The Heretic: Templar Chronicles Book 1 Read Online Free Page A

that Cade had joined the Order with ulterior motives in mind, that he believed the information he gained was the best means of locating and confronting the Adversary, that the Order’s goals and objectives were secondary to his own. It was said that he was after one thing and one thing only.
    Revenge.
    In preparing for the meeting Duncan had read the unit’s after-action reports, the written summaries turned in after any engagement requiring the use of lethal force. Every one of them showed that Echo Team had been exemplary in the performance of its duties. This, of course, reflected well on the team’s leader. Yet, Duncan could read between the lines, could see what the other Commanders thought of Williams.
    While Cade flawlessly performed as was expected, those who had used his services were always uneasy doing so. They were happiest when he had completed his mission and was on his way. It was there in the written recommendations, in the seemingly casual comments made when discussing him or his unit.
    They were afraid of him.
    At its heart, the Order was still an arm of the Church. As such, it believed in the divine province of Man and in the salvation garnered through the grace of the Lord. How a man rumored to be able to walk with the dead and able to read a man’s mind simply through touch fit into this picture was difficult to determine. Duncan did not blame the others for their fear.
    If everything that was said about him was true, Cade Williams was a man who should be feared.
    Yet, watching Cade wait patiently the Preceptor to acknowledge him, his one good steel-colored eye taking things in with frank appraisal and seeming not the least bit uncomfortable in the Preceptor’s presence, Duncan knew one thing for certain.
    Cade Williams had the best chance of succeeding at the job ahead.
    Michaels finished with his reading, signed the form, and handed it off to his assistant. He rose and extended his hand in greeting. “Thank you for coming, Knight Commander.”
    “Sir,” replied Cade, shaking the man’s hand in return.
    This close Duncan could see that the patch over Cade’s eye hid the majority of the damage to his face, but the scar tissue that peeked around it gave testimony to the ruin beneath. His wide shoulders and strong physique clearly showed his dedication to remaining at the peak of performance. He was dressed in a black sweater, jeans, and a pair of work boots. His hair, thin and dark, hung to just above his shoulders, loose and unfettered.
    “Please, sit down,” the Preceptor said, indicating one of the two chairs arranged before his desk.
    “I’m fine, sir.”
    “Suit yourself.” The Preceptor turned to his new aide, a short, dark-haired man by the name of Erickson who was filing the just-signed report, and said, “That will be all,” and waited for him to leave the room before settling back into his own chair. Duncan remained where he was.
    “As you’ve no doubt heard, this commandery was attacked last night by persons unknown,” said the Preceptor. “While we don’t know precisely what happened, we do know that every single member of the Order that was on the grounds at the time was slaughtered. Clearly, our people resisted; the evidence of a massive firefight is overwhelming. But that’s all we know - they put up resistance, then died, down to the last man.
    “Which is where you come in, Commander. I’m assigning Echo Team to find out what happened here. Who attacked us? Why? And more importantly, how did they manage to wipe out an entire complement of our people?”
    Cade frowned. “With all due respect, sir, we’re a combat unit. Wouldn’t it be better to put one of the investigative squads on this? They’ve got the training and the connections to…”
    Michaels shook his head, cutting him off. “I’d considered that, but I’ve decided I want a combat team on this right from the start. Eventually, those conducting the investigation are going to run into whoever is