Page 75 of Werewolves and Witches AU

“Mhm, and after?”

I don’t speak military. Well, not much, but I’m pretty sure that Guardian just said they’ll have identifications for every head of department within the Office of Time by tonight. Nodding to myself as I mentally file away that information, I message Ray back.

Like a familiar? You know I don’t have one of those.

“I’m recommending Bear,” Guardian continues. Rowan clicks his tongue loudly. “He has this, Ranger. The next phase is already planned, and he is the assigned lead for that. It makes the most sense—he’s overlooked in a crowd, he speaks native Italian, and he has familial credentials that might explain his presence if questioned.”

Rowan’s fingers tap on the wheel. Agitation, I’ve learned. His wolf is already under stress at being parted from his unit, and now this on top of everything. A self-deprecating laugh escapes my sore lips. Of course Ranger doesn’t need the extra hassle I represent.

And I don’t need to be dragged off course by pack politics that might stop me from helping free Sarah and the Lost Colony—and then from hopefully securing Sarah’s help in properly preserving the time I have left with Ethel.

Ray:

Doesn’t have to be a familiar. Anyone with strong ties to you will work. They’ll act as a tether, and if the cast goes wrong, you’ll be able to use them to find your way back.

K, I’ll figure something out.

At the same time, Ranger says, “I’ll think on it.”

Our eyes meet in the mirror.

Wordlessly and in synchronicity, we each close our screens.

27

Time Guy Has A Name

Milo

The kitchen door swings open, and Rowan’s silhouetted form stalls on the threshold as he takes in my… preparations.

It’s the first time I’ve seen him since we got back. After what almost happened between us, and then with Guardian’s phone call, the moment we returned he thoroughly checked the perimeter and then disappeared into the kitchen to cook dinner. Clearly, he needed some alone time, and I didn’t think he’d appreciate me bugging him. Besides, I’d had my own work to attend to.

Work that’s now scattered all over the living room floor, and is likely why he’s still hovering in the doorway with a plate in each hand—because he can’t find carpet to step on to make it to the table.

I cringe. “Sorry! I can tidy this… Let me just…”

Unfolding my legs, I push up from where I’m wedged on the floor between the seat cushions from the sofa. Dusting off my jeans, I tiptoe between the crystals positioned at carefully selected intervals. Probably, my internal debate about their exact location took the longest of all the preparations I’ve been so hyperfocused on.

It’s what I’d needed the sofa cushions for—to help prop up my wobbly Cairngorm Quartz. When I last cast the temporal spell, I’d laid her down, but I’m trying to be good this time, trying to do things properly, and all the teachers at the Academy were so strict about crystals standing, so… she’s standing.

Proud, I look down at it and smile. The central timekeeper will work better than before because my anchor and I can sit on the sofa cushions either side, and the crystal will be secure between us. Then the other six time-link crystals will surround us to increase the spell’s potency.

It hasn’t all been entirely by the book, though, because I couldn’t find anywhere that clearly described what grid shape is best for communicating with someone lost in time, so I had to get a little creative. However, they are all at least set out well ahead of casting, which means their energy flow is priming—something I’d been too impulsive to account for last time.

I still need thyme and salt too, but hadn’t wanted to disturb Rowan in the kitchen. And there’d been plenty of other things to get on with, like finding a screwdriver so I could…

“Why’s the bathroom mirror not… on the bathroom wall?”

Reaching to take my plate, I aim my best and most disarming smile Rowan’s way.

“Interesting witch fact,” I begin, leading him through the maze of magical paraphernalia on the floor and over to the table. “Did you know that concave mirrors are specifically recommended for more focused scrying because they act as a portal without the pesky problem of reflections?”

I drag my bag from off the small breakfast table and onto the floor with a thud, then set down my dinner.

Rowan takes the other seat.

“Interesting werewolf fact: did ye know that wolves—especially alpha ones—are often hairier than average?”