LENGTH: FullLength
SENSUALITY: Sensual

Cover art (c) Alex DeShanks 2010
ISBN 978-1-60394-441-0 
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Secrets and lies led Charlotte from the man she truly loved and into a passionless marriage. Madness, murder and mayhem followed her as she fought for freedom, dignity and happiness. Guilt and the need for justice drove her into danger. With a very unlikely companion she would risk everything to put the matter right.

Rating: Sensual.

Genre: Historical Romance.

A Darker Purpose

By 

Linda Parsons Mills 

© copyright by Linda Parsons Mills, July 2010 

Cover Art by Alex DeShanks, July 2010 

ISBN 978-1-60394-441-0 

New Concepts Publishing 

Lake Park, GA 31636

www.newconceptspublishing.com 

This is a work of fiction.  All characters, events, and places are of the author’s 

imagination and not to be confused with fact.  Any resemblance to living persons or 

events is merely coincidence. 

Chapter One 

            The coach moved slowly through the bustling London streets.  Margaret Hawthorne studied the handsome, stern, obviously angry profile of the man beside her.   

            “Did anyone ever mention what a wonderfully handsome man you are William?  You do have the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen.  What color are they?  It is so hard to tell.  Sometimes, like now, they look almost navy blue and at other times I’d swear they were amber.” 

            He turned slightly to face her, not losing his frown.  “They seem darker when I am angry.” 

            “I see.  Well, you really should not be angry.  I am doing this to help you,” she sighed, “How old are you now, William?” 

            “Old enough to know better,” Inspector William Morgan managed to give his companion a small smile.  “This is highly unethical, Margaret.” 

            “Posh!  I say you must be 35 and still without a wife.  It is time for that to change.” 

            “I am 31.  If you will remember, I had a wife in mind two years ago.  You did everything you could to keep that from happening.” 

            “I may have made a mistake with all that.  Since that time you have not had a serious female friendship so you must still have feelings for Charlotte.” 

            “Too much water…as they say.  I have many ‘friendships’ and Charlotte is married, in case you have forgotten.” 

            “And now, William, she is separated and very unhappy.” 

            He shrugged.  “She misses her husband.  They will, no doubt, reconcile in time.” 

            “I doubt that.  According to my mother, Charlotte is holding back ‘something shocking’.  I am going to find out just what this is and you are going to be listening!” 

            “Just how will we do that?” 

            “Do not forget I grew up in that house.  I will get Charlotte into the parlor for our talk.  You will go into the library, directly next to the parlor, on the pretext to make a telephone call.  Above the bookshelves on the connecting wall is an air vent.  Climb up on the stepladder.  Put your ear near that vent and you will hear every word we say.” 

            “I am going to look a real prate if someone finds me like that!” 

            “You will lock the door for your private conversation.  Goodness, how ever did you get so far in your career?” 

            “By not doing idiotic things, Margaret.  As Charlotte’s aunt I would have thought you had more respect for her privacy.” 

            “I love my niece greatly.  I will see her happy at any cost.”  They pulled to a stop outside the gray stone mansion.  “We are here…finally!  Now, remember, let me talk and you follow my lead.” 

            “God, Margaret!”  William whispered as he helped her down the coach steps.  “Why did I let you talk me into this?” 

            “Because you still have feelings for Charlie, what other reason could there be!  Now lose that scowl and be nice.” 

            Charlotte Thornton was descending the main stairs when Margaret knocked on the door.  “It is alright, Betty.  I will get it,” Charlotte said to the parlor maid.  “It will be my aunt.” 

            “Aunt Margaret!” Charlotte smiled as Margaret stepped into the foyer.  “Inspector Morgan?  Is something wrong?” She looked from one to the other with surprise. 

            “Good afternoon, Mrs. Thornton,” William returned the smile.  “No, nothing is wrong, I…” 

            Margaret interrupted.  “William and I had a lovely lunch together.  I was going to drop him back at Bow Street when he remembered an important telephone call he should have made earlier.  I said he could use the telephone here.  Isn’t that right, William?” 

            “Yes.” He looked flatly at Margaret.  “Don’t we all know how forgetful I can be?  I hope you do not mind, Mrs. Thornton.” 

            “Of course not.  There is a telephone in the library,” Charlotte motioned to a nearby doorway. 

            “And,” Margaret added, “William did mention that it might be a rather long call.  You go ahead on in and make yourself at home, Will.  Charlotte and I have some catching up to do!” She took her niece by the arm, led her into the parlor and closed the double doors.   

            “Why are you and Inspector Morgan having lovely lunches together, Aunt Margaret?” Charlotte teased.  “Does Uncle Steward know about this?” 

            “Don’t be silly.  Of course not!  Steward is always much happier not knowing what I do.  Any husband is!  Anyway, I did not come here to talk about me!’ Margaret tossed her gloves and purse on an end table, sat and scowled.  “Now, you sit right there and tell me why you look so dreadful?  You are far too thin, your skin is gray and you have dark circles under your eyes.” 

            “Thank you,” Charlotte whispered, dreading the conversation she knew was coming. 

            “And thank you for letting me hear your sad news from as far away as my Doctor’s wife!  ‘How is your lovely Charlotte doing these days?’ the bitch said, ‘What a shame about her marriage failing!’ She was more than pleased to see I had no idea what she was talking about.” 

            “I am sorry.  I told Grandmother not to tell you.  I was going to, eventually.” 

            “When?  At the divorce hearing?  You will tell me right now, why did you leave Lawrence?” 

            Charlotte shook her head and pushed long lose strands of her thick, wavy red hair off her forehead.  “It is not something I want to talk about.  The marriage is over, that is all.” 

            “No, that is not all.  You will tell me.  Did he beat you?  Was he unfaithful?” 

            “Unfaithful?  I would not be surprised and I do not care.  No, he did not beat me.  He hit me once.  The next day I came back here.” 

            Margaret looked for a moment into the terribly sad, pale green eyes.  She thought of how they used to glow like emeralds with happiness.  She moved beside Charlotte and took her hand.  “Charlie, fifteen years ago when your dear mother died I promised her that I would care for you in every way and forever.  I will never break that promise.” She could see that Charlotte fought back tears.  “I know Lawrence is very generous and gives you everything you could possibly want…!” 

            “Not quite everything!” Charlotte let anger take the edge off her need to cry.   

            “Charlie?” 

            “If you must know then I will tell you!  Aunt Margaret, I am twenty-one years old, married now ten months and I am still a virgin!” 

            Dumfounded, Margaret sat silent for a moment, “Good heavens!  Why?” 

            “I have no idea.  You tell me!  Am I ugly?  Am I too fat?  Too thin?” 

            “No, Charlie.  You are a very beautiful and very desirable female and you know that.  I made very certain that when you married Lawrence you knew just what he would want.  What in God’s name went wrong?” 

            “That is just it.  Lawrence does not want anything, not from me anyway!” Charlotte paused, large red circles formed on her cheeks.  “I am not frigid and very far from it.  On our wedding night, I was so very ready for Lawrence.  I doubt any new bride was as eager as I was then.  Even before that night, I tried to seduce him.  Maybe that was a mistake…but I did not want to wait and made that very clear to him.  He would just smile and change the subject.  I suppose I should have seen that as warning.” 

            Perched precariously by the air vent, William shook his head.  Was there ever a bigger fool than Lawrence Thornton?  He doubted that. 

            “What happened on your wedding night?” 

            Charlotte shrugged.  “Nothing!  I wore the black satin negligee you gave me.  I was sitting at my night table when Larry came in the bedroom.  He brushed my hair for a long while, looking at me in the mirror.  I leaned slightly back and pressed against his body.  He put the brush down, walked to the bed and said, ‘It has been a long day, my love.  Come to bed, we are both tired.’ I lay beside him.  He held my face and kissed my forehead.  ‘I know what you want, Charlotte.  It may happen one day but not now.  Just know I love you and always will.  You are my beautiful virgin bride and that is the way I want you to stay!” 

            “It has been months.  Did you ever talk to Lawrence about it?” 

            “Many times, it seems like every night.  It was always the same thing.  He wanted me to stay as I was.  I would learn to ignore my needs in time.  I think Lawrence really believes that is possible.  Finally on my birthday last month I had several glasses too many of wine.  As usual, he went to bed before me but I went in there before he fell asleep.  I stood beside him and removed my nightgown.” 

            “‘Please, Charlotte,” Lawrence said, “Put your clothes on and do not start this again.’” 

            “I swallowed the little bit of pride I still had, sat on the bed and pulled the covers away from his body.  I said, ‘I love you and need you so much.  This is my 21^st birthday.  Lawrence, please make love to me tonight!’” 

            “‘More than anything in this world, I wish I could.  You have no idea how much I need to do just that.  But I cannot and finally you must accept that.’” 

            “Well, that was that for me, Aunt Margaret.  I was tipsy, furious and completely fed up!  ‘Why?’ I yelled at him.  ‘Are you impotent?  Is that it?  Are you too old and flaccid?  Or maybe I am the wrong sex!  Are you just a fucking sodomite?’” 

            “You didn’t?” 

            “For Heaven’s sake!  What would you do?  I was so confused and beyond humiliated.  Lawrence just sat there looking at me for a second or two.  Then I guess what I had said sunk in and he hit me,” Charlotte took a deep breath, “It was not just a slap.  He punched me and I fell from the bed.  He jumped from the bed and pulled me to my feet.  ‘You will never speak to me like that…ever!  And from this day on you will not play the whore in my bedroom.  Put your clothes on and go a guest bedroom.  This is no longer your room!’ The next morning, while he was in the city, I packed my things and came back here.” 

            “I am so sorry, Charlotte.”   

            “Why?  It is not your fault.” 

            “I pushed you to marry him.  I know you had strong feelings for William Morgan and I discouraged you from that, didn’t I?  I suppose I should finally learn to mind my own business!  Have you heard from Lawrence?” 

            “He has written many letters.  I return them unopened.  He telephones but I do not take his calls.  I have heard nothing for three days and I am relieved for that.” 

            “Then you do not want me to speak with him?” 

            “I would be mortified if you did!  Please leave it, Aunt Margaret.  I will speak to Lawrence, eventually, when I choose to and not because he insists,” Charlotte pushed invisible crumbs from her skirt.  “Anyway, you will be pleased to know that I have made some important decisions.  I have decided to go back to my calling.  You would think that as a ‘so-called’ gifted physic medium I would have sensed what a failure Lawrence was as a man!” 

            “Well, you never could really sense things in connection for yourself.  It is right that you are thinking of your future, Charlotte.  It will at least take your mind somewhat off your miseries.” 

            “Yes and it is interesting that you brought William here today.  Just yesterday, William’s grandmother hired me to rid her home of an unwanted spirit.” 

            “Really?  Jean hired you?” 

            “I forgot you and she were friends.  Mrs. Morgan wants me to come and spend next week at Paddocks Hollow.  Apparently, she has a ‘wee ghostie’ she wants shed of.” 

            “That is interesting.  I know you missed you spiritual work this last year.  It is always better to keep busy during difficult times.  Good for you.” 

            Charlotte sat forward and smiled.  “There is more to tell you, Auntie Maggie.  It is well, rather spicy, but I would like you to see me in a happier light.  I know how much you like a spicy story, especially when it is true.  And you do like to tell them!  I remember when you told me about your week end with Bishop Montague!” 

            “Oh Lord, that was years ago!” Margaret imagined Williams smiling face.  “Could you not tell me your story some other time?” She hoped that William had done the courteous thing and had stopped listening.   

            Still listening, William was getting more interested by the second. 

            “Why not now?  I would love to talk about something else other than Lawrence bloody Thornton!” 

            “Go ahead then, if you must.” 

            “Yes, Charlotte!” William muttered.  “Do tell us your happier tale.” 

            “It all started one very hot day this past April.  Lawrence was sleeping at his club as he often did.  I woke very early, before dawn in the sweltering heat.  I knew I would never fall back asleep.  So I dressed and went for a walk along the lake,” Charlotte bit her lip and looked at her companion from the corner of her eyes, “Have you ever met Lawrence’s head gardener, Daniel Hunter?” 

            “Yes.” 

            “Good, then you will know just what a magnificent man he is!  Over the past few months he has taught me so many lovely sexual things!” 

            “Charlotte!  I thought you said you were still a virgin.”  

            “I am.  That will soon change.” 

            “Oh well, that is good.” Margaret stood quickly.  “I am sure William must be finished with his telephone call by now.” 

            “No, I have to tell you my story!” Charlotte took her hand and pulled her back onto the lounge.  “Daniel has a cottage at the far end of the Estate, butting up onto the lake.  I walked in the cool water along the shore.  Back there, the trees near the water are very thick.  I stopped near a clearing and was about to turn back when I heard water running and a man humming.  I looked up the slight hill through the trees and there was Daniel showering under a hose he has set up behind his cottage.” 

            “Was he naked?” Margaret asked stupidly. 

            “Of course he was, Auntie!” Charlotte frowned and shook her head slightly.  “I suppose I should have turned and left but it was the first time in my life I ever saw a naked man and my God what a man he was…is!  My eyes were happily wide open!  I stood there and watched the whole time, right up until he dried, dressed and disappeared inside his cottage.  Wouldn’t you have done the same thing?” 

            Margaret stayed silent.   

            The gray tint to Charlotte’s skin had faded.  She face glowed and her eyes sparkled.  “So, I know people usually wash at the same time every day.  For two weeks, I watched him every day.  I felt no shame about it.  Goodness, he is so beautiful and does so much enjoy his showers.  I watched him with fascination and a very strong need.” 

            Margaret slid lower into the seat. 

            “I wanted so much to step out of those bushes but I never found the courage.  One day when I was sitting reading on the terrace, I became aware that Daniel was working his way through the flowers near to where I sat.  I pretended not to notice him.  Suddenly he stood and gave me his incredible smile.  ‘Good afternoon, Mrs. Thornton,’ he said to me.” 

            “I just returned a smile.  I did not quite trust my voice to speak.  God only knows what I would have said!” Charlotte stopped and laughed.  “’Isn’t Mother Nature kind?’ Daniel asked turning to look across the wonderful display of spring flowers.  ‘We are given so much beauty to enjoy and all we have to do is look!  I do think that it would be nice if we could return the joy we get from just the looking.  Would you return that joy if you could, Mrs. Thornton?’” 

            “Dear God, Charlie, he knew you were watching?” 

            “As I was to find out, he knew right from the beginning.” 

            Just for that moment, Margaret forgot William was listening.  “He certainly wanted you to return the favor!  What did you do?” 

            “Well, that very next morning I took a large drink of brandy and headed back down the beach.  Daniel was leaning against the wall at the back of his house but he was wearing his trousers.  He smiled when I stepped into view and came closer to him.  All I wore was a dress.  I opened the buttons and let it fall to the ground.  He looked me up and down, walked in a circle around me, turned on the shower and handed me a bar of soap.  I washed very thoroughly, as he had done for me.  When I was finished Douglas pulled me into his arms and kissed me for such a long time I had to break away to breathe.” 

            “‘What do you want, Charlotte?’ He whispered in my ear.’” 

            “I was so frightened that he would not believe me, after all, I was a married woman.  I had to tell him.  I said, ‘I am a virgin, Daniel!  I want to know as much of you as is possible but I will not give that to a stranger.’” 

            “He did look at me doubtfully for a moment.  I said, ‘I swear it Daniel.  My husband does not want me.’”  

            “’Then he is an idiot and a fool.  You are very right, sweet Charlotte!  Save that for a man you love!  Who knows, that may turn out to be me.  Until then there is so much I can teach you, if you are interested.’” 

            “It was all so strange, Aunt Margaret…almost surreal.  I told him I was very interested.  He picked me up and carried me to his bed.  Daniel is a kind, loving and generous teacher.  I went to him every day right up until I left the Estate.  He has written to me often.  In the last letter, he told me he loves me.  He wants me to meet with him in a hotel.  I think when I return from Paddocks Hallow I will do just that!” 

            “And?” 

            “And, Aunt Margaret, we will make love!  I am more than ready for all he has to give me!  I am so tired of childish games.” 

            Margaret stood suddenly.  “Right!  Well, that is good then!  I do have to leave now though, Charlotte.” 

            “Really, but you have not seen Grandmamma.” 

            William scrambled down the stepladder and moved silently to the front door.   

            “I know but I did promise William I would drop him off at Bow Street.  Tell, Mother I will come by and see her tomorrow.” 

            “I will.  Did you get your call through, Inspector?” Charlotte asked when they joined him. 

            “Yes, thank you, Mrs. Thornton.  I, well…we used to use first names?” 

            “Of course we did.  It was good to see you again, William.” 

            “You as well, Charlotte.  Please pass my best wishes on to Mrs. Richardson.  It has been a very long time since I last saw your Grandmother.” William gave Charlotte a very large smile.  Margaret took him by the sleeve and pulled him down the steps to the waiting coach. 

            “And you can erase that stupid smile!” Margaret snapped as him as they pulled into the flow of traffic. 

            “Make up your mind, Margaret.  Do you want me to frown or smile?” 

            “It is not funny.  I had no idea she was going to go on like that!” 

            “Well, I for one am very pleased she did.  I completely enjoyed her story.  I am seeing the lovely Charlotte in a very new and bright light.” 

            “No doubt!  So what are you going to do about it?” 

            “About what?” He smiled broader at the embarrassed and frustrated woman. 

            “Bloody hell, William!  Are you still attracted to her or not?  She is half way in love with this Daniel fellow.  I have seen him and believe me, if she has sex with him she will fall the rest of the way, you can be sure of that.  A man like that does not come by every day!” 

            “In more ways than one!” The Inspector laughed. 

            “Oh, you are a moron!  You have a week to make her yours or she is gone forever.  Wake up!  What are you going to do?” 

            “Firstly, I am going to have outdoor showers installed in Paddocks Hallow.” 

            “William!” 

            He lost the smile, folded his arms and turned slightly towards her, “Eighteen months ago this month you came to my office and threatened to see to the end of my career if I did not withdraw my proposal of marriage to Charlotte.  Now your tune is very different.  What has changed, Margaret, was it my very large inheritance?  It was certainly not my promotion, after all I am still a policeman and marriage to me would not advance Charlotte socially.” 

            “I was wrong to do that.  I made a few terrible mistakes.  I regret them all.  You did not withdraw your proposal, so you must have loved Charlie a great deal?” 

            “I did.  If she had married me, today she would be a happy woman, maybe with a child on the way.  Now she is so desperate for love she is preparing to give herself to a man she hardly knows,” he paused and shrugged.  “Irregardless of all we have said, Charlotte made her choice and married Lawrence.  She loved him and not me.  She made that fact very clear the day she finally responded to my offer.” 

            “I would not be too sure on that, William.  I may have wrongly influenced her decision.” She averted her eyes from his; her voice had dropped to barely a whisper. 

            “What did you do?” 

            “Do you promise not to tell her?” 

            “No.  Tell me what you did.” 

            “Oh Hell!  It was during the time when she was trying to choose between you and Lawrence.  I was listening to a conversation Charlotte had with her close friend, Amanda Bleckley.  She said she liked Lawrence because he was kind to her, bought her things and took her places.  It was very different when she spoke about you.  She said she found you so very handsome, the handsomest man she had ever seen!  She loved the way you made her laugh and hated it when you and she were apart.  It was very clear that she had strong feelings for you.  I admit I was appalled that she might marry a policeman.” 

