Pure Blood (Time Spirit Trilogy, #3) (7 page)

“Don’t be flippant about this! You’re not the
one sending someone you care about off to
who knows where
,
to do
who knows what!
I’m not losing you over this!”

“You lose me if we
don’t
do it! You
really think we can still see each other if you’re in DC?”

“It’s better than not seeing you
ever
,
because you’re dead!”

“Are you seriously willing to believe that
your father’s a murderer?”

“I’ve never met the man! I don’t know!”

“Enough!” Gabe’s bark sealed both their lips.
“Arguing over this point is not achieving anything. Now Harrison,
did you find something we can actually use.”

Harrison shot the man a dark look. “Not much.
I don’t know who he was accused of murdering.”

“Did you ever think it could be your mother?
This woman he spends all his time with suddenly disappears. People
would ask questions.”

“What’s the bet that’s one of the reasons
your mother hates herself so much? She’s probably assumed it’s her
they’re talking about.”

Harrison nodded at the theory. It did make
sense. He was too riled when he found out to stop and think of that
scenario. His emotions settled to a simmer as he continued his
recap.

“I also found out he disappeared before they
could arrest him and no-one heard anything about him after that. He
was presumed dead months later when some unidentified remains were
found in the forest, several days ride from his brother’s estate in
the country. My research theorizes that he was attacked by
bandits.”

Gabe nodded. Running a hand through his hair,
he looked at his daughter with grave eyes.

“It’s not much, kid. I don’t think we can
send you back on this amount of information.”

“No,” her voice pleaded. “You guys don’t give
up yet. I’ll go and see Emilie. Maybe she can point me in the right
direction. She’ll know stuff that’s not recorded.”

“How do you know she’ll even talk to
you?”

“Because I saved her life once. She’ll
remember me.” Gemma’s confidence did not wipe the skepticism from
Gabe’s expression. “Look, if I don’t get what I need from her, I’ll
come home. A little trip to have a conversation is not risky.”

She glanced between the two of them. Harrison
kept his expression level as he waited for Gabe’s verdict. A jagged
laceration was ripping his spine apart as he waited. His insides
warred with desperation for her to go and help his mother and a
determination to keep her here, safe in his arms.

She won’t stay in your arms if she doesn’t
go, Granger.

“One conversation.” Gabe held up his finger.
“If Nathaniel’s more than a week ahead of you on his journey you
come home. If Emilie has doubts about his innocence, you come home.
If you get over there and things feel wrong, you come home.
Agreed?”

Gemma nodded with a triumphant smile.
Harrison let out a long sigh then shot her a glib grin, allowing
his head to bob once… the minimal gesture sealing an action that
could have dire consequences.

Chapter
Nine

St Augustine, Florida – 2011AD

The fall weather was pleasant. Gemma stood
outside Gabe’s caravan going over last minute details. It had been
just over two weeks since they started preparing for her trip. She
had not needed as much training as last time, things coming back to
her easily. As she stood in the fresh, morning air, she felt a
heady mixture of excitement and anxiety.

Wriggling her fingers, she listened to Gabe
go over the plan one last time, nodding her head as she absorbed
the information. They had discussed it numerous times already, but
one last recap wouldn’t hurt.

They had chosen a Wednesday, feeling it was
their best chance to do this with no questions asked. Gemma was
faking a sicky and Harrison had managed to forge a pretty decent
note in Bryan’s scribble stating they had a family function in DC.
With whispers of their eminent departure in the air, the excuse was
bought. So the trio had a whole day to try and pull this mission
off… all Gemma could hope was that they would need every second of
it. The longer she was across the line, the better.

If she did manage a successful conversation
with Emilie, she may be gone a little longer than normal in her
hunt for Nathaniel. Harrison wasn’t happy about it, but she wasn’t
going to miss an opportunity if it was presented. She had been made
to promise that if he was more than a week ahead of her, she had to
abort. She just hoped and prayed they were timing it right.
Harrison had spent hours pouring over his mother’s notes and doing
extra research of his own. Gemma was feeling confident.

