The Children of Light
Book Two
Chapter Eight
This piece of fiction contains supernatural themes and sexual interactions between consenting male adults. Please do not read this if it is illegal where you are, or you are not of age to do so.
All characters are fictional and any similarities to known actual people are coincidental, unless otherwise specified.
Visit the blog to see visualisations of the characters throughout the story. As always your feedback is important and always welcome.
Lachlan - [email protected] or [email protected]
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‘Those are spirits.’ Quinn said with amusement.
‘Can you do anything about them?’ The Leader asked as he pressed a finger to the barrier, feeling the heat of the fire, but not burning himself.
‘Give me a moment.’ The blond said as he stepped beside the Leader. A red orb hovered a few feet in front of him and then rushed at him, causing the blond to step back slightly. He spoke silently with the spirit and gasped. Quinn could feel the frustration and fear of the spirits. They showed the blond their emotions, their fears. They were forced into captivity at the hands of the mages. They were dragged from the spirit world and forced to do horrible things.
‘They will lower the barrier on one condition.’ Quinn said quietly. ‘I take the spirits with me.’
Everyone could feel the blond’s hesitation and wondered aloud.
‘Please. Stop.’ Quinn begged as he held his hands over his ears.
‘Quinn?’ Alex asked appearing beside his husband, holding the smaller man’s shoulders firmly.
‘Disconnect me from the field.’ The blond pleaded, tears pouring from his eyes. Lachlan stepped beside the blond and Quinn regained his own private thoughts.
‘One moment please.’ The Leader advised the group, removing himself and Alex from the field.
‘What’s wrong?’ Lachlan asked quietly of the blond. Quinn wiped his eyes and looked from his husband to the Leader.
‘I could hear them.’ Quinn said quietly sobbing.
‘Hear who?’ Alex asked.
‘Everyone here. They wanted to know why I couldn’t do it. Why I wouldn’t take the spirits. I could feel their disgust because I wasn’t helping.’ Quinn’s shoulders slumped with the weight of his guilt. Lachlan grasped the man’s shoulder and scanned the thoughts of everyone.
‘I’m sorry Quinn.’ Lachlan said sadly. ‘Are you able to ask the spirits to lower the barrier and then release them?’
‘I can do that, but I can’t take the spirits with me. There are too many.’ Quinn said, closing his eyes and shaking his head. ‘I can’t have that many spirits. The noise is, overwhelming.’ As he said this, the spirit in front of him changed shape slightly, no longer a red orb, but a shadowy figure, as tall as his husband.
‘Then ask them if they will let us pass, and that we will release them in return.’ The Leader asked of the blond. The Italian had the blond in his arms reassuring him of his love. Quinn turned to the spirit that was waiting patiently.
‘They will let us pass.’ Quinn said quietly. ‘This spirit, however would like to come with us.’
‘Are you alright with that?’ Alex asked nervously, worried for his husband.
‘One, I can handle.’ The blond replied with a small smile. Lachlan reconnected the Canadian to the telepathic field and immediately the blond shared his spirit vision with everyone. ‘Alex, Lachlan, this is Bael.’ The blond said, gesturing to the spirit standing a few feet from them. Only just able to make out a body amongst the flames, they instead could only see a body of fire, the legs, the arms, the head, all just bright flames. Alex and Lachlan smiled to the flame spirit who bowed politely to the men.
‘Will you allow us to pass, please Bael? We need to get in and rescue our friend.’ The Leader asked of the fire spirit.
‘Of course.’ A deep and hollow voice responded as the fire spirit turned to the barrier which began to shrink and extinguish.
‘Alright, let’s go guys.’ The Leader said to the group as he began moving toward the building. Alex moved back into his position as Quinn followed behind the Leader, his fire spirit Bael to his left, walking silently with dignity, and a now excitable Cerberus to his right, skipping and hopping around in circles.
‘There are foot soldiers at every entrance.’ AJ announced to the field. ‘If we enter, they will attack.’
‘I can take care of that.’ Sam responded. All four squads came to a stop at their designated entrance to the complex, waiting patiently as the Canadian Leader stepped toward the wall. Holding a hand in front of him, palm facing outward, the group heard the clattering of falling bodies as the foot soldiers within were rendered unconscious.
‘Okay people. Remember what you have to do and let’s get this done.’ The Leader broadcast.
‘How are they doing?’ Giorgio asked of the half Egyptian, who was sitting out on the deck, smoking a cigarette.
‘They’ve just entered the building.’ Rama said with closed eyes, concentrating on his husband.
‘And Grayson?’ The Italian cousin asked with concern, as he sat in the seat next to the Egyptian.
‘Sarah is safe, for now. They are just watching.’ Rama said looking to the Italian man.
‘What are the Order trying to do?’ Giorgio asked quietly.
‘Personally, I don’t think it’s a trap.’ Rama admitted. ‘But my husband is right. We need to stick together, and move in numbers, just in case it really is.’
‘Aren’t you scared?’ Giorgio asked, subconsciously shivering with fear.
‘As long as my husband is alive, I have nothing to fear.’ Rama said with a smile.
‘North side clear.’ AJ declared.
‘East side clear.’ James followed.
‘As is the West.’ Arina concluded.
‘Wait!’ Lachlan nearly shouted. ‘There’s something below us.’ The Leader crouched down and placed a hand on the floor. ‘There’s a chamber below.’
‘AJ and I will go up and clear everything out.’ Sam said as he stepped around the Leader at the same moment AJ and his squad entered the room, stepping around the fallen bodies of the sleeping foot guards. The two Leader’s and their squads made their way up the grand staircase.
‘Arina, you and James stay here, and hold this room. Nothing gets in.’ The Leader said as he stood up and led his squad to a dark corner. Lachlan felt around the wall and found a loose stone near the floor. Pressing it carefully a small doorway opened to the side, revealing a poorly lit stairwell leading down.
‘This seems too easy.’ Alex said hesitantly.
‘I can feel him down there.’ Lachlan said already entering the dark stairwell. Alex, Jade, Quinn and his spirits, and Caiden followed the Leader carefully.
Around and around, further and further, they wound their way down the spiral staircase, delving deeper and deeper into the earth.
‘Bael says they aren’t too far away.’ Quinn said relaying the fire spirits information.
The light was beginning to brighten as they wound their way down, a short hallway at the bottom of the stairs. The Leader walked through the door and found himself in the middle of a large chamber, rudimentary sconces spread along the stone walls, lighting the chamber rather poorly. Lachlan moved forward slightly allowing the four men to enter behind him. Raising a hand in front of himself he summoned a fireball and threw it into the middle of the room. Bael shuffled excitedly beside Quinn, who was smiling at the spirits response.
‘There.’ Lachlan said now seeing a prostrate body in the middle of the room.
As he approached slowly, he saw that the body was stripped naked, large metal cuffs around the wrists and ankles, chains connecting them to stakes spread around the body.
‘We’ve found Nikolai.’ AJ announced through the field. ‘He’s in bad shape Lach.’
‘Do what you can for him now. We’ll be there soon.’ The Leader replied stepping forward and over the naked man.
‘Mikhail?’ Lachlan asked quietly as he crouched down beside the man. He placed a hand on the bare shoulder of the Russian giant and gasped as he caught a flash of the man’s memories. He saw a man being whipped relentlessly. Then the man was tied down and assaulted with a bat of some description, beaten with it, then the bat forced between the man’s buttocks.
