The World Jumper: The Evers Series, #4

Prologue

Williamsburg, VA, January 12, 1700

The maid hovered in the doorway, anxiously wringing her hands. She needed to see to her mistress. Lady Evers had passed nigh on sixty minutes, and it was unseemly to make her spirit wait to cross over.

But Sir Evers still knelt by his wife’s bedside, clutching her hand, weeping softly as he implored his beloved to come back to him.

The midwife had urged him to leave her side so the women could attend to her, entreating him to come and meet his son and daughter, both hale and hearty. Lord Evers became agitated and bellowed, Find a witch. Surely one of them can revive her!

The midwife had shaken her head, placed a hand on his arm, and replied, Sir, the witches have all been executed, but even they would tell you there is no coming back from the dead.

In the end, she left after making arrangements for a wet nurse to care for the babies. Though she was not a witch herself, she suspected Lady Evers had been one, as was Annie, her lady’s maid. On her way out, she had taken Annie aside.

You’ll be wanting to bind the children’s magic as soon as possible. Though the witch hunts are over, I don’t need to tell you that your kind will never be safe.

Annie had feigned ignorance, but there was no fooling the old midwife. She nodded and closed the door behind the woman.

Annie was not as skilled nor as knowledgeable as her employer, but it was clear she needed to act swiftly before anyone else arrived. It was lucky that Lady Evers had given birth in the middle of the night. Apart from Sir Evers, the midwife, and herself, the only other person aware of the birth was a footman who’d been roused to fetch the midwife. After being asked to carry hot water and other items from the kitchen, he was dismissed and promptly returned to bed.

Sir Evers still wept and Annie turned. If she could not attend to Lady Evers, she could at least do as the midwife implored. The babies must be protected.

The children were in matching baskets by the fire in the parlor. Annie gathered what she needed for the binding spell: a candle, some string, and a pair of poppets. She made quick work of it. It was an easy spell to do. Later, when there was more time, she would also perform a protection spell and prepare amulets for the children. But for the time being, they were safe here at home. She gently touched both of their soft cheeks before returning to Lady Evers’ room.

As she gazed at the mourning Lord, she squared her shoulders and strode into the room with more confidence than she felt. She grabbed a firm hold of the man’s arm and tugged gently.

Sir, I really must insist you let me attend to my lady. Her spirit hovers and wants to be set free, she implored.

Archibald, upon hearing about his wife’s spirit, looked up and faced the maid. She nodded and nudged his arm away from the bed.

Your children are in the parlor. The wet nurse should arrive at any moment now. I’ll be as quick as I can, she assured him.

The man finally got up and placed a tender kiss on his wife’s forehead. He then kissed the hand he was still clutching and promised to return soon. He headed out of the room but paused in the doorway to look at his wife. The midwife had washed her face, smoothed her hair, and covered her body with the bedclothes. She looked like she was sleeping and could wake at any moment. He took a step toward her, but the maid blocked his way, grim-faced.

Sir, please, she entreated.

With a choked sob, Archibald turned and left his wife’s bed-chamber.

As he entered the parlor, Sir Evers saw the baskets near the fire. Thinking he needed fortification before he met his progeny, he headed for the liquor cabinet. Drink in hand, he walked back to his children and crouched low to get a better view of them. The boy, wrapped in a blue blanket, was sleeping peacefully. His head was covered with a bonnet; there was no way of seeing if he had any hair. It was clear, however, that he favored his mother. He had her round face and delicate nose. He looked over at the boy’s sister and was surprised to see her eyes were open. She seemed to be staring directly at him. He leaned in closer and smiled. She had somehow managed to free her hands from the yellow blanket. He reached in and lifted the tiny hand with his finger. His daughter’s hand closed around it firmly. It was all it took for Archibald to lose his heart to yet another Evers sorceress.

The spell was broken when he heard a sound in the hall. Thinking it must be Annie coming to fetch him to take him back to his wife’s room, he rose and let his finger slip out of his daughter’s grasp.

She was having none of it and immediately started wailing. In a panic, he tried to coo at her, to no avail. It seemed to incense her more than anything, and soon she’d woken her brother.

Annie! he bellowed.

