by Bethany Shaw
“I’ll spread the word around the coven and see what can be done to help you. In the meantime,” Jaime said focusing her attention on Zak. “If any harm comes to Cadence, you won’t get any further help from me. In fact, I'll help your mother," Jamie threatened.
"It's okay, Jamie. He hasn't hurt me," Cadence promised. “Zak and I have a truce. We’re working together,” she reiterated.
"Good,” Jaime said letting out a long breath.
“On the same note,” Grace began, narrowing her eyes at Cadence. “If something happens to my brother, I’ll make sure your coven bleeds, and if you should make it home, you will regret it,” Grace snapped icily.
Zak chuckled. Leave it to his baby sister to protect him. She always did have his back. “It’s okay, Grace. Cadence is a friend.”
Grace inhaled a deep breath as she glared at Cadence. “We’ll see.”
Jaime cleared her throat. “Have you guys already found a witch? I know you sent a message through Eli," Jamie asked getting down to business. "Just as a reminder, you cannot do anything to change the past. Any little thing could have severe consequences. Try not to interact with anyone unless you have to. The full moon is still a few weeks away..."
"Wait...I'm confused," Cadence said frowning. "We just had the full moon and ended up in 1236."
"What?" Grace and Jamie said at the same time.
"We’ve been gone a month. A witch performed the spell for us and we ended up in 1236 instead of 2016,” Zak replied through gritted teeth. Something was wrong.
"You guys have already been gone for a month? It's not even been two days," Jamie said confused.
"No, it's definitely been longer," Cadence said her eyes widening as she turned to Zak. Her chest heaved as she drew in labored breaths.
Zak swallowed and ran a hand through his hair. This wasn’t good.
"Huh," Jamie said looking at them concerned. "Time must be moving differently."
"Gee, you think. What does that mean for us?" Cadence questioned as she nibbled her bottom lip.
"I don’t know,” Jaime admitted quietly. “I'll have to do some research and then try to contact you again as soon as possible. In the meantime, continue on with your plans, and don't kill anyone or do anything that could effect the future," Jamie lectured as she looked up into the blackness above them. “I can’t hold this much longer.”
The fog dissipated and the two women’s forms began to fade.
“Jaime,” Cadence cried out as she clasped her hand around the other witch’s wrist.
“I’ll contact you as soon as I—”
A blinding white light swooshed through the dream and the two women were gone.
***
Cadence jolted awake and shot up as she clutched the animal skin blankets to her. Her fingers trembled as she ran them through her tangled locks. Zak had been in her head. So had Jaime and Grace. Nothing had happened, but still, she didn't like the fact that he could get inside her head like that. What else could he do?
He could take advantage of her if he wanted to. She shivered and pulled the blankets up to her neck as she shifted in the bed.
"You all right, sweetheart?" Zak asked from the floor.
She darted her gaze toward him as he sat up. His bare chest glistened in the moonlight, accenting his six-pack and sculpted muscles. She licked her lips and averted her eyes. He’d been shirtless a handful of times now, still she couldn't get over how good he looked.
"I don't like you in my head," she told him, pulling her knees up to her and hugging them. That was one of the things that terrified her the most. Not having control.
"Cadence," he said reaching out and placing his hand on top of hers. Her heart fluttered and pulse soared. "I would never take advantage of you. I give you my word."
She took in a deep calming breath. "I know," she said quietly, and she meant that. "I just...somebody...used me, and it scares me...to not...be in control," she stuttered trying to keep her emotions in check. A traitorous tear rolled down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away and laid back down not wanting him to see her cry.
"Tell me who hurt you and I'll kill them," he said sincerely.
She smiled despite how awful the sentiment was. Zak being protective was nice. "Thanks, but I've put it behind me. I'm just worried about getting home. What do you think it means that there is a time difference?" she said changing the subject. She didn’t want to talk about her past.
"I don't know, but I think it's going to take us a while to get home," he answered honestly.
