Old Magic(79)

I try to work moisture into my mouth. ‘Of course. Who else?’

His eyes grow round, his mouth hanging open. Then he collects himself, emotions and all. ‘Do you love him?’

My chest tightens. I swallow hard. ‘He is my life now. I want no other.’

There is nothing else to say. I can’t stand here and look on Jarrod’s stricken face one second longer without breaking down and telling him everything. I spin on my heels and walk away. Back to Ebony Prince. Back to Rhauk. But I will never forget the look on Jarrod’s face.

He was devastated. And angry. I hope he’ll grow even angrier, so much that he will grab those amulets, smash the amber crystal that surrounds our link home, and chant the Latin words lodged in our brains – before he stops to think.

I need him to do this, to give my sacrifice purpose.





Jarrod



I can’t believe it. Kate came back. I could’ve squeezed her to death; couldn’t put a name to the emotions I felt. Malcolm brought her to me, still looking bitter and resentful. I ignored his attitude as I sensed straight away something about Kate was odd. Malcolm left us alone, but still I couldn’t go to her. She had this, don’t-touch-me, don’t-come-anywhere-near-me, kind of look. At first I thought it was because Rhauk hurt her, physically, emotionally, or both. So I was careful not to rush at her. But it turned out he hadn’t hurt her, at least that’s the story she gave.

It’s hard to believe any of it was true, but she was so convincing.

She’s leaving now. I want to run after her and grab her, bring her back, but my legs won’t move. I feel shattered inside. I want to hate her. What’s even more shocking, I want to put my hands around her throat and shake some reality into her brain. I squeeze my hands into tight fists, and feel Kate’s amulet dig into my palm. I pull it over my head, wrapping my hand around the two of them together. One hard squeeze will be enough to rupture the amber crystal. I could be home in minutes.

But I can’t do it. Not yet at least. Not until I’m sure of Kate’s motives. If she didn’t love this period so much, if she didn’t love her magic so much, I’d say for sure she’s just doing this for me. How can I tell what’s the truth? She was very convincing. Yet, as long as there is even one chance she’s sacrificing her life for me, I could never turn my back on her. I would rather die.

And die I might when I challenge Rhauk. But I’m not so stupid as to try before I spend some time harnessing, training my powers. What little I’ve learned is enough to control the flow of energy when I lose my temper. Winds, that have often been gale force, cyclonic even, don’t happen any more, at least not unless I want them to. It’s a small achievement, but one that tells me I can train my gift. This morning I played with Isabel’s garden. She’d only just pruned her roses. I made a bud form, then watched it bloom and die, all in the space of one or two breaths.

‘Jarrod?’

It’s Emmeline. I groan, not again. The girl is bored out of her mind. Stitching tapestries all day, who wouldn’t be? Unfortunately, there’s nothing I can do to help her. A hand-held computer game is out of the question. ‘Emmeline, what is it this time?’

She sits on a stone bench, gathering her long mauve silks around her ankles, pretending to accidentally lift them so that her ankles and a good part of her pale-skinned calf is left showing. I could laugh as a vision of a group of girls sunbaking in brief two-piece swim-suits flashes through my head.

‘A small request,’ she murmurs silkily.

I sit beside her trying not to groan too loudly. ‘Go on.’

‘When you leave here, I want you to take me with you.’

‘But – ’

She lifts a hand to shut me off. ‘Wait, Jarrod. Listen, please. You don’t know what it’s like living here. I want to travel, I want to see the world. Your world.’

‘What makes you think it’s any better where I come from?’

‘Of course it is. Look at you, how worldly you are, knowledgeable.’

‘I’m sorry, Emmeline. When Katherine and I leave here, we’re not going where you think we are.’

‘Are you not going home?’

I don’t want to lie, but I can’t tell her the truth either. ‘Not exactly.’

She moans dramatically. ‘It doesn’t matter where you take me. I can’t stand living here any more. I am going slowly mad. And you will want company on your journey, Jarrod. Company that will keep you warm at night.’

I look at her, hard. She’s definitely in the wrong time period. Unfortunately, that’s her tough luck. ‘I have Katherine.’