The Guardian (Chronicles of Dover's Amalgam Book 1) (35 page)

Elizabet was brokenhearted. Not only for Jeremy, but for herself, too. Her own father released her easily enough, and her grandmother took the money Jareth offered for her to hire help on the farm. He gave it to silence her whining demands that they were leaving her to go broke and die. It disgusted Elizabet to discover she was only a means to an end to people she had cared for. Even if the relationship between her and her father had deteriorated, he was still her dad. For a brief moment, she understood why Jeremy attacked his father. It was the worst feeling in the world—considering herself unwanted and easily dispensable. The life of one’s child should be the most precious commodity, not something to be bartered and sold.

Leaving Beau behind had been the most difficult for Jeremy. It took a healthy dose of reason for him to understand that his presence was not protection enough for her problems. Those kinds of worries did not belong in the mind of a nine-year-old. Beau would have to watch out for herself while Jeremy learned about his new life.

They promised him that they would eventually allow him to move home, but his training was not something they could compromise, and it was not a place for Beau. At all cost, they had to keep Jeremy’s nature a secret, and Beau had already seen too much. They prayed that in time she would forget what she had seen. Time had a way of making memories hazy.

Brac Island was not that different from Dover. Instead of white chalk cliffs, it had black lime cliffs. It was a smaller island in comparison to Grand Cayman. It was as it should be—private and sequestered from populated areas. The compound, or mission, where Eddie lived was situated on the eastern bluff.

They took a smaller plane from the main island to the Brac. Eddie met them at the airport.

He was not what Elizabet expected. His thick, brown wavy hair was long and unkempt. He wore khaki Bermuda shorts, a rock band T-shirt, and ratty Crocs. His expression, however, was a picture of peace. When he smiled, his cheeks became rounded and his face resembled a half moon. She imagined his countenance was similar to the one books described as cheeks of sugarplums and bright expressions. No one would ever guess he had a raging volcano living inside him. He was a walking oxymoron, just like her. She liked him immediately.

“Dr. Tremaine,” Eddie greeted, extending his hand.

Jareth’s arm left Elizabet’s shoulders and he shook Eddie’s hand. “Call me Jareth, please.”

They stepped back and examined one another. Jeremy hid behind Elizabet, gripping the tail of her denim shirt, seemingly aware that the two men destined to protect him were having a proverbial spitting contest. He peeked around her, acting bashful and unsure of how he would be received. Elizabet smoothed her hand over Jeremy’s cheek and smiled down at him. The only thing missing from the absurd pair of men was growling and howling. Spare her the dominant males in her life. There was a child watching and
learning
the way of things. Last thing they needed was Hurricane Boy seeking to be alpha.

“Jeremy,” Eddie said, and his voice held a hint of surprise. “I didn’t see you there—hiding.” He gestured with a sweep of his arm. “Come out here so I can get a look at you.”

Jeremy’s hand pressed further into Elizabet’s side. He gazed at his uncle with uncertainty.

Eddie crouched. Even though Jeremy was tall for his age, the stance was made to be non-threatening. “You remember?” Eddie asked, his voice soft in that peaceful aura he radiated.

Jeremy looked to Jareth, who gave him a slight nod. Not that Jareth or Elizabet knew what Eddie was speaking of, but it seemed significant, and a memory possibly shared between nephew and uncle.

Jeremy stepped partially into view, but kept his hand tangled in Elizabet’s shirt. He nodded.

“He can’t talk.” Elizabet felt the need to explain. “Since the storm. Jareth thinks he will recover. The trauma and all. But you can hear him if he’ll let you.”

“Oh, I hear him,” Eddie said, his eyes on his nephew. He smiled, none of his teeth showing in that half-moon smile. “If anyone understands—it’s me. I couldn’t walk for months after. Had the hardest time learning how to toddle about like a newborn babe. Deuced embarrassing. Being awesome like us sucks sometimes.”

Jeremy smiled at that. Eddie held out his arms and Jeremy ran into them.

AFTER SETTLING INTO
their temporary quarters, they met in the church. It was a white wooden building, complete with steeple, black slate roof, and stained glass windows.

The conservative building looked odd amid the tropical backdrop, and it was surrounded by military fencing that encamped the entire perimeter of the compound. The rectory was a large, plantation-style house. There was also a warehouse on the property. That building was the largest and the topic of conversation.

“Who?” Jareth asked, his jaw ridged. He leaned forward and gripped the pulpit he stood behind. He had been drawn to the Bible that lay there, curious to see what translation it was and if it was accurate.

Jeremy looked up from the piano; his fingers stilled over the keys he had been lightly plucking.

Eddie knew all about them. He had expected them, had been warned to watch for them. But they knew nothing of what they were walking into. Jareth had been led by Gabriel and Minh to seek this destination and make it the hub of the Amalgam. He had even been told of Eddie, but not given details. Classic Amalgam secret style.

“Gabriel. Minh,” Eddie said. He crossed his arms and leaned against the partition of the first pew.

“How many?” Jareth asked. He was not surprised that Gabriel and Minh had ventured this far. They were meddlers of the worst kind, and he was grateful, in a way. It made things smoother—easier.

Eddie glanced at Jeremy. “Fifty-two.”

“Fifty-two,” Elizabet repeated. She looked wide eyed at Jareth. “Fifty-two kids. What the heck will we do with all of them?”

