Chapter 19

Ste. Genevieve, February 2010

Amanda had not dared to leave the convent again once she had returned. She'd had a harder time shaking that Watcher than usual. But she had managed… and had also managed not to have anyone on her tail once she'd turned east.

Back at the convent, Nick had continued to remain cognizant of them all… even as they reduced and finally stopped the sedatives. Eventually… even the restraints had come off and the afternoons in the garden had resumed.

To Amanda's eyes… Nick seemed thin, pale and defeated. He seemed more now than ever to just be waiting for an end… to be free of the numbing sameness of his life. Too often he merely sat… nodding his head as Valeraine continued her reading… oblivious to the world around him.

Amanda feared he was giving up his fight to keep Nestor under control… but as of yet… the madman had not re-surfaced… but Amanda knew Nestor was not banished, so much as merely biding his time. Whatever had happened to bring him forth once more with such vitality worried the immortal thief. Thus… she feared to leave. Her responsibility was to the immortals here… she would be the one to direct any defense… plan any escape. Ursa could fight, but he couldn't plan. Besides, Ursa might be needed to physically control Nestor if it came to it.

Amanda secured supplies in several of the mountain caves, with the help of some of the children. A change of clothes, blankets, fresh water… whatever they might need. She was worried something was happening and felt like… without Duncan's monthly calls… her window on the world outside had closed. But she feared it might only be a matter of time before this convent and its inhabitants were found.

It was therefore, with little surprise, that she looked up one day to see a small van approach. Amanda could feel the presence even before she'd managed to get everyone inside as she stood alone and ready in the courtyard.

The van pulled to a stop… and Phillip… bearded, his brown hair longish… just reaching to the collar of his chambray shirt… stepped out. "Sorry," he said with a grin. "Is that for me?" He gestured to her sword.

Amanda sighed as she dropped her guard. "Phillip!" She crossed toward him, relieved to feel his strong arms about her and his booming laughter. "I never thought to see you again."

"Oh… I may not get out much Amanda… but I come when asked."

Amanda pulled back… the unspoken question in her eyes.

"MacLeod reached me by email well over a year ago… He seemed to think you might need some help. Trouble was… I was in the middle of something at the time that I had to finish. Then, as I finally made my way here… I heard tales of immortals vanishing… and even I was being tailed at one point. I couldn't get here any sooner… I didn't dare. I didn't wish to lead anyone here."

"Duncan… where is he?"

Phillip shrugged. "I don't know Amanda…. I truly don't. I didn't ask and he didn't say." The Greek wrapped one arm about her shoulders as they walked toward the main house. "He hadn't been in touch in a while… Then I got his message that you might have your hands full with our friend and if I got the chance to come check it out. He didn't seem to feel it was urgent… just that I should be aware of whatever it was. So here I am… a little late… but safely here at last."

"He was supposed to come… He was supposed to help me… but then he vanished. I was afraid something had happened to him. It's been two years!"

"Aye," nodded Phillip. "He didn't want you to worry… just that what he was doing took precedence. He felt you could handle things here… he just wanted me to be available and to check in on you. Besides…" he leaned down and with a teasing laugh added, "I brought my PPC with me." Phillip indicated his small hand-held computer in his coat picket. "And… I have his email address for you." He winked.

Amanda leaned into him and shook for a moment. "I was so worried," she whispered again. "So very worried." Then she looked up. "I'll kill him for this… I really will." She laughed nervously as she lay her cheek on Phillip's chest… feeling all too much the need for something more than friendship from a man."

As if he'd picked up on that, Phillip held her at arm's length sadly, but firmly. "Now then… perhaps I should see young Nick and how he's doing."

Amanda nodded and led the way to the main building.

Ursa met them at the door… his slack face peering at the Greek with a question.

Phillip paused. "Hello Ursa," he finally said quietly, hoping the giant might recall him.

Finally Usa smiled. "Greek!" he said. "You return. We fight once more?"

Phillip shook his head. "Not today Ursa… not today." He reached out to clasp the giant on the arm in a friendly gesture.

"You two have fought?"

"Once… long ago. Long ago," Phillip chuckled. "Today, Ursa… we protect the small ones."

Ursa nodded standing aside. "I watch the road…" he said.

Amanda gave him a small smile. "Yes… let us know if others come Ursa." She reclaimed Phillip's arm and led him into the refectory where the others waited.

