Kiss Across Chaos (Kiss Across Time #10) - Tracy Cooper-Posey Page 0,66
only time I’ve ever felt anyone in the timescape, it’s been one of us.”
“That doesn’t mean there aren’t any,” Neven added. “I don’t care how unusual the DNA mix had to be to produce me, or Sydney or any of us. It can’t be unique. It can’t be that rare. There are…” He paused, and Jesse could see he was counting silently. “Seven jumpers in this family alone, and that’s who we know about. We’re still waiting to see if Liberty or ours have any abilities at all.”
“You’re trying to make something significant out of a simple passing on of genes,” Veris rumbled. His arms were crossed, but he didn’t look upset. He merely looked amused. Interested, too. This was engaging his mind. Challenging him.
Jesse knew he would appear much different when facing an enemy. She never wanted to be in the position to find out, either.
Neven shook his head. “We call ourselves family, Veris, but there’s no genetic connection between us. Sydney and I have no blood connection to Taylor or each other. Neither does London. If jumpers are so rare, then how do you explain that three separate sets of jumpers happened to find each other in this time and place? That’s a coincidence too large to be chance.”
Veris shook his head. “We’re a one-time deal, Neven. I know that doesn’t please you, but if we were not the only ones, Nayara and her people wouldn’t be back here every second week, checking in on us. They want to make sure we survive to their time.”
“For reasons unknown to us,” Sydney added, her tone dark.
“That’s a different conversation,” Veris said shortly.
“Aren’t you thinking two dimensionally?” Jesse asked.
Everyone looked at her, their brows lifting.
“Excuse me?” Neven said, but his dark eyes were dancing. “You’re accusing Veris of channeled thinking?”
Jesse swallowed. “I suppose, if you put it that way, I must be.”
Sydney snuffled back laughter. “You’d better explain yourself before Veris explodes.”
Veris didn’t look upset, though. Well, not much. His stare was intense, but she didn’t think—she hoped, anyway—that there was no anger in it.
“It was something I was researching,” Jesse said. “For a book,” she added awkwardly, for the research had been for the alternative history book that was the cause of everyone sitting here now and arguing about time. Again. “About the evolution of man and peak times in history. There was a time when he evolved enough to grasp tools and figure out how to use them to his advantage, which let him thrive. There was a time when man had evolved enough to sort out agriculture and get along well enough with others to build communities to protect the farmers while they grew food.”
Veris nodded. “Another was when man lived long enough to have three generations alive at the same time. The grandparents could pass along survival tips, which vastly accelerated the pace of adaptions.”
Jesse hesitated.
“That means ‘go on, you have my attention’,” Sydney interpreted.
Jesse finished up. “What if this time here and now is another peak? Maybe the DNA has always been there, but only now, has man evolved to the point where he can use time. That’s why the jumpers have emerged—because now they appreciate time and have the mental development required to use it.”
Veris stared at her. Neven grinned.
Jesse let out a rough breath. Veris’ gaze was intimidating, even when he was relaxed.
Then he stirred and scratched thoughtfully at his throat. “That’s a possible explanation for why the DNA just suddenly appeared,” he said. “It doesn’t explain where it goes, and why Nayara’s people are so interested in us.”
“And they’re not about to tell us,” Sydney added, in the same vexed tone.
Neven rested his hand on the table. “The fact is, somewhere in our future, natural jumpers no longer pop up. Does that mean the gene is recessive and expires through natural selection? It’s not like our kids can intermarry just to preserve the gene.”
“That’s a sobering thought,” Sydney said softly.
“It’s one of two possibilities,” Veris said. His voice was soft.
“What’s the other?” Neven asked.
Jesse could already see where Veris was going. She’d seen genocide, up close and personal. “The time jumpers are all destroyed before they can pass on their DNA,” she said.
Neven sat back. “Damn,” he breathed.
“Yeah,” Sydney said in heavy agreement.
A slight movement in the corner of her eye made Jesse look toward the door into the kitchen. Aran stood with his shoulder against it, his arms crossed. He was watching her, a smile at the corner of his mouth.