A.N.: Wow, I feel like I'm on a roll here. Hope you're still enjoying it; leave a review if you are (hint, hint). Theme song: "Out of Reach" by Gabrielle.
Disclaimer: We all know where this is going, don't make me say it again.
Sarah woke up after a restless night's sleep. As expected, Beth came in the night before full of questions. She had simply told her she didn't know. She didn't have answers for Beth because she didn't have answers for herself. She had given more thought to Trey's offer, though. As much as she hated to admit it, he was probably right. She knew very little about Jareth's capabilities, but she understood he was very powerful. Even if her child was only half that, they would need guidance that she couldn't give. 'Anything to keep them from turning out like their father' she thought. She went through her morning routine distractedly, stocking shelves in the bookstore half in a daze. That's why she was startled when Tori grabbed her arm and practically dragged her into her Tarot room.
"Tori, what the hell's the matter?" she asked, flustered.
"Sarah, I want to ask you something. I can tell you haven't said anything to Beth, which is your decision, but I want to ask you a few questions about your baby."
When Sarah remained silent Tori continued, "I've felt it since you've gotten here, and it only gets stronger over time. That's Fae magic your baby is emitting, isn't it?"
Shocked, Sarah could only nod. She quickly gave Tori the story between her and Jareth, and the role Trey had come to play in it. Tori listened attentively, neither judging nor commenting until Sarah was completely finished.
"Hmm. Well that explains quite a bit, but I would suggest something about this Trey character. I don't think you should trust him – he has a very dark aura."
Again, Sarah said nothing, just sat there dejectedly.
"Sarah, I realize this is upsetting, but remember he cannot hold any power over you unless you give it to him. Just keep that in mind." Sarah nodded, and was heading back out into the store when Tori called out, "By the way, there's more than just Fae magic I'm sensing. There's Earth magic, too, and she could only get that from her mother."
Shocked, Sarah spun around and faced Tori again. "What? Are you suggesting that I…? But I don't have any magic. "
"Sarah, didn't you ever wonder how you called out to the Labyrinth in the first place? I don't know what the play told you, but it's not that simple to wish a child away anymore. You would have to hold magic, and quite a bit I might add, to gain the attention of the Goblin King."
"But wouldn't I know if I had magic?"
"I assumed you did know, dear. Didn't your mother teach you? It is a maternal thing."
"Um, no, my mother died when I was little. Does…does that mean I'm going to have a girl?" Sarah asked hopefully. Tori just smiled in response. Sarah quickly rushed over to hug her, elated at this new piece of information.
"Oh, I was hoping for a girl! But how will I teach her if I didn't even know about my own magic? Can you teach me?"
"After the baby's born, I'd be more than happy to, but it's dangerous to practice while you're carrying. You don't know how to control it yet and that could hurt the baby." Tori warned.
"But what about the Fae magic? How will I teach her about that?"
"To tell you the truth, I've never heard of a child possessing both. She will definitely need strict guidance, but I know nothing about harnessing Fae magic."
Sarah thought this over carefully. She trusted Tori and her opinion. She too had been a bit mistrustful of Trey, but he was the only one offering to help teach her daughter Fae magic. 'I still have 7 months to decide' she thought. 'We'll see how it goes until then'.
* * *
Jareth stopped what he was doing and tried to focus. There it was again! He had been feeling this…presence in the back of his mind on and off for the past couple of months. It was drawing him, but it was still very faint. If he focused too hard on it, it simply disappeared. He relaxed his mind and simply let the presence pull at him for a moment, hoping to get a better feel of what it was. The only other person who had ever had this effect on him was Sarah, but he knew the feel of her mind the way he knew his own, and this was not her. Familiar, but still distinctly different. Who could possibly be calling to him if it wasn't Sarah? he wondered. He tried to reach out and connect with the presence, and it immediately recoiled, disappearing.
"Damn" he cursed aloud. Of course it would disappear! Anything that faint couldn't possible be strong enough to handle contact from his mind.
Meanwhile, Aboveground, Sarah's baby kicked violently, forcing her to sit down quickly. Trey, too, felt the vibration of power, which only hardened his resolve to convince Sarah. With her child they would be unstoppable. First, though, he would have to convince the others of his idea…
"Trey, you must be crazy. The woman will only hinder us. She remains loyal to him in her heart of hearts and you know it." Azreal admonished.
"She doesn't have to know the details. I simply told her we would train the child."
"I'll admit that the glamour was a nice touch, very ingenious considering the circumstances, but that does not change our plans." Azreal continued, unmoved. The others murmured their assent.
"I'm sorry, but we need her whether you like it or not. How did you expect to wean the child, huh? I don't see any lactating women around here, do you? By then the child will be in our control whether she likes it or not. I want her and she will want to be with the child, which we have. The way I see it, there's no problem with this new detail."
"Call her a 'detail' all you want, but if you lose your head over this woman, if she threatens our plan in any way, she will have to be eliminated." Azreal told him.
"Fine. I'll kill her myself if need be. But I'm telling you, she won't be a problem."
"Trey, I fear you are seriously underestimating Ms. Williams. Let's hope it does not lead to your downfall, to our downfall."