“They are perfectly safe here,” Eddie said. “And not all of them are kids. The oldest is a little over ninety.” Jareth pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. “I’ve collected them over the past thirty years,” Eddie continued. “Followed leads like strange articles bearing news about aliens or superpowers. Where there is smoke, there is fire.”

“Jareth,” Elizabet said. She did not like the way he seemed to shut himself off.

Jareth took a deep breath and brought both hands to the pulpit. He smoothed his palms over the shiny wood. “Can you control them?”

Eddie’s eyebrows raised a fraction. “I was told that’s what you’re here for.”

“I do not have the time to tarry here forever,” Jareth said. “I am expected in London in a fortnight.” Not to mention there was the task of fetching Gabriel and Minh from their respective time periods. He had no idea how extensive grooming them to be guardians would be. He suppressed the urge to curse; he was in church after all.

“I will continue to man this station,” Eddie said. “I’ve managed for this long without a league. I can certainly do so long after you leave.”

“I did not mean to insult,” Jareth assured him. “There is no need for puffed up pride.” He turned to watch Jeremy, who was still absorbing everything being said. “Jeremy will come with me, of course, and I will send two of the best guardians.” He smiled ruefully. “Names are Gabriel and Minh—fancy meeting them again?”

“Jeremy is my nephew,” Eddie replied. “He should stay with me. I know how to handle people like us.”

“You just admitted that you have no control over your charges. With all due respect, your nephew will stay with me and my wife. We are his family now. Your brother gave me full custody.”

“Jed is weak,” Eddie scoffed. He pushed off and stood tall. “He’s scared of my kind. He would do anything to eradicate us from the planet. He may be an unregulated pastor, but that doesn’t make him right in the head. He’s trouble for us. Mark my words.”

“All the more reason for Jeremy to be far away. London. Kent. Dover. The king’s good country. An ocean between him and his sire should suffice. He is different from the others. Stronger. His abilities surpass anything you can imagine. I must be sure he is trained to harness his abilities. I plan on integrating him back into a normal life. We must prove that host can live among us safely.”

“So, you plan to take him to England where he can be discovered? What if he turns in front of someone?”

“He has not made that mistake, and I would say that shows great restraint,” Jareth answered. “When we found him, he had hidden away to protect people. He was smart enough to realize he was a danger and he removed himself from that situation.” He looked fondly at Jeremy who sat taller as a plant preening under a watering. “We will take our chances. Jeremy is coming with us. For all that matters, he is my son now.”

“What if I decide I don’t like that plan?” Eddie asked. A flash of yellow heat flared in his eyes. The serenity he exuded was gone.

Elizabet gauged the distance between her and Jeremy, silently giving him strength to be calm and stay still. Jareth’s eyes flickered to her, his eyes filled with concern. Jeremy could take care of himself, but Elizabet would be toast before he could take a step forward to save her. Eddie, on the other hand, would be cut down before it came to that.

“You do not want to cross me. I can kill you where you stand and not move an inch,” Jareth said. “Come, let us reason together. We are to be allies. We both want what is best for Jeremy and the Amalgam.”

Eddie bowed his head and closed his eyes as if willing his body to stand down. When a host began to dissipate, it took a great deal of self-control to reel it back. “I was told that you had the knowledge to kill us.” He shook his head, but did not look up. “How is it that I’m the one everyone is scared of, when you are an assassin of our kind?”

“Chance—really,” Jareth replied. “It sucks to be awesome like me sometimes.”

Eddie lifted his gaze, the foreboding look disappearing instantly and replaced with that perpetually deceptive serene expression he owned. He smiled ruefully at the joke meant to break the ice

Jareth’s lips kicked up to one side. “See. I have a sense of humor. And you are still alive and standing, so that means I am merciful as well.”

“You will have to fight some,” Eddie said. “Kill a few, possibly.”

“I understand that,” Jareth said. “If I must terminate those who are rebellious for the greater peace of my league, then I shall.”

“We aren’t animals,” Eddie said, his anger instantly flaring. He closed his eyes and turned his gaze downward.

“You shall never be treated as animals as long as you maintain your humanity,” Jareth said, his voice deceptively soft.

“Some have lost their way. I’ve done the best I could with what I had.” He blinked against the blur of tears, and turned back to face Jareth. “A few died by my hands.”

“You have done well,” Jareth said. “But you do not have to do this alone any longer.”

“Would you like to meet them, then?” Eddie asked.Elizabet’s heart burst with pride . . . and concern. There was no longer use in grappling with the inevitable. They were staring at the guardian of the Amalgam, the man who would tame the rage so prevalent in the host who were turned by nature. Her husband was a living, breathing legend.

“Yes, I think it is time.” Jareth met her gaze. “I will need my wife to help me suit up and I shall go alone. I think it is best that way.”

“Suit up?” Eddie asked.

Jareth turned his attention back to him. “I battle best in my customary raiments, and that would be a suit of armor. I am a knight. Google me. It will save time.” He bowed at his waist. “Sir Jareth Tremaine, the Duke of Dover, at your humble service.” Gesturing Elizabet forward, he removed a time band from his wrist. Traveling with a suit of armor by way of coach was never an option. They would have to make a quick visit to medieval Dover to suit up. “Let us get on with this. Somewhere in time, a Spartan warrior and an Asian Minister of War awaits me.” His smile was charming. “May I be the first to welcome you to the age of Dover’s Amalgam.”

THE END

About the Author

ELIZABETTA HOLCOMB IS
a writer trapped in a nurse’s body. Mother to 5. Marmee to 1. She lives in South Louisiana with her husband, children, and 2 cats.

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