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nephilim, occurring since the rise of the Order and enslavement of your kind. Lately, a rumour surfaced that the curse was simply a poison, administered to nephilim whom the Grigori could no longer control. Then after they descended into madness, they were executed as an act of mercy.’ Seth tapped the table with a finger. ‘One would assume if the curse was a poison, then the effect would only be temporary.’
    â€˜I have been going back to The Weald for a couple of years and the madness never revisited me. Now, under Seth’s supervision, some of our brothers have re-entered The Weald successfully in the last few years and stayed there.’ Gorath paused, looking around the table. ‘The madness has not resurfaced in any of them.’
    A hushed silence descended as everyone absorbed this news. My head whirled with the possibilities. Roman could return to The Weald, if he wanted. Of course, he’d probably never be able to return to Harken, considering the Order had marked him a traitor.
    â€˜Are you certain of this?’ Excitement edged Roman’s voice.
    â€˜As sure as I can be,’ Seth said. ‘That is why I feel it is important we start forming our allegiances now. The Grigori have heard rumours of Roman’s existence and have dispatched a High Grigori to Harken to investigate.’
    â€˜A High Grigori in Harken?’ Casper’s mouth pulled down. ‘Fucking balls to that.’
    â€˜An allegiance will make us strong,’ Gorath said. ‘My wife has family in The Weald and it would mean much to us to be able to pass freely through both realms. I would wager yours want to return home as well. This High Grigori coming is a mortar the Order wishes to use to repair its cracked monument. If our “earthquake” is to make the most of this damage, we would need to work together.’
    â€˜Agreed,’ Roman said.
    Casper slapped the table. ‘Agreed.’
    â€˜We have been well met tonight,’ Seth said, getting to his feet. ‘Let us adjourn for now.’
    Roman also stood. ‘You have given us much to consider. Thank you for reaching out to us to heal this rift.’
    Gorath got to his feet and came around to Roman, where they clasped hands again, the earlier tension gone. Stepping back from Roman, Gorath looked at me.
    â€˜Lora, may I speak to you in private?’ he asked in a neutral tone.
    Beside me, Casper tensed and Roman frowned at Gorath. I just got to my feet, thankful my part in the night was about to be revealed. But remembering what Gorath had said about Seth orchestrating the meeting, I wondered if maybe Seth was trying to play me. Gorath registered Roman’s unhappy face as I walked around the table.
    â€˜I promise her no harm,’ Gorath told him. ‘You have my word on that.’

Chapter 4
    Gorath led me into a cosy adjacent room lined with glass cabinets brimming with delicate china and mounted bird skeletons. An ancient globe sat under a painting of a waterfall, and cellos played softly from an iPod speaker resting on an antique chest of drawers. Gorath gestured towards two high-backed chairs beside a lit fireplace. Settling down on the soft velvet cushion, I crossed my arms, wanting to get this over with.
    Gorath sat opposite and steepled his fingers, resting the tips under his chin. ‘I know coming here tonight was a huge leap of faith on your part. I want you to understand that I have no intention of detaining you longer than you feel comfortable. You are free to leave at any time.’
    â€˜Fine. Boundaries established. Why don’t you get to the point?’ My eyes narrowed. ‘Because the last time you and I had a brief chat, you’d astral travelled into a pair of truckers and attacked me. You called me your destiny. Said you had copies of the Key of Aldebaran.’
    â€˜Yes.’ Gorath smiled, showing plenty of teeth. ‘I suppose I was showing off.’
    â€˜You tried to