Destiny Scorns

CHAPTER FOUR

 

  Wendy was disoriented as she did not know where they were and what was happening to her body. It was all feverish and sweaty. She was also light headed which meant that Victor had to have a strong grip on her otherwise she was going to go down. She held her head as she was led through the forest where they were. They appeared at a clearing and Wendy stopped short in her step. She looked at the tall building before her but her head felt like someone was drumming in it. Victor supported her as he gently pulled her to the house. The door was opened as if they were expected and Charles the butler stared at the two shocked beyond words. He stepped out of the way as he greeted Victor.

  `Welcome Master Raymond.'

  `Call Dr. Ryan. Tell him to come immediately,' Victor ordered as he led Wendy up the stairs.

  `Yes, sir,' he answered as he followed them with his eyes. Raymond was holding the girl with his bare hands and she wasn't dying out as the others normally did. Raymond was almost like a son to Mr. Clay which meant that he too could not touch one without the one being touched feeling that their life was being drained.

  He went to Mr. Clay's office and looked through the cards on the Rolodex. He found Dr Ryan's number and dialed it. A receptionist answered the phone.

  `Matter Hospital, how may we help you?'

  `I would like to speak to Dr. Ryan please.'

  `I'm sorry, Dr. Ryan is busy at the moment I could refer you to another doctor.' `No, just tell him to come on the phone it's an emergency.' `Who should I tell him is calling?' the voice sounded tired.

  `Tell him Mr. Henry Clay is calling. Please hurry.' The phone was put on hold. The receptionist took her time. She went to the lavatory then talked to some of the people who she had missed in the morning. By the time she got to Dr. Ryan it was well over twenty minutes.

  `Excuse me, sir,' she said as she approached him. He was moving from one patient to another. He looked up at her and frowned. She had left her desk. But he listened. `There has been a call for you. It's an emergency.'

  `Dana, if everyone tells you that it's an emergency. Do you go running to every other doctor?'

  `No, it was my break and I thought I should come and inform you personally.'

  `Did they at least tell you what the emergency was?' he asked giving up the fight. She always said that she was on a break.

  `No,' she saw the frown coming back. She quickly added, `He said the name was Henry Clay.' As soon as she said the name she saw the change on Ryan's face. It was fear or something close to it.

  `When did the call come in?' he asked already putting aside the charts.

  `A few minutes ago,' she said. They were walking back to the reception area. He picked up the receiver as Dana pressed the hold button. All Dana could do know was watch as Ryan didn't say much.

  `Charles, yes, we met.'

  `Well, a friend of Mr. Clay wants your services. He came in with a woman who was feverish and looked quite sick. He suggested I call you.'

  `She is not like him, is she?' Ryan asked brushing his thinning hair.

  `I don't know, but I don't think so. You should come.'

  `Who is she?'

  `I've never seen her before but then Master Raymond hasn't ever brought anyone here before.

  She must be important.'

  `I'll be there in thirty minutes max.' He hang up and turned to Dana. `Get Dr. Welch to cover my patients. I'm going out for awhile.' He didn't wait for a reply. He was gone.

  The ride to Mr. Clay's house was a very short one given that he couldn't even remember how he got there. His mind was full of thought. He remembered the last time he was actually summoned to the Clay residence and it wasn't because of a medical situation but a financial one. He had been rewarded well by Mr. Clay after helping deliver Diane's baby. She was a strange woman but he never really got to know anything much about her. Then one day she and the baby just disappeared like that. Mr. Clay was away for almost a full year. When he came back he summoned Ryan and gave him enough financial support to start his own hospital.

  A long time passed then again he was summoned again. Mr. Clay didn't like the fact that his business wasn't doing well. He liked to keep tabs on the things he made happen. Ryan was helped to set up a better business plan and make a partnership with all the right people. Ryan was grateful and that is why now that he was summoned, though not by Mr. Clay he felt obliged to respond as fast as possible.

  Charles came out just as he parked his black jaguar. He was led upstairs where he was led to a room and found Victor leaning over a body on the bed. He was wiping her forehead with a wet cloth. Victor stood up and gave the doctor space. Ryan came over to the figure and was surprised to see that he recognized her. She hadn't aged a day since the time that he had seen her last.

  `It's good to see you again, Diane,' he said as he put his case down.

  `This isn't Diane,' Victor said. He had taken Henry's place pacing in the room. `She is Diane's daughter, Wendy.'

  Ryan smiled as he saw that the child who had been such a problem to the mother had grown up to be a woman. `Okay Wendy, I'm Dr Ryan and I'm here to find out what is wrong.'

  Wendy stirred. She was incoherent. She was sure she heard something that she was Diane's daughter but Victor knew she wasn't. Why then would he say that? She looked at the man at the edge of the bed. She tried to move away mumbling, `Nothing's wrong.' She couldn't even hear her own voice but apparently Victor heard her.

  `You aren't fine Wendy, let the doctor find out what is wrong,' Victor's voice sounded like he was in the next room. She was too tired to try to argue with him on this. She therefore closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep forgetting what was happening around her.

  `How long has she had the symptoms?' Ryan asked.

  `What symptoms?'

  `The high temperature and the fever.'

  `The fever started today, I don't know about the high temperature.' Victor paused, `Is it important?'

  `Not so much as the tests would confirm my theory. I think that she has an infection but without much to go on I will have to test for the likely ones if I knew where she is from,' Ryan fished. He saw Victor frown.

  `I don't think that is important.'

  `Then tell me if you noticed anything different about her as of the last few days,' Ryan said gesturing about as if he's out of options.

  Victor thought, `She has been very tired.'

  `Getting up later than she normally did and sleeping a lot?'

  `Yes.'

  `Anything else?'

  `I don't know.'

  Ryan raised his eyebrow, `Aren't you close to her?'

  `No.'

  `Okay,' he sighed, `I will have to draw some blood and see what she is suffering from.'

  `You will do the tests yourself and destroy the documents as soon as you are done with them?' `I know the procedure.'

  Victor exited as Ryan was looking for a syringe. Charles was also in the room but hadn't said a thing. He watched Victor go. `You know her?' he asked the doctor.

  `Yes, I delivered her from her mother.'

  `I thought she did look familiar.'

  `Almost twenty years ago. The first time I actually came here. You weren't here.'

  `Oh, I remember. We were sent away to live at the other villa that he owned. I opened the door to her mother and Mr. Clay,' Charles said coming close to look at her. Ryan injected her and drew blood. He then put it in his case and stood up.

  `I'll be back in about two hours with the results.' He let himself out. Charles was left alone. He went to her and whipped the sweat from her forehead. The door opened again and Victor walked in. Charles thought of leaving but Victor had changed clothes and was adjusting the cufflinks. Charles didn't know where he got them from but he didn't ask.

  He walked in confidently as always and looked at Wendy's image before he said, `I have to go contact Mr. Clay.'

  `He will be com
ing then?'

  `Yes. Dr Ryan is supposed to do whatever possible to make her better.'

  `What if she wakes up and asks for you?'

  Victor thought, `Tell her I have gone on a quest and will be back in a few days. Should the question about Diane arise, you should tell her that she came by a long time ago but under no circumstances tell her that her mother is Diane.'

