Gate Deadlock

  Chapter 6

  Failure

  Three days later, I was sitting behind my desk, contemplating my plan, looking for possible mistakes or deficiencies. Christopher had taken care of the paperwork regarding my withdrawal from Project-Em and the donation of the piece of property to Brantel. I had just signed the papers and that was all. Christopher had also fired the archeologist on behalf of Brantel, since the excavation had been cancelled.

  We had spent the last three days together and he had been very supportive and sweet, making it a lot easier for me to leave it all behind me. That last week I had deliberately avoided Kate and I had announced to her my decision to give up on my father’s dream, over the phone. She was surprised of course, but she had just said,

  ‘If that’s what you want, then go ahead with it.’ I knew that if I met her, she would read my eyes again and I would not be able to hide all those absurd secrets from her. Christopher had made it clear that even the slightest hint would put her life at risk.

  She must have been startled by the unheralded change in my behavior, but I was sure she would justify it under the scope of my infatuation with Christopher. The truth is that I had really missed my friend and I knew she had missed me too. I promised myself I would make it up to her, when all this would be over.

  On Friday morning, Christopher told me that he had to go on a mission with Tom, unintendently making me depressed at the thought that I would not see him from Saturday to Tuesday morning. I knew how much he too hated to leave me alone in such a difficult situation, but Plato needed him urgently. Saturday was the day the works for the coverage of the area, which now constituted Brantel’s property, would commence and Christopher knew that I would be especially vulnerable on that day. It did not help that I would have to be away from him as well. I assured

  him that I would be okay with Suzan, trying to sound as convincing as I could. Besides, there was another aspect to this.

  As much as I hated the idea of being away from him, I found the timing to be perfect, as it would be much easier for me to carry out my plan if he wasn’t checking on me all the time. Of course there was still Suzan, but I would manage to overcome this obstacle. Still, I had to settle things until Saturday morning, as Christopher had booked two rooms for Suzan and me in a four star hotel on the island of Hydra, in another effort to distract me from what was going on in Mesinia.

  He had said in a worried voice, ‘I’ll be back on Tuesday morning and I don’t want you to be alone under any circumstances. Please go with Susan, try to have fun and don’t do anything foolish that will put you in danger. Will you do that for me?’

  ‘Just come back to me safe.’ I had just said in response.

  As soon as he had left, I drove to my apartment before Suzan woke up. I had slipped a note under her door ‘Something came up at school. I’ll take care of it and I’ll meet you here as soon as possible, Emma.’

  I turned on my computer to find the letter I had typed last Wednesday and made twenty copies, put them in envelopes, stamped them and wrote the addresses of the recipients. I checked my watch. It was time to call Yanni, the civil engineer I had recommended to work for Brantel on this project. I knew he would be in Pylos by now.

  The noises of trucks and bulldozers made it hard for him to hear me, and I had to shout.

  ‘It’s Emma.’

  ‘Hi Emma.’

  ‘Is everything okay?’

  ‘Everything is going to be as you said. Nobody noticed the change.’

  ‘Remember, if anyone asks, you simply found the plan like this; you don’t know anything about the changes. Otherwise, you may be in serious trouble.’

  ‘When it comes to preservation of natural resources, I’m pretty fanatic, you know this. I’ll be as silent as a grave. Besides, you still owe me that drink.’

  ‘Deal. Call me when this is all over. Thank you Yanni.’

  ‘I’m simply doing the right thing, nothing more.’ he said.

  I had played dirty this time. It had been very easy to have Yanni make a small change to the plan. I had asked him to put Point-X on the other side of the area, and leave a surface of 10 square meters uncovered, right above the real Point-X. I had to lie to him that my dad had found a well underneath, which would be useful for the surrounding area in the future, as the locals were facing problems of drought that had put their crops in great danger. He had strongly agreed that there was no point in covering a well with concrete and was more than willing to hide Point-X for me. I had deliberately exaggerated, of course, on how Brantel did not care about wasting such a valuable source of life for the area of Mesinia to arouse Yannis’ nationalistic instincts.

  I was not sure what exactly I had achieved by doing that. I just hoped that I would gain some valuable time until some of the recipients of my letters decided to check this case anyway, looking for answers. The answers that I had been refused.

  I had written to my lawyers, the district Attorney, the British Embassy, the Greek Ministry of Cultural affairs, some Greek and British members of the Parliament, journalists and TV channels. I had mentioned that some people in corridors of power had made me and Dr Auburn quit from the project, and had warned us to cancel the excavation, threatening our lives. I didn’t want to include Christopher among the bad guys in this story in any way. I did not mention anything about the League, of course, but I insinuated that certain people in Brantel were into this. I hoped that, if a scandal broke out, the League would withdraw and try to cover up the case without touching us.

  I realized I was risking my life, I just hoped I was not risking his. I also wrote a note to Plato, which would be useful in case

  something happened to me. I had decided to leave it in Suzan’s car on our way back from the port. I wrote:

  To Plato

  Everything I’ve done, I’ve done it on my own.

  Christopher could not stop me as he was

  away. Please do whatever you can to keep

  him safe.

  Emma

  On my way to Suzan’s, I stopped to drop the letters in the letterbox outside the post office. They would probably be posted on Monday morning.

  I would have had a great time with Suzan in Hydra had the circumstances been different. The hotel was luxurious and we made the most of its facilities, especially the spa that was Suzan’s favorite pastime.

  She had even persuaded me to go shopping with her in the hotel boutique, where I had no choice but let her chose a couple of tiny dresses for me.

  The weekend was dragging. Those were the longest two days in my life. I had missed Christopher so much it hurt. Most of the time, I was unable to concentrate on what Suzan was telling me, my mind slipping from Christopher to my great plan and back to Christopher again. I wondered how mad he would be at me when he found out what I had done. What was the following week going to be like? Would we be free from the League at last?

