Chapter3
Trenton jerked awake as a deep,intense burn spread through both sides of his nostrils and engulfed him in pain. The sensation of drowning had him in a panic. He reached for something—anything to save himself from certain death. No aid was coming, and he had to find a way to save himself. The room was dark, and he couldn’t make out where he was. Whatever was in his stomach found its way onto the floor next to him. Queasiness continued to roll through his stomach and the pressure of laying in his current position wasn’t helping. With careful movements, he rotated onto his back. He forced himself to take slow, even breaths and then took note of his surroundings. God, he wasamess.
Where wasSerenity?
He sat up slowly so he wouldn’t gag or dry heave. There wasn’t anything left in his stomach to lose, and he’d prefer not to go through that ordeal a second time. Time travelsucked.
“And who would you two be?” a manasked.
The sound of a match striking against a rough surface followed the question. Soon light filled the room from a lone candle on a nearby desk. The man who lit it sat on the corner of the desk and stared down at Trenton. Serenity was sitting up on the other side of the room, her focus completely on the stranger. Where the hell had they landed? Who was the man glaring down at them both? Nothing looked familiar, and judging by the man’s clothing they were definitely not in the twenty-first century any more. He had on form-fitting breeches and a loose billowy white shirt, open at the neck, but was missing the tell-tale cravat worn by nineteenth century gentry. The question was not only when had they landed, but where. He’d thought the mirror would have a corresponding partner, but this particular room had none to speak of. How did the blasted things work? The mirror must have dumped them in a random place. Would they actually be able to return? He had so many questions, and with each answer more would sprout in theirplace.
“Have you lost your ability to speak?” The man brushed a lock of his dark hair back and leaned down. His face was mere inches from Trenton’s, and he could almost make out all the variations of green in his eyes. Was this a form of intimidation? He almost laughed at the man, but held it in. “One of you had better start speaking, or I’ll have you both hauled toNewgate.”
“I don’t suppose you could tell us whereweare?”
Trenton needed information. If they were in the nineteenth century, they’d be closer to finding Genevieve. The problem was he had no clue where to start looking. Well, that wasn’t exactly true. If they were in the correct time he could start at Weston or Seabrook. Someone at one of those estates would be able to give him an idea. But by the looks of the room they were in, they were not at eitherestate.
“I’ll be the one asking the questions,” the man ordered and stood up straight. “Why don’t we start with yournames.”
Serenity remained quiet and stared at the man as if she didn’t understand him. What was she puzzling over? Trenton sighed and turned his attention back to the stranger. The man was older than him. Worry lines were etched around his eyes and on his forehead. Physically, he appeared strong and fit. He couldn’t be that old… Trenton figured his age to be somewhere in his mid to late thirties. His clothing was fine and tailored to perfection. In the nineteenth century that meant he was most likely well off. With those little bits of information Trenton assumed he was upper class and probably a member of thearistocracy.
“Right, so you won’t tell us where we are. Maybe instead you could tell us the year?” Trenton had to get something out of him. He wasn’t sure if he should mention their names to the strange man. What if it did something irreparable to history? So far, he hadn’t mentioned his or Serenity’s strange clothes. Why hadn’t he thought to get some period appropriateattire?
The man scrunched up his eyebrows. “How bad did you hit your head whenyoufell?”
Trenton rubbed the back of his head. Well, apparently pretty damn hard. The pain had come down to a dull throbbing but wouldn’t completely ebb without some kind of painkiller. He could handle anything that was thrown at him if it led him to Genevieve. She was more important than any discomfort hemayfeel.
“Not hard enough to realize you haven’t answered any of my questions,” Trentonreplied.
“I could say the same to you.” The man quirked a brow. “You’ve been decidedly uncooperative. I think its time to call this meeting a draw and have a couple of my men deliver you to the prison. Perhaps you will feel more receptive to talking after a night or two in the bowels of London’s seediest part ofsociety.”
He folded his arms across his chest and waited for Trenton to answer. How should he play it? The man probably had the connections to make that threat happen. He didn’t want to spend any time in Newgate, and he wasn’t exactly sure if either he or Serenity couldsurviveit.
“What are you hiding?” Serenity finallyspoke.
The man’s gaze swung to hers. It was as if he noticed her for the first time. He must have preferred to give Trenton his full attention because with Serenity in his line of sight he almost seemed—disconcerted. Trenton glanced at her and noted her appearance. He’d barely paid her any mind when she arrived at Weston. She had on a filmy violet dress that stopped at her ankles, a modern touch to a traditional Regency gown, and her mahogany-red hair was tumbled from their journey. Serenity looked completely mussed, and it was almost… The one word that came to mind was sexy. She had the appearance of having been well and truly loved. That had to be what drew the man’sattention.
“I assure you I have nothingtohide.”
“Bullshit,” she said. “Iseeyou.”
Ah… Her mysterious aura thing. She was seeing that side of him he couldn’t hide. Trenton wished he understood it and what exactly she was readingoffhim.
“Don’t be daft,” the man said. “Of course you see me. It’s not as if I have the ability to be invisible. Though that would be a handy skilltohave.”
Trenton ignored the man and asked her, “Can wetrusthim?”
She turned to meet his gaze. After a few moments, she nodded her head in the affirmative. “I’m not sure what secrets he is keeping though. I don’tlikeit.”
“This exchange has been lovely,” the man said. “No, I’m lying. It hasn’t been. Why don’t we stop talking around each other? Clearly you two are here for a purpose and are failingmiserably.”
The man had no idea how much that hit the mark. They were doing abysmally. Trenton had to put faith in Serenity’s ability to read the man though. If he was trustworthy enough, sharing some secrets might be acceptable. They had to start somewhere—why not with him. “My name is Trenton and this isSerenity.”
“That’s a start.” The man turned to stare at Serenity and then back at Trenton. “Now, tell me why you’re invadingmyhome.”
Trenton glanced at Serenity who shrugged. “I don’t know how it works or why we’re here. I have to assume that the mirror took us as close to Genevieve aspossible.”
The man stiffened as Serenity spoke. “Could you repeat whatyousaid?”