  `Very well sir.' And he left again. After a long time Greta came in to the room. She was walking in cautiously because she didn't know what to expect. Charles looked up at her.

  `Who is she?' she asked.

  `Don't know but it seems she will be staying with us for some time.'

  `Mr. Clay is coming?'

  `Yes, Master Victor has gone to fetch him.'

  `Did you tell him about Tim?' she asked sounding worried.

  `No,' he said as he turned to Wendy who was still asleep. `She will need proper attire. Get

  Mercy to go buy some new ones. She loves to shop.'

  `How will she know which ones the girl would prefer?'

  `Tell her she is shopping for herself. They are probably the same size.'

  `Yes,' the anxious pause, `When will he come? I need time to convince Tim to go to his father's without arousing any suspicion.'

  `He likes it here?'

  `Very much. He says the swimming pool is the best part.'

  `Okay then, get to it.'

  It was exactly two hours when Ryan came back. Charles was waiting and escorted the doctor upstairs.

  `How has she been since I left?'

  `Not any better but not worse also.'

  `Ah, the same as I had presumed when I got the results for her blood work. Where's Victor?'

  `He left some time after you did.'

  `Well, if my assumptions are correct then I don't think that we need to worry about her at all.

  Her immune system is doing the job for her. Her white blood cell count has increased tremendously.'

  `I was told that you were to do whatever possible to make her better.'

  `But in this case doing nothing will be much better. If we give her something we don't know how she will react to it in the final run. She will be fine in two or three days.'

  `But you will do whatever you can?'

  `Of course.'

  They started to walk back to the front door. `Dr. Ryan, forgive my intrusion on this aspect but

  I don't believe that I really met Diane, you say?'

  `Oh, when I came here, I only met two people.'

  `Jacob and his wife. They didn't join us at the summer house. So who's the father?'

  `That, I don't know. I would have said that it was Mr. Clay's but then you are never too sure about that, are you?'

  `Not with Mr. Clay, no.'

  The following day Wendy woke up and for the first time took notice of her surroundings. She was nude underneath the covers which surprised her because she didn't remember removing her cloths. In fact, she didn't remember much. She looked at the huge room she was in. The bed was large enough for three people to sleep in and the covers were made from a very soft material something that she had never seen before. She sat up not covering herself since she was obviously alone. The room was beautiful. She doubted whether the queen's room looked half as good as this.

  She stepped out of the bed and turned to take the sheet to cover herself. She stood up straight and for a second felt faint but the episode passed. She walked around exploring the room. She must have died because everything seemed too good to be true. She pressed a switch and was surprised when the lights came on then she switched it off again. She did this several times until something else caught her eye. The mirrors were so clear not like the once she had or had seen before in other places.

  After finishing with the room she went and opened a door and looked out. It was a long corridor. She didn't still know if she should go out but then where did the other door lead to. She closed the first door and went to the second one. It was a white room. She wondered how they kept it white like that. She walked to the first bowl hanging on the wall and then the second huge bowl connected to the floor, studying them intensely. She touched the gray things and water came out she realized. All she had to do was figure out how to turn them.

  She went to the shower area where, standing right in the middle, she opened the shiny gray thing. Water came to her from all the directions drenching her in two seconds but by then she had already let out a scream and was running out of it she almost fell at one point but managed to stay steady until she got to the main room where she found a slightly older woman was standing turned to face her.

  `Miss Wendy, I was expecting you to still be in bed.' Wendy didn't answer. `Are you feeling alright?' she asked. Wendy nodded. `My name is Greta, and I'm here to tell you whatever you need to know.'

  Wendy put out her hand to her and saw her hesitate but she took her hand anyway. `Nice to meet you Miss Greta.'

  `There is no use of the word Miss.'

  `Mrs. then?'

  `No, what I mean is that you can only call me Greta.'

  Wendy let go of her hand as she thought then said, `Well, I don't see why there has to be a

  Miss in front of my name.'

  `Mrs. then?' she asked humorously.

  Wendy smiled and Greta noticed that she had a great smile. `I would prefer you just call me

  Wendy.'

  Greta realized that she would really get to like this girl. For the first time she saw how wet she was. `I can see you already figured out how to use the shower.'

  `That thing like a waterfall?' she asked incredulously. Greta smiled and took her hand. She explained what everything in the little white room did. She even had to explain the toothbrush but Wendy only had to listen once. She left Wendy to take her shower then she came out with a bathrobe.

  `You really are a quick learner!'

  `Well, I've had worse teachers than you.'

  `Really?' she asked wanting a conversation. If Wendy wanted to speak, it wasn't against the rules but she couldn't ask questions especially the ones relating to her past. She was in the meantime taking out clothes from the wardrobe which Mercy had bought.

  `Yes, Victor is one of the worst teachers I've ever... Where's Victor?'

  Greta remembered how she was supposed to answer. `He went on a quest.'

  `Oh!' she bit her lip in deep thought. `When will he be back?'

  `A day or two,' Greta smiled reassuringly. `He told us that you are to be as comfortable as possible.' she added.

  `Victor said that?' she asked unbelievably.

  `What would he have said?' she asked knowing that she had made a mistake.

  `Oh, something like the morning runs are vital, fifty push-ups and sit-ups and when I come back I would like you to show me the different fighting tactic that you have perfected so far.' she noticed Greta was staring at her in shock. `What?'

  The former cleared her mind and continued in the search of an appropriate outfit. `Well, have you ever been sick during his lessons?'

  `No.'

  `Then let me tell you something,' she turned to her holding the clothes in her hands and brought then to her. `He was very concerned about you and it is safe to say that the lessons are postponed until further notice.'

  `He was concerned?' she asked in a dreamy voice.

  The former noticed. Wendy's eyes sparkled. `Yes.' A few seconds later it disappeared and she turned to the cloths. `Put these on.' she said and was handing them to her one by one as she wore them. They then walked out with Greta at the lead. `Where are we?' she asked.

  `We are in Mr. Clay's house.'

  `Who's Mr. Clay?'

  `He is Victor's boss as well as mine.'

  `I thought Victor worked for Queen Diane!' she stated.

  `Queen Diane?' to Greta this was news. She stopped short.

  `One of our leaders?' there was con
fusion in Greta's eyes. `King Gorham and King Nathan the rest?'

  `Wendy, to be honest,' she paused, `I don't know what you are talking about.'

  `Victor said I was in danger...'

  `You are safe here.' she started walking again. `Victor will explain it better himself.'

  `I suppose he will. He was after all the person who rescued me from the guards.'

  Greta thought that she had said too much already. The rest of the way to the dining room where a place was already set for breakfast. She left her there after telling her that she could eat whatever she wanted on the table. Then she left her there. Wendy picked the black tea and a slice of bread which were the only things that she recognized. She then went after Greta. She entered the kitchen and found a room full of people. Greta was among them.

  `What are you doing here?' she asked as she approached her. `You were supposed to eat in the dining room.'

  `I couldn't sit there all by myself,' she said as she tilted her head to the side in disbelief.

