When All is Null and Void

Chapter Forty-One

Danielle ceased her thrashing and stared at a tall woman with long, ebony hair that curled gently over her back. "Danielle," the woman said. "My name is Lydia Morgan—" she took a breath. "—You won't believe this, but I am you."

+++

It was as if that night had repeated itself all over again. Caleb and Alexander were sent careening through the living room of the house, tumbling stacks of books. "What happened?" Caleb said, blinking stars from his eyes. He'd banged his head on the wall upon landing, and his forearm was bleeding from the sharp edge of a book's cover.

"I don't know," Alexander said. He scanned the room, and his face paled. "Where's Danielle?"

Caleb's entire stomach dropped through the floor. "I was touching her arm. She should be here."

Alexander swore loud enough to jolt Caleb from the stupor settling over him.

Realization struck him. "We left her?" Caleb shouted. "We have to go back!"

When they clasped their hands together, though, nothing happened. Caleb felt the tug on his stomach, but then it released as quickly as it came. He felt it again. And again. Each time with the same result.

"I don't know what's wrong," Alexander said. "My ring won't take us."

"So she's stuck there? Alexander she could die!" Caleb shouted a curse. It wasn't that Caleb doubted Danielle's savvy. A thousand history books detailed the dangers of London's dark streets. Danielle was there—

He was going to vomit.

"It's okay," Alexander said. "We just have to go to the next closest time period that isn't locking us out."

"When is that?" Caleb asked.

Alexander sighed, but didn't say anything. Instead he forced time to bend around them.

+++

"What?" Danielle spluttered, certain she'd misheard. "You're me?" They certainly didn't look alike at all.

Lydia didn't answer right away. "This isn't a safe place to talk. If you'll follow me, you can stay with my husband and I while you wait for Caleb and Alexander to return."

She strode off into the night and was soon consumed by the thick, nearly viscous, fog. Confused and afraid as she was, Danielle didn't want to be left alone, and so followed Lydia. They strode through the gloomy streets of London for a long while, no words passing between them. Danielle's heart, though having steadied slightly in the presence of someone who didn't want to hurt her, still shook in her chest.

Eventually, after a half hour of trudging, they arrived at a home along the edge of a park enshrouded by mist. The streetlamp outside allowed for a gentle, golden halo of light. Danielle followed Lydia up the steps and soon they were out of the darkness and into a small home.

"Mrs. Morgan!" said a portly woman from the landing at the top of the stairs. "We didn't expect you back until morning."

"It seems I was well met tonight," said Lydia with the smallest gesture to Danielle. "Would you prepare the guest bedroom for our dear friend here? She and I will also take some tea in the sitting room." Lydia's eyes met Danielle's. "We have much to discuss."

"Absolutely, madam," said the woman, hustling off into the house.

"Come with me," Lydia said. Once again she was off, and it wasn't until they were seated in a room with bookshelves on the wall and comfortable, overly stuffed chairs, that Lydia seemed ready to speak.