Isabel clutched the two books she was purchasing tightly as she made her way back into the main room of the bookshop. She looked anxiously around the room but didn’t see her brother. At the front was a dark haired young woman who was peering out the window as though she were looking for someone, and to her left was a man studying a shelf of books in the corner very intently. Apparently Max had been so disgusted with her he’d left. Oh well, that just gave her more browsing time. She moved slowly over to where the young man was standing hoping he would move aside so that she could examine the shelves of novels.

“Ahem,” Isabel cleared her throat.

The man turned slowly and looked at her. He was tall and painfully thin, with dark hair and eyes.

“Can I help you?” he asked.

“Well, I was hoping to see if there were any new titles on this shelf,” she gestured to the row of books he was standing in front of.

“Oh,” he blushed, “you read nov- er, these books as well?”

She nodded at him, hoping he would accept her answer and move aside, she wasn’t really in a mood for conversation.

“I thought that proper young ladies didn’t read this sort of material.”

Isabel narrowed her eyes, “Are you saying I’m not a proper young lady?”

“No,” he said quietly.

“I suppose the same argument could be made about ‘proper’ young men, sir,” she said icily. Who was this human? Was he trying to judge her? She didn’t care about their ridiculous customs. The next person who even breathed the word ‘proper’ to her was going to be flung against a wall.

The man stared at her quietly, examining her features with a curious look on his face. Seconds ticked slowly past, he didn’t respond, he just stood there.

“Perhaps you should go sit down,” she said with false politeness, “it’s been my experience that people who look as sickly as you do need constant rest.”

He cocked his head to the side and continued to stare intently with a furrowed brow, he looked as though he was trying to solve a riddle.

Why wouldn’t he leave? She’d been giving him her best insults and he was absolutely unruffled. He simply stood there, studying her. It was unnerving. For the first time in her life Isabel Evans didn’t know what to say.

“I’m fine, thank you,” he said and turned back to the shelf in front of him.

Isabel was in shock. What had just happened? Didn’t he understand that she was insulting him? Why had he refused to do what she wanted? She shook her head and turned to walk toward the front of the store, it was obvious that the man wouldn’t move to let her see the books she was interested in, and that made her want to get as far away from him as possible. This was the strangest encounter with a human she had ever had. She felt incredibly uncomfortable…

Was she embarrassed?

She’d heard of the emotion but had never actually experienced it. Yes, she could feel heat on her cheeks and knew without looking that they were red. These were the classic symptoms of embarrassment as she had understood them: feelings of discomfort, an urge to flee, flushed skin.

Isabel didn’t like being embarrassed. She took what she thought would be enough money out of her handbag and placed it on the counter for Mr. Trainor, payment for the two books he’d given her, and practically ran out the door of the shop.

***

Michael Guerin was slumped on the ground, his back leaned against the alley wall of Trainor’s bookshop. He cradled his head gently in his hands as though he thought it was going to fall off.

“So, Evans-,” he began still staring at the ground.

“Please,” the dark haired man cut in, “I’ve just recently adopted the surname. Call me Max.”

“Alright,” Michael started again, “Max, you’re telling me that you,” he swallowed hard, “and I are from a different…planet.”

“Yes,” Max was nodding encouragingly, even though Michael couldn’t see him.

“And, we have these special ‘powers’ because…we aren’t…exactly…human?”

“I know it must be a difficult concept to grasp,” Max grimaced as Michael brought his head up to give him a ‘you-have-no-idea’ look, “but no matter how difficult it is…well, it’s the truth.”

Michael began to laugh softly.

This couldn’t possibly be true. He must be dreaming. Reaching for his calf he pinched himself, hard. It hurt. Must be real.

He started to laugh harder.

‘Being from another world. Strange powers. Stranded on earth.’ The thoughts swirled through his head.

The laughter was now hysterical.

‘Not completely human. Warrior in a former life. Pre-destined mate.’

The sounds he made were now shrieks.

He was on fire. He exhaled rage.

One by one the objects in the alley began hurling themselves against the wall of the bookshop.

