Page 33 of The Phoenix (Spy Girl 6)
et dropped off at the busy plaza. Lots of tourists are milling about, most sporting clothing featuring their country’s flag. It’s really pretty amazing, all the nationalities represented in one small space.
Royston is staring up at the outside of the cathedral.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it? I’m told, since it was built, most of the royal weddings in history have taken place here because it is much larger than the church on the palace grounds.” I wrap my arm through his, so we can stay close, and I lead him inside. “I know you want to see the crest, but you have to stop for a moment and appreciate the view of its massive interior with its multiple naves, domed ceilings supported by marble columns, and unique navy-and-white stripes. And, if that doesn’t impress you, take a look at the floor covered in mosaic designs that tell stories similar to those typically found on stained glass.”
“I’m going to have to bring my wife back here,” he says. “She drags me to churches everywhere we travel to, and she will be awed by this.”
I point to the front right corner of the church, where only a few tourists are gathered. “That nave is called Magnifico.”
“For Lorenzo the Magnificent?” he asks.
“Yes.” I lead him toward the ornately carved memorial. “Seek and ye shall find.”
“What does that mean?” he asks, but then he sees it.
“Only those who know to look for it will find it,” I answer.
“I probably wouldn’t have noticed it otherwise,” Royston says in awe. “The symbol is hidden in the tree branches.”
“What do you notice about the rest of the memorial?” I ask as we move in closer.
“It’s very nature-oriented,” he says, “with all the trees and animals set on the rolling hills. Is it supposed to be Montrovia?”
“Some scholars say it represents heaven, but it’s really a place from Greek history. During the Renaissance, the idea of an idyllic society was taking root. And it was depicted in many art forms during the time period. It’s Arcadia,” I say, following it up with, “Have you ever heard of it?”
He tightly grabs my arm and leads me to a pew in the back of the church. “How do you know about all of this?”
“I never got to meet my father,” I tell him. “But I’ve been trying to learn as much about him as I can. One of his prized possessions was a book written by Lorenzo the Magnificent. He was very intrigued by Lorenzo’s ideas on creating the perfect society. On creating Arcadia.
“Recently, my brother and I traveled to Florence to see the tomb of Lorenzo’s brother, Giuliano de Medici. Lorenzo was given this land and named the Duke of Vallenta while his brother ruled Florence. It’s believed that the brothers created an underground society, bringing those with power together for the greater good of their world.” I put my head down and pretend to confess. “There’s something I know that I’m not really supposed to.”
“What’s that?” he asks, his eyes brightening.
“I know about the group called The Society.”
“Your father had a ring like mine,” Royston blurts out.
“He did?” I fake surprise. “Why?”
“Why isn’t really important right now. I fear I’ve already said too much, but I can tell you that your father’s ring was supposed to pass to his firstborn son upon his death. Did he receive it?”
“No. And Ari would have told me. He told me about his first Society meeting and what went on. I love him, but if I ever had a deep dark secret, I wouldn’t tell him. He’s honest to a fault—wait,” I say, pretending to have just put it all together. “History, if you believe the rumors, speaks of two groups formed by Lorenzo the Magnificent. One a group of ten, like a Knights of the Round Table, and another larger network of spies. My understanding is that this network of spies is what is now The Society. Is this ring, with Lorenzo’s personal crest, proof that the smaller group still exists?”
“What about you?” Royston says, his face turning grave. “Are you like your brother as far as secrets are concerned?”
“Not at all. I feel like a secret is a bond between two people. I’ve always loved history, but since learning I was Ares Von Allister’s daughter, I’ve grown to love it even more. I feel like it’s a bond between us. Something that, even though I never got to meet him, no one could take away.
“I went through everything I could find in his office, at his home in DC, and even in Iraq. He was obsessed with Arcadia. It’s painted on the dome of each Sphere, both the TerraSphere in Iraq and the CitySphere here, which houses the athletes. Since I discovered that, I’ve become a little obsessed, too. I even dragged my brother to Florence to the Basilica di San Lorenzo. The guide there was amazing.” I stop and smile at him.
