“But self-preservation wasn’t the only reason the pope wanted to bury the Templars’ discovery,” April said.

“You’re right. What they found had huge implications for Jesus,” Xandria said.

“What implications?” August asked.

“Mary couldn’t have been impregnated by a female deity,” Xandria said. “Which means the real father wasn’t ‘heavenly’ after all, and therefore, neither was Jesus.”

April just shook her head. “This is nuts.”

“So why didn’t they come out with the information?”

“They believed that lining their pockets served the greater good. They kept the world in the dark, but used the secret to secure their power until a time they wanted to reveal the truth. And so the Templars buried the secret and the proof, both literally and figuratively. And it’s remained hidden ever since.”

“Until now.”

“Yes,” Xandria said, admiring the illuminated map. “Until now.”

April protectively stood in front of Charlie. “We don’t care about your quest. We just want to go home.”

“You’re free to go,” Xandria said, waving an arm at the door.

“No!” Charlie yelped. “If we walk out, we’ll trigger the bombs!”

“Oh. Yes. I guess I forgot about the sensor chips you’re implanted with,” Xandria said, picking up the illuminated map and making her way to the door. Her two escorts had their guns drawn. “I suppose with minds as bright as yours, you can figure your way out of this. Or has all your brainpower been drained for the day?”

August lunged at her, in vain, stopped instantly by her bodyguards, who dropped him to the ground. He had no way to defend himself, and the agents gave him a quick set of blows.

“This isn’t the last you’ll see of us,” August said, spitting out a tooth.

“I’m afraid it is,” Xandria said. “The explosive charges have been set for a thirty-minute delay, just enough time for me and my team to clear the area.” She turned, digging a heel into August’s neck.

He bit his lip to keep from screaming.

She leaned down to his ear. “I hear the weather in Tábor is beautiful this time of year,” she said. “Good-bye, August.”

The door closed.

The lights went off.

And the room fell into complete and utter silence.

Twenty-four

twenty-four

TWELVE HOURS LATER
TÁBOR, CZECH REPUBLIC

The streets of Tábor were built to confuse. That was their intended purpose. They wound this way, then that, taking sharp turns or simply dead-ending. The streets’ function served their citizens many times throughout history, confounding enemy troops so completely that they often attacked themselves, disoriented, or found themselves trapped to the Hussites’ advantage.

But Xandria wasn’t confused. She had a map. Two, in fact. One for the streets, and another—much more precious—for beneath the streets.