The Lost Chalice (The Relic Seekers Book 3) (24 page)

Nathan paused over each one, and Kendall knew he was comparing them to the girl he’d known. He smiled at Kendall. “It looks the same.”

Aunt Edna frowned. “You’ve been here before? I don’t recall Kendall bringing
you
.”

Aunt Edna would never forget anyone so groomworthy. Kendall nudged Nathan’s arm and he shot her a look of apology. “I showed him pictures. Aunt Edna, do you remember when I came here, just before my father died?”

Her aunt’s eyes saddened. “I do. What a sad time.” She turned to Nathan. “She lost her father and her best friend. I don’t know if she’s told you about Adam, but she adored that boy. I expected they’d grow up and marry, but you never know what life will throw at you. Instead of a wedding, she had to sit by his grave and cry. Poor little tyke. So young and heartbroken.” She patted Kendall’s shoulder. “It ripped my heart out as well. Oh, tsk, listen to me bringing up sad times. What were you saying?”

Nathan’s face was shadowed, and Kendall had a feeling he was blocking her. “Do you remember the suitcase I brought?”

“The brown leather one, I do. We tried to get you a pink one, but you said it looked silly. You wanted the one that looked like something Indiana Jones would carry.”

“I know it’s been a long time, but do you remember what happened to the things in the suitcase? I’ve just remembered a cup that Adam gave me. It was very special, a wooden cup. I don’t remember what happened to it.”

“I’m sorry. I remember the suitcase, but I don’t remember what happened to it. We can have a look around in the attic and the cellar. I don’t get rid of much. Neither did your father. That man and his relics. Relics this, relics that. He had a one-track mind. It wasn’t healthy for a young girl, but you loved him so much, and you were just like him. I offered to keep you here, but you threw a fit.” She smiled. “Stamped your foot and said you were going wherever your daddy went, and no one was going to stop you.”

“I don’t remember.”

“I do. I worried over you, but you seemed happy. And you had Adam. He always looked after you.”

Kendall felt her cheeks warm. She looked at Nathan, and her stomach dipped at the sad look on his face.

“Come along now. Let me show you to your rooms. I’m glad I didn’t put anyone in yours, Kendall.”

Her room. After her father’s death, Aunt Edna had made a home for Kendall. She had loved her and raised her as if she were her real family. A warm feeling gushed over her, and Kendall hugged her aunt.

“Now what was that for?” Aunt Edna asked.

“To thank you for being you.”

Kendall’s old room had been redecorated, but some of her things were still here. A favorite book, a drawing she’d made for Aunt Edna that may have been a bunny rabbit. Nathan’s room was across the hall from Kendall’s. It was the room her father had stayed in when he was here. After settling their bags, they went down for supper.

Throughout the meal she continued to prompt Aunt Edna about the suitcase, but she couldn’t remember anything. If it were still here, and it was doubtful, they would have to find it on their own. After dinner, she and Nathan started the search. “I don’t think it would be in the antique shop. We should start with the workshop,” Kendall said. The old carriage house was used for storing things her aunt didn’t need at the moment or that needed work.

The years rolled away as they crossed the yard. They’d walked this same path about sixteen years ago. At some point, Kendall realized their hands were linked.

“Remember this tree,” Nathan said, stopping at a large oak. “We raced to the top, and you almost fell out.”

“You caught my arm,” Kendall said. “Nearly ripped it out of its socket.” She smiled. “It hurt for days.”

“And you didn’t let me forget it. You made me wait on you, hand and foot. It feels like another lifetime.”

“It was, in some ways,” she said. “We were everything to each other.”

She hadn’t really intended to say that. It was true, but Nathan wasn’t that little boy now, and it made things feel awkward when there was Jake to consider.

“I know,” Nathan said. “I knew that even before I remembered anything about those lost years. The first time I saw you, I knew you.” Nathan’s fingers stroked hers. “I couldn’t explain it since I’d never met you. But somehow I knew we were connected. Then I started to get glimpses of you when you were younger. That was disturbing. I thought I was losing my mind. Then the other things started happening more frequently, the curse, and I knew something was wrong with me.”

“That’s why you blocked me from reading anything about you. Not that I tried to read you,” she quickly added. “I just couldn’t sense the things I would normally sense about someone.”

“It was bad enough that I thought I was crazy. I didn’t want you to think I was too.”

“Now you know you’re not crazy.”

“Right. I just acquired some paranormal super ninja skills.”

Kendall looked at him in surprise and saw a smile. He didn’t often joke. Adam had, and it was good to see that side of him. “You’re not alone,” she said, smiling in return. “I have some crazy ninja skills too.”

