by Anne B. Cole
A familiar voice sounded as another wave of pain slowly ebbed. Yia Yia and Will were standing in the doorway.
“Yia Yia.” Anya let go of Theo’s arms. Will had seen her clinging to him. Confusion and anger creased his face. He reminded her so much of Lorenzo, she couldn’t bear to look at him.
“How far apart are they?” Yia Yia touched her hand but directed the question to Theo.
Theo quickly took the medical book that Will was holding and flipped it open. “Five to eight minutes. They’re becoming stronger, lasting a little over a minute.” He stood without turning his attention from the book.
“Don’t leave me.” Anya grabbed Theo’s elbow.
Theo squeezed her hand reassuringly. “I’ll never leave you.”
Anya stared deep into his dark eyes, “We must go.”
“What’s going on?” Will demanded, shoving Theo aside.
“Out, both of you.” Katarina pulled the men by their ears to the door, slamming it behind them.
“What have you done?” Will demanded through clenched teeth. He watched Theo lean against the door. “Were you with Anya?”
Silence.
Will jerked Theo away from the door and threw a punch. Theo ducked. Will returned with a left, catching Theo’s cheek. He found himself pressed against the door, Theo’s face inches from his own.
“I’ve never touched Anya. She was attacked by two men the day your brother left.”
“My God. What happened?” Will stared at Theo as anger filled every inch of his body.
“She was beaten by a drunken man who was then killed by a pirate. The pirate—” His eyes went to the closed door then back to Will. “—attempted to rape her. At that moment, I arrived and killed him.”
The men froze as Anya’s cry sliced through the tension. “My respect for Lorenzo is great. Your brother was my friend. Anya and the baby will need protection, to be provided for, neither of which you are old enough to do.” Theo let go and opened the door. Will stood aside, too stunned to argue.
When he came to his senses, he rushed to the bedroom door, but Alec’s massive body blocked his path.
“We must wait.” Alec led Will to the table and poured him a glass of ouzo. Henry began to play his violin. The men drank and tried to make conversation, feeling utterly useless.
Two grueling hours passed before Katarina opened the door. Henry stopped playing. Alec and Will stood in unison.
“The baby will come soon. Anya wants a new blanket for the child.” Katarina announced warily.
“I’ll get one,” Alec announced, leaving the house.
“Please sit. I’ll get you some water,” Will offered, taking the old woman’s arm.
Katarina turned sadly to him. “She does not want me near her. Theo will call when the child comes. Henry, please play.” She bowed her head as Henry touched the bow to the strings. Music filled the room, yet the tension remained.
The bedroom door suddenly burst open. Theo stood with a grin. “Katarina, come quickly.” She pushed Theo aside and disappeared into the room. Within a minute, the baby emitted a soft cry upon arrival.
Through the open door, Will watched Katarina place a tiny infant in Anya’s arms. Alec returned and handed Will a white blanket. Katarina wiped the baby with a damp cloth then tied off the cord. Theo stood beside Anya, both were marveling over the child.
Will’s eyes widened. He slowly approached and handed the blanket to Theo without taking his gaze off Anya and her baby, Lorenzo’s baby.
Will saw the obvious love Theo had for Anya and the happiness deep within her brown eyes. The baby started to cry. Theo swaddled the baby in the white blanket, wrapping his arms around both Anya and the infant.
“He’s blonde, Theo,” Anya cried, holding her baby close. Theo placed a hand on the infant’s head. An arm flailed, latching tiny fingers around his thumb.
“He’s small but healthy,” Theo declared proudly.
Katarina surveyed the baby with critical eyes. “He has his father’s looks and his mother’s strength.”
Will stepped back, knowing Theo was more capable of caring for Anya and the baby.
“Will,” Anya called out without taking her eyes off her baby. “What’s your father’s name?”
“Abraham John Taylor.” Will couldn’t contain the frown that crept upon his face. He took for granted the baby would be named after Lorenzo. “Everyone calls him, John,” he added, not only because it was true, but because he knew Lorenzo never cared for the name Abraham.