  Greta could see that she needed to be around people. This was strange to her since both Mr. Clay and Master Raymond seemed to cope well without the company of others. `Okay fine, you can sit here,' she pulled out a high stool for her. The others gave her a questioning look.

  Charles was the first one who came to introduce himself to her. `A pleasure to meet you too, Charles,' she replied smiling so easily. The others didn't think it safe to go to her because they figured that Charles might be getting immune to her kind. There was a strange silence in the kitchen given that it was full of people.

  `How do you like the residence?' Charles asked. From the corner of his eyes he saw Greta frown. He knew the rules better than anybody else.

  `The house, you mean?' Charles nodded. `I love it very much. It's even bigger than Queen

  Diane's castle.'

  `Queen Diane?' Charles asked. Greta raised her eyebrow and the rest of the group in the room listened attentively.

  `Don't you know that she is one of the most powerful leaders of this time?'

  `I'm afraid I don't.' He watched her reaction. She wasn't so happy about that. `Perhaps you could tell me.'

  Her eye sparkled and a smile appeared on her face. `Queen Diane, she's my role model. She rules the kingdom alongside King Gorham and King Nathan. She's the one in charge of the security of our people and leads the army to war when it arises.' She realized she had everyone's attention. `She had conquered many kingdoms but we call them colonies. She is rumored to be the most powerful Queen that ever lived but her period of rule is coming to an end. She didn't have any girl-child therefore someone else had to be chosen from the closest line to the Queen's line and be trained to take her place.'

  `You?' Charles asked interested.

  `No,' she said. `My family is not along the bloodline of any royal families.'

  `Is bloodline important?'

  `Very much so,' she sat attentively. `Bloodline is everything. When you are from any royal bloodline, that is, one of your ancestors was a King or Queen, then all the best opportunities lie in your grasp. That is why I was only a book-keeper until Victor decided to train me.'

  `Train you?'

  `Yes, I wanted to be a royal guard but I was not of royal blood. That way there was no one who would have even taken any interest in me. I did apply though but was turned down. Victor came along and viola somebody wants to train me and the Queen had given her consent.'

  `The queen has to give consent?'

  `Yes,' she sipped her tea remembering that she had some in the cup in front of her. `To me I think that she was the most powerful of the three but then that is my opinion. Queen Diane chooses or agrees to someone's appointee. She has to make sure the person is loyal and won't betray the kingdom.'

  `How would she know? I mean she can't read minds, can she?' Charles asked.

  `No,' she chuckled. The others in the room smiled at that. `That is the main reason why they chose royal bloodlines only believing that their ancestors‟ blood runs through them.' She shrugged and took another sip. It was real good except that it was cold.

  Greta came and took the cup from her hand, `Let me warm it up for you.' She watched as she put the cup in a cupboard-like box and watched as the cup rotated for about a minute all the time wondering how that would warm it up but she waited patiently. Greta came and put the cup in front of her. `Careful, it's really hot.' She didn't see Wendy pick the cup up because footsteps approached and Timothy his son walked into the room.

  He hadn't looked when he said, `Mama, I need the keys to the truck...'

  But he was interrupted, `Ouch!' Wendy cried. `It's really hot,' she said as she looked up at her.

  `I told you to be careful.'

  `I didn't expect it to be that hot. You put it in a box.'

  `It's called a microwave.'

  `Microwave,' she said thoughtfully. `What does it do?' she asked.

  `A dozen other things besides warming food. I'll tell you all about it. I have to talk to my son.'

  `Your son?' she asked without really asking and turned around to see a twenty something year old guy looking at her with interest.

  Mama Mia! Were the first thoughts in Tim's mind. He looked at his mother then back to the woman sitting in front of him. He walked to her, `Hi, I'm Tim,' he said flashing her a smile. He had a great smile and was quite handsome in a boyish kind of way.

  She took his hand and shook it, `Hi, I'm Wendy.'

  He was actually lost for words. Greta came around and grabbed his arm as he started pulling him away, `Come on Timmy.'

  `It's Tim mama,' he objected as he turned to follow her. `See you later Wendy.' He waved backwards and they disappeared round the door.

  As soon as they were out of earshot she turned angrily at him. `I thought I told you not to come to the big house!'

  `Mama, I just wanted the key.'

  `Well, you should have called.'

  `And have you walk all the way back to the house to give it to me?' he asked. Greta bit her lips and realized that wasn't practical. But Tim had continued, `And besides I think I know why you have been keeping me away from the house.'

  `Stay away from the girl, Timmy.'

  `Ma, I'm in college. Do you know how many girls I've...'

  `Eh eh eh,' she interrupted. `I don't want to know your escapades, besides she's not your type!'

  `Mama, how would you know my type?' he asked incredulously. `You've never met any of my girlfriends!'

  `I know,' she sighed. `Just stay away from Wendy, okay?'

  `She's the only person here who is around my age.'

  `You wouldn't have anything in common with her, trust me. Besides, Mercy is also your age mate.' She put the key into his hand and left him in the hall as she went back to the kitchen.

  The rest of the day went well except for occasionally when she felt faint. She was shown around the house and everything was explained to her as best as they could. It took time but eventually everyone else warmed up to her but not enough to ask her questions about where she was from except for Charles and a little bit from Greta.

  By the end of the day she had been briefed on almost how to use everything. She went back to her room and looked more closely at the clothes that had been bought for her. She looked at the trousers and was told that she could wear that anytime and not just riding. She asked Greta to show her what she could wear in order not to look out of place and the following day's dressing was laid out for her before she went to bed.

  The following day she woke up and headed out of the house for a run. That had surprised Greta who had gone to check up on her and found that she was not in her room. She went running back to Charles but he had seen Wendy heading out. They watched from the window as Wendy did her laps but after sometime they saw Tim approaching her.

  `Your son is going to be a problem,' Charles said.

  `I can't tell him that he can't see h
er. He will need a reason or worse try to do what I object to just to see what the outcome will be.'

  `Hmm,' Charles was thoughtful. They watched as the conversation went on and then it ended and Wendy came back to the house. An hour later Wendy was with them in the kitchen eating her breakfast. Tim as predicted came to the house and after some time managed to convince Wendy of taking a walk with him.

  They walked outside and as soon as Tim knew he was out of earshot, he started talking. `So where are you from?'

  `Not around here obviously,' she smiled as she put her hands in the pockets of her jacket. `Well, I know that. I was wondering why exactly you are here.'

  `Why are you here?' she looked at him and he immediately knew that she was not about to answer questions about herself.

  `I'm here to visit my mother.'

  `Greta?'

  `Yes, she's my mother.'

  `What about your father? Where is he?'

  `My father doesn't live here. They separated when I was a child and I take turns staying with both of them.'

  `Separated?'

  `Divorced could be more precise.'

  `That isn't allowed where I come from.'

  `Really?' he turned to look at her. That to him was unbelievable to him. `What the hell would one do if you can't stand the person you married?'

  They laughed. `Well, separation can be accepted only in the extreme situations.' `Like what?' he asked. They stopped walking in the middle of a field.

  `Well,' she said thoughtfully. `When the marriage is affecting your job, it's allowed.'

  `Your job like what?'

  `Ruling the people, giving out judgments.'