Somewhere he heard a woman’s concerned voice, then Max’s deeper tone. There were hands on him, attempting to soothe.

Michael became vaguely aware of the commotion around him before he blacked out.

***

The bookshop door slammed shut and Alex put his hands on the bookcase in front of him trying to keep himself upright. What had just happened?

The woman had been beautiful, tall, statuesque. She looked like a goddess carved from perfectly smooth marble. Her manner had been almost regal, she was effortless grace in human form. In her presence he had been reduced to a slobbering, simpering fool. Oh God, that was the most humiliating…

‘No, don’t think about it! Don’t remember! Oh no…’

//“Ahem.”

He turns, sees her, can’t breathe.

Perfect blonde eyebrows arch expectantly.

“Can I help you?”

What was he, a shop clerk?

“Well, I was hoping to see if there were any new titles on this shelf.”

She’d caught him in front of the novels. What would she think? Wait, she wanted to see them…

“Oh, you read nov- er, these books as well?”

An angry red blush attacks his face.

‘Idiot! Stating the obvious, how witty. Come on fool, you’ve got something better than that, now try again...’

“I thought that proper young ladies didn’t read this sort of material.”

‘Not good. Retreat.’

Anger flashes in her eyes, but her face is untouched.

His legs won’t move.

“Are you saying I’m not a proper young lady?”

Legs still won’t move.

‘Oh God. Whatever you do, do not say another word.’

“No,” he said quietly.

‘Sh**. Well, at least that should end it. She’ll think I’m a half-wit, pity me, and leave. Listen, body, all I’m asking is that you remain standing until she goes.’

“I suppose the same argument could be made about ‘proper’ young men, sir.”

‘Uh oh, returned insult, she knows that I’m capable of intelligent thought. Respond…apologize…do something.’

Voice is no longer responding.

‘Well, if I don’t answer, she’ll have to leave. Just have to remain standing…’

Her eyes are locked on his, her jaw is clenched. Beautiful.

Why isn’t she walking away? She’ll just assume he’s very rude if he doesn’t speak, she’ll be disgusted and leave him alone.

Silence…

Why is she still standing there? Maybe she had moved and he didn’t know it. Are his eyes permanently imprinted with her image?

‘Alright, look closely, is she still there?’

“Perhaps you should go sit down, it’s been my experience that people who look as sickly as you do need constant rest.”

Eyes must be working. She’d definitely still there. Now neck refuses to hold head up.

Why wouldn’t she leave? How could she stand there so cool and collected when she was turning him inside out?

‘Say something, Alex. It’s not like this can get any worse.’

“I’m fine, thank you.”

‘I’m fine thank you?’

Neck is working again.

‘Turn away. Look away, dammit. Please, body, help me salvage any shreds of dignity I may have left…’

The head turns.

Her skirt rustles as she walks away.

‘Just have to stay standing until she leaves…’//

WHACK

Alex jumped as he was startled out of his reverie.

What was that? Had something fallen? A bookcase?

WHACK THUMP WHACK

“Alex?” Liz called from the front of the store.

WHACK

She looked as frightened as he felt, he ran over to her.

“What on earth is that, Alex?”

“I don’t know.”

THUD WHACK

“I think something is hitting the wall from the outside. I’m going to go see what it is, don’t move until I come back for you, it might not be safe,” Alex said authoritatively as he opened the door.

Liz shoved past him and ran toward the alley next to the shop.

‘Good to see that she obeys as well as ever,’ he thought wryly as he followed her.

***

“What did you do, Is?!?” Max pulled his sister’s hand away from Michael’s face.

“N-Nothing. I just made the connection and he blacked out,” Isabel pulled her hand away from her brother, “it’s probably a good thing, we’re lucky no one saw that. Is he insane? Has living in this society damaged his mind?”

“No, he was just in shock. Imagine yourself in his position. This race has no concept of – well, of what we are. I-oh, Is, w-what are we going to do? We can’t just leave him like this,” Max was kneading his temple with his fingertips.