            “The following week end was the Wilson wedding.  You were the best man.” 

            “Go on,” William encouraged when she paused. 

            “Steward and I, you and most of the wedding party stayed the weekend at the Wilson home.  Charlotte could not attend because she was ill.  When I returned, I told Charlotte that I had seen you and Miranda Hockley going into her bedroom together and that you and she had obviously spent the night together.” 

            His dark eyes flashed with anger.  His chin set firmly.  He thought of the confusion and hurt that he felt that night she told him she had decided to marry Thornton.  ‘Frankly, William,’ she said to him, her eyes cold and flat, ‘lately you have greatly disappointed me.  I cannot be sure that you would be a source of secure happiness for me.’ He thought at the time and since she was referring to wealth and station.  The real cause of the cold rejection was now all too clear.  “Jesus Christ, Margaret!  I finished it with Miranda when I began to court Charlotte and you bloody well knew that.” 

            “Yes, I know and I am so very sorry!  Please, you must not tell her that I did such a terrible thing!  She will never forgive me, not after how badly things have gone for her.” 

            “If I need to, I will tell her but if you are truly sorry you will tell her.  She made a terrible marriage based on a lie from your mouth.  You owe her the dignity of an explanation and a sincere apology.”  

            “Oh God!” Margaret said back in the seat.  Neither spoke again until they pulled to stop at the Bow Street police station.   

            She put her hand on his arm.  She could still feel his intense anger.  “Please, William won’t you at least tell me if you still have feelings for Charlotte?”  

            He took a deep breath.  “I love her with the kind of passion that I doubt you could ever understand.  It had nothing to do with money, station in life or virginity.  Yes, I still love her and I always will.  However, if that gives you some kind of solace then you are even thicker than you seem.  Good day Margaret.”   

            William had just settled at his desk when his Sergeant Hicks stuck his head around the door.   

            “You are back then, sir?” 

            “Apparently so Hicks!  Come in.  Don’t peek at me like that.” 

            Hicks stepped in the room and glanced at the wall clock.  “You are a bit past your time.” 

            “Yes, lunch did go into overtime.  I ran into two very talkative females.” 

            “You forgot about your one o’clock meeting with the CI and the Commissioner?” 

            William stood, “Oh Hell’s bells!  Hicks, I did forget.” 

            “Well, CI Burke is spitting bullets.  He wants you up in his office the second you show up or as he puts it ‘If he bothers to bless us with his presence ever again tell him to get his sorry backside up to see me right away!’” 

            William winced and went to his cupboard.  “Shit!” he held up two whiskey bottles.  “Which one should I bring?  Is it pacified by the cheaper one?” 

            “I’d bring the good stuff, sir!” 

            “This is turning out to be one of those bloody days!” He put a glass in each jacket pocket and left his office. 

            As William suspected for that time of the afternoon, Chief Inspector Burke was dozing at his desk.  William entered his office without knocking and placed the bottle with a clunk before his superior.  Burke jumped and sat up. 

            “Morgan!  Where the Hell have you been?” His angry bluster cooled somewhat quickly when he noticed the bottle.  He watched silently as William presented the glasses and filled them with the golden peace offering. 

            “Sorry, Stanley!  What can I say?  I have new female problems.  You know how distracting they can be.” 

            “Well, you can explain that to Commissioner Frank.  He is right peeved at you now and if that’s your excuse I’ll not be the one to give it to him,” CI Burke took a large swallow, closed his eyes briefly and smiled, “My Lord, I needed that!  Will, that is sweeter than mother’s milk!” 

            “I thought you’d like it.” 

            “Now look, I told you before, you need to get married.” CI Burke twirled the ends of his elaborate mustaches.  “Marry a woman with meat on her bones, like I did, not one of these flighty, skinny little things like I have seen you with.” 

            “I cannot see how a fat wife will end my problems.” 

            “Don’t be a mushroom!  That will not end them but with a large, warm place to land on in the evenings, it will surely dull their edges.  When I am having a particularly bad day, as today, and I might have a mind to hit the pub all I have to do is think of my ladies huge tits and I am happy at home right fast laying in a warm body!”  

            William Morgan was a visual thinker.  The pictures he was seeing then made him shudder.  “Yes, that is fine for some.  I prefer a pretty face and intelligence.” 

            “Intelligence?  Good luck on that!  None of them thinks right if you ask me.  If you do find a pretty one with a mind, then for God’s sake, marry her and get it over with!  A man not laid enough has a head that wonders too much.  I need you here and on the ball full time.” 

            “Yes, Stanley, I will take that as good advice.  Tell me, since we are on the subject of sex, what do you put to a man who has been married 10 months and his wife is still intact?” 

            “Good Lord!  Is she ugly?” 

            “Quite the opposite.  In any man's opinion she is a real beauty!” 

            “Then he is a pansy, no doubt about it.  He just married to hide the sad facts.  It happens fairly often.” 

            “That is rather what I thought.  However, I have met the man.  He certainly does not seem the part.” 

            “You’d be surprised.  Tell me; is this virgin female of an interest to you?” 

            “She was.  I might have another go but I want all the facts as they are.  Would you do a favor for me?  Your connections go higher and faster than mine.  Would you see what you can find out about this fellow for me?” 

            “I can try.  Anything to get you married!  You are a damn good cop when your head's clear.  The best I have ever known!  What’s his name, this pansy of yours?” 

            “Dr. Lawrence Thornton.  He runs ‘Parallel House’.  It is a hospital and home for abused and neglected children.  I would like to know all I can about him.” 

            “Lawrence Thornton.  I knew him.  Met him a few times at the boring charity events the wife drags me to.  Rich as Hell, that one!  If he is a pansy, he will have it carefully hidden.  However, I can call in a few favors.  If he is not having it off with his woman there is a reason and someone will know it.  I will get back to you with what I find.” 

            “Thank you.” 

            “Right now, if you can concentrate could we please get some work done?” 

            “Yes, sir.” William stood and took up his whiskey bottle. 

            CI Burke frowned.  “You leave that with me and I’ll be more inclined to get you that pansy’s info faster.” 

            William sighed, rolled his eyes and handed the bottle over.  “This had better be worth it!” 

            After Margaret and William left, Charlotte felt the need to get out of the house for a while.  She was surprised that Margaret had brought William with her.  It was a thoughtless action.  As much as she loved her aunt, Charlotte was all too aware of just how carefree she could be with the feelings of others. 

            “It is a beautiful day.  I am going for a walk,” she told her maid.  “There is an outdoor art show at the Harding Museum Gardens.  I think I will go there.” 

            “Yes, Ma’am!  That’s a good idea,” Betty smiled as she helped with her hat.  “Shall I tell Mrs. Richardson when she wakes from her nap?” 

            “Please do.  I do not want Grandmamma to worry and I am not sure when I will be back.”  

            Seeing William again had a somber effect on Charlotte.  Painful memories surfaced.  She had truly believed him when he told her than he loved her.  His marriage proposal thrilled her.  She remembered the morning when she woke and knew without a doubt her choice would be William.  Margaret wanted her to marry Lawrence but she loved William and Margaret would have to accept that.  She waited all day for her Aunt to return from the Wilson wedding to inform her of the decision.   

            She had hardly said a word when Margaret told her about Miranda.  ‘They were very friendly throughout the day.  I saw them going up the stairs together just after midnight,’ Margaret said with sad concern, ‘I was on my way down to the breakfast room the following morning when I saw them come out of her room.  They were not even trying to hide the fact they had been together all night.  I am sorry, Charlotte.  I know this will hurt you but you should know what to expect if you marry William Morgan.’  

            A year and a half had passed and the pain was still raw, the heartache of those terrible days still held a place in memories.    

            The summer sunshine was warmer than she had anticipated.  She flagged down a cab and rode to the Harding Arts Museum.  The beautiful, extensive gardens were a blaze with color and ripe with fragrance.  The artist whose work was on display was a young, up and coming female.  Her watercolors and pastels were almost ethereal and showed a powerful talent.  As she walked along the winding pathways, she felt her low mood lift.  She had a new life ahead of her, what was the point of dwelling in the sad past. 

            She purchased an iced tea, sad on a stone bench in the shade and watched the other garden visitors.  The women, all dressed in the latest summer fashion, paraded by on the arms of handsome men.  Their pink, yellow, peach and pale blue chiffons and laces fluttered in the cooling breeze.  Matching parasols and very grand hats bobbed here and there above the hedges.  Yes, she decided, this was not the place for sadness.   

            “Hello, my sweet Charlotte!” A familiar voice spoke down at her from a dark silhouette.   

            She squinted up into the sunlight and could not see details until she sheltered her eyes. 

            “Daniel?” she asked in amazement.  It was the first time she had seen him in a suit.  He looked a wonderful handsome sight in the light gray silk, his slightly long blond hair brushed neatly back of his face.   

            “May I sit?” He smiled and motioned to the rest of the bench.  He sat without waiting for an answer.   

            “Danny!  I cannot believe it!”   

            He was clearly enjoying Charlotte’s surprise.  He took her hand and kissed it.  “Good Lord, I missed you!”  

            “And I missed you but how in heavens’ name did you find me.  Surely this is not an accidental meeting?” 

            “No!  I gathered my sorry courage and went to your Grandmother’s house.  Thankfully, Betty answered the door.  Tell me, does she know about you and me?  I think she must.”  

            “Oh, of course she does!  She is my maid.  They always know everything their mistress does.  She certainly knew I was sneaking away every morning.  Do not worry, I trust her completely.  She would die before she would tell Lawrence.  More than once she told me that she has very low feelings for him.” 

            “I am not worried in the slightest, my love.  I do not give a pig’s back end what he knows.  I had to see you, Charlotte.  It has been almost a month since you left the Estate.  Did you get my letters?” 

            “Yes!  I could not answer for fear my letters would fall into the wrong hands.  It is funny you show up today because I was planning to send Betty to the Estate tomorrow on the pretext of getting some of my things.  I have a letter ready for her to give you,” she paused and blushed slightly, “I wanted to respond to last letter…about us meeting in a hotel.” 

            He leaned forward.  She could smell the fennel soap he always used.  It reminded her of wonderful moments that morning when he watched her shower.  “Would this letter have given me a reason to smile again because I have not had a happy thought since you left?”  

            “Well,” she whispered, “would you smile to know that I am so very tired of pleasing you in weaker ways?  Would it please you to know just how happy I would be to join you in your hotel room?  Would it make you smile to know just how much I want you to make love to me?” 

            Very briefly, he closed his eyes.  When he opened them again, a wide smile spread across his face.  “Are you sure?  Do not do this just to keep me because I am not planning on leaving you.” 

            “Danny!  Do you want to make love to me or not?” She could not help but laugh. 

            “Charlie, I want you more than you could ever imagine.” 

            “Then it is a plan.  When will you get the room?  Tonight would be nice.” 

            “Tonight!  My, you are anxious, aren’t you?”  

            “Yes, I am so tired of being a simpering virgin and we have done all the foreplay I can stand.”  

            “Oh… I have to agree with that completely!” He ran his fingers down her cheek, cleared his throat and stood.  “Come with me.  I have something to show you.” 

            “Considering what we were just talking about, I do wonder what you want to show me.” She held tightly on to his arm as they walked along the path. 

            “Stop it.  Charlotte!” 

            “Why?  Three weeks is a very long time.  I cannot tell you how much I missed our delightful mornings in your cottage.”  

            He laughed.  “I said, please stop or we shall have to sit again!” 

            “Sorry!  I should not tease.  I am just so happy to see you.  What did you want me to see?” 

            “There…top of that rise, alongside the row of yew trees.” 

            “The cottage?” They walked a little further along and out of the public gardens.  “It is very pretty, rather like a very large dolls house.  I think it must be very old.” 

            “It is.  The original building was build 115 years ago.  Areas added onto by subsequent inhabitants.  The furnishings are rather sparse.  You will have to help me pick out appropriate pieces.” 

            “Help you?  Oh my!  Did you get that new position you applied for?”  

            He smiled and nodded.   

            Oblivious to the nearby crowd Charlotte threw her arms around his neck.  “That is wonderful news, Daniel.  I know how much it meant to you!  But where?  What does that house have to do with it?” 

            Daniel gently pushed her back and straightened his jacket.  “That is my new home.  You are looking at the new and very well paid Property Engineer for the Harding Arts Museum.” 

            “That is wonderful!  Congratulations!”  

            “Thank you.  You can imagine my surprise when Betty told me you had come here!  There is a much finer hand that guides us, don’t you agree?” 

            “I do now.  Does Lawrence know?” 

            “Yes, of course.  I told him last week when they offered me the position.  I moved my things in this morning and Monday is my first day on the job.” He stopped speaking and watched her silently. 

            She caught the sense of what he was thinking.  “How is Lawrence doing?  He writes but I send his letters back and I have not taken his telephone calls.” 

            “He is not doing very well, Charlotte.  He is drunk most of the time.  Housekeeper told me is has been having nightmares and terrible temper tantrums.  Maybe you could take his calls and set the matter to rights.” 

            “Yes, I suppose you are right.  However, I will never go back to him.  He must divorce me or perhaps, under the circumstances we could get an annulment.  However, we will not spoil the day with unhappy business.  You must show me around and tell me all about your new position.” 

            Two hours later, they walked the sidewalks looking for a cab to take her home.  “Charlotte,” he pulled behind a shady hedge, “will you come back to see me later tonight?  Come back and let me show just how much you mean to me.” 

            She smiled up at him and touched his cheek.  “Do I mean a lot to you, Danny? 

            “I told you in my last letter.” 

            “Tell me to my face…” 

            He took a deep breath and let it out slowly.  “I love you Charlotte.  Will you come to me bed tonight and allow me to show just how much I feel for and need you?”  

* * * * 

            After dinner that night, Charlotte was packing a small satchel when her Grandmother joined her. 

            “I am so happy you do not mind that I spend the night with Amanda, Grandmamma.  I have not seen her since her wedding in the spring.  We will have so much to share.  It will be just like when we were girls.” 

            Alice Richardson smiled, closed the door and sat on the side of Charlotte’s bed.  “It is just so wonderful to see your face glowing again.  Sit with me for one minute, though.  I have a question to ask you.”  

            Charlotte sat.  She had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.  “Yes, Grandmamma?” 

            “I know you are not going to spend the night with Amanda.  She and Randall have extended their honeymoon and they are not back from Spain.  So where are you really going?” 

            “Oh, Hell!” Charlotte whispered, her cheeks growing red. 

            “Hell, indeed.  Look my dear, you are a grown woman and free to do as you please.  Just promise me that you are not going to spend the night with Lawrence.” 

            “Not with Lawrence?” 

            “Look, I have never said anything, because unlike my daughter, Margaret, I do not stick my nose where it is not needed.  However, I will tell you now that I do not like or trust the man and was very happy when you moved back here.  I am just afraid that you have weakened.  It is normal for a woman to need a man…you might want to see your husband for lovemaking.  It would be a mistake to give him false hopes.” 

            Charlotte sighed and shook her head.  “Grandmamma, I have no need for Lawrence and that is because he has never wanted me, not one time in all these months.” 

            “Charlotte?  Do you mean to say that you and he have never….!” 

            “Not even close.  I tried, time and time again.  The last time, the night before I came back here he punched me in the face and told me to stop acting like a whore.” 

            “Oh my sweet child!” Alice took Charlottes hand, “Why did you not tell me?” 

            “It is embarrassing to be such a failure.” 

            “But if it was Lawrence who declined then he is the failure, not you.” 

            “It feels just the same.” 

            “Then, where are you going tonight?   Have you found a new man?” 

            “Yes and he is so very lovely to me, Grandmamma.” 

            Alice smiled.  “Is he that blond Adonis who was here asking for you earlier today?  I heard Betty telling him where you had gone.  She would not do that unless she knew you very much wanted to see him.” 

            “Yes.  His name is Daniel Hunter and he says he loves me.” 

            “Do you believe him?” 

            Charlotte thought for a moment, “Yes, I do.” 

            “More importantly, do you love him?” 

            “It is too soon.  I have much to sort out in my head and heart.  However, I do have a strong need for him.  I want to spend the night with him and he is waiting for me.” 

            “Good!  Then pack your bag, my dear, what are you waiting for?  If I had a man like that waiting for me I wouldn’t waste one minute.” 

            Charlotte laughed and kissed her Grandmother.  She finished packing and took a last look in the mirror.  She wore a cream colored lace.  It was tight to the hips and had the low-neck line that was so much in style.  The stand up, ruffled collar gave her a very alluring and feminine look.  She chose a single strand of white pearls as the only jewelry.  She took a deep breath and turned to face her Grandmother.  “Well, how do I look?  Is it too much?  Does it look like a wedding dress to you?” 

            “Not at all.  You are stunning, my love!  You look so much like your mother…a true and natural beauty.” 

            “Thank you.  I hope Daniel agrees with you.” 

            “He will.  I am not too happy about you going out alone after dark.  Where is this Daniel waiting for you?” 

            Charlotte pushed back the curtain.  “You see that man leaning against the wall across the street two houses down.  That is Daniel.” 

            “Oh my!  Then what in God’s name are you waiting for.  Get that man and learn what a joy life can be.” 

            Charlotte picked up her bag, headed to the door then stopped and turned back.  “Please do not tell Auntie Margaret.” 

            “I am not completely senile, Charlotte.  I will keep your precious secret.” 

            All of Charlotte’s concerns over her appearance faded when she walked up to Daniel and saw the pleasure on his face. 

            She leaned up and kissed his cheek.  “I think you look lovely too!” 

            “Lovely!  Jesus, I had hoped for a more manly effect.” 

            She laughed and took his arm, “You can show me how manly you are later.” 

            “You are trembling, Charlotte.  It is sweltering tonight…surely, you are not cold,” he said when they settled in the cab. 

            “I am not trembling.” 

            “You are.” 

            “Well, maybe I am just a little nervous!  Goodness, I am such an idiot.  I am scared like a little rabbit.” 

            “No, you are not an idiot.  It is normal for you to be nervous.  I promise I will not do anything you do not want and” he paused and cleared his throat, “I will do my very best not to hurt you.  That is should you decide to let me make love to you.” 

            “I have already decided that, Danny.”  

            “I am a little nervous myself, you know!” 

            “Why?  Do not even try to tell me that you are a virgin too.  I am not that much of an idiot!” 

            He laughed.  “No, it has been many years since I fumbled my sad way to manhood.  However, as far as I know this will be my first time with a virgin.  As I said, well, I do not want to do anything wrong.  I have heard....” 

            “Sh!” she put her fingers on his lips.  “Let’s not talk right now.  I just want to enjoy being with you.” 

            Daniel had been quite busy since he showed Charlotte around his new home a few hours before.  He removed all the dust covers, swept the floor and hung the living room curtains that he had found in a chest of drawers.  On a table, he placed a large bowl of flowers, a bottle of wine and two glasses. 

            “My favorite wine!” Charlotte smiled at him.  “How did you know?” 

            “You told me.  Shall I pour so we may have a toast?” 

            “Yes, but what do we toast?” 

            He poured two glasses and handed her one.  “A toast to us, this night and the many nights ahead of us.” 

            “Good and I will add a toast to the new lives we have each begun.”  

            He looked at her with surprise as she finished the full glass and refilled it.  “It will help calm me,” she said as she sat on the settee and motioned for him sit beside her. 

