Chris Kuzneski - Payne & Jones 05 The Prophecy

PENGUIN BOOKS

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First published 2009

Copyright Chris Kuzneski, Inc., 2009

All rights reserved

The moral right of the author has been asserted

Except in the United States of America, this book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publishers prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser

ISBN: 978-0-14-193250-7

PENGUIN BOOKS

The Prophecy

Chris Kuzneski is the international bestselling author of The Lost Throne, Sword of God, Sign of the Cross and The Plantation. His thrillers have been translated into more than twenty languages. Although he grew up in Indiana, Pennsylvania, he currently lives on the Gulf Coast of Florida. To learn more, please visit his website: www.chriskuzneski.com

Kuzneskis writing has raw power James Patterson

Chris Kuzneski writes as forcefully as his tough characters act Clive Cussler

Excellent! High stakes, fast action, vibrant characters not to be missed! Lee Child

Chris Kuzneski is a remarkable new writer, who completely understands what makes for a good story: action, sex, suspense, humour and great characters Nelson DeMille

A gripping, fantastic read that guarantees chills, laughs and pulse-pounding action! David Morrell, author of First Blood

A fast and furious thrill ride with the perfect amount of history and humour blended in Raymond Khoury, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Templar

The Lost Throne is one hell of a thrill ride, mixing the intensity of 300 and the adventure of Raiders of the Lost Ark. Not to be missed! Vince Flynn

Think Indiana Jones and The Da Vinci Code and youre in Kuzneski-land Sunday Sport

Chris Kuzneski is a monster storyteller who never disappoints, and The Prophecy is a page-turner extraordinaire, rippling with dark legends, violence and pulse-pounding excitement. Payne and Jones are fabulous! Douglas Preston, co-author of Cemetery Dance and The Monster of Florence

A readers delight from beginning to end. Tautly written, expertly told, smart and exhilarating Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author

The Lost Throne reads like an AK-47 on laughing-gas, as Kuzneski runs a gauntlet of mystery and mayhem, wisecracking all the way John Case, New York Times bestselling author

Chris Kuzneskis The Lost Throne is a lightning-paced tale that seamlessly stitches threads from the past into the fabric of the present. Genre giants Steve Berry, James Rollins and Brad Thor may soon find themselves looking over their shoulders as Kuzneski stakes his claim as the Next Big Thing. A smoothly layered, serpentine and scintillating thriller Jon Land, bestselling author of The Seven Sins

Part Tom Clancy, part Dan Brown, The Lost Throne is fast, fun and exciting! James O. Born, bestselling author of Burn Zone

Sword of God is as convincing as it is terrifying. Riveting and relentlessly paced, here is a novel that will be consumed in one sitting. Chris Kuzneski proves again that he is a thriller writer for the new millennium James Rollins, author of The Judas Strain

Action packed and full of taut suspense, Sword of God crosses continents in a world-class adventure that will keep you guessing, chuckling, terrified and utterly riveted. Go into lock-down mode. You wont want to leave your favourite chair until youve finished this terrific tale Gayle Lynds, author of The Last Spymaster

Chris Kuzneski is a fresh new voice you wont forget W. E. B Griffin, #1 New York Times bestselling author

As always, Id like to start off by thanking my family. Without their love and support, I wouldnt be the writer (or the person) that I am today. Thanks for putting up with me!

Professionally, I want to thank my agent, Scott Miller. Before we teamed up, I was a lowly, self-published author. Now my books are available in more than twenty languages around the world. How he pulled off that miracle, Ill never know but Im guessing incriminating photos and blackmail were involved. While Im at it, I want to thank Claire Roberts, my foreign agent at Trident Media, who landed my British deal. To say that Ive been thrilled with Penguin UK would be an understatement. In particular, Id like to single out my well-dressed editor, Alex Clarke. Working with him has been a wonderful experience.

Next up is my good friend Ian Harper, who gets to read my work before anyone else. Even though hes strong enough to kill a rhinoceros with his bare hands, his suggestions and advice are surgically precise. If anyones looking for a freelance editor (or is having problems with large horned mammals), please let me know. Id be happy to put you in touch with him.

Finally, Id like to thank all the readers, librarians, booksellers, and critics who have read my thrillers and have recommended them to others. At this stage of my career, I need all the help I can get, so I would appreciate your continued support.

Okay, I think that just about covers it. Its finally time to get to the good stuff.

Without further delay, please sit back, relax, and let me tell you a story

The letter was written by an apothecary who had gained his notoriety in another field. Knowing the uproar it would cause, Michel sealed it and several documents inside a wooden box. He gave the box to his lawyer on the same day he signed his last will and testament.

The year was 1566. He was sixty-two years old.

He died fifteen days later.

When his possessions were divided among his heirs, the box was not mentioned. If it had been, the rest of his estate would have seemed inconsequential, for the contents of the box were far more valuable than gold or jewels or anything that he owned. Knowing this, he added a secret codicil to his will that only his lawyer knew about. The four-page appendix described in very specific terms what was to be done with the mysterious box and, more importantly, when.

To ensure that his wishes were followed, Michel established a trust fund that compensated the guardians of his secret from one generation to the next. None of these men knew who their benefactor was otherwise curiosity would have overwhelmed them, tempting them to open the box. Instead, all they were given was a date and a simple set of instructions.