Isabel knelt again and cupped Michael’s face in her hands. Maybe if she could dreamwalk him and calm him down…

“What are you doing?” a female voice screeched, “What did you do to my brother.”

Isabel barely caught herself as she was pushed aside by a small brunette.

“Michael?!?” the girl fell to her knees beside the unconscious man and began to shake by the shoulders in an attempt to wake him.

“Miss Parker,” Max reached out to touch Liz on the shoulder, but someone grabbed his arm and threw it back violently.

“Don’t touch my sister.”

Max just recognized the form of Alex Parker in the corner of his eye when a fist crunched into his temple. His vision was suddenly full of sparks and he was falling to the ground.

“Liz, did you see what he did to Michael?” Alex asked frantically.

Max blinked trying to clear his eyes.

“No, it was her, she was touching him and her eyes were closed,” Liz’s tone was accusing.

“What did you do to my brother?” Alex’s tone was flat as he directed his gaze from Max to Isabel.

Max couldn’t let them hurt Isabel, he turned and tried to push himself off of the ground. Parker was on him in an instant, reaching to grab his shirt front. Then suddenly the man stopped, suspend mid-movement above him. Alex’s eyes moved wildly while the rest of his body remained absolutely still.

“Alex? Alex! What-,” Liz was moving toward Alex and she too was frozen in mid-air, her fingers inches away from her brother’s arm. Her eyes swung slowly to Max, and she seemed to be pleading with him to help her. He put his hands on the ground and pulled himself up into a sitting position.

“Now listen,” Isabel’s voice washed calmly over the bizarre scene, “no one is trying to hurt your brother. We only want to help him. But, if you two don’t behave yourselves I’ll stop your beating hearts without thinking twice. You know I’m in control. Don’t doubt that I can and will do it.”

“Isabel,” Max looked at his sister, “don’t. Release them.”

His sister continued as if she hadn’t heard him, “Now, we are going to pick your brother up and carry him to our residence. If anyone on the street asks you a question, tell them that he fainted and we are taking him home, is that understood? If either of you tries to run, or speak to someone, or even breathe in a way I don’t like - I’ll snap the other’s neck.”

Isabel paused for a moment to let her words sink in, “I’m going to release you now.”

Alex suddenly fell in a heap on the ground, and Liz stumbled and barely caught her balance. Parker was on his feet quickly and moved between his sister and Isabel.

“Max, are you alright?” Isabel asked him casually.

“Yes, I’m fine. Isabel-.”

“Good, you pick up Michael’s feet, and the brother will pick up his shoulders. Sister, you can walk next to brother.” Isabel said.

Max was angry. He didn’t like this. Why was she scaring these poor people? They were only concerned about their brother. Now they would know that Isabel had powers. What were they going to do with two humans who knew the truth about them? He realized there was no easy way out of their current situation. At least if they were in a house they could speak freely.

“Isabel, we’ll talk later,” Max slowly stood and moved toward Michael, “Mr. Parker, if you would please help me to carry your brother. I promise no harm will come to you. My sister was telling the truth, we only want to help your brother.”

Alex looked at him for a moment, let out a defeated sigh, and moved to pick up Michael’s feet.

***

Alex and Liz sat quietly in the small bedroom, both staring at their sleeping brother on the bed.

“I don’t understand, Alex, he looks as though he’s taking a nap, but nothing will wake him.”

“I know, I know.”

Alex stood to stalk around the room again. It had no windows, and only one door – which had been promptly locked after Max and Isabel Evans left the room. ‘If only I were the one who was knocked out, Michael could find some way to get Liz out of here,’ he thought.

“It’s nearly supper time,” Liz said softly, making an effort not to sound terrified, “Father will notice that none of us have returned and he’ll look for us.”

Alex nodded at her, trying to be the reassuring older brother. This was a bad situation, these people had unnatural powers, he and Liz were helpless against them. They had managed to send Michael into some sort of a coma, obviously with some sort of magic, because he didn’t have a mark or any other sign of a blow on him. As Alex continued to pace, he tried to find hope that their Father would find them. It wasn’t working. He had an unshakable suspicion that his father would be childless by morning.

