Chiromancist (Seven Forbidden Arts Book 8)

by Charmaine Pauls

  “I want to be here for Niels.”

  Bono moved into the seat next to them when Joss took her arm to inject the needle. “I’ll take care of both of you. We’re just going to let you sleep for a while.” Gently, he removed the earpiece she was still wearing.

  At Bono’s nod, Joss pushed the needle into her arm. He repeated the procedure with Niels.

  Cain got into the driver’s seat. “Clean up here and meet us at the helijet. I’ll let the others know we’re taking off in one hour.”

  “Where are we going?” Sky asked, her tongue already slurring.

  “To a safe place,” Bono replied, stroking her arm.

  Joss gave Bono a pat on the shoulder. “Good job.”

  The smile Bono gave in answer was bleak. It had almost gone to hell. He should’ve guessed Sky would attempt something as crazy as a suicide mission.

  As if reading his thoughts, Cain turned in his seat. “There was no way you could’ve known.”

  Bono gave a tight nod.

  “Are you in a condition to fly?” Cain asked as he started the engine.

  “Always.”

  Joss closed the door, and Cain pulled off.

  It was over.

  Bono felt weary to his bones, but he had the people that mattered most with him. There was no greater blessing than that. As gently as he could, he pulled Sky into his arms with Niels’s head resting in her lap and his small body stretched out on the seat.

  He kissed her temple and whispered, “We’re going home,” but she was already asleep.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Sky woke up in a strange room. She was lying under a soft blanket in an enormous four-poster bed. Colorful tapestries decorated the walls and an organza curtain covered the window. As the memories streamed back into her consciousness, she shot upright.

  The door opened, and Bono entered, carrying a tray. He was dressed in a white T-shirt that showed off his impressive muscles and the tight jeans she liked so much.

  He left the tray on the nightstand and sat down on the edge of the bed. “You’re awake.”

  “Where am I?”

  “At Lann and his wife’s house in Santiago.”

  “Santiago as in Chile?” she asked with a note of panic.

  “Shh.” He brushed a thumb over her cheek. “It’s a safe house.”

  “Niels?”

  A warm smile transformed his features. “He’s having the time of his life.”

  She scurried to the side of the bed. “I need to see him.”

  He stopped her with a hand on her thigh. “In a minute. First, you need to eat something. You’ve been out for a while.”

  “How long?”

  “Three hours. Your body and mind needed the rest. You’ve been through a lot.”

  “Three hours? How did we get here so fast?”

  “Helijet.”

  “My son?”

  “Joss gave him a lighter dose of the tranquilizer. He woke up shortly after we got here. Don’t worry. He’s playing with the other children, and the adults are watching over them.”

  She covered her face with her hands. “The psychological damage… I don’t know if a child can survive that.”

  “Of course he can.” He cupped her knee. “Cain already contacted a specialist who can provide trauma counseling, if you agree, of course.”

  She lowered her hands to look at him again. “I don’t know how to say thank you.”

  “No thanks needed. Now, eat.”

  He reached for the tray, but she laid a hand on his arm. “Godfrey?”

  His expression darkened. “He got away. Rest assured, we’ll find him.”

  “You have to.” Concern tightened her gut. “You have no idea what he’s up to.”

  “Cain wants you to brief him, but not until you’ve regained your strength. I made you minestrone soup. Would you like to try?”

  She didn’t have an appetite, but Bono was right. She felt shaky and weak, and she needed her strength to take care of Niels.

  He brought a spoonful to her mouth.

  “I can feed myself.”

  “I know you can, beautiful, but I want to take care of you.”

  She allowed him to feed her until the bowl was empty. “Thank you. That was very good.”

  He wiped her mouth with a napkin and kissed her. “I know you’re eager to see Niels. The bathroom is over there.” He pointed at an adjoining door. “I’m sure you’d like to freshen up.”

  “Thanks,” she said gratefully. She was still wearing the sheer lace dress over the red undergarments Doumar had selected for her, and she didn’t want Niels to see her like this, again. Once had been enough.

