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Chapter 11

Sunday morning, Jaz and Riley were on a plane heading back to Washington D.C. Jaz decided she would go back to the Gates' mansion to stay for a few weeks. Also to help Riley find the treasure. Once they landed and got their baggage, they took a cab back to the mansion. Riley called the mansion twice but no one answered. They pulled up to the front of the house.

"Abigail's car is here, but Ben's isn't. I wonder why she didn't answer," Riley noted.

They walked up to the and Riley used his key to let them in.

"Hello? Anyone here?" Riley yelled.

He and Jaz checked the whole house.

"They're not here," Jaz brought forth.

"They're not answering their cell phones either," Riley added, "I'm worried."

Just then, the phone in the kitchen started ringing. Riley rushed to answer it with Jaz behind him.

"Hello?" Riley asked when he answered it.

"Riley? It's me Ben," the other voice replied.

"Ben? Where are you two?" Riley asked.

"Ian has us. Listen Riley he wants the treasure of The Coven. But don't listen to him. I mean it. Don't make any kind of deal. Don't!" Ben yelled as the phone was pulled away.

"Ben?" Riley asked worried.

In the back round, Riley heard a muffled voice that ordered,

"Put his gag back on."

Another voice came on the line.

"Hello Riley ," it greeted with a British accent.

"Ian," Riley acknowledged, "what do you want with them?"

"To get you to give me the treasure. Don't bother covering, I've been spying on the mansion all last week so I know," Ian made known.

"Ian I swear if you hurt them I'll..." Riley began but Ian cut him off.

"What? What will you do? Because if you tell the FBI or police about this, your friends will die," Ian threatened.

Riley stopped.

"What do you want?" he asked.

"Well now that you have asked," Ian began, "I want the treasure of the Coven. You help me get it and I'll let your friends go."

"Fine. But I need time to figure out exactly where it is," Riley agreed.

"Fine. You have 24 hours. Then I'll contact you," Ian replied.

The line went dead. Riley hung up the phone and slammed his fist down on the counter.

"Who was it Ri?" Jaz asked.

"Remember how I told you about Ian?" Riley asked.

Jaz nodded.

"Well he has Ben and Abigail. He won't let them go until we help him get the treasure of the Coven," Riley explained.

"But we can't!" Jaz exclaimed.

"I know. We'll figure out something. But we can't tell the FBI or police," Riley replied, "Where did you put the ring dad gave you?"

"In my suit case. I'll get it," Jaz answered.

A few minutes later, Jaz came down with a little black box. She gave it to Riley, who opened it. It was a little dark red stone on a gold band. He slipped it on his finger. When he did, he felt real powerful.

"Whoa," he whispered.

"What?" Jaz asked.

"I just feel more powerful," Riley answered, "did dad ever tell you where exactly the treasure is?"

"No I just know it's in Homes, Libya," Jaz answered, "but he did give me this riddle." Jaz pulled a little piece of paper out of the box. Riley read it:

"Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind.

Elements of magic protect this ground.

Protect this Marker.

Until the Chosen One comes and revels your secret."

"What does that mean?" Jaz asked, "I understood the 4th line, but what does the rest mean?"

"I don't know," Riley answered.

They stood there for a minute in silence. Each lost in their thoughts.

"I think that Protect this Marker means the grave marker of our ancestor," Riley gussed.

"But our ancestor was burned at the stake," Jaz reminded.

"I know," Riley muttered.

"Wait a minute dad said that even though they burned her, they built a tomb under the ground where the treasure is, and they put a grave marker for her on top of the tomb," Jaz explained.

"Which means where ever the marker is, is where the treasure is," Riley realized.

"But we have to wait until Ian calls," Jaz reminded.

"I know," Riley responded, "Looks like I have time to work on the rest of my plan."

"What plan?" Jaz asked confused.

Riley picked up the phone again and dialed a number.

"Hello?" asked the voice from the other line.

"Yes. Could I speak to Agent Sandusky?" Riley asked, "Tell him it's urgent."