‘NIKOLAI!’ The Leader screamed in unison with Mikhail’s memory.
‘I wondered how long it would take for you to come.’ A woman’s voice sneered from a darkened corner of the chamber. The Leader checked on the fallen Russian again, as a means to clear his mind of the horrible visions, as the four men behind him looked for the source of the voice. Quinn pointed a finger to the corner and Bael rushed it, burning brightly, casting the woman in light.
‘Aunt Veronica?’ Alex asked in surprise.
‘Alex.’ The Brit woman said as she slowly walked toward the group of people, an air cockiness about her.
‘They left you in charge?’ Alex asked with amusement once he’d gotten over his shock.
‘Oh heaven’s no. No, I chose to stay and watch.’ Veronica Braddock said with a smile to her nephew. ‘Not only do I get to watch as your abomination partner is burned, but I myself can avenge my husband.’
Fast as lightning, Veronica Braddock threw herself at the Leader who was still hunched over the unconscious Russian. Suspended in midair, Veronica’s eyes bulged in her head with frustration and confusion.
‘Idiot.’ Lachlan said standing up once he was sure Mikhail was alright. ‘Not a single one of you can touch me.’ He continued as he turned to the Brit woman, his eyes glowing white.
‘You killed my husband.’ She screeched as the frail Leader approached her.
‘He had it coming.’ Lachlan said with a small smirk.
‘I will dance on your grave faggot.’ The woman spat, her composure failing, leaving a rather demented look on her face.
‘Not before I reunite you with your dear late husband.’ The Leader chuckled as the woman’s body was viciously slammed against the chamber wall, a sickening crunching of bone and flesh echoing around the room. Her eyes fluttered from the impact and began to close slowly, death taking hold of her body.
Quinn watched with fascination as her body, pinned to the wall, stopped moving. He watched as her spirit light gathered in her head and then began to drift away from her body.
‘Be gone foul spirit.’ Quinn muttered to the cloud of spirit light, which wafted through the ceiling.
Lachlan tore two sconces from the wall and staked the woman’s body to the wall grotesquely, relinquishing his telekinetic hold on her. Turning back to the Russian’s unconscious form, he broke the shackles on his wrists and ankles, waved a hand to summon a blanket and threw the blanket over Mikhail’s body. Still reeling in shock from witnessing yet another family member’s death, Alex gasped in shock as the Leader, who was a an inch or two shorter than his husband, and a great deal skinnier as well, bent over the Russian. Telekinetically enhancing himself, the 5’9”, 55 kilogram Leader lifted the comparatively huge body of the unconscious Russian up and into his arms. Alex not trusting the physical strength of the Leader made to step forward and assist, but Caiden held out a hand to stop him, shaking his head briefly.
‘We’re coming up.’ Lachlan announced to the group. ‘We have Mikhail.’
The Leader, carrying Mikhail, vanished from the chamber and appeared in front of the four squads and their Leader’s, several of them gasping at the sight of the small man carrying the giant.
‘Everyone to the Sanctuary veil please.’ Lachlan said as Alex, Quinn, Jaden and Caiden appeared behind him. Everyone began disappearing as soon as the Leader ordered, until there was just Lachlan holding the Russian.
‘Before you leave…’ A voice said from the grand staircase. The Leader watched as an elderly man was assisted down the stairs by a young man with dark hair and pale skin. ‘I have a favour I would like to ask.’ Lachlan eyed the man and realised he was no threat.
‘What do you ask?’ The Leader asked politely.
‘My mages. I ask that you take them with you.’ The Archivist asked politely, the mage assisting him gasping loudly at the request.
‘Master, we will not abandon you.’ The mage said angrily.
‘Johan, you are not abandoning me. I am ordering you to leave with him.’ The Archivist said to the young mage.
‘But why?’ Johan asked with a tear in his eye, the Leader watching on with amusement.
‘Death waits for me young man.’ Ernest said sadly. ‘And William does not favour you. You were never trusted by him, and you have never acted on his orders. This man will take you, all of you, and protect you from William.’ The Archivist looked to the Leader, who nodded in reply.
‘How many are you?’ Lachlan asked of the young mage, who was still staring at his master. Swallowing his rebuttal, the mage turned to Lachlan sadly.
‘Seventeen.’ Johan said. As the mage spoke, a dozen people began to file through a door and into the room. They stood there looking sadly to the Archivist.
‘Please protect them Mac de Grian.’ The Archivist asked of Lachlan, a tone of pleading in his voice. Lachlan scanned the thoughts of the old man and saw pain, rejection and suffering. Lachlan nodded affirmatively with a smile.
‘Travel safely.’ The Leader said bowing his head politely. The Archivist gestured for Johan to move over to Lachlan. The young mage looked from his master to the frail form of the Leader and finally moved slowly to Lachlan’s side.
‘May I help you with him?’ Johan asked of the Leader who merely shook his head.
‘No, I’m quite alright.’ Lachlan smiled. ‘You may all call me Lachlan.’ He said addressing the group of mages. They all muttered and nodded in reply to the man. ‘Rama, can you clear the veil of people please and wait for me there.’ The Leader asked of his husband.
‘Do we go now?’ One of the mages asked looking around nervously. ‘They might come back.’
‘Come over here, please.’ The Leader asked of the mages. ‘If you could all hold hands, please.’ Lachlan watched as the mage’s all linked up, holding the hand of two others in a long line. ‘Johan, hold my shoulder please, nice and tight.’ The young mage reached over and grasped the thin shoulder of the man tentatively. ‘Okay, no one panic.’ Lachlan said with an encouraging smile, some of the mages unable to see the man’s face behind the lump of Russian lying in his arms.
The Leader disappeared on the spot, and extending a bubble of telekinesis along the line of mages, pulled them through the vortex behind himself and Mikhail. With a flurry of wind and electricity the Leader’s feet landed solidly on the grass in front of the Sanctuary’s veil, several loud thumps following as the mages appeared behind him sequentially.
‘What?’ Rama asked as he watched the line of mages appear behind his husband.
‘These are the mages of the Order. Their master, Ernest Benedict, has asked that we shelter them as defectors.’ The Leader said to his husband with a smile. Rama looked over the faces of each mage and scanned their thoughts quickly.
‘They’re safe enough, I guess.’ The half Egyptian said briefly.
‘Mo chridhe, do me a favour. Would you please go and collect Francesca and Giuliana and bring them to my cabin?’ Lachlan asked of his husband.
‘Of course neteru.’ The Egyptian said leaning down and kissing his husbands cheek softly.
‘You guys, with me please.’ The Leader addressed the mages as they relaxed and released each other’s hands, following the small man carrying the giant man with absolute ease, as the handsome Egyptian man vanished on the spot. Lachlan walked through the veil and stepped onto the other side, waiting patiently for the mages, who were undoubtedly experiencing a little difficulty with penetrating the Sanctuary’s protections. As the last mage made it through, Lachlan began walking toward the gathering field, the mages following him like lost sheep. Approaching the large bonfire which was aflame, he turned to the mages and smiled.
‘Forgive me, but if you haven’t noticed I have a bit to take care of at the moment.’ He said lifting the Russian slightly in demonstration. ‘Please make yourselves comfortable here; I will have some food brought out to you. I will be with you as soon as I can.’
The mages all nodded and shuffled closer to the fire for warmth. The Leader over heard one of them speaking.
‘I can’t summon fire anymore.’ He whispered to his neighbour.
‘Neither.’ His neighbour replied.
