Tessa led the way to the parking garage and to a waiting car. She thanked the valet and got in the driver’s seat. Braeden stood there unsure of what to do. To this point, every time they’d gone anywhere they’d gone in the limo. He cautiously got into the front seat next to Tessa, who greeted him with a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry. I’ve been driving since I was sixteen. You might want to put your seatbelt on though.” She reached across him and grabbed something which she clicked in place, effectively trapping him against the seat. She pulled out of the garage and onto Las Vegas Boulevard. The traffic was heavy and slow.

  “We’re going to take the next major street and use the backroads. Too much traffic.” She skillfully maneuvered her way through the traffic and around the other cars. Braeden was impressed with her ability to drive. He wanted to learn this skill.

  “Tessa, can ye teach me to do this?”

  “I can. You’d like to learn, huh?” She didn’t take her eyes from the road as she spoke with him. Her powers of concentration were admirable. Before long they were out of the crowds and onto a darkened street, devoid of cars. They drove for a while before they came to the pink stucco building with the massive white columns. “We’re here.” Tessa parked the car and they sat in silence, not sure what to do. “We should probably go in. Are you ready for this?”

  “Aye. I’ve me sword and me dirk is hidden in me boots.”

  “Let’s go then.” Tessa opened the door and stepped out and Braeden hurried to do the same, but couldn’t figure out how to release the seat belt. Voices behind the car had him frantic to release himself. He could hear Tessa’s voice raised in anger. He had to get out. Not knowing what else to do, he removed his dirk and cut his way through the belt that held him in. Finally able to extricate himself from the car, he watched as two men led Tessa away. He followed silently, knowing that it was important to remain free if he was to help Tessa and Bobby. The men led Tessa up the stairs and into the Society building, closing the doors behind them.

  Braeden stood listening at the door, but he couldn’t hear a thing. He tried the door handle, but it didn’t budge. It must be locked from the inside. He carefully made his way around to the side of the building in search of another door or an open window that he could crawl through. Luck didn’t seem to be with him, but he continued on to the back of the building where he saw Margaret Camden exit. She didn’t see him as he ducked behind some trash bins. As he watched, she swung the door to shut it, but it remained ajar as she headed across the back lot to her car. He waited while she drove away. He’d been right about Margaret from the start. He was a good judge of character and there was something about her that hadn’t sat right with him from the moment he first met her. He’d shared his concerns with John and knew that they were keeping an eye on her at The Albannach. When she was out of sight, Braeden took that opportunity to hurry silently into the building.

  Once inside, he wasn’t sure where to go, so he stopped and listened. The sounds of voices drew him to a room off to his right. Niall’s drawing room. Reaching the door, he stood outside and listened once again. This time he could hear Niall Campbell speaking. Bobby’s voice rose and he heard Tessa cry out. Not waiting for an invitation, Braeden flung the door open and entered, sword in hand and ready to take on anyone who came between him and Tessa.

  “Mr. MacDonald, we were waiting for ye. I was just asking Tessa where ye were. I assumed ye’d be along shortly considering that ye’ve been following her everywhere since yer arrival.” Niall had a wand of some sort pointed at Bobby, who sat tied to a chair. “Ye’re just the person I wanted to see. Ye have something I want and I think ye’ll give it to me.”

  “Why would ye think I’d give ye anything, Campbell?”

  “Because if ye don’t, our friends Bobby and Tessa will come to an untimely end. Ye wouldn’t want that now would ye?”

  Braeden’s jaw muscles clenched and unclenched as anger welled up inside of him. He knew better than to give in to it. He could defeat Campbell. He only need wait for the right moment.

  Niall Campbell shoved Tessa towards Bobby, who sat helplessly in the chair. His arms and hands were bound so that he was unable to cast any magick to help them.

  “Yer sword will be of no use against my magick, so ye see ye have little choice but to cooperate with me.”

  Braeden moved to Tessa and Bobby. “Don’t give it to him.” Tessa was adamant and Bobby nodded in agreement.

