Rite of Passage (18 page)

She turned toward me, her eyes searching mine. “What I said at the stables—about stealing your life from you. I still feel that way. This is hard for me. I’ve never lied to you, Robert. It may be difficult to understand. While I may be the embodiment of a goddess, part of me is still a twenty-year-old girl.” She took my hand, squeezing it. “One who’s hopelessly in love with a divine young man.”

I took her chin in my hand and studied her. “Suppose there was no greater purpose in our meeting. Imagine that we met at this reunion. Would you still feel the same way?”

Her lips curled into a smile and nodded. “You know I would.”

Courtney’s eyes dropped and we turned back to the trail. We held the reins loosely. Our mounts followed. Thanks to the silver moonlight, I bent and found her full lips, kissing them gently, then brushed the perfect nose that wore a generous sprinkle of freckles after our day in the sun.

“I just know I love you,” I whispered. “So much.”

She followed suit, playing, teasing my lips with hers. I thought about our first tentative kiss that afternoon. Courtney was a quick learner. It brought a question to mind.

“Courtney, when you’re reincarnated, reborn, do you remember things you did or learned from your past life?” I wanted to understand everything about her and this strange new thing that captivated me.

She smiled softly. “No, not entirely. You retain certain abilities or skills you mastered in past lifetimes. In my case, a kinship for animals, my love for horses and my ability to ride, my love of music.” She stopped and shrugged. “My mental abilities and telepathic powers have grown much stronger. But do I remember what I ate for breakfast the day we called down the storm that destroyed the Spanish Armada? No.”

“Wait a minute!” I swallowed. “You’re teasing me. That was in 1588. Don’t tell me you had something to do with that?” I asked, laughing.

“Yes.” She looked up at the moon casually, now almost full. “That’s right.” She turned, her lips still curled up in amusement, but her eyes were deadly serious. “We used our collective abilities to call down the storm that destroyed those ships and kept Britain safe.”

“So you and your friends saved England?” I was dumbfounded. “All right. I’m in no position to argue. Are there things you’ve done recently to help save the world?”

“Actually several, one or two during the last war, but your expression says you don’t believe me.” She wore the look of a teacher with a new student. “I know this may be too much to absorb in one sitting, Robbie. Let’s talk about something else.”

I nodded. “All right, back to reincarnation. If you don’t remember things from your past lives, what does it accomplish?”

“Well, let me add something. We retain and amplify our powers with each incarnation. Simon can read minds and manipulate groups of people through telepathy. He’s incredible. Your brother has the ability to read other people’s thoughts, project his into their minds and call forth spells. If we live our lives correctly, as the gods and goddesses direct, we evolve with each life, grow closer to living the ideal existence. Sainthood, your Christian brothers might call it.” She sighed and continued the lesson. “There are three planes or realms of existence. The underworld is the place of darkness where nature’s spirits dwell.”

“You mean like hell?”

“Oh, no, darling. It’s simply a place that exists. We don’t believe in hell. No one is sentenced to eternity in some fiery underworld. Next there’s the physical or manifest world—the world we live in—what we’re seeing right now. We can touch and smell and feel things.” She stood on tiptoes and gave my lips a quick brush. “Like that.” She giggled. “And finally, there’s the ethereal or celestial plane where the gods and goddesses dwell. But it takes many lifetimes for one’s essence or soul to evolve to that level.”

“All right. So if you’re a goddess, your soul must have been in existence for—”

“More than eleven centuries,” she interrupted.

The girl walking next to me was describing her supernatural existence as if she were describing what she was going to eat for breakfast.

“My God, or should I say, ‘my goddess.’” I exhaled. “You’re not going to leave me, are you? I mean to go to this…”

She kissed her fingers and put them gently to my lips. “Not if you’re a good boy.” She smiled and shook her head. “No, I promise. I will never leave
you
!”

I sighed and took her hand. “But what about
your
abilities? You described the powers the others have. What about you? If you’re as powerful as Michael says, you must have incredible abilities.”

