Page 43 of Captivating Magic

“Ididexist five months ago,” Lo said, confused.

“Yes, but you weren’t at the accident scene. Meaning, I can’t take you to that spot.”

“Hm.” Alastair stroked his lower lip with his thumb while they waited for him to voice his thoughts.

“Jaysus. Spit it out, Al. The kid has to get to bed already,” Castor said.

The faint laugh lines beside Alastair’s sapphire eyes deepened, though he never cracked a smile. “I was rememberinghow your future self delivers messages to your past or present self on occasion. What’s to stop you from doing it again?”

“If you recall, when I do that, my present self tends to pass out. With no one else around, who receives the message?”

Alastair nodded. “Actually, Idoremember. Consider going farther back, to when you and I had lunch.”

“That might do it.” Castor’s thoughtful gaze turned distant, and they remained quiet, allowing him to work through his process.

Lo understood the concept of a Traveler and had been subject to a recounting of the man’s exploits, but he’d never seen him in action. His curiosity was full-blown. What would it be like to manipulate time? To go back to whenever and wherever you’d been to right a wrong? The idea held appeal.

“What does that mean for me?” Ebba asked.

As one, they turned. Her eyes were dull, and her body was semitransparent, allowing Lo to see into the bedroom behind her. Her expenditure of energy had cost her.

“If I die at the scene, I’ll have missed this. All of you.” But she only had eyes for Laszlo, and he grasped her meaning. Today’s events would never have happened, and they’d miss the precious hours they’d shared bonding.

“No one is letting you die, child,” Alastair said, standing and crossing to her. He grasped her hands, infusing her with enough energy to solidify her spirit again.

“Thank you.”

The face she turned up to him was tragic, and Lo’s heart seized. Undoubtedly, his expression reflected the same emotion. Unable to bear the distance, he joined them.

“If we’re meant to be, it will happen, Sweet Ebba,” he said, caressing her cheek. The strength of his desperation was greater than any emotion he’d ever experienced. He had to save her. “I’ll make sure of it. I promise.”

Ebba leaned into his touch,seeking the warmth. “You can’t, Lo. You won’t remember, and neither will I.” Inside, her heart was breaking, an anomaly according to the Aether.

She moved past them and stopped in front of Castor. If this traveling business was dangerous for him, she’d put her foot down. She’d be damned if anyone else would be hurt trying to set this to rights.

“And what do you risk by altering the past, Alex? Is it harmful for you to exist in the same space and time? I’m certain I read or heard a theory that it was.”

“Other than passing out and hitting my head, the effects have been minimal.” He grinned. “What’s a small bump on the ol’ noggin’ between friends?”

She hadn’t known him long, but she’d bet her last dollar the man was seldom serious. “Who doesn’t love a man willing to take one for the team?”

His grin was roguish as he lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles. “See? You get me.”

She laughed. “You’re ridiculous.”

“So we keep telling him,” Alastair said dryly. “He refuses to listen.”

“You’re just jealous she finds me intriguing, Al.”

“Yes, that’s it.” His droll expression also held indulgence.

She’d grown fond of the men in the hours since meeting them. Maybe it was how easy they were to be around. Or perhaps they were the uncles she’d never had. Wouldn’t Castor be salty if he knew she thought of him as a relation instead of lover material? Either way, she couldn’t shake the feeling she would lose something precious if they altered the timeline.

“What is it, Sweet?” Lo lifted his hand, but immediately dropped it.

A glance toward the wall mirror showed her why. Despite the Aether’s energy infusion, it had only lasted mere minutes, and she was fading—fast. “They won’t see or hear me, will they?”

“Papa and I will.” Sabrina pointed to Alastair and Castor. “They won’t.”

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