PAST THE AGES
Book Two Across the Ages
By
RaShelle Workman
www.rashelleworkman.com
PAST THE AGES
BOOK TWO
Copyright 2016 RaShelle Workman
Polished Pen Press Corporation
Digital Edition
All rights reserved. Copyright @2016 RaShelle Workman
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Edited by: Jen Hendricks
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This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. Thank you for respecting the hard word of this author.
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written consent of the author, RaShelle Workman Bountiful, UT 84011.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the creation of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Published by: Polished Pen Press Corporation.
DEDICATION
This one is for E, K, and J. Thanks for reading and loving my stories. I have no doubt one day you’ll create amazing stories of your own.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would be greatly remiss if I didn’t give a special thank you to my awesome editor, Jen Hendricks. She helped push me through the more difficult parts of this book until I finally got it right. This story rocks because of her.
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Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
Eighteen
Nineteen
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Twenty-One
Twenty-Two
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ONE
TO KISS A GENTLEMAN
London, England 1815
TIME PASSES differently for everyone, depending on the perspective. As Lucy stared into the gorgeous blue eyes of the man she loved, time seemed to have stopped. There was only his handsome face, the sharp line of his jaw, and the shape of his perfect lips. “Will.” She’d been waiting for him. Again.
He’d already returned once. They’d seen each other as often as possible during their week together by meeting secretly, including one magical night at a masquerade ball. Will had also done a lot of research into old manuscripts and journals, trying to find any information about the amulet. He’d found one pertinent piece of material, which led him to believe the other piece of the amulet might be located in London. That had been on the night he left. He’d promised to return ready to do things right. That meant introductions into polite society, meeting Lucy’s parents, and coming to terms with her engagement. It’d been a sore subject, but Lucy didn’t know how to remedy the situation.
“You’re here,” she said, tears pressing against the backs of her eyes, causing them to water. She believed he would come, but still worried something might happen to keep him from returning, especially after all of the nightmares she’d been having.
“Rabid zombies couldn’t keep me away,” he said.
She had no idea what he was talking about, but didn’t care. He was here now, standing in front of her, looking more gorgeous than she remembered. But it was so much more. She was in love with all that made him who he was.
Will was dressed in the height of fashion, wearing white silk breeches with white stockings and black shoes. His jacket was cut at precisely the right length and his shirt fit him like a glove. Will appeared to belong in her time better than she did. The beau monde would welcome him into their fold without delay once they met him. “How do you do it?”
“What’s that?” He smiled, flashing his pristine teeth as he held out his arms.
Lucy fell into them, snuggling against him. If anyone saw, there would be a scandal, but she didn’t care. She’d missed him terribly. Will, her heart sang as she took in his manly cologne and the light detergent on his clothes. Will might look like he belonged, but it was obvious the clothes had come from his time. Just as he had. “Looks like you were born and bred here.”
He chuckled, causing his chest to rumble. The feeling filled her with such happiness. She hugged him tighter. “I didn’t know whether you would make it or not.”
“You can’t get rid of me that easily, Lucy Channing.” He kissed the top of her head for the quickest moment before pushing her back, his eyes meeting hers. “You don’t want tongues wagging, do you?”
She laughed, wiping away her tears. “No. I suppose I don’t.”
“That’s my girl. We’re going to do it right this time. I’ve come prepared.” Before he could go into more detail, her lady’s maid appeared.
“Miss, is everything all right? You want me to fetch your father?” Harriet wrung her hands together nervously and her freckled face was contorted with worry.
Lucy’s heart softened for her lady’s maid. She truly adored the young woman and considered her one of her dearest friends. “No, Harriet.” She stood off to the side so Harriet could get a good look at the man she’d fallen in love with. “Allow me to introduce Mr. William Godwin.” Lucy looked at Will. “Mr. Godwin, this is Harriet, my lady’s maid and my friend.”
“Oh.” Harriet curtsied and blushed at the same time. “It’s good to meet you, sir.”
Lucy’s heart felt lighter than it had in weeks. Will was safe and standing at her door. “Won’t you come in?”
“Absolutely not. I’m a gentleman.” He winked and Lucy’s heart fluttered even faster. “I’ll see you tomorrow, when we will be properly presented to one another with, er witnesses… or whatever is required.” He paused, glanced down at his feet.
Lucy produced a tendril of a laugh, precisely the way her Mother had taught her. “Until tomorrow, then.” She curtsied.
Will raised an eyebrow as he bowed before taking his leave.
Harriet came forward and closed the door. Then leaned against it, fanning herself. “He’s…”
“I agree.” She leaned against the door alongside her maid, closing her eyes, imagining herself still in his arms. Will, her heart sang. Excited, she stood up straight.
“What is it, Miss?” She touched Lucy’s arm.
