by T. R. Hamby
“How dare he,” he hissed.
Barry felt a chill go up his spine. He had never seen Gabriel this angry before.
“We’ll keep you safe,” Mel said firmly. “We’ll figure it out.”
“I don’t want to be protected,” Gabriel growled furiously. “I’m not a child, I--”
“You don’t have a choice,” Mel said, his blue eyes darkening ever so slightly. “Think of you father. Think of Barry. We can’t take any risks.”
For a moment Gabriel looked mutinous. Then he deflated, shaking his head.
“But you know what this means,” he said quietly. “We would have to find a way to appease Father. Otherwise he’ll just keep coming after me.”
“We’ll figure that out later,” Mel replied. “We have to find Nora first.”
“We have to find Sydney, too.”
“Let’s find Nora first,” Gilla said gently. “We don’t know where to go with Sydney. We might as well focus on Nora until she’s found….”
She trailed off, and everyone seemed to ignore the fact that Nora might never be found at all.
Gabriel reached down and took Barry’s hand. Barry squeezed, his heart racing. He had a strong sense of urgency, knowing that Gabriel was in danger. He wouldn’t leave him out of his sight again.
Brandon, Them’s voice suddenly said, and Barry looked up.
“What?”
Brandon. Nora’s still sleeping, but I thought I heard him talk to her….he mentioned a Brandon. I don’t know who that is.
Barry relayed her message, and everyone frowned.
“Brandon,” Gilla murmured. “Brandon….”
Gabriel heaved a sigh. “We’d better go, then,” he said.
They frowned at him, and he shrugged. “I know--not very specific. There are probably thousands of towns there. But if we pick--”
“Towns where?” Mel breathed.
Gabriel stared at him, surprised. “Mount Brandon. Brandon’s a mountain. Near Dingle Bay.”
“How do you know that?” Barry exclaimed.
“It was on the travel guide on the plane. I was using it to practice my reading.”
“Christ,” Mel breathed, jumping to his feet. “Let’s go.”
“Where’s Agatha?” Michael asked, as they all began to stand.
There was a pause. Barry said, “I saw her go….she was--she was crying.”
A silence. Mel and Michael looked at each other, before looking away.
“Let’s go,” Mel said again, and they ran out to the car.
Roone
Roone had expected Melkira and Michael to come looking for them. He had even expected them to show up at his house in South Bank. He had prepared for everything--except for the fear that was turning his stomach.
This wasn’t just about keeping Nora safe anymore. Now it was about keeping himself alive. Because the two would surely kill him--if they could. He was difficult to kill, with how strong his Talent was. But it was still possible, and Roone wasn’t comfortable with that.
He parked the car. They had been traveling for just under three hours. He had never actually visited this place before, though he had seen the pictures when he had bought it online.
It was a modest two-storey cottage, one of several standing in a haphazard line, bordering a small village. There was a school, a store, and a Main Street with a cluster of shops and cafes. There was some income from tourists wandering around the peninsula, but otherwise the town was fairly isolated. Mount Brandon stood tall in the distance.
He went to the passenger side and opened the door. Nora had been stirring in the past half hour, though she was still exhausted from the drug he had administered in her arm. He scooped her up, and she clung to him, holding onto his neck. He shivered at her touch, and carefully carried her inside.
He had had the place furnished a few weeks ago. There was no foyer. The door opened to a set of stairs to the left, and an eating area and a kitchen to the right. Behind the stairs was a small living area.
He carried Nora upstairs. There were just two bedrooms in this place. Maybe one day they could add a third room--he knew Nora loved that stuff.
He decided--what with them being in close quarters now--that she could have the master bedroom. She deserved the space, and when it was time he would be sleeping in there anyway.
He got her into bed, took her shoes off. She stirred, sighing, and he looked at her.
“Sleeping Beauty,” he murmured.
She smiled faintly, her eyes still closed. “Don’t be mean.”
“I’m not. You’re beautiful even when you’re sleeping.”
“Liar.”
He chuckled. He tucked the blanket around her. He brushed at her hair, and had a strong urge to kiss her, just on the cheek. But he resisted. Only when she was ready--and fully conscious.
“I love you,” he murmured, turning to go.
“Mmm. You too.”
He paused, and turned to look at her again. She was fast asleep, her hair fanned out on the pillow.
He felt a swell of excitement. Logically he knew she had only said it out of habit. Melkira probably told her he loved her all the time. But it still gave him hope that she loved him too. Yes, she had been angry today, very angry. He deserved it. But then she had been gentle, so gentle. There was love for him in there; he knew it. It just needed to be coaxed out.
It was still early afternoon. Roone got some shopping done, knowing Nora wouldn’t wake for another few hours. He saw a ring at the jeweler’s, and couldn’t help himself. He walked by the school and smiled. One day their child would study there.
He was making dinner when Nora finally came downstairs. She looked a little peaked, and Roone felt a surge of guilt.
He decided to try the casual approach. “I thought we would do Italian tonight,” he said, looking in the oven. “How does rigatoni sound?”
She had a strange look on her face. But she shrugged and nodded.
