A Matter of Time: Book 4 of The Thistle & Hive Series

by Jennae Vale

  The expressions around him ranged from completely puzzled to outright curiosity. “So, are you? A time traveller, I mean?” Wade asked slowly.

  Nick wasn’t sure how to respond, but he’d already said far too much, and there was no taking it back. He felt the need to be honest with these men. “Aye. I am.”

  Silence descended on the group as they all digested what Nick had said.

  “Well, say something,” Nick pleaded. “Dinnae just stand there, looking bewildered.”

  Kyle was the first to find his voice. “Wow,” he said. “So, how’d you end up here?”

  The others all nodded their apparent satisfaction with Kyle’s initial question and Nick leaned back against the truck and told them everything. When he was done, he was surprised that they were all still there, and hadn’t taken off for the hills upon hearing his outrageous story.

  “So how do we get them back?” Jayson questioned.

  “I didnae think it would be ‘we’,” Nick admitted with a faint smile.

  “We’re going to help you, of course. Angelina and Richard are our friends, too,” Kyle said.

  “I’d be verra grateful for your help. I have an idea, but I think we need to wait for Granger to tell us what he wants, to be certain we’re on the right track. I should go home and wait to hear from him, but I dinnae ken how to drive this blasted truck.”

  “Do you have the keys?” Zeke questioned.

  “I’m afraid not.” Nick peered in the driver’s side window, hoping one of them had accidentally left a door unlocked, but to no avail.

  Zeke stepped forward. “Lucky for you, I know how to get inside and I also know how to hot wire the truck.”

  Nick furrowed his brow at Zeke’s response, but had to admit he was impressed when within seconds, the door to the truck was open and Zeke had positioned himself under the steering wheel where he fiddled with some wires. The truck roared to life and Zeke settled into the driver’s seat with a wide grin. “Get in.”

  Nick sat in the passenger seat, while the rest of the group got into the back. “I’ll nae ask how you knew what to do with the truck,” Nick said wryly.

  “You probably don’t want to know,” Zeke replied.

  Once they reached Nick’s home, the men piled into the living room. Wade pulled out his cell phone. “I’m going to see if I can find any info on that castle.”

  “Good idea,” Jayson said, making himself comfortable on the sofa. “The more we know, the better it will be for us.”

  “Here it is,” Wade said a few minutes later, as he showed everyone the display on his phone.

  “We’re not going to be able to see much that way. Nick, do you have a computer we can use?” Zeke asked.

  “I dinnae have one, I’m afraid. But I think Angelina left her laptop here earlier today. She didnae want to take it with her to the tournament.”

  “Where is it?”

  Nick went out to the hall table and retrieved the laptop, handing it to Wade. “Do you know her password?” Wade asked.

  Nick frowned. “Password?”

  “I’ll take that as a no. Don’t worry, I’ll figure it out.” Wade strode over to the breakfast bar and opening the computer, went to work.

  Nick had no idea what to do next, but he was learning some things about these men that he hadn’t known before. They perhaps had less than perfect backgrounds, but he was swiftly learning they were honorable and loyal. He hoped he wouldnae have to use their skills to retrieve his friends, but he would do whatever was necessary.

  “Do you have anything to eat?” Jayson asked a few minutes later. “I’m kinda hungry.”

  “Me, too,” Kyle added.

  “I usually order takeout, so the refrigerator is nae verra well-stocked, although I think Angelina did bring some food over with her this morning.”

  “Let me see what I can rustle up.” Jayson headed to the refrigerator and started pulling items out. Next, he opened the cabinets and retrieved a few more jars and cans. “You’ve got plenty here to cook something. “You wanna give me a hand Zeke?”

  “Sure.” Zeke headed into the kitchen and between the two of them, they found managed to prepare what Jayson called “breakfast for dinner.”

  “I’m guessing Angelina was planning to make you guys breakfast tomorrow, so that’s now become tonight’s dinner.”