  `So only the very high in society can get a separation approved?' he asked fascinated.

  `Yes, but even then it is scandalous and nobody likes that.' They started walking back to the house. It was a very slow walk. A car was coming around very fast. It stopped at the driveway in front of the house. Tim didn't know who they were but as he glanced at Wendy he could see the glow on her face. They two figures started walking towards them. Tim could see them dressed exclusively.

  Wendy and he were standing between the front door and the car.

  They approached with eyes mainly on Wendy and the older one took the lead. He put out his gloved hand toward Wendy. `Miss Summer, my name is Henry Clay and I'm so glad that you have joined us here.'

  She shook it firmly. `Mr. Clay, it's a pleasure to meet you. I've heard so much.'

  `I doubt that,' he smiled. It was like his teeth sparkled in the light and his eyes had those wrinkles that come about when someone is really happy. His hair was graying at the sides but his posture suggested that he was very fit.

  Wendy immediately took to Henry and for some strange reason he reminded her of Gorham. `You are right but then I really do appreciate you having me here. You have a beautiful house Mr.

  Clay.'

  `Thank you very much.' He turned to Timothy as if seeing him for the first. `Mr. Hayman, I suppose that school is going on well.'

  `Yes sir.' he answered though he was a bit confused.

  `Excuse me,' Mr. Clay said then started walking away.

  `Wendy,' Victor's voice took over.

  She turned to him. They didn't smile at each other. `Yes sir?'

  `Are you feeling better?' `Of course.'

  `Hmm,' the pause as if searching words. `You are to join us in the main office after you are done here.' he turned slightly to Tim and barely nodded then left.

  They were quiet for a long time then Tim said, `I have no idea what just happened.'

  `We met the owner of the big house. I thought your mother worked here for long?'

  `Yes but I have never met the owner. I would have thought that he'd be somewhat older.' `He's not that old.'

  `Now I see I was wrong. What about the other guy?' he asked Wendy.

  `He's Victor.' Wendy turned to look at the house. `I really should get going, he never likes me

  late.'

  `Sure,' he answered then watched her jog into the house.

  Wendy looked for the main office and eventually found it. She knocked at the door and heard a loud voice welcoming her in. She found the both of them sitting in the office. Mr. Clay was sitting at the head chair while Victor was sitting opposite him. There was an extra chair at his side and Wendy headed towards it. She was signaled to sit on the chair which she did.

  There was a long awkward silence and as far Wendy could tell Victor didn't seem to want to be in the room. Finally Mr. Clay said, `How are your parents, Wendy?'

  `My parents?' she asked as she looked slightly at Victor not knowing what to do. He wasn't looking at either of them. What had Victor gotten her into? She asked herself. `My parents were fine the last time they sent me a letter.'

  `Well, they are not fine now.'

  `What do you mean?'

  `When the guards came to get you at your house and Victor came to rescue you, he didn't explain why.' Wendy waited patiently. `He didn't tell you because he didn't have the authority and because you disappeared without notice they are after your parents.'

  Wendy could have sworn that she heard Victor growl but decided to ignore it. `Can you get straight to the point here. I know that though Victor was working for Diane he was initially working for you. So why did I need to be rescued?'

  `Because you were going to be tortured for information, if you survived then you may be exiled but if you were not then someone would be sent to try and kill you.'

  `Why would someone try to kill me?'

  `Because unknown to everyone else, you were Queen Diane's daughter and the rightful

  heiress to her throne.'

  Wendy took that in very slowly. Even Victor didn't know what her reaction will eventually settle on. `My parents...'

  `They were to take care of you as if you were their own until you came of age.' `That- that is impossible,' she stood up shakily.

  `No, it's not impossible, Queen Diane is indeed your mother...'

  Wendy suddenly shouted, `Don't you dare tell me that my mother is Diane. I have a mother who took care of me from when I was a child!'

  `You were assigned to them and it was by the order of the queen that they got to care for you.'

  `That is a lie,' she denied moving to the door.

  `It is the truth!' he countered.

  `No, I don't have to listen to you.'

  `Wendy?'

  But she was already at the door she opened it and slammed the door behind her but it didn't close. It was slightly a jar. What they didn't know was that instead of going away she had stayed at the door thinking.

  `You had no right to approach the subject as bluntly as that!' Victor objected.

  `She can handle it.'

  `How would you know that? You have never gone to see her and mark you, I've been

  watching her for five years and training her for the last three months.'

  `And that would make you an expert on my daughter?'

  `She's not your daughter until she gets to know who you truly are.'

  `I don't think she is ready to handle that yet...'

  `That would have been easier than telling her that her mother, the Queen, gave her away and now that she is finding out when her real mother is dead.'

  `So you wanted me to tell her that her father is a wizard who seduced her mother to have her?'

  `Yes.'

  `Then why is it that you haven't told her that you are a wizard yourself? It’s hard to say something when you've spent all your life lying about who you truly are...'

  She didn't hear any more. She ran from the house and went to the nearby forest. Thoughts were whirling in her mind like a tornado and she didn't know which she was to sort first and what to leave for later when she had more information. She thought that she was actually lost and wouldn't have to face what she had left in the house.
>
  *

  Almost three hours later she saw a figure walking towards where she was. She hid behind a tree hoping the figure wouldn't have already spotted her. She heard footsteps approaching and eventually they stopped behind her tree. She stayed still for so long that she convinced herself that he was gone. She peaked just to make sure and found Victor standing behind the tree. She gasped out loud then went round the tree. She went to sit on a log that had fallen a few meters away.

  He didn't speak. Only watched her and when Wendy couldn't take the library scenario again, she asked, `You knew all along?'

  `Why do you think I was assigned to train you?'

  `Because I have talent?' she tried to smile but it failed miserably.

  Victor nodded slowly then asked, `You had never asked yourself why the white strips in your hair?'

  `Yes but not that seriously.' `Well, your mother...

  `Please don't call her that.'

  `Okay. Queen Diane did tell me why. No one else knows this. Not even Mr. Clay.' he paused. Wendy turned to look at him. `She said that the secret of the white hair was to be passed orally down the descendants until the one bearing it will know why. You know of the ancient sayings about the curse and the prophecy?' he asked as he went to sit down next to her.

  `Everybody knows it.'

  `Well, the information about the white hair was hidden from everyone else except for the queen's line.'

  `She broke a lot of rules.' she commented as the smile this time was better than before.

  `She had to break the rules in order for the prophecy to come true. Everything she did, she did because she thought that the old ways were never the way she would have done things and that is why she was the most different queen of all.'

  `About the hair?'

  `Oh yes, the hair was a vital part in breaking the curse. Her ancestors said that `she born of the white hair would have unimaginable power'.'

  `Like be a powerful leader?'

  `The ancients thought of power differently than we do. Power to them was the control of the elements; fire, earth, water and so forth. It is because of having this power that enabled the queen to have her girl child who will continue to rule her people.'

  `But Queen Diane had white hair. Did she have the unimaginable power?'

  `Queen Diane was but a vessel. She was not born with the white hair. You, on the other hand, were. Diane's hair turned purely white because she was to have some measure of power in order to have you.'

