Free Past the Ages: Book Two by Rashelle Workman

them on the floor near the fireplace. It was brick and the soil wouldn’t harm anything there. In bed, she pulled the covers up to her chin and closed her eyes. Her thoughts returned to Will’s kiss before moving on. She went over and over the different things Harriet had said as well as the questions asked and the few answered. Their situation seemed impossible. Had it not been for the mysterious Duke of Vladimir all hope would’ve been lost. The man was strange, and he seemed to have feelings for Harriet. As did Dashel. The idea of her lady’s maid and Dashel becoming a pair seemed highly unlikely when it came to the rules of society. But if she viewed them as two people, they were a great fit, perhaps even perfect for each other. She mulled it over and decided she would do whatever she could to make the match happen.
    At some point she must’ve slept because she dreamed of the glass box the Duke of Vladimir had used to contain the gods. The gold markings on the outside lit up and the box began to shake. She picked it up. Sounds of screaming came from within. Two wraith-like hands came out of the box and took hold of Lucy’s head, pulling her inside.
    “Welcome to Hell, Lucy Channing.” The thick darkness parted and was replaced by a pillar of light. Bastet appeared first, her inky eyes flashing. “What have you done? Where are we?”
    Lucy didn’t know how to respond. Explaining the truth seemed dangerous.
    “Tell us!” Apep shouted as he appeared beside Bastet.
    Even though she didn’t want to, Lucy found herself telling them about the Duke of Vladimir and his druid magic.
    “Locking us inside this box has confined our powers, and if we aren’t released soon the stars will begin to rapidly die off, the moon will get out of rotation, and the Earth will experience extreme events that will end with the world and everything on it destroyed,” Bastet said.
    Lucy turned away, desperate to be free. Bastet had spoken aloud Lucy’s deepest fears. Keeping the gods contained would bring about the end the world. Putting the amulet pieces together would end the world. Once the gods were released, Apep would continue to seek to destroy her and Will. And even if they found a way around that, the KPID would hunt them until they found the pieces. Their predicament seemed hopeless and it filled Lucy with such sadness that when she woke she found she was crying.

 
     
     
    TWELVE
    RESEARCH
     
     
     
    LUCY DEBATED whether to ring the bell or knock on Will’s door and see whether he was awake. She wanted to see him. The clock in the corner said it was after noon. She’d slept too long, wasted too much time.
    She didn’t have to decide because a soft knock came at her door and a young woman with cropped blond hair came in carrying a tray of cooked meat, toast, preserves, and hot chocolate. There was also a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, which surprised and delighted her.
    The girl’s name was Beth. She helped Lucy dress in a sky blue morning dress, brushed out her hair, and pinned it up at the nape of her neck. Wispy tendrils dangled casually mocking her with their rested disposition. It was weird not having Harriet help her.
    “Do you know whether Mr. Godwin is awake yet?”
    “Yes, mum. He’s downstairs in the library with his grace.” She curtsied as she spoke.
    Lucy drank the orange juice and picked up the toast. “Can you show me where the library is?”
    “Right this way.” Beth opened the door.
    Lucy followed the young woman down the stairs and round the corner into another hallway. Before they reached the end, she could hear Will speaking. Her heart sped up at the thought of seeing him.
    “Here you are, mum.” Beth indicated she go in.
    “Thank you.” She entered just as Will and the duke turned.
    Will was seated at an enormous desk, books spread out all around him. Some stacked three and four books deep. He wore a linen shirt, open at the neck. His hair was rumpled in the most exquisite way.