Old Magic (25 page)

I gasp softly at the wounds on his back, one especially long row of stitches on the side of his neck. They look angry and I have to stop myself from running to him. I tell myself the wounds are freshly made and probably normal-looking considering. At least someone with healing skills has sewn him up, and for that I should be grateful. My fingers automatically slip to my chest; feeling the amulet of late gives me comfort. I’ll be sorry to part with it.

Malcolm clears his throat and Jarrod spins around, Jillian’s amulet reflecting the morning sun. “Kate!”

It’s only one word but it’s filled with so much—surprise, relief, passion. I have to work hard at schooling my features into something that resembles calm control, even disinterest. “Jarrod, I hope your wounds are healing all right.”

“Morgana’s a gifted healer. Your grandmother would enjoy a conversation with her.”

It’s my expression that stops him from running at me and spinning me around in his arms. I can see—feel—it’s what he wants to do. I keep my shoulders stiff, my chin tilted high in a superior, standoffish manner. It’s hard, but if I’m going to pull this off, Jarrod has to believe every word. Malcolm nods and leaves us.

“Did he hurt you?” he asks, taking one step closer now that we’re alone.

“Not at all, he’s really quite the charmer,” I lie and lie and lie.

“Really? Well, your face is all scratched.”

I stop my fingers from racing over the scratches I know are there. “It was the crow.”

“It was Rhauk!”

With difficulty, I try ignoring his hostile tone. “He is a very clever man.”

“He is evil.”

I agree, but let none of it show. “Actually, Jarrod, his magic intrigues me.”

One eyebrow shoots straight up. “What! How much?”

This is my cue. “So much that I’ve decided to stay with him.”

He stares, motionless. And finally, just when I think I’m about to crack under his glare, he says, “You’re lying.”

Of course I am, but I can’t let Jarrod know this. His freedom and his life depend on my being convincing. So I turn away, pretend an interest in the rose bushes that have recently been pruned and wonder fleetingly where the single purple rose came from. My eyes, I know, will be his key to seeing into my soul. “He offered to make me his Queen. He wants to share his powers with me, teach me all he knows. It’s an opportunity I can’t—”

“This is rubbish, Kate! It’s all lies! How can you fall for it? He’s just using you.”

“No, he’s not. He wants me.”

His voice is whisper-soft, but I hear every word. “I want you too.”

I harden my face, swallow the sudden lump in my throat. “Well,” I spin around to face him, determined to make this work, “I want Rhauk.” And before I lose my nerve, I slip off the amulet that hangs from my neck and quickly place it in Jarrod’s hand. “You’ll need this to get home. Remember the words.”

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 practice 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 realize 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 anymore, 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 handheld 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 sunbathing in brief two-piece swimsuits 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 anymore. 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 toward 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.