Author's notes: Thanks for the feedback, guys! I really appreciate it … :) Thanks to challengerspet (don't worry, Challenger will be making his appearance soon enough!) Beckers (I just realized that Zanga celebrations ARE a little overused, aren't they? *grin*) veggie_5 (you just made my day with your lovely review! Thanks! ) and TLWROX (Thanks. And I agree with you, now that you've mentioned it, the blood-vanishing thing is kind of funny! Please excuse my weird sense of humor! :) )

Lastly, I want to thank SUZANNE, who was kind enough to send me an e-mail… thankies, Hon! You're a doll!

Author's notes 2: Before we go any further, I would like to add that Malone wouldn't be in this fic. In my twisted mind it takes place after he left for some self-introspection (whatever!). And Finn hasn't yet arrived on the scene. Also, in this part there maybe some reference to the episode where M and R danced.

Disclaimer: Anything related to the show 'The Lost World' is not mine.

Cry of the Blood

Chapter Two

Roxton gritted his teeth inwardly as he held Marguerite close to him. He had never known what actually hit him to take her in his arms; it was a universally known fact that he, Lord John Roxton, isn't too much of a Lord when it comes to dancing. Back in good old London, he tried to salvage what's left of his name by politely declining several women's flirtatious invitation of having him as a partner. If he was attending a party or any other celebration, he contented himself by rhythmically tapping his foot in tune with the music, or watching the others do their business on the dance floor.

And now, as he snaked his arm around Marguerite's waist, as he pulled her towards him until her chest touches his, as he watched her eyes glitter with a challenge, he couldn't help but question his motives again.

Maybe it's because he wanted to show to the other men that this beautiful woman, this woman who had managed to capture and enchant several men with her enigmatic dance, belonged to him. Maybe it's because he wanted to touch her all night, and if by dancing with her is the only means of doing so, then by God he would do it. Maybe it's because he loved the feel of her body against his, as they stood, toe to toe, with only a whisper of a breath between them.

No matter what, he would risk everything within him just to have Marguerite Krux for himself, even for only a night, even for only a dance.

He blinked out of his silent reverie when he watched Marguerite lift her eyebrows at him.

"Now what?" she asked bluntly.

Roxton glanced at her eyes, and quickly looked down on their feet, afraid that she might see the uncertainty that he was feeling. He was uncomfortable, unsure of what to do next. "Well," he started, desperately searching for a good excuse, "we—"

"Oh, Roxton." She said. When he lifted his eyes to her face he found her smiling softly at him. Had she suddenly known his poor state? That he couldn't tell. "It's not like we've never danced before."

Images ran through his head, images of their previous dance. He had been blessed to hold her that day, and what could be considered more as a miracle was that he was able to lift her in his arms and generally made himself look good in front of her. But now— "That was different," he said. "The music then was familiar to me; this is not."

Marguerite's smile widened, as if by that statement she had known that it was the only excuse he could think of. "Fine." She said to him, smugness replacing the mirth. "This time, I will lead. But don't you dare step on my toes in front of all these people!"

"Step on your toes, dear Marguerite?" he asked. "I wouldn't even think of it."

No matter what, he thought as he grinned, Lord John Roxton would risk embarrassing himself just to have Marguerite Krux, even only for a dance.

*

Veronica smiled hugely as she made her way towards her friend, Assai, who was seated beside a tent and was watching the couple with interest. She sat beside her, and then joined the other woman in staring at Roxton and Marguerite. "Now that's something you don't get to see everyday," she quipped.

Assai nodded, unable to keep her eyes off the pair. "Would you look at that," she said. "I've never seen a man stare at a woman like your friend does. It's very clear that he loves her very much."

"Definitely." Veronica answered. "Though I've yet to see him tell her that. Or she him for that matter."

"That's a shame," Assai muttered. "A love as beautiful as that should never be denied."

"My thoughts exactly. And Challenger thinks so, too." At the mention of the older man's name, she looked around her. "By the way, where is Challenger? It seems as though I haven't seen him after the celebration began."

Assai pointed behind them, and when Veronica turned he saw that Challenger was seated with several of the elders, and he was speaking animatedly, even using gestures to accompany his words. Veronica grinned at the sight. "Looks like Challenger found himself someone to debate with." She said fondly. She could only guess that they were talking about his belief in science and the Zanga's belief in magic.

"And he couldn't have found a more able elder than Amel." Assai commented, naming one of the oldest and wisest in their village. Then her eyes lighted up, and a smile emerged on her lips. "Speaking of elders," she began as she stood up, and helped Veronica to her feet. "I have to introduce you to someone."

