Bea hadn’t realized she was whimpering until the woman spoke. Still, she couldn’t stop the pathetic mewing sounds from slipping from her lips. Too much death. Too much blood. Demyan jumped into the vessel, his minions following. The boat shoved off and hit the first wave, sending them all bouncing into the air.
All except for Demyan, who sat upon the only bench, watching Bea through those eerie green eyes as if he knew so much more than she did.
Bea shifted her gaze and stared unblinking at the shore, hoping, praying to see Colin. If Colin was still alive, he would have come for her by now. If he was alive, she would have felt that warm pleasant sensation she felt when he was near. But all she saw was Henry’s still body, becoming smaller and smaller until the fog wrapped them in its damp arms.
No, she couldn’t rejoice in Henry’s death because she knew without a doubt, the moment Demyan found the statue, she would follow Henry to the afterlife.
“Are you going to talk to me?”
Not if I can help it. Colin pressed his heels into the horse’s side, urging the animal forward, but the thick vegetation denied progress. He didn’t bother to glance at the old man who rode beside him. Part of him was too disgusted to look at his father, the other half didn’t give a damn. “There’s nothing to discuss.”
Besides, they didn’t have time to talk. Talking would waste moments. Time they didn’t have. What was done, was done. There was no use in reliving the past. He took in a deep breath. No, talking was ridiculous. He needed to focus on finding Bea.
“Slow down, lad. If they hear us coming, it will all be for nothing.”
Colin ignored his father. Bea was close, he could feel it in his soul. But where was she exactly? He peered through the thick vegetation, listening with his body and instincts. Just over the cry of birds, the roar of the ocean could be heard. He leaned over the neck of his mount, searching the hazy green fog of plant life. Through the fronds, he spotted gray water.
“This way.” He nudged his mount forward.
“Could be a trap.”
“Is it?” Colin demanded, looking back at his father. The man didn’t look tired, although he should have been after their frantic pace. Perhaps he wasn’t as old as he appeared. Hell, he didn’t even know the age of his own father.
The old man shrugged as he pulled gently at his scraggly gray beard. “No.”
Annoyance warred with anger. “And were you going to share the information if it was a trap?”
His father’s eyes twinkled as if he found the question amusing. “If you’d asked.”
Anger won out. Colin’s hands tightened on his reins. “Shit.” He nudged his mount forward, trying to distance himself from the man supposedly related to him. How could his own father be so damn obnoxious? When he was a lad, all the neighboring women thought his father charming.
Colin blanched and slid the old man a look. Was this what he would become thirty years from now?
Overhead a brilliant red bird cried out, bursting through the brush and setting his nerves on edge. He watched the bird disappear into the dark shadows of the forest. Was this a trap? Was he walking toward death … once again? Did he have a choice?
“Where to then?” he finally asked his father.
The man smirked, as if he’d been waiting all along for Colin to ask for his assistance and was reveling in the moment. “The right.”
Sweat gathered between Colin’s shoulder blades. The heat hovering under the thick canopy of trees was almost overwhelming. Ahead, the light promised freedom and fresh air. But to go out onto the beach now could lead to disaster. There, anyone would see them. But here, in the trees, they were somewhat hidden.
He turned in his saddle, pinning his father with a glare. “What can you do, exactly? Can you help or not?” It wasn’t as if the old man had been present during Colin’s childhood for him to know his precise abilities. If he could tell him exactly where Bea was located, it would make things much easier.
The old man stopped next to Colin and shrugged. He looked rather unconcerned as he glanced about the forest. “Can sense people when they’re near and can read minds. And I know for a fact you’re angry at me.”
Colin released a wry laugh. “We don’t have time to talk about our feelings. I’m kind of in a hurry.” He nudged his mount in the sides and the horse took off once again, stomping through the vegetation until the branches popped and snapped. How dare he want to discuss his life now, of all times. Bea was in danger, for God’s sake. Besides, how the hell did he think he felt? Abandoned by his father, forced to fend for himself, thinking both parents were dead.
