by Bianca D’Arc
Gift of the Ancients 2
Future Past
by
Bianca D’Arc
They can see the future, but can they outrun the past?
Rose has had the gift of prophecy most of her life and has found ways to cope with the flashes of foresight that plague her. Jeff has only had the ability for a few months and he needs Rose’s help to harness it. He sees her in his future, and puts his plan into action, knowing that an enemy is coming for them both.
An explosive situation, and a dangerous man…
Jeff is tall, sexy and has an air of mystery about him. She doesn’t need her prophetic gifts to know that spells trouble. Of course, he’s just the sort of trouble she’s been craving in her life. When he shows up at her workplace, she agrees to meet him for coffee, but when bad guys start shooting up the local mall to get to them, she follows her instincts and takes the escape he offers…straight into his waiting arms.
A secret base, and a secret unit…
Rose discovers all sorts of things she had never dreamed of before. Whisked away, under fire, to a secret military base, she’s offered a job where she’s supposed to help Jeff learn more about his newly acquired gift. But, when the enemy attacks the island base, she wonders if she’s there to help Jeff, or is it really the other way around? Either way, she discovers a deep and dangerous love for the soldier who stole her heart almost at first sight. Can they fight through to a place where their love can blossom, or are they doomed even before they start? Even Rose can’t see that future…
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Copyright ©2020 Bianca D’Arc
Published by Hawk Publishing, LLC
New York
All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
Dedication
To all the fans of this series who waited so long for a follow up. Thank you for sticking with me through all the publisher ups and downs and upheavals in my own life. This story had been planned for a very long time. I’m glad I finally got the chance to tell it.
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Epilogue
About the Author
Other Books by Bianca D’Arc
Prologue
Rose came back to the present with a start. She set to work right away, texting her afternoon appointments, telling them she had to cancel. She wasn’t sure why, exactly, she wouldn’t be available, but it had something to do with a handsome man with a British accent and an aura of danger. Her own personal Mr. Bond.
He was coming for her today, and whatever happened, it was important to her future—to her continued existence—that she at least listen to what he had to say. She was alone in the shop this morning, but she usually locked up when she went to lunch and the owner would be in this afternoon, so even if Rose didn’t come back after lunch, it wouldn’t matter.
She went about her tasks with her head halfway in the clouds, wondering what the disjointed images she’d seen in her most recent vision meant. There were guns, which made her shiver, and lots of very serious men carrying them. The ones she saw in her mind’s eye had a markedly protective feeling to them, but there were others. Ones she couldn’t see clearly. Ones who carried the red and black aura of danger.
Danger meant for her? Or, maybe for the protective men? For the hunky Brit? All of the above? She couldn’t be sure.
She’d have to wait to find out, but she knew that wouldn’t be long. Any minute now, the handsome secret agent guy would walk into the shop and the future would begin to unfold…as she had foreseen.
Chapter One
Jeff Penworthy, half-British by birth, American Spec Ops warrior by choice, and gifted with visions of the future by some odd twist of Fate, stepped into the small storefront and looked around. It was a psychic shop, one that had become increasingly popular in recent months, though the real attraction was not the frivolous scarves, herbal concoctions and perfumed oils sold behind the small counter. No, the real attraction was the woman who worked there.
She had started working at the shop just a few months ago, doing readings in the back room, using her psychic gifts—along with some moderate showmanship, he was sure—to look into the future. Whether she actually saw the future was of far less importance than the hope she gave to her clients. They were more than willing to drop large sums of money into her lap for the privilege of a reading, but everything he’d been able to find out about the mysterious “Madam Pythia” told him she only accepted a moderate fee from those who sought her out and put in long hours at the shop, trying to make her own ends meet.
Plus, Jeff had the advantage of having seen this woman—or at least a representation of her—in his own psychic visions of the future. For the past few days, the visions had been coming fierce and hot, demanding action on his part. Never had such strong visions overtaken him, and never with the ringing call to action that stirred his warrior’s soul.
Trouble swarmed around Madam Pythia, and only Jeff, specialist warrior that he was, could hope to save her. But hunters followed his every step, and those who hunted him and his comrades without success had turned their sights on this innocent woman for reasons known only to themselves. Jeff knew at least that much from his confusing visions. Now, it fell to him to convince the woman of the very real danger coming for her. He also had to make them both believe he could somehow protect her.
He had no idea how, but he would do it, nonetheless. Duty drove him, as did his vow to protect the innocent. It was his sacred honor.
