I tiptoed forward into the living room, glancing about my surroundings. I saw a bay window on my right and a tiny kitchen with a small table to my left. The main door to the apartment was directly in front of me. This living space was much more humble than what I would have expected Elder Farrar to live in. Then again, his hair was spelled a different color and he had wiped the memory of his name from his shower partner. He wasn’t living normally during this time, so I needed to be much more careful around him.
I sat silently on the couch, placing my purse on my lap. I was probably lucky he hadn’t killed me immediately. And his reason for living like this was something to ponder—or possibly even ask him—once I was home, in my time.
He didn’t keep me waiting longer than a minute, entering the living room wearing a pair of light-colored jeans and slipping a shirt over his head. His hair was combed but still wet, his feet bare. The Elder rested with his back against the main door, an obvious action to keep me inside, trapping me. He crossed his arms, his golden eyes staring and evaluating me while I sat mute on his couch, doing as he had said.
He rumbled, “You’re either very foolish or very brave, I’ll give you that much.” It wasn’t a question, so my mouth stayed shut. His lips lifted in a small grin. “And you follow directions well.”
Yes, I liked all limbs attached as they were.
He flicked a finger. “You stated you know me in the future?”
“Yes.”
“How did you find me now, in this time?”
My lips pinched. “I’m not sure that’s necessary information.”
He stared a long moment. “How did you get into my apartment?”
“The same way I found you.”
His fingers drummed on his crossed arm. “You’re obviously not here with harmful intent, otherwise you wouldn’t have screamed like that earlier.” His head cocked. “In the simplest way, tell me why you tracked me down.”
My brows lifted at the obvious answer. “I want to go back to my time. To twenty-thirty-five.”
He stared. “And you think I can take you there?”
My brows now puckered in confusion. “Yes.”
He ran a hand over his mouth. Crossed his arms again. “I’m not old enough—powerful enough—to do that yet.”
I froze completely, then I muttered a single word. “What?”
He shook his head, stating slowly, “I can’t do it.” His gaze was steady. “I’m not sure what type of magic brought you back in time, because I sure as hell have never heard of it, but only the most powerful Mages can handle what you’re asking. Only when we’re older can we can jump through time and make it back without killing ourselves or someone we’re transporting.” Again he wiped a hand over his mouth as I blinked at him blindly, hardly able to breathe. “In fact, there’s only one Mage powerful enough who could transport you, and himself, back safely right now.”
I jumped on that, sucking in a deep breath. “Who?”
With gentle patience, he shook his head. “You shouldn’t get your hopes up. You won’t be able to find him unless he wants to be found.” Golden brows puckered, his gaze straying out the bay window while he thought. “Actually, he should have found you. He would have known you weren’t supposed to be here.”
I waved a hand. “I can find him like I found you.”
Clearly disbelieving, he muttered dryly, “I would enjoy watching you try.”
“It would mean you would see how I found you…”
He shrugged a shoulder. “I need to know so others don’t find me the same way.”
I didn’t glance about his place or say anything snarky, still being careful. “Do you give me your word you won’t try to take it from me?”
“You have my word, although, I really have no clue what I’m agreeing to. As I stated, I don’t believe you’re here with harmful intent, so I won’t steal anything from you.”
I eventually agreed. “Deal.” I opened my Core to use my power, and the Primal Diamond still in the form of my nose ring landed in my right palm. “I found you by using this.” I closed my hand after he peered at it with puckered eyebrows, studying it. “All I need is his name.”
Skeptical eyes peered into mine. “I believe you’re going to be dissatisfied with the results. But his name is Elder Harcourt.”
My head cocked, having heard that name a few times. “Thank you.” I placed the diamond to my lips, whispering against it, “Take me to Elder Harcourt.”
And…
Nothing.
No blinding flash of white light.
No change of location.
I blinked down at the diamond. It couldn’t be broken. I had just used it.
I again placed it to my lips, whispering, “Take me to Elder Harcourt.”
And…
Still nothing.
I pulled my hand away from my mouth, staring at the Primal Diamond as I slowly turned terrified. Without thinking, I swiftly opened my Core and tucked the diamond into my secret treasure trove. No matter what, I couldn’t lose the damned thing.
“What are you?” he asked deliberately, having moved on from the fact the diamond hadn’t worked. While I had not. His power pulsed through the room gently, chafing against my frame.