Chapter 36

Time lost all meaning. It was impossible to know how long he floated in the void. It could have been days, weeks or years.

He didn't remember when he started calling it the void. This strange place that Cadderly had banished him to wasn't a place at all. As far as Jarlaxle could tell it was closer to an absence of time. When he concentrated he became aware of different times and places though he couldn't actually see them. It was more of an understanding.

The void itself was completely black. The darkness was so absolute the he couldn't see the hand he held up it in front of his face. Even his heat sensing vision didn't help. There was no heat or cold, no up or down, no sight or sound save for his own voice. He was utterly alone. He supposed he was free now though this was not the freedom he had envisioned. Jarlaxle feared for his sanity.

The ability to sense things was perhaps the only reason he didn't lose his sanity. He could sense Anna's presence and Artemis' as well. From Artemis he sensed concern and loneliness. From Anna he sensed great despair. To his surprise he could even sense Betsy.

"I am sorry," Jarlaxle said out loud his voice lost in the emptiness of the void. He had never meant to cause Anna such pain. His chest tightened as he felt her sorrow. "This was not what I wanted," he whispered. As he floated he remembered Cadderly's parting words. Bend the magic to your will. What did he mean? How was he supposed to bend the magic of an entire world?

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Anna rubbed her raw eyes and stared at the spot where Jarlaxle had last stood. She shouldn't torment herself like this. She had cried herself sick for the first few days. She had cried until she was physically unable to cry anymore. The only thing left was an all-consuming feeling of loss. Part of her had died when the drow left. She felt like an empty shell. She wasn't living. She was just going through the motions.

"Anna," the sound of Mr. Capone's voice drew her attention. "Your grandfather asked if you would accompany me to the theater tonight," he said studying her red rimmed eyes. "He is worried about you and so am I," he said softly his eyes full of concern.

Anna gave him a halfhearted smile. Al Capone was Victor's newest business partner. Her grandfather held him in high esteem. He was a handsome man, both charming and charismatic. Most young women would have been falling over themselves to have his attention. Anna appreciated the effort had he put into charming her but he was not Jarlaxle. Al Capone's charm paled in comparison.

"I have a surprise for you," he said smiling down at her. Anna knew he was trying to cheer her up but she couldn't bring herself to return his smile. "Come," he said tucking her hand into the crook of his arm.

Al Capone led her towards the house. Anna allowed him to guide her through the house not caring where they were going. Her life had become so empty. Nothing mattered to her anymore. The only thing she felt was the constant aching loss. Would it ever go away?

Anna realized they had stopped and Al Capone was looking at her expectantly. He was grinning like a school boy obviously waiting for her reaction to something. Feeling a little guilty she followed his eyes and then gasped. Sitting in front of the house was an automobile. It was a thing of beauty with its graceful curving fenders and shining paint. Not many people had automobiles and she had never seen anyone with one that looked like this. For the first time since the Jarlaxle's disappearance she smiled. Anna loved automobiles and this was something special.

"Shall we," Al Capone nodded towards the car. Anna nodded as she slowly walked around the car admiring the flawless graceful lines.

"It's beautiful!" She exclaimed.

"There's only one problem," he sighed.

"I don't see anything wrong," Anna said looking at the paint's mirror like shine.

"It's in the back seat," Al Capone told her with a pained expression on his face.

Betsy was glowering at him from the back seat. "I had no choice." He said glaring at the flamboyant woman in the back seat. Betsy responded by pouting and turning her face away from him. For reason's Anna couldn't understand Betsy had taken a dislike to the charming Mr. Capone.

Opening the passenger's door Al Capone helped Anna into the car. Shutting the door he walked around to the driver's side.

"I'm sorry I ever told you to stay away from the elf," Betsy muttered as Al Capone walked around the car. "Stay away from that man Anna. I'm telling you. He's dangerous and not in a good way," she whispered.

"Really Betsy, Mr. Capone is kind enough to take us on an outing you should be happy," she chastised her friend. Betsy gave her a sour look and then turned away to stare in the opposite direction.

Betsy had not been the same since Artemis had left. Anna's smiling laughing friend had disappeared. In her place was a sullen woman who seldom smiled. Anna hadn't realized how much Betsy had loved Artemis. It seemed incredible that he would have had such an effect on her after such a short space of time. Anna was worried about Betsy. She had actually been afraid Betsy might take her own life for a while. Her despair had been that bad. Between the two of them they made quite a pair. Victor had lost all patience after the first few weeks and had demanded that Al Capone do something.

