The Children of Light
Book Two
Chapter Six
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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‘Welcome to the island of Gaios.’ Caiden said waving his hand toward the nearby forested scenery. Alex and Quinn both smiled with joy as they looked around at the island views. In one direction they saw the trees scattered across the hills of the small Greek island, and in the other direction was the deep blue of the Mediterranean Sea, the late afternoon sun slowly falling to the ocean, the wildlife creating a soft background noise. Quinn spun slowly around on the spot looking and noticed the abundance of spiritual lights floating around.
‘It’s so busy here. There are so many spirits around.’ He said smiling as a red spirit orb floated over to him from the nearby trees. The blond reached out a tentative hand towards the orb and smiled from ear to ear.
‘What’s going on babe?’ Alex asked as he watched his husband with a warm smile.
‘The spirits here are quite friendly, quite active.’ Smiling to himself, he reached out and touched the red orb. Reacting to the touch, the orb brightened in colour and began floating away, Quinn almost believing it was happy.
‘Alright, so the house is just over here, and don’t worry, it is shrouded from the general population. Only those who have been told of its presence can see it.’ The blond twin said gesturing to a thicket of trees. Even as the newlyweds looked at the trees they began vanishing only to be replaced by a small wooden cabin with large bay windows. After a few seconds the two men were staring in astonishment at the very cosy looking cabin.
‘Wow.’ Quinn said as his husband wrapped an arm around his chest from behind.
‘Everything you need should be inside, and the mainland is in that direction.’ Caiden said pointing toward the hills, behind which was the land mass that was Greece. ‘There’s a small township down the hills that way with shops if you need anything.’ The twin said pointing down the hill.
‘Thank you so much Caiden.’ Alex said with a warm smile to the twin. ‘And please thank Lachlan for us.’
‘I’ll be sure to.’ Caiden smiled. ‘And finally, as long as you don’t mention the cabin to anyone, no one will be able to see it or you while you are near it.’ The newlyweds both smiled and nodded to the twin. ‘With that, I shall leave you to it. See you both in two weeks.’ Caiden said with a smile as he turned on the spot and disappeared. Alex and Quinn turned to the cabin and their smiles increased in size.
‘Let’s go Mr. Beauchamp-Braddock.’ Alex said as he hauled the lithe blond up into his arms, their suitcases levitating behind them as the Italian carried the Canadian over the threshold.
His smile making the setting sun appear dull, the blond was set on his feet as Alex waved a hand to the luggage, which zoomed happily off to the bedroom.
‘This place is magnificent.’ Quinn said with awe as he looked around the cabin. Designed with an open floor plan, the entrance, kitchen, dining and living areas had wooden floors, polished to a reflective shine. Almost all the walls had large windows sprawled across their width, some of the walls barely more than bi-folding glass doors, which lead out onto a wrap around deck, surrounded by the lush and rich foliage of the nearby forest. The simple wooden furniture, similar to the chunks of tree fashioned into seats at the Sanctuary, decorated the living area, piles of cushions and blankets dotted around them. A large open fireplace adorned one side of the living area, which sat in readiness.
The blond walked down the short hallway to what was obviously the master bedroom and his breath caught. Walking through the door he gasped at the blanket of red rose petals covering everything in the room, the large four poster bed, which seemed to have a veil of petals instead of a lace net, the scarce bedroom furniture, the plush white rug lying at the foot of the bed, the bay window, everything.
‘I seem to remember a similar scene when we first visited the Sanctuary.’ Alex said from just behind his husband, a laugh barely hidden behind his words. Quinn turned on the spot and found himself wrapped in his lover’s arms, soft, tender kisses raining upon his upturned, angelic face.
‘Leave it as it is.’ Quinn said huskily as Alex nuzzled and nibbled at his throat. The blond groaned with passion as the Italian made love to the soft and tender throat with his full lips and his talented tongue. Eyes closed in the moment, the Italian, with practiced hands, managed to remove the blond’s shirt. Taking the face of his husband gently in his hands, Alex, for the first time since being married, kissed Quinn on the lips with a passion that would have made the Greek goddess of love blush. Without breaking their impassioned kiss, Alex and Quinn removed and disposed of their remaining clothes, both men lying lengthwise on the bed, the Italian atop the Canadian, their tongues fighting for supremacy with each other.
Breaking the kiss for the first time, Alex, resting his weight on his hands, looked into the depths of the Canadian’s bright green eyes and after a moment began to see blue in them. Wondering what was happening, Alex continued to stare and after a few more moments, Quinn’s face began morphing slowly, changing, small detail by small detail, until the Italian thought he was looking into a mirror. Sensing the Italian’s panic, Quinn spoke quietly.
‘It’s our bonding.’ He said looking into his husbands face, but seeing his own instead. ‘We have a telepathic rapport thanks to our wedding.’ Alex saw his own smile when he looked carefully at the blond’s face.
‘This is so weird.’ Alex said with a small giggle. ‘I want to see you.’
Quinn laughed at his husband and closing his eyes for a moment, Alex’s vision blurred slightly causing him to blink a few times, until he could finally see the beautiful face of his blond husband.
‘That’s better.’ The Italian said forcing his tongue into the soft yet eager mouth of the Canadian, the two men rolling around in the throes of passion.
Untangling their limbs, Alex carefully rolled his lover so that he was lying front down on the soft bed covers and sweet scented rose petals, his head raised slightly, causing his back to arch. Lying on his side, his arm bent and resting his head on his hand, the Italian traced lines down the soft skin of Quinn’s back, lightly scraping his short nails across the skin of the blond’s plump and tender bottom. Seconds stretched into moments as the Italian caressed, with the tenderness of a baby birds feather, every centimetre of Quinn’s back. Sensing the moment approaching, Alex shuffled around and placed himself between the blond’s legs, forcing them apart slightly as he leaned down and gently sank his teeth into the pearly white flesh of a buttock. Gasping with pleasure, Quinn arched his back, raising his bottom. Alex slid a hand beneath the blond and cupped Quinn’s manhood within his large palm as the Canadian lowered himself back down. Gently squeezing the throbbing appendage in his hand, Alex lowered his face to the softness of the blond’s bottom, and using his chin, carefully wedged his way into the cleft of his husband’s behind. Nuzzling his way down, Alex sought out the private entrance of his lover with the determination of a newborn animal seeking out its mother’s teat. Finding his goal, with a gasp of pleasure from the blond and a grunt of controlled effort, the Italian thrust his tongue hungrily into the muscled ring, gently yet forcefully gaining entrance. Tasting of the blond’s darkness, Alex’s carnal instincts took over as he dug deeper with his tongue, grunting with the effort, Quinn moaning uncontrollably as his husband licked and tasted of himself. Quinn lost himself to the loving attention the Italian paid to his behind, and the small part of his brain that was functioning normally wondered if he was slowing down time, or whether it just seemed that way, for yet again, the seconds began to slow as they dragged into minutes.
After what felt like a lifetime of pleasure, the blond, unable to restrain himself, flipped over onto his back, and with eyes filled with pure lust, reached down to his husband and with an untapped source of telekinetic power, yanked the Italian up his body, their mouths meeting in bliss as the Canadian tasted himself in Alex’s mouth.
Breaking the kiss for only a second, Quinn ran his hand across his tongue, gathering a generous amount of their combined saliva, and as his hand sought out the prodigious Italian manhood, his tongue sought out its dancing partner.
