“Fine,” I choked out, the word blistering against the suffocating air. “I’ll tell you?—”
Before another syllable could escape, an inky blackness surged into the room, swirling with tendrils of dark energy. It slithered through the smog like a living, breathing force, cocooning around me and Luna. The oppressive heat vanished as the shadowy mass pushed back the flames, carving an eerie stillness into the chaos.
A woman’s voice, achingly familiar, filled the space.
“Miss me?” she taunted my mother.
My mother glared at the woman. “Zara?”
“It’s been a long time,” Zara purred. “Give Salvatore my regards.”
The presence of the energy ball and the sudden interruption felt surreal, a momentary respite from the hellish reality around me yet charged with a new kind of danger.
Then, everything went dark. This mysterious Zara woman was gone, and so was I.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
ROMAN
As I tightened the final strap on my horse’s saddle, the moon climbed higher into the night, casting a cool, silver glow over Mathias’ estate. Soon, our friends would harness its lunar influence to traverse into the future. Silently, I wished them safe passage.
The leather creaked under my hurried grip, a protest against my urgency. Time, however, was a luxury I couldn’t afford. A shadow stirred in the periphery, gradually solidifying into Lee, his strides purposeful and heavy with intent.
“We’re heading to the caves,” he called out, his voice tinged with caution that mirrored my unease. “I want to be away from this place before we time travel. I don’t trust the vipers inside to let us leave unscathed.”
I nodded, securing the saddlebag with a sharp tug. “I’m heading to the caves, but I must move swiftly. I’m afraid I won’t join you as you plod along with the wagon.”
I glanced toward the darkened windows of the estate, feeling the weight of unseen eyes upon us. “But Lee…” My voice caught in my throat, emotion overflowing and making speaking difficult.
“What?” Lee’s eyes searched mine, concern etched in his features.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. “Safe travels,” I finally managed to say.
Lee’s face softened, his usual tough demeanor giving way to a gentler expression. Our gazes locked as we shared a moment of understanding and appreciation for each other. “You, too, my friend. Stay safe,” he replied.
We embraced, the weight of our impending separation heavy on our hearts. Tears threatened to spill from my eyes as we pulled apart, and I could see that Lee was also fighting back emotion. Our friendship had never been more evident than in this tender embrace.
“What will you do with the wagon when you time travel?” I asked, genuinely curious about his plans for the cumbersome vehicle.
“The men in the caves can use it,” Lee replied with a dismissive wave. “Mathias insisted they have another means of transportation. They won’t notice our departure—we’ll leave outside the caverns. They’re used to us coming and going.”
“Right,” I murmured, my mind already leaping ahead to the tasks awaiting me.
Together, we walked out into the open yard bathed in silver moonlight, the gravel crunching beneath our boots. I led my horse by the reins, her breath visible in the chill night air as Lee kept pace beside me. Reaching the wagon, I peered into its shadowed interior, where Marcellious lay in a fragile state, pallor painting his once robust features. Emily sat beside him, cradling their baby, her eyes reflecting the fear and hope that battled within her.
“Marcellious,” I said softly, climbing into the back of the wagon.
My brother’s eyelids fluttered, revealing the glassy sheen of pain beneath. Crouching beside him, I took his hand, its coolness sending a shiver up my spine.
“I will miss you,” I whispered, the words catching in my throat. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you. I was too consumed with caring for and protecting my wife. Lee will take care of you in the future.”
A tear slipped down my cheek as I pressed my brother’s hand, carving a warm path through the grime of the day’s worries. I hoped against hope that the journey ahead would grant him the medical attention he needed, and that the future would be kinder than the past.
“Miss Emily,” I said, acknowledging her respectfully. “Safe passage. Be good to your man.”
Emily sniffled quietly in response.
With one last look at the faces that had become an important part of my world, I stepped away from the wagon. My horse nickered, sensing the urgency of our departure, and together, we set off into the night—toward the unknown that awaited us at the caves.
