The Lost Chalice (The Relic Seekers Book 3)

by Anita Clenney

  “Here, Uncle John.” Kendall handed him the box.

  “I’m sorry, Kendall. It’s very old. Let’s go find you something else. Come along. You too, Adam.”

  Adam pressed his lips together and shook his head. His father spent almost every waking minute building his collection. He spent more time with those old things than he did with his own son. He could give up one stupid relic for a little girl who was almost like a daughter.

  Kendall’s father left, muttering that he had something to do. When Adam’s father and Kendall came back, she held up a turquoise necklace. “Look. This is the one we found in New Mexico.”

  He and Kendall had both been there when their fathers discovered the Pueblo dwelling.

  “I’m going to find a mirror,” Kendall said and ran off.

  Adam watched her go but didn’t follow.

  “You’re angry,” his father said.

  Adam hunched his shoulders. “You care more about your bloody artifacts than you do me.”

  A strange look came over his father’s face. “That’s not true.”

  “You spend more time with them.”

  His father rubbed his hands over his face and for a moment, he looked old. “You must know that I love you more than anyone. You’re all I have left. But you’re always busy with Kendall. I thought you were happy hanging out with her. I know she’s younger, but she’s always been your best friend.”

  “She’s my only friend. No other kids live in the deserts and jungles. Her father spends more time looking for relics than he does with her too. We don’t have anything but each other.”

  “I thought you liked this life. You said it was like a treasure hunt.”

  It was, but sometimes he missed normal things that other boys his age did. Baseball, football, girls.

  “Bloody hell.”

  Kendall was awoken from her sleep by Nathan’s cry. She jumped up and ran from her room. The couch was empty, so she hurried toward Nathan’s room, half expecting to see him and Jake fighting the Reaper’s men. She bumped into Nathan, just inside his door.

  “Are you OK?”

  “Better than OK.” He smiled and grabbed her in a hug.

  Startled, she put her arms around his waist and returned the hug. He leaned back and his eyes locked on her mouth. Still smiling, he lowered his head and gave her a quick kiss. He lifted his head slightly, lips still hovering over hers, and then kissed her again, this time not as quick. His hands cradled her face, and the kiss became more demanding. The sensations caught her breath. His body pressed closer, hands sliding down her back to her hips, pulling her tighter against him until she felt like she was coming out of her skin. Her head started to swim and she felt the room change.

  The heavy fabric of her gown brushed her legs. His hands were firm on her back, working the catch of her gown. He had been waiting for this all day. She had seen the longing in his eyes, felt it in his touch, the casual stroke of a finger along the inside of her wrist as she handed him a cup of wine. She let him pull her closer and his mouth teased hers. His lips were sweet from the honey he’d eaten earlier. His hips pressed closer, and she felt the promise there. There was a fleeting moment of guilt as she envisioned another face and another set of lips, just as dear. She brushed the feeling aside and let herself revel in the warmth of her lover. Her champion. Her husband. Her king.

  A presence crashed into her like a gale, and Kendall knew Jake had entered the room. By the time she disentangled herself, she heard Nathan’s bedroom door close. Kendall’s head was spinning. She wasn’t sure where she was. But she knew who had left the room.

  Oh, Jake.

  Nathan was panting, his lips still parted, eyes amber. “I’m sorry.”

  “I’ll go talk to him.” She caught up to Jake in the living room. He was standing in the middle of the room as if he wasn’t sure where to go. “Jake.”

  He turned, face set into a mask.

  “I’m sorry. I’m not sure what happened.”

  “You were kissing him.” There was no sarcasm in his voice.

  “It just happened. He was happy. He’s not often happy. He remembered something.” She didn’t even know what it was. “Before I knew what was happening, we were . . . kissing.” More than kissing. What was that? A daydream? A memory? Kendall touched Jake’s arm, wrapping her fingers around the smooth muscle. “I’m sorry.”

  “I don’t know what you feel for him,” Jake said. “But I know something’s there.”