His father came up beside him. “A few minutes until we’re there. That’s enough time to talk.”
Anger flared through him. Colin reached across and grabbed the man by his collar. Their horses shifted, uneasy being that close. “Damn you! What do you want from me?”
The old man didn’t even flinch. “Enough, boy, I can still thump you.”
“You want to try, old man?”
“You’re worried about your woman and you’re wanting a fight, and I’m not giving it to you.”
Frustrated, Colin released his hold. How could the old man be so calm? His father smoothed down his shirt as if not the least bit offended. An image of his mother flashed to mind … dead. And it was his father’s fault. The powers, the damn statue … all of it. And Bea could be next. No. He wouldn’t think that way. He couldn’t. He started forward again, this time heading directly toward that light. He didn’t care about a sneak attack. All he knew was that he must get to Bea. He had to see her, to know she was well.
“I didn’t want anything to do with the statue, boy.” His father’s voice was low, but steady.
Colin’s anger wavered as he glanced at the man. There was an honesty in his father’s face. Did he believe him? If he wanted nothing to do with the statue, why had he been absent so often? And why hadn’t he come back?
“I had to pretend I was dead, Colin. You know that.”
His ire flared. His father made it all sound so easy. He’d always wallowed in excuses and apparently time didn’t change his ways. “No, I don’t. And I sure as hell didn’t when I was a child, scouring through garbage just to find a meal.”
“They didn’t know about you. At least, I didn’t think they did.” The old man looked away and shrugged. “I thought by dying, they’d end their search.”
“And Ella? What about her? If you were so concerned, why did you keep visiting England, putting her in danger?”
“I tried to protect her as best I could.”
“And who was protecting me and Mother?” The bitterness was apparent in his voice. He hated that, the obvious show of emotion. But it didn’t make sense, what his father said. Why could he visit Ella, yet not them? Colin didn’t trust the old man in the least. There was something he wasn’t telling him.
“I told you, I didn’t think they knew about you, but they did know about Ella.”
Perhaps he was telling the truth, but it didn’t help. “Even before all of this nonsense with the statue erupted …” Colin shook his head. “You were barely home, why?”
The old man gave his son a half smile. “You know how it is, my boy, the way a man likes to get out, see the world.”
Colin’s stomach churned. No, he didn’t know what it was like. He wouldn’t abandon his own child for the sake of adventure. Would he?
The old man sighed. “I visited Ella because she was … is …” He fell silent, a telling silence that said he hadn’t told Colin everything. What were his secrets?
Confused, Colin studied him, trying to determine the truth. Something wasn’t right. “Why, Father, why the fondness for Ella? She had her parents to …”
Suddenly it dawned on him. There was only one reason why a man would be so protective of another’s child. “Damn.”
Ella couldn’t … she wasn’t …
The old man shot him a wary look and it was there in his eyes. “Yes. Ella is your sister.
”
Frozen in shock, Colin could do no more than sit there, staring like an idiot. It couldn’t be true. Not all this time …
“I didn’t visit her any more than I did you,” his father said.
He could have had a sister. He wouldn’t have been alone. He would have found a way to protect Ella. “How,” he whispered. “How can it be?”
The man looked away, the first sign of unease he’d shown all day. Apparently his father did have a conscious. “Ella’s mother was lonely after her husband died. We …”
“No need to go on.” He wasn’t sure if he should be angry or disgusted. Because his father couldn’t control himself, he … he had a sister. Shit. What would Ella say? They barely knew each other. Had only met a little over a year ago.
“I kept you apart for your own good. But you’re right, if it’s anyone’s fault your mother died, it’s mine. I did what I thought was best. I guess perhaps it wasn’t. But the truth is, you did a damn fine job of hiding yourself, boy. I probably wouldn’t have done much better.”
They fell silent as the trees thinned and the sand underfoot thickened. He’d spent enough time talking to his father. The past didn’t matter; all that mattered was getting to Bea. Colin urged his horse forward onto the sandy beach. His mount dragged, exhausted by the fast pace. Would it be quicker on foot?
