Evita Vargas sized up the man sitting across the small table from her as the waiter brought coffee. "So, you teach medieval history at Cambridge, Professor Wehling. Sounds interesting."

"Actually, the correct term is medieval European history, Dr. Vargas. My interest lies mainly in the history of Europe."

"Well, since it's obvious I'm no historian, how can I help you?" Evita's nose crinkled when she inhaled the aroma from her coffee. "I mean, since you already seem to know so much about me, then you're probably aware that I'm an epidemiologist. Are you doing research looking for some new clue to explain the plague that ravaged this part of the world in the 14th century?"

Wehling peered over the rim of his cup before setting it down on the table. "Do you believe in God, Ms. Vargas?"

Evita's smile evaporated. "Just what is it you're really after, Professor Wehling?"

"I'm after you, Evita. Do you mind if I call you Evita?"

This guy is a stalker! Evita looked down at the pistol lying in her open purse. "You're old enough to be my grandfather, Professor Wehling ... if that is your real name, and I already have a boyfriend. Thank you for the coffee. Now, I really must be going ...

"Back to work? We both know who you really work for, Ms. Vargas, and I can assure you my interest in you is not romantic. Besides, anyone who pays attention to current affairs is aware that you are presently involved with Cardinal Leopold Amodeo, the Vatican's Secretary of State, who, by the way, just happens to be missing ... yet for some reason you don't seem overly concerned."

"Alright, Professor. I've had just about enough of this game you're playing, and frankly I don't appreciate your intrusive manner."

"I can assure you that this is no game, my dear. I've come here on a matter or great urgency that concerns not only you personally, but has implications for our faith as well."

Evita paused as she studied the serene features on the face of the distinguished-looking gentleman seated across from her. "Are you trying to tell me that you're a Cathar, Professor?"

"Actually, my dear, I happen to be one of the twelve Perfecti."

"A Perfecti!" Evita's coffee began spilling over the rim of her cup. "I'm sorry, but that's impossible. A man of your obvious intelligence should know that the identities of the Perfecti are a closely guarded secret. The leaders of our faith would never reveal their true identities to anyone, for that would break the solemn bond of trust that exists within the circle of leadership."

Wehling noticed Evita's eyes darting toward the door. "Before you go rushing off, please allow me to finish. Right now your cardinal is involved in the battle of his life, as are the other members of the Bible Code Team. The Dark Star has risen and the Antichrist is alive and living in the world of men ... although the boy himself is not yet aware of who he really is."

Evita could feel her heart racing as she thought back to the night she had told Leo she needed a break when he had probably needed her the most. He must have discovered something after she left, but why hadn't he called? "I'm sorry, Professor Wehling, but as you pointed out earlier, I haven't spoken to Cardinal Amodeo for some time now."

"I understand your reluctance to discuss this matter with me, Dr. Vargas, but I must tell you that the time for the boy's transition is fast approaching, and your cardinal has stumbled upon the location where this transition is going to take place. His first instinct of course will be to try to stop it, but he will fail, for no power on Earth will be able to stop what is coming, which brings me to the point of my visit. I've come to warn you and all of the other Cathars under my wing that the time has come for us to flee to safety once again."

"Flee? Flee from what? If you're referring to the passages we've uncovered in the code, then you must know that we're still not sure what any of these things mean yet. I hardly think it's time to run for the hills."

"Really, Ms. Vargas? Have you not already seen the power of the code to warn us of what is to come?"

"Yes, of course, but ...

"Why did you really leave Turkey? Was it just your relationship with the cardinal, or was there something else ... something you felt tugging at you when you were still in Turkey?"

"That's none of your business. I'm sorry, Professor, but frankly all of this sounds a little delusional to me. This isn't the 13th century anymore."

"No, you're quite right ... it's much worse. Those who have come to prepare the way for the Antichrist's rise to power are now on the move, and soon they will begin striking down all who believe in the spirit of light to pave the way for his rise to power."

"Strike down! Are you trying to tell me that there's some massive plot to rid the world of Cathars once again? Is that why you're here?"

