Page 3 of A Keeper of Time

Edna eyed the tea suspiciously.

Evanore motioned towards the teacup in front of Edna. “I’m no’ trying to poison ye. Ye can drink it without worry.”

Edna brought the cup up towards her lips, sniffed the contents and then took a small sip. Nothing smelled or tasted off.

“Ye see. I’ve told ye. I shall no’ harm ye.” Evanore lifted her own cup to her lips.

“Then why am I here?” Edna asked, trying to hide her impatience and remembering that old adage that being sweet would garner her more answers than being snippy.

“’Tis a long story, but suffice to say that yer here so I can undo much that ye’ve done.” Evanore held her hand out to admire her fingernails, which were painted a shiny black to match her hair.

Edna’s eyebrows collided as she wondered just what on earth this puzzling woman was talking about.

“I see ye eyeing me with question. Doona fear ’twill all become clear to ye verra soon.” She sipped her tea and seemed to be examining Edna from head to toe as she turned her head this way and that.

“Me husband will be wondering where I am,” Edna asserted. Angus wouldn’t be happy she hadn’t told him where she was going.

“I’ve nae doubt.” Evanore let out a small chuckle. “I’ve never had a husband. I’m no’ interested in answering to anyone, ye ken.”

Edna thought the woman looked pretty pleased with herself. Being a good judge of character and able to read people with ease, Edna knew Evanore’s conversational tone and confident demeanor contradicted her intent and it wasn’t to share a cup of tea.

“As I said, me husband will come for me,” Edna repeated.

“He’ll be back on this side of the bridge where he belongs verra soon. Shall we see where he is?” Evanore asked.

Edna’s forehead wrinkled as she tried to understand what was happening here. Try as she might, she couldn’t seem to tap into her powers even for something as simple as that. She understood that it wasn’t good, but was unable to penetrate Evanore’s defenses to read her thoughts.

“I ken ye like to use fire to see with or a snow globe, as ye call it, but I prefer a different method, one where ye can see but no’ communicate.” Evanore slashed her hands through the air and a large orb appeared in front of Edna. It was a murky, smoke-filled ball that floated easily at eye level. Evanore plopped down beside Edna on the settee. “I think I’ll join ye for the show.” She rubbed her hands together in apparent anticipation.

Edna remained silent, unsure of Evanore’s motives. She might be having trouble reading her, but her gut was telling her to beware.

“Are ye ready?” Evanore asked.

“Aye,” Edna responded.

Waving her hand in front of the ball, a smug smile spread across Evanore’s lips as the ball clarified and Angus, Maggie and Dylan all appeared in front of Edna. She felt as though she could reach out and touch them.

“They cannae see ye nor hear ye.” The strange woman moved closer to Edna so that their shoulders touched. Edna pulled away.

“I dinnae ken why yer so afeared. I willnae harm ye.”

Evanore sounded offended, but Edna didn’t care at this point. She obviously hadn’t brought Edna here to be friends. Edna’s eyes remained on the floating orb.

Dylan had his phone to his ear. He hung up and said, “He’ll be here in a few minutes.”

“I must go,” Angus said, pacing back and forth at the foot of the bridge.

“Uncle, ye’ll need yer horse. Ye cannae walk. ’Twill take ye too long.” Maggie, always the practical one, held his arm as if she were afraid he’d sprint across the bridge without waiting.

“Edna must have walked,” he replied.

“We doona know that. Perhaps someone met her here,” Maggie said. “Wallace might have kenned she was coming.”

“None of this makes any sense,” Angus barked.

Angus was fighting to remain calm. He hated being in the dark about anything. Edna knew him better than he knew himself and would tell him everything. Well, almost everything. There were times when she was planning a match for someone that she would keep it to herself. He’d never felt comfortable with her sending people back and forth in time despite the fact that he himself had been the beneficiary of that same travel.

“Teddy,” Edna said, as he rode into view. He hopped down and handed the reins to Angus.