  “I’ve got it!” Wade announced. “I’m in. I’ll log onto the internet and we’ll have the info we need in no time.” Nick came to stand behind Wade and peeked over his shoulder while he retrieved an image of the castle on Angelina’s computer. “I’ll bet I can get the building plans. When Granger remodeled, he would’ve had to file for permits with the city.”

  Nick was beginning to think he might be the luckiest man in San Francisco. He wouldnae be able to do any of this, without this group of men. His team. They were proving to be so much more than that. “I’m grateful to each and every one of ye fer yer help. Zeke, I’ve been wantin’ to speak with ye about becoming a partner in the martial arts school.”

  Zeke appeared stunned at this announcement.

  “I’ve been thinking about this for a while and even took the liberty of having papers drawn up. I’ve been holding onto them, waiting for the appropriate time to speak with ye about it. Now, with all that’s happening, I’m nae too sure I’ll be here after tomorrow. I may be able to return home and so I’d like to have a plan in place that would put ye in charge of the school. First thing tomorrow morning, I’ll take the prize check to the bank, it’s to be used for all the repair work that needs to be done.”

  Zeke seemed humbled by Nick’s announcement. “You’d really do that for me?” Zeke asked, his voice choked with emotion. “No one’s ever given me a chance like this before. I won’t let you down.” He threw his arms around Nick and crushed him in a hug.

  “I’ll be counting on the rest of ye as well, to help him as best ye can.” Nick gently disentangled himself from Zeke. The warmth he felt for these four men was not easy for him to put into words, but he hoped they knew he respected each of them and valued their friendship.

  “Foods up!” Jayson called. They all grabbed a plate and helped themselves to eggs, bacon and hash browns. “I made coffee, too. I thought we might need to stay awake a while longer, so we can make a plan.”

  “Good thinking,” Nick said in acknowledgement. “And good food.”

  As they ate, Wade found the information he’d been searching for and before long, had the blue prints to the castle on the computer screen.

  “Eat, Wade. We’ll look at those in a minute.” Zeke shoved a plate at Wade. “Get some food and sit down with us.”

  Nick was reminded of his brothers, Rory and Duncan, who were always ready to help at a moment’s notice. These men were not brothers by blood, but they were brothers just the same and he was proud of them. They had won their battles today and they were determined to help him win the freedom of his friends. That was, if in fact, they were with Malcolm. He hadnae stopped to think of any other scenario, but as the thought popped into his head, he quickly dismissed it, knowing intuitively exactly where they were. He just prayed nae harm had come to them.

  Chapter 21

  A knock at the door had Nick leaping to his feet. The sun hadn’t even risen yet, and already it had begun. Zeke, who was also awakened by the loud knocking, held his hand up to Nick, signaling that he would get the door. Nick positioned himself to one side, where he wouldn’t be seen when Zeke opened the door.

  “Give this to Nick Mackall.” Dane Smith, one of Malcolm’s henchmen, thrust an envelope in Zeke’s face. “I’ll wait for his answer.”

  “Then you’ll wait out there,” Zeke announced, slamming the door in Smith’s face.

  He handed the envelope to Nick, who tore it open and read the note.

  “What’s it say?” Zeke asked.

  “It’s as I expected. He wants me to take him back to the sixteenth century, help him find the Twin Sword and then return him safely to his own t
ime.”

  “Twin Sword? What’s that?” Wade questioned. The others had woken and crowded around Nick as he stared at the note.

  “There’s a tradition – or perhaps I should say – there was a tradition. When a new Catholic monarch was crowned, one who showed deference to the Catholic Church, they received the gift of a sword that had been blessed by the Pope. King James the fourth received just such a sword from Pope Julius the second, along with another that the Pope knew nothing about. This second sword came to be known as the Twin Sword because it was identical to the first in every way but one – ’twas not blessed by the Pope, but infused with dark magick by an unknown sorcerer. It is said that the man or woman who possesses the Twin Sword will unleash unbelievable powers - powers that will allow them to rule the world. King James was verra wary of the power of this second sword. Fearing its dark magick, he chose to lock it away until he found a way to destroy it. He wanted nothing to do with it, as he believed anyone using it would become a slave to its power and to the sorcerer who created it.”