Where was the blasted girl when you needed her? he thought.

And then he remembered, and grief reached into his heart and squeezed. He knelt on the floor and placed a hand on each of his children’s bellies, hoping to soothe them as he rubbed gently. It seemed to calm them. He heard shuffling at the door and turned, thinking Annie had finally come to his aid, but there was a man at the door. Though it was winter, the man had neither coat nor hat.

Archibald rose and waited for the butler or a footman to appear and announce the visitor, but the stranger was indeed alone. He didn’t look menacing. In fact, he looked like a scholar with his wire-rimmed glasses and his odd attire. There was something very familiar about him.

Nonetheless, he thought it best to put himself between the stranger and his newborns. Archibald strode to him and bowed, Archibald Evers, at your service.

When the man did not immediately respond, he added, I apologize for my attire, sir, but, as you may have surmised, it is the middle of the night, and I was not expecting visitors.

The man found his voice and rushed out an apology of his own. I’m terribly sorry. I’ve been Traveling and had not realized the time, said the man. Are those your children? he asked as he took a step closer to the baskets.

Archibald made a side step to halt his advance. Perhaps you’d care to tell me what brings you to my home in the middle of the night, said Archibald, a distinct frost in his tone.

Of course, replied the man. He took a step back and raked his fingers through his hair. I’m afraid you might not believe me, though.

Archibald raised an eyebrow. Perhaps you would be so kind as to provide your name, sir, he said and waited for the man to explain himself.

My name is Simon Evers, and I’m one of your descendants, said the man.

When Lord Evers said nothing, he continued, I’ve come from the year 2004. He took out the pocket watch and held it out to Archibald, whose eyes had grown wide at the sight of it.

Where did you find that? he asked, reaching for it.

Simon let him have it. Archibald stared at the device in utter bewilderment.

Their conversation was interrupted as Annie knocked on the door, casting a worried look towards the stranger.

Sir, the wet nurse is here. May we take the children up to the nursery? she asked, hovering by the door.

He waved her in and saw the wet nurse was just behind her. She curtsied as she entered, first to Archibald, then to his guest. Archibald asked what her name was. Elizabeth, sir, but everyone calls me Lizzie, was her reply.

Thank you for coming, Lizzie. I assume Annie has told you about the children’s mother? he asked.

Yes, sir. I’m ever so sorry for your loss, she said, bowing her head in respect and crossing herself. May she rest in peace.

He nodded at her, then at the babies. Annie and Lizzie each took one of the baskets and quickly left the parlor.

Simon looked horrified. He kept opening his mouth to say something, but words were not forthcoming. Finally, Simon cleared his throat and said, Sir, my sincerest condolences. I had not realized. I should take my leave.

Archibald cut him off. No, please stay. It’s a much-needed distraction. My wife died in childbirth only an hour ago, and I’m afraid I’m not quite ready to deal with that piece of reality. I would much prefer to discuss this bit of fiction instead, he said, indicating the pocket watch in his hand.

Follow me, he said and led the way out of the parlor, down the hall, and into the study. It looked the same as it did in 2004, except the furniture looked brand new.

Archibald walked over to the desk and opened one of the small, locked cubby drawers. It was empty. He had secured the pocket watch in the drawer only last week. He shot an accusatory look at Simon.

That’s not where I found it, said Simon, who went to one of the floor-to-ceiling bookcases, his fingers feeling the underside of the wood paneling. Finding the spot he was looking for, he pressed it, and a hidden compartment popped out. It was empty.

Archibald got up from the desk and came to look at the compartment. How did you know that was there? he asked, amazed. And for that matter, how did the timepiece get there?

It’s a long story... replied Simon.

Incredible, replied Archibald, nodding. Are there others?

Simon went around the room and opened another five hidden compartments. Two of them had items in them. The first was a velour pouch with an assortment of gems. The gems looked genuine, and the pouch was heavy. Archibald pocketed the pouch and looked at the other compartment. This one contained the deeds to multiple parcels of land in the area. It seemed the late Lord Evers had a few tricks up his sleeve. Archibald put the deeds back into the drawer. He had no immediate need for them, but perhaps they would prove useful in the future.

