The Witching Hour: 11 Enchanting Novels Featuring Witches, Wizards, Vampires, Shifters, Ghosts, Fae, and More!, page 123
“Hopefully we won’t discover she lives across the country. Not after everything I’ve put into this place.”
I took his hands and squeezed. “You can always bring her back here. It’ll all work out. Do you still have her necklace?”
He nodded, let go of one of my hands, and pulled the jewelry from his pocket. “I figured you might ask for it.”
“Perhaps this will be the last time.”
Toby held his hands close to his heart. “Do you think?”
“I don’t want to get your hopes up prematurely, but maybe. If we’re in jaguar country, we might stand a chance. They’ve shown up more often than not during these locator spells.”
He closed his eyes and seemed to be saying a silent prayer. When he was done, I asked for his hands.
We held hands with the photograph and the necklace between us. I studied both before closing my eyes. I held the image of Victoria, trying to make the vision of her as real as Toby was across from me.
Toby’s hands twitched in mine. They were growing moist. He was so nervous, and I wanted to finally get this right for him. No one deserved to find his love more than he did.
I held onto Victoria’s image. It grew more lifelike, until she started walking around and even singing. She wandered on a hillside, gazing down at some colorful wildflowers. In the background, the sun shone brightly on a snowcapped mountain. An eagle flew overhead. A mother deer with two young fawns drank from a lake.
A jaguar roared in the distance, the sound echoing in my ears. I scanned the horizon, not seeing anything.
Toby’s hands clenched mine. Did he see it, too?
Victoria stooped down and collected some flowers, undaunted by the jaguar’s call. Another roar rippled through the air. Victoria gathered the flowers in her arm and rose, looking around.
Several black and yellow spotted creatures flew through the air and hissed. They were headed straight for her.
Victoria glanced at them, undaunted. She may as well have been watching butterflies.
Toby squeezed my hands, nearly crushing them. He pulled back slightly, as though his entire body was tensing.
Just before the majestic creatures reached Victoria, they simultaneously turned into well-dressed men. She greeted them with a smile, and the four of them walked toward the mountain.
She was perfectly at ease, not the tiniest inkling of fear reached me.
The image disappeared and Toby let go of my hands.
I opened my eyes.
“Did you see that?” I asked.
Beads of sweat dripping down his face. He stared at me, his eyes bewildered. “She’s with the jaguars willingly?”
“It would appear so, though we don’t have enough information. At least we know she’s not scared. The emotions felt in the vision were hers. All I felt was peace. They’re taking good care of her.”
His face tensed. “Just how good, exactly?”
“I didn’t sense a romantic tie to any of the jaguars. None held her hand as they walked away. They seemed more like family.”
Toby’s eyes narrowed. “They are not her family.”
“Did you happen to recognize the scenery?”
He nodded, his nostrils flaring. “It isn’t far from the college.”
“At least you’re in the right area. You didn’t purchase this place in vain.”
Toby leaned back and closed his eyes. “I’ve got to burn those faces into my memory. I’m going to find them and tear them to pieces.”
“Easy there, cowboy,” I warned. “You might want to take a different approach.”
His mouth formed a straight line and he opened his eyes. “You’re right. As the former leader of all the peaceful werewolf packs, I know that won’t accomplish anything, but I can dream, can’t I?”
“I would try to stay on their good side and attempt to get back to Victoria. She has to be as eager to see you as you are to see her.”
Toby nodded. “I need to bring my pack in on this. We’ll figure something out. I can’t thank you enough, Gessilyn. We should get you back to Iceland.”
“That would be for the best. The longer I stay here, the more likely the coven will sense me. I don’t want them bothering you.”
He rose and pushed his chair back in. “I’ve got a good sized mirror in the bathroom down here. Follow me.”
“Can I use your phone again? I want to make sure they’re at a mirror so I can find them.”
“Of course.” He handed it to me, already ringing.
“Where are you?” Frida asked.
“I’m about to use mirrors as a portal—or at least attempt it. I think it’ll help if you guys are in front of one, especially since I don’t know what I’m doing.”
She snorted. “That much is apparent. We’ll both stand at my mirror, the one in my bathroom. Does that give you enough to picture?”
“I sure hope so.”
“Give us a minute.”
“Okay. Hope to see you in a couple minutes.”
“Góða ferð.”
