Separated By Time: Book 3 of The Thistle & Hive Series

by Jennae Vale

  Maggie gasped. “Are you sure, Auntie? How does she know what I look like and what I sound like?”

  “Aye, I’m sure. I’m not the only one with the sight. She’s been watching you and learning all about you.” Maggie shuddered at the thought. “She has her sights set on Dylan and is using your relationship with him to gain his trust and the trust of the MacKenzies.”

  “Oh, my. What can I possibly do to stop her? There’s still so much that I don’t know. How can I be expected to go up against a powerful witch?” Maggie fidgeted nervously, alternately wringing her hands and twirling anxious fingers through her hair.

  “We’ll do our best to prepare ye, but I have no doubt that ye can do this. I wouldnae send ye otherwise.” Edna took hold of Maggie’s hands. “You’re going to knot that hair up good, my dear. Ye’d best stop.”

  Maggie couldn’t believe she was the only one who could stop this witch, but she certainly didn’t want anything bad to happen to Dylan. She had been hoping Edna would allow her to go back in time at some point soon, so she could see Dylan again. There had been a spark between them and she wanted to explore it. She had never imagined her visit would be anything more than for the fun of it. Now she was expected to hone her skills as a witch and save Breaghacraig, the MacKenzies and Dylan? Her stomach was doing somersaults as she thought of all the things that could go wrong if she failed. “I’m not so sure I’m the best person to send. What if I can’t do it? What if she’s too powerful for me?”

  “She’s right, Edna. I think ye go too far this time. Ye cannae send Maggie.” Angus looked quite angry as he paced in front of the fire.

  “I understand how ye feel, Angus. And ye as well, Maggie, but I know what I saw and I also know Maggie is the only one who can stop this.” Edna took hold of Maggie’s chin. “Maggie, yer a much more powerful witch than ye ken. Ye’re even more powerful than me. I have every faith in yer abilities. You can do this.”

  Maggie found that hard to believe, and hesitating for just a moment she gathered what little confidence she felt and said, “I’ll go.”

  “I’m going with her then,” Angus announced firmly.

  Fear had rendered Maggie speechless. Her brain conjured images of the evil witches she recalled from fairy tales. This can’t be happening. But Dylan needs me. I can’t let any harm come to him, or to any of the others. If Auntie thinks I must go, then I don’t see that I have a choice.

  “Maggie, would ye feel better about this if I sent Angus along with you?” Edna asked.

  “I don’t know. I imagine it would help, but do ye really want to come with me Uncle?” Maggie asked, holding her breath as she waited for his answer.

  “Aye, love, I most certainly do wish to accompany ye. ’Tis been a long time since I’ve seen me own century and I’m thinking now is as good a time as any to do so. It’s been ages since I’ve had to fight for anything. I believe I’ll enjoy meself. And I’ll get to see me little girl, Arlena, once again.” Angus glanced lovingly at Edna, who as always, appeared to be a little melancholy at the mention of her daughter’s name.

  “Okay, then, I’ll do it.” Maggie said. I only hope I won’t regret this, she thought.

  “That’s my girl,” Edna said, rubbing Maggie’s back soothingly. “We’ve a lot of work to do before ye can leave, but I think ye’re up to the challenge. I’ll teach ye some spells that will come in handy and we’ll disguise yer appearance, so ye’ll have that little trick up yer sleeve. Angus will work with ye on using weapons and before ye know it, ye’ll not only be a skilled warrior, but ye’ll be a powerful witch. A powerful good witch who can repel the dark magic of this evil harridan.”

  “When do we start?” Maggie asked, thinking there couldn’t possibly be enough time for her to master everything Edna needed to teach her.

  “I think first thing in the morning will be soon enough,” Edna answered.

  “What’s her name, Auntie?” Maggie questioned.

  “It’s Brielle,” Edna said.

  “Do ye know her?” Angus asked.

  “Aye, I do. I’ve met her once, a long, long time ago. I’ve not seen her since.”

  “Is she from this time, or does she belong in the past?” Maggie had so many questions, she didn’t really know where to start.