As the Leader neared his cabin he heard voices coming from within. He stepped through the door and smiled as he saw the people in his living area.
‘Caiden would you ask Monica to come here please? Quinn, Aurelia, if you could join me?’ The Leader asked of the blond and his mother in law.
Lachlan led the two into a room where he gently laid the Russian on the bed, the blanket still covering him. Lachlan checked the Russian’s vitals as Monica and Caiden walked into the room, followed by AJ and Sam carrying Nikolai between them.
‘On the bed please.’ Lachlan said, gesturing to the patch of bed beside Mikhail. As AJ and Sam relinquished their charge, Rama walked into the room with Giuliana and Francesca, who went straight to Aurelia’s side, both women reaching over and touching Quinn.
‘Mikhail isn’t too badly hurt. A few bruises, a little poison, and some cuts and scratches.’ Lachlan said gesturing to Mikhail. ‘Nikolai on the other hand.’ He said sadly as he appeared on the other side of the bed, looking down to the broken form of the Russian’s friend. ‘They beat him to near death. He has horrific injuries to his behind where they penetrated him with a baseball bat. And a plethora of mental and psychological scarring. Please, do everything you can to heal his injuries before he wakes.’ The Leader pleaded with Monica, the sisters, Quinn and Caiden.
Everyone nodded as they fanned out around the bed, Caiden and Monica at the head of the bed on opposite sides, Francesca and Giuliana beside either of them, then Aurelia and Quinn at the foot of the bed.
‘I will leave you all to it; I have a few things I need to take care of.’ The Leader said excusing himself, Rama following him.
The Leader was walking toward the Veil when someone called his name. Unfamiliar with the voice, Lachlan faltered slightly and came to a stop, looking around for the voice.
‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.’ One of the mages said, looking contritely at the grass in front of him.
‘No, I’m sorry. I was in a world of my own. Is something wrong?’ The Leader asked stepping closer to the mage. He looked up into the Leader’s face with worry etched across it. The deep brown eyes begging for kindness.
‘We were just wondering a few things.’ The mage said quietly, turning and watching the Leader’s husband approaching the two. ‘It can wait.’
‘I am sorry,’ The Leader said scanning the mage’s mind, ‘Chris. I have something important that needs to be done, but when I’m back, I will come and speak with you all. In the meantime, Alex and Jaden will make sure you are all okay.’ Lachlan finished gesturing to the blond twin and the Italian who had just appeared behind the Leader’s husband.
‘Come Chris. I have lots I want to know about yourself, and your fellow mages.’ Jaden said eagerly, gesturing for the mage to follow him back to the Gathering Field. Watching the three men walk back to the group of mages, the Leader smiled hopefully.
‘How long have Grayson and the other’s been gone?’ The Leader asked of his husband.
‘They left as the fire barrier went up.’ Rama replied turning to his husband.
‘Okay, I’ll go after them and bring Sarah back here.’ The Leader began. ‘Can you please join Alex and Jaden and…’
‘No, neteru. I am going with you.’ The Egyptian said politely, smiling down to his husband.
‘Ramz, I’m not going to be in any danger.’ The Leader responded with mild surprise at his husband.
‘I know you’re not, but you have already been in danger tonight. I will not stay behind and watch from afar as you are put at risk, again. I am coming with you.’ Rama said calmly, his green eyes pleading for understanding.
‘You know they cannot get me?’ Lachlan asked of his husband.
‘Neteru, I am riddled with anxiety when you are in danger and I am so far from you. Don’t make me stay here. I want to be with you. Please?’ The Egyptian begged quietly. Lachlan looked up into the sad face of his husband and felt his resolve dissipate instantly. He nodded once and took his husband’s hand in his own.
‘Back soon.’ The Leader communicated to Jaden. Lachlan and his husband walked through the Veil and disappeared the moment they were clear of it, appearing in a dark field.
‘Lachlan.’ Grayson whispered from nearby.
‘Anything new?’ The Leader asked equally as quiet.
‘No. We can sense her, and she is fine, if not a little terrified.’ The twins’ father said anxiously. The Leader telepathically scanned Grayson’s thoughts and located Sarah Beauchamp, sitting in the middle of her backyard, her wrists tied together with rope. The yellow dress she was wearing torn randomly from her attackers, though she herself was not physically hurt. Connecting with Sarah, the Leader saw from her vantage point.
‘I can’t see anyone near her.’ Lachlan whispered.
‘We haven’t seen or felt anyone since we arrived. But there are some rather odd dog’s watching over her.’ Grayson advised the Leader. Remaining connected with Sarah, Lachlan sifted through Grayson’s thoughts and had the term “odd dog’s” defined for him as he watched one approach Sarah slowly. The German Shepherd moved slowly and confidently as it walked closer to the woman. It stopped a foot or so from Sarah and looked her in the face.
‘Odd seems to be an understatement.’ The Leader whispered watching the dog’s behaviour. Unlike ordinary canine’s, this particular dog didn’t once tilt its head or cock its ears with curiosity. Without warning, the dog’s posture changed instantly, its head lowering as the muzzle wrinkled up, a low growl rumbling through its chest and out through its fangs. ‘Shit!’ The Leader gasped realising the dog had sensed him.
‘What?’ Grayson and Rama asked simultaneously.
‘It knows we’re here.’ Lachlan said standing up completely. He took a step forward and disappeared from sight, reappearing behind the woman sitting on the grass shaking in fear, shrinking back from the growling dog. Summoning a large portion of his powers, the Leader erupted into flames, the giant fire bird the wedding guests had witnessed, exploding from the small and frail man, the impressive wingspan wrapping protectively between Sarah and the dog. Expecting the German Shepherd to be startled, the Leader was taken back when it remained where it was, the low pitched, rumbling growl becoming louder, in fact it seemed to be growling in stereo. Lachlan heard the growl from behind and to his sides and with a quick glance realised he and Sarah were surrounded by a half dozen, rather large and angry looking dogs, all focusing their aggression on the Leader.
Closing his eyes briefly, Lachlan threw his arms out, the great fire bird’s wings unfurling and swiping an arc around the two of them. As the fire bird connected with the German Shepherd, the dog leapt for the Leader. Having been hit by the brunt of the fire bird's wing, the dogs aim was off slightly, and with a vicious snarl, latched onto Lachlan’s exposed forearm. The Leader screamed in pain as he felt the canine’s fangs sink through the thin layer of skin, piercing the flesh of his frail arm, the upper and lower teeth of the dog meeting somewhere in the middle of Lachlan’s ulna and radius. The great fire bird vanished in the blink of an eye, casting them all in darkness.
Before he could react beyond a primordial scream of panic and pain, his husband had appeared several feet away, and taking a few quick and powerful steps, planted a solid and supernaturally fast foot into the dog’s rib cage, breaking several of the German Shepherd’s ribs. With as equally terrifying scream of rage, Rama stepped back and swung again with his right foot, this time planting it further along the dog’s body. A pained yelp escaped the dog’s mouth as the dog was lifted slightly, its teeth being dragged through the Leader’s soft flesh and finally free of the dog’s mouth.
The Leader pulled his arm into his chest and held it firmly against himself, his husband pulling Sarah to her feet, grasping her by the upper arm and wrapping an arm around the Leader, the three people disappeared.
‘CAIDEN, MONICA?’ The half Egyptian hollered as they appeared in the master bedroom of their private cabin. Sarah slumped to the floor as Rama helped his husband, who was fast approaching the same colour as the full white moon.
