Dallan stood straight, his strength returning in waves as heat flowed through his veins, filling it. Feeding it…
Kitty sat, eyes wide as she watched.
Hello, little one. Dallan looked into her eyes, his strength now fully returned, her song ended. I dinna ken what ye did, but I thank ye, Flower. I wasna feeling well.
I know.
Dallan smiled and let go of one of her hands to reach into his shirt pocket. I’ve something for ye, Flower. He held his closed hand over her newly released ones.
She looked to his hand then opened her own, cupping them beneath his closed fist, and let herself be captured by his gaze again.
Dallan smiled warmly and let fall one by one the contents of his hand.
A tiny gasp of delight escaped her as rose petals— yellow, white, red, pink, lavender, orange and even an odd violet— escaped his palm to fall into hers, showering not only her hands but the table as well.
He let the last petal drift slowly down to mix with the others before reaching into another pocket, this time pulling out a small piece of parchment. Dallan leaned closer, placed the paper in her hands, and without a word slowly began to back away from the table.
Shona shook her head in protest. Please do not go.
Dallan merely smiled at her and nodded to the note in her hands.
She ignored the action. Please, please do not leave me.
Dallan stepped forward and closed her hands over the note and petals.
He hastily glanced to the table, eyes locking on the title of the book he’d found the day before, and smiled. He let go of her hands, reached down, took the book and slowly began to back away again.
“Shona let him go.” Kitty urged.
Shona continued to shake her head in disbelief.
He backed to the nearest aisle and quickly disappeared.
“No!” Shona lurched forward only to be grabbed by Kitty.
“Shona! Don’t you know a romantic notion when you see one?” Kitty all but shoved her back into her chair.
“What? Let me up!”
“Boy, are you naïve or what? When a man hands you a note, you let him leave and then you read it.”
“What?”
Kitty stomped her foot. “Read the note!”
Shona looked at the note in her hand, stared at it blankly for a moment, then unfolded the odd parchment.
Written in a graceful and very Gothic-looking script were the words:
Meet me in the garden. Five o'clock.
DKM
“DKM? Do you suppose that’s his name?” Kitty asked, leaning over Shona’s shoulder to read.
Shona’s eyes widened. “I sang to him.”
Kitty put an arm around her. “I heard.”
“What is happening?”
Kitty smiled. “At this point, I don’t know anymore. And as freaky as all this is, I almost wish it were happening to me. How romantic! A note to meet in the garden!”
Shona, her senses slowly returning, threw Kitty an incredulous look. “What garden?”
Kitty looked at the pile of petals in Shona’s other hand, picked up one of the odd violet ones and sniffed it languidly. “What other garden is there?”
Shona thought a moment, her mind running maps of the city past her consciousness. “Oh my.”
Kitty nodded. “The City Garden up on the hill, silly. Where else did you think he meant? Where else could he have gotten these?” She let the petal fall back into Shona’s hand.
Shona raised her face to Kitty’s and smiled. “Imagine that.” She looked to the petals in her hand, brought them to her face and inhaled. Her smile broadened. “Maybe he is as you say, my Prince Charming.”
Kitty half-giggled, half-snorted. “Despite everything else going on, no matter how weird it’s been I think you’re about to find out.”
* * *
“Master Lany, yer wrinkling me shirt! Let go!” Angus batted Lany’s hands away from his shoulders.
A strangled laugh escaped the very excited Lany. “Ha! Did you see what happened? I’ve never seen or heard anything like it! Angus, do you know what this means?”
Angus smoothed his shirt. “Aye, it means I ironed me clothes this morning fer nothing.”
“Angus! The Maiden sang and didn’t even fall into Flux. She healed Dallan without so much as lifting a finger. Her voluntary abilities must be strong enough, because of the music she feeds on, to be used without having to draw strength from both her hearts. She and Dallan won’t have as high a risk factor on assignments. As far as I know, this has never happened before.”
“Makes sense to me, being as how she feeds on music to begin with. Mayhaps ‘tis some sort o’ residual that she used on him. She may still ha’ to Flux, Master Lany. Mayhaps today she had some to spare.”