“Thanks, I’ll need all the luck I can get,” I muttered and then ended the call.
“Is there anything else you need?” Toby asked.
“A better cloaking spell?”
“It’s probably better that you’re learning the ways of your true coven.”
“I’d still rather be living quietly in my condo.”
He put his hand on my shoulder. “I have a feeling you’ll be much happier in the long run with your people.”
The thought of Killian made my heart flutter. “You might be right.”
“I have a feeling we’ll both be a lot happier before too long. I’ll find Victoria and you’ll defeat your old coven at last.”
Shivers ran through me.
He led me to the bathroom, where a large, elegant mirror greeted us. It had an intricately designed frame around it, leading me to believe it was as old as the house itself.
A faint swirly diamond shape appeared in the upper right corner.
My mouth gaped.
“What is it?” Toby asked.
“You can’t see it?”
He studied the mirror. “I don’t think so. What’s going on?”
“It would appear this mirror has already been used for traveling.”
“That’s good, right?”
My flesh went cold. “It looks like we’ll find out. Hopefully I don’t end up in the middle of another coven.”
He arched a brow. “In that case, I want you to call me when you arrive so I know you returned safely to your own.”
“If I don’t, call my number and send them a picture of this.” I squirted soap onto my finger and sketched an image of the rune on the mirror. “Tell them this was on the mirror before—”
The room spun around me. Toby and the entire bathroom disappeared.
21
I held my eyes closed until the spinning sensation stopped. Then I debated whether or not I wanted to look. Was I back in Frida’s home? Or had drawing a soap rune transported me somewhere else—to place where witches had traveled so long ago? If I’d have thought drawing a rune with liquid hand soap would actually transport me, I would have skipped the drawing.
Either way, I needed to open my eyes. I had managed to bring myself somewhere safe before, so perhaps I’d done it again. Though I was certain I could only stretch my luck so far.
I forced my eyes open—they resisted. Dusty white sheets covered everything around me. The sheets covered furniture and even windows. Dust covered the floor. The only thing without a sheet was a full-length mirror on my right, and a sheet sat rumpled in front of it, fresh dust spattered about. It had to have fallen when I entered.
“Hello?” I called. My voice echoed around me. The house was as big as Toby’s. I studied the room. It was actually the same layout as his living room.
My stomach dropped to the floor. What if this was his house? Had I managed to travel not through space, but time? If so, which direction had I gone? Forward or back?
I hurried out of the room, kicking dust behind me with each step.
Heart thundering, I crept upstairs. Given the layer of grime covering everything, it was doubtful that anyone had been inside in years. I found the second level in the same condition as the first. I followed a narrow, winding staircase to the third floor, finding more of the same.
I moved aside a sheet-covered curtain and peeked outside. Despite the lack of light inside, the sun shone brightly outside. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust.
Where—no, when—was I?
The forest surrounded the mansion. It seemed thicker than before, but it could have been my imagination playing tricks on me. I released the curtain and sneezed as tiny particles entered my nose.
What to do now? My mind spun out of control. I pulled aside a sheet and sat on an old bed. It creaked under my weight. I ran my fingers over the beautiful lacy cover.
Nothing made sense. Why hadn’t I asked Toby questions about the house? Had it been owned by witches at any point? He might not know. That was hardly something a real estate agent would reveal, or even know.
My skin itched. I needed to get out of the house. Between the stale air and the dust I kept disturbing, it was too much.
Unless I could get back to my own time using the portal. It was clearly active, just waiting for someone with magic to awaken the path.
I returned the sheet over the bed and headed back to the main level.
The sheet had been returned to the mirror.
My knees nearly gave out on me. I grasped for the railing and held on until I felt steady.
“Who’s here?” I called. Again, my own voice echoed around me, followed only by silence. Chances were, I was stronger than whoever cowered.
I went over to the mirror and yanked the sheet down. My reflection showed me wearing a black dress decorated with sequins and a burgundy ribbon twisting down my front. The matching skirt extended out, feeling like an umbrella around my legs. My hair was woven into a braid around my head and my ponytail gone.
I gasped, staring at myself. When had this change taken place? I hadn’t noticed anything unusual as I explored the house.
The room seemed to close in around me. I needed to get out of there and back to my own time as soon as possible. If nothing else, I needed to get back to Toby’s bathroom. If all else failed, I would take a plane to Iceland. It seemed like a better option with each passing moment.