“John.” The name floated across her lips. She looked at Theo, who nodded approval. “John Andreas Taylor.” Her voice announced his name clearly as more tears trickled down her cheeks.
Will smiled and sat down in the chair beside her bed. He knew his place. He was an uncle, a very proud uncle.
Anya’s head began to nod. Katarina called to Theo who gently eased her back and adjusted the pillow. When Katarina lifted the blanket, Will noticed a small pool of blood.
A knock sounded, and the door opened wide. Alec entered with a confused look on his face. “Luda is here.”
An ancient woman entered, wearing a filthy, tattered, white robe. Her gray hair trailed down her back in a single plait that passed her hips. Despite her age, her blue eyes shone clear, set deep in her wrinkled face. As she walked to Anya’s bed, an awful stench filled the room. Will exchanged a nervous glance with Theo. Luda touched Anya’s forehead and then shook her head very slowly. A voice, sounding considerably younger than her aged body, announced something in Greek.
“Out.” Katarina ordered.
“Theo?” Anya cried out.
Will watched Anya reach for him. Theo took her hand and held it to his chest. Will felt Alec guide him by the arm out the door. Not a minute later, Theo followed, carrying the baby and the medical book.
“She’s bleeding.” Theo handed John to Will then frantically flipped pages.
“Is she awake?” Alec asked.
Theo’s silence answered his question. Will stared down at John in his arms. The infant began to cry. Theo snapped his head up, slamming the book closed.
“John needs his mother.” Theo took back the baby and turned to the bedroom door. Before he touched the latch, Katarina opened it. She reached out, gently taking the baby from Theo. “He needs his mother,” Theo choked.
Katarina shook an ashen face. “She’s asking for you.”
Theo scrambled into the room. Katarina held John close against her chest. Tears stained her blotchy cheeks. Henry guided her to a chair. Will sank to the floor at her knees.
The old woman turned to him sadly. “Lorenzo would want you to be with her.” She buried her face into John’s blanket, rocking him gently. Will somehow stood, placed his hand on John’s head, and then turned to the bedroom. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Henry lift his violin.
Will stood in the bedroom doorway. Candles that illuminated the room burned low. Some had self-extinguished from being lit hours prior. Theo argued with the strange old woman while Anya remained still, unresponsive.
“How can you say this? We have to try something.” Theo shoved Luda’s bony frame out of the way.
The old woman raised her eyes to Will. “There is nothing more to do.” She said the words without emotion then prepared to leave. The ancient woman stopped at the door, staring back at him. Her piercing eyes scrutinized Will. “I see within you a yearning. Make haste.” Luda left the two men alone with Anya.
“What’s going on?” Will demanded, moving to Anya’s side. Theo leapt between them protectively.
“Don’t touch. The risk of infection is great.” Theo grabbed her wrist, feeling for a heartbeat. Not satisfied, he placed his ear on her chest.
Alec burst into the room, pushing Will aside. Theo blocked Al
ec, too, and explained. “Blood continues to surge to her womb as if the baby remains within.” He gasped in frustration and allowed Alec to approach.
Alec picked up her hand, holding it between both of his. Henry’s music, a haunting tune, floated through the open doorway. “My Anya.” Alec traced a cross on her forehead with his thumb.
Her eyes fluttered. “Mama?” She exhaled weakly. “Wake her, Alec. She will want to see John.”
Theo cringed as he pulled the blanket back, revealing a fresh pool of blood. Will remembered how his cousin had bled to death during childbirth a few years back.
“Anya, tell Lorenzo that I miss him,” Will said softly.
“No.” Theo faced Will angrily. “You don’t know her. She can overcome this.”
Alec kissed Anya on the cheek then tucked the blanket as if she were a child. She smiled at Alec. “Mama was right. I’ll be with Lorenzo very soon.”
Alec nodded as a tear rolled down his cheek. He let go of her hand and staggered out of the room, unable to contain his emotion.
Theo’s determination broke. He laid his head on her chest and sobbed.
