I groaned as I came around. I was laying on my back in the middle of a doorway. As my eyes fluttered open I yelped, but was terrified to move. There was an actual real leopard only inches from my face.

"Now Gerald, give the child some space."

The leopard made a weird noise, a mix of a meow and growl. But it backed off and went to sit beside the lady in black.

I slowly turned my head. She was seated at a long table, the doberman sat at attention by her chair and the fawn was curled in her lap. The crow whose name apparently was Diaval was sitting on the table, peeking at some roast beef. I slowly picked myself up.

"Do you faint often?" She asked regardinge over her wine goblet.

"I-" I started and the stopped and frowned. Did I faint? I could remember. I couldn't remember anything about myself. Who I was, where I came from, where here is, why I was here.

"I don't know. I don't remember. I can't remember anything!" I cried. "Why can't I remember anything?"

"A tricky thing the mind." Lady Kore nodded slowly, as she thought about it. She genstured with a long graceful hand to a seat half way down the long table.

This dinning room was about as odd as the study we had come from. This room, though, was a bit warmer. There was a warm fire in the hearth, brighter flowers and plants filled the space. Yet, I saw skulls and big gemstones, black candles all scattered over the table. More stone and marble status and pillars were spaced out, all wrapped with big thick vines and bunches of grapes. The table was draped with deep red and purple silks, gold plates and goblets scattered between plates of different food.

"Are you expecting guests?" I asked.

"Diaval informed me, you would be coming shortly. The servants made accordingly."

"Servants?"

"Yes child. I'm the sole heir to the Vallis Estate, I am a legacy of Demeter. My great great great grandmother was a daughter of Demeter, and she was blessed beyond measure and made her riches and invested wisely. It is now mine to use as I please."

"Oh...right ...how silly of me." I replied. I had a feeling like I should curtsey or something. This lady held herself like a Queen. I frowned, I don't think I'd bow to people in power...I had a gut feeling I flipped them off once.. but I had this feeling that I meet The Dark Queen once and I did sort of bow to her, that maybe I liked her.

"Please child, sit and eat. I promise my food will not ensnare you to my Villa for all eternity."

"Like Persephone's pomegranates..."

"The very same."

Slowly, on stiff legs I walked over and slid into a chair. I slowly picked at my food. I was hungry but questions gnawed at my mind.

"Where are we?" I asked, unable to keep the questions contained.

"My Villa, child."

"Ya...but where is that, exactly. I have no idea where I am!"

"My Villa is at the edge of the town of Elgin."

"Oh..." I said quietly. "Where's that, exactly?" Her none answers were kind of annoying and my geography was fuzzy at the moment.

"North Scotland, dear child."

"Scotland?!" I cried leaping to my feet. "I'm in Scotland?"

Lady Kore didn't say anything, just raised her dark eyebrows. "The gods-"

"The gods...like the Greek and Roman ones." I interupted. I slowly sank bank into my chair.

"The very same." She inclined her head, "you believe in them?" She asked between sips of her goblet.

"Yes." I said immediately, though I don't know why, but I did. Deep down in my gut I believed this to be true.

"Very good.

"I mean, I don't think we should sacrifice chickens or anything, but they're still around because they're a powerful part of civilization."

"No chickens are messy... And loud. I do make my own wine and offer Bacchus my best..." She suddenly had a dreamy look on her face. "Bacchus, my beloved...we spent a wild night together one time...it was a wild mascirade party... After trying my pomegranate wine he came to my bed where we drank wine and shared in passionate-"

"Lady Kore!" I yelled, slamming my hands over my ears. My stomach turned at the thought. I couldn't get the image of a shorter slightly pudgy man with dark curly hair, leopard print shorts, a Hawaiian shirt, tennis sneakers and a diet coke. I had another sharp pain and I rubbed my temples.

"Isn't he on prohibition?" I frown.

"He had none fermented wine..."

"Oh...how silly of me." I rolled my eyes again, "when you said wine...I assumed...you know...fermented wine."

"Try some." She pointed a long nailed finger at a silver jug on the table. I hesitated, still unsure about this this place. "It's not poisoned."

"Will it turn me into an animal?" I asked, eyeing up the fawn in her lap. "You don't lure innocent children in here and then force them to drink it and then keep them trapped as animals?"

"What in Tarterus are you talking about? Don't be outrageous, Lady Kore doesn't even like children!"

"Oh...well that's encouraging." I muttered.

"So, how did I end up in Scotland? I know I don't come from here!"

"I do not know. You showed up within my realm just this morning. Diaval and Maia had heard rumours of a child in deep slumber. They sometimes go out looking for the lost half bloods, and lead them here. It is a safe spot for our kind. But you know, the gods travel around. You should know that. They-"

"Move from country to country as the center of power shifts- like they moved from Ancient Greece to Rome to Europe... To United States..."

