Chapter Forty Two

New Years Eve

Robert had worked only half a day, surprising the family. He came home alone, another surprise! Bowen had gone to New York for the Firm and Robert seemed a bit more like himself. Karen was excited about seeing the house they were invited to that evening. She'd asked Sarah questions, and seemed very pleased with the answers. Toby thought the adults were acting like fools, but kept it to himself.

Sarah had told her parents of how the usual discussion dinners had gone at the mansion Garrett lived in. She warned her parents that he was very old world in his upbringing, and expected things a certain way. Robert said he thought that showed a good deal of respect for traditions. Dressing for dinner was not unusual, Robert had said, and he was looking forward to the occasion.

Sarah had left the bookstore at three, and come home. She rummaged though her closet wanting something extra special this night. Her eyes kept going back to the blue velvet dress that had hung in her closet for the last two years. She'd never worn it, as it just didn't seem to fit any occasion. She pulled it out, and looked at it carefully. The royal blue dress just cried out to be tried. "Ok, dress. Tonight is your night."

Sarah looked at her reflection. It was not a color she often worn, but tonight it seem right. The chiffon sleeves of the dress ran down to a velvet cuff. The stiff taffeta crinoline under the skirt gave it a soft gentle bell shape. She had a pair of royal blue heels that went perfectly with the dress. The only jewelry she wore was the owl pin that Toby had given her. She attached it to a velvet choker; once on it made the v-neckline of the dress seem even more dramatic. Her hair was held back in a silver clasp.

Sarah heard voices in the foyer, arguing. Looking over the rail she could see her father, but not the other person. She knew the voice though that was Bowen sounding like an ass. She listened and wondered why the man had come. Sarah knew that Karen was busy getting Toby ready, and she didn't want her stepmother disturbed. Squaring her shoulders and putting on a mask of indifference she came to the landing above the foyer and cleared her throat.

Bowen turned ready to snap and snarl. His eyes took in the beauty in blue velvet and he fell silent. His words with Robert were forgotten.

Robert looked from the dazed man to the woman on the landing. For a moment he could not believe this was his daughter standing there.

"Gentlemen," she addressed them both. "Perhaps you'd do well to take this to the study?"

Robert shook his head. "We're finished."



Bowen had not moved, had not even breathed as far as Sarah knew. He drew a long breath, sounding like a heartbroken sigh. "I apologize for having disturbed the house." He looked back at Robert. "It must be all the stress of this case. Robert, if I've said anything offensive, forgive me."

Robert nodded, "We are all under stress."

Bowen looked back at Sarah. "You look beautiful."

Sarah heard something in the man's voice, something that frightened her. It was the same thing she'd heard in Miles voice as he… She snapped herself out of the thought. "Thank you." She kept the reply cold.

Bowen looked like a man possessed, he was glassy eyed as he stared at the woman. His breathing was off, and he acted like he was either drunk or on drugs. He felt like his thoughts were no longer his own. Like his body was obeying someone other than himself. He turned and looked at Robert. "I'll just go get those files we were …discussing."

"No," Robert said firmly. "I'll get them."

Sarah stayed on the landing, not wishing to be on the same level as the odious man. Bowen looked back up at her. "Are you as innocent as you appear?" The question was quietly spoken.

"No one is as innocent as they appear." She said, not sure why she even gave him an answer let alone that one.

Bowen snickered, "You have any idea of what I want from you, little girl?"

"What you want, you will never have," she stated.

"Perhaps," he heard her father and looked away from the woman. He accepted the files and said his farewells.

Sarah sniffed there was something strange in the air. Something unnatural and she wished Hoggle were here to sniff out the mischief. She wondered if all her time with Fae had caused her to be more receptive of the scents of the Fae and Fae-like. She turned round, returned to her room. Opening her nightstand drawer, she pulled out a hand full of owl feathers and shoved them into her evening bag. Looking in the mirror she made a face at her own reflection. "Better to be armed than to be ambushed," she told herself.

