I ate breakfast as she sat across from me the other side of a huge oak table and watched, smoking. She followed every move I made as I devoured eggs and muffins and drained a second cup of coffee. I didn't mind her eyes on me, in fact, I revelled in it. It assured me that she was as captivated by me as I was her. I smiled inquisitively at her as she watched me with interest. "What? Why are you staring?" I asked amused.
            "I always wondered what you'd look like," she stated as though I should have understood, "blue eyes, as blue as the sea,"  she reached over and touched my face, "and this mark, I knew about that too." She continued, referring to a small mark, high on my left cheek, she looked at me with serious eyes, "I must have dreamt of your face a million times."
            I don't suppose she'd imagined me with sandy hair, bleached white on the ends by sunlight and short enough into my neck to look neat from the back, but unruly and intentionally wayward on top. Nor would she have seen me with a permanent tan and living in a faded pair of Levi's and a biker jacket, it wasn't the stuff fantasies were made of. It obviously didn't discourage her; she barely took her eyes off me.
            "You have a tattoo," she stated simply, pushing up the sleeve of my T-shirt to reveal what must have been an unfamiliar, ancient symbol.
            "How did you know?" I asked, as she traced her fingertips over it and sent bolts of electricity through my body.
            She smiled, "I know everything there is to know about you. I know every contour of your body and every dream you've ever had.  I've been there every time you closed your eyes and wished for something you didn't even know existed."  She sank back in her chair, still looking at me.
            I didn't question her. Instead, I marvelled at her ancient beauty. I took in the features of her pale, pearlescent face and stared in wonder at the ebony hair sleeked back from it. She looked like a modern day Mona Lisa, in white silk and black cotton slacks. I shook my head, "So, you've found me. 'Kay, what now?"
            She stood, her chair scraping loudly on the old flagstone floor and walked over to me, taking my hand she said, "Now, we meet the others."

            For what was more likely minutes, but seemed like hours, I was lead through semi-lit corridors and dark passages. I didn't think to ask where I was, but presumed I was being treat to a subterranean tour of a vast, old house, maybe even a castle. Gabrielle said nothing, just held my hand and guided me with confidence through the labyrinth. Finally, she found a door and we entered a huge recess, sporting several high pointed archways and numerous heavy doors leading off it into other rooms that I could not see into. For the very first time since my arrival, I noticed shutters at the huge, church-like windows.
            "Now," she said, turning me to face her and taking both my hands, "they're expecting you, but they've waited a long time and your coming here will change a lot of things for them. Don't be surprised if they seem a little hostile at first."
            I laughed nervously, "Gabrielle, I've gone along with this so far, I haven't doubted anything you've said, but please? Will you tell me what's going on?"
            She smiled her reassurance, "You'll understand everything soon. All you need to know right now is, that you've been chosen to help. I've searched for the right person for longer than you'd believe, but you're here now and soon,you'll belong and everything will make perfect sense." She kissed me once more, softly and with great tenderness. "Do you trust me?" She asked simply. I nodded, unable to give her any other answer.
             Everything appeared perfectly normal at first sight. The massive, eloquent sitting room before me was lavishly decorated, red and gold heavily embossed wallcovering reflected the flickering flames of candles housed in huge, black wrought iron chandeliers, the effect warm and welcoming, as were most of the faces that turned to me. There must have been nineteen or twenty pairs of eyes on me, all belonging to beautiful, young women. Some sat alone, others in two's or three's, arms draped casually over shoulders, fingers entwined, limbs stretched languidly across one another, the air tainted heavily with anticipation and sexuality. One by one, they stood as Gabrielle approached, her hand still in mine, leading me with an unfamiliar, excited anticipation.
            After what seemed like agonising minutes of scrutiny, one of them (who was soon to be known to me as Leif) bowed slightly and spoke, "Gabrielle, we welcome you and your other."  
            My new acquaintance let go of my hand and offered it to the speaker, who bowed her head once more and taking my fingers in her own, kissed them and stepped back. Gabrielle motioned with both hands for them to be seated. Smiling, she turned to me and snaked an arm around my waist, bringing me level before them.
            "My sisters, this is Jessie," she said by way of an introduction to a group of strangers who would soon become my only family. I didn't know what else to do but smile, fortunately it was well received and returned by most, others were slightly hesitant. I cleared my throat nervously and shifted my weight from left to right, not sure if I was expected to speak, I cast a nervous sideways glance at Gabrielle. Contemplating it for a moment, I decided to and opened my mouth to do so, only to be silenced by a reprieving hand on my arm. "Ladies," Gabrielle said theatrically, leaving my side to walk among them. "I trust you'll all do your best to make our new arrival welcome." Her face was uncharacteristically stern for a moment as she surveyed the attentive faces around her and paced proudly, hands behind her back, head authoritatively high.
            There was an uncomfortable silence as she waited for signs of a protest that didn't come; finally, she smiled, satisfied that her barely disguised warning would be heeded. The clap of her hands cracked like a gunshot, startling all in the room. "Excellent!" She glanced at the huge clock in the corner, "It's never too early for a good Merlot! Leif, would you do the honours?"
            "It'd be my pleasure," she said graciously.