“But my Lady,” Li whispered. It was clear to him that the one Asteri was no stranger to killing. Avengers always made him tense. He was uncomfortable welcoming them into the house. He wasn’t sure he could protect her against the two of them.
“Li,” she cooed, “please fetch us some tea.” She looked between Nick and Justin. “Or would you prefer coffee?”
“Either is fine,” Nick replied.
“Whichever you prefer,” Justin said as he stepped into the house. A massive spiral staircase was to their right. The intricate details carved on the railing and spindles were spectacular. Justin knew each piece was a labor of love. The woodworker may have been paid to do his job, but it was the love of creating beauty out of chunks of wood that makes one a true craftsman.
Justin missed creating his masterpieces. Cutting away the unnecessary wood and shaving away the flaws until he was left with his perfect creation always made him feel whole and complete. Now he missed his little creations. He had so little time for simple pleasures. Too much happened too quickly.
“Hmm, what obliging gentlemen,” Gabriella said. She looked at Li. “Now I know they are up to no good. Maybe you were right, Li. Maybe we shouldn’t have let them in,” she teased, touching her chest. Justin enjoyed the blush that deepened the color of her cheeks as she smiled.
“Tea it is,” Li said. He bowed and disappeared down the hallway.
“Follow me,” Gabriella said, motioning with her hand as she turned her back to them. “We’ll talk in the sitting room.” She led them to a large room off the foyer. She hit the light switch and the lamps on the side tables switched on. Windows lined the wall that ran along the front porch. A large fireplace was set into the wall opposite the windows. Gabriella walked to the fireplace and flipped a switch. A fire ignited and burned behind the glass. “Didn’t even muss my hands or nails lighting that fire,” she said. She winked at Justin. “Back in the day, a girl couldn’t light a fire without fear of catching her skirts ablaze. I prefer this way much better.” She motioned her arm towards a sofa. “Please, sit.”
Nick sat on the sofa, and Justin sat in the wing chair opposite the fire. Gabriella sat on the loveseat across from Nick. “Aren’t we a cozy bunch? Just relaxing around a fire,” Gabriella said. She knew this wasn’t a social call. “I’m sure you both have shared many stories over a blazing fire. Time ticks on, and we are the soldiers that run at a ragged pace in hopes of delaying the inevitable.”
“True,” Justin said. “But eventually soldiers return home, hoping to find peace and acceptance.”
“Hmm.” Gabriella gave a slight nod. “Peace and acceptance. The ultimate prize that eludes so many.” She glanced at Nick. It was clear that peace and acceptance eluded him. Was that why he was here? If it was, she couldn’t help him. She was not involved in that field.
“How long have you owned ‘New Beginnings’?” Nick asked. He wanted to get right to his true purpose, but he didn’t want to offend her or look like an inconsiderate guest. Sometimes games must be played in order to advance one’s goal.
“Hmmm,” she cooed. “You would think a simple question would have a simple answer, but this one does not.” She crossed her legs and her silk pajama bottoms showed through the opening of her bathrobe. “You see, I was born here, a long time ago.” She chuckled lightly, “I’ll never give up my age.” She waved her finger through the air. She liked these two men. They were good. She felt it in her bones.
Justin already knew where this was headed, and he regretted Nick’s question. They didn’t come here to cause her pain. Sometimes it’s easier not to talk about the past.
“But unfortunately, as you can already imagine, I was owned by this plantation.” She looked around the room, taking in the elaborate furniture and exquisite fabrics. “A lot has changed over the years. I’ve made tremendous improvements.” She leaned forward and smiled. “I’d love to see the look on old Mr. Rood’s face the first night I slept in the master suite.” She laughed and tapped her nails on the fine fabric of the sofa arm. “Of course, he wouldn’t recognize it. I ripped out a few rooms upstairs and created rooms fit for a queen.” She ran her fingers through her hair. “We never had a Queen, but we did host a Duke and Duchess. Mrs. Rood planned for their arrival for a whole month. And believe me, the Roods lived up to their names. They expected perfection from everyone except their children. Brats, the whole lot of them.” She swept her hand through the air as if dismissing the spoiled children.
