A thick layer of moisture covered the cold, stone floor. The rhythmic plink of water dripping in some dark corner echoed throughout the dank room. A small sliver of morning light peeked through one of the narrow windows high on the wall. It landed across a body curled up in a small, iron barred cell.

The body stirred. It offered up a grunt and a small cry as it stretched out, trying to sit up. Using one arm, the young woman propped herself up. The other hand touched the lump above her right eye. She winced. Blood clung to her fingertips as she pulled them away. “Oh Goddess Mother, what have I done?”

“CUT!” came a voice from the darkness. Bright lights lit up the set. “That’s a wrap. Let’s go home, everybody.”

Alekis Brandt squinted against the lights and stood up, almost wiping the fake blood on her skirt. She stopped herself. Wardrobe would probably kill her if she did that. Instead she wiped it on the bars of the door to the cell. Rattling them, she asked, “Um... is someone gonna let me out of here?”

Paul, the 1st AD, sauntered over, swinging the key to the door. “And what’s it worth to you if I do?”

“It’ll be worth me not killing you if I miss my own birthday party, buttmunch!” Through the bars, she grabbed for the keys.

“Aww. I think you actually meant to say something else, didn’t you?”

Alekis glared at him. “Let me out or Nathan will stop letting you hang with him in the dugout during batting pratice when you go up north.”

“Alright, alright. You don’t have get so mean about it.” Paul opened the door to let her scamper out.

“See you at the party?” Alekis called back.

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world, sweetie!”

Alekis wasted no time getting back to wardrobe and into her street clothes. It was the TV star’s 21st birthday and nothing would keep her from the celebration. Baseball season was over for the Oakland A’s which meant her boyfriend, First baseman Nathan Carter, would be there. Almost everyone from the TV Show, Witch of the Woods, would be there too, even a few that Alekis could do without. It would have been rude though not to invite them, including snotty old Lorianne Dupont.

Shoving aside the thoughts of her rival on the show, Alekis raced from wardrobe to her trailer. She quickly cleaned the fake blood from her face then snatched up her purse and keys and trotted to her car.

The show had filmed through the night so most of the studio was just starting to come to life. Numerous people passed by wishing her a happy birthday. Some she recognized as staff of the show but had a hard time recalling their names. Others, she had no clue who they were but politely offered her thanks.

Something sitting on the hood of her red Jeep Wrangler Rubicon caught her eye. As she got closer, she recognized it as a bouquet of a couple dozen mutli-colored roses. Scooping them up, the pleasant floral aroma tickled at her nose. Nothing smelled better than fresh roses. She opened the card even though she already knew who they were from.

Beautiful roses for the most beautiful Rose in my life. Happy Birthday!! Love forever, Nat.

A smile spread across her face. Nathan was the only person she allowed to call her by her middle name. Placing the flowers gingerly on the front seat, Alexis headed for their home in the Hollywood Hills.

Near the top of a windy street sat the home the baseball player and the actresses shared. Had it not been for the fact the street was narrow and the parking sucked, Alekis’ birthday party would have been held here.

Pulling the Jeep up the steep drive and next to Nat’s ‘67 Corvette in the garage, Alekis bound up the two flights of stairs, calling “Nat! Nat, I’m home!”

“In the bedroom.”

Stepping through the doorway, Alekis froze. Her breath caught in her throat. Her heart skipped a beat.

The 6’4” first baseman smoothed down the lapels of the black 2-button tuxedo jacket. Underneath, a lightly brocade, dark purple vest covered the crisp white shirt that was topped off with a dark purple, wide tie.

“Wow,” she said when she finally got her breath back. “I... I don’t know that I want to take you out looking like that. I might not be able to fight off all the women, and a few men, that would be after you.”

Smile, Nathan closed the gap between them. He tenderly cupped her face. “As always, I will only have eyes for you, my Rose.” His lips touched hers for a soft kiss. The kiss quickly deepened as her taste hit his tongue. He pulled her close.

“Hrmm...” Alekis gently pushed him away. “You’re smushing the roses!”

“I’ll get you more,” he laughed, taking them and putting them on the cherry dresser to his right. Pulling her tight again, he gazed down. “Is that better?”

“Yes. But why are you all dressed up now? The party’s not till tonight?”

“Cause,” he leaned in to nibble her ear. “I knew what it’d do to you.”

Alekis whimpered.

“And this way you can unwrap your present early.”

“Mmm....” she popped the first button on his vest. “I love the way you think.”

***

Around four o’clock that night, Alekis stepped out of the dressing room as Nathan was shrugging on his jacket. “Can you zip me up, please?”

“If I must.” He bent down, as he zipped up the dress that matched the color of his tie, caressing her neck and shoulders. “I love you in strapless dresses.”

Giggling, she playfully pushed him away. “You’d love me in anything.”

“Or nothing,” he added.

She smiled. “True.” Turning him, she looked at themselves in the dresser mirror. Her dress was snug up top and flowing in the skirt. The black ribbon in a bow around the waist tied in the black of his tuxedo. They matched perfectly.

“Oh!” Nathan suddenly darted over to his nightstand. “Here’s one more thing for you to unwrap.” He pulled out a small, neatly wrapped box and handed it to her.

“What...”

“No questions. Just open it.”

Pulling off the ribbon and wrapping, Alekis opened the box. Inside was a felt box that she took out. “Oh wow! The black onyx teardrop earrings I’ve been drooling over!” Slipping them out of the box, she replaced the silver ones she was wearing with them. “They’re perfect with this, Nat! You really shouldn’t have.” She looked at them again in the mirror. “The engraved white gold tops go perfect with my necklace too.”