  “She is from the past, but she has her own relationship with our bridge and the time travel. That is how we met. Many years ago she tried to cross the bridge and I wouldnae allow it. She has held a grudge against me ever since. She does not normally seek out trouble, but she has a mischievous side that enjoys creating it. Richard has taken advantage of that and has asked her to help him in his quest to rid the world of the MacKenzie clan.”

  Maggie didn’t understand the whole ‘Richard vs. the MacKenzie clan’ dynamic. She had heard all the stories about Lady Irene and what happened to Ashley, but why did he persist in wanting to destroy them? Why didn’t he just move on with his life and forget about them?

  “Until Richard finds someone new to love, he’ll continue down this path,” Edna explained, apparently reading Maggie’s mind.

  “If he would just open his eyes and see that the world is full of possibilities to find love, maybe he’d give up this nonsensical vendetta.” Maggie responded, thinking about Dylan. She was positive he was her possibility. She wouldn’t let anything come in the way of that, especially not a conniving witch.

  “I’d have to agree with ye. But Richard has to come to that conclusion on his own, my dear.”

  “Couldn’t Brielle make him love her?” Maggie hoped that if Brielle and Richard had a love connection, Brielle would leave Dylan alone.

  Edna laughed out loud. “Brielle is not interested in love and believe me if Richard has seen the real Brielle, he’s not interested either. No, she gets immense satisfaction out of creating a whirlwind of trouble and then walking away and into the lives of her next victims.”

  “I don’t like the sounds of that,” Maggie uttered. “I have to fix this.”

  Edna smiled softly at Maggie. “That’s my girl. Ye work on Brielle and I’ll work on Richard. I believe with a little magical intervention, I can make him see the error of his ways.”

  “Are ye sure yer telling us all of it,” Angus asked. He sounded skeptical.

  “Of course not, love. I’ve told ye all ye need to know.” Putting her arm around Maggie’s waist, Edna walked with her to the dining room to set up for their evening diners. As they left, Maggie glanced back to see Angus shaking his head in apparent disbelief as he prepared to man the front desk.

  * * *

  THE NEXT MORNING Maggie began her training, bright and early. She started with Edna, who taught her the basics – or Witchcraft 101, as Edna liked to call it. Maggie learned how to create fire out of thin air. Of course, she already knew how to create a fire in the hearth, but she always had fuel to work with in those instances. This fire was definitely different, but she could see it would be useful to understand how and when to use it. She also learned how to levitate items and move them from one spot to the other. She was a quick study and Edna seemed pleased with her progress. It only took a few tries for her to master the magick Edna was showing her. They worked well past lunch, which Maggie’s grumbling stomach could attest to, but knowing how important it was for her to be armed with a thorough knowledge of witchcraft, she ignored it.

  Maggie had known she was a witch from an early age. Her mother had tried to steer her away from it, but Aunt Edna insisted it was her duty, as a member of the MacKinnon family, to learn to use her skills for the good of those around her. Ellen, Maggie’s mother, had not been verra happy about this pronouncement and she had moved her family to a nearby village and opened a teashop, in the hopes of keeping Maggie away from any witchcraft. Try as she might, Ellen couldn’t dissuade Maggie from what she had begun to see as her destiny. Any chance she got, Maggie would visit with Edna, wanting more than anything, to follow in her footsteps.

  In deference to her sister, Edna hadn’t given Maggie a
ny training during that time. She hadn’t wanted to upset Ellen, so instead, she had merely given Maggie a glimpse into her world, showing her what she could do, but not how to do it.

  When Maggie had tired of working at her parents’ teashop, she had come to live at the inn, with the hopes of becoming a full-fledged witch like her aunt. Up until today, she had only learned how to run the inn, not how to cast a spell. She was excited; finally, she was learning the one thing that had fascinated her for as long as she could remember.

  “Now, Maggie, I’d like to teach ye some things that will help protect yerself and those around ye from any spells Brielle may cast.”

  Maggie thought that would be most useful, although she secretly hoped she would never need it. Maybe Brielle would go away and leave everyone be, before she even got there. Then she could spend all her time with Dylan. That sounded a whole lot better than fighting Brielle.

