The ancient order of the Knights Templar possessed untold wealth and absolute power over kings and popes . . . until the Inquisition, when they were wiped from the face of the earth, their hidden riches lost.

But now two forces vying for the treasure have learned that it is not at all what they thought it was—and its true nature could change the modern world.

Ex-agent Cotton Malone used to work for Stephanie Nelle in the U.S. Justice Department. Now Nelle wants his help to crack a series of puzzles that have confounded experts for centuries—and could lead to the legendary lost treasure of the Knights Templar.

But someone else is on the trail—someone prepared to commit the ultimate crime to win the ultimate prize. Malone and Nelle find themselves in a heart-stopping race through the villages, castles and cloisters of Europe in pursuit of a secret that, in the wrong hands, could bring the world to its knees.