Across the Ages (Across the Ages Book One) (14 page)

She let her eyes close.

Images of what she and Will might do to search for the statue came to mind. She saw them in a boat travelling down the Nile while groups of crocodiles watched menacingly from the water’s edge. Will carrying a torch to hold back the dark as they traipsed through a tomb, the sounds of their shoes echoing in the large hallways. They would enter a large room filled with cobwebs while insects scattered just outside the light. A golden statue would be sitting on a tall pedestal, light from the sun somehow shining down on the gold figurine, causing it to glow. Will climbed the steps and picked the statue up. Then he turned to her, ran down the steps, swept her into his arms, spinning them both around while he said, “We did it.” Then he carefully set her down and pressed his lips to hers...

“Miss Lucy, we’re here,” the driver said.

She sat up and checked the watch Ingrid suggested she wear. Ingrid had said it was waterproof. The hands showed the time was nine twenty five.
Early,
she thought, peering out the window.

Will stood next to a set of stairs leading up to a white plane. He looked different, but she could tell who he was by the way he stood. He wore a hat, of sorts. Its brim was extremely lopsided and reminded Lucy of a duck’s bill. It sat low on his forehead, nearly covering his eyes. Entirely unlike the top hats she was used to seeing on men in her time, it was also green and had a symbol on the front she couldn’t make out. His shirt was a cream color. It was loose and buttoned down the front. The wind blew it around, showing off his amazingly sculpted torso. His pants were a darker tan and he had his hands in his front pockets. Along the side of the plane, in bright blue letters were the words: Godwin Industries.

The driver stopped the car. “I’ll get your luggage on board, Miss Lucy.” He came around to open her door.

“That’s most appreciated,” Lucy said, putting her sweater back on.

“Of course. Have a good trip.”

“I’ll try,” she returned, her gaze already on Will.

TWENTY-TWO

TEN-HOUR FLIGHT

THE EXCITEMENT
Lucy had felt when she first arrived changed into mind numbing fear as the plane accelerated down the runway at an alarming rate. She was shocked by the power pressing against her body as the plane sped up. Her head was forced against the leather chair and gripped the armrests so tight her knuckles turned white.

I can’t do this. I can’t do this. I… can’t… do… this…

She clamped her eyes shut. Her ears clogged, making the sound of her breathing loud. She realized she was breathing rapidly.

“Doing okay?” Lucy heard the question as though from far away. “Hey, Lucy? Miss Channing? Deep breaths. The take-off can be difficult for first time fliers but as soon as we’re in the air, you’ll be fine,” Will said.

He’d chosen to sit across the aisle instead of beside her. His decision hurt her feelings but she hadn’t said anything, trying to act nonchalant about the plane flight. She’d figured it would be comparable to the helicopter ride. She was vastly mistaken. It was terrifyingly different. And the fact that he hadn’t warned her made her angry.

She wanted to yell every one of the obscenities she’d heard her father use when he’d been drunk. She wouldn’t be fine, probably ever again.

There was a noise and some movement coming from under the plane. Then the plane was in the air.

She could tell because the force of the pressure against her body changed.

“See? Everything is fine,” Will said.

Lucy opened her eyes, feeling the muscles around her face relax. But she was still angry. “Easy for you to say, Mr. Godwin.” Her mouth was dry and it was hard to speak. “I had no idea what to expect. None at all. Couldn’t you have taken a single minute away from texting your female friends to tell me what to expect?” She swallowed but her anger continued to build. “I suppose it would’ve been difficult since doing so would have meant thinking about someone other than yourself.”

“Hey.” Will unbuckled and sat beside her. “You’re right. I didn’t think about how it might affect you. I forget you aren’t from this time. Sorry about that.”

“Are you certain you didn’t simply use the opportunity to get me back for joining forces with Mr. Kincaid and coercing you into letting me come?” The plane was still climbing. Lucy rested her head against the seat.

Will shook his head. “Look, I still don’t think it’s a good idea, you coming on this trip with me.”

“I’m not—,” Lucy started to interrupt.

Will continued. “I’m sure you believe you can handle it, but as I just said, you aren’t from this time. You have no idea of the politics, no sense of what’s happening within our world today. Your thoughts and beliefs are based on what’s happening in London, eighteen-fifteen.”