Running his hand along the length of the throbbing appendage of his husband, being sure to moisten the tapered head, Quinn lifted his legs and hooked them around the Italian’s waist.
‘Are you sure?’ Alex panted after breaking the kiss. Knowing what the Italian was thinking, thanks mostly to their telepathic connection, and the sudden realisation that the two men had not engaged in penetrative sex since their conversation about Quinn’s assault as a child, Quinn knew precisely the answer to give. Tightening his legs and kissing his husband with a passion worthy of every incarnation of the Goddess of love combined, Alex received his answer in perfect clarity.
‘I am yours, body and soul. You have my soul, now claim my body.’ Quinn all but shouted telepathically as he sought to choke the Italian with his tongue.
Readjusting his position slightly, Alex shuffled around for a moment trying to get the right position. Growing marginally impatient with his husband’s subconscious delays, Quinn, without breaking their kiss, managed to work his entrance over the head of his husband’s pulsing hard-on and pushed up fiercely, slamming all thick nine inches of hardened Italian manhood deep into himself. Throwing his head back, the blond roared with conquest, feeling his insides being stretched and probed by the impressive manhood of his husband.
‘Oh fuck!’ Alex gasped against the blond’s neck, his teeth bared as he bit down with passion into the soft flesh.
‘Oh Alex!’ Quinn moaned with maddened lust. Loosening his legs slightly, he felt the proud manhood slide out of his entrance slowly. Feeling himself nearly popping out, Alex leaned back down, powerfully driving his engorged penis back into the depths of his husband.
‘Oh shit Quinn. I love you so much!’ Alex whispered through his teeth as he withdrew and pushed back in forcefully.
‘I love you too.’ Quinn gasped with the inward thrust of his husband. Alex, sensing Quinn’s desire, began to pick up the pace of his thrusts, pulling out and pushing back in faster and faster.
‘Oh Jesus.’ The blond panted with the quickened thrusts of his lover. ‘Oh fuck yes Alex.’ He moaned with every inward plummet.
‘Fuck!’ Alex grunted as his body began to shudder with pent up energy. ‘Oh fuck Quinn. I’m so sorry. I can’t hold out.’ Alex panted, his hips almost a blur.
‘Take me Alex. Make me yours!’ Quinn shouted as he buried his teeth in the hard muscles of the Italian’s shoulder. Shaking with powerful lust, Alex’s inflamed manhood throbbed uncontrollably as it fired off load, after load, after load into the quivering depths of his husband. Feeling his husband’s cock head throbbing about nine inches inside him, Quinn’s already fit to bursting hard-on erupted with possibly the largest load of semen the Canadian had ever experienced. Shooting from the end of his reddened penis, the volleys of cum rained down on his face and heaving chest with audible splats.
Alex, as if awakening, opened his eyes and looked down into the bright green eyes of his husband, noticing two very large streaks of cum across the blond’s cheeks. The Italian leaned down shakily, lapped up the puddles of semen from his husbands face, and kissed the Canadian, sharing the sweet seed with him.
‘Alex, I love you so much.’ Quinn whispered exhausted.
‘I love you just as much Quinn.’ The Italian said looking into the bright green eyes. He leaned down and with the tenderness of a light summer breeze, kissed his husband on the lips. ‘You are mine now, body and soul.’ Alex said with a smile for his lover.
‘As it should be.’ Quinn said with a giggle.
‘Is Giorgio alright?’ The Leader asked as his husband walked into their bedroom. Lachlan was already under the bed covers, ready for bed.
‘He’s still a bit shaken, and a little uncertain, but his brother will bring him through it.’ The Egyptian said as he pulled his shirt off. Dropping his jeans and underwear, he slid under the bed covers and pulled his husband into himself, Lachlan’s back to Rama’s front.
‘That man has a lot of healing ahead of him. His entire relationship with “Drew” has been the prep work for that blasted demon.’ Lachlan said with a long sigh.
‘You can stop that chain of thoughts right there neteru. It is far from your fault.’ Rama said squeezing the smaller framed man. The Leader slumped in submission.
‘You’re right. But, if I’d have managed to destroy it last time, it would have spared Giorgio the oncoming heartache.’ Lachlan said sadly.
‘Wasn’t it you that told me all those years ago, that we don’t truly understand love unless we’ve had our hearts truly broken?’ Rama said in somewhat of a cheeky tone.
‘Ramz! He’s only human.’ The Leader said with mild shock.
‘Surrounded by a supernatural family, half of them witches, the other half Children of Light. He will be alright neteru!’ Rama said kissing the back of his husbands head.
‘But I could have spared him all this…’
‘Neteru! That’s enough.’ Rama said cutting across the Leader. ‘There is no one to blame and no need for this admonishment.’ Lachlan sighed helplessly as his husband squeezed him tenderly, nuzzling into his neck.
‘Mo chridhe.’ The Leader sighed passionately. ‘There are times when I’m absolutely sure our love is eternal.’
‘And there are times when I agree with that.’ Rama said gently biting Lachlan’s delicate ear lobe.
‘Alex my love?’ Quinn called down the hallway. He had just woken up and found himself alone in the large four poster bed.
‘In the kitchen babe.’ The Italian called back. The blond climbed out of bed, and remembering that they were alone, wandered down the short hallway in his birthday suit.
‘What are you doing?’ Quinn asked as he came into the large living area of the cabin.
'Just making a coffee.’ Alex said turning away from the bench, two cups in his hand. Quinn exploded with laughter when he spotted Alex in similar dress. ‘What? Am I that funny when naked?’ The Italian asked with mock indignation.
‘No, it’s just, other than our showers together, or in bed, I’ve never seen you naked before.’ The blond said with a wink. ‘I like it.’
‘The view’s not so bad from over here either.’ Alex said taking the few steps to his husband and offering him a coffee, leaning over and kissing his cheek.
‘There’s somewhere I want to go today, if you’re okay with it.’ The blond said after taking a mouthful of coffee.
‘And where would that be?’ The Italian asked with a cheeky smile.
‘Over on the mainland is a place I want to visit, near Ammoudia.’ The blond said.
‘I’ve never heard of it.’ Alex said with a dumbfounded look on his face. Quinn shrugged slightly and explained.
'I had a dream last night. It was weird actually. I was sitting out there on the cliff, looking into the water, and I heard this voice calling out. It was just calling random words, words that I didn’t understand. So I called back and asked if it was alright, and then it stopped calling out. I thought, maybe I’d scared it or something. And then the wind picked up, and it was howling and screaming, surrounding me in a whirlwind. It lifted me off the ground and then something very big and very scary spoke really loudly. “Across the water, in the River, please help me. I’m all alone.” And then the wind stopped, and I felt so hopelessly lonely, scared that I would be deserted and left by myself forever.’ The blond finished with a hopeless glance to his husband.
‘So, you want to go and find whatever it was that called out to you, lifted you off the ground in a whirlwind, and begged you to find it?’ Alex asked with a raised eyebrow, unable to keep the sarcasm from his voice.
‘It was just a dream, and there may not be anything there. But if there is, it obviously needs help.’ The blond said lamely, unsure if he could raise a better argument to go wandering into such a bizarre situation without more reliable information.
‘First sign of trouble, and I’m porting us back to the Sanctuary.’ Alex said waggling a finger to his husband, whose face just split into a truly spectacular smile. The blond put his coffee down and jumped at his husband, who was expecting this.
