Nikki squatted on her heels and studied the ramshackle town sitting in the heart of the windswept hills of sagebrush that surrounded them.

Hartwell was bigger than what she'd expected and better maintained, though, in many ways, that wasn't surprising. The town and surrounding hills were a California State Historic Park—though what had happened to the rangers living here was, at this stage, anyone's guess. Maybe Weylin had forcibly enlisted them into his mad schemes.

There were probably a good fifty or sixty houses down there that could be described as being in a reasonable state—at least from this distance. There were another thirty or so that had either half or fully given way to the elements. Most of the buildings were wooden and the streets dirt, though a couple of the streets still had wooden sidewalks that snaked past the buildings.

What was surprising were the people—there had to be at least twenty visible—some walking along the streets, some tending to horses, and others walking back from the skeletal mining structure situated halfway up one of the hills. If she didn't know better, she would have sworn this town was still functioning rather than having been abandoned a hundred years ago.

What she couldn't see was any form of a barrier.

She glanced at Camille. The older woman was standing several feet to her right, her red shirt clashing brightly with the clear blue sky.

"Looks like I can walk right on down there."

Camille sniffed. “You can try, but I doubt you'd succeed. See them black stones down near that sign below us?"

Nikki nodded.

"If you follow it along several feet either way, you'll see more black stones. They're warding or protection stones, and will ring the whole town. When placed in certain sequences they can provide protection against either magic, evil, or, in this case, good."

"These are a hell of a lot bigger than any of the stones we've been shown in class."

"That's because the circle of protection needs to be a whole lot bigger."

Nikki studied the nearest stones for a minute, noting the way the black surface seemed to swallow rather than reflect the sunlight. “So why can't we just go down there and scatter the stones?"

Camille raised an eyebrow. “Didn't you just say you took the class on that?"

"Yes.” But she'd been half asleep, because Michael had whisked her off to San Francisco the night before to celebrate her passing the first section of the course. They'd partied, and then they'd made love all night...

Swallowing the anguish that rose swift and fast, she let her gaze search the streets again. No sign of Michael anywhere. No sensation of where he might be. She clenched her fists, resisting the temptation to just go down there and start looking. There were still twenty minutes to wait before the so-called door opened.

"Then you'll know that a circle this size cannot be destroyed by brute force. And it'll take time to do so by magic."

Meaning she was on her own for longer than any of them wanted. She bit her lip for a moment, then rose, her long skirt swirling around her booted feet, stirring dust. “I'd better grab my packs and head down there, just in case the door opens early."

"It won't."

She knew that, but she couldn't stay here, doing nothing, for another second. Lifting her skirt a little, she walked down the long slope to the small camp that had been set up in the hollow between two hills. There were probably a dozen people and tents down here, but there was really only one other person she wanted to see right now.

Jake glanced up as she approached. “I've packed everything that's on the list. I just hope the weather doesn't close in, because the sleeping roll may not keep you warm if it does."

Nikki shrugged and picked up the first of the packs. It felt like she was slinging a load of rocks over her shoulder. “Then I'm just going to have to convince Michael to keep me warm with body heat."

Jake gave her the sort of look a parent does a wayward child. “Don't expect too much at the beginning. Remember what—"

"I remember,” she cut in tartly. “But I just don't think magic can ever entirely erase what we share.” Recognition would be there, even if it was buried deep. And come hell or high water, she was going to bring that recognition to the surface as soon as she could.

"There's one thing that's got me puzzled,” she added, glancing at Camille as she adjusted the straps. “If Weylin needs to follow what happened a century ago for this ceremony of his, how come everyone in town is wandering around in reasonably modern clothing?” Or at least, the men were. The one woman she'd seen had been wearing an outfit that looked as if it belonged in a bordello. She'd been mighty glad to have been allowed a skirt and shirt once she'd seen that outfit.

"Except for Hartwell itself, it is the events that are important rather than the environment.” Camille held out her hand. “Better give me that ring."

Nikki glanced down at her engagement ring. Somehow, the act of taking it off felt like a betrayal, yet she could hardly wear it when doing so might give away who she really was. She tugged it off and placed it in the old witch's palm. God, her hand felt naked without it. “I'll be back for that in four days."

"Make sure that you are.” The ring disappeared and a cell phone took its place. “Slip this inside your skirt. Your bags will probably be searched the first day, so keep the phone on you until after that happens."

"Will the phone work in there?"

"I don't see why not. Weylin couldn't afford to completely cut off the town, or he'd have people out here investigating."

She nodded and slipped the phone into her skirt pocket. Jake lifted the second pack, then pulled Nikki forward and hugged her fiercely. “Take care in there."