  `All this is hard to take in at once,' she said but Victor didn't answer. `Did anybody even think that maybe I may not want to take the throne?'

  `Yes that is why in all your life there were people taking note of how eager you were to be a royal guard. I was even told that they counted every time that you told your parents that you would be queen when you were young.'

  `This is a bit embarrassing.' She blushed.

  `It goes to say that even though your mother wasn't there physically she was there for you spiritually. She wanted to know every detail about you. Whether your tooth came out or you planted your first seedling.'

  There was a long silence as they both stared past the trees and heard the birds chirping. Then Wendy looked down at her feet then aside at Victor's hand. She put her hand over his. Suddenly he stood up and was holding out his hand for her. `I was actually supposed to come here and tell you that lunch is almost being served.'

  She took it and he pulled her up. They stood like that for some time then Victor tilted her head in order for her to look at him. Tears were welling up in her eyes. `To what purpose was all that done for? I don't get it.'

  `Everything has a purpose and had a purpose, Wendy. I'm not the one supposed to tell you but you will know the purpose bit by bit. The way you were supposed to find out about your mother.' `Do I have a choice?'

  `In what?'

  `In finding out?'

  `No.'

  `What about in taking over queen Diane's throne?'

  `That, you do.' He smiled at her then before Wendy could do something stupid like put her arms about him, he stepped back and took her hand then tugged her slowly towards the house.

  They were sitting at the table and it seemed a bit awkward for everyone. Mr. Clay and Victor were sitting opposite each other at the end of the table. Wendy's chair had been placed closer to Mr. Clay's end. They were all quiet. Greta was serving and noticed the tension in the room. She continued to do her job waiting on them.

  Suddenly Mr. Clay spoke up, `I do apologize for having given you the news that way. I should have let Victor tell you the way your mother wanted it.'

  Wendy was quiet trying to avoid both of them but she could feel everyone's eyes on her. She put down her fork and looked straight at Mr. Clay. `I don't see how that would have changed

  anything given that the news would still have been as shocking as it was.'

  `Do you have questions?' he noticed Wendy staring at him. `You left so fast.'

  `Yes,' she said and turned slightly to look at Victor who was watching both of them keenly. She turned back to Mr. Clay. `I have plenty of questions.' the pause. `I want to know why I wasn't raised as her daughter and instead raised in the farm.'

  Mr. Clay took a sip of his wine then put his elbows on the table with his hands rubbing each other. `You aren't Eric's child. She bore you when she was married to Eric but Eric wasn't your father. She would have been prosecuted for infidelity if anyone would have known.'

  `But now you are telling me, why?'

  `Because Diane is dead and she can't be prosecuted when she is already dead.'

  `She's dead!' Wendy mouth dropped open with shock. She had heard what Victor had said in the private office but it was now that it dawned on her. `How?'

  `She wanted to protect you.' there was a pause. Mr. Clay looked at Victor and the latter just nodded. `She heard from the council that they planned to torture you for information on Victor.'

  She turned Victor, shocked. `Why would they need information on you?'

  `It is a long story that I will tell you later,' Victor replied. `In short, Nathan wanted to put

  Gorham's credibility to question and he helped Alice to overthrow Diane.'

  `Why would they then want to question me?'

  `You spent a lot of time with Victor which would have allowed you to notice things which were not normal.'

  `I didn't notice anything, did I?' she asked Victor.

  `I don't know but then if you were taken to the torturing chambers then you would be scarred for life. Diane didn't want you to have any darkness in you and that was why I had to take you and bring you here and make sure that I taught you everything you needed to know for whatever decision you would come to later.'

  `So she died protecting me?'

  `Not entirely that,' Mr. Clay said. `She was dying and she wanted to die doing something sensible like protect you. She had been hanging on for years just waiting for you to be ready.' Wendy looked at her food. `The decision will be yours after your training.'

  `So I could stay here if I wanted to?'

  `Of course, wherever you wish to stay. I will do everything I can to ensure that the decision you come to will be comfortable for you.'

  `What about my...' she started to ask but Victor beat her.

  `Excuse me, I have to get home.' he stood up. Mr. Clay nodded to him then he headed to the door. It took Wendy a full minute to come to a decision to follow him.

  She stood up. `Just a minute,' she said as she went out the door. She hurried toward the front door and saw Victor about to open the door. She called out, `Victor!' He stopped and looked back. His eyes questioning but he just watched her approach. `I wanted to know what I was supposed to notice,' she licked her lips.

  `You didn't notice anything at all?' he asked looking at her lips then forced himself to look at her eyes.

  `No.' she shook her head.
/>
  `You didn't feel anything strange?' his eyes narrowed.

  Besides the butterflies in my stomach every time you come close, `No,' she answered again in a straight face. She had heard the two talking about being wizards but she knew that that was a legend. She couldn't just ask it outright besides it seemed that it was something they could only say when they were ready. She wouldn't push it.

  `You are supposed to know that I am different. Some sense in you should be telling you this.' `No, I don't feel that you are that different from anybody else.'

  `Hmm,' he bit his lip in deep thought. `This is going to prove difficult.' He was quietly thinking again. He took her right hand in his then put his other hand on her neck. He looked deep into her eyes. Wendy didn't know what he was doing but she could feel her heart beating faster and her stomach was doing flips. She felt the blood rush to her head and something different that she couldn't explain.

  She put her hand on his neck also. She didn't know what she was doing but she wanted him to feel what she was feeling. She moved closer to him. She couldn't understand what she was trying to do. She wanted him to move closer to her but nothing like that was happening. A sweat broke on his neck and ran over her thumb.

  She could feel the heat breaking out around them. She let go of his hand and put it on the other side of his neck. He lowered his head to hers with their eyes still locked on each other’s. Then she could see what she was supposedly supposed to see. Victor's lips brushed over hers and a jolt of electricity passed through her and she pulled back shocked. She saw Victor's pupils were actually large and something behind them wasn't quite human. There was also something almost like smoke going towards him and enveloping him.

  `Victor!' a voice interrupted them. Victor stepped back fast as if he was jolted from a dream. But whatever she was seeing didn't go away. She turned toward the direction the direction the voice had come from. There was Mr. Clay with a much thicker smoke envelop around him. She stepped back from both of them. None of them made a move to go after her. She looked at herself and noticed that she was also covered but it was like there was a colorless strip intertwining with the white strip.

  Then out of nowhere Charles came into the open space behind the front door. Wendy turned suddenly and looked at him then all the strength in her vanished. She collapsed on the floor and didn't wake up until it was night time. Mr. Clay was waiting in a chair at the furthest side of the room. He had a book in his hand. He closed the book sensing that she was awake and came to the side of the bed.

  `Are you feeling fine?' he asked sounding genuinely worried.

  `Yes,' she said in a strong voice.

  `What happened?'

  `Nothing,' she lied. She could see that he knew she was lying but she didn't care. She could still see the envelope around Mr. Clay's body but it was somewhat concentrated on his hands.

  `Okay. I don't know how you will feel tomorrow so I told Victor to come and train you if you are feeling up to it.'

  `Where is he?'

  `He went home.' And that was the end of that. She didn't go down for supper even though she was starving.