She sighed back at me and looked up at the moon again. “My goodness, McGregor, you are the curious one. Well, I can communicate with other creatures. You already know that. I’m a telepath. I can heal. I did it the other day for you, though you don’t remember.” She laughed and pushed me. “And if you’re not a good boy, I can even bring down some serious lightning on that lovely head of yours. But for something that serious, I need a tool.” Her laugh grew louder as she touched the amulet around her neck. “And it would drain my energy.” Courtney was enjoying herself, teaching and teasing me with each revelation.

Light dawned. “So that’s why you fell asleep after the episode with the animals.” I stopped, remembering her fatigue in Naples. It must have been when she did her healing.

She nodded. “Bingo.”

We arrived at the stables. So many questions were unanswered. I decided to let it go for the evening. I wanted to be with Courtney. Not the high priestess or the nascent goddess. But Courtney, the sweet girl I loved. We took our horses inside and unsaddled them and put the tack away.

“Should we rub them down?” I asked.

“I’ll do it in the morning.” She took my fingers in hers. “Wendy will let me in very early. I really don’t sleep much anyway. And after tonight”—she grinned and put her head on my chest—“I’ll never be able to close my eyes.” She pushed me and giggled again.

“Me neither.” I paused. “There are so many things I want to know about you, about all of this.” A question came to mind. “Wendy, is she one of you?”

“You mean one of
us
, darling.” She took my arm.

I stood corrected.

Courtney continued, “She’s what we call a convert. She wasn’t born a witch. Many of our followers are like her, but she’s become a devoted student of the craft. And of course, I understand your curiosity. Your head must be swimming. We have all the time in the world to talk.” Suddenly her face took on a melancholy look. “That is, unless you want to leave after we’re wed at the celebration.”

“Well, I was thinking about it. I really miss my sailboat.” I burst into laughter. She squeezed me so tightly I coughed.

“Robert, you are such a tease. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to your fooling.”

“You’ve got a lifetime to try.” And with that, I took her in my arms and kissed her again, feeling the sweet taste of her tongue and lips mingling with mine, knowing they belonged together. “Remember, you promised. No flying off to that mysterious celestial world,” I teased. My lips found her delicate ears, playing with them, working up and down their flawless shape as I inhaled the intoxicating scent that clung to them like fresh blossoms. We parted, knowing we couldn’t fulfill our desires until the appointed time.

Courtney took my hand. “Come on, there’s something I want to show you.” And with that she led me up the gravel path and through the courtyard. She stopped, dipping her hands in the water, splashing me as she laughed. She pulled me toward the garage, switched on the light, and pushed me to the Jaguar. When we reached it, she pulled up the cloth cover. I broke into a wide grin. There, tied to the luggage rack on the boot was a large suitcase with her initials on it. She pulled it to the floor and opened it, showing me the contents.

“I told you, Robert.” She lowered her dark lashes. “If you’d asked me, I would have gone anywhere. I will right now. Damn the world. Since the night we met, you are my world.”

“I know that feeling,” I assured her. I was not prone to sentiment. But there was something so genuine, so full of emotion in what she said I felt my throat tighten. For a moment I thought I might choke.

“I believe you. But we’d spend the rest of our lives questioning, running away. Not from Simon or the evil you talked about, but from ourselves. How many of us can say we’ve had the opportunity to make the world a better place? I promise to do whatever you ask.” I took her hand. “Then, you have to promise me something.”

She leaned into my chest. “Anything.”

“Promise that we’ll go somewhere far away and find peace, someplace where you and I can ride and play and swim, then lie in each others arms from sunset till sunrise, telling each other all the special, private things we feel.”

“Oh, Robbie, I promise with all my heart that when this is over, I’ll never leave—” She stopped. Courtney pulled away and whirled around.

“What’s the matter?”

She shook her head violently. “I told you. I’m a telepath. I can sense emotions. I felt something or someone sinister, an evil like nothing I’d ever imagined.”

“And?”

“Whoever or whatever it was is very close. I’m frightened. I thought we were safe. Now, I’m not sure.”

We slowed, entering the courtyard. There, leaning on her cane, staring up as the moonlight reflected off her lined face, was Courtney’s nanny, Mrs. McPherson.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Courtney’s eyes grew wide. She shivered and scanned the courtyard.

“Well, hello, you two,” the older woman greeted us. “We missed you at the celebration.”

