Pure Blood (Time Spirit Trilogy, #3)

by Melissa Pearl

  Dabbing on the smallest amount of lip-gloss, she pressed her lips together then grabbed her phone and a few bills off her dresser. She shoved them into her back pocket as she swung out the door. Her parents weren’t in the kitchen or dining room that evening, much to Gemma’s relief. She could finally leave for something on time and not have to spend a good quarter of an hour explaining exactly where she was going and who she’d be with.

  The trip to the mall was quick for a Friday night. She had agreed to meet Harrison there as opposed to him collecting her a few blocks from her house. It wasn’t quite as romantic, but after the stilted week they’d had it seemed appropriate. She decided not to mention anything about her trip to England. They both needed to switch off and enjoy doing something normal for a change.

  Harrison was waiting for her by the north entrance. A smile lit her face as she spotted him. That look she was hoping for swirled in his eyes.

  “You look pretty.” He kissed her lips and wrapped his arm around her waist.

  She could sense his strain to be casual. It had been a challenging week and she only had an inkling as to why. She’d been guessing he was trying to win his mother over without having to send his girlfriend back in time. By the tension of his muscles Gemma could tell he was losing.

  Squeezing his middle, she put the thought out of her mind and began chatting about the episode of “Mythbusters” she watched the night before. The experiments brought a smile to his lips and as they met with Darren and Courtney she felt his body begin to relax.

  They ate at the diner next to the food court before heading to their movie. It was pretty busy as they lined up to buy their tickets and Gemma nearly swore aloud when she felt her toes begin to tingle.

  Grinding her teeth, she looked at Harrison and excused herself to the bathroom. He promised to buy her ticket and flashed her a sympathetic smile as she scuttled away to the toilets.

  * * * *

  Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida – 2011AD

  The trip back was quick and within seconds she was surprised to find herself standing in her own kitchen. Her parents were before her, holding a pink, fluffy bathrobe. She pulled it on and checked the clock on the wall and the calendar beside it.

  “What day is it?”

  “Today.” Her mother crossed her arms.

  Gemma’s face bunched with confusion. They had brought her back ten minutes into the past!

  “What are we doing here?”

  “You didn’t tell us you were going out tonight. Where are you right now? You’re not answering your phone.”

  “I’m about to go into a movie.” Gemma could feel her insides bubbling, a volcano of pent up frustration ready to explode.

  “Are you with a boy we don’t know about?”

  Gemma rolled her eyes. Here we go.

  “You pulled me back ten minutes to ask if I’m with a boy? Isn’t that kind of abusing the time spirit code of conduct?”

  “Don’t change the subject. Are you sneaking out on a date? Are you seeing someone we don’t know about? You’ve been a lot happier since school started. Have you met someone and not told us?”

  She could picture her parents dressed like the Gestapo as they hovered around her. There was no need for torturous implements; these lectures were enough to send anyone to a painful death. Gemma pulled in a calming breath.

  “No and I didn’t sneak out. I just didn’t say goodbye.”

  “Or tell us where you were going.”

  “I’m out with Courtney and Darren.”

  “Where?”

  “At the mall. We’ve just had dinner and we’re about to go to a movie.”

  “Don’t you think that’s being a bit of a third wheel, Gem?”

  “Yeah, well you took the fourth one so I don’t really have much choice, do I?” Her lie of Harrison’s existence was so engrained now it flowed with ease.

  “You haven’t told them who you are have you?”

  “No! I haven’t! They’re just people I hang out with!” The hot magma in her belly was spitting wildly as it tried to climb up her throat.

  “Well, just watch what you say around them.”

  “Why? You going to take them from me too?”

  “Watch your tone.” Her father pointed a finger at her. She didn’t care, she was on a roll.

  “You know, I don’t recall Dom and Ruby ever getting third degrees over who they hung out with.”

  “Well that’s because they proved trustworthy and didn’t tell all our family secrets to the first person they had a crush on.”

