Chapter 1

Sebastian Tarrant-A master of fire magic who is also a painter and Marina's uncle

Margherita Tarrant-wife of Sebastian and is a master of Earth and Marina's aunt

Thomas Buford-Margherita's brother and also a master of earth Marina's other uncle

Marina Tarrant AKA Marina Rosewood Pike-A water mage of extraordinary potential who had a curse laid on her as an infant by her father's sister Arachne. Hugh and Alanna Rosewood then are forced to let the Tarrant's take Marina to live with them and pray that Arachne never finds her at least not before her 18th birthday where if the curse hasn't come to fruition by then it will then rebound upon the caster. Married Andrew Pike

Lady Elizabeth Hastings-A very powerful Master of Water and a friend of the Rosewoods. She manages to change the curse to the extent that it will not kill Marina if it strikes just put her to sleep. She is not however able to get rid of it. But if it does not strike before her 18th birthday it will rebound upon the caster

Doctor Andrew Pike-A master of earth and owner of Briareley sanitarium. He tries to help the sick although he won't take on dangerous patients.

Eleanor Buford

Ellen

Clifton Davies-The pastor of the village of Briareley

Maya Witherspoon Scott

Peter Scott

Lord Peter Almsley

Amelia Drew Jenner

Gupta

Gopal

Sumi

Surya

Doctor Clayton-Smith

Ravi-The oldest son of Gopal. He is eleven years old.

Amal-The middle son of Gopal. He is nine years old

Jagan-The youngest son of Gopal. He is five years old

Suli-The only daughter of Gopal. She is seven years old

Norrey

Lord Alderscroft

Paul Jenner

Doctor O'Reilly

Sia and Singhe-A pair of mongooses

Rhadi-A ring necked parrot

Mala-A saker falcon

Rajah-A peacock

Charan-A monkey

Nisha-An owl

Maya Witherspoon Scott practically whistled from pure happiness as she prepared to start her day. She and Peter Scott had been married for just under five years. It was only a few months until their fifth wedding anniversary. They were still very much in love with each other and Peter treated her like a royal princess. She nearly grinned again but managed to restrain herself with difficulty. "Mama," called a little voice from the hallway.

"Hi sweetie," said Maya.

Her son came running forward and Maya swung him up into her arms giving him a kiss on his soft cheek. "My, my; you're up early. Aren't you Rylie?"

"I 'anted to 'ee y'u b'fore you ent to wo'k."

Before Maya could respond another gruffer voice was saying good morning from the hallway outside the door. Peter came in rubbing his eyes and yawning sleepily.

"Morning," said Maya kissing him on the lips.

"Good morning to you to," said Peter returning the kiss enthusiastically. "So, what are your plans for today?" Peter asked while finishing buttoning his shirt.

"Daddy, daddy," said little Rylie holding out his arms to be picked up. Peter obliged him kissing his soft cheek and tickling his tummy till he was convulsed with laughter. "Stop daddy," Rylie begged breathless. Peter stopped and put him down on his feet then shooed him out of the room.

"Well as for my plans for today it's my day to work at Fleet."

"Will you be able to get away for lunch; do you think?"

Maya considered for a moment. "I can try it depends on how busy we are. If not I'll send you a message by magic if I can't make it. Where do you want to meet if I can get away?"

"I'll pick you up," said Peter with a mysterious grin.

"You have something planned," said Maya looking at him in mock suspicion.

"Of course I do, don't I; always?" asked Peter with a grin refusing to elaborate.

Suddenly there was a polite cough and both turned to see Gupta standing in the doorway, "Breakfast sahib, memsahib."

"I didn't hear the gong Gupta," said Maya.

Gupta raised an eyebrow as if to say, "we rang it but you were too distracted to hear it," but didn't actually say anything. "We'll be there in a minute Gupta," Peter assured him. Gupta nodded and turned to leave. "There was something I wanted to talk to you about."

"What's that?" asked Maya.

