‘He’s not dealing with her death at all,’ she scowled. ‘I get that its hard, I know it’s not just about her death but that he’s feeling guilty for his role in her becoming a killer, but he’s not the only one with that cross to bear. We all played our part, him, my grandmother, Aunt Evie, me… even Nathaniel. Regardless of what happened, or how she was treated, she still had a choice. She chose her own path and dad can’t keep dragging that through life with him like an anchor.’
‘He really loved her,’ Theo murmured.
‘I know he did,’ she replied quietly, ‘but she’s gone and I’m still here.’
‘Just give him a call,’ he encouraged her.
‘I doubt it’ll do any good,’ she replied blandly, ‘he stopped answering my calls and messages months ago. He’s just dropped off the face of the planet, I don’t even know where he is.’
‘But it’s a start.’
‘Alright,’ she reluctantly agreed, ‘but I’m not holding my breath. In fact, I may talk to Danae, see if either she or her brother have heard from dad or if they know of any healers. They’re just as well connected in the magical community as he is.’
‘Good idea,’ Theo nodded.
‘Are you okay,’ Olivia reached out and stroked his face gently. ‘You still look tired.’
‘I seem to have a permanent headache,’ he admitted. ‘It’s not as bad at the moment as it has been but it’s still exhausting.’
‘As this seems to be the day for dealing with family, why don’t you go and see your sister? She’s still the only one with a gift close to what you have, maybe there’s something she can do to help.’
‘Are you sure you’ll be okay here on your own?’
‘Sure,’ she replied dryly. ‘I have a sea monster now, what could possibly go wrong?’
‘I meant,’ he smiled slowly, ‘with the children and watching over Scarlett.’
‘I’ll be fine,’ she gave him a playful shove. ‘The kids have only just gone down for a nap; they’ll be out for a while and besides I have Manny and Beau to help amuse them. Go… see your sister, it’s been real tough for her since she was kidnapped by Nathaniel. It’ll be good for you two to spend some time together.’
‘If you’re sure,’ he turned toward the door, stopping and looking back at her reluctantly.
‘GO!’ She insisted with a shooing motion, ‘we’ll all be fine.’
Nodding slowly, he turned and walked out of the room.
Wandering across the creaky old floorboards, Olivia stopped next to the window, gazing down at the sun rippling off the sparkling lake.
‘We’ll be just fine,’ she murmured absently.
Temperance Beckett was still an attractive woman. Fortunately, none of the injuries she’d sustained during her time with Nathaniel had marred her face and she was just vain enough to be grateful for that, even if she found little else to be grateful for these days. It remained much as it always had, smooth, barely lined by age and beautiful in her own unique way.
Her eyes had lost some of the warmth she was known for and her face was more guarded, but the rest of the town still saw what she wanted them to see.
Although the town knew her as Tammy Burnett, Mayor of Mercy, rather than Temperance Beckett sister to Theo, she’d always been well liked and respected. Mercy had welcomed her in with open arms as a child displaced in time and desperately homesick for her brothers, even Logan, who was not often an easy man to love.
She’d been lucky, from the moment the Burnetts had taken her in and given her a home she’d been surrounded and protected with love. When Mac had come back into her life and she was at last able to be honest with him about who she really was it had been a dream. Then her brother Theo had come back to her, bringing with him Olivia, and her circle of love had grown.
It was like living on the surface of a gas giant, basking in the overwhelming heat and warmth and light. She thought nothing could ever change that and she’d never been happier.
But she’d been wrong or maybe naïve. When her worst moment came, she’d been alone. Completely and utterly alone. All of the warmth and love she’d surrounded herself with fractured and fell apart, crashing down around her. She’d never felt so helpless in her life. They hadn’t come for her. They couldn’t save her.
The things Nathaniel had done to her….
She swallowed hard and closed her eyes against the sudden flashback. It still haunted her dreams, whether she was asleep or not. The worst of her injuries were carefully hidden beneath her clothes, but it was the scars on the inside which burned with a fire which never seemed to dim.
