A Times Journey Box Set (A Times Journey Novel Book 4)

by Bethany Shaw

  The sound of a voice humming a tune startled her from her thoughts.

  "Harrison, what are you doing out here?" a familiar voice called out.

  No. No. No. I know that voice. A chill of fear zipped down her spine. Oliver, Harrison and Zak’s brother was just as ruthless as the latter, possibly worse. She closed her eyes and turned to face Oliver. "Sorry," she smiled sweetly. "It's my fault. I got turned around. Harrison was showing me back to the trail."

  Oliver grinned at her. "Harrison, run along home," he said tapping the boy on the shoulder. Harrison turned to look at her, and she gave him a small nod and he took off after a long moment. "You're not from around here. I would remember a face like yours. You are beautiful," he flirted.

  "I, uh, got turned around on the trail. I should be going back to my village," she replied nervously as she pointed over her shoulder. Oliver was human—harmless in this time—but she still remembered his crassness. He was a dangerous vampire. One that wouldn’t hesitate to rip her to shreds in the future.

  "It will be dark soon. It isn't safe in the woods at night. You could stay with my family and I can accompany you home tomorrow. Oliver," he introduced holding out his hand.

  She wiped her clammy hand on her skirt before slipping it into his. "Cadence, and I am not alone my uh..." she wasn't sure what to call Zak: companion, friend, enemy, the possibilities were endless. She stopped and watched as Oliver put her hand to his lips and gently kissed it. She snatched it back quickly and clasped her hands together.

  "I would hate for something to happen to you, Cadence," he said as his eyes traveled the length of her body. Of all the original vampires, Oliver had to be her least favorite. He did what he wanted and asked questions later—if he even asked them at all.

  "Thanks, but..." Cadence met his eyes, groaning that she was doing this again, especially to Oliver. Thank God she had the spell memorized. "You're going to go back home and forget all about me."

  Oliver blinked and then strode past her like she wasn't even there. She was going to have to remember to tell Zak about this. She had no doubt in her mind that Oliver probably would try to kill her the instant they stepped foot into their own time.

  Speaking of Zak, she had no idea where he was. It would be dark soon and he had been gone most of the afternoon doing who knew what. Sighing, she turned and made her way back to the village. At least she had a good sense of direction. She was tired and hungry and couldn’t wait to fall into her very uncomfortable bed.

  ***

  Jamie huffed as she slammed a book shut, kicking up a cloud of dust. No one had been in the attic for years and these books were old, but held valuable information in them. Her nose itched and she scrunched it up as she suppressed an urge to sneeze.

  “Nothing in there either?” Maddie asked as she looked up from the page she was reading.

  “Nope,” she mumbled as she stacked the book in the discard pile, which was growing larger by the hour.

  “We should talk to the coven about this,” Maddie suggested for the umpteenth time. “They can help us. We don’t even know what we are looking for.”

  Jamie shook her head. “Maddie, someone did this to Cadence and covered it up. You should see the scorch marks in her yard. This was a powerful witch. It was either one of the elders in our coven or Liana. I don’t know why they did it, but I’m not putting Cadence in any more jeopardy than she’s already in.”

  “Why would someone hurt Cadence? She’s one of us,” Maddie argued. “This is ridiculous. The vampires have done nothing but cause trouble since they arrived. How do you know they don’t have a witch working for them? Maybe this is their plan,” she suggested.

  Jamie sighed as she went to another stack of books and thumbed through the contents. There had to be something here. She wished she knew why this was happening, but she didn’t and she couldn’t ask the coven for answers. Whatever had happened to Cadence had something to do with their coven. Something was amiss; she could feel it.

  Her phone vibrated against her thigh and she reached into her jeans pocket pulling out her pink iPhone. She rolled her eyes as she saw the vampire’s message. Why did I give him my number? She swiped her finger over the phone and read his text.

  We need to talk ASAP!

  Why?

  I know where Zak and Cadence are.

