Past the Ages: Book Two (6 page)

“It feels so hopeless,” Lucy cried, putting her face in her hands. “We have so many questions and no real answers.”

Will set down his drink and pulled her into his arms. “Hey, hey, shhhh. It’s okay.”

“I can’t lose you. I love you.” Never in her life had she believed she could find love like this and then to be forced to lose it. “No. I won’t let it happen. There must be something we can do. What about Ra? Is there a way to contact him? We could ask him to destroy the amulet.”

“But if Ra destroys the amulet won’t it make it be impossible for Will and Lucy to see each other?” Dashel voiced that concern.

“Valid point. But if we call him forth, could we ask him to create something that will allow us to be together?”

“It’s possible, but there are no guarantees. I can see if there is a spell to call him forth.” Sebastian didn’t seem excited about it. “If I find a spell, it will take time to get the ingredients together.” He shuddered. “And forcing a god to do anything rarely ends well. We would need to have something to offer him in exchange.”

“We’ll have to figure that one before you perform the spell. Sounds like we’ll have to come up with something, but we really appreciate your help,” Will said, holding on to Lucy more tightly.

“Perhaps we should give Miss Channing and Mr. Godwin a moment alone.” Sebastian stood, escorting Harriet and Dashel from the room.

ELEVEN

NEVER STOP FIGHTING

ALONE, WILL
tilted her face up to meet his and kissed her. “Lucy, my love. I’m so sorry.” He kissed her cheeks.

“I’m the one who should be sorry. I never should’ve touched the amulet. Had I listened to my mother, I would be blissfully ignorant of your existence and it would be the same for you. That amulet has caused all kinds of trouble and I don’t know if it’s worth it.” Lucy stepped away from Will and paced back and forth in front of the fireplace. A log cracked, sending sparks into the air.

“Don’t say that. Never say that.” He sought her hand, but she pulled away, picking up the iron leaning against the rock fireplace and pushing around the logs.

“I mean it,” Will continued. “Promise me?” He twined his fingers with hers.

“I promise,” she said, sniffling and wiping at a wayward tear. “Not that it matters.”

“It does matter. We are going to figure this out. I know it.” Will picked up a fresh log and placed it on top of the burning embers. “I think we should stay here and help the duke with research until we find the spell that will call forth Ra.” Will sat beside her and took her hands in his.

“And if there isn’t a spell?” she asked with a sad smile.

“Then at least we will have spent four incredible days together.”

Lucy covered her sob with the back of her hand. “That’s a terrible idea.” Will tucked her head against his chest and stroked her hair where several strands had fallen from the pins. She guessed she looked a sight. “Any other options, Will?” She silently prayed he had something.

“No, because I have faith that we are going to find the spell, Ra is going to help us, and then we are going to be together always.”

“Faith?” Lucy felt herself getting angry.

“Faith,” he said tenderly. “When the duke finds a way, then we will help him.”

“And if Bastet and Apep escape? What then?”

“They won’t, but if they do we’ll deal with it. I love you and I’m going to keep fighting for you.”

She nodded, burying her face in his chest.

“We keep fighting. We keep going, okay?” He tilted her chin so that she was looking at him.

“Okay.”

Sebastian returned. “What have you decided?” He crossed his arms and leaned against the entryway.

“We are going to stay here and help you find a way to call forth Ra,” Lucy said, wiping her face, trying to be brave.

“It’s as I thought. Knowing that would be your decision, I’ve already sent Harriet home to collect some of your things. She will advise your parents that I invited you and Mr. Rothchild to stay at my estate for a few days. And as it’s so late, I have had my staff prepare your rooms so that you may retire for a few hours.”

Lucy shook her head. “I don’t need to rest. The sooner we figure this out, the better.”

“I appreciate your vigor, Miss Channing, but it seems to me you can barely stand.”

As though to prove his point, her knees buckled. She sighed. “Very well. I appreciate your hospitality.”

“As do I.” Will wrapped his arm around Lucy’s waist. They followed the duke up the stairs and down to the end of the hall. He opened the door. “This room is yours, Miss Channing. Mr. Godwin, your room is next door. The rooms adjoin, if either of you care.” He gave them a mischievous grin. “I’ve had hot water brought up and a change of clothing is on the bed. Please feel free to use whatever you need, clothes and all. They are there for your use.” His gaze fell on each of them as he spoke.

Will followed Lucy into her room. “Again, thank you for everything.”

“It’s my pleasure. When you wake, just ring the bell beside your bed. Breakfast will be brought up. I’ll have someone help you dress and then you can meet me in the library.”

“Excellent.” Sebastian closed the door behind him as he left.

