Less than an hour later, Gart extracted them from the situation by claiming that a heavy training schedule lay before them the next day. He couldn’t call Mrs. Gast to alter the agenda due to the lack of cellular contact on the hill. He sensed that Jean was more than ready to leave. That, more than anything, was reason enough to go.

Gart now attributed the lack of cellular reception on some hills to Merlin’s magical machinations. Maybe the wizard didn’t want intruders in the wild areas—places that didn’t belong to him in the first place. However, if the older man was responsible for that situation, it made sense that a lack of communication to the outside world might discourage trespassing.

Considering that a wizard’s presence in the world would have previously sounded ridiculous, Gart was now open to any suggestions. If someone told him aliens landed on Earth from Mars, he was in a frame of mind to believe it.

After bidding the older man good evening, Jean walked beside him in silence, all the way back to Bloodnight Hall. Instead of walking inside, however, she grabbed his arm stalling his actually opening the front doors. He was sure that a host of staff were worried about them. Even his being immortal didn’t keep someone who cared from worrying.

Before we go in, I need to tell you something,” Jean confessed. “I’m almost certain that Merlin knows I’m going to.”

He was immediately on alert. “Did something happen while I was down the hill?”

“Only this…Merlin is keeping secrets from you. Next time you see him. Press him to be transparent. He told me not to say anything until he was ready to come clean, so I must honor the promise I gave. But he knows I don’t want to keep important issues from you.”

He thought for a long moment. “Does this have anything to do with his position in the agency?”

Jean’s eyes widened. He almost grinned at her shock regarding his perception.

“I think I know at least one thing, Jean. I don’t know if it’s what he discussed with you, but it’s an important fact.”

“Yes?” she urged.

“If Jon Merdwyn, alias Merlin, has the queen’s ear, then he’s very powerful in the organization. Hell…he might have even founded it. I think he had a lot do to with you being here.”

“God…you’re good!”

He chuckled. “I think our hilltop sorcerer believes I’m big and stupid. That’s to my advantage. But it makes perfect sense that the most powerful man would be at the very top of the organization.”

“That’s what I think, too. But I don’t like this. He’s kept his existence secret, whereas you’ve never tried to hide who and what you are from anyone. Granted, he might need to keep his powers hidden from the world, but not from you. You should have been told all of this.”

“The more immediate question is…do you feel safe enough to go to him on the hill?”

“I’d feel a lot better if you were there.”

“Then that’s that! You don’t go to him without me.”

“Thank you, Gart. I feel a lot better now. You’ve never lied to me, whereas Merlin is too evasive. Maybe, one day, we’ll get the reason why. For now, he’s just too cagey. We need to stick together.”

He put one hand on her cheek. “I’m glad you’re on my side. Together, I think we’ll be unstoppable.”

She smiled. “We’ve come to a completely new place in our relationship, haven’t we?”

“The fact that you aren’t calling me sir any longer is a nice touch,” he joked.

“Could I ask for a huge favor?”

“Ask anything.”

“If anyone orders you to, don’t send me away. We can always find an excuse for why I shouldn’t leave. I just feel my place is here.”

He gazed down into her eyes, and knew he’d break every rule to protect a young woman who had never wanted this life, or any part of magic or mysticism. “You have my word. But there may come a time when might want to go—”

“No! Bloodnight Hall is my home now. That’s how I think of it. And you…you’re my trainer. Merlin can teach me anything he wants to, but I trust you before him and always will. I don’t like his keeping secrets from you.”

In her expression, he noted complete conviction. He felt it. Whatever happened now, he was hers. He’d never make her leave, nor would he suggest such a thing. Not unless she wanted to go.

She smiled one last time, then walked inside ahead of him. He heard her making polite and even joking excuses to Mrs. Gast, who stood in the foyer waiting for them like a sentinel.

Jean was much more advanced than he’d realized. Her powers concerning emotions and deceptions were emerging with great speed. Maybe, being near Merlin was having some kind of enhancing effect that none of them could have predicted. She knew something wasn’t ringing true about Merlin, but she didn’t know what. She was worried over his safety, but didn’t know why.

One thing was certain.

In a world where a lonely little boy had been left on the steps of an orphanage—with strangers who were kind, but who didn’t really have the emotional fortitude to love each and every child in their care—he’d grown up and found his place in the world. Through it all, he’d never found a woman of courage and rare insight to share his life. Not until now.

Nothing and no one was taking Jean away. He’d break all the rules to keep her with him. Even if it meant saying no to a thousand Merlin-like beings. Even if it meant going over a hundred heads, straight to his beloved queen.

* * *

A new schedule was established. One that forced Jean to work very hard at both her foreign language skills, and her capabilities with weapons. During the evening hours, regardless of the weather, Gart walked with her to the top of the hill, and watched Merlin train her in magical skills. These included the ability to temporarily blind an opponent using blasts of green light, the skill to use powers gleaned from the earth to knock foes aside like toys, and the capacity to use preternatural powers to control the weather. Merlin still insisted that all these gifts came from Mother Nature. It didn’t matter to him as long as Jean was comfortable using them.

Jean also called animals to her; animals that could help hide her presence by wandering over her woodland tracks, covering her trail. As Merlin told her, such evasive tactics might be necessary if she was being followed.

Gart hoped Jean would never have to go that far to keep herself hidden. If she had to resort to animal diversion for safety—rather than higher powers—then her situation would be dire indeed.

