Time Rift

By Claudia Blood

The key to saving the world could be the one thing out of Duff’s reach...
It’s an impossible situation.
Time itself is coming apart at the seams, and Duff and the Z-Crew suspect the key rests with one girl: Horizon.
The problem?
Horizon is the long-sought-after daughter of their nemesis, Ravenne. She stopped at nothing to retrieve her daughter from the past. Now it’s clear sending Horizon back is the only way to repair the rift, but her mother won’t let her go.
The underground artifact where they accidentally created the rift is crumbling.
No one will survive unless they can escape the mountain falling down around them, but time is shuddering and echoing around them, and the way out isn’t clear.
To make things worse, thanks to the unpredictability of time rifts, the crew now faces not just one mortal enemy—there are two Ravennes working against them.
Will Z-Crew escape Ravenne’s clutches and set time right again, or will Duff finally have to bend to his enemy’s will? Find out in the final installment of the Relic Trilogy!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Claudia Blood
• Release date: Mar 22, 2021
• ISBN: 9781954603028

Claudia Blood

Claudia Blood’s early introduction to Dungeons and Dragons, combined with her training as a scientist and a side trip into the world of IT set her up to become an award-winning author of Science Fiction and Fantasy.For her latest release, visit her atwww.ClaudiaBlood.com

Book preview

1

RAVENNE

Ravenne couldn't catch her breath. Her daughter was sprawled on the floor in the same dress she had worn the day she'd died. H-Horizon? Ravenne's voice cracked and she had to clear her throat. Her chest warmed. She had missed Horizon.

Horizon shrank back into Willow's arms. Her thumb popped into her mouth, and she wrapped the doll that had caused so much pain in her arms.

Unease flicked up Ravenne's spine. She put her gun away, knelt, and held out her arms. Horizon, honey, it's me, your mom.

My mommy is not old, the little girl said, and she ducked her head against Willow.

Ravenne's stomach dropped and she slumped. How could she have forgotten that no time had passed for her daughter, but decades had passed for herself, and centuries for the universe?

Had she lost the battle for her daughter even before she'd started? Fear and sadness swirled in her gut. She wanted her daughter back and had done everything she possibly could to get her. She would persevere; Horizon was smart and would think of Ravenne as her mother once more. Otherwise everything she had suffered and done would be for nothing.

Horizon just needed to get used to seeing her wrinkled, time-worn face. Given time, Horizon would recognize her.

Dust and fine grains of rock fell from the ceiling.

We have to get out of here. Rin helped Willow stand.

Something in Ravenne's pack pinged. Surprised, she dug through it and pulled out the small device that could track and read time signatures. She flipped it open, but what she saw made no sense. The number of time particles was going crazy. That meant they were all in danger. A fine tremor shook the room.

It's only going to get worse. Do you want her to die here? Rin asked. Her voice was level and reasonable.

Rin was right. Shock quickened Ravenne's heart. She didn't want her daughter to die, not so soon after rescuing her. She needed time to show Horizon what she had been willing to give up for her.

The ground shivered again, and the feeling of impending doom settled on Ravenne's chest.

Once they got out of the demon stronghold, she would have the time to show Horizon. Let's go.

The device pinged like crazy. Willow and Horizon cried out, and Willow collapsed. The whole room shook.

2

DUFF

The room bucked, shifting Duff away from Willow. He fell to his knees. The dust from the ceiling scattered down and smaller pebbles thumped on his back. Willow's cries were like a knife in his gut.

He crawled toward Willow and pulled her under his body. He wasn't sure what was happening, but would protect Willow the best he could. If the room stopped shaking, he'd have to get them out of the cave. The room bucked again. Willow curled in a ball and covered her ears, shaking.

A crunch filled the air just before a column fell forward and crushed the control panel. Fear chilled him. They were deep within a mountain, in a city that seemed to be collapsing around them. It was very possible they were all about to die.

He put his cheek against Willow's and put his hands over the hands she had over her ears. If nothing else, he hoped she knew that he was there with her.

Finally, the shaking stopped. He knew they had to get out of here before the cave collapsed.

Willow relaxed and sat up. She took a shuddery breath.

What happened? Duff removed his hands. He kept his voice low and gentle, at odds with his almost violent urge to protect her.

The music and sounds got deafening. I'm not even sure how to describe it. Her voice wavered. The uncertain note tightened his stomach.

She gave his hand a squeeze and then brought Horizon into her lap. Are you okay, honey?

Like a big suck of air, Horizon said. She was pale and her hand shook as she groped her doll closer.

What does that mean?

Like something was flowing together and the pressure was building? Rin asked. Her face was bleached of color and her hair was wild. He'd never seen her look more out of control. She rubbed the outside of the coat where she'd put her sacred book.

