by Liz Bower
Rob fell onto the sofa next to Matt and fought the urge to smile. Jess had had a dream about him? Wait, she wouldn't tell her brother about that kind of dream. "What kind of dream?"
"She dreamt about James, and then he turned into you."
Well, shit, that wasn't a good sign. Was that what she saw him as, an older brother substitute? He turned to look at Matt, but he just shrugged.
***
After Matt left Rob headed for Altenchester and Jess. He stopped, his hand on the gate, and looked up the path to Emma's house. He couldn't believe he was there; he felt nervous, excited, and a little like he had betrayed Matt’s trust. Matt had asked him to come round and keep an eye on Jess because both he and Emma were working. What was he supposed to say? "Sorry, Matt, I can't. I don't trust myself to be alone with your sister." Yeah, he couldn't see that going down too well, so there he was. Taking a deep breath, he pushed open the gate and strode up the path to knock on the front door.
It opened to reveal Jess in her pyjamas. Rob’s gaze dropped to her cleavage, on show from the tight, low-cut top she was wearing, before she wrapped a dressing gown across her chest. Her black hair curled around her face and stuck out in all directions. Dark, long lashes only emphasised her pale skin, as did the dark circles under her eyes. The smile on her face was gone, replaced by a cool look.
"I thought you were Emma and had forgotten your keys again. If you're looking for Matt, he's not here."
He grinned at her; he couldn't help it, remembering how she'd been that night. Okay, so she had been drunk, but she had still kissed him, even giggled at him. But every time they were alone, she became this ice queen, except he knew it was fake. He just didn't know why yet.
"Hi, Jess. I'm good, thanks for asking. How are you?" She didn't answer him unless he counted the face she pulled at him. "I'm not looking for Matt, I know, he's not here. He asked me to come round, though." Knowing she wouldn't like his explanation, or ask him to come in, he squeezed past her into the house and towards the kitchen.
***
Jess closed the front door and rested her forehead against the cool wood. What was he doing here? And what was Matt playing at? And why could she only focus on how he had looked at her in her vision when he'd reached for her, his voice as he told her he would protect her. She took a deep breath. What if it was him she needed protecting from? He was dangerous—to her, anyway. Dark and dangerous, with his short, almost-black hair and slate-like eyes. Except her body didn't respond like he was dangerous. No, it seemed to be far too excited by the barely concealed muscles beneath the stretched T-shirt he wore.
Gently, she hit her forehead against the door, again and again. Then she straightened her spine, chin raised—she could do this. She would do this, she told herself, as she pulled the belt tight around her waist and headed into the kitchen.
Rob was leaning against the cupboards, legs crossed at the ankles, coffee cup in hand. She went to pick up her own cup and said, "Please, make yourself at home."
"Thanks."
He gave her that grin. The one that made her want to kiss him until she couldn't remember who she was. Either that or slap the grin right off his face. And she hated violence. She moved so the dining table was between them and felt the tightness in her shoulders ease a little. "Why are you here?"
His smile faded and, for one fleeting moment, he looked serious—worried even, going by the lines around his mouth. But then it was gone, replaced by his usual cocky grin. "Matt told me you had a dream about me," he said, lifting and then lowering his eyebrows suggestively.
Oh, my God. She was going to kill Matt. She could feel the burn in her cheeks and wished the ground would just open and swallow her whole. Placing her cup on the table she turned her back on him, starting for the stairs to escape from him when he grabbed her arm.
"Jess, I'm sorry. Matt told me it was about James. I know you think of me as a brother too, and I'll do anything I can to look out for you."
Jess laughed, and it sounded bitter to her own ears. "God, if you believe I think of you like a brother, you couldn't be further from the truth. Now, let me go." His hand dropped, as did his expression, but she ran upstairs. She knew she'd hurt him, but she just needed to get away from him. From his restraining hold. She slammed the bedroom door behind her and slid down it, her shaky legs giving way. This was why she couldn't be alone with him. He confused her, her brain and body pulling in two very different directions, and she didn't know what to do about it.