What had started out as a tiny, almost mole-like, pinprick of darkness and resentment inside her had grown and spread like a cancerous growth, feeding the dark place inside her, until it was a great chasm of emptiness. She felt hollow and so cold. No matter what she did, she felt it right down to her bones. She imagined that it was like standing on the dark side of the moon, at minus 173 degrees Celsius. She wasn’t sure she’d ever know warmth again.
Sinking down onto her couch she reached forward and poured herself a generous glass of Crown Royale, after all it was her day off and there was no one around to disapprove.
Leaning back into the deeply cushioned couch she inhaled the rich robust scent with its fruit overtones, before sipping slowly and allowing the smooth, creamy flavor to dance over her tongue with hints of oak and vanilla. There were still some things she could appreciate, and a fine whiskey was one of them.
Placing the glass down carefully on the coffee table in front of her she picked up her book. It was heavy, a musty old tome that smelled more like rusty pipe water and moss. It looked even worse than it smelled. Its corners seemed to have been nibbled on by several generations of rodents and the spine was cracked and peeling away, leaving fine thin threads holding the mildewed pages together. All in all, it looked as if it had spent most of its life tucked away in the damp corner of a leaky cellar.
Laying it carefully in her lap she opened the hardened leather cover, which crackled with age.
Before her eyes could scan the first line, a pounding at her apartment door had her looking up and frowning in confusion. She checked the slim golden watch at her wrist, she wasn’t expecting anyone.
Placing the old book on the floor she scooted it under the couch, safely tucked away from prying eyes, and crossed the room to open the door.
‘Theo,’ she blinked in surprise, ‘what’s wrong?’
‘Nothing’s wrong,’ he smiled warmly as he bent down to her level and dropped an affectionate kiss on her cheek. ‘Can’t your big brother just stop by?’
She hummed quietly as she studied him, he looked pale and not quite himself.
‘Can I come in?’
After a moment’s hesitation she stepped back allowing him to pass and closing the door behind him with a quiet click.
Theo watched as she walked unsteadily back into the apartment. Without her cane which was currently leaning against the side of the couch, her limp was much more pronounced.
‘I suppose you’re going to tell me it’s too early in the day?’ she indicated the bottle of whiskey on the table.
‘Actually, I wouldn’t mind a glass myself,’ he murmured.
She stopped and glanced at him appraisingly before grabbing her cane and detouring into the kitchen to retrieve another glass.
‘Make yourself comfortable,’ she called through as Theo glanced around the neat room.
‘Is Mac at work?’ Theo asked conversationally.
‘I expect so,’ she replied as she wandered slowly back into the room and took a seat back on the couch.
‘What time are you expecting him back?’ Theo sank down into a chair opposite her.
She took her time, pouring him a drink, smaller than her own, knowing that he was probably driving and not wanting to give him a reason to stay longer than necessary.
‘I’m not,’ she replied finally as she handed him the glass.
‘W
hat?’
‘Mac moved out,’ she picked up her own glass and took a comfortable sip, ‘we’re taking a bit of a break.’
‘Why didn’t you say something?’ Theo replied in surprise. He’d seen Mac several times over the past few days and he’d not said a thing.
‘My personal relationship is not for public consumption,’ she answered coolly.
‘I can understand that, being the Mayor and all,’ Theo frowned, ‘but I’m hardly the public. I’m your brother.’
She hummed non committedly in the back of throat once more, watching him over the rim of her glass as she took another sip.
‘Why did you come Theo?’ she finally asked. ‘I can’t imagine it’s for tea and crackers.’
‘I…’ he broke off thoughtfully, why had he come over? For a selfish reason, because he’d wanted to know if she could help him somehow master his visions, so they would stop giving him head splitting migraines. He’d once again come to her for help, not once considering she may be in need of help herself. Suddenly he felt his stomach clench guiltily. He’d been so wrapped up in the birth of his children after the night of the awakening, and obsessed with finding Sam, he hadn’t, he concluded with a sinking feeling, been a very good brother.
