Chapter 7 – Warnings and Dark Magic
BPOV
When Edward kissed me the last time, I knew I wouldn't be able to see him again for some time. His kiss left me chilled and at the same time warm and tingly, almost like sucking on an ice cube while drinking hot cocoa. But what surprised me was the fact he kissed me at all. And the kiss wasn't his normal kiss — simple and as brief as possible. It was sudden, no hesitation with nothing held back. A kiss of a lover and I liked it. But that wasn't the Edward I knew and loved.
The time I went back to… Edward had only been a vampire for two years. Something must have happened between then and when we kissed in the 23rd century. But what?
After Edward slipped the ring back on my hand, I felt a tug. Looking around, I saw no one, but the tugging didn't cease. It dawned on me then had learned all I would and it was time for me to move on. With one last look at Edward, I summoned my knapsack from the corner of the room and vanished right as he blinked.
Only I stayed where I was and saw Maribella enter the room. With hands on her hips, she questioned Edward. With a brief glance over his shoulder, he answered her.
Maribella took a few steps toward Edward and whispered something to him. He blinked and then nodded before walking out of the room.
Why I was reliving events I had experienced two or three days ago was a mystery? Yes, Maribella had altered my memory but her spell didn't affect me. The only thing I had learned was she casted a spell on Edward.
The space around me shimmered and I found myself in a strange place. There was a table, chair, book, and pen. The room was windowless and had light gray walls. Scrolled on the wall in black were the words: "Write what you have observed and learned."
I didn't question this and sat at the table, picking up the pen and opened the book. The page had not a single trace to its blank surface. I thought for a few minutes before I began writing.
This journal contains the time traveling notes of Isabella Marie Swan. Once completed it will be sealed until such time as the knowledge it contains is needed.
I, Isabella Swan, have not yet been born, but yet, here I am writing to future generations. The time from which I traveled from is the 23rd century. When I embarked on this journey, I didn't know I would interact with my ancestors. I believed I would be a silent observer like Ebenezer Scrooge was in A Christmas Carol. Not that there were spirits guiding me or talking to me. Then again, maybe the spirits of my ancestors are guiding me, sending me to certain dates so I will learn what must be done in my time to save the clan.
I continued by stating what had transpired since I left Edward standing in the hall outside of the McCullough great hall. It was a strange story that no one would believe. It was almost like I was in Wonderland but without the Cheshire Cat's guidance. Come to think of it… Carlisle was my Cheshire Cat sans the mean tricks the cat played on the Queen of Hearts.
So, what have I learned from my stops in history.
First, and I don't understand how or why I know this, but I can't see Edward again until I learn why the mages tried to stop me from being born. From what I heard as I departed September 13, 1920 is that the mages and the McGregor were not ready to accept Edward and his being a vampire. I'm not sure what that means, but to me, it seems Maribella was trying to tell me something. Had a witch or wizard tried to marry a vampire in the past? Did the mages try to stop the union? Or, had something tragic happened in that union? More questions with no answers.
And second, my talk with Carlisle leads me to believe that Maribella has a secret journal or journals. Where are they? And, who would know? Carlisle? Someone else?
One page was filled. I dated it with my birthday. Looking over my shoulder at the wall again, I saw the message now read: "Leave the book and pen. It will be here when you next return."
The room faded and I was outside, the knapsack at my feet. The stars were shining overhead. They reminded me of the night Edward first took me to his meadow, minus the snow, and it made me sad at the same time. Steeling myself for whatever lay ahead of me, I walked into the night not knowing when I was.
Rocky ground surrounded me. I was still in the highlands. Was I on McGregor lands? My knowledge of the highlands was limited. If I found a landmark, I might know where I was. It would have to be a rock formation.
The sun was hidden behind ominous gray clouds and the air was heavy. Rain was coming, I could smell it and needed to find shelter. So, I picked what I hoped was west and started walking. I don't know why west, I just had a strange desire to head that direction.
About an hour or so of walking, I heard a noise behind me halted my steps. Looking over my shoulder, I was surprised to see Carlisle coming toward me.
"Isabella," he said. "It has been a couple of months."
Months? "I only left a few hours ago," I said, a little confused. Sure, I was traveling through time but I thought I had learned all I had from the 1920s.
"To you, it would. To me, not so much," he commented.
