by Amy Lignor
His dark eyes sparkled in the firelight. “We decided to fight back.”
“Fight who?” Liz asked.
Jason smiled. “Anyone. Everyone. We were sick of that life, so we decided to get out.”
“And go where?” Liz’s eyes grew wide with excitement.
He shrugged. “Anywhere. Everywhere. Doesn’t really matter as long as it’s a place where they can’t find us.”
Liz shook her head. “You’re very mysterious. It seems to me that perhaps the rich are just spoiled, and choose to rebel against their own kind out of sheer boredom.”
Jason’s eyes turned as black as her own. “For all you’ve done tonight, I thank you. But you should never talk about things you don’t understand. It was a horrible place…and money be damned. We live with nothing now and life has never been better.”
“I’m sorry,” Liz replied, not flinching in the least at his lecturing tone. “Maybe I’m wrong.” Her heart raced as she took in his flashing eyes and the defiant set of his chin. She didn’t want to upset him further. “Where will you go when you leave here? You must have big dreams that you would willingly walk away from so much.”
The young man struggled to regain his composure as his face turned red with embarrassment. “God, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be so severe with you. There’s no excuse for my rudeness.”
Liz waved her hand in the air, tossing the apology aside. “No need to apologize. Now, where will you go?”
“To America.”
“Why there?” she asked. “It’s nothing like Ireland, I hear.”
Jason grinned. “Adventure. Fame. Happiness. Who knows?”
Liz rolled her eyes. “You dream about spending months at sea on a rat-infested ship where you’ll risk starvation, disease—even death—to get the things that you’re running away from?”
She turned away from Jason’s sudden smirk. “I’ve never understood men. You boys long for freedom and then spend the rest of your lives looking for someone to take care of you and give you the things you didn’t want in the first place. I hope to never have a son. I would have to hit him over the head, and beg the good Lord to take him back and insert a brain.”
A rush of air came from his lungs, as Jason let out a laugh. “Wow! For a girl so young, you’re really good at putting a guy in his place. I’m already sorry for the child, if a baby boy happens to be in your future. Do you always figure people out so quickly, or has anyone ever surprised you?”
“I say what I think,” Liz stated, with a shrug.
“You must know a great deal about people to be so quick to judge. Maybe you have the gift of second sight. Is there a crystal ball buried in that kitten’s fur?”
Liz could feel her cheeks grow hot at his teasing tone. “I would say I’m sorry, but I would be lying. And I can see as I rub this cat’s behind that I could never tell a lie.”
His radiant smile caused her heart to skip a beat. “Never be sorry. It doesn’t suit you. I think I’d be offended if you held your tongue.” Reaching out, Jason placed a hand on her cheek.
Liz’s pulse raced. The humor of the moment was gone, and in its place was a longing that she’d never felt before. A wave of desire coursed through her body as she stood up quickly, dropping the kitten from her lap. “I should go check on Faith. She’s a pretty good arm-wrestler—your friend may very well be dead by now.”
Rising quickly, Jason reached for her hand. “Here I am boring you with my life story and I don’t even know your name.”
“Elizabeth,” she whispered. “But everyone calls me Liz.”
“Then I’ll call you Beth,” Jason stated. “I like to be different.”
“I have a feeling that you’re anything but ordinary.”
He took a step back. “That’s quite a compliment. And may I say that you are, by far, the most beautiful girl I’ve ever met?”
Liz stuttered, “I’ll go check on…the food.”
Fleeing into the kitchen, Liz saw Faith deep in conversation with Charles. She was using all her wiles—or as many as Liz could make out—to keep his eyes fixed on her.
Liz walked to the center of the room tapping Faith on the shoulder. “We do have two guests, you know.”
The corners of Faith’s mouth twitched. “I’ve been putting together a tray of food…to make both of our guests comfortable.”
“Uh, huh.” Liz grinned. “Join us in the other room, why don’t you? Jason has just been telling me his life story.”
