The Winter Phoenix (WAYHAUGHT)

Blood red

Nicole sat warming herself in front of the fire, studying the four deep puncture marks on the back of her right hand where she had been bitten by a creeper. Sneakers removed, she wriggled her toes expecting to feel a dull ache. Nothing. Whatever was in that tiny bottle of Gloria's had worked its magic.

The soothsayer offered her a steaming mug. "Nettle tea. It's all I have."

She accepted the drink, grateful for the additional warmth, cupping it between her fingers as she stared at the dancing flames. "I'm glad we ran into you at the cemetery."

"I'm there most nights," he replied, pulling up a stool.

"Where did you leave the message for my wife?"

The soothsayer seated himself, reaching for another log from a stack in one corner, tossing it on the glowing pile. "She will find it," was all he said.

"Why was she visiting you?"

"I needed someone I could trust," he replied, glancing over. "To keep me informed."

Her forehead creased involuntarily. He's using her for his own ends, even though it's dangerous to cross. "How many times did you meet?" she said, not waiting for an answer. "Guessing, more than once."

The soothsayer poked the fire with a stick, the wood spitting at him in retaliation. "More than once."

A new pain entered Nicole's body, right in the centre of her chest, one for which no magical liquid in a tiny bottle could soothe. All the times you made the crossing, only once did you come looking for me.

"My name is Holliday. John Holliday. I left when I saw what was coming. The long shadow moving over this kingdom."

"Where is she?"

"Safe, for now."

"Will I ever see her again?"

"Perhaps. One day. The future chooses what to reveal, and what should remain hidden."

Gloria placed a hand on Nicole's shoulder. "My liege I have left clothes on your bed. I bid you goodnight." She bowed, backing away.

"Listen, would it be okay if we go back to me being Nicky?"

"Of course my liege," Gloria replied, bowing again.

"And no bowing okay," she added, smiling up at Gloria. Because, what you're doing right now is freaking me out. "I just want to be normal."

"She's right," the soothsayer added. "We'll give her away if we do that in front of others."

"Forgive me my...Nicky, I'll do everything in my power to protect you. You have my word."

"Thank you. I couldn't have done this without you. And Derek."

Gloria went to bow, stopping herself. Holliday waited for her to close the door to the bedroom before speaking. "She was your mother's favourite. It is why you chose her to go with you."

Sat in a remote wooden cabin by the side of a lake Nicole could easily fool herself she might be on vacation, except for the information coming at her from all directions. In need of rest, she said goodnight to the stranger who brought her across to a world she'd left without hope of return. A set of male clothes had been placed in a neat pile on the bed, along with a black hooded cloak. Shorter than the one she'd seen on Waverly, the weight of the cloth comforting on her shoulders.

Outer garment hung on the back of the door, she went to remove the remaining items from the bed, spying a leather belt. A thick handle protruded from a sheath, made from bone and carved with an intricate design of interlocking circles. The dagger drawn, she gazed in wonder at the blade. Blood red, a glass-like material rather than metal, it glistened in the candlelight. Have I held you before? Yes, I think I have. You feel familiar in my hand. Have I killed with this?