Robert called up to the women and demanded to know what was taking so long. His reward was Karen dressed in her red lace over pink satin evening dress. She smiled at him, pleased at his reaction. Toby followed, dressed in his Sunday suit, and looking ready to rip it off. Sarah followed the little boy and told him he looked like a real gentleman, just like Garrett. That seemed to make the boy happier.



Robert commented on the drive over that he'd once had clients in this neighborhood. He gave one last warning to his son to be on his best behavior. Sarah found this amusing, as it was usually she they had warned to behave. Robert and Karen both stared at the house as they pulled in the driveway.

Sarah smiled, as they exited her father's sedan. Karen placed her arm through Roberts and they walked up the path. Sarah looked down at Toby and took his hand, as they followed behind their parents. Glisten answered the door and bowed to them as they entered. He took the coats, then led the family to the solarium where the other guests had gathered.

Garrett smiled, as the family was announced, crossing to them. "So glad you made it Robert." He shook hands with Sarah's father. He bent over Karen's hand and ruffled Toby's hair. He saved his last greeting for Sarah, pressing his lips to her cheek. In a whisper he greeted her. "Hello, Cookie."

Sarah felt the world roll off her shoulders, she felt safe, safe and happy and loved. "Hello, handsome," she whispered back.

Garrett led her to a seat, then asked her parents what their pleasure was for before dinner drinks. He served them, as he served all his guests, then brought something over to Sarah. "Try this, my dear." Margo was chatting lightly with Karen, Willis was conversing with Robert and Aubrey, Garrett motioned Toby to join Sarah and himself.

The conversation was kept friendly, and light.

Sarah looked at the man who was host, "Just the Benson's tonight?"

"Yes," he said with a wink. "Thought it best to keep it to the bare bones, this being the first time we're seen as a couple." He looked at Toby. "How do you like my house?"

"I like castles better." Toby said in a strange tone.

Sarah looked at him. "Toby, we don't have many of those in the United States."

Garrett leaned down and whispered in the boy's ear. "Me too, lad."

Toby smiled, and giggled.

Glisten announced that dinner, and the party began to make its way out of the room and over to the dinning room. The table had been reduced in size, as the extra leaves were no needed for the small dinner party. Garrett escorted Sarah to the seat that was by tradition reserved for the hostess of a home. Raising her hand to his lips he seated her. With purpose he walked down to the seat of the master of the house. The guests took their seats and Garrett motioned for the dinner to be served. Glisten was pouring wine this evening, and Garrett said something for only him to hear. When Glisten reached Sarah's place, he poured wine, adding a touch of water per his master's order. Sarah gave an appreciative look toward Garrett, who raised his glass to her.



Garrett stood and greeted his guests. "I wish to thank you all for joining me this evening. Let us send out the old, and ring in the new."

Margo gave a sly glance over to Sarah, "This is new, isn't it?"

Garrett took his seat again, "Yes, Margo, it's a new development." He agreed.

"For Gods sake man!" Margo laughed, "Just say it!"

Garrett drank in Sarah, as he sipped his wine. "This evening marks the public initiation of my courting of Miss Sarah Williams, with the intent of making her my wife." He turned to Margo, "Happy?"

"Ecstatic!" She rose from her chair, went to Sarah and hugged the girl. "Congratulations, Sarah!"

Willis smiled, "You have excellent taste in women, King." He toasted Garrett, then looked at Robert. "I take it you have already approved this union."

"Yes, we have." Robert took his wife's hand.

Aubrey raised his wineglass, "To family," he toasted, and the others joined in the toast. He placed his hand on that of the young woman he was seated next to. "Soon, may I call you daughter." Garrett winked at her from down at his end of the table.

The last course had been served when Glisten entered with a young lady behind him. The girl appeared to be about eighteen, and was tall and willowy. Her long blond hair fell in soft whips about her face. Garrett motioned them forward. "Toby, this is Lilly, she will be looking after you the rest of this evening." He looked at the girl and spoke firmly. "Lilly, take him to the playroom, see to it he has a good time. If he tires…"

The girl held a hand out to the child. "He will be placed in a bed to rest, sir." She smiled invitingly to the boy. "Come young master."

Karen kissed her son before he left the dinning room. "Garrett, you really shouldn't let them call him young master. He'll expect the same treatment at home."