Wehling glanced around the cafe. "Please, Ms. Vargas ... I must caution you to lower your voice. Those loyal to the Antichrist are ruled by dark forces ... demonic forces ... and they are everywhere. The same forces that were aligned against us seven hundred years ago are gathering once again, and their avowed goal is to eliminate all those who believe in the spirit of pure light. How well do you know your own Cathar history?"

Memories from Evita's childhood began to flood her mind. "Mostly what my grandmother taught me as a child when she would read to me from the sacred scrolls at bedtime. The rest I've gathered over the years through contact with other members of our faith. But what's our Cathar history got to do with any of this?"

"It has everything to do with it, my dear. Do you know where our people originally came from?"

"No one does. It's one of the mysteries of our faith."

"Well, I'm about to clear that up for you. We came from the Fertile Crescent ... from that area of the world in which the belief in a single god of love originated. For thousands of years we worshiped Him openly until the forces of darkness and paganism forced us from the land. We migrated westward across Europe, until eventually we settled in southern France and parts of Germany and Spain where we lived in relative peace until the 13th century when the forces of darkness once again sought us out."

"Are you talking about the Crusades against the Cathars led by the Catholic Church?"

"Yes, but as you know evil comes cloaked in many forms, and in the case of the Church, evil came wrapped in the robes of righteousness. The legacy of Christ and Saint Peter was taken hostage and perverted by a few evil men who used the Church as a means to enrich themselves while living lives of debauchery. As a professor of history I can tell you that history always repeats itself, for the human capacity to remember our past is imprisoned behind a wall of ignorance. We are now about to experience another crusade against our faith ... one that I fear will be even worse than the first."

"But Pope Michael and Cardinal Leo would never allow that to happen. If Adrian is this Antichrist, they'll expose him to the world for what he is."

"Exactly, which places them directly in his crosshairs. As I stated before, your cardinal is involved in the battle of his life, and the pope and Eduardo Acerbi have joined him in this battle."

"Pope Michael and Eduardo are with Leo?"

"Yes, and they appear to be on the run, which is why no one has heard from them in awhile. In their absence a snake has slithered its way into the Vatican disguised as a cardinal, and he is now attempting what would be known in the corporate world as a hostile takeover. In order to pave the way for the Antichrist, Leo and the pope must be eliminated, thus making way for a new pope. But they aren't the only ones in danger. Many other lives will be at risk, especially Cathars."

"I'm sorry, Professor Wehling, but am I missing something here? I mean, won't all Christians be at risk when this so-called Antichrist comes to power? Why this focus on Cathars? Shouldn't everyone be warned?"

"Anyone who's read the Bible has been warned, Ms. Vargas, but as selfish as it may sound, my responsibility rests only with those of my own faith. I'm afraid I can only do so much, and as one of the twelve Perfecti it is my duty to concentrate my efforts where it can do the most good. Ours is a unique urgency, for the Antichrist will have a special penchant for eliminating Cathars first. When a new pope comes to power, he will paint us as an enemy that needs to be wiped from the face of the Earth. When they are through with us, the forces of darkness will then begin to move against Christians of other faiths, but I have a plan."

"I still don't get it, Professor. Why would they specifically target Cathars? What possible threat could we pose? Back in the 13th century they were after our land and our wealth, but we possess very little wealth today. They have no justifiable reason to seek us out above anyone else who claims to be a Christian."

"They will invent a reason, just like they did seven hundred years ago. But this time, instead of calling us heretics, they will attempt to paint us as terrorists because that is the key word that now stirs the flames of passion in the modern world. It is not wealth they are after, my dear, but the hearts and minds of true believers. We actually pose a much greater threat to them today than we did in the past, for those loyal to the Antichrist know that we are aware of his true identity. In a few days from now, Eduardo Acerbi's son Adrian will be taken to the Fertile Crescent ... to an area north of the valley of temples. There is another temple nearby, and it is there he will undergo his transition."

Evita stared across the table. "Another temple?"

"Yes, one that belongs to the Evil One and lies hidden from view. The locals call it the Dark Ruin, and they know to stay away from it, for it possesses great power. It is there that Adrian will be transformed into that which he was born into the world to become, but until that day happens, the boy will be like any other human. The poor soul is totally unaware of the fate that awaits him."

