Chapter 4 #2
Maggie led them to the family table. The one where Edna, Angus, Dylan and Maggie sat together every night for dinner.
Edna’s heart ached as she longed to be there with them, but it ached more because she was coming to understand that Evanore’s plan involved sending her time travelers back to their own time.
She had to be stopped before she destroyed all their lives.
Edna stood and walked to the foyer. “Evanore! Where are ye? I want to talk to ye!” Her blood was boiling with anger.
“Aye, Edna,” Evanore appeared from nowhere.
“Just what do ye think yer doing?” Edna’s lips were set in a grim line as she glared at Evanore.
“I’m doing exactly what ye think I’m doing.” Evanore squared her shoulders appearing ready for a fight.
“But why? Why would ye want to destroy their lives?” Edna couldn’t fathom what could cause Evanore to interfere in something she had no business in.
The witch narrowed her eyes as she placed her hands on her hips. “Ye had no right to do what ye did. Sending people through time without regard for their well-being. Ye are out of control and I plan to correct what ye’ve done.”
“Nothing I’ve done needs correcting. These women are married now, with children.
They are happy. I haven’t harmed a one of them.
” Edna could hear the pleading of her own voice and did her best to get it under control.
Pleading with Evanore wasn’t going to work.
Appealing to her sense of kindness and humanity was useless.
“Ye should be ashamed of yerself, Edna.” Evanore wagged a finger in Edna’s face. “Ye are the cause of all of this. If ye’d only left well enough alone, this would’ve never had to happen.”
Not one to back down or back away, Edna pushed her finger away. “So ye refuse to take any responsibility for yer actions?”
“Me actions are pure. I am merely correcting yer manipulation of time to feed yer own ego.” She crossed her arms as she walked to the other side of the room.
Edna followed. She was boiling mad by now. “Me ego! Me ego had nothing to do with matching these couples.”
“Did it no’?” Evanore raised an eyebrow. Her tone was that of someone who felt justified in their actions.
Edna couldn’t believe her ears. “No. Never!” She’d never been so angry. She could feel the heat rising in her belly as she resisted the urge to strike Evanore.
“Once it’s all done, ye’ll go before the Council of Witches to answer for yer crimes.” Evanore examined her fingernails, wearing a smug, confident expression.
“Crimes? Yer delusional!” Edna clutched her skirt with both hands resisting the urge to raise them to Evanore’s throat and strangle her.
Evanore pointed her finger at Edna once again. “Think what ye like, but ye’ll pay for what ye’ve done. Mark me words.”
Edna found herself spinning involuntarily as she listened to the sound of Evanore’s laughter. When the spinning stopped, Evanore had disappeared, leaving Edna fuming.
She glanced down to find the orange tabby slithering around her legs and ankles, rubbing his head on her as he went. “What do ye think of all this?” Edna leaned down and picked him up. His warm body and soft purr immediately calmed her. “I wish I knew yer name. Do ye even have a name?”
The cat purred happily and head butted her chin as she cradled him closely to her chest. Edna felt helpless and alone.
Not something she was accustomed to. She was always very much in control of every situation.
She’d had her moments of despair, but she was always able to keep her wits about her until a solution to whatever problem she’d encountered could be found.
“I think I’ll call ye William,” Edna said, taking some comfort in the cat’s company.
William butted her chin once again, almost as if he was pleased to finally have a name.
"If only ye could help me,” Edna whispered into William’s ear.
He struggled from her grasp and sprinted out of the room and up the stairs.
Edna followed him to her bedroom where the leather-bound book lay open on the bed.
She could see right away that more names had been crossed out.
Ashley, Jenna and Sara were now relegated to the bottom of the page along with Angus.
William was now in front of the fireplace. He stood very still with his tail straight up in the air.
“What are ye up to?” Edna asked.
William turned his head to look at her. He blinked his large green eyes slowly before turning back to the fireplace. A fire sprang to life in what had only a moment ago been a cold, empty hearth.
“How did ye do that?” Edna asked. “Oh, never mind. Thank ye! I’ve nae time to waste. I must contact Maggie.” She plunked her bottom down in front of the hearth.
Edna stared into the fire and muttered an incantation she had used for years. In a very short time she was able to see the dining room of The Thistle and Hive Inn.
“Oh!” Maggie said, noticing the fireplace had come to life. “Auntie? Is that ye?”
“Maggie. Thank goodness! I did no’ think I’d be able to contact ye. I’ve got to be quick though.”
“Where are ye?” Maggie asked. The other women gathered around her to see what was happening.
“I’m in a house on the other side of the bridge.”
“We didn’t see anything. We were just there,” Ashley said.