‘It’s such a good thing I love you.’ Alex said with a laugh.
‘So where exactly are we going?’ Alex asked as he throttled the speed boat engine down, the noise vanishing immediately. Quinn was sitting in the bow of the boat glancing at the shore line, listening intently.
‘I’m not sure exactly.’ He said quietly, Alex almost sure he was talking to himself. ‘Can we go a little further around please?’ The blond asked looking back over his shoulder. Alex smiled as he revved the engine, the speed boat jumping across the water with ease. The boat made its way slowly along the coast, Alex watching ahead as Quinn scanned the land.
‘THERE!’ Quinn shouted over the roar of the engine, Alex cutting it immediately and the boat came to a slow drift.
‘Did you hear something?’ The Italian asked cocking his head in an effort to hear.
‘No, but there’s something really weird going on with the water here.’ The blond said staring into the rippling blue water.
‘I don’t see anything.’ Alex said gazing across the surface of the crystalline water.
‘Look through my eyes.’ Quinn said without taking his eyes off the water. Alex closed his eyes and concentrated for a few moments before he felt the familiar pull of Quinn’s mind as it shared its space with him. ‘Now look.’ The Canadian said.
Alex opened his eyes and looked into the water and gasped audibly in shock. As if in some bizarre experiment with coloured waters of different temperatures, the Italian saw an obvious colour change in the crystal blue waters of the Mediterranean. Sweeping in a few meters from the boat and heading straight for the coast was a large streak of black water. It was so distinct that if the blue water were grass, the black water would be a river that carved its way through it with ease. The river of black made its way directly to the coast, connecting to the land at a most peculiar cliff face.
‘What in the hell is that?’ Alex asked following the black water toward the land.
‘I don’t know, but, I can hear something in there.’ Quinn said pointing to the cliff face where it met the water. It looked like a large beast had run its claws down the cliff face, carving five great big wedges into the rock. The middle of the five, looking more like a cave than a crevasse.
‘Alex, take us closer please?’ Quinn asked without looking to his husband. Shaking his head to regain his own vision, Alex revved the engine slightly and turned the boat to shore; avoiding the black water that he no longer saw but knew was there. As they inched closer to the shore, Quinn shook with excitement and fear.
‘I can hear something.’ The blond said staring with intent into the larger crevasse.
‘Are you sure we should be doing this?’ Alex asked with trepidation. He wasn’t quite sure this was such a good idea anymore.
‘If it’s what I think it is, it’s only a spirit. It can’t hurt us.’ Quinn said still not looking at his husband.
‘Not us, no. But you, perhaps.’ The Italian said softly. The blond spun around in the front of the boat and looked at his husband, whose eyes were brimming with tears.
‘No. No, no, no.’ Quinn said as he clambered down the boat to his husband. ‘No, I’m alright, I promise. It won’t hurt me.’
‘How do you know that?’ Alex asked as he killed the engine and pulled his husband into himself.
‘I don’t know, I just do.’ Quinn said with his face pressed against the Italian’s muscled chest. ‘I promise it won’t hurt me.’
‘I’m concerned for you Quinn. I can’t protect you against spirits.’ Alex said as he watched a tear fall into the blond’s hair.
‘You won’t need to, I promise.’ The blond said clinging to his husband. ‘Please Alex, I can hear it calling out to me. I have to help it.’
‘If something happens…’
‘It won’t.’ Quinn said sitting back and holding the Italian’s hands firmly in his, smiling warmly.
‘Alright.’ Alex nodded once, not trusting himself to say anything else, he reached over and started the engine, Quinn reaching over and holding his free hand as the boat moved slowly toward the shore again. As soon as they were within twenty metres of the largest crevasse Quinn stood up unsteadily in the boat.
‘I’m here, can you hear me.’ The two men watched the entrance of the cliff for a few minutes, Quinn disappointed, Alex privately dancing with joy.
‘Perhaps it isn’t a spirit?’ Alex asked hopefully.
‘Can you hear me?’ Quinn called out slightly louder. Nothing.
‘Perhaps we should go?’ Alex asked quietly, more to himself than his husband, and even as he finished the question he knew what was going to happen.
The river of black, that he could no longer see, began to boil, the bubbles appearing in the mouth of the crevasse opening, and streaming along through the blue waters of the Mediterranean, toward the small boat they were sitting in. Panicking, Alex grabbed for his husband and pulled him down onto his lap. Watching the entrance of the cave, Alex and Quinn watched in marvel as the waters began churning, as if a large creature was standing in the water, turning on the spot. Without warning, whatever was causing the waters to churn began moving away from the cave, great big splashes exploding from the water as if a four legged creature, standing at fifty foot, were galloping through the water, heading straight for the two men, the Italian quaking in his boots, the Canadian excitedly holding out his hand.
‘I know what it is!’ Quinn called over the raucous sounds of water exploding, a subdued moaning of thousands of voices.
‘What is it?’ Alex shouted to be heard. As he reached out to his husband, the creature, whatever it was, came to a standstill beside their boat, Quinn smiling from ear to ear.
‘Hello.’ He said quietly to a spot some twenty feet above him. A cloud of steam surrounded the boat as Alex felt waves rocking them. ‘Oh my, you’re rather much bigger than I thought.’
‘How big is it exactly?’ Alex asked with a shaky voice.
‘Huge.’ Was Quinn’s only reply. ‘You’re a spirit right?’ The blond asked.
‘Is it a spirit?’ Alex asked nervously.
‘Yes, and it’s been here for so long. It was a dog, a guardian of sorts.’
‘Oh great. The first actual spirit to speak to my husband and it’s a giant bloody guard dog.’ The Italian said immediately regretting it, as the creature turned angrily in the water causing the boat to rock. ‘Sorry! Sorry, sorry, sorry!’
‘He’s excited.’ The blond said laughing. ‘It’s been so long since someone has spoken to him.’ Alex, already knowing where this was heading counted in his head to three.
‘Can we keep him?’ Quinn asked excitedly as Alex laughed to himself.
‘Is he really that big?’ The Italian asked already trying to picture a fifty foot dog gallivanting about their backyard.
‘He’s a spirit. He can change his size.’ Quinn answered almost trance like. ‘Oh dear.’
‘What?’ Alex asked cautiously.
‘It would seem we don’t have much of a choice on the subject of his adoption. He’s coming with us.’ The blond said laughing excitedly, Alex rolling his eyes in good humour.
‘Well, can he change his size to fit in the boat?’ Alex asked with a laugh. Quinn giggled as he felt something slam into him, causing him to fall into his husband’s arms.
‘Done.’ Quinn said sitting up and laughing slightly. ‘Alex, I’d like you to meet Cerbz. Cerbz, this is Alex.’ The Italian felt foolish greeting a spirit, much less a canine spirit he couldn’t see. ‘Connect with me.’ Quinn said.
Closing his eyes and reaching out telepathically for his husband, Alex opened his eyes and looked down into the adorable puppy face that was Cerbz. He was barely a foot tall at the head; he had black and brown fur, much in the fashion of a Rottweiler but had the sleek physique of a Doberman, with large pointy ears. He shone hazily as if seen on the horizon of a desert in the distance.
‘Oh my, what a cutie.’ Alex said with a smile as he reached down, Cerbz sniffed at his hand and then licked him excitedly. ‘Let’s get him back to the island.’
