“Oh, Celine. Whew! I had the worst dream. It was so weird,” he muttered.
“There, there, it’s over now. Just rest,” Celine answered.
Damien’s eyes went wide, and he scooted up the bed, sitting straighter. “No. No! You’re still British Celine. This can’t be!”
“British Celine?” Celine asked, her brow creasing.
“He means your accent.”
“I’ve had my accent for several years. My French accent waned years after marrying Marcus. I’m afraid this one never did, despite the time I’ve spent with Gray.”
Gray smiled at her, grabbing her hand. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Right,” Damien answered, swallowing hard.
“Are you quite sure you’re all right?” Celine asked.
“Ah, yep. Sorry, time traveling can be…”
“Taxing, I realize,” Celine responded. “And, without a doubt, you’ll stay with us tonight. After your episode, I should prefer it. Michael, we’ll have the room next door made up for you if that’s suitable.”
“Definitely, and thanks,” Michael answered.
“I’ll see to it now,” Celine replied. “Is there anything else you may need?”
“Change of clothes, maybe?” Michael asked. “Sorry for the inconvenience, we came straight here and…”
“Think nothing of it. I’ll drop some things off as soon as I’ve seen to the room.”
“That should be it,” Michael answered. “Then I think just a good night’s sleep is in order.”
Celine smiled at them both. “I can imagine!” She and Gray exited the room, pulling the door shut behind them.
Damien slouched back on the bed, covering his face in his hands. “I can’t believe this,” he said, pulling his hands away from his face.
“Me either,” Michael responded, shaking his head, his hands on his hips.
“She doesn’t know us other than our 1812 experience! Nothing is fixed, nothing is the same!”
“Nope. It’s a completely different history.”
“No kidding,” Damien responded. “I expected to return home and have everything back to normal. She’s even still got that weird accent!”
“I wouldn’t care about the accent if only she’d have known us. I mean, she was never Josie! She never met us, she’s not your cousin.”
“No. And that’s super concerning. I assumed we’d come back, she’d be back to our Celine because she became Josie, met us, sent us back to help her and the timeline would be corrected.”
“Yeah, I figured the same. I was blown away when she didn’t.”
“I guess those twenty-six years made so much of a difference she never asked to be Josie?” Damien pondered aloud.
“Or the adjudicator thing said no this time?” Michael conjectured.
There was a knock at the door. Celine poked her head inside. “Just me. Here are night clothes and a change of clothes. Is there anything else? Perhaps something to eat?”
“No, no, we’re all good,” Michael responded. “Just going to change and turn in.”
“Well, your bedroom, as I mentioned, is right next door. Either exit to the hall and turn right to the next door or pass through the bathroom there.” She smiled at them. “Good night to you both, sleep well. I’ll see you in the morning. I hope you feel better, Damien.”
“Thanks, good night, Celine,” Damien answered.
Michael nodded. “Good night,” he said. Celine nodded, leaving the room and pulling the door shut.
“Ugh,” Damien groaned. “What are we supposed to do now? We obviously don’t live here. Do we just go home and try to pick up whatever lives we’re supposed to have? Or do we stay here? Or?”
“I don’t know, man, I don’t know,” Michael responded.
Present day, Bucksville, Original Timeline
Marcus stirred the concoction, peering at it through the clear beaker. He poured it into two glasses set in front of him. Handing one to Celine, he said, “Here you are, darling. I will warn you, it is a bit vile tasting.
Celine accepted the glass. “Wait,” Gray interjected. “What’s that for?”
“To prepare our bodies to jump to Alterra. This should prevent most of the adverse effects. Cheers, Celine.” He clinked his glass against Celine’s, downing his. “Satisfied? I would not poison myself.”
Celine swallowed the liquid in the glass, almost gagging. “Ugh,” she moaned, shuddering.
“Celine, are you all right?” Gray asked.
“I warned you,” Marcus chuckled.
