Mesmerized (13 page)

"Agreed. I can't believe this is the first time I've seen your daughter." Camille shook her head as if gravely disappointed. 

"Lily and Jake, this is Camille, the woman I told you about."

Jake stood up from the couch and extended his hand to the woman. She grasped his hand and held on for a moment staring at him as if she was searching for something. 

"Yep, he is cursed alright. What does a woman have to do around her to get some tea?"

Sandra laughed. "You haven't changed a bit! Still bossy as ever. Come with me." Lily’s mother led Camille to the kitchen. 

Jake and Lily stared at each other unsure if they should follow or give them time alone. They decided to follow and walked into the kitchen. Sandra and Camille were sitting at the table talking. Lily leaned against the cabinets and Jake copied her.

Sandra and Camille chatted about their lives over the past few years. Then Sandra started talking about Lily. “We had to tell her a few years ago. She’s done fairly well with the stone, but there are still some issues.”

Lily grimaced. She didn’t like being talked about like she wasn’t there.

“We sent her off to boarding school up in New York. That’s where she met Jake. She ran into some trouble up there and they took off together.” Her mother’s gaze shifted over to them. “He’s been good to her. She asked for our help.”

Camille stared at Jake. “The curse is very old.”

“Before you go any further,” Jake interrupted. “I don’t wish for you to take the curse away. As you know, Lily ages slowly and I want to be with her for as long as she’s alive.”

“Are you sure about that? I could break the curse.”

Jake looked into Lily’s eyes. “Yes. Very. But, when she does die, I want to die with her. Is that anything you can help with?”

Camille’s eyes bore into Jake. It was like she was reading his soul. After minutes of silence, she spoke, “Yes. I can give you something to drink. It will kill you almost immediately. I would suggest you hide it in a spot only you know of and when that day comes, drink it.”

Jake nodded. “Thank you.”

Camille turned back to Sandra. “You said something else. Something about a family after him?”

“Yes. They’ve been chasing him for generations, catching him here and there.”

“What do they want?”

“The secret to immortality.”

Camille patted the seat next to her. “Come and tell me, Jake.”

Jake sat down and began his story again, filling her in about the curse, Laura, and their latest capture of him. 

“You were able to get him out?” Camille asked Lily.

“Yes. I had to take the necklace off, but we got out.”

“We have some investigators digging into the family history. How many family members are left, who knows, what kind of money they have,” Sandra added. “We’re hoping to hear back from them sometime today.”

"This is not going to be easy. I can spell them so they forget about the curse, but we're not really sure how big the web is. How many people know? Does he have a journal... Something this old will have many moving pieces." Camille looked at each one of them searchingly. "This could get dirty. Are you guys prepared for that?" 

One by one, they nodded their heads. 

Camille took a deep breath and flattened her hands to the table. She paused for effect, eyeing each of them in turn. "The most important thing is we need to find them…before they find us.”

Chapter Sixteen

The next morning, Gregory called them all into the kitchen. Lily came trudging down the stairs, her hair in disarray and looking half asleep.

Everyone was seated around the table, coffee cups in hand, except for Jake: who shot her a grin from where he leaned against the kitchen counter. Her mother looked as put-together as always, despite the early hour, while her father just looked stressed. Camille lounged comfortably in her chair with a brightly-colored shawl wrapped around her shoulders.

Lily looked at the clock and groaned. “Dad, it’s way too early.”

Her father gave her a disapproving look. "We've got a lead. The family has been traced back to Atlanta. They are very well connected and come from old money." 

"That's great news! Makes it easier on us if we have a location. I can draw him out and you can work your magic." Lily's mother nodded at her friend. 

"Not so fast!” Gregory interrupted. “You can't just waltz in there and bat your eyes, Sandra. These people are dangerous. Someone with that kind of money is going to be surrounded by guards and security cameras."

"Oh Gregory, how can you underestimate me after all these years?" She shook her head, and her full lips held the slightest smile.

"No sense in wasting time. We’ll leave for Atlanta today," Camille said.