Rose heard the bell above the door tinkle and swallowed the last of her coffee. The heavy tread of the newcomer’s boots gave her a small start. Manly steps, she thought, straightening her scarf in the back room before entering the small shop. Women were the usual clientele of the Sacred Way Psychic Shop. Women and just a few men with troubles and lost souls, usually. Not the sure, heavy, booted strides that covered the ground from door to counter in mere moments. Could it be her mystery man had arrived?
“Welcome.” She spoke as she walked, shock catching her up short with her first full look at the newcomer. Hard muscles on an even harder frame faced her, with intense, nearly glowing eyes focused on her. A shiver traced down her spine, but it was more than fear. It was awareness.
It was him. And he was so much more than the fuzzy image she had seen in her vision. This man spoke to her senses on so many levels. His dark blue eyes communicated with her soul, his sculpted body enticed her, and his clean, manly scent stirred passions long forgotten. Danger surrounded him, but not for her. No, for her, his body language spoke of protection
and safety. It was a contradiction that could be confusing, but his gaze continued to draw her in, even as her footsteps stopped short.
“Madam Pythia?” His strange eyes said he already knew who she was.
Rose nodded. “How can I help you? Are you here for a reading?”
“No, ma’am.” His chin was so firm, she thought absently, his slight smile so engaging. “But I have come to speak with you. I can pay you for your time, if need be.”
She grew even more intrigued. “I only charge for readings, and I don’t have any scheduled for the rest of the day. I can spare you a few minutes.”
She knew she had to speak to him. Usually, she kept a reasonable distance from the visitors to the shop, unless they were there for a reading. It’s not that she didn’t like people, but sometimes, her gift made it hard to be around them. She couldn’t always control what she saw and when, making small talk difficult.
“What I have to say may be hard to hear.” He seemed to search for words. “Danger follows me to your door.” His words were stilted as if he fought to find the right ones. “There are men coming for you. They mean to watch you—perhaps abduct you as a means to get to me.”
Fear raced into her heart. “Why? I don’t even know you.” But she knew the men he was talking about. Not personally, of course, but she’d seen them in her vision. Dark, menacing shadows, following her. Meaning her harm.
“You’re in danger. If you have any true gift at all, surely you must have seen this.”
The man’s denim blue eyes sparkled at her, and for a moment, she could almost swear she saw them glow. Something deep down inside her flared to life, and fear of a different kind threatened to choke her.
“Who are you?”
His stare pinned her. “You know me.”
His voice was a gruff rumble, but his words struck her very soul. Somehow…she did know this strange man, this warrior with the wicked blue eyes. More than from this morning’s brief vision. The place inside where her gift came from told her of his seriousness. He was the protector her mother had always claimed would come in Rose’s time of need. He was her warrior, the one who would be either her salvation or her doom.
The tension of fear left in a rush of air, to be replaced with a new kind of tension as she breathed in his clean, slightly musky scent. The man radiated testosterone, power and energy. His firm jaw alone said he was not a man to be trifled with.
“What’s your name?” She wanted so much to know who this startling man was.
He gave a slight shake of his head. “Not here.” His eyes closed briefly, and then, that laser gaze was on her again. “Look, is there somewhere we can go? They haven’t set surveillance around here yet, but it’s coming. Later today, I think. It would be bad for you if they saw me here, but I needed to tell you what I’ve seen.”
The implications of his words stunned her. She’d never met anyone else besides her mother who shared the gift. She knew others must exist somewhere, but her path had never crossed any. Perhaps, until now.
“It’ll have to be someplace public. Regardless of my instincts, I don’t really know you.” She challenged him with her eyes and a firm stance. She trusted her gut and her vision, but she’d be a fool to be alone with this scary man who wouldn’t even give her his name.
“A wise precaution.” He nodded briefly, and she felt unreasonably glad he thought she was wise. “How about the mall? There’s a small café in there that ought to do.”
She shot a look at the wall clock. “I’m due for a lunch break. I’ll meet you there.”
“You go first. I’ll follow behind you. This way, you’ll know where I am, and I’ll know you’re safe.”
She thought about the path to the nearby mall and nodded. His plan made sense. The route was very public, with little opportunity for him to harm her without someone noticing, if he were so inclined. They went out the door together and then parted after she locked up—each to their own vehicle. She wasn’t surprised to find he was driving a big black SUV. He could probably drive right over her little compact car, if he wanted. The thought wasn’t comforting, but he maintained a decent distance between their cars on the way to the mall, and when they arrived, he parked a couple of rows over from her, giving her space.
They walked into the mall separately, though she was aware of him always a dozen yards behind her. She walked confidently to the small eatery and asked the hostess for a booth. He was much closer now, and joined Rose at the hostess station without comment.