‘Two weeks before the Winter Olympics are to commence and the political turmoil in Russia is boiling over. After a press release from Russian President, Vladimir Putin, stating that their controversial LGBT laws will stand, and no athletes will be arrested during the games, chaos reigned in the streets of St Petersburg.’ The news broadcast cut to a shaky video of a riot in which people were screaming and running in all directions. The video zoomed in on a group of men who were dragging a man by the scruff of his jacket into a dark alleyway. The man being dragged was kicking his legs out and attempting to break free of his captives.
‘Net! Otpusti menya! Mikhail, pomogi mne!’ The man could be heard screaming.
‘Barely two weeks out from the start of the Winter Olympics and gangs of Neo Nazi’s have begun a brutal campaign, in an effort to rid…’
‘Wait, go back zàyka.’ Mikhail said quickly. ‘Rewind.’ Fabrizio rewound the news broadcast. ‘Stop!’
The camera zoomed in on the group of Neo Nazi men dragging the beaten form of a man.
‘Net! Otpusti menya! Mikhail, pomogi mne!’
‘Nikolai?’ Mikhail asked snatching the television remote from his boyfriend and rewinding the broadcast again. Freezing the picture of the group of men and their captive, Mikhail knelt in front of the television and gasped in terror. ‘Oh bozhe!’
‘Quinn, my darling husband, divine lover of mine.’ Alex called through the house, a furrow of worry playing across his brow.
‘Yes Alex?’ The blond called from the other end of the house.
‘Has Cerbz been playing with our clothes?’ Alex asked as he peered out of the bedroom window, seeing their clothes, mostly his own, tossed about the tree branches. Quinn laughed with hysterics as he came wandering into the bedroom with a smile.
‘I’m sorry my love. I’ve tried to teach him not to.’ Quinn said barely able to contain his laughter.
‘Where is the little tornado?’ The Italian asked kneeling down on one knee.
‘Right in front of you, waggling his tail apologetically.’ Quinn said with a smirk. Alex closed his eyes briefly and re-opened them glancing down at their spirit pup.
‘Come here you little shit bag!’ Alex said holding a hand out to the puppy-like spirit that was squirming with excitement. ‘Leave my clothes alone and we won’t have to have this conversation again Cerbz.’ The spirit-pup yipped happily as he licked the Italians hand and jumped around in circles. Quinn watching, a smile plastered across his face, snapped his fingers to get Cerbz attention.
‘Off you go Cerbz.’ He said pointing out the window. The spirit-pup ran full tilt to the wall and vanished through it with a loud yip. Alex waved a hand and all their clothes zoomed in through the windows into his arms. He dropped them on the bed and began folding them.
‘Home tomorrow babe?’ Alex asked whilst folding their clothes. ‘Sad?’
‘Sad, but excited as well.’ Quinn said standing behind his husband and reaching around with both arms, hugging the slim waist, resting his face between the shoulder blades of the Italian.
‘It’s been fun, but, I’m looking forward to getting home.’ The Italian said folding up the last item of clothing and placing it on the bed. He turned carefully and pulled his husband into a warm hug.
‘Are you alright about Cerbz?’ The blond asked breathing in the unique scent of his husband.
‘Absolutely. We knew you were going to eventually have spirits becoming familiars. And what a fantastic spirit to start with.’
‘I feel bad that he’s been alone all this time.’ Quinn said sadly.
‘If he really is who he seems to be, it is rather amazing.’ Alex added kissing the top of the blond’s head.
‘He’s been showing me things since we found him. I’m not exactly an expert, but I’m pretty sure spirits can’t lie.’ The blond said releasing his husband and stepping to the window where he watched the spirit-pup frolicking about in the trees. ‘I’m almost certain he is the spirit of Cerberus.’
‘Well, I can’t think of a better familiar for you than the guardian of Hades himself.’ The Italian said with a smile, standing behind his husband and sharing Quinn’s vision and watching the newest addition to their family.
The Leader opened his eyes and looked around briefly. He was standing in the middle of a small field, the grass looking sunburnt and brown. The Leader felt a hand on his shoulder, squeezing firmly. He turned and looked into the unusually green eyes of Giuliana Salvati. Her hair was left loose and slightly wild, the curls making her hair seem much more voluminous. What fascinated the Leader was the woman’s hair was a deep, iridescent red. And when he thought about it, her eyes were normally brown.
‘Our astral forms are more reminiscent of our ancestor.’ Giuliana said nodding to her sisters who had just appeared on either side of her. They too had bright green eyes and dark red hair, identical to Giuliana. They all three smiled to the Leader, who returned it in kind.
‘So what do we do now?’ Francesca asked looking around the small field.
‘Yes, what do you do now?’ Asked a deep voice. Lachlan and the sisters all turned and watched a tall shadowed figure strolling toward them casually. Even with the sun immediately above them, they were unable to see the persons face, but they were able to see a second person, bound in what looked like black rope, hovering behind the figure.
'Is that the spirit?’ Aurelia asked with trepidation. She had moved back slightly, standing behind her sisters slightly.
‘You brought me some snacks.’ The shadowy figure said, his shoulders rising and falling with a chuckle. ‘It’s been quite some time since I’ve feasted on Witch.’
Lachlan suddenly appeared in front of the shadowed figure and was no longer the frail human form he normally was. He stood eye to eye with the tall figure, and was radiating a light almost as bright as the sun, forcing the figure to shrink back slightly. The Leader reached out and closed a fiery fist around the throat of the shadowed figure. As soon as he touched him, the figure screamed with pain as the shadows cloaking him faded, showing the face of a remarkably handsome young man, his face twisted in agony.
‘Let me go!’ He shouted as he tried to claw at the Leader’s arm, his hands burning at the touch.
‘Too many times have you defied me.’ The Leader said, his voice echoing in the eardrums, amplified by the power he was resonating. ‘Too many times have I lost innocent lives to you. No more.’
‘You will fail like you always have, you fool.’ The incubus said with a maniacal laugh.
‘This time, I think not.’ Lachlan said with a smirk. ‘Now.’ He instructed the sister’s telepathically.
Red hair flying, the three sisters made their move. Aurelia appeared behind the Leader, grasping his shoulder firmly and forcing her wiccan and psychic energy through Lachlan, holding the incubus securely in place. Francesca seized the bound form of the man behind the incubus and tore him away, dragging him as far from the demon as possible, while Giuliana stood beside the demon himself. The incubus looked at Giuliana with a sad and hopeless look on his face.
‘Please don’t. I don’t want to die.’ He begged with a terrified human voice. ‘Please don’t kill me.’
‘You were never alive to begin with.’ Giuliana responded as she seized the demons shoulder. She began chanting in an ancient tongue as the incubus sobbed.
‘No, please. Don’t. Stop! Stop, now!’ He sobbed hysterically.
‘Keep going.’ Lachlan was shaking with obvious effort trying to restrain the demon.
Giuliana chanted louder and faster, closing her eyes with the effort.
‘Please, Lachlan. Don’t.’ The incubus begged as he turned to the Leader. Lachlan’s eyes flashed white with anger.
‘Go back to hell Nefas.’ The Leader said with hatred, as rings of light began to form around the incubus and constricted rapidly, getting wider as they grew smaller, crushing the incubus within, growing smaller with his screams of pain. A dozen seconds of pained and terrified screams, the light collapsed in on itself with an audible pop. Lachlan closed his eyes meditatively and prayed to whoever heard him that it was over, that this would be the last time he would ever face this form of evil. He felt Aurelia slide an arm around his waist and he opened his eyes, looking into the green eyes of Alex’s mother.
