He looked around at the furnishings, finding the place very pleasing to his soul. Stepping into the study was like stepping into another world. Again, a large, open room, but this one was filled with treasures. Paintings lined the wall where there were not bookcases. Sculptures sat on pedestals. Display cases were scattered around the room. At a glance, it appeared some held jewelry and small ornaments, while others held coins.
It was easy to see the man had collected widely. The question was would he want more? Jerreon hoped he would want at least one. From what Kallie had expressed to him, one would be enough to keep him awhile. That would give him time to deal with Lysias, then he could find buyers for the others.
Adam Bacchus led him to a large desk that was already set to inspect the coins. The man pointed to a chair. “Please have a seat.” He settled down. “May I see them?”
Jerreon removed his pack and put it on the floor. Bacchus watched the movement expectantly, then looked quite shocked when Jerreon pulled the coins from his pocket.
“I was not expecting that.” Bacchus laughed until Jerreon released the coins. “Oh!” The man reached for one, easily more enthralled than the coin dealer had been. He fell silent, studying one then another.
He had an instrument on his desk similar to the one the coin dealer had, and several other devices. He put one of the coins in one.
“What is that?” Jerreon asked, interested in what he was doing.
“It will tell me the makeup of the gold. It is one of the fastest ways to weed out possible forgeries.”
Jerreon nodded, watching with even more curiosity.
Bacchus started telling what he was doing, what he was looking for and going into greater depths as Jerreon showed himself a keen learner.
Finally, the old man turned to him. “I’ll offer you three hundred and fifty thousand for them if you want to sell them all right now.”
“That is considerably more than Mr. Butler said.”
“They are worth it. They are all superior. There are none better in any museum. They are truly amazing. If you will give me your bank account number, I will have the money transferred immediately.”
“Bank account?”
“Is there a problem?” Bacchus’s eyes narrowed.
“I am not sure what that is.” Jerreon decided to be truthful. “I was expecting currency.”
“You cannot walk around with over a third of a million dollars on you. Then again, I guess you have been.” He seemed to see humor in it.
“If you could help me make a call, I’m sure my,” he hesitated, unsure of what the correct term he should use in reference to Kallie, “friend has this and she can help me.”
“Are you certain?” Adam Bacchus pressed a finger to his lips, a scowl tightening his brows. “How long have you known this woman?”
“We met yesterday.”
Skepticism peeked from the man, easy to read without even trying.
“I’m not sure that is wise.”
It was Jerreon’s turn to smile. “Thank you for your concern, but I can assure you Kallie is trustworthy.”
The older man studied him. “You are a contradiction,” he said after a moment.
“I do not understand. A disagreement?” Jerreon searched the translation for a clearer meaning, but Mr. Bacchus took over the explanation.
“More of a paradox. May I ask how you came upon them?” He motioned to the coins.
Mr. Bacchus eyed him looking for the truth and Jerreon gave it to him. “They have been with my people for a long time, and were given to me for my use here.” Jerreon met his gaze.
“What is your purpose here?” he asked forthright.
“I am after a criminal from my land.”
“He must have done something terrible for you to be given so much just to come after him.” The man eyed him.
“He did, and if not stopped, he would do worse here.”
“Really, what would that be?” There was a challenge in the question. As if he thought he wouldn’t tell him.
“Set himself up to be a god.”
Bacchus fell silent then looked him up and down one more time. “You are a man out of place. Aren’t you?”
“I am not sure what you mean,” Jerreon returned, meeting his gaze.
“That is the closest thing to an untruth I think you have said to me.” The old man stood and walked around the room, coming to stop by a large mosaic globe made of inlaid pieces of rock. He laid a hand on it and turned it slightly, looking over at him. “Is it even possible that you can go home?”
Jerreon met his gaze, feeling the same kinship as he did to some of his old mentors. “No, my destiny is here now.”
“With this woman, Kallie.”
“Yes.”
The man nodded and Jerreon got the impression he had made up his mind. “Well, you’re going to need some help, more than I’m afraid your friend, the author, can give. I have a million questions to ask you, but we’ll have to get to them later, as I doubt we have time for that.”
“I have one for you. Where do you believe I am from?” Jerreon asked just as forthright.
“The exact location or what it is called, I have no idea. Some distant universe I suppose.” He nodded to the coins. “This is not the first time your people,” he used the term Jerreon had earlier, “have been here, but it is for you.”
Jerreon nodded.
“First thing, we need to get you an ID, that is identification that we carry here, or do you have any?”
Jerreon shook his head.
“I actually know someone that might be able to help with that. And we’ll need to get you a bank account. That, I can take care of.” He picked up the phone and started to dial. “I think it should be an off shore account. It will be safer for right now. Less questions.”
Adam turned his attention to the phone. “Yes, Raymond. Fine, but I need to have you help me with something. I wanted to set up an account for a distant relative. He is the last I have. The name is Jerreon Ander.” He spelled it out. “Take three hundred and fifty thousand from my account to open it. We will be adding more to it later. For a password.”
