Chapter 190
“It appears so.” Burr’s voice sounded full of disappointment.
But he wasn’t gone. A moment later, Hamilton materialized a few steps away from his coffin. He looked exactly as he had the morning of his demise. No blood stained his shirt, nor was there a hole in his clothing. He looked down, patted himself a few times and then opened his arms. “I’ve returned!”
Burr stared for a long moment before letting out a laugh of glee and hurling himself at his old friend. Hamilton caught him in his strong arms and twirled him around like two small children. The others ran over to Hamilton as well to greet him. Christian followed but only because he wanted to see if it was possible to discern for certain that this was, in fact, the Alexander Hamilton who had perished and not some other entity parading around in an identical body.
Once the others were finished welcoming him home, Christian gave him a scrutinizing look. Hamilton took him in as well. “How are you, Major Henry?” he asked. “Are you well?”
“I am,” Christian replied. “And you?”
“As good as one can be under the circumstances,” Hamilton joked. “How may I be of service?”
Christian asked, “What did we eat for breakfast that morning, the day you came here and Burr shot you?”
“Eggs and toasted bread,” Hamilton replied, thoughtfully. “Though I thought it odd you refused butter on your bread.”
It was a simple enough question that anyone might’ve guessed it. “What was the first hunt you and I went on together?”
“Schenectady,” he said, “right after the war. You killed that female Vampire with a pair of pruning shears. It was both awful and magnificent to watch.”
It was accurate. Perhaps this truly was Hamilton after all. “Where have you been these past three years?”
Hamilton’s forehead furrowed. “I haven’t the foggiest,” he said, thinking so hard he actually spun around as if he might see a clue behind him. “I honestly don’t know. But I have a feeling it was wonderful. I am sure I should like to go back there one day. I have a feeling that my dear son Philip was there with me.”
“Go back?” Christian repeated as everyone else smiled and laughed politely, assuring Hamilton that it was so lovely that he’d seen his son and would see him again one day. “But… there’s a chance you can’t do that,” Christian said. “Burr should’ve told you before he let you come through.”
Once again, Hamilton’s forehead puckered. He looked at each of them and then his eyes fell on Burr. “What’s that now?”
Scowling at Christian, it took Burr a moment to turn his attention to the recently un-departed. “Oh, that’s not true. Or else… well, we don’t know. I told you there may be consequences if you came through.”
“Yes, but you didn’t tell me I may never be able to go back! Is that to say… I am immortal now?” Hamilton seemed outraged, as if he might somehow find a way to climb back through the now closed portal.
“No, of course not! How could that be possible? All of us are mortal in some fashion, save our Lord and Savior!” Stephen assured the former Secretary of the Treasury. Everyone was glowering at Christian now. He merely shrugged. What he said was likely true, from Burr’s own account.
Hamilton noticed the coffin for the first time. “Is that… mine?”
“It was,” Burr admitted. “But you won’t be in need of such a contraption for many years. I am sure, one day, should you decide your time is up, we will find a solution. You mustn’t worry about that now. Come, a carriage is waiting. Let us take you to your dear wife and family.”
Hamilton seemed excited at the prospect of seeing his wife again, though Christian wondered what she would think to see her husband returned from the dead. It would likely scare the bejesus out of her. Burr had brought a disguise of sorts for Hamilton, saying it would be better that way, and they’d figure out a plan to keep his return a secret, once he’d had a chance to visit his family. The two laborers returned for the coffin. Christian wondered exactly how Burr had managed to gain possession of Hamilton’s remains, but he didn’t ask. Apparently, asking too many questions was frowned upon in his present company.
He followed the others back toward the waiting transports deep in thought. Jess was waiting for him. “I know what you’re thinking, Henry. I see it on your face. This portal is specifically for Guardians. Not Hunters, It would not work on your father. Besides, he wouldn’t want to come back and leave the Kingdom of Heaven. He spoke so highly of obtaining God’s glory one day, bringing him back here would be a mortal sin, especially if it meant he could never go back.”
Jess was right, of course, but Christian was still curious about the portal, how it worked, whether it was true that Hamilton was immortal now. What if Christian died--would he be able to come back through the portal and become immortal as well? Would that also mean he was no longer susceptible to pain?
As they approached the wagon they’d come in, Christian tugged on Jess’s arm, “Promise me, Jessup. If I am ever in such a situation, you will not hesitate to bring me back, will you?”
Jess’s eyebrows raised. “If you die, you want me to bring you back, through the Blue Moon Portal?”
Christian nodded vigorously. Perhaps, if he was indestructible, he would finally gain the respect and leadership positions he deserved.
Jess stared at him for a moment before he said, “Certainly, boy. If that’s what you wish.”
“That is what I wish.” Christian knew, should he ever be faced with a circle of brilliant blue lights, he would leap through without a second thought. He hoped it would never come to that, but just the idea that Jess would be standing by to bring him back to life was enough to make him face the rest of the world with a little more courage.