Garrett smiled charmingly. "Indulge me Karen. After all once Sarah and I are married, Toby will be my little brother."

Aubrey sent a warning glance his son's way. "I'm afraid all the servants here were trained where we are from. And in the circles we travel in children are referred to by the title young master or young miss."

Karen didn't want to seem unenlightened, and chose not to question the reference any further.



Garrett looked down at Sarah, "My dear, would you take the ladies to the music room. We will join you after we've had our port and cigars."

Sarah rose to address the other ladies. "If you'd join me." Karen and Margo followed Sarah down to the music room.

Robert watched his wife and daughter, "So what do the women do while we are busy with port and cigars?"

"That Robert," mused Aubrey, "Is Sarah's problem."

Garrett poured the port into his father's tulip shaped glass, then into his own. "Ah, but Sarah is already adept at playing my hostess. She entertains the women with music and song." He passed the decanter toward Robert. "You are familiar with some of our British customs are you not?" Garrett asked lightly.

Robert smiled, poured the port and passed the decanter down to Willis. "Yes, I made the Bishop of Winchester mistake my first trip to London with my first wife."

Willis laughed, "As did I old man. My host must have thought me daft as I didn't get the inference." Willis raised his port glass. "Gentlemen, to the health of the Bishop of Winchester."

Aubrey scoffed and toasted. "To his eminence."

Sarah poured coffee for each of the ladies. Margo kept Karen occupied, as Sarah moved to the piano and began to play a lovely old tune. Sipping their coffee, Karen and Margo stood by the baby grand and watched and listened. Karen felt a surge of pride in her stepdaughter, and her skills as a hostess. When Sarah finished the piece she was playing, Karen smiled at her.

Margo commented, "You are very adept at the ways of a good hostess, Sarah. Garrett has no idea how well he's chosen."

Sarah paused, and gave it a moments thought. "If that's true, then it's really thanks to my stepmother here."

Karen put her coffee cup down. "I beg your pardon?"

"It's true, Karen!" Sarah said firmly. "You've been the greatest example of what a truly good hostess is." She looked at Margo. "You would not believe the lengths this lady goes to in assuring that her guests have a wonderful time. You've spent hours over a stove, making wonderful gourmet meals. Setting a table that is a shining example of good taste. Making your guests feel welcome and important. Mom, did you think I was blind?" Sarah reached for Karen's hand. "I learned important things from both my mothers."

Karen blinked back happy tears. "Sarah, that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me."



Margo watched the exchange.

"You're a good mother! And I've not always shown you my appreciation. I don't think you or I were really ready for the step mother, step daughter relationship we were tossed into," she admitted. "But I've learned from you. In time I hope that I'm as good a mother as you are."

"Sarah!" Karen leaned down to kiss her stepdaughter. "I always wanted to be a good mother to you. But Linda is a hard act to follow."

Sarah laughed at the pun. "Yes, she is. That's why I chose not to follow!"

Margo snickered. "So, dish. I'd love to hear a little dirt on the great actress."

Sarah rose from the piano. "Where to start? I love my mother," she said calmly. "But as I've become a woman myself, and now that I'm …in love… I see her in a different light."

Margo sighed. "The gods have feet of clay?"

"Do they ever." Sarah sighed. "Linda has her good points, don't get me wrong. She has exquisite taste, and has learned how to afford that taste. She taught me to be frugal, how to shop for bargains and where to find them. She gave me a love for the written and the spoken word." Sarah poured coffee for herself and took a seat on the long couch. "However, Linda does not deal well with aging, nor with being a parent. And I have my doubts as to her skills as a wife. As a lover, I'm sure she's very adept. But being a wife means long term commitment."

Karen sat down. "I've never heard you speak like this of your mother."

"I never had to face the truth of her before." Sarah stated. "But now, making plans of my own, and wondering just how much of her is in me….Well I'm taking stock."

Margo crossed her legs. "That is the curse of being a child of someone in the spotlight." Her voice said she knew more than she would ever have said. "My father was a well known affluent man. And I was always wondering as I grew up if people liked me for me, or for his money. When I met Willis, I was amazed that he didn't have the slightest idea of whom my father was. I think that made me love him all the more."