Adam looked over. “I need a word for you to access the account. One you won’t forget and also several numbers to make it more secure.”
“Lantis 3018,” Jerreon said without hesitation.
Adam’s eyebrow lifted but he just repeated it in the phone. “That’s correct. You can send all the information here, and I will get you the other details later. Thank you.” He hung up.
“He will start to process it on my clearance. You might as well start calling me Adam. You have now become my relative. A great-nephew or something like that, I think. We should receive all the information soon and I will teach you how to access the account. A phone will be helpful, but you might want to get a line tied to your friend’s.” He smiled but this time it was not as skeptical. “I have one you can use until then. I’ll put my number in so you can reach me at any time. I don’t suppose you know how to drive a car?”
Jerreon shook his head. “I have observed. It does not appear too difficult.”
“Yes, we’ll get to that, your ID should be our next priority.”
“How can I thank you?”
He made a wave of his hand. “It is an old man’s pleasure. Though, I wish you had more of those,” he said it, wistfully looking at the coins.
“How many would you like?”
Adam turned back, straightening. “You have others?”
Jerreon reached down, lifted his pack and pulled out one of the fist sized pouches and dropped it on the table, followed by the other. “They are not all the same, but they are all gold.”
“Oh my.” Adam started to laugh. “I might as well transfer over a large portion of my fortune to you right now.”
Chapter Eight
Kallie really did try to get back into writing the story she was working on, but couldn’t. After a few minutes, she gave up and opened a new document and started the
new story, but instead of a government agent, she ended with a tall, gorgeous alien chasing a criminal from his planet through space. The words tumbled out as she tried not to worry about Jerreon. After a couple hours, she stood and stretched.
She wished she could call him, or that he’d call her. She’d given him her phone number and explained to him that he could reach her with it. Kallie tried not to think about a phone being unfamiliar to him.
She looked at her computer and thought of her making him an alien. Was that what she truly believed? Reaching up, she fingered the crystal deciding not to ask questions she really didn’t want the answers to. Falling in love with an alien, and not the type that just snuck across the border, didn’t sound like a good idea.
The thought made her think of their crossing the border. She’d kept an eye on him when he went to talk to the security man. Jerreon had no passport, only the customs paper. Yet the man didn’t even flinch in letting him through.
The ancient gold coins were easier to explain in her book than they were in real life. Was Jerreon all right? She should’ve insisted on going with him. He didn’t seem at all familiar dealing with people, though he was savvy. He read people, almost like he read their thoughts.
My One. It echoed in her mind and her heart. Kallie couldn’t discount it being real. It had been too strong, too true to her soul. She knew it was right. She wrapped a lock of hair around her finger and stopped the pacing that she’d been doing.
“Oh man, this can’t be real. Where is he?” She looked out the window, wishing he’d appear. It had been a long time. Was he all right? Kallie repeated in her mind. She tried to soothe herself by bringing up the image of how easily he’d handled the four guys.
Kallie wished she’d asked more about the man he was going to meet. Mr. Butler trusted him, and it sounded like respected him, but she didn’t know anything about Mr. Butler, besides the fact she actually liked the man, and he had a lot of good reviews online. But this was Jerreon’s life she was concerned about. Kallie paced the room again. Jerreon felt comfortable with Mr. Butler too, and he’d sensed trouble immediately at the other place.
She should’ve insisted on going with him. Kallie groaned. She was back where she’d started. Giving up, she changed into her swimsuit and headed for the pool, taking her computer with her. At least she could get a tan while she worried.
There was only one older couple by the pool, lounging in the sun. Everyone else must still be off sightseeing. She didn’t want to go anywhere until Jerreon returned. What if he didn’t? What should she do? What could she do, was the better question?
“Stop! You’re not going to start that again,” Kallie said aloud, then looked to see if the older couple had heard. They didn’t seem to be paying any attention to her. She put her stuff on a table under an umbrella then headed to the pool.
The warm water felt great on her skin. Stretching out, she let her arms pull her through the liquid comfort. She could get to love this. Sun, swimming, writing. What could be more perfect? Jerreon!
Kallie kicked harder and dug in with her arms. Twenty laps and she pulled up winded. Swimming wasn’t an activity she was used to, but maybe she should add it to the other things she regularly did like hiking, going to the gym and playing volleyball.
Kallie eased back in the water just letting herself float when she felt him, a tingling awareness that filled her. She stood turning in the pool to see Jerreon. He walked across the lawn toward her. Heat spread through her body.
His eyes clung to her. He didn’t look around, coming straight for her until he stopped at the edge of the pool and stared down.
Kallie knew her swimsuit was considered modest by most standards, but still it hugged her curves and showed a lot of skin. The heat she felt surged into a raging inferno that engulfed her to the point that it was amazing the water around her didn’t start to steam.
Jerreon seemed to blow out a breath.