"Just that what would; you think about moving to a bigger place?"

"I don't know..." said Maya uncertainly.

"Don't get me wrong I love this house, but if we have any more children we are either going to have to build onto this house or move to a bigger one. We're a bit crowded now as it is."

"I know and I agree with you at least in principal, but I spent most of my mother's jewels buying this place..."

"My business is doing extremely well thanks to Almsley's cousin I think we can afford it. Well anyway think about it and we'll discuss it more over lunch," said Peter taking her arm and together they walked arm in arm to the dining room.

~~~Beyond Revenge~~~

Later

Peter picked up his wife at Fleet hospital as promised and they left together hand in hand. The cabby was waiting outside and Peter very gallantly helped Maya climb inside.

"So where are we going?" asked Maya.

"It's a surprise," Peter persisted.

Maya sighed and looked out the window of one of the newer motorized hansoms. "Hey, hey, sweetheart what's wrong?"

"Nothing," Maya persisted.

"I don't believe that for a moment. I know you rather well and I know when something is bothering you."

Maya sighed and seemed to consider for a moment. "There's this doctor who has been bothering me for the last couple of months at Fleet hospital. He's a relatively new acquisition to the staff that we have been able to hire because of Lord Almsley's charitable donations. He's a bit of a lecher if you know what I mean."

"I know exactly what you mean," said Peter trying to control his voice. He thought he managed rather well even while inside his temper was boiling. "What has he done to you? If he's so much as laid a finger on you..."

"He hasn't—yet," Maya clarified when Peter looked disbelieving. "But I fear it will not be long before he does. I have told him at least a hundred times that I am not interested, that I am very happily married and also that I have a little boy I wouldn't hurt for anything in the world..." her voice trailed off as she became lost in her thoughts. Peter didn't want to upset her but he was dying to know more about this guy finally Maya spoke again this time softly. "I don't know what to do. I hate to be a tattletale and report him after all he could make it look like I led him on. Whether it was true or not wouldn't matter if they ruled against me. My reputation would be ruined either way in any case."

"So, we just need to figure out a way to get him to leave you alone without doing your reputation any harm," said Peter.

"I've tried avoiding him and that works most of the time, but there's been a time or two that he's nearly had me cornered. If someone hadn't come along right then I would have had to use "other means" in order to get rid of him." Peter didn't have to ask what she meant by those "other means" for he knew exactly what she meant. She meant she would have had to use her magic to get him to leave her alone and he knew she was reluctant to do so unless it was absolutely unavoidable. "He just figures that because he is so handsome it makes him irresistible. I've told him quite a bit that I find such an attitude quite irritating in the extreme and he's either very stupid or very sure of himself, because my hints have been about as subtle as a thousand-pound weight falling on his head."

"He can't be that stupid if he actually got his degree," said Peter.

"True," Maya agreed. "But there are really different kinds of stupidity. He could be perfectly smart when it comes to his profession and stupid—in other words not knowing when to back off where woman or people in general are concerned."

"Or maybe he just doesn't care?" Peter suggested.

"That's certainly possible," said Maya not having a chance to reply further for they had arrived at their destination.

~~~Beyond Revenge~~~

Later

Peter picked Maya up at Fleet after her shift was done for the night. They had had a great lunch despite the problem Maya had given him. Half of him wanted to punch the guy in the nose, but the other half—the older, smarter part of him knew that giving into these feeling no matter how much he wanted to would cause nothing but problems. So, if he persisted they would have to find a sneaky way to get rid of him. Peter had seen this man when he had gone to pick up Maya. Maya had pointed the good doctor out to him. It had taken every ounce of willpower he had not to break the guy's nose. The guy was handsome in an immature sort of way, Peter admitted to himself as he studied him unobtrusively. The doctor had looked at Maya and had looked as if he was going to say something until he had spotted Peter. Maya had made it quite clear without actually doing anything inappropriate that Peter and her; were married and very much in love. How she had pulled it off Peter didn't have a clue, but the guy had gotten the point rather quickly. His handsome face had gone through a myriad of different expressions in just a few seconds. He had gone from shock—probably shocked to find out she really was actually married and that he "Mr. Handsome" had been turned down for someone with Peter's rough face and features to disappointment that she was taken—not that that would stop someone really determined to anger and finally a kind of acceptance although Peter didn't trust that that would last, but for now it was enough.

