Timelines and Tangled Hearts

Chapter 6: When in Rome, Don't Get Arrested

*****

The next time Ava flipped the hourglass, the crystals swirled into a glowing whirlwind—and once again, the world shifted beneath their feet.

When the light faded, they found themselves in the middle of a Roman arena, surrounded by cheering crowds.

Ava dusted herself off. "Well, this is a step up from Victorian London."

"Yeah," William muttered. "Except for the part where we're about to be eaten by lions."

Sure enough, a gate creaked open, and two massive lions padded into the arena, their golden eyes fixed on the group.

"RUN!" Henry shouted, already sprinting toward the nearest exit.

Isabella yanked Ava by the hand, and William scrambled after them. They ducked under a low arch just as the lions lunged, narrowly avoiding becoming dinner.

Panting, Ava leaned against the wall. "Next time we time travel, we should aim for less carnivorous company."

"Agreed," William said, trying to catch his breath. "What's next—dinosaurs?"

Ava shot him a look. "Don't jinx it."

The group bolted through the winding corridors beneath the arena, the roars of the lions echoing behind them.

"Where exactly are we running to?" William called out, panting.

"Anywhere that's not lion territory!" Isabella shouted over her shoulder, grinning like she was enjoying the chaos a little too much.

They skidded around a corner and ran headlong into a group of Roman soldiers.

"Halt!" one soldier barked, drawing his sword.

"Ah, perfect," William muttered. "Because the lions weren't enough."

Thinking fast, Ava threw her hands in the air. "Uh... we're, uh, foreign dignitaries! On a special visit from... Egypt?"

Henry smacked his forehead. "Really? Egypt?"

"Got a better idea, genius?" Ava hissed.

Before the soldiers could react, Isabella leaned in and whispered urgently, "Trust me on this." Then she stepped forward and gave the soldiers a blinding smile.

"Good sirs!" Isabella said sweetly, batting her eyelashes. "Would you really deny us passage when my poor, delicate brother"—she gestured to William, whose jaw dropped—"is gravely ill with a mysterious ailment?"

William coughed dramatically. "Oh yes. Quite ill. Very contagious. Highly fatal."

The soldiers exchanged uneasy glances and backed away just enough for the group to slip past them.

Ava gave William a playful nudge as they hurried down the corridor. "Nice acting. Think you've got a future in theater?"

"I'd rather stick to time travel, thanks," William grumbled. "Less terrifying."