Closing my eyes, I tried to picture the rune that had brought me here. My body shook and my mind would only focus on my outfit. It was one that I would have admired greatly as a child. The rich and influential women of our coven dressed like this.
“Focus.” I pictured the rune, but it melted away into the image of my dress again. Then images of lovely dresses from my childhood sprang to mind. Everything other than the rune.
Maybe that one design was the problem. I focused on the runes in my sister’s safe room. The light ones. They had done something, even if it was only to illuminate my finger.
My finger—that was it. I needed to hold it up in the air. I raised it and pictured the light runes.
A pretty black and purple dress appeared in my mind.
I threw my head back. “Come on.”
Once again, I focused on the runes from Frida’s home. An emerald green coat popped into my mind.
That was when I realized all the clothes had belonged to my mother when I was a child. We had been influential—though often despised—when Mother had been living. It wasn’t until her death that I’d had to live the life of pauper.
The house was arousing too many old memories. I needed to focus on things from my current life.
I squeezed my eyes shut and imagined my condo—before the fire, of course. Holding onto that image, I pictured a rune. The rune that had appeared in my bathroom.
No.
Before I could stop myself, a swirling sensation overtook me. My body thrust forward, sending my head back. I choked and then opened my eyes.
Everything appeared the same, including my beautiful dress.
I took a deep breath. Perhaps I could find a different mirror somewhere else. I headed for the bathroom, but as a passed a window, I felt compelled to peek outside. I pulled aside the sheet and curtain.
A bustling colonial-style town sprawled before me. I dropped the curtain and stepped back. The outside had been the woods just minutes prior.
Rain poured down as people hurried through the streets. I spun around only to find the sheets removed from all the furniture.
Conversation sounded from another room. Roaring laughter burst out.
My stomach lurched. I ran for the front door, my shoes clacking on the shining hardwood floor.
“What’s that?” asked a booming male voice from the other room.
“Who goes there?” demanded another.
My feet nearly flew out from under me as I ran for the door. I reached it and pulled it open, ran through, and slammed it behind me.
Rain poured down. I noticed an umbrella leaning against the house, so I grabbed it and opened it. It was small and hardly looked weatherproof, but it was better than nothing.
I hurried down the walkway, keeping my gaze low. Now I was really stuck. How would I ever find a mirror to get me back to the right time period? What if the mirror I’d come through was the only one that allowed time travel? Or would the rune work anywhere? I’d entered through the bathroom into the living room mirror.
In my haste, I bumped into someone. “I’m so sorry.” Out of habit, I looked up to see the person.
My mouth dropped open.
It was my mother.
She studied me, her eyebrows coming together. “Do I know you? You seem familiar.”
I fought to find my voice. It seemed to have disappeared altogether.
“Are you alright, child?”
Tears sprang to my eyes. So many thoughts rushed in my mind. Warnings to avoid her death. Stories to tell of how the coven had turned against me.
“What has overcome you?”
“I’m lost,” I blurt out, glad to have finally found my voice.
Concern washed over her face. “Where are you headed?”
Wasn’t that an apt question? I shook my head and leaned closer. “The future.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re…” She paused and gave me a once-over. “You’re one of us, aren’t you? That’s how you managed to find me, isn’t it?”
I swallowed. “I believe so.”
“What’s your name, dear?”
My hands shook as I held her gaze. “Gessilyn.”
Her face paled. “What did you say?”
“My name is Gessilyn Downing.”
She stumbled backward. I steadied her before she fell.
“Y-you’re from the future?” she stammered.
I nodded.
“How is it possible?” She studied my face more intently. “You do look like my daughter would, grown.”
“Where is she—am I—now?”
“Playing with Claudia and the other girls in our village. I just came to town for some supplies.”
My stomach twisted in knots. “Watch out for those girls. Instruct her to be careful.”
“Whatever do you mean? What do you know? What’s going to happen?”
“I don’t know how much is safe to say. It could be dangerous to tamper with the past.”
“You just told me to be wary of her friends.”
“Right.” I closed my eyes. “Just make sure you write her those instructional books.”
“What books?”
I had told my mother to write those books? It was my turn to stumble back. “Everything she needs to know… in case you aren’t there to teach her yourself.”