“It was still worse than I expected. I’m glad that’s over. Now what?”
“Now, you should rest. The journey ahead will prove taxing.”
“I don’t need rest. Let’s just proceed with the next step.”
“The concoction will take time to work. Go rest. I will prepare the next steps and we’ll be ready to move on when you return.”
“Come on, Celine,” Gray instructed. “Let’s go.” Gray guided her to their bedroom. “Now, lay down and get some rest.”
Celine grabbed Gray’s hand. “Stay with me,” she requested. Gray sat on the edge of the bed next to her. “I’m sorry this is so hard on you, Gray.”
Gray shook his head, shushing her. “Shh, Celine,” Gray soothed, “I’m more worried about you. I’m fine.”
Celine shook her head, disagreeing. “No, I…”
“Celine,” Gray interrupted. “I am fine. Stop worrying. I can handle this. I’m more worried about you. The trip to Alterra is enough but to have to go with that man… well, I worry for you.”
“I’ll be okay,” Celine promised. “I just want Damien and Michael home. The sooner the better.”
“Well, the sooner you get some rest, the sooner they’ll be home. Now, close your eyes.”
“Wake me up in an hour. Promise?”
“I promise,” Gray said, kissing her hand.
Celine closed her eyes, squeezing Gray’s hand. She wasn’t sure she could sleep, but she would try. Sleeping would pass the time faster at least, she figured.
The next thing she realized, she was being shaken awake. “Celine,” Gray whispered. “Celine, wake up.”
Celine opened her eyes, finding Gray hovering above her. “Hey, sleepy head,” Gray answered, “time to get up.”
“What time is it?”
“Almost eight.”
“Eight? You were supposed to wake me an hour ago!” Celine sat up, swinging her legs over the side of the bed.
“You needed the rest.”
Celine pulled her hair into a ponytail, standing. “Hopefully, Marcus is ready,” she said.
“I’m not sure I can say I hope for that,” Gray responded. “But I suppose the sooner you go, the sooner you’ll be back.”
Celine giggled. “Yep. Now, come on. Let’s go.” She grabbed his hand, pulling him out the door.
They pushed through the door to Damien’s room. Marcus tinkered with a few items on the dresser. “Ah, Celine. I hope you were able to rest.”
“I was. I overslept, I’m sorry. Are we ready?”
“No problem, my dear. I’ve just finished preparations. We are ready,” Marcus informed her.
Celine nodded. “All right, I suppose we should proceed.” Celine turned to Gray.
“Be careful, Celine, please,” he implored her. “I love you.”
“I will.” She embraced him. “I love you.”
“See you soon, Celine,” Alexander said. “Be careful.”
“Thanks,” Celine answered, hugging Alexander. “I will.”
“All right,” she said, turning to Marcus. “Just tell me what to do.”
“Have a seat here,” he told her, pulling a chair away from a table set up in the room. He handed a vial of red liquid to Gray. “If anything should happen, pull Celine’s hand from mine and give this to her. It will reverse any negative effects she may experience and wake her from the trance.”
Celine watched the exchange. “Why is
there only one?”
“I am a pragmatist, my dear. I have no illusions that should anything happen, either of the Buckleys would save me. Now, I shall sit here.” He pulled a chair next to hers. “Give me your hand. It should not be hard for us to make a connection, given our shared blood. Close your eyes and relax. You’ll feel me pull you toward Alterra. Just follow.”
Celine nodded, she placed her hand in his and he closed his hand around hers. Celine closed her eyes, taking deep breaths. She felt Marcus’ flesh against her and concentrated on their connection. Within seconds, the sounds of the room faded away. There was nothing but silence and blackness.
Celine stood unmoving for a moment until she felt a tugging on her arm. “Celine,” Marcus called, his voice echoing into the darkness. She opened her eyes. “This way, my dear.” She grasped his hand tighter, following him through the blackness.
Celine shuddered as a chill went through her. “It’s cold here,” Celine said, rubbing her arms.