“Theo, where . . . where’s John?” Anya murmured.
Theo lifted his head. “I’ll bring him to you.”
“No, don’t leave me.” Anya’s voice softened.
Will touched Theo’s shoulder then left the bedroom. Katarina sat in a chair, rocking the baby. Alec prayed on his knees in front of the fire. Luda stood behind Katarina with her eyes closed, softly chanting. Henry abruptly stopped playing the violin.
“Please, continue. The music brought her around.” Will turned to Katarina whose eyes were red but dry. “The baby, she’s asking for John.” Katarina touched his tiny cheek before handing him to Will.
Luda placed a gnarled hand on John’s head. She turned her attention to the infant and mumbled in a language Will did not understand. When she finished, she looked at Will. Her eyes bore into his. “He is strong, as I see his descendants will be. Go to her, now.”
Will held John on his left forearm. The baby’s tiny arms flailed. He tucked the soft blanket around the infant, noting how much John resembled Lorenzo.
Katarina touched Will’s elbow. “He has his mother’s eyes.”
Although John’s eyes were closed, Will agreed before heading into the bedroom. Anya was alert, more so than before. He approached cautiously as Theo turned to him.
“John.” Pride filled Anya’s eyes. Will laid the sleeping baby in his mother’s arms.
“He’s beautiful,” Will declared, then noticed the ring on her finger. He dug into his pocket and handed her the small pouch. Anya rubbed the supple leather between her fingers. She raised it to her face and breathed deeply, appearing to take in the scent of its former owner.
The music continued as Anya’s breathing became irregular and shallow. “Anya, stay awake. Don’t give in.” Theo’s voice broke off in desperation.
“I’m not afraid, Theo.” Anya removed the ring from her finger, placing it back within the pouch. She turned to Will. “Give this to your sister, Roxana. Lorenzo loved her dearly.” Will silently returned it to his pocket.
Anya touched Theo’s cheek. “Raise John. He will be safe with you. Will, I want you to be John’s godfather. I ask for your blessing that Theo will be his father.”
Will cringed at her request for it was Lorenzo’s wishes otherwise, but he could not refuse her. “I will see to it that John is loved and cared for in every way.” Anya smiled slightly before taking in a ragged breath.
Theo tucked John beside his mother. He clasped her hand within both of his and prayed out loud. “Pater noster, qui es in coelis; sanctificatur nomen tuum.”
Will took her other hand. “Say ya.” The strange words escaped from his lips.
Anya’s eyes fluttered. “Sam?” Her weak voice rang clear in Will’s ears and touched him deep within.
Theo touched her cheek as pain riddled his face. “Anya, it’s me, Theo.”
“Enzo’s waiting for me,” Anya whispered.
“Say ya,” Will repeated the odd words.
The corners of her mouth turned up. Will bent down and kissed her forehead. Anya’s smile faded as a final breath passed over her lips.
Chapter 27
Return
The wind picked up in intensity, swirling last fall’s brittle oak leaves around in circles. Sam found himself kneeling beside Gretta, clutching her hand. Several sighs of relief emitted from his lips as he picked a crumpled leaf off her shirt with a trembling hand.
Sam wanted her to wake up, to open her eyes. He couldn’t remember them. He knew Anya’s deep brown ones. Every aspect of Anya remained imprinted on his memory. He gently untangled a leaf from her hair, lighter in color than Anya’s, thicker, curlier.
A previous conversation came to mind. ‘You don’t know me.’ Gretta believed his feelings for her were not real. Sam looked over to the fallen tree where their bodies remained trapped under the immense branches. What if he had noticed Purple Shorts because of the second curse? What would happen when they returned to their bodies? Protective jealousy flooded through him.
Sam brushed windblown hair out of Gretta’s face as her eyes flickered opened. Stillness surrounded them.
“Hey.”
“Theo? Will? Sam!” Gretta flung herself into his arms, embracing him with such force that he fell backwards in the dirt. “You’re safe. I couldn’t find you.” Her words spilled out in gasps. Sam sat up, scooting back against the downed tree trunk. Gretta curled into his lap.
