Mortuus Virgo (44 page)

Gatilusi smirked.

‘You think this is new?’ he asked sarcastically, ‘Mortuus Virgo bases its religion around the core of six Vestal Virgins and has done for thousands of years. Like I said earlier, some of the most important people in the world are devotees. You think the Masons are secretive, this lot makes them look like modern day celebrities. They have the power to cover up any indiscretions they need to.’

‘But, that’s awful,’ said India, ‘Are you saying that there have always been young girls used in this way?’

‘Exactly that,’ said Gatilusi, ‘Probably since this place was built a couple of thousand years ago.’

‘But surely someone, somewhere over all that time would have found out. What about when they grow up and realise there is a big wide world out there?’

‘Who said they are allowed to grow up?’ asked Gatilusi.

Brandon and India stared at the Greek in horror as the implications sunk in.

‘I’m not certain,’ continued Gatilusi, ‘But in the past they probably grew up in an age of seclusion and devotion. The world was a much more isolated place then. But as society changed, the people in power became corrupt and the meaning of an innocent Pagan religion became more sinister. Eventually, the people in charge could not afford the risk of being discovered. The longer it went on, the more secretive the order became until it became a self perpetuating monster.’

‘So what are you saying?’ asked India

‘Why take the risk that the girls grow up and leave the order?’ asked Gatilusi, ‘When there are plenty of replacements out there. When one of the Virgins gets too old or starts to ask awkward questions, all they need to do is select a replacement from the big wide world.’

‘But what about the original?’ asked India, ‘What happens to her?’

Gatilusi stared at her before answering.

‘The clue is in the name, pretty lady,’ he said, ‘Mortuus Virgo,
The dead Virgins!’

----

‘No, you must be wrong,’ said India, ‘Despite everything, this is a religious order. They would not condone murder.’

‘The Nuns may not,’ said Gatilusi, ‘But don’t underestimate who you are dealing with here. I have devoted half of my life chasing their shadows, yet at every turn they manage to cover their tracks. Their influence extends in to every walk of life, Police, organised crime, politicians and clergy. Their network extends all over the world and they will do everything in their power to ensure the cult continues and their secrets are kept, and if that means some people disappear, then so be it. Corruption follows them like a bad smell.’

‘Do you think Camille is down there?’ asked India.

‘No!’ said Brandon, ‘Those girls look too well versed in their responses. Camille hasn’t been missing long enough to learn the litanies. I think she is probably being held in one of those locked rooms, waiting for the brainwashing that this lot obviously employs.’

‘
Shit!
’ gasped India, and she threw herself down behind the wall in fear.

‘
Bullshit,
’ hissed Brandon, ‘If he sees us, he’ll probably call his security.’

‘We have no other option,’ said Gatilusi, drawing his gun, ‘If he saw the girl, then they are probably on their way already.’

Brandon paused.

‘
Do you want that girl, or not,
’ hissed Gatilusi.

‘Of course,’ said Brandon.

‘Then its now or never,’ said Gatilusi, and raising himself into a crouch, he ran towards the stairs.

‘
Fuck,
’ cursed Brandon and followed Gatilusi down into the cavern.

----

The masked figure on the balcony span away from his followers, surprised at the commotion. He lifted his staff and pointed it at to the two men running down the stairs.

‘
Unbelievers,’
he roared, as the ceremony came to a stuttering halt.

For a few seconds, nobody moved as they stared in confusion at the approaching men until one of the young girls saw the gun in Gatilusi’s hand and screamed in fright. Each of the Nuns grabbed one of the young girls in a protective embrace, and faced the interlopers.

‘
Nobody move,’
shouted Gatilusi, brandishing his gun as he walked towards the nuns, ‘We don’t want to hurt anyone.’ He pointed the gun upwards to the male figure still on the balcony.

‘You, come down here.’

The man moved slightly and pressed a hidden switch with his foot.

‘You will not get away with this,’ he said, the voice muffled slightly by the immobile lips of the mask, ‘You do not know who you are dealing with.’

‘Let me worry about that,’ said Gatilusi, ‘Now, get your arse down here.’ When the man still did not move, Gatilusi grabbed the nearest Nun and held his gun to her head.

‘We don’t have time for games,’ said Gatilusi, ‘I am too close. Now, why don’t you persuade him to come down here, before this trigger finger gets twitchy?’

‘I suggest you do as he says,’ called Brandon, ‘He has already killed more than one man today.’

The masked priest slowly made his way down the stairs from his pulpit and walked towards the Greek police officer, stopping a few paces before him.