After the simple supper, Amanda, Luke and Phillip retired to Luke's office. During the visit with Nick and the meal… Phillip had said little… mostly making small talk… assuring the children that all was as it should be. He'd hid the van in the barn along with the SUV.

Outside, Amanda knew Ursa as yet kept watch. Valeraine was with Nick in his room… settling him down. The nuns were cleaning up from dinner while the children were sparring in the schoolroom.

"So… Phillip… what is going on out there in the world?" Amanda finally asked him.

Phillip stretched his feet out and crossed them as he regarded both women. "I'm not entirely certain. Like you people… I am more or less retired from the world and the game… unless it comes to me. It hasn't in recent years… but I do keep up with world events and the state of the world."

"And what have you learned?" Luke sipped at her tea… a small smile on her thin lips.

"That life goes on in the world much as it has for millennia. Nations rise and nations fall. The pendulum swings from conservative viewpoint to liberal viewpoint and back again. Technology grows more complex. The rich get richer and the poor…" Phillip shrugged gesturing the obvious.

"And immortals?" Amanda asked.

"As I said… I see few if any. Yet as I traveled here… I ran into a few who were more skittish than normal. They feared me when they saw me… Many were young… not heavily into the game. They spoke of friends who had vanished… and enemies who had been pursuing them. When I left them to their headlong dash to find a place to hide… I began to notice I was being followed."

"By whom?" Luke asked.

Phillip shook his head. "Whoever they were… they were clever. They stayed back… and vanished if I tried to approach them. I do not like being followed… I never did. I had hoped to learn if the Watchers had picked up on me again… but I was unsuccessful in my endeavors. Thus I focused on losing my tails… so that I could come here. For better or worse… I am here for a while I think."

"And Duncan… have you contacted him about this?" Amanda bit her lip. She was a strong and independent immortal… but she was also a woman in love.

Phillip shook his head. "I have his email address in my head… but I feared to message him. I feared that until I was someplace safe… emailing him might put him in danger. Its the same way with…" Phillip eyed Sister Luke with a smile, "… the doctor and his family. They have my address… I have theirs… but unless I need them… unless we need them… I will not intrude."

"But we can contact Duncan now?"

Phillip nodded and pulled out the small handheld computer. He powered it up and entered an address… just a set of letters and numbers that meant nothing to Amanda. "Shall I tell him you feel like killing him?" he grinned at Amanda's laughing face.

She shook her head. "Tell him to stay safe… We are in good hands."

Phillip chuckled and entered some additional code, then hit send. He erased the information from his PPC, covering his tracks so that nothing could be discovered if it fell into the wrong hands.

"What happens now?" asked Luke.

"Now… we go on. I can be the new caretaker here perhaps. Ursa's good in the garden… but I have a feeling it may have been a while since this roof was last shingled."

Sister Luke threw back her head and laughed. It felt good to laugh again.

Venice

Michelle Webster raced through the darkened streets. Someone was following her. Someone always seemed to be following her these days. Her friend David Keogh had vanished a few days ago… as had the ancient immortal known as Kyra… the one who'd been teaching Michelle some old sword skills recently.

When Amanda had disappeared ten years ago… Michelle had left college and begun traveling. She'd decided to live instead of studying. Since both Duncan and Amanda appeared to have washed their hands of her… she decided to find her own friends… live the life she wanted.

For a while it had been one great party! Then about five years ago… things had begun to be a little strange. Immortals vanished… immortals who should not have lost to anyone. That was when she'd found Kyra… or Kyra had found her and taken her under her wing. Kyra had even known Duncan…though she didn't say how. "Friends," she said with a secretive smile, "We're friends."

Michelle knew that smile. Amanda had often given her that smile when Michelle had pushed for details about Duncan. But now… even Kyra had vanished. Kyra… whose skills were formidable indeed! If Kyra had been lost to whoever was pursuing them… how could Michelle Webster of Seacouver, Washington hope to compete.

She rounded a corner and ran straight into an electrical charge. The power lanced into her and made her jerk in the throes of it. Finally the charge stopped. Michelle wavered on her feet a moment… her mind unclear. Hands grabbed her. A voice said harshly, "Bring her."

Michelle lost consciousness as she was lifted into someone's arms and carried away.