Evita's eyes blazed as she pushed her cup away. "That's the most monstrous thing I've ever heard of! And you say Leo stumbled upon this place after I left?"

"Yes, and I'm afraid that paints an even greater target on his back. The Dark Ruin was Adrian's birthplace, as it was the birthplace of his brother, Rene. Their seeds were planted there thousands of years ago, and Satan made sure that, when the time came, both boys were delivered into the hands of a man who was rich and powerful ... a man who could never have children of his own. As a supernatural being, Satan possesses an evil genius like no other, and he can see into the future. I believe Rene's murderous actions were merely a set-up to force Eduardo's hand. For a Cathar, the taking of life, even animal life, is a sin like no other. Satan made sure that Rene escaped any attempt on his life so that Eduardo would be the one forced into killing him to prevent the murders of millions of innocent people. Satan also knew that Eduardo would feel tremendous guilt and pull out all the stops to protect his second son Adrian ... the one who was destined to become the Antichrist all along."

"There's got to be some way to stop this thing from happening," Evita said, absently mopping her spilled coffee with a napkin. "We still have friends in Turkey ... the military and intelligence community for instance. We could have them surround the area and prevent Adrian from ever reaching this Dark Ruin."

"What seems simple on the surface is simply a trap," Wehling continued. "You see, our ancestors warned us of the coming of the Antichrist, and his identity was revealed to us in one of the sacred scrolls that was lost to us for so many years. It is that knowledge that has been responsible for the persecution our people have suffered for over seven hundred years. Until the code in the Bible was discovered, we were the only ones who knew of the Antichrist's true identity, but now that the Bible Code Team is also aware of his identity, they too have become targeted by Satan's forces here on Earth, and they will come at us with everything they have."

By now, Evita's head was spinning. "This keeps getting stranger by the minute, Professor, and frankly I'm having a hard time trying to take it all in. I mean, what's the Cathar connection with this so-called Dark Ruin?"

"Our ancestors built it."

"What! Why in God's name would they do something like that?"

"You have to look at it in terms of the times they lived in. We're talking about an event that occurred over twelve thousand years ago when our ancestors were little more than primitive nomadic tribesmen. According to the legend, our forbearers who built the temple had no idea what they were building or why. They were forced into constructing it by a malevolent entity that appeared to them in a pillar of fire one day on a hillside in Turkey. However, as with most things, sometimes good ideas can arise from something terrible, and that's just what happened after our ancestors encountered an evil entity from another realm. In their encounter with a supernatural being, they were allowed to see that there was something beyond the physical world we live in. A spark was ignited, so to speak, allowing them to see that, where there was darkness there must also be light. That was the spark that formed the belief in a spirit of pure light and ignited the Cathar faith, and ever since then we have shunned the material world of darkness. It's one of the main reasons you never see a Cathar temple anywhere, for the spirit of light lives within our souls, not some temple made from stone."

Evita stared through the smoke-stained windows of the cafe as Julian noticed the vacant look in her eyes. "You're looking a little pale my dear." Wehling quickly motioned the waiter over and asked for two small glasses of sherry. "I know this is a lot to absorb in such a short period of time, but time is a luxury I'm afraid we no longer enjoy. Are you sure you're OK?"

"Yes. I'm fine, Professor. I was just thinking about what you were saying. I've always wondered why our ancestors were singled out and hunted down with such a vengeance."

"We were all born to our fate, my dear, and I'm afraid we're about to be hunted down once again. Satan's greatest fear is that we will reveal Adrian's true identity to the world. Since he cannot come at us directly he will poison others' minds against us. If we don't disappear our days on Earth will be numbered. We must go into hiding where his followers will never find us, which brings me to the point of my visit. I need your help to contact all of your Cathar friends. They must be convinced to flee, for their lives depend on it. You must trust me. If you follow my instructions you will be safe."

