A Paradox of Fates

by Rebecca Hefner

  “I’m sorry, Dalton. That’s not why I came here. I only wanted to set things right between us. I hate that we ended on such a sour note. I’ll always think of you fondly.”

  Rage contorted his features, and Lainey wondered how the emotion could overtake him so quickly. How had she overlooked it during their affair? Had she naïvely ignored it, overcome by the new experience? Suddenly, his arm shot out and he roughly grabbed her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. She swatted his arm away, already feeling the bruise from on her jaw from his forceful grip. He stared at her, nostrils flared, as his fists clenched at his sides.

  “I should’ve known you were just a whore looking for some excitement. When I met you, I thought you were so stunning.” Dalton scoffed, his face an ugly mask of wrath as they stood under the stars. “But fucking you was like screwing a dead tree. What a waste of time. At least I saved myself from spending my life with a frigid bitch.”

  Lainey recoiled at his words. She’d always thought their loving pleasurable, although nothing she couldn’t live without. Since sex was a function, just like any other bodily activity, she didn’t expect it to be mind-blowing.

  “You’re saying this to hurt me. I’m sorry it didn’t work out, Dalton. I truly am.”

  “To think I spent all these months intent on marrying you. Fuck you, Lainey. You never pleased me. Thank god I won’t have to spend my life trying to get my dick up around you. You’re pathetic.”

  Lainey forced the cruel memories from her brain, pushing them back inside, deep where they wouldn’t surface. She understood that Dalton’s words sprang from fury, but did they hold any truth? Would Hunter think her frigid? Was being with him even worth taking the chance? She’d most likely die of embarrassment if he found her lacking in bed. She already struggled so vehemently to not be thrown off-balance around him.

  And why was she contemplating sleeping with him anyway? They were traveling four decades to the past later this evening, on an important mission that would leave little time for a game of wandering hands. Good lord, Claire had gotten in her head for sure. All her talk of sexy times and the wad of condoms—she’d fallen prey to suggestion.

  Telling herself to stop being an idiot, she set about living the last hours of her life at the place she’d always called home. And only thought of Hunter about a million times—or maybe even a few more than that…

  Chapter 22

  The woman approached on horseback, her stallion’s hooves quiet upon the warm ground. The late afternoon sun was low on the horizon, and she wished she’d arrived earlier. But battles between the Insurgency and the New Establishment scattered the fields and meadows she traversed along the way, and she’d been careful to avoid them.

  Entering the clearing that housed the scientific compound, the sound of rifles being cocked flitted through her ears. Gandalf rode slow and steady below her, and she lifted her arms, palms forward, to show she wasn’t a threat.

  A man with hate-filled eyes entered her path and asked, “Are you lost? You’re trespassing on the site of the scientific hub of the Eastern American isle.”

  Elle pulled the hood from her head, swinging her blond hair free so it could wave in the summer wind. “No, I’ve traveled here from Terrum. My mother is very ill, and I thought I might be able to procure some medicine. If I don’t, she will die.”

  The man lifted a gun from his belt, pointing it at her horse. “Sounds like something a spy would say.”

  “Okay, Captain Parker, that’s enough.” A man with much gentler gunmetal gray eyes approached, coming to stand beside the captain. After giving him a scowl, Captain Parker lowered his weapon.

  “What is your name?” the kinder man asked.

  “Elle Huber. I’m unarmed and desperate. I hope you wouldn’t kill an innocent woman.”

  “No one is ever completely innocent,” Captain Parker mumbled.

  “I’m Captain Hunter Rhodes. I think it’s best if you hop off the horse for now. Cyrus will help you.”

  A large man with smooth russet skin lifted his arms to her. Elle had never seen muscles bulge as they did from his extended arms. “Ma’am,” he said, urging her along, “I’ll help you down.”

  She let him assist her, her sandaled feet touching the ground. Once balanced, she regarded the three men.

  “I’ve written the supplies I need on this paper.” Rustling inside the brown bag slung over her shoulder, she pulled out the parchment. “I understand you have a nurse here.”

