Page 100 of Autumn L.A.W

She relaxed a little. “Okay. That makes sense. I trust you.”

The woods felt full of mystery and danger. The two of them proceeded cautiously, alert and ready to react to any hazard that might appear. Now and then, Victoria would stop and listen for clues from the elements. She could feel the wind whispering encouragement, and the trees murmuring warnings.

The light dimmed almost immediately. The air cooled.

Victoria moved carefully, stopping now and then, letting that faint pull guide her.

About an hour later, they reached a clearing.

She stopped.

“I know this place.”

Duke scanned the area. “It feels familiar?”

“Like I’ve been here before,” she said. “Or seen it somewhere.”

He nodded. “Then we’re close.”

They moved on to the top of a ridge. Glancing down the other side revealed a lake.

Sunlight broke through the clouds, catching the surface and turning it into a wide, shimmering expanse.

Victoria felt it immediately. “She’s here.”

Duke agreed. They followed the shoreline. The lake was a vast expanse of blue, like a sapphire that stretched on for miles. In places, the water rippled and glistened.

Even though it was calm and peaceful for the most part, there was some kind of energy humming under the surface. Victoria knew immediately that this was the place. “I know she’s here,” she said. “I can feel it.” She glanced all around, wondering if they were being watched.

Duke nodded, and the two of them steeled themselves before heading into the unknown.

They made their way around the lake, their senses guiding them. The sun shone brightly on the water, and the gentle sound of waves lapping against the shoreline filled the air. The damp grass tickled their legs as they walked, and the scent of wildflowers perfumed the air.

Although they were both determined to bring the woman back to the mansion, they were also both dreading the confrontation that was sure to come.

The lake seemed to go on forever, but eventually, they reached a place where the reeds grew thicker near the shore and an unnatural stillness seemed to convey that they should stop. Duke and Victoria stepped down to the lake's shoreline, their senses guiding them. The sun was high in the sky, its warmth radiating off the lake's surface, and they could smell the freshness of the lake's water. Victoria took a deep breath and let it out. “I wish we could just be here for a picnic and enjoy the day.”

“But we have to focus on the task at hand.” Duke's eyes scanned the lake as he listened for any sign of the woman they were searching for. He could hear the birds chirping in the trees and the gentle lapping of the waves against the shore. He looked over at Victoria and saw the determination in her eyes.

“How long could you hold your breath underwater—in your other body?”

“Seven minutes.” Victoria grabbed Duke's hand, and they kept their eyes peeled for any sign of the woman. Then… A splash. Movement in the water.

“There,” Victoria said, pointing.

A tall woman dragged in a breath and struggled to stay underwater, so the two of them quickly waded into the lake and grabbed her before she could swim away. They dragged her to the shore, kicking and screaming.

“Trying to hide like 'The Lady of the Lake'. Really?” Victoria said to her own body.

Talking to her double was bizarre.

The woman who looked like Victoria after a shower struggled in the water, trying to stay submerged.

Too late. Duke grabbed her. Victoria moved behind the woman, locking her arms in place, while Duke grabbed her legs, cutting off movement.

The fight was brief. Duke murmured something, and the woman went as limp as her hair. They dragged her to shore, then Victoria looked down at her own face.

“This is surreal,” she said.