Except for the Extraterrestrial Enquirer subscribers, of course.”
Jared hesitated for a mo
ment. Then he reached out and took hold of her hand.
A shock went through him at the contact, her skin hot against his own. He could see her eyes widening, another flush rising to her cheeks.
Whatever she’d been about to say fell away as she looked at him, her lips slightly parted.
Jared swallowed.
“You’re magic, too,” she breathed, her eyes wide and dazed. “Is that... Are you—”
Jared swallowed and shook his head. “Not magic,” he said, his voice rough.
Everything inside him yearned to pull her against his body, to hold her close and kiss her breathless. After a lifetime of loneliness, the griffin within him was jubilant. He wanted to claim his mate, to swear that he’d always protect her, to build a family...