“I thought you were gone when Alec told me Tatiana had passed.” Sam pressed his head to hers, stroking her back with his hand. It had been so long since he had touched her or even seen her. He couldn’t let go.
“I was never with Tatiana, only Anya.” She very slowly raised her face. “Where were you? I tried so hard to leave.”
Shame filled him. He had abandoned her, left her unprotected, and she was attacked. “I’m sorry.”
Gretta’s eyes searched him for answers. He saw desperation, not anger. Pulling her even closer, he took a deep breath.
“Gretta, I was with Lorenzo.”
Instantly, she pulled away. “Lorenzo died. We returned weeks after he passed.” Fear creased her forehead, widened her eyes, and caused her to tremble.
“Roxana helped my spirit enter Will before Lorenzo died.” Sam searched her face for something, anything. Blue eyes begged for answers then blinked in acceptance.
Gretta sighed deeply, burying her face in his chest. Moisture seeped through his shirt from tears running down her cheeks.
“I didn’t know you were with Anya. If I had, I would have found a way to keep Lorenzo in Milos.” He held her tighter, praying for understanding, for forgiveness she shouldn’t grant.
Gretta sniffed. “I should’ve known.” She wiped her cheeks, snuggling closer. “Our wedding was perfect.”
Sam felt her relax, but he remained uneasy. “The wedding day was perfect, but the other days . . .” He tensed with guilt. “I wasn’t able to influence Lorenzo as easily as before. He seemed to be able to resist me, especially after we were married.”
Gretta nodded. “Anya’s strength was beyond mine. I tried so hard to leave when Lorenzo was with her, but it didn’t work. Sam, Anya wore the ring. I let her put the ring on because I gave up looking for you. I figured when Anya died I would go with her to the PIT so that I could find Roxana.”
Sam stiffened. “I should have realized you were entwined with Anya. Luda saw my spirit within Will and encouraged me to go to you. I didn’t know for sure that you were within Anya until you called out my name. This is my fault.”
“No. You never gave up on me.”
Sam shook his head. “When I said goodbye to Tatiana last June, I kissed he
r hand. I knew something was wrong when we didn’t return. Tatiana told me ‘Virginia. Mountains. Greenview’. I thought you must be somewhere in Virginia so I encouraged Lorenzo to leave. Lorenzo had ideas of desertion, faking his own death, anything to avoid returning to the navy. It was hard for me to persuade him, but I had to get to the hills of Virginia so that I could find you. Tatiana’s vision was wrong. I made Lorenzo leave. I’m sorry.” He held her tighter. “We’re going home, back to our bodies, back to our own time.” She shook her head but didn’t pull away from his embrace.
Movement near the downed tree caught their attention. Roxana’s deep burgundy dress skimmed the leaves on the ground, yet made no sound. Katarina followed in her normal black attire.
Gretta ran to them. “Yia Yia.” Falling into the old woman’s arms, she began to sob.
“It’s over, child.”
Tears ran down Gretta’s face. “Anya loved you so much.”
“Of course, and I love her to this day,” Katarina replied tenderly. The two walked over to the tree and sat on a green couch that blended in so well that it appeared to belong there.
As if she read Sam’s mind, Roxana announced, “You will not return to Milos.”
“Gretta won’t either, even if she insists,” he stated protectively.
Roxana bowed her head in defeat. “I forbid it. We nearly lost you both. I’m deeply sorry.”
Sam regretted his tone. He recalled back to when Lorenzo asked Will to go to Milos. As Will promised to care for Anya and the baby, the brothers shook hands. At that precise moment, a swirling mist engulfed their hands and Sam had felt a strong presence pull him out of Lorenzo. Reluctantly, he allowed the transfer of his soul into Will. With the comfort of his brother’s promise and the absence of Sam’s strength, Lorenzo had faded quickly to his death. Sam realized Roxana had orchestrated his release from Lorenzo and established his new entwinement within Will.