Fountain of Secrets (The Relic Seekers)

by Clenney, Anita

  “It’s just a quiet time, but they’re really hoping to connect with Arthur, so the more the better. I really need this trip to be successful. Don’t worry. If you don’t feel anything at first, fake it. Sometimes Lizzie did until something real came through.” Halle walked to the door. “If you need anything, let me know. I’m two doors down. Do you have luggage?”

  “We’ll pick it up later,” Jake said.

  Halle left them and Kendall looked at Jake. “Married, again?”

  “We have to stick together. You want them to think we’re living in sin?” He eyed the beds. “They look small. We could push them together.”

  “They’re fine. I’m going to take a shower.” She felt grungy after walking the abbey.

  “Don’t use all the hot water,” he called after her.

  The guests had to share bathrooms, but one was located just across the hall. When she got back to her room, dressed in an identical pair of the sweats she’d had before, Jake was shirtless, doing one-armed push-ups on the floor. Kendall gaped at his muscles for a minute. “Are you trying to impress me?”

  “I’m trying to stay fit. Who knows what feat I’ll face next in order to keep you safe.” He rolled to his feet. There was a slight glisten of sweat across his chest. “I’m going to take a shower. There’s a bandage for your wrist on the table. It’s one of those with the antibacterial cream on it. Don’t want you getting an infection on me.”

  “Thanks.”

  After he left, Kendall put the bandage on, dried her hair with a towel, and braided it. Jake was still in the bathroom, so she took out Nathan’s journal. She couldn’t make any sense of the coded entries. She was halfway to a headache, when Jake walked into the bedroom. He’d changed from his jeans into sweats. “I’m starting to get attached to these sweats,” he said.

  “I’m not.”

  He sat in the chair beside hers. She could smell him, clean and male. His hair was still damp from his shower. Tendrils softly curled below his ears, lying against his neck. Her fingers itched to brush the hair aside and replace it with her lips. She knew what his neck smelled like. What it tasted like. She looked up and met his eyes. Her breathing quickened and she knew his had too, but he didn’t speak or move. He just stared at her, his eyes dark with something… regret. He looked away. “Any luck with the journal?”

  “No. I think we need to start by exploring this place. The well, the abbey, and the Tor.”

  “Not tonight. We have an appointment with King Arthur.”

  “I can’t believe we’re going to trick these poor people.”

  “It’s survival. We have to find the Blue Chalice and see if it’s connected to the Fountain of Youth. You ready to go eat and meet our group?”

  “You mean the people we’re about to dupe? You go on. I’m going to try Nathan again. I’ll meet you in a few minutes.”

  “Nathan knows where we are. He’ll show up when he’s ready.”

  Kendall tried Nathan via phone but couldn’t get him. There was a knot in her chest that made her suspect he was in danger. Nathan was always in danger to some extent, but this felt more imminent. She didn’t know if it was from Raphael or the Reaper, or perhaps Jake really had spotted Brandi. Times like these were the most frustrating, when she sensed something about the people she cared for but couldn’t get a clear picture. She put her phone away and went to the dining room.

  Several tables were scattered about and a buffet was set up on one side. She recognized some of the people from the abbey, and the back of one dark head was very familiar. Jake was sitting with Halle and two other women. All three ladies had rapt looks on their faces, making Kendall wonder if he was overwhelming them with his manliness or telling lies. Halle glanced up and waved, then motioned her over. She met Jake’s gaze as she walked to the table, looking for some kind of prompt. Who knew what he’d been telling them.

  “I was just about to come and get you,” he said, standing to hold out her chair.

  “Looks and manners,” a redheaded woman said. “He’s a keeper.”

  “He’s handy to have around.” Kendall gave him a fake smile. “What lies are you telling now?”

  “He’s telling us about all the historical figures you’ve contacted,” said one of Jake’s enthralled audience. “Oh, I’m Sandy. I’m from North Carolina. This is Alice, from Maryland.” She pointed to a mousy-looking woman, the one wearing all brown. “And this is Rhonda from Florida.” Rhonda was the redhead and was all eyes for Jake. “That’s Larry over there. He’s from DC.” Larry was balding with glasses and reminded Kendall of a monk.