“No,” his father said. “On foot would be harder and slower.”
Colin gritted his teeth. His annoyance returning. “Stop reading my damn mind!”
He shrugged. “You’re an emotional boy, you make it too easy.”
Colin narrowed his eyes, pretty sure there was a verbal taunt in there. How badly he wanted to leave the man behind, but truth was, his father knew more about this mess with the statue than anyone. And the thought of finding out more about his powers overwhelmed his good sense. The trees faded, giving them no place to hide. They were completely exposed.
“This Sam. Where did you find him? How many others like us are out there?”
His father shrugged. “Can’t say, and Sam found me.”
Instantly suspicious, Colin demanded, “Why? How?” The beach was empty, save for a couple fishermen standing near a bank and pulling in their wares. An eerie fog hovered over the waves, limiting visibility. An odd fog, the likes of which he’d never seen before. Colin paused to look out upon the sand but saw nothing suspicious. Dear God, had he come this far, only to lose her?
His father was oddly quiet. He glanced back at him. A slight blush had moved into the man’s weathered face. He scratched his head and looked everywhere but at Colin. “About Sam …”
“Oh dear God, don’t tell me he’s your son, too?” Colin said the words in half jest.
The old man shrugged, looking sheepish.
Shock gave way to pure annoyance. “Any others you want to tell me about?”
“Can’t be sure.”
“Christ, just tell me Bea’s not related, for God’s sake.”
The old man smiled and shook his head. “Not that I know of.”
Colin clenched his jaw. It was a joke, always a jest with his father. Bea’s life was in danger and it was a damn joke to him. “Do you sense her or not?”
“This far away? Can’t tell who is who.” He scanned the beach, then the water. “But she’s out there, still alive.”
Colin clutched at that belief. He had to think she was still alive or nothing would matter anymore. He dug his heels into his mount, urging the exhausted horse forward. “Just a bit longer, darlin’,” he murmured, patting the horse on her flank. He was getting close to finding her; he could feel it deep within his soul.
“You can’t wrap your life around a woman, my son.”
“What?” Stunned, Colin actually took the time to glance back at his father.
“I know what you’re thinking. Truth is, my boy, humans are fragile. If you base your happiness on a human, you’ll be disappointed because everyone dies in the end.”
“You say that like we’re not human.”
“Maybe we’re not.”
“Ridiculous,” Colin snorted and shook his head. His father had gone insane.
The old man sighed long and loud. “Love can be wonderful, for normal people. For us, love can be devastating.”
Annoyed and confused, Colin could merely shake his head. “You’re insane, you realize that? We’re not gods. We can die just as well as any human.” The moment the words left his lips, denial rang through his head. But not Demyan. He couldn’t die. Colin’s confidence wavered.
“My beliefs have kept me alive all these years.”
Colin nudged his heels into his mount, urging the beast forward. “Really, and what do you consider alive, Father? Hiding out in foreign countries? Living alone because you think you’re better than everyone else?”
Disappointment washed through him. His father was no better than Demyan. A sudden blast burst through the air. Colin stiffened, his heart leaping into his throat.
“Gunshot,” his father muttered, confirming his worst fears.
“Bea,” Colin whispered.
He nudged his horse in the sides and burst forward past the fishermen. He didn’t slow as they raced around the bend, sand flying into the air. He didn’t glance back to make sure his father followed. Nothing mattered but finding Bea.
There, near the shore, white cloth fluttered on the breeze. Colin’s heart clenched. A body. He leaned lower over the horse’s neck, urging the animal to move faster. The person turned his head, apparently hearing Colin’s approach. A man, his shirt bloodied. Relief made his legs weak. Not Bea.
Colin slid from his mount before the animal had time to stop. His knees hit the sand with a thud that jarred his bones. Frantic, he scrambled upright and toward the body. Familiarity washed over him in a sickening wave.