"Oh," she said unsure of what to say. She could be stuck with him for an indefinite amount of time. Maybe forever. What if they never found their way back to 2016? Zak would keep her safe. He’d find a way to get them home. Zak. I’m relying on Zakariah Smith. Somehow that wasn't as scary as she would have thought it to be.
"I won't let anything happen to you, sweetheart. I give you my word," he said with a raw sincerity in his voice that she knew he meant.
"Good night, Zak," she whispered as she yawned and lay back down.
"Good night, Cadence."
Chapter Eight
Cadence rolled over and blinked her eyes open. Bright sunlight filtered into the room from the window. She groaned and tossed back the blankets, shivering as the cold chill of the room seeped into her bones. She padded to the window and moved the pelt blanket to peer out into the village.
The sun was high in the sky, signifying the day was well under way. She’d been up late last night, letting her mind wander. Zak promised not to enter her mind again, and she believed him. That hadn’t been what plagued her thoughts though. She couldn't stop thinking about Zak and their conversation last night. Would he really go through all this trouble just to sleep with her? Or did he have real feelings for her?
More importantly, what were her feelings for him? Things were starting to change. She was starting to see him differently. Zak was different; some days she could almost forget who he was, and what he had done.
Then she had to remind herself that he was a mass murderer who was feuding with her coven. He was the man who had murdered Trent and turned him into a vampire. She shuddered as her fingers crept to her neck. The incident had nearly gotten her killed. It was ironic that Zak had been the one to save her life.
The front door creaked open, drawing her out of her thoughts. Soft footsteps clicked across the dirt floor followed by a feminine gasp as the front door slammed against the wall.
"Who are you?" Zak snarled from the other room.
Cadence leapt across the room and threw open the curtain. A woman with long flowing brown hair was being held against the wall by Zak. His fingers gripped her neck so tightly; Cadence feared the poor girl would have bruises.
"I'm looking for Harrison,” the girl gurgled as she fought to breathe. The girl’s large doe eyes stared up at him in hypnotized fear.
Cadence bolted across the room and grabbed Zak’s elbow. He was going to kill the woman if he wasn’t careful.
"Zak," Cadence cried out. The girl’s large brown eyes flicked to her. "Leave her alone," Cadence demanded, trying to tug his hand away from the woman.
Zak didn't take his eyes from the girl as he continued to glare at her. She'd been on the receiving end of that cold-hearted, evil glare one time and she did not envy the girl at all. Zak was freaking terrifying when he wanted to be, and he knew it.
“Zak?” Cadence whispered, placing a hand on his chin and turning his face to hers.
The woman trembled and a single tear trickled from her eye. "Please, I didn't mean any harm," she whispered.
"Okay, paranoid. Let the girl go, she isn't going to hurt us. Right?" Cadence asked the very shaken brunette as she dropped her hand from his face.
"I was just looking for, Harrison," the girl murmured, her huge doe eyes falling on Cadence again.
The door opened and Zak and the girl moved away from it as Harrison entered. The girl practically threw herself out the open door, but Harrison caught her arm
and held her steadily against him. "Melanie what happened? Zak?" Harrison asked as he glared at his brother.
"You just let people barge into your home?" Zak asked bewildered.
"Melanie is my friend and she lives here," Harrison said as he clung to the sobbing woman.
Zak narrowed his eyes as he stared.
“We didn’t realize you shared the house with anyone,” Cadence stepped in attempting to smooth the situation over. It would’ve been nice if he’d told them that. “She took us by surprise. I’m terribly sorry,” she apologized, nudging Zak, hoping that he would take the hint and say sorry for his barbaric behavior.
The woman turned and clasped onto Harrison’s shirt as she flicked her gaze from Cadence to Zak.
“I’m Cadence,” she introduced herself.
"Melanie," the girl said as she continued to cower into Harrison.
"This is my brother, Zak," Harrison said indicating Zak.
