[London, England, later September]

“Are you sure you want me along on your conference?” Annalia asked as they departed from the private jet that had flown them from New York City to London, England. Talin was to attend a conference there on music making and production and had asked Annalia to attend with him, wanting her close by. The doctor had given the ok, but it had still made her nervous at take off and landing time.

“Aye, my love. I think you shall enjoy it. Plus, you said you wished to someday see London, so this shall give you a chance,” Talin commented as he wrapped his arm around her waist while they headed for the baggage claim area. He grabbed their suitcases and offered her his elbow before leading the way to the pick-up section of the airport to find their vehicle.

“True, but will you have time?” she questioned him as she held onto his arm while they maneuvered through the crowds. They went outside and waved for their chauffer and she looked up at him as they waited. “I mean…you’ll be busy with the conference and all,” she added, sounding doubtful.

“I will have time between events. And I would like you to be at a couple of those as well, my dear Annalia,” Talin murmured as he smiled down at her before leaning in for a soft kiss. She purred in delight as she pressed up into his mouth before they broke the kiss gently. Talin smiled warmly at their chauffer and helped to load their luggage while Annalia climbed into the car. He smirked as she ‘ooo’ed and ‘ahh’ed at the inside of the limousine while he climbed in, then they headed off for their hotel in Knightsbridge.

They looked around and he pointed out certain areas as they drove to their hotel and asked the driver for information as he took them along. They arrived at their hotel, the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park Hotel, and went inside to receive their room keys while the chauffer took care of the luggage. She chuckled at Talin as he talked amiably with the desk clerk before they headed up. She teased him about his familiarity and he told her that he always stayed at this hotel since it had a long family history with him. She cooed in amazement, and then focused forward as they went into the elevator and ascended to the top floor suites. He smirked as they went inside and wasn’t disappointed when she exclaimed over its extravagance while looking around wide-eyed.

They unpacked since they were staying for a week and a half, and then went down to the five star restaurant Foliage for dinner and then dancing at the Mandarin Bar. They stayed out for as late as they could before jetlag began to drag them down. With a generous tip to the bar tenders for making sure the drinks had been safe for Annalia, Talin directed his love to their suite where they showered, cuddled, and fell into a deep sleep.

The next day, Talin went to his first day of meetings, which included orientation and product displays and announcements. Annalia found herself able to relax while he was gone, so she went into the wildly acclaimed spa and had the prenatal treatment. She then went into The Park restaurant. She then relaxed at the pool before going back up to her suite to take a nap. When her boyfriend returned at around two, he was pleasantly surprised to find his girlfriend sleeping peacefully on their king sized bed. With a mischievous grin, he set about waking her in a most pleasurable way.

Afterwards, Talin made reservations for them at Petrus, one of the classiest and more modern eateries in London. Annalia was delighted at the chance to see this restaurant, but began to wonder if the media would finally catch up to them. She got ready to go, dressing in a modest, yet stunning black jacket dress. The jacket was sheer and embroidered and was fitted over a plain black sleeveless dress that went to her knees. It fit comfortably and hid her pregnancy fairly well. Accessorizing it with a gold and diamond necklace and earrings set, she joined Talin, who had dressed in a tailored black suit and tie.

They headed out after called down to have their limousine brought around, then after getting into the limousine and greeting the chauffer warmly once more, they proceeded for Petrus. They laughed and chatted, involving the driver most of the time in their merriment and storytelling before they arrived at their destination. Stepping out, Talin helped Annalia out of the car and her worries were confirmed almost immediately.

Light bulbs from a multitude of cameras began to flash almost instantly as the media and the paparazzi focused on their arrival. Questions were shouted at them as they walked towards the gated entranceway and made Annalia cringe inwardly at their nosiness. She swallowed hard and put a weak smile onto her face as she held tightly to Talin’s arm while allowing him to do the talking. The media was buzzing with the stunning news that not only was Talin Esin no longer on the dating market, but he was also going to be a father in five months.

