Empire of Ash: A Passionate Paranormal Romance with Young Adult Appeal (God of Secrets Book 1)

it on his plate. It seems he understands my inquiry stems from a search for truth, not dismissing the fantastical out of hand.
“You saw the Louvre,” he says.
I bite my lip.
He draws his palms up. “I’m not going to tell you I understand how because I don’t, but I can tell you that it most assuredly did.”
“And we are supposed to stop it, somehow.” I fiddle with my hair.
A smile lights his lips, then disappears just as quickly. “That is correct.”
“Before people die.”
“Preferably.”
I shake my head. This is crazy. I’m crazy for even considering it.
“Do you know how to stop it?” Dread fills my words.
“I have a few ideas.”
“Have you ever stopped a sphinx before, reanimated or… other?”
“No.”
Perfect.
“How did the person who sealed this sphinx’s secrets to begin with, not get ripped to shreds?”
“I can only assume the sphinx knew…” He looks away, searching for words. “… that person was the only one who could help her, it was in her best interest to be nice. Unfortunately, she will be, shall we say, not a little upset that her secret was released.”
“Do you suppose she’ll know it was me that spilled the beans?”
“I’ve no doubt. Secret magic always leaves a trace.”
Great. Just great.
“You talk about secret magic like you’re familiar with it.”
“You could say that.”
He’s certainly been secretive enough about himself. He’s a regular professional—a real Houdini—at this rate. “Does that make you a magician?” I chuckle.
Crazy Guy frowns.
Guess not. “What exactly is secret magic? I’ve never heard of it.”
“It is a magic as old as time itself. It’s what preserves order in every civilization. Without secret magic, chaos would rule.”
“Secrets preserve order?” I press my lips together, unsure I’ve heard correctly. I’m furious again about Margo, thanks to the news report earlier. These aren’t the first scandals I’ve complained about.
“They do.” That’s all he says.
“With all due respect, it seems to me rich, powerful people are always getting away with stuff.” Crooked snakes. “They have to be paying someone off to keep their secrets. Secrets do anything but preserve order in my humble opinion.” I draw a hand to my chest.
He tilts his head but doesn’t reply.
What’s that supposed to mean? If this guy thinks otherwise, he’s crazier than I guess. And as mysterious as the secret magic he believes in—that he believes has rules, that must be obeyed.
I furrow my brow. How can he believe secrets are a good thing? My mind wanders as I take another bite of the spanakopita.
But a minute later, I set my fork down on my plate, stopping myself from looking at him. Crazy Guy maintains I’ve messed up some ancient secret and brought that sphinx back. If true, I can see where he might view exposing a secret as creating chaos.
But what about those corrupt politicians and their secrets? They create chaos by keeping them if you ask me, not that anyone has.
I drain my beer.
Crazy Guy’s certainly sure with his responses when it comes to that sphinx, and he’s downright masterful at keeping anything about himself hush-hush despite my asking. There’s more to him than meets the eye, I’m sure of it.
A sense of calm overtakes me the more I think about it.
How much does Crazy Guy know about this whole secret keeping thing?
I’ve chaffed and moaned about the unfairness of that government scandal, but with the exception of writing letters, lots of them, hopefully exposing Mister Handsy’s secrets so Margo could realize justice, I’ve never done anything about my frustration. Why would I? I’m powerless.
But Crazy Guy seems to possess knowledge beyond me.
What more might I learn about this magic if I spend more time with him?
Yeah, you’d like that wouldn’t you, Pell?
Butterflies rise in my stomach, and I snicker to myself, trying to stop my soaring emotions.
Stop, Pell, this is serious, I tell myself.
Still, my breathing speeds.
There’s more to Crazy Guy, and I will discover what while finding out more about this secret magic of his. Maybe it’ll also give me an opportunity to do something about that political scandal instead of just moaning about it. It’s a lofty goal, I know, but hey, go big or go home.
“You okay, Pell?” Concern mars Crazy Guy’s features.
“Oh. Yes. I think the beer went to my head.”
I sit back as Helene stacks our dirty dishes up and down her arm, smiling. “Your baklava sampler will be right up.”
“Thank you,” I say, as she turns.
Crazy Guy raises a finger to Helene. “Excuse me, the flavor was excellent.”
“Why thank you.” Helene oozes excitement.
I tilt my head, wondering what he’s doing.
“Do you perhaps happen to sell your signature spices? Atitamos’s Mediterranean Seasoning?”
Helene chuckles. “As a matter of fact we do. Can I get you one?”
“If you would, please.”
“You enjoy cooking?” I ask as Helene turns.
He gives a shrug.
Okay then. Crazy Guy indeed.
“I'll tell my dig master I'm still not feeling well and won’t be there tomorrow, and I’ll book a flight for the two of us.” Good thing I just got paid.
“You’re going to help?” A broad smile graces his perfect lips, as I text Jude. I just hope the message goes through, broken as my phone is.
“I am. If, on the off chance you’re right about this sphinx, you are correct that I can’t live with myself if someone’s hurt… or worse…”
I glance over at him. He still hasn’t told me his name despite me… “prying,” it’s what it feels like. But if he expects me to go with him, it’s the least he can give me, I mean, come on, this girl has standards.
You go, Pell. Get this turkey to gobble.
I clear my throat. “If we’re going to be