  The following morning she was up for her usual morning run then came back into the house. She had a hearty breakfast which she ate without looking at people. They all saw that her mood was different today and treated her like they treated like they treated Mr. Clay. They stayed out of her way. Unfortunately Tim came into the kitchen where she was and attempted to have a conversation with her.

  `I was expecting to see you after your meeting with the big man.' `I was busy,' came the reply curtly.

  `Yeah my mom told me that you fainted.'

  Wendy looked up at Greta and saw that the latter was ignoring her. `Yes, I'm still not used to the weather here.'

  `Hey, I was wondering if you would like to go to town sometime,' he said.

  Wendy's head crocked up as if she heard something then she stood up, `Maybe some other time. Excuse me.' She left the kitchen then went outside using the front door. Victor was waiting outside. He led the way to the field behind the house and then they stopped. `I need answers, Victor,' she said as they looked at each other.

  `Then try to get them.' He paused then said, `For every hit I get to answer one question.'

  They started to fight. In the house through the back door Tim was watching fascinated. He couldn't believe that she was that good in fighting. Then later on he started to question why she was that good. Then he started wondering if some of the things that they were doing were even possible. He tried to get his mother to talk but she avoided the questions as if they were a speeding train heading her way. Finally she managed to get him out of the house and send him to town.

  Out there Wendy was having a difficult time even hitting Victor once. But she kept at it until she finally gave up almost two hours later. `I've had enough.' She threw her hands in the air.

  `You should never say that ever again.'

  `You obviously don't want me to get answers and so you will not even let me get close to hitting you.'

  `You don't want answers badly enough.'

  `Oh really!' she exclaimed and looked at him. His posture changed ready for attack. She saw the white smoke get thicker at that particular time. She blocked a few of his attacks and noticed the pattern. The smoke would get thick on the limb that he was planning to use in the attacks. She blocked and attacked. She hit him once.

  `First question, why are you and Mr. Clay different?' she asked. They were moving around each other waiting for the other to attack.

  `I'm not sure you want to know that yet.'

  `But I asked because I want to know.'

  `Okay, I'm a wizard.'

  `What about Mr. Clay?'

  `I'm not entitled to answer that for him.' pause, `why aren't you surprised about that?'

  `You will need to hit me for me to answer that question,' she said with a wicked smile. He attacked but now Wendy knew what he was going to do before he did it. Suddenly his whole body became thick and he jumped up and sort of levitated. Wendy was confused. She didn't know what he was going to do and then a strong wind pushed her down. Victor landed on his feet.

  `Now my first question, why aren't you surprised that I'm a wizard?' he stared at her.

  `How the hell did you do that?' she was standing up wide eyed.

  `Remember one question for each hit. Now my answer,' he said as he watched her keenly. He wasn't about to attack but he was aware that she might take advantage of the opportunity if it was to get questions out of him.

  She seemed to have no choice but tell him something if she wanted answers to her own questions. `I overheard you and Mr. Clay talking after I left the room.' `How much did you overhear?' he narrowed his eyes at her.

  `One question for every hit, remember?' she raised her eyebrow as if she had won.

  `You don't want to try me, Wendy?' he hadn't made a move. Wendy took the initiative and attacked Victor. She didn't know what happened next or how it happened but Victor had taken grip of her. Her right hand was on her back and Victor left arm was on her neck. She struggled to get out of the trap in every way that she could think of but it was hopeless. She was defeated. She realized that if Victor had wanted to kill her he would have already succeeded but he just wanted to teach her a lesson.

  He felt her give up and though his hold wasn't that tight but he loosened it further. He lowered his head to speak in her ears as if he didn't want her to miss a thing. `You are not yet ready to defeat a wizard.'

  Wendy's mind was elsewhere. She had never been this close to feel his hard body against hers since he had kissed her when waking her up from her trance. The lips brushing yesterday were nothing. And now he was holding her close and she felt his heart beating in his chest. She felt his hot breath near her neck. Her own heart beat faster and longing came over her. But what was she yearning for?

  She had lived barely secluded from everyone
else and her parents never talked to her about those things. Perhaps, now that she knew the truth, her parents didn't think that it was their duty to do so. All in all, she didn't know if she wanted a kiss or for him to hold her or...she knew the answer was coming but lost it when he let go. She didn't look at him though but rubbed her hand that had been held behind her back.

  `What else did you overhear?' he asked.

  She couldn't believe that he was still at the subject. She pretended to examine her hand for any sign of bruising. `Not much. I left soon after before I heard something more appalling that the two of you said.'

  `Like what?' his voice was leveled.

  She tilted her head in the pretext of thinking. Finally she said, `I heard that you were both wizards, Mr. Clay having seduced Her Highness and apparently he being my father!' she shrugged as if it was nothing then turned and was about to start to walk away. It took Victor a second to realize her intention. He grabbed her arm again.

  She spun round and there was anger in her eyes but Victor had already let go. `What is wrong with you?'

  Victor exhaled deeply. He had been put on a spot and now was about to make a major decision. `What you heard might mislead you.'

  `Which part?' she asked with an expression of interest on her face but Victor knew that she did not in the least bit want to hear anything right now.

  `The part where he seduced Queen Diane,' he paused waiting for her to respond but she was just quiet. He continued, `Well, he believes that is what happened and she believes that she was the one who seduced him but in the real sense they did fall in love with one another.'

  `Thank you,' she said then sarcastically added, `That cleared up a great deal of the information that I keep getting in bits.' She walked away. Victor did not stop her nor did he follow her. He knew she was just being stubborn and for now he didn't see a reason to push it. She didn't look back. If Victor had been able to read her mind he would have realized he was far from the target. She had eventually looked at him hiding her emotions well enough. She was confused. She hated the way he had pulled her back but she had also liked it. She watched him speak and for some reason wanted to strangle him but she had had enough for one day. He could not see that he was confusing her.

  Some time back she was able to make a decision and come to an agreement with herself but ever since he had kissed her... It was not like she had hated it nor not wanted it. She like every other woman had wanted him. She had day-dreamed of kissing him and lying in bed with him and waking up in the morning in the same bed, just like the parents she had known did. Her ignorance was deep of course and that way the other reason that she had been surprised that she had been assigned to the library. She like every other middle-class children had been taught to read but the books were limited and the others that were around weren't so much enlightening. Now all she had feared was getting pregnant before marriage as it was punishable by death. The process...?

  She went to her room and stayed there for a long time. Then she got bored with just sitting and thinking. She went and explored the house by herself. She knew where the main rooms were but some of the other rooms had not been opened to her. They had just pointed and walked on. She went to the one marked library. The books had a light covering and not like the hard covers of the ones at home and the writing was also strange. The ones at the great library in King Gorham's castle had been written by hand. She looked through them. Some of them he could understand and others she couldn't make any sense of.

  Then the door opened and she jumped back startled. She saw Victor walk in. She had thought he might be gone but here he was. She sighed deeply but didn't take her eyes from him. He was walking towards her. She loved the way he walked. It had some kind of swagger in it. He didn't look scuffled by the morning training but then he might have gone home and showered to revive himself. He soon stopped in front of her and watched her. This did irritate her but she didn't open her mouth. She was wondering when he would stop looking at her like she was some kind of puzzle that needed solving.

