Gene of Isis

‘You both hang on tighter from now on,’ she suggested, and we both assured her that we intended to follow her advice. Chavi wandered off to be about her chores.

‘It fills my heart with joy to see you together,’ Cingar stated, his arms flung wide as he embraced us both, ‘and that you were both unharmed by the raiders last night.’

‘Were there many casualties?’ I pulled back from the group hug.

‘A few scratches and bruises.’ Cingar shrugged and then smiled. ‘We gypsies are not unaccustomed to such raids.’

‘So you think they were thieves?’ Devere noted. ‘Was anything stolen?’

‘No,’ Cingar announced proudly. ‘They must have been counting on the celebrations dulling our senses…even drunk we proved a formidable force.’

Devere was frowning, for he knew that the raiders were no ordinary band of thieves. Then he released an unexpected cry of pain and gripped his head, as if he’d just been struck down with a massive headache.

‘What is the matter?’ I besought him, but Devere stepped away from me, his thoughts focused inward.

‘James!’ He called out his brother’s name, sounding alarmed for his wellbeing.

I moved to inquire after my husband’s concerns, when I noticed Albray appear beside me. Where have you been? Do you know what is ailing Devere?

Albray nodded, horrified.

‘Lady Devere has been kidnapped!’ My husband emerged from his harrowing vision to impart his news. ‘My brother has been bound, gagged and left somewhere!’ Devere looked at me, with determination and frustration on his face. ‘I have to find him! I must leave at once.’

‘We must leave at once,’ I corrected, as the news of my dear friend’s kidnapping sent shockwaves through my body.

‘I shall have horses prepared.’ Cingar jumped into action, whistling to entreat the aid of some of his men.

It is Molier who has taken your friend, Albray advised, his voice filled with spite.

‘What would Molier want with Susan?’ I asked Albray, and in my rush to obtain answers I completely forgot that my knight was not physically present.

Since he could not take you by force last night, maybe he figured it was easier to have you follow him of your own accord?

‘Our dear sister is also of the blood,’ Devere informed me, curiously eyeing over the spot where my attention was focused.

I gasped. ‘Really?’

He nodded. ‘Although her line is not as strong as yours, she is still a Grail princess.’

‘But why is Molier so interested in the women of my bloodline?’ I looked at Devere who shrugged, and then at Albray.

I suspect Molier has the Fire-Stone vial, my knight announced, giving this information for the first time without so much as blinking an eye.

I gasped, having little idea of what this meant to my own mission. I felt a deep foreboding in my gut.

‘Are you talking about the fabled Star and Fire vials alleged to contain the ambrosia of the gods, and that were mysteriously self-filling?’ Devere inquired of Albray.

I gasped again upon realising that Devere was aware of my knight. I was also stunned that he knew about the vials, and more than I did, obviously. I had not noted that the Star substance in my vial was self-replenishing and I was dying to check my secret treasure to see whether the dose I’d given the Duc de Guise’s son had indeed replaced itself. ‘How do you know about the vials?’

All the brothers know of them, Albray answered for him. Though there is much more to these vials than lowly initiates like us are ever told. For example, I could tell you that the temple complex from which the vials originate can only be opened by a daughter of the blood.

I was speechless. Why had Albray not told me this before?

‘That does seem to explain Molier’s interest in my wife and Lady Susan,’ Devere conceded.

‘But I thought Molier was going to Italy?’

‘It is just as easy, if not easier, to reach Rome by sea,’ Devere pointed out.

‘I realise that, but why kidnap Susan? Unless Molier plans on going to the temple complex in the Sinai.’

Exactly, Albray said.

‘He only has one of the vials, you said,’ Devere pointed out. ‘Without the other vial, what good would the journey do him? Unless he believes the other vial is still hidden within the complex?’

‘Hmmm.’ I saw Devere’s point all too clearly, but I was not ready to confess my little secret…which had damn near been uncovered during our flight of passion last night! Fortunately, I’d managed to remove the vial from my person and hide it before my husband could discover it.

‘Does Molier suspect where the other vial is hidden?’ I sought Albray’s opinion, and he nodded without saying more, lest Devere discover my secret.

‘Perhaps we can get to it first?’ Devere suggested.

‘Perhaps.’ To avoid the subject I decided I should introduce my two favourite men to each other. ‘Albray, meet Mr Devere, who fought alongside us last night as the masked bandit, Danior Terkari. Mr Devere, I’d like you to meet