Nathan scowled and walked off, leaving Jake and Kendall in the hall.
“You’re trying to make him angry,” she said.
“I’ve gotta do something to liven things up in this place. You’re avoiding me. Nathan’s no fun. That leaves Fergus, and he’s acting as strange as Marco.”
“We’ve all been through a lot this past week.” Kendall pulled her hair back and fastened it with a ponytail holder from her wrist. “Do you think he’s right about the Fountain of Youth?”
“Sounds crazy to me. And it sure hasn’t kept Marco youthful. I like your hair better down.”
She pulled it tighter. “The Protettori had the Spear of Destiny. Why not the Fountain of Youth?”
“The spear is real,” Jake said. “There’s history behind it. The fountain is a myth.”
“So we’ve been told.”
“Can’t you read Marco or something?” Jake asked.
“I don’t like reading people. It’s like stealing. And it usually doesn’t work anyway.” Not when she wanted it to. It worked just fine when she didn’t, when she was least expecting it. “But if we can’t get anything else from him, I may have to try.”
“Where are you off to?” Jake asked.
“I have some things to do.” She was going to finish examining the crosses in private before she took them back. She didn’t mind prying into the past of an inanimate object. It wasn’t the same as rifling through a person’s head. “I’m going to do some research on the Fountain of Youth.”
She stopped by the library for some reference materials. Nathan’s collection of books was extensive. Using the sliding ladder, she climbed to the top shelf and found two books that explored the fabled fountain. She carried them to her bedroom and put them and the crosses on the bed. She made herself comfortable and studied the crosses first. She didn’t get any new impressions and after a few minutes, she gave up. Jake was right. Her gift was a pain in the ass sometimes.
Sighing with frustration, she put the necklaces in her purse and walked to the door. She needed to return the crosses. She was surprised to see Nathan leaving Jake’s room. They stood in the hallway, speaking in low voices. She didn’t want to explain her actions, so she eased her door shut. Later, after everyone was asleep, she would put them back.
Next, she opened her reference materials. The Fountain of Youth was like vampires. Everyone had their own myths and speculations as to the origins and purpose. After her eyes grew blurry, she put the books aside and went to grab dinner. It was informal, usually a buffet allowing each of them to dine at their convenience. Neither Jake nor Nathan was there, which wasn’t surprising. Since they had returned from Italy, Nathan usually ate in his room and God knew what Jake was up to. After dinner, Kendall pulled clothing from her restocked closet and packed her duffel bag for the trip. Then she took a long soak in the huge Jacuzzi before turning in early. The jet would leave before sunrise, and packing up the treasure quickly and yet carefully would be a tiring task.
She was glad Nathan was sending them back to the castle. After the treasure was safe, she planned to spend some time exploring the place, letting the sensations and history sink in. If she wasn’t chasing ghosts or running from bad guys, maybe she would find answers.
She lay down, anxious for morning. Sometime in the night, she heard the roar again. Her feet hit the floor and she opened her door, almost colliding with a sleep-tousled Jake on the other side. He was dressed in his camos and T-shirt. In fact, he looked as if he’d slept in them.
“Are you OK?” he asked, stepping inside her room.
“Yes.”
“Where’s Nathan?”
“How should I know? It’s the middle of the night.”
Jake looked at Kendall’s bed and rubbed his eyes. “Sounded like his roar.”
“You heard it too?” She’d thought it must be her sixth sense playing tricks.
“Yeah.” He gave her a wary look. “You projecting your mumbo jumbo again?”
Another roar sounded, louder than the first, angrier.
“Hell, that was real,” Jake said.
“I think Nathan’s in trouble.” Kendall ran into the hall. “It came from this direction.”
“Hold up!” Jake put his hands on her shoulders, stopping her. “I’ll go. You wait inside.”
“Are you kidding?” She bolted around him. She was quick, but so was Jake, and his stride was longer, so she had to sprint to stay with him. Shouting now accompanied the roars.
“It’s coming from the lower level,” Jake said.
“What could it be?” Kendall asked, alarmed.
“Maybe he has found Bigfoot. Hell, maybe he is Bigfoot.”
“If that’s Nathan roaring, we need to hurry. Aren’t you taking the elevator?” she asked as Jake moved past.
“No. The stairs will be faster.” He led her down the steps. She’d never been down here. It was off-limits to the staff, but Jake didn’t take well to orders. The lower level was in chaos. Armed guards ran past them, shouting instructions.
Nathan didn’t like weapons. Usually only a handful of guards carried guns. Kendall shook her head. “What’s going on down here?” She jumped back as a burly guard rushed past them. He stopped and turned around, planting himself in front of Kendall and Jake. It was Hank, one of Nathan’s top guards.
He eyed Jake nervously. “You’re not supposed to be down here.”
“What’s that noise?” Kendall asked.
The guard glanced over his shoulder as the roar sounded again. He looked frightened. Nathan’s guards never appeared scared. He always hired the best of the best. “An intruder. Now go, before Nathan finds you here.” He motioned with the gun.
“Where is Nathan?” Jake asked.
Hank’s jaw clenched. “Dammit, just go.”
“Jake. Kendall.” Fergus hurried toward them, his face tight. “What are you doing here?”
“What’s going on, Fergus?” Kendall asked.
Fergus straightened his perfectly straight jacket. “He’s gone too far.”
“Look out!” Someone yelled, and a wall of guards rushed toward the room.
“Don’t hurt him!” someone else called out. It sounded like Hank. “Get the Taser.”
“What the hell?” Jake hurried toward the commotion. “Stay here,” he told Kendall, and he pushed his way through.
Kendall didn’t stay. She followed him. One of the guards flew through the air, knocking down several others.
Jake turned and saw her. “Dammit.” He pushed her into a corner where they were out of the way but could still see the guards. They looked frightened, and that made the hair on Kendall’s neck stand up. Jake positioned his body in front of hers.
“I’m not leaving,” she said. “I want to know what’s happening.”
“So do I, but I don’t want you getting in the middle of it.” A streak of light flashed by them.
“What was that?” Kendall asked, peering around Jake. “A flashlight?”
“I don’t know.”
“Look at that guard. Is he dead?” She pointed to a guard who was lying on his back.
Jake frowned. “I think he’s snoring.”
Nathan ran up beside her. “Get Kendall out of here now,” he yelled to Jake.
“What’s going on, Nathan?” Kendall demanded.
“I can’t explain now. Just go. Please, Jake. Get her away from here. I’ll talk to you both later.”
Jake nodded and pulled Kendall back.
“I’m not leaving. Are you OK, Nathan?”
His eyes were dark as he touched Kendall’s hand. “I’m fine. Go.”
“How did he escape?” Nathan asked. “Did he steal a key to the lock?”
“The lock isn’t the issue. Take a look at what the camera caught.” Hank pointed to a monitor. “I warn you, you’re not going to believe what you see. Look at that. He just appears outside the door to his room. Like he walked through the wall.”