by Pepper North
She tumbled forward and pressed her shaking hands against a sparkling white marble floor. Glancing up in confusion, Violet scrambled to her bare feet and looked around in shock. This was not her apartment. She clutched the front of the blouse together in her hands. She was in a large room decorated as if it was a receiving room in a medieval Italian palace. She turned to see the twin of her mirror hanging behind her on the wall. She raced back to it, slapping her hands frantically to the cold surface. It was solid. She ran her fingers along the sides of the heavy frame but found nothing. Violet turned shaking to press her back against the wall. She had taken a self-defense class last year, and she remembered the instructor stressing that this was the only way to be safe from at least one side. It was also a good way to get trapped, but she wasn't going to think about that possibility.
Looking around the room, Violet was bewildered. The room she was in had a mixture of old, new, and weird items all gathered together. In that corner was a desk with a laptop computer but over there in front of the lighted panel was an old-fashioned spyglass. There was a cabinet on the opposite wall filled with antique apothecary jars and vials.
“Where am I?” Violet whispered to herself just to hear her own voice and know that she was awake. “What did they put in that margarita?”
A deep voice came from the arched doorway to her right. “I wondered when you would arrive. It is 7:23. One minute after your birth, twenty-two years ago.” She twisted her neck quickly to look at him. He was massive - at least seven feet tall with a wide chest and shoulders. A black beard and mustache covered the lower third of his face. His shiny black hair was braided intricately down the back of his head, and the tail of the braid lay thick and heavy over his shoulder. Dangling from his left ear was a polished, intricate steel earring.
“Ummmm, I’m not sure where I am. There must have been some mistake. I know this is going to sound crazy, but I just touched the surface of my old mirror and . . .” Violet attempted to explain.
“And you fell through the mirror landing here in my study,” he completed easily. “Welcome to your new life,” he said dryly. “I have been waiting for you to become an adult and come to me for many years, Violet. Now, let’s get you settled in,” the man began as he waved his hand in an intricate pattern through the air.
Violet felt her clothes begin to slide from her body. She attempted to hold on to each piece, but they slipped through her fingers. Finally, she stood in front of the strange man wearing only her white lace bra and panties. Wrapping her arms around herself to shield herself from his view, Violet blustered, “I don’t know how you did that, but you have no right to take my clothing, sir. Give them back immediately. Who do you think you are?”
With a casual wave of his hand, her arms straightened and froze by her sides. “Your old clothes are no longer necessary for you. You’re not in Atlanta anymore. Here, I decide what you wear or don’t wear.” He flicked his fingers, and her bra and underwear disappeared.
Using all her strength, Violet strained to cover herself, but she was held in solidly in place. She opened her mouth to scream but found her lips sealed together. “Aarrrrggghhhh!” the muffled sound stilled in her throat. She watched in horror as the man approached her silently stopping several feet away. His ice blue eyes ranging over her exposed body as he gestured once again, and her feet slid across the floor to stop in front of him.
“I am Garrick. You were matched with me twenty-two years ago. I’m assuming your earth government has not revealed its agreement to allow the collection of children to who are the destined ones for the Sorcerers of Bairn?” He chuckled at the look in her eyes. He waved a finger releasing her mouth to speak.
“Are you mad? There isn’t any earth government. There are separate countries all over Earth that make their own rules and treaties. And really? The Sorcerers of Bairn? I can’t think of anything that sounds more made up! Maybe the term destined ones!” indignant words burst from her mouth before once again with a finger movement her lips were sealed. “Aarrrrggghhhh!”
“Now, I can see why your destiny completes mine. Your form is beautiful, but your fire and spirit will keep me on my toes for a millennium. Since you have amused me, I will answer your questions. The leaders of each country on Earth were gathered at the great hall. Each decided to sign the agreement so that they would be returned to Earth safely. There are many destined ones here from many countries. You see, the Sorcerers of Bairn are blessed at birth to receive many powers. We take a lifetime oath to practice and hone our magical abilities, but we do not achieve our full power until our destined one reaches maturity and appears in our homes. You are very lucky to be my mate. I already have extremely strong powers. You will make me even more powerful.
Garrick walked toward her. His size loomed over her as he approached. “I have been waiting for you since before your birth. I welcome you, Violet, to my home. I hope you will be happy here. You will never return to your old life. Already, your life there has been erased.” With a click of his fingers, a window appeared to show the view of Violet’s parents standing in mourning clothes next to a newly dug grave. The imaged ended as it narrowed in to show her mother blowing a kiss toward the casket as it was lowered into the ground. With another click of Garrick’s fingers, the picture dissolved.
“It will be your choice to live looking back at your past, or to explore the possibilities that reach into the future.” He reached a huge hand toward her and Violet felt her arm straighten to raise her hand to lay upon his. “It is done,” Garrick said ominously, and a lightning bolt of energy jolted down from out of nowhere to surge painfully through their joined hands.
Instantly tears of agony welled into Violet’s eyes. Garrick waved his other hand through the air, and a cooling burst flowed across her burning skin. Holding their hands together, he looked deep into her eyes. “I am glad you are here, Violet. I will take good care of you. I promise.” And he caught her gently as she fainted and crumpled to the ground.
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