  “If you give it to him, we’ll all be doomed anyway. He’ll see to it that none of us are around to stop him from what he wishes to do.”

  “I asked ye once before and I’m asking ye again. What do ye want with the watch?” Braeden wasn’t afraid of this sorcerer. He’d outsmart him yet.

  “It will be most beneficial to me in my endeavors here in Las Vegas. I plan to use it to stop time and to rob as many casinos as possible before escaping to a safe destination where I can live in luxury for all of my days.”

  “Ye ken it can only be used once every twelve years. I just used it on my journey to this time. It will do ye no good.”

  “I know that, but what kind of sorcerer would I be if I couldn’t get it to work.”

  “A poor excuse for one, I say.” Bobby was obviously trying to antagonize him.

  Niall ignored him. “If nothing else, I can still stop time with it, which will allow me to rob the casinos. I’m especially interested in the vault at The Albannach.”

  “Niall, you have no idea what will happen if you open that watch.” Bobby eyed Braeden as he moved closer.

  “Well, if ye know, perhaps ye’ll tell me.” Niall walked towards Bobby, waving his wand in his face.

  “You’d be the last person I’d tell,” Bobby snapped.

  Niall laughed and turned back to Braeden. “Give me the watch, MacDonald or ye’ll watch these two die.”

  Braeden had a plan in mind and he hoped that it would work, because if it didn’t he would surely end up dead, as would Tessa and Bobby. He could hear Bobby’s voice in his head, instructing him.

  “Fine. Ye win. If ye wish to have the watch, I’ll happily hand it over to ye, if ye promise me you’ll let Tessa and Bobby live. Ye can kill me. I dinnae care. By all rights, I should be dead right now anyway.”

  “No.” Tessa cried out. “Braeden don’t give it to him.”

  Niall smugly mulled this over. Braeden knew that no matter what Niall agreed to, he was not planning to let any of them live.

  “Alright. Ye’ve got a deal. Now the watch, if ye don’t mind.” He held out his hand to receive it.

  Braeden moved as close as possible to Bobby and Tessa. Tessa moved closer and Braeden leaned down to kiss her cheek. As he did he whispered, “Hold on to me and don’t let go.” He reached one hand in his sporran, catching Niall’s attention as he removed the watch and the other hand clasped onto Bobby while Tessa latched onto the same arm. He held the watch close to his chest before opening it and freezing time. He couldn’t believe he’d actually done it.

  The shocked expression, frozen as it was on Niall’s face, was almost comical.

  “It worked,” Tessa shouted. “Now what.”

  “This is only going to hold them for a very brief time. As soon as ye close the watch time will start up where it left off. Untie me, please.” Bobby continued speaking as they worked on his bonds. They were too difficult to untie, so Braeden used his dirk to cut through them.

  “We’ll need to get away for some time. We can go back to yer time, Braeden. There we can plan our next move.”

  “But the watch willnae work, Bobby.”

  “It will. I’ve got just the spell to get the hands to move all the way around the face, allowing us to travel.”

  “Okay. Let’s do it.” Tessa said. Her adventurous spirit was one of the things Braeden loved about her.

  While Braeden and Tessa waited, Bobby invoked his incantation. They were mesmerized as they watched the hands of the dial make their way from one to twelve.

  “There. It’s done.” From the looks of him, Bobby was quite proud of himself, as well he should be. “Close the watch and get ready to make your wish, Braeden. Let’s all hold on to each other. They stood in a circle, holding each other as Braeden closed the watch and Niall and his associates came back to life.

  Anger flared in Niall’s eyes as he noted the three standing together. “Get them,” he shouted.

  Before anyone could move, Braeden wished to go back to his home and his Grannie.

  Niall tried once more to stop them, but this time he used new bait. “Yerr mother will be so disappointed to have missed ye, Braeden.”

  Those were the last words that Braeden heard as the three of them cascaded through time, everything going black as they headed on their way to Scotland and his Grannie.

