by Bethany Shaw
“Okay,” she agreed.
“I doubt we have to worry about him now. It’s after we move through time that I’m worried about,” Zak spoke his concerns aloud.
Cadence let out a long breath. She knew what she needed to do. “Then we should be ready for him. If there is time, I want to work on my magic.”
Zak beamed as he looped his arm through hers and maneuvered them through the street. “Good. We’ll start work on it tonight. In the meantime, I believe I promised you a hot bath,” he quirked his brow up at her.
Cadence clapped her hands together. “Really?”
“Let’s get to the inn and I’ll have one drawn for you,” he promised.
The lure of a hot bath almost made the coercion okay. Almost.
Chapter Fifteen
“Tell me what you know about your powers?” Zak said as he moved the furniture in their room to one side. He’d prefer to practice outside, but there were far too many people. Witchcraft wasn’t heavily frowned upon yet, but it wasn’t popular either in this time. It had taken Harrison and Melanie hours to find a witch in the city. But they had one who could do the spell. Thank goodness.
Cadence sighed and fiddled with the edge of her shirt. The men’s pants and shirt were much too large on her, but somehow, they still looked stunning on her. If he could, he’d take her right here and now. But since they hadn’t spoken about that night, he had no way of knowing how receptive she’d be to the idea. The ball was in her court. He hated it, but that was the way it needed to be. If he groveled at her feet, he would be at her mercy.
“Um,” she began and shrugged.
“You said it comes and goes. What exactly?” he prodded.
“The only active power I’ve observed is telekinesis,” she replied.
That was a good ability to have. There was a lot she could do with it, especially once she learned to control it. “What else can you do?”
“Sometimes I can hear people’s thoughts,” she admitted quietly as she looked away from him.
Interesting. If she used both powers together she would be a strong force to be reckoned with. And definitely not someone I’d want to face in battle.
“Let’s work on telekinesis first,” he replied. “Then we’ll work on the other.” He set a pillow in the middle of the floor. “I want you to move the pillow,” he instructed.
“It’s not that easy,” she replied. “Most the time when I do it, it is an accident like when I threw you on the boat,” she whispered as red crept over her cheeks.
“I’d wager you can do it whenever you want, Cadence. My guess is your emotions trigger it whenever you are scared or angry. But, if you focus on the object you want to move you can do it. Channel your feelings, and you’ll see results,” he smirked. It would be fun to see if he could rattle her.
“But I’m not angry, and I’m not afraid of you,” she replied meeting his gaze.
He chuckled darkly. Cadence may be the only person on this Earth who need not fear him. “Very well,” he sighed. He knew nothing about magic. Harrison or another witch should be the one to work with her, but he wanted to be the one to spend time with her. “How about you try to focus on it,” he suggested.
Cadence’s shoulders slumped as she moved so she was standing right in front of the pillow. She cocked her head to one side and stared at it through narrowed eyes.
Zak held his breath, following her gaze to the pillow. Can she do it? The seconds stretched on endlessly and he peeked a glance at Cadence.
Sweat beaded on her brow and she chewed on her lower lip as she concentrated on the object. He turned back to the pillow and beamed as it slid a few inches across the wooden floor.
Good. She was making progress. Next time they ran into trouble they would both be ready and able to protect themselves.
***
"I will send the two of you who do not belong in this time to the future, but I will not mess with the balance. You two must stay." The witch, Serena, said looking to Harrison and Melanie with a note of finality in her voice. "There are things you are destined to do, and it is not my place to disturb that."
Zak balled his hands into tight fists and clenched his jaw shut. That was not the news he’d been hoping for. He could tell by the forlorn expressions on Harrison and Melanie’s faces that they were saddened by the news as well. Their fear was understandable. This was a whole new world for them. There were so many new things and places, different languages, and a different way of living.
"It's okay," Harrison said holding Melanie's hand. "We will enjoy our new life in this new world." It was kind of ironic how backwards that statement was, but he wasn't going to correct him.
"You will not consider sending them through time with us?" Zak asked again. This world was dangerous, especially with Malcolm lurking around. He’d just got his brother back; he wasn’t going to lose him again.
"No. I will not disrupt the balance," Serena replied firmly. "Whomever sent you here should not have done so either. To change the past could have detrimental effects on your future. One single wrong move and you could change the course of history. Regardless of the reasons, the witch who sent you made a grave mistake."
"It will be okay, Zak. Melanie and I will find our way. We don’t want to do anything to disrupt the future," Harrison said putting his hand on Zak's shoulder.
He clenched his jaw tightly. The idea of arguing, threatening the witch, crossed his mind, but he couldn’t do it in front of Cadence, Harrison, and Melanie. What if he pissed off the only witch who could send them into the future? They’d be screwed. He turned to his companions. "I'll be out in a moment. You, Melanie, and Harrison go out to the market. I'll catch up to you."
"Okay," Cadence said hesitantly looking between him and the witch. "Thank you for your help, Serena."
Zak waited until he was sure Cadence was out of earshot before he spoke. "I was hoping you could do something for me."