CHAPTER THREE
Jess didn't know how long she had been in her bedroom when she heard the front door slam. Had he left? She cracked open her door and pressed her ear to the gap.
"Oh, you made me jump. Jess didn't mention she'd asked you to come round."
"She didn't."
Jess closed the door again, but she knew she'd have to go down now; she couldn't leave Emma alone with Rob. She brushed her hands down her blouse, pulling it across her hips. Checked her makeup and teeth in the mirror, then tightened her ponytail. Standing straight, she yanked open the door and headed down the stairs.
"You should come with us," Jess heard Emma saying as she walked into the kitchen. "Oh, hi, Jess. I finished early, and I was just saying to Rob that he should come with us to Altenbury Hall."
Jess's eyes widened as she stared at Emma, but she just stared right back at Jess, smile firmly in place. "Are you serious, Emma? It's not a bloody family picnic we're going on." Emma just smiled more at that, and Jess was seriously beginning to wonder if her friend was high, or drunk, or something.
"Hey!" Matt shouted from the hallway. "I got Miriam to cover at the museum, seeing as it was quiet, and you finished early." Matt stopped and kissed Emma before nodding at Rob.
Emma leaned into Matt and said, "I told Rob he should come with us."
Matt looked down at her, then over to Jess, who glanced at the three of them staring at her and felt like she had entered a parallel universe.
Before she could say anything, Rob spoke. "Look, I'm not stupid. I know something's going on. The whole village knows you were attacked, Matt, and I suspect you might have been too, Emma," he said, studying her.
He turned to face Jess. "I've known you and Matt for years, but if you don't trust me, with whatever this is ..." He waved his hands in the air, taking a deep breath before he carried on. "If you don't trust me, just tell me, and I'm out of here."
Jess knew what he meant, and she did trust him, in so far as he was Matt's friend. Actually, it was herself she didn't really trust, not when it came to Rob.
She held out her hand towards the chair. "Sit down." She took a seat herself, and Emma sat opposite her, still smiling. Jess looked at Matt, who was now sitting huddled up to Emma, because this wasn't just her story to tell.
It began when Emma moved back to Altenchester, when she had started having visions about James and Matt. And then, when Emma and Matt got together, Matt had been attacked, several times. But whatever had attacked him had killed James. And now, Jess was having visions. Ones that involved Rob.
Jess took a deep breath and held it. Slowly, she released it, turning to Rob.
"It wasn't just a dream." And, once again, Jess found herself explaining her vision.
***
Rob followed Matt and Emma down Altenbury Lane. Jess walked beside him, a healthy gap between them. He slid his gaze in her direction, but she was looking straight ahead, seeming determined if not a little nervous. He wanted to touch her, reassure her, but he thought that was probably the last thing she wanted. Ever. He'd meant what he had said, though; he would protect Jess, look out for Matt—hell, even Emma. They were his family, had been for years, and Emma too now. His mum had died two years before, and he couldn't remember the last time he had seen his dad. Didn't want to ever again.
"Wow, the oak tree looks like it's doubled in size," Emma remarked, drawing his attention back to them.
"It's just because it's starting to grow its leaves again," Jess said. And then stoppe
d abruptly before she walked into the back of Emma. "What have you stopped for?"
But Emma just stared at the tree, then slowly lifted her arm and pointed to it. "Has that always been there?"
Jess turned to look at what Emma was pointing at. "What, the tree?" she asked.
Emma shook her head. "No, that face. The carving."
Jess let out a little laugh, her shoulders lifting with the sound. Dimples formed beneath her cheeks, next to her mouth. Rob tried to remember the last time he'd seen or heard Jess laugh and realised she didn't do it anywhere near as much as she should.
***
"That thing? It's been carved into the tree for as long as I can remember. Something to do with a local legend, I think. James could tell you, would have ..." Jess didn't know what to say. James had always found stories like that fascinating. Loved scaring her with them, even Matt sometimes. Jess glanced in his direction, and he gave her a sad smile. She wondered if he remembered those times too.