  “Maggie, are ye paying attention?” Edna raised her voice and woke Maggie from her daydream about Dylan.

  “Aye. I am. Yer about to teach me a spell of protection.”

  The lessons went on for the rest of that day and into the next. Edna gave Maggie a book of spells, to read and memorize. Maggie was exhausted both mentally and physically, and she still had her lessons with Angus coming up, but she had progressed way beyond Witchcraft 101. Maggie liked to think of it as a college course, one that she was passing with flying colors. One thing was definite, she was going to need a good night’s sleep before tomorrow’s lessons with Angus.

  * * *

  “ALRIGHT, my dear, I’ve set up a course, which we will work our way through. Once ye’ve mastered one thing, we’ll move on to the next. How does that sound?” Angus seemed quite excited to get started. He had prepared the back garden with hay bales, scarecrows, used tires and wooden poles. “Edna has provided ye with a sword, a dirk and a bow – charmed fer yer protection, but we’ll start off with practice equipment, so that neither one of us ends up being injured.”

  Maggie was overwhelmed at the thought of learning to fight. It must have shown on her face because Angus commented, “Don’t be frightened, Maggie. I’m a good teacher and when we’re done, I’ll be able to trust ye with me life. Now let’s get started.”

  Angus started with the basics. He showed her the correct stance and position, how to hold the sword and a lot of things she should not do. Maggie’s head was full to bursting, but she wanted to learn and that was half the battle.

  “Very good, Maggie. I think yer ready for yer first practice fight.” Angus smiled reassuringly as he took his stance opposite her. “Remember, keep yer distance. Ye dinnae wish to be too close to yer opponent. Yer not strong enough to get into a wrestling match just yet.”

  Maggie waited in her stance, holding the sword the way Angus had shown her. “’Tis important to aim fer the weapon, not yer opponent. Ye leave yerself open to their sword if ye do so.” She took a few practice swings with the sword, which felt incredibly awkward in her hands. In fact, everything she did seemed off. “Keep at it, Maggie. Ye’ll get more comfortable the longer we do this.” Maggie took a wide swing and the sword went flying out of her grasp. Angus ducked just in time, and the sword flew over his head, landing in one of Edna’s prize rose bushes.

  “Sorry, Uncle Angus,” Maggie said, feeling about two inches tall for making such a rookie mistake.

  “Well, ’tis one way to decapitate yer opponent, but not the best way. When ye swing wide like that, ye leave yerself an open target. What I’d like ye to do is concentrate on deflecting my assault. If yer focus is solely on attacking, ye fall prey to injury, or worse. Always keep the correct distance. When I come at ye – ye need to back up. Think of it like a dance. Follow my steps while backing away, do ye ken?”

  Maggie nodded her head and they practiced for a while. At first, she found herself stumbling over her own two feet, but eventually her confidence began to build and her feet no longer got in the way.

  “I think ye’ve got it. Now we need to work on yer speed and once ye’ve mastered the art of stopping yer opponent, we’ll work on stopping them and striking at the same time.”

  Maggie was panting from her efforts. This was hard work and she wasn’t sure she’d ever be good at it. “Uncle, could we take a break for now?”

  “Of course, Maggie. Go see yer Auntie. She’ll feed ye and give ye something to drink. I’ll be along shortly.” With a reassuring pat on her shoulder, Angus sent Maggie on her way.

  * * *

  LUNCH HAD BEEN PREPARED and set out in the dining room. “Ah, there ye be, Maggie. Pour yerself some tea.” Maggie began to lift the pot with her hand, but Edna shook her head. “Not that way, dear. Use yer magick.” Maggie concentrated and levitated the pot, pouring herself a perfect cup of tea, every drop going into the cup.

  Edna applauded. “I’m so proud of ye, Maggie. How did your lesson go with Uncle Angus?”

  “I feel like a fish out of water, Auntie.” Maggie took a sip of her tea and then bit into her sandwich, swallowing down a mouthful. “Do ye really believe I can do this?”

  “Aye. I do. I believe yer the only one who can.” Edna sat opposite Maggie, watching her eat.

