Time Dancer Read Online Free

his magic blanked her mind.
    Then she realized what he’d said. His charge. She was his charge. He was staying to help her. “Who are you?”
    “I am Darach. I am no coward.” An arrogant sneer angled one lip high as he raked her with a scathing look. “Your magic is weak and your form even weaker. Does this world not have any mightier warriors than you?”
    That smirk grated Jana, shot into her spine and stiffened her back. “Many, but this is my quest and you’re here to help me so get used to this weak form.”
    “If I must.” A sarcastic nod of his head substituted for gallantry. “I await your call, my charge. Do not fritter away my limited time in this realm.”
    He imploded, sucking into a tight plume of lilac smoke. The smoke barreled toward her chest, spearing her necklace. A hush breathed into the room as warmth emanated between her breasts. She touched the tiny gemstone that now held a living spell.
    The queen collapsed.
    Frantic footsteps echoed outside the door. The knob jiggled and the door shook as a man called out. Jana was frozen as the magic in her necklace found her heartbeat and matched it. Silence fell. A muttered spell leaked through the wood. Splinters and shards blasted into the room, and the charred scent of sulfur wrinkled her nose. Prince Warric bolted through the demolished doorway, wisps of smoke encircling him. His chest heaved, a red flush along his cheeks and terse lines outlining his dark goatee.
    “Jana? What in the hell are you doi—” He saw the queen’s crumpled body and his anger fizzled. “Oh shit. Mama!”
    He rushed to her side, carefully sliding his arm beneath her. “What made the walls quake?” His gaze jerked to the tabletop and the remnants of ingredients scattered about. “Sand and pepper? Iron shavings? Is that bone? What was she doing?”
    “Only what needed to be done.” The queen’s dark hair, so richly matching her son’s, streamed over his arm. Her eyes fluttered open. “Just give me a moment. I’m simply overtaxed. It takes great strength to call a spirit.”
    “What?” Warric’s mouth fell open and he gaped at Jana. “She summoned a spell for you? Why?”
    She regained control of her muscles. A thrumming force pulsed from the amulet and she focused on the beat, so like a living heart outside her chest. “For Batu.”
    His jaw clenched. “Damn it, Jana. Do you know how much strength it takes to do that? She shouldn’t be trying it at her age.”
    “Warric.” The queen’s voice snapped. “I’m not yet in the grave.”
    “I didn’t mean it like that, Mama.” He dropped his eyes. “You called a guardian?”
    “No, a tracker. One to sniff out and discover what threatens my family.”
    “A tracker? A dog? A wolf?”
    “A keener nose than those and one who carries enough strength to end the threat.”
    “You called a bear.” Warric’s voice filled with wonder. “But why Jana? Why not me? My magic is ten times as potent as hers.”
    Words stuck in Jana’s throat. Because I feel useless and helpless and without purpose . Because I feel driven to do something , anything . Because I need to help . Because no man would put up with such an arrogant spell without punching him .
    “Because Jana shall be the one to save my blood. This has been foreseen. Help me to my chamber, Warric. I must rest.”
    Warric scooped his mother against his chest and stomped from the tower room. Jana scurried to secure the flapping shutters. She paused, letting the morning air blow across her cheeks. The sky stretched deep and gray and endless with no golden sun to warm it. Nature whispered to her—a vacant, eerie call that brought gooseflesh along her arms.
    A spell had been summoned and one had answered. He waited in her necklace for her call. What did she do now?

Chapter Two
    “Jana?”
    The knock was soft enough that it wouldn’t have disturbed her, even if her mind wasn’t scattering with questions. She’d been trying to organize her thoughts,