John rapped his knuckles against Anna's door, smiling at the ginger-headed woman nodded to him as she passed him in the hall. Anna opened the door, blinking at him and he held up his pocket watch. She rolled her eyes and shut the door. He chuckled to himself as he heard her grumbling on the other side of the door to the tune of sounds of her getting ready.
"You're due at your lunch engagement very soon Your Grace." He called through the door and started when she opened the door in a rush, her corset and shift visible in the bit of door she allowed open.
"I know exactly what my schedule is, Mr. Bates, and I'd prefer you didn't chime it to me like a clock. There's one in the hall and I've no need of another."
The door shut with a snap and John snorted, "Willful as ever."
He turned toward the hall when the door opened again and Anna emerged, dressed and ready but with a sour expression. "I heard you through the door."
John smiled to himself, trying to remember how to speak. "I thought it was thicker."
"Not quite as thick as your head, it would seem."
"It would seem." John bit back his grin when she frowned.
"What about this situation is so amusing, Mr. Bates?"
"Not amusing so much as… familiar."
"Do you often take occasion to insult your charges in their own homes?"
"It would seem I do. Though I assure you, it's unintentional."
Anna took a breath, "I would like to make something clear, Mr. Bates. Though I've promised honesty so that you may perform your job I request you give me the freedom to do mine. Don't mistake my demeanor as one of a lady lesser than myself. I respect you for your duty and ask only that you respect me in my home."
"I plan to do nothing less than respect you, Ms. Smith."
"Good." Anna pulled on her gloves, "Then understand that I seek your wellbeing while you're here since it assures mine. Should my actions or routine discomfit you then I suggest you inform my uncle you're unable to fulfill the requirements of your post."
"My post is best filled by me, I think."
"If you're sure."
John bowed to her, "I'm sure of very little, Ms. Smith, but this is one of those things on which I could build a foundation."
"You seem very sure of yourself."
"I've had a lot of time to make this decision." He opened his hand toward the door, "I believe you've a rehearsal to ensure the Crown Prince isn't disappointed by tonight's excitement."
Anna led the way, entering the carriage before him and taking her seat facing forward while John put his back toward the driver. She knocked against the side of the carriage and it pulled away. John went to draw one of the curtains but she put her hand over his, shaking her head.
"I wouldn't want an audience."
"To?"
She popped the latch on the seat next to him and John shifted to allow her to place her hat there. He raised an eyebrow until she unbuttoned her jacket, folding it carefully to fit and began pulling at her clothing. Closing his eyes John sat back against the carriage.
"Do you always treat your carriage as a mobile changing room?"
"It's part of the illusion I practice, Mr. Bates." Her hand rested on his arm, prodding him to the other side and John shifted, hearing another catch and thump of the seat opening for her to draw something from its bowels. "This carriage is as plain as I could reasonably manage but my uncles insists I dress in state when I leave the house."
"And that's not the uniform you wish to wear when you enter a theater to become your secret self?" John risked a look but Anna's hand rested over his eyes and he smiled. "Afraid I might see something I like, Ms. Smith?"
"I'm afraid you are far too cheeky for your own good, Mr. Bates."
"It's a method of deflection, much like your illusions."
"It's rather good." John bit down on his jaw when her breath caressed the shell of his ear. "But I believe there's more to you than your deflection."
"Why would you say that?"
"Because I've got the strangest feeling I've met you somewhere before."
John raised an eyebrow, keeping his eyes closed until Anna cleared her throat. He blinked and pulled the curtains up at her nod. Turning to her he opened his hands, "Ask whatever question you like."
"Who said I had a question?"
"Your tone." He shrugged, "You want to know if I'm about to reveal that we've met before or how you think you know me."
"Do I know you?" Anna crossed her arms over her much simpler clothes, waiting for John to speak. "Have we met before?"
"I told you, I attended one of your shows. You chose me from the audience and performed one of your illusions with me as your wiling participant."
Anna shook her head, "No, it's something else. Something deeper."
"Perhaps at one of your charity functions or your service projects."
She remained staunchly opposed to his suggestion, "It's something deeper. Not just a passing meeting but a deep familiarity. Something that runs under the skin to my very bones."
"Perhaps we've met in another life." John nibbled the inside of his cheek, "If you believe in that sort of thing."
"I guess the better question, since you raised the issue Mr. Bates, is whether or not you believe in that sort of thing."
John studied her then. Her face was the same as he remembered when he could picture her clearly. Everything, down the tiniest difference of color in her skin was exactly as he pictured her through the years. But somehow she changed.
Something about this Anna felt stronger, more controlled, calculating. The soul he felt, the one calling out to his own, had altered. It was her and yet not her. He smiled to himself as he realized he could know her anew.
"I do." He finally answered. "I believe our souls are eternal and therefore we sometimes have the gift of experiencing more than one life with them on this earth."
"That's not a very Christian attitude."
"My life's taken me to far off climes where Christianity is the religion of invaders and conquerors." John lifted a shoulder, "There's a religion, in India, where the people believe all the souls are simply reincarnated to fulfill their purpose. They rise and fall between lifetimes to take on the challenges the gods set for them until they reach the stage of enlightenment that allows them to move out of the cycle."
