CHAPTER ONE
“Well, that can't be right,” Doctor Clementine Armistead drawled, her voice echoing throughout the Enoch AI computer room.
“Regardless of your feeble meat brain’s reservations, my conclusions are always correct, Doctor Armistead,” Enoch retorted, his synthetic Oxfordian accent clipped and crisply sarcastic.
Clemy’s friend and controller of the Enoch computer stood by, just shaking her head at the AI’s immense wall-size red crystal display and main control panel.
“Sorry, Clemy, but I think Enoch is right about this one,” Nori stated, her Japanese lilt flat for once.
Clemy frowned and looked over at Nori. “Well, Alec’s not going to like this one bit.”
“Doctor Coimhead and I have discussed this matter ad nauseam. So, then this will close the matter permanently, I believe?” Enoch said.
Clemy motioned her head towards the door, and they both walked quickly towards the exit.
“I have not received an affirmative from either of you on this matter.” Enoch raised his voice. “Consider the discussion of superior preparation methods for haggis to be closed! In addition, inform Doctor Coimhead—”
Enoch’s lecture continued as Nori cracked the door open and ushered Clemy through.
Sealing it carefully behind them, Nori glanced at Clemy, and both of them burst into giggles.
“I think we left at just the perfect time,” said Nori, panting and wiping tears from her eyes. Her arm brushed Clemy’s.
“Remind me to tell Alec to do his culinary research without Enoch in the future,” said Clemy, catching her breath. She leaned against Nori slightly, just for a moment. Through the door against their backs, they could still hear Enoch railing about “feeble monkey brains,” which meant he was in a fine temper. “Woo. Time for a gin and tonic, I think.” The two women glanced at each other, then away.
“It’s only 11 A.M., Clemy,” Nori said, nudging her.
Their eyes met, and Clemy’s puckish smile faltered. Nori’s brown eyes were very serious and lingered on her. Clemy gently placed a hand on Nori’s shoulder. “Nori, it’s teatime somewhere in the world.” Clemy smiled and continued down the hallway, trying not to show her disconcertion.
Nori raced after her friend, which was difficult in a tight-fitting black and white Prada dress and heels. She finally caught up to her at the elevator.
“There you are. You can’t shake me off,” she teased Clemy.
“Come on, let’s head to the cafeteria’s bar. Arguing with Enoch always makes me need something after. By the way, where has Alec got to? He never told me before he raced off,” Clemy asked.
“Azarya sent him to investigate something about graves sites of giants that were supposedly living on the island of Sardinia.”
“Nephilim? Hmmm, sounds like some nice boring digging in the dirt. I wish I was right out there with him.”
“Well, you are needed here.” Nori touched her arm. “Your expertise has been tremendously useful.”
“And I wouldn’t change it for anything,” Clemy said, hip-checking her slightly, “but I wouldn’t mind poking around in Sardinia, either. Knowing Alec, he won’t even notice the gorgeous scenery.” Clemy smiled.
The doors to the elevator opened, and they both stepped in to see the Baroness’s dog Oliver sitting in the center of the elevator, staring up at them. They both looked down at Oliver, who continued to stare up at them intently with what could almost be misconstrued as a smile.
“I swear, that dog understands everything I say,” Clemy said flatly.
The little black and tan Chihuahua wagged his curled tail innocently, gazing between them with his ears lifted.
“Oliver, would you like to come with us to get a drink?” Clemy joked.
The tiny dog stood on his back paws and did a little dance as Clemy and Nori smiled down at him.
“I would assume that’s a yes,” Clemy laughed.
“I don’t think getting the Baroness’s dog drunk would be a good idea,” Nori said.
Clemy looked down at the little black and tan dog and waggled a finger at him. “Only one, okay, boy?” Clemy stated firmly.
Oliver dropped to all four paws and hung his head.
Clemy reached down to scratch behind his gigantic ears, and he nosed her fingers, licking her hand as any normal dog would.
Nori’s eyes widened again as she remembered. “Oh, I almost forgot. Rafe decided to go along with Alec. Something about making sure he doesn’t get into any trouble.”
They both looked at each other, and neither could hold back their laughter.