Now it was nighttime and they were on their way home from their separate jobs—together.

They arrived home to find Gupta waiting in the hall. "You have a visitor sahib, memsahib." Maya raised an eyebrow at the word visitor and not patient.

It could mean only one thing and that it was a messenger from the White Lodge. Peter had apparently; came to the same conclusion for he walked into the waiting room where visitors or patients awaited.

"You had a message for us?" Peter asked as he entered the hallway to see the messenger sitting on the bench waiting patiently.

"Yes Captain Scott, Dr. Scott I did," said the messenger standing and handing over the sealed envelope.

Peter opened the envelope and broke the seal which was the symbol of the white lodge then looked up and said, "Gupta we'll be going back out. Don't hold dinner for us."

Peter then handed the message to Maya and she read it over quickly then nodded. "We'll have dinner there."

They headed back out the door Maya saying to Gupta before they left, "We might not be home until late don't wait up for us." She knew of course that Gupta would almost certainly be waiting up, but she also knew that he would put Rylie to bed whether he wanted to go or not.

~~~Beyond Revenge~~~

They arrived at the Exeter Club within half an hour of getting the urgent missive. The meetings were always at the same place and there were even a couple of old codgers sitting around to give the impression that it was nothing more than a place for men to go—a kind of retirement home. But mostly it was former retired members or former retired servants. It was even more secret then the foreign office had to be, for the foreign office didn't have to be afraid of a salamander coming down the chimney to listen in.

"Good evening Clive," said Scott as he and Maya came up the steps.

"Good evening Captain Scott, ma'am. They're waiting for you in the red room."

"Thank you Clive," said Peter entering the building without another word. At least if it was the red room and not the war room it wasn't anything of national importance, but it was probably something only Peter or Maya could handle.

~~~Beyond Revenge~~~

They entered the red room and neither; Maya nor Peter particularly liked this room. For one thing one was an Earth Master the other a Water Master and this room; was done all in red—everything from the walls to the curtains was done in red. It had to have been decorated by a Fire Master and it always made Peter want to throw blue and green paint over everything and Maya to throw brown, yellow and cream paint over the walls, floor and ceiling.

"Scott," said Dumbarten. "We need you and your wife to do us a favor."

Peter didn't reply just waited for Dumbarten to continue. "There is a Water Master and Earth Master who live a few hours outside of London. We have tried to get her and her husband to join the White Lodge—mostly by telegram. They have sent a polite reply back that basically says no."

"Then why not leave this Water Master and her husband alone?" asked Maya.

"For one thing Mrs. Marina Rosewood Pike is a very strong Water Master and we need, someone of her skill in our lodge. And for another she has refused to even come to London to talk with us. Has even refused to be one of the auxiliaries. Says she and her husband just want to be left alone."

"Why not send someone other than us?" asked Peter. "I mean from what you've told us she's not exactly in our 'class.'"

And to everybody in the room it was perfectly clear what he meant by class.

"Well, Scott from what we know which isn't much she grew, up in the county just outside of Cornwall with some middle-class artists. Why we do not know at least not specifically."

"It's mostly rumors," added Owlswick speaking for the first time. "And there's probably a least some truth to the rumors, but who are any of us to tell what is, the truth and what is nothing more than exaggeration?"

"We need you to go and see if you can convince them to at least give it a try. We wouldn't be asking if it wasn't important Scott," added Dumbarten.

Peter sighed inaudibly. Of course he knew. For one thing he knew it caused most of the higher-class lodge members something akin to pain to ask anything of a middle-class working man such as himself or working woman as the case might be.

