His eyes held no fear as Gemma wrapped a firm hand around his waist and hauled him out of the cell. The peace that seemed to emanate from him was enchanting and calmed her nerves.
As they ascended the stairs, a guard raced toward them with his sword raised. Gemma pushed the men away and stepped to the side in the nick of time. Metal crashed on stone. She slid her foot out of harm’s way. Grabbing the torch from above her, she turned to face her opponent, crouching into a fighting stance. The guard looked at her with a leering smile as they circled each other. The sounds of her siblings fighting faded into the background as she focused her energy on surviving the battle.
The guard attacked first, his huge broad sword arcing through the air, its heavy descent enough to cut her in half. She caught the sword with her torch, deflecting the blow. In one fluid motion, she snapped the wood free and clubbed the guard in the face. He dropped out of the way, just as another guard came barreling towards her.
His blade was heavy as it tried to steal her upper left arm. She flinched away, but not fast enough. The blade clipped her shoulder. She dropped the torch with a sharp cry. Her eyes grew wide as she watched the hay catch alight. She hated the vulnerability of being weaponless.
She dodged the next blow, only to fall over the stool behind her. Landing with a thud, she felt the air rush from her lungs and fought to find more. The guard approached her with a low laugh, raising his sword high for the plunge. She readied herself to roll out of the way, but found the need vanish as her name was yelled and Harrison’s arms wrapped around the guard’s waist in a brutal tackle.
Gemma jumped to her feet and ran to assist, but found the gesture unnecessary. Harrison’s tackle had smashed the man’s head firmly into a stone pillar, knocking him out cold. Harrison stood tall and brushed his hands on his thighs before turning to her.
“Wow. Thanks.” Gemma gulped as he enveloped her in a bone-crushing hug. “I didn’t realize you were that strong.”
He pulled back and looked down at her with such intensity she forgot to breathe.
“Gemma, when it comes to looking after you, I’ll find whatever strength I need.” That said, he turned, grabbed the sword deftly from the fallen guard’s hand and held it out to her. “You’ll probably do better with this than I will.”
Gemma smiled as she watched him dash across the stones and haul their prisoner up.
“Let’s go.” He tipped his head toward the entrance.
Gemma dodged the small fire that was sizzling out in the damp hay and followed them through the path of carnage that Ruby and Dom had made for them.
She could still hear the odd ring of metal as they ascended the stairwell and realized with a sinking heart that this was in no way over. So much for stealth. By the sounds of the yelling above them, the castle was now on full alert. She just prayed her father wouldn’t realize and abort early. The struggling man ahead of her was worth saving and she would do anything to get him to that forest.
*****
Harrison stepped aside to let Gemma lead the way. He watched her lithe body pause at the top of the stairwell, scanning the lightened corridor above. The sword was poised easily in her hands. He didn't know how she was holding it up like that. It weighed a ton. Yet another reminder that she was super human.
He shook his head in amusement at the fact that even though she held a weapon that could slice a man in two, she still looked elegant. She caught his gaze and sent him a look that made his knees quiver. Then she vanished around the corner.
The man beside him was getting heavy as his obvious mistreatment was taking a toll on his body. Harrison gritted his teeth and hefted the man higher onto his shoulder. They shuffled after Gemma as quickly as they could, following the sounds of clanging metal that had to be the effort of Ruby and Dom. He hoped they were okay.
As he rounded the corner and watched Gemma immerse herself in the quick disposal of a guard, he realized they were fine. Dom’s huge leg kicked a guard to his knees and a swift swipe with the hilt of his sword had the man seeing stars. Ruby was jumping over her fallen opponent and beckoning them to follow her.
Harrison wove through the discarded bodies and picked up his pace as he followed the quick trio. He wasn’t sure where they were. Dom must have led them to the adjacent tower. He hoped he knew where he was going.
The sound of pounding feet behind him punched a vial of adrenalin into his system and he quickly shifted the man to his back so he could run. The man’s head bobbed on his shoulder, his ragged body rattling against him as he bounded down the stairs.
“Look out!” Gemma’s voice made him duck as an arrow whizzed past his head. He heard the cry of someone behind him as he watched Gemma reload the bow in one fluid motion.
She had ditched the sword for a more effective weapon. She looked like a female version of Robin Hood as she sent another arrow flying. Her long braid flicked at the base of her spine as she swung around and pushed him forward.
“Go!”
He turned back to watch her fire one last shot before spinning after him.
“Run to the stables!”
He did as he was told, ignoring the burning in his legs as he burst out into the sunlight.
Turn right, right?
He spotted what he thought must be the stables and felt his belly drop. The open expanse of courtyard made him vulnerable. He had to get himself and the weight on his back through the open space and not get hit by an arrow or blind-sided by a broad sword.
Sure, piece of cake.
He steadied his breathing and set off. An arrow flew past so close to his head he felt his hair move. Another arrow shot out from the stables injuring a guard on the turret above him. He saw Ruby’s arm drop out of view as she backed further under cover. Moments later he was joining her.
With the help of Dominic, they managed to get the man out through the wall.