"Do you think we should leave the children?" her father asked.

"No, we might need to use the boy for bait,” her mom replied.

"Mother! I can't believe you just said that,” Lily yelled.

"It's not a big deal. It's not like they can kill him."

"But they can hurt him." Lily moved closer to Jake.

"It's fine, Lily, if it means ending this once and for all, I will gladly be used." He looked down at her. "I want this over. So we don't have to run the rest of our lives."

"I know. I just can't stand the thought of anything happening to you."

"He'll be fine. Grab your things, we'll head to the airport and get on the next flight out." Camille shooed them away. 

Lily stomped up to her room. She was irked that they were going to use Jake as bait. She opened her bag and threw a bunch of clothes in it. She didn't know how long they would be gone so she grabbed enough for a few days. 

Back downstairs, Jake had packed his bag. One look at Lily and he knew she was upset. “Lily, it’ll be okay.”

“Will it, Jake? I have a weird feeling.”

“It’ll be fine.” He tried reassuring her, although he was still a little wary inside. He wrapped his arms around her.

“I know we have to get these people off our backs, but I’m scared.” Her voice trembled slightly.

He buried his face in her long hair and inhaled. She smelled of vanilla and chamomile; it was a scent he had come to love. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Better not,” she muttered, not wanting him to let go of her. In his arms, she felt safe. She rested her head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat. Steady. Rhythmic.

“You guys ready?” her dad asked, walking in. 

“I guess so.” Lily looked up at Jake, and hoped this would end well.

“Go get in the car.”

Jake and Lily walked hand in hand to the car and climbed in the back. Camille climbed in next to them and Lily’s parents sat in the front. The ride to the airport was full of chitchat between Sandra and Camille. Lily had no idea how they could be so calm at a time like this. Lily didn't even know her mother had a female friend until now.

The airport was loud and bright. Lily felt a headache coming on. Hopefully they had time to get a coffee before they had to board the plane. Jake and Lily stood behind her parents in line. She kept fidgeting. She just wanted to get through to their gate. Once they had their tickets, they had to go stand in another long line. Traveling sucked. When they finally reached the front, the security guard told them, “Take off your shoes and step through the scanner.” 

Lily took off her shoes, put them in a bucket, and stepped through. On the other side, she collected her shoes and slipped them back on. She impatiently waited for the others to come through. The security guard decided her mother had to be searched further. Big surprise there. 

The place was so crowded it was hard not to lose each other as they walked to the gate.  Lily glanced at her watch. “Why do they have you get here two hours early just to make you wait?”

Jake laughed. “Sometimes the lines are a lot longer. Plus they start boarding half an hour early. The two hours gives you time so you're not all stressed out. You can grab a drink, go to the bathroom, that kind of stuff.”

"Are you always this practical?" Lily smiled.

He shrugged.

Christmas music could be heard over the speakers when annoying voices weren’t announcing flights. “I forgot it’s almost Christmas,” Lily said softly.

“What do you want for Christmas?” Jake rubbed his thumb lightly on her hand as he met her eyes.

“Just you.”

“Now c’mon, every girl has something they want.” Jake smiled. He was trying to find a way to distract her. It was obvious she was upset about this trip. He hated to see her unhappy. 

“Not this one. I just want you.”

"I guess I'll just have to ask your mom later. I'm sure she'll have some ideas."

"She always goes overboard for the holidays. Let's go to the coffee shop. My head is pounding." Lily stood up and held her hand out for him. 

Jake felt so proud to be walking around with Lily. It was impossible not to notice the men staring at her with lust in their eyes. He still couldn’t believe that she wanted to be with him when she could have anyone. He made her feel like the luckiest man in the world. 

"I'll have a caramel latte, please," Lily told the guy behind the counter. He stood frozen, just staring at her. 

"She said she wanted a caramel latte. Is there a problem with that?" Jake said loudly over Lily's shoulder. 

He seemed to snap out of it. "I'm sorry. Would you like anything else?"

