Chapter One
Nine years after Julian's name was carved out of the runestave…
California, America
"And the water kept rising and rising once the whispers faded… I was so scared, but I still used my brains…" A woman's voice said. The woman in question had hair like liquid amber and eyes as green as the Nile. She was on a bed, cuddled up with a small child, a child with the same coloured eyes as she had. This woman's name was Jenny Locke, formerly Jenny Thornton, or simply Thorny to her husband.
The little girl in Jenny's arms was tiny, with her mother's eyes and mouth, but her father's smile, nose and hair.
Perfection…
Ever since this little girl was born, she'd always gotten compliments, affection, over her doll-like smallness and looks. She yawned slightly and nodded her head.
"What next, mommy?" The small child asked. She looked younger than she actually was at five years of age; the same age that Jenny had been back when... well… her life had changed forever.
"Well… I used a rune, Isa, to turn the rising water into ice… but I didn't realise that it would hurt me too…" Jenny said softly to her daughter. She padded the story to suit her daughter's age, not mentioning in detail emotions and the perils she had faced, not wanting to scar the child. "But anyway Zoe, you need to sleep now… I'll tell you more about it tomorrow night… okay?"
Zoe blinked and tried to protest, like children did, wanting more. "But…"
"No… you need your sleep…" Jenny said and kissed her daughters forehead gently before tucking her in the bed once she got out of it.
"Good night, my princess…" She said softly and stroked her daughter's cheek before moving down the stairs, to where her husband and lifelong love was waiting for her on the couch.
Tom's older face was still handsome and youthful, but with a few lines that crossed it when he laughed or smiled, which he did every time he saw Jenny.
"Is Zoe asleep?" He asked Jenny as he watched her sit down next to him. He picked up the remote and changed the channel as he waited for his wife to reply.
Jenny smiled at that and leaned into Tom's side, her arms going around one of his as she nodded. "Yes, though the little munchkin wanted more time…" She said fondly before she closed her eyes, relaxing against him.
Tom smiled and glanced down at Jenny, kissing her forehead gently before looking back at the television. "Umm… Thorny…?" He said softly, signalling something important.
Jenny opened her eyes and looked up at Tom. "What is it, Tommy?" She said, saying his nickname in exchange, her mouth and eyes smiling.
Tom smiled before he sighed slightly. "My work… they want us… me… to go to England…" He said softly and looked at her, his eyes nervous. He knew what a big deal this was.
"But… what about my job…? Zoe? Our friends…!" Her voice raised as panic set in. She didn't like the idea one bit! Moving out of the country? Her home? Heck no!
Tom sighed. "I know… but… it could lead to a promotion… the boss picked me out especially…" He said and looked down before closing his eyes.
Jenny sighed. It wasn't like she hadn't been to another world, a world of ice and shadows, so surely England would be a piece of pie… right?
"It's okay Tommy… I know we'll get through it…"