His expression turned serious. “I’m glad I’m not alone. I need you with me.” He looked away, his jaw tight. “I don’t mean to mess up what you have with Jake. I just mean . . . hell, I don’t know what I mean.”

The vision reared its head. She didn’t know what to say, but she knew one thing for sure: she was glad she’d found Adam again. “I’m glad you’re here,” she said, and they left it at that. Hands still joined, they walked to the workshop to see if the chalice was there.

“You’re not wincing now when you remember things. Maybe you’re getting past the weird effect it’s having on your head.”

“It was probably the portal screwing me up,” he said.

“Then we’ll have to stay away from portals. Leave that to Raphael.”

“I wonder if he’s found Marco yet.”

“If anyone can, it’s Raphael.”

Raphael searched the château from top to bottom, and after he got Nathan’s message, he searched the area near the hotel in vain, wearing himself out with the travel. He knew Marco well. They had been brothers and shared a lifetime of secrets. If he had come here to find the Reaper, he wouldn’t stop until he succeeded. Raphael went back to the château, focusing on the grounds.

There were several buildings on the property, including a small stone chapel that looked foreboding, resembling a large family burial vault more than a place of worship. The wood-and-iron door stood ajar. Raphael stepped inside, his chest tight with dread. He found Marco lying facedown near the altar, lifeless.

Raphael gave a soul-wrenching cry as he gathered his old friend in his arms and wept.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

T
HE CHALICE WASN
’
T
in the workshop. They had searched through all the boxes and trunks, with no luck.

“What about all that stuff she kept in the attic?” Nathan said.

They’d explored it together when Adam was here, spending hours searching for pieces of the past. Kendall brushed the dust off her hands. “She used to keep a lot of stuff up there. It’s probably too late to look tonight. Her guests might think the attic is crawling with rats.”

They started back inside, when he stopped and looked at the house. “I think we’re being watched.”

“What?”

“I saw someone at the window,” he said. “I think it’s yours.”

“It’s probably Aunt Edna in there fluffing the pillows and doing a little spying. She’s hoping you’re Mr. Right.”

He glanced at her, but didn’t say anything. She wished she hadn’t either. He didn’t try to hug her or kiss her, but she couldn’t help remembering the hotel kiss. He must have been thinking the same, because the air between them grew tense. “I’ll see you in the morning,” he said.

Kendall nodded. “If we don’t find the chalice in the house, tomorrow we’ll go to the antique shop.” They had to find it quickly before the Reaper figured out where they were. “Good night.” She stepped inside her room and turned on the light, closing the door behind her.

“Hi.”

Kendall let out a squeal and whirled. “Jake! What are you doing here?” She grabbed her heart, which felt like it might leap out of her chest.

“I needed to see you.”

His steel-gray eyes had a soft look that made her legs wobbly. His dark hair was touching the collar of his shirt, and the expression on his handsome face was serious. She’d missed him terribly since Prague. “You did?”

He rubbed his palms on the pockets of his faded jeans. “Sorry I didn’t tell you I was coming. I wasn’t sure what to say, and by the time I figured it out, I was already here.”

“What did you want to say?”

“I’m not letting you go. I don’t care if he’s Adam. I don’t care if you’ve been in love with him most of your life. I don’t care if he’s King Arthur and you’re Guinevere. I’m not going to let you get away from me without a fight.”

Kendall stood rooted to the spot while her stomach did a sequence of flips. “OK,” she replied a little breathlessly.

He pulled her to him and kissed her. It was a hot, possessive kiss, and she felt him from head to toe. His arms, chest, hips, and thighs. Part of her knew she belonged with him, and her fingers pressed into the muscles of his back to hold him there.

The door burst open and Nathan rushed inside, his eyes glowing. Kendall pushed away from Jake. “Nathan! It’s Jake.”

He had recognized Jake, but Nathan still looked frightening. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“I needed to talk to Kendall.”

“You just show up in her room in the middle of the night?”

“There weren’t any other rooms available. I called.”

“What did you tell Aunt Edna?” Kendall asked.

“I didn’t see her.”

“You sneaked in?”

“Kendall, dear? Is everything all right? I thought I heard you cry out.” Aunt Edna peeked inside. Her eyes widened when she saw Jake. She fumbled in her pocket and pulled out a small handgun. “Kendall, call the sheriff. Stay right there and don’t move, you burglaring bastard. I’ll shoot you right in the balls.”

“Aunt Edna, he’s not a burglar. This is my friend, Jake,” Kendall said. “He was supposed to come with us, but he was delayed.”

