Page 30 of A Keeper of Time

“Do ye no’ think ’tis interesting that we’re all from this time and those who were no’ able to travel are from the future?” Cailin observed.

“Sophia’s from the future,” Robert said. “She’s still here in this time.”

“Are we sure about that?” Cailin asked.

“She and Latharn left before us,” Dougall said. “They should have been here by now.”

“Dougall’s right,” Angus said. The tension in the group intensified, as they realized they couldn’t be sure where their friends were.

“Do ye think the witch has got them?” Dougall wondered.

“Anything is possible,” Angus said.

“Should we search for them?” Dougall turned to Robert.

“Nay. We should wait for Biera to arrive. Mayhap she’ll have some news for us.”

Angus looked around at the men who, like him, were missing their wives. There were four of them. “Nothing will keep us from getting our wives back.” His voice was filled with certainty.

“Aye,” Cailin said.

Cormac and Logan nodded in agreement.

If anyone could defeat the witch and end this nightmare, it was this group, but how?

***

Tears formed in Edna’s eyes as she watched the scene outside her window. She pounded on the glass calling out, “Angus! Angus! I’m here.”

“He can no’ hear ye,” Evanore said handing her a hankie. “Here, dry yer eyes. Those tears will do ye nae good.”

“I doona understand ye.” Edna was very upset and found it impossible not to yell. “Ye seem like a reasonable witch. Ye understand suffering and loss. Why would ye want to harm these men and women?”

“Yer right. I’m sympathetic to their suffering, but ’tis no’ they I wish to hurt. ’Tis ye.”

“Fine. Do whatever ye wish to me, but do no’ destroy their lives.”

“By destroying them, I will destroy ye. I’ve already told ye that. ’Tis no’ a momentary victory I seek. What I wish is for ye to suffer all the days of yer life.”

Edna shuddered at thought of being so powerless in the face of such evil. She realized she might never leave this house, but there was no arguing with Evanore. No matter what Edna said it would make no difference. Maggie was her only hope. She had to get to Edinburgh to meet with the Council. They would help her. They had to.

“Where’s the cat?” Edna asked.

“William?” Evanore asked, using the name Edna had given him. “He’s locked away for the time being. I ken he’s been helping you, which is something he never did for me. Why would I want a cat that has betrayed me?”

Edna hid her surprise. “Ye have no’ harmed him have ye?”

“I’ve told ye. I’m no’ that kind of witch. He is safe where he is and when this is over he will be mine, and only mine, once again. I can no’ chance any more of his interference.”

Edna breathed a silent sigh of relief.

“Ye must understand. There is nae escape for ye. Ye are now merely an observer. Ye can no’ undo what has been done.”

That’s what you think. Edna turned back to the window and looked out at the campfire. She wanted to be there with them. To sit among them and partake of the food they made and the drink they shared. Her heart was breaking piece-by-piece as she watched what once was hers remaining out of her reach.

The firelight played across Angus’s features as he sipped whisky from his flask. One stray piece of silvery hair hung down, stopping just before it reached his eyes. She reached out her hand to brush it aside, but of course she couldn’t. All she could do was touch the cold glass of the window. Turning her head to check for Evanore’s whereabouts, she saw that she was now alone.

Glancing out the window once again, Edna froze. Angus seemed to be staring right into her eyes. Could he see her? She waved her hand frantically, but Angus glanced back to the fire with no sign that he had seen her at all. Deflated and hopeless, Edna’s hand went to her lips. She blew a kiss and fervently wished he could feel it landing softly on his own lips. She hoped he knew how much she loved him. She hoped that no matter what happened in the coming days, he wouldn’t forget her because she could never forget him. If she had to give him up in order to sustain the matches she’d made and the families created because of her meddling, she would make that sacrifice.