‘What’s wrong?’ Caiden asked as he rushed into the room, saw Sarah slumped against the wall, Rama leaning over the Leader, who was himself lying on the bed covered in blood.
‘A dog bit him.’ Rama said trying to pull his husband’s injured arm out so they could examine it. ‘Neteru, relax my love. We need to look at it.’ He begged of his husband.
‘Lachlan, let us look at it.’ Caiden said remarkably calm as he reached for the injured arm. Reeling in shock the Leader clung possessively to his injured limb, fighting off the two men trying to examine it.
‘Lachlan, tell me what happened. Explain what did this.’ Caiden asked looking into the panic stricken blue eyes. They bulged with disbelief as he looked at the blond twin.
‘It… it wasn’t afraid of me. It bit me.’ The Leader gasped with shock. Caiden nodded once and smiled, seizing his opportunity, rendering Lachlan unconscious.
‘What? How?’ Rama asked looking to the blond twin with surprise.
‘Distraction. That and I am almost stronger than him telepathically.’ The twin replied with a small smile.
‘But, no-one has ever knocked him out like that.’ Rama stammered.
‘He was distracted and wasn’t protecting from me. I’ve had enough experience with strong minded individuals to be able to knock them out quickly.’ Caiden said as Monica came into the bedroom.
‘Shit, what did that?’ She asked looking at the gaping wounds on Lachlan’s forearm. The flesh had been ripped from the bone, the muscle exposed and bleeding profusely.
With careful, precise telekinetic movements, Caiden folded the muscle, flesh and skin back into place in the Leader’s arm and held it still.
‘Would you mind Monica?’ He asked, looking to the woman twice his age and his experience in healing. Flicking her long black hair back off her face, she reached a hand out and over the wounded arm, blood still seeping from the open, ragged edges. Concentrating with all her strength, she pulled and forced all her healing abilities into the Leader’s arm, Caiden and Rama watching as the muscle and skin began reattaching themselves to their temporarily separated companions.
After a few minutes of intense healing and concentration from both Monica and Caiden, the wound was healed. Although completely closed, there was rather horrific scarring on the man’s arm, where the dog’s teeth had raked through the flesh.
‘The scars will fade with time, though I doubt they’ll completely disappear.’ Monica said calmly.
‘He’ll wear them with pride, I’m sure.’ Rama said happily as he gingerly prodded the now healed arm of his husband. ‘Thank you.’ He said with a smile to Monica and Caiden, a tear falling from his eye. The two of them backed out of the room quietly, Caiden helping Sarah to her feet and helping her out of the room.
‘Let’s get you out of that rope.’ The blond twin said kindly.
Rama lay down on his side, beside his husband and pulled him against his chest securely, kissing the back and top of the dark head. Closing his eyes, he found the familiar anchor rope that was his telepathic rapport with his husband, and followed it into the quiet mind of his husband.
Opening his eyes, he found himself standing in a lush field, the sun beaming down brightly on the long grass. He spun around and saw his husband sitting cross legged a few meters away.
‘Neteru?’ The Egyptian asked spotting the man.
‘Mo chridhe.’ Lachlan said standing up swiftly and closing the distance between the two. Rama enfolded the small framed man in his arms and swept him off his feet, spinning in circles as he crushed the man to his chest.
‘Are you alright?’ Rama asked as he stopped spinning and looked down into his husband’s blue eyes.
‘Yes my love. I’m alright now.’ Lachlan said smiling. ‘Quite a shock that was.’
‘You’re telling me.’ Rama said with a grin.
‘Did you put me under?’ The Leader asked with curiosity, his eyes glazing over as if trying to recall a difficult memory.
‘Actually, Caiden did.’ The Egyptian said with a laugh.
‘Did he now?’ Lachlan asked with surprise. ‘My, my, my. He’s becoming quite powerful. I think he’s going to take after his mother.’
‘You’re probably right my love.’ Rama said pulling his husband back into another hug. With a loud sigh he released his husband and held him back slightly.
‘What?’ Lachlan asked in confusion.
‘Sadly, we can’t hide in here much longer. We have people to check on, and a group of young mages we need to address.’ The half Egyptian said with a sigh.
‘Oh crap, I forgot about them.’ The Leader said smacking a hand to his forehead.
‘Don’t worry, I’ll be with you.’ Rama said already feeling the astral plane diminishing around him. He closed his eyes and opened them again, now seeing their bedroom, his husband lying in front of him, rousing slightly.
‘Come neteru. We have work to do.’ The Egyptian said sadly as he climbed off the bed and held out a hand to his husband. Lachlan reached out with his uninjured left arm and dragged himself across the bed, until he was sitting on the edge. Rama helped the man up and wrapped an arm around the fragile shoulders.
‘Sarah first please.’ Lachlan said as he heard Rama’s unspoken question. The Egyptian helped his husband out of the room and they found Sarah sitting comfortably with Aurelia and Monica.
‘I am sorry about that Sarah.’ Lachlan said by way of apology.
‘Oh, nonsense.’ Ms. Beauchamp said, flapping a hand as she stood up and floated to the Leader. She leaned down slightly and kissed him on the cheek. ‘Thank you for rescuing me.’
‘It was my pleasure.’ Lachlan said with a nod to Sarah and then to Aurelia who was smiling warmly.
‘Mikhail?’ Rama asked quietly, his husband nodding in reply. The two walked slowly to one of the spare rooms and entered quietly, shuffling around the bed and seeing the Russian giant’s sleeping face.
‘He’s fine.’ Quinn said from a seat in the corner, the Leader spinning around and spotting the blond who looked like he’d just been woken. ‘Nikolai might need some help with the psychological damage they did to him, but physically he should be fine as well.’ The Canadian continued.
‘Quinn, I’m sorry.’ Lachlan said disentangling himself from his husband and shuffling over to the blond. Quinn stood up with a small smile on his face and caught the Leader as he fell into his arms.
‘It’s alright. You did the right thing not telling me.’ The blond said with a small laugh. ‘However, if someone could replace me, I would like to go and see my mum.’
‘Monica, would you mind?’ Lachlan asked aloud and telepathically, a few seconds passed as Monica entered the room and took up Quinn’s post in the corner. The blond left the room, followed by Rama who was once more helping support his husband.
‘And now the mages.’ Lachlan sighed. ‘What on earth am I going to do with them all?’ The Leader asked of his husband.
‘We’ll find something that works neteru.’ The Egyptian said as he squeezed Lachlan’s shoulders firmly.
The Leader and his husband walked over to the group of mages and immediately noticed the tension. Lachlan glanced over the dozen or so faces and saw frustration and fear, and as he probed their minds he felt anger and confusion. As he focused on a particular mage, the mage in question turned and looked to the Leader, as if feeling the mental probe.
‘Why can’t we use our magic?’ A female called out slightly panicked.
‘What’s wrong with us?’ Another responded. The mage who had looked at the Leader turned bodily toward Lachlan and spoke with anger.
‘What have you done to us?’ He shouted as he advanced on the Leader with fury, Lachlan shaking with exhaustion, the stress and pain of his earlier encounter with the dogs, taxing his resolve greatly. A few feet away from the Leader, and Rama appeared between the two men, his full 6’4” muscular frame blocking the mage’s path. ‘What has that abomination done to us?’
In the blink of an eye, the mage was flat on his back, Rama’s arm still swinging in a furious arc, and the Leader now standing beside his husband with eyes glowing white.