Through it all, she worked tirelessly. As diligently as ever. Like always, she never complained.

There was only one thing about which she remained adamant. Jean would not go to the hill without him. Merlin tried to get her alone, but the woman flatly refused to accept tutelage without his presence. When Merlin asked about the matter, she simply said that it was ‘better to have two very powerful men watch and judge my progress’.

If Merlin believed that excuse or not, it made no difference. Eventually the wizard quit pestering her about the matter.

One cold autumn morning, he stood in his study after weapons training, and stared out the window of his study. That precise spot was where he’d been on that day when Jean first arrived.

A strong, but quiet presence entered the room. He turned to face his ever-loyal Mrs. Gast. She had a pensive look on her face; one he couldn’t ignore. He opened his mouth to question her presence, but she queried him first.

“May I speak freely, sir?”

“You may, as always.”

“First, thank you for giving Jean and me more time together lately. We’ve have quite a few illuminating chats in our little sewing room.”

He lifted his left brow. “Anything concerning?”

“Not in the least. So long as her feelings are reciprocated, that is.”

He knew where this was going, but decided to hear his claviger out.

Mrs. Gast moved closer. “You know that girl is head over heels in love with you!”

He swallowed hard and shifted his gaze.

“It’s my studied opinion that you’re in love with her, too, but afraid to say so; afraid of what might happen if you cannot maintain your objectivity. I would submit, sir, that you’ve already blown by that point.”

He still said nothing. Mrs. Gast knew him too well.

“You do know that she’ll run if anyone tries to send her from this place. You do realize that, don’t you?” Mrs. Gast insisted. “She’ll follow orders to the letter, but she has a point past which she will not be pushed. In that respect, you and she are very much alike. I think I might have said so on another occasion.”

The time for silence on his part was over. “Yes. Quite so.” He took a deep breath and faced Mrs. Gast squarely. “I’ll tell you something…and you may do with the information as you see fit.” He paused for effect. “If anyone from home office tries to send Jean elsewhere, I’ll disregard the command.” He slowly shook his head. “I won’t live without her.”

“Would you go so far as to leave, if that situation became untenable?”

“We’d both resign and transition to independent lives, within the law. We’d have clavigers, but we wouldn’t be beholden to the agency. We’d live out eternity here. At Bloodnight Hall.”

“Then…Ben and I would leave the organization as well. Of course, the powers that be would likely prohibit my being your claviger…as a matter of putting me in place for daring to resign. But we would most certainly hand in our notices to home office. Mr. Tate would do the same, I’m sure.”

Her response shocked and heartened him to the core. He stepped closer to his older friend. You’d all…actually…do such a thing?” he asked, hesitantly attempting to verify what he’d just heard.

“We would. However, before we tear our lives from POSI…I can’t stand that absurd name,” she muttered before getting back to the subject, “tell Jean how you feel! All you need to do is stand together. No one in the organization will break you apart if you stand as one. I know this. I feel it with all my heart!” she asserted. Then she broadly smiled. “Obviously, I’m overstepping my place.”

He reached out, pulled her toward him, and hugged her hard before letting her go again. “You’ve never overstepped anything, my good friend! What would I do without you, Ben, and everyone else?”

“Flounder helplessly,” they both said in unison. Then they simultaneously laughed at the gest.

“Tell her how you feel, sir. I think you’ll both be surprised how well things work out. After all, my sources at home office tell me that you are one of the queen’s favorites! Her Majesty would hardly want to interfere in this matter, or allow anyone else to do so. Especially since Jean is Major James Long’s great granddaughter. That’s worth making certain accommodations, I can assure you.”

“I’ll speak to Jean, Mrs. Gast.”

“Promise?”

“My word of honor,” he said as he briefly raised one hand in affirmation. “If we don’t show up for training for the rest of the weekend, you’ll cover our absence on the schedule?”

“My entry will say that you both trained like gladiators!”

* * *

Anna glanced at her wristwatch, checked the study, and knew Garrett was done for the day. At some point that evening, he’d make good on his promise and reveal his affection to Jean.

She quickly changed into hiking gear, called for Ben, Hingus Tate, and several others within the ranks of the household staff. They were all to meet her in the foyer. She’d already explained what their purpose was, by way of covert messaging systems they’d always used.

Everyone who had a need to know was apprised of Gart’s and Jean’s romantic connection. Now, they must make their way up the hill to speak to Merlin. Using portents as he so often did, their sage would likely have gleaned the reason behind Jean’s absence at training for the next few days. The meeting this evening was to discuss other matters; issues about which Garrett Bloodnight and Jean Long had no clue.

“Let’s leave quickly,” Anna told Ben and the others as she breezed into the castle foyer. “We mustn’t be seen. Jean or Gart could come downstairs at any moment, and find us huddled like traitors.”

“Not bloody likely,” Ben quipped. “We’ve snuck about thousands of times, my dear. Need I remind you? We can always come up with an excuse for simply standing here, chatting.”

The others in the group chuckled.

“Hush!” Anna insisted. “Let’s get up the hill. We’ve serious matters to discuss. Hurry now!”

Anna led the intrepid group up the hill, to the old stone circle. Just in case Garrett or any regular employee from the estate should be wandering near a window, she chose a hidden path which was much more overgrown. This meeting should have been Garrett’s and Jean’s business, but Merlin hadn’t yet followed through on his responsibilities.