My mother gasped, fear in her eyes. “Are you saying…?”
“Too much. What do you know about runes? I need to get back, and quickly.”
She stared at me. It pulled on my heartstrings. I wanted nothing more than to wrap my arms around her and tell her everything, but if I wanted a heart-to-heart, I needed to find her in my own time.
“Do you know about runes?” I asked. “Or know of someone who does?”
My mother cleared her throat. “Yes, of course. Would you mind going with me to the market so I can get what we need? We can’t speak of these things around here.”
“Sure.” I tried to cover her with the tiny umbrella, but it barely covered me and it was already starting to leak.
“Why did you grab a sun umbrella?” she asked.
I stared at it, old memories filling my mind. “I’d forgotten they even existed. We only use them for rain.”
She gave me a funny look.
“People want to be tan.”
“Oh. Interesting.” She gestured down the muddy brick street. “Let’s hurry. I don’t like spending too much time in the city.”
I nodded, but couldn’t help finding humor in that. What she saw as a bustling city now seemed like a sleepy small town to me. It was amazing how much things could change over time.
We walked in silence, and I took everything in. The cute, little houses. The colonial style clothing. It all brought back so many memories, especially being there with my mother. What struck me the most was how easy it was to feel like it was all normal. It would be all too easy for me to settle into life as a settler when I needed to get back to my own time.
All it took was for me to recall Killian’s face, and I found myself longing to head back again. I wanted to see his smile and hear his voice. But mostly, I wanted to wrap my arms around him.
Mother stopped where someone was selling vegetables and purchased a few. Then we went on to another seller and she got some spices and herbs. Some, I recognized as having magical properties.
She turned to me. “We need to hurry. The man in charge of the witch hunts is heading our way.”
22
I grabbed some of the produce from my mother’s hands and we hurried down the street the way we’d came.
“Not too fast,” she whispered. “We don’t want to draw attention to ourselves.”
My heart thundered in my chest, but I forced myself to slow down. I knew firsthand how terrible and dangerous the witch hunters were. Not only because they’d taken my mother from me, but I’d witnessed the ways they had invented to torture witches. Even all these years later, occasionally the screams continued to haunt my dreams. I could never forget the stench of a burning at the stake. Things like that didn’t leave a person, ever.
I took his hands and squeezed. “You can always bring her back here. It’ll all work out. Do you still have her necklace?”
He nodded, let go of one of my hands, and pulled the jewelry from his pocket. “I figured you might ask for it.”
“Perhaps this will be the last time.”
Toby held his hands close to his heart. “Do you think?”
“I don’t want to get your hopes up prematurely, but maybe. If we’re in jaguar country, we might stand a chance. They’ve shown up more often than not during these locator spells.”
He closed his eyes and seemed to be saying a silent prayer. When he was done, I asked for his hands.
We held hands with the photograph and the necklace between us. I studied both before closing my eyes. I held the image of Victoria, trying to make the vision of her as real as Toby was across from me.
Toby’s hands twitched in mine. They were growing moist. He was so nervous, and I wanted to finally get this right for him. No one deserved to find his love more than he did.
I held onto Victoria’s image. It grew more lifelike, until she started walking around and even singing. She wandered on a hillside, gazing down at some colorful wildflowers. In the background, the sun shone brightly on a snowcapped mountain. An eagle flew overhead. A mother deer with two young fawns drank from a lake.
A jaguar roared in the distance, the sound echoing in my ears. I scanned the horizon, not seeing anything.
Toby’s hands clenched mine. Did he see it, too?
Victoria stooped down and collected some flowers, undaunted by the jaguar’s call. Another roar rippled through the air. Victoria gathered the flowers in her arm and rose, looking around.
Several black and yellow spotted creatures flew through the air and hissed. They were headed straight for her.
Victoria glanced at them, undaunted. She may as well have been watching butterflies.
Toby squeezed my hands, nearly crushing them. He pulled back slightly, as though his entire body was tensing.
Just before the majestic creatures reached Victoria, they simultaneously turned into well-dressed men. She greeted them with a smile, and the four of them walked toward the mountain.
She was perfectly at ease, not the tiniest inkling of fear reached me.
The image disappeared and Toby let go of my hands.
I opened my eyes.
“Did you see that?” I asked.
