Prologue

Outskirts of London, 1700

She was old, tired, with bones that creaked and a back that bowed.

As she cast a dozen and one willow twigs within the circle of truth etched upon the hard packed earth, her green eyes gone hazy with age reached into the future. Life was a twisting maze of choices, some good, some bad and some indifferent. Ignoring the good and the indifferent, she concentrated on the bad, the ones that affected her, hers and the future.

With an old burlap satchel holding the herbs needed, she lowered her old body before the open pit fire and waited for the apex of the full moon. Having cast aside fancy words and rhyming verses many years before, she spoke to the Gods with heartfelt words.

“God of my soul, have mercy on this old woman for being blinded by a mother’s love. From this day forward what the Gods have decreed will not be left to chance but tutored through divine visions. With the coming of the first shed blood, the female of my bloodline will know her calling. With truth to self, she will gather her power, live her power, trust her power and use the power in a manner that will honor her soul, her Gods, her truths.

“Within the shadows of dream, her soul will touch the soul created to join with her for all eternity. When the Gods deem the time is right they will meet, test their strengths, learn their weaknesses. Sparks will fly, honor tested, as they learn, accept or deny the true meaning of love, trust, and companionship.

“If a maiden slumbers with any other than her chosen mate, abuses her power or neglects her power, the power will be torn from her without mercy. Have mercy on their souls. As I say so shall it be.”

Chapter 1

JFK Airport—April 1, 2005

The unmistakable stench saturated the stale air. As warm liquid quickly seeped into Cole’s khaki slacks from crotch level downward, he watched a puddle of the curdled milk drip off the pointed toe of one snakeskin boot.

“Oh, I am so sorry, here let me help.” Thrusting a crying baby into his arms, the mother franticly rubbed at his crotch with a damp white washcloth as her pint-sized sons stood close by making gagging sounds.

Cole gritted his teeth. “Ma’am, why don’t you give me the rag?”

“But the…”

“Ma’am, trust me, I’m a big boy. I can wipe off my own pants.”

Realization came in one big rush—snickers from a few male travelers and her tomato red blush came a moment later.

“Ma’am, it’s fine. Really.” Handing over the baby, Cole made a hasty retreat.

Exiting the restroom, he paid no attention to the crush of people as he stopped to listen to the crackling intercom. “Departure time for flight 6399 from JFK to Dallas has been rescheduled for 8 P.M. Boarding will begin at 7:30.”

With the aroma of sour milk clinging to him like cheap cologne, Cole vetoed the idea of going to the bar to drown his frustration in an ice-cold beer.

As Cole approached the crowded waiting area, the young woman’s sons ignored her flustered protests as they made a mad dash towards him.

“Mister, are you a real cowboy? Mom said maybe you were ’cause of your snakeskin cowboy boots.”

Not wanting to be ignored, his younger brother shoved him with his shoulder. Tilting their heads back, the boys looked into blue eyes that appeared to be a mile away.

“Bobby said you skinned the rattlesnake for your boots while he was still alive. My dad could do that. He flies jets off a big ship.” Demonstrating a plane taking off with his hand, the boy added, “When he comes home, I’m gonna have him kill me a rattlesnake. Did ya know you still stink like barf? My name’s Billy, what’s yours?”

Offering his large hand, Cole said, “Glad to meet you Billy. My name is Cole Young. My brother might disagree, but yes, I’m a cowboy.”

“Mom, he really is a cowboy and he shook my hand. Guess what, he has a brother. And he still stinks like barf,” Billy yelled as he dashed across the walkway to stand in front of his mother.

Bobby, following Cole across the walkway, climbed onto the rock hard blue plastic seat beside the one Cole settled into.

Billy looked at Cole with big round eyes. “Do you have a horse?” His voice held a tinge of awe at the idea.

“Of course he has a horse, dummy. He’s a cowboy. Bet the horse is big, black and mean.” The look on Bobby’s face was hopeful as his blue eyes stared at Cole.

“There is a big, ornery black stallion on the ranch. His name is Ash. But my horse is a friendly gray appaloosa mare named Polka Dot.”

Bobby wrinkled his freckled nose. “Sounds like a dumb girl’s name.”

“What can I say, my mom named her.”

A look, an eye roll and a small what-can-you-do shrug completed the male bonding.

* * * *

By the time the plane landed in Dallas, five hours behind schedule, jet lag had muddled Cole’s brain, and his wallet, cell phone and passport had been lifted.

Locating Cody, his brother, at the luggage carrousel wasn’t hard; he stood a head taller then everyone else. “Give me your cell phone?”

“Nice to see you, too.” Cody slapped Cole on the back as he handed over the phone.

A cheerful voice at the credit card company informed Cole that within a six-hour time span, his card had been on an amazing fifty thousand dollar shopping trip, courtesy of the Internet.

“What did they buy?” Cody asked as they headed to the pickup.

“A ton of electronics and two-dozen Victoria’s Secret bras and matching thongs in a rainbow of colors.”

“That should be good for a few laughs around the bunkhouse. But you know it could be worse.”

At six, Cole would have copied Billy’s earlier actions by shoving his brother just for the fun of wiping the grin off his face. Now he pocketed his hands and eyed Cody with baleful suspicion.

“How the hell do you figure that?”

“It’s midnight. April Fool’s day is over.”

A ghost of dread whispered hello as a shudder rippled across Cole’s shoulders and down his spine.