Lany calmed down somewhat. “Hmm, you could be right. Let’s get Dallan and see what kind of shape he’s in. I think he wandered over there.” Lany waved a hand in the likely direction.
“If ye asks me,” Angus began as he shuffled after Lany. “I think she gave him a wee too much song.”
“What makes you say that?”
“The lad had an awful silly grin on his face and he didna even see us. Passed us right up.”
“He’ll be fine, don’t worry.”
Angus snorted in answer and stopped short, crossing his arms over his chest. “Fine eh? Look at him!”
Lany also stopped and took in the sight of the Weapons Master, sprawled in a chair, his back to a table, head resting on its surface, arms spread out to either side of his tall warrior’s frame.
But it was the look on his face that drew Lany’s attention. Dallan’s face was fixed in acute, euphoric, dreamy adoration.
Lany nodded. “You’re right, she overdid it.”
“How long will it last?” Angus asked his own face twisted up in disbelief.
Lany shook his head and shrugged. “Hopefully long enough to get the job done so we can get out of here and go home. This is to our advantage. And at least he’s fine now.”
“A bit too fine, if ye asks me.”
Dallan sighed with contentment.
Lany tried not to laugh as they approached him. Angus simply moaned in disgust.
Dallan raised his head as if drunk. “Afternoon, gentlemen. ‘Tis a right fine day, is it no?”
Angus buried his face in his hands while Lany stood and chuckled to himself.
“Weel, lads. Ha’ ye seen John anywhere about? I need to tell him something.” Dallan’s head flopped back against the table with a loud thunk. The blow didn’t even faze him. He sat staring at the high ceiling overhead, a contented grin spread across his face, eyes glassy with romance.
Lany shook his head again. “Oh, great. She’s made him impervious to pain. Shona doesn’t know her own strength.”
Angus shuffled back and forth as he stared at Dallan, his face a frown. “Disgusting.”
“Well,” Lany began with a sigh. “I suppose it could be worse.”
Angus snorted and scratched his head. “Och, aye, Master Lany. How could it get any worse?”
The Weapons Master raised his head, looked at the two men now standing with mouths agape and began to giggle sounding almost like a little girl. He then began to hum a jaunty little tune, bobbing his head this way and that to the music.
Lany grimaced and glared at Angus. “You had to ask,” he mumbled as he stepped over to grab one of Dallan’s arms.
Angus did the same. “C’mon now lad, up with ye. Ye’ve gots an appointment to keep.”
“Appointment?” He squeaked. “Ah, with the lass.” He stood abruptly, dragging Lany and Angus up with him. “We best be off then, eh?” He took off at a quick pace as the other two men groaned and started after him.
All this trouble, grief and worry, Lany thought, and now to top it off, a love-sick warrior to contend with. Of all the ways to have to save two lives, not to mention the Known Lands. He shook his head as he and Angus followed Dallan through the library in
search of John. It just didn’t figure.
But then, whatever did?
Each friend represents a world in us,
A world possibly not born until they arrive,
And it is only by this meeting that a new
World is born.
Anaïs Nin
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
“Well, Lordy, why didn’t you call and tell me you’d be here? You two know I always come on Friday afternoon.” Tomy blocked Shona and Kitty’s path, her arms folded across her chest.
Shona raised a brow and blinked as if she wasn’t sure it was really Tomy, not quite recovered from her recent encounter and subsequent separation from Dallan.
“Shona, girl, are you all right?” Tomy stepped forward and put her arm around her. “What happened? Are you sick?”
Kitty giggled.
“What’s so funny?” Tomy quipped in response.
Kitty continued to giggle. “She’s better than you think.”
Tomy shook her head and gave her attention back to Shona. “What’s the matter?”
Shona captured her in a bright green gaze and smiled. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I feel good.”
Tomy drew back. “Say what?” She looked Shona over carefully noticing for the first time her relaxed posture, bright eyes and starry expression. “Just how good we talkin’ here?”
Shona smiled to no one and glanced at the note in her hand.