***

“You have put us in an impossible position, Isabel. We are going to have to trust these people with our true identities. Hopefully we can convince Michael to leave with us quickly,” Max was trying to keep the anger out of his voice while he paced the room.

“Max,” Tess began quietly, “they are only humans. We will simply have to eliminate them.”

“Oh no!” Max lost control of the volume of his voice, “Don’t you spout Nacedo’s, ‘they’re an inferior race’ drivel to me. I have always been suspicious of his claims that humans are not much more than animals, and in my opinion these last few days in this town have proved that he was wrong. Humans are capable of love and loyalty, and even intelligence. I believe they have the same emotions we do, and that they feel things just as strongly. Look at those two – they were only trying to protect a man they think of as their brother. Doesn’t that alone show you that everything Nacedo told us about them is untrue? He claimed they were incapable of such complex emotion.”

The women looked unconvinced. He could not let them hurt the humans. His heart constricted painfully at the idea of Elizabeth Parker coming to any sort of harm.

“Not that I don’t agree with you about that, Max,” Isabel said in a soothing tone, “but I don’t think we have much choice about eliminating these two.”

He couldn’t stop this. For once in their lives, Isabel and Tess were in agreement – and Liz and Alex Parker were going to die. He had to stop this from happening, he had to do something. But what could he do? It would be 2 versus 1. Then he remembered. There was one last thing he could try…

“No.” Max’s voice was solid steel. “I won’t discuss this further, for once I’m going to do things my way. I am the King. Neither of you will harm so much as a hair on their heads.”

Isabel and Tess stole glances at one another. Max had never issued a ‘command’ as ‘the King’ in his life. Neither of them knew how to respond. Serena and Nacedo had instilled a sense of duty in them, they had explained the plans for their lives in great detail, but this was the first time one of them had ever truly made a step to fill their role in the Royal Four.

Max could barely breathe as the three sat in silence digesting what he’d said.

Tess and Isabel weren’t speaking, they weren’t arguing…Had it worked?

Max put a look of absolute confidence on his face and rode out his bluff.

“Well, I think we’ve overlooked the obvious element here,” his voice was calm and sure, not betraying his racing heart and sweating palms. “When they understand that their brother is like us, they won’t want anyone to know, they will want to protect him. We’ll just tell them everything, and when Michael awakens they will understand. I wonder what excuse we could give their father to keep them here until then? Isabel, you and I will go up and see if we can’t get some flashes from them that would give us an idea.”

Isabel stood, ready to follow him upstairs.

He nearly fainted. It had worked. He’d never thought it would.

The Parkers were safe - for now.

‘I think I’ll hang onto the ‘King card’ for a while,’ he thought to himself as he left the room.

***

Michael was laying on the green grass of the field as a slight breeze played over his face and the sun warmed him.

“Michael?”

He sat up at the sound of her voice.

She spotted him and a smile broke out on her face. Before he knew it, she had tackled him and they were laying side by side in the grass. He turned to look at her, and she giggled and laced her fingers through his. Michael pulled her tiny hand to his mouth and kissed it, then he noticed it was bandaged.

“What happened?” he looked into her eyes.

“Oh, I fell down and scraped it,” she held up her other hand for him to see the bandage on it, “this one too.”

He rolled his eyes and smiled at her. “You always were a clumsly little thing,” he teased.

She punched his shoulder, but there was a smile on her face. He watched her quietly and his breath caught, she was so beautiful. Her forehead suddenly wrinkled, and she put her lip out in a slight pout.

“Michael, what’s wrong with you? There’s something wrong,” she propped herself up on one elbow and caressed his cheek with her other hand, looking intently into his face.

What was wrong with him? Nothing was wrong with him. No, wait there was something…

The memories of what had happened in the alley flooded into his mind.

No! He couldn’t realize that this was a dream, then it would end!

Guilt. Dread.

He shouldn’t be with her – not even in his dreams.

She was fading.

The world grew dim.

“Michael!” he heard her call, though he could no longer see her face.