  We came back on Monday afternoon. It would be just a few hours before I saw Christopher again. I clung to this thought to chase out the preapprehension that was slowly poisoning my mind. Suzan left me at my place and I saw Tony’s rented car parked outside. He had probably stayed with Kate while I was away, which made me feel better but still remorseful for being estranged from her. I found them at the porch.

  ‘Hey traveler. Did you have a good time?’ Kate asked casually.

  ‘Yes. It was really great.’ I said, not so convincingly. ‘Did anyone ask for me?’

  ‘No.’ she shrugged. ‘Did you expect anyone to?’ she gazed at me, a hint of worry in her expression.

  ‘Not really.’ I said, avoiding her inquisitive look. The only way to make it through was to hide in my room.

  I looked around but my room was as I had left it. In fact, didn’t know what I had been expecting to see.

  I took a shower and changed. I checked my e-mails but there was nothing unusual there either. I thought of going to Christopher’s house and wait for him to come back to me, but his house suddenly seemed
so empty without him. I was certain I would be awfully lonely there. His absence would be unbearable, almost tangible. For I could not imagine his big house, the porch, and the bedroom without the brightness of his presence illuminating it. It just wouldn’t be the same.

  With growing impatience in my heart, I decided to go to the university library to return some books I had borrowed when I was still a student in summer school.

  I drove my car to the main building and parked outside. I took the lift to the second floor. Angela, the librarian, greeted me and I gave her the books. In the library it was very cool and quiet, and I thought I might find something interesting to read. I looked at the History department for books on Pylos and I found one written by a Greek historian under the title ‘Pylos in Ancient Greek literature.’

  I read the first chapter, which included references on the origin of the place name, which verified Christopher’s theory.

  I was so absorbed into it, that when I looked around, I realized the library was almost empty. I looked at my watch. It was 9.30. Angela had closed the doors and was working on her computer, but had the courtesy to let me and another girl stay in and finish our reading. (One thing I have always liked about Greeks is their eagerness to skip formalities, which has always made my life here easier.) But I did not want to take more advantage of Angela’s kindness. I thought it was time to go home, as it was already getting dark outside. I thanked her and left the library.

  I wondered if my tutor, Dr De Marco would be in his office, as he used to work late when he had a class the next day. It might be a good idea to pay him a visit.

  I took the lift to the third floor. I was thinking again it might be a good idea to sleep at Christopher’s place and wait for him to show up in the morning, when the lift door opened.

  I only caught a glimpse of a hand grabbing my arm and pulling me violently to the side, behind the lift wall. Another hand was covering my mouth and I could not breathe. I was terrified, unable to understand what was going on. He held me on his body, my back against his chest.

  ‘Don’t make a sound Emma.’ he whispered in my ear.

  My heart leapt. Christopher? He had obviously come back earlier, but why was he acting this way? His body felt stiff against mine and I thought he was not breathing.

  Then I saw them. On my left, in the mirror of the glass doors, I saw the reflection of two men who had just run up the stairs. They were dressed in black suits, which were very unsuitable for this time of year. Their faces were cold, expressionless. They stopped at the landing and looked around. I didn’t have to ask who they were. I knew immediately it was the Squad.

  I was frozen with fear. The lift door was still open. One of them, the one with darker hair and bulkier figure, made a slight move towards it. For one moment, I thought they were going to come towards us, but then someone called the lift and the door closed. He nodded to his partner pointing upwards and they walked up the stairs to the fourth floor, possibly meaning to check Christopher and Harry’s office right above us.

  When it was safe to move, Christopher pulled me towards the fire escape. We flew down the narrow, metal staircase so fast I thought it only took us a few seconds. I wondered whether the two men might be able to see us through the windows. Christopher’s car was parked right at the end of the fire escape.

  ‘Get in!’ he said to me sharply. I sat next to him trying to hide my shaking hands. Something was wrong, very wrong. I wished I

  had posted the letters earlier so that they would have reached their destination by now and the Squad would not dare touch us.

  Christopher started the car without turning on the headlights and drove around the block. He rolled the car slowly, almost soundlessly, to the corner. I saw their car parked in front of the entrance to the main building, just behind mine, a black Grand Cherokee jeep, facing the opposite way to us. There was a third member of the Squad sitting behind the wheel. He only had to check his mirror to see us. I knew that the only way out of the campus was driving past their car.

  Then Harry’s car appeared out of the blue and made a U-turn right behind the black Cherokee, only too fast, crushing the flashlight of the huge, black jeep with its bumper.

  Harry got out and the two men started arguing. Did Harry know who he was dealing with? I was scared to death at the thought that the tall, beefy man might hurt him. Harry seemed so small next to him. Besides, I was sure his partners would appear in any moment.

  ‘Oh my God!’ I whispered.

  Christopher took advantage of the diversion Harry had created for us and turned left very slowly. I wondered if he knew that he was going the wrong way. I looked at him but I hesitated to speak because I felt he was not my Christopher anymore. His face was expressionless, his eyes cold, his nostrils flared.

  A gate, smaller than the one at the main entrance, appeared in front of us a few minutes later. I had no idea it existed, as I had never been to this side of the campus before. He turned right, towards the main street that would take us to the city. But then he surprised me again, taking the exit to the highway. He had not even looked at me or talked to me after his cold order to get in his car. I had a very bad feeling about this. This was not exactly what I had imagined our reunion to be like.

  He was driving really fast, checking the mirrors to see if anyone was following us. Then he looked at me with the corner of his eye.

  ‘Seatbelt Emma.’ The same cold voice, a stranger’s voice said. I could tell by his tone how angry he was at me. I decided it was better to remain quiet and let the steam go off. Later on, I would explain to him all about my plan. Still, I could not understand why the Squad was inside the university premises. Had I missed something? I was sure I had done everything according to plan. No one else but me knew about it. Not even Christopher.