“What’s that?” Tomy eyed the parchment suspiciously before noticing what was in Shona’s other hand. “And where’d you get those?”
Kitty giggled again.
Tomy leaned her weight on one foot, crossed her arms and looked from one face to the other. “All right, start talkin’. What’s goin’ on? Why are you two actin’ so funny?”
Shona and Kitty exchanged a quick look. Shona smiled again, but the expression was… mischievous? Shona? “We are going to the City Garden later. Would you like to come along?” Her voice sounded innocent yet teasing.
Tomy studied Shona more closely then looked to Kitty who stood with a silly smile on her face. Her gaze slowly found its way back to Shona. “All right, I gotcha. I suppose this ditz finally found you some guy to hook up with. Come on, fess up. What’s his name, where’s he from and do I know him?”
Shona brought the handful of rose petals to her face and studied them absently. “I do not know.”
Tomy looked to Kitty, rolled her eyes at the silly grin she still wore then turned back to Shona. “You don’t know what?”
Shona lazily raised an eyebrow. “I do not know the answer to any of your questions.”
“What?” Tomy’s face became a suspicious frown as she turned on Kitty. “What have you done to this poor child?”
“Nothing!” Kitty blurted out innocently. “He gave her the note and the flowers. I had nothing to do with it!”
“Note?” Tomy’s eyes gravitated to the odd parchment in Shona’s hand. “Shona, girl, can I see that?”
Shona smiled and handed her the note. Tomy quickly read the brief message. “D K M? Who in blazes is this guy? Lordy, he better not be one of yours, Kitty!”
“He’s not one of mine. It’s the guy we saw the other day. The good-looking one.”
Tomy threw a hand in the air and rolled her eyes again. “Oh well, that narrows it down. You think they’re all good lookin’.”
Kitty sighed impatiently. “I mean the one you said could make your mouth water.” She crossed her own arms and waited for Tomy’s face to rearrange itself back to normal.
“The big guy.”
Kitty nodded.
“With the long, dark hair.”
Kitty smiled and nodded again.
“The one with the… eyes?”
Kitty stood proudly, triumphant at last.
“Lorrrdy,” Tomy squeaked.
Neither one noticed Shona leaning against a nearby table, eyes far away, softly humming to herself.
“Well, what do you know about this guy? Who is he? Does he live here? Does he attend the university? What?”
Kitty shrugged.
Tomy’s gaze narrowed, “You mean to tell me, you don’t know who he is, where he’s from, what he wants, anything?”
Kitty shrugged again innocently. “He wants to meet Shona up at the gardens.”
Tomy closed her eyes and shook her head. “Heaven help us all.” She turned to Shona and crossed her arms again. “Shona, you’re not goin’.”
Shona’s humming abruptly stopped. She came away from the table, brow raised in challenge. “Who says I am not?”
Tomy put her hands on her hips. “I, your friend, says.”
"And I says I am going.” Shona gave her a dare of a grin.
Tomy’s face exploded with bemused shock. “Girl, you can’t go around meetin’ up with some strange man just because he gave you a fancy note and what’s left of a few dead flowers. For all you know he got them petals off some guy’s funeral wreath. In fact, he may have been the one to kill the poor fool needin’ the funeral!” She took a deep breath to calm herself. “I’m sorry, but I can’t let you go. Trust me I know a lot more about these things than you do.”
Shona stood straight, her back now stiff. “I am going.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Shona, listen to me. I can’t let you…”
“What gives you the right to stop me?”
Tomy stood dumbfounded, her mouth half-open. “Nothing,” she finally said, caught in Shona’s fierce gaze, “Except my concern for you.”
Shona smiled and released her. “Come with us.”
Tomy studied the determined look on Shona’s face. “I’ll have to. Lord knows this bubblehead won’t be any protection.”
“Hey!” Kitty whined in protest.
Tomy rolled her eyes and groaned.
“Kitty,” Shona began her voice a soft lilt. “What time is it?”
Kitty glanced at her watch. “Four thirty.”
Shona nodded, humming to herself once more. “It is time to meet my father. We had better go.”
