“It’s perfect. I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything.” He slid his finger down her jaw line.
“Thank you, Harrison. I love it.”
She blinked at the depth of emotion rising in her eyes and lurched into his arms. She no longer cared if she was late. Nothing could dampen her spirits now.
Chapter Fifteen
St Augustine, Florida – 2011AD
Harrison sauntered into the house with a whistle and dumped his keys on the counter. Bryan watched him with puzzled eyes. Harrison shot him a wink and would have swung straight past him if it hadn’t been for a solid hand on his chest.
“Spill.”
“I just got to ride her Ducati.”
Bryan’s skin mottled with shades of olive envy.
“But that’s not the real reason you're smiling is it?” His mother breezed into the room and hung up the dishtowel she was folding. “Did she like the necklace?”
“She loved it.”
“I knew she would. What girls don’t like diamonds?” Helen shot Bryan a pointed look. He replied with an eye roll that after a firm slap on the butt turned into a guilty blush that was followed by a chuckle while he scooped his wife into his arms.
Harrison decided to leave them to it and headed for his room. He spent the rest of the evening re-reading the letters from his father. Nathaniel seemed wise beyond his years and the advice he shared throughout his letters was poignant. Harrison was soaking it all in like a sponge. His attitudes about his future were being molded and shaped as he read through the recounts of his father’s life.
Nathaniel remained a bachelor until his death at the age of 51. His last letter was written with a shaky hand and Harrison could only assume that he died a short while later of the pneumonia that had ravaged his body. The letter had been written in St Augustine, where Nathaniel had spent his last days.
Up to the point of his death, Harrison’s father had devoted his time in America to serving others. Abandoning his writing career he had saved that passion for his letters and spent his days roaming from village to village, helping out where needed. He had built houses, farmed fields, nursed the sick, taught children. His wages were as simple as a meal and a bed for the night.
Harrison was enthralled by his different adventures and wished he could have seen the man in action. The letter he was currently studying was about the time Nathaniel had spent with an Indian tribe, trying to master their language and culture.
He was so absorbed in the writing that he didn’t even hear the knocking on his door until it opened.
“Oh hey.” He glanced up from the aging pages.
“I just wanted to ask you something.”
His mother stood in the doorway looking a little nervous. Harrison placed the letter on his nightstand and sat up.
“You okay?”
“Well, I’ve been thinking about what you said… about Gemma.” She sighed and came to perch on the edge of his bed. “I know you’re right. I can’t keep pretending that I didn’t behave abominably. I want to apologize to her… and thank her. When should I do that?”
Harrison felt his heart lift. Gemma would be over the moon.
“Why don’t I bring her home after school tomorrow. You guys can chat then.”
“Okay.” His mother smiled then shifted her gaze to the nightstand. “Which one are you reading?”
Harrison followed her gaze and reached for the letter. “The one about the Indian tribe.”
“I like those stories. He seemed to really enjoy his time there.”
The aching wistfulness that used to live in his mother’s eyes had now vanished. In its place was a warm peace.
Harrison grinned as he studied her. That torturous day of waiting had been worth every second.
Chapter Sixteen
St Augustine, Florida – 2011AD
Harrison’s knee bobbed, a sure sign that he was feeling edgy. Gemma studied him with narrow eyes. She was taking a big risk letting him whisk her off again for the afternoon. After the huge berating she got upon arriving home late yesterday she didn’t think her parents would consent to a spontaneous, after school, shopping spree with “the girls.” Much to her surprise they had relented and she now had a whole two hours before having to be back at the house.
She checked her watch then adjusted her alarm accordingly. She wasn’t going to be late two afternoons in a row.
“So, where are we going? Why aren’t you telling me?”
Harrison gripped the steering wheel then sighed. He didn’t usually give in so easily and it took her off guard.
“We’re going to my place.”
“What!?! Why? You know your mother hates me! Does she know I’m coming?! Because if she…”
“She’s the one who invited you.”
“Oh.” Gemma sat back in her seat. “Now I know why you wouldn’t let me bring my bike.”
“Couldn’t have you ditching on me.”
“Are you sure she’s not just luring me into the house to… you know, get rid of me for good.”
The car filled with Harrison’s belly laugh. Gemma smiled with him and rolled her eyes.
“It’ll be fine, sweetie. She just wants to make amends. She’s probably more nervous than you are.”
“That’s because I’ve only just found out. I haven’t had time to put my nerves on full alert!”
“Hence the reason I didn’t tell you.”
“I hate that you know me so well.”
“You love it.”
Harrison pulled the car into the driveway and cut the engine. He had to pry her from the car and his warm hand around hers was only just stilling the butterflies ravaging her stomach.
Stepping into the house, her senses were met with the familiar sights and smells she had missed so much. She took in the homey essence of the kitchen and couldn’t help smiling. The room was filled with that fresh cookie aroma that Gemma was sure most normal children came home to. As opposed to the mod-con iciness of her house, this place percolated with warmth.
“Justin, is that you?” Helen’s voice arrived in the kitchen before she did, making Gemma stiffen. Her body followed moments later and froze on the spot.
