I dedicate this book to :

My mother who stood by me

My brother, Ramarion Sallee who pushed me to find my voice

My friends who cheered me

My “twin” Alissa who encouraged me

And my “sister” Rachael Carter who gave me the dream

I thank you and I love you

    Tears still stung my eyes as I thought of Greg. Bitterly, I slid the letter off the lid of the chest with one hand and wiped my eyes with the other. Remembering all that I had just lost, in my last adventure, still rubbed me raw. Part of me didn't want to even open this letter. What could this door possibly hold for me, I thought irritably. I shuddered a bit before I forced myself to look down at the envelope. It was then I noticed that this  particular envelope and note, were not made from the type paper as I was accustomed to, but on clean parchment. I picked up the letter from the wooden chest. The wood was light in color, smooth and warm to the touch. I heard the thin paper crinkle against my fingertips as I broke the wax seal. I read this new adventure, written in, what appeared to be, an Old English script.
Dear Reader:
This quest will be different from the
Others that lay before you.
You will not be the main focus
However your role will be pivotal
You will become the one woman
Who was vital to your family’s survival
Her name:
Isabella Blackwell
You must assist your young cousin
In stopping a heinous murder that
Could destroy your lives and
Ruin your family's good name
Make the right decisions and help
Save all you hold dear.
I read the note countless times in confusion. Blackwell? Why did that name sound so familiar? If she was part of my bloodline, that would make her my ancestress I reasoned. All my previous questions, fears and worries returned. Once again I wondered how I came to be here. Who knew this much about me?  My history?  All my likes?  My fears? Someone has gone through quite a bit of trouble to set this up, I thought to myself. But, that once again raised the questions of who and, of course, why?  I looked intently at the heavy oak door and pondered over what to do next. If I wasn't the focus in this story, how could I help?  Should I try this door or move on to another?  What secrets lay hidden behind the entryway?  What if it were things I did not wish to know?  I let out a large sigh. I had come this far and would not back down from the challenge! No matter what part I had to play I would do it to the best of my ability!  I was determined to see this through.  I placed my hand on my chest and felt the hard outline of the key Greg had given me. I needed not only to find a way out of here, but also to find "him" once again. I kissed the key and tucked it back underneath my gown before I pulled back the weighted door with much effort and stepped into the blinding light.

      She was waiting.  It seemed as though she was always waiting, for someone or something. But, after over 70 years of life, she had grown used to the endless cycles of anticipation, expectations, and anxious moments. Her family, or what was left of it, would all be gathered soon. She would once again be surrounded by those she loved, her sons, grandsons, and even great-grandsons. She could put her affairs in order, name her heirs, and rest. She was looking forward to resting most of all.  A peaceful slumber for eternity.  She was tired, so very tired.  She longed simply to close her eyes and join her loved ones in oblivion.  She had already given orders that she was to be interred with her last husband, truly the husband of her heart, as she had loved him dearly.  Yes, he had been her last, but not her first.  She had married four times, to men who were all glaringly opposite, and each time for different reasons.  The first time was for convenience, the next for lust, thirdly to protect all she held dear, and finally for love.  Yes, it had truly been a love match, arranged by her dear Duchess of Hearts and cousin.  Isabella....oh fiery, darling Isabella.  She could not even think of her name without smiling.  She couldn't wait to be with her once again, free from their aged bodies and young once more.  The memories of her cousin filled her heart with joy and longing.

"Soon my dearest," she thought contentedly.  It surprised her how calmly she was able to remember all of her full and yet torrid years.  She opened her eyes to gaze at those already gathered in her chambers. There were her four daughters and their husbands already assembled.  When first hearing of their mother's illness, they had immediately come to her court to assist and watch over her.  Her youngest son, the last of her fruits, his wife, heavy with child, and the families of her oldest sons  were also in her attendance.  She waited only for the rest of her sons to arrive.  The five were riding with haste to see her, having sent their families ahead. She felt that she would finally be able to sleep once she had seen all of her family and bid them farewell.  She would miss them all, especially her last two children.  They were mirror images of their loving father, whom she had so adored.  She was grateful that her first three sons had not inherited any of their father's maliciousness, weakness or laziness.  No, they thankfully, favored their grandfather and were honest, steady, dependable men. She knew she had not failed her kingdom for her family was strong.  All she had gone through had not been in vain.  Many nights she had lain awake, wondering if she would ever be able to survive.  All those years of fighting, hoping that she could.  But then, the nightmare had ended and she found, she had weathered the storm. As she lay in her bed, her mind began to drift, beyond time and space. She waited patiently, and she remembered.

    I watched the scene from on high. I could almost feel the woman's pain as she lay there. I wanted to comfort her but I couldn't move from my viewing position. I floated above her, hovering and watching her expressions. I wondered what she was thinking. In watching her serene face, despite her pain,  I could see that she was at peace and in that knowledge I too felt a sense of relief. The room began to fade to black. Was this over? I want to know more I cried out.                                                                             Don't worry you will,  I heard a voice whisper back. I felt my body begin to fall, slowly, steadily sinking. Below me I saw a strip of light that grew wider the nearer I came to it. The closer I got I could see it was a patch of grass. Flowers dotted the area and soon I could smell the sweet scent of wildflowers. When my feet touched the ground, I could see I was standing in a field behind a large oak tree. I heard children's laughter coming from behind. I turned and watched as two young ones struggled up the hill towards me.