Twisted Time

by Candi Fox

  He would’ve had a chance to save the three others they lost as well. After he saved Emma, he’d return to the council and demand they give him an answer for his delay.

  “I’ll head to the saloon to see Jack before I eat and change. If I’m lucky, I’ll get an hour or two of sleep before her parents get here.”

  * *

  Three hours later, he stood in his best suit in the late afternoon heat, waiting for the Monteiths to disembark from their rail car.

  His hand absentmindedly went to the tie, it felt too tight around his neck, making an uncomfortable situation more so. Finally, the couple emerged from the luxurious private rail car.

  A tall man with dark blonde hair and green eyes emerged dressed in finery. Beside him was a petite woman with raven’s wing black hair and deep, honey colored eyes. Her resemblance to Evanora left him speechless.

  The two could have been twins except the woman in front of him had a darker complexion than Nora’s creamy white skin. They shared the same face shape, hair color, and lip shape.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Monteith? I’m Sheriff Masterson.”

  A clear look of concern crossed the man’s face.

  “Phillip, please, and this is my wife Sage. To what do we owe the honor of the town’s Sheriff meeting us at the train?”

  “I’m sure you’re tired and thirsty after such a long trip. The Bluebird Café is right around the corner.”

  “That does sound lovely, Phillip. I haven’t had a bite to eat all day. Did Emma send you? I thought she’d be here to greet us herself.”

  “That’s one of the things I need to talk to you about,” he said.

  “Thank you for being considerate, Sheriff, but if something is wrong with our Emma, we’d rather know now.”

  The petite woman surprised him; he could see where Emma got her fire from.

  “Ma’am, can we at least go to my office?”

  “Yes, please lead the way.”

  Cord led the way while he saw Phillip supporting his wife who leaned against him while they walked. He kept his pace steady but not brisk as he led the couple to the jail and through the door to the large office.

  “Have a seat. Can I get either of you water or coffee?

  “No, thank you. Please, tell us what happened to our girl.”

  Mr. Monteith spoke while Mrs. Monteith used a crisp white handkerchief trimmed in lace to dab daintily at her eyes.

  “I’m sure you’re aware of the train robbery Emma was in on her way here?”

  “What?!”

  He let out a long breath. Emma didn’t want to worry her parents and hadn’t told them. At least that was his best guess at this point.

  “Three days before Emma arrived in Cooperstown, her train was robbed. Zeke, recognizing one of the robbers as the man that killed his brother he left with a posse after them.

  “Before the robbers took off, they took all of Emma’s belongings, but left her unharmed. Four days ago, the same gang robbed our bank. One of the men took Emma as a hostage. There are two groups of men out looking for her right now, and I’m headed out first light.

  “Unfortunately, I was away during the robbery.”

  “I’m going with you,” both the Monteiths said in unison.

  “I think it would be a better idea if you stayed here in case one of the earlier teams bring her back.”

  A look passed between the couple. “We don’t want to get in your way, Sheriff. While I’m unfamiliar with the current terrain, I’ve been in the jungles of Africa, the sands of Egypt, and the Arctic tundra to name a few places.

  “I assure I won’t slow you down.”

  “While I do appreciate the offer, Mr. Monteith, I need someone good with a gun that knows where to get help in case we need it.”

  “I can shoot, that’s not an issue. I’ll meet you at sunup outside this very office.”

  “No need, I’ll bring an extra horse by your house at sunrise. We need to head that direction anyway.”

  He wasn’t going to argue with the man, he just hoped Mr. Monteith wouldn’t slow him down. A few minutes later the Monteiths were on the way to their new house and he was on his way to his parents’ house for a hot bath and some food.

  Chapter 22

  Chandler Present Day

  “Are you sure this is going to work?”

  “It will work.”

  “It’s never been done before.”

  “The root of the spell is hundreds of years old, Chandler. It’s the best chance you have of saving Emma, Cord, and Evanora.”

  He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. The last few weeks he and the rest of the coven spent tireless hours researching a way to send him back to save the woman he loved.

  Two weeks into his search. he stumbled across a familiar name, Gareth Caldwell, Emma’s long-time friend. After playing phone tag for two days he finally spoke to the man who agreed to fly in.

  Gareth brought the ancient scrolls that contained the spells they’d be using. How the man had access to such powerful magic, he had no idea. He planned to ask one day, just not any time soon.

  It could wait until after Emma’s rescue. She remained their priority in this, and to his surprise, Gareth agreed with him. Chandler had the sneaking suspicion the other man had deep seated feelings for Emma, again that topic would have to wait.

  “Dharia, can you go over the plan?”

  “Of course.”

  Her presence comforted him in many ways. First, she was the coven’s high priestess. A position you don’t get without wisdom and experience.

  “We cast the spell precisely two minutes after three a.m. The moon and planets are aligned perfectly to send both you and Gareth back to 1875.

  “Once you’ve located the body of the recently deceased marshal, Gareth will cast the memory transference spell. This allows you to step into his life with his prior knowledge as well as your own.