‘Let’s go and sort this one out.’ Aurelia said pointing to the formerly bound psyche of the host. With a blink of the eye, the two men and three women vanished from the astral plane.
‘Come on Cerbz.’ The blond called out to the forest. The two men waited for a moment as the spirit-pup came zooming out of the woods. He hopped excitedly around the feet of the two men, Quinn looking down and smiling. With a gasp, he looked to his husband, concern etched across his face.
'What’s wrong?’ Alex asked of his husband.
‘I don’t know if we can port with him. What if we can’t?’ Quinn panicked slightly. Alex thought quickly and had an idea.
‘You’re able to hold him physically, right?’ The Italian questioned, his husband nodding affirmatively. ‘Try holding him, and we’ll port. If he doesn’t follow with us, we’ll come back straight away and try something else.’ The blond nodded hopefully, beckoning the spirit-pup to him. Alex connected with his husband, sharing his unique view to keep an eye on the Canadian’s new companion. The Italian waved a hand, sending their luggage back to their house as Quinn shared his mental images of their home with the spirit-pup. Hoping that Cerbz understood what he was seeing, the blond placed a hand on this husbands forearm and they disappeared into the unseen vortex.
As the two men appeared in their backyard, Quinn panicked as he was no longer holding his spirit-pup.
‘CERBZ!’ The blond shouted as he turned on the spot looking everywhere for him. The Italian grabbed for his husband before he could erupt into all out panic.
‘He’s there.’ Alex said pointing to a spot near the wood line of their back yard. Quinn spun around and looked where his husband was pointing and saw Cerbz, nose to nose with the marginally larger red dragon.
‘I’m guessing Favillo stopped him from coming in, until he knew what he was.’ Alex said watching the spirit-pup and his dragon sizing each other up. Cerbz sniffed at the scaly claw of the dragon and hopped away, jumping in circles a few feet from the dragon. The red dragon snorted with amusement and took to the air, returning to his post.
‘Does that mean he’s allowed in?’ Quinn asked with uncertainty.
‘I think so babe.’ Alex said with a smile. ‘Come here Cerbz.’ The Italian called beckoning the spirit-pup.
‘Welcome home.’ Quinn said gesturing to the house as the spirit-pup galloped at full tilt to the building. Laughing at the behaviour of the blond’s companion, the newlyweds walked up the back steps to the house as someone knocked fervently on the front door.
‘Who’s that?’ Quinn asked pushing the back door open.
‘It’s Callum.’ Alex said raising an eyebrow as he walked through the house quickly. He opened the front door and gasped when he saw his cousin. He was barely standing under his own strength, his eyes circled with dark shadows, what skin the Italian saw was pallid and dusted with bruises. The Brit collapsed painfully.
‘Alex.’ Callum Braddock gasped as Alex caught him and pulled him inside, laying him down on the sofa.
‘What happened? Alex asked looking his cousin over. He was very gaunt, had bruises on most of his face, his ghostly skin clinging to the bones.
‘It’s William.’ The Brit said quietly, his eyes closing with the effort to remain conscious. ‘He held me captive.’
‘Why?’ Alex asked as his husband came over and knelt in front of the Brit, placing his hands gently on the fragile chest.
‘Just relax.’ Quinn whispered with concentration, trying anything he could think of to aid the Brit’s health.
‘Why did William hold you captive?’ Alex asked of his cousin.
‘Have you not heard?’ The Brit asked with a sigh. ‘He’s the Dominus now. He is the leader of the Order.’
‘What?’ Alex shouted in confusion, his husband looking at him with shock.
‘He joined the Order a few years ago, when dad died. Mum was so proud, but I tried to run away. They caught me and held me, but not before they beat me senseless.’
‘Okay, you get some rest. Quinn, make him as comfortable as you can, I’m going to get Mamma and Lachlan.’ The Italian said quickly, already heading for the back door.
‘Alex!’ Callum called out weakly. ‘Where is your Russian friend?’
‘I don’t know.’ Alex replied walking back into the lounge. ‘We’ve only just gotten back from our honeymoon just now.’
‘Alex, William was talking about a trap for you, using your Russian friend as bait.’ Callum said sadly. ‘You need to find him.’
Alex stood motionless looking at his husband with confusion plastered across his face, which fast became a mask of fear.
‘I can’t find him. He’s not here. I can’t find him.’ Alex gasped.
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]
***
‘Welcome to the island of Gaios.’ Caiden said waving his hand toward the nearby forested scenery. Alex and Quinn both smiled with joy as they looked around at the island views. In one direction they saw the trees scattered across the hills of the small Greek island, and in the other direction was the deep blue of the Mediterranean Sea, the late afternoon sun slowly falling to the ocean, the wildlife creating a soft background noise. Quinn spun slowly around on the spot looking and noticed the abundance of spiritual lights floating around.
‘It’s so busy here. There are so many spirits around.’ He said smiling as a red spirit orb floated over to him from the nearby trees. The blond reached out a tentative hand towards the orb and smiled from ear to ear.
‘What’s going on babe?’ Alex asked as he watched his husband with a warm smile.
‘The spirits here are quite friendly, quite active.’ Smiling to himself, he reached out and touched the red orb. Reacting to the touch, the orb brightened in colour and began floating away, Quinn almost believing it was happy.
‘Alright, so the house is just over here, and don’t worry, it is shrouded from the general population. Only those who have been told of its presence can see it.’ The blond twin said gesturing to a thicket of trees. Even as the newlyweds looked at the trees they began vanishing only to be replaced by a small wooden cabin with large bay windows. After a few seconds the two men were staring in astonishment at the very cosy looking cabin.
‘Wow.’ Quinn said as his husband wrapped an arm around his chest from behind.
‘Everything you need should be inside, and the mainland is in that direction.’ Caiden said pointing toward the hills, behind which was the land mass that was Greece. ‘There’s a small township down the hills that way with shops if you need anything.’ The twin said pointing down the hill.
‘Thank you so much Caiden.’ Alex said with a warm smile to the twin. ‘And please thank Lachlan for us.’
‘I’ll be sure to.’ Caiden smiled. ‘And finally, as long as you don’t mention the cabin to anyone, no one will be able to see it or you while you are near it.’ The newlyweds both smiled and nodded to the twin. ‘With that, I shall leave you to it. See you both in two weeks.’ Caiden said with a smile as he turned on the spot and disappeared. Alex and Quinn turned to the cabin and their smiles increased in size.
‘Let’s go Mr. Beauchamp-Braddock.’ Alex said as he hauled the lithe blond up into his arms, their suitcases levitating behind them as the Italian carried the Canadian over the threshold.
His smile making the setting sun appear dull, the blond was set on his feet as Alex waved a hand to the luggage, which zoomed happily off to the bedroom.
‘This place is magnificent.’ Quinn said with awe as he looked around the cabin. Designed with an open floor plan, the entrance, kitchen, dining and living areas had wooden floors, polished to a reflective shine. Almost all the walls had large windows sprawled across their width, some of the walls barely more than bi-folding glass doors, which lead out onto a wrap around deck, surrounded by the lush and rich foliage of the nearby forest. The simple wooden furniture, similar to the chunks of tree fashioned into seats at the Sanctuary, decorated the living area, piles of cushions and blankets dotted around them. A large open fireplace adorned one side of the living area, which sat in readiness.
