At the base of a hill, a body of a man lay in an awkward position. He skittered to a stop. Had he been there before and he didn’t notice? He panted, trying to catch his breath.
A groan and the man rolled from his stomach to his back, his hand on his forehead before he sat up and grunted. Puzzled, Dane stepped toward him, his heart palpitating in his chest and his breathing still labored.
A feeling of familiarity coursed through Dane as he eyed the man. And suddenly he knew who he was.
“Ben?”
Dane blinked, staring at the man and wondering if he really was seeing what he was seeing. Perhaps he could convince the sheriff to give him back the bender.
He realized the body lying next to Ben was Lara. She hadn’t moved a muscle and Dane wondered if she was still alive.
Ben shook his head and looked at Dane, question in his eyes.
“What the hell happened?” Ben asked.
“I’d like to know the same thing,” Dane said, feigning ignorance. He walked over, reached his hand down to the sheriff to help him to his feet.
He gripped it as Dane pulled him up. Glancing around, he took in his surroundings. “Where is this place?” The sheriff ran a hand through his hair, and then brushed dirt off his clothes.
“It seems we’re in the past, sheriff. And that over there,” Dane paused to point back at the stone monoliths behind him, “is Stonehenge.”
“Stonehenge?” he repeated, sounding as if the word was foreign on his tongue.
Did the man even know what he was talking about? He looked completely lost. And no wonder. Dane couldn’t quite figure out how he and Lara landed in the same time. And if they were here, then what of Clarabelle and John?
“Yeah, Stonehenge,” Dane confirmed, nodding. He wasn’t sure what else to say so he asked, “How did you get here?”
“I don’t know.” Ben shook his head.
Lara whimpered, trying to sit up. It was the first sign of life from her. Ben and Dane knelt on either side of her to help her to her feet. She had a nasty bump on her forehead. She placed her fingertips against her tender skin and winced.
“Are you all right, Lara?” Ben asked.
“What happened? Where are Clarabelle and John?”
Ben scooped her up, hugging her to his chest as her arms went around his neck in a tight grip, her face buried in his neck.
“I don’t know.” Dane figured Clarabelle and John were back on the farm.
“There was a flash of light and then…”
“Hush, now. You’re safe.”
“No,” Lara muttered. “He is here.”
“Who’s here, Lara?” Dane kept an eye on her and she shivered.
“The bad man,” she said. “He came to get me.”
“It was this thing, wasn’t it?” Ben shifted Lara to one side and reached into his pocket. He held up the time bender and wagged it in front of Dane. “This…thing you gave me. It did this, didn’t it? Is that how we came to be here?” Ben demanded.
“Uh…” Dane tried to think of something convincing to stall him but the only thing he could come up with was, “I’m not sure.”
“Don’t lie, just take it.” He tossed the useless bender to Dane who caught it in mid-air and then slipped it into his pocket with the microchip.
“You came to be here because I brought you here. Or, rather, I had you brought here.”
Dane recognized the voice that came from behind him. He turned slowly to see Dr. Charles Ridgewood standing near the edge of the stone circle wearing a long brown hooded robe.
“Ridgewood.”
“That’s him,” Lara whispered.
“A pleasure, once again, Mr. Fortune.”
“Where are the other kids?”
“I’d imagine safe at home, back on the farm.” Ridgewood looked smug and Dane wanted to punch him.
“How?” Dane asked. “How did you do this?”
“You don’t know? We stand in the shadow of Stonehenge, probably one of the most powerful places on Earth.” Ridgewood gave him a thin-lipped smile. It was that same smile he had seen only moments before taking their time bender and disappearing from Brazil. “They opened the time portal for me, you see. I’m only sorry the sheriff got dragged here, too.”
“You’re a piece of work, aren’t you?”
“I do what I can,” Ridgewood said. “I was fortunate enough to convince the Druids a woman with copper hair and indigo eyes would bring the girl they’ve been searching for.” He nodded toward Lara.