‘QUIET!’ The Leader shouted in anger.
All characters are fictional and any similarities to known actual people are coincidental, unless otherwise specified.
Visit the blog to see visualisations of the characters throughout the story. As always your feedback is important and always welcome.
Lachlan - [email protected] or [email protected]
***
‘Those are spirits.’ Quinn said with amusement.
‘Can you do anything about them?’ The Leader asked as he pressed a finger to the barrier, feeling the heat of the fire, but not burning himself.
‘Give me a moment.’ The blond said as he stepped beside the Leader. A red orb hovered a few feet in front of him and then rushed at him, causing the blond to step back slightly. He spoke silently with the spirit and gasped. Quinn could feel the frustration and fear of the spirits. They showed the blond their emotions, their fears. They were forced into captivity at the hands of the mages. They were dragged from the spirit world and forced to do horrible things.
‘They will lower the barrier on one condition.’ Quinn said quietly. ‘I take the spirits with me.’
Everyone could feel the blond’s hesitation and wondered aloud.
‘Please. Stop.’ Quinn begged as he held his hands over his ears.
‘Quinn?’ Alex asked appearing beside his husband, holding the smaller man’s shoulders firmly.
‘Disconnect me from the field.’ The blond pleaded, tears pouring from his eyes. Lachlan stepped beside the blond and Quinn regained his own private thoughts.
‘One moment please.’ The Leader advised the group, removing himself and Alex from the field.
‘What’s wrong?’ Lachlan asked quietly of the blond. Quinn wiped his eyes and looked from his husband to the Leader.
‘I could hear them.’ Quinn said quietly sobbing.
‘Hear who?’ Alex asked.
‘Everyone here. They wanted to know why I couldn’t do it. Why I wouldn’t take the spirits. I could feel their disgust because I wasn’t helping.’ Quinn’s shoulders slumped with the weight of his guilt. Lachlan grasped the man’s shoulder and scanned the thoughts of everyone.
‘I’m sorry Quinn.’ Lachlan said sadly. ‘Are you able to ask the spirits to lower the barrier and then release them?’
‘I can do that, but I can’t take the spirits with me. There are too many.’ Quinn said, closing his eyes and shaking his head. ‘I can’t have that many spirits. The noise is, overwhelming.’ As he said this, the spirit in front of him changed shape slightly, no longer a red orb, but a shadowy figure, as tall as his husband.
‘Then ask them if they will let us pass, and that we will release them in return.’ The Leader asked of the blond. The Italian had the blond in his arms reassuring him of his love. Quinn turned to the spirit that was waiting patiently.
‘They will let us pass.’ Quinn said quietly. ‘This spirit, however would like to come with us.’
‘Are you alright with that?’ Alex asked nervously, worried for his husband.
‘One, I can handle.’ The blond replied with a small smile. Lachlan reconnected the Canadian to the telepathic field and immediately the blond shared his spirit vision with everyone. ‘Alex, Lachlan, this is Bael.’ The blond said, gesturing to the spirit standing a few feet from them. Only just able to make out a body amongst the flames, they instead could only see a body of fire, the legs, the arms, the head, all just bright flames. Alex and Lachlan smiled to the flame spirit who bowed politely to the men.
‘Will you allow us to pass, please Bael? We need to get in and rescue our friend.’ The Leader asked of the fire spirit.
‘Of course.’ A deep and hollow voice responded as the fire spirit turned to the barrier which began to shrink and extinguish.
‘Alright, let’s go guys.’ The Leader said to the group as he began moving toward the building. Alex moved back into his position as Quinn followed behind the Leader, his fire spirit Bael to his left, walking silently with dignity, and a now excitable Cerberus to his right, skipping and hopping around in circles.
‘There are foot soldiers at every entrance.’ AJ announced to the field. ‘If we enter, they will attack.’
‘I can take care of that.’ Sam responded. All four squads came to a stop at their designated entrance to the complex, waiting patiently as the Canadian Leader stepped toward the wall. Holding a hand in front of him, palm facing outward, the group heard the clattering of falling bodies as the foot soldiers within were rendered unconscious.
‘Okay people. Remember what you have to do and let’s get this done.’ The Leader broadcast.
‘How are they doing?’ Giorgio asked of the half Egyptian, who was sitting out on the deck, smoking a cigarette.
‘They’ve just entered the building.’ Rama said with closed eyes, concentrating on his husband.
‘And Grayson?’ The Italian cousin asked with concern, as he sat in the seat next to the Egyptian.
‘Sarah is safe, for now. They are just watching.’ Rama said looking to the Italian man.
‘What are the Order trying to do?’ Giorgio asked quietly.
‘Personally, I don’t think it’s a trap.’ Rama admitted. ‘But my husband is right. We need to stick together, and move in numbers, just in case it really is.’
‘Aren’t you scared?’ Giorgio asked, subconsciously shivering with fear.
‘As long as my husband is alive, I have nothing to fear.’ Rama said with a smile.
‘North side clear.’ AJ declared.
‘East side clear.’ James followed.
‘As is the West.’ Arina concluded.
‘Wait!’ Lachlan nearly shouted. ‘There’s something below us.’ The Leader crouched down and placed a hand on the floor. ‘There’s a chamber below.’
‘AJ and I will go up and clear everything out.’ Sam said as he stepped around the Leader at the same moment AJ and his squad entered the room, stepping around the fallen bodies of the sleeping foot guards. The two Leader’s and their squads made their way up the grand staircase.
‘Arina, you and James stay here, and hold this room. Nothing gets in.’ The Leader said as he stood up and led his squad to a dark corner. Lachlan felt around the wall and found a loose stone near the floor. Pressing it carefully a small doorway opened to the side, revealing a poorly lit stairwell leading down.
‘This seems too easy.’ Alex said hesitantly.
‘I can feel him down there.’ Lachlan said already entering the dark stairwell. Alex, Jade, Quinn and his spirits, and Caiden followed the Leader carefully.
Around and around, further and further, they wound their way down the spiral staircase, delving deeper and deeper into the earth.
‘Bael says they aren’t too far away.’ Quinn said relaying the fire spirits information.
The light was beginning to brighten as they wound their way down, a short hallway at the bottom of the stairs. The Leader walked through the door and found himself in the middle of a large chamber, rudimentary sconces spread along the stone walls, lighting the chamber rather poorly. Lachlan moved forward slightly allowing the four men to enter behind him. Raising a hand in front of himself he summoned a fireball and threw it into the middle of the room. Bael shuffled excitedly beside Quinn, who was smiling at the spirits response.
‘There.’ Lachlan said now seeing a prostrate body in the middle of the room.
As he approached slowly, he saw that the body was stripped naked, large metal cuffs around the wrists and ankles, chains connecting them to stakes spread around the body.
‘We’ve found Nikolai.’ AJ announced through the field. ‘He’s in bad shape Lach.’
‘Do what you can for him now. We’ll be there soon.’ The Leader replied stepping forward and over the naked man.
‘Mikhail?’ Lachlan asked quietly as he crouched down beside the man. He placed a hand on the bare shoulder of the Russian giant and gasped as he caught a flash of the man’s memories. He saw a man being whipped relentlessly. Then the man was tied down and assaulted with a bat of some description, beaten with it, then the bat forced between the man’s buttocks.
‘NIKOLAI!’ The Leader screamed in unison with Mikhail’s memory.