Gemma watched her features flicker with varying emotions before settling on an amiable smile.
“Hello, Gemma. Thank you for coming.”
“Well, I didn’t really have a choice, but thank you for inviting me,” she quickly finished.
“I just baked, would you care to join me for a snack?”
“Sure.” Gemma felt her lips quivering as she attempted a smile.
“Where’s Rosie?” Helen popped some cookies on a plate and organized drinks.
“She’s catching a ride with Sally today.”
Helen huffed. “And we all know why she’s doing that.”
Gemma snickered at Helen’s expression. It was widely known that Rosie had the biggest crush on Sally’s brother. He was a junior and way out of her league, but she was trying anyway. Gemma admired her spunk.
“Shall we?”
Harrison followed his mother into the sunroom, pulling Gemma behind him. They all took their seats and an uncomfortable silence immediately descended. Gemma nibbled her cookie, not tasting any of it. She kept her eyes on the floor and the only thing that changed that was the sound of Helen’s quiet voice.
“I owe you my thanks, Gemma. What you did was brave and a little fool hardy, but…” Helen’s voice petered out to nothing. Gemma met her gaze and smiled.
“I wanted to. Really. Nathaniel was an amazing man and he deserved to make it past his twenty-fifth birthday.”
“Is it wrong that I’m jealous?”
“No,” Gemma chuckled. “I wish you could have been the one to go back and save him, but I’m guessing you gave up traveling when you came home pregnant.”
She nodded. “I wanted Harrison to have a normal life.”
“And then he goes and falls in love with me. I can sort of
understand why you reacted badly to that.”
“I had sacrificed everything to give him this chance. I can’t even describe how I felt when Sam told me what Harrison had called you. I’m sorry for being so unkind.”
“I understand. I’m sure I’d feel the same if I were in your shoes.”
They both smiled at each other then resumed their nibbling. The tightness in her chest slowly loosened as Helen’s calm demeanor permeated the air. Gemma’s presence seemed welcome once again. As that thought blossomed, her courage built.
“Can I ask you why you went back to 1820?”
Helen’s skin blanched white, but quickly recovered to its normal setting. Her eyes flickered around the room.
“I suppose there’s no harm in telling you.” She cleared her throat. “I was looking for something. A key.”
Gemma felt her pulse ignite, but forced her features to remain bland.
“I’m assuming you know of Decimus?”
“A little.”
“You know about Vala and the missionary priest?”
Gemma nodded.
“When he learned of the missionary’s betrayal he decided to leave his family and seek out the man in the hope that he could find out what he’d wanted. He was gone for nearly twenty years and what he discovered horrified him. In the end it took his life.
You see the missionary wasn’t working alone. He belonged to a group called the verum peto.”
“The truth…?”
“Seekers. Although I think aurum peto would have been a more honest description.”
“Gold seekers.” Gemma frowned.
Helen nodded with a sad smile. “The group had managed to steal gold dust from each of the electus. When Decimus figured this out he knew he had to stop them. He sensed that the combination of the electus could be a powerful force and he knew in his heart that it wouldn’t be used for good.”
“So what did he do?” Harrison was rapt.
“He stole each vial of gold dust. He was afraid to destroy them though, thinking it might kill his siblings. So instead he created a box to lock the vials inside. On top of the box was a lock, which consisted of seven keys. It was in the shape of a six-pointed star with a cogwheel as its center. Once he’d finished his construction he hid the box and then sent a key to each of his siblings with strict instructions to never let it out of their sight.” A shaky breath left her lips before she continued. “Time passed, the electus died and the box remained hidden until rumors stirred that it had been found. Immediately two camps formed, those who wanted the box opened and those who knew it needed to remain closed.”
“The liberatio and the patronus,” Gemma whispered.
Helen’s head shot north, her eyes wide with inquiry.
“My father’s told me a little. Which side were you on?”
Helen swallowed and looked to the floor. “I am loathed to say my mother fought for the liberatio. She was obsessed with the possibilities of what those vials could do. She thought the patronus were narrow minded and lived in fear.”
“But you didn’t?”
“I used to agree with her, but then I met Nathaniel and he changed everything.” A soft smile lit her lips. “He caught me stealing food and hauled me away before the authorities could nab me. I had been hunting tirelessly for nearly a week. I was cold and exhausted and I really wanted to quit, but I knew my mother would kill me if I returned with no information.
Nathaniel took me in. He fed me, warmed me and opened my eyes to a life of peace and simplicity. No more traveling in search of a power that didn’t belong to me. He taught me how to be content with who I was and what I had. After two weeks of his company I decided not to return…” Her eyes sparkled for a moment. “I also decided that the piece I found three days after meeting him was not meant to be placed in the hands of the liberatio.”
Gemma’s heart skipped a beat and she leaned forward. “So what did you do with it?”
“I hid it somewhere no one would think to look.”
An image flashed through Gemma’s mind as she heard the words uttered, an explosion of color and clarity. “His necklace! You gave it to Nathaniel.”
So that’s why it seemed so familiar! She nearly blurted her thought aloud, but quickly bit her tongue.