Dane balled his fists. “Where is she?” he growled.
“Safe for the moment.”
A low growl rumbled nearby and Dane saw the wolf-sized, four-legged beast lumber from the woods, glaring at him with its blazing red eyes and pointed ears. Its short, pudgy snout was over snarling, sharp yellow fangs. Its head looked like a cross between a boar and a lion, complete with a thick mane. The hide was covered in short black fur, legs ending in razor-sharp claws.
“Unfortunately, for you, I’d say you aren’t safe.”
Another set of red eyes appeared, fixed on the sheriff and Lara.
“We’re leaving,” Ben announced. He nodded toward the woods and they started to move.
“I wouldn’t if I were you,” Ridgewood warned. “Besides, there’s nowhere for you to go.”
A low growl warned them and Dane held his hand out, making them pause.
“Wait,” Dane ordered.
“Yes, wait,” Ridgewood said then. “One more step and I release the hounds.”
“What are we going to do?” Ben asked.
“I haven’t figured that out yet.” Dane had no weapon. Neither did the sheriff. Running would be foolhardy. Running would get them killed.
“Better think of something quick,” the sheriff warned.
“I’m working on it!” Dane barked.
Dane gritted his teeth. He was well aware of the severity of the situation and that the odds were stacked against them. Another growl and the furry creature leapt from the underbrush toward them. Its clawed feet destroyed the earth as it ran, kicking up dirt and mud in its wake. Dane made a snap decision.
“Run toward the circle!” he shouted.
* * *
Perron took Skye out of the tunnel and into the cold night. She tried not to shiver against the wind. Grasping her by the hand, he led her across the plain. Up ahead, they could see the outline of Naise and another younger woman with the same silvery blonde hair and a lithe figure wearing the similar white robes.
“Naise!”
At Perron’s call, she and the other woman turned to him.
“Lord Perron? I thought you were taking her to the holding chamber.”
“She has information you need to hear. She knows of the girl and Ridgewood.”
“He lied to you,” Skye said. “He told you he could help you when really all he wanted was to bring me and my friend here.”
“I know he lied,” Naise said fiercely.
“He used us?” the girl asked. She looked like a younger version of Naise.
“The girl you seek—I saw her statue in the chamber,” Skye continued. “She is the girl I spoke of earlier. If you help me find my friend, you’ll find the girl. We were separated when we went through the portal.”
“You told her of the portal, my lord?”
“I did because I believe she can help us,” Perron said.
“Ridgewood isn’t what he says he is. He told you he has magic to get what he wanted from you,” Skye said.
“Even though he possessed the ancient scroll, I warned he was not to be trusted,” Perron said.
“He was only the catalyst to bring them here, my lord. You know this as well as I.” Naise looked at the chieftain. “I have underestimated him.”
“And it could be your undoing,” Perron warned.
“Then we have to stop him,” Skye said. Once and for all.
“Is your friend called Dane?” the other woman asked.
Skye’s heart le
apt. “Yes.”
“He is at the circle,” she said.
“Elwyn, are you certain?” Naise asked.
“I saw him there,” she replied. “You are the woman he seeks.”
“And he knows where Lara is.” Excitement welled within Skye. If Elwyn knew, then she could lead them to him. “We have to get to him.”
“Then we go to the circle,” Perron said.
Still holding Skye’s hand, which she thought was rather interesting, he led her past Elwyn and Naise toward the large monolithic stones. The closer they came to it, the more she could make out the outline. Standing stones in a circle. Her heart beat furiously in her chest. The shape felt vaguely familiar but she couldn’t place it.
Down a slope and close to the circle, she spotted several people. There was a man with his sweat-stained shirt, the sleeves rolled to his elbows, and a little girl. Recognition swept through her. My God! It’s true! They’re here, too. But where were Clarabelle and John? And Dane?
And then she saw him, standing rigid in place. His black hair tousled by the wind, and his chin and cheeks shadowed in stubble. A cry of relief broke from her lips. He seemed frozen in place, staring at something else. Her brow crinkled in question as she watched. And then, suddenly, she saw it. A flash of fur leapt from the shadows toward him.