Karen held a hand out to her stepdaughter, "You are not like your mother."

"Oh part of me is!" The girl confided. "But a larger part is… well, not you, but more like you."

Margo smiled softly, "I knew that first night Garrett invited you to join us, he was more than just taken with you."

Sarah laughed, "Well I was clueless! I thought he just liked to argue with me."



"I do, like to argue with you." Garrett said from the doorway. "I also like watching you move, Cookie." He led the men into the music room. Robert moved to sit with his wife as Willis moved to his. Aubrey took a seat and watched as Garrett circled Sarah. "Hello, Cookie." He took his seat, placing an arm casually over the back of the sofa behind her.

Karen shook her head, "Where did that nickname come from?"

Both Garrett and Sarah laughed, but it was Garrett who explained. "I kissed her in the dark lecture hall. She asked what if we got caught and I said I'd be caught with my hand in the cookie jar. I called her Cookie, and it has sort of stuck."

Robert snickered, "I'm surprised she let you get away with calling her that."

Sarah leaned against him, "As long as he does not call me a harridan while we are arguing in public, I've no complaints."

Garrett placed his hand on her shoulder. "What a pity there be so little chance of us arguing in public anymore. You'll not be taking classes with me any longer."

Willis laughed, "Good thing!"

Sarah looked at Dr. Benson. "Are you really going to let them force you out?"

He smiled, "Not to worry, dear child. I am more than ready to retire. I'd like to spend more time with Margo, perhaps travel. We've got grand children that we can spend time with."

Robert looked up, "What's this about you being forced out?"

Aubrey winked at Garrett, "Some of the department heads and the board are trying to force Benson here to tender his resignation."

"What does your contract say?" Robert turned legal.

Willis looked at his wife, "Damnation, I don't know what the contract says. It's been years since I even looked at it."

Robert looked at Benson, "Find it, bring it over to our house tomorrow! I'll take a look at it and let you know if they have a leg to stand on."

"Damned decent of you." Dr. Benson looked suddenly as if a weight was gone.

Garrett looked at the clock. "Nearly midnight," he observed, rose to his feet and pulled Sarah up with him. "If you don't mind, the young lady and I are going to go neck in the solarium. Father, I leave the duty of acting as host to you." He quickly ushered Sarah out of the room before she or anyone else could protest. He heard the snickers and giggles as they exited. Swiftly he pulled her down to the dark solarium.

"Garrett," she protested as they entered the room. "Are you out of your mind?"

"Yep," he said as he locked the door. "I don't want to be disturbed for a bit." He informed her seeing her wide eyed stare. He looked at her with a wolfish grin, "Come on, Cookie, kiss me."

Sarah moved toward him. "You want a kiss, come and get it." She opened her arms and was swept up into his.

Hungrily they let their mouths meet. Garrett lifted her off her feet and let her dangle in the air. As the clock in the foyer stuck the midnight hour, and the New Year was born, the pair gave into the passion. Garrett deepened the kiss. Sarah accepted and followed.

He raised his head, "I love you, Sarah.

"I love you, Garrett," she answered with almost all her heart.

"Happy New Year, my darling."

"Happy New Year."

Chapter Forty Three

Bowen's Madness

Garrett held her close as he placed her back on her feet. "Cookie, we best get back and wish our guests Happy New Years." Sarah nodded to him, yet neither of them took a step. He held one hand out to her, "Are you happy?"

"Yes." She took the hand offered. "I feel, I'm where I belong."

"Where you belong, Cookie?" He asked.

"At your side, I belong with you." She smiled as she sighed.

He led her back to the music room, where they took their seats and joined in the conversation. At a little before one Robert suggested they round up Toby and start for home. Sarah had feelings of deep contentment as she and Garrett said their public good nights to each other. She let Toby tuck his head against her in the car on the ride home. Robert and Karen were quiet, and the world seemed at peace.

Sarah looked at the sliver bracelet, her courting gift from Garrett. She glared at the one piece on it that had been added. "Jareth," she said shortly. "You have to let me go."