The blond walked down the short hallway to what was obviously the master bedroom and his breath caught. Walking through the door he gasped at the blanket of red rose petals covering everything in the room, the large four poster bed, which seemed to have a veil of petals instead of a lace net, the scarce bedroom furniture, the plush white rug lying at the foot of the bed, the bay window, everything.
‘I seem to remember a similar scene when we first visited the Sanctuary.’ Alex said from just behind his husband, a laugh barely hidden behind his words. Quinn turned on the spot and found himself wrapped in his lover’s arms, soft, tender kisses raining upon his upturned, angelic face.
‘Leave it as it is.’ Quinn said huskily as Alex nuzzled and nibbled at his throat. The blond groaned with passion as the Italian made love to the soft and tender throat with his full lips and his talented tongue. Eyes closed in the moment, the Italian, with practiced hands, managed to remove the blond’s shirt. Taking the face of his husband gently in his hands, Alex, for the first time since being married, kissed Quinn on the lips with a passion that would have made the Greek goddess of love blush. Without breaking their impassioned kiss, Alex and Quinn removed and disposed of their remaining clothes, both men lying lengthwise on the bed, the Italian atop the Canadian, their tongues fighting for supremacy with each other.
Breaking the kiss for the first time, Alex, resting his weight on his hands, looked into the depths of the Canadian’s bright green eyes and after a moment began to see blue in them. Wondering what was happening, Alex continued to stare and after a few more moments, Quinn’s face began morphing slowly, changing, small detail by small detail, until the Italian thought he was looking into a mirror. Sensing the Italian’s panic, Quinn spoke quietly.
‘It’s our bonding.’ He said looking into his husbands face, but seeing his own instead. ‘We have a telepathic rapport thanks to our wedding.’ Alex saw his own smile when he looked carefully at the blond’s face.
‘This is so weird.’ Alex said with a small giggle. ‘I want to see you.’
Quinn laughed at his husband and closing his eyes for a moment, Alex’s vision blurred slightly causing him to blink a few times, until he could finally see the beautiful face of his blond husband.
‘That’s better.’ The Italian said forcing his tongue into the soft yet eager mouth of the Canadian, the two men rolling around in the throes of passion.
Untangling their limbs, Alex carefully rolled his lover so that he was lying front down on the soft bed covers and sweet scented rose petals, his head raised slightly, causing his back to arch. Lying on his side, his arm bent and resting his head on his hand, the Italian traced lines down the soft skin of Quinn’s back, lightly scraping his short nails across the skin of the blond’s plump and tender bottom. Seconds stretched into moments as the Italian caressed, with the tenderness of a baby birds feather, every centimetre of Quinn’s back. Sensing the moment approaching, Alex shuffled around and placed himself between the blond’s legs, forcing them apart slightly as he leaned down and gently sank his teeth into the pearly white flesh of a buttock. Gasping with pleasure, Quinn arched his back, raising his bottom. Alex slid a hand beneath the blond and cupped Quinn’s manhood within his large palm as the Canadian lowered himself back down. Gently squeezing the throbbing appendage in his hand, Alex lowered his face to the softness of the blond’s bottom, and using his chin, carefully wedged his way into the cleft of his husband’s behind. Nuzzling his way down, Alex sought out the private entrance of his lover with the determination of a newborn animal seeking out its mother’s teat. Finding his goal, with a gasp of pleasure from the blond and a grunt of controlled effort, the Italian thrust his tongue hungrily into the muscled ring, gently yet forcefully gaining entrance. Tasting of the blond’s darkness, Alex’s carnal instincts took over as he dug deeper with his tongue, grunting with the effort, Quinn moaning uncontrollably as his husband licked and tasted of himself. Quinn lost himself to the loving attention the Italian paid to his behind, and the small part of his brain that was functioning normally wondered if he was slowing down time, or whether it just seemed that way, for yet again, the seconds began to slow as they dragged into minutes.
After what felt like a lifetime of pleasure, the blond, unable to restrain himself, flipped over onto his back, and with eyes filled with pure lust, reached down to his husband and with an untapped source of telekinetic power, yanked the Italian up his body, their mouths meeting in bliss as the Canadian tasted himself in Alex’s mouth.
Breaking the kiss for only a second, Quinn ran his hand across his tongue, gathering a generous amount of their combined saliva, and as his hand sought out the prodigious Italian manhood, his tongue sought out its dancing partner.
Running his hand along the length of the throbbing appendage of his husband, being sure to moisten the tapered head, Quinn lifted his legs and hooked them around the Italian’s waist.
‘Are you sure?’ Alex panted after breaking the kiss. Knowing what the Italian was thinking, thanks mostly to their telepathic connection, and the sudden realisation that the two men had not engaged in penetrative sex since their conversation about Quinn’s assault as a child, Quinn knew precisely the answer to give. Tightening his legs and kissing his husband with a passion worthy of every incarnation of the Goddess of love combined, Alex received his answer in perfect clarity.
‘I am yours, body and soul. You have my soul, now claim my body.’ Quinn all but shouted telepathically as he sought to choke the Italian with his tongue.
Readjusting his position slightly, Alex shuffled around for a moment trying to get the right position. Growing marginally impatient with his husband’s subconscious delays, Quinn, without breaking their kiss, managed to work his entrance over the head of his husband’s pulsing hard-on and pushed up fiercely, slamming all thick nine inches of hardened Italian manhood deep into himself. Throwing his head back, the blond roared with conquest, feeling his insides being stretched and probed by the impressive manhood of his husband.
‘Oh fuck!’ Alex gasped against the blond’s neck, his teeth bared as he bit down with passion into the soft flesh.
‘Oh Alex!’ Quinn moaned with maddened lust. Loosening his legs slightly, he felt the proud manhood slide out of his entrance slowly. Feeling himself nearly popping out, Alex leaned back down, powerfully driving his engorged penis back into the depths of his husband.
‘Oh shit Quinn. I love you so much!’ Alex whispered through his teeth as he withdrew and pushed back in forcefully.
‘I love you too.’ Quinn gasped with the inward thrust of his husband. Alex, sensing Quinn’s desire, began to pick up the pace of his thrusts, pulling out and pushing back in faster and faster.
‘Oh Jesus.’ The blond panted with the quickened thrusts of his lover. ‘Oh fuck yes Alex.’ He moaned with every inward plummet.
‘Fuck!’ Alex grunted as his body began to shudder with pent up energy. ‘Oh fuck Quinn. I’m so sorry. I can’t hold out.’ Alex panted, his hips almost a blur.
‘Take me Alex. Make me yours!’ Quinn shouted as he buried his teeth in the hard muscles of the Italian’s shoulder. Shaking with powerful lust, Alex’s inflamed manhood throbbed uncontrollably as it fired off load, after load, after load into the quivering depths of his husband. Feeling his husband’s cock head throbbing about nine inches inside him, Quinn’s already fit to bursting hard-on erupted with possibly the largest load of semen the Canadian had ever experienced. Shooting from the end of his reddened penis, the volleys of cum rained down on his face and heaving chest with audible splats.
Alex, as if awakening, opened his eyes and looked down into the bright green eyes of his husband, noticing two very large streaks of cum across the blond’s cheeks. The Italian leaned down shakily, lapped up the puddles of semen from his husbands face, and kissed the Canadian, sharing the sweet seed with him.
