Black Blood (Time Spirit Trilogy, #2)

Once again this project was made possible by the continued support of friends and family.

I'd like to especially thank my writing group, Inklings - J C Hart, T. G. Ayer & Leigh K. Hunt. You girls are all fantastic authors and world-class cheerleaders. I love having you around to bounce ideas off and chat with.

Also, a big thank you to my beta readers. The girls at BBI gave me so much feedback. Your honest opinions are highly valued.

Once again, Alivia- thank you for another stunning cover. You are such a talented woman.

And to the constants in my life - Pete, Brenda, Mom and Dad. I love you guys :)

For J.C.

Thanks for sticking to the plan.

You saved my life.

One should rather die than be betrayed.

There is no deceit in death. It delivers precisely what it promised.

Betrayal though – betrayal is the willful slaughter of hope.

Steven Deitz

Centuries ago an oath was taken. It was sealed with blood and considered sacred by all members of the village. This oath would guard the secret of the pure ones, the ones who appeared with the morning star…the ones who could change history. Their destiny was to create a race of beings who could learn their ways, work behind this cloak of secrecy and deliver the world from certain evils. But they never considered the seventh man. Decimus was sent with no mate. His destiny was to wander the earth alone. They never thought he would break their oath. They never thought he would cheat.

CHAPTER ONE

Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida – 2011 AD

The waves lapped against the shore, their smooth ebb and flow being jolted only by the thump of Gemma’s feet along the sand. She splashed in and out of the water, running until her lungs burned and her muscles screamed for release.

Her breaths came out in bursts of fear the further she got down the endless beach. Against her will, her head turned to peek over her shoulder and fear rounded on her like a tidal wave. Trying to hold in the scream, she pumped her arms and urged her body forward.

Then he was there, standing before her, making her flight hopeless. She skidded to a halt and fell to her knees, covering her head and begging for him to leave. But he wouldn’t move.

He had her surrounded. His penetrating eyes burned through her flesh, searing her soul to charcoal.

I’m not a pure one! she screamed. Please, just leave me alone!

Sobs wracked her body as she huddled on the ground, the waves pounding over her, tugging at her clothing, beckoning her into the surf.

She embraced the feeling, willing the waves to rise higher and wash away the seeds of doubt that were taking root in her brain.

Was she to be the next Decimus? Loving a forbidden one had nearly wiped out her race.

She rose from her dream with a gasp. Her heart still thumped in an accelerated rhythm, but she wasn’t wet, she wasn’t crying, and no one was standing over her demanding she know the truth.

She couldn’t deny that a small part of her needed to know what the man on the beach had been talking about. But a bigger, more determined part, had taken the cell phone he had given her and shoved it into the deepest recesses of her underwear drawer.

"I’ll be waiting for your call," he had said.

Yeah? Well, he could just wait a while longer.

She didn’t want to hear what he had to say because more than anything, she was petrified she’d hear the words that being with her boyfriend, Harrison, was going to bring about her family’s demise.

The fact that he had called her a pure one still played in her mind, but she didn’t have the patience to work out what he was talking about. All her brain could conjure was that the man on the beach was comparing her to the only pure one their kind ever bothered talking about.

I’m not Decimus, she said it aloud for her own peace of mind.

The iPhone next to her bed gave a quick beep. She glanced at the clock. Three in the morning could only mean one person. Reading his short text, she smiled then dialed his number.

Hey, pretty girl, you okay?

Harrison’s voice was like balm.

Just another bad dream. She nestled her head back into the pillows and clutched the phone to her ear. How’d you know to call me?

Just a feeling.

She felt a jolt of wonder. Ever since returning from their trip to 14th Century England his sixth sense had been on overdrive. He seemed to read her better and had premonitions moments before an event would happen. It was kind of freaky and she tried to make light of her disquiet by teasing him.

He took it well and probably appreciated her attempts. She was sure the new phenomenon unnerved him too.

Was it the same dream? About that guy on the beach?

Yeah, she sighed, happy that she’d told him.

When the man had appeared to her for real she had been stunned frozen for nearly half an hour, standing in the water, just staring at the stranger’s departing footprints. He shouldn’t have known who she was, but he looked at her as though he’d been studying her for years. The idea sent a cold shiver down her spine.

He had spoken his warning with such calm certainty that her brain had been unwilling to write him off as just some weirdo. Whatever he had to tell her was going to be life changing and that was what she feared. Her imagination had been on overdrive conjuring up a list of harrowing options that nearly had her doubled over in pain as she stood in the water fighting for breath. If it hadn’t been for Harrison coming to find her, she would probably still be standing there waiting for doomsday to hit.