            “There is something I have been wondering about, Danny.  May I ask you a question?”  

            “Only if I may ask you one as well?” 

            She nodded.  “That day when I showered for you behind you cottage.” 

            “Yes?” 

            “After you kissed me, I told you I was a, God, I am so sick of this word, I told you I was a virgin.  Did you believe me?” 

            He smiled and shook his head, “Good Heavens, not for minute!  That is so often just a sad ploy some women will use to keep a man at a reasonable distance.  I mean to say, I had a very good look at an incredibly beautiful woman, one who had a husband.  No, I did not believe you!” 

            “But you believe me now.  What changed?  Was it my obvious sexual ignorance?” 

            He leaned forwards and ran his hands across her shoulders and down her arms.  “Ignorance?  That is far too harsh a word.  It was your exuberance and enthusiasm to learn showed me you were telling the truth.  You were not acting.” 

            “Did I make a terrible fool out of myself?” 

            “Good Lord, no!  Why would you even wonder such a thing?  You were delightful!  This lonely man thought that he must have died and gone to Heaven.”  

            “That is a sweet thing to say.  Thank you.  Now you may ask me your question.” 

            He narrowed his eyes and sat back in the seat, “The orgasm you had that first morning was it real and was it, as you said, the first for you?” 

            She felt her cheeks grow red.  “It was ‘real’.  All of them have been ‘real’.” 

            “And?” 

            “Yes, it was my first and it was lovely.  I would like many more, if you don’t mind.” 

            “I will do my very best.” Daniel stood, extinguished the gas lamps and removed his jacket and shirt.  He leaned over Charlotte, pulled the curtains back and pushed the window open.  A fragrant, cooling breeze blew from the gardens.  He placed Charlotte’s empty wine glass on the table and helped her to her feet.  “I would like to get started on that right now.” 

            She ran her hands over his chest.  “Do you really?  What exactly would you like?” 

            “That day when you found the great courage to come out of the bushes and disrobe for me you took my breath away.” 

            “I was so very frightened.” 

            “I know but you did find the courage.  Could you summons that same courage now and let me watch as you remove that lovely dress and the delightful things underneath?  I would so enjoy that, Charlotte.” 

            She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.  “Sit then.  Make yourself comfortable.  I have so many buttons and laces so this could take a while.” 

            He removed his boots and stretched out on the settee.  “Take all the time you need.” 

            A long row of small pearl buttons ran down from the deep v-neck line to her hips.  With deliberate slowness, she opened them then the buttons on the sleeves.  All the while, she kept her eyes on him.  The rapidly increasing rise and fall of his chest encouraged her.  She dropped the dress to the floor, stepped out of it and was glad that she had decided against wearing a corset.  Her pale peach camisole and underwear clung to her from the sweat of the hot night. 

            Daniel whispered something she could not quite hear over the thundering of her heart.  She did not need to know the words to understand their meaning. 

            She placed her foot on his knee, unfastened a stocking, rolled it down and dropped it on the floor.  The tantalizing process repeated with the other stocking.  She flicked open the tiny buttons on the side of the garter belt, let it fall.   

            With slightly shaking fingers, she opened the bows of her camisole.  The dampness of her skin held it closed over her breasts.  Now wearing only that and small lace panties she sat next to him. 

            “My heart is racing.” She took his hand and placed it over her heart.  “Have you ever felt anything like that?” 

            “Maybe only my own!” He placed her hands on his chest.  He leaned forward and kissed her lips very lightly.  “Now…finish!  I need to see your beautiful body again.” 

            She stood and closed her eyes.  She pulled the camisole open and let it slide down her arms.  She ran her hands across her belly, into the last garment and pushed it down until it also fell to the floor.  She let her head fall back.  The cool breeze blowing in from the open window seemed to caress her burning skin.  For a few seconds that seemed to be an eternity to Charlotte she stood very still and let the man study her. 

            Finally, she heard him stand and felt his hands on her hips.  “Open your eyes!” he whispered.  She locked her eyes into his.  “Look down, Charlotte and see what a beautiful woman you are.” She did as he said.  He ran his hands over her breasts.  A long, low moan came from somewhere deep inside him.  “Never, not for one fleeting moment doubt the power you have,” he carried her into his bedroom, placed her gently on his bed and lay down beside her. 

            “You are so sweet to me.” She smiled slightly and whispered. 

            He ran his hand across her face.  “You are crying, Charlotte!” 

            “No, I’m not.” 

            “Oh yes you are.  Either that or you have sprung a leak, my love.  What is wrong?” 

            “What you just said to me, that was so kind.” 

            “I wasn’t being kind.  You just need to know that whatever is wrong with Lawrence Thornton, well, it does not fall down to you.  Any man burns for a woman like you.  God in heaven, I do!” 

            She put her lips against his neck, ran her hands down his body and opened his trouser buttons.  “If that is so, Danny, then make love to me now.  We have played for all these weeks.  I want more.” 

            “Patience, sweetness…you are not ready yet.” He felt the tension and frustration flowing from her “More than anything else at this time and right now, I do not want to hurt you.” 

            “Oh Hell, Daniel… make me ready, will you!”  

            He smiled and slid off his trousers.  He ran his tongue over her nipples, up her neck, across her lips and pulled back as she reached for his mouth.  “Just close your eyes and relax.  Do not think about anything but my touch.” 

            Letting instinct be his guide Daniel began to massage Charlotte.  Starting at her shoulders he ran his hands in ever lengthening circles, the upwards motion always stronger.  He allowed only the lightest touch on her breasts.  He moved the circles downwards, across her belly to her hips, fingertips over slightly brushing between her legs.  Her heard her gasp and closed his eyes fighting for the control he desperately needed.  If he gave into what he so badly needed then he knew this precious time for her would be only a memory of pain and he could not allow that. 

            His hands circled her thighs, down to her calves, the upwards motion now much stronger.  Now he began to move back up her legs.  As he moved his circles to her inner thighs, he saw Charlotte slightly arch her back.  He knew it was the beginning of the beautiful female dance of true passion.  His heart pounded in his head.  She was so close to where he needed her.  He must not misjudge and miss the moment.  He must be so much more than he had ever hoped to be. 

            The circles now on her belly, the downwards motions now the strongest.  With each circle, his hands moved between her legs and each time she raised her body towards his hands.  Her breathing was soft and quickening, a slight flush in her cheeks.  Not stopping his circles he leaned down and ran kisses across her shoulder and so very close to her breasts.  She arched again, purposefully pushing a breast into his mouth.   

            “Now?” she whispered into his ear. 

            He raised his lips to hers and kissed with such a blinding passion he was quickly losing his battle.  After one last circle, he reached his hand between her legs, his finger gently inside her.  She moaned, wrapped her hand around his penis and butted the side of her head against his.  Drops of his sweat fell on her face.  “Now!” she insisted with passion and some anger. 

            Daniel groaned, lay between her legs and kissed her again with all the fiery passion that so urged him to take what she was offering and be damned with anything else.  He felt her nails dig into his hips.  Her instincts leading her to fight him for the position she needed. 

            He put his face against her neck.  “Stay still, Charlotte,” he whispered with such urgency that she knew she must obey.  He slightly raised his body held his penis in position and pushed just slightly into her.  She sighed and moved upwards taking more of him into her.  He moved back only the slightly and then pushed harder.  She gasped a sound he knew was the result of pain and passion.  He knew he had reached a block, the place where he could go no further without force. 

            Words he had read somewhere, sometime, raced through his mind.  Some females broke easily others had a thick membrane and the tearing would be difficult.  Breaking Charlotte, as he must do and right then, was going to hurt her, even in his great passion, his heart was heavy. 

            He held her hips firmly.  “I am so sorry!” he whispered into her ear and pushed once deeper inside her.  He felt her body go rigid and heard as she tried to stifle her cry.  Anger fueled him.  He slid his arms around her waist and pushed without stopping until he felt her flesh finally part and he slid inside her completely. 

            For Charlotte the pain meant little, it paled in the fire of her need.  When Daniel was finally deep in her, she felt him collapse.  She thought how he seemed to suffer much more than she did.  She lifted his head, kissed him and wrapped her legs around his body. 

            This action and the overwhelming knowledge that he was finally where he had so long dreamed of fired him again.  A long while passed before they allowed their passion to reach climax.  When he rolled off her, he kept her in his arms and together they slept. 

            William was preparing for bed when his housekeeper knocked on his door.  “CI Burke is here, Inspector Morgan,” she said coolly, looking at her watch.  “Do you want me to send him off?” 

            “No, Mrs. Hutchings, no!  Never ‘send him off’, ever!” 

            “But you do a full day’s work.  He should not be bothering you at home.” 

            “Nonetheless, he is my superior and would not come here without a valid purpose.  Put him in the study and offer him a drink.  I will be right down.” 

            William took off his pajamas, pulled on his trousers, a shirt and headed down stairs. 

            “Morgan!” CI Burke, a large brandy in his hand, nodded when William joined him.  “This is some place you have here.  Just how much money did your father leave you?” 

            “Enough.  I assume you are here for something important.  Did you find anything on Thornton?” 

            “Did I?  Hell on Earth, did I?  You bloody well owe me an arm and a leg!  I just spent the last couple of hours with Madam Lucien in her stinking brothel.” 

            William held back a smile.  “Ah, you met ‘Dirty Kitty’!” 

            “You know her?” 

            “I know her and The Halo very well, unfortunately.  My investigations take me to too many such places.  I don’t get to sit at my desk all day.” 

            “Good God man, did you know she’s got male whores in there?” 

            “Yes, she has always had them.  You have heard of gigolos but the females who pay highly for their services call them ‘stallions’.” 

            ‘Fucking hell!  You can’t tell me that women pay for sex?” 

            “Of course!” William could not hold back his smile any longer.  “They also service male customers, if the need arrives at the door.  Perhaps you should get out and about more.” 

            “No thank you!  I’ll stay behind my desk.” Burke shuddered and swallowed the last of his glass in one swallow.   

            “I take it Thornton is connected with The Halo?  Customer?” 

            “Very frequently, that is until about a year ago.  How anyone could sink so low they have to pay for sex, I have no idea.” 

            “They are too lazy to go about it all with luck and charm, I guess!  Was Thornton there for the men?” 

            “That’s what I thought at first, as well.  Took ages to get ‘Dirty Kitty’ to talk to me.  She is as hard as nails that one.  She and Thornton were thick but have had some kind of falling out.  Thornton went to The Halo weekly for several years, every Sunday afternoon, rain or shine.  Never bought a man though, according to Kitty it was always the females and nothing too sick in what he wanted.  He had a couple of the girls that were his favorites.  Names of Rose Polk and Mary Fox.  And he was up to it with the whore madam as well!” 

            William shook his head.  “Then he stopped going to The Halo at about the time he was married.” 

            “Not quite so noble, Will.  Seems Dr. Thornton has picked up a very nasty disease from one of whores.  Syphilis to be exact!” 

            William stood suddenly.  “Fuck!  Lawrence Thornton has syphilis?” 

            “Yes.  Your frustrated bride is far luckier than she thinks.” 

            “I’d say!  If he knew, he had it that long ago why did he go ahead and marry her.  Surely he must have known Charlotte would want to know what was holding him back!” 

            “Charlotte?  God, I remember now.  That is the female who ditched you, isn’t it?” 

            William flinched.  “She married Lawrence and not me, yes.  Obviously a mistake.” 

            Burke stood and moved to the front door, “Well, if you care about her you had better tell her the truth about her husband.  She best get as far away from him as fast as she can.  You know that stinking disease affects the mind.  If he has been sick for this long he could be unstable.”  

            “Thank you for your help, Stanley and yes, I have no choice but to tell her.” 

            “No thanks necessary, Will!  I am going to go home and take a hot and long bath.  I will see you bright eyed and on the ball first thing in the morning!” 

* * * * 

            “Majesty is ready, sir!” The Thornton stable man led the black stallion up to Lawrence.   

            Lawrence took the reins and climbed onto his cherished animal, “Thank you, Henry.  I have no idea when I will be back.  It will be late so you need not wait up.” 

            He ran the beautiful horse hard across the back gardens and into the fields of his land.  Most of the way, Lawrence rode with his eyes closed, enjoying the rush of cooling air and letting his tortured mind rest.  Horse and rider had traveled the pathways and then country roads so often Majesty knew where Lawrence wanted to go.  Ten minutes passed before Majesty stopped.  Lawrence slid from the horse and stumbled up the walkway.  He took his keys from his pocket and unlocked the door. 

            “Lawrence!” The pretty blond came up to the cottage door.  “I did not think you were coming until later.” 

            He took her arm, pulled her across the parlor and into her bedroom.  He ripped off his shirt, sending buttons flying and fell onto the bed, “Now, Rose!  Hurry up!” 

            She nodded and pulled a black leather box from under the bed.  From the box, she took a prepared syringe and leather strap.  She tied the strap as tight as possible around his upper arm and waited for the veins to rise.  As gently as possible, she inserted the needle and slowly pushed down the plunger. 

            When she was done, she sat beside Lawrence and stroked his hair.  She watched him closely as the powerful dose of morphine spread ease and peace through his tortured body.  A few moments passed before he opened his eyes and smiled at her. 

            “Thank you Rose!  I am sorry for my rough entrance.  My need took over.” 

            “I know.  It is all right.  Perhaps you should start having two needles a day.  I could teach you how to do your own needles.” 

            “Maybe.  However, for now you will do it.  Anyway, it gives me an excuse to see you every day.” He rose up on one elbow and ran his fingers gently over her breasts. 

            “You do not need an excuse to come here.  It is your house, after all and I am your woman.” 

            Lawrence slid off the bed.  She followed him into the parlor. 

            “Did you hear from your doctor?” He asked as he poured a large glass of whiskey. 

            “Yes,” she sighed, “it is as usual.  I am fine.” 

            “You sound disappointed.” He smiled and pulled her to sit beside him. 

            “He said that we must be using very good shields.  He was smiling as you are now.  He is an idiot, too!  Do you ever think about how much it breaks my heart that you are so ill?” 

            “I know.  I must keep my humor though, don’t you agree.  I had another dose of mercury this morning.  My doctor is very hopeful that I will make a full recovery.” 

            Rose looked at his sunken cheeks and into the eyes that she loved so much.  They now had an obvious yellow tint to them.  It seemed to her that in the last few months, since he began the mercury he was only getting worse.   

            “I suppose,” Lawrence continued, “you could have ‘Hear lays a failed whore master!’ on my headstone.” 

            She pulled back, frowning at him, tears very close to falling, “How can you say such a thing?  You only did just as millions of other men do every day.  You should have only bought me, as I wanted.  I told you that some of the other whores were sick.” 

            “And you were right.  Do you have any idea just how much money I paid to sex you over that year or so?  I swear that you and I made ‘Dirty Kitty’ a rich cow.  And now I get it all for free!” 

            “Tell me, Lawrence, if I had been better born would you have married me rather than Charlotte?” 

            He studied her silently for a moment before answering.  “Before if you had asked me that I would have said no so as not to get your hopes up.  However, I have no time for falsehoods now.  You are a very lovely, kind and passionate female and yes, if you had been better born and I had never met Charlotte I would have married you.” 

            “It hurts me to know how much you want Charlotte to come back to you.” 

            “She is my wife.  She promised to honor and obey me until death do us part.  She has broken that promise.  Her actions are causing me embarrassment and humiliation.  I will not just sit by while she mocks my demands.” He ran his hands through his thick black hair.  “Christ, Rose I am just so fucking tired of it all!  Sometimes I feel as though I should give up the fight and let the syphilis have me.” 

            “You must not say that!” She let the tears fall.  “What will I do without you?” 

            “I told you before that I have left you very well set up in my will.  You have a trust fund that will give you 500 pounds a year and there is not a damn thing Charlotte can do about it.” 

            “I don’t need your money!  I need you!  I would rather die with you.”  

            He pulled her into his arms and rested her head on his chest.  “You do not mean it, not really!” 

            “Yes, I do!  All you have to do is make love to me without protection, and then I will be with you forever.” 

            “Stop it!” He insisted and shook her slightly.  “That is ridiculous talk and you know it.  If I do not survive, you will soon find another man, marry him and make some babies as you want.  You will never have marriage or babies from me.  Now here,” he handed her his empty glass, “fill this again for me and we will talk about something else.  Did I tell you who I ran into the other day?” 

            Rose wiped her face with her sleeve.  She sighed, stood and refilled the glass.  “No, I do not think you did.  Who did you run into?” 

            “Your former employer and her muscle man.” 

            Despite herself, Rose smiled, “Oh, you saw Katherine and Mongo!” 

            “Katherine!  Only her whores call her that and if they do not they get a slap across the face.  To the rest of us who know her she will always be ‘Dirty Kitty’.  They asked about you.  Mongo seemed especially interested.  He told me to tell you that you should come by and see him some time.  Tell me, Rosie, why is he so keen to see you?  Was he fucking you?” 

            “Mongo?  I told you before he was always very nice to me.” 

            “That is not what I asked you.” 

            “No, Lawrence.  Mongo never touched me.  He made it very clear that he wanted to and it was funny because he sure had his goes with the other whores.” 

            “It’s not that hard to understand.  He would most likely have lost his job.  You were Kitty’s favorite for more than just the money you brought to her.  She fairly drooled down her front when you were in the room.” He ran his fingers up her neck and into her long yellow hair, “Did you fuck with her?” 

            “No!  I did not.  I do not go with women and you know that.” 

            “Did she ever try anything on you?” 

            “Why?”  

            “Just curious.  The pictures in my mind are fascinating.” 

            “Well, those pictures are only in your mind and hers as well but never in mine.  Katherine was always telling me how she would take care of me and I wouldn’t have to whore anymore if I lived with her but I was not interested.” 

            “She was right angry when you left The Halo to come here.  Was she fucking with any of the other whores?” 

            “Yes, of course.  She might have wanted me but it was Mary Fox she settled in with most times.” 

            “Mary!  I didn’t know she was a dyke.” 

            “She’s not.  She does what she has to; at least that is what she told me.” 

            “Hell!  I wish I had known about that while I was going there.  I would have paid a small fortune to see Mary and you together.  You know, I could bring Mary here…” 

            “No!” Rose stood and glared down at him.  “No.  I told you that I do not go with females and I will not, not even for you!  And you had enough of bloody Mary Fox.  You are not going to fuck her again!” 

            “Jealous, are you?” He pulled Rose down and onto his lap. 

            “Yes!  It is not funny, either.  I am in love with you and I can still see you with her.  So many times you paid for her and not me.” 

            “Ah yes, but be fair, Rose.  That was in the early days.  It did not take me too long to decide which of you two I preferred.  Mary can do wonders but you are far prettier and so sweet under a man’s body.” As he spoke, he opened the buttons down the front of her dress.  As usual, she wore nothing underneath. 

            “Is that so?” Rose relaxed and laid her head on his shoulder. 

            He pushed away the sides of the dress.  “Oh yes…very sweet!” He pulled gently on her breasts in the way he knew Rose could never resist, “You move like an angel or should I say devil?  I battle to hold back every time, don’t I, but you win and draw me out so smoothly every time.” 

            She rolled her body down against his and lifted her skirt.  “From what I can feel you could use a little ‘drawing out’ right now!” 

            “You could convince me....” He slid his hand up her legs.  After a moment, he lifted her off him.  “You are correct again, my dear, go and get a shield.  I am in great need of a good sexing.”