Marcus pulled her closer. “Yes, we shan’t be here long with any luck,” he informed her.
“What is this place?” Celine asked as they walked through the blackness. No features stood out, it appeared as though they walked through an endless dark hall. No sounds were present, only silence.
“It is an in-between, a conduit between worlds.”
“How do you know where to go?” she asked.
“I’m following the trail Damien and Michael left behind. Look,” he pointed to a specific area in the blackness.
“I don’t see anything,” she replied.
“Look closer, Celine. Pay careful attention.”
She studied the area he referenced. Tiny blue flecks glistened upon closer inspection. “I see it!” she exclaimed. “How did they find their way through here?”
“They didn’t,” Marcus informed her. “This is a residue left from the pulse that pushed them through here.”
“Oh,” Celine answered. Celine pondered for a moment. “How would we have navigated if this wasn’t here?”
“I brought the vial of Damien’s blood,” he answered, removing it from his pocket with his free hand. “Notice how the blood particles are beginning to reformulate into the single blood cell. The closer we are to the Alterra band, the closer to a single normal blood droplet these will be.”
Celine stared at the vial, noticing the blood particles, once distended and spiked, returning to a single blood droplet. “We’re getting closer,” she noted.
“Their path along with this blood will lead us to where they arrived. Then we must find them within the Alterra world. You were right to come along. You’ll have the best idea where they may be.” Celine nodded, and they continued through the black forest of nothingness. Celine kept a tight hold of Marcus’ hand. “I’m surprised Grayson allowed you to come, though.”
Celine chuckled. “Allowed me to come?”
“He treats you like a child, Celine.”
Celine rolled her eyes. “He does not. And I suppose even if he did, it’s preferable to being treated like a prisoner.”
“Touché,” Marcus answered. “However…”
“Let’s not discuss it,” Celine interrupted.
“Have it your way. We seem to be approaching the end of their trail, we should arrive soon. I’ll warn you, entering the Alterra world may be a bit painful.”
“As long as we find Michael and Damien, I don’t care.”
“Here,” Marcus said, pointing to a shimmer appearing in front of them. He removed the vial of Damien’s blood from his pocket. The particles were nearly formed into a complete droplet. “This is the edge of the world they are in. Now we must pass through. You first, I shall follow. Whatever you do, do not stop, continue forward until you are in the Alterra world. Do you understand?”
Celine nodded. “Yes. I understand.”
“All right, Celine. Walk straight through,” he said, turning her toward the rainbow shimmer.
Celine took a deep breath, exhaling through her mouth. “Okay. See you on the other side.”
He nodded. She stepped forward, walking into the dancing colors. As she began to pass through the glistening rainbow barrier, her skin began to crawl. As she entered it fully, it felt as though needles raked across her body. Each movement required great exertion. Within moments, the sensation began to wane, replaced again with the crawling skin sensation. As she approached the other side of the barrier, even this waned, leaving her skin pocked with only goosebumps.
She emerged in an alleyway near a broader street. Daylight waned as twilight approached. She glanced around, searching for a clue to her location. Her clothing was from another era, she placed it in the early nineteenth century.
Within moments, Marcus arrived next to her. She breathed a slight sigh of relief. “You know, this might be the first time I’ve ever been happy to see you,” she joked.
“Wonders never cease, I suppose,” he answered. “Have you identified where we are? Or when?”
“Judging from the clothes I’m wearing, which I have no idea how I got, I’d say early 1800s. Location is London,” she answered, pointing to Buckingham Palace.
“Ah, so it is,” Marcus agreed. “Any idea where Michael and Damien may be in nineteenth century London?”
Celine considered the question, shaking her head. She pondered a few moments, then replied, “Damien is good friends with Alexander. Perhaps they’ve discussed the London house. If so, Damien may have gone there to seek help.”
“Let us try there first, then,” Marcus agreed.
