The Curse Keepers Collection (124 page)

She was right. These could very well be garden-variety disappearances, but I had begun to take the stance that anything unusual was supernatural until deemed otherwise.

I needed to protect Myra, no matter what it took.

C
HAPTER
E
LEVEN

I wanted a few minutes alone to sort through all the cards I’d been dealt in the last half hour. I stood. “I need to use the restroom. I’ll be right back.”

“It’s the first door on the left,” Cheryl called after me.

My movement caught David’s attention. He turned to look at me as I walked toward the house, an anxious glint in his eye. I smiled at him—even if I didn’t feel like it—and the tension in his face instantly eased.

“He loves you,” Allison said, her voice matter of fact.

I jumped at the sound of her voice, surprised to see her standing in the doorway to the house. I could lie to her, but I didn’t see the point. “Yes. He does.”

Tears filled her eyes and she forced a smile. “How wonderful for you both.” Her lip quivered, but she kept right on smiling. “These stupid allergies.” Then she pushed past me into the yard.

I didn’t have to go to the bathroom, but Daddy had always taught me to go when I had the opportunity, whether I needed to or not, and old habits died hard. It felt invasive walking through David’s ex-girlfriend’s house, but I couldn’t restrain my curiosity. While her kitchen was generic with white cabinets and laminate counters, her living room was lined with glass display cases filled with knives and swords. I abandoned my original plan and wandered into the living room, stopping in front of one of the cases.

“Impressive, isn’t it?” Allison asked. She must have changed her mind and turned around to follow me.

I jumped again.
Damn it
. Some super-stealth sneak I was. Collin would be horrified. “I didn’t mean to snoop.”

“It’s not snooping.” She shrugged and a soft grin lifted the corners of her mouth. “If I were in your shoes, I’d do the same.”

Guilt slammed my chest. “Allison, I never meant to hurt you in any way. I considered not coming—”

She shook her head. “No, I specifically asked David to bring you. I wanted to see who had finally managed to win David Preston’s love and devotion.” She turned to face the case, her expression painted with sadness. “I’m not surprised he fell for you.”

My mouth parted. That was the last thing I’d expected her to say.

“Why does he really want to know about the collection I saw?”

“I told you.”

She turned to study me. “That’s a bullshit answer and we both know it.”

I resisted the urge to stiffen my shoulders in defense. “I can assure you that it does have something to do with the colony site.” When she didn’t respond, I decided to take the offensive. “You mentioned the Guardians. Were they the ones who contacted you?”

She glanced around and moved deeper into the room. I followed. “Yes. I wasn’t sure who they were until I got to Charlotte. They contacted me through the university and said they needed to consult with someone who had my expertise. But they told me I couldn’t tell anyone and made me sign and scan an NDA before they’d give me more details. After they received it, they gave me an address and told me to show up there the next day at one p.m. I almost told them no; it was the day before classes started and I really couldn’t afford to leave town for the day. Plus I wasn’t sure I could trust them.”

“But you went anyway?”

She released a short laugh. “They told me they thought they had the Sword of Galahad. Of course I went.”

I gave her a blank look.

“It’s a legendary sword rumored to have been blessed with the ability to kill demons.”

I held my breath, then forced it out. This was the one she’d mentioned to David. “Was it?”

She laughed again, the sound deeper and richer this time. “Are you asking if it was the actual Sword of Galahad or if it can really kill demons?”

I decided to go for broke. “Both.”

Her smile fell. “You’re serious.”

“David said the sword was blessed by a priest in the Middle Ages for a knight to use as a weapon in the Crusades. Would they really have used a sword that old? King Arthur’s court would have been centuries before the Crusades.”

Allison watched me intently for several seconds. “You’re not what I expected.”

“I hear that a lot.” Although it was usually from gods and spirits.

She shook off her musings. “You’re correct. If King Arthur were real, historians would place him between the fifth and seventh centuries. The Sword of Galahad is mentioned in relation to King Richard the Lionheart and the Third Crusade. That would have been 1189 to 1192, making it highly doubtful it could be the same sword, even if Galahad
were
real. Most historians think the sword was created specifically for King Richard and only modeled after a sword they attributed to Galahad. Still, the styling of swords had evolved—not surprisingly—over several hundred years. An Arthurian sword would have had a wider, bulkier blade, while one from the twelfth century would have been more tapered and lighter in weight.” She moved to another case, staring at the jewel-encrusted handle of a small knife. “But calling it the Sword of Galahad makes sense symbolically. Galahad was entrusted with the job of finding the Holy Grail. King Richard was on a holy mission too. People weren’t happy when Richard raided the treasury to support his quest. Saying he carried the Sword of Galahad into battle would have elevated him in people’s eyes.”

“Did you see it?” I asked. “Do you think it was the sword King Richard attributed to Galahad?”

“Now, that is the question, isn’t it?” A sly grin spread across her face. “I showed up in Charlotte and was met by an older woman. She told me her name was Miriam and she was with a very old organization called the Guardians. When I asked her what they were guarding, she laughed and told me I wouldn’t understand. Then she took me into a back room. They had enough antique weapons there to fill a museum and then some, along with a collection of pocket watches.”

“No other jewelry?”