"Very good. However the Romans were very powerful when they conquered England; they left a permanent mark. And now they are everywhere. If you know where to look."

"And that bull thing I killed?"

"I do not know. Some kind of monster set on killing you." She said and waved her hand like that was no big deal. I opened my mouth to argue, but she gave a sharp look over her goblet and continued. "My boarders are enchanted, with the help of The Queen of the Underworld herself and we are protected. For now. It has dissolved and gone back to Tarterus for the time being. But as of late, monsters do not stay dead for long. You may stay the night Sun child. But you must be off, on your way in the morning."

"Oh...lucky me." I picked at the food for a little. She had clearly given me my check out time. One night of safety in her weird haunted house. But my blank memories bugged me and something she said made me pause. "Can I ask another question?"

"You may. It has been a while since Lady Kore had visitors."

"You said your great ansestor was a daughter of Demeter..."

"Indeed. She fell in love with a local farmer. And not long after... had my ancestor."

"But you...uhh worship Persephone."

"Indeed. When I was young I noticed my darkness during dark months, and I was happier during the warm days, like the Fair Persephone. I changed my allegiance. They are quite similar you know, Demeter and Persephone."

"Ya...mother and daughter. Demeter loves Cereal..." I winced as the stabbing pain in my temples. "But you also said... Uhh Bacchus, that's the Roman name for Dionysus."

"Yes. Greek and Roman...one in the same. Here in the United Kingdom, there is more Roman influence, it's stronger then most, but Greek and Roman are not so different."

I opened and closed my mouth. My brain hurt. I felt like someone had ripped off a bandaid I wasn't ready to take off yet. I sat with my back stiff and mouth open. Greek and Roman. I felt like the distinction was important; that I had grown to know them as very seperate, very distinct and kept apart at all costs. I closed my mouth and sank back into the chair. The big doberman came over and sniffed my hand, then let me let his head.

"Ceberes likes you. He's quite particular in his likings."

"I had a dog, she was huge and mean looking, like a hellhound but she wasn't really. A big suck."

"What was her name?"

"I don't remember." I said miserably. "I don't know anything! Why can't I remember anything? Not even my name!"

"The mind is a tricky thing, easy to manipulate if you know how...but I believe Diaval mentioned something to do with light." Lady Kore said, surveying the raven.

"Light... deserving of light..." I felt pain so sharp and hot behind my eyes I gasped, feeling like a shock went down my spine, "Eleanora!" I said kneading my forehead with my knuckles.

"My name is Eleanora."

"Well Eleanora, Wellcome to my Villa. I am Lady Kore of the family Vallis; legacy of Demeter; follower of Bacchus, worshiper of Persephone. This is Diaval, my wings, he sores back and forth between the Underworld and here bring me news. That there beside you is Cerberus. My beautiful leopard, he was a gift from my Armour, Bacchus, his name is Gerald. And this beautiful spoilt little thing, is Maia, she wonders and finds the list, like you, sun child."

I sat listening to the lady talk and point to her animals. When she mentioned Bacchus again, I saw a wild glint in her eye, a crazed madness. I flinched slightly. She has a weird mix of Roman and Greek, and I still had no idea who I was or how I got from...wherever to Scotland.

I had so many questions swirling around in my head I didn't know what to ask next. My brain hurt and despite being asleep for who knows how long, I was exhausted.

"You need sleep. Come. Maia will show you your bed, and I will have the servants pack you a bag for your journey in the morning."

"Where do I go? I don't know where I am-  well Scotland, but where am I journeying to? And you said monsters aren't staying dead! What am I supposed to do?"

"You are the daughter of a god. Your life will never be easy. You're a child of light. You walk alone."

I felt a jolt run through my spine and spark in my brain, a wild hot heat spread through my limbs starting in my chest. I had a weird taste of sour apples and hot sauce and acide smoke in my mouth. But I sat up straight and my mouth moved without guidance, like something took over me for a second.

"Septem domus iter est dum lux solus ambulat.
Antiquus in Occidente exoritur aemulus;
Dissimiles socii spem tutam servant ante lites, Maxima clades tua fit."

I shivered and slumped back into my chair. I had a gross after taste in my mouth. I grabbed the silver jug filled with Last Kore's home made none alcoholic wine. It tasted like grape juice mixed with pomegranate and raspberries. It wasn't bad, tasted like punch, but less sweet.

"I did not know you were also a prophetess." Lady Kore whispered in reverence.

"I'm not." I shook my head. "My cousin is the Oracle. At least..." I frowned. "I think she is."

"Well do you know what you said?"

