Zander woke, cradling Kelsie against him. Smiling at her insistence, she would sleep better if he remained, only for her to have another nightmare and fall asleep in his arms. It felt good to hold her, help her sleep. It surprised him that he had fallen asleep and slept so deeply.

The knock came again. Easing Kelsie onto the pillow, he covered her before heading for the door.

Alyx stood shuffling from one foot to the other, "Sorry to disturb you, but I need to talk."

Glancing out into the corridor, Zander found George nearby. Motioning to Kelsie's father, he eased out of the room, "I am needed. Give me a moment to write a note for Kelsie, Alyx. George, would you mind watching over her."

"She has not permitted me to enter her room," George said, "I can remain out here."

"That will be fine," Zander nodded, "I'll let her know you're here should she need anything."

Easing into the room, he found Kelsie sitting up in bed, watching the door.

"I thought you left me," she whispered, "without a word."

"Never," Zander smiled, dropping a kiss on her head, "how are you feeling?"

"A little stiff," she said, moving to where Zander had laid out two outfits, ignoring the day clothes she pulled on her leathers, "I'm coming with you."

Zander paused in washing his face and neck," Are you sure? Don't you want to rest more?"

"I sleep better with you next to me," she shrugged, "besides I cannot be a Queen who needs to spend a day in bed after such a small skirmish,"

"We cannot have anyone thinking you are that delicate," Zander teased, "Come, let us see why Alyx needs us."

Zander opened the door allowing Kelsie to go first, "It would seem she no longer requires guarding."

"You would have guarded me?" Kelsie asked, looking at her father's flushed face.

"Yes, love," he whispered, presenting her with the cleaned leathers, "here, I was able to remove every mark."

Amazement raced over Kelsie's face, "You cleaned my leathers?" she glanced at Zander, "Why? How?"

"He insisted on feeling useful but would not hear of me leaving you," Zander said quietly, "he did a good job. You'll have to show me what you used."

"It would be my pleasure," George said as Kelsie took her clothes and placed them on the table in her room.

She paused in front of her father, "Thank you."

Slowly she wrapped her arms around his waist, laying her head against his chest. George went motionless before folding his arms around her and gently holding her, "Anytime, love."

Alyx cleared his throat, "This is very touching, but I need to update Zander."

"You need to update both of us," Kelsie said, reluctantly easing out of her father's arms, "I need to know where we stand."

"Then please come with us," Alyx said, glancing at Zander, who watched Kelsie, "anything else?"

"Kelsie?" Zander asked, waiting.

She startled, coming back to the present, clearing her throat, "Dad," she whispered, "would you mind tending to Mom and Kim?"

"I have been," he said, narrowing his eyes on her face, "what are you not telling me?"

"Kim ... has just lost the last of her family," she said, "she has been like a sister to me. I don't want her thinking she is alone."

George smiled, "We will help her find her feet and a new family."

"Thank you," Kelsie smiled widely before turning to Alyx, "where are we being updated?"

Alyx motioned to an area near the computer room. Following him, Zander watched Kelsie closely. She was going through the motions, but it seemed as though her mind was somewhere else.

"Are you alright?" he whispered.

She startled again before nodding, causing Zander to frown, "What is going on?

"I'll tell you later," Kelsie whispered, "let's hear what Alyx says."

Zander nodded, but unease sat uncomfortably in his gut. What was happening to Kelsie?

Alyx drew them to a large round table with maps of the area spread out.

"It won't take long," he said, glancing at Kelsie before looking at Zander questioningly.

"Go ahead," Zander said, placing his hand on the small of Kelsie's back, keeping her in the present.

Quickly Alyx explained where additional lookouts had been placed, geared for hot, cold and wet weather. How many times the Guard would be changing, and how many were in the Guard each time. The older members of the Guard had been placed in positions of authority and tasked with teaching the new members the Old Ways.

Kelsie nodded, approving the changes put in place. Suddenly she went still, her eyes glazing over and looking unfocused.

"Zander?" Alyx asked, "I don't think she is here."

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"Kelsie?" Zander called about to shake her.

"Don't do that," Jackie said from her station nearby, "the house is talking to her."

"It's what?" Zander and Alyx said in unison.

"Anne used to do this a lot," Jackie smiled, "so did Connie. The house is connected to the Queen. It seeks to please and provide for everyone but specifically for her. It senses she needs something, but for it to interrupt something as important as this means Kelsie needs something urgently."

"Clearly, I was not observing her closely enough," Zander sighed, "I must do better."

"There are women in the world who hold their cards close to their chests, as the saying goes," Jackie said, "Kelsie holds them out of sight. You will come to learn what she needs. Right now, the house is seeking knowledge. It may have been trying to connect with her before and realises Kelsie is not putting what she needs to address before her duty."

"Do we just leave her there?" Alyx asked.

"You won't be able to move her," Jackie smiled, "Alyx, you can go about your business, but Zander will find he is drawn to protect her and will wait."

"You are correct," Zander said, "how long does it usually last?"

"It depends on the conversation," Jackie shrugged, returning to her task, "it could be minutes or hours."

"It could be a long wait," Zander nodded.

