I slapped him hard across the face. But it wasn't that which changed his mind. It was Willie's gun pointed at his temple.
"If you don't do it, I will kill someone you care about." She had never sounded more deadly and more certain.
Gabe did not need any further urging. He took the paper from Cyclops and held Matt's hand as Chronos directed.
"India, hold the watch," Chronos said, placing Matt's lifeless hand over mine, the watch wedged between our palms. "Now both of you, speak the spell."
The room fell silent. Even Payne had stopped moaning.
Gabe read his spell and I recited the extending spell.
Nothing happened. The watch didn't glow.
"Why isn't it working?" Duke barked.
Chronos shrugged. "I don't know. I don't remember the doctor's part, only my own. Try again, but perhaps say the words differently."
"Differently how?" Gabe was shouting. "That's how they're written."
"It is," I said, glancing over the written spell. "But try something different. Anything!"
"Do not fail," Willie said darkly.
Gabe swallowed and tried again. Still there was no glow. We were running out of time! It had been several seconds since Matt's last breath.
"Again!" Willie shouted. "You got to get this right or he'll die!" Her voice pitched high and her accent thickened.
Her accent…
"Say it with an American accent," I told Gabe. "Do it!"
Cyclops leaned over Gabe's shoulder and read the spell, and Gabe mimicked him, word for word, inflection for inflection, in an American accent. I spoke the extending spell. We finished speaking at the same time.
The watch flared with heat and a blinding light hurt my eyes. I clutched the device harder, afraid I'd drop it as the heat surged from the watch up my arm. A purple glow lit up Matt's veins, disappearing beneath his clothes, then up his throat, across his face and into his hair.
His chest expanded. He breathed!
I sobbed.
Someone behind me murmured in wonder.
Gabe touched two fingers lightly to Matt's throat and bent closer to inspect the glowing veins. "My God. I've never seen anything like it. He's alive."
I pressed Matt's hand against the watch to keep it in place. The longer the magic had time to work, the better. Cyclops, Duke and Willie crowded in, despite Chronos ordering them back.
"Matt?" Willie whispered, dashing away the tears dampening her cheeks. "Matt? Can you hear me?"
The hand holding mine twitched. I pressed my lips together to suppress another sob but it escaped anyway.
Matt's eyes cracked open and the purple glow slowly receded until his veins returned to normal. "Don't cry, India," he said softly. "I won't be dying today."
My lower lip trembled. He let go of my hand and reached up and cupped my face. I smiled. He smiled back.
Then I flung myself across him, pinning him to the floor. He laughed softly in my ear.
"It's almost worth dying if this is the reaction I get," he said.
"Don't you dare," Willie scolded him. "Now get off him, India. It's my turn."
I tore myself away and allowed him to sit up, with help from Cyclops. The color had returned to Matt's face and lips, but his body trembled slightly. I could feel it in our linked hands.
A round of hugs followed. Even Chronos hugged him. Then I hugged Chronos. His arms tightened around me and he kissed my cheek.
"Why are you here?" I asked.
"It's a long story. I'll tell you later."
Payne grunted as Brockwell hauled him to his feet. His right leg still bled. "The watch works for him because it belongs to him," Payne said, nodding in understanding. "That's what you weren't telling me, Miss Steele." He indicated his wound. "You have my watch. Use it to heal me."
"No," came a chorus of voices.
"I hope you die from your injuries," Willie spat. "And if you don't, I hope you hang."
"He will," Matt said. "For Bryce's murder."
"And the attempted murders of yourself and Miss Steele," Brockwell added. "You won't be seeing American soil again, Sheriff."
Payne curled his lip in a snarl. "And what of his crimes? Glass has lied to you. He has duped you and others, here and back home, he has committed theft and countless other crimes. Arrest him."
Brockwell pushed him toward the door. "It seems Mr. Glass lied because I wouldn't believe him if he told me about his watch and…magic."
"And do you believe now?" Chronos asked.
"I believe in what I can witness with my own eyes. In light of what I just saw…I suppose I have to. Go on, Payne, move." He marched a limping Payne out just as two constables pounded up the stairs, both puffing hard from exertion.
"What's going on here?" asked one. "We have a report of a gunshot."
"You're a little late," Brockwell said, punching out each consonant. "Help me get this man into custody. He's a slippery cur."
Matt took my hand and squeezed. "Are you all right, India?"
I nodded and blinked up at him, my eyes and heart full. "I am now. I was a little upset before."
"Only a little?"
"British understatement."
"Ah, the famous stiff upper lip." He skimmed the pad of his thumb along my top lip. "It's selfish of me to want you to be devastated over my death," he murmured. "But I find I can't help it."
I smiled. "You're allowed one fault, Matt."
He chuckled and drew my hand to his lips.
Chronos cleared his throat. "I don't expect you to stand for this sentimentality, Willie," he said.
"Matt died," she shot back. "He's allowed to get sentimental. We all are." She threw herself at Matt, flinging her arms around him.
He managed to catch her and steady her, proving he had regained his strength. She could be a fierce little whirlwind when emotion propelled her.
"I think it's time for answers," I said, ready to hear them now that the watch's magic seemed to have worked. Matt had already tucked it back into his hidden pocket. Tomorrow he would purchase another spare from the Masons. I hoped he would never have to use it for anything other than telling the time, but it was a comfort to know it was there as a backup if needed.
"We haven't been properly introduced," Matt said, plucking Willie off and extended his hand to Gabe.
They introduced themselves and I introduced Gabe to the others. "Thank you for saving my life," Matt said. "I know you feel uncomfortable with your role in keeping me alive, but I want to assure you that I'll give you no cause for regret."
Gabe nodded but looked unconvinced. "So what now? Do I return home as if nothing happened?"
"If you like," I said. "If you need anything, we can be found at number sixteen Park Street, Mayfair. You'll always be welcome."
"Always," Matt assured him.
Gabe eyed Willie carefully.
Willie scuffed the toe of her boot on the floor and placed her hands behind her. "I weren't going to really kill someone you loved."
"I'm glad to hear it."
"We'll drive you home," Matt said. "My carriage is waiting."