Eventually, they stood on ground that their contact had always considered sacred.

Anna stepped away from the group and called out. “Merlin? We’re here. We need to talk.”

From the shadowed growth, their leader stepped forward. He wore brown Druidic robes which led Anna to believe that their coming had been sensed and was likely approved. Merlin never wore robes if he believed he’d be seen by any normal person.

Their leader held up one hand in greeting. “I assumed you’d all find a way to gather here.”

Anna glanced at the others in her company, then she put her full attention on the wizard. “As you see, not all of us are present. Some at the castle are keeping a keen eye out. They’ll create a diversion if either Jean or Garrett gets too close to this hill though this business shouldn’t be kept secret from them.

Merlin snorted.

“At any rate, we shouldn’t be here so long that our absence is noticed.”

“Go on,” Merlin instructed.

“You know the reason we’re here. Garrett deserves to know the truth. All of it. You should have told him the facts when he was up on the hill, and you conjured a full vision circle.”

“He told you about that?” Merlin asked.

“Of course not! He hasn’t said a thing about you or your powers. He thinks we know nothing about Ethereals. Jean and Garrett still don’t know that Ben, Hingus, me, and all these other people are either Ethereal or immortal,” she said as she gestured toward the group with her.

“Anna, why didn’t you tell them?”

Those in the group with Anna began to complain, but she briefly raised one hand to silence them again.

“The Ethereals among us have used our powers to mask what we are. To Garrett and Jean, we’re just human household staff. That was our job and you know it. Long ago, we agreed that it was your responsibility to tell him! You promised Her Majesty—”

“Well…yes…but…”

Anna shook her head in disgust. “We’re sick and tired of pretending to age, Merlin. You cannot fathom the difficulty involved in doing such a thing. Or the powers necessary to keep that ruse in place, day in and day out for years. Even with my powers, it’s quite problematic. Hiding what we are from humans in the village is one thing. Hiding who and what we are from Garrett and Jean is something else. Why…I’ve told so many lies that I’ve begun to write down what I’ve said, just to keep everything straight. I actually disparaged Jean’s coming here just to make Gart think I was on his side when he was hesitant about training her.” She sighed heavily. “There were a few times I caught Garrett looking at me as though he saw through my magical disguises. We only agreed to keep this up for a couple of months. It’s been a damned bit longer than that. Enough is enough!”

The others strongly murmured in agreement.

Anna continued her tirade. “I’m disgusted with this deceit. I won’t do it one more moment. It’s unfair. Moreover…I cannot begin to imagine how furious Gart will be when he finds out that we’ve been assigned to protect him…a man who considers himself quite beyond babysitters, and who hates deception with all his good heart. It’s time you hold up your end, Merlin! This was your responsibility.”

Merlin released a heavy sigh. “I know you’re right. Of course, you are. But how am I supposed to shove all this down their throats? Neither of them fully trusts me as it is.”

“Because you’re lying and they sense it, you old conjurer! They don’t have to be immortal or Ethereal to figure out that you’re not telling the truth. A child could sense it.” Anna clasped her hands together. “Her Majesty has put off what’s necessary because she’s been led to believe you’d sort this out. This farce has gone on as long as it has because of your fear of Gart’s reaction…which will grow proportionally worse the longer you wait. I’ll say this again, in case it didn’t sink in. We dislike lying to Gart. More to the point, Jean’s appearance in the world as an Ethereal tells us that bad times are coming. That was the prediction.”

Once more, the others in the group muttered their unanimous agreement on the subject.

Merlin held out his hands in a gesture of supplication. “All right. Let’s say I burst out with the truth and tell Bloodnight and Jean that almost everyone at the castle is either immortal or Ethereal, and have been magically hiding their identities for years. Let’s say I tell them all that in one swift, and quite untactful, sentence. What will all of you do with the regular human staff at the hall? You know…the ones who don’t know who you are? The same ones who’ve worked next to you, thinking you all were as normal as they are.” Merlin rolled his eyes. “How are they going to deal with the facts, when they find out none of you was ever legally registered? What do you think their public response will be? How quickly do you think they’ll run to their computers and post everything?”

“Good Goddess, Merlin! Don’t you think we haven’t thought of that?” Anna complained. “There are a million ways to handle these issues. One of which is not to tell them. Only Gart and Jean need to know. The rest of us can continue to pretend to age, then leave and come back as new employees when the old staff retire or die off. At least we wouldn’t be lying to Gart or Jean, who are two of our most important operatives. We can do what we’ve always done in the world, and simply use magic to befuddle the humans around us. You let me deal with that. That’s my job. Yours is to tell Gart and Jean the truth, dear brother! If I must tell them myself, I will, but you won’t be any better trusted for my having done so. As long as this charade has carried on, we’ll all be begging their forgiveness as it is. But it must be done, and you know it!”

“Herne’s blood! That’s another thing. Garrett still doesn’t know you’re my sister, as well as an Ethereal in your own right.”

Anna moved closer to him. “This has been a well-kept operation for centuries, Merlin. We’ve all known this time was coming. Plans are in place. We know our jobs, but you are threatening the safety of countless people by not telling Gart the truth. He needs to be prepared.” Anna crossed her arms over her chest and recited the old prophecy. ‘When an Ethereal woman arises…a woman whose family has entwined with Galahad’s progeny…they shall together be trained for coming battle against Morgan! The dark sorceress will come to battle at that place where slaughter was known, and where tragedy is buried.’ That was your prediction, word for word. Was it not?”