Evita gladly accepted the small glass of sherry from the waiter. "There's still one question you haven't answered, Professor. You mentioned earlier that Eduardo Acerbi is with Leo and Pope Michael. That doesn't make any sense. If Eduardo is trying to protect his son, then why would he leave him behind in Babylon with his wife and join a group of people who would do anything in their power to prevent the boy from becoming the Antichrist?"

"I believe you've just answered your own question, Ms. Vargas. Eduardo will most definitely protect his son at all costs, and that means from earthly threats as well as from Satan himself. We believe Eduardo has allied himself with the team who has the best chance of preventing Adrian's transformation without harming him, because he knows that their primary goal will be to save his son's soul." Wehling suddenly looked down at his watch and downed his tiny glass of wine. "I'm afraid my time here is up. I have a train to catch. I realize your first impulse will be to have me checked out by Spanish intelligence after I leave, but you must believe me when I tell you our enemies have eyes and ears everywhere, and you could be placing my life as well as others in jeopardy if you do so."

"Don't worry, Professor. I will speak only to other Cathars within the CNI."

"Thank you. Your wisdom is as evident as your beauty." Wehling removed a folded piece of paper from his coat pocket and handed it to her across the table. "Here, take this."

"What is it?"

"It's a map. If I'm right, society as we know it is about to change. That map will show you the way to an ancient Cathar stronghold located along the French border. When things begin to unravel after the Antichrist rises to power, I want you and your friend Mendoza to go there. I know that I probably don't have to tell someone like you, but guard that map with your life. You hold the key to our lives in your hands, and it is a sacred trust that you must honor. Show it to no one."

Wehling looked through the smoky windows at the lengthening shadows in the streets outside. "I'm afraid I really must go. It's been a pleasure, Ms. Vargas." Standing, Julian smiled down at her as he donned his tweed Scottish rain hat and disappeared through the doors into the crowded streets of Madrid.

CHAPTER 28.

Inside the maintenance tunnel, Leo and the others were right on the heels of Graham Childs and the two British Special Forces soldiers. They had only made it a few hundred feet from the entrance when another muffled explosion rocked the walls around them. Fearing that their only way out could collapse at any moment, they stepped up their pace and continued down the sloping floor of the tunnel into the darkness below.

Checking for trip-wires, the two soldiers were on high alert as they peered ahead, for they were well aware that this narrow maintenance tunnel was a perfect place for the attackers to move unnoticed from one place to another within the rock, planting bombs or setting booby traps.

Leo could still feel the burn in his lungs from the acrid smoke of the initial explosion, but thankfully the section of tunnel they were moving through now seemed to be well ventilated, allowing the advancing soldiers' bright lights to penetrate the darkness far ahead. In all there were over 150 caves inside the Rock of Gibraltar, but the one they were headed to, dubbed Saint Michael's cave, was by far the largest. The discovery of a Neolithic bowl there had given rise to speculation that prehistoric man had once called the rock home, and in Gorham's Cave, a natural sea cave on the eastern face of the rock, evidence of one of the last known habitations of the Neanderthals was discovered in the early 20th century, making the Rock of Gibraltar a hotbed of archaeological exploration.

"What are we supposed to do once we reach the cavern?" Doug Peterson shouted out.

"I have no idea," Leo said, wincing with each step as he ran ahead of him. He was already feeling the pain in his back from being flung against the wall in the mess hall explosion. "Right now I'd say we're pretty much at the mercy of those two soldiers leading the way."

Peterson looked back over his shoulder at the running figure of Gwyneth Hastings. "What about the local British naval base, Gwyneth? We'll need somewhere to hide once we're out of here. We could ask the soldiers to radio ahead."

"That's a bad idea, Mr. Peterson," Acerbi said between spasms of coughing. "Whoever is behind this will most certainly pick up our radio transmissions."

"He's right," Gwyneth said. "Any communications between us and the outside world will most certainly give away our position, and if our communication systems have been compromised the people who just tried to kill us are listening in to every conversation coming from inside this rock."

Rounding a corner ahead, they entered a brightly-lit room built inside a small cavern that was filled with ventilation machinery used to force air through the ductwork into the old Cold War bunker. "This is the machine room," one of the soldiers announced. "The door at the other end of this room leads into the top of Saint Michael's cavern and there's a public entrance down at the bottom. We can get out through there."