“Happy birthday. Again.” He kissed the top of her head. “Now if you want to get there by five, we need to get going.”

The Paradise Bar & Grill sat nestled in a quiet cove along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. Specifically chosen due to it’s ease of beach access control, Alekis hired off duty policeman to keep party crashers from the nearby beaches out. Indoors, ex-Military would keep the indoor crowd under control. Trouble wasn’t expected but with alcohol being served, precautions because necessary.

Outside, the bar and grill resembled a Hawaiian tiki hut complete with grass thatched roof and tiki totems lining the walkway to the front door. A short hall with restrooms on each side and a stairway on the right opened up into the main dining area. Off to the left, the main bar had bamboo stalk halves around the outside and a mini thatched roof. A smaller version sat on the deck outside.    

Even though the party didn’t start until six, Alekis insisted on getting there early to make sure everything was set up properly. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust the event organizer she had hired, but she just wanted to “make sure”, as she told Nathan on the drive over. He could do nothing more than shake his head and shrug at the event planner as Alekis did her walk through.

The owner of the bar, a stout, bald man in his late 40’s, came out and greeted them. “Ah! Ms, Brandt. Mr. Carter. A pleasure to meet you and an honor to host your 21st birthday party, Ms. Brandt.”

Alekis shook his extended hand. “Thank you for allowing us to rent your establishment.” She knew along with the hefty price tag to secure the place on a Saturday night, the publicity it’d get from the party would no doubt spike his customer numbers. “And I want to just confirm that it’s a cash bar, not an open bar.”

“Most definitely, per our contract, it will be a cash bar. Except for you. Your and Mr. Carter’s drinks and food will be on the house.”

“Not necessary but appreciated. Thank you.”

“If there is anything else I can do, or if there are any problems, please do not hesitate to come to me. I will be up the stairs in the front watching from our security viewing area.
He pointed to watch looked like a mirror stretching over the entry hall and bathrooms.    

“Perfect. Thank you again.” She took Nathan’s hand and lead him out onto the deck. “Perfect weather for this,” she smiled. “The sunset will be gorgeous!” Leaning against the deck railing, her eyes closed as the gentle breeze brushed against her face.

“And I intend to make sure you are out here enjoying it.” Nathan pressed against her. “Even if I have to tie you up out here.”

“I have to go greet guests as they arrive.”

“No you don’t. That’s what Julie is for. We’re paying for her to organize and plan this event so let her do it.”

“Okay, okay.” She rubbed the back of her head against his chest. “I guess they can come hunt me down if they want to say hello.”

He kissed her head. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“Are you hungry? I hear they have some mean crab cakes here?”

Her stomach growled its response. “That sounds awesome. I’ll wait here.” Watching the waves lap up onto the beach, Alekis marveled at her life. It was about as perfect as it could get. Witch of the Woods ranked number one in it’s Friday night time slot. Movie roles flowed in for hiatus, though she had yet to accept one. Her boyfriend, even though he was gone half the time from April through September, loved her and never had a thought to stray. They had a great, paid off house with a fantastic view of the city. And, if she really wanted to brag, after only two seasons of the show, her investments were solid and she really didn’t have to work another day of her life to live comfortably. She would work though. She loved acting and couldn’t picture doing anything else. Except, maybe, being a mom.

A tap on her shoulder pulled her from her thoughts. As she turned, Nathan waved the plate of crab cakes under her nose. “Oh my god! Those smell so good!” She took the plate to the closest table. “Thank you, sweetie.”

Nathan joined her with another plate. “Glad I got my own cause from the way you’re looking at them, I don’t think you’ll want to share.”

Grinning, she took a bite. “Well, maybe, but only for you and probably just a bite.”     

By the time they finished, the party guests has started to arrive. Not surprisingly, Paul arrived first. Dressed as fashionably as possible for any gay man, he hugged Alekis tightly. “Girl, you look hot! if you didn’t already have an awesome studly man, I’d be tempted.”

“No you wouldn’t,” she laughed.

“No, but the sentiment’s there anyway.” Placing a kiss on her cheek, he added, “I am off to get me a drink and wait for the other hotties to show up.”

“Have fun!” Alekis knew exactly who he meant as well. Several of the stagehands, lighting, and sound guys were gay. Only a matter of time before a couple of them hooked up.

Roger Marks and his wife, Chrissy, found Alekis next. “How is my favorite star on her 21st birthday?”

“Just fine, thank you. You remember, my boyfriend, Nathan? Nathan this is Roger, the executive producer and his wife Chrissy.”

“Nice to meet you both,” he replied shaking their hands.

“Sorry to see the A’s didn’t make the playoffs this year. Maybe next?”

“I’m hopeful. We’ve got some good players coming up from the minors.”

“Not to mention some good seasoned, players,” added a new voice.

Nathan and Alekis turned around. A man, about Nathan’s height, short brown hair and a few days of beard growth walked up. He winked a brown eye at Alekis. “He being good to you? Cause if he isn’t, you know I’ll kick his ass.”

Alekis laughed and hugged him.

Nathan gave his a quick hug, too. “You can try anyway.”

“AJ, this is Roger and Chrissy Marks, my show’s executive producer. Roger, Chrissy this is--”

“AJ Hart,” Roger finished. “Winner of the Golden Glove ever since your rookie year, Rookie of the year, as well as the Hank Aaron award, Roberto Clemente Award, All Star MVP, and a few Silver Sluggers during your career.”