  Jamie blinked at the screen as her heart lurched in her chest. Her fingers skimmed over the letters as she typed her reply.

  Where?

  Not over the phone. Meet me at my house.

  Jaime frowned. Like hell, she thought.

  Are you nuts? I’m not going to your home. Do you think I’m stupid?

  She tapped the phone waiting for his reply.

  No...but I think you’re sexy. 

  Jaime ground her teeth as her fingers hovered over the letters.

  Meet me at Abbott Park by the nature trail.

  Jaime licked her lips as she hesitated. The park would be pretty abandoned this time of the year, but she didn’t want the coven knowing about her meeting either. She needed facts before she spoke to the elder witches.

  Fine.

  See you soon, little witch.

  “Who are you talking to?” Maddie asked as she peered over her shoulder.

  “It’s Oliver. He wants me to meet him,” she admitted in a hushed tone. No one ever came up to the attic, but she wanted to make sure they were alone.

  “When?”

  “Now, I assume.” At least that’s what she gathered from his texts.

  “I’m coming with you,” Maddie said as she closed her book and picked up her discarded sweater.

  “No,” Jaime blurted. “Your bloodline is one of the one’s the vampire clan seems hell bent on ending. There is no way I’m taking you.”

  “Well, you can’t go by yourself,” Maddie argued. “He’s dangerous. Oliver is an Original Vampire. He’s not like the ones we’re used to.”

  “I’ll be fine,” she assured. “If Oliver wanted to hurt me, he would’ve already.”

  “I don’t like this, Jaime,” she warned.

  “I’ll be fine. Stay up here and see what you can find out. If you don’t hear from me in an hour, send out the cavalry,” Jaime instructed. “But not before then.”

  “It might be too late at that point,” she retorted.

  Jaime sighed as she pulled on her jacket. “I’ll be fine, she promised as she left the room. She skipped down the stairs and fled out the door, glad no one asked where she was going. Since Cadence’s disappearance, all the coven members had moved in to the large home where they met to practice magic. No one was supposed to go out alone, but this was an extenuating circumstance.

  She got in her car and sped off to the park. As she pulled in the parking lot, she noticed another car already parked and a form stood in the back by the trail. It zipped toward her at inhuman speed and came to a halt several feet away from her.

  Jaime lifted her hand, ready to attack if the vampire got too close.

  “You look lovely,” he flirted.

  “What do you want?” she asked through clenched teeth. I swear if he brought me out here to flirt I’ll cook his ass.

  “Cadence sent a message to Eli,” Oliver started as he leaned against his car.

  “She did? When? Where is she? Can I talk to her? How did she send the message?” Jaime demanded.

  “Relax, darling. It was more of a one-sided message, and I’m not really sure how we can communicate with her...or Zak.”

  “Where are they?” Jaime exhaled loudly.

  “Not where, darling. When.”

  “What?” she asked, furrowing her brows in confusion.

  “Cadence spoke with Eli in the year 1014. She told him where her and Zak are and then compelled him to forget about it. He has a new memory of meeting her that he didn’t have until today,” Oliver explained.

  “Wait! They’re in the past?” Jaime whispered. How was that possible? It shouldn’t be. Time travel was dangerous. Who would
do this to them? Why would they do it? Questions tumbled through her head so fast she couldn’t think.

  “Can you help?” Oliver asked appearing right in front of her face.

  Jaime took a step back surprised at how close he’d gotten without her realizing. “I...I...” she stumbled. “I need to talk to her and see her for myself.”

  “Jaime,” Oliver said placing his hands on her shoulders. “Something is at play here. Will you help us?”

  Jaime licked her lips as she considered what he was saying. Something was very wrong. She could see that. “Let me see Cadence is okay first, and then, I’ll help,” she replied. She wasn’t doing anything until she was sure her friend was safe. If something happened to Cadence, all bets were out the window.

  ***

  Cadence reached the village just as the sun was setting. The villagers stared and she suppressed a shiver under their scrutinizing gaze. They had always glared at her, but Zak had been with her. He commanded a presence that she never could—probably because she wasn’t a psychotic killer.

