Read Online Gene of Isis by Traci Harding - Free Book Online Page A

is very fine,’ I asserted. ‘They are all in fine health and good spirits, and have no ill will to speak of.’
    Susan clapped her hands at this. ‘And do you think I made a good first impression on Lord Devere?’
    My pace slowed at the question for I did find it rather amusing. ‘I did note that his heart centre had a rather rosy pink glow to it, but…’ I spoke up over her pending excited outburst, ‘as I did not see him before you made his acquaintance, I cannot say for sure if you inspired this excess of goodwill.’
    ‘Oooooh,’ she pouted, my answer not quite what she wanted. ‘Do you think that another might have already stolen his heart? Did you pick up on some thought to that effect?’
    ‘Susan, you know that I have been trained to protect myself from the thoughts of others by Lady Charlotte, lest I go mad in society.’
    ‘But you can still do it if you want to,’ she suggested gamely. ‘Will you?’
    My perturbed look was not the response that Susan had been fishing for.
    ‘As a very special favour to me.’ She clasped both hands together and used her big blue eyes to try and enlist me to her cause.
    ‘And what shall you do for me in return?’ I teased, knowing full well I would never hear the end of it until I agreed.
    ‘What can I do?’ she appealed, keen to strike a deal.
    As we had reached the large patch of lawn amid the gardens which I felt to be perfect for my purpose, I halted and turned Susan back to face the house. ‘You can keep watch for me and make sure that I am not interrupted.’
    ‘Why?’ Susan was immediately intrigued and a little worried. ‘What are you going to do?’
    ‘Ah, no questions,’ I bargained. ‘Do we have a deal or not?’
    ‘I suppose.’ Susan was reluctant. ‘Will this take long?’
    ‘Not long.’ I searched for a stick and moving onto the patch of lawn I carefully drew a large unbroken circle around me.
    ‘Is this some kind of witchcraft?’ Susan queried, keeping her voice as low as she could; the idea obviously distressed her.
    ‘You’re supposed to be watching that way.’ I pointed to the house, whereupon Susan gave a heavy sigh and complied with my instructions.
    I knelt in the centre of my protected space and pulled out my treasure stone. Focusing my intent upon it, I began to recite in a low tone the incantation that I had memorised.
    Spirit of good omen,
    Who art come to aid me,
    Believe I have great need of thee.
    Spirit of the Red Gnome
    Come to aid me in my time of need.
    I beg of thee, do not abandon me,
    But attach now to this stone,
    That on my person, I may carry thee.
    And so when anything is needed by me,
    I can call unto thee, be what it may,
    Do not abandon me by night or day.
    And what should be my reward for such service?
    Upon raising my eyes from the stone, the presence that met my eyes was not at all what I had expected.
    Before me stood a full-grown man, not a ghost or a shade but a lustrous spirit being. He was dressed inthe mail of a mediaeval knight and over his armour he wore a white tunic that bore a red cross.
    ‘Oh my.’ I stood so that I might have some chance of looking the rather tall fellow in the eye.
    ‘What’s wrong?’ Susan queried, unable to see what I perceived.
    ‘Nothing, all is well,’ I called back to her. ‘Keep watch.’ Rolling her eyes, Susan turned back to face the house.
    There is no need to speak aloud and alarm others. I can hear your thoughts as well as your words. The handsome knight smiled.
    In fact, he was very handsome and exotic in appearance. His eyes and straight hair were very dark, and his skin had a Mediterranean glow. Had he been living, I might have found him a man worth pursuing.
    But who are you? I asked, truly baffled.
    Did you not ask for the assistance of a spirit of the Red Gnome? he replied.
    Well, yes…
    I am one of the breed that you seek.
    But…I thought you’d be… I held my hand lower to the ground to indicate small.
    Ah! He seemed to comprehend the