Shifting my weight from one foot to the other, I thought about that a moment. Would I go back to the exact moment I left the Cullen's attic? A passage in a book I once read came to the forefront of my mind. "As we move forward, time moves forward. It doesn't matter where we are in over lives. Time continues. It might seem to slow down, meander, or even stop, but it keeps moving. But certain events in the past can be changed without affecting the future too much." I can't remember the author but what he says about "certain events" must be why I'm traveling through time. I need to observe to know what event needs to be changed.
I groaned. There's no way to know what event.
Carlisle gave me a look of concern.
"I am fine. What month and year is it?" I asked.
"It is the first day of May 1921."
My eyes went wide. "Maribella and Ewan marry today," I whispered.
Carlisle cocks his head, looking at me. "They do?" he asked.
I nodded, that's all I can do.
His head falls forward until his chin touches his chest. "McGregor is not going to be happy when he finds out. His plan is for her to wed Iain this evening by force if necessary."
"I know and he does force them to wed," I admitted. Every journal I've read didn't explain how Maribella or Iain was forced into saying their vows or whether Maribella's father knew she was already married. "Carlisle, how close can you get me to wherever this evening's ceremony will take place?"
Carlisle was quiet for the longest time. I had to remind myself he wasn't the Carlisle I would come to know in the future. One that usually had to give little thought to a problem. Though, I'll admit, future Carlisle wouldn't have a ready answer for the dilemma either. So, I waited and wandered around the area he found me in, searching for anything that could help me in my mission.
I found we were in a grove of trees that formed a crude circle. On several of the trees were faded markings. If I had some paper and charcoal, I might have been able to determine what they were. One tree had a fresh rune. It almost seemed to have just been carved. It was an upside down peace sign without the circle. Algiz. A protection rune. A ward against evil. What evil? I turned and looked at the rest of the trees. Could those with markings contain the answer? Were there anymore? Maybe Carlisle could assist me with that mystery, too.
"It's possible but not without help from McCullough," Carlisle said, turning to face me.
What now? Oh, getting into the marriage ceremony.
"You did claim to be his long-lost niece."
"I am sure McCullough will help," I remarked. "I might have to tell him more than I did the last time I saw him." My ankle throbbed at that reminder. It was still healing from when McCullough pushed me off his horse. "Do you know where the ruins of the church are?"
Carlisle cocked his head again, taking me in. "I do. Why do you ask?"
A smile split my face. "My uncle may still be there," I replied.
He gave a small laugh. "You and I will have to be careful, though. Edward is hunting and might be in the area."
I swallowed hard, having a feeling that Carlisle probably guessed, and guessed right, about me wanting to avoid Edward. "Lead the way."
Carlisle turned and knelt, and I knew what he wanted me to do without him saying it. With one last look at the trees surrounding us, I climbed on his back not knowing if I would ever find the area again.
"Bella," he asked, staying where he was. "Is there something more you need here?"
I bit my lip, holding back my tears. Carlisle sounded a lot like his future self, the one from my present day.
"There was a fresh marking on one of the trees and some faded ones on others," I said. "I was wondering what they were and if all the trees in this glade hold markings."
"Hop off," he replied. "It won't take us long to get to the ruins…" He trailed off but there was no need for him to finish.
He walked with me around the grove. I found I was right. Each tree had a different symbol and number. A few had several marking all the way around. It was almost a story, or the beginning of one. Carlisle even helped me with the faded one by squeezing juice from berries found in brushes a little ways away. The McGregor crest was revealed with a twelve and an arrow pointing right. No other tree had an arrow. But why start at twelve?
I pondered all the symbols. It was clear it was pointing some unseen, unknown danger. The McGregor or the clan was either the target or hunter.
"We better get going, Bella, or we will not find your uncle at the ruins," Carlisle said, breaking into my thoughts.
I nodded. The glade was soon behind us.
~~ NiWiS ~~
Uncle McCullough was more than willing to help me get into the ceremony, though he seemed a little suspicious when I told him why.
"Lady Swan, Maribella was married secretly this morning," he said.
"A fact I know well, Uncle. But, before she can tell her parents, she is forced into marrying Iain."
McCullough starts pacing in front of the ruins. "How? Why?" he asked.
"That's what I'm here to find out. All I know is what the prophecy said."
He stopped in his pacing and turned to look at me. His stunned stare told me he knew of the prophecy but maybe not all of it.
"I believe the mages of the McGregor clan, maybe your clan too, are trying to prevent me from being born."