Ironically the thing that saved Betsy was her concern for Anna. The moment Al Capone had set eyes on Anna it became obvious that he wanted her. Betsy had to do something before the man got his claws into Anna. Her innocent friend had no idea of the danger he presented. Al Capone was a bad man. Betsy sensed a cruelty in him that terrified her. She would not leave Anna to his mercy. Bad as that black demon of an elf had been she hadn't sensed any ill will towards Anna. Al Capone's only interest was in what Anna could do for him.

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Later that night after they returned Betsy went in search of Lizzie. She had to do something before it was too late. If anyone knew what to do it would be Lizzie.

"Do you know what happened to Artemis and that elf?" Betsy asked as she poured tea for the two of them.

Lizzie sighed and stirred some sugar into her tea. "I don't know about Artemis but Jarlaxle is supposed to be dead. Betsy's head jerked up in surprise. Sitting down opposite of Lizzie she waited for her to continue. Starting from the beginning Lizzie told Betsy everything that had happened.

"So Artemis isn't even from this time," Betsy shook her head. It was impossible. But she sensed that Lizzie was telling her the truth. "How is that even possible?" Betsy asked.

"Jarlaxle is part of a magical race called the Fae," Lizzie began and then frowned, "Well, actually he predates the Fae but he is a magical being. It was magic that brought them here," she explained.

"Magic," Betsy echoed trying not to scoff at the ridiculous statement. Everyone knew that magic didn't exist.

Lizzie's eyes hardened, "Magic exists," she said sternly.

Betsy held up her hand apologetically, "Sorry it's just so unbelievable," she said. "Is there anything we can do? Anna's not going to forget about that elf and as much as I don't want to say this she is better off with Jarlaxle than with Mr. Capone." Lizzie nodded in agreement.

"I have to agree with you. I don't like that man," Lizzie said. "I have been doing some research. There may be something we can do."

"What?" Betsy asked her eyes brightening for the first time in weeks.

Lizzie took a deep breath, "It involves you," she announced. Betsy gave her a blank look causing Lizzie to smile slightly. "I believe that Jarlaxle didn't die like the Unseelie prince believed," she explained. When Betsy continued to stare at her Lizzie continued, "I stumbled across a story about a wizard named Cadderly. Apparently Cadderly was a great and powerful wizard who aided in the formation of Faery. In the story he talks about a drow that he banished to a different plane. This drow was unable to join the others in Faery and it was the only way the wizard could spare his life. I believe that this drow may have been Jarlaxle."

Betsy stared at her. "Feathers," she whispered. "How does this involve me?"

Lizzie looked her square in the eyes, "What would you be willing to do to get Artemis back?" she asked.

"Anything!" Betsy shrieked nearly knocking over her teacup in her excitement.

"It's risky," Lizzie warned.

Betsy's brown eyes sparkled and a bright smile lit her face, "There is no risk I wouldn't take for Artemis," she informed Lizzie.

"Very well. Do you want to change first?" Lizzie asked.

"Why?" Betsy asked flipping her feather boa over her shoulder. Lizzie shook her head looking at the fluffy boa, glittering beaded dress and sparkly head band. Poor Artemis. She wished she could see his expression at what was about to happen. Smiling she motioned for Betsy to follow her.

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How long had it been? Jarlaxle wanted to scream in sheer frustration. It was maddening being in this pitch black silence. He was so caught up in the madness of the void that he almost didn't hear the voice.

"Jarlaxle, can you hear me?" the voice called.

"I've finally gone mad," the drow muttered. Then the voice came again.

"You're quite sane," Lizzie said with a laugh. Of all the things that Jarlaxle might have expected Lizzie's voice wasn't one of them.

"Lizzie," the drow called softly afraid that he was hallucinating.

"I have an idea on how to free you," Lizzie's voice drifted to him through the void.

"Tell me," Jarlaxle said sincerely hoping that he wasn't imagining this.

"I have a spell I am going to try. If it works it will allow you to change places with a soul from this time," Lizzie explained.

Jarlaxle frowned, "You are going to send someone into the void in my stead," he said in surprise. He hadn't thought Lizzie was capable of being that cold.

"No, the spell will pull you to our time and thrust the other soul into your time. There has to be an equal exchange of life for it to work," Lizzie explained.

"What soul are you sending to my time?" Jarlaxle wondered although he already a suspicion.

"Betsy," Lizzie answered.

Jarlaxle laughed, "What do you want me to do?" Hope blossomed as the drow wondered if he would beat the odds and survive. Even if he didn't survive death was preferable to the emptiness of this existence.

