Buccaneer (Dane Maddock Adventures) by David Wood Read Free Book Online Page B

perhaps, she would be able to do just that. But not until it was in her possession. To tip her hand too soon would be an unnecessary risk . Her position at the top of the order was strong, but she was not immune to the machinations of her Sister s.
    She struggled to return to her work, but her duties as director of the British History Museum suddenly seemed mundane, even trivial, in light of what her people might soon uncover. Rock-hard discipline overrode any distractions, and she made quick work of her list of emails and telephone messages. She then took a half-hour to compose a carefully crafted opinion piece for The Times in which she questioned, but did not criticize, the Prime Minister ’ s position on a key budget item.
    Since being elevated to the leadership of the S isterhood, she had used her connections to gradually raise her public profile, carefully crafting the image of one who took great pride in her nation ’ s heritage and fought for its history without being perceived as backward. Though never presenting herself as having any interest in politics, her name was already being bandied about as a candidate for Parliament , even Prime Minister . Her aspirations, of course, were higher.
    By the time she ’ d sent her submission to the editor, she could no longer curb the flow of energy that coursed through her. She buzzed Jacob.
    “ Close the offfice and meet me in the fitness room. ”
    “ Yes, Ma ’ am. ” He almost managed to cover his tone of resignation. The fitness room was never fun for him.
    Smiling, she tapped in a code on her telephone keypad and watched as the painting on the far wall, “ Le Morte D ’ Arthur ” by James Archer, slid to the side, revealing her private collection of weapons. Morgan ’ s eyes swept lovingly across the sharp, gleaming blades and angry spikes. She excelled at hand fighting and with firearms, but medieval weaponry was her true love. She selected a long sword and held it out in a two-handed grip, savoring its weight and balance. With a step and a twist, she sliced a whistling arc through the air. Yes, this was the one.
    She caught sight of her distorted reflection in the blade. Like this image, the world did not yet see her for what she truly was, but they would. Oh yes, soon they would know.

Chapter 7
     
    Dane drifted in for a closer look at the cross . He shone his light across it and saw a thin circle carved around the image.
    Matt ran his fingers across the surface of the carving, his fingers gently probing the r ecess .
    “ Careful, ” Dane warned. There was something odd about it, but he could not put a finger on it.
    “ I think I can get a grip on it . ” He shoved his fingers into the groove and twisted.
    “ Matt! No! ” But Dane ’ s warning was too late. The stone circle rotated a quarter turn and, with a whooshing sound like a drain opening, the stone vanished , pulling Matt ’ s arm into the wall.
    Matt shouted and struggled against the force of the water that was being sucked into hole. Dane grabbed hold of Matt ’ s arm but, before he could pull him free, he heard a hollow thud and Matt ’ s cry of pain burst through the transmitter.
    “ My arm ! ” Matt yelled.
    Dane directed his light into the hole and saw , to his horror, that a section of wall had come down, crushing Matt ’ s arm and trapping him. The smooth, regular edge of the stone told him in a single glance that it was not a natural rockfall.
    “ A booby trap, ” Dane said. “ Hold on. ” He called into the transmitter. “ Bones, Willis, Corey, you guys copy? ”
    Nothing.
    He made a second attempt and again got no reply.
    “ We ’ re too deep under the rock. ” Matt ’ s voice was thick with pain . “ You ’ ve got to get closer to open water if they ’ re going to hear you. ”
    “ I don ’ t want to leave you here. ” Dane knew Matt was right, but he hated to leave an injured man behind.
    “ What? You think I ’ m scared of the dark? I ’ m a Ranger, not