  We must have been driving for about ten minutes in the highway when he pulled over into a parking lot shaded by tall trees, which hid us from the other cars passing by. He stopped the car and took a deep breath. Then he turned abruptly, glaring at me with his captivating eyes. It was a good thing it was so dark that I could not see clearly into them. Had I been able to do so, I was sure I wouldn’t have liked what I saw.

  ‘What have you done Emma?’ His voice was now deep, weary, as if he had been suffering from something. What he had just said had not sounded so much as a question but rather like an accusation.

  ‘I…don’t understand.’ I muttered, ‘I did what they asked of me.’

  ‘Did you?’ he asked.

  I could not understand what he meant. Could he have known about my plan? I decided to be more honest with him.

  ‘Let me explain.’ I started. I could hear him breathe heavily and I knew he was about to explode.

  ‘You see, I have a plan.’ I started but he cut me.

  ‘A plan, is that right? And does this little plan of yours include getting you killed?’

  I did not miss how he had deliberately stressed that last word.

  ‘Not at all. Quite the opposite I’d say. I mean to protect myself from your kind, without your help this time.’ I knew I shouldn’t have said that. The situation was getting out of hand. He knew it too.

  When he spoke again he made an effort to keep his voice down.

  ‘And how will you protect yourself, may I ask?’

  I ignored the sarcastic tone in his voice and took a deep breath.

  ‘You see, I’ve decided to expose them. They wouldn’t dare touch us after this. I … I wrote letters to so many people about our lives being threatened… Killing me now would only cause problems to them. I just need one more day till the first letters reach their destination. I’ve written to the head of school and to the university Dean, to the district attorney, to….’

  All this time he had been looking at the dark shadows the pine trees made as they played with the moonlight.

  Before I finished the last sentence, he had already leaned towards the back seat trying to reach something. He turned to me with a pack of envelopes in h
is hand. He threw them on my lap.

  ‘Do you mean these letters?’ his face more tense than ever, his voice sarcastic, his tone patronizing. I took the envelopes in my hands and recognized my handwriting immediately.

  ‘But how…I can’t …’ my voice trembled.

  I could not find the words; I could not find my voice either. Fear overwhelmed my body like a cold wave. This couldn’t be happening. He shook his head apprehensively.

  ‘How could you do such a thing? Do you realize the danger you’ve put yourself into?’ He closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead with his fingers as if trying to soothe himself from a terrible headache. He looked really tired now and his voice was still weary.

  ‘I told you they’re capable of anything. We were lucky that Plato got hold of these before them, but still, they’ve been notified. At least, they will have no evidence.’

  It all made sense now. None of the letters had been posted. So much for my defense! The Squad had come to clean up the mess once more. And this time, they were really after me. He looked at me again.

  ‘I wish you hadn’t done it Emma. Now you’re in even more danger than before. I’ve told you how powerful they are. Did you think that a bunch of letters would put them off?’

  I was nauseated and my whole body was shivering. My mouth felt dry as I tried to speak but my voice was inflected. ‘What shall we do?’ I asked, my voice could barely be heard.

  ‘We’re both on the run now.’ he said, looking down.

  Both, I thought. We don’t have to be both on the run. He didn’t have to risk his life for me. I would not allow it. ‘You should leave me here. I’ll take full responsibility for my actions. You were not here, you couldn’t have known. You don’t have to risk your life.’ I turned to open the door and run out of the car. But he was faster. I only heard a clicking noise and my door was instantly locked.

  ‘What are you talking about? Leave you? Do you think they’re going to give you the chance to speak? To defend yourself or me? Where will you go? They’ll kill you in cold blood.’

  ‘You’re really angry at me, aren’t you?’ I asked, staring at my tangled fingers. My eyes were filled with tears and my chest had started shaking from the sobs. This softened him. He sighed before he came closer and hugged me.

  ‘I’m sorry baby. I shouldn’t have been so cruel with you. You’ve already been through so much and it is my entire fault. I got you into this and I will get you out of it too.’

  I shook my head. ‘No, no. I’ve been so stupid. I risked your life…but I …I couldn’t let them…win.’

  He stroked my face. ‘They always win Emma.’ He took my hand in his. ‘I just wish you’d told me about your plan.’

  ‘You’d try to talk me out of it.’

  ‘Sure I would. There could not be any way other way Emma. Not if you want to remain alive. If only you could imagine what I went through until I was able to find you back there. Not knowing whether Tex had reached you first. But you must promise never to lie to me again, never deliberately put yourself in such danger.’

  ‘I promise.’ I said. I could not hide the fear in my voice. I knew I had put him in danger too. Tex would probably still be looking for an opportunity to harm him. What had I done? I hid my face in his chest so he could not see the tears running down my cheeks. Christopher thought I was crying out of fear for my life and tried to relieve my mind.

  ‘Don’t worry. We’ll make it. We won’t give in easily. We make a good team, you and me.’ I felt him kiss my hair, inhaling its scent as he brushed it softly with his lips. I was conscious of his attempt to distract me, but I let him go on. This was what I’d been waiting for so many days. ‘I’ve missed you so much.’ he whispered.

  ‘I’ve been completely useless in this mission. All I could think of was coming back to you. It’s a good thing Tom was there with me.’

  ‘Where’s Tom now?’ I asked.

  ‘I left him behind to finish up the job. I had to run back to you before they found you.’

  ‘I’m so sorry.’ I said, still sobbing.

  ‘Don’t be. You’re a fighter, just like your father. I should have known you wouldn’t give up so easily. I shouldn’t have left you.’ He wiped my tears with his hand.

  ‘Don’t cry. I won’t let them hurt you. Not as long as I’m alive, I promise. They’ll have to get us both and that won’t be easy.’

  He kissed my forehead, my nose, my lips and I eagerly surrendered to his fit of passion, forgetting everything else as I always did when I was in his arms.

  The cabin was suddenly flooded with light, as a car had parked right behind us flashing its headlights.

