Page 5 of Misadventures with a Time Traveler

I am not aware of actually vocalizing it until Kavia’s gaze ignites like silvered sunlight. “You…you see her?”

“Oui,” I grate.

“Of course. Praise God!”

No. Not praise God. This is the devil’s work, and the fantasy woman on that wicked veil is his emissary. I can conceive no other explanation. This vision looks too much like heaven to be from anywhere but hell, spun from the fabric of my most sinful imaginings.

I struggle to cross myself.

“Saints help me.”

As the truth ignites in me.

Kavia is a witch—and her witch’s touch has granted her access inside me. And now she is using that weakness against me. To drag me to damnation…

And I do not care.

My chest aches. My blood burns. My hands are numb, as if the hounds of hell have already bitten them off.

I still do not care.

The sorceress resumes her mad chanting. But this time, the devil’s beautiful emissary is channeling herself through Kavia. I somewhat recognize the tongue. The words sound English but bizarre.

“Those kicks are dope, but the pants are nope. You are seriously harshing my mellow, girlfriend. I can’t go dancing tonight, and don’t ask again. I’m behind by three vid posts. Deadlines are joy killers.”

A high laugh bursts from Kavia—shattering the trance of her she-devil’s face.

“No,” I protest in a choke. “No, no, no—”

“Maximillian.” She raises those fiery fingers to my face, and heat spreads across my mind. Commands my very vision.

“Bring her back,” I beg past numb lips. “B-Bring her b-back.”

“You do not need her back,” Kavia croons. “Because she is inside you.”

“What?”

“Look inside, Maximillian. She is there. She will guide you.”

“But who is—”

“No more noise, boy. Center your mind on her. Center your heart on her.”

Her cadence lulls me. Surrounds me. Burns into me, illuminating parts of my being I never knew existed.

“Wh-What is this sorcery?”

“A thing of beauty, Maximillian—sent to this time, this space, this moment to help you see your beauty.”

“What the hell?”

“There are forces you do not understand. You cannot understand. The powers of creation, of joy, of hope…of love.” Though she has all but admitted to being a witch, an angelic smile takes over her lips. “Powers you must find in your soul if this is going to work.”

My belly twists. “If what is going to work?”

Her smile grows. Despite that, I am terrified. But why? Kavia has always been there for me, guiding me, teaching me—but no lesson she’s ever imparted compares to this.

“I need to let you go now, Maximillian.”