Roone studied her, frowning. Maybe he had given her too much medicine.
He went to her, slowly. “What is it?”
Nora looked away, hugging herself. “Nothing. I’m tired.”
He relaxed a little. “You’ll feel better soon. You’re still just waking up.”
She looked at him. “Did I say anything embarrassing?”
Roone laughed. “No. I promise.”
“You’re sure?”
“Well….you might have snored a little.”
She turned beet red, and she buried her face in her hands. Roone laughed, and went to her, pulling her against him.
He paused. He hadn’t thought that through….but she wasn’t resisting. She leaned against him, burying her face in his chest.
He hesitated, his heart racing. Then, slowly, he slipped his arms around her. She was small, and fit so perfectly in his arms. He could smell her scent, feel her breathing against him. He remembered touching her, that day in the cafe, holding her waist, feeling her bare skin beneath his hands.
This was just as perfect as he had always imagined it would be.
They broke apart, and Nora examined Roone’s arm. He had changed the bandage earlier, and she was satisfied.
They sat at the table. Dinner was served, and they ate. It was quiet, but nice.
“Where are we?” Nora asked.
“Place called Byrne Point,” Roone replied. “Come outside with me. Before it gets dark.”
So she followed him outside, into the little garden in front of the cottage. There was the mountain, tall and mighty, and the faint sound of waves breaking against the rocks of a craggy cliff.
“Wow,” Nora breathed, her jaw dropping.
She sat down. Roone got a blanket and draped it around her shoulders. Then he sat beside her, and they stared at the mountain in wonder.
“History says it was a place of pilgrimage,” Roone murmured. “Mostly for Christians, I believe. Not a surprise.”
“Most religions have their pilgrimages,” Nora said, hugging h
er knees to her chest.
“Are you cold?”
“No.”
He studied her. She seemed far away, and this worried him. He didn’t want her to be thinking about Melkira. Maybe it had been a mistake to tell her that he was looking for her.
Nora looked at him calmly. “Yes?”
He flushed. “Nothing. Just worrying.”
“Yeah….you worry a lot about the things you care about,” she said gently.
Roone wasn’t sure what surprised him more: her shrewdness, or the warmth in her tone.
“I am cold, actually,” she said, huddling under the blanket. “It’s getting dark.”
“Let’s go in, then.”
“No--I want to look at the stars. I bet you can see a lot out here.”
Roone smiled. “Here, then,” he said, drawing close to her.
She didn’t even hesitate. She leaned into him, bundled up in the blanket, and he wrapped his arms around her.
His heart soared. Yes. They were finally going in the right direction.
He decided to show her the ring.
“I have something for you,” he said, fishing around in his pocket.
He withdrew the little box and gave it to her, wrapping his arms around her again. Nora stared at it for a moment, before opening it. Inside was a diamond, elegant and sparkling, set in a gold band. Simple, yes, but Roone had a feeling Nora would like that.
“I was going to wait to show you,” he said quietly. “You don’t have to wear it. I just….you know….thought one day you might.”
Nora studied the ring for a long time. Finally she whispered, “What….does it mean?”
Her voice was shaky, and Roone hesitated.
But she didn’t seem angry, so he replied, “Well….if you want….you know--we could live here. We can make some changes to the house. Visit Dublin; visit the opera. You know, make friends. We could get a baby, raise them here. Imagine growing up with that view every day.”
Nora was quiet. But he could tell she wasn’t angry, or scared--her breathing was too even. No, she must have been thoughtful. Marveling, maybe.
Finally she whispered, “I never thought I would have children.”
Roone was eager to please. “We could adopt. It would be easy, quick. I have more than enough money. And I’ll be there to raise them. We can do it together.”
Nora fingered the ring, and he knew she was thinking. He waited.
She took the ring from its little box, and slipped it on her finger. It was a perfect fit, and Roone felt dizzy with relief, with joy.
He wanted to kiss her, but he held off. Baby steps.
“What will we name them?” she wondered, leaning against him.
He squeezed her, smiling. “I thought maybe Claire, for a girl. I don’t know why.”
“Claire is pretty.”
“You choose the boy’s name, then.”
She thought for a moment, playing with her ring. “Maybe….Rome. After my favorite city.”
Roone chuckled.
“What? Don’t make fun of me.”
He laughed. “I’m not, promise. It’s just….Roone and Rome?”
“Oh. Yeah.”
“It’s okay,” he said, squeezing her again. “I like it.”
“Well….maybe Roman. That’s a little different.”
But he didn’t care what Nora wanted to name their child. What mattered was that she loved him, and this thing they were doing….it was permanent. Soon she would forget all about Melkira and his brother Michael. They would go on walks; they would hold hands. Nora would let him undress her, let him touch and kiss her again. She would let him make love to her, and she would moan his name as he moved inside her. They would lie in bed and talk for hours, long into the night.
It wouldn’t be long before Nora Rossi would forget about Melkira. He would be a distant, foggy memory, and she wouldn’t have a care for him at all. Her attention would be focused on Roone.
She would love him, and only him. And soon.
Nora
It was night again.