Zak still had an odd expression on his face. It quickly shifted into a smirk as he took the poor girl’s hand that rested on Harrison’s shirt, placed it to his lips, and kissed it. Leave it to Zak to try and terrify a girl and then charm her within a five-minute period. "Pleasure. Why didn't you tell us someone lived with you?" he asked, quirking his brow up in question.
"Melanie is a healer; she was out last night because there was an accident. I had hoped to be back before she came home," Harrison explained quietly as he took the shaken girl’s hand and led her to the wooden table.
"I didn't mean to startle you," Melanie stuttered as Harrison led her to the table and pulled out a chair for her.
"Zak is just jumpy," Cadence replied. That’s a bit of an understatement. Obviously, only Zak would think this girl was a threat. Melanie was short, thin, and very much a human.
Maybe to Zak everyone is a threat. Most everyone he meets probably wants him dead.
"I brought some blood," Harrison said interrupting the tense silence as he held up a pail.
Cadence crinkled her nose and shuddered. She had a feeling it was animal blood, but still, gross. Zak cleared his throat and took the pail as Harrison pulled out two goblets for the pair of them.
“So...” Cadence began flicking her eyes to the still trembling woman. “She knows you’re a vampire?”
“Don’t worry,” Harrison said as he picked up his glass and took a sip. “I haven’t told anyone else and neither has Melanie.”
“Good! You shouldn’t have told anyone. Do you know what people could do to you if they suspect you’re different?” Zak lectured.
Harrison shrugged. “I don’t see why it would be a problem. It’s not like I hurt people.”
Zak growled low in his throat. “Trust me, you live long enough to see the Spanish Inquisition and the Salem Trials you’ll understand.”
Cadence grimaced at the mention of those two important historic events. Those events had been one of the deciding factors for the supernatural to keep their powers secret. Most of the sacrifices had been witches, but a few had been werewolves and even vampires. She shook her head and ran a hand through her hair not wanting to think about all the witches who had lost their lives to a fiery stake.
“So,” she began looking to Melanie. “How did the two of you meet?”
Melanie drew in a deep breath. “My family was traveling. It was late, but we could hear wolves howling so we didn’t dare stop to make a camp. The wolves caught up to us anyway. My family...they...” she trailed off as her bottom lip trembled.
“I heard the commotion.” Harrison placed a hand on Melanie’s shoulder. “I raced there as fast as I could, but Melanie was the only survivor.”
“Harrison gave me his blood and brought me back here. I’ve been staying with him ever since,” Melanie finished.
“I’m sorry,” Cadence whispered.
Melanie hugged herself. “Thank you.”
“I can take you two by to see the witch later today,” Harrison said changing the subject. “Perhaps we can figure out why you ended up here and not where you were supposed to be.”
Melanie forced a smile. “Harrison says the pair of you are from the future?”
“One we are hoping to get back to soon,” Zak replied holding his cup up and draining the liquid. He closed his eyes and shook his head. “Let’s go see that witch now.”
***
Jamie closed her eyes and let out a long breath as she rang the doorbell to the Smith’s mansion. Her heart pattered ferociously in her chest as shoes clicked against the marble floors inside. The white oak door slid open and Eli appeared.
"Jaime, thank you for coming. Won’t you please come inside," Eli invited as he motioned her in. "I've been doing some research based on what Grace has told me," he explained as he led her into the living room where dozens of papers were strewn over the mahogany coffee table. He picked up a piece of paper and handed it to her. “This is the approximate date I think they arrived in 1014 and this would’ve been the date of the first full moon since they arrived. I would assume this is the date they left and appeared in 1236. Here are the dates of all the full moons in the year 1236." He pointed to his immaculate scribbling as he spoke. "This," he tapped on one date that was circled in red, "is what I found interesting."
Jamie looked at the dates and frowned. "It’s the same day just a different year," she realized. What are the odds that the dates are a coincidence?
"When is our next full moon?" Grace asked as she came into the room followed by Oliver.
