Neither Alberti nor Vivienne had ever mentioned that night again. That night when she had finally given up—and they’d saved her and stayed beside her through everything. Dammit, she didn’t deserve friends like them. She was a freaking time runner, for heaven’s sake. An ancient bloodline blessed by the Fates. She should be able to handle everything alone.
“So, what is this fire portal thingy like? It sounds a bit like some sort of cyber-meeting webcam-type deal. Is that what it is, lovie?” Vivienne stretched forward, unzipped her boots, then kicked them off onto the floor.
“That pretty much describes it. As soon as I get a good bed of coals built up, you’ll see.” Lilia added more tinder to the base of the fire, shoving in more slivers of wood to keep the blaze roaring until the bigger chunks caught. Maybe it would be easier to confront Granny and Trulie with Vivienne at her side.
“Sounds nifty. I’m going to pop into the kitchen and fix us a spot of tea.” Vivienne paused at the door to the parlor. “Or do ye want something a bit stronger? Espresso laced with a splash of booze?”
Lilia chewed on her bottom lip, halfway tempted to build up her courage with some highly caffeinated alcohol. She finally shook her head. “No thanks. Conversations with my grandmother are best handled stone-cold sober.”
The fire popped and hissed. The heated air roared up the flue until the cherry-red cast iron stove almost glowed. Lilia pushed open every window in the sitting room. A warm August night was not the best time for a fire portal call.
As Vivienne entered the room bearing a tray with cups, biscuits, and tea, Lilia took the cast iron shovel and scooped away a small pile of ash-coated red coals. Cupping her hand just above them, she gently blew against the chunks of orange and red until they sparked and popped with renewed life.
“Hear me, show me, open and know me.” After saying the words, Lilia tossed the spade full of coals back into the fire. The crackling flames disappeared as a wavering dark window slowly opened and blotted out all else within the stove.
“Bloody hell,” Vivienne said as she set the tray on the coffee table in front of the settee and knelt down to stare into the woodstove.
“You opened the fire portal to curse at me? Lilia!” Granny’s face flickered into view and gradually her sitting room at MacKenna Keep sharpened into focus as well. “I raised you better than that, young lady.”
“It wasn’t me. It was Vivienne.” Lilia leaned to one side and pointed back at Vivienne, now sitting on the settee with her mouth hanging open. “Meet Vivienne Sands. She’s the friend I told you about. Remember?”
Granny’s face softened with a smile and a nod. “It’s my pleasure to finally meet you, Vivienne, and I can’t thank you enough for being so good to my granddaughter.”
Vivienne blinked as though waking from a dream and weakly waved a hand in the air. “She’s my friend. Think nothing of it.”
“I met some friends of yourstoday, Granny.” Lilia leaned a bit closer to the portal. “Graham and Angus. Do those names ring a bell?”
“Sarcasm is a very unattractive trait, child, and snarkiness is just plain ugly.” Granny appeared to sit taller in her chair as Trulie came into view just behind her.
“We sent them to check on you, sis. We know Eliza doesn’t have much longer.” Trulie settled down beside Granny, concern and compassion shining in her eyes. “We’re worried about you.”
“I’m fine.” Lilia battled to swallow the aching knot of sorrow lodged crossways in her throat. She took a deep breath, blinking hard and fast against the threat of tears. They had no idea how badly she was hurting and if she had her way about it, they would never find out. Emotional pain was her burden to carry—her legacy. She had to protect her family from the emotional mess she was inside. She cleared her throat. “So, who are these two you sent to check on me?”
Granny’s face brightened as Chloe bounced into view. She pulled the five-year-old child up into her lap and pointed at Lilia. “Say hello and tell Auntie Lil thank you for the newest picture book she sent to you through the portal.”
Chloe bounced and waved until her dark ringlets quivered like silky springs. “I thank ye, Auntie Lil. When will ye come to see me again? I want ye to see my new horse and watch how Oren helps me ride it.”
“I’m not sure, sweetie. Perhaps very soon.” Lilia narrowed her eyes at Trulie, who refused to meet her gaze.
Trulie helped Chloe down from Granny’s lap and led her to one side. “Wave goodbye to Auntie Lil. It’s time for our nightly walk in the gardens with Oren before you go to bed. Granny and Auntie have a lot to talk about.”
Chloe waved as she bounced out of the room. “Bye, Auntie Lil! Loves ye bunches and bunches!”
“Bye, sweetie pie! Auntie loves you too!” Lilia waved, then tensed on the edge of her chair. “All right, Granny. Out with it. Who are Graham and Angus and why did you send them?”
Granny wrinkled her nose, then resettled her wire-rimmed glasses a bit higher. “What did they tell you?”
“What difference does that make?” Lilia wasn’t stupid. Granny was stalling and trying to calculate her next move. Lilia leaned in close again. “Care to clue me in on this vision you supposedly had?”
Granny’s chin lifted the barest bit as she leaned back in her chair and folded her arms across her chest. “I’m worried around you. Eliza will be gone soon and you will be all alone.” Granny pulled a white square of linen from her sleeve and pressed it against the corners of her eyes. “And I feel in my heart . . . ” Granny paused, wet her lips, then took a deep breath. “I feel certain you are meant to stay in the future. I don’t believe your destiny lies in this century with us. But I worry about you being there alone. You’re different, Lilia. You have always been . . . special. The world hurts you to your core but you won’t allow anyone close enough to help you bear the burden.”
“She’s got you nailed, lovie.”
Lilia jerked around and mouthedShut-upat Vivienne.
Vivienne stuck out her tongue and shook her head.
Granny chortled and snorted. “Oh, I like you, Vivienne. I’m so glad you’re Lilia’s friend.”