“Maria!” he screamed, then everything went black.

***

“Aaaaahhhh,” Liz was awakened by the weak cry. She jerked to her feet from the chair she’d fallen asleep in.

It was Michael, he was sitting up in the bed, palms pressed against his face. As she moved closer, the low light from the oil lamp made the sweat on his forehead sparkle. She could see that Alex was still asleep in the chair in the far corner.

She sat on the bed and touched his arm, “Michael?”

He slowly moved his hands away from his face and looked around the room, then let his eyes settle on her.

“Liz?” his voice was full of gravel, “Where are we?”

She didn’t know how to answer. Maybe he didn’t remember anything from earlier. Max had explained to them that he had started to get hysterical shortly after he’d heard…

“What do you remember from the bookshop, Michael?” she asked him softly, keeping her voice low not wanting to wake Alex. She knew Alex was still angry, and she wanted to explain things to Michael before Alex filled him in on the details of what had happened after he blacked out.

He looked puzzled for a moment, “The bookshop…”

Horrible realization spread over his face, and he looked into her eyes.

He was afraid. She grabbed his hand and squeezed reassuringly, it was obvious that he was afraid that she knew about him.

“Michael-.”

“No. Oh, God, Liz. Where is Evans? What did he tell you?”

“Shhh…,” Liz pointed to where Alex slept, “it’s alright, he told us…well, no…he showed us. Michael, you poor thing, how could you have lived all of this time with these strange…powers and never told anyone? You must have been so scared.”

He still looked unsure, “You aren’t frightened of me?” his voice cracked. “You-you don’t think I’m a freak?”

Liz had never in her life seen tears in her brother’s eyes. They were there now, shining and threatening to spill. She reached for him and pulled him into her arms.

“Oh, Michael, you’re my brother. I love you. Of course you’re not a freak. You’re wonderful.”

Liz felt tears well up in her own eyes and let them fall down her cheeks as her brother began to sob into her shoulder.

***

Max bolted out of bed at the sound of his door banging open, he had fallen asleep fully dressed, lost in his thoughts.

“What is this Evans? Why did you kidnap my brother and sister?”

Max squinted and could make out the figure of Michael Guerin in his doorway. Oops, should have realized he could make short work of a lock if he woke up.

Michael looked wild and frightening. He was shirtless, and his hair was sticking out at wild angles all over his head. Max tried to gather his thoughts, but sleep was still clouding his brain.

“No, Michael, I told you he apologized. He explained,” Max could see a female figure grab Guerin’s arm from behind, “Alex, do you see what you did?”

“Get back, Liz,” Michael growled.

Alex Parker suddenly appeared over his brother’s shoulder. He looked pleased to see Max’s confused expression.

Liz shoved her way past her brothers into the room and stood between them and Max.

“You both need to calm down. They only threatened us to make sure we didn’t do anything drastic. I know that they never intended to hurt us,” Liz had her hands raised in a pleading manner.

Max knew he should try to intervene, “Please, she’s telling the truth. My sister was just frightened and said the first thing that came into her mind. If we can all just discuss this calmly-.”

Max was interrupted as Michael’s body was hurled (apparently not of it’s on volition) into the room. He flew into Liz knocking her to the ground.

Max could only watch as her head fell backwards, seemingly in slow motion, and hit the floor with a sickening thud.

The next few moments were a blur, and Max seemed to be frozen in place. Through the doorway he saw Alex make a run at someone in the hallway. Michael was screaming Liz’s name and cradling her in his arms. There was a loud crash like glass breaking in the hallway, then a loud wooshing sound. He heard his sister scream, and then watched in horror as Alex dragged her past the doorway, her skirt on fire.

Smoke was everywhere now, it was burning Max’s lungs. It snapped him out of his trance, and he began to move.

He stepped to where Michael was holding Liz and he leaned down and pulled her into his arms. Kicking a nearly hysterical Michael on the leg, he yelled, “We have to get out of here! Now!”

