The Templar's Curse by Sarwat Chadda (classic books to read TXT) 📕

years old. They should have been put in museums. Erin never really forgave her mum for that. Maybe that’s another thing she feels guilty about. Her mum died a few years afterwards.”

“Poor Erin. No kid should have to deal with all that.”

Ardhan continued. “Erin went away for about a year. No one knew where. Turns out she was taken to a hospital. She doesn’t talk about it, not even with me. But you pick up clues, don’t you? She’s still haunted. There are times, even now, when I don’t think I know her at all. ”

“If that’s true then I’m here to help her,” said Billi.

“Why you? Why not us? We’re her friends.”

“Because you’ve not been to those dark places like Erin, nor me. Places you don’t want to go.”

Ardhan nodded slowly. “You hear about these things. Erin once told me it wasn’t her dad she was afraid of, but another man. Someone her dad had warned her about. Someone who’d done bad things to him, and wanted to do bad things to her.”

It was all falling into place. Simon’s ghost had warned them. If there was no clue leading to the Vessel of the Anunnaki, then there might be a clue here leading to the person who was after Erin, and who’d kidnapped Ivan. “That man have a name? Please, Ardhan. I need to know.”

“Yes. Reginald.”

CHAPTER 17

Could it be Reggie? Lawrence had sworn he was dead, very dead. But could both of them be right? Ardhan and Lawrence?

Had Reggie FitzRoy found a way to come back from death, or was he like his grandson, Simon, some sort of undead, now haunting Erin? That would be more than enough to break the sanity of anyone, especially a young girl who’d just lost her dad.

Billi had ridden back home straight after cleaning up. She’d waved goodbye from the kitchen while Erin swayed dreamily in the light of the setting sun, lost in her own world. Billi had changed back into her own gear, but had stuffed the dress in her saddlebag. Maybe she might have reason to wear it again, and her own wardrobe seriously lacked such finery.

Could Reggie still be here? Lawrence had told her that he’d been given command over demons. Could they have taken Ivan? She knew she was clutching at straws. She wasn’t a detective. She was a fighter. Put an enemy in front of her and she’d take care of the rest. But she was lost exploring shadows. She needed help.

The light in the kitchen was on. Billi had not left it on when she’d gone out this morning. The potted plants either side of the door were missing and there was scattered mud from the door to the kitchen. The kettle was on.

Someone had broken in and was making themselves quite at home. If it turned out to be a little blonde girl eating her porridge she was going to get a slap.

The Templar sword stood by the door and Billi quietly drew it from its scabbard. The intruder didn’t care that Billi knew he was there, and Billi wasn’t going to creep around her own apartment. “You’ll find the coffee in the cupboard above the fridge.”

Gwaine had his back to her as she came to the kitchen door. He’d made himself a mug, but not one for her. Bloody Gwaine.

“Where the hell have you been?” he snarled, without turning around. “You are meant to be training the squires.”

Billi put the sword down on the table. “Something more important has come up, Gwaine. Ivan’s gone. He’s been kidnapped.”

He turned slowly, and took a sip. “Oh? And what’s that got to do with me?”

Keep your head, SanGreal. He wants you to start a fight. Don’t let him. You need him. You need the Templars.

Gwaine continued. “He’s got himself mixed up with the Russian mafia. We all know it. Made himself the wrong enemies along the way. Those sorts of... domestic issues aren’t anything to do with the Templars. He’s missing? So go tell the police and get back to your duties.”

“It’s not anything that mundane. You heard of the Ouroboros Society?”

“I’ve heard of them,” said Gwaine. “So?”

“So? Is that your answer? One of them’s kidnapped Ivan! I’ve been looking into it.”

“You? By yourself?”

She’d started, so she might as well tell him everything. “Faustus too. I needed his help dealing with a haunting. It’s all tied up with artefacts being smuggled out of Iraq during the war. Not just that djinn jar but something much more powerful, much more dangerous.”

“And how’s this connected to Ivan? He wanting to get into the smuggling business himself?”

“You gonna help me or not?”

“You give me some proof of what you’re saying and I’ll have a look.” He finished the mug and walked past her. “Tomorrow morning. First thing. I want you down at the ossuary with your gloves on and training the squires.”

She gritted her teeth. He was doing this just to show he was boss. He didn’t care about Ivan, nor her. “This can’t wait, Gwaine. Ivan’s in danger.”

“You disobeying me? I am Seneschal, girl. While your dad’s away I am in charge.” Then he scoffed. “You’ll never change. You wonder why you’re still sitting on the outside? You think it’s because you’re a girl or some fool notion like that? We’re past caring. Being a Templar is about obeying the rules. And that’s something you just cannot allow yourself to do.”

And that was it. He didn’t slam the door as he left. Gwaine wasn’t even angry at her. He’d made his point. The Templars wouldn’t be helping her save Ivan.

That git! The moment her dad was out the picture, he was lording it over everyone. He wasn’t interested in achieving anything. Training the squires? What about dealing with what was out there?

She could go to Mo, speak to Carados and Idres. Try and persuade them to help her. But that would put them in an impossible position. They wouldn’t dare defy Gwaine. Being in the order meant everything