Beads of sweat dripping down his face. He stared at me, his eyes bewildered. “She’s with the jaguars willingly?”
“It would appear so, though we don’t have enough information. At least we know she’s not scared. The emotions felt in the vision were hers. All I felt was peace. They’re taking good care of her.”
His face tensed. “Just how good, exactly?”
“I didn’t sense a romantic tie to any of the jaguars. None held her hand as they walked away. They seemed more like family.”
Toby’s eyes narrowed. “They are not her family.”
“Did you happen to recognize the scenery?”
He nodded, his nostrils flaring. “It isn’t far from the college.”
“At least you’re in the right area. You didn’t purchase this place in vain.”
Toby leaned back and closed his eyes. “I’ve got to burn those faces into my memory. I’m going to find them and tear them to pieces.”
“Easy there, cowboy,” I warned. “You might want to take a different approach.”
His mouth formed a straight line and he opened his eyes. “You’re right. As the former leader of all the peaceful werewolf packs, I know that won’t accomplish anything, but I can dream, can’t I?”
“I would try to stay on their good side and attempt to get back to Victoria. She has to be as eager to see you as you are to see her.”
Toby nodded. “I need to bring my pack in on this. We’ll figure something out. I can’t thank you enough, Gessilyn. We should get you back to Iceland.”
“That would be for the best. The longer I stay here, the more likely the coven will sense me. I don’t want them bothering you.”
He rose and pushed his chair back in. “I’ve got a good sized mirror in the bathroom down here. Follow me.”
“Can I use your phone again? I want to make sure they’re at a mirror so I can find them.”
“Of course.” He handed it to me, already ringing.
“Where are you?” Frida asked.
“I’m about to use mirrors as a portal—or at least attempt it. I think it’ll help if you guys are in front of one, especially since I don’t know what I’m doing.”
She snorted. “That much is apparent. We’ll both stand at my mirror, the one in my bathroom. Does that give you enough to picture?”
“I sure hope so.”
“Give us a minute.”
“Okay. Hope to see you in a couple minutes.”
“Góða ferð.”
“Thanks, I’ll need all the luck I can get,” I muttered and then ended the call.
“Is there anything else you need?” Toby asked.
“A better cloaking spell?”
“It’s probably better that you’re learning the ways of your true coven.”
“I’d still rather be living quietly in my condo.”
He put his hand on my shoulder. “I have a feeling you’ll be much happier in the long run with your people.”
The thought of Killian made my heart flutter. “You might be right.”
“I have a feeling we’ll both be a lot happier before too long. I’ll find Victoria and you’ll defeat your old coven at last.”
Shivers ran through me.
He led me to the bathroom, where a large, elegant mirror greeted us. It had an intricately designed frame around it, leading me to believe it was as old as the house itself.
A faint swirly diamond shape appeared in the upper right corner.
My mouth gaped.
“What is it?” Toby asked.
“You can’t see it?”
He studied the mirror. “I don’t think so. What’s going on?”
“It would appear this mirror has already been used for traveling.”
“That’s good, right?”
My flesh went cold. “It looks like we’ll find out. Hopefully I don’t end up in the middle of another coven.”
He arched a brow. “In that case, I want you to call me when you arrive so I know you returned safely to your own.”
“If I don’t, call my number and send them a picture of this.” I squirted soap onto my finger and sketched an image of the rune on the mirror. “Tell them this was on the mirror before—”
The room spun around me. Toby and the entire bathroom disappeared.
21
I held my eyes closed until the spinning sensation stopped. Then I debated whether or not I wanted to look. Was I back in Frida’s home? Or had drawing a soap rune transported me somewhere else—to place where witches had traveled so long ago? If I’d have thought drawing a rune with liquid hand soap would actually transport me, I would have skipped the drawing.
Either way, I needed to open my eyes. I had managed to bring myself somewhere safe before, so perhaps I’d done it again. Though I was certain I could only stretch my luck so far.
I forced my eyes open—they resisted. Dusty white sheets covered everything around me. The sheets covered furniture and even windows. Dust covered the floor. The only thing without a sheet was a full-length mirror on my right, and a sheet sat rumpled in front of it, fresh dust spattered about. It had to have fallen when I entered.
“Hello?” I called. My voice echoed around me. The house was as big as Toby’s. I studied the room. It was actually the same layout as his living room.