"Concentrate on what you desire most. The desire must be strong enough to pull you here or the spell will kill you," Lizzie warned.

"Understood," the drow said and began focusing on his greatest desire. Strangely it was Anna and not freedom that appeared in his mind's eye. Jarlaxle gave himself a mental shake and concentrated on what he desired most. Freedom. Once again Anna popped into his head. Shrugging in resignation at the unexpected turn of events he focused on Anna. He felt something begin to pull at him. The pull quickly became painful and then agonizing. A scream broke from his lips as the pull became unbearable.

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Anna sat in front of the mirror in her bedroom and stared at her reflection. Eyes full of despair stared back at her. Burying her head in her hands Anna tried to banish the face of the wickedly handsome elf. Every time she closed her eyes she saw him. It was tearing her apart. She needed to forget about him. Grabbing a handkerchief she wiped her eyes and blew her nose.

A chill suddenly settled over her raising goose bumps along her skin. Anna rubbed her arms as wind gusted through the room. Standing up she moved to close the window. When had it gotten so cold? She reached for the window. It was closed. Anna stared at it in confusion. An odd sound came from behind her. Turning around she went stock still and stared in disbelief. Her entire bedroom was crackling with energy.

Light exploded from the center of the room. Shielding her eyes with her hand Anna squinted as she watched the light began to take shape. As the brightness dimmed she saw a figure appear in the middle of the room. Flames licked along its body. As the flames began to disappear the figure convulsed and then collapsed to the floor. Smoke rose from the still form. Laying to its right was a scorched purple hat.

"Jarlaxle," Anna gasped afraid to believe what she was seeing. She stared at the still form of the elf for a long moment wondering if she was imaging things. A low moan came from the figure. Anna dropped to the floor beside him. She reached towards him and then hesitated afraid that she would only find empty air.

Jarlaxle had never hurt so much in his entire life. He supposed that meant he was still alive. Cracking his eyes open the first thing he saw was an oriental carpet. He made it! He escaped the void! He tried to sit up. Pain ripped through him. Moaning he fell back. He became aware of someone kneeling beside him. He tried to focus. It was Anna. She was staring at him in horror.

"I would have thought a warmer reception was warranted," the drow croaked.

"It is you," Anna whispered staring at him like he was a ghost.

"I believe so, though I am not totally convinced that I am alive," Jarlaxle groaned as he looked at the smoke coming off his fingers.

Anna tentatively touched his face. His coal black skin was hot to the touch. He was real. Anna's eyes filled with tears. "I thought I lost you," she whispered.

"Perish the thought!" The drow rasped though he silently agreed with her. He had though he would never see her again. The thought disturbed him more than he would have thought possible.

"You're hurt," Anna realized as her fingers brushed against his scorched skin. She was still in shock. He had come back.

"I will heal," the drow said. A few burns were the least of his worries.

"You came back," Anna said running her hands along his arms to assure herself that he was real.

"Did you think I would not?" Jarlaxle asked as he slowly sat up. "I never willingly part with treasure," he said grinning at her. To Jarlaxle's surprise Anna leaned forward took his face between her hands and gently pressed her lips to his.

Anna pulled away and looked him in the eyes, "Don't you dare leave me again," she commanded him.

Jarlaxle smiled and stroked her cheek, "Never," he promised. He meant it. He had longed for freedom his whole life. He had thought that his only true desire was freedom. With a sense of wonder he realized that even freedom was not worth losing Anna. Life was incredibly lonely when you had no one to share it with. He had not realized that until it was almost too late. Pulling her against him the drow buried his face in her hair. Jarlaxle swore he would never make that mistake again. His life was far more interesting with Ann in it.

The sound of someone running made Anna look up just in time. Lizzie burst into the room and then pounced on Jarlaxle all but strangling him as she hugged him.

"You made it!" Lizzie squealed kissing Jarlaxle's cheek and squeezing him tightly. The look on the drow's face was worth a thousand words. Lizzie pulled back and beamed at him, "Welcome to the family," she chirped. Jarlaxle looked bemused.

"Forgive me, but I was under the impression that you didn't approve of me," the drow said.

Lizzie rocked back on her heels and smiled at him, "If you did not love Anna that spell would have killed you. How can I not love someone who would risk his very life for my granddaughter?" she asked.

"Love," the drow echoed blankly. What did love have to do with anything? Drow didn't experience that emotion. Didn't she know that?

Lizzie laughed at his confused expression. Obviously the dark elf had a lot to learn. The poor soul didn't even realize he loved Anna. Lizzie's grin stretched from ear to ear. This was going to be fun. Mr. Capone was going to be in for a surprise.