‘Alex, I love you so much.’ Quinn whispered exhausted.
‘I love you just as much Quinn.’ The Italian said looking into the bright green eyes. He leaned down and with the tenderness of a light summer breeze, kissed his husband on the lips. ‘You are mine now, body and soul.’ Alex said with a smile for his lover.
‘As it should be.’ Quinn said with a giggle.
‘Is Giorgio alright?’ The Leader asked as his husband walked into their bedroom. Lachlan was already under the bed covers, ready for bed.
‘He’s still a bit shaken, and a little uncertain, but his brother will bring him through it.’ The Egyptian said as he pulled his shirt off. Dropping his jeans and underwear, he slid under the bed covers and pulled his husband into himself, Lachlan’s back to Rama’s front.
‘That man has a lot of healing ahead of him. His entire relationship with “Drew” has been the prep work for that blasted demon.’ Lachlan said with a long sigh.
‘You can stop that chain of thoughts right there neteru. It is far from your fault.’ Rama said squeezing the smaller framed man. The Leader slumped in submission.
‘You’re right. But, if I’d have managed to destroy it last time, it would have spared Giorgio the oncoming heartache.’ Lachlan said sadly.
‘Wasn’t it you that told me all those years ago, that we don’t truly understand love unless we’ve had our hearts truly broken?’ Rama said in somewhat of a cheeky tone.
‘Ramz! He’s only human.’ The Leader said with mild shock.
‘Surrounded by a supernatural family, half of them witches, the other half Children of Light. He will be alright neteru!’ Rama said kissing the back of his husbands head.
‘But I could have spared him all this…’
‘Neteru! That’s enough.’ Rama said cutting across the Leader. ‘There is no one to blame and no need for this admonishment.’ Lachlan sighed helplessly as his husband squeezed him tenderly, nuzzling into his neck.
‘Mo chridhe.’ The Leader sighed passionately. ‘There are times when I’m absolutely sure our love is eternal.’
‘And there are times when I agree with that.’ Rama said gently biting Lachlan’s delicate ear lobe.
‘Alex my love?’ Quinn called down the hallway. He had just woken up and found himself alone in the large four poster bed.
‘In the kitchen babe.’ The Italian called back. The blond climbed out of bed, and remembering that they were alone, wandered down the short hallway in his birthday suit.
‘What are you doing?’ Quinn asked as he came into the large living area of the cabin.
'Just making a coffee.’ Alex said turning away from the bench, two cups in his hand. Quinn exploded with laughter when he spotted Alex in similar dress. ‘What? Am I that funny when naked?’ The Italian asked with mock indignation.
‘No, it’s just, other than our showers together, or in bed, I’ve never seen you naked before.’ The blond said with a wink. ‘I like it.’
‘The view’s not so bad from over here either.’ Alex said taking the few steps to his husband and offering him a coffee, leaning over and kissing his cheek.
‘There’s somewhere I want to go today, if you’re okay with it.’ The blond said after taking a mouthful of coffee.
‘And where would that be?’ The Italian asked with a cheeky smile.
‘Over on the mainland is a place I want to visit, near Ammoudia.’ The blond said.
‘I’ve never heard of it.’ Alex said with a dumbfounded look on his face. Quinn shrugged slightly and explained.
'I had a dream last night. It was weird actually. I was sitting out there on the cliff, looking into the water, and I heard this voice calling out. It was just calling random words, words that I didn’t understand. So I called back and asked if it was alright, and then it stopped calling out. I thought, maybe I’d scared it or something. And then the wind picked up, and it was howling and screaming, surrounding me in a whirlwind. It lifted me off the ground and then something very big and very scary spoke really loudly. “Across the water, in the River, please help me. I’m all alone.” And then the wind stopped, and I felt so hopelessly lonely, scared that I would be deserted and left by myself forever.’ The blond finished with a hopeless glance to his husband.
‘So, you want to go and find whatever it was that called out to you, lifted you off the ground in a whirlwind, and begged you to find it?’ Alex asked with a raised eyebrow, unable to keep the sarcasm from his voice.
‘It was just a dream, and there may not be anything there. But if there is, it obviously needs help.’ The blond said lamely, unsure if he could raise a better argument to go wandering into such a bizarre situation without more reliable information.
‘First sign of trouble, and I’m porting us back to the Sanctuary.’ Alex said waggling a finger to his husband, whose face just split into a truly spectacular smile. The blond put his coffee down and jumped at his husband, who was expecting this.
‘It’s such a good thing I love you.’ Alex said with a laugh.
‘So where exactly are we going?’ Alex asked as he throttled the speed boat engine down, the noise vanishing immediately. Quinn was sitting in the bow of the boat glancing at the shore line, listening intently.
‘I’m not sure exactly.’ He said quietly, Alex almost sure he was talking to himself. ‘Can we go a little further around please?’ The blond asked looking back over his shoulder. Alex smiled as he revved the engine, the speed boat jumping across the water with ease. The boat made its way slowly along the coast, Alex watching ahead as Quinn scanned the land.
‘THERE!’ Quinn shouted over the roar of the engine, Alex cutting it immediately and the boat came to a slow drift.
‘Did you hear something?’ The Italian asked cocking his head in an effort to hear.
‘No, but there’s something really weird going on with the water here.’ The blond said staring into the rippling blue water.
‘I don’t see anything.’ Alex said gazing across the surface of the crystalline water.
‘Look through my eyes.’ Quinn said without taking his eyes off the water. Alex closed his eyes and concentrated for a few moments before he felt the familiar pull of Quinn’s mind as it shared its space with him. ‘Now look.’ The Canadian said.
Alex opened his eyes and looked into the water and gasped audibly in shock. As if in some bizarre experiment with coloured waters of different temperatures, the Italian saw an obvious colour change in the crystal blue waters of the Mediterranean. Sweeping in a few meters from the boat and heading straight for the coast was a large streak of black water. It was so distinct that if the blue water were grass, the black water would be a river that carved its way through it with ease. The river of black made its way directly to the coast, connecting to the land at a most peculiar cliff face.
‘What in the hell is that?’ Alex asked following the black water toward the land.
‘I don’t know, but, I can hear something in there.’ Quinn said pointing to the cliff face where it met the water. It looked like a large beast had run its claws down the cliff face, carving five great big wedges into the rock. The middle of the five, looking more like a cave than a crevasse.
‘Alex, take us closer please?’ Quinn asked without looking to his husband. Shaking his head to regain his own vision, Alex revved the engine slightly and turned the boat to shore; avoiding the black water that he no longer saw but knew was there. As they inched closer to the shore, Quinn shook with excitement and fear.
‘I can hear something.’ The blond said staring with intent into the larger crevasse.
‘Are you sure we should be doing this?’ Alex asked with trepidation. He wasn’t quite sure this was such a good idea anymore.
‘If it’s what I think it is, it’s only a spirit. It can’t hurt us.’ Quinn said still not looking at his husband.
‘Not us, no. But you, perhaps.’ The Italian said softly. The blond spun around in the front of the boat and looked at his husband, whose eyes were brimming with tears.
‘No. No, no, no.’ Quinn said as he clambered down the boat to his husband. ‘No, I’m alright, I promise. It won’t hurt me.’
‘How do you know that?’ Alex asked as he killed the engine and pulled his husband into himself.