He turned to Simon and gestured to one of the armchairs. Simon accepted the glass that Archibald placed in front of him. Simon raised his glass and said, To Lady Emmeline, may she rest in peace.

Archibald nodded in acknowledgment and clinked his glass. The men drank their bourbon and talked until morning.

Chapter 1

Jackson

When Lola came back from The Academy with Devlin in tow, Jackson was immediately suspicious of the new family member. However, after doing his digging, he agreed with the attorney; Devlin seemed legit.

But from then on, everyone started acting like he was superfluous. Of course, they made it look like they were giving him back his freedom and letting him spread his wings. But it hurt being excluded from the only family he had ever known.

When Phyllis had told him about Lola, he hadn’t taken it well. He hadn’t let it show, of course. Phyllis had been so excited at the prospect of having her long-lost niece stay with her. Phyllis was such a wonderful person, and Jackson loved her like she was his aunt. But she wasn’t. She was Lola’s aunt. And though he’d been treated as one of the family since he was a child, the truth was that he was the caretakers’ child. At best, he was a charity case. At worst, he was the help.

And now that Devlin was there, they didn’t need him. Now he felt stupid for delaying college for so long. Sure, Phyllis had pre-paid his tuition, and he had money set aside. But he was two years behind. Bonnie and the others would be graduating this year, and he hadn’t even started college. He wasn’t even sure he still wanted to study Business at UVA now that he would no longer be the Evers’ Estate Manager.

Depressed and confused, he had reached out to Bonnie at Patty’s party. She suggested he join her for a weekend at the beach, clear his head, and get some perspective.

Look, I get that you feel excluded, she said, turning over onto her stomach as they were sunbathing. But it’s not like Phyllis has kicked you out. Take a vacation, see the world, have fun!

When he started to object, she added, You’re only nineteen! College will be there when you get back. And, honestly, your life sucks. I mean, you have more responsibilities than my parents. You need to lighten up!

Jackson pondered this for a while. He liked his life. True, most of his friends were either boozing it up in college or working easy jobs to make money for their next adventure. He was lucky to have such a great home, a position he loved and was good at, and plenty of money. Of course, he should take this trip. Enjoy what was left of his youth.

You’re right. My big problem is not that I’m behind in college; it’s that I’m behind on my quota of questionable decisions and stupid shenanigans, he told Bonnie as he grabbed a beer from the cooler, popped the can, and chugged the whole thing. Bonnie started hooting and got herself a beer, though she only took a few sips in solidarity. They spent the rest of the weekend wasting time with the locals, overeating at beach cookouts, and dancing the nights away at beach bonfire parties.

When Jackson had gotten home late Sunday night, he relaxed and looked forward to starting a whole new life.

On Monday morning, Jackson met with Phyllis and the new caretakers, John and Sally. They would spend the week training with Jackson and Marie and move in the following weekend if all went well.

Jackson liked John, but he was uneasy about giving him access to all the security protocols. Mr. Radcliff said he and Sally had been cleared and could be trusted with all of the Evers’ secrets. But how much did Mr. Radcliff know about what Jackson knew?

After touring the Estate with John, Jackson set him to work in the garage. The cars were due for their monthly cleaning and top-ups. That would keep him busy for a few hours.

Jackson went to his office in the apartment over the garage. That’s where the command center was set up. It would need to be moved either to the caretakers’ cottage or to the main house study. But for now, it was Jackson’s to control.

Devlin, Lola, and Phyllis had been spending a lot of time behind closed doors lately. At first, he figured they just wanted to have some privacy to discuss family matters. But now, he got the feeling something was up. They were unaware that the Estate’s security and surveillance equipment was not limited to the grounds.

All the rooms except the bathrooms had cameras. The bedroom cameras didn’t record a continuous video feed as that would have been intrusive. However, the feed was live. One of his screens showed a revolving view of the bedrooms, two at a time, and the computer snapped a still picture randomly once every hour. None of the video feeds had sound.

Jackson went over the outdoor feeds recorded since he had left on Friday. Everything seemed in order. He then looked at the indoor feeds, saving the bedrooms for last. Things were quiet until the family came back from the House party. Jackson watched the feed