  “We’re all here to find King Arthur,” Larry said. “I hope you can help.”

  “Jake said you’ve been in touch with many of our past presidents,” Sandy said. She had gray hair and bright blue eyes.

  “Yes,” Rhonda said. “I’m especially interested in Thomas Jefferson.” She fluttered her lashes at Jake. “I understand that he admitted to you that he had had an affair with his slave.”

  Kendall frowned at Jake. “You really shouldn’t be telling such things.”

  “It isn’t true?” Alice said. Her small voice matched her mousy appearance.

  “It’s just that… some things are told to me in confidence.”

  They looked impressed, and Kendall knew she had gone up in their estimation. Sandy asked her who was the most interesting spirit she’d contacted, and then everyone jumped in, peppering her with questions. “Who was your favorite spirit?” “Who was the most shocking?” “Have you had a spirit attack you?” “Climb in bed with you?” The last question was from Rhonda.

  “Each time is different,” Kendall said. “I never know what to expect.” That wasn’t a lie.

  The time flew by, and Kendall began to enjoy herself more than she cared to admit. These people might be quacks by some standards, but they admired her, appreciated her. For once in her life since Adam, she fit in. Jake got her a plate from the buffet and watched her as she talked. He played the perfect husband, charming and gorgeous. She didn’t realize he’d left until she saw him slip back into the room.

  “When do we get to see the Blue Chalice?” Sandy asked.

  “What’s the Blue Chalice?” Jake asked, wearing a blank look as if he had never heard of it and hadn’t most likely been searching for it as the group dined.

  Alice’s mousy appearance lit up. “It’s Glastonbury’s Holy Grail. They say it has power.”

  “Lizzie has been a supporter of the well for a long time, and the trust has agreed to let us view the chalice,” Halle said. “It’s quite an honor.”

  “Sounds interesting,” Jake said. “When do we get to see it?”

  “In a day or two, when the caretaker returns.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  NATHAN PARKED HIS Land Rover in the Glastonbury Abbey parking lot. He locked the car and started walking toward the grounds. He’d gotten Kendall and Jake’s message. He would join them at Little Saint Michael’s, but first he wanted to check out the abbey grounds before it got too dark to see. Marco had said to find Arthur. King Arthur was supposed to have been buried here in Glastonbury Abbey. Maybe the fountain was near his grave. Maybe the fountain was inside his grave. He followed the signs, but someone else was there. A man stood with his back to Nathan. He was tall with dark hair pulled into a ponytail. He stretched out his hand and touched a marker that had been placed on the grave. Nathan could see sadness in the droop of his shoulders. In fact, he could feel it himself, a sense of anguish settling over him like fog. He didn’t often sense things the way Kendall did, but this was strong. The man at the grave tensed as if realizing he was being watched. He turned, and Nathan saw it was Raphael.

  He thought about running, then about fighting, and reasoned that both would end badly, so he decided to face things head-on. No one else was nearby. His heartbeat sped up as he walked toward Raphael. He felt almost ill, but not from fear. It was the grave that was troubling him. “I wouldn’t have taken you if there had been any oth
er way,” Nathan said. “I apologize, but it was necessary. I would do it again if given the choice.”

  “You don’t have the choice now, do you?” Raphael moved closer. “Where is my cross?”

  Nathan pulled the cross from under his shirt and took it off. He handed it to Raphael.

  “Where did you get it?”

  Nathan wasn’t going to name Kendall. “I took it off your body.” His dead body.

  “You must love her to lie for her.”

  Marco had probably told him Kendall found it. “She thought you were dead and wouldn’t need the cross. Why aren’t you dead?”

  Raphael glanced at the grave, then glared at Nathan. “Who are you?”

  Raphael was angry, but he also seemed puzzled. Nathan frowned. “You know who I am.”

  “Who are you really?” Raphael grabbed Nathan by the shirt and yanked him closer. Nathan felt the heat rushing through his veins. He tried to stop the change, but his insides felt like they were cooking and his eyes were on fire.

