Chapter 16

"The journal was mailed to me." Anna told Jarlaxle. Now that she thought about it, how did the journal find its way into her hands almost seven hundred years in the future? She was probably in the early 14th century, since the Tower of London was still under construction. She had finally accepted the fact that by some strange turn of events she had traveled into the past.

The dark elf went still, his eyes widening in shock. "The journal was sent toyou specifically?" Anna nodded as much as she could with his finger under her chin. Jarlaxle was truly taken aback. He looked into her indigo eyes and wondered why he had sent the journal to her. A wide smile spread across his face. She never ceased to surprise him. Not once had he been bored since she had stumbled into his life in that strange blood stained uniform. Still smiling he lowered his head and captured her lips. "I may just have to keep you." He murmured against her mouth.

Anna stiffened in surprise at the feel of the drow's lips. "WHAT!?" She squawked, her words muffled by his mouth. He laughed softly and deepened the kiss. Releasing her chin he slid his hand down her arm. Anna pushed at him. He raised his head slightly to look at her inquiringly. "What do you mean you might have to keep me?" She demanded. It sounded suspiciously like he considered her one of his many acquisitions.

He laughed and tried to kiss her again. Anna evaded him. "No! You are not going to kiss me! Now, what did you mean?" She demanded, putting her hand against his lips. She squeaked in surprise and jerked it back when he licked her palm. He laughed and settled his hands around her waist. "I had thought that my meaning was quite clear."

Her retort was cut off by his mouth covering hers again. Annoyed, she tried to pull away, but the dark elf merely tightened his arms. He was stronger than he looked! Even though he had her immobilized his lips were gentle as they moved across hers.

She didn't want to like his kisses or the way his hands felt as they slid up her back. She didn't want to feel anything. If she allowed herself to feel at all then she would be lost. She needed to distance herself from him, but she doubted that the pesky dark elf would allow that to happen. Try as she might, Jarlaxle was impossible to ignore.

He buried his hand in her hair and pulled her head back to give himself access to her neck. Anna gasped as he trailed kisses along her throat. She closed her eyes and tried to get hold of herself. When his lips moved lower her eyes popped open and she wriggled in earnest, pushing against his chest. He raised his head to look at her curiously. "Stop. Please." She gasped, frightened; although she would have been hard pressed to say whether it was the drow or herself that she feared.

He pulled back slightly but didn't let her go. "There's no reason to be afraid." He frowned and brought a hand to her face.

"I-I'm not afraid!" She stammered. Her heart hammered within her chest. Jarlaxle had unnerved her, badly. She had to stop this. Nothing but heartbreak awaited her if she continued along this path.

He touched her flushed cheeks, enjoying the warmth of her skin. She was such a curious little thing. She obviously enjoyed the kiss, yet he was sure she would deny it. Most women succumbed to his charms a good deal faster. Why did she resist so strongly? He wondered what she would do if he kissed her again.

Anna stayed perfectly still as his fingers ghosted along her cheek. The mischief in his eyes made her nervous. She felt like a mouse trapped beneath the paw of a cat. He leaned forward, stopping a hair's breadth from her lips. She shivered; whether in anticipation or fear she wasn't sure. His hand left her cheek and slid behind her neck.

"You need not fear, unlike you, I don't bite unless asked." He teased, watching her expressive eyes. Anna's mouth dropped open in outrage. It was all the invitation he needed to cover her mouth with his own. His tongue slid along her bottom lip and then into her mouth. Anna stiffened in shock at the invasion. He slanted his mouth across hers to give him better access as he leisurely explored her mouth.

Jarlaxle's kiss, erotic, teasing and deliciously sensual, was unlike anything she had ever experienced before. Anna knew that she should struggle, but couldn't seem to find the will. The dark elf teased and coaxed her into responding. If only he weren't so much fun to kiss. She sighed in defeat; when would she learn not to take the bait?

A wide grin split across his face at her shocked and bewildered expression. A good man would have felt ashamed, but Jarlaxle was a drow and not in the least troubled by the worried look in her wide indigo eyes. In fact, he was thoroughly enjoying it. Her eyes were so expressive! He chuckled and let her go.

