Read Online Mirrored Time (A Time Archivist Novel Book 1) by J.D. Faulkner - Free Book Online Page B

was something he was used to.
    He zigzagged through the streets. A feeling of power grew around him, bringing with it the sting of ozone. Like the sharp, bright taste of air before the storm breaks and lightning pierces the sky. Whoever it was, they were opening a link. Rafe increased his pace. If he could just get there quickly enough, he could catch the tail end of the portal. It wasn’t always accurate, but it would take him to the same general location.
    Reaching the link, he dashed through the brick wall and time folded around him reversing gravity and taking his breath away. But, when he reached the other side, his footsteps didn’t falter.
    They continued their game, hopping from time to time through doorways, walls, and once even through the shimmering surface of a river. The figure remained always ahead of him, out of his reach. The sound of laughter drifted back to him, and the smell of something sweet teased his nose. Flowers ?
    It was Rafe who made the first mistake of not getting to the closing portal quick enough. With a curse, he stumbled back, rubbing his bruised shoulder with an irritated scowl. The wall was just a wall: mortar, stone, and brick. Nothing remained of the magic that had made it a doorway to a different time. He dipped his head, conceding defeat.
    Alistair needs to hear about this. Rafe had no idea who had been watching Gwen, but the Archivist would want to know. He’d be willing to bet it was the Guardians—wanting to prevent Gwen from taking the test tomorrow. That couldn’t happen.
    He reached for the small mirror in his pocket. His body wouldn’t cooperate. Every muscle and limb was frozen; he couldn’t even blink. He could only watch as the cloaked figure separated itself from the shadows in front of him.
    A flash of white then red. “I’m sorry, I can’t let you say anything.” The figure reached for him. “You’ll remember this when the timing’s right.”
    And then the ground swallowed him whole.

CHAPTER EIGHT
    G WEN STOOD FROWNING in front of Alistair’s office. After a night free of any haunting dreams and only the tiniest tinge of pain in her temple, she left home ready to face the mystery in front of her. Now she was here; however, she couldn’t decide whether to go inside or to walk away.
    Her gaze traced the letters on the misted glass, the words no longer obscured. Alistair Fletcher, Legal Files Specialist and Time Archivist. Apparently nothing could be so simple anymore. Not even office doors. When she first entered this building, all she wanted was a job. Instead, she was being offered so much more.
    Her lips pursed and she leaned back against the opposite wall. The indecision was frustrating. Last night, the mystery of the Archives held all the excitement of a brightly wrapped present—one she couldn’t wait to open. Now, in the harsh glare of the morning light, she felt stuck—trapped between two decisions. One would keep her life the same. Normal. Boring . The other would change her life. For better or for worse.
    If she was honest with herself, it wasn’t fear keeping her paralyzed. Instead, it was want and desire. Hope . Her childhood forced her to be practical. There were no wishes or fairytales for Gwen Conway, just reality: often unexceptional, usually disappointing.
    She had always hoped for something different, something special. It was a wish she never assumed would come true. Now it was being offered to her on a silver platter, and she was too afraid to take it.
    “So, are you coming or going?” When she staggered in surprise, Rafe laughed and tried to keep her from falling. “Steady on there.”
    Gwen peeked at Rafe from under her hair before brushing it out of her eyes. “Morning.”
    “How’s the head?”
    “I may not be up to jumping through any lakes, but I’ll be fine. Why? The police after you again?”
    “Not currently. Still, the day is young.” He nodded to concede she had scored a point. “I come bearing