‘I wondered how long it would take for you to come.’ A woman’s voice sneered from a darkened corner of the chamber. The Leader checked on the fallen Russian again, as a means to clear his mind of the horrible visions, as the four men behind him looked for the source of the voice. Quinn pointed a finger to the corner and Bael rushed it, burning brightly, casting the woman in light.
‘Aunt Veronica?’ Alex asked in surprise.
‘Alex.’ The Brit woman said as she slowly walked toward the group of people, an air cockiness about her.
‘They left you in charge?’ Alex asked with amusement once he’d gotten over his shock.
‘Oh heaven’s no. No, I chose to stay and watch.’ Veronica Braddock said with a smile to her nephew. ‘Not only do I get to watch as your abomination partner is burned, but I myself can avenge my husband.’
Fast as lightning, Veronica Braddock threw herself at the Leader who was still hunched over the unconscious Russian. Suspended in midair, Veronica’s eyes bulged in her head with frustration and confusion.
‘Idiot.’ Lachlan said standing up once he was sure Mikhail was alright. ‘Not a single one of you can touch me.’ He continued as he turned to the Brit woman, his eyes glowing white.
‘You killed my husband.’ She screeched as the frail Leader approached her.
‘He had it coming.’ Lachlan said with a small smirk.
‘I will dance on your grave faggot.’ The woman spat, her composure failing, leaving a rather demented look on her face.
‘Not before I reunite you with your dear late husband.’ The Leader chuckled as the woman’s body was viciously slammed against the chamber wall, a sickening crunching of bone and flesh echoing around the room. Her eyes fluttered from the impact and began to close slowly, death taking hold of her body.
Quinn watched with fascination as her body, pinned to the wall, stopped moving. He watched as her spirit light gathered in her head and then began to drift away from her body.
‘Be gone foul spirit.’ Quinn muttered to the cloud of spirit light, which wafted through the ceiling.
Lachlan tore two sconces from the wall and staked the woman’s body to the wall grotesquely, relinquishing his telekinetic hold on her. Turning back to the Russian’s unconscious form, he broke the shackles on his wrists and ankles, waved a hand to summon a blanket and threw the blanket over Mikhail’s body. Still reeling in shock from witnessing yet another family member’s death, Alex gasped in shock as the Leader, who was a an inch or two shorter than his husband, and a great deal skinnier as well, bent over the Russian. Telekinetically enhancing himself, the 5’9”, 55 kilogram Leader lifted the comparatively huge body of the unconscious Russian up and into his arms. Alex not trusting the physical strength of the Leader made to step forward and assist, but Caiden held out a hand to stop him, shaking his head briefly.
‘We’re coming up.’ Lachlan announced to the group. ‘We have Mikhail.’
The Leader, carrying Mikhail, vanished from the chamber and appeared in front of the four squads and their Leader’s, several of them gasping at the sight of the small man carrying the giant.
‘Everyone to the Sanctuary veil please.’ Lachlan said as Alex, Quinn, Jaden and Caiden appeared behind him. Everyone began disappearing as soon as the Leader ordered, until there was just Lachlan holding the Russian.
‘Before you leave…’ A voice said from the grand staircase. The Leader watched as an elderly man was assisted down the stairs by a young man with dark hair and pale skin. ‘I have a favour I would like to ask.’ Lachlan eyed the man and realised he was no threat.
‘What do you ask?’ The Leader asked politely.
‘My mages. I ask that you take them with you.’ The Archivist asked politely, the mage assisting him gasping loudly at the request.
‘Master, we will not abandon you.’ The mage said angrily.
‘Johan, you are not abandoning me. I am ordering you to leave with him.’ The Archivist said to the young mage.
‘But why?’ Johan asked with a tear in his eye, the Leader watching on with amusement.
‘Death waits for me young man.’ Ernest said sadly. ‘And William does not favour you. You were never trusted by him, and you have never acted on his orders. This man will take you, all of you, and protect you from William.’ The Archivist looked to the Leader, who nodded in reply.
‘How many are you?’ Lachlan asked of the young mage, who was still staring at his master. Swallowing his rebuttal, the mage turned to Lachlan sadly.
‘Seventeen.’ Johan said. As the mage spoke, a dozen people began to file through a door and into the room. They stood there looking sadly to the Archivist.
‘Please protect them Mac de Grian.’ The Archivist asked of Lachlan, a tone of pleading in his voice. Lachlan scanned the thoughts of the old man and saw pain, rejection and suffering. Lachlan nodded affirmatively with a smile.
‘Travel safely.’ The Leader said bowing his head politely. The Archivist gestured for Johan to move over to Lachlan. The young mage looked from his master to the frail form of the Leader and finally moved slowly to Lachlan’s side.
‘May I help you with him?’ Johan asked of the Leader who merely shook his head.
‘No, I’m quite alright.’ Lachlan smiled. ‘You may all call me Lachlan.’ He said addressing the group of mages. They all muttered and nodded in reply to the man. ‘Rama, can you clear the veil of people please and wait for me there.’ The Leader asked of his husband.
‘Do we go now?’ One of the mages asked looking around nervously. ‘They might come back.’
‘Come over here, please.’ The Leader asked of the mages. ‘If you could all hold hands, please.’ Lachlan watched as the mage’s all linked up, holding the hand of two others in a long line. ‘Johan, hold my shoulder please, nice and tight.’ The young mage reached over and grasped the thin shoulder of the man tentatively. ‘Okay, no one panic.’ Lachlan said with an encouraging smile, some of the mages unable to see the man’s face behind the lump of Russian lying in his arms.
The Leader disappeared on the spot, and extending a bubble of telekinesis along the line of mages, pulled them through the vortex behind himself and Mikhail. With a flurry of wind and electricity the Leader’s feet landed solidly on the grass in front of the Sanctuary’s veil, several loud thumps following as the mages appeared behind him sequentially.
‘What?’ Rama asked as he watched the line of mages appear behind his husband.
‘These are the mages of the Order. Their master, Ernest Benedict, has asked that we shelter them as defectors.’ The Leader said to his husband with a smile. Rama looked over the faces of each mage and scanned their thoughts quickly.
‘They’re safe enough, I guess.’ The half Egyptian said briefly.
‘Mo chridhe, do me a favour. Would you please go and collect Francesca and Giuliana and bring them to my cabin?’ Lachlan asked of his husband.
‘Of course neteru.’ The Egyptian said leaning down and kissing his husbands cheek softly.
‘You guys, with me please.’ The Leader addressed the mages as they relaxed and released each other’s hands, following the small man carrying the giant man with absolute ease, as the handsome Egyptian man vanished on the spot. Lachlan walked through the veil and stepped onto the other side, waiting patiently for the mages, who were undoubtedly experiencing a little difficulty with penetrating the Sanctuary’s protections. As the last mage made it through, Lachlan began walking toward the gathering field, the mages following him like lost sheep. Approaching the large bonfire which was aflame, he turned to the mages and smiled.
‘Forgive me, but if you haven’t noticed I have a bit to take care of at the moment.’ He said lifting the Russian slightly in demonstration. ‘Please make yourselves comfortable here; I will have some food brought out to you. I will be with you as soon as I can.’
The mages all nodded and shuffled closer to the fire for warmth. The Leader over heard one of them speaking.
‘I can’t summon fire anymore.’ He whispered to his neighbour.
‘Neither.’ His neighbour replied.
As the Leader neared his cabin he heard voices coming from within. He stepped through the door and smiled as he saw the people in his living area.