LENGTH: Epic Length
SENSUALITY: Sensual

Cover art (c) Eliza Black 2010
ISBN 978-1-60394-395-6
Download $6.99
(s&h not included in price)

Born into a world of wealth and security, Elizabeth Leighton had nothing but the clothes on her back when she ran for her life from the seedy Three Bells Pub that Sunday morning. With fear and energy finally sapped she collapsed under a tree in Regents Park . Taking stock of what she had and what she needed would take very little time. She had youth, beauty and intelligence but that would hardly make up for her sudden loss of home and occupation. Her purse contained only a few pennies and the calling card of a man with a vaguely familiar name and mysterious employment offer.

Little did Elizabeth know when she met the handsome, charismatic Gabriel Jackman later that morning, that she had met a man she could love completely and forever. How could she know when she consented to join his small group of like-minded associates she would find herself in a fight for her life and soul against an ancient demon, revengeful ghost, madwoman and her murderous son?

Rating: Sensual. Graphic language and adult situations.

Genre: Paranormal Romance.

A CANDLE TO THE DEVIL

 By

 Linda Parsons Mills

© copyright by Linda Parsons Mills, January 2010

Cover Art by Eliza Black, January 2010

ISBN 978-1-60394-395-6

New Concepts Publishing

Lake Park, GA 31636

www.newconceptspublishing.com

This is a work of fiction. All characters, events, and places are of the author's imagination and not to be confused with fact. Any resemblance to living persons or events is merely coincidence.

Chapter One

Tully's Brothel, St Chiles, London

June 20, 1870

2 am

The wooden door squealed on rusted hinges. "Cor' it sounds worse than me own rotten joints." Mavis Tully grinned as the first man stepped into the dark room. He was rough looking and stank of bad rum. "Good to see yer, Bob! Been awhile!" The grin slipped away as the second man, a huge figure cloaked and hooded in black, followed the first. "Don't you look a mystery…?" Mavis took step back. She rubbed fat, sweaty hands down the front of her skirt.

The hooded man stepped up to the bed and pulled the blanket away. "What is the matter with her?" He asked in an obviously disguised voice.

"Out like a light on my special potion. Makes it easier for yer to cop a look. These youngins' can be skittish."

"More light." Hooded man hissed. Bob held his lantern close to the bedside. He lifted the nightgown, exposing the very young naked female body. Her smooth white skin was a stark contrast against the filthy, gray sheet. Her breasts were small, prefect mounds that had barely started to blossom. Her shoulders and hips were narrow and thin. He pulled one foot, spreading her legs. He slid one hand under her backside and lifted her closer to the light. There was some pubic hair but it was sparse.

"Her name's Joe!" Tully laughed. "But she don't look like no Joe to me. But her be what yer asked for, pretty, white and sixteen."

"How old?" Hooded man asked.

"Oh, Hell! She is fourteen. You try to find a sixteen-year-old virgin in this day and age. Ain't none out there. Not ones that got nobody who'll care if she goes missing."

"A virgin?" Bob asked doubtfully.

"Yes, sir! As yer wanted. Ask anyone Mama Tully 'll not cheat yer? Go ahead and check if yer fingers is long 'nuff. Mind you don't break her though. Yer break her and you'll still pay full price for her. Yer'll not cheat me neither."

"Shut up!" She flinched and ducked as Bob took a swing at her.

Hooded man flipped the girl onto her belly and pushed her knees under her chest. He removed one glove. A large diamond encrusted wedding band sparkled in the lamp light. He bent over the unconscious child, held her in position with one hand and slid one finger from the other hand inside of her. He looked up at Bob and nodded. He rolled Joe in the blanket, threw her over his shoulder and disappeared down the twisted, steep stairs.

"There ya go, Bob! See, right as rain. There's a tight pull coming for some lucky sod with that little bitch! Now where is me money? Ten quid and not a penny less!" She grinned broadly at him.

Bob smiled. "Sure thing, Mavis. Yer always turned out good for us, yer did." He reached inside his coat. "Too bad we won't be needing yer no more!" She saw only a flash of the silver blade as he brought razor sharp knife across her throat. Mavis was still grinning as she fell to the floor dead.

The Dedication

Sunday June 20, 1870

On the road to the Wycombe Caves,

The coach of Pierre Desjardin

10:30 pm

"We are soon at our destination." Pierre Desjardin announced to his two companions. The daylong rain finally subsided and a bright moon lit the countryside as they rolled along seldom-used country roads. "Are you frightened, Serena?" Pierre Desjardin asked, smiling at his daughter.

"Not at all, Papa! But I am excited." Countess Serena Lucci turned beautiful black eyes to her husband. "As is your child, Vincento. I swear the babe does cartwheels."

Count Vincento Lucci placed one arm around his wife and the other on her swollen belly. "My lady is brave, is she not?" He looked from her to Desjardin.

"You have raised your daughter well, Pierre."

Desjardin laughed pushed his long black hair back from his face. The brilliant diamonds on his wedding band glittered in the light of the full moon. "Serena is like her mother. Bless our Lord! She quickly learns to accept all that is meant for her." He leaned over, gently touching the back of Serena's hand. "I am a proud man to say that not a single time have either my wife or daughter disappointment me."

Serena smiled with love at her father, sighed and rested her head on her husbands' chest. "And very soon Papa you will have your first Grandchild. Does that make you happy as we are?"

Pierre nodded, fixed his eyes on the moon as it flashed in and out of the silhouetted tree line.

Theodore De Wolfe, Dr. Henry Leighton and Reverend Samuel Jackman spent most of that evening preparing the large circular room that was the apex of the three long and winding Wycombe caves. Dozens of unlit black candles lined the crevices. Several bright lanterns hung from poles that leaned against the sweating stone walls. Golden incense lamps swung in the three entranceways. A mattress dressed in clean linens and lined with satin pillows lay on the far side of the grotto. Not far from the makeshift bed was a black, pot bellied stove. The hot fire in it roared steadily. In the center of the grotto, black velvet draped across a low rectangle, wooden platform and on that laid the unconscious young girl.

The three men sat against a far wall. They wore long grey robes. On the ground before them were bottles of brandy and whiskey and several gold cups. One of the cups held powdered cocaine and a narrow gold straw.

De Wolfe looked at his watch and wiped residue powder from his whiskers. "They will be here soon. We have met Count Vincento Lucci." He spoke with obvious dislike as he mentioned the counts name. "The man's is a pompous idiot. Far from worthy of the lovely Serena!"

Leighton laughed. "You say that about every man with a beautiful wife. If you've got an eye for Desjardin's daughter you'd better think twice."

"For a female such as Countess Serena Lucci I would take the chance. Henry, imagine Pierre's talents in the body of a goddess and the face of an angel!" De Wolfe paused and grinned at his choice of words. "A more evil bitch you have never known. They say the child she is carrying is a male but what a wonder it would be if it was a female. That would be something to look forward to when I am an old man."

"Male or female, if the child is like the mother and grandfather Lucifer will take the dedication and mark the baby. That is all that matters to me." Leighton said.

"As usual, Henry, you miss the finer points."

They heard a moan from the girl wrapped tightly in the blanket.

"She is coming around." Jackman staggered to his feet. He pulled the blanket away from her face. Joe squinted in the semi darkness, saw Jackman and grunted trying to speak around the gag tied tightly across her mouth. "Should you give her another shot?" He asked Leighton.

"Better not, Samuel. Pierre will need her awake, won't he?"

Jackman grunted, pulled more of the blanket away. "She's not bad. Young that is a fact. Ripe for the picking, as they say!" He ran his hand down the length of her thin nightgown and pushed his hand hard between her legs. Joe thrashed and tried to pull her body away from him but ropes held her in place. Jackman smiled over his shoulder at his companions. "I wouldn't mind having first crack at her that is a fact."

"Leave her alone!" Leighton said with a voice tired and cold. "You'll get your chance."

"What's the matter Samuel?" De Wolfe laughed. "Sweet Susan not as accommodating as she once was? Maybe you should say your prayers louder and more often."

"Shut your mouth, Ted!" Samuel turned his attention back to their terrified captive. "Poor frightened lamb." He sneered at her and he held her head still. His face was only inches from hers. "We are saving you from a dirty life on the streets, little whore. Just a nightmare, some pain and then it is all over. Isn't that better than thirty years spreading your legs for every decrepit, filthy shit that passes by?" He pushed the neck of her gown down looked at her breasts and pushed his hand roughly across them, pinching and twisting one nipple. She screamed with a fear and furry that was stronger than her age. He threw the blanket over her head.

Leighton and De Wolfe stood and began to light the candles. The girl whimpered, moaned and continued to struggle in vain against the ropes. Not too much later they heard the echo of footsteps and approaching voices. De Wolfe put his hand on his pistol and then relaxed as Desjardin entered the grotto followed by the Count and his wife.

Desjardin ignored the men waiting for them. He turned, took his daughter from her husband and carefully led her across the jagged rocky floor to stand next to the platform. The Count followed behind. Leighton, Jackman and De Wolfe finished with the candles and stood silently watching

"Our grotto is not much, my dear but our Lord does not require fancy trappings to be pleased." Desjardin spoke with soft affection to Serena.

"It is fine, Papa!" She smiled then jumped slightly as Joe squealed at the sound of the female voice.

Desjardin threw off the blanket. The squeals turned to screams and the young body pulled and strained against the bindings. "We shall have to stop the racket." He looked down the frantic face twisting and straining around the gag. She had pulled so hard against the gag that blood ran down the sides of her face.

He leaned his face against her, ran his tongue through the blood whispered something the others could not hear. He held her face steady with his hands and briefly glared into her eyes. With a moan, she fell silent and still.

Desjardin pulled a knife from his pocket and flicked the blade open. Joe saw the blade but had no reaction her eyes looking beyond it fixed on Desjardin's face. He slipped the sharp blade under the gag and sliced it free. Her jaw fell open. He smiled and pushed her mouth shut. He ran the knife through the ropes. They snapped and fell aside. Joe laid very still, her only movement the slow rise and fall of her chest.

Since Desjardin had entered the grotto the smoke from the lanterns, candles, incense had sunk to the ground. The air above it was then so cold they could see their breaths. The atmosphere charged with anticipation.

Desjardin handed the knife to Serena. "She is yours! See if she is worthy." Serena ran the knife up the front of the dirty nightgown, cut the shoulder straps and with one quick movement Desjardin pulled the garment and tossed it aside. He and his daughter looked down at the naked girl.

"What do you think, Serena? Do you accept her as the vehicle to present your child to Satan. Do not agree just to please me. Study her, you as well, Vincento! Only if you are satisfied…then we proceed."

Serena walked once half way around the alter, running her hand casually up one leg, across the flat belly, the small breasts and stopped at the girls head. "She is young, Father. Her breasts are so small. Does she menstruate?"

"She does and she is a virgin."

"Are you sure?" the Count asked.

"I felt her. She is intact. But do check for yourself, Vincento."

Serena moved quickly and stood in front of her husband. "No!" she snapped at him angrily. "I told you, you watch and you do nothing! I will do it."

Lucci nodded and smiled as he stepped aside to watch his wife. Serena pulled the girls legs open roughly and far wider than she needed to. She looked back at the girls' face. "Tell me now, are you a virgin? Lie and I will slit your throat." Serena's' beautiful face was hard, her eyes black with hatred, her mouth twisted in a wide grin. Then she looked very much like her father.

Joe moved her eyes from Desjardin to Serena and back to her father. Desjardin nodded.

"I am a virgin," Joe answered, her voice flat and uninterested.

Serena grunted and pushed two fingers inside the girl. "Gently…be careful!" Her father placed a restraining hand on her arm. "Aamon breaks her or it is all for not." Serena glared at her father and held her position for a few seconds longer than necessary then stood and walked beside her husband.

She smiled at Desjardin, her face suddenly soft again. "She is as she should be. We will do it, do you agree Vincento?"

"You have a suitable doctor?" Lucci asked Desjardin and looked doubtfully at the three men standing silently watching.

"That is me, Count Lucci." Henry Leighton took a few steps forwards but knew better than to offer his hand. "I am Dr. Henry Leighton."

"You are very young to have much experience."

"I have delivered dozens of healthy children. Your lady will feel no pain. Your child and wife are safe in my care."

"They had better be!" Lucci looked at Desjardin and nodded.

Desjardin rubbed his hands together. "Then we shall prepare!" He turned and disappeared the way he had come.

Jackman took a large black leather book from an ornately carved wooden box. He opened it and began to read aloud passages in Latin.

Serena smiled reached up and kissed her husband passionately. "Thank you, my love."

Vincento touched her face. "You are braver than I." He opened the buttons down the back of her gown and gently lifted it over her head. He slid his hands over her breasts, swollen for the approaching birth and ran them down the huge perfectly round belly. He kissed her neck, dropped the shoulders of her slip and let it fall to the ground. He knelt on the ground removed her shoes and slipped off the black lace panties. She was naked.

De Wolfe glanced at Leighton and raised his eyebrows. Leighton shook his head slightly and fought back a smile.

Vincento Lucci took a long crystal bottle from his jacket and handed it to his wife. He stepped back into the shadows taking a seat beside the make shift bed.

Back at the alter Serena opened the bottle and poured some of the pigs blood on her breasts, belly and down her legs. As she rubbed it into her skin she joined Jackman reciting in Latin exactly as he spoke; praises to the Devil she had memorized before she could she read or write. She continued to chant in unison with Jackman, walked around the platform, dropping the blood onto the docile and now smiling young girl. Starting with her feet, she messaged Joe with the blood, moving upward, taking special care with her genital and breast area. She covered Joe's face and hair. Smoothing the curly blond hair flat as the blood dried. This done she spread more blood over the genitals. She leaned down, kissed the childlike breasts, ran her tongue down and into the small puddle of blood in her navel. She sucked it empty, lifted her head and smiled at her husband.

Desjardin barred the door of the anti-room. He hung his lamp on a hook fixed to the wall. The only furniture in the room was a small iron table. On it were three black candles. He lit them, got to his knees, lowered his head for a moment, sat in silence, clearing his mind of all earthy matters, and woke his powerful dark side.

Desjardin had held many dedications. He had offered the souls of a dozen or more children to Lucifer. The first child of these children was Serena. The acceptation of every one of these offerings honored him and was a testament to the power he held. This child was his grandson, the child of his only child and he knew that there were never any assurances. If rejected the child would die and in anger, Lucifer might take Serena as well. For the first time in all these years, Desjardin had to face indecision and fear. If he turned back now he would lose face. For him that was far worse than the death of his child and grandchild. In the end, it was Serena and Vincento who made the final decision.

When he stood, again he had regained the power and force of his convictions. The evil he had lived for soared in him, heating his body and racing his senses. This particular excitement was an addiction as strong as any he had known. It was a sexual need, a need to taste blood, to harm and kill. It grew with every passing second. From deep in his belly, a sound like a growl emanated from his body and filled the room. There was no turning back now.

He removed all his clothing, placing them neatly on the tabletop. He did not notice his erection or the rivers of sweat that ran down his body. With his knife, he slashed the ends of two fingers on his right hand. There was no pain, just a thrill to see the blood flow. On the dirt floor, in his blood, he drew a pentagram; without the surrounding circle, it was a tribute and signal to the Devil.

He stepped into the pentagram, raised his arms over his head, threw his head back and closed his eyes. "Father, brother, master!" His voice rumbled deep and harsh with his passion. "Hear your servant. Send me Aamon!" He paused, feeling the familiar cold wind that began to circle his feet. He had their attention. His heart thundered. His breath coming in shallows gasps. "Send Aamon, keeper of the pacts. I have a new dedication for you. Let Aamon breathe in me to accept my offering, my own blood to serve and honor you now and forever."

The wind grew stronger and to a freezing temperature. As it moved and circled up his legs drops of his boiling sweat fell into it, hissing as they vanished. He stood ridged, frozen in his passion. Blood from the deep cuts in his fingers ran down his arm, mixed with the sweat and ran in rivulets down his leg. When the devil wind reached his upper body, it raged across the room, extinguishing the candles and lantern. It circled Desjardin's head, he opened his mouth taking in this wind, chocking and gulping as it filled his lungs.

The pain began at the soles of his feet, like fired needles it ran up his legs. He gasped with growing, undeniable passion as this pain pulsated in his penis. His heart thundered and shuddered with the assault. His ears rang and vision blurred. His arms fell to his sides. His strength faded as Aamon took over. He had to fight to stay conscious. He must remain aware until the demon Aamon took complete control. If he did not Aamon would keep his body and take it to Hell with him. The man that was Desjardin would simply disappear off the face of the earth. When the agony reached his mind with an explosion of light and searing heat, he knew Aamon was in and he could let go. He fell like a rag to the dirt floor.

Aamon smiled as he got to his feet. This interruption would mean a fuck with a human virgin, a pathetic weakling to split and kill. Her scream would thrill him, her blood nourish him, her soul his to keep forever.

He ran the bright hot golden beams of light from his yellow eyes down Desjardin's body and shook his head. In the faint the erection fell, the penis hanging limp. The smile turned to a laugh. "Well, we must do much better than that!" He closed his eyes. The body of Desjardin faded and the cloven huffed wolf that was the true body of Aamon took its place. It stood seven feet tall, huge silver rams horns scraped the ceiling overhead, sending out a shower of sparks. His head was the shape and size of horse. Long, razor shape, blood stained fangs over locked his jaw. Red eyes with yellow pupils filled the dark room light. The massive wolf body covered with long, thick black hair. Spikes ran down his spine to the end of his snake like tail. The only truly human feature was his hands. They were white, his fingers slender and his nails, curled with length and like his teeth, stained with human blood. His penis thickened with the thrill of a pending kill hung half down his haunches. Desjardin sat as silent watcher in the mind of the demon, saw through his eyes and felt the demons passions in his blood.

Pleased with the perfection of the transition Aamon howled with the mighty voice of a thousand wolves. The sound so powerful it penetrated the stone walls and reached those waiting in the grotto.

"Shit! Here we go, Ted!" Leighton whispered to De Wolfe. As often as they had played a part in Desjardin's ceremonies they were never comfortable with the calling forward of a demon and worst of them all was Aamon. He was by far the wildest and most viscous of those they had dealt with but he was the only one allowed to present a dedication to Satan. He was a favorite of his Master and did as he pleased. He killed at random and the slightest thing set him into a rage. They would only get their hands on Joe if Aamon let her live and that rarely happened. Leighton crossed the grotto and politely motioned for Serena to go to the bed. "It would be far safer to stay out of his way for as long as possible!" he explained when she hesitated.

Lucci stood, took her by the arm, led her to the bed, helped her to lie down and piled pillows high so she could comfortably witness the scene. Leighton pulled a morphine-loaded syringe from the pocket of his robe and took a place in the shadows beside the bed next to the Count.

Jackman continued to read, the flow of his words stilted by fear and growing excitement. The dreadful growl and the absence of Desjardin had slightly stirred Joe. She moaned and tried to sit up. De Wolfe pinned her by the shoulders back onto the platform.

They all heard, felt and smelt the approach of Aamon. No one dared to move or speak as he bent and stepped into the grotto. He was able there to stand to his full length and did so, his huge black penis erect. He threw his upper body in an arc. A growl turned to another deafening howl. Joe screamed, thrashed wildly and fainted. De Wolfe took several steps back and into the deep shadows. Leighton glanced down at Serena. She was smiling and clearly sexually aroused. Lucci was oblivious of her, his attention transfixed on the monster before him.

