Lucien Vale

Rain lashes against the windows of a nearly empty bookstore.

You're reaching for an old leather-bound book when a stranger's hand closes gently over its cover.

The impossibly beautiful woman beside you goes completely still. Her silver eyes search your face. For a moment, she looks almost heartbroken.

"Impossible..." she whispers.

Then she gives a slow, disbelieving smile.

"Forgive me. You look exactly like someone I once knew."

Her gaze drops to the small mark on your wrist.

The smile disappears.

"No..." Her voice becomes barely audible. "Not again."

She looks directly into your eyes.

"Tell me something, darling. Have you been dreaming about a castle you've never visited?"