Anna scrambled off the tree, nearly falling in her haste. Stumbling back she stared at him, breathing hard. "Why did you do that?"

Jarlaxle blinked. "Why?"

"Yes! Why!?" She demanded, bringing a hand to her lips. She was still shaking. She hated the way he made her feel.

"Can you honestly tell me that you disliked the kiss?" The drow grinned impishly and smoothed the feather on his ridiculous purple hat.

Anna resisted the urge to growl. Why did he delight in flustering her?

The truth be told she knew why he acted the way he did. He was one of the Fae. His capricious nature was a common trait of the Fae. Which meant that just because he was playing with her now didn't mean that he wouldn't tire of her by tomorrow. What was even worse was that he was aware of much he was affecting her. He simply didn't care. It bothered her more than she cared to admit.

The dark elf watched uneasily as her big indigo eyes begin to shine. "If you cry … I will kiss you again." He threatened. The moisture disappeared with almost comical speed. Such a thing should have shamed him. Jarlaxle laughed.

Anna moved away from him and lowered herself to the ground. "I don't understand you." She broke off a blade of grass and wound it around her finger as she watched him from beneath her lashes.

Jarlaxle hopped off the log. Pulling the huge purple hat off his head he swept her a low bow. "Have I offended you? Please accept my most sincere apologies!"

He may have been bowing, but Anna could see the smirk on his lips. He was such a cad.

Straightening, he tossed her a smile and tapped the hat against his pants leg. He ambled over and motioned to the ground beside her. "May I?" He asked. Anna eyed him distrustfully. Seeing her expression he sighed dramatically and rested the hat against his chest. "I am wounded." He mourned. When she didn't respond he dropped down beside her and set his hat on the grass.

Anna immediately scooted back, putting a little space between them. Jarlaxle stretched out and propped his head on his hand. The golden earrings running the length of his pointed ears gleamed softly in the light of the setting sun. "Come." He said, patting the space next to him.

"Why?" Anna narrowed her eyes, wondering what he was up to this time. The elf widened his eyes. "I merely wish to speak with you."

She seriously doubted that. "That's it? You're only going to talk to me?"

"My intentions are of the purest nature." He assured her, resting a hand on where his heart was supposed to be. She wasn't so sure that he had one in there.

"No more kissing." Anna told him sternly, before inching closer. His eyes glinted in amusement. "I would prefer not to have to yell across the field at you."

She cautiously moved closer, ignoring the laughter in his eyes. When she was within arm's reach he grasped her hand and pulled her closer. She squeaked and yanked her hand free. His features, while handsome, were too delicate and finely cut for a human. Evilly beautiful would have been a better description. Without the hat she could see the angular line of his face clearly. She really wished he would put it back on; he was far too distracting. Of their own volition her eyes moved over his slender, tightly muscled body. Her examination was interrupted by him taking her hand and moving it to his chest where his shirt opened. "If you are curious, touch me." He said.

Anna froze, staring at the contrast of her pale skin against the onyx of his. His skin was warm and she could feel the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed. She glanced up to see if he was laughing at her. For once the drow was serious. She turned her attention back to his coal black skin. His skin was so black it reminded her of marble. Fascinated, she slowly traced his collar bone. She liked the way he felt.

Jarlaxle remained motionless, curious to see what she would do. He was amazed that she was touching him voluntarily; he had expected her to skitter away. Her indigo eyes darkened as her fingers explored the small area where his shirt opened. She looked mesmerized. There was no doubt in his mind that she wanted him, but for reasons that he found unfathomable she resisted.

It didn't take long for her to come to her senses. Horror washed over Anna as she realized what she was doing. She yanked her hand back as if it was burnt. What had possessed her to touch him?

"There is nothing wrong with enjoying the touch of another." Jarlaxle said softly.

Anna placed her hands in her lap before they could touch anything else they shouldn't. She met his eyes uncertainly. "You enjoyed it when I touched you?"

He smiled. It wasn't the usual smile he wore. This one was gentle. He reached out, took her hand and stroked the inside of her wrist lightly. "Do you find this pleasant?" He asked. Anna didn't answer as she watched his fingers' rhythmic motions. Once again the sharp contrast between them caught her attention. "As pleasant as you find my touch, I find yours more so." The dark elf confided. Something in his tone made her look up. His expression was soft. It was strange to see that expression in wily drow eyes and she didn't know what to make of it.