  “I do feel something for him,” Kendall said. “He’s Adam.” And King Arthur. Her . . . husband . . . Crap.

  “Do you want to sleep with him?”

  “No . . .” Did she?

  Jake shook his head and turned away. His shoulders were slumped in defeat. “I can’t do this.”

  “Jake, I . . .” Love? “I care for you. A lot.”

  “You care for him a lot too,” Jake said and walked out the door.

  Nathan walked in. “Where is he?”

  “He went out.”

  An undercurrent of excitement rolled off Nathan. He couldn’t be that happy that Jake was upset.

  “I’m sorry, Kendall.”

  “It’s not your fault,” she said, searching dark eyes, thick lashes, and strong bones for some resemblance to the man in her vision or whatever that had been. But she hadn’t seen the man’s face. She had known his touch, though. Double crap.

  “If you want to hit me, go ahead.”

  “No. It’s not that.” She blinked, trying to clear her head. “Why are you so happy?”

  “I know who has the Holy Grail. You.”

  “Me?” Kendall frowned.

  “You had it. A long time ago. I gave it to you.”

  “You gave me the Holy Grail? Where did you get the Holy Grail?”

  “Remember the chalice I gave you for your tenth birthday? My father took it back and gave you a necklace instead.”

  “Yes, he said the chalice was too old.”

  “It was old all right. I don’t know how he got it,” Nathan said. “But it was the same cup in this painting.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “I am. I remembered it from a dream.”

  “Uncle John had an incredible collection. If the Holy Grail was on the black market, he would have known. But I didn’t get it. He took it back and gave me the necklace.”

  “I was mad at him. It was just an old cup, I thought, but there was something about it that felt special to me. He had lots of old cups, so I put it in your suitcase before you left for Aunt Edna’s.”

  “I had the Holy Grail! That was just before the plane crash. I never saw any of you again.” Kendall searched her mind, pushing through the memories of grief and pain as she tried to remember the suitcase. It was brown leather, like Indiana Jones might carry. “I remember the suitcase, but I don’t remember the chalice. Maybe Aunt Edna will know.”

  “I guess it’s time to visit your aunt,” Nathan said.

  “We can’t leave without Marco and Raphael.”

  “I’ll try him again,” Nathan said. “He doesn’t like cell phones, but I’m sure under the circumstances he has it turned on.”

  They reached Raphael. He hadn’t found Marco yet, but he was still searching the other floors of the château. He told them to go find the chalice. He would find Marco and bring him home.

  “I’ll go find Jake,” Kendall said. She was excited about the chalice but confused about her vision. And dreadfully worried about Jake.

  “I’ll come with you,” Nathan said.

  “I should talk to him alone.”

  Nathan hesitated. “Kendall, I know you feel something for him.” His lips thinned. “I don’t want to mess things up . . . I . . . I care for you, but I want you to be happy. If that means with Jake . . .”

  Kendall felt surprisingly miserabl
e for someone who’d just found out where the Holy Grail was. “Thank you.”

  “Go find Jake. If you’re not back in ten minutes, I’m coming after you.”

  Kendall nodded and hurried out the door. She didn’t know where Jake was, but she figured she’d try the bar. She didn’t get that far before she found him. He was on the first floor near the lobby, peeking around a corner. He turned and saw her and put his finger to his lips.

  She eased toward him. “What are you doing?” she mouthed.

  He nodded in the direction where he was watching. “The Reaper’s guards,” he whispered.

  “How do you know they work for the Reaper?”

  “I recognize one of them. You shouldn’t have come down here.”

  “I have to tell you something. We know where the Holy Grail is.”

  He didn’t hear her. Something had caught his attention in the lobby.

  “Did you hear me? What are you looking at?”

  “I just saw Marco.”

  “Here?”

  “Go back to the room. I’m going after him.” He looked down the hallway behind them and cursed. “There are more guards behind us,” he whispered. “Follow me, and keep your head down.”