Li entered the room and set the tea service on the table between the sofas. He silently poured the tea into the delicate china.
“Thank you, Li,” Gabriella said. She leaned forward and spoke softly. “He truly makes the best tea you’ll ever have. He has his own special concoction.” She shrugged and leaned back against the sofa. “I have no idea what he puts into it. I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t use a little magic.” She smiled at Justin. She liked the way his brown eyes drank her in. Every woman enjoys the gaze of a gentleman, and she could tell that this one was of high-quality stock.
Justin brought the teacup to his mouth and sipped. Various spices danced over his tongue. He’d never tasted anything quite so pleasantly strong and flavorful without being overbearing. “It’s delicious. Thank you, Li.”
Li bowed and moved to the side of the room.
Nick watched Li. It was obvious that Li was more than a butler, but he sure played the role well. ‘Obedient servant’ was not a role that many Asteri played for long.
“How long has Li been your butler?” Nick asked.
Gabriella held her teacup above her lap. It was obvious to her that Nick had excellent breeding too, but there was a dangerous edge to him that he kept well hidden. “I’ve lost count.” She sipped her tea. “We met a long time ago. The world was different. I’d been sent to retrieve our dear Mr. Li.” She flipped her hand in his direction. “Well, as luck would have it, I saved his life. Now he feels indebted to me.” She leaned forward. “I tell you, he won’t go away. The belief in his culture is that if someone rescues you, you are forever indebted to them. You are their servant.” She looked at Li and rolled her eyes. “I guess I should have let him die,” she said flippantly and laughed. “It’s ironic. I came out of slavery. I despise slavery, and now I essentially have a slave that I can’t get rid of.” Gabriella shook her head. “He tells me that the only way he can be released of his debt is to save my life. So, gentlemen, I hope you are going to take me on an adventure that may be deadly.” She smiled and leaned back against the sofa. “Now that we’re through with the pleasantries, you can tell me why you’re here.”
Nick set his teacup onto the table. The story of Li made sense. He’d heard about that custom before, but he’d never met anyone who practiced it, especially an Asteri. But he still had a few questions before he opened up to her. “Why the butler costume?” Did she enjoy the appearance of her superiority?
Gabriella smiled. “Excellent question. I’ve been harassing him about that, too.” She sipped her tea.
Li took one step forward. “It is my duty and honor to represent Miss Dubois. As her butler, her reputation is intact.”
Gabriella nodded slightly. “See, Mr. Li is a man of integrity. I just don’t get why he makes himself look so old.” She looked at Li, joy in her eyes. “I’ll let you in on a secret.” She leaned forward and whispered to Nick and Justin. “He only ages himself when others are around.” She rolled her eyes. “I don’t get that. Why look old when you can be smoking hot?” She leaned back and winked at Justin.
“Ah, yes. I understand completely.” Justin nodded. “It seems I always get stuck being the old man, the father figure.” He looked at Nick.
“It must be your responsible, caring nature,” Gabriella replied. “I can sense that about you.” She looked at Nick. “But you, you’re an Avenger. And you’re not here for pleasantries. So once again, I’ll ask you. Why are you here?” She set her teacup and saucer on the table in front of her.
N
ick appreciated her straightforwardness. He understood that. It meant that she could be direct and would not back down from direct people. “You’ve been around,” Nick said. She nodded, and Nick continued, “We were told that you may have information on a certain Nephilim. Daevas.”
“Ohh, Daevas,” Gabriella said, raising her eyebrows. “If we’re going hunting for him,” she looked over at Li, “then I may finally lose my butler. Did you hear that, Li? You may earn your freedom,” she stated more loudly.
Nick hadn’t even considered taking Gabriella with him. “The journey will be dangerous,” Nick warned. “However, I do wish a happy outcome for all involved.”
“And what is your goal?” Gabriella asked. “Why do you want Daevas?”
Nick wasn’t sure how much he wanted to tell Gabriella. He liked playing his cards close to his chest. “He has information.”
“I’m going to need more than that if I’m going to sell out a Nephilim as dangerous as Daevas,” she said. “You do know he has the ring.”