Lucy nodded. “But—,”

“And then there’s the matter of defending yourself against not only the elements, but the bugs and wildlife we’ll encounter.”

Lucy rolled her eyes, an act she’d never done before. It seemed Will brought out the
grrrr
in her. “I’m sure I can handle it.”

Will sat back. “I hope so.”

The captain came on and said they were free to move about the cabin.

Will unbuckled. “It’s a ten hour flight. Why don’t you let me show you to your room and you can get some sleep?”

Two questions came into her mind. “It’s only going to take ten hours to get from New York City to Cairo, Egypt?”

“That’s right.”

She put her hands on her head. The idea that they could travel so quickly boggled her mind.

“In your time how long would it take?” Will asked.

“The exact time escapes my knowledge, but I would guess months.”

“You’re probably right. Will bent down and unbuckled her belt. “I can tell you have another question. Ask it.”

She didn’t move. “My room? There are actual rooms with beds in them on this plane?” Will hadn’t given her a tour of the plane after she’d climbed onboard. He’d been busy, checking information on what he’d called a laptop and his phone, then talking to the pilot as well as flirting with two girls dressed in alike uniforms called stewardesses.

“Yep. Come on.”

Lucy stood and followed him toward the back of the plane. Her legs felt wobbly. It was strange to be walking on something that was flying.

Will opened a door. Inside was a bed with a tartan covering over it. A small table next to it supported a clock and a lamp. “This is my room.”

“Oh?”

He closed the door and moved to the next door. Opened it. The room was exactly the same except the cover on the bed was white. “This one is yours.” He went over to the table next to the bed and opened the drawer. Then pulled out a long rectangle box, pushed a button, and the wood paneling on the wall slid open, revealing a large rectangular box.

“What’s that?” Lucy walked over to it. She could see her reflection inside but it wasn’t a mirror.

“It’s called a TV,” he said as a moving picture appeared.

Lucy flinched, stepping back. “How are you doing this?”

Will stood beside her and showed her the small, oddly shaped box in his hand. “This is called a remote. It controls the TV.” He handed it to her. “VOL is the volume. Up makes it louder. Down makes it softer.” He pushed the button up and down to demonstrate. “The CH button changes the channels.” He pushed it up and the picture changed. Down, it changed back.

“But these little people. How are they inside?” She got up close to the TV.

“The people aren’t inside. They are recorded with a special camera and then broadcast out onto specific channels.”

She heard the words coming out of Will’s mouth but they made no sense. Like a foreign language. On the TV, a man had a monkey sitting on his shoulder while it held onto his head. Other people were talking and then the man said something back and there was laughing. “That’s all I can see. Please make it stop.” She handed the remote back.

Will pushed the button that said OFF and the picture disappeared. Then he tucked it back in the drawer. “The bathroom is through this door.” He opened a thinner but normal sized door. Lucy peeked inside. “You know what to do in there, don’t you?”

She huffed. “Yes.” The truth was she wasn’t sure. The bathroom looked similar to the one at Mr. Kincaid’s house, but also quite different.

“Cool.” He walked to the door. “We’ll land in Cairo around three in the afternoon their time.”

“Tomorrow or today?” Lucy asked, confused by the time.

“Tomorrow,” Will answered. “If you need anything, just knock.” He left, closing the door behind him.

Lucy went over to the bed. It seemed strange to lie down while one was travelling. Surely it wouldn’t be comfortable. She took off her shoes and her sweater before sliding under the covers. The pillows were firm but fluffy and the blankets were soft. She turned out the light. The clock said it was ten thirteen. Although she didn’t feel tired, she closed her eyes and let her mind wander. She thought about Will, the way he made her feel, and of Dashel. They were so different. According to her list of what made up her perfect man, Dashel hit all the marks. Tall. Handsome. Kind. Educated. Driven. Self-assured.

He isn’t Will,
she thought.

That was the truth. Her heart and soul never responded to Dashel that way they had to Will.

“Blast.” She rolled onto her side.

***

Soft knocking woke Lucy. She’d been dreaming of Apep, Hathor, and Bastet, but couldn’t remember what about. “Yes?”

“We’re getting ready to land, Lucy. Better get up and come eat.”