Max clutched Liz’s limp form tightly and ran out the door, he heard Guerin close behind him. He looked down the hall to where Alex was just stepping back from his sister’s smoking skirt. The flames were gone. Isabel looked like a terrified child, staring at Alex.

“Parker!” Max shouted. Alex turned to him and nodded, understanding the unspoken request. He caught Isabel by the arm and pulled her to her feet pushing her down the staircase ahead of him.

Max glanced back down the hallway and saw where a broken oil lamp had thrown flaming oil all over the walls. It was burning fast. The sound of more breaking glass another wooshing sound in a room down the hallway snapped him to attention again.

“Max?!?” he heard Tess’s voice. Where was she? He prayed she wasn’t down that hallway. “Maaaxx!!!” She was calling from below, she was out of danger. He continued down the steps, carrying Liz

“I’m coming.” He replied.

As he made his way down the stairs he heard Michael behind him beginning to cough uncontrollably. When he reached the bottom he felt Tess’ hand on his arm. He was nearly knocked over when Michael fell into him from behind.

“Help him,” Max jerked his head toward Michael who was on his hands and knees coughing and gagging.

Tess nodded and moved toward Guerin.

Max ran toward the back door of the house, looking over his shoulder once to see Tess half dragging Michael’s hunched form. The smoke was beginning to fill the lower level of the house now. He burst through the door into the backyard and sucked the fresh air into his tortured lungs. Alex was settling a wild-eyed Isabel down onto the grass, and Max ran up to them and laid Liz down on the ground.

He lifted her head and she groaned, “Elizabeth,” he said urgently, “you need to look at me. Please.”

She moved her head a little and opened her eyes. He moved close to her face and started to make the connection. There were hands pulling at him, and a male voice saying “You have to move! I can help her, I’ve done it before!”

Max ignored the voice and concentrated on Liz, she started to close her eyes again and he panicked, “No, don’t close your eyes! Look at me! Elizabeth! Liz!” at the sound of her nickname the lids flew open again. That was all it took, he was in, he was connected. She had a swollen blood vessel in her brain, he cleared the blockage that had caused it to fill and slowly eased the blood flow threw it, and after a few seconds it went back to normal size. When he was satisfied that she would be alright he broke the connection and slumped forward, drained.

She was moving beneath him, pushing him off of her. He was crushing her, he jerked backward. She was moving herself into a sitting position, looking at him with those big brown eyes. He couldn’t resist, he reached for her. She didn’t pull away, she let him clutch her head to his chest, cradle her in his arms.

“Liz?” Michael’s voice was rough, scarred by the smoke, “Can you speak? Are you alright?” Her brother reached out for her, but she leaned closer to Max and simply nodded at Michael.

Guerin was looking at Max now, silently thanking him. Max acknowledged him and then turned his attention back to Liz. It felt so good to have her in his arms, he didn’t want to let her go. He tore his eyes away for a moment to look at Tess and Isabel, they were sitting next to Alex Parker. Tess was holding his sister’s hands, and speaking to her in soothing tones. Isabel wasn’t paying attention, her eyes were riveted on the house, which was being consumed by flames, she was in shock, but she was all right. Max met Alex’s eyes for a moment, and there was a brief understanding between the two – mutual gratitude, mutual respect.

It was then that Max noticed the maid standing next to the large oak tree that dominated the backyard. She was dividing crazed glances between the burning house and Max. Oh no, what had she seen?

Not wanting to alarm the frightened girl, Max caught Michael’s eye and slowly moved his head in the direction of the maid. Michael followed his gesture and his face said that he understood Max’s fear. Tess was also watching the exchange closely, she touched Alex on the arm and nodded toward Max and Michael. Alex whirled his head toward the maid and the sudden motion made her jump.

The girl was shaking her head and backing slowly away from them. She was mouthing something, it looked like the same word over and over, but Max couldn’t make out what it was.

Alex sucked in air sharply, and the girl turned and ran. Alex stood quickly and looked down at Max, “She was saying ‘witchcraft’.”

Max gently released Liz and stood, “I think she saw me heal your sister.”

Tess was on her feet now as well, “We have to run Max, we have to get out of here.”