“I even sort of lied to him and told him I was working on my doctorate and studying the first Lorenzo, and he told me about the rumors of the secret society. He said it existed and even took me to a part of the church that was off-limits. You should have seen the place. Even the sconces leading down the tunnel to the room had this same scrolling crest. And there was a worn round wooden table with ten chairs. That means, there would also be ten rings. Who else has them?”
“I can’t tell you that,” he says.
“You received it recently then?”
“Yes. After the Von Allister Industries’ board meeting. They mentioned your father and a plan”—his face goes white—“as well as the attack in Iraq. They didn’t know it was you. Had you been killed, the man who ordered it would have been killed by the group.”
“Why?”
“Because of your last name. What happened at the Sphere that caused them to want you dead?”
“I had a code that overrides the system, and we used it to gain access to all the research labs and tour them. Malcolm Prescott told me that it might have been a case of suspected corporate espionage.”
“I fear that Montrovia is in danger,” he finally says.
“Montrovia was definitely in danger. As was their king,” I say, trying to figure out what he knows and hoping to catch him here. “Although you will never hear this from anyone else, for obvious reasons, but the general who died last night was planning a coup.”
“Did he control half of the forces?” Royston asks.
“Yes. The entire Montrovian Army.”
Royston lets out a huge sigh of relief. “Oh, thank goodness. That means Montrovia is safe now. We can relax and enjoy the Olympics.”
Even though I believe him, I’m not sure his assessment is correct, which tells me he doesn’t know everything.
Journalists are all around me as I enter the aquatics facility for the final. When I take my seat in the bleachers, Bella and her mom are already seated with American flags in hand.
I warmly greet them and then sit down. I text Lizzie, who I know was planning to watch the race from the Royal Box.
Me: The press is relentless outside. I mentioned how the four of us are very good friends, and they asked if you would be in my wedding to Daniel. I said most definitely. So … will you be my bridesmaid?
Lizzie: I’d be honored. He’s going to win tonight, isn’t he?
Me: He’s the happiest I’ve ever seen him. Of course he will.
Lizzie: Come sit with me. I’m bored up here by myself.
Me: Why don’t you come sit down here at the finish line with me? I have two seats, and my brother went to some equestrian event. Daniel would love having us both at the finish line when he sets the record.
Lizzie: You’ve been a good friend to him.
Me: Misery loves company. Plus, you can meet Bella, who is here for her Dream Wish, and she not only wished to come to the Olympics and meet Daniel, but she also just found out her cancer is in remission. She would love to meet you. But you have to hurry. The race is about to start!
Lizzie quickly joins us, giving me a hug before sitting down. I hear the clicking of cameras and realize this is probably a strategic move from that side of things, too.
“You look positively radiant today,
” I tell her.
“I’m happy. Crazy, stupid, happy,” she whispers. “And keeping things under wraps has made me feel slightly rebellious to the crown.”
I quickly introduce her to Bella and her mother. Bella asks her a million questions about her upcoming wedding to King Lorenzo and then stops talking the moment Daniel steps out onto the swimming platform.
The swimmers are told to take their marks, and very quickly, the race begins.
Bella jumps up and down and cheers, all the while spouting out stats and giving us a running commentary of how the race is going.
The stadium is going crazy, the noise deafening, as the crowd watches the clocks on the big screen above us—one showing Daniel’s last world record pace time against his current, faster pace.
“He’s going to do it,” Bella yells, grabbing my hand and tightly squeezing it. “He’s really going to do it!”
As Daniel makes the turn going into his last lap and swimming toward us, the energy in the arena goes through the roof, everyone realizing we are about to witness history.
Not only could Daniel set both new world and Olympic records, but this could also be the first of eight more possible gold medal runs. The announcers have mentioned numerous times how, at the last Olympics, then-seventeen-year-old Daniel won eight gold medals. If he wins another eight at this Olympics at just twenty-one, he will become one of the most decorated Olympic athletes in history.
Lizzie grabs my other hand, and the three of us are screaming as Daniel slaps the wall with a record-setting time.
The stadium erupts with cheers.
Daniel jumps up out of the pool, throws his arm up in victory, and beelines toward us. He grabs Lizzie and kisses her on the lips.
“Me, too,” I whisper in his ear, so he grabs me and gives me a similar kiss. “And the rest of the front row,” I say.
