“Because what they are doing is too important for it to be exposed. If the truth about the Alchemists were to get out, thousands of lives would be affected. Hundreds of thousands. And many innocents might be killed. We’ve stopped numerous terrorists from detonating bombs, and we’ve stopped countless shipments of narcotics and weapons. Those weapons would have changed the outcome of World War I and World War II. The world we live in would be a much different place under Hitler’s rule if it hadn’t been for the Alchemists.”
I gasped. This was bigger than I ever imagined, but I felt conflicted. In my mind, the Alchemists were an evil group, but Wesley was telling me their intentions were good. It was a mindfuck. “Wait! Hitler might have won?”
“If the weapons had gotten to his troops, then yes. We weren’t able to stop the Holocaust, but we were able to stop him from winning the war. Sometimes we aren’t able to stop incidents from happening, but we do everything we can to keep them from continuing. It took time, but we eventually got an Alchemist on the inside of his high ranks who was able to help us get around him. Otherwise, I’m not sure where the world would be. I need to show you something, but after tonight, you have to promise to never mention this again.”
Regardless, I had to know what happened. “I promise.”
Sydney
Wesley opened the safe behind a painting and took out an old letter. “This is from Quinn. It’s a letter she sent to her real father, letting him know she had a baby boy. This is the last correspondence we have from her. We found it in a compartment like the one you had in your house.”
“What happened to her real father and Captain Robert Soloman?”
“Hathorne vanished. We believe he left to be united with Quinn. There’s no proof, but Quinn put a spotlight on how corrupt the Alchemists had become. It was because of the trail she left that we were able to get back to our original plan of making the world a better place, if you will. Because of her, we got back on the right track.”
Quinn had ousted those using the power of the Alchemists for bad. “Wow.”
“The Alchemists have done some horrible things, which we know. And the Truth-seekers still believe that the world should be left to steer itself however it will. We think, from time to time, help is needed. Think of Stalin, Hitler, Napoleon, Caesar… sometimes a man can have too much power, and it goes to his head. There are times an intervention that allows a man to take back his own destiny must happen. And at the end of the day, that is what the Alchemists stand for. Otherwise if any of those had taken more power… where would we be?”
Maybe the Alchemists weren’t as bad as I originally thought. “And you’re going to be one of the leaders?”
“Yes, I’m a legacy member. There is no choice. And at some point, I’ll be expected to marry and produce an heir.”
I reached out and touched Wesley’s hand. “I don’t want to lose you. You’ve always been there for me.”
“And I will always be there for you, Sydney. Always. For now, I need to focus on what I’m called to do. And I cannot have any weaknesses. Those who want my power would use you against me. Soon it will be time for me to leave. Someday, I hope I’m able to come back.”
Tears pricked my eyes.
“If I show you this letter, you have to promise me that you’ll abandon this scavenger hunt. You have to for your own good—and Mike’s.”
I nodded. “I promise.”
Wesley handed me the letter from Quinn.
Dearest Father,
Jonathon and I are safe, as is our son. We are filled with joy as we gaze upon him and know how blessed we truly are.
We are waiting for you. Please hurry. Your grandson awaits you.
Your loving daughter,
Quinn
My eyes filled with tears. “She made it. And she was waiting for her father to join her. Oh, Wesley… thank you.”
He took the letter and put it back in the safe. “You’re welcome. I also have the letter that your grandpa actually left to you.”