  “After the spell is complete, Gareth will go his own way preparing for the final spell to get everything back to normal. Your job is to find the others and get them to the location on Samhain.”

  “It sounds easy. Too easy.”

  “I assure you rounding up everyone and convincing them this level of magic exists by October’s end will be trouble enough.

  “Now gather your things and meet me at the meadow.”

  * *

  The witching hour drew nigh, he stood naked in front of the fire. Gareth stood to his left. His coven surrounded them, waiting for the priestess to begin the spell.

  A gentle wind blew the late spring air around them, sparking the fire. He heard a wolf howl in the distance. The howl was answered by several more. They must be on the hunt tonight.

  Dharia’s words floated in the air. The coven repeated them. Fire popped and cinders rose. He heard an owl hoot in the distance before the wolves called again.

  The wind picked up, blowing the flames higher into the air as the spell continued, quickening its pace. Pops of blue energy sparked and snapped surrounding him. The pops became louder and the sparks bigger until it filled his vision with bluish white light.

  Suddenly the world began to tilt and spin. The air grew hot as the light intensified. Just when he thought he might hurl; the world came to a screeching halt. His body landed on the ground with a jarring thud.

  He gathered his wits and looked around before moving. Gunshots rang out nearby, ricocheting off stone a few feet from his head.

  A few seconds later a body dropped on the ground in front of him. Chandler froze in his tracks when he saw the man’s face. They could have been identical twins.

  “Make sure he’s dead,” a voice called.

  He quickly took cover, looking around to see where his companion got off to. No sign of Gareth.

  Had the spell gone wrong? Nearby footfalls drew his attention to the area. A wiry man with long, dark, greasy hair appeared not far from his hiding place. Careful not to move he watched the man check the body on the ground.

  “He’s dead.”


  “Let’s go.”

  “As soon as I loot his body.”

  Another man appeared from the same direction the first had come. The man, though smaller height, had an air about him that made Chandler uneasy. An odor hit his nose, making him recoil. The stench of evil. Yes, evil had a smell if you were trained in magickal combat.

  He came from a lengthy line of warriors trained in the ways of Odin. His own mother was a descendant of the Valkyrie’s. She’d started training him on his third birthday. The very day magick first came to his fingertips.

  Most people don’t know that some witches also cast dynamic magic. Harry Potter shit, sometimes without a wand.

  “We don’t have time. Boss man wants us now. You know what happens if you piss off Typhon.”

  He saw the other man swallow nervously.

  “Yea, he gives ’em over to you.”

  Unable to see the other man’s face, his voice still registered his lethal intent.

  “That’s right. You know how much I love to play with my food.”

  Oh fuck! A cannibal. He only heard of those from his mother’s tales. He oft wondered how much she gilded the lily in the recounting of her life’s exploits.

  “What are we waiting around here for, Gideon? We should get back home.”

  “That’s disappointing. I was looking forward to an evening of entertainment.”

  It took every ounce of willpower he had not to jump out and take down the demon. He waited an additional two minutes after they were out of hearing range before he crept out from the shadows.

  Gareth appeared beside him. Where in the hell did, he come from? Chandler scrutinized the man beside him.

  Gareth walked over to the body, turning it over. He bent over, poking a finger in the bullet hole, in the center of US Marshall Nikolas Frank.

  “This is most unfortunate. We were supposed to arrive before he died.”

  “Why does that matter?”

  “When we contacted the soul, Nik was willing to cooperate. He liked the idea of being free but carrying on for the sake of his family. Which he could readily do by transferring his memories to you.”

  “What’s the unfortunate part?”

  “His soul has already departed. I can modify the spell but there’s a chance the last day or two of his memories won’t be retrievable.”

  “Why not?”

  “The soul agreed to let you do a jump in with memory transference. Now that the body has been dead for longer than a few seconds, you can’t jump into his body.”

  “Why not?”

  “It wasn’t in the agreement.”

  “Fean!”

  “Precisely. Now let’s get to it, the longer it takes, the more hours we lose starting from the most recent. You’ll need those to find the men who killed him.

  “You strip the body and I’ll prepare the spell.”

  Chandler stripped the body, putting on the clothes he took off the dead man. Once he finished, he helped paint sigils on the body. False dawn arrived by the time they were finished with the spell.

  “I’ll bury the body; you take the horse and get going. Do you know where you're headed?”

  “I do. See you on Samhain.”

  Chapter 23

  Emma

  They rode for the rest of the day by the time they stopped she was bone tired.

  “We’re stopping for the night, stay close and keep quiet.”

  Wyatt helped her from the horse, then held her up when her knees buckled. He untied the blindfold and led her to the woods, turning his back so she could relieve herself. Then allowed her access to the creek not far away.

  She knelt, taking a long drink of cool water before splashing her face. First thing she’d do when she got back to Cooperstown would be to take a bath. Lots of soap and hot water. Primrose bath oil, her signature scent.

  “Where’s that woman at, Wyatt?”