Aamon crouched down on his haunches, swinging his head side to side he sent the beams from his eyes over each person in the grotto and lastly to the doomed child. On all fours, Aamon circled the stone room. He panted, his thick red tongue hung down on his fangs. He slapped his snake like tail, sending the cups of whiskey and cocaine flying. His stink filled the room. Those who had smelled it before knew what it was, the stench of sulfur and rotten flesh.

Aamon stopped in the narrow space between the bed and the platform. He leaned forwards and ran his nose along the girl. He grunted and slid his surprisingly clean and feminine hands down her body, the nails leaving bleeding scratches. Joe moaned but did not regain consciousness. He turned, squatted and ran the beams from his hypnotic eyes over Serena. She met his gaze and to Leighton's growing horror, she seemed to be daring him.

"I prefer this bitch!" Aamon spoke with Desjardin's voice. Droll fell from the sides of the wolf's mouth. He reached his hands onto her breasts, fondling them, leaving no scratches. Serena moaned and moved slightly towards the monster.

Leighton saw Lucci tighten. A hand in his coat pocket moved. "Fuck!" Leighton thought. "If he's got a gun and tries to use it we are all dead." He leaned down and whispered very quietly in the husband's ear. "Desjardin will not let him harm Serena." This he did not know to be true at all. Desjardin was all too aware of what Aamon was doing and felt all of the demon's emotions but he was unable to control him. "You make any moves or say anything he does not like and we are all dead."

"Very true, Doctor." Aamon had clearly heard Leighton. The small handgun in Lucci's pocket was suddenly burning hot. Lucci jumped, dropping the gun to the ground. His hand burned and already blistered. The gun melted to a small mound of steaming metal.

Aamon smiled. It was a strange grimace, just a curl at the sides of the wolf's wide mouth. "If I fuck your wife, Count…if I fuck her and kill her, she will be mine forever." He laughed and continued in a mocking tone. "Do not be sad. I would keep her well fucked for eternity. Can you offer her anything like that?"

Leighton placed his hand on Lucci's arm and pressed a warning restraint. He felt the horrified and furious man fall back into his chair.

"Very wise!" Aamon said and turned his face back to Serena. "Call for me yourself one day soon, little sister and we will see what I can do from the inside and the outside of your delicious body!" He stood and stepped over to the end of the platform.

Leighton dropped down to the mattress and shoved the syringe into Serena's backside. She cried out slightly as the strong dose of morphine burned into her blood stream. She fell back onto the pillows and slipped into a dream world.

Aamon took Joe by the feet and shook her violently. She woke and immediately tried to run from the table. In a moment too quick to see, Aamon grabbed her around her middle, his claws piercing her skin. He pulled her to his head, held up as though she was a featherweight. She tried to kick at him. He held her feet together with one hand and pushed his muzzle into her crouch. She screamed again and began to cry for her mother. Jackman had finally stopped reading, dropped the book and like the rest watched with fascinated horror.

The air grew tenser with the sense of approaching death. Aamon stood, held Joe over his head and let out a deafening roar. He turned her back to him. Holding one leg in each hand, he spread her legs and rammed his penis up to the hilt into her. Her scream stopped suddenly, turned to a gurgled, chocking gag as blood spurted out of her mouth. For a very brief second she stared straight ahead then fell dead.

Still holding the dead body on his penis Aamon walked back to the mattress and knelt. His red eyes were wild with passion and fury. Drool fell in long streams off the sides of his mouth. He panted, his hot breath steaming into the cold air. He ran his eyes over Serena moving the dead girl's body up and down on his penis. Blood from her torn body ran down his thighs and pooled on the floor. With one hand he scoped some of the warm blood, let it fall onto Serena's swollen belly. He did this several times all the while he continued to rape the dead girl.

When Serena's torso was covered, Aamon began gently rubbing it into the skin of her belly, across her breasts, on and into her vagina. Serena moaned and spread her legs. Aamon fixed his eyes on Lucci. He laughed. "Your wife in mine now!" He stood, pushed the broken body harder onto his penis. They all heard her spine crack as Aamon climaxed.

He threw the crushed body aside and knelt back beside Serena. With one hand under her backside Aamon lifted Serena's body, pushed her legs as far part as they would go. He inserted his middle finger, with its' razor claws into her vagina. With one sharp, strong movement, he broke the water sac, it poured out around his hand and onto the bed as he let her body fall.

Aamon looked back at Lucci. He was clearly enjoying tormenting the man. Leighton held his hand hard on his shoulder but could tell Lucci was finally too terrified to fight. "You want your child?" Lucci did not answer just sat motionless and staring. "Answer or she is dead and the brat as well!"

Lucci gasped. "Yes, I want my child."

A further moment of heavy tension passed before Aamon moved. When he did, he put his hands on Serena's rib cage, pressed down and outward. Her belly distorted. Serena cried out weakly, still deep in her drugged haze. Aamon studied her belly and spreading vagina briefly, gave one more fierce squeeze and push on the belly. Leighton saw the top of the babies head. He moved closer. Aamon grunted with frustration, pushed again and the baby boy slid out of his mother.

Leighton turned the baby over, carefully cut and tied the cord. He held the child by the feet and gave the tiny backside a slap. The baby gasped and wailed.

Aamon reached for the baby.

"Let me wrap him first," Leighton said with far more courage than he felt.

"Give it to me!" Aamon demanded.

"I just want to wrap him in a blanket. Isn't your body too cold to hold a new born?"

"Do you want to find out?" Aamon snapped. "Wrap it and hurry up!"

Leighton did this and handed the crying baby to the demon. Aamon took a few steps back and closed his eyes. A black cloud rose through the floor and swirled up around him. He and the newborn vanished.

Lucci fell onto the bed beside his wife.

"She is fine. Just drugged," Leighton told him. In amazement, he saw that she was not torn and there was no bleeding. "She will sleep for a while and be nauseous when she wakes but she is fine."

"How long will it take?" Lucci asked looking to where the monster and his son had disappeared.

De Wolfe stepped out of the darkness. "Not too long." He answered. "If they bring him back it will be very soon."

"If?" Lucci asked.

"You were warned, Count Lucci. If Lucifer accepts the child, he will mark him and send him back. If not…well, he will never be seen in this world again and very quickly his mother will die."

Lucci hung his head and held his wife's hand. Moments passed like hours. No one spoke. Finally, they heard footsteps coming down the cave passageway. Smiling broadly Desjardin came into the room, holding his grandson. '"I present to all witnesses that Satan has won a new soul, my grandson, Anthony Pierre Lucci."

LENGTH: Epic Length
SENSUALITY: Carnal/Erotic

Download: $6.99

(s&h not included in price)

Elizabeth is suffocating with grief and anger over the unresolved murder of the man she is sure she will love forever. Friends and family struggle without much luck to put a light back into her beautiful eyes. One cold winter day, Elizabeth travels with her dearest friend Chloe to another dimension, to the Summerland Estate and into an unlikely family of shape shifters.

Loki, the King of all the shape shifters, his wife Sigyn, sister Marina and extended family bring Elizabeth back into the fold, back onto a family she was known and worked with for fifty lifetimes. With a new body earned from her union with Loki she will infiltrate the Howard family, find her lovers killer and walk her true path. Little do they know that one simple mistake will put Elizabeth in the hands the mortal and eternal enemies, Satan and his son Ishtra.

Rating: Carnal/Erotic--explicit sex and earthy language.

Genre: Paranormal Romance.

The Devil Danced Alone

By

Linda Parsons Mills

 © copyright by Linda Parsons Mills, April 2010

Cover Art by Eliza Black, April 2010

ISBN 978-1-60394-426-7

New Concepts Publishing

Lake Park, GA 31636

www.newconceptspublishing.com

This is a work of fiction. All characters, events, and places are of the author's imagination and not to be confused with fact. Any resemblance to living persons or events is merely coincidence.

Chapter One

"It is as quiet as an old maid's bedroom around here today, Hanna. Where is everybody?"

Hanna wiped her floured hands on her apron, turned bright red, and pushed stray strands of curly brown hair off her forehead. "Well, it is one of them days, ain't it? More like winter outside than summer, if you ask me, Mr. Patterson. Makes everyone want to stay in their rooms, I suppose. Mr. Howard is still under the weather. The Doctor has ordered him to his bed for the day."

"I just had a word with him. Where is Lucy?"

"Miss Lucy is reading in the library," a Howard maid answered as she joined them in the kitchen. "She said she has a headache and is going back to bed. Mrs. Howard is down with another migraine. I had to give her two of her powders. She'll be out like a light for hours."

"Makes for an easy day for you, though, right Jane?" Peter Patterson smiled at her, "Whatever do you do with all your free time, I wonder?"

Jane ignored him and poured a cup from the teapot.

"It is the weather!" Hanna nodded knowingly towards the window, "Cold, rain, and fog! Puts us all low, it does!"

"Yes, well, some of us have to be out and about ... unfortunately!" Peter said, adjusting his hat and taking an umbrella from the stand.

"You ain't never going out in that, are ya?" Hanna asked.

"Things to see to, my dear. I will not be here for luncheon. Eventually I have to go into town so I am not too sure about dinner either. Good day, ladies!" He smiled, took a ring of keys from a peg on the wall, and went out into the inclement weather.

"Oh, he is a sweet one, he is!" Hanna laughed, "All that yellow hair and that lovely smile! If I weren't married and ten years younger, I'd have a go at him."

"Twenty years would be more like it," Jane sneered.

"Not that much, Jane."

"Then have a go at him, Hanna! From what I can tell, Mr. Peter Patterson doesn't mind much just as long as it's female."

"Jane! That is a terrible thing to say. He has always been a right gentleman with me."

"Well, that says a lot, don't it, Hanna? Guess he ain't at all interested in you. Can't tell you how many times he has tried to feel me up. The man is a pig, take it from me, I know," Jane sniffed and left the kitchen.

"Cow!" Hanna muttered, turning her attention back to her floured worktable.

"Bloody weather!" Peter exclaimed as he closed the cottage door behind him. He dropped the umbrella, hung his coat on a wall peg, and stepped into the dimly lit sitting room. "You here?" he called out, "Oh, there you are! Look, it is damn freezing in here. There is some coal in the hearth so I am going to light a fire. No one will see the smoke with all this fog." He took a box of matches from his jacket pocket and knelt in front of the fireplace. "Then you and I are going to have a much needed talk. I cannot tell you how tired I am of your .... "

Peter did not see the iron poker as it came down with force across his forehead. He did not feel any pain as it shattered his temple bone. There was just a sudden nothingness; the world went silent, cold, and dark.

After a brief moment that seemed to him to be ages he stood, stumbled slightly, and squinted in the semi-darkness. Peter did not like what he saw. Something was not right. He decided he would not be a party to it at all. "It is the fucking weather! It is always the fucking weather! Why is it always raining and cold in this damn country? It messes up my thoughts. I am confused right now but when my mind and the weather clear, I am just going to go back to my room and sleep for a bit." He turned away from the ghastly scene and moved to the sitting room window. "I will just stand right here, watch the weather, and wait for things to get back to normal."

He was still standing there the next day. It was sunny and warm but Peter was still confused and waiting to feel normal again. He saw Jane and Hanna walking across the Howard garden towards the cottage. Hanna was shaking her head and Jane was talking. He did not like Jane. She was always saying something stupid. She was still talking when Hanna opened the cottage door. There was something wrong with his ears, he could not hear them, and he was glad for that.

He watched as the two women stood briefly looking down at the floor. Then it seemed as though Jane was screaming. Thank God his ears were not working. Hanna pulled Jane out of the cottage. They ran back to the house. "Good! Now they will get someone here to clean up this mess. Just as long as they leave me alone. All I need to do is watch the weather and wait for my thoughts to clear."

More people came and went; Samuel Howard, red faced and angry, Helen Howard crying and leaning on her oldest son. There were strange men with sour expressions, writing in notebooks and stiff looking policemen. They all seemed to be looking for something. "Why did they need cops? All they really needed to do was clean up that mess!"

He saw them coming with a stretcher and a blanket. They put the mess on the stretcher, covered it with the blanket, and took it away. Peter nodded as they moved across the lawn. It was about time that someone did that. The gardener came, rolled up the carpet, and took it away. "That is better, much better. Now I be alone and have time to think."

Days turned to weeks and they passed into months. The shade of Peter Patterson stayed at the side of the cottage window watching the weather, waiting for his mind to clear and to feel normal again.

December 1, 1900

"William Holloway! Are you totally insane or completely stupid?"

William looked up over his cluttered desk. "Most likely both, Caroline! Is there any particular reason for this inquiry?"

"Her! Marina Kaiser is here for her appointment," Caroline pointed towards the closed study door. "Lord in Heaven, Will ...! Do you mean to tell me that that lovely woman had a go at you and you turned her down?"

He stood and shook his head. "Why do I ever tell you anything? I suppose that explains the stupid bit! Show Miss Kaiser in, please."

"Is she really a psychic detective? I never knew that there was such a thing and it is not like you to believe in such things."

"I didn't believe in it and for the most part I still do not. However, if it was not for Marina it could have taken a very long time to track down the so-called 'Middleton Moor Murderer'. God knows how many more children he would have slaughtered."

"Really?" She reached up, straightened his tie, pulled off his glasses, and put them in his pocket. "Look at you! Why do you always look like a messed bed?"

He took her by the shoulders and pushed her gently back, "Caroline, you are my secretary, not my mother. Show Miss Kaiser in, will you?'

"In a minute, she will keep. Look Will, you are still a very attractive man and forty-five is not old ... well, not completely! What are you going to do if she shows any signs of still having an interest in ...?"

"Caroline! Don't make me fire you, again!"

"Don't be silly. You cannot fire me. I am your sister and have your best interest at heart. Someone has to look after you. I will go out the back door and make some tea. I think we have some fresh lemon cake just out of the oven. That will do nicely. Go on; show Miss Kaiser in, William. I'll get the refreshments."

"You are still fired!" he called after her, loosening his tie.

Marina paced the small room nervously. Somehow, she had forgotten the carefully rehearsed words she had planned to say to William. She took a second look in the wall mirror, pushed thick, chestnut brown curls into place and pinched color into her ivory cheeks. Why are you so nervous, she chided herself? He is just a man and most likely nowhere near as handsome as she remembered. Maybe he had forgotten the most embarrassing moments of their last meeting. She heard his office door open, took a deep breath, turned, and gave him her most radiant smile.

"Marina! How lovely to see you again!" He returned the smile and offered his hand. "And lovely is the word. You look beautiful, as usual!"

"Well, thank you!" Her heart thundered at the sight of the man, just as she thought it would. "You are lovely too, William!"

"Oh dear! I had hoped for a more manly effect. Your hands are freezing. Come into my study and sit by the fire."

"Yes, I am frozen. Why is it always so cold in this country?"

He led her across the room. They sat in large, comfortable chairs next to the crackling fire.

"It is December, after all. We can hardly expect summer breezes. Do you not have winter in France?"

"No, we do not! It is always warm and wonderfully sunny!"

He watched with interest as she carefully folded her gloves and crossed her hands on her lap. She was clearly nervous. "That is not how I remember Paris. A very cold wind blows there as well."

"Yes, I suppose it does. Thank you for agreeing to see me, William. After my disgraceful behavior the last time we meet I would not have been surprised if you had ignored my note."

"I do not recall anything disgraceful."

"Yes, you do! You are just being a gentleman and I owe you a most long overdue apology. I am sorry for the ridiculous things I accused you of!"

He sat back and ran his hands through his rather long, thick, salt and pepper hair. "Let me see if I can remember. You asked with anger, 'What is the matter, William Holloway? Are you too old to get it up or are you a sodomite?' To which I must give you a belated answer: no to both counts!"

Two bright red circles had formed on her cheeks. "Yes, you remember well. I am truly sorry."

"What about my equally ridiculous response? Do you recall that?"

She smiled slightly. Her amazing emerald eyes flashed in the firelight. "Yes, you puffed up like a blow fish, looked down your nose, and said in your most British way, 'I do not know what it is like in your country, my dear, but here it is the man who initiates a sexual liaison. You might get more if you tried to remember that!'" her smile broadened. "You are lucky I did not slap your face!"

"You should have slapped me. It was an idiotic thing to say and I apologize to you. Will you permit me the opportunity to explain my harshness?"

"It is not necessary. You are a remarkably handsome man. From the first moment, I saw you I wanted to have a delicious affair with you. You did not have the same feelings! I have never been rejected before and acted like a spoiled child."

"Never been rejected?"

"Oh, do not see me wrong. I am not a whore. I have very high and particular standards and you met them in every way. I got in a 'mood' over you and it made me silly!"

'Silly? No that is not the word I would have used and you are wrong. I did have an interest in you. Look, Marina ... please let me explain?'

"I will listen."

'During that very brief time we worked on the Middleton murders did you learn that I was a widower?"

"Yes. I would not make myself available for a married 'Base Earth' man."

"Base Earth?" William shook his head and cleared his throat. "You see, a year ago, I was a very recent widower. For twenty-three years, my wife Alice and I enjoyed a devoted and happy marriage. I loved her completely as she did me. We never broke our marriage vows. She died suddenly without any warning. There was no lingering illness, no time to adjust and make our last good bys. Alice died just two months before I met you. In one cold instant, she no longer existed. I was not ready for a lover."

"I understand. You were still being faithful to the woman you loved. That is admirable and understandable. If I am not prying, may I ask what happened to Mrs. Holloway?"

"You are not prying. It was late on a Sunday night. We were deep into the Middleton case. Alice and I were preparing for bed when the call came from the Yard. They had found the third child's body. As I was leaving Alice told me that she was going to warm some milk and curl up in bed with her book."

"I left at ten. My housekeeper found Alice at the foot of the stairs just before eleven. Several hours passed before they could track me down. By the time I arrived at the hospital Alice was gone. Her neck was broken in the fall .... " his words trailed away. He looked out a near-by window. It was raining and droplets of water rolled down the leaded pane.

Marina wanted to take his hand, offer comfort, and say the right words. There were no words and no touch would ease his pain. She stayed silent as he continued.

"I should have taken a sabbatical. That is what my superiors wanted. Instead I buried myself in my work."

"I think, William that for twenty-three years Alice Holloway was a very lucky and happy woman."

He shook his head slightly, smiled, and sat forward. "I was the lucky one, Marina. What a blessing is the pure love of a beautiful woman! So, now we understand each other. Is it possible for us to be friends again?"

"I would like that very much. Now you run your own Private Inquiry firm. How did that come about?'

"Well, after the end of the Middleton case and they hung Tomas Foley I had time to take stock of my new and rather lonely life. After twenty-six years in the force, I had had more than enough. I retired and now I work for myself and a lot of people with questions that must be answered."

"Are you happy with that decision?"

"Very happy! So we have decided that you are not a whore and I am not a sodomite .... " Just as he said the last bit, Caroline pushed a tea trolley into the room. From her startled expression and red face, it was clear she had heard him. "Here's your tea and cake! I think I have something to do ...!" she pointed vaguely over her shoulder. "I will leave you to pour out ...." she stuttered her way out of the room.

"Oh no! I think she heard what you said. Whatever will your secretary think?"

