Here's a new chapter. If you like please review. Muses need reviews like I need cookies.
The blade in her hand was running in bright arterial blood, she could feel the warmth of it sliding over her fingers and rendering the hilt slippery and dangerous. The sound of battle roared about her and she turned, instinctively blocking the heavy blow that aimed at her side. Weaving the slender blade in several complex moves, she drove her opponent back before her blade slid like butter into his armpit. "THE TEMPLE!" At the shout, she disengaged and ran, picking her way through pools of blood and gore as she raced towards the marble building in the centre of the Isle. Under the light of a moon turned blood red by fire, the gardens were a charnel house. Dead and dying souls were arrayed amongst the flowers and everywhere smelt of death.
Alexa jerked awake to the feel of soft sheets and even softer lighting. Above her head, the canopy of a four poster blocked out the ceiling and as she turned her head, she could see wispy curtains of voile. Gingerly she pulled herself upright and stared at her surroundings in unabashed shock. The room was large and lit with a single lamp. Shadows chased over walls of antique cream and on the opposite wall, a wide vanity table and mirror in white greeted her questing gaze. Pushing the light quilt from her body and standing, she was gratified to note that she was still dressed save for her shoes. Her toes sank into a thick expensive carpet and she wriggled her toes with appreciation. On the bare wall which housed the exit, two paintings of willow tree lined riversides hung like bookends and above her head was a dark but elegant chandelier.
"What happened?" As the words breathed clear of her lips, the door opened and the silent form of Ian Nottingham stepped into the room.
"You collapsed Miss Dupree." Nottingham's voice was soft, yet she could hear the distrust behind his words and her respect for his abilities etched up a notch. "Mr Irons insisted that you rest here."
"Which I disagreed with." Sara Pezzini strode into the room and stood beside the tall bodyguard. "Are you feeling any better?"
"I think so.." Alexa's eyes focused on the bracelet on the detective's wrist and she saw again the last images of her dream. "Where is Mr Irons?"
"He's dealing with the remainder of his guests." Shocked, Alexa stared at the small gold watch on her wrist.
"It's one thirty?" Her voice incredulous and worried echoed through the rich furnishings. "I've been out for..."
"Three hours." Ian finished, looking at her carefully. "We were unable to wake you."
Alexa sat heavily onto the edge of the bed and drew several shuddering breaths. "Three..." She stammered out, feeling an unfamiliar and unwelcome sense of panic wrap around her. "Three hours?" It was incomprehensible and impossible; how could she have collapsed for three hours? What was wrong with her? Had they drugged her? She stared down at the red silk of her dress and tried to sort out her fevered thoughts.
Sara moved to the edge of the bed and gently patted the girl's shoulder. "Irons' doctor checked you over and said that he couldn't understand it. Mr Irons was concerned." She said this last piece with reluctance and genuine surprise. "Have you got any ideas why you collapsed? Does this happen to you often?"
"No." Alexa breathed, trying desperately to bring her panic under control. "Never."
"What happened just before?"
"Umm." Alexa thought backwards, beyond the unsettling dream and to the private alcove. Irons' leaning forward, that seductive smile on his features. have you ever heard of the witchblade "Witchblade." She whispered softly, through the discomforting buzz that had once again begun to sing in her head. "He asked me about the Witchblade, if I had heard of it and then..." She shrugged, conveying her confusion in one simple movement of the shoulders.
Sara glanced at Ian in bewilderment, wondering if she had just heard correctly. "Irons asked you about the Witchblade?"
Alexa nodded looking at the pair of them curiously. Ian was hard to read, but Sara's surprise was obvious and intriguing. "Yes he did. What is that?