“Yes, yes. Quite so.”

“Merlin, the prophecy has come true. Jean is here. She’s with Galahad’s descendant. That means Morgan will be on the move, as soon as her scrying shows her the truth. She will see portents and learn who Gart really is. And it’ll happen sooner than later,” Anna declared.

“There is nothing in the prophecy that says she’ll be at our door tomorrow, dear sister. Holy Herne! When did you become such a harridan?”

“Merlin—”

“All right, I’ll admit it!” Merlin shouted. “I’d rather have my eyes peeled than confront Garrett Bloodnight with this information. The last time I tried to tell the truth to a very powerful man, he didn’t listen. A kingdom was lost. I can’t make anyone follow portents. More’s the pity!”

“Garrett Bloodnight is most definitely not Arthur Pendragon. Putting this off isn’t making matters easier. Morgan could be scrying the truth about Garrett’s ancestry, even as we speak. When she knows who he really is…who is ancestor was… she’ll come for him. How many times and ways do I have to say this?”

The others loudly muttered their support for Anna’s tenacity.

“Listen to me. All of you,” Merlin injected, “I understand the fluidity of my own prophecies. They never happen exactly as planned, or I’d have known Camelot was going to fall. That being the case, it’s been centuries and that dark-hearted bitch hasn’t shown up yet. Yes, I know she will,” he admitted. “She’s rather like a bad rash in that regard.” He raised his hands to placate Anna and the crowd when they refuted his words again. “I know I should tell Garrett and Jean about his household staff hiding their powers. I really should. It’s just that, he’s so sure he’s got a good grip on his world. It won’t be easy to find out almost everyone around him has been lying for years.”

“We had our orders to keep our identities and powers masked. You had yours to reveal us when the time was right. It’s past time, Merlin,” Anna insisted. “You must pull on your big sorcerer britches and get this done!”

“I heard you the last twenty times you said so,” Merlin groused beneath his breath.

“So, how will you do it? Practice on us,” she suggested. “Tell us what will you say to Gart and Jean? I want to hear it so that I can judge if it’s as tactful as it needs to be.”

“I-I can be tactful!” he childishly returned.

“The last time you thought you were being diplomatic, you told Sir Dillidyn that the lady of his choice was nothing but a kitchen whore. He threatened to run you through with his sword, and hang your head from a pike! The man never spoke to you again. Not even before the final battle.”

“Anna, that’s not fair—”

“Out with it. What will you say?”

Oh, very well,” Merlin capitulated as he stroked his beard. “I suppose I’ll start by telling Garrett that he is the last descendant of Sir Galahad. I’ve already explained that one knight’s child was saved after the fall of Camelot. What I didn’t say was which knight’s child that was, or that the boy was later hidden by immortals. I never said that all the offspring of that child were carefully watched over from afar. I didn’t mention that this was specifically done to keep his identity secret so that Morgan, in her scrying efforts from whatever part of the globe she occupies, would never know and go after that family line.”

“That’s a good start. At that point, you’ll obviously have to mention that Morgan is still alive.”

“Quite so. I’ll most assuredly have to tell him that she’s hiding, but is still using dark arts to keep herself in this world. She is neither immortal or Ethereal, but a very dangerous, dark sorceress.”

“Obviously, he’ll be quite alarmed by that part. But you will keep going. Won’t you?”

“I’m getting to the rest, Anna. Just be patient.”

She tapped one booted foot on the ground, indicating that her tolerance of the situation had come to an end.

“I’ll be sure to tell Garrett that he was never truly on his own; that we always knew his whereabouts, even after his parents were killed in that boating accident. He must be made to understand that, that sad part of his life was, indeed, an accident. If he gets angry about his being left at the orphanage, I’ll reiterate that we couldn’t approach him without possibly revealing his lineage to Morgan and her magical scrying. We might have put his life in jeopardy, when he wasn’t yet an immortal. In fact, we could have put a lot of innocent humans around him in jeopardy as well. Morgan would kill anyone who gets in her way. His friends included.”

“Be sure and tell Gart that you knew he would be an immortal at some point in his life, just not when. Then, repeat the prophecy.”

“Anna, am I child that I need this kind of coaching and prodding?” he angrily responded. “Am I not the sorcerer of sorcerers?”

“I’m not going to respond to that. Just be sure and tell Gart and Jean that Jean’s appearance in his life…as connected by her great grandfather…matches the prophecy. Sooner or later, Morgan LeFey will scry the truth. When she does, she’ll come for Gart. You must be very careful in highlighting that fact. Say it as many times as it needs to be said. Gart needs to know that the measure of Morgan’s hatred for Galahad, and his seed, will transcend time. She’ll come here, to these old hills. Where it all started and ended, so long ago. Don’t forget to tell Gart that we refer to him as The Last Knight. Morgan LeFey knows that only he can kill her. That was why it was so necessary to protect him until he became immortal.”

“Bloodnight isn’t going to like this interference in his life. He’ll be outraged that he never knew the full truth, or that his ancestors were part of a very old prophecy. He’ll be incensed that he was kept in the dark. Especially after his service to his country.”

