“Chloe and I…that is…we think we need to talk.” Discomfort flickered over her face, as though she were nervous to mention Chloe’s name and that they all needed to talk. Then she added, “About what happened today.”
“Where’s Jamie?” Brianna asked, not wanting to acknowledge the invitation.
“He and the other men are out.” She held her hand out in invitation. “Please, Bri?”
The imploring look she gave her made Brianna relent. She moved forward and took her hand. Evie grinned, happy that she’d agreed. She pushed open the door and led her inside the bedchamber.
A large four poster bed with curtains dominated the center of the room with an oversized chest at the foot of it. On one side, a wardrobe and a small dressing table with a mirror as well as a writing desk. Colorful tapestries hung along the walls to insulate the room. A crackling fire warmed the room. Near the hearth, a trio of chairs. In one of them, Chloe sat with her hands folded in her lap and a pinched, unreadable expression on her face.
Between the chairs was a small table hosting a tea kettle, three cups, and a tray of food that included fruit, cheese, bread, and dried meat. Upon seeing it, Brianna’s stomach rumbled.
Evie motioned for her to take one of the chairs while she set about pouring the pale amber liquid into each of the cups. More of her herbal tea. She handed one to Brianna.
“Have some bread,” Evie said, motioning to the thick slices that were still warm. Steam rose from the spongy center.
“Roslyn is teaching her to bake,” Chloe said. “But she won’t tell you that.”
Baking and cooking was a skill Brianna had never mastered. Hermeals—when she was in her own time—were usually chef-prepared. The chef, of course, employed by the wealthy bachelor she dated at the time.
“I’m impressed,” Brianna said and meant it.
“Don’t be,” Evie said with a laugh. “I’m no good at it.”
“That’s not true,” Chloe chimed in. She met Brianna’s gaze and for the first time, granted her a weak smile. “She’s good at it.”
“Maybe you’ll show me some time,” Brianna said and sipped her herbal tea. It wasn’t bad. It wasn’t great, either. She wished it was something stronger. “So, tell me. What’s this little family meeting all about?”
Chloe and Evie exchanged a look that said they’d already discussed it and were getting around to letting Brianna in on whatever decision was already made. There was no denying the wave of tension in the air between them all. She leaned forward and dropped her cup on the table next to the tray, then grabbed a slice of cheese.
“The vision we had today,” Evie started. “I think I know what it means.”
“Oh?” Brianna popped the slice of cheese in her mouth, interested to see what her sister came up with.
“We need to put the stone back together,” Chloe said. “For good. We think it’s the only way to stop whatever is coming.”
“What’s coming?” Brianna asked, her brows drawing together.
They exchanged another look, which told Brianna she didn’t have all the information. She leaned forward, eyeing the two of them.
“Are you two going to tell me what’s going on or not?”
“This afternoon, I had another vision,” Evie said. “One of the present. At least one of all the outcomes of the possible present. Nothing has come to pass yet, of course, but I think something is going to happen.”
“And I had a vision, too. Of the past as if it’s already happened,”Chloe added.
“Did you, by chance, have another vision?” Evie asked.
“No.” Brianna sat back in the chair, her heart racing. “What did you see?”
“I saw a rip in time,” Evie said.
“So did I,” Chloe added.
“And,” Evie said, “you were standing on the hill as these…creatures spilled out of the rip. You held the stone.”
The future.She saw the future and mistook it for the present.
“I saw the same thing,” Chloe said. “But in my vision, those dark creatures attacked and killed everyone and everything, allowing Rory MacDonald to take over all the lands of the Highlands.”
