Part 8 (2/2)

She smiled. ”Are you sure you want him to remember everything, Gloriana? It might be in your best interests to start fresh.”

”You've been listening to my conversations, haven't you?” Now I was mad. ”Stop it. Right now. I don't need you b.u.t.ting into my business. It's bad enough I have this dating thing to deal with without the thought that you're listening in to every word I say.”

”But I have so much to catch up on. Can you blame me?” She touched one of the gold loops dangling from my ears. ”I need to know your tastes, your desires. To help me find the perfect man for you, of course. And I will find him. Every misstep brings me closer to the right choice. And, seriously, Gloriana, think about this. Living with a man who has 'forgiven' you can be h.e.l.l on earth. Do you really want to be your Jeremiah's charity case?” With that she vanished, just like Hermes had done.

”Thanks a heap, Mother.” I grabbed my wrap and my purse and walked outside. At least she'd left the limo for me this time. Old Hermes had certainly screwed up, dissing me. I had the feeling there were going to be a few lightning bolts tossed around Olympus later. The thought had me smiling as we tooled through the quiet streets back toward the Campbell town house.

But her last words had wiped the smile off my face. I couldn't deny I'd worried about that very thing. That Jerry would never forget how I'd betrayed him. That he'd never trust me again. And, if he found out I'd been with Ray...? I'd have to start with a clean slate and confess everything if we were ever to have a life together. I couldn't live in fear that my latest indiscretion would come out. But could I do it? Confessing that I'd slept with Ray might just be the final nail in the coffin for my relations.h.i.+p with Jerry.

I glanced at my watch and calculated the time before sunrise and how long it would take me to drive to Campbell Castle. It was almost a relief to realize I would have to wait until the next night to leave Edinburgh. Maybe I was a coward, but facing Jerry and his harridan of a mother was more than I could take right now.

I finally mastered the stick s.h.i.+ft on Jerry's Jag and actually enjoyed the drive to the castle. Still, it made me remember how much he'd appreciated taking the winding roads in the hills around Austin in his powerful sports car back in Texas. Tears p.r.i.c.ked my eyelids and I had to slow down once to get myself under control. He had to get his memories back. No way could he stay stuck back in the sixteenth century, afraid of the machines he'd loved so much.

I parked and grabbed my suitcase, sure that the excellent security had spotted me long before I got to the door. Of course it swung open before I could ring the bell. Jerry's mother stood in the doorway, her stare telling me all I needed to know. She'd read minds, done something to figure out that this was all my fault. I was number one on her s.h.i.+t list.

”Gloriana. Do come in.” She called for a servant and my bag was collected. Mag's smile was brittle as she led the way into the living room. ”Jeremiah is out riding. The doctor is with him. You should have heard Bartholomew's complaints. You'd think a true Scot could still sit a horse.” She nodded toward Angus. ”It's a good thing my husband was wise enough to send for two of the beasts.”

”Yes, of course. I think Jerry should have someone with him at all times. He continues to have spells when he's weak.” I didn't want to sit yet. Not sure of the dynamics here. No sign of Cait. I'd have given anything for her friendly face. Angus was on his feet, his chivalry too ingrained to let him stay seated when a woman entered the room. Now he settled back into his recliner. The TV was on as usual, a muted soccer game.

”Never thought I'd see the day when the lad had to have a keeper with him.” Angus picked up a goblet of blood and took a deep swallow. ”He is still weak, Gloriana. And we know now 'tis your doing.” He set the gla.s.s down with a crack. ”What says your b.i.t.c.h of a mum? Is she willing to reverse the spell?”

”I-I- What have you heard?” I sank down on a chair. Mag moved to stand in front of me.

”No one betrayed your trust, girl. Our Caitie would die before she let a confidence slip. But I could always read her.” Mag threw back her long dark hair and put her hands on the armrests, effectively trapping me there. ”She's mortified that I found out your secret. That your own mother poisoned our son.” Mag's eyes blazed and her fangs were down.

”Then you know that I would never hurt Jeremiah! She did it without my knowledge. An interfering mother. Can you relate to that, Mag?” I concentrated and managed to dematerialize, popping up on the other side of the room.

Mag and Angus gasped, Jerry's mom crossing herself as she whirled around to face me again. ”Witchcraft! How did you hide this so well all these years?”

”It's not witchcraft! My mother is from Olympus. I inherited some of her powers but I didn't realize it until recently.” I put out my hands. ”You don't know what else I can do. Trust me, you don't want to test me.”

Mag's eyes narrowed. ”Threatening me now?” She advanced to within a foot of me. ”Think about this, Gloriana. I believe you hope to get Jeremiah back into your bed.” She glanced at Angus. ”G.o.d knows I have no wish to see this happen, but if it will help him gain his memory back, we are willing to have you here, to work with you.”

”Aye, we will. But stop this nonsense. Threats.” Angus was on his feet now, advancing to stand next to Mag. He put his hand on his wife's shoulder. ”If your mother did this, then we need to know how to appease her. How to get her to take this spell off of our son. What can we do, Gloriana? Or what can you do to get Jeremiah back to himself?”