He looked at Maya and a message seemed to pass silently between them for a moment. Peter knew that his wife had been listening and observing closely all that had been said even if she hadn't said much. Peter then turned back to the waiting gentlemen who had observed the silent exchange. It was as if some kind of silent signal had passed between the two, but nothing the other members could decipher.

"All right," he replied. "We'll do it, but it might be a couple of days before we can leave town for any length of time."

"That's fine Scott. We know you have to get your affairs in order before you can leave." No one mentioned Maya's affairs for they assumed they fell within her husband's purview. What they didn't need to know was that Maya handled her own affairs with her husband's blessings.

Peter stood up and offered Maya his hand and together they walked out after getting the name of the town and the address of the Water and Earth Master. They sat down in the ladies dining room and ordered dinner. Maya's preference for a whiskey and soda instead of ratafia which was usually considered a ladies drink was well known by now.

"What will it be tonight Captain Scott? Mrs. Scott?" They absolutely refused to call Maya Doctor Scott inside the club.

"Any good curries tonight?" Maya asked hopefully.

"It's; beef curry tonight ma'am," said the waiter.

"That's fine," said Maya for the waiter. "With steamed vegetables and rice."

"Steak for me," said Peter.

The waiter left. In the nearly five years that Maya had been part of the Exeter club she and Peter ate here at least once a month. Sometimes more often, but she never came unless Peter was with her.

They ate in silence for a while. "So, what do you think of the council's request?" asked Peter.

"Personally, I don't know why they can't just leave the poor girl and her husband alone."

"Then why did you agree to take on this job?"

"Why do you think?" asked Maya with the lift of an eyebrow. "We haven't had a real vacation since our honeymoon. Besides it's never a good idea to have Alderscroft mad at you"

"True," said Peter. Maya could tell he was thinking of things they could do when they were alone. Finally, Peter smiled his face alight with mischief. "Of course, we'll do what they want us to first . . . but after that . . ."

"Precisely," said Maya with a smile of her own. "My patients can do without me for a few days . . . there's more than enough doctors at fleet thanks to your friend's generous donations."

They finished their meal in silence and then headed home to start making plans for being away from the city for a few days.

~~~Beyond Revenge~~~

A few days later they took the train to their destination. They had told Gupta, Gopal and Sumi that they were going to be gone for a few days on "business". Gupta and Gopal had of course guessed at least partly what that business was about. Rylie had of course pitched a temper tantrum when he was told he was staying home with the Gupta and Gopal. They had tried to tell him it was business and not pleasure, but it had made no difference. Only after they had promised to bring him a treat had he stopped. Gupta had, said they were spoiling him and Maya had pointed out that they were leaving on very short notice and also that kids deserved to be spoiled every once in a while. Gupta had nodded and agreed for he was known to have a notoriously soft heart, especially where children were concerned and so now they were on their way. Peter had that reformed thief and burglar Gannet looking after his warehouse and goods thanks to Lord Peter's generosity in loaning Gannet to him for the duration of their "vacation". Doctor O'Reilly was looking in on Maya's patients at Royal Free and Fleet hospitals as a favor to her.

So here they were on their way without a bit of notice that they were coming.

"So, what's our plan of attack?" asked Maya as they settled themselves side by side in one of the cars. At the moment they were alone which was fine with both of them.

"Well, we should probably go see the local priest first and see if he'll help us. If not we'll have to think of something else."

Maya nodded and fell silent for a while looking out the window at the passing countryside.

"Do you know anything at all about Marina Pike? Outside of course what the council told you?"

"Mostly rumors," Peter admitted. "I'm not sure this is true or not but I heard that she used to live with some middle-class friends of the Rosewoods because of something that happened when she was a baby. After that, the details are sketchy at best. I heard some kind of rumor of a curse that was supposed to kill her before her 18th birthday. Again, I'm not sure how true it is. It sounds like some kind; of fairytale even though magic can do almost anything if you know what you're doing. The weird thing is I also heard the lady who placed it was supposed to have no magic of her own. The middle-class friends raised her from a baby and then after that the rumors become even more garbled then even normal rumors. They make no sense."

"Maybe if we gain her trust she'll tell us what really happened."

"It's possible certainly, but the hard part is actually gaining their trust."