“For his own protection, we had orders not to tell him, Merlin! Make sure he knows this, and that we all must follow orders. There are others gleaning information about this situation, and their collective data is still coming in. We cannot be too careful. Explain that to him. If he’s still angry, the rest of us can explain our parts in this charade. We’ll doubtlessly have to at any rate.” She clasped her hands together. “You’re right. He will be furious. Absolutely outraged. He’ll likely not want to speak to any of us. Not ever again.”

Once more, the others in Anna’s entourage whispered in affirmation.

“That, my dear friends, is why I did not blurt everything out all at once. I have learned things over the centuries. One of which is not to unload all the information one has, on an unsuspecting audience. It can be rather demoralizing for the receiving party to learn that he or she has been lied to for years. But leave this to me. I promise that Garrett Bloodnight and Jean Long will be fully apprised of the situation. Bloodnight is nothing if not a patriot. Once he knows the truth, the queen will wish to knight him. Her Majesty believes that only a knight should face Morgan, and I tend to agree. So, I’ll see it’s done at Balmoral. Very little paparazzi can swarm there so the ceremony will remain private. I assume Jean will be invited, of course.”

“Of course! Her Majesty will make accommodations,” Anna agreed.

“Is that it? Have I got it all? Anything more?” Merlin sarcastically asked.

Anna tapped one index finger against her cheek. “There will be other defenders coming to Bloodnight Hall. However, I’m not so sure it’s wise for that information to be disclosed. Not right now.”

“No, those warriors’ safety is paramount. Once Morgan LeFey knows who Garrett’s ancestor was, that vengeful bitch will take out anyone she feels is our ally. For that reason, there will be more secrets to keep. Sadly, it’ll be very difficult dealing with Bloodnight when he doesn’t know if he can trust us.”

“The safety of the world is as stake, dear brother. The importance of that cannot be understated. Thankfully, wherever Morgan is, she has no greater powers than you. That’s why that cowardly woman hides!”

“Indeed! It’s discouraging enough when she occasionally lets us know she’s still breathing. She loves rubbing her continued existence into my face!” he said with a frown. “She’s like salt in a very open wound.”

“We must all remember the war years. She was the reason Hitler rose to power. That symbol known in modern times as a swastika was the same one she used at Camelot. She always thought it brought her good fortune. In 1940, she meant for it to strike fear into our hearts!”

“It did,” Merlin admitted. “It struck fear into the hearts of millions.”

Anna slowly shook her head. “We can only imagine what that she-spider wants in this world. She’s been hiding for so long, and allowing her anger to fester so deeply, that there must be some horribly foul scheme ahead. She remains fixated, even after repeated defeats. That woman was always half mad. In Camelot, I could smell the craziness on her. It stunk like old, boiled cabbage. What’s worse, she might have collected enough magical objects to do Goddess knows what. This coming battle won’t be like any others.”

“For every year of her nasty life, that woman has probably gleaned a hundred new magical sources we’ve never heard of. We must take great care. All of us,” Merlin said as he spoke to everyone in the group.

The others nodded as they glanced at each other in concern.

“To finalize this matter, you’ll tell Garrett and Jean before another week is out. Agreed, brother?”

“All right, Anna! All right. Just consider one thing.”

Anna frowned. “What’s that?”

“Morgan hasn’t yet gleaned Garrett’s true heritage. If she had, we all know that she’d have come after him by now. She isn’t likely to show up on our doorstep by Monday. So…for the love of Herne…let Garrett and Jean have this weekend! Will you?”

Anna gazed at those in her group; those who’d soon have to reveal their immortal or Ethereal identities to a man they all loved. They were all smiling. “Well, I think that can be arranged. After all, this is a matter of the heart. And, if there’s no love in the world, what’s worth saving?

* * *

Jean felt the emptiness of Bloodnight Hall like an omen. She wasn’t frightened by the situation, just on guard.

She left her room and wandered, only to find the kitchen staff finishing up cooking for the entire weekend.

She couldn’t find Anna or Ben. The livestock had been let out to roam in various pastures and enclosures. Only a light staff was still in the barns, tending animals too young to let loose, or those needing medical attention. Even adopted puppies and kittens—there were always a plethora of these at Gart’s insistence—were being taken home, to be tended by staff from the nearby village. Everything had been purposely planned so that no animals would be left without companionship or nutrition.

Whatever the reason, she and Gart would be almost completely on their own, until Monday morning. The situation was unusual. Made more so by a young kitchen worker’s missive.

The girl was hurriedly putting her coat on, when the message was imparted.

“Miss, there’ll be no reason to be out at tonight. Old folks in town say it’s comin’. They always know, you see. No one doubts it. It’d be best if you stayed inside, and don’t wander about after dusk. Even an immortal like Mr. Bloodnight shouldn’t be subjected to that kind or magic. We’ll be back bright and early, Monday.”

With that, the girl left. Jean stood there, heartily confused by what she’d just heard.

What was the ‘it’ to which that employee referred? Why would an immortal care about being outside?

The warning put her on extreme guard.

If the girl was referring to Merlin’s magic, how could any employee know the wizard existed? Only Anna and a very few others knew she was training with a man named Jon Merdwyn, and those few did not gossip.

She dared not question anyone further, fearing she might make the staff suspicious.

The situation was very strange indeed.

She needed Gart.

She left the kitchen, walked through the long gallery downstairs, then made her way up to the floor on which her bedroom was located. That was when she saw the second oddity of the evening.

