Time Jumper

by Connie Hall

  His touch sent tingles up her arm. She didn’t know if she was responding to the man or the fear of what he was about to tell her.

  “You’ll find this out soon enough. Cara has been dead over three years.”

  If he’d hit her, Hannah wouldn’t have been more shocked. She felt a world she’d never known come crashing down on her.

  Chapter 7

  She stared at him in silence, a knot forming in her throat, her body feeling as if it was being pulled under by a killer wave. Breathe. You can do it.

  She forced the air from her lungs. All these years of wondering about her mother. Wondering what she was like, if she looked like her, if she suffered from the same malady, if she even cared that Hannah was alone in the world and dealing with it. But she hadn’t been able to bring herself to search for her mother, even though she’d tracked down her birth certificate long ago and knew her mother’s identity. Not until after her birthday and her body began to glow and she was attached by a poltergeist had she been pushed into finally gathering the courage to face her mother.

  Hannah closed her eyes tightly, shutting out the world. Tears streamed down her face. What was she going to do now? How would she learn anything about what she was turning into? What would happen to her? Would the poltergeist find her and attack her again?

  “I’m so sorry.” His baritone melted into soft velvet as he stroked her fingers.

  Hannah felt oddly soothed by his wide hand gliding over her skin, and she found herself gripping his hand. “You just don’t know what I’ve been through,” she said.

  “Tell me. Maybe I can help.” He cradled her fingers tightly with both hands, rubbing the back of her hand with his thumbs.

  “You’ve got to see that I’m different.” She glanced at his face for a reaction and saw nothing in his eyes but a steady keen gaze.

  “Different is always open to interpretation here on the reservation.”

  “No kidding.” She sighed loudly, remembering the demon. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you what’s been happening to me.”

  “You may think you’re alone because the supernatural world is new to you, but you’re not.”

  She felt comforted by his words. Here was someone who understood what she was going through. For once she’d met a guy she could be herself with. She inhaled deeply and said, “A week ago I was coming home from a local bar.” She saw the question on his face and explained, “Celebrating my birthday. Chubbies has the best Reubens—a birthday treat for myself.”

  He tilted his head to the side and looked askance at her. “Let me guess, you turned twenty-eight?”

  “How’d you know?”

  “It’s the numerical factor that governs when our women have their ascension.”

  “Ascension?” Hannah felt her jaw fall open and clamped it shut. “Sounds ominous.” That was an understatement for being lifted up by lightning.

  “Not really. It’s when you get your powers. Four cycles of seven. Your twenty-eighth birthday is the kicker, as it is with all our women.”

  “Powers?” Hannah didn’t consider her creepy glow powers at all. It was destroying what little normalcy she had in her life.

  “Yes.” He hesitated and seemed to struggle with how to phrase his next words. After a moment he said, “Our tribe’s ancient white magic comes from the Warrior Bear Maiden. She is the constellation Ursa Major.”

  “Your magic comes from a star?” Hannah’s head was splitting now.

  “That’s where the Great Bear Maiden god took up residence after she left the earth. Since the Dawning, she’s been the totem of our tribe. She’s the gateway to the source of our magic. Her powers are passed down through the elder female warriors in our tribe who form the elder council. They are all powerful shamans, but none is as powerful as the high priestess. We call her the Guardian, defender of all white magic and goodness on earth. Fala Rainwater is supposed to assume the powers of her grandmother very soon.”

  “So I’m not alone.” Hannah had felt isolated all her life, but to learn there were others like her, women who shared her fate, made it seem bearable somehow. In a way, she had sisters.

  “No, you’re not.”

  “And they have powers like me?” Wonder filled her voice.

  “I don’t know.” His expression turned introspective and cautious. He seemed to choose his words carefully. “Your grandmother, Lena Rainwater, was an elder before she married Lenton Harris. Your mother was her daughter. Your grandmother was a seer, and I don’t know what powers your mother possessed, but you may not have the same gifts.”

  “Is my grandmother alive?”

  “No. She died shortly after your mother.”