‘Caiden would you ask Monica to come here please? Quinn, Aurelia, if you could join me?’ The Leader asked of the blond and his mother in law.
Lachlan led the two into a room where he gently laid the Russian on the bed, the blanket still covering him. Lachlan checked the Russian’s vitals as Monica and Caiden walked into the room, followed by AJ and Sam carrying Nikolai between them.
‘On the bed please.’ Lachlan said, gesturing to the patch of bed beside Mikhail. As AJ and Sam relinquished their charge, Rama walked into the room with Giuliana and Francesca, who went straight to Aurelia’s side, both women reaching over and touching Quinn.
‘Mikhail isn’t too badly hurt. A few bruises, a little poison, and some cuts and scratches.’ Lachlan said gesturing to Mikhail. ‘Nikolai on the other hand.’ He said sadly as he appeared on the other side of the bed, looking down to the broken form of the Russian’s friend. ‘They beat him to near death. He has horrific injuries to his behind where they penetrated him with a baseball bat. And a plethora of mental and psychological scarring. Please, do everything you can to heal his injuries before he wakes.’ The Leader pleaded with Monica, the sisters, Quinn and Caiden.
Everyone nodded as they fanned out around the bed, Caiden and Monica at the head of the bed on opposite sides, Francesca and Giuliana beside either of them, then Aurelia and Quinn at the foot of the bed.
‘I will leave you all to it; I have a few things I need to take care of.’ The Leader said excusing himself, Rama following him.
The Leader was walking toward the Veil when someone called his name. Unfamiliar with the voice, Lachlan faltered slightly and came to a stop, looking around for the voice.
‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.’ One of the mages said, looking contritely at the grass in front of him.
‘No, I’m sorry. I was in a world of my own. Is something wrong?’ The Leader asked stepping closer to the mage. He looked up into the Leader’s face with worry etched across it. The deep brown eyes begging for kindness.
‘We were just wondering a few things.’ The mage said quietly, turning and watching the Leader’s husband approaching the two. ‘It can wait.’
‘I am sorry,’ The Leader said scanning the mage’s mind, ‘Chris. I have something important that needs to be done, but when I’m back, I will come and speak with you all. In the meantime, Alex and Jaden will make sure you are all okay.’ Lachlan finished gesturing to the blond twin and the Italian who had just appeared behind the Leader’s husband.
‘Come Chris. I have lots I want to know about yourself, and your fellow mages.’ Jaden said eagerly, gesturing for the mage to follow him back to the Gathering Field. Watching the three men walk back to the group of mages, the Leader smiled hopefully.
‘How long have Grayson and the other’s been gone?’ The Leader asked of his husband.
‘They left as the fire barrier went up.’ Rama replied turning to his husband.
‘Okay, I’ll go after them and bring Sarah back here.’ The Leader began. ‘Can you please join Alex and Jaden and…’
‘No, neteru. I am going with you.’ The Egyptian said politely, smiling down to his husband.
‘Ramz, I’m not going to be in any danger.’ The Leader responded with mild surprise at his husband.
‘I know you’re not, but you have already been in danger tonight. I will not stay behind and watch from afar as you are put at risk, again. I am coming with you.’ Rama said calmly, his green eyes pleading for understanding.
‘You know they cannot get me?’ Lachlan asked of his husband.
‘Neteru, I am riddled with anxiety when you are in danger and I am so far from you. Don’t make me stay here. I want to be with you. Please?’ The Egyptian begged quietly. Lachlan looked up into the sad face of his husband and felt his resolve dissipate instantly. He nodded once and took his husband’s hand in his own.
‘Back soon.’ The Leader communicated to Jaden. Lachlan and his husband walked through the Veil and disappeared the moment they were clear of it, appearing in a dark field.
‘Lachlan.’ Grayson whispered from nearby.
‘Anything new?’ The Leader asked equally as quiet.
‘No. We can sense her, and she is fine, if not a little terrified.’ The twins’ father said anxiously. The Leader telepathically scanned Grayson’s thoughts and located Sarah Beauchamp, sitting in the middle of her backyard, her wrists tied together with rope. The yellow dress she was wearing torn randomly from her attackers, though she herself was not physically hurt. Connecting with Sarah, the Leader saw from her vantage point.
‘I can’t see anyone near her.’ Lachlan whispered.
‘We haven’t seen or felt anyone since we arrived. But there are some rather odd dog’s watching over her.’ Grayson advised the Leader. Remaining connected with Sarah, Lachlan sifted through Grayson’s thoughts and had the term “odd dog’s” defined for him as he watched one approach Sarah slowly. The German Shepherd moved slowly and confidently as it walked closer to the woman. It stopped a foot or so from Sarah and looked her in the face.
‘Odd seems to be an understatement.’ The Leader whispered watching the dog’s behaviour. Unlike ordinary canine’s, this particular dog didn’t once tilt its head or cock its ears with curiosity. Without warning, the dog’s posture changed instantly, its head lowering as the muzzle wrinkled up, a low growl rumbling through its chest and out through its fangs. ‘Shit!’ The Leader gasped realising the dog had sensed him.
‘What?’ Grayson and Rama asked simultaneously.
‘It knows we’re here.’ Lachlan said standing up completely. He took a step forward and disappeared from sight, reappearing behind the woman sitting on the grass shaking in fear, shrinking back from the growling dog. Summoning a large portion of his powers, the Leader erupted into flames, the giant fire bird the wedding guests had witnessed, exploding from the small and frail man, the impressive wingspan wrapping protectively between Sarah and the dog. Expecting the German Shepherd to be startled, the Leader was taken back when it remained where it was, the low pitched, rumbling growl becoming louder, in fact it seemed to be growling in stereo. Lachlan heard the growl from behind and to his sides and with a quick glance realised he and Sarah were surrounded by a half dozen, rather large and angry looking dogs, all focusing their aggression on the Leader.
Closing his eyes briefly, Lachlan threw his arms out, the great fire bird’s wings unfurling and swiping an arc around the two of them. As the fire bird connected with the German Shepherd, the dog leapt for the Leader. Having been hit by the brunt of the fire bird's wing, the dogs aim was off slightly, and with a vicious snarl, latched onto Lachlan’s exposed forearm. The Leader screamed in pain as he felt the canine’s fangs sink through the thin layer of skin, piercing the flesh of his frail arm, the upper and lower teeth of the dog meeting somewhere in the middle of Lachlan’s ulna and radius. The great fire bird vanished in the blink of an eye, casting them all in darkness.
Before he could react beyond a primordial scream of panic and pain, his husband had appeared several feet away, and taking a few quick and powerful steps, planted a solid and supernaturally fast foot into the dog’s rib cage, breaking several of the German Shepherd’s ribs. With as equally terrifying scream of rage, Rama stepped back and swung again with his right foot, this time planting it further along the dog’s body. A pained yelp escaped the dog’s mouth as the dog was lifted slightly, its teeth being dragged through the Leader’s soft flesh and finally free of the dog’s mouth.
The Leader pulled his arm into his chest and held it firmly against himself, his husband pulling Sarah to her feet, grasping her by the upper arm and wrapping an arm around the Leader, the three people disappeared.
‘CAIDEN, MONICA?’ The half Egyptian hollered as they appeared in the master bedroom of their private cabin. Sarah slumped to the floor as Rama helped his husband, who was fast approaching the same colour as the full white moon.