Gart’s arched double doors were wide open. He never left them that way, but she sensed his presence inside. Her powers in that regard seemed to be growing. The invitation to enter was obvious.

She strode forward, then hesitated outside.

“Come in, Jean.”

Imminently relieved that he hadn’t left the premises, she relaxed and walked in. He’d been waiting for her to find him, and had obviously sensed her.

When she strode into the one place in the entire structure that she hadn’t yet explored, there was no surprise in finding décor as bold and grand as a man who’d lived several lifetimes.

The furnishings were all huge, oak, polished and perfect for the person abiding here. The vaulted room was massive. Bureaus, chests, wardrobes, oil paintings, and beautifully framed photos were artfully placed everywhere. The bed, itself, could have slept five people. The four posts on the frame had to be twenty inches in diameter. Everything sat on a wooden floor, that was as pristine-looking as everything else.

Gart stood by a gargantuan picture window that was surrounded by dark green drapes trimmed in silver.

With the last light of the day outlining his colossal body, she could well imagine the fear he’d thrust into the heart of any enemy. His dark, shaggy hair was combed back and gently touched his neck. Like some baron or duke, he’d donned a thick Irish sweater in a mottled cream color. His brown riding breeches and perfectly polished boots seemed so right for the environment.

Garrett Bloodnight looked like the rest of the décor—strong, refined, everlasting and impossible to ignore. When he slowly turned, the width of his broad shoulders blocked a substantial amount of waning light. He tilted his head and walked slowly toward her.

“Were you going riding?” she softly asked.

“I was. Changed my mind. Mrs. Gast insisted that I take care of some personal business.”

“Where is she? Where is everyone going?”

“I’m not certain, but I have an idea.”

Jean’s gazed lifted upward when he moved closer. He was hiding nothing from her growing empathic powers. The man wanted her there—desperately. She gasped and stepped back when full waves of pure adoration mingled with admiration and trust. “I…I feel what you’re feeling,” she whispered.

“Good. As to your query, I think Mrs. Gast has taken herself and nearly everyone else off to the village…in an effort to leave us alone. There’s also some mystical, celestial event on the horizon. That’s according to Hingus Tate. He says that no one from the village wants to be up on the hill when this occurrence takes place.” Gart shrugged. “Some superstitions die hard. Lately, I’ve concluded that I’ve no right to judge. By the way,” he continued offhandedly, “what you’re sensing is how much in love with you I am. I’m not mistaken that you reciprocate. Right?”

“Anna…she must have said something, though I never spoke to her about—”

“Women are always so much more perceptive about such things. To get back to the point, I did recognize your feelings for me. I was afraid to let myself fully engage them. I kept your emotions shoved away, as well as my own. If you were more powerful…less new to this strange, magical lifestyle…you’d have likely known how I feel, much sooner.”

“Gart?”

He put his hands on her shoulders and pulled her closer. “I can’t pretend this isn’t happening. Not any longer. Makes no sense to do it. No sense at all.” He lowered his head and kissed her hard, long and deeply.

Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around his neck and returned the kiss with all the ardor in her entire body.

He briefly ended the kiss, but kept his full lips against hers. “I won’t be without you, Jean. I love you so damned much that nothing else on earth matters. Nothing! I didn’t realize how lonely life was until you walked through my door.” He kissed her again, and his hands moved to her waist. He lifted her up, off the floor, and pulled her against his chest.

One of the round-toed pumps she’d picked out to wear with her brown tweed pencil skirt fell off, but she didn’t care.

He broke the kiss once again. “You’re so flaming beautiful,” he whispered as he pulled the clip from her hair with one hand. He let that clip fall to the floor. These movements were accomplished while still holding her against his chest with one forearm.

She pushed against him slightly; he immediately gazed into her eyes.

“While you weren’t watching closely, I learned a cute trick from Merlin,” she softly murmured. “Want to see?”

“Show me anything. Just don’t leave. Not ever!”

She lifted her left hand from his shoulder and made a slight sweeping motion with it. The doors to Gart’s room swung shut with a resounding thud.

He smiled so sweetly that she almost wanted to cry.

“Best use of magic award goes to you, baby!”

“I’ve got more,” she told him. “First things, first.”

“Show me!”

* * *

An hour later, Gart rested in bed with Jean wrapped in his arms. Sheets and bed clothes were tangled around their bodies. She gently nuzzled her cheek against his chest, and he snuggled her closer. He’d never felt such peace.

“I love you, Gart. I’ve never loved anyone the way I love you.”

“Word of caution, sweetheart. Forever is a long time. You could get tired of me.”

“How could I? For us, life will never be boring.”

He chuckled, and rolled over her until he was on top. Carefully, he rested his much greater weight on his elbows.

“God, you’re soft,” he murmured, then kissed her deeply and pulled her into a sitting position. “I want to stay inside you all night.”

She playfully pulled long strands of his hair. “I won’t object.”

“There are things I want to say first. You need to hear them.”

“What things?”

“I’ve got a lot of issues,” he admitted, with a decided nod. Then, he stood to make his point, and to put some thinking distance between them.

She blinked and turned her gaze away. “Gart…I can’t look at you and listen. Put something on if you want me to pay attention,” she smilingly suggested.

He laughed. “I’ll get a robe. Pour us a drink and I’ll find something for you to wear.”