"Let me make this clear, the only reason I am helping you is because you're from the future and do not belong here. It is my responsibility to set the balance right. I do not like your kind and no amount of threats will sway my decision. The other two vampires are staying in this time," Serena said standing up as she glared at him.
Zak sighed. Witches can be so difficult sometimes. "Will you do something for your sister witch?" he asked, pulling a small royal, blue pendant from his pocket. He prayed Serena could help him with this. "I know you can sense her humanity, her light. I wish to protect her." The witch eyed him suspiciously, no doubt sensing his darkness. "I want you to spell this for her. She is in danger. My father is hunting us. I believe he has help from the witch who sent us here. Any protection spells you can place on this I would greatly appreciate. She does not have full use of her powers. They have been bound.”
Serena eyed him carefully as she picked up the pendant. "I have heard a lot of things about you, Lord Zakariah. I can only assume you must change in the future." Her eyes studied him as if truly questioning him. If she had heard of him, then she probably had only heard horror stories. "You truly wish to protect her?"
"Yes," he admitted.
"Very well then," Serena said sitting back down as she eyed him curiously. “I can see she has a kind heart, but there is an air of darkness about her. Something terrible has happened to her. And there is no telling how her death could impact the future. So I will help her.” She picked up the gem and shifted it between her hands. “Where did you find this?”
“It was my mother’s,” he replied quietly.
“The same woman who sent you here?” Serena questioned.
“Yes. I know it holds a great deal of power. I was hoping that because it belonged to my mother it could protect Cadence from her magic,” he explained.
“How did you get this?” Serena asked as she placed the pendant back on the table.
“I returned to my birthplace in one of the other times we were in. When the villagers found out what my mother had done...what she created, they
turned on her...killed her. After that they burnt our house to the ground. I took the chance that this may still be there and luckily it was. My mother used to say it was her power source,” he sighed as he finished his story. It had taken him nearly the whole day to make the trip and find the pendant. He hoped it was worth it.
“It holds a great deal of power,” Serena whispered. “I will spell it for her. I sense before your ordeal ends she will find a great deal of trouble.”
Zak swallowed hard. “What do you mean?”
“As I said there is darkness about her...and not from you,” Serena said narrowing her eyes. “Her aura brings light to yours.”
“My father?” he guessed.
“Or mother. I can’t be sure. It might be something else, too.” Serena placed the pendant in front of her and placed both hands over it before she began chanting. He watched her expectantly for several long moments before she stopped and looked back to him. "It is done. As long as she wears this it will help to protect her from evil. Especially evil created by your mother."
"Thank you," he let out a relieved sigh. Cadence owed him a question, still, but the more he learned, the more he doubted she’d be able to answer it. Did she know who hurt her?
"Take care of her," she said meeting his eyes. Serena hesitated a minute and then added, “And you should know, a witch should never bind another’s powers without just cause. I suspect there is much at work that your young friend does not even know. Her powers are strong—stronger than she realizes. I have never sensed a witch so powerful before. Until she learns to harness her power, she could be in grave danger. Protect her.”
“With my life,” he promised bowing his head to the witch.
Serena handed him the pendant. “Good.” She nodded her head as she narrowed her eyes at him. “I will see you on the full moon.”
***
Cadence stuffed the few belongings she had into the small bag she had purchased from the market. Yes, she had stuffed candy in there as well. Who knew where they would end up? For all she knew, there could be a freak occurrence and they could end up with the dinosaurs.
“If you accumulate this much stuff in a few days, I hate to see what you will accumulate in a month.” Zak said as he pushed off the wall.
Cadence ran her hand over one of the dresses Zak had purchased. "As I recall, you procured most of these items for me,” she reminded with a stern look. At least Melanie was close to her size and could put the beautiful garments to good use.
Zak rolled his eyes, but smiled. "I have something for you." The grin slipped from his face. He cleared his throat and strode toward her. "Before you throw it at me or accuse me of stealing it, or something else, you should know that I got it legitimately.” He slipped something out of his pocket and let an item dangle from his fingers.
"That’s beautiful," she whispered, reaching out to touch the cool, blue pendant.
"Blue suits you, sweetheart. It brings out your eyes." He held the small necklace up. "Can I?"
Cadence turned and pulled her hair to the side. His fingers grazed against her neck and she closed her eyes at the feel of him. “Thank you,” she murmured as she trailed her fingers over the gorgeous design. She nibbled her lower lip as she whipped back around to face him. “Is there an occasion?” she wondered.
Zak’s hand reached up, hovering by her cheek before he let it fall away from her. “It’s spelled to ward off evil. I asked Serena to make it for you. I gave my word I’d protect you, and I intend to do that.”
Cadence swallowed and inhaled deeply. He’d gone above and beyond to keep his word to her. Her heart skipped a beat and her breathing hitched. This was real for him; he cared for her, truly cared. She took a step forward and leaned in, placing a soft, chaste kiss to his cheek. “Thank you, Zak.” She pulled back and smiled. He was so close. It’d be easy to close the distance touch him, kiss him.
Her body trembled as desire coursed through her. She could still recall the way he’d made love to her. The way he’d cherished her that night. Her head tilted to the side and she licked her lips as she inched closer to him.
