Gates of Demons: A New Adult Paranormal Romance (Keepers of the Grail Book 1)

by Tamar Sloan

  “The Keepers of the Grail,” Arielle repeats softly, staring at the timber floor as she tries to figure out why something doesn’t quite fit. Her gaze shoots to Gabby’s. “You knew about them.”

  Although the term was a shock to Arielle, Gabby is talking as if it’s familiar.

  “You knew the name of the secret organization, didn’t you?”

  Gabby winces then nods.

  Auden claps his hands. “And now, folks. For the library,” he announces with a flourish.

  He leads the way out a door on the other side of the room and the group dutifully follows. Arielle watches as Reign and Mac do the same. Reign glances at her as they walk past, his brooding face shuttered.

  He pauses when he sees she’s not moving. “Second thoughts?”

  She flashes him an irate gaze. “How sure are you of what we’re doing here?”

  He blinks, looking a little taken aback. He shrugs. “I’m never really sure of anything, to be honest.”

  Gabby rests her hand on Arielle’s arm. “Shall we keep going?”

  The layers in her cousin’s question are unmistakable.

  She knows Arielle is realizing this is far more complicated than she thought. That it’s bigger than she expected. That there are secrets in places she thought there were none.

  And Gabby’s asking Arielle whether she wants to continue peeling back those layers.

  Reign arches a brow, almost challenging her. “Or you could go home and try to get your boots clean.”

  It would be like none of this ever happened.

  Except her mom is missing. Kidnapped. And there’s a small metallic symbol burning a hole in Arielle’s pocket.

  And for some reason, she isn’t willing to let Reign see the fact that fear is creeping in alongside the doubt.

  She lifts her chin. “I’m not the one who got them dirty.”

  She stalks past him, and Gabby follows her. Through the doorway, Arielle finds herself in a large circular room almost exclusively lined with mahogany. Mahogany and books.

  For a moment, Arielle forgets everything else. This is a room her mother would love. Shelves upon shelves stack high up to the ceiling, each one lined with books and more books. Some are leather bound and embossed, the more modern ones almost looking cheap and lame next to them. Many are thick and heavy, while others’ spines are barely noticeable pressed between their more weighty neighbors.

  Every book is printed with stories. Information. History. Arielle’s mother would’ve lost a lot of sleep exploring those pages.

  “This is where I saw it,” Gabby says quietly.

  And just like that, the moment is lost. Arielle turns to her cousin, noting the way her hazel eyes have sparked with anticipation.

  Gabby knew about the Keepers of the Grail. And she didn’t tell her.

  Arielle looks away.

  What else hasn’t her cousin been telling her?

  13

  Reign

  Something has unsettled Arielle.

  Reign wishes he hadn’t noticed it, but he has. And he’s pretty sure it’s not just his stalkerish presence that’s got her off balance.

  As everyone—including Mac—disperses through the room, eyes wide as they cautiously run their fingers over spines and shelves, Arielle seems to barely notice her surroundings. As people murmur words of awe and admiration, she’s silent.

  Even Reign’s willing to admit the library is cool. The round walls make it feel cozy, kind of comforting. And he suspects even someone like him could find something to read in here. There are certainly enough books.

  But Arielle isn’t acting like it’s cool. In fact, she looks agitated. As if all the parts of her puzzle don’t fit like they used to. And yet her cousin is combing the shelves, looking like she’s determinedly searching for a particular book.

  Reign drags his gaze away, wondering why he’s even still thinking about this. She’s probably got a stain on her jeans or something. The denim that hugs those hips—

  Frowning, Reign tries to focus on something else. He just needs to stay here long enough for Mac to realize they’re on a wild ghost chase. But before he can stop himself, his eyes are drawn back to Arielle. Not only that, there’s a strong urge to go to her.

  But as his gaze finds hers, his muscles lock and his breath freezes.

  There’s someone beside Arielle.

  Joseph of freaking Arimathea.