Harrison turned to make sure Gemma was just behind him. Instead what he saw was a hairy fist flying straight at his face.
Chapter Twenty-One
Warwick, England - 1393 AD
Gemma shot her final arrow and dropped the bow as she raced to the stables. Bursting into the building, she flew to the end stall and scrambled into the hole, all too aware that this was not over. They still needed to get to the forest and the man they were carrying was not in great shape.
Hauling her body out the narrow gap, she jumped up in time to see a flash of Ruby’s ponytail. She ran after her sister and easily caught up, ducking beneath the bridge leading away from the gatehouse. Dom had the man over his shoulder in a fireman’s lift and was checking for a clear coast as she approached them.
“We’re going to have to make a run for it,” Dom said. “We’ll have to move fast. We’re open targets until we reach that first crop of trees.”
Gemma assessed the distance and decided they could easily make it. She turned to grab Harrison’s hand and felt her stomach drop.
“Where’s Harrison?”
“I thought he was behind you.” Ruby looked over her shoulder.
“No, wait. He was behind you!”
“He made it to the stables, Gem. You didn’t see him?”
Gemma shook her head, trying to still the erratic breathing that was threatening to overwhelm her. Biting her cheek, she looked at her sister’s worried frown then made her choice.
“Where are you going?” Dom grabbed her arm and pulled her to a stop.
“I’m going back.”
“Are you insane? It’s way too dangerous.”
“Let me go!”
“We are not separating. Dad will kill me if I turn up without you.”
“I don’t care! I’m not leaving him here.”
She turned to walk again, but found Ruby in her path.
“You can’t, Gem. It’s too late.”
“Ruby, get out of my way.”
“Let’s just think about this.”
“We don’t have time! Just get this guy to safety. As soon as Dad sees you
without me he’ll abort anyway. We just have to pray I’ve found Harrison by then.”
Dom and Ruby exchanged a dubious glance.
Gemma swallowed the lump in her throat and looked straight at her brother. “Please. I have to try.”
Dom’s determination wavered.
“Buy me as much time as you can, okay?”
He gave a little nod.
“Dominic!”
“Let her go, Rube.”
Ruby’s eyes locked on to Gemma’s. A torrent of emotions coursed through them before she said, “If you get hurt I’m going to kick your ass. You understand me?”
Gemma nodded with a quick smile before rushing past her.
Fighting off the nauseating panic, she slithered around the edge of the curtain wall and back into the stables. She crouched low and listened for sounds before peeking her head around the corner. She didn’t even know where to start looking for her boyfriend. She guessed he would have been dragged to the dungeon or the great hall.
Creeping out of the stall, she was about to head to the courtyard when the slapping of feet had her shuffling back into hiding.
She listened to the sounds in the stable. Running feet, a painful thud, a grunt and the crunch of bone on skin. Frowning, she stole a quick peek. Harrison was on his knees, blood dripping from his lower lip and a dark bruise forming on his right cheekbone.
She rushed out of the stall as Harrison grabbed the man’s ankle and yanked. The guard fell to the floor with a thump. Curling his fingers into a tight fist, Harrison smashed the man in the face, making his head loll to the side. He struggled to his feet, looking like a newborn giraffe as he flirted with the after effects of an adrenaline rush.
“Harrison.”
Spinning around, he gifted her a relieved smile, but it turned into an anguished yell as the guard at his feet plunged a dagger into his left calf muscle.
Harrison slumped to the floor, clutching his leg. Gemma ran to his side, kicking the guard into oblivion. She turned to assist her boyfriend, but was stopped by an arrow whizzing past her ear and landing in the beam beside her. Four guards rushed into the stables, armed with daggers and billhooks.
She studied the long spear-like weapons as she crouched for battle. With a blade down one side and a hook on the other, she knew they could do considerable damage.
Weapons leveled at her heart, the guards ran at her with confident glares. She turned to the side and let the billhook slide past her thigh, smashing the first guard in the jaw with a sharp elbow. She used him as a shield against the second attacker and with a grunt smashed them into the stall.
Spinning around, she deflected the weapon thrust at her thigh and felt the sharp sting of metal down her forearm. Ignoring the pain, she grabbed the hook and pulled the guard towards her. A quick fist finished him off just in time for her to see a blade inches from her face. The image of her cheek being carved in two flashed through her mind, but was cut short by a flying dagger that glanced off the man’s chest. The blow made him falter just long enough for Gemma to wrench the arrow from the wood behind her and spear her attacker through the eye.
Gemma grimaced as he crumpled to the ground. She spun back and looked at Harrison who was slumped, wide-eyed and pale, on the floor. He ran a thumb over his shaking fingers as he gazed at the fallen man.
“Let’s go before more show up.” Gemma stepped over the guard at her feet and reached for Harrison’s hand. Everything went distorted as she felt her muscles pull apart.
“NO!”
Her voice was swept away as her body spiraled into the future, alone.
Chapter Twenty-Two
St. Augustine, Florida - 2011 AD
The white corridor was blinding. Gemma opened her eyes and squeezed them shut again. Panicked sobs raced up her body, one tidal wave upon the next. Scrambling for her phone, she tore it out of her pocket and touched the screen.