Emma was still staring at it, and Jess looked at it properly for the first time since she was a teenager. It was monstrous. Sunken eyes stared down at them beneath jutting eyebrows. Its cheekbones were hollow and led to a gaping black hole of a mouth. It was an odd thing to carve into a tree.
"I saw it," Emma said.
All three of them turned to look at her, not understanding what she meant.
"We can all see it, Emma," Jess replied.
"No." Emma shook her head, finally turning her face away from the carved face. "My first day, the day I moved back. I sat at the lights, in my car. I turned to look at the river, but instead ... instead, I saw that. Saw the tree, the face coming out of the wood."
Matt put his arm around her waist when he saw how upset she was becoming. Jess was about to say something comforting when Matt spoke quietly. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't even know you then, Matt," Emma said, lifting her hand to his cheek. "And then, when I did, there were other visions that seemed more important, about your family."
Matt nodded and wrapped his other arm around her waist.
"Maybe you should research that legend, Matt. It might be important," Rob offered.
Matt nodded again, glancing up at the carved face, then pulled Emma away from it towards the vault.
Jess led the way, eager to get this over with. The heavy vault door came into her sight, and she squinted at it. She stopped abruptly as she realised the door was ajar. Her gaze dropped to the floor when she saw something glinting, saw the padlock on the floor, and she gasped.
Rob was by her side and, at the sound of her gasp, followed her gaze. When he realised what it was, he moved so he angled himself in front of her, and for once, she was glad of his strength; his broad back blocked out most of her view of the door. She heard Matt and Emma stop behind her, but neither of them said a word. Maybe whoever had opened the door was still in there.
Usually, she avoided physical contact, but she acted without thought—she reached out for Rob's back, placing her palm flat on it. His muscles rippled beneath her hand as he stretched out an arm behind him, his hand brushing against her hip.
Matt moved in front of her, switching the torch on, and he and Rob made their way towards the door. Jess jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder, but it was only Emma. Jess leaned into her, clutching her free hand.
They waited for what felt like an eternity before they heard Matt shout to them. Slowly, they headed towards the vault, and Matt and Rob were walking in their direction.
"What?" Jess asked, a hundred scenarios running through her head. All unpleasant, all involving James.
"He's gone," Matt said.
"What?" Jess asked again, sure that she must have misheard.
"He's not here. He's gone," Matt repeated, spreading his hands out in front of him.
"But how? He's dead. He can't just disappear," Jess said, looking between Matt and Rob. She grabbed the torch from Matt, aiming its beam towards the plinth as memories of her vision flashed through her mind. But, of course, they were right.
James was gone.
CHAPTER FOUR
Jess stood under the spray of the shower, letting it pelt her shoulders, the heat helping to ease the tension there. Emma had said there was nothing they could do about James, but it didn't stop Jess wanting to. But she knew Emma was right when she had said they didn't even know where to start looking for him. Knew they couldn't involve the police.
She ran that imaginary conversation through her mind and shook her head. Yes, officer, we reported our brother missing last year but then we found him. He'd been locked in the family vault, was attacked—killed, actually. No, we didn't report that, but now we want to report him missing. Again. Yeah, she couldn't see that going down too well.
She wrapped a towel around her as she stepped out of the shower. Her reflection moved with her across the dark window, and she knew that everything would have to wait until morning, at the earliest.
She pulled on her ratty old flannel pyjamas, just in case Rob was still there. He'd said he wasn't leaving, but she had been upstairs a long time. When she ventured downstairs she found him sprawled on the sofa with his eyes closed and took the opportunity to just look at him. His dark hair was sticking up, as though he had run his fingers through it, pulled at it. His forehead had slight lines across it. Clearly, he wasn't as relaxed as he looked. His mouth was pulled to one side like he was trying not to smile at something, and it gave him a dimple. His chin had started to darken with stubble, and the thought of running her hand across it flitted through her mind. Licking it. She gasped at that idea, taking a step back from him. His eyes flew open when he heard her, and he turned to look at her over the back of the sofa.
"You okay?"