“No need,” she said as she grabbed up his sweater and pulled it over her head and body.

He stopped and stared. “That sweater…”

“What? What is it?”

“It never looked so damned good!” He moaned loudly, in torment over leaving her side. “You look utterly delectable in wool. I love your hair loose and tangled. Wear it like that more often!”

It took every bit of will he had to turn away, get to the loo and find his robe.

When he returned, she was pouring whiskey from a crystal table decanter. She handed him a tumbler, then sat in front of the fireplace. Embers there glowed warmly.

He knelt on the floor beside her, shook his hair back and took his drink from her. After swallowing more of the alcohol, he took both their glasses and put them aside.

She ran her fingers through his mane, and smile tenderly. That moment would forever be captured in his memory. There were so many important moments in his life, but this one topped them. The firelight shimmering on her hair made her look like an autumn goddess. Before touching her again, she had to know his story.

“I know your history, Jean. I think you should hear some of mine.”

“I-I’d very much like to.”

He took a deep breath, then thought about where to begin. “I don’t recall anything about my very early life. Something happened to my parents when I was young. I was taken to an orphanage.” When she cupped his cheeks with her hands, he shook his head so he could continue. “It wasn’t horrible. Not as bad as you would imagine. No one there was ever hungry. No one ever beat me, or mistreated me or the other children. But, like so many of us, we wanted a home. With people who’d be ours. You follow?”

“Of course, my darling!”

She briefly hugged him, but he gently extracted himself from the hug so he could continue.

“Even as a kid, I was always very big. I don’t really know what my age is. The agency doctors put me at mid-thirty. The good news is that I got to pick my birthday. I chose the first day of autumn. It’s my favorite time of year.”

She continued to stroke his hair and cheeks. For the first time in his life, he felt what it was like for someone else’s heart to ache for him.

“Don’t be sad for me, Jean. I had a very good life. I worked all kinds of jobs, traveled and learned things. There aren’t too many occupations that I haven’t tried. That might be why I was so good at undercover work after I became an immortal. Obviously, all that happened before computers and the internet outed me to the world.”

“You must have been lonely.”

“Everyone is at one time or another. I don’t have the market cornered in that regard. I had adventures and great comrades.”

“Women?” she asked with a half-grin and an arched brow.

“I lived a man’s life. What can I say?” He kissed the back of her hand, but she smiled about having probed into that part of his life. He instinctively knew she’d never ask again. There’d be no need. She was all he wanted, all he’d ever need.

“But there’s one more thing that sounds…well it sounds…”

“Go on, Gart.”

“This will sound paranoid, but I felt as though I was always being guided. Watched. Like people went out of their way to make sure I got chances others might not have. No one was ever disrespectful in a way that mattered. In fact, I can’t recall a single terrible altercation until WWI.”

“I don’t know very much about those times, but I know someone like you would feel he had to fight.”

“I did.” He paused for a long moment. “When I woke up in a field hospital and doctors were standing around me, I thought I was done for. And then I thought, why would my imminent demise demand more attention than any other soldiers’?”

“That’s when they told you that you were immortal,” she confirmed.

“Yeah.”

“I know how I felt when it happened to me. We’ve talked about that. But how did you feel?” she asked.

“I can only say that…all my life, I’ve felt like I was meant for something very important. Something that, if I didn’t accept the challenge, a lot of people could die,” he said as he gazed into the fireplace. Then, he turned back to her. “I’m not saying that I’m more important than anyone else. I only know that I was born big and with a lot of strength for a reason. I’ve always taken up for anyone who couldn’t defend themselves. I don’t know why. Nobody asked me to. Their business wasn’t mine. But it seemed wrong not to do something if I could. I don’t like bullies and never have.”

“I get that about you. But…what led you to be a vegetarian? Just choice?”

“I wasn’t always. When working on a farm one time, I got a look at the animals being butchered.” Gart couldn’t speak for a long time, then he blinked back tears and continued. “I was never hungry. Not in my whole life. I don’t know why. I always found work, and always had enough to eat. More than enough. Others were very hungry indeed. I don’t judge what they did regarding livestock. Not if it was quick and painless. It’s not my right to judge. I just know that I couldn’t do it anymore.”

She gazed at him with her heart in her eyes.

“I can’t look at a creature, feel its soul and kill it.” He slowly shook his head. “People make choices. Adults have a say in their lives and the way they live them. At least they do in most places. For those that have no voice…children, animals, and the elderly…I don’t like seeing them abused. I won’t. I’ll step in if I must!” he declared.

She began to silently cry.

He put one hand on her knee and tried to lighten the moment. “Baby…I wouldn’t hold it against you if you drove into town and bought a burger,” he admitted. “I’m not going to get in your face about it. I know you’ve been eating fruit and vegetables because I do.”

“No. I really don’t want to eat meat. Not anymore.”

He hugged her hard, then let her go again. He still had more to say, and had to get it out. “While self-righteously claiming my love for the animals of this world…I have to tell you about the absurd, hypocritical side of my life.”

“I-I’m listening.”

“I’ve killed a lot of people, Jean. I saw them as the tormenters of the world; savages who’d kill everything good and innocent. I still see them on the landscape. And, despite my so-called retirement, I’ll still take them out if asked to do so. Wherever I find them.”

“I know that. Agency or no agency…if you’re called, I intend to go with you.”