  Raphael’s eyes narrowed. “Damn Marco. That’s what I was afraid of.” Raphael slipped the cross over his head. “Now we can go.”

  That was the last thing Nathan remembered before he woke up on a stone floor. Raphael leaned over him and pulled out a dagger. He cut his own wrist and then he grabbed Nathan’s. Nathan tried to pull away, but Raphael was too strong. The dagger sliced across his wrist and Nathan felt the sting. A line of blood welled up and Raphael touched their wrists together.

  Nathan’s head felt thick, as it had in the maze. Immediately, memories pounded at his brain like a jackhammer. An airplane, flames, someone grabbing him, dragging him out of the flames. Then an explosion and blackness.

  “This way. We must hurry.”

  The voice beside him was weak. He didn’t know where they were, but he could smell the earth and trees. A branch slapped his face, and he threw up his hands to protect it. “I need to rest.” His head and legs ached, and fire flashed behind his eyes even though he couldn’t see.

  “We’re almost there,” the voice said. “He’s meeting us at the rock.” His breathing was ragged, and it sounded like he needed to rest too. After he had stumbled for a few more minutes, the hand guiding his arm dropped. “You’ll have to go alone. I’m sorry, Adam,” the voice rasped.

  “Go where?” He didn’t know where he was. He didn’t know anything. Something cold was placed in his hands. He heard a harsh, rattling breath, then a thump. The forest was quiet except for his panting. “Where are you?” He stretched his hands in front of him, feeling blindly for the man. His foot hit something solid but soft, and he knelt, fear gripping him by the throat.

  He put the cold object in his pocket—it was a cross—and patted awkwardly with his hands until he felt an arm. He followed it to a chest. It was still. No heartbeat. He felt a crushing sadness, even though he didn’t know the man. He was sure he should. He sat down beside the dead man, surrounded by darkness, as lost inside as he was out.

  He tried to remember… anything, but the only image he saw was a girl with blond hair. Her face wasn’t clear, and the memory faded as quickly as it had come. His head burned, and he touched the rough bandage, trying to recall what had happened. He felt the stickiness of fresh blood; then his hands slid lower, touching nose, lips, jaw, searching for something familiar. Adam. That was the name the man had called him. He didn’t know what to do, so he clutched the cross in his pocket, pulled his jacket around him, and waited for someone to find him.

  Nathan opened his eyes and saw Raphael standing over him, frowning. He knelt and tied a cloth around Nathan’s bloody wrist. “Leave this on for now.” He turned and started walking out.

  Nathan rose to his feet, but his head was spinning.

  “Wait. Where are you going?”

  Raphael kept walking. “I have something to do.”

  “Tell me where we are.”

  Raphael turned, giving him a look like one might give a flea. “A sanctuary.”

  “What sanctuary? Where?”

  “I can’t tell you.”

  “Are we in England? Italy?” And how the hell had they gotten there?

  “We’re where we need to be.”

  “Bloody hell, I want answers. You’ve kidnapped me, brought me to… I don’t know where.”

  Nathan heard a rumbling sound and realized it came from Raphael. He was laughing, but it was a harsh laugh. “It isn’t pleasant, is it?” Raphael asked.

  “I told you, I didn’t have any choice.” Nathan was getting angrier by the second. His heart started to pound.

  “Neither did I. You need to calm yourself. Your power is still out of control.”

  “What power?” Nathan asked.

  “The change.”

  “You mean my curse?”

  “Curse?”

  “The fact that I’m not normal.”

  “You aren’t supposed to be.”

  “I don’t want this, whatever it is.”

  “You don’t have a choice.”

  “There must be a way to get rid of it.”

  Raphael studied him. “There is, but it would be severe.” He moved his hand toward Nathan, and Nathan felt his legs weaken and his eyes closing.

  “Who am I?” Nathan asked, trying to fight sleep.

  “I’m not sure. Sleep until I figure out what to do. You’ll be safe here.”

  “Have you found them?” the Reaper asked the man on the other end of the phone.

  “Yes, they’re here.”