  ‘It’s Suzan.’ he reassured me. ‘Stay in the car.’ He got off and ran to Suzan’s car. I could see him in the mirror. He talked to her for a few minutes before running back.

  ‘They’ve lost us…for now. Suzan will try to mislead them now. They’ve been to my place and yours but they haven’t found her yet.’

  ‘Kate?’ I muttered.

  ‘She’s fine. She wasn’t there. Harry had sent her and Tony a message to meet him in a beach café.’ He hesitated for a moment before he said, ‘Take your things. We’re swapping cars with Susan.’

  I got off and met Suzan halfway. She did not look angry. Quite the contrary. She gave me the impression she was enjoying the whole thing. As it seemed, adventure and danger probably fascinated the female Crusader. Even better. I couldn’t stand it if she too criticized my naive reaction to the League’s murderous threats.

  ‘I’m sorry.’ I said.

  ‘It will be okay, don’t worry. It was about time for some action anyway. You’ve just expedited it.’ she smiled and took Christopher’s place behind the wheel.

  We got into Susan’s light blue Toyota RAV Jeep.

  ‘Where are we going?’ I asked him.

  ‘Have you ever been to Monemvasia castle?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘We’ll be safe there. It’s a blind spot, which means they can’t detect me there. Try to close your eyes and sleep. We have a long journey before us. ’

  The yellow light from the lamp posts that illuminated the highway was dazzling me, making my eyes dry and heavy as I had been trying to fight sleep for more than an hour.

  I was half asleep when I heard Christopher talk on his cell phone, but I was unable to understand a word, as he was speaking in German. Another one of his talents, probably acquired with the help of the League, I thought.

  As my mind was now at ease, everything I had been through the last couple of hours came back to me. I could not help wondering what would have happened if Christopher had been a few seconds late or if he had not found out that I was in danger. But it shouldn’t be so difficult to guess the answer to that, since he had so vividly described to me the Squad’s plans. They would have probably dragged me into one of the empty offices so that they could finish me up without anybody in the building noticing them. I felt sick at the thought of it. The only comforting thought was that Christopher, at least, would be safer then, safer than he was now.

  That little plan of mine seemed so silly and childish now. I wondered if Christopher had also found out about the misleading changes in the project plans. Should I tell him now? No, he had a lot on his mind; I should leave it for later. Besides, I was already sinking into a deep, nightmarish sleep.

  I woke up feeling his lips on my forehead. ‘Wake up Emma. We are almost there.’ he whispered softly to my ear. I opened my eyes and looked around to see that he had stopped the car inside a garage. He was stroking my hair as he said,

  ‘We will have to walk from here. Can you make it?’

  ‘Sure.’ I said, still drowsy.

  We got out and the garage door closed behind us. Christopher put his arm around my shoulder and we started walking. When we turned at the corner of the block I saw the huge, dark shape of a

  mountain that looked like an island, as the sea surrounded it. The fortress-village was connected to the Laconian coast w
here we stood now, only by a long, narrow causeway, at the end of which I could see the castle gate. From where we stood, it seemed uninhabited. Although it was dark, except for the lamp posts that illuminated the causeway and the spotlights on the medieval castle walls, it looked absolutely enchanting, reminding me of pictures from storybooks.

  ‘Nobody knows of this hideout besides Suzan and Tom.’ he said as we were walking towards the castle.

  ‘It’s a house, a guesthouse actually, that belongs to an old friend of mine, Sebastian. He’s a retired senior officer of the American army, and a Senior Confidant, of course. He has been living here with his wife Martha for the last ten years. She’s German but she can speak English. She has no idea about the League, yet she’s been very helpful and wise enough not to ask any questions.’

  ‘How did you get to know them?’ I asked him, trying to fight back the state of torpidity I was still in.

  ‘I helped Sebastian once, when I was on a mission in the Gulf, and we became close friends since then. He has offered me shelter whenever I needed it.’

  ‘Then I’m not the only one you’ve saved.’ I said approvingly. He shook his head.

  ‘It’s not the same. I saved Sebastian simply following orders. He was very important to the League back then. I didn’t choose to save him.’

  ‘Still, it sounds as a noble action to me. I think you have forejudged and condemned yourself Christopher. You shouldn’t be so harsh about your past.’ I insisted.

  ‘I give myself as much credit as I deserve, believe me.’ he just said. I had no more strength to argue with him.

  It took us about twenty minutes to walk to the gate. Behind the heavy door and the medieval castle walls, we walked through arches under which the cobbled streets intersected, surprisingly throbbing with life.

  The narrow, pebbled alley was lined with gift shops, coffeehouses, traditional guesthouses and romantic candlelit bars. It was a cool night and people, mostly young couples, were enjoying their drinks, chatting under the soft sound of music. I looked around in search for any black- suited men that might have followed us, but nobody seemed to be paying attention to Christopher and me.

  We crossed a square with tall trees and benches and a very old Byzantine church in the middle. I remembered having read that there were forty churches inside this medieval fortress.

  The alley became even narrower and more complex, like a labyrinth. We took a last turn and Christopher stopped in front of a stone built, three-storey building. It was a guesthouse with the name “Pelagos” carved on its wooden door. Christopher opened the door and led me into a room that looked like the inside of a traditional house, decorated with antiques and handmade embroideries. A door on my left opened and a white-haired woman, probably Martha, welcomed us. She looked really happy to see Christopher and she hugged him warmly.

  ‘It’s so good to see you again Martha.’ He smiled to her. ‘This is Emma.’

  ‘Welcome to our house Emma.’ she said to me. ‘Oh, you both look so tired!’ She turned to Christopher again. ‘How bad is it this time?’

  ‘Pretty bad, but you know me. I’ll make it somehow.’ he smiled, casting me a side look.

  ‘Sebastian is waiting for you upstairs.’ she said in the same hearty manner.

