Chapter Twenty-Two

My side burned, hotter than it ever felt before. I bolted upright, expecting to see Renn. He wasn’t there and neither was his scent.

But I knew he was close.

The digital clock on my dresser flashed 2:15. I had fallen asleep, which I had thought impossible, my mind consumed with thoughts of him.

I grabbed a sweatshirt off the back of my chair, slipped it on, and waited for Renn to appear.

The clock flipped to 2:16. 2:17. 2:18.

Unable to sit still, I headed into the main house, knowing he would have no trouble finding me.

The kitchen was empty. As was the living room. I opened the sliding door that led to the backyard and stepped outside.

Other than the gurgling of the pool filter, the night was quiet. Almost too quiet. My grandparents slept with their window open. I should hear my grandfather snoring.

I walked toward their room, bumping into a patio chair. I heard it scrape against the ground, several seconds after it moved. Natasha was also nearby.

My breath stuck in my throat. Adrenalin mixed with fear burned through me.

Stay within four walls. Renn’s voice echoed in my head.

The garage was closer than the house. My fingers fumbled with the doorknob.

Turn. Open.

Something pounded in my ears. It took me a second to realize it was my own heart.

I grabbed the knob with both hands, forced it to the left, and stepped into the dark space. A tan fabric shimmered in the corner, near my grandmother’s old filing cabinet.

“Hi, Jessica.”

This was not who I expected.

Arlianna walked slowly toward me. Her blonde curly hair framed her face like a halo. Her coat rustled in a melodic sort of way. And although she had a warm, inviting smile, she wasn’t who I wanted to be with right now.

“Where’s Renn?” I asked, touching the cooling fabric. “He was here. I could feel him.”

Arlianna nodded. The tattoo on her ear transformed from a flower into a heart. I couldn’t stop staring at it. “He was. I had him leave.”

“Why?”

Arlianna put her arm around me. “Let me explain. I’m going to turn off my locator. You have to listen without interrupting me. I can only leave it off for a few minutes.”

“I don’t understand.”

She silenced me by holding up her hand.

“We all work for the same organization,” Arlianna began. “Renn is completely correct about Natasha, which puts him in grave danger. Natasha followed him here. I intercepted before she got to him and convinced her that I should be the one to terminate Renn’s apprenticeship and bring you myself. But it won’t take long for her to figure out that I betrayed her. And that Renn is on his way to the board to report her misconduct.” She glanced at her wrist.

“Is he going there now?” I asked, taking the cold fabric from my pocket.

“What is that?” Arlianna stepped toward me. Her eyes narrowed, and a deep line appeared on her forehead.

“Nothing.” I turned away.

Arlianna snatched the material from my fingers so quickly I had no time to think.

“Give it back to me.” I said, reaching for the fabric.

“It’s not yours.”

“Yes, it is,” I insisted.

Arlianna rubbed the fabric between her fingers. Her motion made the room spin. I felt sick to my stomach.

“This explains why he’s been losing his control. You can’t keep this, Jessica. If you touch this while in Renn’s presence, he time travels.”

“But…”

“But nothing.” She tucked it in the pocket of her trench coat. “He can’t travel without having control of his destination.”

“I won’t touch it when he’s around,” I said. “I promise. I won’t.”

“That would be impossible.”

“Please. I promise.”

“Next time he gets booted into a time stream I may not be able to rescue him.” Her eyes softened as she spoke.

Without the fabric, a giant hole sat inside me. I’d never know when Renn was nearby.

“Renn will be back,” Arlianna said. “Go about your life. Stay indoors as much as possible. You can’t be taken from within four walls.” She tapped her wrist. “Go back to the house. I’ll watch to see that you get there safely.”

I just stood there.

“Go,” she said. I knew she was trying to help. But I couldn’t move without the fabric. “Go.” She repeated.

I remained still.

“You’re not helping him by resisting me.”

I took two small steps. “He’ll be okay?”

Arlianna smiled. “He’s going to be fine.”

I walked slowly toward the house, leaving part of me behind. I had no choice but to believe her. Back in my room, I picked up Renn’s disc. The icons shifted back and forth, barely visible. I didn’t have much time before they would disappear completely.

I opened the Handbook, searching for something in the laws that might indicate where Renn would be, or if he would be returning.

Law # 9 – The TTMM must learn the correct lingo before traveling Law # 15 - The TTMM must submit a report each PM.

Law # 17 – Tampering with another TTMM’s portal device is grounds for imprisonment.

Law # 25 - Those people with higher-than-normal energy levels cannot time travel. And will prohibit others from traveling by physical contact.

I read number #25 repeatedly, thinking of Kyle. A person with his condition will prohibit time travel. Being with him would keep me safe. I knew I could count on him, despite his doubts about Renn. Maybe, even more so, because he was so sure Renn was dangerous.

In any case, we’ve always been there for each other. There was no reason for me to doubt he’d be there for me now.

****

Renn didn’t waste time wondering where he was. He knew his exact location. Why didn’t matter. All that mattered was getting back to Jessica.

He tapped his new locator, sending an urgent communication to his mentor.

Arlianna: Again?

Renn: Yes. Why am I traveling to this wedding?

Arlianna: I don’t know. You must orbit. Leave. I’ll keep Jessica safe.

Renn: I must see her.

Arlianna: We’ll talk.

Once back at the dingy motel, Renn sat on the plastic chair in front of his door, facing the ocean. The traffic on Pacific Coast Highway made it difficult to hear the waves. But he knew they were rolling in and rolling out. Just as he knew Jessica was wondering and worrying about him.

He was thankful Arlianna had saved him again. He appreciated everything she’d done for him. From getting him into the Time Traveling Matchmaker’s organization, to praising him at the annual dinners and accepting him as her apprentice.

But now he was forced to go against her wishes. He was not going to orbit until this whole messy situation blew over.

He was going to see Jessica once more before returning home. And once home, he was going to accuse Natasha of tampering with time travel matches, a sure ground for her imprisonment.

“I’m sorry, Arlianna,” he whispered to himself.

His mentor had tried to convince him not to return to Jessica, to let her sort things out with Natasha. Arlianna promised to keep Jessica safe, but he needed more than safe. He needed to kiss Jessica, hold her in his arms, and make her believe with all her heart and soul that he would not be leaving forever.