Free Revolution in Time (Out of Time #10) by Monique Martin Page B

he felt Wells move a little closer.
    It had only been a few hours. “How do you know that?”  
    Hawkins clasped his hands in front him. “It’s our job to know, isn’t it? Past, present, future. It’s a tragedy, but—”
    Simon strode toward him, but the big meaty hand of the guard on his chest stopped him in mid-step. The tethers to Simon’s emotions frayed by the second. He struggled to keep control of them. As much as he hated the Council, as much as he wanted to wipe that sanctimonious expression off Hawkins’ face, he needed them both.
    Simon took a breath. “This can be fixed. Isn’t that what the Council does?”
    Hawkins bowed his head in agreement. “It is.” He arched an eyebrow. “This, however unfortunate, was meant to be, I’m afraid.”
    Simon shook his head and refused to even consider the possibility. “No. You’re lying.”
    “I wish I were. Sincerely.”
    Suddenly, a horrible thought occurred to Simon, and he wondered why he hadn’t considered it before. “Did you do this?”
    Hawkins frowned and Simon took a small step closer.
    He’d never trusted the Council. “Did you kill her?”
    “No.”  
    Simon turned to see Travers and the other guard. His face was white and drawn as he approached.  
    “I’m so sorry.”
    Simon felt off-balance, his head swam with anger and fear.  
    “It was a horrible, horrible accident,” Travers said. “Gas, they said.”
    “Then turn on the watches, let me go back. Let me undo this.” It was half plea, half demand.
    Travers looked at him sadly, his eyes bright with emotion. His voice broke some as he spoke. “Some things cannot be undone.”
    Simon shook his head. “No.”
    “I’m so sorry.”
    He reached out to put a comforting hand on Simon’s arm, but Simon shrugged him off. “Stop being sorry and turn on the damn watch.”
    Travers looked to Wells for help, understanding. “If I could …”
    Simon shook his head. They were not going to stop him. He had a way to save her in the palm of his hand. He was going to use it.  
    He started toward the chamber, but the guard blocked his path.
    “Get out. Of. My way.”
    “Mr. Cross, please,” Hawkins said.
    “Get out. Of my way.”
    The guard didn’t budge, and Simon threw a quick punch that landed squarely on his jaw. He stumbled back and Simon rushed forward. The other guard grabbed him from behind.
    “Simon!” Jack called out as the two struggled.
    “Let go of me!”
    Simon spun around and hit the second guard, but he didn’t go down. He grabbed onto Simon’s other arm, knocking the watch out of his hand. It fell to the floor.
    Simon shoved the guard out of the way and tried to escape down the hall. He would use the chamber without it. He would stay back in time forever if he could be with her.
    He’d barely gone two steps when they grabbed him. One of them wrapped their arm around his neck. Simon clawed at his arm as it pressed against his windpipe. He had to get to her.
    He pulled at the guard’s arm with all of his might, but it wasn’t enough. The darkness came slowly and then, finally, it swallowed him whole.

Chapter Nine

    H ER BRAIN HURT . A S she slowly came awake, Elizabeth realized her whole body hurt a little. It felt stiff and tired. What had happened?
    Was she hurt? She pressed her hand to her stomach and tried to clear her mind, to think of nothing but the baby. Her heart raced then slowed as she realized she was okay and Charlotte was all right.
    She pushed out a relieved breath and opened her eyes. Her head swam as she tried to make sense of things.
    Where was she?
    The last thing she remembered was being in the cabin waiting for Jack and Simon to get back from the market. There’d been a noise upstairs and she’d gone to investigate. Something had fallen off a small bookcase near the window. The wind must have blown the curtain against it and knocked it off. She hadn’t remembered opening the window, but maybe Simon had.  
    Simon. She sat up, looking