ROMANCE: His Ebony Blood Jewel - A Novel (BWWM, Paranormal, Vampire, Billionaire New Adult Romance) (12 page)

“I need to go.” She said suddenly. She started walking past him, but he reached out and grabbed her wrist.

“Let go of me.” She snarled.

“If you want to be with Bryce, you won’t like what you have to give up.”

“Every relationship has sacrifices.”

“You don’t even know the man. You think all these things about how kind and generous and handsome he is, but it’s only because he’s tricked you. He’s nothing like how he appears. It’s all an illusion.”

Harper didn’t know what to say.

“I have a lot more to offer you, Harper.” He said. His deep voice suddenly turned kind. “I know I’ve been cruel to you, but it’s only because I’ve been embittered by everything my people have been through.”

“I don’t understand. What’s happened to you? The vampires?”

“They’ve started hunting us again. They can sense us. I think Bryce thinks if he can breed with you, the vampiric blood will be diluted enough that they can no longer pick up our psychic scents. I suspect he also thinks that he’d be able to get you to realize your power that you inherited from your African ancestor. So while the vampiric powers will be lessened, they will be amplified but everything
you
bring to the table.”

“You’re crazy. I don’t have any powers. That thing about that great-great-great grandfather that came over from Africa to free the slaves…that’s all talk. Just a rumor. My grandmother was a genealogist and she never told me anything about that. Believe me, I would’ve remembered.”

“You don’t need to look at your family tree to know that it’s true.” He leaned in close, closing his eyes and inhaling deeply. “I feel the power on you. It’s hidden, but it’s growing. And soon, when Bryce fully brings it out of you, if you aren’t trained in how to use it, you’ll simply be used as a way to fend off the humans.”

“Fend them off?” She said, stepping back. As handsome as Roman was, she didn’t appreciate the invasion of her personal space.

“They’ll use you to amplify the power of the other vampire witches who have sacrificed their lives to put up psychic shields around Elder Island. That’s why no humans go there. Not because they don’t know where it is, but because the psychic defenses are too strong.”

“So you’re telling me they just want to use me?”

“Bryce’s people don’t believe that humans and vampires should occupy the same land. They don’t want to share
or
dominate them. They want to be completely separate.”

“I need you to stop talking.” Harper said. “I’m going to go to Bryce whether you want me to or not.”

“You’ll regret it.” He answered.

She walked past him and was surprised he didn’t try to physically stop her.

But knowing that she held a secret power inside of her, one that only Bryce could bring out, gave her a spring in her step.

She got in her car and drove home. When she walked in through the front door, her mother was sitting on the couch. It was so quiet. The television wasn’t on. Neither was the radio.

Harper walked briskly over to her. “Mom, what’s wrong? Why are you just sitting there?”

“It’s spread.” Her mother looked at her. A distant look filled her eyes. She wasn’t crying. It was just that there was no emotion at all. “The cancer spread. That's what the doctor said today at the appointment.”

Harper knelt down in front of her and took her mother’s hands into hers.

“We’ll fix it.”

“How?” Her mother said softly. “How can you?”

“I don’t know exactly. I just know that you’re going to heal from this.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“
I
need to be out of the office for the next week.” Harper said to her boss. She went into his office, unannounced. She wasn’t thinking straight. All she knew was that she had to get to Elder Island as soon as possible.

Victoria had texted her the previous night, giving her a time-frame for when they could leave. A private jet had been chartered and would be ready for take off that afternoon.

“What about the record label deal?” Her boss asked. He looked annoyed.

“It’s on hold. In fact, I’m planning on visiting Bryce.” She looked down at the ground, not knowing what to tell her boss. “I’m trying to convince him that it’s a investment that he should make.”

“Fine. Use the expense account. And keep me updated on what the status is.”

“Yes, sir.” She said as she walked out of the office.

“And one thing, Harper.” He said, smiling at her. “I’m proud of you. You’re really doing what it takes to bring the deal home.”