"Sounds exhausting."
"Even more so when you realize their cycle means you could live your next life as a dog or even a flea." John laughed at Anna's expression of distaste. "I'm not in complete agreement with their belief system either."
"What do you believe?"
John acted affronted, "That's a rather personal question."
"We're in a rather personal situation." Anna waved her hand toward him, "If you believe the soul is eternal then you must have a belief system."
"I believe things that've been lost to time." John opened his mouth as if to say something but stopped himself, "What I believe might've once been called paganism or deemed me a heretic."
"Old traditions make their rounds. It's nothing to me if you're not a follower of a major religion." Anna pointed out the window, "To each their own as far as I'm concerned."
"I doubt your very Protestant uncle would agree."
"He's Anglican and no, he wouldn't." Anna snorted, "The irony is that religion, for him, is tradition more than personal belief. He can recite choice passages from the Bible but he never reads it."
"Not a practitioner of what he preaches?"
"He's a man of his time, Mr. Bates." Anna shook her head, "Much like my father was, if I'm being honest."
"Your father, the Duke?"
"Yes."
John hesitated, then spoke, "May I ask how your uncle didn't take your title when your parents died?"
"My uncle is the Duke of Reyvaan but everyone knows it's only until I'm married. Then my husband takes the title with him since my father arranged for me to inherit it all." Anna smiled to herself, "Angered my cousin Thomas something terrible when he realized he'd made all these plans for my money and he'd never get it."
"Do we not like Thomas?"
Anna shrugged it off, "Thomas, like all the other men I've ever met, is the product of his time. He's entitled, arrogant, and ignorant."
"Would it be too presumptuous to assume you feel the same about the Crown Prince?" John risked it, watching for Anna's reaction. "I may've overheard your argument with your uncle in the hall about the invitation."
"But you and I both know I couldn't accept an invitation to attend a show where I'm performing."
"Yes," John nodded at her, acknowledging their shared secret. "However you seemed to think it a chore to even consider associating with him at all."
"Do you disapprove?" Anna's voice took on a mocking tone but John noted the stone to her expression. "Do you also believe I should throw myself at his feet and beg his mercy in exuberant gratitude that he deigned look upon me?"
"No." John shook his head, "Quite the opposite in fact."
"Really?" Anna leaned forward, perching her elbows on her knees, "And what do you believe I should do?"
"I think you should refuse him. He's an ass and doesn't respect you."
"Doesn't respect me?"
John turned to the window, squinted out it, "He's also syphilitic but that's none of my business."
"Syphilis?"
John nodded, "I heard it first as a nasty rumor on a battlefield but I've met too may men who enjoyed the company of too many woman not to see the signs in the Crown Prince."
"Which unfortunate soul can I thank for giving the Crown Prince a debilitating disease?"
"Not sure but since there are a number of souls I'd classify as unfortunate you can thank the lot for spreading the affliction around." John put his hand on the door, stepping out of the carriage as they pulled to the rear of the theater. "Your uncle may not approve and the world will think the worst of you but better shouldering a bit of gossip now than losing your dignity and your mind."
He held out his hand and Anna took it. She stepped down, shorter than him was they stayed on the pavement. Her eyes searched his face but John knew she would find nothing there. Nothing but utter devotion her furrowed brow told him she did not understand.
"Why are you helping me?"
"I don't suppose you'd believe that I'm simply interested in your welfare monetarily."
Anna shook her head, "If that were the case you wouldn't be standing outside a theater I'm not supposed to be renting waiting to deliver me to a rehearsal that'd shame my uncle if he knew I even considered it." She crossed her arms over her chest, "So why?"
"Because, Ms. Smith," John took a deep breath, "We have met before."
"Have we?"
"Yes."
"When?"
John wanted to tell her everything, to kiss her, to take her there with the world watching so she could remember who they were to one another. Who, he corrected himself, they had been to each other. Instead he chose his words carefully. "A long time ago. You suffered because I couldn't save you and I swore to myself I would never let anyone harm you again."
"I'm not old enough for there to've been a 'long time ago', Mr. Bates." Anna paused, narrowing her eyes at him. "You're suggesting we've met in another life, aren't you?"
"I told you, I believe in a much older way than you do."
"I'm not entirely sure you're wrong, Mr. Bates." Anna shook herself, "Everything in my head tells me you're simply besotted or infatuated or, at worst, mad."
"But your heart?"
"Tells me you're telling me the truth. Or," Anna gave a little laugh, "At least what you think is the truth."
"Do you believe it's the truth?"
"My head's not caught up enough to tell my heart if I'm wrong." Anna opened the side door to the theater, "I'd best get in. If I'm late then Henry'll blow a gasket."
"I'd hate to be the reason anyone suffers." John followed her into the back of the theater, ducking low hanging equipment to see two men assembling something on stage.
Both turned when Anna entered and immediately descended on their position. The shorter of the two, with an Irish accent as melodic as music, pointed at John. "Who's this tosser?"
