The Time Collector Read online

  Maybe it was time to form a new network and continue the research that had begun. The riddle of the map may have been solved, but how the ooparts were jumping time and space and what intelligence was behind it—and crop circles—remained unknown. The Crystal Cave was the heart of the labyrinth and a portal, a true wonder of the world. Only a handful of people knew its secrets. For the time being it would remain that way.

  Three psychometrists had died from Stuart’s quest. Roan intended to honor their lives by sharing the knowledge he’d brought back from the journey he’d taken when he touched the crystal. Beyond life on Earth and the time we live in, there was an elsewhere and an elsewhen waiting. René Descartes had believed this knowledge existed in the hearts of all men and women, that it was forged from the stars and encoded within the geometry of life.

  “What are you thinking about?” Melicent asked him, watching the expressions on his face.

  “The future.” He tugged her hand so she could crawl into the bed with him.

  The nurses in the hallway watched them with a grin and discreetly closed the door.

  Melicent laid her head on his chest, the sound of his heartbeat a perfect metronome. “I’ve been thinking about the future too. When we get back, I want to help you with the Heirloom Foundation,” she said, raising her right hand. “I’m getting pretty good at reading imprints. I’ve been practicing on all your things.”

  Roan laughed. “I’m sure you have.” He kissed her fingers. “I’d like nothing more.” He brought their hands together in a Fearless Heart mudra, expressing the deep well of feeling that existed in his heart for her. Their lips came together in a kiss, its beauty becoming a part of the mudra itself.

  He stared into her eyes. “Thank you for being the cavalry.” Roan still marveled that she had been able to bring him back. Her ability was so much stronger than he’d imagined. Together with Jocelyn, Holly, and Parker, they had formed a powerful chain, holding hands. “How long have I been asleep? Where is everyone?” Roan knew his mother couldn’t be far.

  “Two days. They’re downstairs eating lunch.”

  He looked over at the bedside table, where his gloves were waiting.

  “Do you need to put them on?” Melicent asked, about to reach for them.

  “No.” He stayed her hand and tucked her fingers back into his. Sun had been right. After he’d pierced the veil of the world and come back, he didn’t need gloves. He could touch anything.

  Roan and Melicent lay together with their eyes closed, holding hands, and followed each other’s thoughts in perfect harmony.

  Roan couldn’t help but think it was like Mozart and Regina’s sonata, and he found himself agreeing with Regina Strinasacchi. Miracles did exist.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  The past two years while I worked on this book went by both in a blink and a crawl. I’d like to give an enormous thank you to all my readers. I’m thrilled to finally share the book with you. This story was an adventure to research and to write.

  Infinite gratitude goes to my agent, Brianne Johnson at Writers House, who is my sage. She was my first reader on the first draft so long ago and helped improve the story in countless ways. She is also the captain of the wonderful book ship I am sailing on. My deepest thanks to my publisher, Picador USA, beginning with Stephen Morrison and my editor, Elizabeth Bruce, for yet again giving my story a home. Elizabeth paired me with Emily Murdock Baker to edit the novel and it was such a pleasure to work together. Emily’s story compass and in-depth insights were invaluable in bringing Roan and Melicent to life. Elizabeth also worked her magic as well in the process. A big thank you to my very thorough copy editor, Bethany Reis, designer Jonathan Bennett, and the whole production team: managing/production editorial group Kolt Beringer, Lauren Hougen, and Eric Meyer; marketing team Darin Keesler and Liat Kaplan; publicity with Sara Delozier; and Picador’s associate publisher, James Meader.

  The Time Collector’s magical cover was designed by Tree Abraham with art direction by Na Kim. Thank you, Tree and Na!