‘I’m sorry Tempy,’ he frowned deeply. ‘I should have been there for you and I wasn’t.’
‘I don’t need you to be sorry Theo,’ she shook her head. ‘I don’t need to be placated or soothed and I most certainly don’t need anyone holding my hand. I went through something horrible and I’m dealing with it.’
‘Are you though?’
‘What?’
‘Dealing with it,’ he replied quietly, ‘because from where I’m sitting it looks as if you’re just pushing everyone away.’
‘You’re wrong,’ she replied with a shrug.
‘Am I?’ he countered, ‘then tell me, whose idea was it for Mac to move out?’
‘That,’ her eyes stared at him flatly, ‘is none of your business. Do I interfere with your marriage to Olivia? Or do I respect your right to your privacy?’
‘I’m not trying to pry,’ he shook his head slowly.
‘Then don’t.’
Seeing that he wasn’t going to get anywhere, he sat and watched her quietly.
Temperance leaned back in her chair, drinking her whiskey slowly as she watched him back, her gaze almost defiant.
‘Did you ever find out who bought the portrait of Emmaline and James?’ She finally changed the subject, picking a topic at random.
She only ever referred to their parents by name, he noticed, almost like she was putting up yet another wall.
‘I did actually,’ he answered after a moment. If she wanted to play the polite hostess, he’d accommodate her for the moment, but now that he knew she was still struggling there was no way he was going to let her suffer alone. He was going to be there for her whether she liked it or not.
‘Have they agreed to return it?’ she asked conversationally.
‘No, not exactly,’ Theo replied. ‘It was bought by a Mr Elias Black, and so far, he doesn’t seem interested in letting it go.’
‘Elias Black?’ she repeated.
‘Yes,’ Theo nodded, ‘why?’
‘It’s just a strange coincidence is all.’
‘What is?’ he asked curiously.
‘It’s just that Elias Black funded the majority of my Mayoral campaign through his company The Black Orchid Co.’
‘Elias Black funded your campaign to become Mayor of Mercy,’ Theo repeated slowly.
‘Yes, several years ago now, but I was contacted by his representative recently asking if I was intending to run for re-election. I told them I wasn’t.’
‘I heard that you’re not running for another term.’
‘It wasn’t an easy decision,’ she shook her head, ‘but I need to step away from public life for a while, finish recovering, pursue other interests.’
She lifted her glass back to her lips.
‘I guess I can understand that,’ Theo murmured. ‘Have you actually met this Elias Black?’
‘No, as it happens I haven’t,’ she replied. ‘Back then, it was my understanding he was out of the country for quite a period of time, London I believe they said. I dealt mostly with his assistant, Catherine something.’
‘Catherine?’ he repeated, thinking back to the Catherine he and Olivia had met at the Boatman when they were trying to meet the illusive Mr Black. She’d introduced herself as the housekeeper, but she’d had an air of authority about her, far beyond that of a mere housekeeper.
‘Why?’ Temperance asked curiously.
‘Because the Black Orchid Co funded my new life in Mercy. When Olivia first had me released from Riverside, she was given documentation and a bank account in my name all of which were funded by Mr Black. Now I find out he funded your campaign to become Mayor and he bought an incredibly personal portrait of our parents?’
‘That is a little too much of a coincidence,’ she frowned.
‘Too close for comfort.’
‘Maybe I can reach out,’ she pursued her lips thoughtfully, ‘set up a meeting with this Mr Black. After all we do have a history, sort of. If I was to tell him I was thinking about changing my mind and running after all.’
‘Would you?’ Theo asked seriously, ‘consider changing your mind?’
‘No,’ she replied after a moment. ‘I enjoyed my time as Mayor, but I still think this is the right decision for me…’ she paused, reading his expression. ‘What?’ she asked, ‘what is it?’
‘Jake and the others are worried the Veritas are going to make a play for Mayor.’
