CHASING THE TRUTH
Nathaniel
Bloody hell, I had become a stalker.
I paced my room, debating whether or not to traverse back to Colorado. Anthony and Louise wouldn’t let anything happen to Maryah. I didn’t need to stand guard over her like an overprotective Neanderthal.
Or did I?
Dedrick had gone to great lengths to find Maryah and kill anyone who got in his way. I wouldn’t let history repeat itself. I’d be damned if I’d let those fiends get to Maryah—or any member of our kindrily.
My door opened and Carson stepped inside.
“She’s in her room. She didn’t remember dreaming anything. I’m going to bed.”
“Wait,” I grabbed his arm. “She didn’t mention seeing me at all? Maybe she knew I was real.”
He sighed heavily. “Look, the girl doesn’t seem too bright, but don’t you think she would’ve said something if she saw a stranger in our house—especially in the middle of the night?”
“But she spoke to me. She’s never been one to talk in her sleep. Travel, yes. Talk, no.”
He pressed his palm against his forehead. “Nate, you’re driving me insane. Either stop stalking her and introduce yourself so we can end these secret rendezvous, or stay away from her. Two options. Pick one. I’m tired of being your undercover wingman.”
He made introducing myself sound so simple.
“Pick one,” he demanded, “right now, or I’m telling Mom what’s going on.”
That made me chuckle. Members of our kindrily had changed roles many times. The first time a member was born as a relative was hard to accept, but after many lifetimes of switching from brother, cousin, uncle, son, neighbor, etcetera, label or age stopped carrying any significance. Being born to family or friends made it easier for us to stay connected.
Three lifetimes ago Louise had been my youngest sister, so Carson’s “Mom” references reminded me just how inexperienced he was.
“Get some sleep, Carson. I promise not to wake you again tonight.”
He cocked his jaw and murmured, “mm-hmm,” before leaving.
I sat on my bed, replaying my interaction with Maryah. She had said take me . What did that mean? The testosterone-filled teenage side of me hoped she meant in a physical sense. As in, I can’t resist my intense attraction to you, so take me and have your way with me . Blood rushed to a certain body part just thinking about it, but the wise, logical side of me reasoned that she probably wanted me to take her somewhere. Where? And who did she think I was? Why would she ask a supposed stranger to take her anywhere?
She also asked if it hurt. Did what hurt? Losing her? No, she couldn’t know we had a past together. And her ring. Seeing her wearing it made me feel like a small shard of my shattered universe had been put back into place.
The distinctive soft slapping of Louise’s bare feet neared my door. I’d heard her walk the floors of this house many nights for over a decade.
Carson, the little git, had actually told on me.
She tapped on the door just before I opened it. Her reading glasses sat atop her head, and her pajamas didn’t look wrinkled or slept-in. “I’m glad you’re here. I planned to call you in the morning, but when Carson told me you were visiting I figured best to talk now.
“Louise, I don’t want to discuss—”
“No.” She waved her hand and closed the door quietly behind her. “My old friend Marcus spotted Dedrick in Liverpool.”
The hairs on the back of my neck rose. Maryah and I had lived in Liverpool for quite some time. Dedrick was still trying to track her down.
“Marcus tailed him around town for hours and ended up at Empire Theater. He waited outside awhile, but Dedrick didn’t come out. Marcus tried to go in and look for him, but the place was locked. It’s not much, but it’s a start.”
In my mind, I was already standing on the cobblestone street outside of the theater, searching, hunting with unstoppable determination. “When? What time did Marcus last see him?”
“That’s the strange part. He followed him out of a pub at closing. By the time he tried to get into the theater it was almost five a.m. No theater is open at that time of day.”
I calculated the time difference and wanted to punch something. “That was two hours ago! Why didn’t he ring you right away?”
“He did as soon as he could. He despises cell phones and doesn’t carry one.”
That I could understand, but we had lost two hours of precious time. Dedrick could be anywhere.
“Edgar and Helen are still in Venice?”
Louise nodded.
“I’m going to Liverpool.” I stiffened, preparing to traverse, but Louise grabbed my arm.
“Wait. Marcus said you could traverse to his flat.”
“I’ve never met him, or been to his flat.”
“I know.” She reached into her book and pulled out a photograph. “Here.”
I studied his stern face, focusing on the history and unique identifying markers in his eyes. “He’s ancient.”
“Even older than Edgar. Dylan and Amber are flying out any minute. They’ll pick up Edgar and Helen then contact you as soon as they land.”
I nodded then streamlined my body. The electrifying tingle of traversing grew more intense. Picturing Marcus’s eyes, I dissolved from my room.
Louise’s last words faded away. “Don’t do anything rash.”
I heard the crackling fireplace before the smell of tobacco flooded my nose. I opened my eyes to see Marcus in a plaid smoking jacket, sitting in a Wingback chair, looking much older—physically—than his photo had suggested.
He lowered his pipe. “An entrance such as that requires no introduction.” His thick accent made me miss my jolly old England days.
“Hello, Marcus.” I shook his hand. “Thank you for calling us about Dedrick, and for allowing me to traverse here.”
He looked me up and down then squinted at his photo still clutched in my hand. “By George, you’re wearing clothes, and you’ve even brought a photograph.”
“Yes.”
“I’ve met one other Traverser in my lives and when she traveled, she’d come out the other side without a stitch of clothing. She certainly couldn’t carry additional items with her. How do you do it?”
Before I mastered the ability to take objects with me, I had ended up in many dreadful predicaments. Traveling without a wallet or clothes isn’t for the faint of heart.
“Evolution,” I answered.
“Evolution—my, how I know about that. Can you take people with you?”
“No, only inanimate objects, and even those have limits. I still haven’t been able to keep a car attached to me.”
“A car?” He poured himself a Scotch. “What happened when you tried?” He tilted an empty glass, offering to make me a drink.
I raised a declining hand. “I’d be honored to exchange stories, but first we must find Dedrick.”
“We? Nathaniel, this body is too old and knackered for me to play Sherlock Holmes with you. I’ll tell you what I know, but then you’re on your own.”
“That’s fine. I’ve grown accustomed to being alone.”
He puffed on his pipe. “I’ve heard your story. My condolences.” Rain pelted the windows. The flames of the hearth dimly lit Marcus’s face. “Louise believes your lady will recover. She says she’s too powerful to perish.”
My voice was flat. “She used to be powerful.”
He leaned forward, looking like he sensed that I had no hope left. “Perhaps you should plan an extended stay with me. I could teach you a thing or two about love and life.”
I almost declined, anxious to stop chatting and start hunting, but then I remembered Marcus’s true age. I had the utmost respect for elderly wisdom and couldn’t turn away such a gift. Besides, it would take some time to track down Dedrick.
I bowed with respect. “I’ll stay however long it takes.”
