Page 50 of A Keeper of Time

“The sooner the better,” Donal replied.

Logan turned to Hamish, “How is yer life in San Francisco?”

“I’ve a son now,” Hamish said. “His name is Jake.”

“Is yer wife still a famous singer?” Cormac poured himself more whisky and offered his flask around to the others.

“Aye. We’ve spent a lot of time on the road traveling from place to place to play music for crowds of people.”

“Where have ye been?” The men all leaned in to hear of his adventures.

“All over the world. Paris. Rome. We’ve been to Spain as well. I’ve sampled good food and wine. I must admit some of it seemed strange to me at first, but I’ve done it all with Elle by my side. It’s been the greatest adventure.”

“Congratulations!” Angus said. “Come now, sing us a song, Hamish.”

“I’ve nae music to sing to, but if ye doona mind me voice alone I’ll sing ye a song I wrote with Elle.”

As Hamish sang, Angus listened, enjoying the music and camaraderie he shared with these men. He also thought about Edna and how special she was. How she saw these people across thousands of miles and hundreds of years and helped them find each other.

When Hamish was done the men all cheered for him and talked excitedly about their lives, their wives and their children while Angus listened. They all wanted back what they may possibly lose if things didn’t go well the next day. He would keep that thought to himself, not wishing to cause them any upset.

Chapter 14

Edna was feeling like a caged animal. She was stuck in a house that seemed much smaller now that the three witches of the Council had joined them. Tonight they’d all crammed into the small sitting room. Edna and Evanore sat on opposite ends of the settee. A third chair had been brought in to accommodate the Council as they ignored what they were all really there for and seemed more interested in being fair to Evanore and questioning Edna’s motives for sending people across the bridge. Honestly if that witch hadn’t kidnapped her no one would care about what she was doing with the bridge. Now it was a major topic of conversation.

Barnes appeared with a tray of tea which he set down before serving each of them and offering them biscuits from a pretty china plate. Edna felt terrible about his predicament and that she hadn’t been able to help him yet. She hoped Maggie was working on a way to set him free.

“It must have come as quite the shock to ye when ye found out yer sister was dead,” Daire said.

“I cried for days,” Evanore sniffled. “It still brings me to tears just thinking of her.”

Edna wasn’t heartless. She felt Evanore’s pain and had sympathy for her. What she didn’t understand was how anyone could believe that what she and Maggie had to do was wrong. They were defending themselves, the Mackenzies, Angus and Richard. No one on the Council had been present to see for themselves what had transpired. If only there was some way she could show them. She thought about it for a moment. Perhaps there was.

“If ye’ll excuse me, I’m quite exhausted. I think I’ll go to bed.” Edna stood and walked towards the door.

“Get yer rest. Ye’ll need it,” Melusina called after her.

What exactly did she mean by that? Edna wondered, but there was no use in worrying about it. She had to think of herself and her family. Family that included all of the couples she’d united, their families and the Mackenzies. She wouldn’t let the fact that Evanore was cozying up to the Council distract her from defending herself.

As she approached her room, Edna saw Barnes waiting for her by the door.

“Good night, Ma’am.” He bowed slightly at the waist before opening the door for her.

“Good night, Barnes,” she said. “I’m going to try to help ye. Doona give up hope.”

Closing the door and leaving Barnes standing in the hallway, Edna hoped she could contact Maggie and tell her of her plan. Maggie would have to do the bulk of the work until Edna got her powers back.

“William, me love, will ye start a fire for me.”

He marched himself over to the hearth and sat down in front of it. He looked back at Edna and then turned again to the fireplace. Sparks flew and a fire was lit.

“Thank ye, William.” Edna sat on the floor beside him before placing him in her lap where she could stroke his fur while she tried to contact Maggie. She could see the camp outside in the flames. The only one seated by the fire at that moment was Richard.

“Richard!” Edna called to him.

Richard’s head popped up. He looked around to see who was calling him.

“Richard, ’tis Edna. Look into the flames.”