  Christopher turned to me. ‘Emma, I won’t be long. You’re in good hands.’

  Martha put her arm around my waist. ‘I’ll take care of her. She needs to eat something before a good sleep.’

  ‘Don’t worry about me.’ I said trying to conceal how much I hated to be away from him again.

  He kissed my hair. ‘I’ll be back soon.’ he said before running up the stairs.

  ‘Come my dear.’ Martha said following him. ‘I’ll show you your room.’

  By the time we got to the landing, Christopher had disappeared.

  ‘I hope you will like your room. I call it ‘Nefeli.’ she said before she opened a door with a small, wooden sign with the name of the room carved on it.

  I was astounded by the wonderful decoration of the room. It was large, with stonewalls and two arches, one of them on my left serving as an entrance to the bedroom and the other one right in front of me, leading to a three-piece suit. The furniture was made of carved oak wood and spotlights gave off the sense of homeliness. I walked inside and looked at the bedroom. In the center there was a big, four-poster bed with white linen covers, decorated with blue embroideries. The night tables, with the antique lamps on them, and the big wardrobe were in the same carved oak wood. A big glass door led to a large balcony, which overlooked the sea.

  ‘It’s beautiful!’ I said ecstatically.

  ‘Make yourself comfortable. I’ll get you a snack.’ Martha smiled to me.

  The coolness of the night and Christopher’s unexpected absence had managed to chase out my drowsiness, so I took a long shower feeling my body instantly relaxed under the warm water. I wrapped myself in the white, soft towel thinking I had nothing to put on for the night but then I noticed that Martha had been in the room and left me a white silk nightdress carefully folded on the bed. The glass door was open and there was a tray with a glass of milk, some cookies and small sandwiches on the table.

  I put on the nightdress and combed my hair, wishing Christopher would soon be back. I sat at the porch, took a few sips of milk and ate one of the sandwiches. I was exhausted. I thought how tired Christopher must have been as he had just come back from a mission, wherever that may have been, and had to drive here

  afterwards. He had been through so much for me and it was for me he was on the run now, risking his life. My silly plan and me. And he was so eager to take the blame for everything!

  With pain in my heart, I thought of the burden he had been carrying for so long, and here I was, making it worse for him.

  My eyes felt heavy again so I put the tray inside and brushed my teeth. Martha had thought of everything, she even had new toothbrushes for us. I lay down in the large bed, suddenly feeling very lonely. I fought the strong urge to dial Kate’s number on my cell phone and concentrated on the silver moon that illuminated the darkness of the night, praying with my eyes full of tears for him to come back to me quickly. I had missed him so much.

  But sleep got to me first.

  I felt him lie next to me as if in a dream. I turned towards him impatiently and hugged him, totally conscious of the awakening of my senses by the familiar smell of his body. He felt delightfully cool, still humid from the shower and he eagerly responded to my embrace with his burning, breathtaking kisses. None of us spoke; only our bodies were now speaking their own passionate language, as they swayed rhythmically under the silver moonlight.

  He was already awake when I opened my eyes, leaning his back on the fluffy pillows with his hand in my hair.

  ‘Good morning baby.’ he said, smiling. I smiled back, thinking how blessed I must have been to wake up with an angel on my side. I just stared at his beautiful face thinking, once again how I just could not get enough of him. I had suddenly got emotional and my eyes misted over. I hid my face in his chest.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ he asked anxiously.

  I held him tightly in my arms. ‘I’ve missed you so much. I don’t want you to go away again.’

  ‘I’m not going away Emma. Not as long as you need me.’ he reassured me stroking my hair.

  ‘But I will always need you. Forever. I can never go back to my old life.’ I protested.

  ‘Emma, I’ve seen enough to believe that nothing lasts forever. But you’ve said it before, and you were right. Let’s not worry about the future, let’s live for the moment.’

  ‘It’s not what I meant, you know it isn’t.’ I looked at him really worried, but he seemed to be at ease.

  ‘Don’t get so upset Emma. I love you; nothing’s going to change that. I am also tortured every minute I have to be away from you and I don’t want to miss a second of our time together. But I think, we must be prepared for everything.’

  Whatever did he mean by
that? I could never be prepared to lose him.

  ‘But…you said …you will stay, that Plato will understand.’ my voice sounded weak, disillusioned.

  ‘I know what I’ve said and I still intend to do so. But…things may change.’

  ‘My heart won’t change. It belongs to you now. There’s no coming back, don’t you see?’

  He sighed. ‘Oh, Emma. I wish you didn’t feel this way about me. I’m afraid you will end up hurt by me. I can deal with my own pain, but you…’ Grief was unconcealed in his voice.

  ‘Why are you being such a pessimist? Aren’t we going to fight? Isn’t that what you told me?’

  ‘I will fight to keep you safe. You can count on that.’

  ‘Well that works both ways.’

  ‘Emma, I’m pretty sure I can save you from the League. It’s me I can’t keep your heart safe from. I love you too much and I’m too selfish to let you go, I’m afraid.’

  ‘Let me go? What are you talking about Christopher?’

  ‘There comes a time one has to choose. I remember reading somewhere that you can only measure love with what you are willing to sacrifice for its sake, …even if you have to sacrifice… love itself.’ He kept his eyes closed as he said that and he seemed absorbed in it, distant, as if he was talking to himself.

  ‘Don’t talk like that. Please. I don’t want you to sacrifice anything for me. I need you to stay with me.’ I said desperately,

  for now I had realized his mind was set on something, something bad which I did not even want to think of.

  He opened his eyes and his mood changed when he read the distress on my face. ‘I’m sorry. I’ve upset you.’ He smiled invitingly and pulled me upwards. ‘Come here.’

  He gave me his wild, breathtaking kiss. When he stopped, he looked into my dazzled eyes.

  ‘My god! I can be doing this with you all day. We could as well spend the rest of our lives on this bed.’