  “We do,” Cyrus said with a nod. Looking at the other two men, he said, “She doesn’t seem to pose a threat. We could at least let Sara look at her list and offer her some water.”

  “No,” Captain Parker said. “Eli was clear. No intruders, no exceptions.”

  “I don’t want to cause any trouble,” Elle said, eyes downcast as she had practiced so many times. Submissive actions usually calmed even the angriest of men. “I’m happy to stay here while your nurse looks at the list. I’ve written my mother’s symptoms and everything she ate and came into contact with. Hopefully, your nurse can scrounge together something that will help.”

  Cyrus took the document, gaze filled with comprehension. Good. He was a quick learner. They’d need that in 2035.

  “I’ll take this inside and return with some water. Please, wait here.”

  She nodded, folding her hands in front of her abdomen to appear demure. Eventually, Captain Parker lost interest, stating in his gruff tone that he was heading to check on some of the men cleaning rifles at the rear of the hub.

  Captain Rhodes approached her, lifting an arm to pet the horse’s neck, effectively hiding his face from the other men in the distance.

  “Do you carry news of Luke?” he asked softly.

  “Yes,” Elle said, her lips barely moving. “It will be devastating to them.”

  Hunter’s muscular body stiffened. “He didn’t make it.”

  She gave an almost imperceptible shake of her head.

  Inhaling a deep breath, Hunter gave Gandalf one last stroke. “What’s your horse’s name?”

  She told him, inciting a smile from his firm lips.

  “Lord of the Rings. A story that traverses time and space.”

  “That it does,” she said, giving a wistful grin.

  There they waited, in the waning sunlight, for the inhabitants of the hub to read the words Luke had sent through time.

  * * * *

  Lainey lifted her head when Cyrus bounded into her office. He usually knocked, so she immediately sensed something was wrong.

  He thrust the letter toward her, explaining where it came from. Rounding her desk, she sat on the edge and unfolded the withered paper. With shaking hands, she began to read.

  Lainey,

  I’m writing this letter from a prison cell near Washington D.C. on April 3, 2035. Katonah Prison lies in Eastern Virginia, but I urge you not to try and save me. I’m set to be executed tomorrow and realize the justice system was broken long ago in this strange sliver of space-time. Due process is a distant memory for anyone who jeopardizes the plans of President Randolph or his associates. Chalk my death up to a fate paradox—I already have. I can’t see a future where I survive past tomorrow.

  Your grandfather’s network of nefarious associates is vast. Many upon each continent are working to ensure the apocalypse. Afterward, most will go on to form the New Establishment. Eli’s father, Victor Hernandez, is one of the vilest. I saw him discover Puss in Boots and followed him back to his townhome, where several armed guards were waiting to take me into custody.

  Lainey, somehow, he knew.

  Knew who I was and everything about me and you and the future. All I can surmise is that we’re on an unending loop. Each instance you send me back convinces us we conquered time travel for the first time, but in reality, we’ve actually done all of this before. Powerful men, consumed by malice, will always be one step ahead, already foreseeing our every move.

  Throw out your previous plans. Do not meet me at the
warehouse in D.C. Instead, you must chart an entirely new course. Only with the element of surprise will you succeed. My brain is too muddled from the constant beatings and the fear of death to help you form a strategy, but I know your brilliant mind will triumph.

  I’m giving this letter to one of the guards I’ve deemed trustworthy. His son was killed in the latest war President Randolph sanctioned in Afghanistan, so he’s no friend of the regime. He also believes your grandfather’s power has grown too vast, and I believe his assignment to my cell block to be my last grant of good fortune. If so, he will pass this letter to his children and perhaps their children, for them to carry through time on its journey to you. I have given instructions for it to be delivered before sundown on September 1, 2075, the day after you sent me back in your timeline.

  Lastly, I’ve written a note for Sara on the second page. I would ask that it be for her eyes only, but doubt that will happen due to the numerous hands this letter will inevitably touch. Regardless, I ask this of you: Help her move on and ensure she gives herself permission to love again. I can’t die knowing she lived in self-imposed loneliness for the rest of her life. That would break my soul more than death ever could. Encourage her to find a husband who can cherish her as I was so lucky to do for the few years we had.