  “Why are ye nae going to Breaghacraig yerself?” Maggie wondered aloud.

  “As ye ken, I must stay here and see that ye have safe passage across the bridge and then back again.”

  “True. I guess I forgot about that,” Maggie said with a smile. She finished her food and then settled back in her seat for a few minutes of rest. She desperately wanted to go upstairs and take a nap, but knew that wouldn’t be possible. She had far too much to learn and no doubt, Uncle Angus awaited her outside for another round.

  CHAPTER 3

  A fter days of preparation and practice, the time had finally arrived for Maggie and Angus to begin their journey. To suggest Maggie was nervous would be an understatement. She was anxious, apprehensive and terrified of what might lie ahead. The one bright spot in all of this, was that she’d have an opportunity to be with Dylan again and she couldn’t wait to see him. She smiled as she remembered his curly blonde locks, always in disarray, how soft they’d been entwined around her fingers. He had been so easy to talk to and so much fun, not to mention the most handsome man she’d ever set eyes on. Maggie had never met anyone like him and she’d known instantly he was the man for her. As she stood in the lobby waiting for Angus, she released an audible sigh.

  “Are ye alright, Maggie?” Edna asked, concern in her voice.

  “Aye, Auntie. The thought of what awaits me on the other side of the bridge is a bit overwhelming, but I’m prepared. Both ye and Uncle have seen to it.” Maggie fidgeted with her hair, something she always did when she was nervous.

  Edna grabbed her hand. “Enough, my darlin’ girl. Leave yer hair be.”

  Maggie laughed at herself. “Bad habit,” she replied clasping her hands together.

  “We’ve one last thing to do before ye go, lass,” Edna explained. “As I mentioned to ye before, ye cannot go as yerself, so ye need a disguise.”

  “Disguise!” Maggie had been imagining herself dressed in a beautiful medieval gown, with a hooded cape, which she’d draw forward to cover her face. She would be very mysterious, like the heroines in the books she loved to read. “But Auntie, how will Dylan know it’s me?”

  “It will be for the best if he doesnae know it’s you, initially.” Maggie began to protest, but Edna held up a finger to stop her. “When the time comes, Dylan will look into yer eyes and know the truth, but until then you shall be Alec, a companion to yer Uncle Angus. Now stand still, while I work on yer appearance.”

  Maggie did as her Aunt requested and while she couldn’t see anything happening, she could certainly feel it. Edna was waving her arms to and fro, almost as if she was conducting an orchestra, and with each movement of Edna’s hands, Maggie was pulled and tugged, as little gusts of air blew past her and around her. “’Tis finished,” Edna finally announced. “And I’ve done a fine
job of transforming ye into a lad. Look fer yerself.”

  Maggie hurried across to the mirror behind the front desk. She gasped when she saw her dirt-covered face and less than flattering clothes. She turned her astonishment on Edna, not entirely certain whether she wanted to laugh or cry. She was so shocked she couldn’t speak. This was most definitely not what she wanted to look like, not to see Dylan again. “Auntie, I don’t know…”

  “Don’t worry, dear, I’ve cast a spell that will cause those who see ye to believe ye are a lad and a stranger to them.” Edna made a few small adjustments to Maggie’s new look and then stood back to admire her work.

  Maggie turned back to the mirror. She was wearing brown trewes and a saffron liene. Over the shirt and pants was a voluminous brown cape, the hood of which, along with a cap hid her lustrous red locks. “If I didn’t know it was me I was looking at, I’d wonder who this lad was,” Maggie giggled, finally coming to terms with her new look. “’Tis a fine costume.”

  “I’ve equipped ye with the very best sword, knives and bow. I feel confident ye’ll know how to use them, should the need arise. Yer uncle will look after ye and protect ye to the best of his ability. There will be some things, though, that he’ll not be able to defend against.”

  “Ye mean the witch, Brielle,” Maggie stated.

  “Aye. Brielle.” Edna seemed especially sober as she repeated the witch’s name, which gave Maggie a distinctly uneasy feeling.

  The sound of horses’ hooves approaching and coming to a halt in front of the inn caught their attention.