“Oh,” Aunt Edna said, lowering her gun. “I’m sorry. I thought you were the burglar.”

“Burglar?” Jake asked.

“There’ve been a couple of attempted break-ins,” Kendall explained.

“Forgive me, Jake. I just assumed you were him.” Aunt Edna stuck out her hand. “It’s very nice to meet you.”

“Aunt Edna, what are you doing with a gun?”

“It’s protection. You can’t be too careful.” She dropped the gun into the pocket of her robe and smiled at Jake. “You say you’re Kendall’s friend?”

“Her bodyguard,” Nathan said. “Jake works for me.”

“You need a bodyguard, dear? That sounds dangerous.”

“It’s just a title to make him feel good,” Nathan said, his lips tight. “He’s really a boy Friday. Runs errands, that kind of thing.”

“Like a secretary. My, times have changed.”

Jake looked pissed for a moment, and then he smiled. “Nathan is joking, of course. I’m Kendall’s fiancé.”

Nathan’s mouth dropped open, and Aunt Edna squealed. “Fiancé!” She grabbed Kendall in a hug, and then she stepped back and embraced Jake. She was so excited, she kept hugging, and ended with Nathan, pounding him on the back while he glowered at Jake. “Welcome to the family, Jake. Oh, Kendall. I’m so happy.”

Kendall opened her mouth to explain that Jake was exaggerating, and then decided to do it later, in private. She didn’t want a full-scale argument between Nathan and Jake now. On the bright side, if Aunt Edna thought Kendall was engaged, she couldn’t keep bugging her to find a boyfriend.

“I’ve worried so much about Kendall being alone. I’ve been trying to help her find someone. She’s so pretty and so adventurous, I’m always worried that she’ll get into trouble.”

“She is a little wild,” Jake said, pinching Kendall’s cheek.

Nathan looked mildly disgusted. “I’m going back to bed.”

“Good night, Nathan,” Aunt Edna said. Then after he had left the room, she turned to Kendall. “Is he all right? He didn’t look very happy.”

“He’s bipolar,” Jake said. “He’ll be fine after he takes his meds.”

“Oh dear, well, it’s wonderful that you’re here. I’ve tried so hard to get her to find a husband.”

“You don’t have to worry anymore,” Jake said. He put his arm around Kendall and kissed the top of her head. “I’m here to stay.”

This was getting a little much. She’d better put a stop to it now. “What a joker—”

Jake’s mouth came down on hers, suffocating her words. Jake lifted his head and gave her three more quick kisses.

“How romantic,” Aunt Edna said. “Oh, young love.”

Kendall couldn’t remember what she had been about to say, and Aunt Edna looked so happy. Tomorrow, Kendall thought. She’d explain it then. Let Aunt Edna revel in bliss for tonight.

“This is wonderful. Are you hungry? I can warm up some dinner.”

“No, thank you,” Jake said. “I’m just tired.”

“Oh,” Aunt Edna glanced at Kendall. “Will you be needing a separate room? I know things are different now, not like back in my day.”

Again, Jake spoke up before Kendall could open her mouth. “If you don’t mind, ma’am, I’ll sleep in here. I like to keep a close eye on her. Especially with this burglar running around.”

“Of course, well. I suppose it’s a good thing seeing as how I’m out of rooms. I would have had to put you with Nathan.”

“Who are your guests?” Jake asked.

“There’s Tom. He’s considering moving to the neighborhood and wanted to get a feel for the place. Then Charles, Charles Rutherford,” Aunt Edna said, her cheeks warming. “He’s here on business. Actually, he’s interested in buying the antique shop.”

“You’re thinking of selling?” Kendall asked.

“No, I don’t think so, but what’s the harm in letting him look around.” She chuckled. “He’s right handsome.”

“Aunt Edna, is this man the reason you looked so fixed up?”

“Maybe. I’m not too old to flirt.” Aunt Edna had been married once, a long time ago. Her husband had died in the Vietnam War. For all her efforts to get Kendall married, Aunt Edna had never shown any interest in remarrying. After she was sure Jake didn’t need food, drink, or anything else, Aunt Edna gave him a hug and left, looking pleased as could be.

A few seconds after the door closed, it opened again. Nathan stepped in. “You bastard.”

“Boy Friday? You asked for it.” His expression turned serious. “We have a problem. I followed someone in. Thomas.”

Nathan was still upset, but he was in control. “You saw Thomas here?”

“Unless he has a doppelganger too,” Jake said. “It looked just like the picture I saw of him at his town house.”

Kendall perched on the rocking chair near the door. “He can’t be alive. Can he?”

Jake lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “It’s a little odd that someone who looks like him keeps showing up.”