~~~Beyond Revenge~~~

"Can I help you?" asked the lady who opened the door politely. Her eyes widened at the sight of Maya's dusky skin, but recovered herself quickly. Peter and Maya had just come off the train and dropped their things at a hotel. She didn't recognize them so knew they must be strangers.

"We're here to see Clifton Davies is he in?" asked Peter politely.

"Do you have an appointment to see him?" asked the lady.

"Um no, we were just passing through and we heard from a friend of ours that we should stop in and have a cup of tea with the pastor," Peter told the slight white lie with a straight face.

The lady considered them for a moment then seeming to come to a decision nodded. "You wait in here," said the lady leading them to a well used sitting room. "I'll see if the pastor is busy."

"Think she believed us?" asked Maya with a lift of her eyebrows saying far more eloquently then her words had that she was very skeptical.

Peter just shook his head, but didn't say anything. Pretty soon they heard footsteps coming towards the sitting room and a minute later a man was entering the room. Peter and Maya politely stood up and Davies shook their hands.

"I understand you wanted to see me?" asked Davies his eyes widening slightly at the sight of Maya's dusky skin. It was obvious that she was at least half Hindu. The slight widening of the pupils was the only sign he gave at Maya's appearance.

"Yes let us introduce ourselves. I'm Peter Scott and this lovely lady is my wife Maya Witherspoon."

"I do believe you told my housekeeper that we had a friend in common?" asked Davies with a skeptical lift of one eyebrow.

"I'm afraid we told your housekeeper a little white lie." Peter stood up and let down his shields then sketched his recognition sigil in the air. The sigil was invisible except to those who had the eyes to perceive it and Davies actually let out a gasp for compared to his little bit of talent this man had more talent than anybody he had every met except perhaps Marina.

Davies got over his shock rather quickly and he too sketched his recognition sigil in the air. Maya observed this then she too stood up and sketched her sigil in the air as well.

"Let me reintroduce myself. I'm Peter Scott Water Master."

"And I'm Maya Witherspoon Scott Earth Master," Maya added.

"Clifton Davies Air Master," said Davies still looking shocked, but he was recovering quickly. "What are two Elemental Masters doing in a small town like Briareley?"

"We came to see Mrs. Pike and her husband."

"What for?" asked Davies suspiciously. "Don't misunderstand me but Andrew and I have been friends for years. Friends even before Marina's parents Hugh and Alanna were killed. Marina and I have become friends as well. I would feel responsible if anything happened to them that I considered my fault."

"We mean then no harm," Maya assured him with a slight smile. "We just want to talk to them."

"About what?" asked Davies; somewhat shrewdly.

"Did you know the Rosewoods?" asked Maya changing the subject for the moment.

"Somewhat," admitted Davies. "But I was only here a couple of years before they were murdered so not as well as the former pastor. I do know that they were both Earth Masters. Not very strong mind you, but they kept their garden free of poison and they were very well liked, even loved by the townsfolk. I also know that Alanna was never completely whole again after she had to give her only child over to the Tarrants to raise. Her psyche after that was very—to put it bluntly . . . fragile. Marina will have to tell you the whole story if she wants to for it goes into her personal history and even though I know the story it is not my place to tell it."

"When can we meet the Pikes?" asked Peter.

Davies considered them for a moment then seemed to struggle with himself for a moment. Finally, he sighed for his instincts were telling him to trust these two for they would not betray that trust even on pain of death. "I'll take you to Briareley where they are both working today then after that you're on your own."