"I will.” She hugged him back just as fiercely, all too aware that if things went wrong in Hartwell, she might not see him again. After a while, she pulled back and added, “Not that any of you can do anything if things should go haywire."

"He won't kill you or Michael,” Camille commented. “He needs you both alive for the ceremony."

"If he is trying to raise his brother. You have no real proof that's his goal."

"Seline says it is, and that's good enough for me.” Camille grabbed Nikki's hand, her fingers like cold parchment against Nikki's skin.

"Here,” she added, placing something cool and metallic into Nikki's hand. “Take this. We found it in the van."

Nikki's mouth went dry. It was the silver cross she had given Michael when they'd first met.

"It may help jog his memory—if you can get him to wear it."

Not trusting herself to speak, Nikki nodded. She wrapped her fingers around the chain and felt the tingle of energy run up her arm. The images from the cross came through muted, as if viewed from a distance and distorted by layers of dusty glass.

But she could feel him. Feel his anger. His despair. Seline was right. Deep inside, he thought her dead, and the agony of it was tearing him apart.

Tears stung her eyes. She blinked them away and spun around. “Let's get this over with."

The three of them walked down to the single white stone that indicated the entrance. Jake dumped the pack at her feet and shoved his hands in his pockets.

"Someone's headed this way,” he commented.

Someone who looked a lot like the gnarled van driver, Nikki thought, eyeing the lean figure apprehensively. He walked like a man with the weight of the world on his shoulders, and even from this distance, the sense of his evil was something that crawled across her skin.

Goose bumps fled down her spine. Swallowing to ease the sudden dryness in her throat, she glanced at Camille. “You'd better retreat. The note said I was the only one to be here."

"Yes.” The old witch paused, and then she gripped Nikki's shoulder, squeezing lightly. “Good luck. And remember, once you enter that place, you are Seline, not Nikki. Never once can you say your real name, in fear that Weylin will hear."

Nikki nodded. “I'll remember."

"When you can, call me, or if you need some words of wisdom. Ain't nothing much else I can offer once you go under the barrier.” Camille squeezed her shoulder a final time, then turned and walked back up the hill.

Nikki's gaze met Jake's. Neither of them said anything. Neither of them needed to. With a smile that was more a grimace, Jake kissed her forehead, and then quickly followed Camille.

Nikki had never felt so alone in her life. Had never felt as frightened.

Crossing her arms, she watched the slow approach of the wizened figure. He stopped ten feet away and glanced at his watch. He didn't say anything, just stood there, waiting.

Given little other choice, she did the same.

After a while, energy began to buzz the air, standing the hairs on her arms on end. The old man glanced at his watch again, then motioned her forward.

Nikki picked up the second pack and walked to the right of the white rock. The tingling in the air grew stronger, slithering across her skin with the warm stickiness of blood. Every step became an effort, and the buzzing grew so loud it thundered through her head, matching the rhythm of her heart.

Then it was gone, and she stumbled forward several steps before regaining her balance.

The old man snorted. “I would have expected a little more grace from an old witch."

She straightened and met his gaze. His eyes were the gray of ghosts. “Why?"

His gaze slid down her body, becoming heated. Disgust shimmied through her. Old lecher...

"I guess because I have a hard time imagining that someone so luscious could be so ... clumsy."

The feeling of disgust increased. And while she was more than able to protect herself from lecherous old men, she had a feeling this old man might be more than he seemed. Might be her match physically and psychically.

She hitched the pack on her shoulder to a more comfortable position and said tartly, “Look, I can stand here and chat all day, but I thought Weylin wanted to see me?"

The old man hawked and spat. The globule barely missed her boot. “Oh, he does. Thing is, you have to find him first."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning, Weylin's well aware that you intend to disrupt the repetition of events so that the ceremony cannot be completed. So, he's given you an extra task, just to keep you occupied and on the right track."

Like she really needed something extra to do. “Even giving me an extra task will disrupt the sequence."

"Not when there are only two occurrences that really matter. You coming here is one of them. I'll let you figure out the other."

Seline had given her five events that she considered “markers.” It could be anyone of them. It could be none of them. Nikki scrubbed a hand through her hair. “What's my task?"

The old man grinned, revealing stained and rotten teeth. “There are eight rangers looking after this wreck of a town. Two of them will be sacrificed at midnight—unless you can find and save them."

"And Weylin's going to let me wander around unhindered?"

"Never said that.” His grin got bigger. “And can I add some friendly warnings?"

"You're going to whether I want you to or not."

"Ain't that a fact.” He hawked and spat again. “First, none of your magic will work in this place."

