Free Tressa's Treasures (The King's Jewel Book 1) by Belinda M Gordon Page A

fist, and took a deep breath.
    "Listen, Shamus. I'm not going to hurt anyone. I just want to talk to Mrs. Danann."
    Shamus stood his ground for a few more seconds weighing the truth of my words. Then, with a stout nod, the little man opened the door and stepped out onto the porch.
    "Madam, Mr. Mannus to see you."
    I stomped into the room without waiting for her reply. Mrs. Danann stood by an arrangement of plants, pruning the dead ends with her fingers. She smiled when she saw me.
    "What a pleasant surprise."
    I went to the table close to her and slammed down the book I was carrying. It was one of Brion's journals, the last one in fact.
    "Mrs. Danann—"
    "Órlaith, please."
    I bit my lip to keep from cursing.
    "Órlaith. Please explain to me what my mother was doing at Pine Ridge the day after she disappeared?" my voice came out strangled as I worked to control my temper. "I want to know exactly what's going on. What kind of game are you playing?"
    Undisturbed, Órlaith made her way from the plants she was pruning to a seat at the table where I had dropped the book.
    "Why don't you have a seat, Alexander?"
    "I don't want to sit. I want you to tell me what's going on."
    "As I told you, your grandmother and I were close. In fact, she was my best friend. Unfortunately, she died too young. I looked after your mother after she was orphaned, doing my best to ensure that she was okay, which wasn't easy. She had a terrible stubborn streak."
    "Okay, but that all happened years before. I'm talking about when I was a kid. She came here to you. Why? Was she in some kind of trouble?" I walked away from her, hoping that putting distance between us would diffuse my anger.
    "Were you aware that your mother had the gift of Second Sight?"
    "Excuse me?" My voice went up a few notches, and I chuckled in disdain. Could this conversation get any weirder? "Second Sight? Are you trying to say she was a mind reader or something?" I barely kept the scorn from my voice.
    "No, I'm saying she had visions of the future. She was extremely talented; I never met her match when it came to the accuracy of her visions."
    "You really expect me to believe this?"
    "Young man, there is much more to this world than you realize. Now, if you want to hear any more, come here and sit down. You're wearing me out just watching you."
    I grudgingly pulled out a chair and dropped myself into it. "So she had a vision that made her leave?" I asked.
    Órlaith shrugged. "She came here speaking of a vision."
    "The journal says something about this area fitting the descriptions in folklore, and that whatever Brion was looking for was close to the estate. But it doesn't say what he was looking for."
    "He was looking for the same thing you are looking for. That is why I brought you here."
    "Brion was looking for some rocks? Sorry, but that doesn't ring true. His writings make it sound like he was looking for something—I don't know—bigger than that."
    "You are looking for something bigger than that."
    I shook my head, frustrated. Did this woman ever give a straight answer?
    "So she comes here, tells Brion what he's looking for is close by, and then vanishes? There has to be more to it than that. What aren't you telling me?"
    "She told me to bring you here. She said I would know when the time was right. I did as she asked. Let it be enough to know you are here by her request. The vision will reveal itself in time."
    "That's not good enough. All due respect, but I don't like being played a fool by anyone."
    I picked up the journal and stood to go. She grabbed my arm before I could leave.
    "Stay the course, Alexander. Your mission here is more important than I dare tell you. Continue your search and you will get all of your answers."
    I gave her a sharp nod. I wasn't happy, but I wouldn't give up my search now.
    As I walked away, again I felt that deep conviction that I would get the answers I wanted if I continued looking for more of the strange gemstone.
    "You don't need me to