My stomach dropped to the floor. What if this was his house? Had I managed to travel not through space, but time? If so, which direction had I gone? Forward or back?
I hurried out of the room, kicking dust behind me with each step.
Heart thundering, I crept upstairs. Given the layer of grime covering everything, it was doubtful that anyone had been inside in years. I found the second level in the same condition as the first. I followed a narrow, winding staircase to the third floor, finding more of the same.
I moved aside a sheet-covered curtain and peeked outside. Despite the lack of light inside, the sun shone brightly outside. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust.
Where—no, when—was I?
The forest surrounded the mansion. It seemed thicker than before, but it could have been my imagination playing tricks on me. I released the curtain and sneezed as tiny particles entered my nose.
What to do now? My mind spun out of control. I pulled aside a sheet and sat on an old bed. It creaked under my weight. I ran my fingers over the beautiful lacy cover.
Nothing made sense. Why hadn’t I asked Toby questions about the house? Had it been owned by witches at any point? He might not know. That was hardly something a real estate agent would reveal, or even know.
My skin itched. I needed to get out of the house. Between the stale air and the dust I kept disturbing, it was too much.
Unless I could get back to my own time using the portal. It was clearly active, just waiting for someone with magic to awaken the path.
I returned the sheet over the bed and headed back to the main level.
The sheet had been returned to the mirror.
My knees nearly gave out on me. I grasped for the railing and held on until I felt steady.
“Who’s here?” I called. Again, my own voice echoed around me, followed only by silence. Chances were, I was stronger than whoever cowered.
I went over to the mirror and yanked the sheet down. My reflection showed me wearing a black dress decorated with sequins and a burgundy ribbon twisting down my front. The matching skirt extended out, feeling like an umbrella around my legs. My hair was woven into a braid around my head and my ponytail gone.
I gasped, staring at myself. When had this change taken place? I hadn’t noticed anything unusual as I explored the house.
The room seemed to close in around me. I needed to get out of there and back to my own time as soon as possible. If nothing else, I needed to get back to Toby’s bathroom. If all else failed, I would take a plane to Iceland. It seemed like a better option with each passing moment.
Closing my eyes, I tried to picture the rune that had brought me here. My body shook and my mind would only focus on my outfit. It was one that I would have admired greatly as a child. The rich and influential women of our coven dressed like this.
“Focus.” I pictured the rune, but it melted away into the image of my dress again. Then images of lovely dresses from my childhood sprang to mind. Everything other than the rune.
Maybe that one design was the problem. I focused on the runes in my sister’s safe room. The light ones. They had done something, even if it was only to illuminate my finger.
My finger—that was it. I needed to hold it up in the air. I raised it and pictured the light runes.
A pretty black and purple dress appeared in my mind.
I threw my head back. “Come on.”
Once again, I focused on the runes from Frida’s home. An emerald green coat popped into my mind.
That was when I realized all the clothes had belonged to my mother when I was a child. We had been influential—though often despised—when Mother had been living. It wasn’t until her death that I’d had to live the life of pauper.
The house was arousing too many old memories. I needed to focus on things from my current life.
I squeezed my eyes shut and imagined my condo—before the fire, of course. Holding onto that image, I pictured a rune. The rune that had appeared in my bathroom.
No.
Before I could stop myself, a swirling sensation overtook me. My body thrust forward, sending my head back. I choked and then opened my eyes.
Everything appeared the same, including my beautiful dress.
I took a deep breath. Perhaps I could find a different mirror somewhere else. I headed for the bathroom, but as a passed a window, I felt compelled to peek outside. I pulled aside the sheet and curtain.
A bustling colonial-style town sprawled before me. I dropped the curtain and stepped back. The outside had been the woods just minutes prior.
Rain poured down as people hurried through the streets. I spun around only to find the sheets removed from all the furniture.
Conversation sounded from another room. Roaring laughter burst out.
My stomach lurched. I ran for the front door, my shoes clacking on the shining hardwood floor.
“What’s that?” asked a booming male voice from the other room.
“Who goes there?” demanded another.
My feet nearly flew out from under me as I ran for the door. I reached it and pulled it open, ran through, and slammed it behind me.
Rain poured down. I noticed an umbrella leaning against the house, so I grabbed it and opened it. It was small and hardly looked weatherproof, but it was better than nothing.