Jarlaxle resisted the urge to shake his head. Did she truly believe he was capable of love? She was a fool. But she would learn. He was going to enjoy this world, especially now that he had his entertaining little Anna back. Jarlaxle smiled back at Lizzie. If only she knew who she had just welcomed into the family.

Anna watched the entire exchange with a sense of wonder. What had happened to make her grandmother suddenly welcome Jarlaxle? She abruptly lost her train of thought when the drow tried to stand. It took both her and Lizzie to help him to the bed. Once there he collapsed against the pillows with a pained groan. Lizzie patted Anna's cheek before leaving them alone and going in search of Victor to give him the good news.

Anna sat on the bed beside him and looked at him curiously, "So…you love me," she remarked stifling a laugh at his expression.

Jarlaxle tossed her a charming smile and pulled her down beside him, "But of course, did you think otherwise?" he lied. Anna giggled and curled up beside him. Tucking her head into his shoulder he wondered if she actually believed him. Not that it mattered. She belonged to him and only a fool would try to take something that belonged to a drow.

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Artemis looked out the window of the small rented room. When he had left Jarlaxle he hadn't had any real destination in mind. He didn't care where he went so long as it was far away from the drow and his schemes.

Turning away from the window he crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed. Unsheathing his dagger Artemis stared at his reflection in the blade for a long moment before starting to sharpen it. His life had been refreshingly normal since he had left the drow. Well at least as normal as was possible for a man like Artemis Entreri. It had been a simple thing to fall into the familiar life of an assassin.

As Artemis checked sharpness of the blade he found that he was restless. It was quiet without the elf's incessant chatter. When had he gotten used to the elf's constant companionship? All this time he had wanted to rid himself of the troublesome drow. He finally succeeded. He should be pleased. So why did he find the silence deafening. Nothing made sense anymore.

Artemis hadn't felt like himself since he had returned to Faerun. He wondered once again if the magic of the puzzle box had done something to him. Sliding the dagger back into its sheath he laid back on the bed and folded his hands behind his head. Tomorrow he would pay a visit to the local guild master. He was certain the man could be easily convinced of his value. Any guild would be happy to have a man like Artemis Entreri. Maybe he would start his own guild. He had just started to drift asleep when a loud crash startled him awake. In flash he was on his feet weapons drawn. Moving silently to the door he paused and listened.

Light exploded from the other side of the door. Was the place on fire? No, Artemis decided holding his hand close to the rough wood of the door. There was no heat. Perhaps it was a spell. Jarlaxle. Cursing under his breath, Artemis cracked open the door and peered outside. It wasn't the dark elf standing on the other side.

Artemis closed the door. He could not have seen what he thought he saw. It wasn't possible. Sheathing his weapons he wondered if this was a dream. He breathed in and the smells of the city immediately hit him. No he was awake.

"Feathers!" a familiar voice exclaimed. Artemis leaned his forehead against the door. It wasn't possible. It couldn't be her. But there was no mistaking Betsy's voice. Artemis groaned and covered his face with his hand. Why him? Opening the door he reached out and yanked Betsy into the room.

"What are you doing here?" Artemis snarled. Betsy stared at him blankly and swayed on her feet. It was then that he noticed the scorched feathers on her head band. Artemis frowned when she didn't answer. Pushing her onto the bed he took stock of her injuries. She was covered in small burns and scorch marks. What had happened to her?

"How did you get these burns?" Artemis asked grabbing a towel and soaking it the wash basin.

"It really is you," Betsy whispered.

"Of course it's me, who did you expect?" Artemis growled as he started cleaning the wounds. Betsy winced and pulled away. "Hold still," he growled. Betsy flinched as he finished cleaning the burns but didn't pull away again. "Now, what happened?" Artemis demanded tossing the towel back into the basin.

"Lizzie's spell brought me here," Betsy explained rubbing her arms, "It really hurt." Artemis crossed his arms and glared at her. When he didn't respond Betsy said, "It was the only way I could find you."

Artemis raised an eyebrow, "Why were you looking for me?" he asked.

Betsy met his eyes, "I missed you baby," she said.

Artemis stared at her. How could anyone be so foolish? "Do you realize what could have happened? Do you know what a spell like that can do to you?" he demanded.

Betsy nodded, "Lizzie told me that if I didn't make it here I would die."

"You knew this and still took the risk?" Artemis asked in disbelief.