"He's my new bodyguard." Anna gestured toward him, by way of introduction. "Gentlemen, this is John Bates. Mr. Bates these are Misters Thomas Branson and Henry Talbot. Henry's the taller of the two and Tom's the Irish one."
"It's a pleasure to meet you both." John shook their hands, "I've seen the show and while I could compliment the star of it for hours I believe the ingenuity of the display is down to your collective genius."
"Henry's the one with the big plans." Tom jerked his thumb at Henry, a tinge of red on his cheeks. "I'm just the mechanic."
"The mechanic who can make people fly and vanish at will." John walked to the edge of the stage, squinting into the darkness. "You're integral to this work. You're what makes it possible for the sun to rise, as it were."
"We're right sons of the morning." Henry laughed before tapping on the glass of the box on stage. "Have you ever seen the water tank before?"
"Twice." John turned back to them. "Once in India and once in Shanghai."
"You've been to the Orient?" Tom's face took on a breathless excitement that had John smiling. "What'd you do there?"
"Lived there for some time." John flexed his jaw, "And helped fight some wars there."
"Mercenary?"
"It's what I sometimes call the British Army." John pointed toward the room. "I'll just have a look around. I don't want any surprises."
"Be our guest." Henry waved to the room, "It's a standard theater. The Crown Prince's men already took their stock of it earlier and I think they may've lifted their noses at it but it is what it is I guess."
"Magic is found in many places, Mr. Talbot." John took the stairs down to the gallery floor. "Some simply miss it because they're distracted by other things."
"Well said Mr. Bates." John caught Anna's smile at him over his shoulder before she turned to her partners. "Now, about the tank."
John took slow steps around the room, inspecting it like he might a potential danger. Years of compounded training had him investigating every shadow and alcove until he found himself high in the balcony. Just as he went to take the stairs down he heard a snorting laugh. The chill that ran down his spine should have informed him but John turned all the same, shoulders stiffening at the sight of Vera leaning over the balcony to watch those on stage prepare.
She pointed down at them, "Do you think they realize that they could die?"
"Is that a threat?" John stalked toward her as Vera wiped her hands against one another, as though trying to clear crumbs from them.
"Did it sound like one?"
"I've stopped trying to tell with you."
Vera patted her hand against his cheek but John recoiled. "What a pity then that you've lost your edge John."
"What are you doing here?"
"Taking in a performance?" Vera pointed to the stage, "I hear she's quite good."
"How'd you find her?"
Vera laughed, "I didn't need to find her."
John frowned, "What do you mean?"
"I've just followed you, John." Vera leaned against the railing, folding her arms over her chest to face him. "I'm not such a fool that I wasted time like you did, scouring the world for one human soul. I just waited for you to make your way around the globe and eventually come back within my reach."
John snorted, "So you're stuck here?"
"It seems our little scuffle the last time you found this girl got me stuck right back here." Vera pointed to the spot beneath her. "I'm chained to these isles and I can't leave them."
"Caging your influence did some good then."
"Not if you wanted to spare the world from me." Vera leered at him, lips curving back over her canines. "Who do you think wanted to watch the sun never set on the British Empire?"
"You did that?"
"Trouncing the helpless and the weak was always my specialty John." Vera took a breath, "The benefit came when I could latch my soul to your dear, lovely Anna there."
John paled, "What?"
"Oh, you didn't know?" Vera grinned, "It's a little thing I risked when she died the last time. You remember that, the building was on fire and you crushed us all under its weight."
"I remember."
"Well, in the last moments that her spirit left her body I latched to it." Vera sniffed, "It means that where she goes, I go."
"You brought her back here just so I'd come back within your grasp?"
"That's right." Vera clicked her tongue against her teeth as John closed his eyes, kneading his palms there. "I know your brain might be a bit small to handle it but the reality of the situation, John, is that you'll never be free of me as long as you pursue her. I'll dog your every step and haunt your every moment with her."
"I can send you away." John raised a hand, "I've done it before and I can tell I'm stronger than you. Being here's weakened you since you can't feed directly on the suffering you cause."
"I'm not a vampire John."
"You're nothing but." John shook his head at her in disgust. "You're nothing but a creature of the shadows and I'll banish you there."
"You'd have to undo the binding on me first." Vera adjusted her skirt, her calm demeanor stopping John in his tracks. "Then you'd have to risk my rise over this world again. Risk me ruining the world again while you fall in love."
"You think I give a damn about the world when my happiness is within my grasp?" John pointed to Anna, practicing below them on the stage. "You think I'd give her up again when I've scoured the earth for her?"
"I think you'd feel that disgusting loyalty and guilt you always felt because you're so bloody noble."
"None of it would matter if I could be mortal with her."
"And what would it mean to her?" Vera waited, opening her hands to him. "You believe love is the full expression of the heart and yet you'll risk the inevitable lie of telling her you released a terror on the world so you could have her."
"She'll understand."
"If she gets the chance." Vera turned, her arms folding over her chest again as she watched Anna. "It's your choice John but if you don't release us I'll kill her again and if you do then I'll burn this earth."
John could only swallow as Vera turned to him, "That, John, was a threat. I hope you recognize the difference now."