‘Take it off,’ said Gatilusi, pointing his gun at the mask.

After a pause, the caped figure raised his hands and lifted the mask, revealing the face of a young man. A quiet gasp escaped the throats of most of the Nuns present, who, until now, were unaware of the identity of their Pontifex Maximus.

‘
Jacob!’
said one of the Nuns in astonishment.

‘
Whoa!
’ shouted Brandon, ‘What’s all that about?’

‘The Palladium?’ said Jacob, ‘You think we have the Palladium here. Oh this is good. If you knew anything about your history you would know it has been buried beneath the pillar of Constantinople for over fifteen hundred years. You have wasted your time friend, the Palladium is a thousand miles and two thousand years away.’

‘Okay, Marcus Vibius or Jacob, whatever your name is, I’ll get straight to the point. I know Rubria brought the Palladium here sometime after Nero’s fire. I also know she was the one who founded this cult and based it around the Palladium. Now, if you tell me where it is, no one will get hurt, I will return the Palladium to its rightful home and you can return to your pathetic religious games. However, if you don’t tell me what I want to know, then you or some of your deluded friends are going to meet Vesta rather sooner than you think. Now, it’s very simple. Tell me where the Palladium is.’

‘You think I am afraid to die?’ sneered Jacob, ‘Our existence is ruled by the Pagan Gods and this life is just a stepping stone to the next.’

‘I thought you would say that,’ said Gatilusi, with a false smile, ‘So I came prepared!’ Without any warning he lowered his gun and shot Jacob through the knee.

The Priest fell to the floor, screaming in agony.

‘
For fuck sake
!’ shouted Brandon and stepped forward to intervene.

‘Stop there,’ shouted Gatilusi and pointed his gun at Brandon’s head. ‘I don’t have the time or inclination to play silly games with this lunatic.’

‘There’s no need for this,’ said Brandon, ‘Let’s just find what we each came for and get out of here. No need for anyone else to get hurt.’

‘Well that’s up to him,’ said Gatilusi.

Brandon looked at the man writhing in agony on the floor. His knee cap had shattered outwards and his lower leg was a mess of blood and cartilage. He had seen injuries like this before in Northern Ireland and knew the man would never walk normally again.

Gatilusi bent down and spoke quietly to Jacob.

‘You see,’ he said, ‘I have met nutters like you before, and when they are reminded that their ideals seldom match up to reality, then they always change their mind. Now, there are no arteries damaged so you will live, but the longer you hold out the greater the pain will be. In one minute, I will destroy the other knee, followed by both elbows, then your balls. I might even smash all your teeth. You probably won’t die but, but almost certainly end up as nothing more than an impotent torso in no control of his limbs. You will need people like these to spoon feed you porridge and wipe your arse. So, think carefully how you wish to proceed, Mr Priest, but, while you do, let me give you a little reminder of the sort of pain you are facing here.’

He stood up and placed his foot into Jacob’s shattered knee and twisted it downwards causing the caretaker’s son to scream in agony once again.

‘Clock is ticking, young man,’ said Gatilusi.

‘It’s not here,’ shouted Jacob through the pain, ‘I don’t know where it is.’

‘Shame,’ said Gatilusi, ‘The doctors may be able to fix what is left of your leg. Oh, you’ll have a severe limp, but if I do the other one, it’s at least a wheelchair job. Thirty seconds to regain your memory.’

‘
Stop!
’ shouted Sister Agnes, ‘For the love of God, you have to stop this madness.’

‘At last,’ he said, ‘Someone with a bit of sense. It is very simple, Sister, I want the Palladium and your Master here reckons it’s not here.’

‘That’s not true,’ said Gatilusi, ‘I know it is here. We have evidence that Rubria came to Britain and brought the Palladium with her.’

‘Oh for Christ’s sake,’ said Gatilusi looking upwards, ‘Will everyone stop playing these fucking games.’ His voice rose in anger. ‘
Last chance, Sister!
’ he shouted and placed the gun against Jacob’s head, ‘Take me to the Palladium or this man dies
right now
!’

‘
I can’t,
’ shouted Sister Agnes in terror, ‘It is buried with Rubria.’

The room fell silent before Gatilusi spoke again.

‘What do you mean?’ he asked.

‘You are correct,’ said Agnes, ‘Rubria did indeed bring the Palladium here and this place stems from her devotion. But she never got to see this Temple. Not long after she arrived she died in childbirth. The following she had already built up, buried the Palladium with her in tribute to her holiness.’