I took a steadying breath. Sorry, but the dematerializing thing was new and took a lot out of me. It was always a surprise that I could actually pull it off.

”First, quit threatening me.” I stomped around Mag and sat again. As usual I felt like a poor relation compared to Jerry's mother in her designer originals in a tiny size. My own outfit had been stuffed in my suitcase way too long. My black pants could have used a wash and my sweater was pilling under the arms. I was all in black. I guess I'd been thinking I could hide if I needed to. Blend into the night. Stupid. I was a strong woman with powers. No hiding for me. I threw back my own hair, which had at least been washed and was cooperating for once.

”We're upset, Gloriana.” Angus practically pushed Mag onto the sofa and sat beside her. ”Bear with us. Any idea what we can do to appease your mother?”

”I'm working on it. But she can hear everything. Don't disrespect her or she'll never lift this spell she's got him under.” I looked significantly at the ceiling.

Mag crossed herself again and reached for a Bible on the table next to her.

”She's not from h.e.l.l, even if sometimes she does things that make her seem that way. She's a mother like you, Mag, trying to do the best for her child.” I sighed when I saw Mag fire up again.

”And Jeremiah's not good enough for you? Is that what she's saying?” She started to get up but Angus held her back with a beefy hand on her knee.

”Now, darlin', what do you think Gloriana's got to say about her mum's opinion? Has Jeremiah ever had any say over yours?” He shook his head. ”So what do we do now, my dear? Is there anything Mag and I can do to help this situation?”

I felt the air stir and had a very bad feeling that I knew what was coming. My good hair started rising and, sure enough, a figure appeared in front of Angus's recliner. She smiled and then settled into the leather seat.

”How delightful of you to offer, Laird.” My mother crossed her legs and leaned forward. ”Wouldn't it be perfect if we could work together to get our children back where they belong?”

I closed my eyes and wished I had Mag's Bible. I wasn't sure if I'd use it for fervent prayer or to throw it at the woman who'd claimed she'd given birth to me. This could not end well.

Eight.

”If you are going to work together, Mother”-I managed a smile-”perhaps you'd better introduce yourself.” I waited. At last I'd get a name out of her.

”Call me Olympia for now. I'm traveling incognito.” She gave me a cold smile like, ”Nice try.” ”I know you are Magdalena and Angus Campbell, Laird and Lady Campbell.” She rose and held out her hand. ”Forgive me for just dropping in like this, uninvited. Obviously I've been listening for a while, but I'm concerned about my daughter.”

”Forgive you?” Angus was on his feet, Mag by his side. ”You are torturing our son. Fix him, woman. Right now. Then take your blasted daughter and get the h.e.l.l out of my house!”

”Oh, my. Not exactly the cordial welcome I'd hoped for.” Mother glanced at me. ”And this is the family you wish to join, Daughter?” She raised her hand and I knew what was coming.

I lunged, grabbing her hand before she could follow through. ”Don't you dare throw lightning in here!”

”What?” Mag hauled Angus around to the back of the couch, closer to the door.

”She tosses lightning bolts when she's mad. It'll sting like a b.i.t.c.h and could burn this place down.”

My mother shrugged me off. ”She's right. I'm usually greeted with more respect.”

”You poisoned our son. Surely you understand if we are less than cordial.” Mag glanced at me. ”Did you ask your mother to take away Jeremiah's memories, Gloriana? So he'd forget that you betrayed him?”

My mother hissed and pointed a red-painted fingernail at Mag, freezing her where she stood, mouth agape. ”You dare! I'll have you know my daughter has wept over your son's memory loss, begged me to restore him. She doesn't care if he tosses her aside for her s.l.u.ttish ways as long as he comes back to this century.”

I stared at her. Didn't care for the ”s.l.u.ttish” comment but the rest of that speech had been pretty nice, actually maternal.

”Gloriana and I are working on a cure for your son. Be patient. There is hope that his memories will come back.” She flicked her wrist and Mag came alive again only to cross herself and mutter about witches while she clutched Angus.

If I didn't resent the fact that it was obvious my mother was still determined to go on with her ridiculous dating game, I might have been cheered by the sight of Mag Campbell scared of someone.

Jerry and Bart chose that moment to barrel into the room smelling of horse and cold air. I wanted to rush to Jerry and kiss his smile, obviously put there by a ride on a fast horse through familiar land. But my mother's hand on my arm stopped me even before Jerry's smile vanished at the sight of his parents holding on to the back of the sofa like it was a battle s.h.i.+eld.

”What's going on here? Gloriana, who is this?” He stepped farther into the room.

”My mother, Jerry. Olympia.” I grimaced at the fake name, pretty sure Zeus wouldn't approve.

Before any of us could stop him Jerry strode forward until he was within a foot of her. ”So you're the one who spelled Mara into stabbing me. Proud of yourself?”

<script>