“We watched from a nearby hill,” Courtney volunteered. She tried to sound casual, but her voice shook.

“That’s nice.” Mrs. Mac approached and took Courtney’s hand. “You two are such a wonderful pair.” She backed away, releasing her grip. “You belong together.”

I approached, sensing the tension as I brushed by Courtney. “Thank you. I hope we get a chance to talk. There are so many things about Courtney I want to know,” I said with a smile. “She likes to keep her little secrets.”

“You’d be surprised at what’s hiding beneath that pretty outside.” The older woman chuckled. “I’d love to spend time with you, Mr. Robert.” She took my hand, whispering in her thick brogue, “I think you’re good for her.” She winked and turned as she walked slowly back toward the main house. “Good night.”

Courtney stood, holding herself as she trembled, watching her nanny trudge out of sight.

“What was that about?” I asked. “I don’t understand. I thought she was like your grandmother—your oldest friend?”

Courtney nodded, following the woman with her eyes. “She was. I mean she is. I don’t understand it either. My instincts have never betrayed me. Hold me.” It was a plea. I took her in my arms, caressing her back as I kissed her hair. I remembered the expression I had seen on Mrs. McPherson’s face at dinner.

“Well, come on. No one’s perfect. Even goddesses.” I offered an attempt at humor.

She clung to me. “You don’t understand,” she whispered into my chest. “I know you think this is fantasy, but this isn’t some silly woman’s intuition. My senses have been honed and refined over centuries. It’s like saying that the law of gravity no longer applies.”

“I believe you,” I assured her, tightening my embrace, confused. Telepathy was not on the class list at Harvard.

“Hello, you two,” a voice called from the entrance to the main house. It was Gretchen. She approached on tiptoes. “It was quite a night.” She put a hand on each of our shoulders, beaming as she looked at us. “Oh, to be young again.”

“Yes, life is good.” I nodded, tightening my hold on Courtney.

Gretchen looked at me, her lips curling up as she tried to hide a smile. “Welcome to the family.” She touched my forearm, studying me before turning her gaze toward Courtney. “Are you all right, my dear?”

“She’ll be fine. Just got a chill,” I said as Courtney snuggled close to me.

“Well, enjoy the rest of the night,” Gretchen whispered and headed back to the entrance, disappearing inside.

I hoped Courtney was wrong, but there was something comforting in the fact that despite all her powers she felt safe and warm in my arms. I had no inkling how to argue the point, having no frame of reference.

I decided to change the subject. “Courtney, I’ve never seen those people at dinner so happy.”

She backed away and raised her eyebrows. The moonlight was so bright her face shone.

“Come on, you have to tell me,” I prodded. “Did it have something to do with Simon? Does he have the ability to transform a whole room full of stogy seniors into a fraternity party?”

“Yes and no.”

“Share it with me.”

“Yes, he has incredible powers of suggestion, but I think it was just the spirit of friendship and warmth he brought to the group. Those people are all members of our family.” She smiled. I could sense the tension leave her shoulders. “I don’t think there were any spells employed. But then Simon is so powerful there are times when even I’m not sure whether he’s using his abilities.”

“I’m glad. I had the feeling he was manipulating the group.”

“Looks like we’re completely alone.” She searched the courtyard. “My place or yours?”

“Pardon?”

“I don’t want to leave you. Something’s not right. I have a strange feeling. There’s no one to tattle, so please let me stay with you tonight.”

What an offer!

“I don’t know about this.” Sleeping would be difficult enough after the evening’s revelations. With Courtney in the same room, it would be impossible.

“You don’t understand, Robbie. I’m not frightened for myself. But if someone knows how I feel about you…” She twisted her lips, touching the beautiful pendant with the moonstone at its center. “The amulet not only gives me special powers, it protects me. That’s why I wear it. It’s been doing yeoman service for my ancestors for a thousand years. It’s you I’m worried about. Please. I’ll lie on the couch and won’t do anything to tempt you,” she said, crossing her heart. “Promise.”

“Who are these mysterious people who might want to harm me?”

“I’m not sure. But I have a bad feeling. Please,” she pleaded again. “Simon’s been acting odd too. I think something’s going on he’s not telling me.”