“I’ve been lucky,” the A’s third baseman said.

“You mean you’re one hell of a baseball player!” laughed Roger. “Don’t be so modest.”

“Don’t let him fool you,” Nathan teased. “He’s normally anything but.”

AJ slugged him in protest.

“They’ve been friends since their rookie year together with the Cardinals.” Alekis added.

“That’s right! I forgot about that.”

Finally, Chrissy tugged on her husband’s arm. “That’s enough baseball talk for tonight.”

“But there are baseball players everywhere, how can I not talk baseball?”

“I’m sure you’ll think of other things to talk about.” She patted his arm. “Now let’s go get a drink.”

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, Nathan gathered the guests who has already arrived on to the beach. “First I want to thank you all for coming tonight to celebrate Alekis’ 21st birthday.”

The group applauded and cheered.

“And I know we asked everyone to make a donation to one of Alekis’ favorite charities in lieu of presents, but as I am her boyfriend, I am exempt from this. Plus I wanted as many friends  here to enjoy this moment as much as I will.”

Alekis looked at him quizzically.

Reaching into the pocket of his pants, he pulled out a purple velvet covered box. Opening it up, he got down on one knee. “Alekis Rose Brandt, will you be my wife?”

Her hands went to her mouth and her eyes started to tear up as she heard his words and saw the solitaire diamond in the antique black and white gold setting. She glanced from the ring to Nathan and back again, tears now streaming down her face.

Gently removing the ring from the box, he took her hand. “Will you?”

She nodded. “Yes.” She pulled her hands away from her mouth. “Definitely yes!”

He slid the ring onto her finger and the crowd erupted in more cheers and applause. He stood and Alekis jumped into his arms. Swinging her around, he whispered in her ear. “I love you so much, Rose. So very much!” He stopped, setting her onto her feet.

“I was just thinking, when you went to get the crab cakes,” she sniffed and wiped at the trail of tears. “How my birthday couldn’t be any more perfect. How my life couldn’t get any better.  And... and it just did.” Standing on her tip toes, she pulled him into a long, tender kiss. “I love you and don’t know how I’d live without you.”

Giving her one last tight hug, Nathan replied, “I am not going anywhere. I promise.” He took half a step out of the hug. “But I think we should get back up to the party. Might have a few people who want to congratulate us.”

Alekis turned to see her guests all gathered by the steps to the beach. She waved happily and took Nathan by the hand to go back. Halfway there, Paul trotted down to meet them with a damp handkerchief. “I figured you might need a little clean up.” He wiped away the mascara. Once satisfied with the results,  He hugged her. “Congrats, girl. You are so damn lucky.”

“Yeah, Paul.. yeah, I am.”

Oh the deck, everyone shook hands, hugged, cheek kissed, and offered every other form of congratulations one could think to the couple. All except one. Lorianne stood in the doorway of the bar and simply watched. Hearing one too many squeals of joy, she slammed back the drink in her hand and went inside to order another.

Her fit did not go unnoticed by Paul. Sauntering up to the bar, he leaned back, elbows on the top of it. “Can’t you ever be happy for her?”

Lorianne didn’t even offer him a glance. “Why should I be?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because it’s the human thing to do?” When she said nothing, he added. “That’s right, you’re not human are you?”

“Back off, Paul.”

“Well if you can’t be happy, you should at least be grateful. If it wasn’t for her, you wouldn’t have a job on the highest rated show in TV.”

“Go find some sound guy to suck your cock, why don’t you?”

“Why’d you even come, Lorianne? Why bother to make an...” Then the answer hit him and he nodded. “Of course. The slew of media and paparazzi. Have to put up a happy, smiley, front in support of your co-worker to get some free publicity.”

She took a swig of her fresh drink. “Now that you’ve got it all figured out, piss off!”

“Gladly.” He shoved away from the bar and went off to find happier company.

As she took another drink, a thought crossed her mind. Everyone was so busy congratulating and celebrating, chances are the word hadn’t gotten to the paparazzi and media outside. Grinning, she touched up her lipstick and went to spread the good news.

Out on the deck, under the full moon, Alekis climbed onto a chair using Nathan’s shoulder for balance with one hand and holding a Bacardi Oakheart and rum with the other. “Okay, okay! Can I have everyone’s attention please?” She waited for the noise to settle. “I cannot tell you how thankful I am to have shared this amazing moment with you all. You may not all be family by blood but you are family by choice and that makes everyone one of you all the more special. And as soon as we pick out a date, each of you will be the first to know. Cheers!”

Everyone responded in kind with raised glasses.

“Now,” she handed her glass down to Nathan. “How’s that line in Footloose go? Oh yeah,” she added a dramatic pause. “Let’s dance!!”

The bartender took her cue and cranked up the music.

Nathan grabbed her around the waist, lifting her off the table. The first two songs played were fast dancing songs and even in the cool night air they both worked up a bit of a sweat. Slipping his jacket off, Nathan laid it over a chair as a slow third song started. “Oh, thank god. I don’t think I could have handled another fast song.”

Laughing, Alekis teased. “You’re not even a week out of season and you’re already out of shape?”

“What can I say, you wear me out.”

“Get used to it now that you’re stuck with me.” She placed a kiss on his chin. “So, did you have a date in mind when you asked me?”

“I had a few ideas. Like a winter wedding in the snow. Or maybe down at Disney World in Florida.”