The voice in her ear hissed. "Never."



Sarah sat up, looking round her room which appeared to be empty. "Go back to your Castle!" She ordered in a whisper.

"Come with me," he invited again. "Take your place at my side."

"I'm in love with a mortal!" she exclaimed.

The voice in the darkness snickered, and said. "But it is me you dream of, and me you call when you are in danger."

"Let me go," she begged.

"Never."

Sarah lay back on her pillows, wondering if the Goblin King would ever let her be at peace.

Sarah awoke early, and found she was the only member of the family who had. The day was cold and crisp and just slightly overcast. After her shower, she dressed in one of the few slack outfits she wore these days. She remembered a time when jeans was pretty much all she'd worn. That had changed her last year in High School. Now she wore skirts and dresses, and that was due to Emrys. He had an absolute phobia toward women in trousers. He required that all female members of his staff wear skirts.

Sarah looked at her reflection. Could the woman looking back really be the girl who'd beaten the Labyrinth?

Sarah put the coffee on in the kitchen and gazed out at the fortress in the back yard. She stared. Toby had tied owl feathers to cords and they were now strung all over the fort. Sarah wondered just what the danger was the little boy sensed that everyone else was oblivious to. Sarah went to the mudroom, pulled on a coat and went to inspect the fort while the coffee perked. She looked at where her little brother had strung the feathered cords, the intricate pattern of the cording, and she bit her lower lip. She knew that Jareth was supplying the feathers somehow, and hated the idea of his having contact in anyway with the boy. Something inside her said that Jareth was the least of her problems.

Sarah turned to go back to the house, and found Bowen standing silently behind her. "It's not nice to sneak up on people, Mr. Bowen." She said taken aback.

Bowen's eyes were red, and bloodshot from lack of sleep, and perhaps too much liquor. "I didn't sneak up, you were just too absorbed in looking at all those feathers to hear me." He smiled, it was not a pleasant smile. "May I wish you a Happy New Years?"

He moved forward, one hand coming out toward her.

Sarah backed up. "No," she feared he would try to kiss her again. "Keep to yourself!"



Bowen did has she feared, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms as his face sought hers. "Stop being such a tease, girl." He ordered as his hands began to pull at her.

Sarah recoiled from him, and fell against the fortress. "Jareth!" she cried out.

From the sky came an angry clamor, the shriek of the owl as it attacked. Sarah, leaning back on the fortress that had held her from falling, watched as the owl took on the human and sent him retreating. Bowen slipped and fell, hitting his head, rendering him senseless. The owl transformed and looked back at the woman, "Stay there," he warned, kneeling down and holding his hand over the fallen man. "He's been enchanted." He stood up and went to where Sarah was now brushing snow from the fort off her coat. "I will remove him, to where he can be cleansed."

"What kind of enchantment?" Sarah asked.

"Faun Magic." Jareth looked at his Sarah. "Men like that are easily influenced by the kind of magic the Fauns use." He placed a hand to her face. "Did he hurt you?"

"No, you prevented him from getting what he wants." She looked up at him. "Where will you take him? He's mortal; if he goes missing it will be noticed."

Jareth laughed, "Sarah, I will take him to his home. He lives alone. I can send for those who can remove the spell work of the faun there. He will not leave your world."

"One never knows with you, Goblin King," she reminded him. She felt uncomfortable. "Thank you for coming."

Jareth took hold of her forearms. "I will always come to your call, surely you know that. You belong to me, Sarah. And you always will."

"Let me go, Jareth," she begged. "I'm in love…"

"Tell me I have no part of your heart. Look me in the eyes, and tell me you don't love me." He gazed into her eyes.

Sarah opened her mouth, prepared to say the words, and found nothing to say.

Jareth smiled, bent forward and kissed her in the clear light of day. "Face it, Sarah. You belong to me." He kissed her again.

Sarah took a deep breath. "I'm a mortal."

"Details," the Fae teased. "Now, I'd best be off while your world still sleeps." He released her and went back to the fallen man. "Until we meet again, my love." He blew a kiss to her on the wind, a moment later both men were gone.