  “None of your business Gideon. I done told you she’s mine.”

  “I saw her first on the train. I thought she were Typhon’s girl, but she ain’t.”

  “You didn’t claim her, Gideon. I did. You took the oath.”

  “Fine, for now. She better know how to cook or earn her keep some other way.”

  “Goodbye, Gideon.”

  Emma froze the instant she heard the devil’s voice and had yet to move though she watched him walk away. Her feet seemed rooted to the spot; her voice stuck in her throat. Never had she encountered someone who felt so dark.

  Wyatt’s voice startled her; she hadn’t seen him walk up on her.

  “We may have a problem. Gideon is going to get pushy unless he thinks I’m claiming you.”

  “Should I pretend?”

  “Yes, problem there is, a woman screaming in fear is not my idea of a good time and my brother knows it.”

  “Why are you helping me?”

  “I’m not ready to tell you that yet, and in truth, knowing would only put you in more danger. If that’s possible with Gideon taking a shinin’ to ya.”

  She swallowed wondering what could possibly be worse than the devil himself.

  “I, uh. I’ll do my best to fake it.”

  “Do you even have experience at that?”

  “I’ve read books.”

  He threw back his head and laughed loudly. The reaction surprised her. She hadn’t expected to find humor in the situation. Yet his genuine laughter had a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

  “It’s not even close to the real thing. We’ll just have to improvise. In the meantime, do you cook?”

  “I know how to cook over an open fire.”

  “Good that will help. Let’s go. Try not to look at anyone directly, especially my brother. It’s for your own safety.”

  “I’ll do my best.”

  She gathered sticks along the way to make a cooking fire with. Her arms laden with them by the time they reached the camp. Heading to the middle of the camp she set the sticks down looking toward Wyatt.

  “Should I make a pit?”

  Wyatt shook his head. “Nah, just build the fire on top of the bare spot.”

  Emma set about stacking small sticks and twigs to start the fire. When she finished, Wyatt surprised her, lighting it on fire before she could ask.

  “Good job, keep busy.”

  She sat about building the fire. Wyatt brought cooking gear leaving it near the wood pile. Her blood ran cold when a shadow fell over her. Gideon dropped two dead rabbits in her lap splattering blood all over her dress.

  “Cook that and make it good.”

  Emma forced her eyes to lower. She didn’t mind cleaning the rabbit, he only dropped them on her to try and frighten her.

  “Wyatt, I’ll need something to butcher the rabbits, please. If you wish I can gather other edibles to go with the rabbit after I finish cleaning it.”

  Without saying a word, Wyatt pulled out a huge knife and handed it to her. She cleaned and prepared the rabbits before putting them on a spit to roast over the open fire.

  “Ready to go foraging?”

  “Yes, could someone tend the rabbit while we’re gone?”

  Wyatt pointed to the nearest man not working. “Make sure it doesn’t burn.”

  Emma studied the surroundings as much for edible plants and herbs as she did for markings and signs that would help her find her way back home.

  Luckily, there were several types of edible plants, including a mushroom she recognized. She knew Wyatt watched her every move yet gave her room and didn’t challenge any of her food choices. He even helped her once when she slipped in the soft earth, catching her before she hit the ground.

  Neither one started a conversation. Thankful for the silence, she began to plot her escape. First, she needed to gain a modicum of trust and vowed to do everything she could.

  Later, after dinner was eaten and the area cleaned, Wyatt took her into the woods again before tucking her beside him in his bed roll. It took her hours to fall asleep, the only people she ever sl
ept beside were her parents and her best friend.

  Finally, exhaustion overtook her, and she fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

  Chapter 24

  Emma

  They traveled for three more days. Each day she walked the forest, foraging food then preparing delicious meals.

  So far, her cooking staved off Gideon’s insistence that his brother claim her or give her up. She had no doubt tonight they’d have to find a way to appease the devil or he’d take her, and Wyatt wouldn’t be able to stop him.

  “I know you’re tired, but I want you to make dinner tonight as always, then after clean-up, head to my room. I’ll show you where it is.”

  She nodded her head in agreement. He stopped blindfolding her after the second day. Loudly convincing everyone the foreigner had no idea where they were.

  In truth she didn’t but she could tell directions and follow nature signs, as well as the stars. Once she escaped, traveling at night would be beneficial. She’d have to sleep during part of the day and travel as much as she could at night.

  Her tired body ached with every step the horse took. Being on horseback for days on end took a special kind of stamina. Unfortunately, she was out of practice.

  Late afternoon they finally arrived at a small compound. She wondered if they’d taken over an abandoned fort. High wooden walls with sharp pointed ends loomed up in front of them. Armed men stood on the walls, watching the area.

  Once they were recognized, the gates opened, allowing them access. She took in the layout as Wyatt rode toward the main building. A massive two-story log cabin.

  “I’ll take you straight to my room and haul some water for a bath. I always take one when I get back. You can use the water first, as long as it stays between us.”

  Emma nodded her head; she could sense Gideon nearby and didn’t want to draw his attention.