Faintly I heard, “Haw!” Horses jostled for position and then horse hooves thundered away.
Quentin remained watchful for a moment before returning. “What the fuck was that?”
James said, “I have no idea.”
Beaty, whose hands were folded in prayer, said, “Twas as if ghosts walked among us.”
I said, “Whatever it was, I did not like it one bit.”
Beaty said, “I canna hear anythin’, it all sounds verra far away, and m’heart is racin’. Everythin’ else is all too loud, m’breathin’ is too loud.”
I said, “That’s part of the time travel—”
Zach said, “Was thatthingthat was right in front of us part of the time travel? I don’t think so. I’ve been traveling for a long time, we are not usually met with ghosts.”
Beaty’s eyes went wide, “Was it ghosts...? Was it?”
Quentin sat down and put an arm around her. “There aren’t any ghosts, I don’t know what that was, but it wasn’t a ghost.” He added, “So where’s Magnus?”
I patted Isla’s head in a way that I hoped felt soothing, I did not feel soothed at all. “He ought to be here, but… he’s been held up. He’ll come, it’s just….”
James scooped up a few pebbles and nervously shook them in his hand. “We need a plan. We’re practically within the shadow of Stirling castle, we should go up and—”
“What’re we going to do?” asked Zach. “Walk right up to a thirteenth century castle, one full of ghosts, basically, and ask… what?”
James shook his head. “This is a very good point, I have no idea. Also, most of us are wearing modern clothes. I for one am wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt. ‘Um, hi ghosts, we’re not from around here, can we make a call?’”
Quentin said, “James and I will scout the area.” He passed a gun to Zach, then passed one to me. “You’re both armed, protect the—”
Emma said, “But it won’t come to that, right? If anyone gets in shooting distance we leave,right?”
I held the gun in trembling hands. I didn’t even want to think about what any of this meant: if people were shooting at us, we werenotprotected by Magnus. If we weren’t protected by Magnus that meant he was not here.Not here.But this was our agreed upon date and time and location for my return.
I asked, “Where will we meet up if we jump?”
Quentin pulled a vessel from his pocket. “If you need to jump, go to the safe house in Maine on July 8th, 2024, we’ll all meet there.” He worked the numbers into the vessel, holding it up close to his eyes.
James said, “You need reading glasses, old man?”
“No, it’s just the darkness of the dark ages. And I’m not that old.” He passed the vessel to Emma.
I said, “Have you been to the lake house before, how do you know the coordinates?”
“Magnus and I memorized them years ago.”
James said, “I’ve got them memorized too.”
Zach said, “Don’t forget, the key to the front door is hidden in the lockbox in the back of the shed.”
I said, “I don’t know why but I feel better knowing we’re using my grandparents’ house for a safe space — that we all know how to get there. This is good.”
James patted my knee and he and Quentin stood. Using hand signals they crept away through the woods from our hiding spot.
Ben said, “I’m scared.”
Archie put on a brave face. “It’s no big deal, Ben, we just need to figure—” I clamped my hand over his mouth.
There was a sound behind us.