  “And the chalice?”

  “They haven’t gotten it… yet.”

  “You must get it before they do.”

  “They haven’t made a move toward it. I’m not sure they even know of its existence.”

  “Then why are they there?”

  “I haven’t figured that out. Even if they do get the chalice, they might not have discovered where the fountain is hidden.”

  “If they haven’t, Kendall soon will. Her talent is extraordinary.” He felt a twinge of pride.

  “Do you want me to bring her with the chalice?”

  The Reaper hesitated. He had considered it. Kendall’s gifts were so similar to ones he’d once had. He could put them to great use. He sighed. “Not yet.”

  “Are you certain this chalice is the Holy Grail?”

  “No, but the only way to find out is to try it. Keep an eye on them in the meantime. And watch out for Raphael.”

  “I’ll stay close.”

  “Not too close.” He let the warning settle. “I know you’re attracted to her.”

  “Who wouldn’t be?” the man said. “She’s a beauty.”

  “Don’t let her beauty distract you. I can’t take extra risks now. There are already enough obstacles.”

  Jake was quiet when they got to their room, not the fast talker she’d seen in the dining room. It was disconcerting how easily he put on an act. A handy talent for a mercenary.

  “I don’t like that look on your face. You’re not planning to steal the chalice, are you?” she asked.

  “Not if they show it to us soon enough.”

  “You could stay here and look for it while I do the meditation.”

  “I’m not leaving you alone, even with a group,” Jake said. “We’ll look for it later tonight when everyone’s asleep. If that doesn’t work, we’ll wait until they’re out of the house looking for Arthur.”

  “I’m worried about Nathan.”

  “You’re always worried about Nathan,” Jake said.

  “Why hasn’t he let us know if the fountain worked?”

  “He’s probably trying to find something else to try. If it had worked, I think he would have let us know.”

  “I think something’s wrong. I don’t know if it’s Raphael or the Reaper, but I sense danger.”

  “I’m sure neither one of them is happy with him,” Jake said. “Did you talk to him?”

  “He didn’t answer. What if the curse backfired or something?”

  “If
we don’t hear from him soon, we’ll go back to the hotel and make sure he’s OK.”

  Kendall changed into the long dress Halle had provided—to put the group in the mood—and then she and Jake made their way to the Chalice Well Garden.

  The meditation would be held in the part known as Arthur’s garden. Appropriate, if one was trying to contact King Arthur. She felt guilty, knowing she would have to pretend to make contact.

  “Do you want us to sit in a circle?” Sandy asked.

  This felt more like a séance. She didn’t like séances, and she hated deception even more, but as Jake said, this was survival. “Yes, in a circle and join hands.” They all sat on the stones and linked hands. Rhonda hurried to sit beside Jake.

  Kendall kept feeling as if someone were watching her. She turned but didn’t see anything other than the Tor rising behind them. She hoped it was Nathan that she sensed, but it left her with an eerie feeling.

  Kendall reached for Jake’s hand. “OK, close your eyes, clear your minds, and focus on Arthur.” Everyone closed their eyes. Moonlight-bathed faces turned up with expressions of reverence and anticipation. Then she turned to her side and saw Jake watching her. His look was not reverent. She nudged him with her knee and mouthed, “Close your eyes.” It was going to be hard enough to fake this without him watching her.

  He rolled his eyes and then closed them. In the spirit of camaraderie—or maybe guilt—she also cleared her mind and focused. She didn’t know whether King Arthur was real, a legend, or a legend based on a real king, but she thought of what she knew from the stories of Arthur. She imagined Merlin, the sword Excalibur, the Knights of the Round Table, Camelot, and Arthur’s quest for the Holy Grail.

  A blast hit her so hard she at first thought there had been an explosion. She couldn’t breathe. She stood outside a castle in the middle of a battlefield. Snow fell gracefully as horses taller than her head rushed past her, carrying men yelling out battle cries as they swung huge swords. One man sat taller than the others. At first she thought he was Nathan, that she was mixing dreams and reality, but she felt the bite of cold and the frozen ground beneath her feet. This was no ordinary vision.