“Keep going. I’ll stop you when you get to something I like.”

“Hmmm... I know you’ll hate this next one. February in Hawaii.”

She playfully snacked his arm. “You know darn well I wouldn’t hate that one! That’d be perfect. On Valentine’s Day!”

“Well, I guess I can clear my schedule for that day.”

“You are such a brat! You better clear your schedule.”

“Only for you, my love.” He dipped her down. “Only for you.” He righted her and drew her into a long kiss. Slow. Tender. Passionate.

When he broke off the kiss, Alekis took a deep breath. “Keep that up and we’re going to have leave my party early.”

“Okay,” he sighed, jokingly unhappy. “I’ll stop ravishing you.”

“Only until we get home. Then you can ravish to your heart’s content.”

The pair mingled with the crowd, talking, laughing, drinking, and dancing with their good friends. Many were happy they weren’t filming the next day and that they had the smarts to get together and hire a limo so they didn’t have to worry about drinking and driving home. Nathan was probably one of only a few people who didn’t have more than one drink. It was Alekis’ turn to get happily buzzed if she wished. Judging by the few drinks that she had, that was not high on her priority list. She was having fun just by spending time outside of work with their family of friends.

As 2am approached and the bar took last calls, the guests slowly began to bid Alekis goodbye. Several of Nathan’s close friends and teammates would be meeting with Alekis Monday morning for a tour of the studio and the sets for her TV show. Others would be heading back to their homes throughout the United States.

As the crowd thinned, Alekis noticed Lorianne was nowhere to be found. She had seen her come in and said hi. She thought maybe she had just missed her as people were leaving and her co-star got caught outside by the mass of media and paparazzi still outside. Cautious she stuck her head out the door. Instantly she was bombarded by flashing lights and people shouting questions about when the big day was, if they could see the ring, and was she surprised by Nathan’s proposal.

Taken aback a bit, she wondered just how they found out, in such detail, about what had happened a few hours earlier. “Hang on,” she told the crowd. “Let me get Nathan.”

Ducking back inside, she found Nathan talking to the owner.

“Is everything okay?” he asked.

“Yeah, the horde outside knows about the proposal so I figured we’d better make an appearance and answer questions.”

“How’d they find out?”

“If I had to guess, Lorianne told them on her way out. Anything for some added publicity for her.”

Nathan sighed. “Well, they were bound to find out eventually so let’s go make them happy.” He turned to the owner. “Thank you again for everything. We’ll definitely be

A thick layer of moisture covered the cold, stone floor. The rhythmic plink of water dripping in some dark corner echoed throughout the dank room. A small sliver of morning light peeked through one of the narrow windows high on the wall. It landed across a body curled up in a small, iron barred cell.

The body stirred. It offered up a grunt and a small cry as it stretched out, trying to sit up. Using one arm, the young woman propped herself up. The other hand touched the lump above her right eye. She winced. Blood clung to her fingertips as she pulled them away. “Oh Goddess Mother, what have I done?”

Alekis waited for the director to yell cut. When it didn’t come after waiting motionless for several seconds, she started to look around. Something wasn’t right. The last thing she remembered was falling asleep in Nathan’s arms. Plus they’d already wrapped this scene. Why would they need to film it again?

She looked around. A rat scurried across the floor outside the cell. Real oil and wick lanterns flickered on the walls. The stench of mold, mildew, and human waste hit her nostrils. This was not the set.

“Oh gods no. Not again. Not now.” Climbing to her feet, a noise behind her startled her. Someone else lay on the floor in the cell with her, a teenage girl.

The girl stirred and rolled onto her back, exposing her face. Alekis gasped. Lorianne. Only as a teenager. Then the flood of memories of this life bombarded her. She had no idea what triggered her trips to this world. It wasn’t a dream because time passed in both worlds even when she wasn’t consciously in them. When she returned, memories from what transpired would flood to her like a rush of water.

It’d been four years since she last participated in this life. Lorianne was now a young woman, instead of a child. Though not her daughter, Alekis raised her like one. Much to the dismay of her husband of this world, Nathaniel. Never, ever, Nat or Nathan. She made that mistake once and paid dearly for it.

Kneeling next to Lori, as she called her here, she pushed the girl’s frazzled hair out of her face. Blood caked to her cheek, having oozed down from a cut on her temple.

Her eyes slowly fluttered open. She blinked as they started to fill with tears. “Oh, Alekis, you are alive!” Lori sat up and hugged her mentor. “I thought for sure they had killed you.”

“No,” Alekis pulled back. “Sheriff Hart wouldn’t let that happen. He wants my death to be as public as possible. especially now that he has the proof he so desperately wanted.”

“I’m sorry,” Lori’s eyes welled with tears again. “I didn’t know they had followed me and were watching. I... I just wanted to learn.”

“It’s not your fault. I should have checked the area to make sure no one was around.” With a sigh, Alekis stood. She needed to find a way out of here. It a day, two at most, the Sheriff would have her and Lori on trial. When, not if, they were found guilty, they would be burned at the stake immediately. Unfortunately, while she knew many spells for many things, Alekis was not sure she had one that would help with a jail break. Not having any spell ingredients hindered her choices as well.

The main door to the room rattled then opened. A man, a bit shorter than Alekis’ husband entered. He had short, almost spiky, brown hair and a light growth of a beard and mustache. His brown eyes glared at Alekis as his boots hit the stone floor with a determined thud. He stopped near the door to the cell. “I have waited a long time to get proof to see you burn, witch.”

