Pentecost by J.F. Penn Read Free Book Online Page A

coming, Gemma.”
      Feeling eyes on her back, she spun to see Jake in the doorway. “We can help each other, Morgan. We’re working for the same outcome, the safe return of Faye and Gemma, and the retrieval of the stones.”
      Morgan held the teddy tightly in front of her like a shield.
      “I don’t think you care about them at all,” she snapped. “For all I know, ARKANE want the stones for the Institute to study and you would have taken mine and Faye’s anyway.”
      “Who would you believe, then, the man who has your sister and your niece, or me?”
      In the moment’s silence that fell between them, a voice called from downstairs,
      “Sir, you should come and see this. We’ve found a package.”
      The parcel was wrapped in thick brown paper and tied up with string like an old style present, ‘Morgan’ written in black marker on the front. As Jake and David watched, Morgan untied the string and pulled apart the paper to reveal a number of items packed neatly within the paper square. There were two black Moleskine notebooks, a DVD and a cell phone. No note. Jake put the disc into David’s laptop. It had one video file which they played immediately.
      At first the image showed a flickering fire burning in a hearth and a close up of the fiery embers. They could hear the crackle of flame. Then a voice spoke, an American southern accent that lazily grated over them.
      “Morgan, apologies for the intrusion but taking your sister and the little one was a necessary step. Time is running out. The myth of the stones will become a reality on the day of Pentecost when the comet reaches its zenith and I will call down the power of miracle. As it was two thousand years ago, so it shall be again. I’m inviting you to be my guest for the event. Of course, you’ll need to bring the other stones, otherwise your sister and niece will become a fiery sacrifice just like the Keepers from Varanasi and Jerusalem.”
      The image flickered and changed to show two burnt bodies in gruesome detail. It looked like they had been filmed soon after their deaths, one still smoking, wet flesh hanging from the bones. David turned away, retching.
      “I need all twelve of the stones for the day of Pentecost and you will bring the rest to me, Morgan, if you want your family back. I tried to recruit you but your refusal has forced my hand. It seems that another party is also interested in the stones, so you will need to stay ahead of them.”
      The screen changed again to display the image of a pale horse’s head. Morgan recognized the tattoo from the attacker’s arm but only now did its significance become clear.  
    “Before me was a pale horse,” she whispered. “Its rider was named Death and Hell was following close behind him. It’s from Revelation.”  
      The voice continued.
      “I know this group only as Thanatos. They approached me about the stones after Varanasi and now it seems they’re following the same path. They are known to be collectors of occult and religious objects and they will stop at nothing to get the Apostles’ stones. But you must stay ahead of them on this quest if you want your girls back.”
      Morgan could see Jake frowning, as if he knew of the organization and it troubled him.
      “I found the first two stones from my Father’s research. He was a biblical scholar and had been seeking the stones before he died. I continued the search but there are vital pieces missing. It needs someone with more knowledge and more ... motivation to find the rest of them for me. In the package you’ll find information to start you off in the right direction. Your background in religion is fortuitous, Morgan. I’ve given you my father’s key notebooks as you have the knowledge to go further than he could. See how generous I am already? Leave the husband out of it though; his emotion will slow you down.”
      At this, David sagged as if the breath had been knocked out of him.
      “I want