“If I must,” Faith said as she winked at the tall man beside her before waltzing back into the bar.
“His life story? God, you’re sure to toss us out now for boring you to death,” Charles laughed, as he came around the corner. “Jason, just what have you been telling our lovely savior?”
“Only the truth, I couldn’t hide it any longer and still live with myself,” Jason joked. “I told her the facts—that you’re a slave trader who kidnapped me from my boyhood home to take me to America as your personal errand boy.”
Charles spit his bread on the floor. “Amazing! He’s finally telling the truth.”
Faith chimed in. “America? Really? I’ve always wanted to go to America.”
Liz raised her eyebrows. “You always said that Ireland was the only place for you.”
“No, that was you,” Faith snapped.
“Yes…and you agreed with me,” Liz countered.
“Everyone agrees with you. It’s the only proven way to get you to stop talking.”
“Ah…so that’s the trick,” Jason said with a smile.
Liz laughed. She could almost hear the words that Faith was subliminally muttering. “Be quiet. I want to get to know this man before your words—or my actions—scare him away forever.”
Liz just nodded at her. She was amused by the hungry look in Faith’s eyes, and more than anything she was eager to find out where this conversation was heading.
“America, eh?” Charles smiled at Jason.
“You did say that’s where you wanted to end up,” Jason remarked.
“End up, yes. Go this instant? I never said that. I think we should enjoy our entire time here and abroad. That’s the point of our journey,” Charles elaborated.
Jason just rolled his eyes.
“So where has your journey taken you so far?” Faith asked.
“We’ve traveled through the countryside from big cities to obscure little holes all across England and Ireland. We’ve met so many different people and listened to their stories. We’ve had good food wherever we stopped, and a warm bed was always freely given.”
“I’m sure,” Faith commented, as she blatantly studied the handsome man.
Jason blushed, taking over where his friend left off. “We’ve met a lot of great people with so many hopes and dreams…”
Charles interrupted, “Blah, blah, blah…all he ever talks about is the mysterious meaning of life. Don’t get him started, or we may just be here for the rest of our lives.”
Faith offered Charles a flirtatious smile. “You say that like it’s a bad thing. These angry storms might go on for a while, you know. You may just have to stay and entertain us with your stories for weeks to come.”
Charles raised her hand to his lips. “Anything for you.”
Jason gasped at his friend’s suggestive tone. “Miss, I’m sincerely sorry for his disgraceful behavior.”
“Well, he’s certainly met his match with Faith,” Liz added.
“Thanks a bunch,” Faith retorted.
Laughing, Liz picked up the dishes and headed to the kitchen. She practically dropped the tray on the floor, when she heard Jason’s soft voice behind her.
“Can I help you with anything?”
She turned around slowly staring into his deep brown eyes. “No, you should rest. I’m used to cleaning up.” Liz tried not to stutter, but the closer he got to her, the more she could feel the electricity passing between their bodies. “Really…you should rest.”
“I’m not ti
red.”
“Your appearance doesn’t match your words…sorry to say. You look like you’ve been riding for days.” Liz tried to look him in the eye, but the intensity of his stare was more than she could take. She’d never felt the emotions that now seemed to be burning inside her body.
“Are you all right? You’re shaking. Are you afraid of storms?” Jason asked as worry shone in his eyes.
“Yes. I mean…no. I’m fine. Just tired from the long evening.”
“It’s a little cold in here. Let me get you my coat.”
“No,” Liz replied, moving farther away from him. “I’m always warm, actually. Faith can’t stand it. I can go out, even in weather like this, and never catch the slightest chill.”
“I’m sorry to be keeping you up so late, but I could sit and talk to you forever,” he stated.
“There’s always tomorrow. I’m afraid the storm won’t be letting up anytime soon. In the meantime, you can rest here. I’ll get some blankets from upstairs and you can sleep in the rocking chair by the fire.”
His sculpted brow crept up his forehead. “Won’t your neighbors be upset with two men staying the night?”
