The next day Lark was almost taken by surprise. He had expected that Emma would arrive with Lendra or Justin to report for her first day’s work. Instead, she arrived alone riding a horse.
Lark was still indoors when the transformation began.
He sat still in shock as he watched the fur appear on his hands. As he tried to understand what was happening, he incanted the spell he had learned. His transformation did not cease and he felt his blood run cold as he cringed waiting for a scream that would tell him the spell had failed.
He stood and walked to a window of his house which was when he spotted her.
He was amazed at how she looked just like Erin. His heart skipped a beat as he looked at her through the window. She sat on her horse studying the house.
Lark finally opened the door and stepped out hesitantly waiting for the scream, that would tell him the spell had failed.
Instead, she smiled when she saw him.
“Good day sir,
Lark told Emma the tale of their love from her previous life. He did not at first make it clear that the tale was about them. Emma listened, fascinated by the tale. When Lark had finished, Emma seemed lost in thought.“Is that a true story?” she asked at last.“It is,” Lark said looking at Emma.“It is such a beautiful and yet sad story,” Emma said.“It is exactly that,” Lark replied.“How do you know about it?” Emma asked.“You would not believe me if I told you,” Lark said.“I could not say if I would believe you if you told me unless you tell me,” Emma said smiling.Lark laughed softly, “You are just like…” He trailed off as he realized what he was about to say.“Just like…?” she echoed waiting for him to finish.Lark hesitated and then decided to push through. He had come this far. He had i
Lark was not convinced that Justin was satisfied with their conversation. He turned and entered the house, closing the door behind him.Emma stood in the far corner of the kitchen.Lark stood by the door. He wanted to give her as much distance as he could. “I’m sorry,” he said at last. “I was afraid you would react like that. At least you know that even though I become that… that thing when I am near you, I have never tried to lay a hand on you. You have always been safe with me.”“I… I know…,” Emma replied uncomfortably unable to meet Lark’s gaze.Lark made a decision. “I’m sorry Emma. I really am. I only wanted to be honest with you yesterday. I thought it was only fair that you should know the truth. At least from my side, my conscience is clear. However, if you prefer not to work here anymore, I can take you home. I can only ask that you don’t tell anyone about me.&
Lark had given up on Emma in this lifetime. It was but the second lifetime since the curse had been cast on him but there were too many similarities between this life and her last life. All the obstacles were the same and the last thing he wanted was that Emma would suffer the same fate as she had before.Lark continued life on the farm without Emma. He missed her tremendously but there was no point in her being there. She had become hesitant to kiss him after he told her all about her past. He told himself he had been a fool to tell her anything. He had worked so hard to create the illusion that permitted him to get close to her and then he had torn it down when he had finally managed to get close to her. And where had it gotten him? Nowhere.Lark continued working the farm himself. He completed the plowing and planting and turned his focus to the buildings that needed repair.One afternoon as the sun neared the horizon, Lark spotted the cloud of
Present DayCould we be so foolish as to expect that magic would become extinct, that it would become something only written about in books and seen in movies? How would it be possible for a curse to continue through the ages if magic itself became extinct?No, the magic continued as it always had but at some point, for no explainable reason, it became a thing hidden in the shadows again. Almost as if those that practiced it feared persecution like the times of old when witches were burned. Despite all magic not being evil, even those that walked the line between good and evil magic and those that practiced only good magic took to the shadows. There were ways to find the practitioners of magic though as long as one knew how.Lark had now lived for many centuries. He had long ago given up on Emma and any other incarnation of her. The hair she had given him when he had last seen her alive had again turned
Lark walked along the cold winter sidewalk. It was late November and winter had arrived in full force. Snow fell heavily landing on his beanie and the jacket he wore over his hoodie as he walked. He passed shops but did not stop to look into them. His gloved hands were thrust deep into his pockets and he was hardly recognizable from all the clothes he wore.He crossed the entrance to an alley and stopped. He listened and then heard it again.“Help,” came a woman’s soft cry. “Help me. Someone, please.”Lark turned and glanced into the alley.“Help, please,” he heard again. He hesitated, looked around quickly and then, seeing no-one else, he stepped into the alley.“Help me please,” the woman begged again. He could not see her but he was sure she could see him. He advanced slowly into the alley looking behind him occasionally to be sure that no-one was creeping up on him from behind.As he
As much as Lark resolved to stay away, he found himself making his way to the hospital the next day. The young woman had successfully been operated on and Lark was permitted to see her.He entered her ward and was shown to her bed by a nurse. The young woman was asleep and he decided not to wake her. He placed the bouquet he had brought for her on the table at the bottom of her bed along with a box of chocolates.He looked at her for a long moment, studying her. Her face was beautiful but nothing like Emma’s. Her hair was raven black and her cheeks were sprinkled with freckles. The freckles were the only similarity.He finally turned and began making his way to the door. He was almost at the door when a small voice said, “Excuse me, Sir?”Lark paused and turned. The young woman had woken up and was looking at him sleepily. Lark slowly retraced his steps to the young woman’s bedside.“Good day,” he said softly loo
Lark did not return to the hospital again. He worked from home mostly and had carved out a career for himself as an author. He made more than enough money to support himself and added to the fortune he had built up over the years.When the doorbell rang a few days after he had visited Lynn in the hospital, he was surprised. He was not expecting anyone. He had few visitors since as an author he was able to maintain a largely reclusive lifestyle which served him well.He made his way to the door to answer it. As he reached the door he felt his transformation begin. He quickly incanted the words of the spell that masked his transformation and then peered through the peephole set in the door.It was Lynn. Lark opened the door and smiled. “This is a surprise,” he said smiling.Lynn smiled. She was carrying a big bag with something in it and the aroma of fresh, warm food reached his nose. His stomach growled hungrily.“I hoped it would
Just before Christmas, Lark had started advertising for a personal assistant. He had halted the interviews just before Christmas because it was Christmas after all and people were going away for the holidays. He checked his e-mail daily though and on Boxing Day he received an e-mail from one of the applicants. Her name was Sasha.Dear Sir/Madam.I am writing about my application for the position of your assistant. I would like to inquire if you have considered interviewing me. I believe I am very well suited for the position and I would be most grateful if you would interview me. I do apologize for pressing you for an interview at this time but I have limited resources and time in New York City before I have to leave if I do not find a suitable position to support myself. In truth, my application for this position is my last chance. I have always dreamed of being in New York and I hope that you would consider making my