“Yes,” Justin replied.
“So all of us have that piece of information,” Gabriella confirmed. “Now what does Daevas know that’s worth your life?”
Nick stared hard into Gabriella’s eyes. He didn’t normally trust strangers so quickly, but he needed her help. “Someone has learned how to kidnap Asteri and hold them hostage without leaving evidence of their confinement.”
Gabriella took a moment to absorb that information and then said, “What do you mean?” She hadn’t heard any whispers of the Nephilim having such a power or weapon to render an Asteri powerless.
“An Asteri,” Nick started, “Hayden, was taken during the Civil War. We went to Charleston to rescue a newbie, Michael Bradford. She got him out of the city, but then she disappeared. Her amulet was all we found of her. We believed that she was dead. We have now been informed that she is alive, held hostage somewhere.”
Gabriella narrowed her eyes. “How is that possible?” she asked, shaking her head in confusion. “Did you not look for her glow?”
“Completely obscured, even without her amulet,” Nick replied.
Gabriella glanced at Justin and then looked back at Nick. “This Hayden, she is your love?”
“Yes,” Nick said.
“Then I will do whatever I can to help,” Gabriella replied. “She’s been enslaved long enough. It is time for her to be free.”
Gabriella stood and walked to the window. The sun was just peeking over the horizon. Dawn was approaching quickly. “Daevas loves to travel. He enjoys bringing havoc to people everywhere,” she said dryly. “But he always returns home. He has a mountain home on the other side not too far from here. I’ll take you there.”
3. Surprise
Kate stretched and moaned as she rolled over to check the time. She’d slept later than she’d expected, but with everything going on, she was exhausted. She didn’t hear any voices filtering through the house. Everything was quiet and peaceful. Her family must have left for church already.
She plopped back on the pillow and closed her eyes. The last few days blurred together. After working out all day yesterday, she finally told Alex she needed to get some sleep, so she went home and crashed. But he followed her. Not literally, but figuratively, in her dreams. She couldn’t get him out of her head or her heart.
Her dreams were the hardest to control. Sarah’s influence was the strongest there. Maybe it was because her subconscious had free reign. Regardless, Sarah’s memories flooded Kate’s dreams and revealed reason after reason to fall further in love with Alex. When it wasn’t physical passion that the dreams foisted on Kate, it was the emotional connection that Sarah exploited to manipulate her feelings. That was Kate’s biggest fear. She didn’t want to be manipulated into loving Alex. But the more she learned about Alex, the more she realized that she’d be a fool to spurn his love.
Kate stared at the mural and ran her fingertips across the chain that encircled her neck, the same chain that belonged to Sarah. Even before she wore the beautiful necklace, Sarah had infiltrated her life. Feeling overwhelmed, she studied the two girls in the mural. As a child she’d played with Sarah as her imaginary friend, and her mother preserved that memory on the wall. If Sarah had been with her all along, since her childhood, then perhaps she and Sarah were so intimately intertwined that they shared emotions and memories. Perhaps they were a single unit. Perhaps her feelings for Alex were real.
Kate knew she wasn’t going to figure out this mystery by staring at a mural, so she got up and showered. Nothing clears one’s head like a shower. Then she got dressed and went downstairs.
“Hey,” a man’s voice called out.
Kate jumped. “Oh!” She clutched her chest. “You startled me,” she said with a laugh.
“Sorry,” her dad replied. He looked at her from behind his computer in his office. “Just wanted you to know that I’m here.”
“You didn’t go to church?” Kate leaned against the doorjamb of his office.
“No, too much work to do.” He stretched and leaned back in his chair.
Kate nodded. “You work too much.”
“People in this family like to eat.” He winked. He wished his work wasn’t so all-consuming, but that was just the way it was. “You got in late last night.”
“Yeah, Zoe and I lost track of time. I didn’t want to spend two nights in a row over there, so I came home.”
“You just hanging out with Zoe?” Mr. Archer raised an eyebrow. “I have a feeling Alex makes himself available when you’re around. You know he has a crush on you,” he stated, his eyes staring into her.
