When Erika finally revealed it after dinner that evening, Hallie somehow expected something fantastic to happen. Both men sported instant erections after admiring and touching it, however, so clearly it had an effect on them. The artifact did have a slight translucent glow that seemed to Hallie more a trick of light but made her want to touch it, too, just to see. “Go ahead,” Erika said, handing the heavy jade wedge to her. Hallie took it, hefting the hand-sized carving. She ran her fingertips over the raised surface, tracing the outline of a dragon that undulated across the smooth stone. Her eyes met Kol’s, and they shared a silent understanding of what it would mean. What she hoped it would mean soon, anyway. Her mark heated in response to the darkening look in Kol’s eyes and she handed the fragment back to Erika. She only barely caught the gist of the rest of the conversation regarding their obligation to deliver the fragment to the Council and holding back at least until Geva’s sister was located.
