He stares at me, his head shaking with astonished disbelief. ‘You can’t be serious.’
‘I am, Jarrod. Deadly serious.’ For this is how I feel, dead inside.
‘And what has Rhauk promised in return? To stop the curse?’
I fight to hide my surprise, battle to keep my face smooth and appropriately bored. ‘But of course. It’s a fair exchange.’
‘Your life is more important, Kate, than an exchange of promises that you have no way of knowing he is even going to keep!’
‘He will keep his promise, Jarrod. I’ll be there to make sure of it.’
‘Is that why you’re staying?’
‘No!’ God, he’s so close to the truth. ‘I want to stay.’
‘You’re lying.’
This time I have to convince him. ‘Look, I know this is difficult to accept, especially after, well … the other night.’ I feel my face heat up, remembering how his hands had felt. I force the memories away. ‘I’ve finally found a place for myself in this world with Rhauk. You know in that other world I’m a social outcast. I can’t practise any magic. I have no freedom, nothing like the freedom I could have here with Rhauk. He’s a master, Jarrod. And I’m sick of the way they treat me in that other world. I want to live where I’m welcome, where I’m accepted. Surely you can understand that concept.’
And I know this will hurt, but I have to do it. I try to make my voice brim with hatred. ‘You were worse than all of them, with your pretend interest. I thought you were my friend, but did you ever acknowledge our friendship in public?’
Inside I cringe at the total look of self-disgust that fills his face.
‘I don’t want to live like that, Jarrod. Here, with Rhauk, I don’t have to. And I can work my magic, and learn from a true magician.’
‘I will still challenge him.’
‘Aren’t you listening?’ Panic fills me. ‘There’s no need. You’re free. Use the amulets, say the words Jillian taught us. You could be home in minutes, and things will be different now. Your family will be normal again, not jinxed with one disaster after another. Don’t they deserve this chance? And what about you? Think about this, Jarrod: you can return to the world of Tasha and Jessica and Pecs and Ryan, and enjoy the life you were meant to have.’
‘Do you really think I’m that shallow, Kate? How can I return knowing that I’ve left you here with this monster? On my behalf?’
‘I want this. I don’t want what you can offer.’
This time my words have the effect I’m looking for. But then his eyes flicker with disbelief, and I can sense his doubts resurfacing. ‘I will still challenge him,’ he repeats stubbornly.
God, how can this be so hard! I struggle to stop myself from screaming at him. ‘For goodness’ sake, Jarrod, aren’t you listening!’
His eyes narrow as he looks at me astutely. ‘Why are you so edgy? Why is it so important that I return home?’
Because it will all be for nothing if you die! I shrug. Aiming for unconcern, I give myself a moment to invent something that will drive him away from me without remorse. And then it hits me. I spin around and look him straight in the face. ‘I’m worried that someone might get hurt.’
His face fills with relief and a tremulous smile forms, followed by a gentle hand that reaches out to me.
I ignore it. ‘It’s possible, now that you realise your gift, that you could hurt him.’
His entire body freezes. ‘Him?’
I nod, my mouth desert-dry.
His hand falls to his side, bunches into a white fist. ‘Rhauk! Are you protecting Rhauk now!’
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.’
She twists her lips. ‘Yes, of course. What was I thinking?’ She stands to leave, shaking her skirts into order.
‘I will get her back, Emmeline.’ ‘Hmm, perhaps she will grow to like Blacklands. I’ve heard much gossip from the village. The young maidens say Rhauk is not without charm.’
I tower over her, wanting at this moment to strangle the girl. I wonder fleetingly what difference this might make to history. I can’t take the chance even if I did surprise myself and do it. She doesn’t even flinch, just brushes her fingernails across the skin of my shoulder so that they leave thin red streaks, and smiles demurely, provocatively. Her message is clear. It makes me want to spew.
‘Maybe you should try him,’ I suggest.
Malcolm arrives, his eyebrows lifting with interest when he sees Emmeline’s eyes on me. She sees him and waves a loose wrist. To me she throws a cunning smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. Then she laughs, short and cynical. She leaves me with the impression that where Rhauk is concerned, she knows it all already.