  Auden clears his throat from his location beside a velvet covered recliner. “The tower is the oldest part of Sinclair Manor. Some believe it was already standing when the original family settled.” He smiles with so much pride, it’s like he built the place himself. “The idea to turn the space into a library was conceived quite early on. The family was passionate about documenting history.”

  For once, Reign puts all his focus on their tour guide, acting like every word is fascinating. Anything is preferable to the imaginary man who’s making his way over to him.

  Joseph comes to stand beside him. “Who is the possessor of such wealth?” He does a slow spin. “I have never seen so many books in one location.”

  Reign ignores him.

  “Although the stonework was covered over when the library was installed, the seven beams that hold up the roof were maintained,” Auden continues. “Those of us in the Mercy City Historical Society like to joke that the family had one section for each day of the week.” Giggling, Auden points at one beam. “Sunday.” Then the next. “Monday.”

  Someone in the group titters, which just encourages Auden. He turns, looking like a sprinkler with his arm extended, ready to point at the next section.

  “This man is a jester?” Joseph asks.

  “I’m not talking to you,” Reign hisses.

  An elderly lady beside him startles. Clutching her purse, she quickly moves away.

  Great. Now he’s scaring little old ladies.

  “We must talk, Grail Keeper. Countless lives depend on it.”

  Reign’s hands ball into fists. He’s about to educate Joseph with another bunch of words he’s probably never heard before when he notices Gabby moving within hearing distance. Grinding his teeth so hard it hurts, he tries to hold onto his sanity.

  Mac sidles close to him. “He’s here, isn’t he?”

  Reign isn’t surprised that she’s read him so well. “Yup,” he states flatly.

  “Cool,” Mac says, looking around as if she’ll be able to see him. “It’s probably because we’re getting close.”

  “Yeah, sure,” Reign scoffs. “My hallucination is appearing because we’re getting close to the headquarters of your imaginary secret organization.”

  Mac slips her arm through his. “Oh ye of little faith.”

  Reign looks up to find Arielle watching them, a small frown scrunched between her brows. Although he’s not sure what he’s done now, Reign decides this expression is preferable to the worried one he saw earlier.

  He sighs, wanting this over and done with as quickly as possible. “What exactly are we looking for?”

  “I have no idea,” Mac says cheerfully. “Why don’t you ask Joseph?”

  “No,” Reign states flatly.

  “You’ll want to find the septagram,” Joseph offers, still looking around in amazement. “That will show you where you need to go.”

  “I don’t even know what a septagram is,” Reign mutters.

  Mac straightens. “A septagram? A seven-pointed star?”

  Suddenly, Gabby indicates to Arielle to join her with quick sharp movements. She glances at Reign and Mac, asking them to do the same.

  “Oh, Gabby’s found something,” Mac says with glee as she drags him over.

  Gabby’s standing beside one of the thick beams that spears up to the roof. “This is it,” she whispers. “This is what I saw.”

  She points to a small carving tucked on the side, about a foot off the ground. Mac instantly squats down. “Is it a seven-pointed star?” She frowns. “Oh, it’s a…tower with a wing on top.”


  Gabby’s frowning, too. “I could’ve sworn it was a drawing of a tower with a cup on top the last time I was here.”

  “Like the Grail,” Arielle adds, the words a statement rather than a question.

  “Yeah, like the Grail,” Gabby says heavily.

  Mac runs her finger over the carving. “What does the wing mean, then?”

  There’s silence as no one answers. Reign almost shakes his head. Because no one knows the answer.

  “Maybe the bored kid who scratched these in put one on every beam just to mess with you all,” he offers.

  Except, the moment he says it, three sets of female eyes light up.

  “Yes!” Mac hisses with excitement. “We need to check the other beams!”

  Reign is left standing, pretending Joseph isn’t still hovering not far away, as the three girls disperse to the other beams spread around the circular walls. Mac notices him standing there and waves her hands at him, telling him to check the next one along.

  Sighing, he wanders to the one, passing a door that’s been cordoned off. He’s just about to have a look at the base—hoping he’ll find someone’s initials—when Auden rushes to his side.