Transporting humans was a tricky thing; not all Fae were adept to the nuances. Jareth had been in the business of transporting humans for so long it was now second nature. He let the man slump to the floor as they appeared in the place Bowen called home. It was not Jareth's idea of comfort. Too cold, modern and hard lined, but it suited the man who lay still on the floor at the feet of the Goblin King. Jareth looked round the room, and called out. "Hoggle, come here."

A moment later the little dwarf appeared, "Your majesty." He looked round the room and frowned. "Faun's been here."

Jareth nodded. "This one is covered in faun magic. I need to find all the tools used by the faun to infect this one with his madness."

Hoggle moved toward the body of Bowen. "Is he dead?"

"No, not dead." Jareth sighed. "Just find what the faun used…Hoggle."

The dwarf looked up. Twice the King had called him by his right name. "The attacks becoming more frequent?"

The Goblin King nodded. "I had hoped that it was just the amulets we'd found in the study." He pointed to the body lying still on the floor; "He must have seeded the amulets in there. You must search each and every room of this abode. We have to wipe it clean of the faun magic. I will not have this man disturb my plans." Again the Fae King drew a willow reed basket from the air.

Hoggle walked past the man on the floor. "How you going to keep him from interfering?"

"He's bound. I did that when I first appeared in here with him." Jareth moved toward the large window that looked out on the city. "How do they live like this?"

Hoggle gave an agonized look at his king. "They don't know no better."

Jareth felt pain. "There must be a great deal of iron here." He turned to Hoggle. "It stifles me."

The dwarf had already begun to place Pan amulets in the basket. He'd passed the body on the floor time and again. Suddenly he stopped. "Jareth, it's him."

"What?"

"Him!" He pointed to the man. "Something on him! Or in him."

The king moved toward the body. "Reveal." His hand went out and suddenly something on Bowen responded to the command. From the wrist of the unconscious man came a glow. Jareth watched as Hoggle removed the wristwatch, and hand it over to him. "There's a amulet attached to the back," said the king as he detached it from the watch. He inspected the silver disk, on one side was the markings of Pan, but on the other was the damning evidence. The personal markings of a faun, a faun known to keep company with Miles Fairchild. Jareth bowed to Hoggle. "This is 

it!" Jareth raised his voice. "This is what the faun used to enslave that mortal to his will. Foolish creature."

Hoggle snorted, "The faun, or the man?"

"Both." Jareth looked at the amulet closely.

Hoggle continued his task, and completed the cleansing of the room, going on to the next room. While the dwarf was busy doing that, Jareth looked down on the face of the man who'd been a thorn in the side of the woman he loved. He could well understand why this one was alone in life. He was stony hearted, and his features had taken on that hardness that showed a lack of feelings. No woman could live with that for long. He had the stench of having taken advantage of helpless creatures. Even without the amulet Bowen was not the kind of man Sarah would want to keep company with. Jareth suddenly understood why the faun had used this one, and the realization that a magical creature felt such hatred for his Sarah tormented him. Stepping back, Jareth used Fae Magic to send the man to his bed.

Hoggle, his task completed handed the heavy-laden reed basket over to his King. "What will you do now?"

"Inform the master of this faun of what he's done." Jareth smiled wickedly, knowing Miles would be as pissed as he was. "Go home, Hoggle. My thanks."

Hoggle squinted at his King. "Are you feeling alright? You've said my name several times now."

"Go home Hogs Breath!" The King teased.

The dwarf departed, and the king wandered into the bedroom to glare down at the unconscious man. "Foolish mortal man. A woman like Sarah would never be drawn to you, with or without faun magic. You are the dregs of this world. Your being alone is a curse you've brought on yourself. However," he lowered his hand and passed it over the form. "Let the madness pass. Let the mind of this one be freed. When you awaken, the events of this day and the others will seem as a dream." He turned to leave. "Keep your hands off my woman."

&

Miles was pacing the gallery. So close, he'd come so close. He paused to gaze at the image of the woman he coveted. He had recovered from the assault to his dignity. In some perverse way, the woman's fighting back only served to make him want her more. Such fire, such passion, such a luscious body, how could she waste it on a boy King?