The soldier took two steps toward the door when he suddenly stopped. Something up ahead had moved! Holding a finger to his lips, he began to advance just as a burst of automatic gunfire erupted from the far end of the room. Bullets hit the floor and ricocheted off the metal pipes and ductwork all around them as the two soldiers instantly began laying down a withering field of fire in the direction of the concealed attacker. In a gesture that seemed almost suicidal, the attacker sprang from the shadows and began firing once again, hitting the lead soldier before he was struck in the neck and killed by a quick shot from the second soldier.

Ariella and the pope rushed to the side of the fallen soldier only to have him smile up at them as he ran his hand over a tear in his bullet-proof vest. "Thank God for Kevlar," he said quietly.

"Yes, thank God indeed," Pope Michael replied, reaching down with one hand and lifting the young corporal to his feet.

"Thank you, sir. I could tell you was a soldier the first time I laid eyes on you. A soldier can tell another soldier just by lookin' in his eyes."

The pope glanced up at Leo and winked. "Yes, I guess you could say that my eyes do tend to give my fighting tendencies away."

Still on high alert, Alon and the two soldiers quickly advanced to the end of the room, checking every inch of the space until they were certain no one else was lying in wait.

"All clear!" the lead soldier shouted. Carefully opening the door, he peered out and turned back to the others. "The cavern is still lit up like a bloody Christmas tree from the last public tour, but there are still hundreds of little nooks and crannies where someone could hide. We need to call for reinforcements to clear the area before we take you out."

"I'm sure our reinforcements are being kept busy," Childs said, "and if you radio our position anyone listening will know exactly where we are."

"Radios!" Leo suddenly blurted out.

"I beg your pardon, Cardinal?"

"Radios ... the radios the soldiers are carrying." Leo grabbed the corporal by the shoulder. "Did your commanders broadcast any casualty reports after the explosion?"

"No, sir ... they haven't had time."

"Good. Now ... can you tune into a frequency that's not being monitored?"

"Yes, sir ... we have a lot of empty frequencies, but if we use one of those no one will hear us."

"That's exactly what I'm counting on."

The soldier looked confused. "What are you thinking, sir?"

"I want you to make a false broadcast stating that we were all killed in the mess hall explosion, and it must be broadcast on a frequency that's not being monitored by your people because it will only confuse them. The people who are looking for us are probably using a computer to scan every frequency available to your forces, which means they'll probably pick up our fake transmission on an unused frequency."

"You think they'll call off their dogs if they think we're all dead?" Alon asked.

"It's worth a try."

"That's a brilliant piece of thinking, Cardinal." Alon winked at the two soldiers. "This man really missed his calling when he decided to become a priest instead of a soldier."

The corporal's eyes widened. "You're a cardinal?"

"Yes, and the man who just lifted you off the floor is my boss. That's Pope Michael, and we need to guard him with our lives."

The young soldier's mouth gaped open as he stared up into the pope's blue eyes. "Well, if that don't beat all. We heard on the tele' this morning that you was missin', sir. And to think, all this time I thought you was a soldier like us. What in the world is going on around here?"

"That's classified, corporal," Childs said quickly. "If anyone ever asks, you never saw any of these people here. Now, let's get going with that fake broadcast because we need to move out."

"Right, sir." When all was ready, the corporal changed the frequency on his radio, and in his most official-sounding voice, he pretended he was calling his commander with the news that no one inside the mess hall had survived the explosion. After pausing for a moment, they all heard two mysterious clicks, confirming their suspicions that someone was listening.

"Keep your eyes peeled for any movement," Childs said. "If this radio thing works, we might just catch ourselves some rats coming out of their nests."

Moving out of the machine room, the soldiers stepped out onto a small concrete balcony that overlooked an enormous cavern that stretched out several hundred feet below them. A series of stairs led five stories down to the cavern floor, and from their position near the roof of the cavern, they could see every movement within the gigantic space below. For a minute nothing moved, and then, near the exit door at the bottom of the cavern, they spotted two men carrying automatic rifles as they climbed down from their perches in darkened crevices along the walls.