  He finally spoke, `I spoke to your father,' he saw the frown on her face. `He doesn't know that you know that he's your father but I managed to bring him round to allow me to answer whatever questions you might have from now on.'

  She folded her arms in front of her and asked without think the first question that came to mind, `Where are we?'

  There was a long pause from Victor. `We are in another world.' Wendy was confused and he saw it on her face. `We are in a world that would have been if our ancestors could have made a different decision. In this world they have a term for it: alternate universe.'

  She knew she wouldn't understand that right now so she thought of a different question. `Tim, Greta's son, asked me if I wanted to go to the town and that he would show me around.'

  `Where's the question?' Victor asked as lightly as possible but there was a sudden flash of anger in his eyes.

  `The thing is I don't know the rules of this house and I was just wondering if it was okay if I left the compound.'

  `It is fine, you're not a prisoner here.' there was an awkward pause, `When do you want to go?'

  `Tomorrow!'

  `Will you mind if I take you myself?'

  Wendy could not tell the expression on his face but she thought about it. She would be spending time with someone she knew or at least thought she knew but it was much better than going with a total stranger. `No, I don't mind.'

  `Any other question?' he asked. Those couldn't possibly be all the questions she could think

  of.

  `No, you may leave now,' she dismissed him unconsciously. She went back to the books and didn't notice the half-smile that Victor had on his face. He left her to her peace. At long last she found a book that she would enjoy. She went back to her room and started reading it.

  The following day she was woken up by Greta with a message that Victor was waiting for her. She had read the book until late into the night and had fallen asleep with the book in her hand. She jumped into the shower as Greta pulled out some clothes for her. She was dressed in the next fifteen minutes. She picked up the book and was going down the stairs. She headed to the front door when Greta called her to eat breakfast but she shook her head as she went out the door.

  The sun had not come up yet but it was clear enough to see. She walked down the front steps. Victor was leaning on a different sort of carriage to the one he came with the last time. This was bigger and black or another dark color. He opened the door for her and as she was going to climb up he gave her a hand. She pressed it down but she was lifted up into the seat. He closed the door and went round the car and climbed up with ease.

  All this time she was watching him and when he turned to look at her. She found herself blushing but she was sure that he wouldn't see her because of the darkness in there. He leaned toward her and her heart beat went to hyper drive but he was just reaching for the seat-belt to strap her in. He strapped himself in and started the drive. Wendy was surprised that the ride was quite smooth. She tried to look at where they were going but her eyes came back to studying Victor as he concentrated on the road.

  Finally the sun was coming out then the terrain changed and they came out of the forest. She started to see houses though they were smaller than Mr. Clay's house. Her attention diverted to the changes. She watched the people walking the street then they came into the inner town where she was surprised to see the shops open and people were filling up every shop there was.

  Victor parked the car and got out. Then he came and opened the door and walked to her side of the seat. There were people watching them. The town wasn't that big and people could easily tell who was not from around there. They watched as the man opened the door and helped the woman with the white striped of hair out of the x-trail.

  `Breakfast first?' Victor asked as they started to walk the street.

  `I suppose so.' she said. She couldn't help but notice that they w
ere being watched. Victor stopped and opened the door to her. She entered and the first thing that she smelt was freshly baked bread. She was led to a seat and they waited to be served. `It's different from home,' she said as she looked around.

  `Yes, it is,' he picked up the menu and read it. He finally put it down as the waiter came to them. `I'll be having black coffee with one sugar.' `What about...' the waiter started.

  Victor looked at Wendy as he said, `She will be having English tea cheese bread and a slice of chocolate cake.'

  `Yes sir.' the waiter left them.

  Wendy said, `What was the different decision that their ancestor made to make the

  difference?'

  `Instead of asking for power, they asked for wisdom from the gods and they got it.'

  `So we are more stupid than they are?'

  `Not necessarily. They are just a bit more creative than we are. Since they can't fly they create things that fly for them.'

  `We can't fly!' she said incredulously.

  `We just forgot how to fly like we forgot about a lot of things but it's about time that we remembered. You are the key for that,' he looked up as the waiter came back with the tray.

  `The key to what?' she asked not bothering that there was an unknown person around.

  `The key for everyone remembering who they were before. You are not just going to be the leader to your people but their inspiration.'

  `I haven't decided about that yet,' she said as she looked at what was placed in front of her.

  `Of course,' he took his cup of coffee and sipped it. It was so hot but he liked it. The waiter was still standing there waiting if they wanted something else.

  `You said that everything has a purpose,' she poured her tea and added milk with some sugar. `What is the purpose then that I was not raised in the castle?' The waiter left.

  `Your mother had a child out of marriage. You know the consequences of that.' Wendy nodded. She was enjoying her meal very much. `She could not afford to lose you and she was needed by her people. She had to make a choice that would save both of you.'

  Wendy tasted the cake. `This is good. Here try it.' she handed him the fork with a piece of the cake.

  He took it and then returned the fork back to her. She was watching waiting for him to respond to it. `Its good.' he swallowed it.

  She smiled happily. She continued to take her breakfast. `I love it.'

  After they finished, they walked out. The sun was completely out now. They walk into another shop that was filled mostly with women. One of them came up to them, `Welcome,' she smiled professionally though her attention was fully on Victor. Wendy realized that nothing changed.

  Every woman was naturally attracted to Victor and that hadn't changed.

  `Hallo,' he said as she took her hand. This was when Wendy noticed that he had gloves on.

  `How may we help you,' the woman said.

  Victor turned to Wendy which made the woman also turn. The smile disappeared for a second. He wiped Wendy's hair away from her face. `She needs help.' `I can see,' she said thoughtfully.

  `What do you suggest?' he asked turning to look at her. Wendy's eyes moved from one to the other.

  `Well, I would start with the hair.'

  `What with the hair?'

  `Dying it, moisturize it and treating it.'

  `Okay.'

  `Which color of dye?'

  Victor turned to look at Wendy then said, `Black will be fine.'

  Wendy was led away. She was taken to a chair and she sat down. The process began and she had to have someone other than her mother wash her hair. She could see the woman who had received them talking to Victor. The person who was doing her hair noticed.

  `That's Caris, she had noticed your guy around for some time now. She was just happy that he came in the store albeit with you.'

  `Caris ha?'

  `She loves to flirt.'

  `Flirt?' Wendy didn't know the word.

  `Yes, look at what she's doing,' they watched Caris. She was flipping her hair and giggling a lot. She obviously knew what she wanted as she was caressing his arm every time that she had the chance. The woman on her hair turned back to her. `If you're not careful she's going to steal your man away from you.'

  `He's not my man!' Wendy objected with a slight smile.

  `Oh, sorry for making the mistake. By the way, I'm Jane.'

  `Wendy.'

  `Well Wendy, I would have thought that the two of you were an item given that you look so good together.'

  `He's not interested in me.'

  `I beg to differ but then I'm not an expert. Anyway I'll explain it to you what I'll do to your

  hair.'