Liz laughed. “Don’t worry about disgracing my honor. I can assure you, everyone knows that I protect my virtue quite diligently.” Her voice grew quiet. “Besides, I have no blood guardian left. So I assume I can make up my own mind about such matters.”
A worried look returned to Jason’s gaze. “I’m sorry. No family?”
“No. And, don’t apologize. We’re all going to die at some point, Jason. It’s a simple fact of life.”
Taking a step back, he studied her. “You’re forceful when you speak. I think that you completely believe every word that comes out of your mouth.”
Liz felt hypnotized by his unwavering gaze. “Don’t you? I mean…your words are really the only things that are rightfully yours. Who else would know them better?”
She hesitated, staring at Jason’s amused look. Maybe she was too young to have such a determined tone. Where did all these strange emotions come from all of a sudden? It felt like, in an instant, her grief had disappeared. In its place was a strength that seemed to rise up from the pit of her stomach. Lost in thought, Liz barely noticed Jason step forward as he wrapped his arms around her waist.
His kiss was soft and sweet, but Liz could hear warning bells chiming in the distance as the touch of his full lips became more powerful against her own. Liz couldn’t hear or see anything but him. Being in his arms felt magical like nothing else existed in the whole world, not even the pain that she had carried with her for years. A small country could fall into the hands of a tyrant and Liz wouldn’t be the wiser. That sense of utter oblivion scared her to death. As her soul began to panic, she immediately stepped away from him.
Jason let go of her immediately, his eyes wide. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean…”
“Don’t say a word,” Liz said as she raised a hand to her burning lips. “I’m the one who should apologize. I’m very tired. It’s been a long day and midnight has come and gone. I need some sleep if I’m going to do anything that resembles work in the morning.”
Liz fled the kitchen like the devil was behind her. She passed by two whispering figures sitting by the fire. She could feel a thin layer of sweat covering her skin, mixing with the rugged scent of the young man who’d been pressed up against her. “Faith, let’s get them some blankets so that they can get some sleep. It’s late.”
“Yes, Mother. Right away,” Faith replied flippantly, as she followed her up the ladder to the loft.
When they reached the landing, Faith grabbed Liz’s elbow. “What’s the matter with you?”
“I don’t know. I’m just…tired. My head aches.”
Faith’s eyes grew wide. “Not tonight, Liz. We have people here.”
Liz glowered. “What would you have me do? You know I have no control over it.”
Faith grabbed the blankets. “Sorry,” she sighed. “I just thought you wouldn’t want anyone to hear.”
Liz tried to calm her nerves. She was concerned too. She had no desire to explain to Charles and Jason the reason behind the screaming that sometimes filled the pub during one of her episodes. “You’re right, I can’t have one tonight. But with the storm outside, I’m sure any sound I make will be covered up by the angels’ wrath.” Sitting down on the bed, Liz lifted her hands up to shield her eyes from the now painful flickering of the candle.
Faith put an arm around her. “Is it going to be bad?”
Liz nodded, trying with all her might to stop her tears.
Faith kissed her on the forehead. “I’ll stay up for a little bit longer and talk to them. No one will be able to hear you over my prattling. I’m a better buffer than even the storm.” She offered a nervous laugh before descending into the shadows.
Liz dropped down on the bed. She racked her mind for a pleasant memory to lull her to sleep, as the brutal ache in her head grew worse. Trying to focus on her moment with Jason in the kitchen, she recalled the feel of the muscles in his back as she’d wrapped her arms around him.
Deep down inside, her soul screamed. There was trouble coming. She wanted to block it out, but the cold feeling was already covering her like a shroud of death. For some reason, in the distance she thought she heard Daniel’s frightened voice calling out to her through the violent night.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Fog crept into her brain, erasing the warmth of Jason’s kiss. The familiar white mist evaporated as darkness rolled in. Nothing felt the same. Her brain seemed to be guiding her through gray clouds, while a heavy weight sat in the pit of her stomach. Liz felt like an invisible force lay deep inside her, trying to escape.