They slid into a small booth at the back of the café a minute later. True to his word, he hadn’t crowded her, only following behind at a respectful distance. Oddly, his presence had made her feel safe in ways she had never felt before.
“So, who are you?” The words left her mouth only moments after the waitress left the table with their order.
“My name is Jeff Penworthy. I’m a lieutenant in the U.S. Army.”
“Special Forces.” The words left her mouth without her permission, but he didn’t seem surprised. His eyes sparkled a deeper blue as his lips quirked up in amusement.
“So, you do have the gift.” He sat back, eyeing her.
“Maybe it was a lucky guess.”
“You make your living reading the future and making people believe you’re psychic. Why would you want me to believe you’re not?”
She sat back as well, regarding him from calculating eyes. “Maybe I’m a fraud. Isn’t that what you’re thinking?”
“Not anymore. You have at least some portion of the gift, or you wouldn’t be in danger.”
“Yeah, about that—”
Her words were cut off by the arrival of the waitress with their order. It took the woman a few moments to transfer the plates and glasses from her tray to the table, while silence reigned. As soon as she was gone, Jeff spoke.
“I have a strong precognitive gift. It’s newly developed and can be damned inconvenient, but it’s proven right, time and again. For the past few days, I’ve been seeing you. Danger surrounds you, from the same source that has been trying to take down me and my friends for the past few weeks. I don’t know why they targeted you, but they have. The danger is very real.”
“You saw me?” The floor had just dropped out from under Rose, but Jeff’s words rang with truth. It was a little side benefit of her psychic gifts—she could always tell when someone was lying. This Jeff Penworthy spoke the truth as he knew it, and that scared her witless.
“At first, I saw the shop. Later, I saw you in the shop and then the watchers. They’ve had surveillance on you, off and on, for a few weeks now.” He took a huge bite out of his sandwich and chewed efficiently, swallowing before he continued. “I figure they started watching you about the same time my team leader and his new wife were kidnapped.”
“Are they okay?”
“They broke free, but it was a tough escape. They’re safe now, but being careful. Our movements are restricted. All the members of my unit are in danger, and we don’t go out alone.” His eyes shifted casually to several big men sitting in various locations around the small shop.
Gasping, she realized they were surrounded by men who could only be his unit members. The protective men she’d seen in her vision. She tried not to stare but caught more than one amused glance from the muscle-bound men sipping coffee all around.
“Calm down.” A large hand covered hers, sparking electrically between them. “They’re here for our protection, not for any nefarious reason.”
“How can I trust you?” The words were a broken whisper. His fingers tightened for a moment over hers before letting go as he sat back. She wanted to be brave and follow her vision, but when push came to shove, she was scared of what might happen. This felt big. Bigger than anything she’d ever faced in her comparatively quiet life before.
“How can you not trust me?” he countered, and she knew he was right.
She’d seen this. She’d seen him, and his friends. And she’d seen the dark menacing ones who were
coming. All in all, she was better off with him. She knew this from the vision. It had come to prepare her to take a leap of faith. Now, she just had to follow through, despite the fear.
Sighing, she sat back, defeated. “I’ve never met anyone else who could see the future, besides my mother, that is. She had a powerful gift, but since her passing it’s hard for me to see much of anything about my own life with certainty, and never on demand. Things come to me. They bombard me at times, and it’s hard to deal with. Is it like that for you?”
“It was at first. I’ve only had this ability for a few months, but in that time, I’ve learned ways to control it to a certain extent. At least enough to make it easier to be around people and out in public. Enough to be able to do my job.”
“You said you’re in the army, but you’re not entirely American. You have more than a little accent there.” Truth be told, his hint of a British accent was damned sexy.
“My mum is British, but I was born in Florida. She got custody when my folks split up, and I was raised mostly in Surrey. I visited my dad, of course, a couple times a year. He was a Green Beret, and after college, I joined up to follow in the old man’s footsteps.” He leaned back. “So now, you know all about me. Won’t you even tell me your real name?”
She considered for a moment. “Athena Rose Kitsapolous.”
“You’re kidding.” His incredible eyes sparked with humor, inviting her to join in.
“Afraid not.”
“What did your mum call you?”
She hesitated. “Rosie.” Her mother had been the only person to call her that.
Satisfaction filled his smile. “Sweet Rosie. It suits you.”
One moment, Jeff was smiling at the gorgeous woman sitting across from him in the booth, the next, a vision overtook him, sending his inner eye far, far away. The realm was a familiar one, filled with violence and death. A man stalked forward, the glint of blue-black in his hand sending chills through Jeff’s body. The gun was for Rosie, he knew that without being told.