"Friday, April 22nd," Eli answered.
"So we have to figure out how to get them from 1236 to here by our next full moon or we'll have to wait another month to get them back?" Oliver pondered aloud.
“I’m not sure it is that easy,” Eli said as he went to the wet bar and poured an amber liquid into a tumbler.
“I agree,” Jaime said running a hand through her hair. “I think it’s a lot more complicated.” That is putting it mildly.
“How so?” Grace asked crossing her arms over her chest.
“Well, for starters they seem to be traveling to times where the full moon falls on the same day of the time they are currently in,” Jaime explained as her eyes widened.
“And?” Oliver prompted gesticulating his hands for her to continue.
“Our full moon is on April 22nd. Their next full moon won’t be until after that date,” Eli replied taking a long sip from his glass.
“That, and time is moving way faster for them,” Jaime added. “They’ve already been there a month. It’s barely been two days for us.” Her pulse roared in her ears as her mind searched for a meaning.
“And?” Oliver repeated.
Jaime let out a long breath and grabbed the back of the couch for support. “If the dates have to line up for them to get back here, then they will have to jump through time until they find a period where the full moon also falls on April 22nd,” she theorized out loud.
“I don’t understand.” Grace shook her head, looking to her brother.
“If Jaime and I are on the same page,” Eli began downing the rest of his drink. “What may be a simple month or two for us could be a year or more for Zak and Cadence.”
Jaime gulped. They had to be wrong. Nausea churned in her belly and she swallowed hard. As much as she prayed she was mistaken, she couldn’t help the tiny voice vexing in the back of her mind saying she was right. Cadence and Zak were a long way from home...even more so than they realized. They needed to figure this out before they spoke with them again and then pray they hadn’t already shifted times again.
Another thought nagged in her mind. Liana must have known this would happen. She’d sent him back to a time when he was human, knowing he couldn’t easily get home. What did she have planned that she needed Zak out of the picture without the possibility of returning? The vampires weren’t her friends, but they were part of the balance in nature. If something happened to them, how would that impact the supernatural community?
***
Cadenc
e shivered as Melanie finished plucking the feathers from the deceased chicken. Her stomach twisted as she remembered the way the young girl had wrung the animal’s neck.
Sure she loved chicken. But having to butcher the animal before eating it was an entirely different thing. She’d give anything to be able to go to the store and buy a few chicken breasts right about now. If only she could.
Melanie had been kind enough to show her a few things to help her get along better in this time. Thankfully, the girl hadn’t been scared off too badly after Zak’s threats this morning. Of course, she was sure it helped that Zak and Harrison had gone off to run errands and meet with the witch.
It was nice to have a break from Zak; it gave her time to breathe. The less he was around, the less she was reminded of how nice he could be, and the less she had to remind herself that he was a psycho vampire who had tried to kill her and her coven.
"So you have someone who cooks for you?" Melanie asked as she set the chicken in a large pot and placed it over the roaring fire.
"No, let's just say things are a lot different where I'm from," she said with a smile. How did she even begin to describe the twenty-first century? She couldn’t, and it’d be pointless to try.
"It would be nice to see all the amazing things you must have there," Melanie said as she picked up the bread dough she’d set to rise and began to knead it.
"Unfortunately, you'd have to be a vampire to see it," Cadence said quietly. It was nice that she didn’t have to keep secrets from the friendly woman.
"Do you think it is awful being a vampire?" Melanie asked shyly as she averted her eyes.
"I suppose not," she answered after a long moment. "I guess it would depend on how you lived out your eternity,” she reasoned. There were perks to being a vampire: long life, eternal youth, but then there was the blood. “If you didn’t have someone to spend it with I imagine it would be lonely.”
Melanie nodded as she stared off at something on the wall.
"Not all vampires are like Harrison,” Cadence warned. “There’s a darkness about them, something evil and dangerous. They prey on the weak and feed off them. Most of the time they kill the humans whose blood they consume.”