Will helped Lucy over to a chair. “Sit down,” he said softly.

Lucy wanted to resist, to say she could keep going indefinitely, but she was truly exhausted. “I suppose that would be all right.”

He knelt in front of her and helped her remove her shoes and socks. Then went over to the washbasin, took a cloth, soaked it, and returned. “Close your eyes.”

“You don’t need to do this, Will. I can take care of myself.” But she closed her eyes and let him. It felt wonderful and she relaxed, leaning her head against the back of the chair. “Tonight has been harrowing, but this is nice.”

Will chuckled. “Is it worse than the time those lions cornered us and Mihos stuck us into a cage hanging over lava?”

Lucy giggled too. “Close.” She opened her eyes. “William Godwin. There isn’t another person in the whole world I’d rather be with than you.”

“Agreed.” He kissed her forehead. “Did you need me to help you change?” He went over to the bed and picked up the nightdress.

“Mr. Godwin!” she said in mock severity. “Pull your mind out of the gutter.” She yanked the nightdress from his hands. “I’ll take care of myself.” She smiled as she spoke. “Why don’t you go get changed and cleaned up too?”

“I guess you’re right.” He glanced at his muddied shirt. “Should I say goodnight?”

“I suppose,” Lucy said, kissing him. She meant it to be quick, but he lingered, his lips softly massaging hers until Lucy thought she might lose her mind.

When he stopped, she immediately pouted. “I’ll see you in a few hours, my love.”

Once he left, Lucy cleaned up a little more. She was unsure what to do with her soiled clothes so she set them on the floor near the fireplace. It was brick and the soil wouldn’t harm anything there. In bed, she pulled the covers up to her chin and closed her eyes. Her thoughts returned to Will’s kiss before moving on. She went over and over the different things Harriet had said as well as the questions asked and the few answered. Their situation seemed impossible. Had it not been for the mysterious Duke of Vladimir all hope would’ve been lost. The man was strange, and he seemed to have feelings for Harriet. As did Dashel. The idea of her lady’s maid and Dashel becoming a pair seemed highly unlikely when it came to the rules of society. But if she viewed them as two people, they were a great fit, perhaps even perfect for each other. She mulled it over and decided she would do whatever she could to make the match happen.

At some point she must’ve slept because she dreamed of the glass box the Duke of Vladimir had used to contain the gods. The gold markings on the outside lit up and the box began to shake. She picked it up. Sounds of screaming came from within. Two wraith-like hands came out of the box and took hold of Lucy’s head, pulling her inside.

“Welcome to Hell, Lucy Channing.” The thick darkness parted and was replaced by a pillar of light. Bastet appeared first, her inky eyes flashing. “What have you done? Where are we?”

Lucy didn’t know how to respond. Explaining the truth seemed dangerous.

“Tell us!” Apep shouted as he appeared beside Bastet.

Even though she didn’t want to, Lucy found herself telling them about the Duke of Vladimir and his druid magic.

“Locking us inside this box has confined our powers, and if we aren’t released soon the stars will begin to rapidly die off, the moon will get out of rotation, and the Earth will experience extreme events that will end with the world and everything on it destroyed,” Bastet said.

Lucy turned away, desperate to be free. Bastet had spoken aloud Lucy’s deepest fears. Keeping the gods contained would bring about the end the world. Putting the amulet pieces together would end the world. Once the gods were released, Apep would continue to seek to destroy her and Will. And even if they found a way around that, the KPID would hunt them until they found the pieces. Their predicament seemed hopeless and it filled Lucy with such sadness that when she woke she found she was crying.

TWELVE

RESEARCH

LUCY DEBATED
whether to ring the bell or knock on Will’s door and see whether he was awake. She wanted to see him. The clock in the corner said it was after noon. She’d slept too long, wasted too much time.

She didn’t have to decide because a soft knock came at her door and a young woman with cropped blond hair came in carrying a tray of cooked meat, toast, preserves, and hot chocolate. There was also a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, which surprised and delighted her.

The girl’s name was Beth. She helped Lucy dress in a sky blue morning dress, brushed out her hair, and pinned it up at the nape of her neck. Wispy tendrils dangled casually mocking her with their rested disposition. It was weird not having Harriet help her.

“Do you know whether Mr. Godwin is awake yet?”

“Yes, mum. He’s downstairs in the library with his grace.” She curtsied as she spoke.

Lucy drank the orange juice and picked up the toast. “Can you show me where the library is?”

“Right this way.” Beth opened the door.

Lucy followed the young woman down the stairs and round the corner into another hallway. Before they reached the end, she could hear Will speaking. Her heart sped up at the thought of seeing him.

“Here you are, mum.” Beth indicated she go in.

