Part 6

Ian looked at Sara questioningly, "You are sure you want to do this?"

Sara nodded and sat down in the vinyl-covered chair. The burly guy sitting on a stool to her right smiled as he put latex gloves on over his meaty hands.

Working carefully, he applied the transfer design to Sara�s bared hip. He asked if she was ready and watched as she grabbed the hand of the man who was with her and nodded. He began the meticulous process of applying the tattoo. Sara winced as the buzzing needle bit into her skin.

Two hours later Ian rose from the chair and paid the tattoo artist for his and Sara�s tattoos. The guy smiled and warned them that tattoos were addictive, but with a chuckle advised them to make sure they came back to him for their next ones. Ian wrapped his arm around Sara and thanked the big guy as they left.

Gabriel Bowman couldn�t stand it anymore. He had to meet this Sara Pezzini and find out where he knew her from and if the bracelet she owned was truly the legendary Witchblade. There had only been one S. Pezzini in the phone book and even though it was late he wanted to pay her a visit tonight. He pulled up in front of her building and parked, rehearsing to himself what he was going to say to her. All thoughts of that left his mind as he saw the flames licking up the side of the building. He ran to a pay phone and dialed 911. As soon as the call was completed he ran into the building, taking the steps 3 at time, until he was standing in front of her door. He banged his fist on the door and shouted as loudly as he could. He thought he could make out a male voice shouting back, but he wasn�t certain.

Firefighters arrived moments later and Gabriel told them he though someone was in the Pezzini apartment, that he thought he had heard a voice. He was told to wait outside the building and did as he was told, standing beside his car as the fire trucks, ambulances and police cars lit the night sky with their strobing lights. He watched as a guy was brought out of the building on a stretcher and loaded into an ambulance, which then took off screaming into the night.

It was a couple of hours later when all but one of the fire trucks left. They were only there as a precautionary measure according to one of its crew. The blaze had been limited to Miss Pezzini�s apartment luckily and even more fortunately, the one occupant of the apartment had been rescued and was doing fine. Gabe got back into his car and pulled away. Sara Pezzini must have made some seriously wicked enemies.

Ian and Sara arrived back at the bungalow, tired but happy. Sara ran to the mirror almost immediately after Ian opened the door. Peeling down her jeans and pulling the gauze away from the tattoo, she grinned into the mirror.

Ian came to stand behind her, wrapping his arms around her and nuzzling her neck. "That makes you even sexier if that is possible." He smiled at their reflection in the mirror.

"Show me yours!"

Ian smiled and removed his overcoat and sweater, then gingerly lifted away the bandaging. He turned so that Sara could see the tattoo permanently inked over his shoulder blade. His was an exact match to hers. A sword and shield.

Sara turned him back around, putting her hands on his broad chest and kissing his lips tenderly. "I love you."

Ian answered in kind, then put his arms around her and carefully avoiding the tender area on her hip, lifted her easily and carried her into the bedroom. He deposited her on the bed and they both removed the remainder of their clothing, not wanting to waste a moment of the remainder of their last night in this idyllic spot. The last thing to hit the floor was Ian�s leather gloves.

Climbing onto to the bed with her, Ian ran his bare hands across Sara�s smooth skin, conflicted with the physical and emotional sensations his mind was receiving from the contact with her body. He closed his eyes letting his mind flood with her memories, her hopes and fears.

Sara rolled atop Ian leaving a trail of tiny kisses as she slid down his body. Ian groaned as he realized what she was doing. He gasped sharply and looked down at her as her mouth came into contact with his rigidity, the heat and moisture of her mouth sweet torment. His heart pounded, thudding in this chest till he thought it might explode and his mind reeled, falling into the dark oblivion of pleasure, his last focus point Sara�s mouth forming a perfect O around him.

Sara was emboldened by the effect she was having on him and she sped her ministrations, coiling her tongue around him, savoring the salty taste of him, and then drawing him in as deeply as she could. She saw the powerful muscles of his thighs tense and his back arch as he got closer to the edge. His scream rang off the walls as he thrashed on the bed and Sara drank him down greedily before climbing up to lie beside him, her head resting on his chest. She listened to the racing of his heart and his ragged breath, curling her fingers through the glossy black hairs of his chest idly until he calmed. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly. Sara smiled.

Jake McCartey wondered how the hell he was going to explain his presence in Pez�s apartment before the fire broke out. He knew he hadn�t done anything to set it. He hadn�t been smoking, couldn�t stand cigarettes for that matter. He hadn�t turned on anything except for a few lights. This was going to be one hell of a sticky situation. He had to prove he wasn�t the arsonist, had to come up with an explanation for Pez and on top of it all he had to avoid blowing his cover. This looked bad. He�d better talk to Joe soon. Pez said she�d told Joe of her marriage and Joe suspected him of having a crush on her already. This looked like the revenge of a jealous boyfriend. Damn, this looked really, really bad.

Ian rolled Sara on to her back and with a whisper of the sheets, slid down the bed to nestle in her valley. His voice barely audible, he looked up to her, "Tell me how to please you."