Harper said nothing. Her boss didn’t know the real reason she was going to be gone: to see if Bryce was all he purported to be…and to save her mother’s life.

Harper drove home and found her mother waiting with all the suitcases.

“Is everything packed?” Harper asked distractedly. She preferred to go on a shopping spree to buy new clothes before traveling internationally, but she simply had run out of time.

“Yes, everything’s ready. Are you sure this doctor knows what he’s doing, though?”

“It’s not a doctor, mom.” Harper had tried to explain to her mother the night before that she was going to take her to a country in Europe for alternative treatment. She didn’t want to lie to her mom, but she thought the mention of vampire might either scare her mom or cause her to think her daughter had gone bat shit crazy.

“I looked online and I don’t see a flight to that place you mentioned. That island off the coast of Romania?”

“We’re taking a private jet, mom.” She said smiling, sitting down next to her mom and putting her arm around her. “Are you ready to go?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

Harper followed the directions that Victoria had texted her to a remote private airport outside the city. She had to go through a lot of security, which surprised her. Obviously the airport was reserved mostly for VIPs - politicians, actors, singers and sport stars.

“I have to admit I feel a little out of my element.” Her mom said as they walked into the terminal. Everything was gorgeously done. It wasn’t like the airports that they were used to, how they looked all industrial and boring. Everything here was lavish and decedent.

“You’re going to want to make your way to Terminal F.” The chic woman at the counter said. “The airplane is waiting for you.”

When they reached the designated terminal, Victoria was already there.

“You ready, ladies?” She asked. She was wearing a very classy looking navy suit.

“Hold up!” Said a voice. Harper and her mother turned to look. It was Ashanti, Kierra, Lola and Telah.

“Oh my God, divas!” Harper exclaimed. “What the heck are you doing here?”

“We thought it would be good to get out of town for a little while.” Lola said, holding onto her Louis Vuitton duffel bag.

“And we didn’t think you should have to go through this all by yourself.” Ashanti added.

Harper broke away from her mother and Victoria and walked over to the women. Her dear friends, the ones who didn’t want to abandon her in her time of need. But they didn’t understand what was at stake.

Harper motioned for them to come closer to her and started talking in a hushed voice. “You ladies can’t come with me. It’s far too dangerous.”

“Huh?” Ashanti said.

“I don’t have time to explain everything, but I’m going someplace where…it’s a little strange. I don’t think you’d want to go.”

“You can’t go all by yourself. Especially with
her
.” Lola said, motioning to Victoria. She obviously didn’t trust her. Lola had been told the truth about the vampires, but she was obviously leaving it up to Harper as to whether or not she wanted to share that information with the divas. But Harper could tell that Lola was having a difficult time keeping the secret in.

“It’s okay, really.” Harper said. She desperately wanted them to come with her. She felt so scared at what was to come - the total unknown of what awaited her at Elder Island. “But you girls need to get back to the city. I’m leaving soon.”

“We’re going to go with you.” Kierra protested.

“No, you’re not. I’m not letting you put your lives on the line for me. That’s simply not happening.”

The divas looked dejected and disappointed. Harper forced a smile. “I’ll call you as soon as I get there. I promise. I’ll call each and every one of you.”

“Promise?” Lola said.

“I promise.”

“Come on, Harper. We’re getting ready to go.” Victoria shouted over from the plush couch where she was sitting with Harper’s mother.

“Alright, divas. I’ll be back in a week.” Harper bit her lip, hoping that it was true. That she would actually see her friends again in the future. Because that deep, sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach told her that her intuition was telling her differently.

They all hugged and said their goodbyes. Harper helped her mother outside onto the runway and up the stairs into the private jet.

“Estimated travel time is approximately 16 hours.” Said the handsome looking pilot with a smile. “We’ll stop to refuel outside of Paris, France.”

“Oh, that’s one of my favorite places.” Harper said. “I wish we had time to stop and look at the Hermes store. They have the best Birkins there.”

Victoria stifled a giggle as they settled into the plush leather couches. The inside of the jet was definitely done up
all
in designer furniture and accessories.