They made their way to the tent that was to be found behind all the others. "And I want to meet him or her because…"

"Because she's pretty amazing at about everything." Assai answered. "And because she has the power to make you see your future now."

Veronica's face was pure blank. "Huh?"

Assai grinned at her. "You heard me," she said at her friend's dumbfounded expression. "Magda is my mother's second cousin, and she only arrived yesterday from a very long journey from the mountains. Father told me that her magical abilities have grown a hundred-fold, and she could now foretell your future, as well as your past, without much difficulty."

"I don't know, Assai." Veronica started, feeling a bit apprehensive about it. "The whole idea of seeing the future… it's kind of—"

"But aren't you curious of what the future holds for you and your friends?" the other woman countered. "Of when you'll be able to finally find your parents? Or if Malone will ever come back? Or if Roxton and Marguerite—"

"Okay, okay!" Veronica said, raising her hands in front of her in mock defense. She smiled slightly. "I'll go in and meet her, and have my future read. But only on one condition… you come in with me, and you have your own future told to you first."

Assai nodded. "Agreed," she said. "Now let's go in!"

*

Veronica recognized the overwhelming smell of cypress and yarrow root as she stepped inside the small tent. Although the smell was heavily laced in the air, she never felt as though she would suffocate from it. It smelled sweet and powerful, all at the same time.

She never knew that she has not yet moved from her position until an old woman's voice floated to her ears. "Come in, child. Don't be timid to have your future revealed to you; after all, your future differs with every breath you take."

She glanced at Assai to find her already seated in front of the old woman with silver hair and eyes. When Veronica looked at her, she found that her eyes were focused not on Assai, but on her face. "I—"

The aged woman smiled kindly. "There is disbelief in your heart." She stated. "I cannot blame you; you with the hard past should never believe in anything so easily. It will be the cause of your downfall if you do." Then she moved her head to one side. "But you already know that, don't you, my child?"

"Magda," Assai said softly, drawing the woman's attention from Veronica's face, "we have come to have you read our future to us." She looked expectantly at her relative. "You can do that, can you?"

"Of course, my dear." Magda's silver eyes finally latched itself on Assai's face. She reached for her bowl, and then proceeded to take in a very small portion of the red liquid that was inside. She smeared Assai's palm with it, and then held it between her own. "The future changes with every breath we make." She repeated. "I can only show you one of the possibilities. It depends on you to make it into a reality."

Magda closed her eyes. Veronica thought she saw a soft blue glow surround the women's hands, but before she could confirm it, the light was already gone. She focused her eyes on the aged woman, and watched as a smile lighted her features. "My dear," she said to Assai, "I see an heir to your husband's skills and wisdom."

Assai looked down on her abdomen and smiled. "A child," she said, as if in awe. "I'm going to be a mother!" Then she jumped into Veronica's arms and laughed in great delight.

Veronica shared her friend's joy for several moments, before she turned her eyes back to Magda's face. There was something in the woman's kind face that seemed to draw her in. Without further thought, she stepped out of Assai's jubilant embrace, sat in front of Magda and thrust her hand outward. "Tell me," she began, "what you see."

Magda took her hand and held it between her own. She closed her eyes for a moment. "Friends." She started to say. "You have four other people that you share your life, your house, with. Oh, but I see one has gone alone in his own quest." Magda opened her eyes. "But he will return to you." She said. "And during one of your journeys you will find another friend; someone whose life is yet to start."

Veronica's eyes became furrowed with confusion, and she looked at Assai before returning her eyes to the old woman.

"Your lives are all intertwined," Magda began again. "Where one dwells the others do, too." She reached for the red liquid and placed a star on Veronica's palm. The liquid felt hot against her skin, but when Magda covered it with her hands the uncomfortable warmth was felt no more.

Veronica watched as Magda closed her eyes in concentration. Then she watched in alarm when the older woman paled, and her hands trembled. Veronica glanced at Assai, and in her eyes there was a hint of fear.

"Magda?" Assai called, as she stood up and went to her side. "Magda?" She held the woman's hands and tried to stop its shaking. Assai removed Veronica's hand from Magda's grasp, which was difficult to do, since the woman was clutching at it with strength that surprised both women.

Veronica stared at the trembling woman, and then at her hand. The star on her palm glimmered red before her eyes, before it died and it was all ink again.

"Magda!" Assai called out. "What is—"

"Blood!" The aged woman suddenly cried. She forced her way out of Assai's grasp, and then grabbed Veronica's shoulders. "Blood," she whispered.

Then she closed her eyes and fell, unconscious, on Veronica's lap.

* end chapter two