Gemma’s eyes continued to smile as she agreed with Courtney, but her brain was doing somersaults. If Helen and Nathaniel were the same as her and Harrison, which she was pretty sure they were, then they had both been living dead on the inside. There was no way Helen would have inflicted that on either of them if she hadn’t had a good reason. She must have gone back on some sort of mission, met Nathaniel and decided to stay, but then something made her leave him. The threat of death was an option, but what if it was something else… like a baby.
Her breath caught in her throat as she ran the scenario through. Thankfully her mother had just breezed into their presence and was distracted in polite conversation with Courtney.
If Helen had been pregnant with Harrison she would have had to put her baby first. Maybe she knew her life was in danger and fled because she was responsible for more than herself. She probably didn’t tell Nathaniel about it, because she knew he would try to stop her… and she needed to get home before she was too pregnant otherwise Nathaniel would have noticed.
I wonder if Nathaniel knew what she was? I wonder why she went back in the first place? Was she traveling alone? What about the family she must have left behind to stay with Nathaniel? Maybe they thought she had died or something?
Gemma’s mind reeled as they walked through the mall. She could barely touch her salad and had to force herself into the conversation a few times just to remain polite. She could sense her mother getting irritated with her distracted manner and knew she would pay for it later, but how could she help it?
Poor Helen had been living with this dichotomy for years. On the one hand, she knew she had made the right choice by coming home and gifting Harrison a modern day life free of danger, but she had also left the man she loved without a word, only to find out that he was killed for loving a witch... maybe. Gemma knew she was jumping to conclusions, but she had a gut feeling that Nathaniel’s death was untimely and somehow sinister.
If only there was some way to fix it. Some way of giving Helen the peace that she had made the right decision. She’s probably lived her whole life thinking Nathaniel hated her for leaving, but if he knew the truth he wouldn’t. Heck, he didn’t know the truth and he still adored her.
Gemma relived the gleam in his eye when he spoke of his morning star.
If she only knew, then maybe she wouldn’t feel the need to move around all the time. Maybe they’d stay!
Gemma’s body jerked with an idea. It lit her brain from the corners then flew forward so fast her whole mind was on fire with it.
“Gemma! What is going on in that brain of yours?”
“Nothing,” she muttered. “I just… remembered that I haven’t finished some homework that’s due tomorrow. I forgot about it.” She dropped her gaze to the floor.
Courtney grabbed her arm. “You’re not talking about the History essay are you?”
Gemma caught her wink and nodded.
“That took me so long.”
“Oh really?” She tried to look worried.
“Hey, why don’t you come over and I can help you with yours. Not copy it or anything…” She looked to Penelope with a smile. “You could just go over my notes and stuff.”
“That would be so helpful. Mom, is that okay?”
Penelope rolled her eyes and looked to the ceiling as if calling on some higher help to fix this wayward daughter of hers. Gemma squashed her smile. If only she knew.
“Thank you, Courtney dear. Gemma’s lucky to have a friend like you.” She turned her pointed gaze towards her daughter. “Honestly Gemma, I don’t know what’s gotten into you this past year. You better buck up your ideas, young lady, if you want a chance of getting into a good college.”
If I make it to college.
Gemma kept her gaze steady and her smile meek. Getting a lecture from a woman she knew had other intentions for her future was a hard pill to swallow, but she took it and left with a wave, trying to ignore the black slick of oil that coated her stomach each time she thought about her parents’ betrayal.
“So, now that we’ve got rid of your mom, what do you want to do?” Courtney wrapped her arm through Gemma’s as they sauntered away.
“A movie sounds good.” Gemma smiled at her genius. A two-hour movie would be the perfect chance to sit in the dark and simmer over her brilliant idea.
* * * *
Gemma bounced up the school steps the next morning electrified with the knowledge that she was going to turn things around for Helen. The fact Harrison hadn’t called, or answered his phone the night before, ate at her a little. She pushed the niggle aside, eager to hand him the slice of hope she was about to serve.
“Hey.” She slid her arm around his waist when she caught up with him. He dropped his arm over her shoulder and continued walking down the hall.
“I guess you haven’t heard.” Rosie stole Gemma’s smile with her glum expression. “Mom booked the moving van last night. We’re leaving on October 30th.”
Two days before her birthday. Gemma’s heart plummeted, that was just over a month away. She squeezed the top of Rosie’s arm as they continued down the hall, trying to look brave.
“It’s okay, Rosie, things are going to work out. I’m not letting you guys leave me.”
Rosie shone her a brief, white smile. Since having her braces removed her smile was given far more readily. Gemma couldn’t believe the change and she noticed the boys couldn’t either. Harrison was going to have to keep an eye on that one.
She waved Rosie a quick goodbye before dragging Harrison towards the back of the school. Sneaking out the exit door, she pulled him out of sight and made him stop in their secret alcove full of stolen kisses between classes.
“Are you okay?” She traced her finger down his jaw line.
His head bobbed, but his eyes betrayed the action.
“I take it you never had that chat.”