Alekis remained silent.

“What? No witty comeback from you?”

Alekis didn’t trust herself to speak. Even after two years, feelings for him still remainded. She doubted the same was true of him. Any good feelings he had toward her turned into rage and hate.

“I said when you left me that if I could not have you, no one would. I will keep true to my word. And this time, not even Nathaniel’s influence will keep you from the stake.”

“I had to make a choice. Nathaniel--” she hesitated to tell the truth. But at this point, she had nothing to lose. “You were just an infantryman in the King’s army. Nathaniel was the Captain. He--”

“He could give you everything I couldn’t? Money? Wealth? Power?” He paused. “And how has that worked for you?”

Alekis shook her head. “No. He threatened to have you killed if I did not choose him. That, Alistair, is what I could not bear.”

“And I am to believe this?”

“Why would I lie now? My fate is already sealed.”

Sheriff Alistair Hart stepped up against the bars of the cell. He held out his hand. When Alekis took it, he drew her close. His other hand brushed her cheek.

As his eyes gazed down at her, Alekis saw a piece of the man she once loved. She let him place a single, tender kiss on her lips.

“And so it shall remain.” Abruptly, he turned away. Without a word or a look back, he marched out of the room.

Alekis fought back the tears as the door slammed shut. She could not die. Not only was Lori dependant on it but so was her other self. Though she didn’t know for sure, she felt as if she died here, she would not go back to her life. And she desperately wanted to.

Lori walked up next to her and took her hand. “What are we to do?” she asked, almost in a whisper.

“We find a way out of here,” she replied, wiping away the tears. She pointed to the wall to her left. “That wall leads to the alley out back. We need to find a way through it.” Moving to it, she felt the stones and mortar holding them together. “Feel the walls, especially near the ground. See if you can find some loose stones.”

After several minutes of looking, Lori exclaimed, “Here! Here! I found one!”

Looking around the floor, she found a small twig. With it, she scraped away bits of mortar holding the loose stone. “You keep an eye on the door. If someone starts to come in I want you to sit down in front of this and don’t move unless I tell you.” She had no idea if this would even work but for the moment it was their best and only chance.

Darkness had already engulfed the town when Alekis stopped her digging. Sitting back on her heels, she wiped her brow. The twig had been worn down to a stub. Even with Lori’s help, the stone wiggled but it would not come loose. And they would still need to move more than one to get out.

“It’s useless, isn’t it?” the girl asked.

Reluctantly, Alekis nodded. “It is appearing to be that way.” She scanned the room again, looking for anything else that might be of use.

A brown rat squeezed itself under the door to the room, scurrying about, looking for a quick meal.

A smile spread across Alekis’ face and she crawled on all fours to the corner of the cell closest to the door. Her hand outstretched through the bars, she called to the rodent. “Come here, my little friend.”

The rat scampered over into the waiting hand. It showed no fear, no aggression, as Alekis brought it up to her face. It stood on its hind legs, wrinkling its nose. “I need your help, little one.” Saying nothing else, she stared into the animal’s eye for a few moments. It squeaked a couple of times, as if it understood what she was thinking.

Placing it back on the ground, Alekis closed her eyes. In her mind she could see what the rat saw, smell what it smelled, and heard what it heard. She was, for all intents and purposes, one with the rat.

Squeaking, they ran back out under the door. The rat knew where the room was Alekis needed and Alekis knew what she needed from within the room. At least she hoped it would be there.

Rounding a few more corners, the rat squeezed under another door. Its nose wriggled, seeking out the acrid smell. In a corner, behind several sacks of potatoes, it found the yellow substance. Chewing off a piece of the potato sack, it nosed it close to the sulfur. It piled some of the offensive powder onto the piece of cloth and began to drag it back to Alekis.

Alekis opened her eyes as her new friend left the cloth with the sulfur within reach through the bars. The rat climbed back into her, making a few squeaks. “Thank you so much. And yes, I know it smells.” She brought it over to a small puddle of water and washed off its feet. “There you go. That should be better. Now off with you.”

The rat scampered off under the door.

“Can you teach me that?” Lori asked, in wide-eyed amazement.

“Some day, yes.” Alekis gathered the sulfur. “But not today.”

A loud thud from outside the room startled them both. There was brief scuffling before the main door opened. Nathaniel rushed in, cell keys in hand. “God forsaken wenches! You’ve almost ruined everything by getting caught.”

“Nathaniel, what are you doing?”

He fought with the cell door’s lock, then finally yanked it open. He grabbed Alekis by the arm and drug her out. “I am getting you out of here before everything I have worked for goes up with flames along with you!” He started hauling her to the open main door.

“Alekis!” Lori cried.

Alekis dug her heels in suddenly halting her rescue. “I am not leaving without her, Nathaniel!”

“Oh for the love of all that is Holy. She’s just a girl!”

“Not to me. Yo have two choices. Either I will fight you and scream for the guards or you let her come with us and I will go willingly.”

The 6’4” man glared at her. “Very well but only because we do not have the time to argue.”

Lori raced from the cell following them out of the building into a dark back alley where two horses were waiting. Alekis mounted one of the animals then reached down to pull the girl up behind her. “Hang on tight.”