Are you sure ignoring him is the right thing to do, Gem? Maybe what he has to tell you isn’t as bad as you think?

And what if it is?

She had been too afraid to share her most obvious conclusion with her boyfriend, worried that he might see the sense in it and leave her. That would be his way, walk away so that she wouldn’t have to. He'd do anything to protect her...even if it meant hurting himself.

I’m so scared of what he might tell me. I know I’m a chicken, but I don’t want my life to be turned upside down. I just want to enjoy this summer with you and forget that conversation ever happened.

She heard his reticent sigh.

It’s your decision. I just want you to be safe.

You make me safe. If I’m with you, I’m safe.

Gem…

Don’t. She stopped him before he could start with his speech of how he would do anything to protect her, but was worried he couldn’t always do it. Let’s just talk about something else. I need to try and relax before I can get any sleep.

He was silent for a moment, obviously miffed at having his spiel cut off. She smiled at his sigh of surrender.

You missed a good dinner tonight. Bryan was raving about having you come and work with us over the summer.

Really? Her smile was broad. She had been over the moon when his stepfather offered her a job working at his garage. One, it meant she could legitimately be close to Harrison every day and her parents could form no solid argument to stop her. Secondly, it meant working with some very nice classic cars. She knew she was only on cleaning detail with Bryan’s daughter, Rosie, but it would still be fun.

He wants you to park your Ducati out front each day, thinks it might draw in a few more people.

Gemma grinned as she thought about her baby nestled in the garage. It was her pride and joy and the best thing that had happened to her before Harrison came along. The only good thing about living so far north of her boyfriend was the sheer joy of cruising down the highway each morning.

Harrison yawned.

I guess I should let you get some sleep.

No, we can talk for as long as you need, babe.

She could picture him lying in his bed, his lean body stretched from one tip to the bottom. He’d be on his back, with his arm behind his head, staring at the ceiling…with his eyes closed. His thick waves of hair would be all tussled and she would do anything in that moment to be lying next to him just so she could run her fingers through it.

I’m good. Your voice is enough to calm my nerves. Thanks for the text.

I’m always here for you, Gem.

I know. I love you.

Tu es ma stella del mattino. Tu es ma gioiello.

Are you going to tell me what that means yet?

All in good time. I kind of like holding this mystery over you. It’s good payback for the secret you kept from me.

I didn’t have a choice! Gemma’s protest was cut short by Harrison’s laughter. Please tell me.

Good night, Gemma.

It’s not some pathetic line from a movie that you’ve just said in Italian to make it sound all sexy and romantic, is it?

He chuckled. Sleep well.

And then the line was dead. She rolled onto her back and let out a snort. The first time he’d said those words to her, she’d been lying in a hospital bed recovering from two arrow wounds. She’d been too exhausted to fight for their meaning. The second time, she’d been way past her curfew, so didn’t have time to argue. She had tried looking it up online, but didn’t know how to spell the sounds and she didn’t want to ask her mother, who did speak Italian, as she could do without the raised eyebrows. As it was, her parents were not thrilled one iota about her boyfriend and the fact a normal human knew the family secret.

Ever since puberty it had been drummed into her that breaking the oath of secrecy was a cardinal sin. Telling normal people that her family was capable of traveling back in time put their lives in danger. Gemma had lived her life under that cloud of fear and then she’d met Harrison. She had pushed him away initially, like she did everyone, but he had crawled under her skin and embedded himself in her heart.

Then he’d seen her leaving one day, swirling into a cloud of gold dust and returning five minutes later, naked as a newborn. Her cheeks burned with humiliation as she remembered hiding behind the cleaning cart in the janitor’s closet as he clutched her clothes in shock. She’d had to tell him everything after that and it had been the biggest relief of her life.

Gemma had felt a pull toward Harrison the moment she looked into his eyes. Telling him her big secret had given her the freedom to let him tug her in. He’d given her the gift of hope. Ironically the only thing that was tearing at that hope, with razor-sharp nails, were the only other people she loved…her family.

Dominic and Ruby had come to terms with her relationship with reluctant enthusiasm. They thought Harrison was a nice enough guy, but still didn’t like the fact he knew. Her parents, on the other hand, were openly hostile to the point that he never ventured north to see her.

At least they were allowing her to date Harrison, but the restrictions were tight. Gemma tried to abide by the rules for the sake of peace, but it was a daily battle of wills. She hated the fight, but Harrison was worth it. He was her other half and they would be together no matter the consequences.