  ‘Then let’s just do this.’ I challenged him. He smiled again, cunningly, and rolled over me with such a fast move that I let out a cry, biting my lips instantly, fearing someone might have heard me.

  He chuckled. ‘Don’t you get shy on me now. Our landlords have a pretty good idea what we’ve been doing up here, otherwise they wouldn’t have given us this huge bed.’ He laughed at my blushed cheeks and kissed them softly, moving lower to my neck, then to my chest. I didn’t care anymore if anyone could hear us. All I cared about was how to make the most of the time we shared.

  We had a late brunch and then we strolled into the narrow alleys of the castle. We weren’t on the run anymore; we were two lovers spending holiday time together. Christopher was committed to his decision to live for the moment and I followed him willingly, trying to forget I would sooner or later have to face the music.

  We found a small boutique and I bought a short turquoise, backless dress and a swimsuit. When I got out of the dressing room I saw him holding a pair of white shorts and a striped white and blue t-shirt.

  ‘We’re going to need these too if we go sailing.’ he said. Noticing my obvious mystification he added ‘I’ll explain later.’ I noticed he had also bought some clothes for himself as he was holding another bag.

  Martha was expecting us for lunch. She had laid the table in the backyard, under the shade of a big mulberry tree. Christopher introduced me to Sebastian who sat right across him. He was a

  tall, strong man with thinning gray hair and piercing black eyes. He looked at me with a scowl, but when he spoke his voice was unexpectedly warm and friendly.

  ‘I’m delighted to meet you Emma. You are welcome to my house any time, the same as Christopher.’ he said.

  I thanked him and enjoyed the delicious lunch Martha had made for us. The conversation was light, nothing revealed the adventure we had got ourselves into as Martha asked about my studies and life in London. Afterwards, she insisted on serving coffee, but Sebastian stopped her.

  ‘They don’t need coffee Martha. They’re young, they just want to be alone.’ She smiled and Christopher took the chance to say,

  ‘Then you will excuse us. We both need a nap. Come on Emma.’ I thanked them both for the wonderful lunch and their hospitality and followed him upstairs.

  It was true we both needed some sleep as exhaustion from the previous night still hung heavy upon our eyes. I took a nap in the shelter of his warm embrace and in the afternoon Martha served us coffee and homemade ice cream, which we took in the balcony, lying on our sun beds. Christopher was wearing his new black swimsuit and had his eyes closed so I let my gaze rest on his perfect face again. He opened his eyes and they locked with mine.

  ‘What’s on your mind, baby?’ he asked.

  ‘I was just thinking that you know everything about me but I know nothing about you.’

  He looked at me surprised. ‘What do you want to know?’

  ‘About your family, your childhood, you know what I mean.’

  ‘It’s not a good story Emma, believe me.’ he warned me.

  ‘I don’t care if it’s good. I just want to know about you.’ I insisted.

  ‘Ok then.’ He kept his eyes closed and his voice sounded impassive as he went on. ‘ I was born in Zurich. My mother was Canadian. I never met my dad but I know he was Swiss. When I was five, we moved to New York. You see, my mother was the kind of woman who could not make it on her own, so she had

  many men in her life, until she met Bob. He worked for the League, a civil servant as you call it in your time. I never liked him. I suspected that he often got violent at her. Oh yes, awful things still happen in my time too. People are always the same, no matter where or when they live. One night, I saw him beat her. I just lost it. I thought he was going to kill her. I took a knife from the kitchen and attacked him. Next thing I remember is blood flowing from his back as he lay on the floor. I thought he was dead. I turned to her and saw she was terrified by me. She begged me not to hurt her too.

  I left my house that night and never came back. I had nowhere to go to. I was only sixteen.’ He scrutinized my face.

  ‘I told you it was no good story. Now I’ve shocked you, haven’t I? It just proves how bad I am, I told you.’ he said calmly, his eyes still closed.

  ‘And… your mother?’ I tried to keep a steady voice.

  His tone hardened. ‘I never saw her again. It was easier for both of us this way.’

  I tried to retain a composed reaction but it was impossible to be unaffected by the tragic story of his life. I could feel his pain. That outburst of temper in an effort to protect his mother at such a tender age had sealed his doom in his eyes, deserving eternal damnation. The penalty he had inflicted upon himself was life sentence. Plunging in sorrow, I thought that protecting the weak and the innocent was a steadfast attribute of his, like a hero would have done in a film, like a guardian angel.

  Only, sometimes, people did not wish to be saved, and that should not be his fault.

  My eyes misted with tears as I said ‘Oh, Christopher, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry for what you’ve been through. I just wish there was something I could do to…’

  He opened his doleful eyes and his voice was saturated with adoration as he said,

  ‘But you have. Don’t you see Emma? Your unintended interference with my life has transformed me from an angel of death to an angel of mercy. I’ve left my old self behind me. I’m

  fully aware, of course, of the fact that I cannot erase it, as my mistakes cannot be rectified, they will always be haunting me. But with you, I am a free man, I can make a choice, one I can live with. And to be able to love me, after what I’ve done to you, and to forgive me! You don’t know what it means to me.’ He touched my face with his fingers. ‘I’ve told you again, you have brought forth salvation to my soul.’

  ‘The way I see it, I can think of many arguments for your defense. You were just a child, for god’s sake! You’ve been misled and maltreated by the League. It’s a clear case of brainwashing, don’t you see?’ I
said.

  ‘ There is such a thing as free will you know. And most of my crimes I have committed in my adult life so…save your breath please, Emma.’ he cut me.

  We sat in silence, each one lost in different thoughts. The atmosphere suddenly felt too heavy and I tried to change the subject.

  ‘How old are you now?’ I asked him.

  He smiled bitterly. ‘I’m twenty eight but I’m too old at heart, have you heard of this song?’ I remembered the first time I saw him he had told me he might be older than he looked. Now I knew what he had meant.

