Evie looked unnerved. "Do you really think it's the best option?"

I nodded. "It's the only one we could think of. Nothing came with me the first time and I think it's safe to assume nothing's going to go this time. If Jacob and I both lose our memories, we'll need something to jog it."

"But this?" She gestured to the fresh tattoo on the inside of my wrist. "Was it really necessary?"

"I rather like it." Jacob raised my hand and kissed the black spoke wheel with the crude stone in the center with the words Remember the Wheel etched around it. "A bit of paint on the most beautiful work of art."

I tried not to blush as he smirked at our inside joke, but I felt the blood rush to my cheeks as I continued, "My biggest concern is the Wheel transporting us both. I figured the only way it'll work is if we're each holding a part of it. If it works as it did before, all Jacob has to do is think of me and he'll be wherever I am. At least, I hope so."

Evie nodded. "When do you intend to leave?"

"Tomorrow night." Jacob's hand instinctively tightened around mine. "We'll need the second piece from Greenie, of course."

"I'll call on him in the morning." She stood to leave our car.

"We may be incapacitated," I said as we walked to the door. "If the same thing happens as last time, we'll go into a coma. I think we can manage the timing better so we're not gone as long, but there a chance we may…" I trailed off.

"I'll have one of Miss Nightingale's nurses watch over you." She forced a smile. "We'll do whatever we can to keep you alive."

"Evie," Jacob said as he walked over to her. "Thank you."

Their eyes met as they smiled, silently exchanging the words neither could say. When she reached out to put a reassuring hand on his shoulder, he pulled her into a tight embrace. As they parted, I could see the tears in her eyes she quickly tried to hide.

"Don't die," she said softly before turning back to me. "It's settled then. Tomorrow night, you'll find the Wheel, wherever it is."

The next day was spent preparing for our departure; not that much could be done. After a few hours of planning what we could and discussing possible scenarios we might encounter, Evie and Henry went back to his shop to see if they could find any more last-minute information while Jacob met with several Rooks to provide instructions while he was gone. Quietly, I slipped back to our car and pretended to read. Like everyone else, my mind was a million miles away.

Around dusk, I heard the telltale tapping of proper English weather on the car. Stepping out onto the back gangway, I reached out and felt the cold rain in the palm of my hand. Each drop fell through my spread fingers and ran down between them before disappearing again on the wind.

I thought about New Orleans one last time, but it didn't even seem real anymore. My life – my old life – seemed more like a dream. I knew I'd never go back, but it was part of me forever. In the real world which was Victorian England, I knew I was on the path I was supposed to be and I would complete the mission set out before me. It was just meant to be.

"You'll catch your death out here." Jacob wrapped his overcoat around me before pulling me close. "What is it, darling?"

I snuggled into his arms, wanting to feel his warmth and protection. "I'm just wondering if we can really do this."

He chuckled. "Of course we can."

"But…" I paused.

"Talk to me, Gwen."

I shook my head, smiling at my words being tossed back to me from him. "We both know I'm not an assassin. I can't do… certain things."

"Which is exactly why you have me." His arms tightened reassuringly. "Don't fret. I'll always protect you."

"But if the moment comes, if you have to choose between me and the Wheel, will you do what's right for the whole world."

"If that moment does come, I'll do what needs to be done." He leaned forward and kissed my cheek. "But let's hope it never comes to that."

"The Wheel has to be destroyed."

He sighed. "I know, my love, and we'll make sure it is. I swear."

I smiled to myself, knowing he'd keep his word.

The door opened and a pair of soft footsteps stopped beside us. Evie looked out across the tracks before asking, "Ready?"

"Another moment." As she went back inside, he turned me to face him. "Where you go, I follow. I'll always be by your side, Gwen. Now and forever."

I nodded as I ran my hand along his cheek, tracing his scar. He leaned forward and started to place a small kiss on my lips, but I pulled him deeper. At that moment, all I could think about was how much I wanted to melt into him. Standing there in the cold, rainy London evening, I never wanted us to be apart again. He was my heart, my soul, the very air I breathed. With him, I was complete.