"Caroline is my much younger sister and is under the impression she must mother me. Smother me is more like it! She is living here until her marriage in the spring and is bound and determined to find me a female. Lately she has paraded a strange variety of women before me. I shudder to think what she will do now!"

Marina laughed. She poured the tea and handed him a cup. "You will be in for a time, I think!"

"Do tell me, pretty lady, what have these last few months presented to you?"

"Nothing at all interesting, really. I have traveled a bit. My psychic work keeps me very busy. I have sent many lost and troubled spirits home ... so that is something!"

"It is indeed!"

"It is partially my psychic ability that brought me to you today. I have had new, important visions about an unsolved murder."

"Well, I am not with the police anymore. If you have any information you must take it to them."

"I tried that! I saw Chief Inspector Stanley Willard. He is your replacement, I believe?"

"He is and I think I know what sort of reception you received!"

She threw her hands up in disgust. "The man is a pompous buffoon! With men like that in charge of the police it is no wonder it is hardly safe to walk the streets! He called me a French con artist and said that Brits were too smart for the likes of me. He would not even hear what I had to tell him."

"Willard has a closed mind ...."

"Closed mind? He does not have a mind. I am sure of that. Anyway that was ten days ago. Two new visions since then made me realize that this unsolved murder was connected to you and your family ... and so I am here!"

"To us? You are referring to the murder of Peter Patterson?"

"Yes. The images I receive can be very unusual. However, there is always an important message in them. No matter how difficult they may be, I must study them. Do you remember that I once met your niece, Elizabeth?"

"I do."

"In the first vision I saw her and Patterson walking happily arm in arm. Then I knew that at least they were friends. In the visions, three nights ago, I saw them in a very passionate situation!"

"They were ... no that could not have been Elizabeth! You must be mistaken."

"I do not wish to upset you but it was her. She and Patterson were lovers. My visions are silent, so the images must be very precise if I am to get the correct information."

William sighed. "They were engaged. She is an adult now so I guess I should not be unpleasant about it!"

"That is certainly so, William. I sense that she is a very unhappy person now. You must not add to that."

"Yes, of course."

She finished her tea and refilled their cups, giving him time to take in what he had just learned. "The murder of Patterson has been very difficult for her, has it not?"

William rubbed his forehead. "That is an understatement. For two months, she would not eat or drink. She just sat in her dark room day and night. She would not even go to her bed to sleep."

"That is because at least one time she shared that bed with her lover."

"Here! In this house?"

"William, she is a beautiful twenty-one year old woman. They were in love ... did you not do the same thing at her age?"

He smiled and nodded. "Elizabeth has a close friend, Chloe Partridge. She moved in here after Patterson died and has been a Godsend. She has brought Elizabeth back to life again ... well, almost. If it was not for her, I have no idea what would have become of my niece. Tell me about the other visions, Marina. It has been six months. What do you know of Peter's murder?"

"First, tell me the facts as you know them. It will help me to see things more clearly. Then we will go from there."

"Well, Peter was employed as personal secretary and law clerk to the lawyer Samuel Howard for six or seven years up until his death. Howard is a very successful and very bent criminal lawyer. It seemed to have been very satisfactory employment. Howard treated Peter fairly and highly paid him. Elizabeth says that Peter was very much like a member of the family. For several years or so years Peter even lived in the Howard home."

"The weather on the day of the murder was terrible. The rainstorm of the night before had ended and by noon, a thick fog was falling in. Peter always took his luncheon with the family. There were no restaurants within reasonable walking distance so it was convenient for him to eat there. Elizabeth and the rest of the Howard household were not able to remember a single time when he did not take his mid-day meal at the home."

"That day though, he broke his usual pattern and told the housekeeper he would be leaving at noon and that he was not sure when he would return. He did not tell anyone where he was going or who he was going to see. He was last seen leaving the house through the back, kitchen door."

"The Howard property and garden is surrounded by a seven foot high wall. The strong door that leads to the road off the property stays locked. At the far end of the garden is a small cottage. No one was staying there at the time. Peter's body was found in the cottage the following afternoon."

"He had been rendered unconscious and stabbed in the heart. From the stomach contents it was established Peter died at the noon hour the day before, most likely right after he left the house. His gold pocket watch and cufflinks were missing. The outcome of the inquest determined that the murder happened in the course of a robbery." William paused and lit a cigarette. "However, his wallet, with three pounds in it was still in his trouser pocket."

"Would a robber usually miss that?"

"No."

"From your tone, William, I think you do not agree on the inquest outcome."

"I do not agree. Iron rod spikes decorate the seven-foot wall that surrounds the entire property. It would take a very determined and agile robber, indeed, to scale that wall, especially in a fog. On top of that, he would not have been able to see anything from the lane outside the wall and could have had no idea there was even a cottage there to rob. How did the so-called robber get in and for that matter how would he lure Peter, a man of over six feet and strongly built into a disused cottage?"

William sat in thoughtful silence for a moment. "Everyone in the household could account for their whereabouts at the time of the murder. Mind you, it is my experience that a person can do a great deal of damage unnoticed and in a very short period. There were seven people on the property at the time, family, and staff. It is my opinion and Elizabeth's that one of them killed Peter."

Marina shook her head. "Poor Elizabeth! Her heart is a sad and broken place. I know Elizabeth is like a daughter to you."

"Alice and I never had children. Elizabeth became an orphan at six and we raised her since then. Yes, she was a daughter to us. Grief is a blinding and crushing thing. I certainly know that! However, Elizabeth is strong and she will get over her grief in due course. She will be fine!"

Marina leaned forward and locked her eyes into his. "If things stay as they are, Elizabeth will not be fine. All she feels now is cold anger and grief. These two are enemies to the human soul and happiness. They feed off each other and as they grow, they will feed off Elizabeth," she paused and slid her hand on his. "As it stands now, Peter's killer will not be found out ... and by this time next year Elizabeth will be hollowed out, fragile and bitter and she will die."

He pulled his hand from under hers and narrowed his eyes. "No, she will not!"

"Yes. To die of a broken heart happens all the time. The doctors, they are idiots! They say 'Oh, how sad, so young to have had a heart attack!' but that is not the truth of it. She will be so very tired, she will just go to her bed one night, and her soul will walk away from the unbearable emptiness of her life."

"How could you possibly know that?"

"How is not important. What is important is that I know and without any doubt!"

"Then, if you know so much, tell me what to do about it! Can you help her?" he spoke with barely controlled anger and frustration.

She moved to sit on the arm of his chair. "I can help her, in fact, that help has already begun. However, I need some information from you. Do you think you can control your unreasonable anger for just a few minutes? You have already checked into the investigation of Mr. Patterson's murder, have you not?"

"Yes. You do not miss much, do you?"

She gave him her wide, slow smile. "Not much. You spoke to the men in charge and saw for yourself that wall of terrible silence that surrounds this death."

William nodded his head. "I have known and worked with Stanley Willard for years. I have never seen him to be anything but honorable and straightforward. The Chief of Police at the yard put the case to sleep, I am sure of that. He is the only one with that influence."

"Tell me about Peter Patterson. I need knowledge of the man he was. What was you opinion of him?"

"Well, Marina ... my life's occupation has taught me to be a swift and accurate judge of a man," he paused, looking up at her, "and a woman. I did not like or trust Patterson one bit. I thought Patterson to be a charming con and a womanizer. I told Elizabeth my thoughts on him but she would not hear me. Do you know Elizabeth was engaged to Paul Howard and ended that to be with Patterson?"

"I do."

"I like Paul Howard. He is a fine young man and a wonderfully talented artist. Until the Howard family moved to Highgate, about eight years ago, they lived across the road from us. Helen Howard and Alice were friendly so Paul and Elizabeth more or less grew up together. They stayed in close touch with each other and no one was surprised or disappointed when they announced their engagement. Hell! I was bloody shocked when Lizzie came to me and told me she had ended it with Paul and had taken up with Patterson. In less than a few weeks she and the man were planning their wedding." He shook his head and stubbed out his cigarette with force.

"Elizabeth's mother was another of my sisters. Her paternal Grandmother left her a large trust fund. When she is married, she will receive a very large monthly siphon from that fund. I have no doubt that that money was very important to Patterson."

Marina stood, paced the room for a moment, and then came back to the settee. "No matter what is the truth of that man, Elizabeth believes that Patterson was the male meant for her. She believes that she loved him dearly and still feels that way. To love a dead man is a cold way to live. She must accept he is gone and return to her true path. At all costs, Patterson's killer must be brought to justice or she will not survive. We could work together on this. Do you except my help?"

"Do I have a choice? You did just as you wanted last time. How many times did I tell you to 'go away'?"

"That was then. I forced myself into your investigation for my own very personal reasons," she ran her fingers along the sleeve of his jacket. "As I said you were the only man who had ever refused me!"

"What a terrible burden your life must be!" he smiled at her.

"You may laugh but it is, sometimes. Back then, you had lost yourself, saw me as a mystery, and did not trust me. Maybe you have found yourself and can trust me now?"

"Oh, I found myself a while back but you are still a mystery to me. I need to understand just who or what you are. As I just said, if I learned anything in all my years with the force it is to be very cautious man when it comes to who I trust," he took her hand off his arm and kissed it. "And this time you will tell me what I want to know or you will not be involved in any way with my niece."

"You think you can stop me?"

"I will try and I rarely fail ...."

"Really, William! Why do you insist on this?"

"Human nature. Do you understand human nature?"

"Yes, of course. What kind of a question is that? I am human, just like you."

William laughed, "I do not know what you are, but the things I have seen you do ... you are not just like me, my dear. For one thing, mystery woman, how is it that you seem to be able to be in two places at one time? Do you have a twin? That is just one of the very odd things I noticed about you. Sometimes you speak with a French accent and then in the next breath it is German or Dutch! Now that is well ... different."

"I grew up in a household where many languages were spoken. I am fluent in Spanish, German, French, and many other languages. It is the nature of my way of speaking.... " she was clearly uncomfortable and struggled to find an answer.

"I do not wish to upset you, Marina. You must understand why I am so cautious."

"Yes, I do understand. I had planned to tell you all about me but not in one lump! It is a lot to take in, William."

"I am sure I can handle whatever it is."

"You are sure, are you? We shall see!" she leaned on his arm. "I am what you would call a supernatural being and I have magical abilities!"

"Oh, come now! Supernatural being? Magic? God Lord!"

"So you want to see me for what I truly am?"

"I insist on it and I very much doubt it has anything to do with magic."

"Well, I am in the mood to at least show you what you missed out on. All of what I will show you will knock that skeptical, silly look away forever," she stood, walked to the doors and turned the locks. "I do not want to be disturbed," she came back to stand a few feet in front of William. "You are smiling. I wonder if you will be still so cocky when I am finished with you."

As she spoke, she kicked off her shoes, opened the buttons of her jacket, slipped it off, and placed it on his desk. "I am going to remove all my clothes. Do you mind?"

He raised his eyebrows. "I just wanted you to show what kind of woman you are ... but do it your way! Be my guest!"

"So cocky! So much to learn!" she pulled her blouse over her head and tossed it at him. "You see, I do not wear a corset, just a camisole. I do not need a corset, do you agree?"

He did not answer and continued to smile.

She opened the fastening on the side of the skirt, dropped it to the floor, and stepped out of it. It went on his desk with the jacket. Now wearing only stockings, a garter belt, and fine lace under things she stood looking down her nose at him. "What do you want me to remove next? Do you want to see my breasts naked or my legs?"

"Surprise me, Marina!"

"Oh, that is exactly what I am going to do," as she spoke, she slowly opened the laces down the front the camisole. "Just so you will know you had best stay in your seat. Do not mistake my actions here. I have long since lost the need to seduce you but you insist on this.... " the camisole fell to the floor. "Well? I know how much a man needs to see and feel breasts. Do mine interest you?"

"Yes. But since you no longer want me, does it matter?"

"Of course it does," she took a step forward, bent slightly, and ran her hand down the side of his face. "You want me William. You are breathing deeper and your passion is strong, so strong I can sense it and smell it. You are hoping I will remove the rest ... my stockings and lacy panties and then climb onto your lap. That is what you have in your mind right now. Am I wrong?"

"Right as usual, Marina. You are teasing me because it excites you. I will play your game."

"I am right and you are wrong, nothing changes," she slipped her thumbs under the sides of her underwear, pulling it, the garter belt and stocking off her body. She stood naked with her hands on her hips. "Do you now understand just what you missed out on?"

He looked her up and down a few times before answering her. "You are a very beautiful woman. I was not rejecting you. I was still in love with my wife. Now I am more than willing to have you as my mistress. Is that what you wanted me to say?"

"More than willing? That is hardly a thrilling compliment."

"Then maybe I should show you how I feel," he stood took a few steps towards her, and then as though hit in the chest flew back through the air and back into his seat.

Marina laughed, "I warned you not to try and touch me. I have powerful protection."

'Hell, Marina! How did ...! Look, I am confused. What is it you want then?" he stood again but did not move towards her.

"To show you who I am, that is all. I prefer to shift naked.... "

"Shift? What does that mean?"

"Be quiet and calm your temper," she raised her hands over her head, palms touching and closed her eyes.

William watched in silent amazement as two red, satin ribbons immerged from her fingertips. They snaked down her arms, her shoulders, torso, and legs, growing wider and cocooning her. Instinctively, William took a step back. He hit the chair and sat quickly.

The carpet Marina stood on changed to long grass and the grass spread out around her. Furniture vanished, including the chair William sat on. He fell back onto the long, thick grass. Marina vanished. The walls and ceiling melted away. In their place was a familiar rolling green meadow, a distant tree line and rolling river. Overhead birds flew and the hot sun beat down on him. Stunned, William got back to his feet and turned in a circle.

Across the meadow was the gray stone house where he was born. "Christ Almighty!" He swore and walked slowly up the walkway to the very familiar building. The front door was open. He could see inside and along the shinning wooden floor to the kitchen. Two boys and a dog, yapping at their heels, tumbled out the door, down the porch steps and ran passed him.

A tall, slim woman with flaming red hair followed her sons outside, "William!" she called out in a rich Scottish brogue.

"Yes, I know! Don't stay out past dinner and don't get separated," the older boy stopped and called back to his mother.

"You worry too much!" William took several steps back as his father; young and virile appeared from the back of the building.

"And I have reason to worry, John Holloway! With two sons so much like their father, I hardly know which way to turn."

"And my love," John Holloway put his arms around her waist, "I know how much you also want a daughter to fuss over."

"And what is wrong with that?" she smiled up at him.

"Not a thing!" he glanced over the meadow, "they'll be gone for hours. Why don't we go upstairs and get started on that new babe you want so much?"

"Are you sure, John? You said you wanted to wait.... "

"Since when did you listen to anything I say, Jane?" he patted her gently on the backside, took her inside and up the stairs.

William jumped and turned quickly as Marina walked up behind him. She wore only a sheer red silk gown. Her long, wavy chestnut brown hair glittered in the sunlight.

"What is this? It is a hallucination, isn't it?" he whispered.

She smiled, took his arm, and led him up the walkway. "And they did conceive a child that beautiful afternoon. Nine months to the day later Margaret Holloway, your sister was born. In the years to come, they gave you two more sisters. Come on," she urged him when he stopped at the porch steps, "do not be afraid!"

"I am not afraid!" he snapped at her. "This is not real ... it cannot be!"

She pulled him after her and into the comfortable, colorful parlor. "This is real, William. It is the home of your birth, the place of your happy and secure youth. The memories you hold most dear," she ran his hand along the mantle of the fireplace, "does it not feel real? Does it not smell like your mother? Do you not want to stay here forever?"

"How? Marina? It is not possible! No, I do not believe this!"

She sighed. "However do you people manage to evolve? I have no idea! Pick something ... anything and put it in your pocket."

"What? Why?"

"Just do it, William. For once, do something without questions!"

He walked slowly around the room, stopped at his fathers' prized chess set and picked the Queen.

"Good. Now put it in your pocket," she stood in front of him; put her arms around his neck and kissed him very softly. "Oh my, you do look so confused. Come out into the sunlight and I will tell you who I am. That is what you want, isn't it?"

"Yes!"

Once again, she took his hand and brought him across the room and back into the meadow.

"It is lovely here. I can understand why you loved this place," she spoke softly as she looked around the wide flower dotted field, spread her arms, and turned in a circle.

He followed her gaze and froze when he looked back at her. Huge white, glistening wings emerged from her shoulders. They reached far up over her head, tapered off to silver tipped points. She spread them, lifted on the ground, and flew around the stunned man. She lowered slowly to the ground, folding the wings back to her sides. They vanished into her body.

"No!" she laughed, knowing what he was thinking. "I am not an angel! I do try, but human temptations keep me very far from that lofty place. There are many beings that are winged, not only God's legions."

William opened his mouth to speak but his throat was too dry and his lips stuck to his teeth.

"My spirit name is Essence, Goddess of Memory. However, I do not bother with that too much. I prefer my family name, Paloma. The other sounds so very pretentious."

"I have many important responsibilities. One is the keeper of human memory, happy or sad. When your mind clears and the shock of this is over, spend some time thinking about just how much you do and feel every day comes born from memory. Logic and reason fall very far behind the experience of your memories. That is why base humans so often repeat and repeat their mistakes ... they hope to change the memories and of course, that is not possible."

"Base humans? I do not understand ..." William was finally able to mumble.

She nodded, coming closer to him and again put her arms around his neck. "Poor man. I may have given you too much. You need time to take it in before you can understand. I will teach you more as time goes by," she pulled his head down and this time her kiss was deeply passionate and demanding.

When she backed away, they were back in his study. Everything was as it should be and Marina was fully dressed.

"Now, William, before you say again that it was just a hallucination, reach into your right jacket pocket."

He did and pulled out the crystal queen chess piece. "Bloody Hell ...!"

"What is it? Tell me what just crossed our mind?"

"There was a time, I remember ... I was about twelve or so and my father had us all searching the house looking for his missing queen. A few days later it just seemed to show up again."

"And now, you finally know where it was!"

"That was over thirty years ago ... not today. What you are expecting me to believe makes no sense ...!"

She looked into his pale gray eyes and shook her head, "I know it seems that way to you now. There is so much more to our world, William. If you will allow me, as time goes by, I will open amazing doors for you. I wanted to show you before but it was not the right time and you did insist on staying the cynical, skeptical policeman. Are you more willing to open your mind and learn now?"

"After all this ... yes! Does this have anything to do with Elizabeth?"

"It does. Now I will just tell you a very brief version of my reality. I will tell you much more as it is required. You cannot know this but you and I have a great deal in common. You police the evil in this dimension. I police the evil forces from my dimension. That place is directly above here ... that is the best way I can explain where it is."

"In this dimension, there are light and dark souls. You and Elizabeth are powerful light souls. You live your life always doing what you believe to be the 'right thing'. You would never willingly hurt any one or anything. You are literally bright lights that shine out through the universe. Unfortunately, like moths to the flame your golden souls attract the dark and evil souls. Given a chance, they latch on, feed off your energy, and stay put until there is nothing left and that can take the light souls right to death. That is what is happening with Elizabeth."

"There are many more like me, William. We are charged with keeping the Dark Souls that are housed in holding pens in my dimension in check and from doing what we call a 'bleeding' into this dimension. If they do make it through it is a very terrible thing because, compared to your kind they have evolved powerfully. Their evil is mighty force and can cause unbelievable heartache. One bleeds- through inhabited Tomas Foley and turned his illness into madness and brought him to be the Middleton Moor Murderer. It got past me and into him and had caused so much havoc before I was even aware it had broken away," she paused, sighed, and walked to the window. She stood silently for so long that William joined her.