  Zak had told her it wasn’t safe to be here. She should have listened.

  A deep sense of unease rolled through her. Where was Zak? She could laugh at herself. She was actually praying for the big, bad vampire to show up. He wasn't anywhere.

  "You're alone," one of the men stated as they walked up to her.

  "Um...Zak is right behind me," she lied and failed miserably. Her eyes darted around the street as more people crowded around her. What was going on? What were they going to do?

  A few of the men’s eyes glowed, taking on an unnatural hue. She took a step back and balled her fists at her side. Maybe she should’ve taken Oliver up on his offer. It would’ve been safer there. Werewolves could only change on a full moon—at least that’s what she’d always been told. Whether they could change or not wasn’t the issue; she was grossly outnumbered. She’d heard stories about people being stoned to death in ancient history, but judging from her pursuers animalistic features, a stoning would be nicer than what they had planned for her. Her pulse roared in her ears as she did a quick headcount. Thirteen. With more circling around further back.

  "I don't think he's with you at all," someone said from behind her.

  She spun around and stifled a scream. Men came at her from every angle and women and children crowded around them. She was completely surrounded.

  "He killed our alpha," a guy snarled as he marched to her.

  “Kill her. Kill her. Kill her,” a woman’s voice chanted in her head.

  Great! Now was the perfect time to be reading peoples thoughts.

  "You touch me and he'll kill you," she stated firmly. She was sure that was the truth. Zak did feel something for her, she didn’t know the extent of his feelings, but she was positive he would make the town bleed if something happened to her.

  "Oh, we have plans for him, too," a guy snarled.

  They had no idea what they were up against. Zak couldn’t die. She opened her mouth, but stopped. A few of the men’s faces had contorted into a hybrid human-wolf.

  Cadence stepped back, but warm arms grasped her from behind, holding her tightly. She stamped her foot down and slammed her elbow back with all her might. The man released her and she stumbled forward, falling on her knees.

  I have to get up. Run. I need to run away.

  Frantic, she shoved herself back to her feet. An arm...no it was claws, swiped out at her and she jumped back, but not quick enough. The sharp nails sliced through her dress, cutting through to her skin. Pain exploded in her abdomen as her flesh was ripped apart.

  She gasped as she spun on her heel and punched the closest person in the face. The crowd darted toward her and she screamed, closing her eyes and cowering in on herself, preparing for the dog pile. Seconds ticked by and she held her breath waiting for the imminent attack. Nothing happened.

  Cadence pried her eyes open and gasped. The men who had charged at her lie on the ground peering up at her. Flames encircled her and were licking their way towards her adversaries. What in the hell just happened? Did I do that? Who cares?

  Run. Run now while you can.

  She hiked her skirt up and dashed away, making a beeline for the woods. The crowd parted for her as the flames blazed a trail behind her. Cadence glanced over her shoulder, saying a silent prayer when no one followed.

  Her lungs screamed and sticky warmth seeped onto the front of her dress. It felt like someone had torn a hole down her middle. Perhaps they had. The world around her whirled and she swallowed bile that trickled up her throat.

  Run. Don’t pass out. Don’t stop.

  Her surroundings blurred and her limbs weighed a thousand pounds. The world hazed over, but she forced her feet to keep moving forward. Zak was out here somewhere. She had to find him. He was the only who could help her now.

  The ground gave way under her and she shrieked as she toppled down a hill. Sticks and tree roots sprung out to attack her as she tumbled down. Blackness tugged at her. This couldn’t be it. She had to fight. Her eyes fluttered shut and the darkness consumed her.

  ***

  Zak cursed himself for not being able to get back to Cadence before it was dark. He was sure he was going to hear it from Cadence when he found her—wherever she was.

  She had to be on her way back to the village by now. He hoped she was okay, but he couldn’t fight the unease curdling in his stomach. If something had happened to her, he would tear the entire village apart. Consequences or not, the wolves would suffer for any harm that came to his witch.

