Buccaneer

Chapter 20

“This is most unexpected, Sisters.” Morgan ushered Tamsin and Rhiannon into her private study. “Our next meeting is not for two days.”

“We felt it was necessary for us to come early,” Tamsin said. “We are certain you were eager to share your news with us.”

“Of course.”

Three chairs formed a triangle in the center of the room. They met in the middle, joined hands, and spoke the ritual words. As the ancient speech rolled across her tongue, Morgan felt a strong kinship to their forbears. She could almost feel the power coursing through her veins. How satisfying it would be when the three were made one again, and she wielded a power long forgotten by the world.

When the ritual ended, they took their seats and Morgan began her explanation.

“It’s nothing really,” Morgan said. “I have received yet another request to run for Parliament along with a hint that I would make for a fine Prime Minister.”

“That is not what I’m talking about.” Tamsin glowered at her. “What have you found at the island?”

It was the question Morgan had anticipated the moment they had appeared at her doorstep, and she was prepared.

“I have news, though it is not all I had hoped it would be.” She described in great detail the Templar church that had been discovered beneath Oak Island, omitting the smaller chamber where the lost item, whichever one it was, had been kept. She showed them the photographs researchers had taken, apologizing that she had not assembled them into a proper presentation.

“So you see,” she finished, “the discovery confirms that the Templars did, in fact, reach Oak Island, but we have not recovered any of the items we seek.” She gave a false sigh. “If the news had been better, I would have summoned you immediately but, considering the limited success of our search, I was not eager to give you my report.” There. That should settle them.

“Do we have any leads on the artifact that was stolen from the church, or on the man who took it?”

Morgan froze in the act of shutting off her computer. How had Tamsin come by this information? She knew all of her Sister’s key operatives and their activities and whereabouts. None of them could have possibly known. And Rhiannon’s base of power lay in the church, so she could not be the source. It was a conundrum that would require her attention, but not right now. Now was the time to stand firm.

“Locke is working on it,” she said simply. Maintaining her calm exterior, she returned to her seat, sat with her hands folded in her lap, and smiled at Tamsin. Ordinarily, Morgan would not waste time sitting in silence, but she knew Tamsin put great store in such trifles as not being the first to speak, thinking it somehow gave her power. Let her believe that. Right now, Morgan could use it to her own advantage. She watched as Tamsin’s cheeks reddened and she began to chew on her lip and fidget slightly until finally she could take no more.

“What is this plan?” Her voice was hot with anger.

“We have taken into custody a young woman who is close to the culprit. When he has finished questioning her, Locke will arrange an exchange. The girl for what was taken.”

“Details, please.” These were the first words Rhiannon had spoken, and her velvety voice betrayed no emotion. Of the two, she posed the greater potential threat to Morgan. Tamsin had no guile, while Rhiannon was cool and calculating. Tamsin had authority, but lacked the ability to capture the hearts and minds of the people. Rhiannon was beloved as a spiritual leader, though if the world knew her true religion, she would be cast down. Fortunately, Rhiannon had never given any indication that her position, a step below Morgan, chafed at all.

Morgan could see no use in prevaricating. She outlined Locke’s plan, assuring them that the long sought-after treasure would be in their hands in a matter of days.

“Do we know which of the three it is?” Rhiannon maintained her calm, courteous manner.

“No.” Morgan had her suspicions, based on accounts of the thieves’ escape, but she would not share them.

“Very well,” Tamsin sighed. “I need not remind you that the plan…”

“I know, Sister.”

“Then you understand our concern,” Rhiannon said smoothly. “The window of opportunity is a small one. If our quest confounds us again, we will be forced to wait.”

“Need I remind you that, a few days ago, we were utterly without hope?” Morgan met their stares each in turn. “Now that hope is rekindled, and I am doing everything in my power to see to it that we do not miss this opportunity. But do not forget, Sisters, the mere possession of any of these artifacts is no small thing. We can use them to cement our power and entrench ourselves in the imaginations of the people. We will be queens!”

“You will be Queen,” Rhiannon corrected. “Your bloodline is more direct than ours.”

Morgan smiled at the thought. Prime Minister was well within her reach, but her aim was higher. She longed for the day they could finally set the plan in motion. A wave of change was about to sweep the world, and she would ride its crest.

“Sister, do we know the thief’s name?” Tamsin seemed, if not cowed, at least placated.

“Maddock,” Morgan said. “Dane Maddock.”