  “There are clothes in the closet,” he said, as if knowing where her thoughts were going. “I got you a few things while you we’re sleeping.”

  “Thank you.” Walking into the dressing room, she selected a pair of jeans, underwear, and a polo neck jersey with a pair of short boots, and carried the garments to the bathroom.

  She needed a shower, but it could wait until after she’d seen with her own eyes that Niels was fine. After using the facilities, she washed her face and hands, dressed, and walked back into the room to find Bono waiting for her.

  He offered his hand. “You look good. Come on.”

  His fingers folded around hers, warm and secure. At the door, Sky hung back.

  He gazed down at her with concern, his voice gentle. “What is it, beautiful?”

  “How come you don’t hate me? How come you’re not angry?”

  “I understand why you did it, Sky. I always knew you were going to steal the chip. It was the only logical way for Godfrey to get info on us.”

  “You knew about Godfrey?”

  “We knew you were working for him. We had drone footage of you together. At the time, I didn’t know why, but I knew it had to be because you didn’t have a choice. I always knew you’re a good person. My gut can never be wrong on a feeling so strong.”

  “Joss was going to kill me. That’s why you came to the club.”

  “Don’t take it personally. He’s only doing what’s necessary to wipe out Godfrey’s operation.”

  “I should’ve trusted you.”

  “I told you I’d earn it,” he said with a smile. “Now, let’s go see your son. No more apologies and no more secrets. Got it?”

  She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tight. “I don’t deserve you.”

  “Hey,” he gripped her chin and tilted her face to him, “you deserve happiness and love, just like everyone else.” He planted a soft kiss on her lips. “Always remember that.”

  Hand in hand, they walked down a landing that overlooked a rose garden with a fountain and a church in the background. The air was crisp, but the day was sunny with not a cloud in the sky.

  “What is this place?” she asked.

  “It used to be an abandoned monastery. Lann bought and restored it to make it his home.”

  There were several doors on that floor, which she presumed to have been the old monastery bedrooms. They went around a corner and entered onto the first level of a second square, similar to the one they’d exited, but this one had a swimming pool on the ground level that was covered with a retractable sunroof and walled in by glass. From the steam rising up from the water, she gathered the pool was heated.

  Niels was splashing in the water, laughing and kicking with his legs as Joss lifted him high up in the air. The scene brought tears to her eyes. Niels had never been in a pool. Joss was good with him, not playing too rough. On the steps in the shallow end, Clelia kept watch over a dark-haired boy, about one year younger than Niels, who played with a boat. The resemblance between him and Joss was startling. Playing with Joss and Niels was a blond boy who looked close to Niels’s age.

  As Sky and Bono descended the stairs, Joss looked up. He lifted Niels from the water onto the side, and said, “Mommy’s awake. Go say hi. Don’t slip.”

  Her heart clenched when Niels didn’t move. He onl
y stared at his feet with downcast eyes.

  Sky glanced at Bono, uncertainty eating a hole into her heart, but he urged her on with an encouraging nod. She may be a mother, but she had no experience in mothering. Niels might miss Doumar. He might blame her for what had happened to his dad. She had no idea what kind of feelings he’d harbored for his father.

  She entered through the door and crouched in front of him. “Hey, baby. How are you doing?”

  “I’m not a baby.”

  “You’re right. It’s just my way of saying I love you, but I won’t call you that if you don’t like it.”

  He wiggled his big toe on the paving.

  “Are you enjoying the water?”

  He nodded without looking up. The need to hug him was extreme, but she sensed that he wasn’t ready, yet.

  “I’ll let you get back to it, then.” She couldn’t resist drawing her hand over his hair.

  “Why don’t you join him?” Bono asked next to her.

  Not having heard him enter, she jumped. She looked at him quickly. Could she?

  “There’s a swimsuit for you upstairs.”

  She nodded gratefully and returned to the room to change. Bono had also provided a big, fluffy robe. She pulled it on over the bikini and went back to the pool. Niels and the blond boy were playing with a ball in the shallow end. Joss was toweling himself dry on the side.

