Chapter 8
Once again Edna found herself on the outside looking in with little she could do to stop what was about to happen.
Hamish and Donal had ventured into San Francisco where they met with Zeke.
They were all making plans to head to the Marina Green to the spot where they would travel back in time.
Zeke carried his phone so he could let Maggie know when they had arrived and were ready.
“Where are your wives?” Zeke asked.
“They wanted to come, but we felt it best that they stay behind. We have a new baby and Donal’s wife is expecting,” Hamish said.
“Elle’s been helping her sister run the tea shop.
We’ll be heading back out on tour after the baby comes, so they’re looking forward to having something they call sister-time while they decorate the nursery. ”
Donal beamed, “Aye, little Elena loves to help with her cousin. ’Tis good practice for when the new bairn arrives.”
“Oh… I’m so happy for both of you,” Sara said.
“Thank ye,” Hamish replied.
They crossed the busy street that led to the spot they were all familiar with. It was a Saturday, so the area was filled with people out with their dogs, exercising and just enjoying the crisp fall day.
“Okay, is everyone ready?” Zeke asked.
“Yes,” the women all said in unison.
Hamish and Donal nodded.
Zeke made the call to Maggie. “Hello.”
“Hi, Zeke. Is everyone there?”
“We’re all here and ready to go,” he assured her as he glanced around at the group surrounding him.
“Doona anyone move. Stay close together. I have no’ moved this many people at one time before but everything is going to be just fine.”
Edna could hear the confidence in Maggie’s voice. She was so proud of her. Proud of the way she was handling all of this.
The group gathered together and in a few moments the whirlwind descended on them.
Ashley, Jenna and Sara found it difficult to stay on their feet.
The wind was stronger than any of them remembered it being.
Zeke, too, was pushed aside as the wind swirled around and around and around.
When it stopped. Zeke looked around. His wife was gone and so were Hamish and Donal.
Tears stung Edna’s eyes. Evanore had done it again.
She stood behind Edna and a maniacal laugh emerged as she clapped her hands.
Edna spun around, surprised by the unexpected arrival of Evanore. “The least ye could do is announce yerself when ye arrive.” Anger filled Edna’s voice and eyes.
“Whatever for? I’m enjoying yer reactions to me work.”
Edna’s hands were balled into fists. Her loathing for Evanore was overwhelming.
“I can see ye’re upset, but doona worry, I’ll be done soon enough, Edna. Let’s see. Who else is left?”
Edna didn’t say a word. She wasn’t about to help Evanore and her evil plans ruin anyone else’s life.
“The doctor is already back in Glendaloch, where he will stay. Hmmm…” she tapped her lips with a well-manicured fingertip as she looked skyward, obviously thinking.
“Oh, aye. That English knight, Sir Richard. His wife Angelina must go back to San Francisco as well. And that maid, Sophia. She didn’t even want to time travel.
I’m sure she’ll be relieved to go back home.
And I can no’ forget yer daughter, Lena! ”
Edna lunged towards Evanore, but an invisible wall stopped her in her tracks. “Ye’ve got to stop this. It’s me yer angry with. Destroy me. Destroy me life, but leave them alone!”
“Doona ye see, Edna? I am destroying ye.” Evanore walked to the doorway and glanced back over her shoulder. “Doona worry. ‘Twill all be over soon.”
***
Arriving back at Breaghacraig, Angus and the others were greeted with the news that Ashley, Jenna and Sara had gone to the bridge to look for Edna.
“Why?” Cailin asked. “Why would she leave the wee bairns to go off like that?”
“I’d like to ken the same,” Cormac said.
“They thought it would be good to check there since ye had gone in the opposite direction. I’m sure they’ll be back soon,” Irene assured them. “Latharn and Sophia left this morning to find them and bring them back.”
Angus watched as Cailin slowly shook his head in frustration.
“The bairns are fine. They’re with Helene right now,” Irene said.
Cailin and Cormac bounded up the stairs as Angus turned to Robert. “I doona like this,” he said.
“I agree. ’Twould be best for them to stay as far away from the witch as possible.”
“What do ye mean?” Irene asked, grabbing Robert’s hand.