  “Oh, you can’t go in there,” he says, hand fluttering toward the door. “It’s off limits.”

  “Sorry,” Reign says dryly. “I was looking for the comic section.”

  Auden lifts his nose an inch. “That’s the staff bathroom. It’s off limits,” he repeats, probably in case Reign is deaf as well as stupid.

  Reign pretends to be surprised. “Huh. I wondered what this pretty rope was for.”

  “The public restrooms are at the entry if you need them,” says Auden.

  Reign drops to his knee, pretending to tie his shoelace. “I’d better make sure I get there safely, then.”

  As he messes with the tight knot that he hasn’t undone in the life of his sneakers, Reign glances right. He grits his teeth as he sees another tower engraved into the foot of the beam.

  And this one has a cup above it.

  Auden hovers as he waits, like some Keeper of the Staff Toilets. Reign straightens and walks away, returning to the spot he should never have left.

  Mac is already there, and she places a hand on his arm. “Ignore him. He’s not even douche status, that’s how little attention you should pay him.”

  Reign doesn’t say anything. This is why people like him don’t come to places like this. He knows he doesn’t belong here. And so does Auden.

  Arielle and Gabby return, looking like they have news.

  “Mine were two crossed scythes,” Mac offers.

  Gabby frowns. “Mine was some weird backward ‘r’ with two dots under it.”

  “The others were another wing, a cross and a horse,” Arielle adds.

  They all turn to Reign. “I found the cup,” he offers. He refuses to call it the Grail.

  “Of course you did, Grail Keeper. It is your legacy.”

  It’s only Reign’s years of living in foster care—where being on alert meant never being caught out unawares—that stop him from reacting to Joseph’s words. In fact, he stares straight through Joseph as if he isn’t there.

  Arielle chews on her lip. “That’s seven symbols. And they’re all different.”

  “With no way of knowing how they’re linked,” Reign points out.

  Gabby frowns at him. “Not yet, anyway.”

  Mac grins, elbowing Reign. “I like her.”

  “That’s because she’s enabling you,” he says under his breath.

  Arielle narrows her gaze at him. “You don’t believe there’s anything to find, do you?”

  Something in Reign rises to the challenge in her blue eyes. “Do I think a secret organization exists to babysit the nonexistent Holy Grail? No, I don’t. I think you guys all got hit by the same crazy stick.”

  “Then why are you here?” Arielle asks.

  Reign frowns. Of all the questions to ask. He raises his chin, defaulting to his standard defense mechanism—sarcasm. “So I could learn what a septagram is, why else?”

  Arielle blinks. “A seven-pointed star.” She glances around, eyes widening. “Seven beams. Seven carvings.”

  “It’s here,” Gabby breathes.

  Reign shakes his head. “Ah, that’s not what I meant.”

  But even Mac is glancing around, now. She looks at each of the beams. “Seven-pointed star…” She turns to Reign and the others. “It’s got to be in the center. The place where all the points meet.”

  The sound of three sharp claps has them all turning to Auden. “The next stop in our tour is the first floor. The antique wardrobes in the bedrooms are something you don’t want to miss.”

  “We need more time,” Gabby hisses. “What are we going to do?”

  Mac grins at Reign. “It’s time for some Mexican food.”

  “No.” Reign vehemently shakes his head. “As in hell no. I never signed up for that.”

  But Mac’s already clutching her stomach as she doubles over. “Sweet lord, why did you let me eat the burrito?” she wails.

  For a moment, Reign considers refusing to respond. But Arielle’s lips twitch as she realizes what they’re up to. And the next thing he knows, his hands are on his hips. “I told you not to, Mackenzie! More than once!” he raises his voice a notch with each word.

  “But they’re so good,” Mac wails.

  Reign shoves panicked hands into his hair. “This is exactly what happened last time!”

  “Well, you didn’t stop me, did you?” Mac grips her stomach, her face twisting. “Worst boyfriend ever!”

