The president waited for her to continue.

“If you value their safety, Miss Valen, we need to know. ISIS, or whatever the hell they’re called now, will not stop until they destroy every one of you, and whoever else they deem may have a connection to the stones and the tablet.”

The weight of all she’d unleashed hit her with the force of a firestorm.

“This isn’t some expedition, finding artifacts that will some day appear in a museum. One isn’t placed in a position as I’ve been placed, and not made aware of many things best left known to only a few. We’ve known of the stones for a long time. That tablet has been lore. Until now. You’ve opened a Pandora’s box, Miss Valen.”

Dominique’s grip on the stone tightened.

“It’s ironic,” the president continued, “that a discovery meant to save the world puts us in the most danger should that knowledge fall into the wrong hands.”

“But the tablet is meant to serve, sir.”

“You’ve missed the point, Miss Valen. It’s clear from what you’ve said that the tablet is a technology for tapping into the trajectory of souls, and using that power to transform history. That power can also be abused.”

“But it can only be accessed through absolute love.”

“And, what is absolute love? Tell me.”

“It’s beyond words, sir.”

“And if it’s not true—that it can only be accessed through this indefinable thing—if it can be manipulated, then what?”

A block of fear seared through her with that possibility.

“It’s not a history lesson that’s brought us here, Miss Valen. It’s a lesson in how to achieve mastery, over ourselves, and each other. Until you, the tablet has been myth. But from what you’ve told me I believe that’s no longer true. And as much as it pains me to say it, I believe Abd al Hashim could be a way out of what looms. And that’s why you’re here.”

She had no idea where this meeting was going, and held tighter to the stone in her hand.

“Hashim knows the collective mind of his people much better than anyone, since he was responsible for shaping it into the Islamic State we know now. Mister Bruton will arrange transport and protection. You’ll be able to talk with him in private. We need to know the scope of their operations, beyond what he told Judge Littelton, and we need to know the heart and soul of how they think, in order to be ahead of whatever they plan. For whatever reasons, you’ve been placed in an invaluable position to shape what’s to come. And I trust your commitment to the truth, and our country, will continue to drive you. Dress warm. You’ll need it.”

The president walked to the door, stopped and turned back.