“You and your friend were able to stumble upon something that has been hidden for over five thousand years.”
Sean was incredulous. “I wouldn’t say stumble. It took a lot of hard work and research to—”
“Silence,” the man ordered and brandished the weapon threateningly. “We will protect the ark at all costs. It must never fall into the hands of man. Immortality is only for the righteous.”
Sean’s eyes narrowed at the last statement. “I’ve heard that phrase before,” he spoke in a tone full of curiosity more than fear. “It was one of the clues Tommy and I found. What I want to know is what is so special about that boat that you and your friends seem hell-bent on protecting it, and Alexander Lindsey will do anything to find it.”
The last statement caught the man off guard. “You speak of the man who came here before? He is of no concern. Several of my brethren are en route to intercept this man, Lindsey. Before the sun sets tonight, he will be in our custody.”
“I hope you sent a lot of men, because Lindsey sure will,” Sean stared threateningly into the man’s eyes.
He wasn’t sure who he would cheer for in a fight like that. But he had a gut instinct about the man in front of him with the gun. “You said your job was to protect the ark. What does that gig pay?”
“We have protected the ark of Noah for thousands of years. To serve the order is a great honor,” the man inched closer still. “Every one of us would die to keep it safe. And we would kill as well.” He finished the last sentence and lifted the barrel of his gun.
“All for some ancient boat,” Sean prodded.
“It is more than a boat, Mr. Wyatt. Your lack of knowledge concerning the contents of the ark proves that you are unworthy.”
“That may be,” Sean’s words came out just above a whisper. “But you should never get too close to your target.”
He dipped to his left and brought his right leg around in a swift kick. The gun barrel fired, sending a bullet pinging off of the metal walls. Firth ducked down and tried to protect himself with his arms over his head.
Adriana reacted instantly, launching herself at the mysterious man and wrapping her hands around his neck. Sean gripped the man’s arm and twisted it in an awkward direction, causing the victim to scream and drop to his knees.
The weapon fell to the floor with a clank. Sean reached down and grabbed it immediately then stretched it out towards the man in the tunic who was struggling to breathe with Adriana’s strong arms around his neck.
“Stop squirming around,” Sean ordered in low tone. “A bullet to the head is better than her snapping your neck. And I guarantee you she knows how.” His warning seemed to catch the man’s attention and he ceased his escape efforts. “Now, who are you?”
“My name…”he tried to speak but his voice was cut off by the tight forearm around his throat.
Sean motioned for Adriana to loosen her grip a little. When she complied, the man let out a desperate gasp.
“Try again,” Sean’s sarcastic tone carried no empathy.
“My name matters not, American. Our mission is the only thing of importance. You can kill me if you wish. You will never get out of here alive.”
If there were others like him waiting above ground, leaving would be a difficult task indeed. Something about Sean’s instincts told him the man wasn’t bluffing.
“I don’t want to kill anyone,” he responded. “I never do.”
“Empty words from a man with so much blood on his hands, Sean Wyatt,” the captive spat.
Sean ignored the barb. “We’ve all done some things we’re not proud of. I’m sure you have too. But right now, I am trying to figure out where Alexander Lindsey is headed. He has the only clue that will lead to the final chamber.”
The stranger’s dark eyes became slits. “And why do you seek the last chamber, Sean Wyatt? For glory? Wealth? Fame?”
“I don’t give a crap about any of that,” Sean laughed.
“All you Americans are the same. You only seek the temporary pleasures of this world.”
“No,” Sean shook his head. “I’ve had money. Still have some. And I don’t care about fame. What I care about is history, good coffee, football, motorcycles, family, and friends. Not in that order. I don’t know why Alexander Lindsey wants to find the last chamber so badly. We heard there might be something that can make humans immortal. As far as I know, that’s an old fairy tale that has been the cause of way too much pain. But if you know something about it, and you want to help us stop a bad person from finding your precious ark, then I would speak up now before I put a little more blood on my hands.”
The Arab’s eyes peered unwaveringly into Sean’s soul, searching for a crack, a weakness that would give away his true intentions. It was a game Sean had played many times, and his poker face was the best around.
“I am Jabez,” the stranger blurted out finally. “I am the leader of The Order of Guardians.”
Sean lowered the weapon to his side and motioned for Adriana to let him go. “See, that wasn’t so hard. Was it?”
The man slumped forward, coughing for a minute on one knee. He regained his composure and his breath, and stood back up in an attempt to look more dignified.
Dr. Firth had watched the exchange from the safety of his corner. He had been silent the entire time. “I have heard of your group,” he spoke with fearful reverence. “Only rumors about shadows and ghosts.”
Jabez turned his attention to the old man. “We try to remain as invisible as possible,” he sneered.
“We need your help,” Sean stated plainly, regaining the Arab’s attention. “We don’t know where the next marker is that points to the final chamber. If Lindsey gets there before us, he will have access to whatever it is he’s looking for. I have a feeling that will not a good thing.”
“We do not know the exact location of the ark of Noah. That is not our purpose. Our mission is only to keep the wicked at bay. If this Lindsey has the final clue to the ark’s location, they will most likely be headed to the Valley of the Eight in eastern Turkey.”
“Eastern Turkey?” Sean wondered. “Why would they be headed there?”
“Because,” Jabez smirked, “that is the location of Mount Ararat. I assume you have heard that story.” The stranger seemed to relax a little.
“Yeah,” Sean nodded, “I’ve heard it. Big boat on top of a mountain. Doesn’t seem feasible to me. I don’t think there is enough water on this planet to cover twenty thousand feet of mountain.”
“What you think is irrelevant. This Lindsey will not find the last chamber on Ararat.”
“Just to be safe,” Adriana eased over to Sean’s side. “We’d still like to make sure they don’t.” Her dark, piercing eyes were mesmerizing and intimidating all at once.
Jabez studied the two of them, largely ignoring Firth who still stood cautiously off to the side. Sean could tell he was weighing his options, which were not great at that point. He cursed himself under his breath for letting Wyatt take his weapon. But there was nothing he could do. Sean had shown an act of good faith by lowering the gun. But distrust was written all over the Arab’s face.
“Do you three know what treasure awaits in the final chamber?” he asked after several moments of consideration.
Sean and Adriana glanced at each other before Sean spoke up again. “The clues suggest that the tree of life is there, though, I am skeptical at best on that. However, if there really is some kind of fountain of youth-type thing there, we cannot let Lindsey get to it.”
“And why not?” Jabez raised an eyebrow. For a guy with no gun in a gunfight, he was pressing his luck as far as he could.
“Because anyone who is that desperate, calculating, and cold blooded, cannot have righteous intentions for something so powerful. And like you said, immortality is for the righteous.”