The only magic she had was the only one that was important, and it was obviously still working, because this old man was seeing Seline, not her.

"The barrier prevents that.” She said it as a statement of fact, even though it was a guess.

The old man nodded. “Just as it prevents that vampire friend of yours from using his psychic skills. No messing with anyone's mind this time, I'm afraid."

Seline had warned her this might happen. Whether it actually had happened, or whether the old man's words were just empty threats, was something she'd test later, when she was alone. Seline wasn't supposed to have any psychic skills beyond telepathy, so she had to be careful.

"And?"

"And if you've snuck a phone in, be warned. We have a scanner in place. We'll catch anything you say, and if you say too much, someone will die."

"You and your master are sick, you know that?"

He merely grinned. “Lastly, just let me warn you that it ain't just humans wandering around this place now."

And he was one of those nonhumans. Though what he was exactly, she wasn't sure. “Is that it?"

"For now.” His smile faded, his eyes becoming almost luminous in the harsh sunlight. “I'll take you to your assigned accommodation. Just remember, the afternoon draws into evening, and the first two men will be sacrificed at midnight."

His voice had dropped several octaves, becoming rich and strong. It was the voice of the man in the van—the man with the ethereal gray eyes.

"You must think me quite a foe if you choose to speak through your servant rather than in person, Weylin,” she said tartly.

The old man's eyebrow rose. “I will not make the same mistake as my brother—I will not underestimate you."

There wasn't much she could say to that, so she waited. After a moment, the old man turned and led the way down the slope.

"You have a name?” she asked, as they passed a beautiful old wooden church that looked intact enough to still be in use.

"Kinnard.” He glanced over his shoulder, his grin wide but eyes cold. “You should know that."

She raised her eyebrows, feigning a casualness she didn't feel. “Why?"

"Because it was you who almost killed me."

"Really? Then next time I shall have to ensure I do a better job."

"There ain't going to be a next time.” His eyes gleamed with maliciousness. “Because I shall have my revenge."

She had a feeling his form of revenge had nothing to do with killing her. Goose bumps ran across her skin, and she resisted the temptation to rub her arms. “That's only if you win. I wouldn't start counting chickens before they've hatched, Kinnard."

He snorted. “Blondie, I can't lose. Not this time."

"And why would you think that?"

"Because this time, all the odds have been stacked on one side. And it ain't yours."

She'd been fighting the odds half her life, so it was really nothing new. And this time, she had an extra incentive—a wedding. And she had every intention of getting to that wedding and marrying Michael.

"We'll see,” was all she said.

He led her into a street that once must have been the main street. Most of the old wooden buildings were still intact, and from the noise coming from them, many of them were occupied. She frowned, letting her gaze run past dusty windows. If the yells, curses and slurred speech were anything to go by, most of the unseen men, and a good portion of the women, were drunk. Maybe it was easier for Weylin to control them that way. And if that were the case, then maybe her first duty should be to find a way to cut the supply of booze.

Though in many ways that would be pretty useless. This was Weylin's game, and for the moment, he held all the cards. If she cut one booze supply, he'd just set up another.

Awareness skittered across her skin. She looked up quickly, her heart pounding as her gaze searched the second story of the nearest hotel. A shadow stirred the frayed remains of curtains in the solitary window.

Michael. Watching her.

She wanted to run to him and tell him she was all right, that she wasn't dead. But she couldn't. Weylin was undoubtedly watching, and right now, she couldn't afford to do anything that would give away the fact that she was not Seline.

But oh, how she longed to see him. Hold him.

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She had to maintain control. Had to. Otherwise their wedding plans might be put on hold—permanently.

But her gaze kept finding its way back to that window, and her skin burned with the intensity of his gaze. Yet there was no hum of awareness in the link between them. No indication that he had any idea who she truly was. Weylin had planted his magic deep.

"Found the boyfriend, then,” Kinnard said.

She'd been so intent on trying to see Michael that the sudden sound of the old man's sharp voice made her jump. Her gaze swiveled to his. “And what if I have?"

He gave her his stained and creepy smile again. “Nothing. You two were at it like rabbits the first time, so we're expecting nothing less this time."

Was he testing her? Or did he truly think that? “Then I guess I'll just have to disappoint you."

His grin grew larger. “I doubt that you will, especially if the intense awareness I just felt is anything to go by."

She raised an eyebrow. “And how would you be feeling something like awareness when this place is supposedly a psi dead-zone?"

"Darlin', this may be a dead-zone, but you and I both know it doesn't stop personal magic. And to answer the question you were really asking, emotions are like blood to me."

"Meaning you're some kind of psychic vampire?"

