Prologue

(Circa: 1200-1300 AD)

Lucan Wolf stopped playing his guitar as the Caravan leader's daughter, Berta, walked toward him. He smiled at the winsome beauty of mixed heritage, his spirits brightening with her presence. Since he'd joined them a few months back, he'd learned a lot from these traveling entertainers--about life as well as mystical knowledge.

He and Berta had become fast friends. They were comfortable around each other now, but it was too soon to know if their relationship might become more; still, Lucan felt it would one day soon. Both respected her parents' wish for them to wait.

She joined him where he sat near the campfire. The troupe had stopped in the forest near an old village to rest for their long journey to other places to entertain where they could.

"I could hear you play from back there, Lucan," Berta said as she sat beside him on the edge of the log. "Your music is soothing to my heart and mind. I'm pleased Father allowed you to come with us."

He was glad most of the others in the troupe were occupied or asleep, but he knew watchful eyes might be on them. "Thank you, Berta. Life is so much better being friends with you. You appreciate my music."

She smiled mischievously. "There is much you are appreciated for, friend Lucan, but I need a word with you." Her expression turned serious. "I know we are good friends now, and I can speak my mind."

He set his instrument on the ground. "Please, tell me what troubles you, sweet Berta."

She sighed, glanced around the camp for a moment and then turned back to him once she was satisfied there was no one else around to hear their conversation. "I had a visit from that countess earlier, the one we entertained at the village castle. I don't like her. Please don't go back there, Lucan. I feel as if she is evil and means to harm you."

He reached over and patted her hand. "I admit she was pretty and lusty, but I am not in love with her. She merely wanted to teach me some mystical arts. She said I have a hidden talent for them. Do you not think so, Berta?"

Lucan thought Berta must realize her opinion meant a lot to him, but her hesitancy almost made him feel despondent. She wasn't quiet long, and he realized she meant to choose her words carefully.

"Lucan, sweet Lucan, I do know you possess some ability, but it is she I don't trust, not you. Countess Isola is protected by the Marquis Devalte. I don't want to see his jealousy cause you grief. Please do not see her again."

He nodded. "I can refuse you nothing. I promise."

She smiled, and it warmed his heart completely. "Wonderful. Now some good news."

She had his attention because when she was that animated he knew indeed it would be good news. "Tell me."

"Father says I may again instruct you on soul-sharing."

"But he was against it when you started showing me last month."

"Yes, but that was before he realized your full potential and how respectable you truly are toward me."

"He knows I have grown very fond of you, Berta."

She cast her eyes downward. "I'm no match for the countess in looks."

He smiled and dared to stroke her face until she looked up at him again. "You outshine her any day." He moved his hand quickly to his lap in case someone else watched their movements. He intended to stay honorable toward her. "You are far more beautiful than she."

Lucan could see her blush even in the dim mixture of moonlight and firelight. He'd been smitten with the exotic countess, but looking at Berta's lovely auburn tresses, cinnamon brown eyes, and sweet coral lips, he knew her beauty surpassed the dark countess' anytime.

"Thank you, Lucan. We can start now if you like."

He nodded, grateful to change the subject. "Where we left off before?"

"I was going to pull your soul into mine briefly. This time, Father says we won't be disturbed. It would be too risky."

She reached up to her neck and pulled out a silver necklace he'd seen her wear often and that she'd told him had been handed down to the eldest female in her family for generations. He often thought how beautiful it was with the various gems in the hammer-shaped design of the necklace.

"With this, we'll be able to share more. I haven't told you everything about it. Its magical properties also allow one to see inside another's soul and to share experiences with them. My grandmother, from my mother's side, said it's from the Northern lands and blessed by the old Norse gods. Father's mother thinks it is cursed, but I believe that could happen only if used wrong." She boldly took his hands in hers. "Now, look into my eyes, Lucan."

He grinned wickedly at her. "That's a temptation there, Berta. All right, I'll be serious. Quit chastising me with those lovely eyes."

She grinned impishly. "Please, Lucan. This is important. I want to reach into your mind with mine and show you how we can share souls completely."

Lucan became serious. He admired her talent for reading minds and knowing what truly lay in one's soul and heart. He'd had a brief glimpse when she first started teaching him how to share souls, as if part of you were in one person and the other's bit of spirit were in you. He covered her hands with his and held them tightly then looked deeply into her eyes.

Immediately, one of the gems in the necklace began to glow a bright red. Her mind opened to his, and he could feel her inner strength seeping into his very soul. It felt as if she pulled him into her heart, and she likewise shared his heart. It was a wonderfully enlightening and blissful experience.

In his mind, he heard her sweet voice talk soothingly to him, as her hands tightened over his. It felt as if she not only embraced him mentally but physically as well. And yet, he sensed the sharing of their spiritual selves, too. "We can become even closer as one, Lucan. I feel as if the necklace connects us, wanting us to become more, to..."

Lucan suddenly felt her soul pull back. Her eyes widened, and her hands almost dropped from his. He looked up to see a dark-haired woman in a red dress standing behind Berta. Tightening his hands around Berta's, he rose with her, feeling shaky and a bit distraught.

"Why are you here, Countess? You don't belong here."

"Nor do you," the woman he knew as Isola, said. "You should have accepted mine and the marquis's invitation to stay with us indefinitely."

Berta gasped and then began to screech. Lucan made to pull her away from the countess, but realized too late that it wasn't the countess who scared Berta. He felt himself ripped away from her and something sharp stuck in his neck, blood trickling down his skin. A large man held him while the countess threw Berta to the ground. Lucan saw a dagger being withdrawn from Berta as darkness nearly overtook him. Something strange happened to him, a transformation.

Lucan heard people from the camp scream, and an alarm went out. The man put his hands around Lucan's throat, starting to choke him. Lucan felt Berta's soul partly still in him, and her thin lifeline called out to him. He used that magical bit of strength to knock his attacker away and emerge from the temporary dimness. The two of them fought, but some inner ability came to his aid, and he broke the marquis's neck.

Then Lucan, at that moment, horrifyingly felt himself turn into some wild being that immediately attacked the countess. He bit her and drank from her, nearly killing her. He flung her away and then went to Berta. He ignored the horrifying shrieks and people from the camp running around as he knelt beside Berta, pulling her into his arms.

Berta's eyes fluttered open, and he almost felt normal again. "Don't leave me, Berta."

The necklace glowed between them. "I'll never be far from you, my love."

"To hell with you, Lucan Wolf. Never will you find her again..." the countess' cruel voice shrieked.

Lucan jerked his head around to see a blast of energy come their way.

"No! You will not win, Countess," Berta whispered, and Lucan twisted back around to look at her. "Find me from the start. The key between us is the way ... I love you, Lucan..."

Berta smiled up at him, her eyes barely open.

"No, my love," he shouted in desperation. "You can't go ... I won't let you die."

With failing strength, she reached up to caress his cheek. "Find me ... again..."

Lucan let out an animalistic growl as Berta died in his arms, and he was physically torn from her. Everything around him disappeared. Bright lights engulfed him, and his body, soul and mind were whisked into an alternate reality...