Slowly, he drew away with a smile I could've sworn expressed everything I was feeling. Resting his forehead against mine, he sighed contentedly. "Shall we?"

I returned his smile. "Let's."

Back inside, Jacob geared up while Evie handed me my dagger. My first gift from him felt comforting in my hand before I slipped it into the leather bag attached to my belt. The black cotton breeches and matching knee-high boots allowed me to slip another dagger – this one a gift from Evie – in the top of the boots where a sheath had been installed.

"I wish I were going with you," she said softly as she helped me into my hooded overcoat, similar to the one assassin's wore but with a rounded front that didn't cover my eyes.

I patted her shoulder. "I'll take care of him, bestie."

"He's not the one I'm worried about." She forced a smile. "Please be careful, Gwen."

"I will."

I took the swatch of fabric she held out to me and she slowly took a step back. Her expression was stony, but her eyes betrayed her emotional state. I glanced over my shoulder to see Henry giving Jacob the stone as well.

"Ready, darling?" He asked as he took a seat on the edge of the bed.

I nodded as I joined him. My hand trembled as I laced my fingers through his, each part of the Wheel resting in our palms.

"Where you go, I follow," he reminded me in a whisper with a wink and smile.

I thought about the Wheel and how the assassins first found it. As flimsy as the details were, I hoped it'd be enough. I met his eyes, swallowed, and pressed our hands together.

"Son of a bitch," I groaned, my head pounding as I rolled over. My face was suddenly covered in sand and I sat up quickly, spitting out a mouthful of grit as I tried to clear the dirt away. Finally sure I wouldn't be blinded, I opened my eyes and took in my surroundings. All around me was nothing but the damned sand in rolling hills and deep valleys.

"Where the hell am I?" I wondered aloud just as I heard a loud curse from a voice I still knew.

"Gwen!" Jacob called from the other side of a dune. "Where are you?"

"Over here!" I called back, wondering the same thing.

He came running over the crest in front of me and dropped to his knees to pull me into his arms.

"Thank God." He gave me a quick kiss. "I worried something had gone wrong. Are you all right?"

I nodded. "I'm okay, but where the hell are we?"

"I'm not sure." He looked around. "The Wheel brought us here so it must be close."

"The Wheel? Like the Wheel of Time?" As he helped me to my feet, I shook my head. "Last time I had it, I gave the stone to Henry and Evie kept the fabric in the safe. Did we use it?"

He nodded. "Only a moment ago to come here. We've come to destroy it."

"Must've wiped my memory again." I shook my head again, trying to clear out the confusion. "Wonder why it didn't mess with you?"

He shrugged before reaching into his coat. "I'm not sure, but we should be on guard. We have no clue what we may be facing. What the bloody hell!"

"What's wrong?"

He began a thorough search of his person, a look of shock on his face. "My weapons are gone."

Checking my pouch and boot, I confirmed mine were gone too. "It must've done something in the transport."

"Brilliant! We're lost and unarmed." He groaned. "What else can go wrong?"

I pointed across the dunes as a lone camel rider came into view. "Somebody's coming our way."

The rider, a tall olive-skinned man in a white headscarf, called something across the expense to us in a language I didn't understand. As he closed the distance, I slowly began to recognize the form. Resting my hand on Jacob's shoulder, I stepped around him and waved before calling out, "Hello, Bayek!"

"Are you mad!" Jacob snapped as Bayek continued toward us.

"Jacob, I know this guy. That's Bayek of Siwa from the next installment of the game." I smiled at him. "If my memory's right, he's the first assassin."

As Bayek stopped in front of us, his dark eyes inspected us before he started to speak. His first words were completely foreign, but slowly they morphed into broken English before I could make out everything he said.

"Greetings," he said. "I am Bayek. How do you know me, strangers?"