“There are three private cabins, so each of us gets our own bedroom.” Victoria explained. “Your mother looks weak. Why don’t you get her settled in and then come back and chat.”

Harper nodded.

After she had tucked her mother into bed after the plane had taken off, she went back and sat down next to Victoria.

“So what’s the game plan?”

“We can’t land directly in the Island of Elders, so we’ll be landing at another island about forty miles offshore. Then we’ll take a ferry over. This is going to be the hard part. They’re going to recognize that you’re not a vampire, so I’m going to use my psychic abilities to cloak you and your mother. But it will only last a couple of hours or so. We’ll need to try to get you to Bryce as quickly as possible.”

“And Bryce knows we’re coming?”

Victoria shook her head. “I haven’t been able to contact him.” She put her fingers to her temples. “I’ve been trying to send a psychic message to him for the past few days, but I haven’t got a response.”

Harper bit her lip. “That doesn’t sound good.”

Victoria sighed softly. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m worried. I think we’re almost at the point of being in over our heads.”

“But I have to make sure my mother is healed. That’s the whole point of this trip.”

“I thought it was for you to reconnect with Bryce.”

“If something happens, then it happens. But that’s not important right now. What’s important is making sure my mom is okay.”

“They’ll be able to heal her…
if
we can get her to the proper person.”

“What do you mean?”

“Bryce has the authority to give direction to the royal court’s most notable healers. Human cancer will be nothing to them, but usually the healers are so busy dealing with other issues that they wouldn’t have time to help.”

“Do humans often go to them for help?”

“They did in the past when our presence was more well known. But over the past hundred years, Bryce’s father has been doing his best to erase us from their memories.”

“That’s exactly what Roman said.”

“Roman said what?” Harper said through narrowed eyes. “You talked to him?”

“He came to my last night. He heard everything. He knows I’m going.”

Victoria shook her head ruefully. “And you waited to tell me this now because?”

“It slipped my mind. I’m sorry.”

“We’re experiencing some turbulence. Please fasten your safety belt until we let you know it’s over.” The pilot said over the intercom.

“My least favorite part of flying.” Harper said as she buckled up.

“Now that Roman knows we’re going, this puts a whole different spin on the situation.” Victoria said. “God damn it.”

Harper said nothing.

“I’m risking my life to help you. You know that, right?” Victoria said coldly.

“I do and I appreciate it. And when I can, I’ll pay you back.”

“I’m sure.” Victoria said coldly. Harper was surprised how her mood could flip in an instant. One moment she was warm and friendly, the next she was acting rude and cold to her. “I’ve got some work to do.” She said as she flipped open a laptop.

Harper looked out the window. They were now high up in the sky, so far from what was known and familiar to her.

Before she knew it, she fell asleep.

Hours later, she woke up and looked out the window as she yawned. It was completely black outside.

“Where are we?” Harper said to Victoria, who was typing on her laptop.

“We’ll be there in a couple of hours. We already refueled in Paris.”

“What?” Harper said. “I slept through that?”

“Let’s just say you had a little help.” Victoria said with a wink.

Harper rolled her eyes. She didn’t like how the vampires were so eager to mess with human’s minds without a second thought. But on the other hand, she did enjoy the peaceful shut-eye. It had been many nights since she slept peacefully. The nap had done her some good.

Harper felt her stomach flip as the plane started rocking back and forth. Her hands clenched the the armrests of the chair as her back stiffened as a result of her nervousness.

“Shit, I hate this.”

“Don’t worry. It’ll be over soon.” Victoria said calmly.

But the turbulence got worse and worse. Harper heard her mother screaming from her cabin.

“Mom, just stay put!” Harper shouted back.

“I’ll go see to her.” Victoria said as she unbuckled her safety belt and walked carefully as the plane swooped up and down.

“Shit!” Harper screamed as the plane started descending rapidly. She felt like she was on a roller-coaster, but not in a fun way.

“Hold tight everyone. We’re making an emergency landing.” The pilot said.