He shouted something to Ben and Lara and they turned and dashed for the nearby stone circle.
“Dane!”
Panic and fear trickled through her as she watched in horror. She wrenched her hand free from Perron’s and ran like hell toward the stone circle, her heart beating furiously in her chest. Her eyes watered and she realized tears clouded her vision. She gulped in air as she ran, trying to make it to Dane. She had to get to him.
“Stop her!” someone—it sounded like Naise—shouted.
Her mad dash for the stone circle had attracted the attention of several of the creatures. They started after her, barreling across the plain. She heard the snort, saw them coming and came to a halt.
“What the hell?”
She stared, dumbfounded, at the snarling beasts. What the hell were they? She clenched her fist. Glancing around, there was nowhere to hide and she certainly couldn’t outrun the things.
She was suddenly tackled, pummeled to the ground and then hoisted to her feet.
“Come on!” It was Perron, taking her by the hand and running toward the circle, toward Dane.
“What are they?” she shouted.
“Ridgewood has called them from the pit of hell. We must hurry to the circle.”
But how? Ridgewood using dark magic? It didn’t seem too farfetched since he was able to get what he wanted in Brazil, track them, and bring them here. He was more cunning than she and Dane gave him credit.
In her flight across the plain, she had lost track of Naise and Elwyn. She stole a glance over her shoulder and saw the two women heading for Dane. Elwyn reached the circle first, knelt at the base of a stone, and produced a sword. She spun on her heel and faced the creatures.
The three of them sprinted for the stone circle. Dane wasn’t exactly sure what he thought to accomplish when he made it there, but the power he had felt in the center earlier gave him some glimmer of hope. Perhaps once there, the magic in the circle—for he was certain there was magic—would protect them.
He heard the shout, looked up to see Skye running as hard as she could toward him. He caught a glimpse of fur darting toward her.
She paused, staring wide-eyed and pale-faced at the creature barreling down on her. Then her gaze flickered back to him and the others.
A man tackled her, shoving her out of the way of the attacking thing. He picked her up and grabbed her hand, dragging her to the stone circle. The creature, though, followed, bounding after them. It attacked the man, taking him down. Skye stumbled and fell, trying to crawl out of the way. Dane stood watching, feeling helpless and about to bolt toward them.
“Dane, son of Roderick!”
Elwyn arrived at the circle first, kneeling at the stones and the standing up quickly, wielding a broadsword. She pressed it into Dane’s hand.
“Take it and save her,” she said. “Your friends are safe now.”
More damn swords?
Dane didn’t question her since she seemed all-knowing. He snatched the sword from her and turned as one of the creatures bounded toward him. It paused, as if sizing him up.
He froze and in his hand the sword hummed and emitted a blue-white glow. The wolf-sized, four-legged beast glared at him with its blazing red eyes. Dane gripped the sword tighter in his fist, daring the animal to attack. He anticipated the first cat-like leap. It never did; instead, it opened its snarling mouth and exhaled a blazing breath of fire.
If he had learned anything from his sword-carrying days with Nyan and Ilsa, it was to trust his instincts. And instinct told him to hold up the sword as a shield. The flames were deflected with ease.
The hound emitted a howl of what sounded like frustration. Without waiting another moment, Dane lunged, striking it across the back. His blade left behind a white-hot streak searing the fur. It cried out in pain, its head down in preparation to attack. He sliced the blade through the air, slitting the animal’s throat.
Empowered now by the sword, Dane ran to the man. He was pinned under the beast, the thing ready to spit fire and finish him off. Dane slammed the sword across its back. It howled, turning its attention to him. He slashed the beast across the throat, killing it as the man rolled away. Dane helped the man to his feet.
“Are you all right?”
“A little scraped up,” he replied. Blood ran down his arms, staining his robe, and he had scratches on his face. He reached his hand down to Skye. “Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine.”