“Henry.” Colin didn’t need his powers to know the man was almost gone.
“They’ve left,” Henry whispered.
“Where?” Colin demanded.
Henry was losing blood fast. He’d die soon, but Colin couldn’t let that happen before he uncovered Bea’s location.
“A boat headed”—he paused, taking in a deep breath—”out to sea.”
Colin glanced toward the waves. They couldn’t have left long ago, yet with the fog thick and heavy, he could barely see two feet in front of him.
“Get the boat from the fishermen,” Colin demanded over his shoulder, knowing his father stood there. He turned back toward Henry. “Demyan?”
Henry nodded, closing his eyes.
“Where are they going?” Colin demanded, gripping the dying man’s shoulders.
“Statue,” Henry whispered, his throat working as if saying that one word had been a trial.
Colin hesitated, knowing he must hurry to catch Bea, yet knowing at the same time if he didn’t save Henry now, the man would die. Could he take precious minutes to save a man who had tried to kill them?
He shifted closer, his hands hovering over Henry’s chest in indecision.
Suddenly, Henry latched on to his wrist. “Don’t,” he said, as if reading Colin’s mind. “She knows.” His breath came out in sharp pants. “The woman knows the future.”
“What woman?” He didn’t make sense. Was his mind merely gone?
“You … you will kill Bea.” Henry’s grip relaxed and his arm fell to the sand, his eyes wide and unblinking.
Chapter 27
“Stop here,” Demyan demanded, standing so quickly the boat swayed.
Sergio pulled forward on the oars, his arms bulging with muscle as he attempted to calm the rocking vessel against the rough seas and Demyan’s sudden movement.
Her destiny had arrived. Bea stiffened and slid her glance left, then right. She didn’t want to stand for fear of drawing attention to herself. They were in the middle of the ocean. Nothing visible through the thick fog. Why had they stopped? It didn’t make sense.
Demyan reached into his pocket and pulled Ella’s necklace free. Bea’s fingers cur
led, her breath caught. For one brief moment, as the pendant swung back and forth, gleaming in the dull light, she thought about grabbing that necklace, tossing it over the side of the boat where no one could abuse whatever powers it held.
“Don’t,” Adelaide whispered.
Bea glanced at the woman. How had she known? Instinct or something more? A shiver of unease whispered over her skin as she realized she didn’t know any of these people and couldn’t trust a single person. But no, that wasn’t true. She trusted Colin. Just the thought of the man sent unwanted tears to her eyes. Colin hadn’t come to save her. Perhaps he never would and Adelaide had lied.
Demyan brought the pendant higher, drawing Bea’s attention back to him. She swiped her eyes with the back of her hand. Instantly her sadness was replaced with fury. How she loathed the man. How she wished she had a pistol, a sword, anything … something to take care of him once and for all.
Demyan brought Leo’s ring and Ella’s necklace together, and with a quick turn, the pendant popped open. Bea’s breath hitched. What the hell was going on? She could see nothing from her position.
A slow smile spread across Demyan’s face. “It’s here. I knew it.”
Bea glanced around but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Perhaps the fog had lifted slightly, but other than that, the sea looked as it had when they’d pushed off from shore.
“Hold it steady.” Demyan stumbled toward her, his eyes gleaming with a light that instantly set Bea on edge. The two Indian men moved out of the way, while Sergio continued to keep the boat steady.
Bea shrank back, the edge of the boat biting into her shoulder blades. “What do you want with me?”
Demyan didn’t respond, merely latched on to her wrist. Bea pulled back. The boat rocked dangerously to the left.
“Go,” Adelaide whispered, pushing her forward. “It will only hurt a moment.”
“Hurt? What will hurt?” Bea demanded.
Distracted, Bea allowed Demyan to pull her forward without a fight.
“Go with him. If you resist, we will all fall into the water and drown.” No one glanced at Adelaide as she made that statement. It was as if a woman shouting out prophecies were an everyday occurrence.