“And one of Aunt Edna’s guests is named Tom,” Nathan said. “Remember Thomas kept his first name even when he was pretending to work for the Reaper.”

“Makes me wonder if he was really undercover,” Jake said.

“Assuming that Thomas is still alive, you don’t think he’s working for the Reaper? He’s spent years trying to find and kill him,” Kendall said.

“He spent a lot of time undercover,” Jake said. “Maybe the Reaper got to him. We know he’s powerful, especially when it comes to mental tricks.”

“How could he know we’re here?” Kendall asked.

“I think he has some kind of connection with you,” Nathan said. “He may be following you.”

“Tracking me? Like a tracking device? I haven’t seen anything.”

“It might not be visible,” Jake said.

Kendall gaped. “Where . . . you mean in me?”

“Under your skin. He could have done it while you were sleeping.”

“Oh my God.” A shiver rippled over her skin as she remembered him sitting there watching her sleep. She started feeling her arms and neck. “Where would he put it? Wouldn’t I feel it?”

“It could be anywhere,” Jake said. “I’ll check you over tonight.”

Nathan made a dismissive sound. “It’s more likely he’s reading your mind.”

“That’s worse.” She felt violated. This was why she didn’t read other people’s minds.

“We need to take a look at this guy’s room,” Nathan said. “Did you see where he went?”

“The one next to Kendall’s.”

“I saw someone watching us earlier,” Nathan said. “I thought it was from this window. It could have been the next one.”

“Or was it you?” Kendall asked Jake.

“Wasn’t me,” Jake said. “I just got here.”

“I say we confront him now.”

“Exactly what I was thinking. You stay here,” Jake said when Kendall stood to follow them.

“I’m not sitting here like a helpless damsel.”

“You’re far from helpless,” Jake said, “but you’re the target if Thomas or anyone working for the Reaper is here. They’re not here to steal Aunt Edna’s china. Even if they’ve figured out that the chalice was here, it’s been years since you brought it. They’ll still need you to find it.”

Convinced, Kendall waited as they crept down the hall. The floors in the house had always creaked, but Jake and Nathan moved so quietly she couldn’t hear them. After five long minutes, they returned.

“He’s not there,” Jake said.

“He must have left.”

“Did you find anything in his room?” Kendall asked.

“Not even a toothbrush.”

“No one travels that light,” Nathan said. “Except in an emergency.”

Kendall shook her head. “We need to ask Aunt Edna about him.”

“We’ll have to keep an eye on his room,” Jake said. “I want to know who he is and what he’s doing here.”

Nathan nodded. “It’s too much of a coincidence that he shows up just as we’ve traced the chalice here.”

“Have you had any luck?” Jake asked.

“No. Aunt Edna remembers the suitcase but not what happened to it or the things inside. It’s been so long. This is probably hopeless. She probably sold it.”

Jake
paled. “Do you think she could have?”

“I don’t know. She sells some strange things in her antique shop. Some are really nice. Some oddball things. We’ll search the place tomorrow. We really should get some sleep. Aunt Edna will be up bright and early pressing us with breakfast. And she won’t take no for an answer.”

Nathan and Jake stood in the middle of the room staring at each other. “Coming?” Nathan asked, but he said it in a way that sounded like a statement.

“I’m not leaving Kendall alone,” Jake said. “So unless you’re sleeping here with us . . .”

Nathan’s eyes flickered. “Then I’ll see you in the morning.” Shoulders stiff, he turned and walked out.

When the door closed, Kendall looked at Jake.

“I told you I wasn’t giving up,” he said. “I know you have feelings for him too, but I think your body is confused. Your best friend who you loved, and you thought you lost, is all grown up, and he’s rich and . . . handsome. I’m not confused. I know what I want, and I’m not going to stop until you tell me to leave.” His gaze was steady on hers, not challenging, but determined.

He was admitting that Nathan was Adam, but he wasn’t admitting defeat. Kendall smiled. “Let’s get some sleep.”

Jake looked at the bed. “I’ll sleep on the floor if you want, but I’d like to sleep with you in the bed.”

She should have said no, because he was right about her being confused, and the vision had made it worse. But she wasn’t confused about her feelings for him, any more than she was confused about being glad Adam was back. She loved Jake.
In love?
She was still trying to figure that out. But the need to feel him close to her was stronger than any confusion or fear.

While he brushed his teeth in the bathroom down the hall, she gathered her things, not allowing herself to think too much about her decision. After he returned, she took her turn, and he watched as she walked to the bathroom door. She took a quick shower, brushed her teeth, and changed into a cami and yoga pants.