“We’ve news that Edna is being held prisoner near the bridge,” he explained.
“Are ye sure?” she asked.
“Aye,” Angus said. “Biera told us. She is heading that way now, but will stop to see Lena and Ewan first. She’ll tell them what’s happening.”
“We wanted to stop here to let ye ken where we are headed next and to gather more supplies. We’ve nae idea how long we’ll be gone.” Robert wrapped a lock of Irene’s raven hair around his hand.
The happy face Irene had greeted them with was gone now. “Ye must save her and make sure Ashley and the others are safe.”
“We’ll be taking more men with us. We doona ken what to expect, but we will be prepared,” Robert assured her.
“I’m off to the kitchen. Ye’ll need food while yer gone.” Irene hurried out of the great hall, leaving Angus and Robert to consider their next move.
“Dougall, get the men ready,” Robert ordered.
“Aye, sir,” he replied. “We’ll be ready.”
“What will we do if we canno’ fight her with conventional weapons?” Angus asked. “We will no’ have Edna to help us.”
“We willnae ken that until we arrive at the bridge and see what we’re up against. Whatever is there, be assured that we will stand beside ye.” Robert headed for the door. “I’ll be back. I’ve things to see to before we depart.”
With the exception of a few servants tending the fire and sweeping the floor, Angus was alone with his thoughts.
He sat out of the way in a darkened corner of the room.
His heart was troubled by all he’d learned.
Biera would be waiting for them at the bridge.
He hoped she would have more information for them when they arrived.
Knowing the kind of woman Edna was, Angus couldn’t help but think she must be trying everything in her power to escape from her prison. Maggie would be working from the other side of the bridge. Surely with all of their combined magic she would be free soon.
***
Edna sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the cold, empty fireplace. A faint meow, followed by a scratching at her door told her William wanted to come in.
She rose and opened the door for him. Not surprisingly the cat purred loudly before rubbing his head on her leg. Edna returned to her seat on the bed and was surprised to see that William sat on the floor in front of her instead of hopping up beside her.
“Well, William, what have ye to say for yerself?” she asked.
He tipped his head while his eyes remained fixed on her.
“Are ye here because Evanore sent ye?” Edna asked.
William’s tail twitched angrily back and forth at the sound of his master’s name.
“Or are ye here to help me?” Edna tried her best to summon even a small bit of her power. If only she could hear what he was thinking. She stared into his eyes and cleared her mind of everything. It was no use. Nothing was coming to her.
William turned away from her and faced the fireplace. After a few quiet moments a flicker of flame appeared. It rapidly grew into a blazing fire.
“William, ye are a love! Thank ye.” Staring into the flames Edna could see the inn. “Maggie! Dylan! Can ye hear me?”
The door to the kitchen flew open as Dylan rushed to the fireplace. “Edna, is that you?” he asked.
“Do ye ken anyone else who’d speak to ye this way?” she said with some impatience.
Dylan chuckled at this. “Are you okay?”
“Aye. She’s no’ hurt me. Where’s Maggie?” Her impatience was showing “Get her for me please.”
“I’ll be right back.” Dylan headed back through the kitchen door and a few moments later Maggie rushed in slightly out of breath.
“Auntie. I’m so relieved to hear from ye. Something’s gone terribly wrong.”
“I know, dear. It’s no’ yer fault.” Edna took a breath before continuing. Her nerves were rattled, but she didn’t want to frighten Maggie. “Where is everyone? Do ye know?”
“I thought I did, but I’m no’ sure anymore. I doona think it’s a good idea to send anyone across the bridge in either direction. I doona think they’re making it.”
“No. They’re no’. The couples are being separated and sent back to their own time,” Edna told her.
“That explains what happened on the Marina Green. I was worried I had done something wrong. Did ye find out why?” Maggie asked.
“Her sister was Brielle.”
Maggie gasped as her hand flew to her chest.
“She’s punishing me for her sister’s death.”
Maggie’s face appeared ashen as she opened her mouth to speak. “No. She can no’ do that.”
“Unfortunately, I can tell ye that she can. She’s undoing everything I’ve done. And will no’ stop until every single one of them is back where they started.”