“Oh, it’s nothing. I need some fresh air.” What she really wanted was to speak with the ghost of her grandmother again. She and Will had talked about seeking her out last time he was here, but there hadn’t been time. Lucy was still in London, nowhere near the family cemetery, but she thought if she could just get outside, she’d somehow be closer to the woman she’d loved so much in life. Lucy started forward, walking down the hall, through the kitchen, where she briefly acknowledged Harriet’s mother, Gwen before going outside through the back door.
“Wait, Miss!”
Lucy turned
around just as Harriet placed a thick blue shawl over her shoulders.
“You don’t want to catch your death, Miss Lucy.” Harriet smiled, but Lucy noticed the concern lining her brow and the grim line of her mouth.
“Thank you,” she said, wrapping it around herself. The night chilled Lucy to her very bones. Fog hung thick in the air and clung to her skin. The shawl would serve her well.
“Do you want me to stay out here with you?” Harriet’s eyes searched the small yard. Shadows danced in the corners, giving the darkness an ominous feeling.
“No, thank you. I’d like to be alone.”
Harriet glanced up and shuddered. “Very well. I’ll have Mum fix you a hot chocolate for when you come back inside.”
“Thank you,” Lucy said tenderly. She didn’t know how she’d manage without Harriet.
Once Harriet went back inside, Lucy walked over to the concrete slab that doubled as a bench and sat. Though the blossoms were closed, the night still smelled of apple blossoms and primrose. Life abounded all around her, as though begging the May evening to bring on summer. The garden overflowed with pristine cut grass, various flowers, and other greenery. She kicked at a small rock with the tip of her pink slipper. “Grandmother. Can you hear me? I need to speak with you.” She waited, knowing it was highly unlikely her grandmother would appear as she stared up at the cloud-covered sky. There was nothing to see other than cloudy darkness. Except… A figure seemed to be coming toward her. She squinted; sure the night was playing tricks on her. But the figure continued to draw closer, like a rogue cloud. Too late, she stood, and rushed for the house.
“I can’t allow you to find the other piece of the amulet, little lamb,” Darkness said in a voice so low to the ground she thought it came from underneath her.
His words stopped Lucy in her tracks. “What do you know of the amulet?” The mist had begun to reshape itself, taking on the form of a man.
His dark eyes glistened. “I don’t want to hurt you, but I don’t have a choice. You and the boy—if you find the other piece, the world will end.”
That shocked Lucy. “I don’t know what you are talking about and I must go.” His words made no sense. She again started for the safety of the house.
The smoky man appeared in front of the door, blocking her way. “It’s been too long and you’re becoming too close to finding out the truth. Your death has become the only option. I’ve seen the future and if I allow you and the boy to continue, the world will die!” A thick steel sword appeared in his hand. The hilt was encrusted with three white jewels. He raised it, ready to cut Lucy down.
“No!” As she raised her hands to protect her head images of her life appeared in her mind. Regrets formed an ache in her stomach. It seemed too soon to be facing a perilous situation again. It’d only been a couple of weeks since she and Will had nearly died in that cave. She wasn’t ready to die, especially now that she’d just found love.
As the thoughts formed, a light materialized above the man and like an avenging angel, a woman appeared, knocking Lucy out of the way. The sword went through the woman’s body like she wasn’t even there. “Stop this insanity, Apep. You cannot be allowed to kill a human. My father would be so disappointed.”
“Bastet.” Lucy watched as the goddess grabbed Apep by the hand.
“I won’t let you hurt this dear girl.”
Apep laughed without mirth. “The worst part of this situation is that Lucy believes you to be her Savior. If only she knew the truth.” He shook his head, his gaze finding Lucy. “When she’s finished with you, young lady, you’ll wish I’d have killed you.” Threat finished, his form retreated to that of a cloud and vanished into the night sky.
Lucy was in shock. She wasn’t sure whether to hug Bastet or run away. This was the second time in a month the goddess had saved her. The last time was while Mihos had taken her and Will prisoner, suspending them above a lava pit. He’d told them he wanted their souls, whatever that meant. They’d only just escaped with their lives. At the worst possible moment her week had been up and she had been sent back to her own time. Before she’d left, though, she’d given the amulet to Will, hoping it would save his life.
“Not that I mind, but why do you keep saving me?” Her spine quivered at what the answer might be. Apep’s words still lingered even though he’d gone. More than her fear was the need to understand what was happening. Ever since her grandmother gave her the locket, Lucy’s life had changed dramatically. Some of it had been good. Without it, she never would’ve met Will. But her life had also been full of gods and foolishness and almost dying. Was meeting him worth it? She regretted the thought immediately. Of course it was. Had she been given the option to do it all over again, she would still make the same choice. Without a doubt.
