melt the Antarctic. A cool, crisp breeze flowed past, tickling Ally back into reality.
Kat was looking at her expectantly. “So, who is this god? It all sounds very romantic. You’ve met before but were kept apart by circumstances.”
Ally looked at her curiously. “What has my grandmother been telling you?”
“Just that.”
“Yes, I met him once before. The morning that my parents…” her voice trailed off for a moment before continuing. “But I never saw him again so that part is true. However, as far as I know we haven’t been kept apart by circumstances,” Ally said with an amused smile.
“She always was a good story teller,” Kat laughed. “What is his name?”
“Well…this is the part where I expect you to run screaming towards the hills.” She looked at Kat trying to predict what the reaction would be when she revealed his name.
“Why would I do that?” Kat asked, puzzled.
“It’s a name you’ve heard before.”
Kathryn started to speak but abruptly stopped. Ally could almost see the wheels turning in her mind, as the pieces of the puzzle all started fitting into place. Finally, Kat appeared stunned, the comprehension hit, and she had worked it out. “No, it can’t be…Are you telling me that you met him? The man who Madame Isabella predicted would enter your life?”
“Yes, James Carlisle.”
Kat’s face was alive with excitement. “You met him all those years ago and you didn’t tell me, Alessandra!”
“Well no, not as such.”
“Why not? We never hid anything from each other back then?” Kat said, sounding a little hurt.
“Because it freaked me out, and I thought that if it freaked me out, then what would you think?”
“Oh, Ally. I have stood by you through thick and thin haven’t I?”
“Yes, it was me that became distant.” She looked at Kat. “I’m sorry. I just didn’t know how to deal with everything, so I hid from everyone.”
Kat put her arm around Ally. “No one would know how to deal with what happened to you, honey. I’m just glad that I’m back in your life.” Kat drew her friend in for a hug. “I’ve missed you.”
“I missed you too, Kat.”
“No more secrets, ok? Even if you think it’s going to freak me out, you must tell me.”
“Ok I promise.” Ally smiled at her newly returned best friend.
“So tell me about James,” Kat said with a smile, full of glee and excitement.
“There isn’t much to tell. All I know is that he is gorgeous, there was a definite spark, and he is apparently a friend of the family.”
“So far he sounds great.” She paused as if deciding whether to ask the obvious or not. “Ally, what was he doing there that morning?”
“That’s where things start getting freaky again.”
“I’m listening.” Kat leaned closer in anticipation.
Ally smiled at her then proceeded with caution. “Well it seems that Madame was right on a few things. My parents died. I met James and there was a secret.” She let the words hang in the air for a moment.
“What?” Her best friend was clearly shocked and intrigued.
“I don’t know what it was though. My parents said they would tell me in the morning. When I woke up, I found Gran and James in the kitchen, she told me that he was invited by my parents, because they had something to tell me, and I assume it involved him somehow.”
Kat’s mouth was hanging open.
“You’re catching flies,” Ally joked.
“Oh please, you just tell me all that and expect me not to have my mouth hanging open.” She laughed with a twinkle in her eye. “So what does that mean? Is it something to do with the prophecy? Did they know about it? There are so many questions!”
Ally let out a sigh. “Far too many questions that I fear will never be answered.”
“But that can’t be right. Madame Isabella said, when you lost two people close to you, it will have begun.”
“You’re right. But what has begun? She wasn’t really clear on all that,” Ally replied.
“No, of course not,” Kat said with a wry smile. “They never are. Well, it seems we have a mystery to solve.”
“Really?”
“Yes really! I’m appalled Ally. You're a private investigator, and you’re not investigating your own mystery.” Kat’s eyes twinkled mischievously.
“Isn’t the point of my job to investigate other people?”
“Well, yes, obviously. But put your skills to use for yourself, you goose.”
Ally rolled her eyes. “I’ve been investigating Mum and Dad’s case, it doesn’t add up to me, but I never thought to check up on my own mystery. I guess in