“I tried, Gem. I walked down those stairs determined, but I just couldn’t raise it. She was already sobbing in Bryan’s arms over our reaction to the move and I just felt so bad for her. I mean, yeah, I’m mad that she hasn’t told me the truth, but I also understand why and I just… I need to pick my time.”
“I know. I understand. I’m sorry this is happening to you. It must suck.”
His eyes softened with her favorite smile as he ran his fingers around the back of her neck and let his thumb rest on her earlobe. She nibbled the inside of her cheek then just decided to blurt it.
“I’ve had an idea.”
“Uh-huh.” His eyes narrowed, which she hoped they wouldn’t, but knew they would.
“A way to help your mom come to terms with leaving Nathaniel. Maybe if she knew that he loved and forgave her for leaving him, she’d have peace and not need to move around all the time searching for answers she’s never gonna find…” She fiddled with his collar and lowered her gaze. “…because they don’t exist yet.”
“Yet?” Harrison lifted her chin. “What do you…? No. No way!”
“Yes. It’s a good idea.”
“It’s a terrible idea! Gemma. No!”
“Look, I know you’re thinking it’s way too dangerous, but all I’m proposing is going back, finding out where he is, possibly rescuing him from whatever predicament he’s in, explaining why she left and then asking him to write her a letter or something. We’ll hide it in a place we can retrieve it later.”
“In England? You’re gonna fly to England to pick up a letter for my mom?”
“No.” She rolled her eyes. “I’ll get it on to a ship bound for America.”
“Gemma.” Harrison pinched the bridge of his nose. “Don’t do this to me, okay? A letter won’t necessarily even work with my mother. Don’t risk your life for this, please. We’ll work it out another way. I promise I’m not leaving you.” He kissed her forehead and pulled her in for a hug, but she pushed away.
“A letter will work! I know how she feels, okay? The fact I hurt you by making you go through that hideous break up mo
nth, by missing your birthday… that still kills me. Imagine what your mom must be going through! I’m not going to let her keep living like this. I’m going back.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Yes I am.” She raised her eyebrow and shot him a pointed look. “You’re not going to stop me, so you may as well help.”
A hard sheen gleamed in his eye as he swallowed down the defeat. She didn’t like doing this to him, she knew how much he loathed losing, but she was on a mission… a worthy one, and she wasn’t going to be talked out of it.
Chapter Six
St Augustine, Florida – 2011AD
Harrison spent the rest of the day stewing. Gemma was not going on that trip. He didn’t care how stubborn she was. She was not putting her life in danger for this cause. No matter how much she spouted on about the trip’s safety, he didn’t believe her. The number of bruises she always came back with attested to this and who knew what she’d have to do to rescue Nathaniel from death! It was an insane mission.
They barely spoke at lunchtime. Courtney and Darren filled the silence with their meandering stories of the weekend and new ideas for their upcoming double date. He listened with half an ear, smiling at appropriate moments, but Gemma saw right through him.
Brushing his lips over her cheek, he left for Statistics still trying to concoct the ultimate argument. By the end of the period he had settled on the best solution he could think of. He would talk to his mother as gently as possible and somehow find a way to convince Gemma to stay in the present. He would make her see that his mother didn’t need a love letter from a past boyfriend to find peace. He would supply the needed forgiveness and let his mother know that whatever reason she chose to leave was valid.
Mind set, he headed to History and managed to pay attention for most of the class. As the final bell rang he sauntered out the door with Gemma, his lips firmly closed about his intentions. He would let her think whatever she wanted for now, but by the end of the evening he could put his mind to rest about this ridiculous idea and things could go back to normal. There was nothing a little sweet-talking couldn’t accomplish.
His mother was in the study when he got home. Rosie had stomped her way upstairs without a greeting, her usual protest to the moving announcement. Sam was at a neighbor’s house and Justin was engrossed in beating his last high score on some computer game that involved machine guns and way too much carnage.
Harrison studied her from the doorway, forming his speech clearly in his head.
“Hey Mom.” He shoved his hands in his pockets and stepped into the room.
She spun her chair around and gave him a small smile.
“So there is still one person in this house talking to me.”
He reciprocated her smile and closed the door behind him.
Sitting down on the leather armchair in the corner, he placed his elbows on his knees and interlaced his fingers.
“Why are we moving again?”
He watched his mother sigh and open her mouth to begin her usual spiel about job opportunities, so he stopped her.
“Please, tell me the truth this time. If you’re asking me to leave Gemma, I’ve got to have a good reason. What are you searching for, Mom?”
“Nothing.” A nervous smile twittered over her lips. “A good job.”
Harrison tipped his head, giving her that look that always peeled away the layers.
She shook her head and looked to the floor.
“You know, Bryan’s only started up his business and it’s going really well. Surely you don’t want to take that away from him for a quest that will probably continue to leave you empty hearted.”
Her eyes began to glisten, but he plowed through, dropping the bombshell as subtly as he could.
“History’s not going to change, Mom, no matter how much you research it. Dad’s dead and he didn’t leave you a goodbye letter, but that doesn’t mean he hates you for leaving him.”
Helen’s head lurched up, her mouth fell open and her eyes grew wide with horror.
“What are you talking about?”