The goddess sighed. “I can’t have you dying. Not when we’re so close.” She flung her hands at her sides and began to pace.
“We?” Lucy noticed the air around Bastet shimmered with glittering darkness. Where she went, it followed, clinging on like it couldn’t live without her.
“You. Will. That’s what I meant.” Bastet glanced up at the moon. Lucy noticed she wore different clothing than last time. She was dressed in a gauzy white dress that trailed out behind her like moonbeams. Her hair hung long and twinkled like starlight. “Never once in all the ages have two people been so close to bringing the pieces of the amulet together.” She smiled brightly. “It’s exhilarating, isn’t it?”
“Uh, sure.” The thought of bringing the pieces together excited Lucy as well. It would mean she and Will would never be apart. There were logistics, of course. Would they remain in his time or hers? Neither option seemed viable. But she knew she couldn’t live the rest of her life without him. Not ever.
“Lucy, is that you?” Will jumped the fence and rushed forward. Bastet stepped back, blending in with the darkness, but Lucy could still feel she was close.
Lucy glanced in the direction of the goddess, but only briefly before settling her gaze on Will. “Hi.” She couldn’t have been happier to see him. “I thought you intended to call on me in the morning.”
Will helped her up, placing the shawl around her shoulders. “I did. I still do.” He pulled her into a hug and Lucy realized she was exactly where she belonged. “But I felt it was necessary to remind you that I’m not a gentleman.” He tilted her face toward his and met her lips with his own. They were soft yet firm, hungry and passionate. She never wanted him to let her go. In fact, Lucy thought she might be floating. Her body seemed weightless as Will held her, his hands clutching and moving along her back, up her neck, and into her hair. She thought she might also be dreaming. The way her heart raced and stopped before it picked up again—she never wanted it to end.
“Ahem. Excuse me. I might make up the moon and the stars, but that doesn’t mean I have all night.”
Will spun to face their intruder. Lucy grudgingly opened her eyes, focusing on the goddess.
“I know you. How do I know you?” Will sounded surprised.
“It’s Bastet. Remember? The goddess that saved us from Mihos.”
“Whoa.” He came forward, taking Bastet’s hand. “I never got the chance to thank you for killing Mihos and saving me.” He contemplated Lucy. “When the amulet returned me, not only did it freak me out, but it scared the crap out of Bonnie.”
“Bonnie?” Lucy took his hand, knowing she was breaking all kinds of rules of proper etiquette, but unable to bring herself to care.
“Our English Sheep Dog.” His gaze bounced back and forth between the goddess and Lucy. “She yelped and took off down the stairs, piddling a trail the whole way.” He ran a hand through his hair. “My mom so wasn’t happy about it.”
Lucy smiled, unable to stop herself. The image of the poor, scared dog was too amusing.
“It was my pleasure. Really.” Bastet came forward. “Now, let’s discuss where the other half of the amulet is.”
“First, can you please,” Lucy paused and bobbed a curt
sy. “Would you mind telling me who or what that thing—man—was and why he wants to kill us?”
“His name is Apep. He thinks that by killing you, he’ll save his precious Hathor.” She let out a horrible screech.
“But that isn’t true?” Lucy wanted to believe the goddess, but her gut told her not to trust Bastet.
“Definitely not. Hathor is dead. There’s no way to bring her back. He’s a straight up lunatic god who’s grieving and can’t think of anything but her death. You’ll do well to stay away from him.”
Lucy nodded. She didn’t mention that Apep kept finding her, certainly not the other way around. Lucy could empathize with Apep’s grief though. Losing her grandmother still sat heavily on her heart, like a lead anvil, but that pain hadn’t led her to kill people. “How did she die?”
Bastet shrugged. “It was horrible and sad. But listen, do you want to get the other half of the amulet or not?”
“You know where to find it?” If Bastet was telling the truth, and the amulet was close, they might be able to retrieve it soon. At that thought, her heart jumped. She wasn’t sure whether it was from anticipation or trepidation. Probably both.
“Well of course I do,” the goddess snapped, kicking the concrete bench, breaking it in two.
“Can’t you get it for us?” Will asked, taking Lucy’s hand.
Lucy was thinking the same thing. If Bastet wanted both pieces of the amulet together so badly, why couldn’t she do it and be done with it?
Bastet’s eyes flashed from black to red. The air around her snapped in angry tension. “I’d have no need for reckless humans if I could, now would I.”
“Okay then. Calm down.” Will held up his hands, moving slightly in front of Lucy to protect her.
Fear radiated off Lucy, but she had questions and decided then and there that she wouldn’t take another step toward finding the amulet until Bastet told them what was going on. She crossed her arms. “What do you have to gain by helping us?” It was a frank question, but she and Will had a right to know.
Past the Ages: Book Two Page 1