  Hannah felt the tears spill down her cheeks again. She’d just lost a mother and a grandmother within minutes.

  He leaned past her, reaching for a box of tissues on the nightstand. His chest brushed her arm and Hannah felt the teeming sensation in her skin calm down, as if he was a grounding device for her swarming nerve endings. She wanted to wrap her arms around him and hold on tight, but he grabbed the tissue and straightened, then handed it to her.

  He was frowning and looked disturbed as he said, “I know it’s hard learning all this at once.”

  “Yeah, but I need to hear it.” She hiccupped and wiped the tears from her face. “I have to know what I’m becoming.”

  “I feel the magic within you, but I’m unsure of your ability. Tell me what happened to you, and maybe I can identify it.” He didn’t reach for her hand again, but rested his elbows on his knees and laced his fingers together so tightly that his wrist tendons bulged beneath his skin.

  “Well, I guess I should start from the beginning,” she said, tracing the serious lines of his face with her gaze. “Since I can remember clocks don’t work around me. I get caught in déjà vu experiences. The orphanage I grew up in thought I was catatonic, but I passed all the mental tests, so they had to pigeonhole me. They just chalked it up to my being a creative dreamer. Then there were the horrible nightmares about portals to other worlds. I’ve had them since childhood. But now I actually see these holes. They appear out of nowhere. I’m drawn to them. It’s creepy and scary.”

  His eyes narrowed and glinted deep gold. His nostrils flared the slightest bit. Then his face shifted back to its intense expression. He slowly laid her hand on the mattress, pulling back from her. “What happened to bring about this change?”

  She sighed, wishing he’d touch her again. Contact with him calmed her vibrating nerve endings. “I don’t know. I was leaving Chubbies and before I reached my car an electrical charge from the sky hit me. It lifted me up. I was suspended in midair. It hurt like hell and lasted only a second. Then the lightning went away and I dropped back to the ground. Luckily it was late and the street was empty. But a spirit had seen what happened to me and grabbed me. I think it was a poltergeist. He demanded I help him. I was frightened and I didn’t know what he was talking about. I managed to break free and ran into a church. A priest gave me a protection blessing—I think his name was Father Patrick. After that I knew I had to find my mother to get some answers.” She sighed loudly. “And it has all been futile.”

  “Maybe not. Meikoda may be able to help you. I can speak to her if you like and she’ll come see you.”

  “Who is Meikoda?”

  “She’s the high priestess, the Guardian until Fala’s twenty-eighth birthday, then Meikoda’s powers will transfer to Fala. Meikoda is wise. She’ll know what powers you possess.”

  “Thank you.”

  Hannah wasn’t sure he was seeing her. He seemed lost in thought and distracted, gazing down at his clasped hands. Finally he stood, seeming impatient and ready to leave her. Was he taller than she had first surmised? She had to crane her neck to gaze up at him and felt a wave of dizziness.

  “I can hear your stomach growling. You must be starved. I’ll find something for you to eat.”

  Before she could protest, he left in a quiet whoosh, the only sound
his braid thumping softly against his broad back. She watched his handsome profile disappear through the door.

  Maybe it was the way he’d taken care of her, stayed by her bedside, listened patiently to her and offered to help, but she didn’t feel so frightened of him now. He had taken care of her car, brought her into his home and tended her wounds. Even given up his own bed for her. And something about his nearness calmed her. She felt almost comfortable here, like nothing could harm her. After all, Aden Running Wolf was a demon hunter, and a competent one. That poltergeist who had assaulted her and demanded she help him might think twice about attacking her here.

  She shivered at the thought of the poltergeist. His hollow death-rattle voice bellowing for help as he tried to hold her. His breath had smelled strongly of alcohol, and she’d seen the gaping hole in his skull, the blood oozing over his coat. An accident of some kind had killed him, and she was certain it had been near the bar. His image had been transparent but very visible and present and teeming with an angry energy that seemed to fuel his hauntings. Luckily, she could overcome his strength from beyond the grave and had managed to escape into St. Catherine’s. But what had the poltergeist wanted from her? He must have recognized what she was. He kept demanding she help him. She shuddered, shivered once more, praying she never saw him again, or anything like him.

