They arrived home at dusk and, as expected,Catriona took one look at Victor and paled. To her credit, shedidn’t cry. She quickly took charge of her husband’s wellbeing,ordering servants to do this, that, and the other at her behest onhis behalf. Catriona basically locked Victor and herself into theirbedroom, insisting he not get out of bed much less leave the roomuntil he was healed.
Dinner was a jubilant affair. At Lachlan’sinvitation, Euan and James rode in for it with three of their men.The two lairds clanked goblets as they reconfirmed their newallyship. In a show of goodwill, a Gunn woman would be sent to theCampbells to marry one of Euan’s best warriors—if not Jameshimself—and a Campbell woman would be sent to the Gunns to marryeither Finn or Ramsay. Veronica was less than thrilled that thewomen had no choice in the matter, but also realized this was howthings were done. Nevertheless, if she ever bore Lachlan adaughter, she would make her husband promise that their daughter’sfate would be her own no matter how out of place such a thing wasfor the time period. Speaking of which…
Veronica rubbed her belly. She hadn’t toldLachlan yet, but she knew she was pregnant. She could feel it inher bones. She could also feel it in her belly every morning whenshe endured a bout of morning sickness. Her husband looked at herstrangely when she turned down mead in lieu of water, but saidnothing about it.
After she finished eating, she excusedherself, explaining that she wished to check on her brother. Shefound Victor lying in bed on his side, his wife feeding him asthough he was an infant. Veronica smiled. She might have shot himin the ass, but she’d also done what she felt was her duty andsaved his life. Regardless of what their parents thought—or, sheconceded, perhaps hadn’t thought—shebelieved protectingVictor was her responsibility and she had fulfilled it.
On his part, Victor was certain theCampbells would be passing down an immunity to DR-71 to theirprogeny, a fact that would surely change the future in some manner.Maybe it wouldn’t be a radical change, but perhaps it would. At thevery least, the future should have a future now; there would bemore than just a remnant of humanity left to fight the eaters,immune to their bites. For that reason, Victor also believed he’dfulfilled his purpose on this earth and looked forward to spendingthe rest of his days inventing bidet-toilettes and sewagestructures… and loving Catriona with all that he was.
“I think we did a good job,” Victor said.“Mom and dad would be proud of both of us.”
She smiled. “They would. But from now on,”she semi-chastised him, “stay in your own lane and I’ll stay inmine.”
“What do you mean?” Catriona inquired.
Veronica explained what had happened at theCampbells. She spoke with much affection about her brotherprotecting her from an eater. She could see the worry and pride inCatriona’s eyes. “He’s a hero, but he damn near made my heartstop.”
“I ken why!” her sister-in-law exclaimed,her hand going to her hip. “Victor, you willna take up arms again.I willna have it!”
Victor sniffed. “But I—”
“Nay.” Catriona was having none of it. “Iwed with a sorcerer and a sorcerer you shall remain. Vow it tome.”
Veronica’s eyebrows rose. Maybe she couldn’tget the Wizard of Apple Creek to agree to stay in his own lane, butit appeared her sister-in-law could.
“Oh all right, I vow it,” Victor sighed,giving up. “Truthfully, I prefer science to swords anyway.”
“Thank you, my love,” Catriona breathed out.“I would not have you worrying me o’er your person everra day.”
Veronica smiled. All was right in her worldagain. Victor was the Banks family’s genius and she was itsbad-ass. And speaking of bad-asses…
It was time to go back to Lachlan. Shemissed him and craved his nearness. She was stopping in their roomfirst, though, before returning to the supper party. After all,Hero needed to eat. And, she thought, stifling a grin, she had acirclet to put on.
Chapter Twenty-Six
A couple of weeks later, after her brotherhad pretty much recovered, Veronica, Lachlan, Catriona, and Victorhuddled around his AI scanner and prepared for him to turn it on.None of them knew what to expect to see in the future.Unfortunately, the AI scanner could only pick up frequencies thatcarried so far from Victor’s underground home without someonehaving on the tracking bracelet he had invented and left forVeronica. She’d given back her wristband to him some time ago.
The AI scanner whirred to life. It showed awintry world—normal for this time of the year. Electric cars andAmish buggies passed by, causing Victor and Veronica to whoop outloud. “This is terrific!” Veronica beamed, glancing at Lachlan.“The future has been changed.” Everyone who’d fought and killed theinfected in 1155 A.D. had a hand in that truth.
The scanner switched frequencies, showing anLED sign that read:Welcome to Victorville.Veronica gasped.Apple Creek was now called Victorville? “Go to your compound,” shesaid. “Let’s see what the scanner picks up.”
Victor fiddled with the machine until it didhis bidding. Another LED sign, this time with an arrow pointingdown to the once hidden door in the forest ground. The sign read:Underground Museum of Posthumous Nobel Prize Winner Sir VictorBanks and His Sister, Veronica, the Countess Gunn.
Victor’s jaw dropped. Veronica’s eyeswidened. A sir? A countess? What?! How?
Unable to read the English of the future,Lachlan asked what was going on. “I-I don’t know,” Victormanaged.
“Me neither,” Veronica breathed out. Sheread the sign to her husband. “How could we have those titles? Andhow could they already know what we’ve done and built a museumand—”
“I can’t explain it. I don’t know that I’llever be able to,” her brother broke in. “But, Nica, I won theNobel,” he said bemusedly. “Can you believe it?”
She was about to respond with anenthusiastic yes when the scanner shifted on its own andhighlighted two virtual encyclopedia entries side by side.Goosebumps formed on her arms and at the back of her neck. It wasas if—and maybe was—someone on the other side of time was sending amessage to them, letting them know what they’d accomplished.
The first entry was devoted to CountessVeronica Gunn, herself. She read it aloud for her husband andsister-in-law:“Born Veronica Marie Banks, the Countess Gunn wasa fierce Kalari master and warrior who traveled back in time andhelped her brother (see: Sir Victor Banks) defeat the infected deadand save our world from the virus. She married the powerfulHighlander laird, Earl Lachlan Gunn, who was crucial to defeatingthe Campbell plague. Veronica and Lachlan’s granddaughter manytimes removed currently rules independent Scotland as Her RoyalMajesty, Queen Arabella VI.”
“How will I become an earl?” Lachlanasked.
“It doesn’t say. Obviously I become acountess whenever you become an earl though.”