Nora lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking. She preferred this cottage to the farmhouse. It was small, but gave the appearance of being right out in the open, with the beating of the waves in the distance, and the mountain reigning over them.
Roone promised to show her around in the morning, and she smiled at the thought of touring the little village. Looking at the shops, drinking tea at a cafe. Maybe mingling with the locals. They would wonder what the American and her rich husband were doing in such a little place.
And then the idea of a family. She had never put a lot of thought into that. Sure, she had had an abortion, but that had been years ago now. She hadn’t been ready or anything at that point.
It wasn’t the worst thing, maybe. Roone was gentle, respectful. Sweet. He practically waited on her hand and foot. He hung onto her every word. If she asked, she would receive. And he wanted to adopt with her, he wanted to raise the child probably even more than she did.
Claire or Roman. Nora smiled. The three of them together, in this little house, underneath that beautiful mountain.
But that wasn’t her dream. It was Roone’s.
She got up. Roone was falling for her ruse again, but this time things would be different. She wouldn’t run this time.
Fight or flight. Well, flying hadn’t worked out. Fighting it would be.
He was still awake; Nora had checked earlier. Light from his bedroom seeped under the door. She couldn’t sneak in.
She would have to distract him instead. She tiptoed down the hallway, wearing nothing but a T-shirt and her underwear. She knew he would be taken aback by her appearance, and she hoped it would pay off. She also hoped it wouldn’t lead to anything other than staring, but she had to be strong. If it had to be done, it had to be done. She had to think of Mel.
She crept to the door, taking deep breaths, and knocked quietly. “Roone?”
“It’s open,” he called, and she went in.
He was half-raised off the bed, as if about to jump out and go to her. His reaction to her appearance was just what she had hoped for; he looked a little stunned, and it took him a moment to wrench his gaze away from her bare legs.
“I had a nightmare,” Nora whispered.
His face softened. “I’m sorry.”
She hugged herself, and he took the hint, pulling the blankets back and making room for her. Good.
Nora climbed into the bed. She steeled herself. She had to be convincing, even if it meant sleeping with him. She had to be ready.
She could tell he was staring at her, while trying not to look obvious. “Are you ready for bed?” he asked, setting his tablet on the nightstand.
Nora nodded, turning her back to him and lying down. The covers were warm, and for a moment she thought of her bed in Westminster, with Mel in it. It seemed so far away now--so far away that Nora was sure if she let any more time pass it would slip away forever. She had to act.
Roone turned off the light. The room was only dim, with the moon shining through the window. He hesitated for a moment, and Nora waited, trying not to hold her breath.
“Can I hold you?” he finally asked.
Nora preferred not. But she decided it would be better if she allowed it. She said yes, and he drew close against her, carefully slipping an arm around her waist. He was hard, which she had expected, and he didn’t try to hide it. But all he did was hold her, and she felt dizzy with relief.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked after a while.
Nora cast around for a moment. “Our child,” she murmured.
There was joy in his voice. “You’re really happy about that, aren’t you?”
“Yeah. I always wanted children. Mel didn’t….”
“Yes. I know that,” Roone said bitterly. “Another thing so despicable about him.”
Nora felt a little awkward; she wondered how he would react if she told him she truthfully didn’t want children either.
“Do you….still miss him?” he asked hesitantly.
Nora was ready for this. “A little,” she replied. “Not so much anymore….I’m thinking of all the times he might have manipulated me. I never really realized.”
“He’s done so much to you,” he hissed angrily.
Nora didn’t want him getting worked up. “Let’s go to sleep. I’m tired.”
“Okay, dear.”
She waited.
It took maybe an hour. Roone’s breathing slowed, and the arm around her waist relaxed. Nora gave it another thirty minutes, glancing at the clock on the end table.
A miracle happened. Roone stirred, taking his arm off of her and turning onto his back. He was still asleep.
Nora’s heart pounded. This was it.
She slipped, inch by inch, out of the bed. Roone continued to sleep.
Nora padded carefully to the closet. Something had to be in there. His tablet was locked; she couldn’t use that. No, there had to be something in the closet….
The door was open, and she went in. It was darker in here, but she could make out the shapes of some bags on the floor. She knelt down, unzipped one.
Cash. No.
She unzipped another. Clothes.
The final one--yes, yes. Eureka. A pile of knives, their blades wrapped in foam.
Nora reached in and grasped one. Her heart raced, and sweat broke out on her brow. She waited for the screech of an alarm, or for Roone to suddenly sit up and hurt her again.
None of that happened, though her hands shook anyway. She unwrapped the foam, and held the Blade in the moonlight. It was double-edged, and so beautiful.
She took one of the deepest breaths she had ever taken in her life.
Then she tiptoed back to the bed.
She paused, hesitating. She didn’t want to hurt him. It broke her heart just to think about it. She knew he would be crushed. But she had to save herself.
Nora reached out and grabbed a fistful of his hair, pulling. At the same time she pressed the Blade firmly against his throat.
Roone jerked, choking slightly. “Christ.”
“Don’t try to hurt me,” Nora hissed. “One wrong move and this Blade will slice your artery in half.”