Sara shivered, his words sending a thrill of delight over her. She cradled his head in her hands and guided him gently as his long tongue began to probe at her, lapping at her tentatively at first and then with more resolve. She guided him with her words until she was beyond speech, only small cries of pleasure coming from her. As his fingers entered her slowly, she went over the brink, crying out loudly and calling his name.

Kenneth Irons laid in his bed, clutching the sheets as waves of pleasure washed over his body, experiencing vicariously the pleasure Sara felt. The position of his body mirroring hers across the miles and Ian�s name escaping his lips at the precise same moment it left hers.

Tommy Gallo smiled as he heard the news. Too bad the bitch hadn�t been in there, but at least he could report to Mr. Irons that the task had been accomplished. He leaned back in his chair. How he wished he could see her face when she discovered what had become of her apartment.

Part 7

Morning light broke through the curtains, casting its gentle light across the bed. Sara stirred from her slumber, and stretched while covering a yawn with the back of her hand. She smiled broadly as she looked down at Ian who was still sleeping soundly. His closed eyes fringed by dark lashes and looking rather like a little boy despite his dark moustache and beard. Quietly she slipped out of bed and tiptoed into the kitchen to make coffee. Once it was brewed she leaned against the counter, enjoying the first cup of the day. The first cup was always the best cup for some reason.

On the counter, her cell phone chirped, breaking her from her reverie. She picked it up, "Pez."

Joe Siri�s voice was at the other end of the line, "Sara, I�ve got some bad news for you."

Sara sat down in the chair at the kitchen table and listened as Joe told her about her apartment, repeating some of his words in disbelief, a single tear sliding down her cheek. She was unaware of Ian standing silently in the hallway watching her, his eyes filling with emotion at her sadness.

"I�ll be there as soon as I can, Joe."

"There�s no need to rush, Sara. There�s nothing you can do at this point. There�s something else, Sara . . . Jake McCartey was in your apartment last night. Now don�t panic, he�s fine. I haven�t spoken to him yet, but I called the hospital and they said he was ok. They were going to discharge him sometime this morning. I figured he had gone by to check on things for you while you were out of town. Do you need me to get your key from him or anything since you left your spare on my desk?"

Sara sat stunned a moment before she could answer, "Um, uh . . . no, I�ll go by his place and get it," she fibbed. What the hell had McCartey been doing in her apartment? "Thanks, Joe. I�ll see you later today." Sara hung up the phone and put her head on the table and cried. Strong arms wrapped around her as more tears splashed down on the table�s surface to mix with her own.

"Hey that coffee smells good. Sure wish I could have a cup." Danny Woo leaned against the counter, his arms folded across his chest.

Sara�s head jerked up. "Danny!"

Ian looked at Sara in confusion, unable to see the apparition.

"When one door closes, another opens, Pez."

Sara smiled at Danny and turned to Ian, "You can�t see him can you?"

Ian shook his head. "Not at the moment, although I have seen him before in his unearthly form. I saw him the night you passed the periculum, guarding you."

Sara looked back to where Danny had stood, but he was gone. "Ah, well. He�s gone now anyway. I wonder what he was hinting at? When one door closes, another opens." Sighing heavily, she wiped the tears from her face and stood to wrap her arms around Ian. "I guess we�ll find out . . . together."

"We should be heading back soon." Ian kissed her on the forehead.

Sara nodded and they began gathering their things. Once they had packed and straightened the bungalow, Sara went to the kitchen and tossed out the leftovers from the fridge. Once she had bagged up the trash, Ian carried it out for her. Sara smiled at the simple domestic sight. Maybe someday life could be normal for them. She sighed, then picked up their bags and headed for the car. She watched from the passenger seat as Ian locked up the little yellow bungalow and headed down the walkway to the car. He stopped as if he had dropped something and bent to retrieve it, stowing it in the pocket of his over coat.

Once in the car, Ian buckled up and reminded Sara to do the same. He started the engine and with a heavy sigh, backed out and began the long drive home.

Gabriel Bowman sat in front of his computer screen frowning. A net search for the Witchblade had turned up less than he had hoped for. He had been able to find out about a few of its former wielders, Joan of Arc, Elizabeth Bronte and some Irish war goddess named Cathain and some women that were "pretenders," whatever that was supposed to mean. The Witchblade evidently came at a price though, deserting its wielder in her time of greatest need. It was supposedly able to transform into a gauntlet and offer its wearer invincibility in battle and other unnamed gifts. There was evidently a pretty nasty test to go through as well, resulting in death if the wearer failed. After World War II and Elizabeth Bronte, he wasn't sure of how it had gotten to the next wearer who was a "pretender" or where it had gone after it left that wearer. He was pretty sure he knew where it was, but he wanted more information. He sat lost in thought, staring blankly at the screen for a while. Finally he sat upright and typed in the name of one of the "pretenders" . . . Dominique Boucher.

