Aphrodite's Passion Read Online Free PDF Page B

Hale. “Care to venture a guess?”
    “A tracking device, probably.” A number of Council artifacts could be traced through Protector technology.
    “Essentially, yes,” Zephron agreed. “Your ancestor, Aphrodite, bequeathed the girdle to the mortal world.” His face reflected a hint of disapproval. “She was always a prankster, that woman. At any rate, her magic protects the belt. The Council can hone in on its location, but only if a mortal is actually wearing it. The longer the mortal wears the belt, the more specifically we can pinpoint the location.”
    “Like a phone tap,” Zoë said.
    “Exactly.” Zephron nodded. “But if the belt is unworn, it is completely invisible to us.”
    “It’s gold mesh, right?” Zoë asked. “With a stone in the center?”
    Zephron nodded, then turned, fumbling out of the range of the hologram projector. When he came back into view, he was holding a belt. “This is what it looks like,” he said, holding it out for Hale and Zoë to inspect. “My father had this duplicate crafted. He thought to interest Tahlula in an exchange, but she showed no interest in the bargain.”
    “When did it last show up?” Hale asked. “The real deal, I mean. Not the duplicate.”
    “A week ago. A mere blip. So now you will resort to more conventional methods to locate it.”
    “Taylor can help,” Zoë suggested.
    “Not necessary,” Hale said.
    Zoë crossed her arms over her chest. “Watch it, big brother. Taylor’s perfectly capable, and he works with me all the time.”
    Hale grumbled an assent. If he didn’t agree, he’d never hear the end of it. Besides, the guy
was
a private investigator. Even if he was a mortal, too.
    “I suggest you begin your investigation with Tahlula Tannin,” Zephron said. “The last time we saw it, the belt was in her possession. Perhaps it has not gone as far as we thought.”
    “We’ll start with her family,” Hale said. “Maybe someone inherited it.” He turned to Zoë with a bit of a peace offering. “Taylor can start there, trying to track down who she left her property to.”
    Zephron smiled. “She has a granddaughter—Tracy. In fact, you might say that this woman is the reason
you
are being assigned to this matter.” He gave Hale a pointed look. “And since it is most likely this granddaughter inherited the belt, we’ve already retrieved the information on her current job in Los Angeles.”
    Woo-hoo, a girl! That’s right up your alley, Hale
! Elmer chittered.
    Hale couldn’t argue with that. Or, at least, it had
once
been up his alley. He hoped it still was. “I can be there within an hour.” He glanced down at his watch. Considering the time change, that would put him there in the afternoon. Propulsion cloaks were a fabulous thing. He could fly to L.A. and check out the granddaughter while Taylor tried to find out about Tahlula’s will. It wasn’t guaranteed to work, but it was a solid start.
    He frowned, remembering Zephron’s words. “What do you mean that Tracy’s the reason I’m being assigned this mission?”
    For a moment, he thought the Elder wouldn’t answer. Then Zephron pulled himself up to his full height. “Clearly this is an important task—the fate of the world depends on its success. Normally, we would assign a team of Protectors—”
    “Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Hale said, not sure where Zephron was going.
    “—but in this case,” Zephron continued, “I’ve decided to assign only you.” He nodded toward Zoë. “And your sister, of course. She can provide assistance.”
    “I’m flattered,” Hale said, sure that the reason for his assignment wasn’t simply that Zephron thought he was supremely exceptional. Hale had an ego, sure. But he was also realistic. “But why me?”
    “As I already explained, the mortal in possession of the belt must give it to a Protector voluntarily. We can’t simply steal it, since our powers would disappear.” He took a breath. “As I mentioned, we do