“Thank you.” She entered just as Will and the duke turned.

Will was seated at an enormous desk, books spread out all around him. Some stacked three and four books deep. He wore a linen shirt, open at the neck. His hair was rumpled in the most exquisite way. When his blue eyes caught hers, she sucked in her breath. He was glorious in every way. “Hi,” he said, smiling brightly. He seemed refreshed. She hoped he’d gotten sleep.

“Good afternoon, Miss Channing,” the duke said. He was dressed in tan breeches, dark chocolate boots and a pullover shirt that opened at the neck. His dark hair was rumpled, as though he hadn’t slept. “I see you are taking your sustenance on the go.” He held a leather-bound book in his hands and was standing near another large desk.

“I hope that’s acceptable.” Lucy suddenly felt very foolish. She should’ve eaten in her rooms. 

“Of course, but before you touch the pages, why don’t you finish. Beth will fetch you a napkin and some preserves if you’d like.”

Lucy realized how thoughtless she’d been. A library full of books wasn’t the place to consume buttery, crumbling toast. She hadn’t thought about more than seeing Will as soon as possible. “I am so sorry. I can leave.” She went to the door, but the duke stopped her.

“Nonsense. Beth will bring you something and you may eat in peace near the window.” He indicated she sit at a small table in front of the enormous window against the far wall.

“Very good.” She sat, holding the toast over the table, not moving.

Thankfully Beth returned quickly with a new plate and a napkin.

Lucy ate rapidly, sending Beth on her way. “Again, I am so sorry,” she said when she was finished.

“Think on it no more.” Sebastian smiled and she returned it.

“Have you found anything?” She moved to stand next to Will, needing to be close to him.

“Not yet, but I feel like we are close,” Will said.

“Well, I’m here now and am willing to help. Just point me toward the book I should look through first.”

Sebastian pushed one in front of her. She pulled a chair over next to Will and opened the book. Will placed a hand over hers and squeezed. She glanced at him and he winked. Her spirits lifted immediately.

“Tell me what I’m looking for,” she said.

***

For the next few hours they searched the books. Sebastian had advised Lucy and Will to look for any passage that used the word
ilaad
meaning god and
muddo
meaning spell. In the fourth book, Lucy found one such passage. After carefully reading the contents multiple times, Sebastian determined it was the spell they should use.

About that time, Harriet returned with some of Lucy’s things. She had news that Lucy’s mother was thrilled with the idea of a holiday, especially since it meant Lucy and Mr. Rothchild would be spending time together. Harriet also told them that the KPID were stationed all around the duke’s property and that if anyone left with the amulet their people would sense it. She also confessed that she’d agreed to keep an eye on things in here, basically playing a double agent.

“It’s fine with me, Harriet,” Lucy said, hugging her friend. “I’m glad you returned. I don’t think I could do this without you.”

“I couldn’t let you do this alone,” Harriet said.

“Good.”

“So, what have you discovered?” Harriet picked up one of the books.

“We’ve found the spell, Miss Delacorte. Perhaps you’d be willing to help us collect some of the items?” Sebastian gave Harriet a genial smile.

“If you think I can, then I’ll do my best.”

“Excellent.”

“Still, finding the spell seemed too easy.” Lucy sat back and sighed, rubbing her lower back. Her joints were still from sitting in one position for so long. She studied her friend and the duke together. She didn’t like the way he looked at Harriet.

“It’s probably a good thing it was so easy, Miss Channing because some of the ingredients for the spell will be very difficult to find.”

The spell was in a language the duke called Somili, which was derived from the continent of Africa.

“The spell requires the ash of a baobab tree, which is only found in Africa. Retrieving it and returning within the four days—”

“Is impossible,” Will said, standing. He arched his back, stretching.

“It will be difficult, but not impossible.”

“But how? The boat ride alone takes weeks. Perhaps if we were in my time, I could fly there and be back in time, but here, with the limited transportation…” He trailed off, blowing out his breath in frustration.

“Mr. Godwin, we may not have the transportation your time does, but we do have other means of retrieving the ash.” He patted Will on the back. “Why don’t you and Miss Channing have some lunch and then go for a ride while I make some arrangements? My stables are considered top notch and they are at your disposal.”

That sounded wonderful to Lucy. She was famished and could use a break. Will blew out a frustrated breath. He smiled at Lucy, caressing her face gently. “Food and a ride sound awesome.”

“It really does.” She leaned into Will, enjoying the closeness of him.

“Go on then. I’ll keep the duke company and help him make a list of the items we need to collect.” Harriet shooed the Lucy and Will from the room.

Lucy heard the duke say, “My dear draga, now that I have you alone, what shall I do with you?”