Helen didn’t seem to notice. “I thought it would be safe with him. His brother was the well-known one. Nathaniel hated the spotlight and I knew he would remain in the shadows and the piece with him.”
Gemma nibbled her cheek. She saw Harrison’s gaze shifting to her as if asking permission to spill the beans. She caught his eye and shook a quick no. If Helen knew what her parents were up to, she’d flip. There’s no way she’d let Harrison anywhere near her again.
“Where do you think the necklace is now?” Gemma tried to sound nonplussed.
“My prayer is that it was buried with him.”
Her chest fluttered with hope as she smiled. Buried with him… meaning her parents would never find it.
“That’s good news.” She grinned. “By the sounds of it, that box should stay closed.”
Helen agreed with a nod. “I’m sure it probably doesn’t even exist anymore. That thing is so ancient now, hopefully it’s been destroyed somewhere throughout history.”
“Hopefully,” Gemma squeaked. She shot Harrison a nervous glance. He blessed her with a wink then leaned back in his chair, relaxed. She felt her muscles think about doing the same thing until Helen’s comment reached her ears.
“I would be fascinated to meet your parents properly sometime. I was briefly introduced when you were in hospital earlier this year, but they weren’t really up for conversation. Now that we have so much in common…”
“Actually, you know,” Gemma forced her voice not to shake, “they think Harrison is just a normal guy and I don’t really want to rock the boat there. If they knew I was revealing my origins to anybody they’d completely freak.”
“Oh, so they think Harrison doesn’t know what you are?”
“Uh-huh.” Gemma kept her eyes on the floor.
The silence was pure torture as she waited for Helen to see straight through her.
“I suppose it’s easier that way.”
Gemma glanced up with a grin and a nod.
“Why don’t we save introductions for closer to the prom.”
“Sure.” Her stomach plummeted, but her lips stayed erect. The kitchen door slammed shut and saved her life. Rosie breezed into the room moments later and began her usual waterfall explanation of her afternoon.
An hour and a half later Gemma was standing next to her bike with her arms wrapped around Harrison.
“That went well.” Harrison played with the end of her ponytail.
“Yeah, it’s nice to know I’m welcome again.”
“That stuff about the box was pretty intense. Why didn’t you want to tell her about your parents.”
“Because I don’t want her to freak out and it’s not even an issue anymore. If the last piece is buried with Nathaniel then they’ll never be able to get it. It’s over.” She felt her heart lift with the idea. She couldn’t wait to tell Gabe.
“It’s the start of good things, babe.”
“Yeah.” Gemma grinned and pulled Harrison towards her. Sure, she was still bound to her parents, but if that box could never be opened then it was one less thing to worry about. She wasn’t sure what they were planning to do with those vials, but her gut told her it wasn’t good.
But it doesn’t matter anymore.
Gemma nearly giggled with relief.
* * * *
She pulled her bike into the garage and climbed the stairs with a spring in her step. As she wandered to the kitchen, her mind raced with ideas of how she could talk to Gabe tonight. She couldn’t wait to tell him. She couldn’t…
Her body froze as she came face to face with the most beautiful guy she had ever seen. His eyes were a dark cocoa, his olive skin flawless. His hair was a thick, rich chocolate that begged to be touched and his
broad smile filled the room. He looked to be just a little older than her. She quickly perused what she could only assume was a very muscular frame; it was hidden intelligently beneath a pair of faded jeans and a button down shirt.
“Hi there,” his voice was smooth and sweet.
Suddenly aware that she was ogling him, she dropped her gaze. “Um, hi.” She shook her head, hating her flustered behavior. Gathering her senses, she pulled her brain back into play. “What are you doing in my house?”
“Oh.” He grinned. “I was invited. Your parents…” He pointed a thumb towards the dining room where, as if on cue, her mother waltzed through the door.
“Gemma, sweetheart, you’re home.”
She kissed her cheek and squeezed her shoulder.
“What’s going on?”
“This is Simeon. He arrived about an hour ago.” Penelope turned towards him with a radiant smile. “He’s an exchange student from California and he’ll be staying with us for the rest of the year.”
Simeon’s smile grew wide as he extended his hand. Gemma took it with a polite smile.
“He’s a senior also and will be attending school with you.”
“Really?” Gemma squeaked. “You never mentioned…” She gave her mother a pointed look.
“Yes, well… surprise!” Her mother’s laughter was phony and piercing. Gemma winced then turned to Simeon.
“Would you excuse us for one moment?”
Placing her hand firmly beneath her mother’s elbow, she guided the woman from the room and turned on her with a fierce whisper.
“What are you doing?”
“With Ruby and Dom gone we’ve had no-one to keep an eye on you. Simeon solves this problem perfectly.”
“Mom! I’m 18. I can look after myself.”
“Not with the friends you currently associate with.”
“There’s nothing wrong with them! You like Courtney!”
Penelope rolled her eyes, exasperated. “I just can’t win with you, can I? You asked for a friend we were happy with, so I found you one. Please tell me you’re not going to moan about this as well.”
Pure Blood (Time Spirit Trilogy, #3) Page 9