  During the research for this book I was inspired by many sources. A detailed bibliography is on my website, but I would like to include a few works in the acknowledgments. The book Descartes’s Secret Notebook by Amir D. Aczel was a pivotal piece of reading, as was It’s About Time by Liz Evers, Mudras for Modern Life by Swami Saradananda, and Crop Circles: Signs, Wonders and Mysteries by Steve and Karen Alexander. Maria Popova’s Brain Pickings online essays on time were such gems, and Ancient Origins articles on ooparts led me to researching the phenomenon in further detail.

  Before I started writing, I knew I wanted to set a major portion of the story in New Orleans. I cannot thank my dear friend Jacquelyn Castrogiovanni Migdal enough for her support and the three wonderful days we spent together going all over the city. The same thanks to John Migdal and the whole family. Much gratitude to my friends Julia, Indy, Charlotte, Asitha, and my sister Alex for their generous help, and a special thank-you to my fantastic web designer and manager, Jessica Foster, from Imagine Higher. I’d also like to give a warm thank-you to everyone in the book world who has been so supportive—and to authors Nancy Bilyeau, Kelli Estes, M. J. Rose, and B. A. Shapiro, who generously offered a quote for my previous novel, The Fortune Teller, thank you so much!

  Thank you, Dad, for eternally cheering me on. Loving thanks to all my family and friends, especially my husband and son, Kurando and Kenzo, who encourage me daily. Sometimes I wish I could time travel and share right now all the stories I want to write, but that is for the future.

  ALSO BY GWENDOLYN WOMACK

  The Memory Painter

  The Fortune Teller

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Originally from Houston, Texas, GWENDOLYN WOMACK studied theater at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. She holds an MFA in Directing Theatre, Video, and Cinema from California Institute of the Arts. Her debut novel, The Memory Painter, was an RWA PRISM Award winner in the Time Travel/Steampunk category and a finalist for Best First Novel; her second novel, The Fortune Teller, was a bestseller. She now resides in Los Angeles with her husband and her son.

  Visit her online at gwendolynwomack.com, or sign up for email updates here.

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  CONTENTS

  Title Page

  Copyright Notice

  Dedication

  Epigraph

  Chapter 1. The Music Box

  Chapter 2. The Pocket Watch

  Chapter 3. The Video

  Chapter 4. The Snow Globe

  Chapter 5. The Compass

  Chapter 6. The Handle

  Chapter 7. The Bracelet

  Chapter 8. The Champagne Glass

  Chapter 9. The Gift

  Chapter 10. The Doorknob

  Chapter 11. The Lanterns

  Chapter 12. The Wineglass

  Chapter 13. The Talisman

  Chapter 14. The Tree

  Chapter 15. The House

  Chapter 16. The Circles

  Chapter 17. The Wristband

  Chapter 18. The Window

  Chapter 19. The Gift Bags

  Chapter 20. The Peace Pipe

  Chapter 21. The Doll

  Chapter 22. The Flowers

  Chapter 23. The Picture Frame

  Chapter 24. The Map

  Chapter 25. The Book

  Chapter 26. The File

  Chapter 27. The Song

  Chapter 28. The Collection

  Chapter 29. The Note

  Chapter 30. The Ring

  Chapter 31. The Cave

  Chapter 32. The Beads

  Chapter 33. The Clock Tower

  Chapter 34. The Kimono

>   Chapter 35. The Coin

  Chapter 36. The Laptop

  Chapter 37. The Mine

  Chapter 38. The Crystal

  Chapter 39. The Mountain

  Chapter 40. The Earth

  Chapter 41. The Labyrinth

  Chapter 42. The Threads

  Chapter 43. The Gloves

  Acknowledgments

  Also by Gwendolyn Womack

  About the Author

  Copyright

  This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  THE TIME COLLECTOR. Copyright © 2019 by Gwendolyn Womack. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. For information, address Picador, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.

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  Designed by Jonathan Bennett

  The Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.

  ISBN 978-1-250-16923-5 (trade paperback)

  ISBN 978-1-250-16924-2 (ebook)

  eISBN 9781250169242

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  First Edition: April 2019