“Wait,” Michael said, swallowing hard, “that would make things look worse. You should come to my father’s, your house burned down…” his voiced cracked and he began to cough, his burned throat not allowing him to continue.

“No,” Alex said. “They had us send Father a note saying we were going with you to the plantation. That you had urgent business and wanted us along.”

Michael looked questioningly at Max, “We had to make an excuse for their absence. I didn’t want your father searching for them. It was important that we be sure they wouldn’t tell anyone about us before we let them go home.”

Alex and Michael looked at one another and seemed to come to some silent agreement. Michael turned back to Max, “I-,” he put a hand to his throat as his face twisted in pain.

Max took a step toward him, glanced quickly around to make sure no one was watching and placed his fingers on Michael’s throat, healing it.

Michael stared at Max, “Thank you. I was going to say maybe we should all go to the plantation. We’ll be safe there and we can give any witchcraft rumors that the girl starts a chance to cool down.” Michael pointed toward the still burning house, “People will just think she’s hysterical from the fire. They’ll forget after a few days if there’s no more grist for the rumor mill. Alex, quick go around to the front of the house, there’s probably a crowd out there already. Tell them that the Evans are old friends of Kyle’s and that we’re taking them to the plantation so that the women can recover in the countryside. After you’ve told a few people, meet us at the livery, we can take some of my horses.”

Alex nodded and moved to place a kiss on the top of Liz’s head before walking around the blazing building to the street.

“The livery is down the street. Is your sister well enough to walk?” Michael asked Max.

Max looked at Isabel. She still appeared to be in shock, but he would carry her if he had to. “We’ll be fine. Please, lead the way.”

Michael nodded and grabbed Liz’s hand, pulled her to her feet and began walking toward the livery. Tess helped Isabel up and held the other girl’s elbow to guide her in Michael and Liz’s direction. Max cast one last look at the burning house. The flames were no longer dancing on the roof, but he could see them in the windows of the first floor.

It was incredible what could happen in a few minutes’ time.

Max shook his head as he began walking behind Tess and Isabel. One second someone wants you dead, the next they’re doing everything they can to save your life. Amazing.

***

It was morning by the time the small party came within sight of the plantation. The house was just visible across the fields and through the trees that lined the mile long drive as it jutted off of the main road.

Michael’s eyes swept over the disheveled group. The ride had taken twice as long as it normally would have. Evans had failed to mention that he and the women did not know how to ride. Apparently they considered the practice barbaric. The small blonde with the bouncy curls still had a disgusted look on her face over the clothes he’d found for her, Liz, and Isabel. He’d grabbed a shirt for himself, and some boys shirts and trousers for the women off a clothesline in the yard of a house they’d passed. The blondes were both in nightgowns, but even Liz’s dress wouldn’t do - he didn’t want to be hindered by women riding sidesaddle. Liz had simply accepted the clothes and put them on. Isabel hadn’t really been coherent, he had heard Liz in the tack room struggling to help the girl dress. And the small blonde had turned her nose up and scowled at him before huffing off to the tackroom. He watched her flounce off realizing he should probably thank her for dragging him out of the burning building, but when she whirled to give him one more ‘look of death’ he had decided it could wait until later.

Michael watched as Max tried to turn his mount to the left trying to move to a spot alongside Michael. When Max’s horse turned in a circle then stopped completely, refusing to move at all, Michael was barely able to hold back a laugh. He turned his mare back toward Max and grabbed the bridle of the stationary horse, leading it down the road.

“Uh, thank you.” Max said letting the reins fall from his hands.

“Not a problem.”

“Your friend won’t mind that you’re bringing unannounced visitors to his house?” Max asked.

“Well, it’s as much my house as it is his, but no, he won’t mind.” Michael replied.

“Your sister and brother won’t say anything?” Max asked cautiously, “I mean, they understand the need for secrecy?”

“Do you think they’re too dense to pick up on it?” Michael said softly through clenched teeth.

“No, no. Sorry. I was just making sure-,” Max swallowed, “I j-just wanted to be certain. And, your friend, if he hears a rumor from town…he won’t become…suspicious.”