He remembered that she'd said that there could be a rupture. Was this a sign? Rin, do you think that the bulge in the time-rift is bursting?

Rin shrugged and straightened her hair.

Is there any way to tell? Duff asked. What equipment would someone need to be able to tell if the time-rift existed and if it was getting bigger? Once they found out, would there be any options to fix it? Or would the whole planet be destroyed?

Rin shook her head, but her gaze darted to Ravenne. Duff's stomach plummeted. Rin wouldn't speak freely in front of Ravenne. Which could mean that the scientists were able to help them.

Ravenne tilted her head. Are you saying that there’s an instability?

Triggering the machine here probably started a sequence that caused the time-rift to expand, Rin said.

Ravenne narrowed her eyes. Duff had no idea what she was thinking but it probably wasn't good for them.

The first thing we need to do is get outside, Duff said. He knew that at the very least Ravenne would want to get her daughter to safety. They would be aligned on that goal. How do we get out of here?

Ravenne jerked to look at him. She'd been lost in thought, probably planning something.

This way. She led them out of the room.

He and Willow held Horizon's hands.

The tunnels ahead of them were flickering shadows. It looked and felt like what it had been like to be within the machine and getting Willow. Which could mean that the shadows were not all quite within this time. Worry twisted his stomach. What would happen if they crossed into the twisting shadows?

Ravenne hesitated, her eyes darting around. This isn't right.

Willow? Duff asked. Willow was a Seer and had proven that she was able to find the time currents. Perhaps she would be able to help them now.

Willow turned her gaze on him.

Can you use the music to lead back to where we need to go?

She tilted her head and focused on the tunnels. Then her gaze slid to his. No. She said it very softly. I can hear different songs, but it starts and stops like a door opening and closing. I can't tell where the door is. Disappointment tightened his chest.

Horizon squeezed Duff's hand. I see a path that leads to a jungle. Is that what we need?

Duff looked at her serious little face. She'd been through a lot today. Could he trust that a traumatized kid would know the way out? If they had one mis-step they would all end up dead. Or maybe worse. She had reacted just like Willow had to the shaking. Did that mean Horizon was a Seer as well?

The cave will collapse in a few minutes. Rin sounded nervous.

Rin being nervous made everything more real. She never seemed to be nervous.

Ravenne made a slight sound. Her hands were clenched in fists and she stared at her daughter as if trying to figure out how to protect her.

He looked around at the shifting tunnels and shivered again. If they stayed here, they would die. There was no other exit. So getting through these tunnels was the only way they had any chance to survive.

He had no choice but to trust the daughter of their enemy.

3

WILLOW

Willow could see the rapid pulse in Horizon’s throat. There was a small burn mark at the edge of her dress. Dried sweat and tears had left trails on her cheeks. But for all that her eyes were steady. Willow squeezed the little girl’s hand.

Do you hear the time currents? Willow asked.

Horizon tilted her head, the same way Willow had seen Ravenne do just a moment before.

Horizon shook her head. Whether the shake was in response to Willow's question or whether it meant she didn't understand, Willow wasn't sure. If Willow revealed what the time currents were like for her, perhaps that would make Horizon feel more at ease.

I found out that I could hear things from other times as music playing in the distance. I could follow the sounds until I found them. The sound would disappear when I touched the things, Willow said.

Horizon licked her lips, seeming nervous. I can see it. It looks like when you open a door and you can see the hallway. Her gaze darted around the room. There are lots of doors.

That's good, honey. Can you lead us out? The clash of the music was so overwhelming, Willow wondered if they would be torn apart if they made a mis-step.

Horizon nodded. But the doors open and close.

Does it look the same the next time the door opens? Willow asked. They might end up anywhere in time if they got this wrong.

Horizon turned and peered down the hallway and then shook her head. Sometimes it does.

There must be a pattern. Can you tell me when it’s open to the next place we need to go?

Horizon gazed down the tunnel again. Closed. Open. Closed. Open.

Willow could hear music swell when Horizon said open and distance when Horizon said closed. There were other tunes that got louder and softer as well.

What happens if a person is in the middle of the door when it closes? Duff asked. He must have been thinking the same thing she had been. This would be dangerous.

Ravenne snorted. Nothing good. The forces would be hard on a fragile human body.

Is there another way out? Willow asked.

No. Something about Ravenne's face made Willow think that Ravenne had her own plan of escape—one that didn't include anyone but her daughter. Willow needed to make sure they all got out, so that meant keeping a close eye on Ravenne.

Then I guess we have to chance it. It doesn't sound like it stays open long enough for all of us to get through. Willow glanced at Horizon who nodded.

I can hold Horizon, Ravenne said. Her voice sounded innocent, but Willow knew that Ravenne would leave the rest of them stranded if she could.

