The Lost Chalice (The Relic Seekers Book 3) (10 page)

“Find Marco,” Raphael whispered in a gritty voice. “We can’t let anyone else see the men or find out what has happened here. Someone has to stay with them. They were put to rest for a reason.”

“And that was?” Nathan asked.

“They weren’t . . . stable.”

“They’re crazy?” Kendall asked.

“So you expect us to babysit crazy guardians who were turned into statues?”

“No. I’ll stay with them. You find Marco and bring him here so we can figure out how to put them back. Knock on the door five times, and I’ll let you in.”

“Would there be a bit of food?” the older man asked, and the others rumbled in agreement.

The bald man patted his groin. “And a piss pot.”

Raphael’s jaw tensed. “Bring food and water, and something for them to . . . relieve themselves in. Damn Marco. Don’t let the guards down here. I don’t want them finding out who these men really are. And give me my cross.”

After Nathan returned Raphael’s cross, Nathan, Kendall, and Jake hurried up the winding stairs. “Are you all right?” Nathan asked Kendall.

“I’m wondering if we’re all stuck in one of my dreams,” she said. “Reincarnation. Doppelgangers. It’s crazy. How are we going to keep those men down here?”

“We could let them help us,” Nathan said. “The Reaper won’t be easy to defeat. I can hire as many guards as money can buy, but these men understand the Protettori.”

“But they fight with swords,” Kendall said. “I’m not sure they’re equipped for a modern battle.”

“Some of them looked like they wouldn’t even need swords,” Nathan said. “There are some big men down there.”

Jake snorted. “Big, crazy men. Raphael said they weren’t stable.”

“And there could be side effects from turning into flesh and blood after being stone,” Kendall said.

Nathan nodded. “This is unprecedented. We need to monitor them first. We should run tests. I could get a medical team in here.”

“We don’t have time for you to play mad scientist right now,” Jake said. “We have a lunatic on our hands. Maybe more than one. The blond and the one called Gregor bother me.”

“Why don’t we just keep an eye on them ourselves,” Kendall suggested. “Before we get outsiders involved.”

“You sound like a real Protettori keeper,” Jake said.

“If I’m going to be a keeper, I need to know what I’m keeping,” she said. “As soon as we find Marco, we need to have a long talk. If we’re involved with the Protettori, they have some explaining to do.”

“They can start with how statues can turn to men,” Jake said.

Kendall tilted her head, thinking. “Well, we know that the statues were alive once. We just don’t know how.”

“You probably know more than anyone besides Raphael and Marco,” Nathan said. “You’ve seen the sentinels when they were alive through your visions.”

“I saw men, but I didn’t see how they became stone.”

“We need a bloody elevator in here,” Nathan said when they reached the main level.

“I suppose you’ll talk Marco and Raphael into including one during renovations,” Jake said.

They arrived at the kitchen and found Fergus making a roast beef sandwich. He hurried over when he saw them, his face alive with emotion. “Nathan, Kendall! Hank said you were back. Where have you been? Marco and I have been dreadfully worried for you both.”

“I’m sorry, Fergus.” Nathan patted Fergus’s shoulder. “We didn’t plan any of this. It was an accident.”

“They fell through another portal,” Jake said.

“Another portal,” he whispered.

“This one was in the temple,” Nathan said.

“My, but this place does try one’s common sense.”

“Have you seen Marco?” Nathan asked.

“Not for some time,” Fergus said. “He vanished right after we got here. He was acting very odd. This has been a strain on him, and he feels responsible. He keeps saying it’s his fault. He was talking out of his head about finding the Reaper before we arrived here. I believe he needs his medication. Is something wrong?” Fergus asked. “You all look rather . . . tense.”

“We are tense,” Nathan said. “We need to find Marco ASAP. He woke some of the statues.”

Fergus’s brows moved up his forehead. “Is that possible?”

“There are several ancient-looking men down in the lower level with Raphael,” Jake said. “And he’s mad as hell.”

“Are they dangerous?”

“I think they’re crazy,” Jake said.

Fergus’s eyes widened. “Where are they now?”

“Raphael’s keeping them locked up,” Nathan said.

“I should be shocked,” Fergus said. “But somehow I’m not. What will he do with them? Can he turn them back to stone?”

“He’s not sure,” Jake said. “Apparently he didn’t know they could turn back into men. Is that sandwich for you?”