  “Come join us,” Clelia said with a warm smile. “This is Laudren.” She pointed at the boy who looked like a mini version of Joss. “That’s Thomas.”

  “Let me guess, Laudren is yours.”

  Clelia laughed. “Everyone says he looks like Josselin.”

  “What about Thomas?”

  “He’s Lann and Katherine’s son.”

  “Where are the others?”

  “Working in the library. Why don’t you spend some time with Niels, and then I’ll take you to see them. Cain is eager to speak with you.”

  Sky looked up to see Bono watching them through the glass. He smiled at her, and then walked off with his hands shoved into his pockets. She knew he was giving her time with Niels, and she loved him for it.

  After swimming a few laps to get Niels accustomed to her presence, she played a game of volleyball with the boys. Clelia joined in while Joss took care of Laudren, who Clelia explained couldn’t swim, yet.

  “He’s not as fond of water as Thomas,” Clelia said with a proud light in her eyes. “I guess he’s my fire baby.”

  Sky bounced the ball at Niels and left the boys to it, turning to Clelia. “He’ll inherit your art.”

  “Oh, he has. He’s already combusted his first fire. We’re teaching him to control it and not to fear his ability. Up until that moment, I wasn’t sure if he’d take after me or display his father’s talent.”

  “Which is?”

  “Joss is a bloodsucker.”

  “Ah.” The scene in the club when he’d pricked her finger and tasted her blood suddenly made sense.

  “I’m hungry, Mommy,” Niels said.

  Sky’s chest expanded with a feeling of joy so intense that tears pricked at the back of her eyes. She’d never had the privilege of preparing a meal for him, of taking care of his most basic needs.

  Seeming to understand her sentiment, Clelia covered her hand. “I’ll show you where the kitchen is.”

  After drying off and changing in the pool change room, Clelia insisted, to the loud protest of the boys, that she and Sky dry their hair before they were allowed outside in the cold. They took turns with the hairdryer until everyone was warm and dry, and then made their way to a big kitchen on the ground floor.

  “How does pasta and pesto sound?” Clelia asked.

  Thomas and Laudren jumped up and down, clapping their hands, but Niels only looked on from the corner. Sky observed him with growing concern. It was obvious he didn’t have much social skills. She was afraid Doumar had caused irreparable damage, keeping Niels isolated and constantly moving so he’d never made friends.

  Sky didn’t know anything about cooking, never having used a real kitchen in her life. She was used to heating up food from tins or eating the take outs Doumar had supplied at the club. Clelia showed her how to cook the pasta, which was easy enough, while the petite firestarter prepared a homemade pesto sauce.

  When the plates were set at the table, Thomas walked over to Niels and took his hand. “Clelia makes the best pasta. You’ll see.”

  Sky watched with a lump in her throat as Thomas made Niels climb onto one of the chairs and took the seat next to him. Laudren dug in with gusto.

  When Niels made no sign of eating, Thomas took the Parmesan cheese shaker and said, “You have to put plenty of this on top.” He started shaking it over his food with vigor. “Do you want me to put some on for you?”

  Niels nodded.

  Thomas emptied a good portion of the cheese on Niels’s plate, which invited a giggle from Niels. After the first, hesitant forkful, it was clear Niels was a fan. He started eating like he’d never seen food before.

  “I think he’s a fan of your pesto,” Sky said, suppressing the emotions that made it difficult to speak.

  “It’s the pasta,” Clelia said with a wink. “Always a winner.”

  There were apple slices and natural yoghurt with honey for dessert. The kids were just about done when a beautiful woman with burgundy curls entered the kitchen. She wore a white wool dress that complimented the striking color of her hair.

  “Hello, Sky.” She held out her hand. “I’m Kat, Lann’s wife.”

  Sky took the proffered hand. “Thank you for your hospitality.”

