earlier that morning The cool breeze blew into his room and roused him from sleep. He didn't have to open his eyes know she was missing. Sitting up slowly, he looked around the room and saw the note and envelope on the desk. Slipping from the bed, he crossed the room and picked the envelope up. Carefully he broke the seal and pulled out two documents. Custody papers looked back at him and he found them thoroughly filled out. He put them back in the envelope and looked down at the note. Johnathan, I'm sorry I didn't stay until you woke. I had to go. I don't expect this to be easy for you. I didn't plan on this happening. I didn't want to become so close to you but I couldn't stop it. I hope you can forgive me for being a coward and not telling you how much I love you but I knew I wouldn't be able to leave if I did. Take care of yourself and know that I will always be there if you need me. Love, Eve He stared at her neat handwriting and felt his throat tighten. Closing his eyes, he laid the letter down and walked over to his window. A nasty storm was rolling in and he closed the world off. Walking to his bathroom, he took a warm bath and dressed in a pair of black slacks and a navy blue shirt. He combed his fingers through his hair and slid his boots on. Leaving his room, he walked down the stairs and heard nothing. His ears tried adjusting to the silence but he couldn't. Stepping into the dining hall, he heard the quiet murmurs and entered the kitchen. He found Grace sitting at the counter with Abigail while Leon sat at the corner table. Oric was chopping food up and he heard the slow whimper. Looking at the corner, he found Tanner staring at the door and felt the animal's pain. He felt someone watching him and looked up. Oric met his gaze with a weary one and he made sure his usual mask was in place. "The three left for the festival a few hours ago." He felt the three look back at him and heard the doors fly open in the hall. Leaving the kitchen, he entered the hall and found a man trying to catch his breath. "Storm....Eve...." His eyes hardened at her name and the man dropped to the floor. Abigail brushed past him to get to the man and looked up at him. "You better get down there." He looked back at her and she sent him a frown. "Johnathan!" His eyes narrowed and a hand caught his shoulder. He looked over his shoulder and found Grace watching him. "I'll come with you." He kept silent but led her out of the castle. The wind blew cold against his face and he felt his cousin hold tighter to his arm. They walked to the stable and William ran out to them. "The weather is too poor for riding!" "We don't have a choice." The boy looked up at him and asked "Does this have anything to do with Eve?" He looked down at the boy and watched him point to the black mare. Carina was running circles in her stall and he approached her. The mare looked at him as she moved and he saw the fear in her eyes. Solomon dug at the bedding in his stall and Johnathan turned to him. The stallion was worked up almost as bad as the mare and he guided the beast out of his box. William brought him a saddle and bridle as he tried to soothe the horse. He secured the tack and pulled himself into the saddle. Grace met him on her mare and they took off down the gravel path. Heading for the valley, he kept his eyes on the storm and felt his blood beginning to race. They raced down into the valley when thunder began rolling and the waves tossed about below the pier. He swung to the ground before the stallion was secured and Grace raced after him. They forced their way through the crowd of people and saw them staring at a woman by the fountain. She was smiling and seemed to be freezing the people in place. "Johnathan, where is Eve?" He looked back at his cousin, a little startled that she was there. He had forgotten that she was with him once he entered the town. He shoved his way through the crowd toward the pier and saw the man cornering the blonde woman. She pulled herself up onto the railing and threw herself into the ocean to escape the man's clutches. Johnathan tried to move but Grace pulled him into an alley as the woman looked their way. The new person focused on them and a sick smile captured her face. He felt his pulse quicken and a strong need to find Eve began settling in. The waves tossed violently and threatened to pull her under. Eve kept in the shadows of the pier and listened to the frightened voices. "Bring me Eábha." The people stared up at the monster and continued running for cover. Their feet banged on the boards above her head. "Bring me the little wench who is presiding with the Lord." The frightened people began whispering among themselves and she closed her eyes. She had to get help but if she showed herself they would turn her over. Frowning, she slid along one of the pier supports and a wave crashed against her. She was tossed under the water and let out a hushed gasp when she returned to the surface. "There she is!" She looked up and found a dozen men staring down at her. Her pulse quickened and she glanced out at her freedom. If she swam for it she was safe but these people would be killed. Hands caught her shoulders and she jerked against their hold. Two men drug her up over the pier rail and dropped her onto the hard wooden surface. "Bring her to me!" She felt the hands seize her again and struggled against them. The same two men yanked her onto her feet and began pulling her to the growing crowd. "You have to let me go!" "We won't die because of you!" "You don't understand! She'll kill all of you if you do this!" Several hands began shoving against her and she was pushed onto her knees. The shouting grew louder in her ears and she covered them. She tried controlling her senses but everything echoed in her head. "I told you they weren't worth it, Eábha" She looked up and met the monster's burning eyes. "Úna." The witch smiled and asked "Do you honestly think they would change in one year?" Slowly she forced her feet beneath her legs and took a deep breath. "You play with their minds, feed on their fears." The witch let out a sick laugh and said "I know." She glanced behind her and found the people slowly backing away. They had fear in their eyes again and she looked back at her enemy. Her people's weapon rested in her old wrinkly hands and she began chanting. “Break, break, break, On thy cold gray stones, O sea! And I would that my tongue could utter The thoughts that arise in me” Feeling the waves stirring and the skies rumbling with power, she looked back at the people. "You have to get inside, now!" The crowd stared wide eyed as the witch continued her chanting. “Come, my friends, 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world. Push off, and sitting well in order smite The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths Of all the western stars, until I die.” Feeling the wooden boards beginning to shake, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Slowly she moved back toward the pier rail and found the people beginning to follow her lead. As she came close to the rail Úna stopped. "Where are you going?" "I'm stopping you." The witch let out another sick laugh and raised the weapon resting in her hand. The lightning struck beside her and illuminated the steel blade. The jewels flashed and she felt her breath catch in her throat. "You will join the sea, but not to save these pathetic fools." Her eyes slightly widened and the sword was pointed at her. The beam of light was bright and she felt it rip through her stomach. The momentum drove her over the rail and down into the raging seas. Hitting the water, her breath left her lungs and she watched the water slowly become dark. 'I failed...'