“Killing someone is quite different than talking about it. You understand that, don’t you?”

“I just made love to a man who’s done it.” She leaned forward, until their faces were very close together. “Do you think I’d love you if you weren’t really a gentle soul who only wants to see people leave each other alone? A man who only wants people to treat the creatures of this world with kindness? Do you think I could love a man who isn’t noble and honorable in every way?”

“That’s not an answer, Jean.”

“If you killed, it was because you had to. I know that if anyone ever tries to hurt you, I’ll kill, too.”

He stared into eyes so blue and sparkling that he could fall into them and never come back. It was like gazing into a field of stars. “Your great grandfather would be so very proud of you. He knew that a few must stand between tyrants, and those who can’t defend themselves. Like him, you’re a warrior, Jean. One day, I’ll be taking orders from you. But it won’t be hard. Not hard at all.”

She tearfully snorted. “Not likely.”

“Yeah. Likely!”

He would have kissed her again, then he’d have taken her back to bed. A strange sensation suddenly stopped him. It was like someone was knocking on an internal door that he had to answer.

Jean felt it, too. She slowly turned her head toward the window.

“Gart! Look at the light coming in. Look at it,” she pled, as her face took on an amazed expression.

He shifted his position to look behind him, at the window across the large room. When he saw what she did, he grabbed her hand. She readily stood to walk with him.

As darkness fell and the moon rose, it’s light had eventually reached the large picture window in his bedroom. It now illuminated every single object in his room, the very same way old WWII air raid searchlights would.

They stood in front of the window, looking outside. An immense moon hung in the sky. Its light almost blocked out all the velvet, night blue in the firmament.

“This is the reason the employees wanted to get out of here,” Jean softly muttered. “I don’t blame them.”

“Afraid, Jean?”

“No. Just…awed.” She still gripped his arm with her hands. “This is a Celtic Moon. Isn’t it?”

“Locals have always spoken of it, but I’ve never seen one. It’s said that no one knows why they appear. Some of my staff have told me that, a few days before this moon comes out, older folks in the village can hear ghostly cries of battle coming from the hills.”

Jean gazed up at him. “Tell me you’re joking.”

He wrapped his arms around her. “No, that’s really what they say.”

“Gart…Merlin isn’t capable of bringing on such a celestial event, is he?”

“Baby…let’s hope not.”

She backed out of his hug, and moved deeper into the room. “Close the drapes. I feel like there’s something outside. Lurking.”

“No problem. Drapes closed,” he readily agreed as he pulled the thick window dressings together. When he turned to look at her, she was staring at the floor, as if some thought now flooded her brain and she couldn’t let it go. He moved quickly to her. “What’s wrong, Jean?”

“When I mentioned Merlin, I got the strangest impression…”

“Go on, sweetheart,” he urged.

She gazed straight into his eyes. “Gart…he’s not telling us everything. I think…I think he’s hiding a lot more than you or I could begin to imagine.”

Sounds suddenly drifted into the room, but only faintly. “Listen!” he told her.

They stood still for some moments.

Gart heard orders being given, horses hooves beating on the ground, and cries of men in battle. He heard the clang of swords and the thud of bodies engaged in mortal combat. Then, he entered a sort of daze where the present wasn’t the present. The past encroached.

“I…I need…need to be with them,” Gart muttered as he walked toward the window.

Then, the dulcet sounds of Debussy’s Clair de lune completely obliterated the mystical battle cries. He blinked hard several times and turned around.

Jean had turned on his entertainment center; playing the last classical piece of music he’d been listening to. She’d obviously turned the recording on to block out the ghostly cries.

“You’re not going anywhere, mister. You’re staying right here. With me!”

“I…I don’t know…what c-came over me,” he stammered as he dragged his hands through his hair.

“Doesn’t matter. We’ll sort this out with Merlin. I know that cagey enchanter has something to do with this! At the very least, he knows what’s out there in the hills, and should have told us!” She angrily shook her head. “Right now, you’re getting back into bed, and I’m holding you. All night! If there’s magic in those hills, let it stay there.”

He smiled broadly.

This was the protector he knew she’d one day be. This was the women he’d fight to stand beside.

“I’m all yours, milady…all yours.”

* * *

Merlin turned away from the view of Bloodnight Hall.

As he’d commanded, Anna and the others were now in the village, dispelling fears of the moon’s astonishing light. His sister would be ordering drinks at the pub, for everyone who’d take free beverages. With such merriment afoot, the owner of that establishment wouldn’t send people away. Not until dawn.

Only the oldest folk, and those who still believed in some vestige of magic, heard the sounds. There were few of these people left in the area nowadays.

The ghosts of the past were upon them, but only for this night. The phenomenon, over which he had no control, only occurred under a Celtic Moon. Even he couldn’t ascertain its origins.

For him, there was nothing to be frightened of. The ghosts of the past could do no harm. There was no injury in the light of an oversized moon.

This night was but one of many such celestial events. For centuries, this same thing had happened, at no regular interval.

The next time, there would be cause for fear. The next time, Morgan LeFey would know the truth. She’d know that the descendant of her son’s killer was in the world, and she’d come for him. She would not be able to resist the magical oath she made so long ago; the oath to kill ‘any knight’s progeny’.

He sighed and nodded.

Future portents were never perfectly clear, but there was always a grain of truth in each.

“The Last Knight will be ready,” he muttered. “We will all be ready.”