Dane didn’t miss the way he held her hand. She slipped it away quickly, hurrying to him and throwing her arms around his neck. He held her close.
“Dane, thank God. I was worried about you.”
“What the hell were those things?” Dane eyed the dead beast on the ground.
“Hounds Ridgewood has called from the pit of hell,” Perron said. “Though I’m surprised there were only two. They usually travel in packs. We need to get to the stone circle.”
“It’s too late for that,” Ridgewood said, before Dane could reply. “The hounds obey my every command.”
Dane noticed then they were surrounded by the animals and Ridgewood stood outside the stone circle.
“I think we’re in trouble.”
Chapter Nineteen: A Stitch in Time
“You should have stayed in Brazil where I left you,” Ridgewood snarled.
“Are you tracking us then?” Dane glared at him. He gripped the broadsword tighter and clutched Skye closer.
“Conner did me a favor when he hired you to dispose of Ransom and his wife. Now I’m going to finish the job. I’ve learned much from these Druids, including how to use their magic.”
Skye wasn’t entirely sure what Ridgewood was up to, but it certainly couldn’t be good. “Dane—” she began.
“Is that so?” Dane cut her off.
The hounds inched closer, growling and ready to pounce.
“Call off the hounds.” Naise joined them and faced Ridgewood, fire flashing in her pale blue eyes.
“No!” Ridgewood shouted. “I gave you the written scroll. You said I could command.”
“The hounds were never part of the agreement. Harnessing the power of hell is strictly forbidden.” Naise’s voice held a dangerous edge. “And you, Ridgewood, are a fraud. Your deception has been discovered.”
“Fools! I should have killed you both when I had the chance.” He took a step toward Skye and Dane, the hounds snarling and closing in.
“Use the sword, Dane, son of Roderick.” Elwyn joined them outside the stone circle.
“Listen, Elwyn, can we stop with the son of Roderick business?” he asked. “It’s really getting old.”
“You know her?” Skye gripped him cl
oser, her arm sliding around his waist. “And your dad’s name is Roderick? I didn’t know that.”
“Later, doll.”
“Dane commands the power of the Sword of Light.” Elwyn pointed to the glowing broadsword in his hand.
“Wow,” Skye breathed. “That’s so hot.” She noticed it for the first time. There was something quite sexy about Dane holding that sword in his muscular hand.
“With this, he has the power to destroy this imposter,” Elwyn continued.
Whoa. That could go to his head! She bit her lip to keep from busting out laughing. A healer in the Ice Age, all powerful here…what was next? Dane would be a god?
Perron and Naise looked at Dane who held up the broadsword. “I don’t command anything. Really. She just gave this to me to use against those things.” He waved it at the hounds.
“And you saved my life.” Perron glanced at Dane with what Skye thought was respect.
“And I intend to crush you with my hounds,” Ridgewood growled. “Step aside, Naise.”
“Naise is the Guardian. As Lord Chieftain, I command her to remove you from power.”
“No!” Ridgewood shouted. “One step and I release them.”
Naise threw her hand in his direction, a bold of light hitting him square in the chest. Ridgewood stumbled back a few steps, clutching his brown robe. Skye sucked in a sharp breath and Dane held her tighter.
“Perhaps now you will respect my power.” Her eyes glowed with the light of the fire.
“Perhaps now, Naise, you will respect mine.”
Ridgewood clapped his hands together. Thunder erupted from the sky above and rumbled the ground. A mist swirled around their ankles, thickening the air.
Perron stepped forward. “How dare you threaten the Guardian.”
Ridgewood ignored him and instead threw his hand toward the chieftain, striking him in the chest. Perron’s back arched before he crumpled to the ground.
“Perron!” Skye ran toward him, falling to her knees beside him. “Oh, God, are you all right?” She brushed back the dark hair across his forehead.
He gripped her wrist, stilling her hand. “You and your friend…” he gasped. “Join with Naise.”
A Break in Time Page 18