  Chapter 19

  “Braeden, wake up!” The sound of his Grannie’s voice reached him, pulling him from the deep sleep he found himself in. Had this all been a dream? What of Tessa? And Bobby?

  “Grannie,” he croaked as he opened his eyes to see her concerned face staring down at him.

  “Is he awake?” Was that Tessa he heard? He lifted his head and saw her smiling face. He could have wept with relief, but he kept his emotions in check.

  “It looks like he is.” Bobby stood close by Tessa’s side.

  He’d done it. He’d managed to transport the three of them from Las Vegas to Scotland and no one seemed the worse for wear, except him. He had a nasty headache, which must have been the result of their travel. The first time he’d gone alone and he’d arrived in Las Vegas unscathed. This time he hadn’t been quite as fortunate. He must have hit his head when they arrived, which would account for the fact that he had somehow passed out.

  “Is everyone well?” He asked, although from what he could see, they were.

  “Braeden, why are ye back? And why did ye bring these poor folks with ye?” If his Grannie was surprised to see him, she was doing a very good job of hiding it.

  “’Tis a long story, Grannie. They were in danger from a man who wants my watch.” Braeden stood and shook the cobwebs from his brain. He hadn’t thought this cottage small before, but now, after being in Las Vegas, he realized how wee it really was.

  “Nae for good reasons I imagine.” Esther move through the tiny room with ease and headed to her kitchen.

  “Nae.” Braeden confirmed her suspicions.

  “I’ll fix us all some food and ye can tell me all about the meadows. That is where ye went, aye?” She gathered plates, utensils and cups as she spoke.

  “Aye. ’Tis. Though there be no meadows there.”

  “Is that the truth?” She stopped what she was doing on hearing this—her eyes were wide and her mouth agape.

  “Aye. Ye would never believe it if I were to tell ye of this wondrous place I’ve been.”

  “Can I help you with anything?” Bobby asked.

  “Nae. Sit where ye are and rest. I can tell ye’ve all been through a terrible ordeal.” Esther set everything on the table and then headed back to the kitchen.

  “Grannie, I fear to ask, but what happened after I left?” He noted his grandmother had lost weight and her clothes while clean, were torn and tattered. She always prided herself on looking her best.

  “Ye saw the worst of it, Braeden. The only one’s left were the few who managed to escape. They killed everyone else. ’Tis been a long cold winter that’s nae done yet, many have died. Frozen because they had no where to go and only the clothes on their back.”

  Braeden was saddened to hear it. He knew it wouldnae be good news he’d hear, but he had hoped that some miracle perhaps had occurred to save them after he’d departed. He’d only been gone a short time, but somehow time in 1692 had moved more quickly and his Grannie had endured much hardship during the winter months since he’d been gone.

  “I’m so sorry,” Tessa said as she rose to console Braeden. “I’m thankful that you managed to escape.”

  “I should have stayed and fought.” Braeden finally allowed himself to feel all the overwhelming fear, sadness and confusion he’d been bottling up since that fateful day. His shoulders slumped and he hung his head, feeling shamed that he’d run away.

  Standing behind him, Tessa wrapped her arms around him, giving him the love and support he needed so very much in that moment.

  “Ye would’ve been killed, son. There was no point to that. I watched as the Campbell’s came towards you and I saw you melt away before their eyes.” Grannie was busily cutting up some cheese and bread, pouring ale into wooden cups for them to drink and placing what appeared to be scones on the plate. “I would’ve laughed if it had occurred at any other time. I believe they were quite addled by it, as they all ran screaming from the sight.”

  “You were nearby then?” Braeden lifted his head and perked up at this news. “Aye. I had hidden behind some brush amidst the trees. They didnae see me and they were gone so quickly, it was as if they too had disappeared. I was happy you managed to get away. Your father wanted you to go to the meadows. He told me it was important.”

  “Braeden, do you know what Niall was talking about when we left? He said something about seeing your mother.” Tessa moved to his side and gazed up at him.

  “My mother is dead, isnae that true Grannie?”