Talin knew how uncomfortable Annalia was with all of the questions, so he hurried them through the press frenzy as politely as possible. They were ushered to their private table and he smiled when he heard her breathe a sigh of relief. He held her close and kissed her soothingly before helping her to her seat and pushing her in. He sat down across from her and immediately laced their fingers together, smiling at her warmly as she looked at him with a wane smile. “I apologize for not having warned you, my sweet one. I had briefly forgotten that, with all the gathered higher ups, the media would have indeed been keeping an eye out,” he murmured apologetically.

“It’s ok, Talin. I was expecting it one day. Just…not that intense,” Annalia admitted before sipping her water shakily. She smiled reassuringly at her lover as their waiter entered in to take their order.

Dinner passed smoothly and peacefully while they ate with the soft music in the background calming and relaxing them. They danced a couple of times in the privacy of their room and, to Annalia’s delight, Talin taught her an ancient folk dance after requesting for the appropriate music.

After dessert, they left and proceeded for the theatre, taking the back route to avoid the media. They chuckled quietly as they walked along the alleys, discussing some of the more outrageous questions that had been tossed their way by the press.

Suddenly, an evil wind blew up around them and whipped debris and trash at them, making them stop and put their arms up before their faces protectively. Talin pushed Annalia behind him and against a wall as he spread his fingers blindly, chanting. The wind dropped around them immediately as a shield surrounded them, but the danger was already increasing around them. Several shadowy figures emerged from the dark alley way and encircled them with deadly intent.

Shivering in fear as she clung to her boyfriend, Annalia watched as they were enclosed in an obscure semi-circle and whimpered very softly. Talin held her protectively, but sweat trailed down his face in his effort to keep the shield up around them. The figures laughed softly, mockingly, as they chanted, causing dark tendrils of power to crawl along the shield and break it down.

With a resounding crack, the shield shattered and the shadows lashed out, hitting Talin and knocking him away from Annalia before binding him tightly. Annalia screamed in terror as she tried to run to Talin’s aid, but was stopped as a cold wave of dread washed over her. “Stay away! Help! Help!” she cried as she backed away slowly from the encroaching group.

“No one can hear ye, child,” a voice hissed out into the suddenly bone chillingly cold air, mocking her with the semblance of warmth in the cold tones.

“We are beyond the human world. Ye shall not survive this time, chosen of the forgotten few,” another voice floated out as the evil chant increased in volume around them.

Annalia felt as if she was falling into a dark hole with the sound of the chanting drowning out Talin’s screams for her. Suddenly, she gasped as she was surrounded by light and warmth when a presence surrounded her, holding her. Her eyes opened slowly, for they had closed when the dark power had overwhelmed her. Steadily, her arms rose up and then came together, fitting palm to palm.

She faced their attackers, glowing softly as she began to speak. “Darkness flee before my eye. Let the thunder roll in the sky. Let no harm come to these two. Be gone dark ones from my view!” Her voice echoed with power as it rang out, shattering the dark spell and scattering their attackers. The alley became lighter as the shadows left them and Talin collapsed to the ground in a gasp of surprise and pain.

Wavering and nearly fainting as the warm presence left her, Annalia leaned against the wall before shuffling over to her boyfriend’s side. “Talin! Talin are you ok?” she whispered hoarsely as she fell to her knees next to him. She shook his arm, nearly sobbing as he panted for air. She trembled, then sobbed in relief as he sat up and held her close. “I was so scared! I thought they were going to hurt you!” she cried muffled by his chest as they held each other tightly.

“Annalia…how did you do that?” Talin whispered huskily as he rubbed her back in an effort to soothe her through her fear. His heart was also slowly calming down from its pounding, but he knew that he needed to soothe her before anything bad happened to the baby and her.

“I-I don’t know! It wasn’t me! It was someone else! Someone familiar!” Annalia exclaimed as she looked up at him, tears streaking her pale face as her trembling slowed. Confusion filled her eyes as she gazed at him, uncertain. “It was like someone else was talking through me…this strange force that seemed to work through me,” she murmured thoughtfully before snuggling close to him.

‘Interesting. I wonder what this means,’ Talin wondered to himself as he stroked her back. He smiled at her as she looked up at him in concern before they both stood up carefully and resumed their walk to the theatre.

But both of their minds were on what had happened as the night as their vacation continued. Neither mentioned the strange event, but both continued to be wary as they enjoyed the city of London.