Blood in the Fire

Chapter Seventeen Brothers' Watch

Earth — June 1981

Elizabeth

The TV playing softly in the living room penetrated my dreams and pulled me out of a heavy sleep. I didn't want to open my eyes. Instead, I lay there and tried to decide how the situation with Melissa should be handled.

Melissa was my counterpart in the twenty-ninth century: a time period well beyond any that I was allowed to visit. A few days ago, she and I, along with other Darks, had worked in unison with wizards to cast a spell regulating time travel: the Timelaws. The Timelaws allowed agents like myself and the wizards to make short jumps into the past or future. It's what had allowed me and my brothers to visit the twenty-second century to rescue Eln. But that was as far as we were allowed to go. The rules were intricate and complicated, but talking to Mellissa was a clear violation. My meeting with her had only been possible once because the Timelaws were inactive. With that no longer the case, it could never happen again. 

And yet, I had to find a way. Melissa had tried to write some extra lines into the Timelaws spell and I had stopped her. What I didn't know at the time, but now suspected, was that the wizards had, in fact, added to the incantation.

Because we had won a battle against them, their addendum to the Timelaws shouldn't matter. But only if we won. The only way to ensure our victory was to tell Melissa what would happen at that battle. It was a loop of sorts. I would have to tell her about the wizards' plan so that she could tell the past me. Then my past self would work with her to stop them. It was one of the many possible timelines I had glimpsed as they swam through my head while the Timelaws were inactive.  

I concentrated on remembering the details of the incantation, but my thoughts were confused and my memory was clouded by false images from my dreams. It was hard to think. I was tired and nauseous. A headache didn't help much either.

Finally, I gave up trying to work through a solution and opened my eyes. Mark was sitting on the bed next to me, reading a book, and Luke was asleep on the armchair in the living room. I could see him through the door.

Mark let his book fall to his lap when he saw me stir. It didn't seem like he'd bookmarked the page he was on. "I didn't notice you come in," I said weakly. "Why aren't you watching TV with Luke?" I don't think I had ever seen Mark pick up a book unless it was something he had to read for school.

Mark smiled. "I've been in here since this afternoon," he said. I didn't want Mark next to me. I wasn't sure how contagious wizard flu was. "Thought maybe this book might help me get some sleep," he continued. It must be one of Luke's.

"Why can't you sleep?" I asked, not quite thinking straight. Then, after a pause, I added, "what time is it?"

"About three in the morning," Mark replied, ignoring my first question.

"Hmmmm..." I mumbled with my eyes closed. I hadn't realized I'd been asleep so long. "Luke should be in bed, doesn't he have work in the morning?" Actually, I thought you had to babysit in the morning too? I thought, too lazy to ask.

Mark put his hand on my forehead as he replied, "No one's going to work with you sick and delirious."

"Delirious? I just have the flu, that's all." Mark's hand felt nice and cool, but it gave me a chill and I wished they'd turn up the heat. Since when is it so cold in here?

"You woke up a couple of times, mostly spouting things in that language," Mark explained. "I guess your translation voodoo must have worn off..." He paused then asked, "you don't remember waking up?"

I shook my head and wished I hadn't when it made me more nauseous. I took a moment to control my stomach's bubbling and then opened my eyes to look at Luke sprawled on the armchair. "He's not taking this magic thing so well is he?" I asked, knowing the answer. Please tell me he had an epiphany while I was asleep and realized the perks of having a sorceress in the family. Mark's expression told me I had no such luck.