  Godspeed, Lainey. May you prevail over the evil that has overtaken the world. I fear you are the only hope we have left.

  Luke

  Lainey inhaled a large breath, allowing Luke’s words to wash over her. Tears stung her eyes as she handed the letter to Cyrus, and he began to read. Lainey knew Claire had been teaching him for years now, something that warmed her heart.

  “You’re able to read it?” she asked softly.

  “Yes,” he said, his broad features laced with sadness. “I get the gist.” He handed the letter back to her. “What are you going to do?”

  Lainey stood and raked her hand through her thick hair. “I’m not sure yet, but I’ll tell you one thing. There’s no way in hell I’m letting Luke die. Our first priority will be to save him. I’ll readjust the settings on the Sphere so we go back to the day after he arrived. That way, we can warn him and work together to bring down my grandfather’s regime.”

  Cyrus’s lips curved. “Damn straight. I’m on board.” His dark eyebrows drew together. “Do you think he’s right, that we’ve done this before? Possibly multiple times?”

  Lainey sighed. “Honestly, yes. I began to understand we were on some strange, unending space-time loop when Eli gave me the arrowhead. It’s baffling. As much as I want to process it, at this point, I just need to take action. Prepare the team—we’re heading back to March 26, 2035, tonight at midnight.”

  “What about the girl?” Cyrus brought her up to speed on Elle Huber.

  “I need to sit down and asses her intentions. Obviously, if we leave her behind they’ll kill her. Let’s bring her inside, and you and Hunter can help me question her.”

  Cyrus nodded. “Captain Parker is suspicious of her.”

  Lainey’s eyes narrowed. “Captain Parker is an asshole. I trust you and Hunter can figure out a way to get her inside. I’ll leave you to it.”

  He gave a nod and exited while Lainey sat at her desk. The news about Luke was devastating, but she wouldn’t allow herself to mourn. No—she would save him and prevent his imprisonment and eventual death. Resolved that this would be the ultimate outcome, she braced herself to tell Sara the news. Once she was ready, she headed to find the sweet nurse and deliver the update.

  * * * *

  Elle sat before Dr. Elaine Randolph, Captain Rhodes, and Cyrus Montgomery at the circular table inside the hub. Gingerly ingesting the soup they’d set before her, which tasted amazing, she eyed them.

  “Sorry to inhale this,” Elle said, swallowing another spoonful. “I’ve just had a long journey and I’m starving.”

  “Of course,” Elaine said. “Our associate Alora is taking care of your horse, and he will be fed as well.”

  “Thank you,” Elle said.

  “We don’t want to bombard you, but time is of the essence,” Captain Rhodes said. “We need to ask you some questions.”

  Picking up the bowl and slurping down the last of the contents, she pushed the dish aside and folded her hands atop the table. “I’m happy to answer anything you need, Captain Rhodes.”

  “Hunter is fine,” he said, smiling. “Although, call this one Dr. Randolph,”—he jerked his thumb toward where Lainey sat beside him—“or she’ll lop your head off.”

  “Lainey is fine, Elle,” she said, darting a look at Hunter. Elle immediately sensed the seething sexual tension between them. “So, if you don’t mind, I’d like you to start at the beginning. Are you a descendant of the prison guard Luke befriended in 2035?”

  “Yes,” Elle said with a nod. “My grandfather, William Huber, was assigned to Luke’s cell block at Katonah Prison in April of 2035. My mother was very young then, but she eventually had me, and being her only child, I was tasked with delivering the letter to you. My uncle John died in President Randolph’s final Afghanistan war, and my grandfather and mother hated him for instituting the draft. Their disdain for him cemented their allegiance to your cause.”

  “Not to be a cynical scientist, but the mysticism the letter carries with it is almost incomprehensible,” Lainey said. “I wonder how your grandfather and eventually your mother and you came to believe Luke’s story. I can only surmise that if I was Luke’s guard, I would probably think him insane.”