  Auden rushes over, waving his hands as if that’s going to waft away all the noise. “Quiet, please. This is a historical building.”

  “She needs a bathroom,” Reign tells him. “Stat.”

  Looking a little panicked, Auden pulls back the tasseled cord across the exit. “Quick. She can use this one.”

  Letting out a howl for good measure, Mac rushes through the door.

  Arielle moves in closer, looking at Auden somberly. “I’d take the others to the next part of the tour,” she says quietly. “I suspect no one needs to hear what’s about to happen.”

  Auden nods frantically, his perfectly parted hair never falling out of place. “Of course.”

  “We’ll catch up as soon as she’s…done,” Reign assures him, wondering if he should make a sign of the cross just for good measure.

  But Auden rushes away, quickly rounding up his flock and exiting the library. For several long seconds, silence heralds their victory. They have the library to themselves.

  Mac appears in the doorway. “That worked faster than I’d expected.”

  Reign grins. “I think we set a new record this time around.”

  He turns to Arielle and Gabby, expecting to see the smile that was thinking of blooming on Arielle's face to have grown a little. Gabby high-fives Mac as she climbs over the rope, but Arielle is frowning. A lot.

  All business, she strides to the center of the room. “Let’s get this over and done with.”

  Mac and Gabby join her, leaving Reign to wonder if everything he does pisses this girl off. And to think that he just made a scene so she could keep going with her stupid search.

  He’s more of an idiot than he realized.

  “What is this burrito?” Joseph asks as he appears beside him. “A poison of some sort?”

  “Shut up, Joseph,” Reign growls under his breath.

  Mac and Gabby pull back the round rug that covers the center of the room. The stones beneath are steadily exposed, smooth and polished after generations of feet scuffing over them.

  They all fall silent as the stones become smaller, forming a circular pattern. The rug is pulled back the last inch and the center is revealed. The female gasps echo around the room.

  Reign’s brows slam down. Surely that’s not what it looks like…

  In the middle of the library is a single rock. With a seven-pointed star carved into it.

&nb
sp; Gabby claps in jubilation. Mac throws Reign an I-told-you-so look.

  Arielle hasn’t moved. For some reason, Reign feels a tug to join her, but he keeps his feet rooted to the spot. Joseph just appeared beside the three of them.

  Arielle snaps out of her reverie, slipping her hand into her pocket. She pulls something out, light glinting off its metal surface.

  “You brought it,” Gabby says, her eyes widening.

  It’s another star with seven points.

  “Cool,” Mac says with awe. “You have your own septagram?”

  “My mother left it for me,” Arielle says quietly.

  Reign notes her use of past tense. Has Arielle lost her mother? He jams his hands in his pockets, telling himself it’s none of his business. If he asks, she’ll probably bite his head off.

  Arielle kneels, her beautiful face focused and intense as she hovers the pentagram over the carving in the center stone. Even from a distance, Reign can see that it matches perfectly. She lowers it and it slips into place.

  Reign takes a step forward only to forcibly stop himself. He waits long seconds for something to happen, his breath held along with the others.

  But there’s no sound. No movement. No apocalyptic shuddering as the walls cave down around them.

  He consciously unwinds his muscles, letting out his pent-up breath. “Well, this was fun—”

  A soft click echoes through the library. It stops Reign as if he was just shot with a freeze gun. The rock shudders, the dust in the cracks around it disappearing like sand through an hourglass.

  And then Reign’s moving, leaping across the room and yanking Arielle back. She’s hauled to her feet beside him, but she doesn’t shake off his arm as her gaze never leaves the unbelievable sight unfolding only a few feet before them.

  There’s a soft grinding noise and the rock with the septagram dips and slides away. It was a door. A door that’s now open, revealing a set of stone steps descending into darkness.

  Suddenly, Joseph is hovering beside it. “This could be it! The Grail could be here!” His excited gaze pins Reign. “Your destiny awaits, Grail Keeper.”

  14