Fergus pushed half the sandwich toward Jake. “This just gets stranger. Have any of you eaten?”

“Not yet,” Kendall said.

“You must eat something. You all look dreadful, and I’m sure you haven’t slept properly after all the madness with the Reaper. And if you came through another one of those”—Fergus lowered his voice and looked around to see if anyone was nearby—“things, then you must be tired.”

“We are,” Nathan said, “but we can’t rest yet. We came to get food for Raphael and his . . . friends. He can’t stay down there too long. He was seriously injured in that portal. He should be resting.”

Fergus tsked. “Get something to eat and then rest. I’ll have one of the guards take something down to Raphael.”

“No guards. He doesn’t want anyone else to know about them,” Nathan said.

Fergus stiffened his neck and put on a face worthy of any English butler. “Then I will do it.”

Jake offered part of his sandwich to Kendall and Nathan, but they refused. “Oh, and take a really big bowl. One that can be thrown away.”

“Why?” Fergus asked.

Jake swallowed the last bite. “So they can piss in it. And anything else they need to do. Better find some toilet paper too. That’ll be a pleasant surprise.”

Fergus’s eyes widened but otherwise his expression didn’t change. “I’ll take care of it.”

“You’re a good man, Fergus. If Nathan dies, can I have you?” Jake asked.

Nathan scowled. “I’m not dying. Fergus, are there any rooms available?”

“Most of them are full,” Fergus said. “There are quite a lot of people here, between the guards and the staff. There is a room on the third floor that has twin beds. I think it’s the only room available.”

“Twin beds?” Nathan asked.

“There are at least three, I believe,” Fergus said. “I understand some of the maids were staying there, but they heard strange noises and wouldn’t go back. They said it was haunted.”

“Probably Kendall’s father,” Jake said.

“That reminds me,” Fergus said. “Kendall, your aunt called the mansion and left a message.”

“Aunt Edna? Is she all right?”

“I believe so,” Fergus said. “She said something about good news. She’d tried to call your cell phone and couldn’t reach you.”

“Probably because you were in a portal,” Jake said.

They gathered some sandwiches and water, as well as Jake’s duffel bag that he’d left in the hallway, and went to find their room.

“Where the devil could Marco be?” Nathan asked. “He must know how to revert them back since he’s the one who woke them.”

“He’s probably hiding from Raphael,” Jake said.

They found the room Fergus had told them about. It actually had four beds, but he hadn’t mentioned how tiny the room was. There were three beds on one side of the room, and a lone bed on the opposite wall.

“Pick a bed,” Jake said. “Ladies first.”

The room felt even smaller with Nathan and Jake in it. Kendall walked over to the lone bed and sat down. It felt good to sit on something soft after spending all that time lying on stone. Her head was a chaotic whirl of adrenaline and exhaustion from the events of the past few hours, but her body had had enough. If she lay back down, she wouldn’t get up.

Jake frowned, as if he didn’t approve of her choice of beds. “I think you should sleep closer.”

“Are you kidding?” Kendall asked.

“No, I’m not.” He tossed his duffel on the bed nearest the door.

Kendall rubbed her arms. She felt grimy. “We’re surrounded by guards. What could happen?”

“I remember thinking the same thing just before you entered a maze and wound up in England.”

“Smart ass.”

Jake scratched his head. “Sorry if I’m being an overprotective ass, but I thought you were dead.”

“Eat your sandwich. You always feel better after eating.” That sounded like she’d known him for more than a matter of days. It felt like she had known him a lifetime.

Nathan sat down on the bed closest to the wall, leaving an empty one between him and Jake. “Let’s eat so we can get some sleep. We all look like hell.”

Jake took a drink of his water. “I have an excuse. I nearly got fried by those damned statues after losing my cross.”

Kendall pulled a cross from her pocket and carried it over to Jake. “Is this yours?”

“Yeah. How did you get it?”

“It fell out of the ceiling and hit me in the head. I guess it came through the portal.”

“That’s why I couldn’t find it. I guess it did vanish into thin air.”

“How did you get out?” Kendall asked.

“I leaped past the statues.”

Kendall’s heart skipped a beat. “Without a cross?”

Even Nathan looked impressed. “Shouldn’t you be dead?”

“Raphael’s vial saved me. The Fountain of Youth works, at least for that. I drank the water after I refilled the vial for Raphael.”

