Page 49 of Killing Time

Clearly, Ruby McAllister didn’t miss a trick. No wonder in the future she’d led the clan for so many long, long years.

Yes,he replied.I was lost in time with a woman named Devynn Rowe, another witch. Time travel is her power.

But you’re in 1947. Did you come here to rescue me?

He wished it was that simple. Since he didn’t think it would be a very good idea to confess that the main reason she’d been kidnapped at all was because he and Devynn had distracted the elders and the rest of the clan, he tried to answer as obliquely as he could.

We were trying to figure out where Jasper had hidden you, yes,he said.But honestly, our coming to La Posada today wasn’t on purpose. I suppose we just…got lucky.

I think it was something more than luck,Ruby told him, and although her inner voice was youthful enough, something crisp about it made him think of theprimashe’d one day become, the woman who’d been at the head of her clan for almost six decades.But I suppose we can worry about that later.

Is anyone with you?Seth asked, figuring the most important thing to learn was whether she’d been left alone or whether Jasper had made sure to keep a guard with her at all times.

Not at the moment. This room is positively thick with spells — nothing I’ve tried has even begun to break them down.She stopped there, and when she spoke again, her voice sounded much younger, like the barely more than a girl she actually was.Jasper Wilcox…he frightens me.

Me, too,Seth thought, although he knew their situations weren’t remotely the same. While the Wilcoxprimusmight visit some kind of magical mayhem upon him in retaliation for interfering with his schemes, it wasn’t anything close to the terrible knowledge Ruby must possess, that Jasper would force himself upon her at the dark of the moon unless they came up with some way to intervene.

Someone comes at night, though,Ruby went on, and now her mental voice sounded a little stronger.It’s been two different people, though. The first night, it was a man just as black-haired as Jasper, but this past night, it was a woman. They were both very powerful, though.

Of course they were.Do the people at the hotel know you’re in there?

I don’t think so,Ruby replied.But it’s hard to say, because Jasper put some kind of enchantment on me that made meunconscious. I woke up here with no idea of how I’d gotten in this room. There hasn’t been a maid or room service, either.

This story made Seth think that someone else in the Wilcox clan must have his same gift of translocation and that they’d blinked Ruby right into that hotel room to avoid any scrutiny by the management at La Posada. Convenient, sure. But if the place was as protected as she’d said, then he had no idea how in the world they were ever going to get her out again.

Are you all right otherwise? Are you being fed properly? Is the room comfortable?

Something that sounded like a chuckle sounded in Seth’s ears.I don’t know if this is the fanciest room here, but if it’s not, it must be close. There’s a fireplace and a sitting area, and the person who’s assigned to watch me goes downstairs and brings up a tray at mealtimes. I’m not starving, that’s for certain.

Well, it sounded as if her prison was a fairly luxurious one. But then, why would Jasper do anything to mistreat her? Seth was sure theprimuswanted to make Ruby feel like a pampered guest rather than a woman being held against her will.

As to why she was being kept here, rather than at any one of a number of Wilcox properties, the simplest answer was probably the right one.

Because this was the last place anyone would look.

Still….

Do you think they’re going to keep you here until the dark of the moon?he asked next.I know you were at the cabin first.

You do?she responded, that inner voice now surprised.

Yes, Devynn and I went there yesterday,he said.Adam Wilcox told us you’d been there for one night but were moved.

You spoke with Adam? And he helped you?

Is there any reason why he shouldn’t have?

Another of those mental chuckles.Other than he’s a Wilcox? But no,she went on, not allowing Seth to answer the question,he has kind eyes. He doesn’t seem like the others. So I suppose I can see where he might want to do something to help.

No mention as to whether she’d noticed he seemed to be a little soft on her, and Seth knew he wouldn’t bring up the subject.

At any rate,she said, mental voice now brisk again,I haven’t heard anyone talking about moving me from here — not that I would really expect them to say such things in front of me. But I have a feeling that I was taken to the cabin first because they were still deciding where to keep me permanently, and the place seemed isolated enough that I doubt many people even know it’s there.

That was for sure.

Then it seems as if this is where they mean to keep you until the dark of the moon,he said.Sometime on that day, I assume they’ll move you to Jasper Wilcox’s home where the ceremony will take place.

How do you know that?

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