Time After Time Read Online Free Page B

of her.
    "So what do you suggest?" she asked, her voice disgruntled as she stepped gingerly around a pile of rocky debris, holding her long skirt out of the way with one hand.
    The terrain had become rougher as they walked. Huge boulders of white rock rose beside them, block-ing their view of the quarry.
    "I suggest we play it out. In fact, that's all we can do. If people could arrange their dreams, there would be no nightmares," he added with maddening calm.
    Together they skirted a large outcropping of rock... and walked squarely into a gathering of Roman soldiers.
    And there was no doubt that they were soldiers. Their uniforms could never be mistaken for anything else. They had been in the process of passing around a goatskin wine bag, but the appearance of Leah and Paul caused an immediate and definite reaction. Several of the men pulled out swords; others pointed ra-
    zor-sharp javelins threateningly in the direction of the intruders.
    Leah swallowed heavily. "Play it out, you say?"
    As the men began to advance, Paul swore under his breath. "Leah... honey, if you're going to wake up, now is the time to do it."
    "Well, well, well," one of the soldiers said, eyeing Leah. "What have we here? A beauteous maid, I vow."
    His British accent made the situation slightly ridiculous, but Leab. had no time to play critic, she was too busy trying to hide behind Paul.
    Seconds later, when she was grasped by several rough hands and dragged away from Paul, a low growling sound came from deep in his throat. Rage flashed in his green eyes, and his chest swelled as he drew a harsh breath. Then, without warning, he threw himself headlong into the middle of the soldiers who held her.
    For a moment the Romans appeared startled and dropped back, almost in fear. But only for a moment. As soon as it dawned on them that they were six men—six armed men—against one, they met his anger enthusiastically and en masse.
    An involuntary cry escaped Leah as Paul was caught on the chin by a chain-wrapped fist, then in the stomach, then on the side of the head. Each soldier seemed determined to take part. As Paul continued to stand against the violent blows, Leah felt time slow down, dragging out the scene interminably. She knew she was screaming at them, but she didn't know what words
    she used. Eventually she began to claim the pain as her own, flinching each time a blow was struck.
    When at last he fell, most of the men stepped away, breathing heavily from their exertions. But two of the soldiers stayed behind. The fact that their laughter didn't sound particularly vicious or cruel as they kicked him in the back and the side made the scene even more unbearable.
    "Paul!" she screamed, struggling against the hands that held her tightly. "Stop that! Damn it, you stupid cowards, let him go!"
    The sound of her voice drew the two men's attention away from Paul. Giving one last kick each for good measure, they turned and moved in her direction, smiling at her in boyish good humor.
    "Paul, are you all right?" she asked, panicking when he didn't move. "Paul?"
    Slowly, painfully, he rolled to his knees, then rose to his feet, swaying slightly. "I'm fine," he said. His voice was thick and hoarse, as though speaking were an effort for him. Then he glanced over to where she stood. "They—" He broke off to draw a deep, raspy breath, then gave her a weak grin. "They wouldn't have beaten me so easily if I hadn't tripped over my skirt."
    When he began to move toward her, the two men who had kicked him raised their iron-tipped spears, holding him at bay.
    "Okay, chaps, you've had enough playtime."
    The mocking comment came from a large, dark soldier with a deep scar on the side of his neck. Until
    that moment he had stood back against the outcrop of rocks, out of their line of sight. He was dressed like the other men: leather breastplate above a short white skirt and a red robe clasped at the neck and thrown back over both shoulders. But Leah realized immediately that