Chapter 13
Roman
We needed a plan for dealing with Tristan.
Currently, he was lounging in a chair in the basement, his head hanging and his body too weak to support itself.
I wanted to kill him.
For betraying Olivia. For harming her father.
But Lee had other ideas.
So, he and I retreated upstairs to discuss our options while Jack disappeared into the kitchen to finish cleaning up.
We stood in the hallway, leaning against the wall.
“The letter from Malik said we need to take Tristan to Italy,” I reminded Lee, rubbing my jaw. “But how the hell is that supposed to happen? Besides, spending even a second in his presence is pure torture.”
“I know, I know,” Lee said, pumping his hands up and down in exasperation. “He’s a sniveling idiot. But he’s a useful sniveling idiot. And he can be controlled by his weaknesses.”
I caught the subtle flicker of his gaze, just for a second, shifting away from mine.
He was hiding something.
I straightened. “What aren’t you telling me?” My voice was demanding.
Lee exhaled. “Tristan can time travel.”
I froze.
“He what?” My pulse kicked up. “How? Is he a Timeborne?”
“No, no, nothing like that.” Lee rolled so his back pressed against the wall, bracing himself. “He’s what’s known as a Timebound.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Explain.”
Lee hesitated, then shot me a side-eyed glance before continuing.
“A Timebound is someone who can only time travel with the help of a Timeborne.” He crossed his arms. “If the darkness or a Timeborne has a child, that child is automatically a Timebound. Unless they’re born during a solar eclipse—then they’re a Timeborne.”
I absorbed that, my mind racing. “And?”
“Every Timebound,” Lee went on, “is born with a necklace that’s unique to them. It looks like a sword—a key of sorts.” He exhaled. “It fits into the hilt of a Timeborne’s dagger. That’s what opens it.”
I processed the information, tension coiling in my chest.
“So, you’re telling me,” I said, “that Tristan—that idiot—has one of these necklaces?”
Lee nodded grimly.
“I didn’t see any necklace on Tristan.”
“I have it,” Lee said, pushing away from the wall. “Took it from him while he was unconscious.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled a small charm from a gold chain.
I frowned. “Emily has a necklace just like that.”
Lee nodded. “She does. Because she, too, is a Timebound.”
Lee extended his hand, palm up. “Where’s your dagger? I can show you how it works.”
I hesitated, then unsheathed my dagger and handed it to him.
Lee took it carefully, gripping the hilt, then gave a gentle tug. The blade clicked open, revealing a small keyhole inside.
He slid the pendant into place.
The dagger began to glow.
I breathed as the golden light pulsed, illuminating the intricate markings along the blade.
“For the necklace to work,” Lee explained, “the Timebound has to cut their hand, just enough to draw blood. Then, they spread it on the pendant before inserting the charm into the dagger. After that, the Timeborne—the time traveler—must do the same, say the ancient words, and then…” He paused.
“They travel,” I murmured, staring wonderfully at the shimmering blade.
Lee pulled the pendant free, the glow fading instantly, and handed me back my dagger.
“There’s a catch, though,” he added, his voice darkening. “If a Timebound loses their Timeborne—if they get separated—they’ll be trapped in that time.” His expression was grim. “Possibly forever.”
I grinned, tucking my dagger away. “That would serve Tristan right. Maybe he’d end up as some lord’s scullery maid.”
Lee chuckled. “Doubt that. Women were the only ones employed for that.” His smile widened. “But he would make an excellent stable hand. Sleeping in barns. Keeping warm with the pigs.”
The thought of Tristan mucking out stables for eternity made us laugh.
It felt good to laugh for the first time in far too long.
Then Lee’s expression sobered, the lightness of our laughter vanishing like smoke.
“So,” he said, his voice grave. “You have to do it. You have to take Tristan with you to Italy.”
I scowled. “Bloody hell.”
“If Malik isn’t there yet, find a man named Giovanni Zampa once you arrive.” Lee’s eyes bore into mine. “He has the Sun Dagger. Alina gave it to him before her death.” He exhaled, his jaw tightening. “And when you find Malik, you must do as he says.”
I squinted at him, suspicion curling in my chest. “What choice do I have?” My voice dropped. “But how do you know all of this?”
Lee’s jaw ticked. “I can’t tell you.” His gaze shifted away, his entire stance tense. “Right now, we all have parts to play.”
A sharp edge of frustration dug into my ribs.
“How the hell can you hide information from me?” My voice rose with irritation. “I need to know everything if I’m going to pull this off.”
Lee shook his head. “I can only tell you the pieces you need to know. It’s all part of a bigger plan. One that will end Balthazar—and every other darkness that threatens us.”
