The Archives - Chapter 21

With an easy pull, the wall-door swung open. A large, cavern-like room—lit by several torches along the walls and a massive wooden chandelier high overhead, all of which flared up by themselves—met James’s eyes. There was so much to take in he didn’t know where to look first. Directly in front of them, on either side of the room, stood numerous statues that looked to be made out of pure gold and ivory. He tore his gaze away from the intricately crafted statue of Athena when Blakeney said, “Follow me.”

James followed as he led them deeper into the room. A musty smell invaded his nostrils and the dry, cool air raised goosebumps on his skin. A fine layer of dust covered everything, as if the cavern had been vacant for quite a while. It reminded him of the caverns in Carlsbad.

Questions danced in his head, but Blakeney answered them before he could speak. “Many of these statues were saved from the Greek and Roman empires. History thought them lost, but apparently they have been i