“No.”

“Oh. All right.”

“He has known about me for a long time. About my powers,” Michael explained.

“Oh,” Max voice sounded surprised.

Michael simply nodded and stared ahead, signaling that he didn’t want to discuss it further.

Alex led the group off of the main road onto the tree-lined drive to the plantation house. When they were nearly at the end of the drive, Michael saw Kyle come out of the house. He walked alongside Michael’s horse as they rode toward the stables.

He explained briefly that these were his friends and that they would need to stay for a few weeks. Kyle raised his eyebrows when Michael said that if anyone asked he was to tell them that they were friends of the Valenti’s, but didn’t question him.

“Well, I’ll go have some food made for you and get some rooms ready,” Kyle looked at the women in their tattered men’s clothing, “I’ll have Maria get some night clothes out for the ladies.”

Michael tried to keep his face passive at the mention of Maria’s name. He hadn’t thought that she might be here. He simply nodded at Kyle as his friend headed back toward the house to make arrangements. At the stable they all dismounted and Michael led them through the garden to the back door which entered into the kitchen. They wound their way through the 12 bedroom house to the main hall.

Maria was standing at the foot of the grand staircase holding a pile of white cotton underclothes watching the group come in with a surprised look on her face. As soon as she spotted Liz her face lit up and she gave her friend a quick embrace, then flashed a smile at Alex. She ignored Michael as was her habit of late. Kyle walked into the hallway from the study and stood beside his sister. They were both looking at Michael expectantly.

What did they want? Oh, introductions.

“Um, Maria and Kyle Valenti, this is Max Evans and his sisters, Isabel and-,” Michael glanced at the short blonde realizing he didn’t know her name.

The girl half rolled her eyes and said, “Tess. Actually it’s Tess Harding, I’m a friend of Isabel’s.”

“Right,” Michael said tersely, the girl was really beginning to get on his nerves, if she hadn’t saved his life...

“Nice to meet you,” Maria gave them a friendly smile, then held the pile of clothes in her arms out toward them, “Um, Kyle said your luggage wasn’t here yet. Why don’t you follow me upstairs and I’ll get you ladies settled in.”

Liz and Tess moved to follow her, but Isabel remained where she was, looking a little frightened. Maria shoved the pile into Kyle’s arms, and he made a face that showed he’d prefer not to hold women’s underclothes.

“Kyle, put Liz in the room next to mine, and Tess in the one adjoining it,” Kyle started up the stairs and Maria slowly walked to Isabel and put an arm around the girl’s waist, “Isabel is it?” Maria looked to Max for confirmation and he nodded. “Come on I’ll help you upstairs.”

Isabel seemed to relax slightly.

Maria smiled reassuringly at the girl and brought her hand up to tuck a stray lock of hair behind Isabel’s ear. When she moved her hand, Michael caught site of a white bandage wrapped around it.

His hand snaked out and grabbed her wrist, “Wh-what is this?”

“It’s a bandage, Michael,” Maria spoke in a voice that was too quiet for a true reaction to what he’d just done, “No reason to get violent,” she jerked her head toward Isabel who was cowering away from him, frightened by his sudden movement. Maria narrowed her eyes, and he dropped her hand.

“I-I was just…What did you do to it?” he asked harshly, embarrassed that he’d grabbed her. He was hoping that this was just some strange coincidence. No, he was praying that this was just a coincidence.

For a moment a strange look crossed her face.

“I fell and scraped it yesterday,” she said watching him closely. She withdrew her other hand from around Isabel’s waist and held it up in front of her to reveal another bandage. “This one too,” she whispered.

His legs wouldn’t hold him. He was going to be sick.

For a heartbeat she stared at him wide-eyed and he wondered if she was remembering the same thing he was. Was it possible? She composed her features quickly and put her arm back around Isabel and began to speak soothingly to the girl as she led her up the large staircase, not giving him a second glance.

Michael was left to stare after her, dumbfounded, as waves of nausea swept over him.

***