His expression turned distant, lost in thought.
I snapped my fingers in front of his face. “I hate being kept in the dark, Lee. Tell me what you’re hiding.”
He didn’t answer.
Instead, he turned on his heel and started walking away.
I stalked after him. “Where the hell are you going?”
“To my house,” he called over his shoulder, lifting a hand dismissively. “All you need to know is that this is part of the plan. If you can’t find Malik, you must find Giovanni. He has the blade.” He glanced back briefly. “Ask around.”
Lee reached for the doorknob, stepping outside without another word.
“Fuck.” I followed right behind him, my frustration burning through my veins.
Lee whirled around, his eyes blazing. “That’s all you need to know right now.”
His tone was final.
I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to back away—hands up, surrendering to the unspoken command.
If this was how it had to be, I had no choice but to follow orders.
If I’d learned anything in this strange, cursed lifetime, it was how to obey commands.
But I didn’t have to like it.
I stormed back into the house, my anger simmering beneath my skin. If anyone could give me a straight answer, it would be Jack.
I found him at the sink, scrubbing dishes, his movements methodical.
“I’m so angry at Lee right now,” I said, heading for the coffee maker. I needed something hot to burn away this frustration.
Jack wordlessly picked up a mug from the dish drainer and handed it to me.
I slammed it onto the counter with a loud thwack.
Jack barely reacted. He leaned back against the counter, his hands hooked over the edge, watching me with mild amusement.
“Welcome to the club.” His voice was dry, tinged with something like understanding.
“I’ve known Lee a long time. Before Olivia was born, he was always secretive.
” Jack exhaled. “I’d get so frustrated with him, especially during the worst moments with Alina.
He and my wife would fall silent whenever I approached.
And when I asked them what they were discussing,” Jack’s eyes darkened.
“They’d say things like, ‘Nothing that concerns you,’ or, ‘Nothing meaningful.’”
He shook his head, a bitter smile tugging at his lips.
“I would press, argue—but no matter what, they never gave me a straight answer.”
His shoulders lifted and fell in a long, tired sigh.
I crossed to the kitchen table, my fingers curling around my coffee.
I sat down, dumping sugar and creamer into the steaming mug.
Then, finally, I took a long, welcome sip.
The heat settled deep in my chest, grounding me.
“Lee’s doing the best he can to protect you,” Jack said, settling into the chair across from me. His eyes were warm, his smile sincere.
I studied him for a moment, then exhaled softly. “I wish I had a father like you.” I took another sip of coffee, letting the words settle between us. “You’re truly kind.”
Jack chuckled. “That’s one way to look at it. I’ve been called worse.” He reached for the blue-and-gold placemat before him, smoothing it out absentmindedly. “So… what’s the plan?”
I shrugged. “I have to do as I’m told. The full moon is in three days. Tristan’s coming with me.”
Jack listened intently as I explained everything about Tristan being a Timebound, the dagger, and the journey ahead.
When I finished, he let out a thoughtful sigh.
“So, you’re going back to Olivia. Goodness, how I miss my strong, beautiful girl.” A wistful look crossed his face before he shook himself. “Tell me something—when you married my daughter, did you get rings to symbolize your marriage?”
I lifted my left hand and shook my head. “I don’t have one.” My voice was quiet, tinged with regret. “We married in haste at a tribal encampment. All we cared about was declaring our love and making it official in the eyes of God.”
Jack’s eyes moistened. He quickly wiped at them with his thumb and forefinger.
“I’d like to take you into town,” he offered. “To buy rings. For you and Olivia to exchange.” He cleared his throat. “I think she’d like that.”
I stilled.
A lump formed in my throat, unexpected and overwhelming. I always wanted to do right by my beloved. And now, Jack—her father—offered me the chance to honor our love in a way I hadn’t before.
I swallowed hard, my voice rough when I finally spoke.
“Thank you.”
Jack wiped his nose and stood up.
I downed the rest of my coffee in one gulp and joined him, grabbing my coat as we stepped outside to Olivia’s Jeep.
The vehicle roared to life, and soon, we were speeding down the road, the trees and houses blurring into streaks of color.
I gripped the door handle, my stomach twisting. “I’m still not used to traveling this fast.”
Jack grinned. “Wait until you fly in an airplane.”
I blinked at him. “A what?”
“An airplane.” Jack glanced up through the windshield and pointed toward the sky. “Look up there.”
I followed his gaze—then jerked back in alarm.
A massive bird-shaped contraption soared high above us.
“What is that?” My pulse kicked up. “A mechanical bird?”