  She lowered her head, which made it hard to see, but she relied on Jake to lead her. “Are you certain it was Marco?” she asked when they exited the hotel.

  “Yes. Come on. He went this way.”

  “We have to let Nathan know where we’re going.” Kendall took out her cell phone and dialed him. “We have a problem,” she said when he answered.

  “I know. I’m right behind you.”

  Kendall turned and saw Nathan hurrying toward them, his expression dark.

  “What the hell are you doing?” Nathan asked when he got near.

  “Jake saw Marco in the lobby.”

  “Maybe Raphael found him.”

  “I didn’t see Raphael, and he’s kind of hard to miss. But the Reaper has four guards here.” Jake motioned for Kendall and Nathan to hurry. “Come on, we’re going to lose Marco.”

  Marco was scurrying down the street at a fast pace. “I didn’t know he could move that quick,” Kendall said. “Maybe he’s been drinking the water.”

  They followed Marco as he hurried down a wide street and then darted into a narrow, curved side street lined with shops that were closed for the night. With each footstep Kendall felt herself stepping back in time, feeling the lives of the people who had lived and died there. The loves, fears, and wars. Shadows and voices pulled at her, making her feel sick. Drinking the water at the castle had made her senses more intense, but they were still erratic.

  “Where did he go?” Jake muttered, scanning the streets and buildings.

  “He must have gone into one of the doors,” Nathan said. “Unless he can walk through walls like Raphael.” He glanced at Kendall and put a hand on her back. “You don’t look good.”

  Of all times, why did her senses have to kick in now? “I’m just a little . . . sensitive.”

  Jake walked back to them. He held her chin and looked at her face. “It’s too much for you. We need to get her out of here,” he said to Nathan. “I think we’re chasing ghosts anyway. No way that old man could evade all three of us. The Reaper might be playing tricks with our minds.”

  “We can’t leave without making sure it isn’t him,” Kendall said.

  “We’ll call Raphael and tell him where we saw Marco,” Nathan said. “Finding the chalice is the most important thing right now.”

  While Jake went inside to look for the guards, Nathan called Raphael’s phone and left a message.

  “Are the guards still there?” Kendall asked when Jake returned.

  “Yes, but I took care of them.”

  “What did you do?” Kendall asked.

  “What I had to. They spotted me.” He tossed Nathan the car keys. “I grabbed these from the room. Let’s get out of here before more of the Reaper’s men show up.”

  They hurried to the car, but Jake didn’t get in. His face was a mask of gloom. “I’m not going.”

  “Why?” Kendall asked.

  “I have some things to do.”

  “If this is about being the Reaper’s son, I don’t care.”

  “I have to think. Nathan will take care of you.” His jaw tightened. He seemed unsure. “Stay close to him.”

  Kendall swallowed. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, her heart breaking.

  Jake nodded and walked away.

  They left the hotel and drove to the airport, passing glorious sights that held no appeal. Her senses felt dead. Even the prospect of finding the chalice didn’t help. And after all this time, would it still be there?

  They bought clothes and toiletries in the airport before their flight to Aunt Edna’s. Nathan was also distracted. Kendall knew he felt bad about kissing her, and neither of them wanted to talk about it. She had no idea if he had seen any part of the vision. If so, he hadn’t mentioned it. She didn’t know what she felt. Guilt. Pleasure. She loved Jake, but she loved Nathan too. Was it the same feeling for both men? She didn’t know. She’d never felt anything like it. But the woman in the vision had also loved two men.

  Had Nathan been Kendall’s husband in a past life? Had she cheated on him with Jake? If they were truly reincarnations or doppelgangers, and if the legends had gotten that part of the tale right, then they had. Her head hurt just thinking about it, because she knew there weren’t any clear answers.

  She slept throughout most of the long flight to Virginia. When she wasn’t sleeping, she was worrying. Mostly about Jake. He had just found out he may be the Reaper’s son. He’d remembered finding his mother murdered. And now, after he’d softened his brittle heart and fallen for her, she had betrayed him too.

