Chapter 27

The long Paris afternoon was one filled with wonder for the wide-eyed Derrick. If Phillip had thought some part of this city would awaken another strange memory in the boy... he was wrong. They'd eaten breakfast at a small sidewalk cafe and then begun their tour of the sites of the Eternal City. But while the boy seemed enchanted with all he saw... there were none of those strange moments that had so marked their time together before coming to Paris.

Nevertheless, Derrick had especially been fascinated with the Eiffel Tower... eager to learn its history and purpose. Phillip had become a walking encyclopedia of history... gently lecturing wherever they were and explaining the answers to all the boy's questions. He'd stood back when they were on the observation deck... watching... waiting to see if the boy made any additional cryptic remarks... but he hadn't. The ten-year-old had plastered his face and hands to the glass and "oohhed" and "aahhed" over the vista... but no more so than anyone else. In the end... even as the late afternoon light seemed to shift in quality... they'd returned to the ground once more.

Derrick had wanted to purchase a souvenir of their visit so Phillip gave him some euros to purchase a small brass and iron replica of the tower. He stood back and watched the boy stand in line to make his purchase at the outdoor stall... and then... Phillip's attention became riveted on a fortune-teller's booth and the crystal ball glowing on her silk covered table. The crystal glowed and within him... a soft feminine voice began to whisper. Bring it to me! Find it... and bring it to me.

After purchasing his mini-Eiffel, Derrick pocketed his change and caressed the tiny statue, uncertain why it meant so much to him to have it. Something made him glance behind him at the far side of the open-air market on the avenue. A blonde boy... about the same age as he was, stared at Derrick intently. The boy raised a hand and motioned him over. Derrick paused where he was and glanced at Phillip.

Ellie's brother seemed focused on something else... as though in some trance. Derrick gazed back at the other boy who grinned broadly and motioned once more for him to join him. Derrick took one half step... little more than a shift of his weight... then paused. Once more, as in Seacouver when he'd noticed other people... people that Duncan and Ellie and Adam had later said were bad... he felt alarms go off within him. This boy was dangerous! Derrick slowly shook his head... keeping his eyes focused on the other boy.

The boy gestured once more, but by this time, Derrick had slowly returned to Phillip's side.

"Phillip," he said. It took a long moment as well as his pulling at the man's sleeve before his erstwhile guardian blinked and looked down at him.

"Ready to go lad?" he said as if nothing untoward had happened. Derrick laced his fingers into the man's and nodded.

"Can we go back to the hotel now?" he asked, still uneasy about that other boy. Glancing back to where he had seen him... Derrick noticed the boy was gone.

"Not just yet... perhaps some dinner, first," Phillip smiled and led the boy away. "I know this quaint little cafe over on..."

Behind them Kenny fumed. He'd been surprised that the Swordmaster seemed unaware of him... but he'd thought that maybe he could get this boy who was with the man. He could turn him... and then train him or kill him... Kenny wasn't certain what he wanted... but he still wanted to hurt the Greek, pay him back for having refused to help him a month ago or so... when he'd first come to Paris. The Swordmaster had even killed him and left him there in the Luxembourg Gardens... as if he were no one and nothing to be concerned about... as if Kenny's quickening was not even worth taking. When this boy had refused to rise to the bait... and gone back to the Swordmaster... Kenny had backed away... certain that now he'd be sensed. But it seemed the Swordmaster was greatly pre-occupied.

Kenny watched them leave from a distance... still trying to decide if he should follow and make another attempt.

He'd already lost out on the ones at the school. First that other immortal had suddenly broken in and killed the first one... and then he'd lost the pre-immortal girl as she'd made her run from the school grounds terrified. She'd flagged down a passing car and gotten a lift somewhere. Kenny had figured MacLeod's... but by the time he got to the quai where MacLeod's barge was docked... no one was there. So he'd just started hunting again. That was yesterday. Then he'd seen this boy. Another pre-immortal child... two in as many days! They were rare these days! He'd hoped to get this one... but once more he'd failed. He couldn't get close enough... not without raising the awareness of the Swordmaster to his presence.

Perhaps it was just as well. But there was one other he might try if he could get close enough. One who despite precautions was an easy mark. Kenny smiled... he would not waste this trip to Paris. He came here so seldom that he hated to just leave with nothing accomplished. He smiled... yes... the other one was just the ticket.

Kenny pushed his hands into his jeans' pockets and whistled as he walked down the avenue.

***

Somewhere in France

Amanda pulled into the parking lot of a small roadside establishment. In previous centuries it had been an alehouse and inn. Now... it was mainly a service station and restaurant. The emphasis... she decided sniffing haughtily... was not on "service". Likely the only reason this cesspool of a business got any customers at all was the historical sign in front of the quaint four hundred-year old building.

She gassed up and then... against her better judgment... decided to check the place out for a light meal... or maybe only a drink.

Once she entered the dark and smelly tavern... she was reminded of being here with MacLeod a few centuries ago. At least she thought it was the same place. Casually she trailed her fingers over a decorative banister and found the notch her sword had made when he'd eluded her stroke that time. She had been furious with him... but then... he'd been furious with her... too. Making up had been more than just a little bit fun.

Amanda smiled wistfully at the memory, then sobered as she was shown to a table. The food, as she had predicted, was less than satisfactory... and the wine... only passable. She was nearly finished when she became aware of another immortal entering the restaurant.

"Think of the devil," she chuckled as she waved lightly at Duncan. After all, he obviously knew she was here as well... and here she had thought she could avoid him in bypassing Paris.

Duncan gestured to the hostess and crossed to Amanda. "May I join you?" He grinned.

"Of course." They kissed each other's cheeks in that friendly way they had so often used over the centuries. "He looks tired," Amanda thought as she sighed greatly and pretended to relish her meal. "So what brings you to this part of France?"

"Just passing through," he ordered and then sat back observing her. "So... where have you been?"

"Oh... here and there... mostly there." She took a sip of the wine and smiled her most dazzling at him.

"I'm headed back to Paris," he said, "and you."

Amanda paused. Where was she headed? She had no idea. "Me, too." she finally said lightly as though it was nothing of consequence. She sliced at her chicken and took a small bite.

Duncan glowered a bit under his pursed brows and looked at her thoughtfully. "Now why don't I believe that?"

"Whatever do you mean Duncan... " Amanda set the fork down and dropped her hands into her lap... clutching at the cloth napkin there.

He grinned and looked around then leaned toward her. "What are you up to?"

The pleasant expression plastered on Amanda's face froze and then faded. "Why do you always expect the worst of me?"

"Years of experience."

Amanda twisted the napkin in her hands... "Fine... " She signaled the waitress. "Check, please." Once she'd gotten it... she paid and stormed out, furious that she'd let him get to her that way. Obviously... she had been correct... She was definitely not ready to meet with friends... and she most definitely was not going to Paris.

She crossed briskly to the Ferrari and was climbing in when Duncan grabbed the door. "Be careful Amanda."

"I'm always careful silly boy," she quipped... determined that she appear as always, carefree and in perfect control.

"There's a madman in Paris hunting immortals in broad daylight."

Amanda leaned back in the seat and met his gaze. "What do you care?"

"I care, Amanda, I care," Duncan said softly.

For a long moment Amanda considered climbing out of the Ferrari and throwing caution to the winds and her arms about this man she cared for... but she knew she was not ready. She knew he wanted something from her she could not now, nor probably ever give... so she turned the key in the ignition and replaced her sunglasses. "Then I shall be careful. Ciao Duncan!" She waved as she drove off in a cloud of dust.