  I turned on my side, my finger slowly following the line of his jaw, heading to the muscles of his chest. The grief in his face made me feel guilty for the question that had triggered it. I could not undo the damage. Now that I started it, I thought it would be my chance to fill in the gaps about him. I was determined never to bring up the same discussion in the future.

  ‘Christopher, how do you do it? I mean, the time travel, is there a time capsule you get in or something like that?’ I asked, making my voice sound casual.

  He laughed softly. I was happy that my question had chased away the grief from his face.

  ‘It’s nothing like that. Nothing you’ve seen in films. And it’s much easier. I’m afraid I am not allowed to tell you exactly how it works but you can think of it like a lift, where you select the

  day and time you want to go to, like pressing the floor number. It’s quite simple actually. A miracle of serendipity, as many other major human discoveries. It just proved Einstein’s theory of relativity and time travel, to be right.’

  ‘Does it affect your… health in any way?

  ‘I’ve been through thousands of tests, but no, it hasn’t.’ He smiled. ‘Although, personally, I think my mind is pretty messed up.’

  ‘Can you tell me… the year… what year you come from?’

  ‘Classified.’

  ‘When were you born?’

  ‘Classified.’

  That was frustrating, but I made another effort.

  ‘The country behind the League?’

  ‘Classified. Information like that can increase the risk you are at. You know there is no way I will do such a thing.’ I bit my lip, trying to think of any possibly “innocent” questions, although I was sure that was all he would let me know. He was smiling, amused by my frustration as always, but when he opened his eyes and looked at my disappointed face he went on.

  ‘I can tell you this. The first time I saw you in your father’s arms was thirteen years ago for you, but it’s been much less for me.’

  ‘Can you…change things? Going back I mean? Some of the things you have regretted?’ He looked at me with a curtain of grief upon his eyes.

  ‘I know what you’re thinking of. I’m sorry. Had I been able to do it, I would have changed that night in your house. But going back to save your dad, would only mean greater danger. The League would never allow it.’ He took a deep breath.

  ‘Besides, for some reason we have not yet been able to identify, there seems to be some kind of higher universal power determined to maintain the balance among the different worlds, which doesn’t allow for certain things to happen. If someone tried to kill me here, in this world, he would probably fail, miss the target or the gun could suddenly be blocked.’

  ‘The grandfather’s paradox.’ I whispered. ‘I remember reading about it. You can’t go back and kill your grandfather before he gave birth to your father, because then you wouldn’t exist in your world. I thought it was only fiction.’

  ‘You impress me.’ he smiled. ‘I’d say that some cosmic laws, or powers, forbid me, the traveler, from doing something wrong, something that would result in my time. No action I take to affect change will ever succeed. Either there will be bad luck, or coincidence preventing the outcome. But enough with the science fiction. This is the first and the last time we’re having this conversation. I fear that you already know too much for your own safety.’ I decided to get a little bolder and ask him something more personal.

  ‘In your world, do you live…by yourself?’

  ‘Yes.’ he replied with a faint smile.

  ‘In a house or flat?’

  ‘I guess you could call it a flat.’ his tone was now wary.

  ‘Have you ever been…married?’

  ‘No!’

  ‘But there have been other women, right?’

  ‘Emma!’ he smiled widely. ‘Yes …and no. Nobody really mattered to me. Do you believe me?’

  ‘Yes, I believe you.’ I moved closer to him and rested my head on his chest, unable to resist to another question about his past.

  ‘Will you tell me about the League? How did they find you?’

  His hands held me tight and it was obviously safer to him to talk to me without letting me look at his face.

  I was determined not to move an inch, afraid this might make him change his mind about unfolding to me the story of his life. Christopher sighed. ‘My life was much different then. Now it seems so distant. As if it’s been someone else’s life.’ I could feel he was trying hard to go back. And it was not easy for him. For a moment, I was sure he was not going to say anything at all. But then he spoke in the same impassive manner.

  ‘After I had left my house, I was living in the streets. That meant I was an outlaw. There’s no such thing as homeless people in my time, you see. Anyone who’s found to be living in the streets gets arrested. So I had to hide. I’d put myself in an awful situation. I found shelter in a deserted building. I didn’t know of course that the League had already their eye set on me. Bob had turned me in. Teenagers with violent behavior must be reported to the authorities.’ He sighed again. ‘I soon got cold and hungry so I left my hideout. Now that I look back, I think I might have done it on purpose. I mean, with the aim of getting arrested. They tracked me at once. It was so easy for them.’

  He smiled wryly and I could hear his fast breathing, but his face remained calm and expressionless. I was not making a sound. I promised myself never to bring him in such a hurtful recollection of his past again. On the other hand, I was really curious. Somehow I could not imagine him the way he was describing himself. He looked like the man who would never do such mistakes.

  ‘I tried to escape of course. I managed to disarm one of my warders by knocking him unconscious and threatened the other one with his gun. Some luck, uh? A hard blow on the back of my head stopped me from running away with the heavy gun in my hand. I woke up in the back of a vehicle. Two men in black suits were watching me. I tried to set free but a penetrating pain in my head for the second time put me out of my misery for a few hours. They took me to their boss. You can guess who that was, right? Denzel, of course. And that was the first time I was facing my personal demon. He offered me a choice, the one you cannot deny. Oblivion for my so-called-crimes or life imprisonment to one of the League’s institutions. He could not recruit me against my will, you see. I accepted his offer. And that’s how it all began.’

  ‘What else could you do?’ I said calmly, hoping to sooth his pain.

  ‘Don’t you see Emma? He made a monster out of me.’ He was looking anxiously into my eyes. Suddenly he looked away, as if

  he had seen something in my face that was intolerable; his heavy lashes were hiding the blue again.

  ‘You know…’ I tried to make my voice sound amused, ‘…all this may have happened for a reason. Have you ever thought about that?’