  Jake stood at the front door of his house in Charlottesville, Virginia. He unlocked the door, but his hand hesitated on the knob. He’d enjoyed the house, what little time he spent here. The woman he’d called his grandmother had left it to him. She wasn’t really his grandmother, as far as he knew. She’d found him when she was searching for her missing grandson. Turned out it wasn’t Jake, but neither of them had family, and she was lonely, so he’d started visiting her. Just a few times at first, then more often, staying for dinner, helping her with odd jobs around the house. Maybe he was the lonely one, because for a while he’d felt like he had a family. Even after her mind started slipping, he still came, and it became a private joke between them, calling each other grandmother and grandson. She even told her neighbors that she’d found her missing grandson. There at the end, Jake was sure she believed it. And if Kendall was right about his mother’s ghost being here, maybe the woman he’d called grandmother really was related to him. Family or not, he’d loved her.

  Bracing himself, he opened the door and went inside. The house held none of the coldness that Clint had felt. It felt welcoming. Was there a presence here trying to ward off strangers and protect Jake? He sat down at the kitchen table and closed his eyes. He had a mother, a mother who had loved him. After years of trying to remember something from his childhood, and only coming up with that damned grave, finally he knew that she hadn’t abandoned him on the doorstep of an orphanage in India. He’d never known how he got there. No one had. But he still had so many questions.

  How had she gotten involved with the Reaper? Had she loved him? Had he kidnapped her? If she was the woman whose room Kendall had been held in, that didn’t jive. Kendall had sensed that the Reaper loved the woman. What had happened? He needed to know who she really was before he could deal with who his father was.

  He went to the spot where Kendall had seen her, and he stood, eyes closed. When that didn’t work, he sat down on the floor, legs crossed like when he was a kid—was that a memory?—and he waited. He tried to clear his mind of everything but the grave and the blond hair against raw dirt, the woma
n’s lifeless pale cheeks, eyes that had been so afraid and so kind, now closed—and the memories that had been locked away in a frightened little boy’s mind finally returned.

  Jake crouched behind the trees, waiting for his mother to come back. He didn’t know where he was. He’d fallen asleep on his mother’s lap on the way here. She’d told him she had to meet someone. He could hear her talking to a man. They were arguing. The man was angry, yelling at her, asking how she could do it, how she could leave. Jake didn’t know what he was talking about, but his mother sounded frightened. He heard another voice, and then his mother cried out. Was she hurt? He wanted to go to her, but he’d promised he wouldn’t leave until the man was gone. He always kept his promises.

  The man said his mother’s name, Maryanne. He kept saying it, over and over, his voice getting higher and louder. He sounded really mad. Or maybe scared. Jake was scared because his mother didn’t answer. Had she run away and forgotten about him? She wouldn’t leave him. Every day she promised him that she would never leave him. Sometimes it made her cry. Once she’d hugged him and said she was sorry for leaving him, that she would make it right. He’d never understood that, because she hadn’t left him. She almost never let him out of her sight. Someone started crying, and Jake wanted to come out, but he’d promised. She had told him he must never break his promises, so he stayed there listening to the man sob. Or was it a child? Two voices? The man said a name, but Jake couldn’t hear it clearly, and he couldn’t see through the trees. Terrified, he waited until the sounds faded. When he knew his mother wasn’t coming back, he slipped from his hiding place and moved toward where he had heard the voices.

  His mother was lying in a grave. He shook her arm and patted her cheeks, but she didn’t wake up. He held her hand and cried until he heard someone coming back. He wanted to stay with her, because he didn’t know where to go, but she’d made him promise he would run if bad men ever came after him. Knights never broke their promises. So he got up and ran.

  A touch on his shoulder brought Jake out of the memory. Startled, he turned, hoping it was Kendall. But she was with Nathan. He didn’t see anyone. A shiver moved across his skin, and the hair on his arms stood. A lump settled in his throat as he looked around the room for his mother. If she was there, he couldn’t see her.