wolf’s side. Tall with waist-long hair blacker than the night, he was a stark contrast to the whiteness of the wolf. His eyes were equally dark but glinted with a hint of sparkle. His image conjured up characters from stories her mother used to tell her of heroes, foes, and mythical creatures. Which one he was, she didn’t know as yet.
“Hello, Rowena.” He had a deep but gentle voice. Hero perhaps?
It took her a moment to find her voice. “Hello.”
Jonathon stepped forward and shook Ronan’s hand. The wolf eyed him as he did so. “Good to see you again, Ronan.”
“And to you, Jonathon. She looks just like Brenna.”
“You’ve seen her?” Jonathon raised his brow.
“Briefly. I couldn’t help myself,” Rowan said.
“Any word on the situation?”
“Dire I’m afraid.”
“Did you talk to Brenna yet?”
“No. I need to wait until she’s ready. Hawthorn has all of that worked out.”
“Hawthorn?” Rowena interrupted. “What does she have planned? And who is Brenna?”
Jonathon and Rowan exchanged glances. Jonathon nodded at him.
“She’s your descendent in the future.”
“The future? Does that mean I’m going to be a mother? What’s going on?”
Rowan stifled a cringe. “I didn’t want to spoil things for you. But yes. You will be a mother.”
Thoughts whirled. How many children? Boys, girls? Who would be the father? Best not to think about it. Not right now. Jonathon cleared his throat. “We’d better get down to business then. The first trial today is happening soon.”
“What? Where?” Rowena’s heart skipped a beat.
“The local courthouse,” Rowan said.
Rowena took a seat on the bench. The wolf approached her, its blue eyes trained on her. It lowered its head in front of her. She put a tentative hand out then patted its fur, starting with its mane. The fur wasn’t as soft as it looked. It was rougher, like soft bristles.
The water fountain in front of the bench gave off a tranquil trickle of water. It felt strange to be in such a peaceful place while her friends suffered.
“Rowena, we have a lot o,” he said, turning and looking around, seemingly making sure they were alone.
Jonathon sat beside Rowena, while Ronan remained standing. “I know this is all hard to believe. But Ronan is from another time. Far, into the future.”
“How is that possible?” The half-naked angel statue in the fountain contented itself with pouring water while the wolf circled it, finally jumping in with a splash. Rowena smiled, despite herself.
Ronan chuckled at the wolf playing in the water. “If you are as good of a student as Hawthorn said you are, I know you won’t find this too far-fetched. I have traveled here from the year two-thousand and twenty to save you and to try to prevent more witch slayings in this town. There are many prisoners in the prison, including those taken from your village. We must help them.”
He waited for Rowena to reply. She stared into the water and finally looked up at him.
“How is it possible? How did you get here from the future?”
“Have you been to Witch Cove??”
“No. I don’t go near Witch Hill or Witch Cove, that’s where they kill the witches,” Rowena replied curtly.
“There’s a pool in the cove. A gateway into other worlds and times. It has been used by Druids for hundreds of years.”
Rowena stared at Ronan with eyes that must have been as larger than the moon.
“You have to believe me, Rowena. There is a trial starting soon. If we don’t make an appearance, suspicions will be raised. You stay here, Kiba.” Kiba jumped out of the water and lay in the sun to dry off.
Jonathon stood up and took Rowena’s hand, leading her and Ronan out of the garden, her dress trailing the ground behind them.
A large crowd had gathered around the imposing stone courthouse. People were shouting and talking excitedly. Rowena gasped as a chant erupted from the flood of people.
“Witch, witch! Burn the bitch!” Over and over they chanted.
Rowena covered her ears against the roar and held back angry tears. Two guards armed with swords appeared from the jailhouse opposite the courthouse, dragging a woman who was kicking and screaming behind them.
“Witch, witch, burn the bitch!” The chants grew louder.
The trio pushed their way through the roil of people and approached the courthouse door. The woman the guards were dragging stopped resisting and was hanging limp as they pulled her up the stone steps. People in the crowd pointed fingers at the girl and seethed vicious words. Rowena caught a glimpse of the girl’s pale, beaten face and