  For the first time since getting hit by that lightning, she felt safe. She wanted to speak to the Guardian and find out what she was, but she also dreaded learning what lay ahead of her, of what she might become. She rolled onto her side and inhaled Aden’s scent on the sheets: spicy aftershave, soap and a heady male scent that made her take another sniff. Oddly, it was a panacea for everything wrong in her life at the moment.

  Aden strode into the kitchen and leaned against the counter, pausing in front of the window, his body thrumming, his heart pounding. Was his excitement from the discovery he’d made moments ago or just from being near Hannah? He could still feel the vibration from having touched her. His hands felt so alive, so galvanized. Being near her was intoxicating. He had wanted to keep his distance when he’d spoken to her, but she had started to cry and awakened a possessive primal feeling in him. He had wanted to hold her, to crush her to him and kiss away her pain. Instead, he’d held her hand. Even at that he’d crossed a barrier he hadn’t wanted to cross and he’d had to pull away. It had been sheer torture being so near her. He hadn’t thought he’d ever feel passion for another woman again. But it was passion he’d felt, hungry, yearning, insatiable, the kind a man can’t get out of his head. Just the thought of her caused his body to respond to her.

  He knew it was dangerous being near her, but he was glad they had talked. He knew what she was, a time jumper. Time Jumper. He’d only heard of their legend through the elders’ narratives. The myth said time jumpers had the ability to change fate by time-traveling forward or backward. They also had a physical attraction that enthralled magical beings, evil or good. Aden decided ruefully that another caveat should be added to the fable: humans were enticed by time jumper’s powers, as well. He’d never actually met one until now, but he could attest to the magnetic power in her body. Just touching her hand had made him want to kiss her.

  Being near her was like being able to see clearly again. He was aware of every magical vibration of her essence. Even without touching her, he could form a mental picture of her sensual curves, the long soft hair that fell around her shoulders, the pouty shape of her lips. She had almond-shaped eyes, a straight petite nose and smooth skin. He longed to trace his fingers over her face and learn the shape. And her voice had a divine silken huskiness that could lure any man to jump off a cliff.

  And when he was close to her, he felt like he’d just jumped from a plane without a parachute. He leaned over and touched the glass. The temperature had dropped, and he could feel the tiny ice pellets thumping against the window. Sleet. He imagined the ice crystals hitting his face, the burn of them. But it didn’t help the conflicting emotions rolling through him. Guilt. Greed. Discovery. Uncertainty. And yes…lust.

  Leaning back, he squeezed his hands into fists and felt his groin aching now. He had to get a handle on this unbidden hunger for her. A clear head was needed to decide what he was going to do with Hannah.

  He remembered why he’d come into the kitchen and went to the cabinet. He pulled out the peanut butter and jelly. Then he grabbed the loaf of bread from the breadbox. While he spread peanut butter on the bread, he thought of the lie he’d just told her. He’d kept the fact that she was a time jumper from her. She had all the classic symptoms, her effects on clocks and the déjà vu experiences and being pulled toward portals in other universes. Her body was a vessel that could take someone back in time or ahead in time. She had the power to reverse fate. No wonder the poltergeist had tried to force her to help him. He’d been drawn to her unique power and wanted his life back. She was a great commodity. When word surfaced that a time jumper was on earth, it wouldn’t only be poltergeists wanting her but every sort of evil.

  Was he one of the evil ones for keeping the truth from her? He should have told her what she was. But he hadn’t because an epiphany had come to him: Hannah hadn’t just dropped into his lap for no reason. And every instinct he possessed was telling him that she was a gift from the Great Maiden Bear and he shouldn’t decline it. No, Hannah was a godsend, a blessing, a boon. Through her, he could regain all he’d lost.

  But there were major prices to pay for changing the Book of Life. Could he sacrifice one life to get back his vision and Linda and erase his guilt? Why not? Hannah had been driving on that road last night for some preordained reason. If she had been two minutes later or earlier, they would never have crossed paths.