Allison looked surprised by my question. “No.”

I involuntarily fingered the ring on my right hand, but Allison’s gaze followed my movement. “They wanted you to authenticate the Sword of Galahad?” I asked, to divert her attention.

“Yes, but they had other swords and knives as well. Miriam gave me a few moments to examine several of them. I asked to take photos, but they only allowed me to take one picture of the sword in question. After I told them there was no way I could verify on the spot whether it was authentic or not, they relented and allowed me to take one more. Photos aren’t enough, but they’re a start. I’m supposed to go back on Monday with some conclusions.”

“So what’s your gut reaction? Is it the Sword of Galahad?”

She stared at me for a few moments, her friendliness fading. “I don’t have to help you, you know. I don’t have to tell you a damn thing.”

“I know,” I said quietly. “Why
are
you telling me?”

Her eyes burned with intensity. “Because I have a feeling you’re putting David in some kind of danger.”

“
What?
”

She moved closer and grabbed my arm. “These people—the Guardians—I get the impression they don’t like it when people get into their business. But that’s exactly what David’s doing, isn’t it? Tell me I’m wrong.”

I didn’t answer. She was right.

“I also have a feeling you’re a huge part of this thing; otherwise why would you be hanging on my every word? Call it woman’s intuition, but David is doing this to help you.”

Again, I didn’t contradict her.

Her face softened and her eyes turned glassy. “So I’m begging you, Ellie. I’ll tell you everything you want to know, but leave David out of this.”

I shook my head, “Allison . . . I . . . ”

“Ellie?” David stood in the doorway to the living room. “Is everything okay?”

My head spun around to face him. “Yeah. Fine.”

Allison put her hands on her hips. “I was just showing Ellie my collection. Who knew she’d be so fascinated with dangerous things?”

David hesitated before responding. “The steaks are ready.”

“Then let’s eat.” She brushed past us, but before she stepped into the kitchen, she turned to look at me. “Ellie, think about what I said.”

I walked over and pulled David into a hug. “What did she say?” he whispered in my ear.

“More than I expected.” I glanced up into his worried face. “You were on the right track. The Guardians are behind this. They have a large collection of antique weapons and pocket watches, which I highly suspect is part of the Ricardo Estate. Allison went to look at a sword that is rumored to have belonged to King Richard the Lionheart, not just some random knight in the Crusades. It’s also known as the Sword of Galahad.” I filled him in on everything she’d said about the sword and its rumored history.

“Did she tell you what she originally wanted to show me?”

“No, but she confirmed she has two photos of the sword. She didn’t show them to me, and I suspect she’s holding them for ransom.”

“What’s the reward?”

“You. She’s figured out that I’m the one who needs the information. She’s worried for your safety, so she hopes that if she tells me what I want to know, I’ll leave you out of this mess.”

Anger darkened his eyes. “That’s bollocks!”

“She cares about you. She’s trying to protect you. I’m not sure I wouldn’t do the same thing if our roles were reversed.”

His gaze softened. “Ellie.”

Voices filled the kitchen and irritation pinched David’s mouth. “We’ll talk about this later. And I’ll set her straight.”

“Don’t be angry with her. Please.”

He gave me a gentle kiss. “You’re an amazing woman, Ellie Lancaster.”

I wished I were as amazing as he thought I was.

“We’ll ask her about it after everyone else leaves.”

I released a sigh. “I think she’s told me everything she plans on sharing unless I agree to give you up, and I refuse to lie. You’ll probably get more out of her if I’m not with you.”

He scowled. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Ellie.”

“David, I know that you love me. I trust you.”

He looked torn.

“You trust me when I see Collin.” Guilt stabbed me through the gut. I had every reason to trust David, while he had every reason
not
to trust me.

“That’s different. He’s the other Keeper. You’re tied to him whether you like it or not.”

“If we want more information—and we definitely do—you need to see her on your own. After dinner. I’ll go back to your place and come back to pick you up later.”

He grumbled his acceptance and we went off to join the others. Several of David’s friends teased him about going off into the other room with me, but he laughed it off good-naturedly. We filled plates with food from the buffet on the kitchen island and then headed outside to eat. I listened in rapt attention as David’s friends told me story after story about him. He had some wonderful friends, and it was obvious that they both liked and respected him. Even Allison seemed to loosen up after a while.

When the sun went down, David offered to start a fire in the fire pit. To my surprise, I felt slightly awkward that he felt so comfortable here at Allison’s house. But of course he would if he’d created this backyard oasis. Maybe when we moved closer to the ocean and found a place that was ours, David could grill and look as relaxed as he did here. But part of me knew that would never happen. As long as he was with me and demons roamed the earth, David would always be on guard. The thought made me sad.

Trina came and sat next to me while Allison helped David search for a lighter.

“You’re a better person than me.”

“What?” I asked in surprise. “Why do you say that?”

“Allison is determined to win him back. She always assumed their breakup was temporary. She thought David just got cold feet and would come back to her in good time. Then he went to Manteo and met you. I can tell you one thing—he never looked at her the way he looks at you. And she doesn’t like it.”

Trina must have read the surprise on my face. “You seem like a sweet girl,” she said. “I just wanted to warn you.”