“Your father? Does he know about this?” Tomy asked.
“Not yet. He is here somewhere. We have to find him.” Shona started walking.
“And are you going to tell him?” Tomy inquired curiously.
“Of course. I have nothing to hide. Why would I not tell him?”
Tomy stopped short, letting Kitty bump into her back. “How ‘bout ‘cause he’ll tell you the same thing I just did? That you ain’t going.”
“He will not.”
“And what makes you say that?”
Shona smiled and looked to the fragmented blossoms in her hand. “Because these are from the flowers in my parent’s bedroom.”
* * *
Shona, Kitty and Tomy arrived at the City Garden at ten minutes before five. Kitty fidgeted while Tomy frowned and watched Shona who calmly sat and eyed the envelope her father had handed her as the girls left him at the bottom of the hill. He was to walk home and wait for her. If Kitty and Tomy didn’t return with her within the hour, he would come for her himself. Philip had some evening entertainment planned for the Whittards that night.
Evan wanted to make sure one more guest was in attendance.
“Are we ready?” Kitty asked as she took her keys from the ignition and stuffed them in her purse.
Tomy turned to look at Shona in the back seat. “Shona, girl, you don’t have to meet this guy, even if your daddy does think he’s okay.”
Shona raised her eyes to Tomy. “Yes I do. I need to meet him.” She lowered her gaze and smiled.
Tomy shook her head and bit her lip. “All right, but I’m telling you right now that if he tries anything I’ll mace him!”
Shona again raised her face, a warm smile still held upon it. “You worry too much. He will not hurt me.” Her smile grew as she looked out the window, face locked in remembrance. “Nay, he could never hurt me.”
“What?” Tomy asked, perplexed. “Nay?�
��
Kitty smiled knowingly and opened her door. “Let’s go.”
* * *
“Well, what happened? Is he with us or not?” Lany asked as he and Angus shoved a dreamy-eyed Dallan onto a nearby park bench.
“He’s with us. I didn’t tell him everything, and it took awhile to convince him we weren’t with Brennan, but I think he’ll be okay.” John smiled. “He seems to really like Dallan.”
“Really?”
John nodded. “Clever fellow. He caught Dallan and Angus down on the first floor of the library and had a, ah, talk with him about his daughter.”
“Are you serious?”
“That man would do anything to keep his daughter safe.”
“Even as far as letting her marry someone she’s just met?”
“I believe so.”
“He doesn’t trust Brennan now anymore than we do, but he’s afraid to aggravate him too much. He might take the Maiden and be gone without a trace.”
Lany thought a moment and shook his head. “He’ll have to rely on a regular means of transportation. Remember what Kwaku told us? Brennan’s wife isn’t here to help him. Did you let Mr. Whittard know that?”
“Not yet. In fact, I’m not sure he knew Brennan had a wife. And if he did know I doubt he knew she was a Muiraran. But, I could be wrong. At any rate, he still thinks Brennan has the power to take his life.”
“Eaton, one bullet and its all over.”
“No, that’s not what I mean. Evan Whittard had a disease, uh, ‘cancer’ it was called. Brennan had Lissa remove it in exchange for the Maiden’s rearing and training.”
Lany nodded to himself. “Ah, and the deal was struck.”
“But Brennan doesn’t have that power. Lissa is dead. In fact, from what I know about a Muiraran's makeup, I'm surprised Brennan is even still alive. I wish I understood better how it all worked.”
“He has what he stole from Dallan.” Lany replied. “Maybe that’s enough for him to go on. He’s still big trouble. I think we should take the Maiden and go. It might be for the best even with the high risk involved.”
John began to pace. “She’d never survive the doorway, Lany. She’s too unstable, too emotionally fragile right now. If Kwaku can join her to Dallan tonight, we’ll be fine. We just have to make sure it happens. I’ll go in first and speak with her. I want to make sure she’s completely ready for this. We can’t afford for anything to go wrong now.”
Time Masters Book One; The Call (An Urban Fantasy, Time Travel Romance) Page 38