  Time passed so fast and Caris was thoroughly enjoying herself keeping Victor company. Wendy felt a pang of jealousy that the former could make him laugh the way he did but she managed to ignore it. Finally taking Jane's advice, she came out with curled black hair. She was walking toward where Victor was. He handed them a card and soon they were out into the street.

  `You look great!' he finally said.

  `Thanks,' she answered. `Where else are we going to?'

  `You are going for a shopping spree then lunch after that I'll show you the town's main attractions.'

  `You have the whole day planned?'

  `Certainly.'

  By the time they were going back home it was night fall. She had had fun even though Victor was passive most of the time. She was coming home with some cloths that she hadn't even seen before but now she had them. They went into the house and found Mr. Clay coming down the stairs. He was just going to get his dinner.

  `Wendy, Victor,' he acknowledged them.

  `Mr. Clay,' Victor replied. Wendy just stared at him. He excused himself and left them there. Wendy started giggling. `What's so funny?' Victor asked.

  `It's just so hard to imagine that he's my father, that's all,' she said as they walked toward the parlor. She wondered if he was just waiting to officially hand her over to her father. She turned to him, `Can I ask you a personal question?'

  `Yeah, sure,' he said as they sat down in opposite seats to each other.

  `Caris, did you like her?' she stared at him and he stared back at her. `Yes.'

  `Why?'

  Victor thought. `She's pretty, full of humor.'

  There was silence for a long time then she asked, `Do you think I'm pretty?'

  `Of course you are.'

  `The question was, do you think I'm pretty?' `Yes I think you are pretty,' he answered again.

  `But not as pretty as Caris?'

  Victor narrowed his eyes at her. `Where is the questioning headed to?'

  `I want to know what you think.' She saw that Victor wasn't going to say something else so she continued, `I want to know your thoughts so that I can assume what you think every time we kiss.'

  `I didn't kiss you for any other reason than to wake you up from a trance and so that you know who I really am.'

  `True but I don't have a problem with the why. It's the how that intrigues me.'

  `There is no how because that's just the way I kiss.'

  `That's not how I feel it.'

  `That's your problem then,' he stood up suddenly. `Why are we talking about this anyway?'

  Wendy who was still in her seat looked up at him. `Because you are worried that I might just run to daddy and tell him about it,' she smiled wickedly. Victor didn't respond. He wondered how she suddenly got the courage to stand up against him then the answer came in the next statement. `You are both wizards and have powers as you call them. What I don't get is why you are afraid of him!'

  She stood up and went to him at the window where he was standing. `Why is it that you are afraid that he might see something that you've done wrong or is it you are just afraid that he might not approve?' she asked as her eyes and tone dared him to do something.

 
Victor turned to her. He appeared not to have been moved by the argument that she had just put out to him. `Yes, I'm afraid of your father. He's a dangerous man to those that he has no connection with. He's older and more powerful than I am and within the circle of the other wizards that I know, he is the most powerful so yes, you are right. I wouldn't want him to see me do something wrong and yes I'm afraid that he might not approve of some other things but that has nothing to do with why I'm here at this particular time. I'm here only to train you, nothing more than that. And if I kissed you and you feel that it might have meant something more then I'm sorry but I was just doing my job...'

  Wendy pulled him abruptly to her and her lips were locked on his. He didn't try to resist but he didn't do anything to encourage her at first but after about a minute he opened his mouth to hers. He pulled her body to his and his tongue sought out hers. Her hand went round his neck and if he wanted to withdraw from her he wouldn't have been able to.

  Her body pressed against his and she could feel every contour on his body. He turned her against the window and lifted her on to the window seal. His mouth left hers and he was kissing her neck. His hand which had been around her went underneath the top that she was wearing and he touched her breasts. Her head fell back as she felt his touch, a gentle feel from the large hands.

  There was an ache or fire between her legs. She didn't know what it was exactly but she felt a bulge just below his waist. She wrapped her legs around him then he squeezed her breast ever so lightly and she mourned. Victor's mouth came back and covered hers then she felt something different. She pulled her head back but he went on kissing her neck. She didn't want it to end but it had to.

  She whispered barely catching her breathe, `Victor, Mr. Clay is coming.' Victor stopped immediately and saw her face. He put her down and watched as she straightened her top. Then she walked out of the room. He went to sit down on the chair forcing himself to relax but he hoped that Wendy's father wouldn't notice.

  Mr. Clay walked in. `I passed Wendy in the corridor. She seemed a bit off but...' he shrugged as if he didn't know what he was saying. Then he looked at Victor as if seeing him for the first time.

  `You are the one who normally leaves first but...' `She was tired,' he answered curtly.

  `Okay. Why are you still here?' he asked sitting in the same chair Wendy had been sitting on. `I was told I would give her the necklace before her powers overwhelmed her but I don't...' He was interrupted by Mr. Clay, `Is it hot in here?' he asked.

  `I'm sorry what?'

  `The heat in this room,' he got up and went to open the window. Victor's heart skipped a beat but Mr. Clay came back and sat down. `You were saying something about losing control?'

  `Yes, the problem is that I don't know when that is supposed to happen.'

  `But you are the one closest to her you should be able to notice any changes.'

  `But I can't notice them if I don't know what am supposed to be looking for.'

  `Good point,' he paused as he arranged his thoughts. `Well, if she is to lose control it will start with the other five elements that subconsciously she has under control. It will not come out as the winds losing control or hurricane's forming.

  `It will be more subtle things like behavior changes. She will start by mood swings probably.

  Then she will be withdrawn or outgoing depending on which of the elements is more dominating.' `So if it is earth?' Victor asked curiously.

  `Then you will see her emotions more controlled and you will barely be able to read her face. Most probably she will be weighing every decision that she makes. On the extreme you will feel the earth tremor when she gets frustrated or angry.'

  `What about fire?'

  `Then she might have a temper, easy to get angry there is also getting passionate about something; riding, fighting or even emotionally. Thankfully there is Timmy around for us to see that,' he said.

  Victor gulped. `Water?'

  `If she accepts things that she is told without really questioning them. One would say that she becomes naive but then it is a weakness and a gift. On the extreme you may see water in the glass following her hand. About light, she will seem intuitive and get to know what is happening around her, but it will also bring her some sense of good. Then darkness, that is the most intriguing one. She will simply become almost evil but like light she will also be intuitive. The difference between them is that in darkness she will understand more what isn't being said, secrets and such things unlike in light where she will see whatever it is she sees and know from there.'

  `Can they happen at once?' Victor asked. He had already started suspecting something but he needed answers.

  `I don't know, so far she is the first half wizard there is. In real sense we are dealing here with everything that is theoretical.'

  `I thought you knew what you were doing?'

  `I've spent the last twenty years researching on the theories that some of us have and the science that might prove it but to be honest, I don't know how she will come out at the end.' There was silence in the parlor then Victor stood up, `I should get home.' `Of course.'

  Henry watched him leave. He knew he needed him even though he could see that the latter was already starting to hide things from him. It wasn't clear but he could make out that there was something not right. Especially from Victor. He couldn't read Wendy yet or even get close. He would never tell Victor that the reason he needed him so much was so as to spy on Wendy. What he knew for sure is that Victor was the first key to understanding Wendy. The second key... he hadn't found him yet!