When they all opened their eyes, they found themselves outside of a lovely picturesque village and there was a vile smell in the air.

“We‘re in 1066,“ Aurelius announced. „I don‘t understand why you‘ve come with me.“

“I think I‘m linked to the book,“ Peter said, looking at it. „And since the twins and Hazel came along to help me, they were linked to me, therefore to the book also.“

“But how do we go back?“ Gracie asked.

Mr. Green floated over to Aurelius and flapped his large white cloth like wings.

“The faery!“ cried Percy, understanding his meaning. „Perhaps she can help?“

As if she were summoned by a mere mention, a faery with crystal wings and a swishing gown of pale green landed next to them. Her dark hair was wavy and her eyes were the colour of ice.

“You are tied to the book‘s fate and also to the fate of 1066,“ she murmured as she traced the side of Peter‘s head. „This is beyond my skill to send you back.“ She turned to Aurelius. „We must get them to my father.“

As if he were summoned by a mere mention as well, another faery landed. His wings were white and shimmering, and he wore a red cloak, which covered his face.

“Why have you summoned me, April?“ he asked.

“Father, these children- and this ghost- need your help. They cannot return to their time. Their fate is tied to the fate of the book now.“

“Can you help, Lord Everett?“ Aurelius wanted to know. 

„Of course.“ Lord Everett picked up the book and flipped through its pages, then found the right one and began to murmur something under his breath. An incantation.

“Will this bring us back?“ Hazel enquired.

Lord Everett nodded and a vine of shimmering light sneaked out of the book and coiled around the children and Mr. Green. 

„This spell will take you back,“ Lord Everett explained. „You may come back whenever you like. Take these.“ Out of nowhere, he took out four small hourglasses. „When the time is right, you can return and go back.“ The children took the hourglasses, and in a flash they vanished.

 

When Gracie opened her eyes, she found herself in the midst of a splendid room. It was carpeted, with gleaming wooden furniture and a large chandelier hanging from the wall.

“Wow,“ she breathed as she got up to her legs. Next to her, Percy got up as well. He blinked. 

„Are we still in that creepy old house, or…?“

Hazel stood up and brushed herself off. „I think that there was more to Lord Everett‘s spell than returning us home.“

“He broke the curse,“ Peter realised as he gazed around the room in awe. „The house is no longer old and dusty. This is what it would‘ve always looked like. Where‘s Mr. Green?“

They looked around for the ghost, but he was nowhere to be seen. Until…

“Do you hear that? It sounded like a dog…“ Hazel was suddenly knocked over by a border collie which excitedly licked her face. Hazel laughed. A name tag swung wildly on the dog‘s neck. It said: Shadow.

“Aw!“ The twins knelt down to pet him.

“Shadow,“ Peter read aloud. „Well, I guess I‘ll have to have him instead of Mr. Green.“

Shadow knocked Peter onto the floor and licked him crazily, causing Peter to laugh. 

„What day is it?“ Gracie asked and found a calendar on a table. „Is it June already?“

They looked at each other.

“Impossible,“ Percy insisted. „How come…“

“Sounds like we have some explaining to do,“ Hazel said meekly.

Peter threw his head back and laughed. „Well, good luck! I‘ll see you around?“ The twins and Hazel nodded, then navigated their way out of the mansion and went outside into the blinding summer sun. Hazel said goodbye and walked in the direction of her house, while the twins headed into theirs. 

„What are we going to tell Mom and Dad?“ Percy asked.

“They won‘t believe us. We can tell them that…“ Gracie looked over her shoulder at the newly resurrected mansion. „That we were kidnapped and then we escaped. Our captor… mysteriously vanished.“

Percy shrugged as he rang the doorbell. „That could work.“

 

After a few weeks, the twins carried a basket full of cherries to Peter‘s mansion. When they rang the doorbell, they could hear Shadow bark madly. When the door was opened, Shadow leapt out and jumped onto Percy, causing him to fall backwards on the stairs with a wince, but he was soon laughing while the dog licked his face. Peter smiled at Gracie, who offered him the basket. 

„So!“ he said. „Come in! Hazel‘s already inside.“ They went inside and talked over cherries, cookies, and tea.

“What will we do with these?“ Gracie asked as she removed the hourglass from her pocket.

“We keep them, for more adventures. But maybe not now while our parents just only got us back,“ Hazel suggested.

“I agree,“ Peter concurred as he popped a cherry into his mouth. 

Suddenly, Gracie‘s hourglass started to glow and tipped itself over in her palm. The sand trickled down, but never reached the bottom.

“What-„

A small sandstorm swept around them.

“Looks like we‘re going again!“ Percy shouted and they all laughed as the sand carried them and Shadow away. 

There were still more adventures waiting ahead of them.

And this time, they were ready.

Wherever the path led.