  “Thank goodness we managed to eradicate that problem so easily.”

  A reply to her mother’s quiet words burned her tongue. Gemma forced her mouth shut. Cursing her parents, as satisfying as it would feel, would not get her back to the movie any quicker.

  “So what movie are you seeing?”

  “You don’t care what movie I’m seeing, Dad. All you care about is that the leash you have around my neck isn’t broken! Well, it’s not okay. You still have the power to drag me wherever the hell you want! Happy?”

  “What is going on with you?” Her mother looked a little distraught. “What happened to my beautiful, compliant daughter from a year ago? Is this the influence of your new friends? You know I blame that Harrison boy. If it hadn’t been for him you wouldn’t be spending time with these kids.”

  “I thank him! If it hadn’t been for him, I wouldn’t have had the courage to make any friends and thank God I did, because without Dom and Ruby, school’s now a very lonely place!”

  She was satisfied to see both her parents’ faces flicker with guilt. She let out a sigh and dropped her voice back to its normal volume.

  “I so don’t get this, you were the ones encouraging me to make friends in the first place.”

  “That’s before we realized your inability to keep a secret,” her father clipped.

  “We never had problems like this with Dom and Ruby, why are you choosing to be so difficult?”

  Her mouth dropped open at her mother’s ridiculous question.

  “You let Dom and Ruby get away with everything, that’s why you never had problems! Maybe if you just let me live a little, we wouldn’t keep having these arguments!”

  “Well, if you didn’t keep making foolish decisions about who you keep company with, we wouldn’t have to intervene!”

  “Ruby was allowed to hang out with whoever she wanted! You know she dated all the time, right?”

  “Ruby chose good-looking losers who were never going to get serious! We didn’t have to worry about her!”

  Gemma raised her eyebrows. She must have the only parents in the world who spoke like this.

  “I can see you’re still mad about our decision over the summer, but you must remember it was for your own good. That boy was distracting you from your calling.”

  “Don’t you mean your calling?”

  “Gemma…”

  “You know if it’s such a problem, why don’t you just create a friend for me. You could maybe build a robot and program him to sway all my decisions in your favor. That way you’d be happy and I wouldn’t have you on my back all the time. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to miss the beginning of the movie.”

  She knew the argument wasn’t over, but her parents were gracious enough to transport her back to the little white stall she had left from.

  * * * *

  St Augustine, Florida – 2011AD

  Throwing on her clothes with shaking hands, she shrugged off the tiredness. It was much easier to do this time, having traveled such a short distance and only assisted two of her family members as opposed to the usual four.

  She tried to calm her anger as she exited the bathrooms and made sure her pace was a saunter as she approached the waiting trio. Keeping her eyes downcast to hide her true feelings didn’t work. Harrison grabbed her hand then asked Darren and Courtney to save them seats. Pulling her away from the crowd, he pressed her body against the wall and lifted her chin wit
h firm, but gentle fingers.

  “You okay?”

  She nodded with a frown.

  “Where’d you have to go?”

  “Back to my kitchen, seven forty-five this evening.”

  “What? Why?”

  “Because they didn’t know where I was and my phone was turned off.” She huffed out the words.

  “Are they allowed to do that?”

  “They can do whatever they want!” She bit her lower lip and shot Harrison a silent apology. He didn’t deserve to be shouted out. Her eyes began to glisten. “How much tighter are these reins going to get, Harrison? I can’t breathe.”

  His expression softened as he brushed her cheek with his fingers.

  “We just have to figure how you’re bound. This will end one day, babe. I promise you. We’ll make that happen.”

  She sniffed and looked away. “Not if you’re gone.”

  His look was pure agony and she couldn’t bear to face it. Shaking her head, she turned away from him and mumbled, “Maybe Gabe’s right about that birthmark.”

  Confused, Harrison ran his finger over her collarbone. “What do you mean?”