Nathan looked intrigued. “It worked.”

“When I saw the cross I was afraid . . .”

“You thought I was floating around in some other dimension?” He smiled. “I’m flattered. Even with the water, it wasn’t fun. But I’m here.” And he wasn’t going to leave, was the message in his eyes. His hand brushed her cheek.

“Raphael looks worse than he did when we found him. Did he get any water?” Nathan asked.

“A few sips. We needed more. That’s why we came here. He had a run-in with the statues too. He woke after I went to look for you two, and he tried to enter the temple to get water for himself. He didn’t realize you’d taken his cross.”

“Blimey.”

“He got a little cooked. Not as bad as me.” Jake grinned. “But he looked funny as hell. Like the Hulk with dreads.”

“I’m sure you didn’t tell him that,” Nathan said sarcastically.

“Not a chance,” Jake said. He lay back on the bed and groaned.

“You’re lucky to be alive,” Kendall said.

Nathan nodded. “We’re all lucky to be alive after what we’ve been through.”

Kendall took a bite of her sandwich. “I wish we could take a few days to rest before we go rushing off to find this chalice.”

“Why don’t you take some time off,” Nathan said. “I’ll send you somewhere safe. Jake and I can get along without you for a few days.”

“King Arthur to the rescue,” Jake said.

Kendall rolled her eyes at him. “We don’t have time. We can’t let the Reaper find the chalice first. And unless he’s died from his injuries, he probably has a head start.”

“We don’t even know what the Holy Grail looks like.” Jake set his water bottle down with a hard sigh. “We’re going into war blindfolded.”

“After Raphael is finished babysitting, he can tell us where we’re supposed to start looking,” Nathan said. “He should be able to at least give us a good description of the chalice, better than a sketch in a journal.”

“The journal,” Kendall said. “It’s still in England.”

“Nope,” Jake said, patting his bag. “I brought it.”

While he opened the bag and removed the journal, Kendall hurried over to his bed. “I could hug you.”

He flashed a grin. “Go ahead.” He looked like he wanted to kiss her, but instead he stroked her cheek as he handed her the journal.

Nathan snorted and moved from his bed to the empty one next to Jake’s. “Think you can pick up anything else from the journal?” he asked Kendall.

Kendall looked at the worn book and knew it held secrets. “If this belonged to the Reaper, there must be answers hidden in here. I just don’t know how to get them out.”

“You need to drink water,” Jake said.

“What?”

“Raphael said you two need to be drinking water from the fountain to help control your abilities.”

“Nice of him to discuss it with you,” Nathan said.

“Be glad he told someone,” Jake said. “Raphael doesn’t like sharing his secrets any more than you do.”

“You have your share of secrets too,” Kendall said, sitting on the bed next to Jake opposite Nathan, so close her knees almost touched his.

“Mine aren’t on purpose,” Jake said. “I just can’t remember anything.”

Kendall looked from one to the other. “There are a lot of similarities between you two. You both have mysterious pasts. You both dreamed of King Arthur.”

Nathan sighed. “I need a shower.”

“We all do,” Jake said.

Kendall gave him a searching look. “Are you saying I smell?”

“You smell heavenly,” he said, “but we’ve all been through hell and back. Nathan, why don’t you go first? I want to catch up on things with Kendall.”

Nathan gave Jake a hard look. “Catch up?”

“Talk,” Jake said. “I want to talk to her.”

Nathan looked at Jake’s duffel. He seemed tired. “Don’t suppose you want to loan me some clothes.”

Jake opened the bag and pulled out a pair of underwear, socks, and jeans. He balled them up and tossed them on Nathan’s bed.

“Thanks.” Nathan took the items and walked to the door.

As soon as he left, Jake turned to Kendall. “Are you sure you’re OK?” He searched her face and ran his hands over her arms and legs, as if checking to make sure she was whole.

“Just tired.”

“I thought the Reaper had taken you.” Jake skimmed his fingers over her cheeks. “Why don’t you go someplace for a few days. Let Nathan send you to his mansion. You should be safe there.”

Kendall leaned her cheek into his hand. “I’m not leaving you two alone.”

“Afraid we’ll kill each other?” Jake half grinned.

“No. Maybe. I just don’t want either of you hurt.”

Gray eyes held hers for a moment, and then he touched her lips with his thumb. “You’re supposed to let us take care of you, not the other way around.”