Peter and Maya nodded and followed the pastor out.

~~~Beyond Revenge~~~

"So—" said Andrew about an hour later, stirring his tea as he thought. They had appeared with Davies in tow a little over an hour ago, but Andrew hadn't been able to see them right away. He had been with a patient along with Marina trying to get some kind of poison out of the patients system. It had been mostly Marina for the human body was over 90% water. "You came all the way from London to talk to me and Marina about joining the Exeter club even after the fact that we have sent back a few polite replies that we weren't interested. Why?"

"For one thing the council was pretty insistent. We still could have refused, but let's just say it's not a good idea to get on the councils bad side. So, we promised to give it a shot."

"Besides—" Maya added. "We needed a few days away if you know what I mean."

Andrew chuckled appreciatively. "I do indeed. It's one of the reasons I hate big cities and prefer the country."

"We don't even go into London unless we absolutely have to," added a new voice from the doorway. A lady walked into the room confidently and Peter studied her. She had long brown hair and nice features. She would never be classically beautiful, but was very attractive, nonetheless. She couldn't be more then twenty-two or twenty-three tops. "I'm Marina Rosewood Pike and I understand you wanted to see me?"

"Yes we did," said Maya. "We've already told your husband why we came."

"I know I heard. I have said it once and you can take this back to Alderscroft the answer in no. We both have plenty to keep us busy here without having to go into London."

"Can we ask why?" asked Peter.

Marina studied them her expression unreadable but finally replied, "Because when I really needed help where were they? Nowhere to be seen. Elizabeth Hastings tried to get them to help and they told her politely that they were busy and didn't have time for one girl. If it hadn't been for Andrew, Elizabeth, Uncle Sebastian, Aunt Margherita and Uncle Thomas, I would very likely not be here talking to you. I owe them nothing, but I will say this that if there is a real emergency requiring my or Andrew's talents all you have to do is contact us and we will be there."

"We would really like to hear your story," said Maya. "And in return we'll tell you ours," she added hastily before Marina could reply.

Marina looked at Andrew and they seemed to communicate for a moment then Marina sat down in the only remaining chair and said, "All right, but if something, doesn't make sense let me know. A lot of this I never found out till a few years ago. It all started when I was just a baby. I was the only child of Hugh and Alanna Rosewood and at that time they were very happy for they had been wanting a child. They had been married for several years and had given up on ever having children until I came along. It was the day of my christening and there were six friends over at Oakhurst. "Lord Roderick Bacon, Lady Elizabeth Hastings, Sebastian and Margherita Tarrant Margherita's brother Thomas Buford and Lady Helene Overton. All six were my godparents and were there for a very different sort of christening."

"They each left me with a gift then just as Elizabeth, the last to give me her gift, stepped to my mother's side the windows rattled and the door banged open and in stepped dad's older half-sister Arachne. She had not been invited because she apparently had no magic, but what nobody knew at the time was that she had gotten into the black arts and she had waited for the child of Hugh and Alanna to be born with a curse heavy upon her hand. She put the curse on me before anyone could stop her and made the mistake by naming the year of my 18th birthday. Lady Elizabeth who hadn't given me her gift yet could not undo the curse completely, but she did change it. She said if the curse was reactivated before my 18th birthday it wouldn't kill me only put me into a kind of deep coma and also that I would be able to fight it. And that the spell itself would rebound upon the caster if I did manage to fight it off."

"It was decided after she left that I was to be taken away and Margherita, her husband and brother were the only choice because after a bout with measles Margherita was made sterile, never to have children of her own. Alanna and Hugh trusted the Tarrants for they had all grown up together in Oakhurst. They had been taught together and played together as children. I grew up outside of a small village right outside of Cornwall at what the Tarrants called Blackbird Cottage. I was loved and taken care of when I was sick and allowed to roam basically anywhere I wished—except down to the village which was absolutely forbidden to me without an escort at the time I didn't wonder why. As I grew older I was given lessons in reading writing, math and of course magic. Unfortunately, none of the three was a Water Mage and so could only teach me the basics."

"At the time I knew nothing of the curse. My guardians never said a word afraid; even saying her name would bring her down upon our heads and she did come only a few months; before my 18th birthday . . . "

"That was some story," said Peter still marveling at it all. It was a least a couple of hours later.

"Now you owe us yours, but first why don't you come to Oakhurst and have dinner with us. We should be heading home now our daughter will be waiting for us."

"That's very nice of you but we were just going to stay at the local hotel..." Peter began.

"I insist you will be our guests. We have plenty of room and won't charge you an arm and a leg like the hotel will."

Peter looked at Maya and she nodded. "Very well we accept with thanks," said Peter.

"Come along then it is nearly time for tea. We can just make it home before then," said Andrew rising from his chair and headed out the door.

