Free Fountain of Secrets (The Relic Seekers) by Anita Clenney Page A

Her mother must have died giving birth to her here.”
    “Bloody hell.”
    “Yep.”
    “I’ve got to talk to her.”
    “Can’t it wait till morning?”
    “No. I have something to say that I want you both to hear.”
    “Is Kendall in danger?”
    “She might be.” Nathan dropped his bag on the floor and walked to the door. “You coming?”
    “Give me a minute, unless you want me to go like this.” Jake pulled on his jeans, shirt, and boots, and then he and Nathan went to the tower room. They knocked on the door, but there was no answer.
    “Kendall,” Jake called, banging louder. He shouldn’t have left her alone. But he had been half afraid he’d take what she was offering. He wanted her, more than he’d ever wanted anyone. But he didn’t want her sleeping with him to escape ghosts.
    “You’re going to wake the whole castle,” Nathan said. He tried the door, but it was locked. “You could pick the lock.”
    “You could rip it off its hinges.”
    “I don’t think she’s in there.”
    “Probably not,” Jake said. “She would have come to the door. She’s not a sound sleeper.”
    Nathan gave him a look that made Jake wonder if he had a death wish. If Nathan went into Hulk mode, Jake wouldn’t stand a chance. He pulled out his pocketknife and fiddled with the lock. They heard the key hit the floor on the other side. “There.” Jake opened the door and walked inside. “Not here.”
    “Where the hell would she be?” Nathan asked, coming in behind him.
    “We’re talking about Kendall. She could be anywhere. Let’s check her room. Maybe she went back.”
    “How’d the door get locked?”
    “She could’ve gone out the secret passageway and back to her room through another door. This castle probably has secret doors in every room.” They checked, but she wasn’t in her room either. The velvet bag holding the crosses lay on a table next to her purse.
    “She did take them,” Nathan said.
    “You knew?”
    “Marco did.”
    “How’d he know?” Jake asked.
    “How does Marco know anything? He’s a paradox. He knows stuff he shouldn’t and can’t remember stuff he should. Here.” Nathan handed Jake one of the crosses. “We might need these if she’s exploring.” He put one of the crosses over his head and put the other one in his pocket.
    Jake put on the cross. He thought it was Marco’s but wasn’t sure. They looked alike in the dim light.
    They checked the castle, searching the rooms that were open, but she wasn’t there. “She must be outside,” Jake said. “I did tell her it was fine to explore.”
    “You’re supposed to be watching over her.”
    “You’ve got a damned army here. What could go wrong? The way you worry about her makes me wonder if you’re in love with her,” Jake said.
    “She works for me. That’s all. I protect my employees.”
    “Bullshit. It’s more than that.”
    “You’re the one who’s all over her, trying to get her in bed. Maybe you’re in love with her.”
    “I don’t know the meaning of love,” Jake said.
    “That’s why I’m telling you to stay the hell away from her.”
    “You’re the one who keeps putting us together.”
    “You know what I mean. You’re supposed to protect her. That’s it. Not that you did this time.”
    “I didn’t know I needed to keep an eye on her in the middle of dozens of guards and all these damned statues. By the way, she knows you’re watching her apartment.”
    Nathan frowned. “How does she know?”
    “I told her. I saw the camera.”
    “There’s a damned camera in her apartment?”
    “Not inside. On the building facing hers. It’s not yours?”
    “No. I’ve got guards keeping an eye on her place, but that’s it. I’ll have someone check it out.”
    “Maybe her neighbor is spying on her. He’s trying to get in her pants.”
    “Which neighbor?”
    “Dark-haired guy. Looks like one of those cologne models.”
    “The new one? I’m still checking up on him. She told you he’s after