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

She had the idea he was as uncomfortable with emotional displays as she was. The walk down the Archives hallway had been silent, and when they stopped at a plain mirror, Alistair had patted her on the shoulder. Good luck.
    At least he tried. Rafe hadn’t even followed them. Leaving a silent Alistair behind, she stepped through the glowing mirror, trying not to wish Rafe had been there to make her laugh. To make her feel better.
    And now, she stood alone in the field. Walking around the door with a low whistle, she tried to accept what she was seeing. It was just a door. Free-standing, no walls, nothing behind it. Just a wooden frame. How do I know which side is the front? Her nervous laugh was carried off by the gentle wind.
    She circled back to the front—or what she thought was the front. It at least had a doorknob. Thank God for one piece of normalcy. Through the doorway, Alistair confided, would be a test custom created for her—one to test her mind and to reveal her gift. He wasn’t sure who created it or how it worked. He only knew the room contained a sentience of its own. It would be able to see inside her, analyze her thoughts and desires, and use them against her.
    Shivering, she fought the crazy urge to whisper a plea to the door. The room could use her dreams if it wanted material to test her. They were terrifying enough.
    Squaring her shoulders, Gwen eased the key into the lock, freezing when it unlocked with an innocent click. She shrieked as a presence materialized next to her.
    Rounding on the person, she shoved at Rafe. “Damn it, are you trying to give me a heart attack?” Gwen expected him to make a joke delivered with an arrogant smirk, but he stayed serious. And silent.
    It made her even more nervous. “What is it?”
    “I can’t tell you what you will face in that room, Gwen. It’s different for everyone. But it’ll use whatever it can against you to make you give up. Don’t quit, okay? You can’t. For all of Alistair’s pretended indifference, for all of my wondrous attempts at humor …” Here there was the slightest self-deprecating quirk of the lips, “… you can’t quit.”
    Gwen rubbed her sweaty palms on the legs of her jeans. “What did it use against you?”
    His eyes grew unfocused. “Fear. It used fear.”
    She swallowed. “Is it worth it?”
    “Part of me wishes I could tell you to walk away.” He made a frustrated sound and grabbed her by the shoulders so that she turned to face him. “There is something to be said about a normal and simple life. But has your life ever been normal? Ever been simple? If that’s what you want, turn around and walk away. I’ll even tell Alistair for you.”
    His hold tightened. “If you want more? I can’t promise it’ll be easy or simple. But worth it?” He paused and his gaze burned. “Hell yeah, it’s worth it.”
    “Well then,” Gwen said, “see you on the other side.”
    He smiled, squeezing her shoulders one last time before releasing her. “If you’re very good, I’ll buy you an ice cream.”
    “Oh, I’m always good.” Managing a laugh, she tried to focus on Rafe’s smile and not the concern in his eyes.

CHAPTER NINE
    T HE FIRST THING TO register was the darkness. Gwen struggled against the instinct to panic. Squeezing her eyes shut, she thought of Rafe’s last words. The room would try to use fear against her. So far, it’s working.
    Trying to slow her heartbeat, she focused on her breathing. Air in, air out. It was a battle, but she started to calm down. Without the thundering beat in her ears, she could think. A gentle breeze buffeted against her face bringing with it the sound of dripping water.
    You can do this, Conway. She opened her eyes. Either her sight had adjusted or the space had gotten lighter. A narrow stone pathway stretched out in front of her flanked on both sides by rough-hewn walls. She touched one, her hand coming away damp and gritty.
    Rubbing her fingertips together, she took in the view