  “No, not that one. The one on my ankle.”

  His brows creased and she nibbled her cheek, feeling a sudden guilt at not telling him. “Gabe thinks it’s some sort of tattoo that links me to… them. He thinks that maybe that’s how Alistair gets me to travel.”

  A wave of shock coursed over Harrison’s face; anger following swiftly in its wake. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?”

  “Because I don’t quite believe him.”

  “But what if he’s right? This could be the answer we’ve been looking for.”

  Gemma felt the doubt nibbling at her stomach, she’d been waging this war for weeks; she knew Harrison’s battalion of arguments would shift the odds.

  “I… I’m not sure. If he’s wrong I score a big fat hole in my ankle.”

  “A hole that would heal.” Harrison softened his rebuttal by tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

  “Where would I go?”

  “You could live with Gabe?”

  “In his teeny, tiny caravan? Where would I study? Where would I sleep?”

  “Gem, I don’t understand, you almost sound as if you don’t want to be free?”

  “I do.” She closed her eyes, knowing in her head that she did, but wrestling with the loyal heartstrings that would not let up. Whether she liked it or not, Alistair and Penelope raised her and part of her still saw them as her parents… in spite of the lectures, the betrayals, the shackles… for most of her life, they were all she’d ever known. Breaking away with no real place to go, scared her senseless. “I just think I’d be better to wait until college before I try and… I’m just being practical,” she finished in a mumble. “I wish I could stay with you, but… well, your mom hates me.” She tried to add a flippant smile to her comment, but it didn’t take away the sting.

  The look in Harrison’s eyes deepened. She was waiting for further argument, further justification that she was in the wrong, but his lips remained sealed. After a long stare that she couldn’t decipher she saw his eyes glimmer as they settled with decision.

  “It won’t be like that forever.”

  “Oh really… and how do you know that?”

  “Well,” his voice softened, “see I’ve got this girlfriend who can travel through time.” He licked his lips. “And she’s going to go back and help me fix things so that my mom can move on yet stay put… and hopefully be so grateful that she’ll fall in love with you all over again. Maybe then you can come stay with me.” He finished with a grin.

  Gemma tipped her head. “And are you going to help your girlfriend do that?”

  “Yes.” Harrison kissed her lips. “I am.”

  She could feel the full beam of her smile as she pulled Harrison’s head towards her and dosed him with a grateful kiss. They had to force themselves apart, and finally managed to walk into the theatre, their bodies still racing with fire.

  Gemma nestled into her seat and calmed Courtney’s concerns with a brief smile and a wink. As the lights went black and the screen came to life, Gemma’s mind began to buzz. Her subtle plans now racing to the forefront and consuming her. They didn't have long to research. She wanted to get there and back again before the house was fully boxed. It would work in everyone’s favor. Calculations and plans swirled in her brain and each decision ended with the same conclusion. She had to see Gabe as soon as possible.

  Chapter Eight

  St Augustine, Florida – 2011AD

  Harrison slowed the Stingray and pulled to a stop outside the rusting caravan.

  “I can’t believe he’s happy to live in this hole.”

  Gemma giggled, opening her door and jumping onto the spongy grass. She waited for him to join her before approaching the door, knocking twice and letting herself in.

  Harrison had been here a couple of times since his return to existence. In spite of the grass growing around the cracking tires, the creak of the stiff door and the disarray of the interior, he found it a warm haven. Gabe’s personality filled all the crevasses and the small space hummed with vibrancy.

  He watched Gemma with a smile as she greeted her father and wrapped him in a warm embrace. It was a far cry from their first meeting. He had trusted Gabe from the outset and the man had proved true.

  “So, what brings you guys here? Heading down south for the day and thought you’d pop in on your old man?”

