Page 48 of A Keeper of Time

“Is anyone there?” she called when the living room came into view.

“I’m here,” Sara said, coming into view.

“Sara!” Logan called, pushing some of the other men out of the way so he could see his wife.

“Logan!” The look of love on her face when she saw her husband would melt even the coldest of hearts. “I miss you!”

“And I ye.”

Melusina interrupted the conversation taking place between Sara and Logan. “Ye can catch up when this is all over with. For now, Sara, we need to ask ye some questions.”

“Why? What’s going on?” Sara asked.

“We’re having a trial,” Melusina explained.

Sara looked to Logan seeming puzzled. “For who?”

Logan opened his mouth to speak, but Melusina put up a finger to stop him before answering Sara. “Evanore and Edna. Evanore has kidnapped Edna and accused her of killing her sister.”

“Oh!” Sara’s hand went to her open mouth.

“She has accused Edna of misusing her powers to manipulate people into traveling to and from the past.”

“I can tell you right now that Edna didn’t manipulate me at all. I wanted to go back in time.”

“Why is that?” Melusina asked.

“Because that’s where Logan lives and I wanted to be with him.”

“Ye said ye weren’t manipulated. Can ye explain that further?”

“It was my idea to go back. I had to convince Edna to send me. And you might as well know that because she did, a man’s life was saved and another couple also had the chance to be together. We both have children now, too. My baby, Lily, is not even one year old yet. She needs me. I want to get back to her and my husband as soon as I can.”

Mardella, Melusina and Daire looked over their notes and spoke in low tones. They called more witnesses to the fireplace and when they were done a few more of the warriors were called. It had been a long day, but they weren’t done yet.

“Finally, I’d like to call Sir Richard Jefford.” Melusina cast her gaze over the crowd and seemed pleased when Richard stood and walked towards her.

“I’m Richard Jefford,” he said as he approached the bench.

The Council witches nodded, acknowledging his presence.

“Tell us yer story, sir,” Melusina said.

Richard was silent for a moment, obviously gathering his thoughts. “Edna Campbell is a good woman. She saved my life on more than one occasion and I am grateful to her for that. She also gave me a life. It is filled with joy and love. Ye see, in the past I was not a good man. I was jealous, vindictive and selfish. All of that changed when Edna came into my life. She saw something in me that I could not see in myself. She gave me a chance to be a better man and in doing so, I met my wife, Angelina. She is, as her name would suggest, my angel. We have a young son. He needs his mother as much as I need my wife. I cannot imagine my life without her. It would be empty and dark.” He glanced at Edna, who couldn’t be more proud of him. He really had become a new man. “I don’t know that I can ever thank Edna enough for what she’s done for me. I am indebted to her.” He turned to Edna. “Thank you, Edna.”

“Thank ye, sir. Ye may be seated,” Mardella said.

“Before I sit, there’s one more thing I’d like to say.”

“Make it quick if ye would, sir.”

“I told you Edna saved my life, but what I did not tell you was that she saved me from being killed by Brielle.”

The three witches exchanged glances.

“Exactly how did she do that?” Daire asked.

“She swept me up out of harm’s way and sent me to the future where I met my wife.” His steady gaze swept across the jury.