The rain had stopped. On the sidewalk, a boy played with a puppy. He threw a ball. It landed on William's lawn. The child looked around nervously and then dashed around the gate after the ball. The puppy beat him to it and they had brief chase through the garden before going back out to the roadway.

Marina turned her face slightly away from William.

"Marina? Are you crying?" he asked with surprise.

"No," she sniffed.

"Yes, you are," he turned her to face him and studied her face.

"Why are you so surprised? I am a woman, I love, I hate, I eat and sleep, I bleed. I give birth in agony! I am as human as you are, William Holloway. I face my bitter failures with disgrace ... all those children that monster killed, boys such as that one that just trampled your garden ... they died because I failed," tears streamed down her face.

He pulled her into his arms and held her.

"Oh ... I am sorry! I do make a fool out of myself at every possible chance," she pushed away from him and fished around in her purse for her hanky.

"I don't think you are making a fool out of yourself and I refuse to let you take the blame for Tomas Foley. I may not understand much of what you have to tell me but I am as sure as I stand here that you did not create that monster."

"It was my place to keep him away from the children of this dimension. That was why I insinuated myself into your investigation. It was so much more than just my unrequited lust for you! Now I have to hunt down and put an end to the thing that killed Peter Patterson." She blew her nose loudly.

"And that is what you and I will do."

"That is good. I am going to leave now, Will. You have seen me in weakness and I am not comfortable with that."

"But, for God's Sake, there is so much we have to talk about!"

"No. I must leave now. I have plans to meet with Elizabeth tomorrow. Will you allow me to speak with her?"

"Yes, of course. However, you and I are far from finished with our discussion, Marina!"

"I know. Tomorrow, after I meet with Elizabeth I will have much more to share with you. Do you want me to come back after I speak with her?"

"I will be waiting for you. What should I do with the chess piece?"

Still clearly embarrassed she would not make eye contact with him. "How long was it missing?"

"A few days."

"You keep it for now. I will take it back the day after tomorrow. I will show myself out. Good day, William."

He watched from the window until she was out of sight around the corner and then poured a very large whiskey.

* * * *

"My Lord, Chloe! Isn't it hot for a December night?"

"It's the wine, not the weather, Elizabeth. Red wine always does that to you and we are half way through our second bottle."

"Have we? Uncle William will be so mad if he learns we raided his wine cellar. You are going to turn me into a drunk!" Elizabeth laughed, pulled open the window, and sat on the window seat.

"And you are going to give some of the old men around here a heart attack, sitting in your night gown at an open window."

"Good. I can think of just the right one to have a heart attack. It is too bad the Howard house is not next door. You have no idea just how much I would love to be the one to give Samuel Howard a heart attack!"

"How can you be so sure it was Samuel who killed Peter?"

"He is the only one it could be."

"What about Paul Howard? Peter took you away from Paul and Paul loved you very much. That is a very powerful reason to hate and to murder."

"We have had this conversation before. I know Paul very well. For a long time I loved him. I know he was hurt ... but Paul is such a gentle soul. He would never do such a terrible thing. Anyway, Paul was nowhere near London when the murder happened."

Chloe sighed, stretched out on the bed, and rolled onto her belly. 'How long has it been now since Peter died? Six months?"

"Six months tomorrow."

"That is a long time to sit in anger and grief, Lizzie. Don't you miss, well, male companionship? I am not talking about physical things. I mean getting out, having fun and laughter. You must be bored just sitting around with me."

"No, I do not! How can I even consider 'fun' when the Howard murderer still walks free?" her words were slightly slurred and her voice thick with hatred.

"That is so sad. I do wish you could be happy again."

"But I am happy for one thing, Chloe. I thank God every day for you, my dear friend. Without you, standing by me all these months I doubt I would have made it. You gave up so much to help me!"

"What did I give up, a home with my complaining and demented Grandmother? I am far better off away from her."

"You know, in all these years you have never told me why you hate your Grandmother so much! She always seemed very sweet to me."

"Sweet! No, she is not sweet. She hates me as much as I hate her. I suppose I should find a man, marry, and leave her house forever. I would if a man ever looked my way ..."

"She does hate not you! Why would she?"

"It is simple, Lizzie. She blames me for my mothers' suicide."

"But she can't. Your mother did that of her own free will. You had nothing to do with it!"

"As I said, Grandmamma is demented."

Elizabeth sighed, left the window seat, and sat on the bed beside her friend. "Why does life have to be so hard?"

"I have no idea. They say it is God's plan but sometimes I think He puts too much on us."

Chloe's large black cat came in through the open window, jumped up on the bed and curled up in Elizabeth's lap. She rubbed his head. "Hello, Blackman! Where have you been all night?"

Chloe smiled. "He has been out whoring around, as usual. You know what a slut he truly is!"

"I am not sure that animals can be sluts, Chloe!"

"Blackman is and I am sure of that."

Blackman meowed and began to purr.

Despite herself, Elizabeth laughed. "I'd swear sometimes that cat can understand when you talk. He seems to have moved in permanently. I warned you what would happen if you fed him. After a few days, he acts as though he owns the place and you, as well!"'

"I just knew the moment I saw him he belonged with me," Chloe took a deep breath and seemed to make up her mind about something. "Lizzie, how much do you want justice for Peter?"

"More than anything else! If it does not happen I am sure I will spend the rest of my life half mad with hatred."

"What would you say if I said I have some unusual friends who could be a great help to you?"

Elizabeth yawned and lay down. Blackman stretched out across her body, "I would say that I was very surprised. I have known you since we were girls. I know everyone you know."

"No, you do not. Listen to me, this is important," she turned Elizabeth face towards her. "I want you to meet some very wonderful people. His name is Isaiah Buck, but we call him Loki and her name is Marina Kaiser. You will not have met a people like them before. They will help you get what you need."

"How?"

"What you need to do is get into that family and find out their terrible secret, expose them and bring the dark one down."

"Well, I doubt very much even your unusual friends can help me do that. The Howard family knows my face all too well."

"So then, what would you say if I told you that the amazing and wonderfully handsome Loki could very much change the way you look?"

"I would say that you have had far too much to drink ... that is what I would say."

"Will you at least come with me and talk to them? We could go tomorrow," Chloe lay down next to her friend and ran her hand through her long, bright red hair. "I promise you, you will be so glad you did."

"Yes, if you insist. I will meet your amazing Mr. Buck or Loki ... or whatever his name is!" Elizabeth closed her eyes and was very quickly asleep.

Blackman stretched out the length of his body, resting his front paws on Elizabeth's breasts and turned his large green eyes to Chloe.

"Oh, you are such a bad boy! What am I to do with you?" she laughed and pulled the cat to her. She placed a blanket over her friend and closed the window. She took Blackman down the hallway, up a flight of stairs and into her room.

It was raining again. Rain rattled against the window pain. Thunder rolled across the sky and lightening flashed dark shadows over the bedroom floor.

She lay on her bed with Blackman stretched out beside her. She ran her hand the length of his body. With each pass of her hand, the body of the cat became less distinct. The shinning black fur changed to smooth black human skin. The small pointed face flattened and grew. Strong human arms, powerful chest, and torso took the place of Blackman's body. The tail disappeared. Long, muscled legs formed and the shifting of Isaiah Buck from feline to human was complete.

"Hello, my love," Chloe smiled and placed her hand on his cheek. "How is my beautiful black man this evening?"

"Disappointed! You are a mean hearted spoilsport. I was enjoying my rest time with Elizabeth."

She laughed. "I know you were. Do you really think that such a beautiful female as Elizabeth Mulberry wants to mate with a cat? She needs a male, it is so strong I can smell it but I am fairly certain she would prefer a human."

He joined with her laughter. "I was not going to mate with her. I was just so enjoying the feel of her warm, soft body under mine and thinking of what I might enjoy if she is truly ready. However, I do wonder if Elizabeth is ready. You have only been in possession of Chloe's body for a week. Are you rushing things? If so, there is no need ..."

"No, Isaiah. I am sure she is ready."

"Don't call me Isaiah. You know I hate that name!"

"Sorry, Loki! Elizabeth is more than ready. Her powerful hatred is giving her the strength she and we need. We must move before that same hatred begins to weaken her. We will bring her to Marina tomorrow."

"If you say so, Sigyn! I have missed Elizabeth. We all have. It would please me in more ways than one if she is ready."

"At least this time you will be more agreeable to give her the power. I do not want you to balk as you did the last time. That evening with Miss Parker was very difficult."

"Oh, I will not balk when it comes to 'Sweetness'. Have I ever? You need not worry about that. Since my lovely wife will not be available for a while," he glared at her with meaning, "I am much in the mood for a beautiful female. That is the point, my dear. If you and Marina want me to make a new traveler and bring me an ugly, skinny, frigid, old maid ... well, you can expect problems. I may be a 'slut' but I do have my standards."

"We all have to make sacrifices, Loki," she ran her hand down his arm. "I have always been glad that Elizabeth appeals to you. The closeness you and she have shared over these centuries warms my heart."

"And she appeals to you as well, 'Chloe'! I saw the way you looked at Elizabeth as she lay there sleeping. I sensed a secret fire. Really, after all these eons we have worked and played together, I had no idea you had an attraction for the female," his emerald eyes peered into hers. He saw and felt the surge of passion his intense look always gave her. He sat, pulled her to him, and kissed her neck. He placed his lips against her ear. "Tell me, lovely Sigyn, my favorite mistress, my only wife, are you keeping from me things I would so enjoy? Your male lovers mean nothing to me but ..." he sucked in breath through his teeth, "if you take on females, I insist on being at the very least a 'watcher'."

She sighed, pulled back slightly, and slid her tongue across his lips.

"So, do tell me, my love, is that the reason why you so often want to witness me with women? Is it because you like the feminine flesh the way a man does?"

"I am so sorry to disappoint you, Loki, but no. I watch because you are so incredible. It fills me with such pride to see how your lovers react to your touch and body. What you saw and felt were Chloe's confused feelings, not mine. I am in her body. I know all her memories, all her dislikes, wants, and needs. Why is it that so many men say they want to watch females experience together? I can imagine in my mind you with another man ..."

He sat up quickly. "No, you can not!"

"Yes, I can and I am doing it right. I can see you with another very lovely male body, doing all kinds of things ..."

"Then stop it, Sigyn, because that is never, ever going to happen. If that is what you want then it is you who is in for a big disappointment!"

"Well, it is the same for me. I have no interest in female bodies and that will never change. I need this," she ran her hand down his body and across his penis.

He smiled and lay back down beside her. "What a bloody pain you are! So Chloe and Elizabeth are lesbians?"

"No. Elizabeth is certainly not. She is like me and a true cock lover!"

"Oh, I do like it when you talk dirty. Do tell me more."

"Listen to me, Loki. This is important to me. While I search Chloe's memories to learn more about Elizabeth it is only natural I learn a lot about Chloe ..."

"Of course it is!"

"Stop it or I will not tell you what I have learned!"
"Sorry."

"Chloe has many dark and hidden memories. I get a little closer to them every day and soon I will understand more. She has experienced with another female, often and has been doing that for several years but she has no need for any of it. She does not even like this female and feels nothing from the sex they have."

"Then why does she do it? Is she being blackmailed?"

"That is what I am wondering. Her memories do not lead me to that though! It is as if Chloe is hiding from life and men behind this female. She tells herself that she is a lesbian and does not want men but that is not true. She is lying to herself. She has never, not one time, enjoyed sex with her woman. There is a man she loves, loves very deeply and wants him but she has been so hurt she ran from him when he made himself available for her. I like Chloe, Loki, she is a Light Soul who very much needs help, and help is what I am going to give her!"

'Poor Chloe!"

"No, I am very serious. I am going to fix her life."

'What about fixing me? What am I to do with the needs I have right now?" he pushed her hand back onto his growing penis. "I miss my wife, Sigyn. Step out and give me some joy!"

She moved her hand in the way he liked. "You know I cannot do that. I have to stay in her until the matter finished. They have weak hearts. If I come and go, it could damage her and we have long agreed that must never happen. And I cannot let you into her body without her permission or knowledge. That would be very wrong!"

"Sigyn? You also know that I will not be denied."

"Is that so? You are a spoiled brat. Do you know that Chloe is 22 years old and has never had a single orgasm? She is not a virgin, not since she was a girl. She has had sex with men ....many times and none of it put a smile on her face! Don't you think that is so sad?"

"I am the sad one in this room right now. Don't you care the slightest about that?"

She ignored him. "You know, Chloe has such a beautiful body. The right man could make her very happy!"

"A beautiful body!" Loki laughed and sat up. "I am the man here and I am telling you that is not a beautiful body. She is too short, her hips too big and she has no tits!"

"You are wrong, Loki. I have seen this body naked. She is hiding it! She wears an awful corset type thing to hide large and very lovely breasts. She wears thick under slips to make her look fat!"

He smiled and narrowed his eyes, "I don't believe you. Show me!"

"You are so transparent!"

"Well, I had better have some naked female flesh in here soon or I am going to go and see one of my other females!"

"Then go! I could use a good night's sleep."

"Sigyn ... come on, please! I will not violate Chloe, I promise. If she is so nice then show me."

"Oh all right. I hate it when you are not happy," she got on her knees, pulled her blouse over her head, and dropped it to the floor. "You see this terrible thing!" she knocked her knuckles against the long, hard corset that ran from under her arms to past her waist. With deliberate slowness, she opened the laces, and then tossed the hated thing aside. "That is the last time Chloe will ever wear that thing! Do you still think she has no tits?" she rubbed the large round breasts and smiled at her husband.

"No ...! You are right, they are very lovely!" he moved across the bed and sat crossed legged in front of Sigyn. He locked his eyes into hers and ran his hands down her shoulders and over her breasts. He leaned forward and kissed her lips gently. "Very, very nice!"

She felt his hands shaking slightly. His growing passion and frustration thrilled her as it always did. "That is enough," she pushed his hands away.

"No, my love ... not enough! Not nearly enough. Take the rest of it off!"

"No!" she shook her head and tried to move from the bed. He caught her and pulled her to stand in front of him.

"I want the skirt off, Sigyn and everything else!" he held her firmly with one arm and ran his hand down the side of the skirt. As he did this, the seam of the skirt opened and the skirt fell away.

"Loki? You shouldn't ..."

"Be quiet, Sigyn!" he ran his hand along the panties and garter belt and they too fell to the floor.

Naked now, Sigyn moved his arm from her and took a few steps away from the bed. He lay in his side resting on his elbow. She could see the changes that came when Loki's passion was as strong as it was then. In every way, his body grew larger and longer. His eyes seemed further back and slanted upwards. His pupils flashed black, his iris's golden slits. From deep in him, she heard the rumbling sound that always thrilled and inspired.

"Well, Sigyn ..." he whispered to her, "you will not step out for me and I cannot fuck Chloe! Do you not have anything for me?"

She moved slowly back to the bed, sat down and leaned back against him. "What about my needs, Loki?"

"Are you in the mood, lovely Sigyn?" he put his hand between her legs. "Oh, yes, you are. Let me see how much?"

She felt him move his fingers and pushed his hand away. "No, Loki!"

He growled, took her by the shoulders pushed her down, and lay on top of her. "No tongue, no fingers, no cock inside of sweet Chloe ... what then, Sigyn?" he whispered with anger. She could hear him grind his teeth and did not have to look to know his beautiful white teeth were then pointed and fanged.

"Lay behind me, Loki! Go between my legs. You know we both enjoy that."

He pressed harder against her, hissed a curse into her ear, and lifted his body. Sigyn rolled onto her side, pushed back against him and took his penis between her legs. He wrapped his arms around her.

She turned the side of her face against his chest and began to move with him, "I love you, Loki and we do need this!"

"When this is over, my lovely teasing wife, I am going to take you home and we are going to fuck for days!"

She sighed; she reached down, held his penis hard between her legs, and moved quickly against and with him.

As his passion grew, she could also feel the heat of his frustration and anger growing. He held her tight around the waist and pushed harder between her legs. The low rumble coming from deep inside of him growing so loud it blocked the thunder of the night storm. The need he had for Sigyn was so powerful it often weakened his senses and woke his usually carefully controlled darker side. The deadly panther was surfacing. Sigyn knew her adored husband was rapidly reaching the place of his desire that thrilled her.

"Sigyn!" he whispered, pushing his head roughly against her neck, "you know who I am! I am the ruler of the Sky Travelers! There is none more powerful than I am. I snap my fingers, you will be out of that body, and then I would have what I want! I am the King of the Travelers and you are my queen," he bared his teeth, put his mouth on the base of her neck, and bit slightly into her flesh. He was where she wanted him.

Sigyn inhaled deeply and blew her breath out above them. It carried her scent and was a powerful addiction for Loki. He lifted off her neck, sniffed the air, moaned, and fell back onto the pillow. She moved quickly, pushed him on his back, and crawled on top of him. She blew one last time directly into his mouth, slid down his body, and pressed Chloe's beautiful breasts against his penis. He wrapped his arms tightly around her, moaned, and climaxed.

* * * *

It was just after seven the next morning when Elizabeth left her bed and dressed. She was miserably hung over. Her head and stomach seemed to be spinning and working very much against her. From the experience, she knew she had to eat something fast or she would be ill all day.

In the Holloway kitchen, she found the family cook stirring a pot of simmering porridge. "You are up early this morning, Miss Mulberry!" the cook looked over her shoulder at the bedraggled and pale young woman. "Oh dear! You do look horrible. Are you not feeling well?"

Elizabeth sat at the table and laid her head on the cool, marble top. "No, I am not well, Mavis! I am dieing! Chloe tried to poison me with two bottles of wine. I hate her!"

"I heard that!" Sigyn smiled as she came through the swinging door, Blackman at her heels. "Lizzie, I warned you that you were drinking too much wine," she poured some freshly brewed tea into a cup, took a small envelope from her skirt pocket, poured the powered contents into the tea, and stirred it.

"You're never drinking again, are you?" Mavis demanded angrily. "What's that?" she wagged a finger at the teacup.

"It is a rather strong and helpful headache powder," Sigyn added two large teaspoons of sugar into the cup and handed it to Elizabeth. "Drink it quickly or you'll taste it and you do not want to do that! And Mavis, a bowl of that porridge will suck up the acid in her tummy."

Mavis took a bowl and turned back to the stove, muttering all the while.

"Come on, love!" Sigyn pushed the cup into her friend's hand, "you drank the 'poison', now drink the remedy."

"No ... I will throw up!"

"You won't if you eat the porridge right away."

Elizabeth drank the tea in four loud gulps. "Chloe! That tastes bloody awful."

Still muttering, now about foul language, Mavis noisily dropped a bowl of the hot cereal on the table. Sigyn placed it, a teapot, cups, saucers, and pot of thick cream on a tray. Sigyn caught Elizabeth's eye and nodded to the back of the angry cook. "We will take this back to your room,"

Elizabeth sighed, rolled her eyes, and followed her friend. Blackman shot up the stairs ahead of them and meowed loudly.

"Blackman is hungry," Sigyn explained as Elizabeth climbed back into her bed.

"Good. Then give him that awful stuff. I do not want it."

