The Violet Thread (Part One: Portal Rods)

Violet reached the hill overlooking the dock just as the last of the sun's rays vanished from the horizon. The water was as still as glass, a mirror reflecting the twinkling lights from the lanterns strung around the riverboats. The sounds of raucous music and laughter filled the air. She could clearly see the gypsies dancing and cheering on the boats and along the shoreline. She even thought she could make out Sawyer sitting on the edge of the second boat strumming a guitar and stomping one foot. She took a deep breath before beginning her descent. She hoped she was right about her assumptions. Katia did have to know something, didn't she? Otherwise, she was out on her own without so much as a breadcrumb to follow.

Violet had difficulty finding proper footing as she climbed down the slope in the dark. She never had problems like this at home. It wasn't something that had even occurred to her. Proper footing had never been a necessity with her wings to assist in her balance. Every time she thought she was used to being grounded, gravity helped proved otherwise. The stones beneath her feet gave way and she slipped, tumbling forward. She reached out to steady her fall and grasped at something in the darkness. Before she realized it was a person, the two were rolling down the hill. She landed squarely atop a man's chest.

"Hey, watch where you're..." He took in Violet's bright green eyes, wide with astonishment.

"Going." Wyeth barked, softening his tone at the end.

"I'm so sorry. I don't know what happened," she whispered.

Her face only inches from his, he could feel her warm breath upon his cheek and her rapid heart beat against his own. They stared at each other for a moment, neither moving.

"Sorry enough to maybe get off of me?" he asked, the anger replaced by playful flirtation. "Not that I mind having a beautiful woman so close. It's just that I'd prefer we were somewhere a little more comfortable, with a few less rocks underneath me."

His inappropriate comment released her from her shock and she attempted to scramble to her feet. In the process, her hand touched his bare arm and a shock ran through her fingertips, up her arm, and across her shoulder blades. It was such a strong jolt that she let out a small shriek and collapsed to the ground next to him. In one seamless motion, Wyeth was on his feet and had scooped her into his arms.

"I didn't mean to jest if you're seriously hurt. Let me take you into the light so we can get a better look at..." he got lost in her eyes again. "look at...get a better look at your injuries."

Despite her protests, Wyeth carried her the rest of the way to docks. As he walked aboard one of the boats, he grabbed a young girl's shoulder.

"Bethy, go get Mama Kat and bring her here. Tell her we'll be below. Then, take a lantern and run back for her bags. They're out where I was scouting for nightshade."

The young girl eyed Violet suspiciously before scurrying off.

"I really am fine," Violet said, still in his arms as he descended the stairs into a cabin. He lowered her onto a small sofa against the far wall. She immediately attempted to stand up, but with a wince, sat back down.

"It can't hurt to be on the safe side," he replied, sitting at her feet, slipping off her shoe, and rolling up her pant leg. He wrapped his hands around her ankle and a warmth spread up her leg, as if a hot coil had been wrapped around it. "It doesn't seem too bad, probably just a sprain. Mama Kat should really take a look to be sure."

The wood paneled room was cozy and inviting. Small lanterns evenly spaced along the walls cast a warm, if dim glow. The room seemed spacious despite the amount of chests and cabinets cluttering the perimeter. There were two additional doors besides the one they had come through. A large, woven tapestry of red and gold hung between them