The bedroom door burst open and she reeled back as her heart hammered in her chest. She closed her eyes and let out a breath. It was only Harrison and Melanie.
“We need to leave now,” Harrison supplied as his eyes flicked between them. “Serena sent word that she needed to move the location of the spell, but I only just got the message. Apparently there is some sort of party at one of the farmhouses near the original spell site. In order to get to the new location, we need to get going now.”
"Come on then, Cadence. The full moon won't be waiting for us," he said offering his arm to her.
Cadence slipped her arm through his and together they walked out of the room. Perhaps the interruption was a good thing. They’d reached a good point in their relationship. And she didn’t want to do anything to mess it up.
***
Cadence drew in a deep breath as she hugged Melanie and then Harrison. Her heart beat a rapid staccato in her chest as she let out a shaky breath. They’d done this several times now, but that didn’t stop the butterflies from fluttering in her belly.
"Do you have any idea what time they will end up in?" Melanie asked as she and Harrison took several steps back.
"I'm sorry I don't," Serena replied apologetically.
"Listen to me," Zak demanded focusing on his brother and Melanie. "You two are not the only vampires. There will be wars, plagues, famines, people will get desperate and do crazy things. If you need to, you flee back home. Don't stay waiting for us if it isn't safe." He met his brother’s gaze. "I didn't save you to lose you, Harrison. Live your lives, see the world, but be careful. Stay away from Paris and London."
"Be careful," Cadence added even though Zak’s speech had already said as much.
“It is time,” Serena announced drawing her gaze from the sky to them. “I wish the two of you luck and hope you reach home, and pray the future does not get altered.”
“Thank you,” Cadence whispered.
Serena turned her attention to Zak. “Remember what I told you,” she warned.
“I will. Thank you.” Zak slid his gaze to her and Cadence frowned wondering what Serena had warned him about?
“Shall we, sweetheart?” Zak said offering his hand to her.
She nodded as she drew in a deep breath. Her fingers slipped around his and he gave her a gentle, reassuring squeeze.
“Close your eyes, Cadence and don’t try to rush moving,” Zak reminded as his free hand wrapped around her waist and drew her closer.
She swallowed hard, resting her head on his shoulder as she closed her eyes. His embrace was comforting. In this moment, there was nowhere else she’d rather be. Zak would keep her safe.
Serena’s voice called out into the night and Cadence clasped the fabric of Zak’s shirt. The ground dropped out from beneath them and she gasped as lightness overcame her. The world whirled around as dizziness gnawed at her conscious. She clung to Zak tighter, willing the feeling to pass.
Her feet returned to solid ground and the roaring in her ears receded. They’d done it. Now, they just had to find out when they were.
Lost
Chapter One
Zak clung to the beautiful witch in his arms as the ground whooshed out from under them and they floated through emptiness. The deafening roar stopped, but voices cheered and laughed in the distance. He hugged Cadence closer, not wanting her to lose her balance after their time hop.
Cadence clung to Zak, swaying slightly as they both tried to acclimate to their new surroundings. He pried his eyes open and swallowed. They weren’t outside in the forest. This was much worse. They were inside. The room quieted to a whisper. Several dozen eyes fell on them as people scampered away.
“We need to run,” he said, his eyes darting around the room. They were in a tavern of some sort.
“What? Why?” Cadence whispered back as she placed a hand to her forehead. She squinted a
nd gasped.
Dozens of people occupied the crowded room. They’d pulled back, forming a circle around him and Cadence. Zak skimmed the room for an exit, but couldn’t find one. There had to be one, obviously. It was just blocked.
“Bruja!” a man said as he pointed.
A bottle of liquor flew through the air and Cadence winced, lifting her arm to protect her face. The bottle shattered, sending alcohol and glass shards splattering around them.
Angry shouts and hollers filled the room as those closest to them shoved and jabbed at them with any piece of furniture they could find. Zak did his best to protect his witch from the terrified mob. He could take a hit, but her mortal body couldn’t.
“That didn’t help our situation,” he said as he scanned for a way out. His eyes landed on a window. It would have to do. “Hang on,” he said as he hoisted her into his arms. He sprinted through the crowd, shoving anyone who dared get in their way.
He leapt onto a table and twisted, using his back to break the thin window glass. Shrieks and screams filled the air as he landed in a crouch on the city street. He clutched Cadence closer and sped off as fast as he could.
Cadence’s arms clung to his neck as she buried her face into the curve of his throat. Her breath fell in rapid puffs against his exposed skin, and her heart hammered like a locomotive in her chest. He clutched her closer, hoping to ease her fears.
Zak left the city limits in a matter of seconds, but continued to run until they were buried deep in the safety of the forest. There might be a horde of villagers coming after them, but they’d never catch up to them with his vampire speed. He continued on for several more miles before coming to a stop in a clearing.
Cadence wiggled in his arms, and he set her down. She stumbled away from him, one hand on her head and the other on her stomach.
“Are you hurt?” he asked as he followed behind her.
Cadence dropped to her knees as she heaved and then vomited onto the forest floor. Zak winced as he knelt next to her, pressing one hand on her back and holding back her long, wavy blonde hair with the other.
