about my gift spell still hadn’t fully registered.
“It took me many years, and yes, you will have to practice to achieve the full power of the spell, but this will help.”
I looked at what she revealed in her palm. It was her sapphire ring. The cluster of diamonds surrounding it lifted the blue stone on a pedestal. It was breathtaking.
I shook my head. “Gigi, I can’t take your ring.”
“Of course you can.” She held it toward me. “I’m not the one who needs it anymore. My traveling is over.”
I held the stones between my fingers. I had admired this ring since I was old enough to say “ring.” It was by far my favorite from her collection.
“Try it on,” she urged.
I slipped it over my ring finger until it settled above my knuckle.
“It’s perfect.” She smiled. “Every Traveler needs something special from their ancestors to travel. I hope this ring brings you happiness and good fortune, my dear.”
I admired the ring on my hand and grinned. “I still can’t believe you’re giving me this ring. It has to be your favorite.” I searched her eyes for more answers.
She sat beside me on the bed. “And because it is my favorite, it will be able to anchor you and protect you more than anything else you could possess. It’s my gift to you, but it’s a gift to me too, knowing it will protect you.” She squeezed me against her. “Happy birthday.”
The blue stone flickered from a nearby candle, as if it was humming. There was magic in the stone, deep and pure. At sixteen, I didn’t know what any of that meant, only that I had received the most beautiful birthday gift I could ever dream of.
Charleston, 1949
I rubbed my arms trying to shake the chill that settled on my skin from the seam. I never knew why it was so cold. No matter how many times I traveled, I never got used to it.
The closet looked practically the same, but instead of presentation equipment, there were mops and buckets. I tilted my ear toward the door, straining to hear outside noises. I thought I heard the muffle sounds of a movie.
I turned the handle and pressed against the door, moving it inches at a time until I knew the hallway was clear. I sighed, grateful I had chosen a location that would allow me to Time Spell undetected.
The theater erupted in laughter and I scurried toward the exit. I stopped short of the door as I heard the bang-bang sounds from the movie. What were the chances there would be a western playing? Well, at least I hadn’t completely ignored all of Jack’s suggestions. I pushed on the door, eager to avoid getting caught in the theater patron traffic.
I made sure I gave myself plenty of time to get to Hattie’s engagement party. I would have to fly from the theater since it was a mile from the party. Sensible shoes or not, that was too far to walk and stay hidden.
Charleston in 1949 didn’t look much different from the Charleston I had just left. The streets were cobblestone, and the historic buildings had been a part of the city for over a century.
I walked past the edge of the theater to the corner of the street. For a moment, I forgot about all the reasons I was nervous and breathed in the spring Charleston night. I watched as a couple held hands and crossed the street in front of me. Something in the air felt magical, as if the city was alive with a love spell.
I stifled a giggle, thinking about my grandmother’s journal entries. She had felt the magic of the spring, but I had a feeling it had more to do with Leo than anything else. Maybe love was always like that. It made us feel like every nerve and pulse in our bodies was infused with such bliss that we couldn’t even describe the feeling with words. I had felt it, and right now, I missed it.
I closed my eyes, tucked my arms across my chest, and leapt into the air. I loved soaring upward like this, with the air rushing past me and the strength I had surging in my legs. Eventually, I slowed and leveled my flight so I
“It took me many years, and yes, you will have to practice to achieve the full power of the spell, but this will help.”
I looked at what she revealed in her palm. It was her sapphire ring. The cluster of diamonds surrounding it lifted the blue stone on a pedestal. It was breathtaking.
I shook my head. “Gigi, I can’t take your ring.”
“Of course you can.” She held it toward me. “I’m not the one who needs it anymore. My traveling is over.”
I held the stones between my fingers. I had admired this ring since I was old enough to say “ring.” It was by far my favorite from her collection.
“Try it on,” she urged.
I slipped it over my ring finger until it settled above my knuckle.
“It’s perfect.” She smiled. “Every Traveler needs something special from their ancestors to travel. I hope this ring brings you happiness and good fortune, my dear.”
I admired the ring on my hand and grinned. “I still can’t believe you’re giving me this ring. It has to be your favorite.” I searched her eyes for more answers.
She sat beside me on the bed. “And because it is my favorite, it will be able to anchor you and protect you more than anything else you could possess. It’s my gift to you, but it’s a gift to me too, knowing it will protect you.” She squeezed me against her. “Happy birthday.”
The blue stone flickered from a nearby candle, as if it was humming. There was magic in the stone, deep and pure. At sixteen, I didn’t know what any of that meant, only that I had received the most beautiful birthday gift I could ever dream of.
Charleston, 1949
I rubbed my arms trying to shake the chill that settled on my skin from the seam. I never knew why it was so cold. No matter how many times I traveled, I never got used to it.
The closet looked practically the same, but instead of presentation equipment, there were mops and buckets. I tilted my ear toward the door, straining to hear outside noises. I thought I heard the muffle sounds of a movie.
I turned the handle and pressed against the door, moving it inches at a time until I knew the hallway was clear. I sighed, grateful I had chosen a location that would allow me to Time Spell undetected.
The theater erupted in laughter and I scurried toward the exit. I stopped short of the door as I heard the bang-bang sounds from the movie. What were the chances there would be a western playing? Well, at least I hadn’t completely ignored all of Jack’s suggestions. I pushed on the door, eager to avoid getting caught in the theater patron traffic.
I made sure I gave myself plenty of time to get to Hattie’s engagement party. I would have to fly from the theater since it was a mile from the party. Sensible shoes or not, that was too far to walk and stay hidden.
Charleston in 1949 didn’t look much different from the Charleston I had just left. The streets were cobblestone, and the historic buildings had been a part of the city for over a century.
I walked past the edge of the theater to the corner of the street. For a moment, I forgot about all the reasons I was nervous and breathed in the spring Charleston night. I watched as a couple held hands and crossed the street in front of me. Something in the air felt magical, as if the city was alive with a love spell.
I stifled a giggle, thinking about my grandmother’s journal entries. She had felt the magic of the spring, but I had a feeling it had more to do with Leo than anything else. Maybe love was always like that. It made us feel like every nerve and pulse in our bodies was infused with such bliss that we couldn’t even describe the feeling with words. I had felt it, and right now, I missed it.
I closed my eyes, tucked my arms across my chest, and leapt into the air. I loved soaring upward like this, with the air rushing past me and the strength I had surging in my legs. Eventually, I slowed and leveled my flight so I
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