Kelsie heard the voice calling her ... soft, melodic gentle and insistent. She found herself in a room with books lining the walls, browsing up and down the shelves; she longed to read all of them, but there was no time. He would be here later today.

"I need time," she whispered.

"What would you like time for?" the voice asked.

Kelsie turned, looking around for the person speaking, "Who is there?"

"Jezebel's House," the voice said, "you converse with your house."

Kelsie frowned, "Can anyone hear me speaking to you?"

"No," the house replied, "I hold your secrets, knowledge only known to you, and you may tap into any knowledge, secret or thoughts left to you by those before you. If you have a question, I will do my best to answer it. If you require something, I will do my best to fulfill it. I am your protector, provider and secret keeper."

"Connie's secret keeper isn't dead, is it?" Kelsie whispered.

"No, I am still here," the house said, "waiting. I know you need something. What can I do for you?"

"Is Zander with me?" Kelsie asked, looking around.

"Not here," the house said, "but he is with you where you stand. He seems devoted to you."

"You know he is my Guard," Kelsie sighed, "but not the Guard Connie had the type of Guard my mother introduced."

"I understand," the house said, "did you know you are the first in the line to have the blood of the Royals and the Guard running through them?"

"Does that make me special?" Kelsie frowned.

"Yes, the one you expect has Royal but no Guard in him," the house said, "you need to read your history."

"I do not have time to do that right now," Kelsie sighed, "I expect him sooner than I want. Frankly, I feel unprepared, as though I'm missing something or need something and cannot put my finger on what it is."

"Knowlege," the house whispered, "time I can give, seek the room with the bound papers, find what you seek."

Blinking, Kelsie looked around. She stood in the computer room, people milling around as though what had just happened was something normal. Zander stood at the table, looking down at the maps. Glancing in her direction, he straightened.

"You with us?" he asked, coming toward her.

"Yes," she whispered, "I didn't know it could happen or would happen."

"Jackie explained the house was talking to you," Zander smiled, "is it a nice house?"

Kelsie chuckled, "It is. I like it very much. What happened while I was ... chatting?"

"Alyx has reported a sudden storm has risen, and the rain comes hard and fast," Zander said, "it's bad enough that we have had to recall the lookouts."

Nodding, Kelsie wandered to a window, "Wow, that is heavy rain. Do you think they will be coming then?"

"Eventually, but if what I've heard about him not wanting to travel at night is true. I doubt he will travel during something like this," Zander said, "at the moment, we have time."

Kelsie smiled, "We have time."

"What is it?" Zander asked.

"There is a room I need to find," Kelsie said, "apparently, there is information I need to prepare myself for what is coming."

"May I come with you?" Zander asked.

"I would like you to," Kelsie said, meeting his gaze, unsure of what she needed or wanted but knowing she would fare better with him there.

"Then I shall come," he smiled, "what room are we looking for?"

Alyx returned to the table, looking around, "Where did he go?"

"With Kelsie," Jackie said smiling, "you're going to need to get used to that."

Alyx looked at the table, "How am I supposed to know what this is about?"

Jason and Jackie looked over his shoulder, speaking their thoughts in unison. Alyx frowned, not hearing much of what was being said. Cal turned at the sudden babbling, grinning at Alyx's expression. He walked to the table, pulled the map toward him, looking around for a notepad.

"Alyx, give me that notepad," he said, silencing Jackie and Jason, "yes, as I thought."

"Thought what?" Jason asked, moving to Cal's side.

"Alyx, to know what your Captain is thinking, you need to notice him," Cal said, leaning on the table, looking directly at Alyx, "what are they both wearing?"

Alyx frowned, "Their leather gear," he said, "why?"

"What security measures have been implemented?" Cal asked, waiting as Alyx ticked off the security measures taken on his fingers.

Jackie and Jason looked at each other; Jason mumbled, "That is why he is marking those."

"Marking what?" Alyx asked, looking confused.

"Everything you have told me lines up with the way of the Order," Cal smiled. "You don't know what he wants because you are thinking one faction or another. Not the Old Way."

Alyx stared at Cal, "How was I supposed to know that?"

"You'll learn," Cal grinned, "that's why we're here. Look at these markings," he pointed to the map, "put it together with what Zander has noted on the pad and see what you make of it now."

Alyx nodded, first looking at the map and then the notepad. He placed the information from the pad onto the map, gasping, "Genius," he murmured, "total genius."

Cal nodded, "You have much to learn, but you are learning quickly. You'll do us proud."

Alyx grinned, "At least we have time to put this into play," he said, looking out the window, "it's incredible how it went from a beautiful sunny day ... to this."

"Something you will learn while you're here," Cal said, gripping Alyx's shoulder, "nothing that happens at this place happens without reason."

"I feel like I should remember that," Alyx grinned.

"Yes," Cal said, "you should. Those two have a long way to go, a lot to learn and not much time to do it. But here in this house, I have seen much to wonder at. It is our haven, our fortress and a place housing the Order for many years."

"How many?" Alyx asked.

"That you'll have to find out for yourself," Cal grinned, "the house does not like its information given without its permission. It prefers you ask."

Alyx frowned at Cal's strange words watching the older man walk away. Shaking his head, he returned to the map on the table, working quickly to put Zander's requirements into place.