Part 8

Ian stifled a yawn as he steered the car down the off ramp. Sara stirred in her seat, sensing the decrease in speed. She opened her eyes and smiled at Ian, "We there yet?"

"Not quite, but close."

Sara nodded and sat up. "So where to first?"

"Good question. I�d say your place, but . . . " he left the sentence unfinished, a slight frown on his face.

Sara put a hand on his shoulder. "Drive by there anyway? I want to see if anything is salvageable."

Ian nodded and turned left at the light, headed towards the burned apartment.

A few minutes later they pulled up in front of the building. Both of them got out of the car and stretched, then made their way into the building, climbing the stairs hand in hand.

Sara pushed the door open. The burnt smell that hung heavily in the air assaulted her nostrils, making her cough. The walls were blackened and covered in greasy soot. The fire had evidently started near the window, as that is where the heaviest damage was. Sara went into the bedroom, which was largely undamaged. Ian came in a few moments later holding a rectangular box. "I found some trash bags in the kitchen."

Sara nodded and took the bags from Ian. She began the task of filling the bags with clothing from the closet. Ian took a bag as well and began loading items from the dresser in it. When all the clothes were packed up, Sara took a few pictures off her night stand and her alarm clock and put them in on top the clothes. From the small bookshelf in her bedroom she took a few personal belongings.

In the living room, Sara took her photo album from the twisted set of metal shelves. It had sustained damage, but some of the pictures would be able to be rescued. She sighed heavily, looking around at the ruins of the place she had called home. "Let�s go."

Kenneth Irons waited impatiently. He paced back and forth in front of his fireplace, one of the wolfhounds watching him. They would be here soon. He would have to disguise his anger with Ian carefully if he wanted his plan to succeed. He smashed his hand into his fist. Ian deserved punishment for this outrage, this utter disobedience. He would be an excellent tool in controlling the wielder though, and now that she no longer had an apartment the offer he planned to make would keep her within his grasp. He smiled maliciously as his phone rang.

Ian�s voice, "Her apartment has burned in our absence."

"How terrible. Please offer her my condolences," Irons paused, "Bring her here if she likes. I�m certain I can arrange for temporary lodging." He smiled again and hung up the phone.

Sara followed Ian on the Buell. As they arrived at the mansion the wrought iron gates swung open. Sara parked the motorcycle beside the car and stepped off it, removing her helmet. Ian walked over to her and said quietly in her ear, "Please do not react outwardly to Mr. Irons treatment of me. It has always been so."

Sara looked at Ian oddly. "But you�re my . . . how am I supposed to react?"

"He does not know that, Sara. It would be best if we kept that to ourselves for now. I am not certain of how he will feel about it. I was not supposed to become involved other than to watch you. I disobeyed his orders."

Sara stared at Ian and then stifled a laugh, "Just a little."

Kenneth Irons stood, a warm smile on his face and arms outstretched as Sara and Ian entered the room. "Sara, it is a pleasure and an honor to meet you at last." He took Sara�s hands in his own. "Ian has told me much about you. Please come have a seat by the fire." He smiled and guided her into one of the large leather chairs beside the fire. Time to turn on the charm. "Ian, it is good to have you home, I have missed you."

Ian glanced up from where he stood beside Sara�s chair. Did he just hear that right? He nodded and once again lowered his gaze to the floor in his regular stance.

Sara smiled at Irons. "It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Sir."

Irons turned back to Sara, "Ian is my employee, as I am sure he has told you. He has been like a son to me as well."

Sara glanced to Ian and then back to Irons. "Thank you for sending him to watch over me. He saved my life."

Irons nodded. "I know a great deal about the Witchblade, Sara. I have spent many years studying it. When I discovered that there was a new wielder I felt it necessary to do what was within my power to make sure that she was safe. There are many unscrupulous people out there who would be more than happy to take advantage of a wielder who was unsure of how to use the Witchblade and unaware of its many powers." He paused and put on a frown, "Ian told me of the loss of your apartment. I am truly sorry to hear of that."

Sara nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Irons . . . "

Irons smiled, "Please, call me Kenneth."

Sara smiled in return, "Thank you, Kenneth. I was able to salvage some clothing and personal effects luckily."

"That is wonderful news. I had feared it was a complete loss. Thank God you were not there when it occurred. My dear Ian has become quite fond of you I believe." Irons smiled salaciously, "I would like to offer you the use of my guest house for as long as you�d like."

Sara gasped, "Oh Mr. Irons . . . Kenneth, I couldn�t . . . "

Irons rose to his feet. "I insist. I would love to show you some of my paintings soon as well. I have an entire wing dedicated to the Witchblade." He smiled again, "Ian?"

Ian came to stand beside his Master, his head bowed.

"If you would be so kind as to show Sara to the guest house and see that all her needs are met."

Ian nodded and offered Sara his arm, which she accepted.

Sara looked at Irons before moving towards the door, "Thank you again, Kenneth. I don�t know what to say, you are very kind." She smiled.

Irons bowed to Sara. "Dinner will be at seven this evening. I am sure you are both tired from travelling. Please get some rest and I will see you both then."