“What do you mean we’re leaving today?” Marcellious snapped.
“What I said. Emily’s father met the same time traveler who stayed with the tribe for a while,” Roman said in an even tone.
I opened the flap to the lodge and entered.
Roman and Marcellious were barely visible. Their faces were lit only by the wispy morning light seeping through the enclosure’s top.
“Olivia!” Roman said, turning to face me.
“Good morning. I see you’ve told Marcellious about us leaving,” I said, inching toward him.
“How do you know this isn’t a trap your friend has set up for us?” Marcellious growled.
“Good morning to you, too, Marcellious,” I said.
“I can’t believe you trusted her. You told her we’re time travelers? That was a mistake,” Marcellious said, ignoring my greeting. “What kind of fool are you? If word gets out that we’re Timebornes, we could be hung, shot, or burned at the stake.”
As he spoke, he gesticulated with sharp movements of his arms. “Or, did the people of your time believe in fairies and magic, so you thought this would be no big deal?”
“Not at all,” I said, swishing away his concerns with my palm. “The people in my time were suspicious of anything that didn’t match their reality. But I had to tell her, Marcellious, don’t you see? Not telling her would set her up for the fright of her life should the darkness come after her. Now that she knows, she can be watchful.”
Marcellious grunted, crossing his arms over his bare chest.
“Emily wants tohelpus,” I said, extending my hands. “She’s already like a sister to me, and I won’t allow anything to happen to her.”
“Like you can control that,” Marcellious said, sneering. “Like you can controlanything.”
“You’re right. I can’t control anything, but I can prepare. And right now, weneedyou to come with us. I don’t know what awaits us on the way to Weston Hills. Doesn’t it make sense to band together for all our protection? Balthazar will hunt us all down if we fail in our quest, including you, Marcellious.”
Marcellious worked his jaw side to side, but he made no comment.
“So,” Roman said, “are you coming with us?”
“I’ll do it for my people. I’ll do it for the tribe,” he said, glancing from me to Roman and back to me. “Don’t think I’m joining you because you want me to.”
“I wouldn’t dream of such a thing,” I said, rolling my eyes.
The thought of a long journey with this miserable man rankled me. But, like I’d said, I needed Marcellious’ help.
I faced Roman, done with Marcellious’ snark. “Emily’s waiting. Meet me near the horses in ten minutes.”
I turned to leave, opened the door flap, smiled, and said, “Ready?”
“Yes, I’m coming,” she said, hurrying to join me. She carried a heavy satchel at her side.
“What’s that?” I asked, pointing to the weighted bag.
Her cheeks reddened. “I, uh, sneaked to the food storage and helped myself to some bison meat and venison. Oh, and some pemmican.”
My expression brightened. The pemmican, consisting of rendered animal fats, berries, and herbs, would fill our bellies for hours.
“It’s a long journey to Weston Hills,” Emily continued. “And I didn’t think anyone would venture outside to offer us sustenance. I would have left something in return, but I have nothing to give.”
She cast her gaze at the ground.
“Oh, Emily, how kind of you to think of us. I would have hunted something, but you’re right. This will allow us to move quickly toward our destination.” I put my arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. “We’ll have to bring gifts of some kind when we return. Although I don’t think we’ll be given a warm reception upon our return.”
I scrunched up my face at the thought. But I released such worries, desiring to stay here and now.
