Page 55 of A Keeper of Time

Melusina seemed satisfied with her answer. The invisible barrier was removed as she addressed Edna. “Ye are free to go.”

Edna stood and ran into Angus’s arms. “Oh, me darling, I’m so relieved.”

Angus couldn’t speak. He caught Edna in his arms and buried his face in her neck, holding onto her tightly.

Melusina cleared her throat to get everyone’s attention. “Evanore ye must leave. Yer punishment begins immediately.”

The three witches gathered around her muttering an incantation and circling her as they did. Edna knew they were taking her powers away from her and took some satisfaction in knowing that Evanore wouldn’t be bothering any of them again. When they were done, they escorted her to her front door and bid her goodbye.

***

The door to the house slammed and in a moment it disappeared, leaving the bridge and its surroundings the way everyone had always remembered it to be.

“Thank ye, ladies,” Edna said.

“We’re no’ quite finished here, Edna. There are some things we must discuss, but I think we’ve all had enough for one day. We’ll continue tomorrow.”

Edna’s eyebrows shot upwards on hearing this. “But what about the couples. They’ve been apart much longer than they should have been.” Edna couldn’t believe they were going to make them wait. She wondered if there was some reason she was unaware of and if there was, what could it be?

“Tomorrow,” Melusina said, turning and walking away from her.

Angus placed an arm around Edna’s shoulders and led her away towards their friends where she was greeted with cheers and hugs from everyone.

The Council of Witches joined them, taking the time to speak with all of the men they hadn’t spoken to during the trial. Edna wasn’t sure what they were talking about, but she hoped they were discussing their wives and children. Brenna, Maggie and Lena were huddled together. Brenna was visibly distressed. Edna wished there was something she could do to help her, but she knew the only thing that would work would be for her to be reunited with Zeke.

As the sun began to set, the witches conjured a feast complete with tables, chairs, plates, silverware and more food than Edna thought it would be possible to eat.

Off in the shadows she spied someone who appeared to be hiding in amongst the trees. “Angus, I’ll be right back,” Edna said.

When she saw him sneak away earlier she thought Barnes might have run off somewhere. “Why do ye hide?” she asked him.

“I don’t wish to go back to my own time. I wish to go with you,” he said.

Edna was astonished to hear this. She grabbed hold of his hands and held them as she spoke. She had to be sure this was truly what he wanted. Her abilities would give her the answer she sought. “Ye would leave yer family and friends to be in Glendaloch?”

“I have no one. Please, take me with you. I don’t wish to stay behind,” he pleaded. “I have a place at the manor only because my father lost all he had and more gambling with the lord of the house. To help pay off his debt, I was forced to work there without compensation. When my father passed away, there was still a great deal owed to them. I could work there until my dying day and still be in debt to them.”

“Oh dear!” Edna felt the truth pouring out of him and felt every emotion he was feeling.

“There’s more to my story. His lordship is not a good man. He forced me to steal for him. I was given lock picking tools that I was to use in the homes of his friends and acquaintances. I would steal money and jewels for him. I couldn’t say anything about it to anyone. He told me if I did he would turn me in to the police. They would never believe me. He was a man of stature and standing and I was a mere servant.”

“Me dear I am so sorry. Of course, I’d be happy to take ye with me, but the Council may no’ allow it. We’ll have to see what they say,” Edna explained.

“Will ye speak with them?” He almost whispered this question as he held tightly to Edna’s hands

“I will. For now, come eat something. Ye must be famished.” She led him out from the trees.

“I am. I don’t know what that witch did to me, but I don’t believe I ate while I was under her spell.” He rubbed his belly as he walked beside her.

“’Tis possible. Come, eat with us,” Edna said.

“Do you wish me to serve you?” he asked.

“Doona be silly. Yer no’ a servant any longer.”

She walked with him back to the table and created a spot next to her for him to sit. None of the other witches seemed to notice him, which was a good thing. Edna would convince them tomorrow to let her help him.

“I’d like to call ye by yer first name if ye doona mind,” Edna said.