Page 22 of A Keeper of Time

Evanore had just taken a mouthful of eggs. She took her time chewing and then swallowing before she answered. “Ye canno’ escape, ye ken. Ye are me guest and it would be quite rude of ye to try to leave.”

“I understand,” Edna said. She forced a reluctant smile to her lips.

Evanore snapped her fingers and the elusive windows appeared. “I’ve a busy day ahead of me. I’m sure ye’ll find a way to amuse yerself.” She scooped up a scone, breaking off a corner and placing it in her mouth before heading to the door. “Mmmm… I’ve outdone meself.”

Edna turned in her chair to see where Evanore was going, but she’d already disappeared. She finished her oatmeal, patted her lips with her napkin and rose from her seat. She wondered how she would get through this ordeal. For a woman who liked to keep busy, this was torture. She turned to Barnes.

“Barnes, do ye ken where ye are?” she asked.

“I’m here with you, ma’am. In the dining room,” he replied in the same monotone voice she was coming to accept as being caused by Evanore’s spell.

It seemed that was going to be as good as it would get. No one to talk to and nothing to do. She’d surely go crazy. Maybe that was Evanore’s plan. Perhaps she could look in on the girls or Maggie. As if on cue, the crystal orb appeared and followed her into the sitting room.

By now she was familiar with the way the smoke swirled around the interior of the orb and the way it would gradually show her what was happening in the world away from this strange house. Where would it take her this morning?

Edna wondered where Angus was this morning. Was he on his way back to the bridge, or was he wandering further away from her? More than that, she hoped he was well and that nothing bad had crossed his path. Evanore’s sister had nearly killed him in the past. Would Evanore go to such lengths? Her stomach roiled at the thought. It had taken everything she and Maggie had in their arsenal to save Angus and they did. It had been the worst moment of Edna’s life and she had no wish to go through it again. For now she knew he was safe, but she couldn’t be sure that Evanore wasn’t planning something. She’d be careful in any confrontations with Evanore. She didn’t wish to rile her and cause anyone, especially her Angus any harm.

The swirling orb stopped, leaving Edna disappointed she wasn’t going to see her husband this morning. Instead she had a view of her niece and her husband.

Chapter 7

“Ican no’ believe it,” Maggie said. “Dylan, they never made it back to Breaghacraig. They’re in San Francisco!”

“What went wrong?” Dylan asked.

“I doona ken. I did everything the way Auntie Edna taught me. Maybe she wasn’t there on the other side of the bridge. If that was the case then they might have ended up in San Francisco by default.”

“So how are you going to fix this?” Dylan asked.

“Good question. I’m open to suggestions.” Maggie scrubbed her hands through her hair in frustration.

Dylan took hold of her hands, stopping her from knotting up her beautiful red locks. When he had her attention he released her hands and with gentle fingers fixed her hair. “It seems like Zeke, Hamish and Donal want to help find Edna.”

“The more the better, I guess.” Maggie wandered to the windows and looked out on the sidewalk in front of the inn. “I have nae idea where Uncle Angus is. It might be helpful to have them searching, too, or at the verra least finding Uncle Angus and letting him ken that a witch is holding her against her will in a house that nae one can seem to see. I wish I knew where ‘twas.”

“I thought it was on the other side of the bridge.” Dylan took Maggie’s hand and turned her to face him.

“So did I. But if ‘twas there when Ashley and the others tried to cross, they probably would have ended up back in the correct time.”

“Do you think it could be movable and the witch is playing some crazy game with us?” he asked.

“That’s what it looks like. How will we ever find her if the house keeps moving?” Maggie was sounding less and less confident.

“We’ll have to hope Edna contacts you again with more information.” Dylan pulled her into his arms and held her close.

Edna watched with dismay as Maggie and Dylan spoke. It was a wonderful thing that everyone wanted to help, but doing so could put each of them in danger. She wanted to tell them not to let Hamish and Donal help. She was sure that was exactly what Evanore wanted and, perhaps, had somehow orchestrated.

There was nothing she could do locked away in this house. William had been of no further assistance with the fireplace. She had to find a way out and maybe that began with her ability to break Evanore’s spells. She’d start with Barnes. If she could break the spell that had been used to entrance him she might stand a chance of finding a way out. Edna felt better. She had a plan of sorts. Now to get to work.

***

“Are ye sure there’s nothing I can do to help,” Nick Mackall said. He stood at the gates to his castle as Angus and the others prepared to depart. He seemed eager to join them on their quest.

“Nay. I thank ye for yer hospitality,” Angus said, feeling truly blessed to have such a friend in Nick Mackall. “Please bid yer wife farewell and thank her for us.”

“Where will ye go next?” Nick faced Angus, placing a hand on the horse’s neck and softly stroking it.

“We’ll head to Castle Treun, to Dougall’s family.” Angus was in a hurry to be on his way. Any other time he would have lingered here with the Mackalls, but not today.