Sheriff Hart stormed past the guards as he left Alekis in the prison. The conversation with her did not go as he had hope. She did not beg for him to try to save her. She seemed content with her fate of being burnt alive. So why wasn’t he? This is what he’d worked for since becoming Sheriff. Revenge for being made a fool of. Or so he had thought. He had not been that close to her in several years. Just the proximity alone sparked his desire for her. The kiss turned it into a raging fire. It was a stupid thing for him to do. That one kiss extinguished the hate and anger he had built up for her.

He slammed the front door to the prison and stomped his way over to the livery. “Stable boy! My horse! Now!” he shouted when no one greeted him at the door.

“Y-yes, Sheriff,” stammered an answer from somewhere inside.

The angry man paced, unable to contain the pent up energy within himself. He needed to get home and quickly because right now all he wanted to do was kill something. Even then he was not sure that would placate his mood.

The stable boy led his horse out and meekly handed the intimidating man the reins.

Alistair snatched them, quickly mounting the black stallion. He urged the horse as fast as he dared by the light of moon out of town and to his house.

The two-story, well built house sat a fair distance off the main road, protected from view by a grove of trees. He had it built a year ago from stone and wood by the best masons and carpenters in the land.

Riding his horse into the large barn sitting to the right, he jumped off. The beast stood patiently as its saddle and bridle were removed. Once inside its stall though, he impatiently pawed at the ground.

Alistair snatched up a flake of hay and got ready to toss it at the animal. The look in its eyes though stopped him. No need to take out his anger on the horse. It snorted and pawed again.

“You are too much like me for your own good.” He placed the hay in the horse’s feed trough, scratching his mount between the ears. He then headed into the house.

He hung his outer coat on a wooden peg near the front door. Rolling up the sleeves on his white, ruffled shirt, he grabbed a pewter mug and a bottle of mead. He set them both on the table next to the chair. Both of which sat in front of a large fireplace. The servants hadn’t done a very good job of keeping it going through the night but they also didn’t expect him home this late and were all asleep in their quarters behind the house. He stoked the fire and got it burning well before flopping himself in the chair.

He poured a bit of mead in the mug, swallowing it all in one gulp. The sweet liquid warmed him as it went down. He poured another. Then a third. Instead of pouring only the normal amount for the fourth mug, he filled it about three quarters of the way.

Staring in the fire, he sipped instead of gulped, wanting desperately to revive the anger and hate he had felt for Alekis. Instead, the warmth of her smile, the tenderness of her touch, and the sweetness of her taste washed over him. He closed his eyes, blaming the alcohol for his sudden emotional lapse.

Alekis giggled.
    “You are not supposed to laugh,” Alistair sighed.

“It tickled. I could not help it.”

“This time look at me, in my eyes, as I do it.”

She did. Warm and inviting, they held the hint of something she did not quite understand at the still virginal age of almost nineteen. It did not tickle this time when his index fingers glided softly along her jaw. At her chin, they moved down her neck. Her heart quickened as they separated and caressed the mounts of her breasts. They squeezed underneath her bodice and shift and rubbed across her nipples. She swallowed hard and couldn’t breathe. He slid his whole hands around the large, firm flesh hidden by the binding clothes.

Alekis felt something else, something she didn’t understand happening between her legs. She jumped back. “St-stop. If.. if we get caught, we will be skinned alive.”

“The nuns will not catch us. I promise.”

Alekis glanced nervously around the small, one room structure. Only a bed and a small table with a chair occupied it. The building which sat behind the Convent, was the Misericord, where nuns were sent to be punished. The orphanage had sent her there, to the nuns, once she turned eighteen.

He pushed a strand of loose hair back behind her ear. “I know this is your first time and it might be scary, but I will not hurt you. Give me a chance and you will find that it feels good.”

“Other girls have come back, crying and bleeding... down there,” she paused. “They said it hurt badly.”

“The men who had them were rough and cruel. I am neither. You know this, right?”

She offered a slow, single nod.

“Your answer seems unsure. How long have I been courting you?”

“Six months, thirteen days.”

He smiled at her exactness. “And in that time, have I ever been unkind? Raised a hand to you? Uttered harsh words to you?”

“No, you have not.”

“Being almost eight years your senior, I could have taken you any time I so desired, couldn’t I? Yet, have I?.”

“No.”

“Are you truly afraid I will do to you what others have done to your friends? Answer me honestly, for if you are, we will stop here and now.”

Alekis looked him in the eyes again. They held no lies. “I am not afraid. I trust you. Completely.”

“Then come to me. Let me show you yet another new pleasure in life.”

With a deep breath, Alekis stepped forward, into his waiting arms.

He held her tight, whispering in her ear, “I love you, my sweet Rose, as I have loved no other.” Caressing her neck, one hand pulled the lacing of her bodice away. He pulled it off, tossing it on the table. “Take my shirt off.”

Her shaking hand reached out for the white garment. As if she would hurt it or him, she tugged on it.

While tempted to rip the piece of clothing off himself, he held back. The importance of her experiencing this at her own pace and not his was paramount.

Once she freed the shirt from his pants, Alekis paused. Biting her lip, she looked from the shirt to him and back to the shirt. She had seen other men without shirts on. She would always turn away in embarrassment. This was not just any man, she reminded herself. Grasping the bottom of the garment, she lifted it as high as she could.

He pulled his arms through and leaned forward for her to ease it over his head. He cocked his head to one side. She was just standing there again, now staring at the bare skin. “You can touch it. Touch me.”

Reaching out and up, her hand brushed across his chest. Hard. Smooth. She felt it rise and fall as he breathed. His heart thumped against her palm. His nipples hardened like hers did when he touched them. She traced a scar that ran from his lower right ribs to just below the middle of his chest. “How did you get this?”

