Finding Time

Chapter 10 - Anna 1871

"Sleep now my child" said Serafina. She waved a hand over Cassandra's head.

She looked up at Anna.

"Her memory is wiped clean. I know you worry about the child. She's been haunted by a demon her whole life. I suspect this demon has been following you too. A ghost of yours. You and your mother, you both share similar lives but not the same" she said.

Serafina handed the girl to another witch who instantly flew up in the sky away from them.

"She has been alluded by the mystery of her twin flame. I suppose you have too. Your twin flame has very dark energy. Has been following you around for many lives. Sometimes you are the one chasing him. Sometimes he is chasing you."

She turned to face Rebecca.

"Your daughter. She has dreamed of you her whole life but she will never know you. When Kai came back to the ship to look for her, he was devastated. I told your daughter that I would return but she didn't listen. She had to go looking for Kai herself. That's when Kai" she said, putting her hands on his face. "This wonderful young man, who will soon be your husband, told me about you. That I come back to save you both."

Kai turned to look at Rebecca shyly.

"Your daughter loves you Rebeca" said Serafina. "Your granddaughter, she looked for her mother. Never knew her. She wanted to come back to see you. To understand what love is. That is why I tell you - enjoy every time together. You two never needed me. Witches only come to serve prophecies and yours is one of true love."

She looked to the skies.

"I must get going. Farewell loving family" she said.

She jumped, then took off into the clouds.

They ran out to watch her go. She joined her flock. They flew into what seemed to be s small tornado and vanished into the clouds.

...

When the group came down the mountain, Captain Wentforth noticed his daughter holding hands with Kai.

When Kai noticed him, he immediately brushed his hand away.

"Don't be ashamed lad" he said to Kai. "I knew that there was something between you two. I only hoped there wasn't something between you and that young lady Anna."

"Oh" they laughed.

"No" said Anna. "I'm fine. Really. I couldn't be even more happier for Kai and Rebecca."

"Well then" said the captain. "We must throw a party? Right Narek?"

"I know the perfect place. It's in a village just through the mountains. We will run to inform them and come back for you both."

...

Rebecca was dressed.

"I just can't believe that this is happening to me, you know? I never thought that any man would capture my  heart like Kai but with you here and what happened" she said, putting her hands on Anna, "I just can't stop. I have to follow my heart."

"Or fate" said Anna.

They both laughed.

"Truth is" said Rebecca, "If it happened any other way I would be running away. He would have to fight with tooth and nail to get my hand."

"I'm proud of you grandma" said Anna. "For being who you are. You've helped me realize who I am. I think, because of our journeys, I will come away with a stronger sense of self."

"Anna" she said. "I know you were in love with this young man. Daniel. That he loves that girl. I know you think that you will never find another man in your life. That he is your twin flame. I do not believe in those things. I think we create our happiness. I want you to create yours. Narek is a good man. I want you to follow your bliss."

...

They took a truck through the mountains. When they finally arrived at the tavern, Kai took Rebecca's hand. Narek and Anna followed, not looking at one another.

When they arrived, there were women that were already dancing. They welcomed Anna.

"Really me?" asked Anna.

They nodded.

Two girls took her back to a changing room. When she came back, she was dressed in beautiful red.

Narek eyed her.

The woman in front of her danced slow but gracefully for Anna to follow. She smiled.

Anna smiled back. Pretty soon they were twirling on the dance floor.

Male partners came. The women danced alone until men came to them.

Pretty soon, Narek had her arm and was leading her around the floor.

"If I didn't know any better, I would say that you are Armenian."

Anna smiled. She shook her hips slightly as she danced in front of him, and Narek took this as invitation to dance even closer.

When they were done, they sat down with Rebecca and Kai. Both were staring into each others arms.

...

After a few drinks, they found themselves fumbling in a room upstairs that was sometimes used for prostitution. He reached for her clothes, pulling them off. He sucked on her breasts. She ripped off his buckle.

She straddled him.

"I want to be like an Armenian girl. Tell me Narek, how do they make love?"

"Well, if I am honest, an Armenian girl would know that she is good enough just as she am. She would ride him like a goddess. Not even stare into his own eyes."

"Then that is what you will call me Narek. Anna the Goddess. Coming to take revenge back on all the men that have hurt me."

...

It was done quickly, and then it was over.

Narek was passed out on the bed. Rebecca and Kai had found their way back to the ship. It was breaking light. In 1871, no one wanted to be found walking home from a night of passion. Understanding this, Anna slipped quietly into the bed.

She could not fall asleep. Instead she tossed and turned as she knew the sun would rise.

She heard the captain come for his coffee in the dining room above. Pretty soon, she heard Rebecca's footsteps come in.

"Hello daddy."

"Rebecca, you did not spend the night with Kai did you?"

"Believe it or not dad,  Kai did not lay a hand on me last night. In fact, he's hungover."

Anna trudged out of bed and climbed the stairs to the kitchen.

Rebecca stared at her.

"I'm just about to make breakfast. Will you help me?"

Anna joined her grandmother in the kitchen.

"So" she said. "Did you sleep with him?"

"Narek. Yes."

"Did you enjoy it?"

"Surprisingly... no" said Anna, looking away. "How about you, did you sleep with grandpa?"

"Let's just say, your mother could be on her way as we speak."

Anna resisted the urge to throw up and blush simultaneously.

"That quick?"

...

Kai entered the dining room.

"Are you better boy?" asked the captain.

"Yes. Thankfully" he said, avoiding eye contact with Rebecca as she put breakfast in front of him.

"That is good because we are onto the next leg of our journey. To Europe."