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He frowned. “I told Toches the seer doesnae have the key. He said I have three days, and once he has the seer, he’d take me back to our time. I ditched him so I could warn Boon; he’s out there searching for me.”
“He won’t take you back.” I knew if Toches was having an affair with Mahlia, Caiyan stood in the way to his happily ever after. “They’ve been living together in your apartment. She has her things in my closet!”
His face clouded. “I thought it wouldae a good idea for Mahlia to be seen at the apartment, to convince everyone the wedding was the real deal. I dinnae know she moved in, and I dinnae know aboot Toches. I’ve been staying at the Mafusos’ house in Amagansett.”
“Toches was wrong about the three days. You can’t stay, you’ve already been here.” When he raised a questioning eyebrow, I answered. “Jake has your travel dates, and Ace and Brodie confirmed. Why didn’t you tell Toecheese?”
“I hoped to find Boon before he died, save him, and warn the seer. Maybe she would have had a better life.” He released a long, slow breath. “I thought I still had time, but the wedding didnae go as planned, and I guess I’ve arrived too late.”
A silence settled between us over the reality of our situation.
“I didnae know how Toches figured oot it was Gettysburg.”
“Someone stole the sword from my closet. I think it was Toches.”
He paused for a moment. “He knew I wasnae going to bring him the key. He’s using me to gain Gian-Carlo’s respect.”
Gertie exploded through the trees. A branch whipped her across the face, and she stood stupefied. Shaking off the surprise attack, she focused on us. “They’re taking him.”
“Who?”
“The medics. They’re loading Marco on a stretcher.”
“They cannae see us together. They’ll think yer a spy.” Caiyan drew his gun.
I held up a hand at him and nudged Gertie toward the medics. “Go with Marco. You’re a nurse, sort of. Act like you should be there. I’ll come find you when I figure out a way to get us out of here.”
Gertie’s face paled. “I’m not really a nurse.”
I grabbed her by the shoulders and looked firmly into her worried blue eyes. “Gertie you’re a strong woman. Keep Marco safe, and I’ll find you. I promise.”
She gave a shaky nod and headed off in the direction of the medics.
“Don’t let them cut off his leg,” I hollered after her.
Caiyan took off his cap and ran a hand through his hair. When his eyes met mine, they grew glassy. Either due to dust or dignity, I couldn’t be certain. He tossed the hat aside and walked further away from me, collecting his thoughts, then turned back toward me.
“Jen, I’m sorry. I love you and that shouldae been enough fir me. I thought I could fix the problem I created when I was under the influence of the Thunder key and get my key back at the same time.” He dropped his head. “’Tis my fault yer stuck here in this deathtrap.”
“What’s your escape plan?” I asked him. “How are you planning to get home without your key?”
“Now that I know Toches is against me, I’ve no way home.”
“What do you mean, no way home?”
I’d never seen Caiyan without a plan B. He always had a backup plan, a way out.
“Caiyan, you can’t be serious. I’m going to watch you die?”
“I’m not sure what happens, ’tis been told when a traveler rips the thread of time, they no longer exist.”
“Caiyan, there has to be another way.” My palms began to sweat. “How do we find the seer?”
“There’s no time. In the past, after I arrived and found Boon dead, I met Sam Raney and went to Longstreet’s camp. We found the seer. She traveled with Pickett’s division. They havenae arrived yet. She willnae be there now.”
General George Pickett. He led the attack on the center of the Union line in what was referred to as Pickett’s charge. It was the worst of all the battles at Gettysburg.
“We have to find the seer.”