A set of piercing eyes burned the corners of her brain, the imminent warning begging to break through.

I’m not Decimus, she repeated rolling to her side and curling into a ball. I’m not.

CHAPTER TWO

St Augustine, Florida – 2011 AD

Harrison squinted against the sun as he sauntered toward the rumbling engine that had just pulled up to the garage. He had heard it coming and felt his heart accelerate. With nimble fingers Gemma undid the buckle of her helmet and ripped it off to let her long, dark locks roam free down her back.

Man, you are beautiful.

He was still in awe of the fact he had scored such an amazing girl. The first time he’d looked into those green eyes he’d been a goner. They had been dating going on six months now and as he approached the beaming smile in front of him, he couldn’t imagine life any other way.

Good morning, gorgeous, he mumbled against her lips.

Hey. She returned the kiss with a blush, the birthmark on her collarbone pulsing to life.

He ran his thumb over the star-shaped mark and smiled. The blemish only showed with strong emotion and the indicator was a great ego boost. He was about the only thing that could really make it shine. She hated her emotio–meter.

Shining again? She tried to cover the mark with her hand. Ugh, it’s so…

Beautiful? He kissed the mark on her collarbone before stepping back to allow her room to get off her bike.

Hey, Gemma! Bryan’s voice boomed across the yard.

She lifted her hand in a shy wave as she watched the mammoth man approach her, arms outstretched. She allowed him to lift her off the ground in a bear hug, hiding her awkwardness with the grace of a pro.

Nice to see you, Bryan.

You too, kid. Thanks for bringing the bike. He ruffled her hair like she was a five-year-old.

Bryan. Harrison stepped in to rescue her.

She shot him a grateful smile before shoving her hands in her back pockets and turning to face the garage. She took a moment to admire the large sign that was the latest addition to Bryan's small business.

Chatsworth Classic Cars.

It stood proudly above the establishment, forest green with bold red writing. The building was a simple complex, space enough to be working on two cars at once with a large yard area for cleaning. Bryan was determined to have the cars shining by the time they drove off the lot. He had started with simple repairs and maintenance, but was heading toward sales. One of Harrison’s jobs this summer was to hunt and gather run-down classics for restoration.

Bryan Chatsworth’s business was small, but Harrison could sense the interest starting to grow. Last week they had had a customer drive all the way from Orlando, wanting his car serviced by a specialist. His stepfather’s high standards were paying off. Harrison was making an extra effort not to get frustrated with his fastidiousness. It was weird, in everything else he could be a complete slob, but when it came to cars, it had to be perfect.

So, where do you want me, Bryan? Gemma’s face was sparkling. Her parents had never allowed her to have a job before. He knew for a fact that she had put up such an astounding fight over this one they had had no choice but to back down. Ruby’s descriptions of the showdown had been enlightening.

Anyone who knew the Hart family would know that money was not an issue. The fact that Gemma's parents bought her a Ducati for her sixteenth birthday was proof enough. This job was about her spending the summer with her boyfriend. Harrison could only imagine how much the idea must have rankled her parents. He hoped he hadn’t made it too hard for her at home. She never complained about it, but he could see the toll of war. She often looked tight with stress when she arrived to see him. The meeting with that man on the beach hadn’t helped either.

His stomach twisted as he thought about her standing alone, listening to some stranger spout off about how she was a pure one, whatever that meant. Gemma hadn’t exactly been forthcoming with her explanation and she’d pretty much refused to talk about it.

How the hell did the guy even know her?

He wished he could have been beside her, protecting her, giving the guy a piece of his mind. He slid his hand around the small of Gemma’s back as she listened to Bryan’s instructions. As angry as he was at the man for ambushing her, he had a feeling that his message was important. He had been trying to persuade Gemma for over a month to give the guy a call, but she was standing firm. She didn’t want to heed any warnings about her future. Harrison could only hope that she wasn’t turning a blind eye to something dire. He determined to keep her as close as possible over the summer. If trouble did catch up with her, he was going to be there.

The morning was spent retuning the engine of a 1950s Corvette Roadster. As his hands became embedded with grease, he listened to the sound of Rosie and Gemma’s hysterical laughter as they cleaned and buffed the red paint of a 1969 Mach One Mustang. Lifting his head from beneath the hood, his lips quivered with laughter as his younger stepbrother, Justin, stomped into the garage, his clothes sodden and his face livid.

Harrison quelled his chuckle after a death ray was fired his way.

Get a little wet, Just?

A low growl reverberated from