  “Our home is your home. I’m sure Bono thought of everything, but if you need anything, just shout.” She made her way to the boys and kissed Thomas’s head. “Thanks for taking care of the lunch, girls.” She wiped her brow. “I’m done doing research for the day.”

  “Any progress?” Clelia asked.

  “Nothing useful, so far.” Kat turned to Sky. “I’m trying to get information on the Medusa Movement.”

  “May I please leave the table, Mom?” Thomas asked.

  “Has everyone finished?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then you may, but put your plates in the dishwasher and help Laudren with his.”

  Niels seemed to be happy to have been included in the task. Together, they cleared the table, at least to the best of their ability. When they were done, Thomas asked, “May I show Niels my electric train?”

  “You’ll have to ask his mom. Maybe she’d like for him to rest.”

  “That’s fine,” Sky said, “if he wants to.”

  Niels’s eyes lit up.

  “Do you want to come, too?” Thomas asked Laudren.

  “Yay! Can I?”

  “May I,” Clelia corrected, “and yes, you may.”

  “I’ll watch them for a bit,” Katherine said. “I can do with a break from the books. Come on, boys.”

  They squealed as they ran after her down the corridor.

  “I’m working on Laudren’s English,” Clelia said, clearing the water glasses. “You and Niels speak it so well, without a hint of an accent.”

  “Doumar insisted we speak it.” The name alone made her throat tighten. “It was for Godfrey, you see.”

  Clelia stilled in the middle of wiping down the table. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry or to remind you of that.”

  “It’s okay.” Sky carried the dirty pots to the sink. “I’m not going to pretend it never happened.”

  “If you ever want to talk, I’ll listen.”

  “You’re too kind.” Sky started rinsing the pots. “It’s quite a melting pot of languages you’ve got here. Thank goodness you all speak English.”

  Clelia laughed. “You have no idea. Thomas speaks Russian to his dad, and we speak French to Laudren at home. It’s only when we’re all together that we speak English so everyone can understand. My accent is terrible, but Josselin’s is worse.”

  “I think your accent is ado
rable.”

  “Wait until you hear us all together. Tim speaks with an Australian drawl, and well, you know what Sean sounds like when he rolls his Scottish r’s. Ivan’s accent is so typically British—Don’t you think?—and then there’s Maya, Sara, and Wayne’s South African dialect. Asia speaks Danish, of course, and Cain and Alice are as New York-ish as they get. Very colorful indeed.”

  “Do you often get together?”

  “As frequently as we can. It’s not always easy with us living in France, Sean and Asia in Colombia, Lann and Kat here in Chile, and the rest in New York. Have you and Bono decided where you’d like to settle, yet?”

  The question took her off guard. “Actually, I haven’t thought about it at all. It’s still so new. We don’t really know each other well, and I’m not sure he’s thinking in such permanent terms.”

  “Oh, he is.” She motioned at the ring on Sky’s hand. “He told me he asked you to marry him.”

  “It wasn’t a proposal as such. At the time, it was just something he brought up, I guess because of the circumstances. Everything was so uncertain and dangerous. I thought we’d never see each other again.”

  “Bono always says what he means, but you’re allowed to take your time. You don’t need to feel rushed. I understand there’s much to consider. Depending on what you decide, Bono may even give up his job and stay in one place.”

  “I’d never ask him to do that.”

  “Whatever decision you make, you have our support. Bono is family, and that makes you family. I have a suspicion Cain will have his own proposal for you, but it’s not my place to say.”

  When the kitchen was tidy, Clelia took Sky to the library.

  Cain, Joss, Lann, Maya, Sean, Ivan, and Sara sat around a meeting table with a 3D hologram in the middle. Cain shut down the image and got to his feet when they entered.

  “How are you feeling, Miss Val?”

  “Good, thank you.”

  Her concern that the team would be hostile toward her because of her alliance with Godfrey was unfounded. Only friendly faces and encouraging smiles greeted her.

  “Have a seat.” He pulled out a chair next to him. “We were waiting for you to brief us.”

  She sat down, exhaling a shaky breath. “Where do I start?”