Free The Lost Garden (The Lost Garden Trilogy Book 1) by K.T. Tomb

say in a controlled environment, where it would get the necessary nourishment? He doubted nothing.
    The tree was a marvel, a natural phenomenon that the ancients had happened upon long ago and built their amazing and enduring story around. Yes, the tree gave amazing life and it just might very well be one of a kind, although Alexey suspected there might be more like it. Its ability to react instantly with injuries and even instill life puzzled the hell out of Alexey. He had his best chemists working around the clock at this very moment trying to figure out how such a reaction worked. He was sure to find the answer, but until then, he needed that tree. He needed more of the oil. The amount they had was just not enough to run continued testing.
    He knew the mountain, the obstacles, and he knew his enemy. Religious zealots had made it their unending passion to horde the secrets of the Tree of Life. Well, they had done a hell of a job.
    Alexey was ready to take over the reins now.
    After all, it was just a tree.
    He was just the man to cultivate the product and offer the world relief from their pain and misery, and to increase their lives.
    All for a price, of course.
    Not to mention, he had no intention of dying as well. Not with sole access to the Tree of Life.
    All of which must be kept secret.
     
    * * *
     
    Milek now stood before him, sweating profusely from his brow. The room really was much too hot, but Alexey enjoyed seeing his assistant’s discomfort. Milek’s eyes shifted to the fireplace, as if to ask, “We are in the middle of an Iranian summer, why the fire?”
    “Are you too warm, Milek?”
    “No, sir. It’s just that I came over here to report on the status of the expedition.”
    Alexey smiled. “And how goes that?”
    “We have now acquired fifty mercenaries, sir, through discreet channels from our sources with the military and local warlords.”
    “The mercenaries are Persian?”
    “Persian, Kurds, Turks, and even a couple of Americans. We are currently arming them, using the expertise of Captain Shareef, through underground channels. We should be fully armed and ready to go in two days. The mercenaries know nothing, only that they have been hired to protect you.”
    “What of the local authorities?”
    “There is no authority where we are going. The highlands are empty, save for shepherds and nomads. We will be in ten covered Jeeps and should attract little attention.”
    “You did well, Milek.”
    “Thank you, sir.”
    “What of the expert from Israel? When shall we expect her?”
    “She arrives tomorrow. I will personally pick her up at the airport.”
    Alexey picked up a book on his coffee table. It was thick and well-worn. He had it specially shipped from a used bookstore in Moscow. The name of the author was Sulna Obvesky. The title of the book was The Bible and History . He flipped the book over. The woman looked far too young to be as well-known as she was. By all accounts, she was the leading Biblical historian. Alexey had been shocked when she had agreed to his consulting offer on the expedition. In fact, according to Milek, she had jumped at the chance, and had taken his first offer for payment, although money had been no object at this point.
    There was something about the eyes, he thought. They seemed better fit for a woman much older than her young face belied. The woman looked thirty, yet pages of her work filled the internet.
    Alexey thought about that and wondered again about her connection to Eden.
    Milek, who had been waiting patiently, opened his mouth and was about to speak but then closed it again. More sweat, and a lot of blinking was all he could do. Alexey watched the little man. Milek immediately averted his eyes and now, full rivulets of sweat made their way down his face.
    “Is there something on your mind, Milek?”
    He coughed once, still looking away. “Do we know what we are dealing with here, sir?”
    Alexey frowned and Milek caught the expression from the corner