A woman cried out, and Jake opened his eyes. He was back at the séance. His head felt thick. He saw Alice pointing at a ghostly figure near the ruins. “Merlin.”
A white-haired old man stood near one wall a couple hundred yards away, staring at them. Everyone gasped.
“I see him too,” Sandy said.
“Oh my God,” Rhonda said. “Merlin.”
“He’s waving,” Alice said. “He’s waving at us.”
Marco. What the hell was he doing here?
“There’s another man,” Halle said. “Oh my God.”
“I think it’s King Arthur,” Alice said.
“He isn’t dressed like a knight,” Larry said.
That was because he was Fergus. “You need to faint or something,” Jake whispered to Kendall, “so we can end this séance.”
Kendall gave a dramatic groan and slumped against Jake. He announced to everyone that she’d used all her strength and needed to rest. The group was beside themselves with excitement. Even Jake felt bad for the deception. Nathan would have to send them on a trip to make it up. The rest of the group decided to stay in hopes of seeing something else.
Jake ushered Kendall back toward the Abbey House. “I thought Nathan said they weren’t coming.”
“I think Fergus does what he wants,” Kendall said. They caught up to the two men just past King Edgar’s Chapel. Fergus was fussing at Marco.
“I wanted to see the place again,” Marco said. “It’s been so long.” He was wearing his dark monk’s robes.
“Miss Kendall, Jake, very good to see you,” Fergus said.
“When did you get here?” Kendall asked.
Fergus straightened his jacket. “About half an hour ago.”
“I didn’t know you were coming,” she said.
“Neither did Nathan,” Fergus said. “He won’t be happy.”
“Why are you here?” Kendall asked.
“I was worried,” Fergus said.
Marco looked at Jake. “We need to talk to Adam.”
“Adam?” Kendall looked at Jake.
Jake raised his brows and shrugged. “How did you find us?”
“A little boy told us that you were going to the abbey to find the secret tunnel,” Fergus said.
“Damned kid,” Jake said.
“Did you find the tunnel?” Marco asked.
“We found something,” Jake said. “We didn’t have time to explore.”
“Do you know where the tunnel leads?” Kendall asked.
“To the Tor. To the fountain.” Marco scratched his white beard. “He must not find it.”
“You mean the Reaper?” Kendall asked.
“The Reaper. If he finds the fountain and the chalice, we’re doomed.”
“Raphael said he was trying to get to the fountain without passing the statues.”
“You saw Raphael?” Fergus asked.
“He showed up earlier looking for Nathan.”
“Where is Nathan?” Fergus asked.
“We haven’t seen him since yesterday morning,” Kendall said.
Fergus looked alarmed. “That long?”
Jake glanced at Kendall. Without words they agreed not to mention for the moment their suspicion that Nathan might have murdered someone.
“I don’t think Raphael means to hurt him,” Kendall said. “He seemed to be trying to protect him. He said Nathan is in danger from the Reaper.”
“Let’s get back to our room,” Jake said. “We need to talk in private. You’re staying at the hotel in town?”
“No,” Fergus said. “We’re staying here at the Abbey House. I thought Nathan would be here with you.”
“No. We haven’t heard from him.”
“Most unusual,” Fergus said.
“Did you bring our things?” Kendall asked.
“Yes. They’re in our room.” Fergus whispered to them that he didn’t trust Marco on his own. “He’s feeling much better, but he still wanders, mind and body. It’s rather like babysitting.”
“Has he mentioned Adam to you?” Kendall asked as they walked back to Fergus and Marco’s room.
Fergus kept his voice low. “Marco mentions so many things. It’s hard to keep track.”
“Marco, Raphael said the Reaper mustn’t get the chalice. What chalice?”
Marco turned. “The cup of Christ.”
“The Holy Grail?” Jake asked.
“Yes, the Holy Grail,” Marco said.
“You have it?” Jake asked.
“It was one of the first relics we protected, but we lost it many years ago,” Marco said. “Raphael has been searching for it ever since. If the Reaper gets it, there will be little hope.”
“Why?” Jake asked. “What can he do with the chalice?”
“The Fountain of Youth keeps us strong and healthy, so we can protect the relics. That’s why we are so old. We must protect the relics. But we only drink from a ceremonial cup once a year. If someone were to take water from the Fountain of Youth and drink it from the chalice, then he would be eternal. And that is what the Reaper wants. To be eternal.”
“That’s just what we need. No offense,” Jake said, “but why aren’t you young like Raphael if you also drink from the fountain?”
“I stopped drinking years ago,” the old man said.
Kendall looked at Marco. “May I ask why?”
“I lost the right to drink. That’s all I can say.”
“There was a chalice at the place where we were staying before,” Kendall said. “It’s supposed to have healing powers. It was stolen earlier today. Could that be your chalice?”
“It was here at the abbey once upon a time,” Marco said. “I wasn’t responsible for moving it, so I don’t know. If the Reaper finds it and takes it to the fountain, we’re doomed.” He looked out the window toward the Tor. “The only way he could do that is if he’s created another gateway, another portal.”
“Like the one in the maze?” Jake asked.
“He can’t use ours. They’re protected by the statues, but if he has created another portal, it will be very bad. He and Raphael are very knowledgeable about such things. That’s part of the reason they worked so well together.”
“Raphael and the Reaper worked together?” she asked.
“At one time they were as close as brothers,” Marco said. “When the Reaper betrayed us, he tried to persuade Raphael to join him. Raphael refused, but it broke his heart. A heart that had already been broken. That’s why he avoids women. Raphael appears gruff, but he has a sensitive soul.”
Jake frowned. “Are we talking about the same Raphael? The one with tattoos on his face and a wicked dagger?”
Marco frowned. “Pay me no mind, just the ramblings of an old man.”
“Marco, do you know who the Reaper is?” Kendall asked.
Jake took a step closer in case she got the answer she expected.
“No one knows who the Reaper is now,” Marco said.
“Now?” Jake asked.
“He will have changed his appearance.” Marco rubbed his head.
“Plastic surgery?” Kendall asked.
“Perhaps,” Marco said.
“What was his name then?” Kendall asked.
“Luke. He was Luke.”
“I believe Marco needs his medication,” Fergus said. “And he needs rest. He’s still healing.”
“Thank you again, Marco. You saved my life.”
“It was necessary. We need you to save him.”
Jake heard Kendall pull in a quick breath. She touched the old man’s arm. “Save who?”
Marco frowned and looked around the room. “Where is my bed?”
Here we go, Jake thought.
“Your bed is here, Marco.” Fergus pointed him to one of the two beds in the room.
“This place looks most strange,” Marco said. “Where is Arthur? I always check on Arthur before he retires to bed. Troubles weigh heavily on his mind.”
Kendall, Jake, and Fergus shared a glance. “He has spells like this,” Fergus said. “Marco has quite the imagination. I believe he’s very well-read.”