He palmed his face and ran his hand down it. "I don't believe my mages would do such a thing." A long sigh left him. "But McGregor mages…"
"Can't be trusted," I guessed.
"Aye." He looked around the area. "It is not safe here for Maribella because of the mages. She has to hide her powers. They would not like that she does not have to use a wand." He paused, taking a breath. "She is very advanced when it comes to healing and creating potions."
I nodded, having read as much in her known journals.
"The mages have had their eyes on her for a month or so before you first appeared."
"There must be something you could do," Carlisle said. I had forgotten he was still with us.
McCullough turned to Carlisle. "I have tried to get my brother-in-law let me foster her. He will not allow it since I am unwed."
Unwed? I didn't think it had to do anything with his marital status. More like the lowlands. "It could be where you live," I remarked, coming to stand next to Carlisle.
McCullough nodded. "That's my belief too." He sighed and looked over his shoulder at the ruins. "This church was once a place of solace for all, now it's sits in ruins. The McGregor mages forbade any from coming here."
I shared a looked with Carlisle.
"Is that why some of the trees about three miles from here are marked with runes?" Carlisle asked.
"Runes? What runes?" McCullough questioned a mix of fear and concern in his voice. "Show me." He walked into the woods with Carlisle and me following. Two horses were tethered nearby.
Carlisle lifted me and mounted behind me.
McCullough was shocked by the runes but was able to translate the ones I didn't recognize.
Evil can be found in the McGregor. Beware.
Time moved forward before I could ask what the translation meant. I was standing in an unfamiliar room. McCullough was there, a gown in hand.
"Lady Swan, a maid will be in to help you soon," he said, placing the gown on the bed. "We need to be at the church in an hour."
"What?"
He raised an eyebrow at me but said nothing instead left the room when the maid entered. Less than an hour later and a lot of poking and prodding, I was deemed ready.
Carlisle was leaning against the wall when I came out.
"What year and day is it?" I asked in a low voice.
He gave me a concerned look. "It is still the same day, Isabella."
"What happened after we learned what the runes said?"
"You and your uncle left. Edward was very near. Do you not recall that?"
I shook my head. "Time skipped forward for me."
Carlisle nodded. "Keep to the shadows when you get to the church," he whispered. "Edward was sent to Maribella's chambers. He is to escort her to the church."
I swallowed. "Why him?" I asked.
"I wish I knew."
Uncle was in the great hall with McGregor. As I descended the stairs behind Carlisle, I examined the pair.
Uncle was slightly taller than McGregor, but not by much. McGregor was muscular with a sword at his hip. Uncle, while muscular, had no weapon visible.
The pair turned toward me. That's when I noticed it. The last time I saw McGregor there was a glint of laughter in his eye. They showed hostility and distrust. I shivered as his eyes roamed my covered figure.
"I did not know your niece was with you," McGregor said to Uncle.
His statement made me wonder if he knew who I was.
"I did not think it would be a big deal. She is related to your daughter."
McGregor said nothing but took a step toward me once. Carlisle stood protectively in front of me.
"Doctor Cullen, your services are not needed," McGregor said, he gaze staying on me.
Carlisle didn't move and I was grateful. McGregor appeared to be out for blood, my blood.
Thinking on my feet, I said, "He is here due to my health, Laird McGregor. I have been suffering from severe fits of coughing."
With a bit of magic, I started coughing. Carlisle turned around and patted my back. For a little added affect, I collapsed against him.
McGregor stormed off without a word.
"Interesting tactic, Isabella," Carlisle whispered as he and I followed Uncle to the church. Once inside Carlisle helped me to one of the wooden pews.
"The only thing I could think of for needing a doctor," I replied in a quiet voice, sitting down as another magically induced coughing fit racked my body. When I quieted again, I saw Edward. He didn't move to join Carlisle and me but sat in pew several rows in front of us.
Soon, Maribella was on her father's arm being led to the front of the church. She was wearing a strange, glowing crystal tiara. Her face was pinched as if she was in pain.
Help me, Isabella.
Maribella's voice. She had looked right at me as she walked willingly toward were Iain stood.
My eyes moved to him and study him. He had the same pained look on his face as Maribella, but he was calmly standing next to the priest.
Magic, dark magic was being used.
I couldn't help either of them. If I did I would risk exposing myself to those who were trying to stop me from being born.
The church swirled and I was back in the gray and windowless room again. I sat at the table. Picking up the pen, I started writing everything I had learned.
