By Steven Maines

This enlightening novel reveals the tumultuous life of Longinus, the Roman centurion who stabbed Jesus on the cross and then fled Rome.

…I was simply witnessing an unusual weather-storm for this time of year. That this man was being crucified at the same time was mere coincidence. And, I believed that. Until, that is, the Earth shook.

It only lasted for a moment, the shaking. But, it left no doubt in my mind that it was directly correlated to this dying man on the cross.

Who was the Roman centurion that stabbed Jesus while the condemned one hung from the cross? What became of him and his legendary spear?

Longinus: Book I of the Merlin Factor tells the story of Gaius Cassius Longinus, the battle-hardened centurion of Rome who is assigned to guard the crucified Jesus. But while guarding Jesus, Longinus stabs him in the ribs with his spear, ensuring Jesus’s death. It is a simple act, but one that changes his life forever. After that fateful day Longinus flees Rome, narrowly escaping from the Roman priests who want to take the spear and its supposed power for themselves.

Longinus follows the centurion’s life from his love for the prostitute Irena to his mystical studies with the Druids of Gaul. But it also reveals Longinus’s profound spiritual awakening through his Druidic studies and the spear that speaks to him with Jesus’s voice.

Excerpt from Longinus, Book 1 of the Merlin Factor

I saw movement out of the corner of my eye. The Praetorian General had started to move toward the spear. And then it happened: The act, the deed that would forever change my career, my path, my very life. Although, one could argue that my path, my life, had already been forever changed back on a lonely hill many months before, where three souls had hanged on lonely crosses. Within a fraction of an instant, it was done. Within a quarter of a heartbeat, I had become an enemy of the state, an enemy of Rome.

Read more from Longinus, Book 1 of the Merlin Factor

Suddenly, the spear began to vibrate violently in my hand, the tip  its blade  to glow. Those closest to me quickly moved away, clearly afraid of what they were seeing the lance do. I spun to Jacobi, silently questioning him, imploring him to advise me. He smiled and nodded toward the spear. I understood. Let It guide you, he was silently saying. I had no choice. But how? Was I simply supposed to ask It for guidance? I closed my eyes for a moment to think. And then it hit me: Do not think. Do not think at all. Let go.

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