“I took offense to being cheated at a game of cards. He took offense at being called a cheat.”

“Who won?”

“I got up off the floor. He did not.”

“Did you kill him?”

“Most likely, yes. I did not stay to find out for certain.” As her finger continued to caress the scar, Alistair took each end of the cord that held her shift up onto her shoulders in between his thumbs and index fingers. “May I?”

“Yes,” her voice exuded certainty for the first time.

Pulling the cord lose, his hands slid across her shoulders, pushing off the top so that it fell around her waist. He led her over to the bed where he sat on the edge. He positioned her between his spread legs so he could more easily use his mouth on her full, firm breasts.

Alekis curled up on Alistair’s chest as the trembling subsided. Never had she felt her body do such things before. She licked several salty droplets off his skin.

“Did you like that?” he asked softly, brushing her damp, silky hair with his hand.

Gazing up at him, her brown eyes twinkled. “Can we do it again?”

His lips pressed gently against her forward and spread into a smile. “We will have plenty of time to--”

The Misericord door slammed open.

The lovers both jolted upright on the bed. Alekis pulled her knees to her chest, trying to cover her exposed body. Alistair made no such move even as four militia guards stormed in followed by Captain Nathaniel Carter.

The young girl’s gaze remained cast downward when the Captain marched to the foot of the bed. “I have half a mind to run you through right now, Hart. The nuns worried you would force yourself upon her.”

“He did not!” Alekis blurted out. “I--”

“Hold your tongue!”

“Yes,” Captain Carter nodded, “Listen to him, lest you find yourself in more trouble than you already are.” He turned to his men. “Take him out. Chain him up. He will walk back to the jail just as he is.”

“NO!” Her hand grabbed Alistair’s arm but was shook off so she gathered the blanket on the bed to cover herself.

With the guards out of the room, Nathaniel snatched the covering away. “You refused to even kiss me, yet you will bed him?”

“I told you, I do not love you, Nathaniel.”

“Yet you love him? He has nothing!” He shoved her legs apart. “I should take you right here, right now.” His knee thrust between her legs preventing them from snapping closed. He grabbed the girl’s terrified face and leaned in close. “But I will not have sloppy seconds from the likes of a whore such as yourself.” With a forceful snap, he released her face. “Get your clothes on. I will see to it he never has you again.” Turning, he started for the door but Alekis grabbed him.

“Please do not hurt him!” Her knees hit the cold floor. “I will do whatever it is you wish of me! Just do not hurt him.”

The anger in him waned slightly seeing the anguish on Alekis’ face. “I will spare his life. On one condition.”

“Anything!”

“You will marry me. You will forsake all others, Alistair Hart included. For I will kill anyone who you seek to give your affections to. And you will never speak to or attempt to speak to him again.”

Her tear streaked face nodded.

“Good. Now get dressed and clean yourself up. I will not have my future bride looking like a common whore.” Once dressed, he draped his warm cloak over her shoulders and led her out.

Alekis dare not to look directly at Alistair. She could only offer a quick glance when lifted onto the Captain’s horse.

Anger, hurt, rejection washed over the naked man’s face. “If I cannot have you, Alekis Rose Brandt, then no man shall!”

“Bold words from a naked man in chains,” laughed Nathaniel. “Take him back to the barracks and let him go. Hart, you will march out with second division to the south in the morning. If you are not with them, they will hunt you down and kill you for desertion. I do not think you would want your death hanging over this young girl’s head, now would you?”

He shot them an icy glare before being shoved and falling into the cold mud.

Alistair jolted awake. The mug of mead had slipped, spilling its wet contents into his lap. Before he could clean the mess, someone pounded on the door.

“Sir!” the man exclaimed before the door was even opened all the way. “You must come quickly. Something has happened at the jail.”

Alekis had no idea how far or long they had gone but both horses were lathered in sweat when they turned them down a narrow path in forest thicket. They pushed their way through the dense brush, down a hillside, across a stream, and through more dense forest. Under the light of the full moon, they stopped in a small clearing at the mouth of a cave.

A ring of stones just inside the cave had been left by a previous occupant. Other than that, no recent signs of occupation by people remained.

Gingerly, Alekis and Lori dismounted, their lower extremities stiff and sore. Lori collapsed in the entrance to the cave to escape the cold wind.

Nathaniel dug into one of the saddlebags and pulled out 2 sets of leg irons and a couple pieces of rope. He motioned to Alekis. “Sit over there with her.” After she settled next to Lori, Nathaniel secured both their legs, intertwining the leg iron chains so they would not be able to walk. He tied Alekis’ hands behind her back and Lori’s hands in front of her and to the leg irons so they would be unable to untie each other. “There will be no magic or tricks from either of you. I’m going to water the horses. I will not be gone long.” He removed the packs and supplies from the horses and started off.

“Nathaniel!” Alekis called after him. “Why are you doing this?”

He didn’t respond, just kept leading the horses away.

“What did he mean when he said we were going to ruin everything?” Lori shivered.

Alekis scooted closer. “I do not know. Whatever it may be, it will likely not bode well for either of us.”

“Can you start a fire? I’m cold.”

“If you can put some leaves and twigs in the stone ring, I might be able.”

Twisting, turning, and contorting themselves, enough tinder and small twigs ended up in the fire ring to get a small fire going. Nathaniel could add wood to it when he returned. If Alekis could get it lit. She closed her eyes for a moment, taking several deep breaths. “Harm not my friends, harm not me. Start a flame where I see.This is mine will, so mote it be.”

