Free Mirrored Time (A Time Archivist Novel Book 1) by J.D. Faulkner

gifts.”
    “You’re not Greek, are you?”
    His lips twisted into a smirk. “Pardon?”
    “You know, never trust a Greek bearing gifts?” Her eyes glinted.
    “We have a veritable comedian in the Archives this morning.” He held out his hand. “Take the gift, Gwendolyn.”
    Her automatic ‘it’s Gwen’ response died on her lips when she saw the state of his knuckles. Ignoring the small leather bag cradled in his palm, she skimmed her fingertips over his hand. “Are you okay?”
    He tossed the bag to his other hand, examining the bruises. “I can’t imagine where this came from.”
    “I’m serious, Rafe. It looks painful.”
    His gaze met hers.
    Oh man.
    Then he just shrugged, his smile wicked. “It’s just a scratch. It happens, being a rebel-on-the-run-from-the-law man.”
    “You? A rebel?” She raised an eyebrow. “Here I thought you were the paragon of lawfulness?”
    He winked. “There is that. One of my many, many virtues, of course.”
    She snorted in disbelief. “Of course.”
    “None of that. Open your present.” This time he tossed her the bag so she had no choice but to catch it.
    “What is it?” A pause. “Did you steal it?”
    Rafe sighed. “Just open it.”
    She grinned. Inside the bag was a delicate silver chain with two charms hanging from it.
    His smile was crooked, a less confident expression than one he normally wore. “By way of apology, and hopefully a bit of a good luck charm for the test.” He touched each charm in turn. The first displayed a tall woman draped in a toga, blindfolded with a cornucopia in her arms. “This is Roma Fortuna, the goddess of luck.”
    The next charm portrayed a giant of a man with a child on his shoulder and a staff in his hand. “And this is Saint Christopher, the patron saint of travelers. I figure the two of them should be able to keep you safe.”
    “Um … I …”
    The emotion behind his eyes was inscrutable before he patted her on the shoulder. “Relax. It’s just a necklace. Now, put it on like a good little girl and let’s go get this test over with.”
    Gwen trailed after him, but not before slipping the necklace over her head.

    Rafe threw himself into Alistair’s chair and planted his feet on the desktop with a dull thud. Taking in his sprawled position and his scuffed boots, Gwen shook her head.
    “What?” His grin was all innocence.
    She shook her head again. Now that she was in the room, anxiety raced through her blood. “Where’s Alistair?” Her voice came out a little too high. Hello, nerves. I’d almost forgotten you.
    “Lurking somewhere, I’m sure, waiting to make his entrance. Now come in. Don’t be shy.” He patted his thigh. “I saved you a seat.”
    “I’d rather not, thanks.” Her voice was sickly sweet.
    “Suit yourself.” His voice was good-natured. “Obviously, you’ll regret it.”
    She was about to contradict him when Alistair marched into the room. “Out of the chair.” He didn’t spare Rafe a glance. “How are you feeling this morning, Miss Conway?”
    She watched Rafe from under her lashes as he made a big production of moving from the desk chair to lean against the wall. “I’ll survive.”
    “But she won’t survive you dragging out this whole event. Let’s get on with it, old man.”
    Alistair’s eyebrows arched. “As always, you bring so much to the conversation.”
    Rafe bowed.
    “Come along, children, let’s try to get along.” She tried for a teasing tone. Rafe’s jokes had been the perfect distraction. With Alistair now in the room, she was finding it harder to ignore the point of their meeting.
    “You’re right, Miss Conway. I apologize.” Alistair ran his hands over his hair. “Perhaps we can forgo our customary mockery.”
    Rafe gave him a quick nod, prowling around the room like a big cat caged in a too small space.
    “Well.” Alistair cleared his throat, as if he were at a loss on how to begin.
    “The test?”
    “Just so.” He pulled out a small key from