~~~Beyond Revenge~~~

They arrived and both Maya and Peter could not help gasping in awe at the sight of the lovely family manor at the end of what seemed a mile long driveway. "Oakhurst has been in my family for at least 400 years," said Marina as they rode in the carriage to the front door. "Maybe more, but 400 is about as far back as we still have proof for. The other records were either; stolen, burned, or maybe just turned to dust. Or maybe they never existed; I suppose we'll never know for sure."

A young man opened the door and bowed. "Lady Marina, Lord Andrew, welcome home. Tea will be ready shortly."

"Thank you Peter," said Marina. "Show Captain Scott and his wife to one of the guestrooms would you? And see about getting their things from the hotel. They will be staying with us for a few days."

"Yes, ma'am," answered the blond-haired man known as Peter. He bowed again and left.

"We don't insist on formality here," said Marina with a wary twist of her mouth, "But no matter how many times I've insisted they call me simply Marina they insist on being formal."

~~~Beyond Revenge~~~

A few minutes later Peter and Maya were shown into the library where Marina and her husband were already waiting

They made small talk until tea arrived then Maya began her story without prompting with Peter adding a comment every now and then.

"It began really before I was even born. My father Roger Witherspoon and my mother Surya met in India. Father was a doctor and had set up a practice there. He met my mother and both fell in love. They got married to the disapproval of most of the English and the Hindus, but no one was as outspoken as Surya's twin sister Shivani.

"Before Surya had met Roger she and her twin had been relatively close. After—well, let's just say that this broke the bond of sisterhood between them. Shivani even then was part of the priesthood of Kali Durga the dark goddess and her sister's betrayal made her furious. So, she plotted and planned and shortly after I was born she sent a cobra to kill me and my parents. This was blasphemous because in India the cobra is sacred. It wasn't just my father she disapproved of you understand but of all English Sahibs—especially of mixed marriages between them."

"Sia and Singhe, a pair of mongooses that my mother had, sensed the threat and dealt with it before anyone in the house came to harm."

"I'm assuming," said Marina "That your mother also had magic."

"Yes she did," said Maya. "And she had seven different animals to guard and protect the family. But after that to make doubly sure her family was safe she cast a spell over all of us. Basically, it masked our presence from her sister and since she was so immersed in the temple it worked for a time. But when I was twenty-three, my mother got sick and despite all my father and I could do for her she died and with her death, the spell protecting our family was gone. Less than a year later, my father died and it was determined that he had forgotten to check his boots and that a kraut no bigger than this," said Maya hold her thumb and forefinger about an inch apart, "had killed him."

"Now normally no snake no matter how small could get past Sia and Singh's noses and so I determined after I learned I had an aunt that she had probably used magic to get it past the animals because no matter how immersed in grief, my father would never have forgotten to check his boots."

"I decided then that I might be safer in the country of my father and that's where I met Peter. . ."

A while later both Maya and Peter fell silent for they had been speaking in turns.

"Sounds like you had almost as much trouble as we did," Andrew observed soberly.

"Yes," said Maya soberly.

~~~Beyond Revenge~~~