“What can we do?” Maggie sat on the floor in front of the hearth.
Edna took a deep breath, “Ye must contact the Council of Witches. Tell them what’s happening. Ask for their help.” It was the only thing Edna could think of that might work.
“Okay. Should I use the fire?” Maggie seemed eager to get started.
Edna couldn’t help but smile. She knew she could depend on her niece to do whatever was necessary. “Ye’ll have to go to them.”
“Where?” Maggie asked.
“They’re in Edinburgh. Ye’ll have to go there. Go to me desk. The center drawer is locked. The key is hidden under the plant on the credenza behind it. In the drawer is a small box with the address in it.”
“I’ll go now.” Maggie rose from the floor. “Do ye really think they’ll help ye?” There was a note of worry in her voice.
“I can only hope they will. It’s up to ye to convince them.
” Edna trusted Maggie to do this. She was a bright and resourceful young woman, but one who’d always doubted her abilities.
This would be the perfect opportunity to prove to herself that she was more than capable of anything she put her mind to.
“I’ll do me best,” Maggie promised.
“I know ye will. I love ye, me girl.”
“I love ye, Auntie. Have ye heard from Uncle?”
“I have no’. I doona ken where he is.” Edna was worried.
She’d seen him when he crossed the bridge, but Evanore hadn’t allowed her to see him since.
“One more thing, Maggie. There’s a servant here who’s had a spell cast on him.
I’m no’ sure where he’s from, but he’s no’ here willingly.
I need ye to try to help him if ye can. Me powers are of nae use to me as long as I’m in this invisible fortress. ”
“I’ll see what I can do,” Maggie said.
“Good lass,” Edna said. “We’ll talk again soon, I hope.”
The fire went out and Edna once again found herself alone with William.
She’d done all she could do and now she would attempt to do the only thing she wanted to do.
She lay down on the bed, resting her head on the pillows and thought about Angus.
Maybe if she thought long and hard enough he’d know she was thinking of him.
She closed her eyes and drifted back to their early days together.
They’d packed a picnic and were sitting on a blanket along the banks of the stream.
The gurgling water and rustling leaves along with the songs of the sweet, small wren in the trees all around them were the music playing as they ate and talked.
“Angus, ye ken I’ve been entrusted with the care of this bridge.
” She turned her gaze to the stone span where she’d first met Angus.
“It’s the family duty. Me mother Moira, me grandmother Henrietta and all the other women of the family who came before them were charged with aiding travelers who may come along and need to travel from this time to the past or past to present. ”
“Ye’ve explained it to me, aye,” Angus said. He looked at her with eyes filled with love and longing.
“Are ye happy here, Angus?” she asked, hoping he was and that it wasn’t just infatuation with her that made him smile.
He answered without hesitation. “Verra.”
“Ye doona wish to go back?” She gazed into his eyes for the truth.
“And leave ye? Nay!” He spoke loudly and clearly.
Edna smiled. Those were the words she wanted to hear. If he’d said he wished to return to his own time, duty would compel her to send him back.
“What of ye? Are ye happy here? Do ye ever wish to travel back to the past?” he asked.
“’Tis a good question. I’ve thought of it a time or two, but even if I wanted to go, and I’m no’ saying I do, I could no’ leave me inn or the bridge.”
“Good. The past is no’ for ye.” Angus gently brushed her cheek with his thumb, sending a shiver of delight through her. She leaned into it as his hand cupped her face. “Have I told ye of yer beauty?” he asked, a teasing glint in his eyes.
“I doona recall,” Edna teased back.
“Mayhap I will show ye how beautiful ye are.” Angus pulled her close.
So close that their noses touched. He rubbed noses with her for a moment, causing a smile to spread across her face.
His gentle kiss caused more than her lips to tingle with desire.
More soft, sweet kisses rained upon her as his lips traveled from her lips to her neck and back up to that spot behind her ear that curled her toes.
“Ye like that do ye?” Angus asked.
“Mmmm…” Edna could feel Angus’s lips curl into a smile as he continued. Each moan of delight only egged him on.
Edna opened her eyes, reluctantly leaving her past happiness behind and accepting that she was no longer in control of what happened to her—Evanore was.