‘What was that all about?’ Malcolm asks.
‘She’s bored. You should take her hunting.’
He scoffs. ‘She finds riding distasteful. Court life would suit that wench.’
‘She wants to leave here.’
‘When I am Lord she will, if not before. Father is aware of my wishes, as I am aware of her seductive games. She’s tried them with me as well, Jarrod. Being a cousin makes no difference to that wench.’ His voice drops. ‘Be wary, she’ll force herself between you and Katherine.’
I cringe, wishing there was something between Kate and me that would warrant forcing. But his remarks about being Lord one day remind me there are some things we need to discuss. His hostility towards me is coming from seeing me as a threat. ‘You will be Lord of Thorntyne Keep one day, Malcolm.’
‘Not if you have anything to do with it, cousin.’
I put my hand on his shoulder, trying to assure him my words are sincere. ‘I do not want Thorntyne Keep.’
He brushes my hand away. ‘Bah! For what other reason are you here?’
He will tell if I’m lying, so I can’t just give him any excuse. ‘It’s hard to explain my reasons, except that where I come from we’ve heard of Rhauk and his evil ways.’
His eyebrows shoot up. ‘His reputation is far-reaching for sure.’
‘And as I have … strange abilities – ’
‘Witchcraft!’
‘In a way, I guess,’ I acknowledge reluctantly. ‘It was decided I could help rid my relatives of Rhauk’s evil powers.’
I see with relief Malcolm is actually considering this explanation. I need him as a friend, not an enemy. ‘There’s something in what you say.’
I breathe easier, and feel aligned with him tentatively. ‘There is something else you should know. It’s about my brother.’
He peers at me with a frown.
‘He’s going to challenge you one day. I can’t say when, but I know it is his intention.’
‘Does he gather an army as we speak?’
This I don’t know. But when the challenge arrives I do know that after a difficult battle, Malcolm will win. I wish I could tell him this, but it might make him cocky, not prepare properly. And if this makes him lose the battle, then Thorntyne history will change. Jillian’s warning not to interfere rings in my ears. ‘He’s very strong. You should prepare thoroughly, and always be on alert.’
His green eyes shimmer with thanks. I think I’ve just made a friend.
The next couple of weeks pass in a blur. I become frantic for news of Kate. She remains at Blacklands with Rhauk. And I feel him now, his aura, his energy; something impossible to my imagination a short while ago. He grows edgy. I guess that’s because he can sense my powers growing. It makes him uneasy.
Every day I train. Richard and Malcolm help me, pushing me into new areas of magic as soon as I accomplish one aspect or trick. Morgana helps too as she has a talent of her own, not psychic or anything, a kind of mellow magic, healing with herbs her specialty. And thanks to Morgana my wounds are healing nicely. She removed the stiches from my neck only this morning. Both of us were pleased to see the earlier signs of infection disappearing.
Unfortunately Emmeline watches me train too, ever eager to find an excuse to be near me. I try to ignore her advances. I don’t want to be responsible for hurting her feelings, but as I get to know her better, I realise, the girl doesn’t have any, except for her own beauty and desire to have her sexual appetite satisfied.
I’m even growing closer to Richard and Isabel; especially now that they accept the evidence of my ‘witchcraft’. The feelings are returned. If there is one loyalty that Richard has, it’s to his family; except Rhauk, with whom he adamantly denies any blood link. To do so would mean to lose Thorntyne Keep; Rhauk as the eldest son, would inherit all. Richard will never let this happen, his love for his lands, his castle, his family, are the things that drive him.
At times I try to make him think about his loyalty to his village, the peasants and workers there. But he scoffs at this, and I remember I shouldn’t interfere. To Richard there is a clear line between noblemen and women, his family, his knights; and the lower class of crafts people and farm workers. He sees them only as peasants, scum of the earth.