She stifled a scream when her eyes focused on Daniel standing in a pool of blood. On the ground was Billy, severely beaten. She felt nauseous when she saw Daniel’s hand hovering in mid-air, a knife in its grasp. Her heart leapt in fear as she ran to him.
“Daniel! Stop!”
He turned. “Liz! Stay back! He’ll kill you!”
But Liz kept running. She had to stop her friend from committing the ultimate act of violence. Liz thought she heard a faint female voice begging her to turn around, but she kept going.
In a split second, Liz knew she’d made the wrong decision. As she moved closer to the horrible scene, she saw a gun in Billy’s hand. The black iron glistened as lightning illuminated the sky. The vile man was grinning as he aimed the barrel right at her head. Liz saw the bright red stains on Daniel’s shirt which the rain had turned a sickening tint of pink.
Now that she was closer to the scene, she could see the reality of the situation. Daniel wasn’t harming anyone. He was simply defending himself. Her presence was now putting his life in danger. The bullet flew from the chamber. The metal shot whistled as it flew through the air, slamming against Liz’s shoulder as it passed by.
The drunken coward had missed.
Liz focused on Daniel, and her heart exploded in her chest. She wasn’t alive because of Billy’s bad aim caused by his intoxicated state—it was because Daniel had saved her life. He’d gotten behind Billy thrusting his knife squarely between the inebriated man’s shoulder blades. He committed murder so that Liz could stay on earth—the one place she didn’t want to be.
She couldn’t breathe as she stared at her blood-soaked hero, a boy who’d suddenly grown into a man because of her mistake. Because of her, he’d made the horrifying decision to take another human life.
She sank to her knees, as Daniel raced to her side.
“He attacked me. Not the other way around,” he cried.
Liz stared at Billy’s lifeless form.
Daniel continued, “I would never have…I never thought I would…I was just trying to get him away from me.”
“I made you kill him,” Liz whispered into the storm. “I’ve ruined your life.”
“No,” Daniel stated. “He was going to kill one of us, I made a choice. You didn’t make me do
anything, Liz. You know I would do everything in my power to keep you safe.”
She shuddered. “I’m so sorry. I thought I was going to stop you from doing something you’d regret, and now you have to live with…”
“The only thing I would ever regret is losing you.”
Liz held him in her trembling arms, as her heart drowned in guilt. Her mistake had cost Daniel his innocence. One man had died and the other would face painful nightmares that would haunt him for the rest of his life.
“Go, Daniel. Go home, and get someone to look at that wound. It needs to be taken care of,” Liz said, standing up against the howling wind.
Daniel stood beside her as they stared at Billy’s lifeless body laid out in the mud. “I’ve committed murder,” he whispered. “They’ll never understand this. If the town doesn’t kill me—my mother will for the shame I’ve brought down on her house. We have to hide him.” He turned to Liz, his face a mask of desperation. “It’ll be our secret.”
She stared into the eyes of the boy she no longer knew. “What?”
“Go home, Liz. We’ll figure out what to do about it in the morning,” Daniel said as he pushed her in the direction of the cabin.
Without thinking, Liz ran away from the ugly scene and her part in it.
A force welled up deep inside her. A strong power took over her body making her race toward the white mist in the distance. It promised warmth and shelter—a place that would offer safety from this nightmare.
Liz jumped into the bright opening…but there was no peace. As her eyelids fluttered open, Liz found herself back in her small, candlelit bedroom. Uncontrollable sobs racked her body. She knew, in her soul, that she had been denied passage into a world where pain ceased to exist.
What she didn’t hear was the angel crying inside her soul.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Jason rocked quietly in the comfortable chair, but he was anything but peaceful. Anger consumed him. He couldn’t believe the lack of patience he’d shown. He was nothing more than a rogue, taking advantage of a beautiful, kind girl—inside her own home, no less! Jason was so mad at himself that he remained silent while Charles and Faith chatted away at the table.
