“I seriously, seriously hate your skill.” A student dashed past us, nabbed his bike from the bike bay and rode through the gate.
“Every decision we make can alter the course of our future. It’s always in flux, but to fix what’s coming, I need you. Please.” She squeezed my arm. “Let’s work together.”
I couldn’t let Faith down, not with this massive problem on the horizon. Even with Dralion involved, I had to do what I could. “Hope has to be brought into the loop. I can’t leave her out of this since your forewarning involves both of you.”
“I don’t want to leave her out of it either. I’ll take you to her in the outback, but you’ll have to keep a low profile. Warriors ’port in and out of Wincrest Station.” The station was one of Dralion’s off-world ventures. Faith had been raised here in New Zealand with her mother, and Hope in both Dralion and their Australian holding.
“That’s all right. I’ll simply be your friend from Earth.”
“That’ll work. Let me check exactly where she is.” Her eyes glazed as she focused with her forethought. It was such a rare skill, one only held by the two ruling families of Magio. It was also the skill which had begun our world’s war a thousand years ago, and still wreaked havoc today. “Found her. She’s in the yard near the corral.”
“So, we’re good to go?”
“Yes, I’ll ’port us from behind one of the furthest trees.” Her gaze cleared, and the deep Wincrest violet denoting her strong line shone through.
“Sounds good.” The coach blew his whistle and the football team jogged to the bright blue changing rooms off the gym. Most of the students had gone home, and only a few stragglers remained near the bus bay. “On a brighter note, I’ve always wanted to visit the outback.”
“I doubt you wanted to visit it like this.”
“Try never, but I can deal.”
“That’s why I love you, Silvie.”
“Oh, so now you’re trying to butter me up?”
“Yep.” She tugged me to the tree she favored with its wide trunk. “Because the place is in drought, and it’s hot enough to melt the soles of your shoes if you stand in one place for too long.”
“Don’t worry. I love a hot day.” I squeezed her hand. “I’ll be careful.”
“You’re the best friend I could ever have.” She hugged me, and then everything darkened as she ’ported us, as she made the jump through time and space.
We arrived in the blinding sunshine. Oh yeah. Heat. Beautiful.
“Wow, it’s hotter than hot.” She fanned her face. “Do you see Hope? She was right here.”
“Not yet.” I peered between the wooden beamed rails of the horse corral. A stallion pranced within, kicking up red dust as he snorted. “She’s not in there, and that horse looks ready to bolt.”
“Maybe she went to get him something. If she did, she’ll be that way.” She tilted her head toward a long run of white weatherboard stables.
Following her, I jammed one loose tail of my red t-shirt into my denim cutoffs. At least my Earth clothing should pass initial inspection. Warriors usually wore battle leathers, the same as my country’s elite protectors. “Donaldo Wincrest never comes here, right?”
“You’re safe. It’s just Goldie and Hope who run this place. They were raised together and spent half their lives here.”
We stepped through the open doors and into a wide central holding room. On one wall, hooks held saddles and tack. I stroked one of the long reins, polished to perfection. On the opposite wall, square bales of hay had been stacked to the ceiling, a dozen high and a good twenty bales wide. Hmm, nothing here so far to worry— Nope. At the back of the stables, perched on a wooden stool before a workbench, a man gripped a silver stirrup which glowed red on one end. He was heating the object, and without fire.
A warrior. He must be one of Dralion’s highly skilled.
Someone from Peacio would be dubious, but I had to act the part of an Earthling. I couldn’t show any fear. I stepped closer.
Black hair fell forward over his brow, his hair so silky it shone midnight blue on the ends.
He jerked around, his gaze landing on me.
I kept my composure. “Hey.”
“Who are you?” He stood, his impressive height a good hand over six feet. He would tower over me by a foot. I should be intimidated, but oh, what broad shoulders. His white shirt stretched tight over his chest, and dark leather pants cupped his butt to perfection. His sword, belted low on his right hip, brushed the dusty floorboards.
What? Why was I ogling the enemy? Get it together.
“Ah, I’m Silvie, a friend of Faith’s.”
His eyes were to die for. Stunning silver, displaying his strongly skilled line, swirled around the edges of his pale blue eyes. An enchanter.
“No! This can’t be happening.” He gripped the hilt of his sword, and his nostrils flared. “You should never have come.” What was he talking about?