Page 102 of Werewolves and Witches AU

“Not enough,” Rowan growls out.

“Noted. I’ll keep him at my pleasure for now… and we can discuss a more satisfactory resolution with the other heads of department.”

She turns her focus to me. “As for your Lost Colony, that’s a different problem. They’ve been displaced for a long time, so it’s not a simple case of returning them to the timeline.”

“Sarah’s different,” I argue. “She maintained her awareness throughout it all, so maybe she could be released?”

Señora Tiempo nods. “Yes, I’m looking forward to meeting her. Maybe we could allow her to decide her own fate?”

I think for a moment and then nod. Yes, that seems for the best. “And Remus? And any others?”

“I’ll find them all, Milo, you have my word.”

Rowan adds, “Remus will want to… talk with his brother, I’d imagine.”

“Sí, yes. Maybe Remus will need to—acclimate—among aware and likeminded others who would be skilled enough to help him.” She gives Rowan a pointed nod.

“Aye, the Dogs could handle that assignment.”

“It might be best if Romulus doesn’t know his brother is returned to the timeline until absolutely necessary.”

“Aye. He’d also need a codename. For security reasons.”

I lower my head, focusing on the flickering candles at the centre of the table. This is it, then. Ranger’s already gearing up for his next mission. Operation Magpie is over, and just like that, he’s moving on. And with Janus incarcerated and stripped of his purple crackly god-powers, I no longer need the protection of the Dogs. Or Rowan.

Wishing I had another margarita, so that we could stay just a little while longer, I chew on my bottom lip.

“Ye okay, Pup?” Rowan gently squeezes my hand, and gives it a tug to get my attention. I nod my answer to my knees.

From across the table, Señora Tiempo quietly says, “I suspect it’s been a big day for Milo, and that the events are likely catching up.”

Rather than make myself seem pathetic, I stay quiet and allow that to be the explanation.

“Milo—” Rowan begins, but Lady Time cuts him off.

“Well, I promised to drop you back at a point in your timeline of your choosing. Rowan, perhaps you’d like to return to four days ago, and complete your leave in Scotland? I can reset the global timeline—owing to the circumstances—and this would all never occur. You and your Dogs would be assigned upon your return as usual.”

His low and rumbling growl could be one of annoyance, or pleasure, I can’t tell.

“And Milo?” My head suddenly feels like the heaviest stone in the world when I drag it up to meet the god of Time’s dark gaze. “I can’t stretch Ethel’s timeline—as per your original request. Nor can I slow it. But I can offer you a unique opportunity. I can erase your timeline as you know it, then reset it. You would return as you are now—knowing what you know—to Georgia in nineteen-seventy-eight, where you’ll find two new roommates, Ethel and Anabelle, looking for a third to help split bill costs.”

Beside me, Rowan’s whole body tenses; every muscle is tight as a bowstring.

Our host stands from the table, pausing briefly to conjure her glamorous feather headdress. “Perhaps, while I perform for our guests, you’d like to take the time to think over your future plans.”

36

Don't Go Back To 1978

Milo

Neither of us speak. Which is awkward because I’m still perched on his lap, albeit practically off the end of his knees because I got myself a little overworked earlier.

Not wanting to come off as needy, I crane my neck to watch Señora Tiempo sashay between the tables as she makes her way back along the winding promenade, and surreptitiously slide back onto my own chair.

Our host flirts with various guests as she passes by, stroking them with those ridiculously over-the-top dyed ostrich feathers that, somehow, are back on top of her head. Eventually, however, she reaches the small stage and steps up to raucous applause.

When the cheers give way to the house band, Rowan clears his throat. “Don’t go back to nineteen seventy-eight, Milo. Stay… with me.”