Chapter 13
Edna felt that so far things had gone well. Robert and Cailin had been good witnesses of her character and motives. That much was good, but the last thing Edna wanted to do was leave Angus behind. She hadn’t been able to speak with him, but they’d exchanged longing glances throughout the morning.
“How much longer do ye expect this to take?” Edna asked. She was trying without success to hide her impatience.
“’Twill take as long as it takes,” Melusina said. “We will no’ hurry things along for either of ye.”
Edna was relieved she didn’t seem to take too much exception to her tone.
“Ye would be the best judge of that, me dear Melusina.” Evanore’s smug expression as she eyed Edna had her bristling.
It was obvious she was trying to cozy up to the council and rile Edna in the process. If she thought she was going to get Edna to lash out at her, she was sorely mistaken.
“Good. Why doona ye have yer servant make us some lunch?” Daire nodded towards Barnes before heading into the dining room.
“Of course,” Evanore replied. “Lunch, please.” She waved a hand at Barnes and he left the room.
“Could ye no’ just conjure something up?” Edna asked, feeling irritable.
“Who’s to say I’m no’?” Evanore joined the women in the dining room.
Edna followed along as Barnes returned with tea and sandwiches for everyone. She tried to catch his eye, but he seemed intent on his duties as a servant.
“These are delicious,” Mardella said, popping the last bite of sandwich into her mouth. “Delicious!”
“Thank ye. I made them meself,” Evanore said, blushing for good measure.
Edna had to look away as she rolled her eyes in disbelief. It wouldn’t do for the Council to see it.
“Yer no’ eating, Edna,” Melusina observed.
Edna’s small nibbles and her pursed lips were a good indicator that her thoughts were elsewhere. “I’m no’ verra hungry.”
“’Tis a shame,” Evanore said. “If ye have no’ heard, the food is delicious.
Edna wanted to yell, None of this would be happening if ’twas no’ for ye! She thought better of it. She got the feeling that her behavior could possibly influence the Council. “’Tis nothing against the wonderful feast ye’ve provided.”
“Then what’s wrong?” Daire asked, with sincere concern.
“I miss me husband,” Edna said. “’Tis hard to see him sitting there and no’ be able to talk to him or touch him.” She glanced around the table where she was met with pitying looks from everyone except Evanore.
“So ye ken how it feels. I miss me sister, but unlike ye I can no’ see her or speak to her ever again.”
“And so ye wish others to suffer as ye have?” Edna could feel all the pent up anger building inside of her.
“I do! ’Tis nothing less than what ye deserve!”
“Yer only thinking of yerself.” Edna tried to bring her voice down to a more moderate level, but was unsuccessful.
“As did ye, when ye took me sister’s life,” Brielle bit back.
Edna calmed herself before speaking again.
“I understand yer pain. ’Tis a terrible thing to lose yer sister, but nothing yer doing is going to bring her back.
Causing pain and suffering to me and to the couples I’ve matched is no’ going to make ye feel any better.
” She set her napkin on top of her plate.
What little appetite she’d had was now completely gone.
“None of what ye say is true.” Evanore jumped up from her seat, pushing it over as she did.
“Ladies, let’s no’ argue. We’ll straighten this all out with the help of our jurors. ’Tis why we’re here.” Melusina said. “Evanore, please sit.”
Evanore honed in on Edna as she sat, narrowing her hate-filled eyes and letting loose with a snort of derision.
Edna thought the Council would have sided with her on this, but it seemed they were only interested in the appearance of fairness when this was a cut and dry case.
Brielle was dead because of her own bad behavior and Evanore had no right to kidnap Edna and undo all the good she had done these past several years.
She was angry. So angry she was sure there must be steam coming out of her ears to prove it.
“Are we all ready to head back out?” Melusina asked. Not waiting for an answer she rose and headed for the door. Everyone fell in line behind her, as did Edna.
***
Angus hadn’t moved from his seat as they waited for the Council to reappear. The witches on the jury had all wandered off into the surrounding woods. He watched them go before turning to Maggie and Robert who sat on either side of him. “I’m worried.”
“Doona be, Uncle. There are still many more who wish to speak. They will tell the truth about Auntie.”
“She’s right.” Robert placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
“I ken it, but I wish I could be sure that all of those witches were going to side with Edna.”