“Well.” Gabe slapped her on the shoulder.
“Use your brain and stay alert. And don’t…”

“Come back dead.” Gemma smiled. “I know. I’ll
be safe.”

His cheeks creased with a smile as he pulled
her into a solid hug before kissing the top of her head and passing
her over to Harrison.

Her boyfriend looked nervous as he ran his
hands over her cheeks and held her face firm.

“It’ll be okay. I’ll be back before you know
it.”

He attempted a smile, but failed. She let her
eyes shine with an “I love you” as he pulled her face towards his
and sent her senses reeling with a passionate farewell.

She staggered back from him and blushed. With
obvious effort he stepped away from her. She knew he was watching
her the whole time as she closed her eyes and began to
visualize.

* * * *

London, England – 1820AD

Much to her chagrin, it took Gemma two hours
to find the Clayton’s residence. Thankfully she had managed to
clothe herself easily, although she carried a weighty guilt as she
pictured the finely dressed man now tied to a barrel in nothing but
his underclothes.

Lifting her chin she gazed up at the
beautiful Clayton home and grasped at the images Harrison had shown
her the day before. Pulling up the blueprints in her head she
worked out where she was supposed to sneak in. She played with the
lapels of her coat, trying to look inconspicuous as she sauntered
around the back of the premises. The lack of undergarments was
taking a toll on her muscles as the damp mist seeped through the
fabric. She could feel goose bumps on her flesh as she studied the
trellis. If she had any hope of getting to Nathaniel without
catching pneumonia she’d have to borrow more suitable clothing.

The vines made her climb to the second story
a little more challenging, but she made it to the top without
slipping and was grateful to find the bedroom window unfastened.
Edging into the warm room, she perched on the sill and took in her
surroundings. A luscious four-post bed dominated much of the room.
Gemma admired the beautifully carved structure as she dropped to
the floor and tiptoed towards the fireplace. Taking a moment to
warm her hands she closed her eyes and sought the blueprints again.
If their assumptions were right, Emilie would probably be having
tea in the parlor. Gemma crossed her fingers, praying their
information was correct and that Robert was away for the week.

With her breath on hold, she opened the door
and crept down the corridor. The murmur of voices ascending the
stairwell had her jumping behind the nearest door and leaning
against the wood. She listened to the footsteps clip past her and
cracked the door open to watch two housemaids, their arms full of
clean linen, heading into the bedroom she had just left. With a
quick nibble on her cheek, she snuck out once again and fled down
the stairs with as much stealth as possible.

The parlor was quiet as she approached. When
she peeked her head around the corner, she saw Emilie sitting on
the sofa, her back as straight as an arrow, sipping from a china
cup.

With light steps, she entered the room and
raised her hands in warning, hoping to stop Emilie’s startled
scream. The woman’s eyes rounded with surprise and her mouth
dropped open. Gemma ripped off her hat and the room fell silent as
Emilie swallowed her scream. Instead her head tipped to the side
like a curious bird’s and her eyes narrowed.

“I know you,” her voice was soft, only the
smallest hint of a French accent remaining.

“Yes.” Gemma nodded and took another step
forward.

“My guardian angel?”

Gemma smiled and nodded once again, her body
flooding with relief. “I was hoping you’d remember me.” She
approached the woman with confidence and knelt at her feet.

“What are you doing here?” Sudden fear
morphed her elegant features. “Is something bad about to
happen?”

“No, no,” Gemma reassured. “In fact, I need
your help this time.”

Emilie’s brow furrowed.

“I’m looking for Nathaniel.”

“Why?” Emilie sat back on the couch.

“Because I want to help him.”

“He didn’t kill that woman.” Emilie’s voice
was frantic, her eyes brimming with tears. “I don’t know where she
went, but he loved her and he would never harm her.”

“I know, Emilie. Can you tell me where he
is?”