Surprised to hear Will’s voice, she pulled the covers up around her neck. “Thank you,” she uttered. Now that she was awake she could feel the movement of the plane. There was a window to her right. She climbed out of bed and ran over, pushing the shade open.

The sun shone bright in the sky. Below was a gleaming city.

Cairo,
she thought excitedly. She’d survived time travelling, driving, a smart phone, a hot dog, flying, and would now get to see a land she’d only ever read about. Her stomach fluttered with anticipation. No matter what happened for the rest of her life, she would soak in the next few days.

Lucy freshened up in the bathroom, slid on her shoes and her sweater and then went back to the cabin. A beautiful spread of food was lout on a table in the middle of the aisle.

“Hi,” Will said.

Lucy noticed he looked refreshed. He’d changed into a pair of cargo pants and a black button shirt. His hair was slightly wet and he smelled like vanilla and breakfast spices. Or perhaps the aroma came from the food on the table. “Mr. Godwin.” She slid into her seat.

Will had a plate of food in front of him. It was beautiful, with colorful strawberries atop cream and some sort of pastry with rows of deep squares. Lucy’s mouth watered. She was famished.

“You hungry?” Will asked.

“Yes,” Lucy said, clasping her hands in her lap. She wasn’t sure if she should help herself or wait for one of the stewardesses to serve her.

Will handed her a plate. “Dig in.”

She smiled as she took one of the stacked pastries and put it on her plate. Next she added cream and then some of the berries.

“You’ll want a little of this as well.” Will poured some golden brown liquid over it. “Syrup makes everything taste better. That and bacon.” He smiled as he popped a large bite of food into his mouth.

She took some bacon and set it on her plate. Then cut into the pastry and put it in her mouth. She chewed, a sudden need to moan her gratitude coming up her throat. After she swallowed, she asked, “What is this?”

“They’re called waffles.”

“Mmmmmm.” She took another bite, savoring the flavor.

Will watched, amused. “You don’t like it?” He took a drink of some orange liquid.

“On the contrary, I love it. I want to know how they’re made.”

Will chuckled. “Well, my little tinkerer, it’s made of flour, sugar, eggs, milk, and…” he paused, taking another bite. “Butter and baking powder.”

Lucy took another bite as well, surprised he knew the recipe, and pleased he’d used the word “my” to describe her. “Perhaps I should write it down?”

“Sure. But not right now. Right now you should eat. Once this plane lands it’ll be a rush to get a hotel, then I’ve got to meet my contact and get everything set up.”

“We,” Lucy said after she swallowed another bite. “You meant
we
need to do,” she waved her fork at him, “everything you just mentioned.”

Will snorted, pushing his plate away. “I meant me. Only me.”

Lucy tried not to pout. “I want to go with you. Perhaps even be of some use. I’ve studied the Egyptian gods, the culture and customs.”

Will stood. “What you know you learned two hundred years ago. A lot has changed since then.”

Lucy poured some of the orange liquid into a small glass. Took a drink. It was delicious. “That may be.” She wanted to remain strong. Show him that she wasn’t just baggage, but she also didn’t want to be left behind. “Please.” She took a deep breath. “Take me with you.” Lucy figured her emotions were probably plain as day on her face, but she couldn’t help it. She
needed
to go with him.

Will pushed the table out of the way and nodded for the attendants to take it away. Then he bent down in front of her. “I’ll take you with me on one condition.”

“Anything. What?” She took his hands and then pulled back, surprised with how forward she’d just been.

“I need you to do exactly what I say, when I say it. Sometimes it may sound bossy and I know you don’t like that, but if I ask you to do something, remember I’m trying to keep you safe. If you can promise me that, I promise we’ll do this together.”

Lucy breathed deeply. She didn’t like to be bossed around, but this was his world, his time. “I promise.”

Will nodded, taking her hands in his and squeezing. “Good.” He released her hands again and buckled up in his seat. “Get buckled.”

As soon as Lucy clicked her seatbelt, the pilot’s voice came on. “We’ve begun our descent into Cairo. Please fasten your seatbelts. We’ll be on the ground in approximately ten minutes.”

“See?” Will said with a smirk.

Lucy wanted to laugh at his confidence, but she was too nervous about the landing. If it was anything like the take-off, she was in trouble.