Rise of a Legend (Guardian of Scotland Book 1) by Amy Jarecki

writer and a Wallace fanatic. I thought you’d have the best chance of staying alive and bringing back the truth—and then have the skills to tell the world about it. Besides, I honestly didn’t believe you’d spend more than two minutes there, just like...”
    Pacing in a circle, a bazillion thoughts warred in Eva’s head. I can’t leave things with William thinking the worst. I must see him again . “I have to figure out how to get back.”
    Walter removed his glasses and wiped them with the hem of his shirt. “I don’t know if you can.”
    She gulped. “What are you saying?”
    His exasperated mien grew more exaggerated when he repositioned his thick lenses. “You might have guessed that I’ve already tried.”
    “Shit.” She plopped into the camp chair. “I figured you might have. What happened?”
    “An old man gave me the medallion years ago at the Fail Monastery ruins. The only thing he said was the rule, the same one I told you.”
    She shoved her hands against her temples and rocked back. “Where did he come from?”
    “I’ve no idea. I was sitting on the wall, writing in my journal, and all of a sudden he was standing in front of me. I looked down at the medallion and read the inscription. When I looked back up he was gone—almost thought he was a ghost.”
    “That’s creepy.” Eva shuddered. “Did you travel right then and there?”
    Tennant nodded. “I landed in the midst of a battle, and fought for my life, shrieked when I was sure my head was about to be lopped off.” He stretched his legs out and crossed his ankles. “I was only there for a few minutes before I was catapulted back. It’s never happened for me again.”
    Dropping her hands, she grasped the camp chair’s armrests. “So you traveled before you were killed?”
    “Aye, I did.”
    She scooted to the edge of her seat. “Do you know if the traveler has any control over time and place?”
    He shook his head. “You ken as much as I do, lass. And I’m not certain if Fail Monastery has anything to do with it or not.”
    “Then why did I end up in your tent and not at the ruins?”
    Shrugging, Walter had no answer.
    With a drum of her fingers, Eva recalled that she’d pictured the tent—her mind must have some sort of control. But how?
    Filled with growing confidence, she jumped to her feet. “I need a shower and to collect a few things. Then I’m heading back to Fail.”
    Walter leaned forward in his chair. “Don’t you have enough material for a story? I’ll say it again, traveling back could be dangerous.”
    And now he was worried about her safety? But for the first time in her life, she wasn’t. “Jeez. Did you think about that when you put the medallion around my neck?” She stopped at the tent flap and grinned. “Besides, I’ve got William Wallace watching my back.”
    ***
    Eva stood under the shower, reveling beneath the luxurious hot water. To think, just a few days ago, she thought it a paltry stream. If only she could linger, but not now. Anxious to be on her way, she turned off the faucet and grabbed her towel. Earlier, she’d rinsed out her musty smelling clothes and thrown them in the caravan park dryer. Who knew when she’d have the chance to clean up again?
    After toweling off, she donned a pair of black leggings, convinced they would be more comfortable under her gown and blend in better to medieval Scotland than her jeans. Then she put on wool socks, her boots and a bra. Dashing to the dryer, she removed the shift and tugged it over her head, followed by the blue gown, the apron and the veil—well, she tossed the veil over her arm and ran to the caravan.
    Thank God her roommates Linsey and Chrissy weren’t there. Eva opened her laptop and quickly shot off an e-mail to her parents, telling them she’d found the story of a lifetime, and not to expect to hear from her for a while. Mom would have a gazillion questions, but Eva wouldn’t be online to answer.
    She grabbed a worn leather satchel