He released her hand and sat up. "There are much more pleasant things I could show you, but that will have to wait for another day."

Jarlaxle looked towards the tree line. "Artemis! I feared you had gotten lost." He called, as the assassin emerged from the forest. A scowl met his statement. "The only time I am ever lost is when you lead the way." The assassin deadpanned, drawing a laugh from the drow.

"What have you brought with you?" Jarlaxle asked, noting the sack in the assassin's hand.

Artemis sat down and set the sack in front of him. Opening the rough cloth he pulled out some bread and a hunk of cheese. Tearing off a piece of bread he passed it to Anna and then tore off a piece for himself, handing the rest to Jarlaxle, who was regarding him with a bemused expression. "What?" He growled. The elf smiled widely and then took a bite of the bread.

"Thank you." Anna said, as Artemis handed her some cheese. He nodded and set about eating his piece.

Anna was in shock. Artemis did something kind? She hadn't thought him capable of kindness. Could there be more to her relative than the killer she had grown up hearing about?

They ate in companionable silence. Brushing some crumbs from his trousers, Artemis asked. "Does the journal shed any new light on this?"

Jarlaxle pulled the journal from his cloak and read the last entry, edited of course.

Your young guest is the key and the answer. All is not as it seems. The danger is great, my younger self. To avert this crisis you must act quickly. Use the key.

Artemis scowled. "Anna is the key? What is that supposed to mean?"

Jarlaxle retrieved the puzzle box and bracelet from his cloak. "I believe these artifacts are what the journal is referring to. It is too coincidental that the rat was carrying these items." Flipping the latch inside the bracelet the elf gently expanded the skeletal appendages. He fitted the device over his hand and placed it over the puzzle box. "I believe this is correct, yet there is no response." The elf's white brows pulled together as he removed his hand.

"Give it to Anna." The assassin suggested. "It stands to reason that she would be the one to operate it if she is the key." He explained, when the elf hesitated.

Jarlaxle picked up his outrageous hat and settled it on his head. He fiddled with the slant of the brim, adjusting it to sit at a proper angle.

"It's not going to help." The assassin told him. Jarlaxle gave him an inquiring look. "No amount of adjusting will make that hat look good." Artemis informed him.

Jarlaxle laughed. "If you wanted a new hat Artemis, you had but to tell me!"

The assassin groaned and cast his eyes skyward. "Just give her the artifacts." He grated. Jarlaxle sighed and looked at the golden items. He hated having to part with them, but his companion was right. He had suspected as much as well, but after having searched for the artifacts for so long he was loath to give them up. Ignoring the compulsion to secret them away the drow reluctantly passed them to Anna.

"What do I do?" She asked, staring at the golden skeletal hand. Jarlaxle moved closer and placed the bracelet over her hand. To his surprise it fit her hand as well as it had fit his. "Place the disk on your palm in the indentation on the puzzle box." He instructed.

Anna carefully fitted the disk into the puzzle box. There was a moment of silence and then the runes began to glow a faint blue. The sides of the box suddenly separated and locked into position as blue light exploded from within. Veins of blue light glittered through the skeletal fingers of the bracelet covering Anna's hand. The trio watched speechless, squinting as the light intensified. A sudden burst of light from the puzzle box blinded them.

As the light receded Anna became aware of intense heat and the smell of burning flesh. The screams of dying men surrounded her. Anna gasped. A sea of injured soldiers covered the earthen floor. In an instant she realized that she was back in the 20th century. Overhead lights exploded as flames engulfed the medical tent. There was a loud crack as the support beam beside her gave way. Anna screamed as the burning tent came crashing down.

Author's Note: Oh…I can't wait to write the next chapter! I have been looking forward to doing it! As always, I love to hear from you! Please review, it makes my day. :)

General zargon: Don't forget that ominous music…mayhem is on the way and I can't wait! Hehehe…XD

Surreptitous Chi X: Don't worry, there is actually a method to my madness and I am happy as clam you don't know where it's going. :P

Sushi-san85: I have a plan and it's a good plan! Even if there is a little hodgepodge going on. o.O