  He should not have left her. Harrison had been having such a fun time with her that he hadn't made her come with him. Considering he was collecting wolfsbane he probably should have made her. The substance was harmful to werewolves and would keep her safe from the creatures in the village.

  The wolves were getting restless with their presence. He wanted to make sure if they turned, he had something to help so he didn't have to kill them all. Not that he minded killing them, but he understood the importance of changing history.

  The smell of blood brought him out of his thoughts. His gums ached and fangs dropped. The coppery, sweet smell was familiar and he placed it instantly. Cadence. He raced towards the aroma, praying she wasn’t hurt badly.

  His heart lurched in his chest as he came upon her body. He raced to her and crouched by her side as he carefully rolled her over. Blood seeped from her belly and chest where long, jagged scratches marred her beautiful frame. A deep gash stretched from her hairline to her temple and dirt covered her face and hands.

  "Cadence?" he asked as he held his breath listening for her heartbeat. It was slow and steady. “Cadence,” he said again, gently stroking her cheek.

  "Zak?" she whispered hoarsely as she cracked her eyes partially open.

  "I'm right here, sweetheart. I’ve got you," he said pushing back her matted hair. Her blue eyes found his, but didn't quite focus. What had happened to her?

  "The werewolves attacked me," she answered as if reading his mind. She lifted a shaking hand and placed it in on her stomach with a moan. “I got away and then I fell,” she groaned.

  “Can you move?” he asked quietly as he looked over her broken form. She’d lost a lot of blood. The smell was almost enough to overpower him. Her face was pale and ashen in the moonlight. There were no hospitals. No doctors in this time to help her. A blood transfusion and medicine were out of the question. There was only one thing he could do to help her, and she wasn’t going to like it.

  “I’m going to give you my blood,” he said as he rolled up his shirtsleeve. Vampire blood had healing capabilities. He could save her. It might be the only thing that would.

  “No,” she argued as she forced a strained breath in.

  “There isn’t time to argue.” She could die. Hell, she probably was dying. This was the only way. I’m not going to lose her.

  “I can’t take that risk,” she replied through gritted teeth. “I don’t want to become a...” she
trailed off as she wheezed.

  If she died with his blood in her system she would become a vampire. “It will be all right. I promise,” he told her as he stroked her beautiful face again. “Let me help you.”

  She drew in a sharp breath and coughed. Blood dribbled out of her mouth, trickling down her chin as her eyes rolled and closed.

  “Cadence,” he growled, gently shaking her. Her head lolled lifelessly to the side. “Cadence?” She was going to die. Her chest rose and fell slowly as her heart slowed considerably.

  No. I can’t let you go.

  He snarled as he stared at her. She didn’t want his blood, but he couldn’t let her die either. His gums ached as his fangs dropped. He tore into his wrist and placed it on her lips. One drop of his blood would heal her. As long as she didn’t die with his blood in her system she wouldn’t turn into a vampire. She’d be pissed, but alive. He’d deal with her wrath when she woke. At least she would wake up.

  The skin on his flesh knit back together and he moved his wrist away from her mouth. Blood dribbled from her mouth and coated her teeth and tongue. The cut on her forehead vanished, leaving behind a sticky trail of blood.

  He let out a relieved breath and used the edges of his shirtsleeve to wipe her face off as best he could. Her warm breath puffed against his as he stared down at her. Cadence’s sultry lips were so close and inviting. He could steal a kiss if he wanted. It wouldn’t be right. He closed his eyes and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear as he snuck his hand under her. Careful not to disturb her, he lifted her up and carried her away.

  ***

  Zak tossed another piece of wood on the fire. The sun was peeking over the horizon and Cadence was still sound asleep. He’d watched her rest all night. The need to make sure she was all right was overwhelming. He cared about her, despite his better judgment. He wanted to go and rip the village of werewolves to pieces. Yet, he stayed to make sure nothing happened to her. In her weakened state she couldn't be left alone in the forest. I am going soft.