"I would risk a lot more than that for you," Betsy said looking at him straight in the eyes. Artemis shook his head and sat down beside her. The fool had risked death just so she could find him. Artemis didn't like the idea.

"Why would you do something so foolish?" He asked quietly.

"I would do anything for you," Betsy said as if it was obvious. Artemis looked at her in confusion. Betsy suddenly brought a hand to her forehead. "I feel strange," she murmured and then collapsed against him.

Artemis was about to snarl at her when he noticed that she was unconscious. She was extremely pale. The spell had taken its toll on her. Laying her back on the bed he considered what he should do. He could kill her. It would be simple enough. He didn't need someone like her around. Betsy was nothing but trouble. Still he was strangely reluctant to harm her. Artemis sighed. If he didn't kill her Betsy would never leave him alone. Of that he was certain.

"What in the nine hells are you wearing?" Artemis grumbled feeling the long feathery thing she had wrapped around her. He shook his head at the ridiculous clothing. Between the beaded shimmering dress, the long fluffy feather thing, and the multitude of pearls she was wearing it was difficult to decide where to look first. He settled on the soft platinum waves of her hair. Catching a curl between his fingers Artemis muttered, "What am I going to do with you?" The problem was, he already knew. "Maybe I'm the fool," he sighed and leaned down to kiss her.

Betsy's eyes fluttered open at the feel of his lips. She smiled and wrapped her arms around him. As he kissed her Artemis had the sinking feeling that his life would never be the same again unless he killed her. The thought made him feel a little better. He supposed he could keep her around for a while and then just kill her when she annoyed him too much. Yes, that's what he would do. Satisfied with his decision he stretched out beside her and deepened the kiss. She really did have the most delightful curves.

Betsy could have purred she was so happy. It didn't matter that she was still in pain from the spell. It didn't matter that she had nearly died. All that mattered was that she had found Artemis again. Betsy swore she would never let him get away again. If Artemis wanted to be rid of her he would have to kill her.

It was fortunate that Artemis didn't realize the feeling of loss he had been experiencing had disappeared. It would have made him doubt his wisdom.

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Al Capone swirled the whiskey around in his glass and smiled. Leaning back in the chair on Victor's porch he planned his next move. Anna would fall prey to his charm any day now. Once he convinced Anna to marry him then Victor would become family. Soon he would have control of the Entreri family fortune. Once he had that the sky was the limit. He tilted the glass back and drained it.

Al Capone choked and nearly dropped the glass. Sitting across from him was the most frightening individual he had ever seen. The stranger had skin black as night and long sharply pointed ears. His eyes glowed red. It was like looking into the face of the devil. Fear clawed at Al Capone. He sensed that if he made a wrong move he was dead. Al Capone stayed perfectly still frozen in terror. He could feel the evil emanating from the stranger.

Where had the stranger come from? He had been totally alone a moment ago. It was impossible for someone to approach him without him knowing. It was like the stranger had appeared out of thin air.

"Ah good, you're finished," the stranger smiled. It seemed impossible but the smile frightened him even more.

"What do you want?" Al Capone whispered.

"It's quite simple really," the stranger said leaning towards him. Al Capone resisted the urge to flinch. To his horror the stranger said a string of unintelligible words and then touched his forehead. A deathly cold settled over Al Capone.

"What did you do to me?" Al Capone croaked. His body felt sluggish. He was finding it difficult to move.

Jarlaxle propped his elbows on the table and smiled at Al Capone. The poor man looked like he was about to lose control of his bodily functions. "I do so dislike the mess that spell makes," Jarlaxle remarked and then sighed, "But it can't be helped." Al Capone's eyes bulged making the drow laugh.

"What do you want?" Al Capone's voice cracked with fear as a cruel smile spread across the drow's face.

"Oh, nothing so terribly difficult," Jarlaxle assured him. "First, the girl Anna belongs to me. Never forget that," the drow said pleasantly. He waited until Al Capone nodded before continuing. "Excellent! Now, shall we talk business?"

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The stranger had disappeared as mysteriously as he had appeared.

Al Capone rose shakily from the chair and emptied the contents of his stomach into the bushes. He had never been so afraid in his entire life. The stranger had promised Al Capone riches beyond his wildest dreams providing that did as he was told. Al Capone's stomach knotted. He would never forget the stranger's smile when he described what would happen if Al Capone didn't accept his offer.

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Jarlaxle smiled to himself. Things were going exactly as he planned. From the shadows he would use men like Al Capone to create an empire the likes of which this world had never seen. Rubbing his hands together in anticipation he went in search of Anna. Yes, he was going to like this world.