Maggie leaned her head on his shoulder as Sir Richard joined them.
“Maggie, I’d like a chance to speak. I think me story could help Edna. Will ye speak with the council for me.”
Maggie lifted her head to look at him. “I believe yer right. I ken yer name is on the list, but I’ll make sure they plan on calling ye.”
Angus was beginning to wonder if the witches of the jury were planning on returning when one by one they made their way back to their seats.
When the last one was seated the door opened and the Council returned.
He smiled at Edna and blew her a kiss. Her face, which had been somber, brightened considerably.
Angus had always had the ability to make Edna smile, no matter the circumstance.
He could feel her frustration and would do his best to remind her he was there for her.
He hoped he would always be there and that the unthinkable didn’t happen.
It would destroy the lives of everyone who thought they had found the love of their life.
Maggie approached the council at the bench and spoke with them.
He couldn’t hear what she was saying, but they were nodding in agreement with whatever it was.
She returned to her seat next to him. “They do plan on calling ye. I’ve given them a list. They’re no’ going in order, so I’m no’ sure when it will be yer turn. ”
“Good. I’ll be patient then.”
Everyone facing the trial was intently watching and listening to what was about to be said.
“Let’s see. We have a lass next. Where is Brenna MacRae?” Mardella asked.
“I’m here.” Brenna made her way to the spot where she would tell them her story. “MacRae is nae longer me name. ’Tis Barrett now.” Brenna’s voice shook and as she spoke she looked back at her brother.
Edna wished there was something she could do to help her through this. Brenna was a brave young lass and so it was hard to see her like this.
“Is yer husband here with ye?” Mardella looked back towards Dougall.
“Nay. He’s no’.”
“Who is that ye keep looking at?” Mardella pointed to Dougall.
“’Tis me brother Dougall.”
“Ye say yer husband is no’ here. Where is he then?” Edna could tell and appreciated that Mardella understood Brenna was nervous because she kept her voice soft and soothing in an effort to put her at ease.
“He’s in San Francisco, at our home.” Brenna stood a little taller. She seemed to have gotten herself under control. There was no shakiness in her voice now. “I was taken away from him a few days ago.”
“Yer from this time, are ye no’?” Melusina took over the questioning.
“Aye.” Brenna gave a slight nod of her head.
“Edna sent ye to the future. Did ye wish to go?”
“I did. Me Da had arranged for me to marry a verra mean old man. He was as old as me Da.” She stopped and glanced at Melusina.
“Go on, please.”
“Edna sent Zeke to me.” Her face relaxed and her stiff posture changed as she spoke of her husband.
“He saved me from a life that would have been worse than death. I love me Zeke verra much. I can no’ be without him.
Please let me go back to him,” she pleaded.
Edna could hear the sorrowful emotion in her voice and so could the Council.
“There, there, dear. Doona cry.” Daire handed her a hankie.
“Thank ye,” Brenna said, accepting it.
“Ye may sit down now. If we need ye, we’ll call ye again.”
“But what of me Zeke?” Brenna wiped her tears and then her nose.
“I’m so sorry, but ye’ll have to wait until we’ve spoken with everyone before we come to a decision.”
Brenna’s shoulders shook as fresh tears came to her eyes. Her brother Dougall came to her aid, retrieving her with a hug and holding her close as they returned to the group.
“Is there a way we can speak to those who are in San Francisco?” Melusina asked, looking to Edna.
“Me powers have been taken from me, but Evanore gave me an orb that allowed me to at least see what they were doing. I could no’ speak with them.”
“Hmmm… Evanore can ye get that for us?”
“We can always speak with them through the flames.” Maggie stood and went to the judge’s bench.
“How does that work, dear?” Mardella asked, leaning in with Melusina and Daire to hear what she had to say.
“Auntie always uses that method to check in with the couples. She’s taught me how, so I can do it, if ye like.”
“Of course. Please do.”
“Hopefully they’re near a fireplace.” Maggie prayed they were.
It would be important for the Council to hear their stories.
“Ye’ll have to follow me.” Maggie headed towards the firepit that had been created for the camp.
The flames were still flickering over the wood that had been added earlier. “We’ll need more wood.”
Cailin and Cormac threw more logs on the fire and within moments it was blazing. The flames flickered much higher as Maggie attempted to make contact with someone at Zeke’s home.
“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.”