I hurried down the walkway, keeping my gaze low. Now I was really stuck. How would I ever find a mirror to get me back to the right time period? What if the mirror I’d come through was the only one that allowed time travel? Or would the rune work anywhere? I’d entered through the bathroom into the living room mirror.
In my haste, I bumped into someone. “I’m so sorry.” Out of habit, I looked up to see the person.
My mouth dropped open.
It was my mother.
She studied me, her eyebrows coming together. “Do I know you? You seem familiar.”
I fought to find my voice. It seemed to have disappeared altogether.
“Are you alright, child?”
Tears sprang to my eyes. So many thoughts rushed in my mind. Warnings to avoid her death. Stories to tell of how the coven had turned against me.
“What has overcome you?”
“I’m lost,” I blurt out, glad to have finally found my voice.
Concern washed over her face. “Where are you headed?”
Wasn’t that an apt question? I shook my head and leaned closer. “The future.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re…” She paused and gave me a once-over. “You’re one of us, aren’t you? That’s how you managed to find me, isn’t it?”
I swallowed. “I believe so.”
“What’s your name, dear?”
My hands shook as I held her gaze. “Gessilyn.”
Her face paled. “What did you say?”
“My name is Gessilyn Downing.”
She stumbled backward. I steadied her before she fell.
“Y-you’re from the future?” she stammered.
I nodded.
“How is it possible?” She studied my face more intently. “You do look like my daughter would, grown.”
“Where is she—am I—now?”
“Playing with Claudia and the other girls in our village. I just came to town for some supplies.”
My stomach twisted in knots. “Watch out for those girls. Instruct her to be careful.”
“Whatever do you mean? What do you know? What’s going to happen?”
“I don’t know how much is safe to say. It could be dangerous to tamper with the past.”
“You just told me to be wary of her friends.”
“Right.” I closed my eyes. “Just make sure you write her those instructional books.”
“What books?”
I had told my mother to write those books? It was my turn to stumble back. “Everything she needs to know… in case you aren’t there to teach her yourself.”
My mother gasped, fear in her eyes. “Are you saying…?”
“Too much. What do you know about runes? I need to get back, and quickly.”
She stared at me. It pulled on my heartstrings. I wanted nothing more than to wrap my arms around her and tell her everything, but if I wanted a heart-to-heart, I needed to find her in my own time.
“Do you know about runes?” I asked. “Or know of someone who does?”
My mother cleared her throat. “Yes, of course. Would you mind going with me to the market so I can get what we need? We can’t speak of these things around here.”
“Sure.” I tried to cover her with the tiny umbrella, but it barely covered me and it was already starting to leak.
“Why did you grab a sun umbrella?” she asked.
I stared at it, old memories filling my mind. “I’d forgotten they even existed. We only use them for rain.”
She gave me a funny look.
“People want to be tan.”
“Oh. Interesting.” She gestured down the muddy brick street. “Let’s hurry. I don’t like spending too much time in the city.”
I nodded, but couldn’t help finding humor in that. What she saw as a bustling city now seemed like a sleepy small town to me. It was amazing how much things could change over time.
We walked in silence, and I took everything in. The cute, little houses. The colonial style clothing. It all brought back so many memories, especially being there with my mother. What struck me the most was how easy it was to feel like it was all normal. It would be all too easy for me to settle into life as a settler when I needed to get back to my own time.
All it took was for me to recall Killian’s face, and I found myself longing to head back again. I wanted to see his smile and hear his voice. But mostly, I wanted to wrap my arms around him.
Mother stopped where someone was selling vegetables and purchased a few. Then we went on to another seller and she got some spices and herbs. Some, I recognized as having magical properties.
She turned to me. “We need to hurry. The man in charge of the witch hunts is heading our way.”
22
I grabbed some of the produce from my mother’s hands and we hurried down the street the way we’d came.
“Not too fast,” she whispered. “We don’t want to draw attention to ourselves.”
My heart thundered in my chest, but I forced myself to slow down. I knew firsthand how terrible and dangerous the witch hunters were. Not only because they’d taken my mother from me, but I’d witnessed the ways they had invented to torture witches. Even all these years later, occasionally the screams continued to haunt my dreams. I could never forget the stench of a burning at the stake. Things like that didn’t leave a person, ever.