Horizon's hand gripped Willow's hand harder. She could feel the fine tremor under the little girl's fingers. She didn't want to go to Ravenne.

Ravenne frowned at the grip Horizon had on Willow's hand. A series of emotions flashed across her face, but her expression settled into a motherly smile. Rin and I can go first, Ravenne said.

Horizon, honey, can you help them step close to the door without being in the door? Willow asked.

Horizon nodded.

Relief made her giddy. With Horizon being able to see the way, they still had a chance to survive.

Rin and Ravenne stepped slowly forward into the tunnel. Rin needed to lean over to get through the space.

Stop, Horizon said.

Ravenne and Rin both froze where they were.

Willow could hear the music come and go, but wasn't sure what the delay was before it reached her ears. Hearing wasn’t made for this. Maybe if she had echolocation, she'd be able to interact with the sounds.

Go. Horizon said and Rin and Ravenne stepped forward. The music pulsed. They took a few steps down the tunnel. Rin straightened once she got past the tunnel into the next room. What would happen once the door closed? Would Willow be able to tell if Rin and Ravenne had made it to the correct place?

Stop, Horizon said.

How do we know if it— Ravenne asked.

Ravenne and Rin disappeared, leaving just the twisting tunnel.

Surprise had Willow stepping forward, but Duff stopped her. Even though Horizon had said that it was like a door opening and shutting, Willow hadn't expected them to disappear. She could only hope that they would appear again soon. Fear and guilt collided in her stomach.

If she was wrong about the existence of a pattern in the music, Rin and Ravenne would be trapped in the tunnels with no way to see their way out.

4

Z

The stone bridge shimmied under Z's feet. A rock crashed next to him. Heart racing, he jumped back. Stalactites covered the ceiling like jagged stone teeth. They vibrated. One the size of a house broke and plummeted to the side of the bridge.

Get down! Gabriel screamed.

Z flattened himself against the bridge. The whole thing shuddered. He held on, his fingers digging into the stone. His feet, having no purchase, slid to the side and off the end. Fear gripped his chest. He was tied to a rope, but if he fell Matilda and Gabriel would fall with him. All it would take was another big stalactite falling or worse, one hitting the bridge, and they were done for.

The bridge stopped quaking. Z stood up. He needed to get them off the bridge. Movement to the side caught his gaze. A white mist flowed toward him. Inside the mist shadowed figures moved, hovering above the chasm. Was it real?

The chill of fear cinched tighter around his chest. The mist reminded him of the feeling he'd had in the great tree they had used as transport the first time they journeyed to Falcon's Folly.

He pushed aside the comparison. Now was not the time; now they needed to get off the bridge. He glanced back over his shoulder. Both Matilda and Gabriel gaped at the white cloud. At least he knew it wasn’t just in his head.

The bridge trembled again, but the figures seemed unaffected.

Move! Z barked.

Gabriel and Matilda jerked and ran toward Z and he sprinted toward the entrance.

The bridge jerked again. His arms windmilled, but he caught his balance. If he could make it across then he could tie off this end of the rope, and Gabriel and Matilda would have a chance to escape even if they fell.

The earth bucked under him and he catapulted off the bridge. Adrenaline spiked. His vision sharpened so all he could see was the stalagmite he flew toward.

The rope caught Z by the chest, knocking the breath out of his lungs. His heart pounded. He squirmed to adjust the rope’s push on his chest until the pressure relocated to under his armpits. He was safe for the moment.

He was a few feet below the bridge, his feet lost in the inky darkness. He had no idea how far below the ground was, but the echo of stones from the bridge above him pinged far below. The fall would've killed him. He swallowed.

Z! Matilda called from above.

I'm okay, he said. He was. For now.

Motion above him and on his left caught his eye. At this angle, the silvery cloud seemed to inch closer. Lightning flared within it. What was that? The shadow of creatures with too many arms to be human flickered into existence. Surprise caught in his throat. He knew aliens had been here first, but he never expected to see any. He couldn't tell what they were doing. Could they help him? He didn't think so.

The rope jerked against his chest and he swung to his right. He glanced up. The rope had slid into a crack in the bridge. He now dangled under the middle of the bridge instead of off to the side. His gut sank. With any movement, that crack would act like a saw on the rope. He had little chance of being rescued before the rope broke.

The bridge was four feet thick, but there were already other cracks in it. A wad of rock broke off and whizzed past his face. He eyed the rest of the bridge and realized that it wouldn't take much for the bridge to collapse. Matilda and Gabriel needed to get to safety, or they would die with him.

You guys need to get off this bridge, he called up. If they got off the bridge, he could concentrate on getting himself back up onto it or down to the ground.

There were no handholds. Swinging would