It rang in her hand before she could dial the number.
“Gemma, are you okay?”
It was her father. His stern voice brought no comfort as she let out a pitiful wail.
“You left too soon. He’s not here!”
“I can’t understand what you’re saying. Now slow down and answer my question first. Are you injured?”
“No, I’m fine.” She sniffled, ignoring the stinging wound on her forearm and the ache in her shoulder. “But Harrison’s not here. We weren’t touching. We have to go back.”
“That’s not going to happen.”
“No, we have to go back!”
“Gemma, it is too risky. I’m not sending any of us back.”
“YOU HAVE TO!”
“I don’t have to do anything.” His voice was low and cold. “Debrief is in one hour.”
The phone went dead in her hand. She gripped the plastic and resisted the urge to throw it against the wall. Pulling her knees to her chest, she wrapped her arms around her naked body. Resting her forehead on the top of her knees, she sobbed.
This couldn’t be happening. A game of what-if started up in her head, cruelly taunting her with all the mistakes she’d made in those last critical moments. She should have been standing closer. She should have jumped across those men and tackled Harrison to the ground.
“Harrison,” she whispered, her belly quaking.
He would die. That was inevitable…and there was nothing she could do about it. The hope that Harrison had brought into her life fell from its perch within. She could feel it fluttering down through her body and imagined it lying in a bloody mess on the white tiled floor.
Her body went numb as the imagery seared her brain. She watched hope turn toward her with one gasping breath. She imagined it smiling softly and whispering one final plea.
Her head snapped straight.
Her eyes went dry.
Her lips bunched tight.
Jumping to her feet, she haphazardly threw on her clothes and raced for the exit.
*****
Warwick, England - 1393 AD
Harrison slumped to the floor. His eyes were so wide he thought his eyeballs might drop out. Gemma’s gold dust had just spiraled into non-existence. He could hear the death sentence in his head, feel the ominous blackness beginning to surround him.
The throbbing in his leg was intense. Stretching it out, he tried to examine the wound, but all he could see was sticky red blood. Just to be on the safe side, he took off his belt and fashioned a tourniquet below the knee.
He forced his brain to start ticking. He needed to get out of here. Gemma would come back for him. He repeated the sentence a few times to assure himself of this. But it didn’t work.
She would be devastated right now. Would she have the strength to fight?
Bile rose in his throat. He closed his eyes and swallowed it back down.
He could hear the clatter of armor still bustling around the castle. They were probably hunting out the intruders. Shaking his head against the dizziness, he crawled toward the back stall. If he could just get out of the castle.
Then what?
He slumped with a sigh. His leg was throbbing, not to mention his aching face. The sound of pounding feet sent a shot of panic through his system. He struggled to the last stall as two guards rushed into the room. They charged him, billhooks lowered for penetration.
Harrison spun away from the first and it speared the pillar beside him. Dropping low, he used his good leg to swipe the guard behind the ankles. He fell with a crash.
With a grunt. Harrison pulled the spear-like weapon from the wood and blocked the other guard’s blow. The billhook was heavy and awkward in his hands. Harrison wished Gemma had let him have a play with the medieval weapons instead of spending so much time teaching him hand-to-hand combat.
If I could just disarm this guy.
Trying to stay light on his feet, Harrison ignored his gimpy leg and blocked each blow. The shock reverberated through him each time, making his muscles quiver.
He knew he was running out of options. With
a hefty yell, he swung the billhook as hard as he could and by some miracle it flicked out of the guard’s hands. They both looked at each other in surprise, before their faces went hard.
Harrison dropped the cumbersome weapon, bunched his fists, and crouched low like Gemma had taught him. The guard was a solid man who was probably close in age to Harrison, yet the wear and tear of medieval life had taken its toll. His lined face was grim and he launched towards Harrison with a stocky fist.
Harrison used his forearm to block the blow then drove his full force into the man’s stomach. He bent over gasping for air and Harrison brought his knee up. The man fell forward, dazed.
A small smile toyed with his lips as Harrison stepped back. But his triumph didn’t last long. His plans of escape melted like butter in a frying pan as the stable filled with a fresh set of troops. Pain radiated through every nerve in his body as he was grabbed and roughly dragged into the sunlight.
*****
St. Augustine, Florida - 2011 AD
Gemma wiped her face after pulling off her helmet and throwing it down next to her bike. The house was quiet when she slammed her way into it.
“Dad! DAD! Where are you?”
“I’m here.” His soft voice made her jump. She stopped in the kitchen archway. Her entire family was standing around the island looking somber, but resolved.
Steeling her insides, she straightened her shoulders and walked into the room.
“You’re taking me back.” Her voice punched out each word with clarity.
“Gemma…”
“DON’T! I’m not arguing about this. You take me back or I’ll find a way on my own.”
“He shouldn’t have even been there in the first place!” Her mother snapped, rising from the stool, her nostrils flaring.
Golden Blood (The Time Spirit Trilogy, #1) Page 17