  Gemma shot him one of her magnificent smiles and scooted into the booth seat. Harrison slid in beside her and dropped his arm around her shoulders. It was so easy here. No disapproving glares from parents or jealous whispers from various school students. Gabe knew he and Gemma were meant to be together. Being in his company was a refreshing change.

  “Actually, we kind of came to see if you could help us with something.”

  Gabe’s eyes narrowed at the corners.

  “You see,” Gemma continued, “Harrison’s mom has a bit of a problem and it’s making her want to move again and it’s really not what she needs.”

  “Nice, cryptic beginning.”

  “Thanks,” Gemma winked. “The point I’m trying to make is… I think I can help her, but I need your help to do it.”

  Her head tipped forward and she looked up at Gabe through her lashes.

  Wrapping his fingers around his coffee mug, he slumped back into his seat and took a sip.

  Harrison could feel his muscles twittering with agitation. Gabe was an expert at silent contemplation and he had no qualms about making people suffer an age before getting an answer.

  “Who’s your mother? Tell me a little about her.”

  “Um.” Harrison cleared his throat and sat forward. “Her name’s Helen Granger, well Chatsworth since marrying Bryan, and she’s…”

  “Wait a sec.” Gabe lowered his mug, his eyes round with surprise. “Your mother is Helena Granger?”

  “No, just Helen.” Harrison felt his brow wrinkle.

  “Well, if it’s the girl I’m thinking of, she was Helena when I knew her.” Gabe’s face creased with a grin. “I can’t believe you’re one of us. All this time my little girl thought she was in love with a normal and here she is being drawn straight into the arms of a time spirit.”

  “How do you know she’s…I mean, you… you know my mother?” His mouth went dry.

  Gabe shrugged and nodded, then flicked a finger between the two of them. “Your mothers knew each other in college.”

  Gemma lit the room with a smile then turned its full beam on him. He grinned with her, delighted to see her birthmark pulse to life.

  “Were they friends?” Gemma’s voice was high.

  “They were like sisters.” Gabe’s smile faded. “Until they found out they were both time spirits.”

  “Then what happened?”

  “Well, there are two camps with our people. Those who travel for others and those who travel for themselves.” He
gave Harrison an uneasy smile. “Your mother and grandmother traveled for themselves.”

  Harrison sat straight. That couldn’t be right. His mother wasn’t like that. He began to argue the statement, but was cut off by Gabe’s continuing story.

  “The fact they couldn’t agree on philosophies destroyed their friendship. Lena was heart broken and then in the last year of college Helena disappeared.”

  “Disappeared?” Harrison’s voice was a whisper.

  “Yeah, we just assumed she had died across the line, but maybe she didn’t.” Gabe’s eyes began to twinkle. “I’m now guessing something pretty significant happened and she came back a new woman.” Gabe’s eyes bore into Harrison. “You don’t have any contact with your grandparents do you?”

  Harrison shook his head. Bryan and his extended family had always filled the holes so sufficiently that Harrison had swallowed the vague excuse of his mother’s parents’ death easily. He felt his chest tighten as the full force of truth built in his system. It wasn’t just his mother who was a time spirit; he came from a line of them. Coyote Granger definitely wasn’t one of them. The race must have entered his ancestry later on down the line and then kept pretty quiet about it. He didn’t have a clue as he was studying his family history last semester, but he didn’t really have a reason to be looking for it. Now he was desperate to hunt back and find out why his mother’s family had believed in traveling for their own gain. He wanted to know exactly why his mother was back in the 1800s in the first place. Meeting Nathaniel had changed her severely, but why had she left him only to return and never contact her family again? It must have been a pretty lonely road she walked before meeting Bryan. Why hadn’t she…?

  “The thing is…” Gemma’s voice pulled him back to the discussion. “Helen… Helena met someone and decided to stay. That’s why she disappeared, but then she had to leave him and it’s killing her. She can’t see how he could ever forgive her and she can’t forgive herself. To make matters worse, he died several months after she left and I think she’s holding herself responsible for that and…”