  “The Pope sent him both swords and didn’t know it?” Jayson sounded as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

  “Nae. Somewhere between Rome and Edinburgh, the Twin Sword appeared in the same box containing the Pope’s gift along with an unsigned note from its creator,” Nick explained.

  “What happened to the Twin Sword, after James decided he didn’t want it?” Zeke asked.

  “King James hid it away in a rock vault, somewhere on the Campbell Clan’s land. Before he could find a way to destroy it, James himself died and his infant son, James the fifth, ascended to the throne. Regents ruled in the bairn’s place, until the boy was old enough to rule himself, but by that time, everyone involved in hiding the sword had died and since no one knew where it was, it was soon forgotten. I’m surprised Malcolm even knows of its existence.”

  “I’m not. He has a reputation for searching out and acquiring very rare treasures,” Wade said.

  “We cannae let him get his hands on it.” Nick began to pace back and forth across the living room. “Open the door,” he suddenly announced.

  Zeke did as he was directed and Smith, who had been sitting on the stairs, rose to his full height.

  “Tell Granger I cannae help him. I dinnae ken how to get back to the past. If I did, do you nae think I would have already gone home?”

  “Mr. Granger thought that might be your answer, and he doesn’t believe you. He said to tell you that if you won’t help him, he’ll be forced to kill your friends. You have twenty four hours to make up your mind.” With that, Smith turned and headed down the stairs to the street below.

  Zeke closed the door and leaned against it with a worried frown.

  “We willnae need twenty four hours,” Nick stated confidently. “We’ll get them out before the deadline. Richard will be working from the inside to secure their escape, and we’ll be doing our best from the outside.”

  * * *

  “Good morning,” Malcolm Granger greeted Richard and Angelina from the dining table in the great hall. They both remained stubbornly silent and their captor waved towards two empty chairs. “Please, sit down. Have some breakfast. I do hope you slept well last night?” Malcolm placed a forkful of food into his mouth and casually watched them as he chewed.

  Richard pulled out a chair for Angelina and then sat in the vacant chair beside her.

  “I’ve sent word to your friend, Nick. He knows of your predicament, but he is choosing not to help you.”

  Angelina glanced Richard’s way and gave him a meaningful look, and then helped herself to some of the food. He did the same.

  “You two aren’t very talkative. Not morning people?” An unpleasant smirk crossed Granger’s lips. “Fortunately, I’m a generous fellow. I’ve given him twenty four hours to change his mind.”

  “What happens then?” Richard poured himself some coffee.

  “I’m afraid I’ll have to follow through with my threat to kill you both. It’s nothing personal, of course.”

  Richard grasped Angelina’s hand under the table to reassure her. “What did you ask of him?”

  “I told him I need him to take me back to the sixteenth century, retrieve the Twin Sword, and then return us safely back to the twenty first century.”

  “And if he does this, you promised to let us go?” Richard didn’t believe they’d be getting out of this alive, but he wanted to hear confirmation from Malcolm.

  “I haven’t made a decision about that yet. If Nick continues to refuse his help, however, the matter will be moot.” Granger stared at Richard triumphantly.

  Richard ignored him, but the mounting tension in Angelina’s body was obvious and once again, Richard gripped her hand, hoping to prevent her from taking any action they might regret. She responded by nodding infinitesimally, ensuring that Malcolm didn’t notice the movement.

  “You know, Angelina, after we had dinner the other night and then our little chat at the coffee shop, I had hoped you’d be more willing to help me. I’m sure by now you’ve reached the conclusion that everything I told you was true. It’s a shame you didn’t believe me then, perhaps if you had, you wouldn’t be sitting here today.” Malcolm barked out a menacing laugh. “You could have shared in the power I will attain, once I get my hands on the sword. You still could.” His lascivious leer had Richard bristling with anger, and this time, it was Angelina who was comforting him with a gentle squeeze of his thigh.

