A/N: I know people are reading the story but I need to know what you think, some feedback would be appreciated a lot!

Chapter 10

It was a few hours before sunrise and the weather was quite chilly outside. I glanced over my shoulder to look at Timothy and a scent of utter dejection invaded my nostrils. Not that I was surprised, but I knew our quest to interpret the script would end like this.

Shifting away from the window to face him, I found Timothy hunched over the pictures we took of the document-as the real one was safely in storage- that were spread over the coffee table. He's been gazing at them for hours, so fervent in his contemplation you'd think a divine intervention or a revelation would come upon him soon.

"Still didn't give up?"I arched my brow as he looked up to me, his blue eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep.

Timothy simply shook his head and went back to analyzing the cursed photographs. After weeks of traveling back and forth to several countries in Europe and the States, I wasn't certain of what exactly we would find but all the scholars, archeologists, anthropologists and linguists that we visited gave us a unanimous verdict.

It could not be translated.

And with every visit to the best university departments of all those aforementioned fields in the world, Timothy grew more stubborn and decided that they were all bloody charlatans and didn't know what they were talking about.

I suggested we visit vampires who specialized in studying culture and language but Timothy told me it's too dangerous as they might take an interest in the script and decide to act upon it.

The only bright side of this fruitless academic pursuit was that a doctor from Brown University-who specialized in prehistoric languages-told us that the language was self made and the person who invented it might originate from the Levant region as he stated that some hieroglyphs resembled those of Semitic languages. What spurred Timothy on more was that he also told us that one symbol in particular which looked like a triangular chalice with three droplets under it "might" mean blood or life or a sacrificial offering of some sort.

Now Timothy was grasping at any straws he could find and insisted that it had to do with Cain because "blood is life" as many believe.

After our useless attempt, we took all of his important books and equipment and flew back to Europe, renting a house on the outskirts of Austria.

With a sigh I took a seat by him and looked at the photograph again." If only there was a lexicon to accompany it, whoever made this must have left a clue on how to transcribe it? Otherwise why write it in the first place?"

Timothy gave me a jaded look." if I know Salin, that sod must've stolen it from its original owner and the poor bugger probably didn't live to tell the tale. He's not strong enough to steal from other vampires and get away with it."

"Maybe he found something else but didn't share it with us back at the cave?"I offered dryly. I didn't trust Salin and just to make sure, we had one of the many specialists we visited make sure the document was authentic before taking pictures and hiding it. Turned out that he was telling the truth and the papyrus was real.

Timothy shook his head again." then he wouldn't have bothered to let us borrow the document in the first place, knowing that we'd come back for him. What's the point of sending us to chase our own tails?"

He put his head in his hands in defeat. I thought about everything we've read and heard of that mentioned Cain. I was not well-informed of such subjects as they bore me to tears, but maybe if there was a cult or even a group that was dedicated to studying about him, it would make the task at hand easier.

"You studied most mythologies that have an association with vampires right?" I asked whilst jolting him out of his trance.

His head shot up." Yes. Why?"

I recrossed my legs. "well I was thinking maybe Cain was worshiped in another form, I heard a few centuries back that some people believed that he's a god and not just an ancestor. Usually such acolytes have ways to connect with their deities like the Egyptians or the Mayans?"

Timothy seemed to consider it but his expression was still lost. Over the years he's been so obsessed with finding clues and proof that he forgot to make a Plan B in case things should go awry.

Suddenly his body went still and I could almost see a light bulb forming above his head. "A ritual. A blasted ritual!"He exclaimed shooting up from the couch.

I looked at him bewildered at his behavior, poor man he must have finally snapped. Wouldn't be the first time.

"A ritual?"I repeated.

He began to pace. "Many civilizations had a way to get closer to their gods with offerings and such. I also read of certain gods who were brought by…"at that he stopped and stared at me his eyes growing green.

"A summoning."One word spoken with the clear meaning of what he intended to do.

I chuckled." you want to summon Cain to you? That's a bit far-fetched don't you think? "

"You misunderstood, "he replied his stare growing intense "I wasn't referring to Cain. There are other ways to summon the location of something or someone."

I was confused, but then it struck me. "Are you mad?"I cried out. "You want to use black magic to find out where he is?"

He shrugged, I could already see the wheels in his brain turning, formulating a plan." it's the only choice I have left."

I shot up." Nom de dieu its not! This isn't just anyone you want to call forth, and from what I heard, rituals such as these require a blood price. A life for whatever information is given to you. Not to mention that tampering with magic is illegal!"

He didn't seem to care. "Whatever the risk or the price, I am willing to pay. I spent too long waiting for a blasted chance and I'm running out of ideas. I can't ask for anyone's help without endangering myself and the people around me not to mention I can't trust anyone anymore. You know this Lexie, it's the only way."

I shook my head in astonishment. "You've really done it this time mon amie. You've gone absolutely mad but tell me genius; do you know anything of the black arts? Do you know anyone who's willing to perform the ritual for you? Because I don't."

He grinned in return."I knew you'd say that but as a matter of fact I do. A mate of mine can help us. He knows I didn't shrivel years ago and with the required price and sparking his interest, he can be bought."