Jake placed his order and paid. He really had no idea how she could put up with things like that all the time. Lily looked unfazed as she walked to the end of the counter to pick up her drink. It was definitely going to take some getting used to. He had observed Lily's father and the attention to his wife didn't seem to bother him at all. Sandra obviously ate up the attention.
Glad Lily isn’t like that. Will she be like that when she gets older? I hope not.

Jake tried not let his nerves bother him and was glad when their plane pulled up. They were flying first class so they got to board early. Jake and Lily sat next to each other, holding hands. Soon they would be in Atlanta, and he hoped all hell didn't break loose. 

Lily stared out the window as the plane took off. She liked the feeling of flying. Once the seatbelt light was off, she pushed up the armrest and leaned against Jake. Her body tingled and she silently told it to shut up. She couldn’t attack him on the plane; she’d have to control her urges. She touched her necklace, which calmed her down. Jake leaned over and kissed the top of her head.

Before they knew it, the flight was over and they were in Atlanta. The airport was ridiculously huge. It took forever to get their bags. Finally, they made it to the car rental place. Lily’s dad went to the desk. The rest of them were huddled around planning the next step. 

“We have to get a hotel either way,” Camille said.

“I suppose you’re right,” Lily’s mom said. “Looks like Gregory is done getting the car. Let’s go, we’ll talk more there.”

"I've already booked the rooms. Do you think I would have gone into this blind?" Gregory asked.

"Of course not." Sandra laced her arm through her husband’s and smiled up at him. 

The drive to the hotel was uneventful, though traffic sucked. Lily held onto Jake’s hand the whole way.

Gregory held open the door to the hotel room. 

Lily walked in. “Wow, Dad!” 

It was a gigantic three-bedroom suite with a stainless steel kitchenette and living room area with a modern, black leather couch and chairs. Colorful abstract paintings hung on the beige walls.  Lily ran her hand along the hardwood desk as she took in the impressive room. She could see herself living in a place like this. 

"Yeah, the room is nice. You can gawk at the place later, we have things to discuss. John is coming over soon to go over the plans."

“Who’s John?”

“A friend,” he answered. “Everyone put your things in your rooms and meet back here in twenty minutes."

"We have a plan?" Lily was surprised. 

"Of course we have a plan. This is not something that you could wing.”

Her parents had the master bedroom and Camille had the middle room. Lily walked towards the first room to the right. "I'll take this one." 

After she threw her bag in the room, Lily went back out to grab Jake. She started to lead him to her room.

Jake realized where she was taking him and said, "I'll take the couch."

"No way. You are not sleeping on the couch when we have this outrageous suite. We can share a room."

"I don't think so," her dad said out of nowhere. "He can take the couch. You are not sleeping together under my roof."

Jake nodded. "That works for me. Believe me I have slept on worst things than a comfortable leather couch. It will be fine."

Lily pouted and headed back to her room to change. 

They were all sitting in the main room watching the television when there was a knock on the door. Lily watched as her father strode confidently to open the door. 

In walked an average looking man. He had brown hair, and dark blue eyes. He was about 5'10” and looked to be in great shape. Lily guessed he was in his late thirties. He was obviously very disciplined, because he didn't look twice at her or her mother. 

"John, come in." Gregory led him to the table and they all followed. "What have you found out?"

"It doesn't look good Greg. The place is set up like a fortress. We could storm the grounds, but that would take a small army. I would need time to get a team together." He rolled out a large sheet of paper that contained the plans of the house. He wasn't kidding. The place was huge. He pointed out the guard post and the security system. 

Gregory whistled under his breath as he stared at the plans. Lily got the feeling this was not the first time her father had done something like this.  She realized she didn't really know much about her father other than he was gone a lot on business trips. She pushed the thought to the side. 

"I can get in there and get the boss out. Just tell me what you want to do." Sandra spoke softly as she placed her hand on her husband’s arm.

Gregory stared off with his jaw clenched. "I didn't want to get you involved."