I thought about it and nodded. "It's only half a prophecy. Though... I'm starting to think they were two seperate prophecies, just given at the same time. Anyways...I've never said it in Latin before- I think. Loosely translated it means:
Seven journey home while light walks alone. The ancient rival rises in the west, Unlikely allies keep hope safe before strife becomes thy biggest defeat."

She nodded.

"You know Latin?"

She nodded. "The Valli's family has lived in a Roman inspired world for many generations, my dear. Everywhere you look in Europe, it is Roman inspired; and what pray tell, were the Roman roots? Greek, child! For Roman gods came from Greek ones. Every Catholic Church and castle built here is inspired by the Romans which was inspired by the Greek ones. Even the modern day things such as plumbing and indoor heating and baths, words we say, customs  we do and the planets in the sky...it all steams from one place."

"Ya...I guess so."

"Come now. Lady Kore grows weary of this. You must sleep and I have nightly rituals to begin."

"Rituals?" I squeaked.

"Yes." Was all she said.

I didn't really want to know what she was talking about so I left it, the more she drank the more crazy her eyes became. I was exhausted. I got up from the table. Maia the fawn trotted out of the room and back into the dark stone hall, this time she went up the stairs. Halfway up the stairs she stopped and looked back at me like she was making sure I followed. I sighed and started up the huge sprawling stone stairs. Diaval the crow also swooped up the stairs and landed on the railing.

Even wound around the railing of the stairs were vines and ivy and flowers and more bunches of grapes. Lace draped more marble status and some busts.

I shook my head, it was the weirdest place I had been to that I could remember. Which... wasn't saying much, since I couldn't remember anything from before this afternoon.

Maia and Diaval led me down a long hall. More carpets of purple and red, and dark wallpaper, black lace adorned the high arching gothic windows. It was pretty in a deathly gothic kind of way. I could see the Queen of the underworld theme. Though the deep infatuation with Bacchus baffled me.

Maia turned to the right at the end of the hall, where a warm fire had been started, presumably by these servants she had. The room looked like it was fresh and clean, still with the dark black, red and purple decor, there were fresh flowers in silver and clay vases, the mantle was draped with more silks and lace. A big king size bed draped in blankets of purple and deep blood red.

Waiting on the edge of the bed were silk leopard print pajamas. Looking around I stepped up to the window and threw the shutters open. The cool night are helped relax me. I wished it was morning so the rising sun could warm my face. I frowned and wondered why.

Diaval fluttered down on the window cile beside my elbow.

"What's out there?"

He turned his dark eye on me.

"Clearly I'm not welcome to stay. And I don't think I'd want to...no offense to your mistress."

The bird ruffled his feathers in a 'whatever lady' kind of way.

"I was dropped here for a reason...that prophecy... clearly I have to figure it out by myself. Who's the ancient rival in the west? Where am I walking to? I dunno Diaval. Nothing makes sense."

He snapped his beak in annoyance at my questions. I rolled my eyes, I was talking to a bird. I looked back out into the night. Off in the distance I saw a glow, a possible city of town not too far away. The stars were pretty out here. They seemed close, like I could reach out and touch them. I frowned, there was a memory trying to push through; something about watching the stars and someone...someone I cared about was beside me- maybe. I wouldn't watch them alone, so who was with me, and why does my heart feel so wild all of a sudden?

A wild chilling noise shook me from my thoughts. An angry bellow of a bull. It was far off, but I heard it. And my heart started racing for entirely different reason. Diaval flew away with a squawk.

I looked down at my wrist. Where the silver bull's nose ring was on my wrist. I spun it around. Thinking, trying to shove through the blank spaces in my mind. I knew of monsters and gods. I knew of safe places for kids of the gods-
Demigods. I was a demigod. Who my godly parent was, I was yet to find out. Where I had to go or what I had to do was my biggest problem at the moment.

I sighed. Running my hand down my face and rubbed my eyes. I was so confused and lost and alone. I was about to turn around, and go to bed, when a figure caught my eye. I froze and watched.

Lady Kore was gliding into the garden. She had another big glass of her home made wine and she started to dance and twirl around in the moonlight. In a few seconds she looked like she was in some find of wild frenzy state, she had pulled her dress off and was now dancing naked, drinking goblet after goblet. I watched in horror, like a horrible car accident. It was only now as I watched, wanting to gouge my eyeballs out, that I remembered Bacchus was the wine dude, the liberator; his wine, music, and ecstatic dance freed his followers from self-conscious fear and care.

I shuddered as I closed the window. I pulled the leapored print jammies on and crawled into bed with a grown.

"I definitely need to get out of here." I whispered to no one by myself. I rolled over and wished I had someone to hold me tight. The fear and frustration of today finally got to me and I let the tears fall.

"I'll always be there for you, Sunshine."

A deep smooth unknown voice rattled around my head as I cried myself to sleep.

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