A small puff of fire ignited the dry foliage.

“You did it!”

“Yes, I do not always require my hands for magic, thankfully. Now quickly, add more twigs.”

Lori giggled, piling on any piece of wood she would find.

“What in the name of the Devil are you doing?!” Nathaniel raced up, stomping out the fire and Lori’s excitement. His hand came down hard across Alekis’ face. “I said no magic!”

Her cheek burned in pain. Eyes welled with tears. Why was this Nathaniel so opposite of the one from her other life? The thought of her other Nathan brought the tears on even stronger.

“The smoke from the fire will lead them to us!”

“But it cold.” His sudden movement made Lori flinch. But he didn’t hit her, instead pulling off his cloak and laying it over them. They rearranged themselves against the cave wall.

At the pile of supplies pulled from the horses, he grabbed a blanket, some dried meat, a piece of bread, and a pouch of water. None was offered to the women when he settled opposite them in the cave. Only his chewing could be heard over the rustle of the leaves and brush. Finishing the last of his food, he shook his head. “I am inclined to believe you have been more trouble than is worth it.”

“You said that before. What do you mean?”

“Did you never wonder how I found you and Alistair that night? And why I offered marriage in exchange for his life?”

“Because you had an affection for me. One I would not return.”

“Affection?” His voice rung with a deep laugh. “Lust, most definitely. But affection? No, even though that is what I told you.”

“Then I don’t understand. Even if your only reason was lust, you never touched me, unless it was to hit me.”

His lips curled into an evil grin. “Oh, I would have happily deflowered you and had you every night. But as I said, I will not have another man’s leftovers in bed. Sadly marriage was the only way to guarantee your survival until now. Thankfully, having not consummated the union, it will be easy to have it annulled by the church once we reach London.”

“London?”

“Yes, Cardinal Philip Howard and King William are anxiously awaiting your arrival.” Even in the minimal light provided by the moon, he could see the change on her face. “Despite publicly decrying witchcraft, the Church and Crown actually take quite an interest in it.”

“But why me?”

“Apparently one of the King’s Seers took notice of you when you arrived at the Orphanage all those years ago. Said that you should be watched. So when you were too old for the Orphanage, the only logical place to send you was the Convent. Or so it was until Alistair came into the picture. Then I was told to watch you and keep you protected until the day when your powers would reach their full potential. Only then would you be helpful to both Church and Crown.”

“And if I refuse to help them?”

“Oh, willingly or not, you will be of help to them. Doctors for both will gladly experiment on you and see what makes you so special. Why, with the utterance of a few words, you can do things others cannot, such as start a fire.”

A cold shudder ran through Alekis’ body. All witches knew of the experiments that were performed on any unlucky enough to be captured and not burned at the stake. Witches had no standing as a citizen or most often even as a human. Animals received better treatment and less torture than witches.

“What will happen to me?” Lori asked through her tears.

Nathaniel leaned forward. “You are still untouched. I am sure I can convince the King and Church to vacate your conviction so long as you remain mine.” The last word drew across his lips as a hiss. “You can be an extra reward for all the trouble I had to go through to get you out of jail and will have to go through to get you to London without killing Alekis’ precious Alistair.”

Things could not get much worse. Alistair would be after them soon if he was not already. Three days travel to London and that was with pushing the horses to exhaustion. Alekis didn’t know which she dreaded most. Alistair catching them or being thrown to the vicious wolves in London. Neither of which allowed her any way to protect Lori from Nathaniel’s violence.

The young girl’s tears now turned to fearful sobs. Alekis rested her head on Lori’s shoulder, comforting her as best she could. “We will get out of this,” she whispered.

Tired of dealing with the two women, Nathaniel made himself comfortable on the ground to get some rest. He planned on heading out at first light.

“Shhh.... Try to get some sleep.” Alekis nuzzled the girl’s hair until the sobbing stopped. Only then did she close her eyes to offer up a prayer to her Goddess. A prayer to return her back to her other life and to see that Lori would remain safe and unharmed in this one. Her Goddess, however, did not always answer her prayers nor answer them in the way that she wished.

Alistair’s bellowing nearly brought the stone walls of the jail down. “How did this happen!? How did she escape?”

The two guards on duty for the night stared down at the floor.

“Speak now or I will have your tongues cut out!”

“It-- it was one of the King’s militia. Captain Carter,” the shorter of the two finally spoke.

The other looked up. “He told us he was here to check on the witches. He attacked us.”

“The two of you could not subdue one man? One, lone man?” He threw his hands up in disgust. “Saddle our horses. You two will go with me to bring them back.”

The men rushed off leaving Alistair to glare momentarily at the empty cell. His anger no longer fell upon her. Now it would fall full force onto Nathaniel Carter. Captain of the King’s militia or not, his life was about to be cut short. With a quick about face, the Sheriff marched out to put his plan into action.

With two women on one horse, Nathaniel would have to ride around to the lowest pass to get to London, the only logical place he would be taking Alekis. He’d intercepted a communique from the Captain to the Cardinal not long ago, discussing plans once “she” reached her twenty first birthday. Alekis’ had turned that age just yesterday. He would rather see her burned at the stake than used as a government and religious pawn, or worse if she refused to cooperate.

Taking a shorter route through the taller mountains, one discovered while on patrol with the militia, he and his men would be able to cut them off as they came through less steep mountain pass.