He didn't directly answer, simply paused as they passed another bar, and breathed deep. “Ah, anger. Sweeter than wine, that is."

As he spoke, a man came flying backwards out of the bar, and he landed on his back at their feet. His nose was bloody, and he reeked of sweat and alcohol. Obviously, drinking was more important than bathing in this place.

Kinnard nudged the man with the toe of his boot, and without looking at either of them, the drunk climbed to his feet and staggered back inside. If the abuse and sounds of flesh hitting flesh were anything to go by, the fight was continuing right where it had left off.

Kinnard seemed to positively glow.

"Don't need to tell you that Hartwell is one hell of a lawless town, do I, now?” he said, as he continued on down the dusty street.

"It was a hundred years ago.” Seline had said Hartwell had the reputation of being one the most lawless towns in the West, with killing an everyday event. She hoped like hell Weylin only intended to imitate the feel of Hartwell—surely he wouldn't want his captives killing each other. Not until he'd finished the ceremony and raised his brother's spirit, anyway.

"A pretty girl like you could cause a hell of a commotion in a town like this,” he commented.

She forced a smile. “A pretty girl like me did cause one hell of a commotion one hundred years ago. I can still protect myself, Kinnard, with or without the use of magic."

"I'm guessing we'll be seeing that boast in action all too soon. There aren't many women in this town, and the few that are here are finding themselves in good demand."

That chilled her more than anything else he'd said. Everyone in this town—beyond her, Kinnard, and Weylin—was here through force. Those women had no choice. They were merely playing a role, and in many ways, what Weylin was doing to them was more despicable than the threat of killing the rangers.

Kinnard stepped onto the wooden sidewalk and walked towards a small house. She followed, eyeing the old building somewhat dubiously. It was in much the same condition as the surrounding buildings, but it seemed to have a definite sag in the middle. The old wood was gray, much of it gaping and splintered, though at least the roof looked fairly solid. The door and one front window were also intact, and the cracked and peeling paint was a bright yellow that contrasted starkly against the gray. The concrete steps leading up to the door were broken and wobbled dangerously under her weight.

"Your boudoir,” Kinnard said, opening the door with a rusty key and stepping to one side.

She held out her hand. He gave her another smile and placed the key in her hand, his fingers clammy as they brushed hers.

She repressed a shudder and said, “I'll take it from here, thanks."

He glanced at his watch. “Dinner is served nightly between six and seven over at The Hollis Hotel. Miss it, and you don't get nothing unless you buy something from the store."

She'd brought money, so that was no problem. “So Weylin's intending to make a killing, literally and monetarily?"

"Why the hell shouldn't we?"

It was interesting that Kinnard said “we” rather than “he,” because it suggested that he was somehow connected to Weylin, rather than being the mere gopher she'd taken him to be.

"Fine, then. Bye."

"Oh, this ain't good-bye, darlin'. I'll be seeing you around."

The anticipatory look in his eyes sent another chill down her spine. She watched until he'd disappeared around the far corner before walking into her house. It was everything she'd expected it to be—filthy and uncomfortable.

Two walls were a red-brown timber, and the other two either mud or plaster, decorated with peeling strips of flowered wallpaper. They rustled softly in the breeze coming in through the broken side window, the noise sounding like the sighing of ghosts.

In one corner, there was a small metal stove, and beside that, a wooden rocker. A picture frame hung above the chair, but the picture was long gone, replaced instead by dusty spider webs. In the opposite corner was what once must have been a breakfast nook. The table was sturdy, but only two of the four chairs were useable. A new candle sat in the middle of the table, looking out of place amongst all the dust of the past.

She dropped her packs in the middle of the small front room and walked through the next door. It turned out to be the bedroom. There was one small window, but it was at least solid. The blind covering it was tattered and torn, sagging sadly down either side of the glass. The bed was metal framed, and, like the house, seemed to sag in the middle. The old mattress had definitely seen better days. She wouldn't be surprised if it had vermin living within it. Sitting beside the bed was an old blanket chest, and beside that, a sturdy redwood dresser. In the corner nearest the door, there was a small metal tub, and on a nearby hexagonal table, a small porcelain basin and jug. The bathroom, obviously. There was even a small chamber pot sitting under the table, meaning that toilets were an outside affair.

She'd lived in places worse than this as a teenager, but her teenage years were long ago. Still, she could survive a few days.

She glanced at her watch and saw it was nearly four. Time to start trying to find those rangers. Hopefully, it wouldn't be too hard. After all, there wasn't much of Hartwell left, so surely there couldn't be too many hiding spots.

But first, she had to find her man.