  He knew intimately how time orchestrated fate’s reality. One missed moment could change everything. Like forgetting to lock a door. Five minutes tops for you to return and push the key in and lock it. Then thirty minutes later, you cross an intersection and a drunk runs a light. Four tons of steel barrels straight at you and your wife, then you realize how precious those five lost minutes were. If you could just take them back. But you can’t. And your time is up. You lose everything. Wife. Vision. Your life as you know it.

  Now he’d been given the power to take back those five minutes. It was a miracle.

  And it wasn’t just a case of him being selfish; he had his children to consider. They would have their mother back and a whole father. He’d regain his vision and he’d start his practice up again. They’d all be happy. Everyone would gain. The only loser would be Hannah.

  Chapter 8

  He walked into the room, bearing a tray of food. Immediately he grew aware of the energy emanating from Hannah, that glorious life-saving energy the Maiden Bear had given her, precious time-altering potential. He heard her deep inhalations as she slept.

  He decided not to wake her and set the tray down on the nightstand. He had every intention of leaving, of not being pulled under by her spell, but she reached up and grabbed his hand. “Stay with me for a while,” she moaned. “Please.”

  Her husky voice melted over him like butter-cream icing even as her arm slid beneath his forearm and her fingers laced with his. Instantly his skin came alive as if he were holding his arm over a fire. The sensation shot up into his shoulder, through his chest and settled in his groin. Her back was to him and she rolled forward slightly, pulling him toward her.

  He knew being this close was dangerous, and that he should extricate his arm. But she seemed to need him. Shouldn’t he offer her comfort? Didn’t he owe her that much? And he couldn’t fight her imploring, purring voice that seemed to roll around in his mind, jumbling his resolve.

  He found himself crawling in beside her. He lay on his back, body tensed. She put her head on his shoulder and cuddled up next him. He curved his arm around her shoulders, aware of her warmth, the crackle of her skin, her body heat.

  “Thank you,” she murmured, almost asleep.

  “Rest,” he said, frowning, g
uilt crawling into the bed between them.

  He tried not to feel her soft hair against his face, the way it stuck to the stubble on his chin, or the sizzle of her skin, or her enticing feminine scent, a clean pure scent that reminded him of the charged air after a lightning storm. And her feminine curves covered only by his T-shirt. Oh, God! He was in for a lot of agony. Nothing he didn’t deserve.

  The next few days were the happiest of Hannah’s life. Aden had been attentive, caring for her every need. He spoiled her horribly, bringing her meals in bed. And he’d taken to lying beside her at night, holding her until she fell asleep, making her feel protected from all the craziness in her life. It was the first time she’d truly felt secure in a man’s arms. Yes, she had slept with a few men, but they never stayed. Something about her always freaked them out and they left. But Aden didn’t seem to mind that she was different.

  The only thing that disappointed Hannah was he’d never made one move to seduce her. What was he waiting for? Wasn’t he attracted to her in that way? More and more she found herself agonizing over it and wishing he’d make the first move. But he remained the perfect gentleman and caregiver. After being alone for so long and trusting only herself, it felt terrific knowing she could rely on him. She could easily fall for this man.

  He had promised her that when her headaches disappeared totally and he was sure she was well, he’d introduce her to Meikoda. Hannah couldn’t wait to meet her aunt, and she told him she felt fine, but he kept pressing her to stay in bed. And it felt good to have someone besides herself to take care of her, though her newly acquired powers still worried her. Aden had assured her that her glowing skin and strange abilities came from white magic and she had nothing to fear. He’d said Meikoda would confirm this when Hannah met her. Still Hannah couldn’t get that poltergeist out of her mind.

  Hannah could hear Aden finishing up reading the children a bedtime story and she smiled. It was obvious what a good father he was and that he loved his children. She’d grown to care for them too. Chogan, she learned, was a shy child, but once he warmed to her, he was a sweet and giving boy. Mayhala was precocious and outgoing and undoubtedly would upstage her brother his whole life.