She nodded and took a step towards the kitchen. "I just ... I didn't think you'd still be here."
"I told you I was staying."
"I know you did, but it's late. Don't you have to be somewhere?"
He followed her into the kitchen. "When I said I was staying, I meant the night, Jess."
She spun in surprise to look at him as he filled the kitchen doorway, arms resting on either side of the frame. "I told Matt I'd stay here, to make sure you were okay ... and that you didn't do anything stupid, like trying to find James on your own."
A smile tugged at her lips because the idea had crossed her mind. Her lips twisted at the thought of Rob and Matt planning behind her back about her. She wasn't sure she liked the idea of being there with Rob, alone. But then again, she wasn't sure she liked the idea of being there on her own either.
She poured herself a brandy and waved the bottle at Rob. He shook his head in answer, stuffing his hands in his jeans pockets, and her gaze followed the movement. She turned her back on him, replacing the bottle, and said, "Some of Matt's clothes are in Emma's bedroom. I'm sure he'll have something you could sleep in."
"Thanks. I'll take a look."
She curled a piece of hair around her finger and bit her lip. What else was there to say? Except how weird this was. Awkward even. When she couldn't bear the silence any longer, she said, "Okay, well, I'm going to turn in for the night. I'll see you in the morning?"
Rob nodded. "You will. Goodnight, Jess."
As she walked past him, she felt his gaze on her, felt him studying her. Leaving the kitchen, her shoulders finally dropped as she exhaled the breath she'd been holding and slowly climbed the stairs.
***
Jess screamed as she ran down the corridor, her hair flying out behind her. She could hear his feet hitting the wooden floorboards, and lengthened her stride. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw him reach out towards her. She laughed when he was still too far away to reach her.
"Laugh now, because you won't be soon."
"Ahh, promises, promises, James. You always were too slow to catch me," Jess said over her shoulder. She looked ahead of her, just in time to slide around the corner heading for her old bedroom. That was one of the benefits of Alt Hall—all that spa
ce to get lost in.
She looked over her shoulder once again, and as she saw him round the corner after her, she almost fell. Her heart leaped as she tried to run faster. How the hell did Miles get in here? And where the hell is James when I need him? From the sneer on Miles's face, she could tell he was enjoying this, and her stomach heaved in response, memories of him flooding her mind.
She slammed against the door, clutching at the handle, but it just twisted uselessly in her hand. She turned to see Miles stalking towards her, taking his time, enjoying the panic that was probably written across her face.
A low growl echoed around the corridor. She froze, her nails digging into the wood. There, behind Miles, mouth open to reveal shiny white teeth with its snarl, was a ... a dog? A wolf? Its jaws snapped and its amber—almost yellow—eyes narrowed. Its silver fur stood up from its skin, and its tail swished behind it. Miles turned to face the wolf. The thought that she should run, escape while she could, crossed her mind, but her legs remained locked in place. She screamed as the wolf lifted its head. A spear suddenly appeared between its jaws, and she cried out as it pierced Miles's chest, a scream tearing from him too.
The wolf disappeared in front of her eyes, and she dropped her gaze to where Miles lay on the floor, writhing in pain. Except it wasn't him at her feet, with a spear lodged in his chest. It was Rob. His face was contorted in pain, and she dropped to her knees. "Rob!" she shouted, reaching towards his chest. "Rob, Rob, Rob." She'd started to just chant his name, as though that would help.
"It's okay. I'm here. Everything's okay."
Jess's eyes snapped open as Rob took her outstretched hand in his.
"You were ..."
"I was what?" Rob asked, stroking her hair back from her forehead.
"Oh, God." She placed her free hand on his chest. Was he hurt?
"Jess?" His hand closed over hers.
Glancing at their joined hands, she gasped and scooted back from him until she had her back against the headboard. She saw his eyebrows lower, the lines appearing across his forehead and the quick flash of hurt in his eyes. She clasped her hands around her knees, trying to stop them from shaking. The movement caught Rob's gaze, and he looked at her hands before slowly raising his own. His were just as red as hers. Both slicked with blood.