“Beautiful.” The thought came to her and she blushed.
He held out his hand. Kallie walked the edge of the pool, caressed by his eyes as well as by the water.
She was conscious of him as she took each step. She caught the hand he extended and let him draw her up. The connection between them sizzled with promise.
His free hand came up to caress her cheek, then moved to burrow into her hair and tilt her chin up. He took her mouth with the fierceness of a conquering warrior, but she knew no fear. Never would he do her harm, but she felt weak and trembling when he broke from the kiss to pull her against him.
Kallie laid her head on his chest and just tried to breathe.
“I’m getting you wet.” She finally managed to form words.
“It is of no consequence.” He leaned his head back to look down at her, his other hand coming up to frame her face. “You were worried for me. I felt your fear. Never doubt I will come back to you.”
“I …” She didn’t know how to say she loved him. It was too soon. “Could you really feel my concern?”
“Your feelings are strong and they call for me. I will always be able to find you. We are one even if the union has not happened yet. My heart has accepted you.”
“I’ve never had anyone talk to me like that before.” She lowered her head back to his shoulder, listening to his heart.
“Does it scare you?” His hands ran over her back in strokes that were a cross between comforting and thrilling.
“Can you feel what I feel?”
“Yes, if I tried, I could read all, but I would rather you share with me. I would like the words.”
Kallie raised her head and looked into his clear aqua eyes. “I feel no fear from you, but I do feel fear for you.”
He kissed her forehead. “Have no fear. All is well.”
“For now.” The words slipped into her mind. She didn’t think they came from her, but a warning deep within. She forced them down and reached up to touch his face as he did. “Did he buy a coin than?”
“Adam bought several. He also has been a great help to me.”
“Adam?”
“Yes. You will like him. Do not worry.” He stroked her cheek. “Will you go change and take me shopping.” He released her and went to pick up a towel from the stack. He came back and wrapped it around her. His lips twitched as he looked down at her. “I find you an appealing sight.”
She blushed again. “There is nothing wrong with my bathing suit, in fact a one-piece is considered modest.”
“But there is nothing modest in your effect on me. You are very desirable. Which is not bad for one’s own One. It is good you find me desirable also.”
The confidence in his words struck her as funny. “Who said I did?”
“You did. It was in your thoughts earlier this day.”
That he might actually have read her thoughts made her blush.
“Do you know at times color brightens your cheeks in a most becoming way?”
She ducked away. “Stop that.” She held up her hand warding him off when he went to reach for her to pull her back. “Okay, we need ground rules set here.”
He tipped his head to the side, and she got he was trying to understand what she meant. “No reading my thoughts. It is not fair.”
“I do not try to read your thoughts. Just I hear some. They are so strong they come to me.”
“Well, ignore them.”
He laughed. “That is impossible, but I will try not to pry. Does that promise please you?”
Kallie figured that was the best she could get. “Yes,” she conceded.
“You know, you have read my thoughts.”
She swung back to him, ready to discount but something stopped her.
“Yes.” He nodded. “You heard me call you ‘My One’ when I first saw you. You have heard me other times.”
“I’m not sure.”
“Yes, just think and you will know. You have trusted me even when you should not have.” He kissed her cheek. “As the bond between us deepens, your ability will gro
w. For now, just close your eyes and concentrate on me.”
He brushed his hand over her face, encouraging her lids down, her chin tilted up to him. “Come,” he whispered. “Do it. You can reach me.” His fingers skimmed her brow. “That’s it. Feel me here.”
Warmth greeted her, love poured out to her stronger than she’d ever dreamed. She felt pride coming off him in what she did.
“Know me, My One.”
The words reached her and she did. Kallie opened her eyes. “Is it the crystal?” She reached up and fingered the stone, searching his face for the answer.
“It might help, but you have to possess the ability first.”
“How can that be?” Kallie felt slightly light-headed and a touch queasy.
He shrugged. “It may be, it just came out in you. Possibly your race is just starting to develop the ability. Or maybe …,” He paused obviously in thought.
She waited a minute then touched his cheek, drawing his attention back to her. “Jerreon?”
“My people came here long ago. Though it was not to happen, we were a younger race and not as disciplined then, some of our people mated with people here.” He brushed at her hair. “I wonder if it is possible we share some of the blood line. The strains of life are interesting on how they pull up traits in their own time.”
Kallie was not sure what to think of what he said. And it went deeper. Jerreon had basically said he was not from her world. The thought should panic her, but didn’t. She knew no fear of him. Deciding she wasn’t ready for more, she pushed it away and went to the table.
He reached out and picked up her computer first. “Did you get much writing done?”
“A little. I started a new story.”
“What kind of stories do you write?”
“About love and adventure.” About falling in love with an alien on a quest. She glanced over to gage his reaction.
He made no reaction to hearing her thoughts. “These are good things.” He watched as she slipped on her sandals. “Your toe nails are the colors of flowers.”
My Atlantian Page 9