Kate inhaled deeply as she thought about her reply. “Alex,” she shrugged her shoulders, “it’s a little complicated.”
“It always is. But Kate, if you’re not interested, then you shouldn’t lead him on. Show some compassion for his heart and respect for yourself.”
“You’re right.” Kate nodded and chewed on her bottom lip. “I wouldn’t want my heart toyed with. It’s just… I’m not sure how I feel about him.” There was no way she could explain her feelings for Alex to her dad.
Mr. Archer thoughtfully stroked his chin. He wasn’t sure how to help Kate. Navigating matters of the heart were her mother’s forte, but he hated to see people play games in which no one could ever win. “First, where do you stand with Nick?”
Kate chuckled. “It’s officially over with Nick.” She knew Nick had checked out. He’d started separating from her after she’d danced with Alex at the Valentine’s Day Ball. Besides, his heart belonged to another, and Kate was okay with that. She believed that he’d cared about her, but she also realized that he’d never gotten over Hayden. “There is no way that we’re getting back together,” she added with certainty.
Mr. Archer slowly nodded. “I see.” He really didn’t. Things between Nick and Kate stopped so suddenly that he was a little concerned. He knew something must have happened, but Kate didn’t talk about a fight or problem, so he was at a loss to understand what the issue was. “But Katie Bug, is there something about Alex that troubles you? Any red flags?”
“No,” she said with a chuckle. “Definitely no red flags.” She walked to her dad and wrapped her arms around his neck. She’d always loved his hugs, even his bear hugs that nearly squeezed her in two. “You don’t need to worry, Daddy.” Kate’s lips brushed the top of his head. “I’m not rushing into anything.” Her stomach turned a little on that statement. Was that a lie? Not really. She wasn’t choosing to rush into anything. Everything rushed towards her. She deflected crisis after crisis as quickly as she could.
The grating sound of the garage door cut through the silence. “Mom and Reese are home,” Dad said. “They’re bringing pizza.” He looked up at Kate from his chair and smiled.
“Fantastic. I’m starved.” Kate headed out of the office to meet them, but then she stopped at the office door and looked back. “Thanks for the talk, Dad.”
“Anytime, Katie Bug.”
&n
bsp; “Kate,” her mom called out as the door to the garage swung open and she entered the hallway. “Come set the table.”
Reese followed Mrs. Archer, carrying the pizza boxes. “Yes, Kate. Try and make yourself useful,” Reese teased. “That is why Mom and Dad had a girl.” Reese didn’t hate Kate, but as her brother it was his responsibility to annoy and harass her, and he took his responsibility seriously.
“Reese, don’t say stupid stuff like that,” Mom said, taking the plates out of the cupboard.
Kate smirked at Reese and said, “I guess they were happy when they had you because they needed a big, dumb oaf to do the menial chores around the house.”
“Please,” Mom interrupted. “We’ve been home from church for less than a minute. Do you think you two could try not to fight for five minutes? Could you attempt to bless our family in that way?” she added with a sigh. “It will make God happy,” she said with a sprinkling of guilt.
Reese laughed. “There are a lot of things that would make God happy.”
“Well, please attempt to do at least one of them today,” Dad said as he entered the kitchen. “I’m starved.” He flipped open the pizza box and breathed in the aroma.
“Are you going bowling tonight?” Reese asked Kate. He hoped she would. He didn’t like the way she was losing touch with her besties now that Nick and Alex had shown up. “You know, hanging with your friends? They were asking about you today at church.”
Kate had forgotten about the bowling activity with the youth group. She spent little time with her friends and even less time with church activities. It seemed that phase in her life was over. Now she had to deal with bigger things. Things that if ignored could lead to the deaths of the people she loved. “No,” she sighed in response to Reese’s question. “I’m spending the day with Zoe.” She felt her dad’s heavy gaze as he slowly chewed his pizza. She hated to lie, but she didn’t want to admit that she was spending so much time with Alex, especially after the conversation with her father. He was already suspicious. “We’ll be back late.”
Synchronicity (Scintillate Series Book 3) Page 4