Adina woke suddenly. She couldn’t have been asleep for more than half an hour as the level of light in the room was no brighter or dimmer than when she had closed her eyes. Something had woken her, but what? She had been dreaming, a strange dream of the woman, Isolde. She had been a captive of some sort, a prisoner. But surely that was simply a dream and nothing more. After all, she had not been looking into the water. The window was open, she noticed, letting in a cold breeze that rippled the heavy curtains. Voices floated in through the open pane. Perhaps it was that which had disturbed her slumber? She threw back the duvet and stood, crossing the room to the window and opened it wider so as to hear the conversation below.<br/><span style="font-style: italic"><br/>“We might have to gather if only a group of individuals, a certain balance of good and evil. They should be mentally strong, able to resist... evil... not the evil as mortals know it today, but a greater evil... The Witch and her minions. A balance of good and evil shall rise within this group and the clash we exercise, shall open up the portal. The balance should not be in numbers, but in power.”</span>She recognised the voice of the speaker. Was that Erlind? The tall blond man she had encountered before Hitler made his entrance. Another chance encounter with the man she had dreamt of… This could not be a mere coincidence. But who was the man with him? There was something about the man, something otherworldy, a sort of aura that enveloped his human form. She supposed that it was something only she could see. Since she’d started using the book that the Rabbi had gifted her, she had begun to experience phenomena that she couldn’t explain and didn’t wish to talk about to any of her friends. She may be young and riddled with naivety but even she knew that seeing auras and catching glimpses of the past and future was not entirely normal.<br/><br/>She was meant to be here at the Hotel, that was the only thing she knew for certain. The vision in the water had shown her a group of individuals that she needed to meet. She had come this far, it would be folly to back out now. Before she could change her mind, she slipped into her shoes, threw her satchel over her shoulder and her coat over one arm and headed out of the hotel room and down the nearest staircase. There was a side door that would lead her near to Erlind and the heavenly presence he conversed to. She eased it open as quietly as possible and stepped outside.<br/><span style="font-style: italic"><br/>“I am not doing it for God for I am forever condemned... I am doing it for Her."</span>Erlind’s words floated across the air towards her along with the swirling snowflakes that still fell sporadically. The air was bitterly cold and her breath plumed out in front of her. She trembled, not entirely because of the cold but partly through anxiety, the knowledge that her life was about to change forever. She stepped forward out of the shadow of the building.<br/><span style="font-style: italic"><br/>“Perhaps, Sir, I am one of those individuals you speak of. I cannot be certain if I fall under the category of good or of evil but I am certain that I am mentally strong. I withstood whatever spell this Darcy used to enthrall the other guests after all. I may have little in the way of power or ability but I have knowledge and cunning enough that I may be a helpful member of this team you are gathering.” </span>Her eyes were bright with enthusiasm, her mouth set in a determined line. Head held high, she awaited Erlind’s response. Although, if she were honest, there was no way she was taking “no” for an answer.