  “I thought ’twas. She had gone with yer Da to this place called the meadows. They left you with me, fearing that the travel would be too dangerous. I thought they’d return for ye as soon as they could, but I didnae see my daughter again.” Sadness tinged Esther’s voice. “Yer Da returned about twelve years later without her. She was my only girl, ye ken. Yer Da was quite ill when he returned. He didnae wish for ye to see him that way. He was talking gibberish most of the time. He gave me the watch with instructions to give it to ye when the massacre occurred. I didnae ken his meaning. He couldn’t explain, he was so close to death and he faded in and out. He said ye should wish to see yer mother, or possibly he wished ye could see yer mother. I wasnae too sure. His voice was low and barely audible. I asked him if she was dead, and I thought he said yes, but then he took a violent fit of coughing and when he was able to speak again, his last words to me were for ye to wish to go to the meadows. He no sooner got the words out than he passed.” Esther was close to tears now and Braeden went to her, enfolding her in his arms. This woman who had loved and cared for him all his life had suffered greatly. He only hoped he could make it up to her.

  “So ’tis possible my mother is still alive and in Las Vegas?” The words escaped his lips on a hopeful whisper.

  “Las Vegas?” Esther dried her eyes and tipped her head in question.

  “The meadows, Grannie,” Braeden answered. “I didnae see her. How was I to find her? I didnae even ken she could be there.”

  “Braeden, calm yerself. I’m sorry if I didnae make it clear to ye, but ’twas nae clear to me. I didnae ken if my Iona be alive or dead. I didnae wish to get yer hopes up that she was. It all seemed so unbelievable to me. The time travel, the watch. I had nae idea it would even work. Yer Da was out of his mind with sickness when he spoke with me. I thought mayhap he were seeing and hearing things that were nae true.”

  Braeden sank down on his haunches, head in hands. “I’ve got to go back for her. If Niall Campbell has her, who knows what he’ll do to her.”

  Tessa knelt on the floor next to Braeden. “We’ll go back as soon as we can. We’ll find her. Don’t worry.”

  “Aye. We must go back, but I’m afraid if we do, Niall will be waiting for us and we may all end up dead at his hands.” Braeden stood and paced back and forth in the tiny room. Two steps one way and two steps the other.

  “I’m not so worried about his hands. It’s his magick that we should fear,” Bobby said. “Esther, allow me.” He took the plates of food from Braeden’s grandmother and set them on the table.

  “I’m sorry. ’Tis all I have to offer ye.” They all took their seats and waited for Esther to join them before digging in.

  “A good plan is what ye need.” Grannie passed the plates of food around. “Nothing important was ever accomplished without one.”

  “We’re going back, but you’re coming with us, Esther.” Tessa was about to take a tentative bite of the tiny scone that Esther had set before her.

  “Ye’ll be needing some fresh butter and honey for that. I dinnae have much, but I’ll share the last of my larder with ye.” She handed them to Tessa, who slathered the scone with both. “I dinnae think this time travel is fer me. I’ll stay here in me own home.”

  “Mmm… that’s the most delicious scone I’ve ever had.” Tessa’s eyes were alight as she licked the honey from her lips.

  “Grannie is the best baker in all of Scotland,” Braeden proudly stated.

  “I dinnae ken the rest of Scotland but at least in Glencoe, Braeden.”

  “We need someone at The Albannach who can bake scones like these,” Tessa said. “We’d love to have you, Esther.

  “We’ve more important things to discuss. As I’ve said, we must come up with a plan.” Esther obviously didn’t wish to talk about it.

  “We can go back the same way we came. I would hope that we wouldnae end up at The Magick Society, but at The Albannach.” Braeden stated between the final sips of ale that Esther had just pored for them.

  “The Albannach, what is this ye speak of?”

  “It’s my father’s casino and resort,” Tessa answered.

  Esther nodded. She appeared resigned to the confusion of all this talk. “You’ll see it when we get back,” Bobby said.

  “Oh, I don’t believe I can go anywhere with you.” Esther vigorously shook her head.