Page 102 of Heartsong
“I’ve definitely never heard of a collection like this.”
June nodded. “To have so much on one kind of mythical creature—it’s unprecedented. Especially for one that’s more obscure.”
“I’ve wondered if maybe these kinds of statues and the creatures they represent led to Judeo-Christian ideas about demons. There are so many similarities.”
“I’ve definitely thought that, too. With the horns and tails and wings, it’s hard not to see. Their timeline doesn’t fit in nicely with earlier Judeo beliefs, but it certainly could have informed early-medieval Christianity in northern Europe.”
“Could they be based on even earlier mythology, you think?” Despite all his growling about the fae any time they were mentioned, Frey had told her about how his kind were first carved to resemble them, humans, and the monstrous, ancient enemy of the fae, the Fomorians.
“I think that’s likely. So little of the Celtic belief system was recorded, and what was comes from the Romans. Not the most unbiased source.”
“None of the books here talk about those beliefs? Or do they not go back that far?”
June smiled patiently. “I’m a sculpture and statuary expert, so my knowledge on codices is a bit rusty. I think some of them are ancient copies of even older sources, though again, I think they’re all Roman. Although…” Her gaze swept over the nearest gargoyle statue, “they certainly have a lot to say about how fierce of fighters the Britons were. Like they were demonic or otherworldly.”
Anna’s throat went dry. Clutching her clipboard to her chest, she asked, “What if the authors weren’t being metaphorical?”
June went very still. “What do you mean?”
“What if…what if they,” she nodded at the gargoyle nearest them, “aren’t juststatues?”What if they are alive and being held captive, by a curse and the museum itself?
“What else would they be?” asked a man’s voice.
Anna jumped at the question, stomach plummeting to the floor when she beheld Gavin standing a few paces away.
How long has he been there?
He’d made no noise nor announced himself.
“Mr. Gwyneth, you’re always so light on your feet,” said June, her hand on her chest. She too looked like he’d scared the bejeezus out of her.
Gavin’s gaze traveled from June back to Anna, and she gulped, trying to think of something to say over her hammering pulse.
Clearing her throat, she answered, “Votives or protective spirits. Demigods, maybe.”
A frown creased his white-blonde brow. “And why would you think that?”
“Well…” Anna swirled her finger vaguely, indicating the gallery. “There are just so many with such similar features. Their characteristics follow patterns, like with the Egyptian gods. So maybe they’re a pantheon, or even another kind of people.”
She dared to peek at what June thought of her statement, and found the art historian’s face gone stiff with pensiveness.
“Another kind,” Gavin repeated, though he didn’t seem to realize he spoke. The three of them stood there in silence, no one breathing a word until finally Gavin cleared his throat. “Forgive the intrusion. Carry on.”
And just as quickly and silently as he’d arrived, Gavin swept from the gallery toward his office.
Anna looked back at June, who gave a mock shudder. “The man moves like a ghost.”
She smiled stiffly in agreement but was too unnerved to say anything else. June returned to her work and Anna stood on silently, mind chewing over how and why Gavin had appeared suddenly. No alarm had been tripped, nothing had been touched or moved.
Are they watching us through the cameras? Was the conversation getting too close to the truth?
The thought made knots of Anna’s insides, so much so that every minute that passed was an eternity waiting for June to finish so she could hurry home to Frey.
For her part, June was also quiet, and she completed her tasks quickly. Anna didn’t miss how the redhead kept glancing her way, though.
When they arrived back at the front desk to collect their coats, June discreetly pulled a cream business card from her pocket. They were alone in the vast stone lobby, save for the cameras on either end.
“There’s definitely something special about this collection and museum,” she said, low enough so that only Anna could hear. “This is my personal cell phone number. When you’re ready, I’d appreciate talking more.”