Bracing himself, he stole a quick breath and said it. “I know the truth about him. I know the truth about you.”
A confused smile flickered over her lips, a feeble attempt to mask the emotion ravaging her features. “Of course you do, sweetie,” her voice shook. “I’ve always told you about your dad and me. Why are you making up stories about me leaving him?”
His brain jumped to a sharp retort that he managed to swallow. Relaxing his fingers, he stretched towards her and placed his hands over her frantic digits.
“It doesn’t scare me. I’m already in love with one of your kind. Nothing can weird me out anymore.”
She looked up at him with watery eyes and let out a short laugh before covering her face with her hands.
“How did you know?”
“Gemma figured it out. Is that why you don’t want me to see her?”
She shook her head then nodded. “How much do you know?”
“She’s told me everything. I know about the electus, I know how you travel and…” The idea of mentioning that he too had crossed the line flittered through his brain, but he swallowed it back as he watched his mother pull in a ragged breath. Instead he ended with, “I know about Nathaniel.”
Helen spun her chair away from him.
“Mom, please, you have to let this go.”
“How?!” she spat with vehemence, spinning back to face him. Her eyes were swollen with wild torment. “I sent him to his death! I killed the man I loved and he died never knowing why… why I had to leave,” her voice broke with the sobs wrenching her body. She curled over on herself and let out a low moan.
Harrison stood and swallowed. His mind reeled with the idea that his mother could be responsible for anyone’s death, but he knew now was not the moment to delve into the details. The way her body shook with violent sobs, a lamb like approach was all he could muster. He placed his hand on her back and shushed her.
“Mom, it’s okay. He loved you, he’d forgive you.”
Her body went still, the sobs cut off with an invisible vice. Slowly she raised her head and looked at him.
“I can’t forgive me, Harrison, and I’ll hate myself even more if I let my son get burned by one of my kind,” she spat out the last two words as if they were rotted meat. He saw her eyes blacken with a mixture of anger and regret.
“But Mom, I’m one your kind. I’m…”
“I’ll never think of you that way. You don’t have to be like that Harrison. I never want you to be like that!”
Straightening her shoulders with a sniff, she wiped her eyes with robotic efficiency and turned back to her computer screen.
“This discussion is over. I love you enough to protect you. Be grateful I’m giving you a month to say goodbye.”
Her voice was stony, her stature rigid. Harrison, stunned into silence by the sudden switch of emotion, opened the door and left the room.
Ascending the stairs two at a time, he relived the conversation and was surprised that she hadn’t even asked how he knew about Nathaniel. He nearly returned to tell her that Gemma had met the man and how he had spoken of his morning star, but with the way his mother felt about Gemma he wasn’t sure she’d soak it in.
Drumming his fingers on his desk, he recaptured the utter look of despair that engulfed his mother’s face. Moving wasn’t going to change that. His forgiveness wouldn’t either. Until she could forgive herself she would never be settled.
Gemma might be right.
He sighed then shook his head. In spite of this new revelation, he was still not ready to fold. He didn’t want his girlfriend risking her life back in 1820 and would avoid the scenario at all costs. He’d just have to keep working on his mother. A month should be enough time to talk her around.
Chapter Seven
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida – 2011AD
Harrison had been pretty quiet all week. He had mentioned something about chattin
g to his mother, but he’d remained vague, which was unlike him. Gemma nibbled on her lip as she slid a leg into her favorite pair of jeans. Zipping the fly, she walked over to her closet and rifled around for an appropriate shirt. She was always a little unsure what to wear on these double dates. Courtney always looked stunning with her finely applied make-up and perfectly fitted clothing. Beside her, Gemma felt a little second rate, just like she did next to Ruby.
As she slid coat hangers aside, a flash of red caught her eye and she decided that would do. Pulling out the fitted shirt, she donned it quickly then checked in the mirror. Tipping her head to the side, she studied her slight form, ruffled her hair then rolled her eyes. What did it really matter? Harrison loved her in anything. She grinned as she pictured the mixture of hunger and adoration that swirled in his eyes whenever she approached him. Satisfied with her look, she reached for knee high boots and sat on her bed to put them on.
As she fiddled with the zips and buckles, her mind jumped back to where it had been all week… worrying about her boyfriend. She was still making subtle plans to return to England and find Nathaniel, but if she was going to pull this off before moving day she needed help. Harrison was such a good researcher and she would need reminder tips from Gabe. But until she had back up from her boyfriend, she was hesitant to tell the man. Gabe, her real father, would no doubt disagree with her. He and Harrison seemed to surf on the same thought waves, which usually worked in her favor, but not in this particular instance.
I have to do something, though. We’re running out of time!
The idea of going back without telling either of them had flittered through her brain a couple of times, but she knew it was too risky. Her self-driven traveling experiences were minimal and this was one job she didn’t want to screw up. In spite of her doubts, Gemma decided she would visit her father’s white caravan the next morning. She’d have to find some excuse to spend the whole Saturday elsewhere, but she was sure Courtney would help her come up with something plausible.
Pure Blood (Time Spirit Trilogy, #3) Page 3