It seems I can’t work spells like Kate, my magic is all from my head. A kind of thought projection that actually changes things. Nature is the easiest for me to work with. I’ve made Isabel’s precious roses bloom double in size on every bush, and withered her herb garden with one concentrated look. She tells me off, but with affection, and hugs me when I return her garden to thriving health.
I have a long way to go, but I sense Rhauk’s restlessness. I just hope he can hold on to his temper until I’ve learned enough skills to better him. It’s possible, of course, that I may never have enough strength. Even knowing this, it will not stop me from fighting him. It has turned into more than a battle to save my family and future descendants from a frightful curse now. It has become a personal battle.
For Kate.
And I go crazy every day I don’t hear anything. As I improve in the paranormal arts, I also improve in the physical. I need to know how to wield a sword, and fight with my hands if necessary. I’ve had many volunteers helping me in these areas. Today it’s Malcolm. My worry for Kate comes up in conversation as I deflect a lunge from his sword.
‘I have an idea about this,’ he says and explains himself.
His plan is good, I consider its merits. After a long discussion the plan is fine-tuned and ready to put into action.
It will prove to be a test of Malcolm’s friendship.
Kate
It’s been almost three weeks and Jarrod hasn’t returned home. Rhauk refuses to teach me anything until he rids himself of Jarrod, one way or another; but Rhauk is aware of Jarrod’s presence. So I know Jarrod is still at Thorntyne Keep. Every day he remains, Rhauk grows more restless, peevish. He has a foul black temper. I’ve only to mention Jarrod’s name and the man goes insane on me. I’ve learned to shut my mouth. Most of the time anyway. But sometimes I just can’t help it. My perverse side enjoys seeing Rhauk lose control.
Time is passing agonisingly slowly. I have so little to do. Mostly I’m confined to my room, looking out over the inhospitable ocean. I spend many hours just thinking: how easy would it be to lean across the stone window ledge far enough to lose my balance? My pain would end, but what else would this achieve? There would be no one then to watch Rhauk, to keep him to his promises.
He storms into my room in a fit of temper, the darkest I’ve seen yet. As usual he wears all black, this time only a ribbon of silver rims the edges of his tunic and undershirt. ‘He leaves me no choice, my Lady!’
I pull away from the window ledge and face him. ‘What are you talking
about? Who leaves you no choice?’
He jerks an extended arm, pointing vaguely in the direction of Thorntyne Keep. A shower of gold sparks smashes into the stone wall to my left. ‘Your lover!’
I don’t correct him, letting him believe his fantasy. As long as he thinks Jarrod and I are lovers, he leaves me alone, sexually at least. Besides this bonus, the idea positively irritates Rhauk. Something which gives me immense pleasure.
‘What is Jarrod doing that so upsets you?’
His black eyes narrow, but he remains silent. He isn’t going to tell me. Whatever it is though has got him in a real spin. With a sudden insight that nearly knocks me over, I understand. My mouth drops open, then transforms into a smile I can’t stop from spreading across my face. ‘He’s training, isn’t he?’ Rhauk doesn’t reply. He doesn’t have to. I can smell his disapproval. So Rhauk knows Jarrod’s gift is truly immense, and now that Jarrod is learning how to use it Rhauk is getting nervous. My pulse starts racing. ‘Jarrod’s getting stronger, isn’t he?’
Silence.
‘My God, his powers are growing so strong, he’s scaring you.’
‘Shut up, wench!’
His icy tone doesn’t scare me like it probably should. I’m too hyped up with the knowledge of what Jarrod’s been doing with his time – accepting the gift, harnessing his powers. ‘You’re afraid of him,’ I dare. ‘You’re panicking!’
He flies across the room and hits me all in the space of one heartbeat. If only I’d been paying more attention to his mood, I might have been able to avoid the connection. Instead, Rhauk’s fist smashes into the right side of my jaw. Sharp pain throbs from ear to chin. Something falls on to my tongue, small and solid. A tooth, I soon realise and spit it out. There is blood too. I taste it. The bastard.
I would try a quick spell, but there’s no point. Rhauk would only be amused. The spells I have tried over the past few weeks have proved useless. He’s aware of everything I do. He outsmarts me. I detest him.