‘Perhaps you should ask Mac about that,’ she replied coolly.
‘That’s not exactly fair,’ Theo answered. ‘I know he lied to us about his connection to the Veritas, but I understand why. Sometimes there has to be forgiveness.’
‘Sometimes,’ she agreed, ‘but then again you weren’t sleeping with him while he was lying to you, were you?’
Theo’s jaw tightened.
‘Anyway,’ she drained the rest of her glass, ‘it doesn’t matter anymore.’
‘I’m not so sure about that.’
‘What do you mean?’ Her eyes narrowed suspiciously.
‘Sabine and Saffire,’ Theo told her quietly, ‘the demon sisters who were doing Nathaniel’s dirty work for him.’
Temperance kept her back ramrod straight as her fist tightened around her empty glass to stop her hand shaking. She was well acquainted with the red-haired devil sisters. They’d not only watched Nathaniel’s torture of her with sick glee but had participated eagerly.
‘What of them?’ she asked, her voice carefully neutral.
‘It seems that they have paired up with the Veritas, which only makes them more dangerous.’
‘I see.’
‘Tempy,’ Theo frowned, there was something in her eyes, something she wasn’t saying, and it worried him greatly.
‘I’m sorry Theo,’ she placed her glass down carefully on the table, ‘but I’m really not feeling great. I think I’m going to rest for a while if you don’t mind. I’ll call you if I manage to set up a meeting with Elias Black.’
‘Are you sure you’re alright?’ he asked in concern.
‘I’m fine,’ she shrugged dismissively, ‘I just get tired easily. You forget that I’m, if not technically, physically older than you.’
‘Not by much.’
‘It’s enough that I feel it these days,’ she replied quietly.
He knew it was an excuse, she wasn’t that old, but he knew the torture had left her with debilitating injuries that just weren’t healing. Not wanting to call her on it he nodded gently. He stood and dropped a kiss on her head.
‘I’ll drop by soon,’ he promised.
She closed her eyes, at the weight on her chest when he laid such a sweet affectionate kiss on her head. It hurt her heart, but she couldn’t say why.
He placed his almost full glass on
the table and with one last concerned glance he headed out the door, closing it firmly behind him.
Temperance picked up his glass and tossed back the contents in one hit. She slammed the glass back down on the table harder than she’d intended before reaching purposefully under the couch for her book.
Hefting it back onto her lap she opened up the first page and began to read.
Darke Magicks and their application… Glen priori monastery 1423
Temperance's jaw clenched and her eyes flashed angrily. No, she thought to herself, she would never be helpless again.
10
‘Olivia,’ the familiar voice greeted her as soon as she answered her phone.
‘Davis?’ she replied in surprise.
It was rare for her to interact with him directly, especially considering she’d only learned after moving back to Mercy that her father had twin half siblings, Davis and Danae. Although technically her aunt and uncle they really weren’t that much older than Olivia. Danae, she knew well. A permanent fixture in Mercy, she was part of the police force and worked alongside Mac and Jake. Although Olivia and Danae didn’t share a traditional aunt-niece relationship they had become good friends.
Her twin brother Davis, however, was a different matter. Quieter and more withdrawn he’d been more or less permanently at her father’s side, and while she didn’t dislike him, she’d never felt a connection to her cool, aloof uncle.
‘I’ve spoken with Danae,’ he continued, ‘she says you’re trying to track down your father?’
‘I am,’ she replied unenthusiastically. ‘I’ve been trying to call him for months now and he’s ignoring me. While I’m more than happy to let him go off and sulk, something’s come up and I need his contacts in the magical community.’
The line went quiet for a moment while Davis seemed to consider her response.
‘What do you need?’ he asked finally.
‘Do you know where my dad is?’
‘Sorry,’ he replied, ‘you’re not the only one he’s avoiding.’
‘Oh,’ Olivia frowned. She’d known her dad didn’t want to speak to her, but she hadn’t expected him to cut everyone off.
The Veritas Page 11