  “Malcolm, you don’t know me very well if you think for even one moment that I would betray Nick or Richard.” Angelina’s gaze never wavered, and she stared at Malcolm with cool disdain.

  “Well, if you change your mind, you can tell the guard at your door. He’ll be certain to get the message to me. Just remember, if you assist in this project, you could have everything your heart desires.”

  Richard was pleased when she didn’t engage in argument with Malcolm. It would do no good at this point, but Malcolm had given him an idea – one that might just get them out of this predicament.

  Malcolm stood up, placing his napkin on the table. “I have things to see to. When you’re finished here, my men will escort you back to your room. Don’t even think about trying to overcome them, they have orders to run you through if necessary. You would be smart to remember that and behave accordingly.”

  “No guns?” Angelina questioned.

  “I like to keep things authentically medieval.” With that announcement, he left the room.

  Angelina glanced Richard’s way and he reassured her with a smile. A finger to his lips warned her to remain silent.

  * * *

  The door to their room was locked behind them and Angelina immediately turned to Richard and whispered, “What’s the plan?”

  “We’ll wait a short while, to give the illusion you’ve been thinking about Malcolm’s proposition, and then you’ll ask the guard to send word that you’ve changed your mind.”

  “But I haven’t! I’m not going to save myself at your expense.”

  Richard held up a hand. “I know. Hear me out. When the guard leaves, we’ll go through the bathroom and break into the adjoining room, leaving this door locked. I had a look on the way upstairs, and I believe the room next door to this one is vacant. By the time the guard gets back, hopefully we’ll have found a way out of this place.”

  “It could work.” Angelina furrowed her brow as she worked through the plan in her head. “It’s worth a try.”

  “I’m sure Nick is on his way by now. If our plan fails, I’m certain he’ll have something up his sleeve.” Richard placed his hands on her shoulders. “It’s going to be alright, Angelina. Trust in me. I’ll not let any harm come to you.”

  “I know you won’t, and I won’t let any harm come to you.” She winked at him and he couldn’t help but laugh. It was just like Angelina to be more concerned about him than herself. “Come here,” she beckoned. “I need a kiss.” Her lips curved in a seductive smile that drew Richard rig
ht to her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and gently kissed his lips. Richard wanted her so badly it hurt, but for now, it would have to wait.

  “Not the right time or the right place. I know,” Angelina laughed, as if she’d read his mind.

  “I promise you, as soon as we are out of danger…” He didn’t get the opportunity to finish, before Angelina leaned into him, her warm lips capturing his, and pressing her body seductively against him. A growl escaped him as he took what she offered, passionately kissing her, letting himself explore all of the places he’d been longing to touch once again. Her small moans of pleasure drove him on. He tangled his hands in her glorious black locks as he kissed down her throat and felt her warm breath against his ear. He continued kissing down her body, stopping to linger at the vee of her shirt. He nimbly undid the buttons and pressed his lips to her breasts, taking first one and then the other gently into his mouth. He reluctantly pulled away and looked up into her beautiful face. Common sense warred with primal need. He was just about to pick her up and carry her to the bed when a sound outside of their room brought them crashing back to reality. They both stopped, completely still and listened intently. There was the muffled sound of voices, followed by the sound of a chair being scraped across the floor and then silence, which told them a new guard had settled in by their door.

  “Richard, we need to get out of here. I want you so much I can hardly stand it.”

  Her words brought him great joy. This woman, this treasure, wanted him. His heart was nearly bursting with happiness.

  “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I do know I want you by my side from this moment on.” He caressed her cheek with his hand and thought how lucky he was to have met her. “Angelina, will you come with me, back to my time and my castle? If you would, I can image no greater gift I could receive. I would spend the rest of my days loving you.”

  The smile on her lips, those beautifully full, rosy lips, told him everything he needed to know, but when she spoke, she asked the question cautiously. “I think I just heard you say you loved me, or am I wrong?”