Read The Time Travel Directorate for Free Online Page B

Duchess’ head through a round opening. As the crowd roared with anticipation, Kanon frantically shook the cart, screaming at the top of her lungs.
    When the cries of the bloodthirsty mob reached a fever pitch, Julius gave the signal. The executioner swiftly pulled the cord, watching the giant blade fall with the blasé of a cat.
    Kanon shrank down, hearing the reverberating cry of the crowd as the blade made a heaving sound. Staring at the bottom of the wooden cart, she closed her eyes, saying a short and demanding prayer.
    Lifting her head, s he watched as the executioner took the lifeless body of the Duchess off the plank. He bent down, collecting her head from the basket before turning to show it to the crowd.
    It was then t he clouds opened, the raindrops quickly turning into a veritable downpour. The shower seemed to rile the mob even more. Kanon drew in a smooth breath as she watched the guillotine blade, now streaked with blood, rise once more.
    Pushing against her restraints, she slipped one wrist out, and then the other. This act seemed to melt her fears away, she was no longer afraid.
    “And now!” cried Julius, pointing at the cart with excitement, “Bring the citizens justice by taking the head of Countess . . . ”
    “Julius Arnold!” Kanon’s cried, speaking in English in a loud, clear voice.
    Julius flinched, momentarily stunned.
    Kanon smiled. It would be hard for him to explain to his fellow revolutionaries what this exchange was about.
    Clearing her throat, she continued.
    “You are in violation of the time travel code, 15c subsection 4. Travel to restricted areas of historical significance in threat of altering the Standard Deviation of time travel continuums.”
    A wicked grin appeared on Julius’ face as Kanon continued.
    “ As an inspector of the Time Travel Directorate, I am authorized to eliminate you immediately.”
    This annoyed him . He leaned across the balcony.
    “And how is that working out for you, Inspector Hay?” Julius shot back, raising his voice above the rolling thunder. “From my vantage point, it is you who will suffer an untimely death. Imagine what fun we will have in this world once each inspector is erased from it.”
    “You are living on borrowed time ,” Kanon snapped back. “So enjoy it while it lasts.”
    “We shall see, ” Julius said succinctly, calling to the guards in French. “Bring the Countess onto the scaffold.”
    The rain was now falling down in unrelenting waves, but instead of the executioner moving towards her, the tall guard from before reappeared next to tumbrel. As he walked towards the scaffolding, he waved the executioner away.
    Kanon watched his movements carefully as he mounted the scaffolding. Walking towards her, he bent down. Staring into her eyes, he winked. Kanon swallowed heavily—she must be hallucinating. He seemed calm, assured—as if this was all a bit of fun, and he wasn’t really going to lop her head off.
    Kanon looked at him expectedly as he studied her. At length, he spoke.
    “ Have you gotten your wrists loose?” he asked softly—a strong American accent pervasive.
    Kanon felt her stomach lurch.
    “You ’re from headquarters,” she whispered, her body limp with relief.
    Who was this inspector? She had never seen him before. Kanon’s heart fluttered with the possibility of rescue. He lifted her out of the cart as easily as if she were a rag doll. Placing her firmly on the scaffolding, he bent towards her.
    “You’ll know the signal when you see it,” he said casually, “hold your wrists together to maintain the illusion.”
    He turned, pulling her toward the guillotine. The torrent of rain had just begun to dwindle, and the mob looked on in silence at the woman standing before them. Kanon realized her unorthodox exchange with Julius in English might have something to do with their altered state.
    “Follow my lead,” he whispered, placing her face down on the plank and moving away to stand next to the