Niall had expected—what? Fire raining from the sky? Buildings as tall as mountains? He didn’t know. But the dim glow of lanterns—no,lights—and the endless shelves of books seemed... normal. And yet, nothing was right.
The air smelled strange, too clean, lacking the familiar scents of smoke and damp earth. And beyond the room’s walls, an unnatural hum filled the silence.
The future.He was in the future.
But none of it mattered.
His gaze snapped back to Charlotte. She was staring at him, wide-eyed.
“Are ye hurt?” His voice was rough, urgent.
She shook her head. “No. I’m okay.”
Relief hit him hard. He took a step toward her, wanting to reach for her, but MacAllister groaned from the floor. The bastard was stirring, rolling onto his side with a wince. Before Niall could react, he snatched his knife from the floor and lunged.
Niall barely dodged, twisting out of the way as the blade sliced through the air. He staggered back, knocking into a shelf, books crashing to the floor. MacAllister came again, swinging wildly.
Charlotte grabbed a heavy volume and hurled it at him. The book hit MacAllister’s shoulder, throwing him off balance for just a second—enough for Niall to charge.
They crashed together, grappling, fists flying. MacAllister was strong, but Niall was desperate. He slammed his knee into the man’s gut, sending him stumbling back into a table.
He spotted movement to the side. Lady Murray had snatched up a wooden chair and swung it at Charlotte. Niall didn’t think. He reacted.
He lunged between them just as the chair swung. Pain exploded through his shoulder as the chair slammed into him. He bit back a curse, his vision swimming as agony ripped through him. Charlotte screamed his name. But he didn’t stop. With sheer will, he twisted, grabbed Murray’s wrist, and yanked her off balance, sending her staggering.
MacAllister, dazed but furious, came at them again. Charlotte grabbed the nearest object—a small stool—and swung it hard, catching him in the ribs. He staggered, and Niall used the moment to shove him backward—
Straight into the portal.
“I’ll get ye, Campb—” he screamed, but his words cut off as he disappeared.
Niall staggered, his breath coming fast. MacAllister was gone—but Lady Murray was still here.
She had fallen a few feet away, panting, her fine dress torn at the hem, her hair wild. She pushed herself up with a snarl, her eyes blazing with fury.
Niall cursed under his breath and lunged for her, grabbing her by the arm and hauling her toward the portal. She fought him, digging in her heels, clawing at his injured shoulder. Pain flared hot and sharp, but he didn’t let go.
She twisted, nails raking across his skin. “Iwill notbe sent back—”
A pair of hands joined his.
Charlotte.
She grabbed Lady Murray’s other arm, her grip firm, her expression set in fierce determination. She met Niall’s gaze, and his chest clenched painfully.
For the first time, he saw it so clearly it hurt—this world washers. The light in her eyes, the confidence in her step, the way she understood things he never could. This was her home. She belonged here, not with him.
His heart cracked wide open at the thought.
He pushed it aside. He couldn’t think about that now. If he did, he would be lost. Together, he and Charlotte dragged the hissing, kicking Lady Murray to the portal.
“Let her go!” Niall cried to Charlotte as they reached it.
Charlotte did so and Niall threw himself and his captive towards the shimmering air. As he touched it, the world spun, and then Niall was crashing down onto cold stone. The scent of damp air and candle smoke filled his lungs.
Lady Murray tumbled onto the floor beside him, gasping as the portal’s light flared behind them. He barely spared her a glance. His attention was fixed beyond the swirling energy—fixed onher.
Charlotte stood just on the other side, still in the place filled with books, still in the future. She was breathing hard, her eyes wide as she stared at him.