  I could see the blue again. He touched my jaw and I could see he was smiling again. ‘Meaning?’

  ‘Meaning, how else would you have come to me, if it wasn’t for the League?’

  He frowned for a moment. Then he shook his head.

  ‘I’m pretty sure I would have found you one way or the other. You’re a huge part of my destiny, I’m afraid. Plato has a theory about us. He says, we seem to be connected in a weird, cosmic way.’

  For a few minutes none of us spoke, but I was sure he too was thinking about how happier life would ha
ve been for us under different circumstances. The menace hanging over us like an invisible cloud made itself almost apprehensible.

  ‘What’s the plan?’ I asked him, in an effort to comfort myself that there was an escape out of this. He turned on his side too and looked into my eyes.

  ‘Remember I told you we may go sailing?’ I nodded.

  ‘When a member of the League wishes to meet a Confidant, the meeting usually takes place on a boat, a yacht to be more precise, for reasons you can understand.’

  ‘They don’t want to leave any traces. So, do you think they may ask to see me?’

  ‘It’s a possibility. Do you think you can make it?’

  ‘I think so. As long as you’re with me.’

  ‘I will. Always.’ He touched my face with the back of his hand.

  ‘How long are we going to stay here?’

  ‘We just have to wait. Plato will have Tom notify us when it’s time to go. I just hope we will be able to reach a kind of agreement with them, or should I say… a trade.’

  He kissed my forehead and he was still smiling.

  ‘What …’ I started but he was not going to tell me anymore.

  He put his finger on my lips to stop me. ‘Shh. That’s just enough for today, don’t you think?’

  ‘So, confession is over for today?’ I asked, my face pleading him.

  ‘Emma, we’re all alone in this beautiful place and you want me to go on confessing? I can think of much better things to do.’

  He leaned towards me and kissed me. Instinctively, as always, I held my breath. He talked to me as he was kissing me.

  ‘I’ll never find out how you do it. How do you make me tell you all these things?’

  He was kissing my neck now and I knew he was smiling.

  ‘You know I haven’t told anybody about all these. You must be a spell caster or something, I’m starting to think.’

  ‘No more than you are.’ I replied shivering under his touch.

  He chuckled and kissed me again only this time fiercely, making my heart beat fast. I felt the heat on my cheeks and my body moved closer to his. Once again I was losing control of place and time. The knock on the door of our room startled us.

  ‘Christopher, are you in?’ Tom’s voice was asking.

  Christopher looked at my burning face and smiled. He seemed to be well in hand of himself. Before I could speak or move he said

  ‘Yeah, Tom, out here.’

  I tried to draw back so I could hide my face or at least not let Tom understand what we had been just doing, but his arms held me tight on him.

  ‘Oh, I’m sorry.’ Tom said smiling. ‘Shall I come back later?’

  ‘No, stay. What’s up?’ Christopher turned to look at him keeping his arm around my shoulder.

  ‘You know damn well what’s up.’ Tom said in an angry manner. But Christopher remained at ease.

  ‘Emma, will you please leave us for a minute?’ he asked me with his most disarming smile, releasing me from his embrace, but Tom spoke again before I was able to move.

  ‘No Emma. Stay. I’m sure you will find this interesting.’ he said looking at Christopher angrily.

  ‘Please, Emma?’ Christopher asked again.

  ‘I was going to have a shower anyway.’ I said as I stood up and headed to the bathroom. I was wondering what their argument was about, although I could make a few guesses.

  Taking off my swimsuit I remembered I had nothing to put on when I’d get out, so I wrapped myself in a towel and tiptoed to the room again. I could not help overhearing. Tom was shouting.

  ‘I WON’T LET YOU DO IT. THERE MUST BE SOME OTHER WAY!’

  ‘There is no other way. Should anything else fail, it’s my only option. You know I’m right.’ Christopher said calmly.

  I saw Tom turn my way so I ran back to the bathroom wondering what had made him so angry. With anxiety overwhelming my mind, I had a quick shower and got dressed in a hurry.

  I met Christopher on the porch a few minutes later. He still seemed to be at ease.

  ‘Where is Tom?’ I asked warily.

  ‘He had to leave.’ he said in a sullen tone.

  ‘Did you two fight over something?’

  ‘Tom can be stubborn sometimes. We’ll work it out, don’t worry.’ the same sullen voice said.

  ‘Did you argue…about me?’

  ‘Emma, I wish you stopped blaming yourself about everything. It’s not your problem.’ His voice had softened now. ‘So, what about that romantic bar near the square? It overlooks the whole bay and, if we hurry we may catch the sunset.’

  ‘Okay, but… I just wish you let me know what is bothering you.’

  ‘Let me deal with this. I just want you to be relaxed, can you do this for me?’

  I sighed, as I knew there was no way I could make him tell me more.

  We did catch the sunset and it was the perfect place to be, with the perfect man next to me.

  If it had not been for the fear that kept creeping into my mind, it would have been the happiest moment in my life. But it was there, the invisible cloud, blurring my thoughts and my eyes. If

  only time could stand still and we could stay like this forever, if he had not been born in the wrong time and place, if…

  Sebastian and Martha had been waiting for us in the backyard, for light dinner. Sebastian passed me a small glass of ouzo, which matched perfectly the taste of the Greek tidbits, but I found out too late that it was too strong for me.

  I was really drowsy and my legs felt too heavy to walk. Sebastian laughed when Christopher had to carry me upstairs and put me to bed.

  ‘No.’ I protested when he took my dress off, my head spinning fast. ‘I don’t want to sleep, I want to be with you…’

  ‘I’ll be right here.’ Christopher whispered and kissed my eyes softly.

  ‘Not my eyes, no.’ I complained.

  He chuckled. ‘Why not?’

  ‘In Greece… they say… it implies… separation.’ I muttered, unable to fight back sleep anymore.

  He did not say anything, just held me tight and stroked my hair until I was fast asleep.