“We’re not sure.” Her hand shook as she
raised it to cover her mouth. “Robert got him out of the city
before they could arrest him and he was supposed to be hiding in
our country estate, but they came for him and he had to flee. I
think he’s trying to find her… to prove his innocence. Although I’m
sure that’s not the only reason he’s looking.”

“When did this happen?”

“A week ago. Robert thought he might head
north, but I guess we have no way of knowing for sure. I’m so
worried about him. Ever since that woman left, he’s been so
depressed and then to have these accusations against him. I…” The
petite woman paused and looked down at Gemma, her eyes narrowing.
“How are you going to help him?”

“I know where Helena is and I need to find
Nathaniel before…” Gemma’s voice fled. Looking at this fragile
woman, she wasn’t sure what the knowledge of Nathaniel’s death
might do to her. She swallowed back the information and ended
lamely with, “I just think he needs to know that’s she alive and
well and her reasons for leaving were actually quite noble.”

Emilie’s face softened and she reached out a
hand to smooth Gemma’s locks away from her face.

“You are just as I remember you. All these
years and you haven’t aged a bit.”

Gemma blushed and let out an awkward
chuckle.

“You truly are magic and if anyone can save
Nathaniel, it’s you. What can I do to help?”

“I need a horse, supplies and preferably some
warmer clothing.”

Emilie rose from her seat and bustled out of
the room. Gemma stayed near the fire for a few extra minutes, a
meandering finger of guilt climbing up her spine. Gabe made her
promise that if Nathaniel was more than a week ahead she had to
come back.

But Emilie said a week ago. That’s not
more
than a week.

Nodding at her pathetic argument, she decided
it would have to do. She would ride to the country estate and head
north, stopping at villages and asking around. Surely people would
have seen him. If she hadn’t found him by the end of the week,
she’d go back. Her teeth found the inside of her cheek as she
reminded herself that Gabe and Harrison loved her enough to forgive
her.

Chapter
Ten

St Augustine, Florida – 2011AD

Harrison fiddled with the grass beneath him.
Checking his watch again, he ignored his recklessly bobbing knee
and pulled a clump of dirt from the ground. Jumping from his spot,
he strode towards the caravan and back again.

“Would you relax, kid, you’re driving me
crazy.”

Gabe’s calm demeanor was no longer
working.

“It’s been nearly three hours, Gabe. That’s
over a week across the line. Where the hell is she?”

Running an agitated hand through his hair, he
paced back to Gabe, but the ants in his pants wouldn’t allow him to
sit.

“She must be going after him. We have no idea
what Emilie said to her, all we can guess is that the woman knew
where Nathaniel might be. Knowing Lucia, she’ll take any excuse she
can get to go after him. She was pretty determined to pull this
off.”

“She promised if he was more than a week
away, she’d abort. Something must be wrong. What if she’s hurt?
What if she needs us? What if…”

“Just stop with the ‘what ifs’, okay?”

“How can you be so calm about this?”

“BECAUSE THERE’S NOTHING ELSE I CAN DO!”

Gabe’s explosion silenced nature. Harrison
watched the man’s wild gaze drop to the grass. He let out a long
sigh then spoke quietly.

“I hate waiting just as much as you, but
there’s nothing we can do. She doesn’t need us jumping down her
throat the second she returns. We just have to stay calm and trust
her.”

Infuriated by the answer, because he knew it
was right, Harrison could do nothing but slump to Gabe’s side and
resume his grass picking.

“I hate feeling this helpless. I should have
gone with her.”

“You know you only would have been a burden.
You may have the right blood, but you’ve got no training. She’s got
enough to concentrate on without having to worry about you as
well.”

Harrison kicked the ground.

“Sucks being the weaker one, doesn’t it?”

“It definitely plays havoc with the ego every
now and again.”

Gabe smiled.

“It takes a special kind of man to care for a
strong woman. She needs you more than you know.”

Harrison smiled and sent Gabe a short nod of
gratitude. They fell back into silence and the trees around them
began to sing once more as the birds took courage. Harrison
listened to their effervescent song, closing his eyes and imagining
Gemma on horseback, sauntering through an English forest and
listening to the same sound.