  Elle laughed. “Yes, tales of time travel and alternate timelines are considered quite strange. The thing is, my grandfather was enthralled with Luke’s tales in the short time he knew him. He spoke of things that seemed so fantastical, but there was an element of realism in his retelling of the rise of the New Establishment. I think Grandpa Will felt he was a part of something bigger than himself and wanted to contribute in some small way. His last words to me were to assure I would complete the mission.” She lifted her hands in a shrug. “And here I am. I was born outside of Terrum in 2051. My mother moved to the compound in 2053, when my Grandpa Will died and when my father left her to join the New Establishment. Yet another reason she wanted you to succeed, Lainey.”

  “Is your father still with them?” Cyrus asked.

  “Honestly, I don’t know,” Elle said. “I haven’t had any contact with him since he left. It’s possible, but I was so young I don’t remember him. My mother destroyed every photo of him and she never spoke of him again. Jeffrey Cannon was his name. My mother chose to go by her maiden name, and so do I.”

  “Is your mother truly sick?” Lainey asked. “If so, we could attempt to send a courier with medicine to Terrum.”

  “My mother is dead,” Elle said. “Lost to drowning when she was doing laundry in the river outside Terrum. It’s possible she committed suicide, or perhaps some New Establishment soldiers came along and murdered her. I’ll never know. Some local nomads brought her body back, and I buried her several years ago. Since then, it’s just been me.”

  “I’m so sorry,” Hunter said, compassion in his silver eyes. “You’re quite young. You must’ve barely been a teenager.”

  “I was sixteen when she died,” Elle said, lifting her chin. “Old enough to understand the world and what needs to be done to exist in it. I won’t claim my life has been easy, but I possess a knowledge of how to thrive as a woman in this dark existence and believe I do quite well at it. However, I do have one wish I hope you will grant in exchange for me delivering Luke’s letter.”

  “What is that?” Lainey asked.

  Straightening her spine, Elle spoke the most important words of her short life. “I want you to take me back to 2035 with you. I’m resilient and smart. I can help you prevent your grandfather’s actions and pledge my loyalty to you. I have no wish to stay in this timeline where everyone I love is dead.”

  “I understand your desire to start over, Elle,” Lainey said. “I’m not opposed to taking you back with us, but I’
ll admit that I’m wary. We don’t know you and don’t have the time to vet you properly. It’s possible you came upon the true descendant of the guard Luke befriended and stole the missive so you could deliver it yourself. Luke didn’t mention the guard’s name in his letter, as you must know. It’s possible you’re a spy for the New Establishment, intent on traveling with us to warn your counterparts in the past. You must understand that I have to protect my team at all costs and am distrustful of anyone I haven’t thoroughly vetted.”

  “I understand,” Elle said, determined to prevail. “I will do whatever it takes to prove myself to you. You only need to ask.”

  Lainey nodded. “Let me discuss with Cyrus and Hunter. For now, I’ll grant you access to one of the vacant sleeping chambers. It has a small but functional shower and a warm bed. You must be tired from your travels. Zach can show you the way.”

  A tall, lanky man with shaggy light brown hair and light green eyes entered the kitchen, his smile bright. “Hey, Lainey, sorry. I wasn’t eavesdropping, just starving. Was hoping to grab some food.”

  “Sure,” Lainey said, standing. “But can you show Elle to the vacant room next to Alora’s first? Elle, this is Zach, and he’ll escort you. Please, don’t go anywhere in the hub except for your room or common areas like the kitchen and foyer.”

  “Got it,” Elle said, standing and grabbing her bag. “Thank you, Lainey.”

  Zach’s grin was warm and his eyes kind, something Elle had rarely seen during her two decades on the planet. “Nice to meet you, Elle,” he said, extending his hand.

  She shook it, realizing he must be a scientist because it was smooth instead of calloused like a soldier or laborer.

  They strolled down the hallway until he motioned to a door on the left.

  “Here you go.”

  Stepping inside, she regarded the sparse room with a twin bed and desk and a door off the side.

  “That’s the bathroom,” Zach said. “The water only stays warm for a few minutes, so shower fast. There should be some soap in there, but if not, just come find me.”