John Sneeden - The Hades Conspiracy

Roger Lawson was solely to blame for the debacle. Roger should have killed them all when he had the chance. But instead, he’d decided to play games. Viktor seethed with anger. The Australian would pay once they were done here. For now, he needed to consult with the masters to see what they wanted him to do next.

Soft footfalls carried across the alcove — the council returning. A moment later, he heard them placing the votive candles around him, a necessary step in warding off unwanted spirits. After it was done, someone approached to within a few feet. Viktor slowly opened his eyes. Brutus, the most trusted member of his council, stood before him.

Seeing Viktor’s eyes open, Brutus bowed at the waist. “The circle is complete.”

“Thank you. Gather the others, and return to the city. Don’t come back until I call you.”

Brutus bowed again. “Yes, my lord.”

Once the footsteps died away, Viktor closed his eyes and waited. A minute later, a dark spirit slipped into his consciousness. Viktor felt its anger, and he trembled in its presence.

You allowed poison to enter our abode . The voice was like the hiss of a serpent.

Viktor’s voice shook with nervousness. “It wasn’t I who did that… It was the other one.”

We blame you because you invited him in .

“I’m sorry… please… I needed him to locate—”

We could’ve told you where it was! The voice was ominous, threatening.

“Please forgive me,” Viktor whimpered. “I promise I won’t fail you.”

The people beyond the gate must be killed.

“How… how will we do that?”

You won’t do anything! There was a long pause. We’ve released two merchants of death. They’re coming up even as we speak. Once their work is finished, you may enter, but not before .

Viktor was about to thank him, but the spirit had already departed.

He sat in silence. Viktor’s mind suddenly plunged into the dark abyss. Clouds swirled. An image appeared. He knew immediately it was no dream. Two dark figures moved through the cave. At first, the image was fuzzy, but soon, it sharpened, and their features appeared.

Viktor recoiled at the sight. They were horrifying beyond belief.

And for a moment, it seemed as though they were coming for him…

Carmen watched as Emily rushed into her father’s arms. Sobs followed in waves. She squeezed him tightly, as though she never wanted the embrace to end. Richard Pauling seemed as moved as his daughter, resting his head on her shoulder.

Emily pulled back and used her father’s sleeve to wipe the tears from her eyes. “I love you, Dad.”

“I love you too, darling.” He stared into her eyes.

“I never completely gave up hope. There was something inside me… I can’t even explain it. I felt you were out there somewhere.”

He held her face with both hands. “You were right. I was always there. And I never gave up hope that I might see you again.”

The two finally pulled apart, giving Zane the opportunity to make introductions and bring Pauling up to date on all that had taken place since entering the mountain. The archaeologist seemed shocked to learn they had passed through an underground city.

After Zane finished, Carmen asked, “Forgive me for being so blunt, but how are you still alive? I find it shocking you weren’t killed.”

“To be perfectly honest, I think it was because of you,” Pauling answered.

Zane’s brow furrowed. “Because of us?”

“Did you break into my home?”

“Yes.”

“That’s why I was spared.” Seeing the looks of confusion, he explained. “Let me start at the beginning. When I was first taken, they threw a hood over my head and pressed a needle into my arm. The next thing I know, I’m awake on a bed, surrounded by bad men with big guns.”

“Were you still in Venice?” Carmen asked.

“I believe so, but I can’t be sure. I don’t even know how long I was out. I could’ve been in Venice, or I could’ve been somewhere a few hours away. In any event, shortly after I woke up, they began to ask me about the map. At first, I resisted, so they made life hard for me.” He glanced at Emily briefly. “It got so bad I finally told them it was in a file at my house. I even told them which desk it was on.”

“Was that true?” Amanda asked. “We never saw a file lying out.”

Pauling shook his head. “No, but I thought it might buy me some time. I still held out hope the authorities would find me, or perhaps I’d find a way to escape. When your back is against the wall, you’ll always look for any little splinter of hope.”

Carmen nodded. Emily squeezed her father’s hand.

Pauling smiled at her. “Later that night, they returned, and I overheard them talking about what happened. They weren’t able to locate the file, so they assumed you took it.” He looked at Zane. “That’s what I meant when I said you saved my life. Had you not shown up, they would’ve known I was lying and might have killed me.”

“What did they do next?” Carmen asked.

“They figured I had another copy of the document — a scan, a photograph, something. They told me they were watching Emily and would kill her if I didn’t produce a copy. And while I knew the map held great importance, it certainly wasn’t worth my daughter’s life.”

Zane gave a nod of understanding. “Then the same thing happened at Menaggio. They arrived at the villa, only to discover we were already there.”

“Yes,” Pauling said. “It couldn’t have played out any better. They actually believed I was telling the truth, and that saved my life.”

“Divine providence,” Amanda said softly.

“What happened after that?” Carmen asked.

“To be honest, I’m not really sure. Their focus seemed to shift to finding out who you were. From that point forward, they didn’t talk to me very much. They kept me isolated until this morning when I was thrown into a vehicle and taken here.” Pauling looked at Zane. “And how did you get here?”

“Unfortunately, we walked right in their front door,” Zane said.

“How so?”

Zane gave a very brief overview of what had transpired after Menaggio — the Vatican theft, the meeting with Lawson, the trip to Mount Hermon, and being trapped in the pit.

After he finished, Carmen looked at Pauling. “Do you know Roger and Camilla Lawson?”

“Everyone in my line of work knows those two, and many of those same people don’t trust them.”

“I wish we hadn’t,” Carmen said.

“Don’t beat yourself up,” Pauling said. “Despite their reputation, I don’t think anyone would’ve suspected they were capable of kidnapping or murder.”

“Why do you think you’re still alive?” Carmen asked. “I’m surprised they didn’t kill you after they struck out in Menaggio.”

Pauling considered his answer. “They were aware of my expertise and probably figured I could help them once they got their hands on the map. There was also some nonsense about a sacrifice.”

“Lawson was working with a group called the Order of Baal,” Carmen said. “I’m sure it somehow related to one of their rites.”

“That’s probably why they took Connor and James,” Zane noted.

Carmen looked at Pauling. “Wouldn’t you like to stand?”

He smiled. “I’d love to.”

Zane helped him up. Pauling stretched his arms and legs. Carmen guessed it was probably the best stretch he’d had in his life. Emily beamed as she watched her father move around.

“Zane.” Amanda seemed to be looking at something down the cave.

Carmen turned. Two beams of light moved toward them, bouncing around like light sabers. Connor and James . That’s awfully quick. They’d only been gone for a few minutes. They seemed to be running. She frowned. Either something was wrong, or they’d found a way out.