“That is an extreme exaggeration,” Fergus said, glaring at Art.
After they got rid of Art, Fergus, Kendall, Nathan, and Jake went to the room. Nathan sat on the sofa. “Fergus, who am I?”
Fergus blinked. “What do you mean, sir?”
“You know bloody well what I mean. Who hired you?”
Fergus pulled in a breath that made the buttons on his shirt strain at the buttonholes. “Marco.”
“How the bloody hell did that happen?”
“He contacted me through an employment service. He said he had an orphaned boy who needed to be looked after.”
“You never told me this?”
“You never asked, sir. And Marco made me swear in writing that I would not tell you anything about your childhood. He said it was a matter of security.”
“This is crazy,” Nathan said. “Who was my father?”
“I don’t know that, sir. Someone powerful with powerful enemies. Marco said you must be protected.”
“Stop calling me sir. What about the money, the boarding schools… Where did it come from?” Nathan asked.
“The foundation, sir. The one you asked me to research.”
“The one that owns the castle in Italy? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You already had so much on your mind. Then I saw Marco and I was shocked. I hadn’t seen him since you were a boy. He and I talked, and we decided it best to wait a while to tell you.”
“But you work for me,” Nathan said.
“Not technically,” Fergus said.
“I should fire you.”
Fergus scowled at Nathan. “I was doing my job, sir. The job I was hired to do. I’ve done it very well. I’ve watched over you as I would my own son.”
Nathan sighed. “I’m sorry, Fergus.” He rubbed his chin. “I just wish you had told me.”
“I couldn’t. I was sworn to secrecy, and I thought your life depended on it. Are you planning to return to the hotel tonight? I think Marco will need to rest first, and I’m sure he would like to visit the abbey again before we go. It’s been a long time since he was here.”
“I’m not going anywhere tonight,” Kendall said. Her brain was fried.
“We’ll stay here until tomorrow,” Nathan said. “I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m too tired to move anyway.”
Fergus fairly flew out of the room, leaving Kendall, Nathan, and Jake alone. She sat down across from the men. “Some night this has been. We found the Fountain of Youth, finally met the Reaper.” She looked at Nathan. “Discovered that Adam is alive.”
“I’m still not sure I’m Adam. There are some things that make me think I am. The man in my dream, or my memory, whatever it was, he called me Adam.” He rubbed a hand through his hair. “The first time I saw you, I felt as if I knew you. That’s one reason I hired you. I had to know why you looked familiar when nothing from my childhood was.”
“I saw one of your memories in the fountain room,” Kendall said. “I saw myself as a little girl. How could you have seen me back then if you’re not Adam? And only Adam knew our secret sign for trust me. Do you want me to try to read you? Maybe it’ll jog something.”
“Maybe later.”
“Why not now?” Kendall asked. “Then you’ll know for sure.” She wasn’t positive she could read him, but there might be a chance if he wasn’t blocking her.
“He’s afraid,” Jake said quietly, his lips tight. “He’s afraid he’s not Adam.”
Nathan gave Jake an irritated look, but he didn’t deny it.
“We need to go back to Great Falls and see if you remember anything,” Kendall said.
“Great Falls?” Nathan asked.
“That’s where you lived. Where Adam lived.”
Nathan nodded. “That might help. I get these flashes of strange places. Strange faces.”
“If you’re Adam, and I think you are, I owe you an apology. You tried to stop me from leaving the room at the castle, but I didn’t listen. I got you into this. I’m probably responsible for your father dying, for my father dying.”
Nathan put his hand over hers. “I don’t think you caused it. You said something was bothering your father, and mine, or Adam’s. If he had money and a rare collection, I’m sure he had enemies. There were probably threats. Look at me. There are many people who would kill for my collection, not just the Reaper. It’s not your fault.” He shrugged. “I can’t remember them anyway.”
“Your… condition is also my fault. You were there when I took the vow, and you got caught in the light.”
“I think you were right about it not being a curse. Not exactly. I don’t understand it, but I feel like I’ve gained more control.”
“You may be like Raphael. You have to learn to use it.”
“Are you saying he’s a damned guardian?” Jake asked.
“He’s got the eyes and the speed,” Kendall said. “And I didn’t tell you that the black knight in the tunnel had glowing eyes.”
Jake threw up his hands. “Now you’re gonna tell me Nathan is Adam and some kind of modern knight?”
“I’m not saying that,” Kendall said. “But it’s kind of odd if you think about it. Marco said King Arthur and his knights were the first of the order. Raphael is really old. He could have been a knight, and his eyes glow like Nathan’s.”
“If Raphael gets back alive, he’s got some questions to answer,” Nathan said.
“I’m not calling you Adam,” Jake said.
Nathan shrugged. “I’ve been Nathan for longer than I’ve been Adam, if I’m even him.” Then he and Jake started arguing about sleeping arrangements. “Maybe there’s another room available?”
“There’s not,” Jake said. “I checked for you.”
“For me?” Nathan said, frowning.
“You two take the bed,” Kendall said. “I’ll sleep on the sofa.”
“Let him take the sofa,” Jake said.
“I’m going to take a shower. You two sort it out.” She needed just a moment without having either of them around.
She walked into the bathroom and undressed. She pulled back the shower curtain to turn on the water and saw a man’s legs stretched out in the bathtub. Kendall screamed and the man leapt at her, but he got tangled in the shower curtain and fell into her. They both landed on the floor. The bathroom door crashed open as Kendall realized who was on top of her.
Raphael.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
THERE ARE ALWAYS so many people involved in the complex process of taking a book from that first glimmer of an idea to a published story. As always, I have to thank my husband and kids for their patience and love and inspiration. Austin, you have some great ideas! Thanks to my agent, Christine Witthohn, a true friend and champion. My critique partner, Dana Rodgers, for her wonderful editing and brainstorming. Thanks to Lori McDermeit, Tamie Holmes, and Fawn Johns for their insights into the book. Lori—if I’m ever out that way, I want one of your meals! To Clarence Haynes, my developmental editor, for his expert direction, and to Kelli Martin, my wonderful Montlake editor, and the Montlake team, thank you all!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Barbara Woodard
NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling author Anita Clenney writes mysteries and paranormal romantic suspense novels, including the bestselling Connor Clan series. Clenney grew up an avid reader, devouring Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books before moving on to mysteries and romance. It was only after several successful but wildly different careers—including work as an executive assistant, a real estate agent, a teacher’s assistant, and a brief stint in a pickle factory—that she discovered her untapped passion for writing. Clenney’s first novel, Awaken the Highland Warrior, won the Single Title Reviewers’ Choice Award. She lives with her husband and two children in suburban Virginia.