A throat being cleared alerted the Fae he was no longer alone in the Gallery. "Much as I hate to disturb your dream, and a dream is all it will ever be… I find we must have words." Jareth was amused by his own words.

Miles shot a look of loathing toward the boy King. "You have said your words, as I recall."

Jareth snickered, "Yes, that's true." He moved to stand beside the other, and gazed at the painting. "The painting does not capture her deeper self."

"What do you want?" Miles was becoming peeved.

Jareth laid a finger along side his nose. "Fairchild, you have in your… employ a faun, do you not?"

Miles was not amused by the antics of the boy king. "You know that I have."

"How far do you trust the creature?" Jareth continued.

Miles sighed. "Stephens, has been with me for years. I have his loyalty." There was something in the way the Goblin King looked at Miles, which suddenly made him apprehensive. "What is this about, boy king?"

Jareth looked at his fellow Fae; "It is true you have several centuries on me. Perhaps that has addled you." He pulled the silver charm from his belt. "This was found on the person called Bowen. A law partner to the father of Sarah Williams." He passed the disk to Miles.

"A Pan amulet? I don't bother with these." Miles went to pass it back.

"Turn it over." Jareth advised.

Miles flipped the disk and cursed. "Nights in utter darkness!" He clenched his fist round the disk. "Stephens. This is his mark. What has this man done?"

Jareth tapped the disk, "Your faun set him to rape Sarah. He's filled the man with madness for her that the man would not have otherwise. Sarah is not his type. Your faun also had Sarah's father's study seeded with Pan amulets to increase the madness. I've twice had to save Sarah from this man's sexual assaults." Jareth sighed. "I don't mind competing with you. I have faith that Sarah will always choose me. But a Faun setting a mortal against her, it out of the question. It is also against the rules. Your Faun has moved against a Fae Marked Mortal. I leave it to you to render punishment to the knave."

Miles countered. "She enjoyed my touch."

"She's human Miles, they all enjoy touch." Jareth parried.

"I've not given up. I will try again." Miles promised.

Jareth stepped back, "I'd be disappointed if you didn't." He vanished.

Miles looked at the Pan charm in his hand. "Stephens! Come to me," he called out.



The Faun appeared. "You wished to see me, Master?"

Miles stood with his hands behind his back, "Are you loyal to me?"

"Thee knows I am!" Claimed the wild-eyed creature.

"And you obey me?" Miles felt his hand tighten on the disk.

"Always." Said the faun without much conviction.

"What did I tell you about Sarah Williams?" Miles asked flatly.

"That you wanted to ravish the mortal creature… and that I could not have her to play with." The servant repeated the words.

Miles held up the disk, "Does this belong to you?"

The faun gasped. "Thee knows it does. How does it happen to be in your hand?"

Miles struck the creature and sent it flying across the gallery. "Fool! When I said you could not have her, I did not give thee permission to set a mad man on her! The Goblin King found out your plot before harm could be done to the woman. Hear me, and mark my words! I would gladly turn you over to Jareth if anything were to happen to Sarah. She is not for the likes of you, nor for the bastard you set upon her!"

The faun pulled himself off the floor. "Master it was just a little fun…"

"Rape is not fun!"

The Faun glared at his master. "Thee would like to rape the woman, tell me it would not please thee."

Miles sneered at the servant. "What I plan for the woman is not your concern."

"Thee wants her, with a madness of thine own!" Accused the faun.

"Yes, I want her." Miles chortled without humor. "Taking her innocence and pleasuring her is an intoxication! Yes, I'd even go so far as to take her by force if possible. However, the lady is Fae Marked, force is out of the question! You know the rules."

"What care I for rules?" Snarled the faun. "Her innocence calls out to be ripped from her."

"Not by you!" Miles roared, "And not by some mortal you've infected." He sent the faun flying again. "Now get out of my sight!"



The faun crawled off, cursing all Fae and all mortals as he went. His heart was black, and his soul blacker. "I shall not rest until I've paid thee this score, Sarah Williams." It whispered to itself. "I shall not rest."