‘What’s wrong?’ Caiden asked as he rushed into the room, saw Sarah slumped against the wall, Rama leaning over the Leader, who was himself lying on the bed covered in blood.
‘A dog bit him.’ Rama said trying to pull his husband’s injured arm out so they could examine it. ‘Neteru, relax my love. We need to look at it.’ He begged of his husband.
‘Lachlan, let us look at it.’ Caiden said remarkably calm as he reached for the injured arm. Reeling in shock the Leader clung possessively to his injured limb, fighting off the two men trying to examine it.
‘Lachlan, tell me what happened. Explain what did this.’ Caiden asked looking into the panic stricken blue eyes. They bulged with disbelief as he looked at the blond twin.
‘It… it wasn’t afraid of me. It bit me.’ The Leader gasped with shock. Caiden nodded once and smiled, seizing his opportunity, rendering Lachlan unconscious.
‘What? How?’ Rama asked looking to the blond twin with surprise.
‘Distraction. That and I am almost stronger than him telepathically.’ The twin replied with a small smile.
‘But, no-one has ever knocked him out like that.’ Rama stammered.
‘He was distracted and wasn’t protecting from me. I’ve had enough experience with strong minded individuals to be able to knock them out quickly.’ Caiden said as Monica came into the bedroom.
‘Shit, what did that?’ She asked looking at the gaping wounds on Lachlan’s forearm. The flesh had been ripped from the bone, the muscle exposed and bleeding profusely.
With careful, precise telekinetic movements, Caiden folded the muscle, flesh and skin back into place in the Leader’s arm and held it still.
‘Would you mind Monica?’ He asked, looking to the woman twice his age and his experience in healing. Flicking her long black hair back off her face, she reached a hand out and over the wounded arm, blood still seeping from the open, ragged edges. Concentrating with all her strength, she pulled and forced all her healing abilities into the Leader’s arm, Caiden and Rama watching as the muscle and skin began reattaching themselves to their temporarily separated companions.
After a few minutes of intense healing and concentration from both Monica and Caiden, the wound was healed. Although completely closed, there was rather horrific scarring on the man’s arm, where the dog’s teeth had raked through the flesh.
‘The scars will fade with time, though I doubt they’ll completely disappear.’ Monica said calmly.
‘He’ll wear them with pride, I’m sure.’ Rama said happily as he gingerly prodded the now healed arm of his husband. ‘Thank you.’ He said with a smile to Monica and Caiden, a tear falling from his eye. The two of them backed out of the room quietly, Caiden helping Sarah to her feet and helping her out of the room.
‘Let’s get you out of that rope.’ The blond twin said kindly.
Rama lay down on his side, beside his husband and pulled him against his chest securely, kissing the back and top of the dark head. Closing his eyes, he found the familiar anchor rope that was his telepathic rapport with his husband, and followed it into the quiet mind of his husband.
Opening his eyes, he found himself standing in a lush field, the sun beaming down brightly on the long grass. He spun around and saw his husband sitting cross legged a few meters away.
‘Neteru?’ The Egyptian asked spotting the man.
‘Mo chridhe.’ Lachlan said standing up swiftly and closing the distance between the two. Rama enfolded the small framed man in his arms and swept him off his feet, spinning in circles as he crushed the man to his chest.
‘Are you alright?’ Rama asked as he stopped spinning and looked down into his husband’s blue eyes.
‘Yes my love. I’m alright now.’ Lachlan said smiling. ‘Quite a shock that was.’
‘You’re telling me.’ Rama said with a grin.
‘Did you put me under?’ The Leader asked with curiosity, his eyes glazing over as if trying to recall a difficult memory.
‘Actually, Caiden did.’ The Egyptian said with a laugh.
‘Did he now?’ Lachlan asked with surprise. ‘My, my, my. He’s becoming quite powerful. I think he’s going to take after his mother.’
‘You’re probably right my love.’ Rama said pulling his husband back into another hug. With a loud sigh he released his husband and held him back slightly.
‘What?’ Lachlan asked in confusion.
‘Sadly, we can’t hide in here much longer. We have people to check on, and a group of young mages we need to address.’ The half Egyptian said with a sigh.
‘Oh crap, I forgot about them.’ The Leader said smacking a hand to his forehead.
‘Don’t worry, I’ll be with you.’ Rama said already feeling the astral plane diminishing around him. He closed his eyes and opened them again, now seeing their bedroom, his husband lying in front of him, rousing slightly.
‘Come neteru. We have work to do.’ The Egyptian said sadly as he climbed off the bed and held out a hand to his husband. Lachlan reached out with his uninjured left arm and dragged himself across the bed, until he was sitting on the edge. Rama helped the man up and wrapped an arm around the fragile shoulders.
‘Sarah first please.’ Lachlan said as he heard Rama’s unspoken question. The Egyptian helped his husband out of the room and they found Sarah sitting comfortably with Aurelia and Monica.
‘I am sorry about that Sarah.’ Lachlan said by way of apology.
‘Oh, nonsense.’ Ms. Beauchamp said, flapping a hand as she stood up and floated to the Leader. She leaned down slightly and kissed him on the cheek. ‘Thank you for rescuing me.’
‘It was my pleasure.’ Lachlan said with a nod to Sarah and then to Aurelia who was smiling warmly.
‘Mikhail?’ Rama asked quietly, his husband nodding in reply. The two walked slowly to one of the spare rooms and entered quietly, shuffling around the bed and seeing the Russian giant’s sleeping face.
‘He’s fine.’ Quinn said from a seat in the corner, the Leader spinning around and spotting the blond who looked like he’d just been woken. ‘Nikolai might need some help with the psychological damage they did to him, but physically he should be fine as well.’ The Canadian continued.
‘Quinn, I’m sorry.’ Lachlan said disentangling himself from his husband and shuffling over to the blond. Quinn stood up with a small smile on his face and caught the Leader as he fell into his arms.
‘It’s alright. You did the right thing not telling me.’ The blond said with a small laugh. ‘However, if someone could replace me, I would like to go and see my mum.’
‘Monica, would you mind?’ Lachlan asked aloud and telepathically, a few seconds passed as Monica entered the room and took up Quinn’s post in the corner. The blond left the room, followed by Rama who was once more helping support his husband.
‘And now the mages.’ Lachlan sighed. ‘What on earth am I going to do with them all?’ The Leader asked of his husband.
‘We’ll find something that works neteru.’ The Egyptian said as he squeezed Lachlan’s shoulders firmly.
The Leader and his husband walked over to the group of mages and immediately noticed the tension. Lachlan glanced over the dozen or so faces and saw frustration and fear, and as he probed their minds he felt anger and confusion. As he focused on a particular mage, the mage in question turned and looked to the Leader, as if feeling the mental probe.
‘Why can’t we use our magic?’ A female called out slightly panicked.
‘What’s wrong with us?’ Another responded. The mage who had looked at the Leader turned bodily toward Lachlan and spoke with anger.
‘What have you done to us?’ He shouted as he advanced on the Leader with fury, Lachlan shaking with exhaustion, the stress and pain of his earlier encounter with the dogs, taxing his resolve greatly. A few feet away from the Leader, and Rama appeared between the two men, his full 6’4” muscular frame blocking the mage’s path. ‘What has that abomination done to us?’
In the blink of an eye, the mage was flat on his back, Rama’s arm still swinging in a furious arc, and the Leader now standing beside his husband with eyes glowing white.
‘QUIET!’ The Leader shouted in anger.