Celine glanced at him. “Perhaps I should go alone.”
“No,” Marcus argued. “I will not allow you to wander around this world alone. You’ve no idea the circumstances that exist. Alexander may not be your friend here.”
“Wow! You won’t allow me? And you say Gray treats me like a child,” Celine commented.
“That is completely different. Now, do you know the way?”
“It’s been a while, but I should be able to find it.”
Celine set off toward the Buckleys’ London house. After twenty minutes of walking, she approached the correct street. “Yes, this is right… I think,” she murmured. “It should be near the end of the street. Number four.”
They continued down the street, stopping outside of the number four house. Celine took a deep breath, lifting her skirts and climbing the stairs. “I hope they still own it in this time band,” she commented, knocking on the door.
Within moments, a tall butler opened it. He gaped at them a moment before Celine spoke. “Alexander Buckley, please,” she requested.
Without a word, the man motioned for them to enter, his eyes still wide. “If you’ll wait here,” he managed, showing them to the sitting room. He disappeared, closing the doors behind them.
Celine sat on the couch. “That seemed an odd reaction,” she noted.
It did not take long before the doors burst open again. Alexander rushed into the room. “Celine?” he gasped, his eyes wide. His coloring turned ghost white as he glanced at Marcus. He swallowed hard, wishing in an instant he had left with Gray this morning.
Celine stood from the couch. “Oh, Alexander, thank goodness you recognize me,” she stated, relief washing over her.
He continued to stare at her, confusion and trepidation on this face. He shook his head. “No, it can’t be. This is impossible. You can’t be here. And with him?”
Celine furrowed her brow. “Please, Alex, let me explain,” she stated, in an attempt to calm him. “This may be difficult to understand but…”
“Wait,” he interrupted her, shaking his head, “your accent…”
Celine glanced around, attempting to understand. “What about it?” she asked.
“It’s… American.” Realization began to dawn on his face as the pieces fell into place. “You must be…” Celine stared at him as he paused. “You must be the Celine Michael and Damien talked about, but… how? Are you from another time?”
Cel
ine took a deep breath, preparing to explain. “Yes and no. We,” she said, motioning to encompass Marcus, “are from another time band altogether, an Alterra to this world. I realize this may not make sense to you but…”
“Oh, no, no,” Alexander answered, collapsing into an armchair, “it makes a great deal of sense. More than you realize. An alternate time band, yes.” Alexander stared into space, contemplating it.
“You mentioned a Michael and Damien,” Celine responded. “Are they here?”
“No. You, rather, the Celine from this time band sent them back to their own time last night.”
“Their own time? As in the future?”
“Yes. They said they came from the future. They told quite a fantastical tale about a Celine who had been married to my cousin, Grayson, since the 1700s. I thought them mad at first, but they insisted. You must be the Celine they spoke of.”
Celine nodded. “Yes, I believe so. We’ve come in search of them.”
“But…” Alexander began, glancing between Celine and Marcus, “the story Michael and Damien told me… Forgive me, my mind cannot encompass this.”
Celine sat on the couch. “In our time band, Michael and Damien are good friends of mine.”
“But you are married to my cousin, Grayson Buckley, are you not?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Yet you travel here with Duke Northcott. Michael and Damien were adamant that he was the source of your troubles.” Marcus rolled his eyes at the statement. “In fact, when they learned of your situation here, they seemed to believe it was their duty to correct history. Of course, they believed this to be their time band and that some strange electrical pulse altered history.”
“I see,” Celine answered. “They did not understand they were visiting a different time band. They were unaware that they had traveled both backwards in time and laterally to a new time band.”
“No, none of us realized,” Alexander replied, color returning to his face. “How fascinating. Events in your time band seemed quite different to ours.”
“Yes, it appears they are,” Celine agreed. “You said Michael and Damien were sent to the future last night?”
Gone: A Shadow Slayers Story (Shadow Slayers Stories Book 3) Page 30
