The children had gone to bed. Tori was glad. She hated seeing children so young playing in these wild areas. The raven-haired witch called Reyne had brought out a table and was shuffling some cards. Tori recognized them as Tarot cards and was desperate to have her future read. Reyne looked at her with enchanting blue eyes. Tori had seen Alex's eyes get that look, but only when they were in Central Park. It was a glowing magic. "You," Reyne pointed to her, "will have your path read. Come here." Tori went to her. Alex followed behind, always protecting.
Tori sat opposite the witch and waited. Reyne held out the card for Tori to cut three times. The witch gathered them up and started to lay them out, one by one, face up. "You will travel many roads." She placed another down, "You will find love hidden by hate." She laid another down and gasped. She looked right at Tori and said in a soft, urgent tone, "You will betray your friend and she will die." The glow of the woman's eyes flashed as Tori spun around to see Alex. "I would never, ever do that. Reyne is wrong you must believe me! Alex?" She pleaded with Alex, but Alex just stood there, starring at the witch. Tori jumped up and ran, tears in here eyes.

............................................................................................................

Alex wasn't sure if she should follow Tori or not. The witch whom Tori called Reyne answered Alex's question. "You're next." She acted as if nothing happened. Alex sat, expecting to have her Tarot read. Instead the witch pulled out a pair of scissors and reached for Alex's hair.
Alex jerked away. "What are you doing?"
"I need a lock of your hair."
Hesitatingly Alex allowed the witch to trim a centimeter, if that, off one of her braids. The witch placed the hairs in a bowl, picked it up, and looked into it. "There are many secrets and curses in your blood you do not know of." Reyne looked deeper into the bowl, "Your hate for your mother will end soon."
Alex, having enough, stood up abruptly. The witch grabbed her wrist with lightning speed. "You will have a great battle with yourself, the result is death." The witch let go of Alex and sat back.
"It seems as if you want me dead."
"I wish it not," Reyne said coolly, "You are like you mother and will do great things. Saving the kingdoms is what we all want. I just say what I see."

............................................................................................................

He couldn't understand why he was so drawn to her. Maybe it was her eyes, which seemed to glow green. Or maybe it was just the feeling of safety, love and goodness he felt in her presence. Either way Hawk was happy he had stumbled onto Alex. She was lovely, with her red hair done up in intricate braids. There was something underneath though, something of hidden magic. Hawk couldn't tell what it was, or why he felt he had met her before. All he knew is if Reyne was right, this fair woman was doomed to die, and he would not allow it.
Alex was staring at the fire when he walked up to her. She didn't look at him when she spoke, "Tori and I must reach Wendell's castle. We need to go home."
Hawk was shocked. Didn't she know that the castle was bad news? Wendell died years ago, and William's heart was poisoned to the point he was evil. "You don't want to go there. It's not safe."
Alex turned to him. Her eyes were a dull green, not the sharp emerald he remembered. She looked like she was about to cry. "Tori and I have to get out of here before we die. We will leave tomorrow."
She couldn't leave! Not without him at least. "Do you know the way? Do you have weapons? Food?" Hawk could see she hadn't thought about these things.
Alex returned her gaze to the fire, "We will go, even if we wander forever."
Hawk reached for her hand. "I will go with you. It is too dangerous for you to be off alone."
Alex looked at him with eyes full of sadness and hope. At that moment Hawk knew he would never let this wonderful woman out of his sight.