"You will eat at least half of it," Sigyn pushed the tray in front of Elizabeth, "I insist."

Elizabeth smiled weakly. "Well, if you insist. I had better do as I am told."

"That's the thing!" Sigyn poured some of the thick cream into a saucer and placed it on the floor for Blackman. She sat next to him, stroking his back as he lapped up cream. "That is a good cat," she whispered to him. "You do now what you like ... don't you my boy?"

Shuddering after every mouthful Elizabeth made it almost to the bottom of the bowl, "You know, Chloe, you have changed," she put the bowl on the tray and pushed it away.

"I have?"

"Oh, you are different, very different. It is amazing really!"

"Well, if you say so. Please tell me how I have changed."

"You have become very bossy. You managed to get me to eat a whole bowl of that slop so you must be very good at it. Last night, you drank a full bottle of wine and did not even get tipsy. Before, just a glass and you would have been on your back. You gave me headache powders! The Chloe I know would have stood beside Mavis and frowned down on my misery. You would have said something like ..."this is your punishment for not knowing your limit. Next time you will be wiser." And you are sitting on the floor!"

"I wouldn't have sat on the floor before?"

"Good heavens, no! You would never do anything so unladylike or take the chance of soiling your dress. That is another thing! What is the meaning of all those open buttons? All these years and I never once saw your cleavage. Today you are not even wearing a corset!"

Sigyn laughed and got to her feet. "Would you say these changes are for the better, Elizabeth?"

"Yes. Very much so. You seem to be a much stronger woman. Don't be hurt, Chloe. I love you dearly but sometimes you are damn boring and you let people walk all over you. You were always afraid." Elizabeth yawned, shook her head, and curled up under the blankets.

"Will you do me a favor, Lizzie?"

"Of course."

"If at any time in the future you see me going back to my old ways ... will you remind me of all you just told me?"

"I will. I promise."

"What are you planning on wearing for our outing today?"

"Do we have plans?"

Sigyn smiled and went into Elizabeth's dressing room. "I thought you would forget. You were that looped! Remember I told you I want you to meet some special friends of mine?"

"Oh yes, your magician. What was his name? Mr. Brock?"

The cat, finished with his cream, jumped on the bed and stretched out on top of Elizabeth. He purred loudly as Elizabeth scratched him under his chin.

"Buck, Isaiah Buck and a mightier magician you have never met," Sigyn came back into the bedroom carrying a lavender dress. "This velvet is beautiful and the color will be just perfect for your skin. Why have I never seen you wear it?"

"I bought it to wear on my honeymoon. I have not had any reason to wear anything quite so grand."

"Well, you have a reason today. This will be prefect.... Oh, I am sorry. Sometimes I am so thoughtless. Naturally, you will not want to wear it. We will find something else."

"No, Chloe I will wear that dress. It cost a small fortune. It is a waste not to."

"Are you sure? It will be so wonderful on you."

Elizabeth smiled and yawned again, "I am sure. I do want to look my best to impress your mysterious friends."

Sigyn picked up the cat. "Blackman, you never give up, do you? I told you to leave Elizabeth alone."

"He is not bothering me. His purring is rather comforting and he is so warm. Let him sleep with me."

"No, he will just keep you awake. You sleep for a few hours. I would like to leave here around noon."

Back in her bedroom, Sigyn dropped the cat on her bed. "You are such a bad boy! I am going shopping. I am so tired of Chloe's dull array of gray, blue, and brown dresses. If Elizabeth is going to look stunning, so am I."

Blackman looked up at her, shook his head, and stretched his body.

"Bored?" she opened the window a crack, "then play with some mice. If things go as they should you will get your time with Elizabeth but until then ... you leave her be!"

An hour later Sigyn stood with a highly irritated shopkeeper, "I know you like that dress, Ma'am, but as I said it is far too small for you. I will take your measurements and we will have the same dress made up and it will fit you perfectly."

"But that will take weeks and I want this dress to wear today. I will try it on."

"It won't fit," the shopkeeper looked down her nose. "You will stretch it out of shape. It was made for a much slimmer body."

"Is that so?" Sigyn narrowed her eyes. She held the deep red satin and lace dress, "I say it will fit me just fine. It will show off my beautiful, sensuous curves and make any man who sees me sweat. Oh, I am sorry. I should watch what I say! A stick such as you will not understand that. I cannot imagine how horrible life must be for a woman who has no breasts." She disappeared into the changing room.

"You stretch it and you will pay for it," the irritated woman called after her.

As she knew it would, the magnificent dress fit like a glove. She arranged her breasts for the maximum of cleavage, pinned the elegant, matching hat into place and stepped out to the angry woman waiting for her.

Sigyn turned in a circle and stood with her hands on her hips. "You see! You were wrong. It is just perfect."

"But ..."

"You need not apologize. We all make mistakes. I will wear it home. You can toss away my old things."

Elizabeth was putting the finishing touches to her hair when Sigyn joined her later that morning. "Goodness, Chloe! You look wonderful! When did you get that dress?"

"Thank you. I went shopping while you were sleeping. I have to admit I am tried of being pale in comparison when I stand next to you."

"Well, you are far from a pale comparison now. You are stunning."

"No, Lizzie. We are stunning. Not a man will be left standing when we are through with them."

"You make it sound as though we are going into battle."

"It is a battle, in a way. We fight for the attention, we get it and then fight to keep them at arms length ... until," Sigyn leaned close to her friend, "we decided it is time to mate. Then we are wise enough to let them think it was all their idea."

"Mate?"

Sigyn shrugged. "Call it whatever you want. It all comes down to the same thing. We show off our pretty packages, the men think 'oh God in heaven, I must find a way to get her into my bed'. The female balks and says, 'not me, I am not that kind of woman.' All the while she is thinking, 'How sweet it would be to have that man lay on top of me'."

"Chloe!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "You really have changed."

"Wouldn't it be better, my old friend, if we just gave up the battle, said what we thought and did what our instincts told us to?"

"You mean, make love with every man who attracts us. It would be chaos and surely not good for us. All that rampant sinning!" Elizabeth laughed.

"God does not make mistakes! If He did not want us to experience each other, he would not have given us lust." Sigyn took Elizabeth by the arm, "Come along, I have a cab waiting for us. It is time to go and meet Mr. Buck."

The Hansen made slow progress through the bustling afternoon traffic. As they rode along Elizabeth studied her companion. Her face glowed, her cheeks slightly flushed and her bright blue eyes sparkled.

"Chloe? I have to ask before we get there. Is there something, well ... between you and Mr. Buck?"

"You mean are we lovers?"

"Yes, that is what I mean. If so, it might account for this very new side of you that I am seeing."

Sigyn smiled. It was a slow, wide smile and changed her face so completely Elizabeth was taken back, "Isaiah and I are lovers. We are soul mates and have been so for centuries. You will never meet a more devoted couple, Elizabeth."

Stunned and confused Elizabeth sat back and decided to make the rest of the trip in silence.

The Hansen stopped at the corner of Bartley Bull and Clarke Street. Elizabeth looked around while Sigyn paid the cab driver. She did not notice Blackman jump down from the top of the cab cover and dash into a tall hedge.

"This is odd," Elizabeth frowned, "41 Bartley Bull? Is that this property here?"

"Yes. I know it is hard to see from here, as the foliage and trees are so very overgrown but there is a lovely house behind all that."

"But there isn't anything here. This has been an empty lot for years. Look, there on the other side and just around the corner is the haberdashery my aunt frequented. I was there with her many times. There is no house on this property."

"Well, that is not possible, is it, love? You must be thinking of some other corner."

"No, I am not. The house that was here burned down years ago. The owner lost his family and never rebuilt."

"Maybe so. Come along, Elizabeth. I can see you are feeling hesitant and I would be the same in your place. I promise you will understand everything and before too much longer."

They moved down the over grown walkway and into a dense thicket of trees. A lovely gabled Tudor cottage came into view. Three towering oaks that must have been hundreds of years old seemed to reach out protectively over the thatched roof. Full green ivy climbed in the white walls, here and there dotted with colorful climbing wild roses. Warm sun shone down in patches through the trees branches. Summer birds sang and flitted from here to there.

"Chloe!" Elizabeth took a few steps back. "This is wrong. It is December. The day is cold and gray ... why is it summer time? And, you can say what you want, this house is not here."

Sigyn took her by the hand, pulled her up to the doorstep and into entranceway. "Now don't be silly," she took Elizabeth's face and looked into her eyes. "You know you can trust me."

"Yes, but ..." Elizabeth squinted, her eyes still dazzled by the sudden sunlight.

"We are here!" Sigyn called out.

"And just on time!" Marina stepped out from the parlor. "I have just set out a very delicious tea."

"Good, I am famished." Sigyn smiled, "Miss Elizabeth Mulberry, I believe you have met my friend and sister-in-law, Miss Marina Kaiser."

"It is good to see you again, Elizabeth!" Marina smiled radiantly and offered her hand.

"Oh yes. I remember. I met you with Uncle William, didn't I?"

"That is right. I worked with him on the Tomas Foley case ... goodness that must be almost a year ago. How time flies! Come in, my dear, sit and let me pour you some of our excellent tea. You will not have tasted the like of it. And do have a sandwich. They are fish paste. Have your fill now. When Loki gets here, you will not have a chance. He does love the fish so!"

"He is greedy when it comes to food. Mind you he would give you the shirt off his back, most times," Sigyn agreed and turned to Elizabeth.

"Loki?" Elizabeth looked from one woman to the other.

"Isaiah Buck is Loki's Base Earth name. He does not like that name. So we call him by his given name, Loki."

"Ah, well, yes, that can happen sometimes," Elizabeth sipped the delicious tea and bit into a sandwich. A warm summer breeze blew the scent of roses into the room. "The weather has certainly brightened," she forced a smile and took another mouthful of the tea. "I could have sworn it was a cold, dreary, winter day!" She shrugged and picked up another sandwich.

"We do prefer the summer time. Isn't that so?" Marina asked.

Sigyn nodded and chose a sandwich. The sound of heavy footfall came down the hallway.

"Here comes Loki now, Elizabeth!" Sigyn said with clear excitement.

A handsome, very large, and impeccably well-dressed black man had to duck slightly as he stepped through the doorway. He walked up to Sigyn, adding to Elizabeth's growing confusion by kissing her on the lips.

He turned his attention immediately to Elizabeth. "You must be Miss Mulberry. I will call you Elizabeth and you will call me Loki. We are very pleased to have you in our humble home. Another beautiful female! I will be out done."

Marina stood and slipped her arm through his. "You will survive as you always do. You will get used to my brother's out spoken ways, Elizabeth."

Elizabeth gagged slightly as she swallowed the last of her sandwich. She looked from his very dark, brown face to Marina's ivory white face.

"Marina and I are half siblings," Loki explained as he took a handful of the small of sandwiches and sat beside Elizabeth. "We share the same father. My mother was obviously very black and Marinas' a very beautiful, white female."

"Oh, I see," Elizabeth smiled as Marina refilled her cup.

"They have their father's amazing green eyes, though," Sigyn beamed proudly and kissed Loki again.

"Now, we have a lot to discuss. I suggest, that even though it is so pleasant sitting and chatting we get to our important issues," Marina offered.

"Marina does not like to dally," Loki took more sandwiches. "I, on the other hand, could sit here all day and just enjoy myself."

"We know that, but time is pressing on us and I am sure Elizabeth has many questions ... or at least she will have once we get to our discussion.

Elizabeth placed her teacup on the trolley table. She rubbed her forehead and wondered why she was so calm. Surely, something was very odd! "What is it we have to discuss other than the fact that it is summer here and winter for the rest of England?"

Loki laughed loudly but stopped quickly with a look from Marina.

"We have to discuss with you the sad demise of Mr. Peter Patterson. William has explained it all to me and I do hope you will forgive as I intrude into your most private grief, but there is no way around it. It may be possible for us to help you bring that misery to a conclusion and at the same time you would be helping us with a matter that plagues us."

"I ... I am not sure what to say. This is all rather strange, I think!" Elizabeth said quietly and looked to Sigyn. "It is strange ... isn't it Chloe?"

"It will all make sense soon. Marina will explain," Sigyn nodded reassuringly back at her.

Loki cleared his throat and began, "Well, first I suppose I should tell you a little about our little group. We are not from this part of the world. In the dimension, that is our true home and where we are now, I am a Guardian. The work that I do is very much like the work your uncle does. I hunt down evil beings and see to that they are brought to justice."

"Dimension?" Elizabeth asked.

"We will get to that in time, my dear. I take the cases that have stumped regular authorities. Cases where the perpetrators will most certainly walk free without serious intervention, such as the murder of your fiancé. If you agree to our help, we will need you to be actively involved in the case and before you agree to any of this, you must know that there will be some risk to you. We will do all we can to keep you safe but as in anything else there are no real guarantees."

Elizabeth nodded enthusiastically. "Of course I want your help and I will do anything you need me to do. I want to see the monster who did this thing hang. I rarely think of anything else. But ... where is it you say that you come from?"

"All in good time," Loki answered. "Do you like cats, Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth frowned. "Yes, but ..."

"Stay with me. I will get to my point. Tell me how you feel about cats?" as he spoke Loki picked up a Siamese kitten that was sleeping on a near by chair. The animal circled his lap a few times, curled in a ball and went back to sleep.

"Well, I love cats. I much prefer them to dogs. My Uncles home has always had at least one cat ... usually more."

Loki leaned closer; his dark green eyes sparkled as he spoke. "You had a cat ... a calico named Rosie. You loved that cat dearly. When your Aunt Alice was not around your uncle would refer to Rosie as a 'feline whore' because at least two times a year she presented your household with lovely kittens."

Elizabeth nodded, "Chloe told you about her. Yes, Rosie was mine and I did love her."

"No one has ever mentioned that cat to me. I am reading your memories. Rosie was a rather odd-looking feline but still beautiful as they always are. She had a huge body, short tail and a very small head. In her last litter, Rosie had twin calicos, a boy, and a girl. Against your uncles wishes your aunt kept them and named them Peter and Wendy from the Peter Pan stories."

"Those kittens were just about weaned when Rosie went missing. You and your family searched for her for a long time. You went door to door, you put ads in newspapers but never found her, and you were heart broken."

Elizabeth stayed silent.

"Last spring your uncle finally told you what happened to Rosie. It was early winter when Rosie disappeared. William found her frozen body early that spring when the thaw had started. It seemed that she had fallen from a tree and broke her neck. He buried her. They never told you the truth because they believed it would hurt you too much to know her true fate. Did you tell that part of Rosie's story to Chloe?"

"No. I did not! How do you know it?"

"I told you, I am reading your memories. It has always troubled you that you never had a chance to say good-bye to Rosie ... to close the book, as it were. Would you like to do that now?" Loki looked down.

She followed his eyes. The sleeping Siamese kitten was now the long lost Rosie.

"Oh my Lord! Rosie!" Elizabeth exclaimed. The cat jumped from his lap to hers. She put her front paws on her shoulder and rubbed her face against Elizabeth's cheek. She held the cats face and beamed at her companions. "It is ... it is Rosie! Look, she is still wearing her collar with the bell on it. I put it there so the birds would hear her coming. She was always hunting birds and the bell warned them she was around. She hated the thing."

"No doubt she did," Loki laughed. "I would have got it off somehow."

"Oh, she tried, she tried all the time. But ... how?"

"How did I bring her here?"

"Yes,' Elizabeth hugged the purring animal, "That was eleven years ago. Rosie was at least ten when she went missing. She looks very well for a cat that is over twenty years old."

He shook his head. "You do not understand. Rosie died that cold winter night years ago. She lives in Heaven now. I brought her here for you to say good-bye to her."

"No," Elizabeth shook her head and hugged the cat, "no, that is not possible."

"She has to go back now, Elizabeth. I can only keep her here for a very short while. Just know that she will be waiting for you when you pass. That should give you comfort," he lifted Rosie from Elizabeth.

"I don't understand ..."

"It does not really matter whether you understand or not. Say your farewells ..."

Elizabeth looked at the cat and rubbed her head, "I will see you again, Rosie!" The cat vanished and in her place was the Siamese. The disturbed kitten jumped away from Loki and went back to the chair.

"How did you do that?" Elizabeth gasped at him.

"That was easy. You should see me when I really get things going!" he looked at her stunned and startled face and sighed. "Marina told you that Isaiah Buck is not the name I was given at birth. My real name is Loki. You will have no doubt heard of me."

Still wide eyed, Elizabeth shook her head.

"Well, of course you have!"

"No. I have never heard that name before."

He looked down his nose. "Then I suggest you do more reading! Your education is severely lacking in the classical. Do you at least know what a shape shifter is? It is a term I greatly disapprove of but it is most often used."

"It is a fairytale about a human who could turn into an animal."

"Close enough! Although there are many of us, we are not fairy tales and I am leader of them all. I create them and they only continue to exist because I approve. As I said, I do not use the term 'shape-shifter'. I am a 'sky traveler'. I have many talents. You were just witness to one of them. If you agree to our terms, I will give you the ability to 'shift' and take the total appearance of a different female. That way you could infiltrate the Howard family and serve them up just what they and you need."

Elizabeth looked doubtfully around the three faces watching her. "Well, that is something for me to think about," she stood and tried to smile. "I think it is time for Chloe and me to leave now. I do not want to over stay my first visit."

Sigyn shook her head. "We are not finished, far from it. I am sorry if my husband has frightened you. Sometimes he can be too direct."

"Husband? Chloe ... you are not married!"

"I am married to Loki and have been so for centuries. Along with that, I am not truly Chloe Partridge. My real name is Sigyn. Nine days ago, I borrowed her body so I could get a very close knowledge of just the type of person you are in this lifetime. You need not worry about your friend. She is more or less just having a long rest. When I return her body to her the only effects she will have is memory loss for the time I have had her body. Other than that she will be fine."

Elizabeth shook her head and took a few steps back from the group, "Chloe? Why are you doing this? If this is some sort of attempt at a joke ... it is not funny."

Sigyn turned to Marina, "I think I shall have to show her. Surely it is ok, if it is just for a few seconds?"

"I think you will have to. Just yesterday, I mentioned to William Holloway about how difficult it is to get the people from the lower dimension to 'see'. Do it, but only just for as long as it takes for Elizabeth to see Sigyn and not a second longer."

"Pity!" Loki sighed, "I would rather like to spend some time with my wife." To Elizabeth, he added, "Watch and learn!"

Marina stood next to Elizabeth.

In less than the blink of an eye, Chloe vanished. In her place sat an extremely different and naked female. A longer, slimmer body replaced Chloe's round, short body. Sigyn stretched and smiled at Elizabeth. She pushed waist length, blue-black hair from her beautiful face. "You see, for now your friend is sleeping and I use her body," she turned her smile to Loki. "But not for too much longer, I hope. I much prefer my own skin."

"That is long enough!" Marina said firmly. Sigyn shifted back to the body of Chloe.

"This is ... not happening," Elizabeth gasped, took another step backwards.

"Are you going to faint?" Marina asked.

"No, I am not. I am going to leave, that is what ..." Elizabeth stopped in mid sentence. Her face was paper white.

Loki moved quickly and caught her before she hit the floor. "I knew she would do this! Why in Heavens name does she pass out? She does it every time."

"She has had a bad shock, Loki. You should try to be more understanding," Sigyn opened the parlor door. "Bring her upstairs. When she comes around, I want some time alone with her."