‘I don’t know, I just do.’ Quinn said with his face pressed against the Italian’s muscled chest. ‘I promise it won’t hurt me.’
‘I’m concerned for you Quinn. I can’t protect you against spirits.’ Alex said as he watched a tear fall into the blond’s hair.
‘You won’t need to, I promise.’ The blond said clinging to his husband. ‘Please Alex, I can hear it calling out to me. I have to help it.’
‘If something happens…’
‘It won’t.’ Quinn said sitting back and holding the Italian’s hands firmly in his, smiling warmly.
‘Alright.’ Alex nodded once, not trusting himself to say anything else, he reached over and started the engine, Quinn reaching over and holding his free hand as the boat moved slowly toward the shore again. As soon as they were within twenty metres of the largest crevasse Quinn stood up unsteadily in the boat.
‘I’m here, can you hear me.’ The two men watched the entrance of the cliff for a few minutes, Quinn disappointed, Alex privately dancing with joy.
‘Perhaps it isn’t a spirit?’ Alex asked hopefully.
‘Can you hear me?’ Quinn called out slightly louder. Nothing.
‘Perhaps we should go?’ Alex asked quietly, more to himself than his husband, and even as he finished the question he knew what was going to happen.
The river of black, that he could no longer see, began to boil, the bubbles appearing in the mouth of the crevasse opening, and streaming along through the blue waters of the Mediterranean, toward the small boat they were sitting in. Panicking, Alex grabbed for his husband and pulled him down onto his lap. Watching the entrance of the cave, Alex and Quinn watched in marvel as the waters began churning, as if a large creature was standing in the water, turning on the spot. Without warning, whatever was causing the waters to churn began moving away from the cave, great big splashes exploding from the water as if a four legged creature, standing at fifty foot, were galloping through the water, heading straight for the two men, the Italian quaking in his boots, the Canadian excitedly holding out his hand.
‘I know what it is!’ Quinn called over the raucous sounds of water exploding, a subdued moaning of thousands of voices.
‘What is it?’ Alex shouted to be heard. As he reached out to his husband, the creature, whatever it was, came to a standstill beside their boat, Quinn smiling from ear to ear.
‘Hello.’ He said quietly to a spot some twenty feet above him. A cloud of steam surrounded the boat as Alex felt waves rocking them. ‘Oh my, you’re rather much bigger than I thought.’
‘How big is it exactly?’ Alex asked with a shaky voice.
‘Huge.’ Was Quinn’s only reply. ‘You’re a spirit right?’ The blond asked.
‘Is it a spirit?’ Alex asked nervously.
‘Yes, and it’s been here for so long. It was a dog, a guardian of sorts.’
‘Oh great. The first actual spirit to speak to my husband and it’s a giant bloody guard dog.’ The Italian said immediately regretting it, as the creature turned angrily in the water causing the boat to rock. ‘Sorry! Sorry, sorry, sorry!’
‘He’s excited.’ The blond said laughing. ‘It’s been so long since someone has spoken to him.’ Alex, already knowing where this was heading counted in his head to three.
‘Can we keep him?’ Quinn asked excitedly as Alex laughed to himself.
‘Is he really that big?’ The Italian asked already trying to picture a fifty foot dog gallivanting about their backyard.
‘He’s a spirit. He can change his size.’ Quinn answered almost trance like. ‘Oh dear.’
‘What?’ Alex asked cautiously.
‘It would seem we don’t have much of a choice on the subject of his adoption. He’s coming with us.’ The blond said laughing excitedly, Alex rolling his eyes in good humour.
‘Well, can he change his size to fit in the boat?’ Alex asked with a laugh. Quinn giggled as he felt something slam into him, causing him to fall into his husband’s arms.
‘Done.’ Quinn said sitting up and laughing slightly. ‘Alex, I’d like you to meet Cerbz. Cerbz, this is Alex.’ The Italian felt foolish greeting a spirit, much less a canine spirit he couldn’t see. ‘Connect with me.’ Quinn said.
Closing his eyes and reaching out telepathically for his husband, Alex opened his eyes and looked down into the adorable puppy face that was Cerbz. He was barely a foot tall at the head; he had black and brown fur, much in the fashion of a Rottweiler but had the sleek physique of a Doberman, with large pointy ears. He shone hazily as if seen on the horizon of a desert in the distance.
‘Oh my, what a cutie.’ Alex said with a smile as he reached down, Cerbz sniffed at his hand and then licked him excitedly. ‘Let’s get him back to the island.’
‘Two weeks before the Winter Olympics are to commence and the political turmoil in Russia is boiling over. After a press release from Russian President, Vladimir Putin, stating that their controversial LGBT laws will stand, and no athletes will be arrested during the games, chaos reigned in the streets of St Petersburg.’ The news broadcast cut to a shaky video of a riot in which people were screaming and running in all directions. The video zoomed in on a group of men who were dragging a man by the scruff of his jacket into a dark alleyway. The man being dragged was kicking his legs out and attempting to break free of his captives.
‘Net! Otpusti menya! Mikhail, pomogi mne!’ The man could be heard screaming.
‘Barely two weeks out from the start of the Winter Olympics and gangs of Neo Nazi’s have begun a brutal campaign, in an effort to rid…’
‘Wait, go back zàyka.’ Mikhail said quickly. ‘Rewind.’ Fabrizio rewound the news broadcast. ‘Stop!’
The camera zoomed in on the group of Neo Nazi men dragging the beaten form of a man.
‘Net! Otpusti menya! Mikhail, pomogi mne!’
‘Nikolai?’ Mikhail asked snatching the television remote from his boyfriend and rewinding the broadcast again. Freezing the picture of the group of men and their captive, Mikhail knelt in front of the television and gasped in terror. ‘Oh bozhe!’
‘Quinn, my darling husband, divine lover of mine.’ Alex called through the house, a furrow of worry playing across his brow.
‘Yes Alex?’ The blond called from the other end of the house.
‘Has Cerbz been playing with our clothes?’ Alex asked as he peered out of the bedroom window, seeing their clothes, mostly his own, tossed about the tree branches. Quinn laughed with hysterics as he came wandering into the bedroom with a smile.
‘I’m sorry my love. I’ve tried to teach him not to.’ Quinn said barely able to contain his laughter.
‘Where is the little tornado?’ The Italian asked kneeling down on one knee.
‘Right in front of you, waggling his tail apologetically.’ Quinn said with a smirk. Alex closed his eyes briefly and re-opened them glancing down at their spirit pup.
‘Come here you little shit bag!’ Alex said holding a hand out to the puppy-like spirit that was squirming with excitement. ‘Leave my clothes alone and we won’t have to have this conversation again Cerbz.’ The spirit-pup yipped happily as he licked the Italians hand and jumped around in circles. Quinn watching, a smile plastered across his face, snapped his fingers to get Cerbz attention.
‘Off you go Cerbz.’ He said pointing out the window. The spirit-pup ran full tilt to the wall and vanished through it with a loud yip. Alex waved a hand and all their clothes zoomed in through the windows into his arms. He dropped them on the bed and began folding them.
‘Home tomorrow babe?’ Alex asked whilst folding their clothes. ‘Sad?’
‘Sad, but excited as well.’ Quinn said standing behind his husband and reaching around with both arms, hugging the slim waist, resting his face between the shoulder blades of the Italian.
‘It’s been fun, but, I’m looking forward to getting home.’ The Italian said folding up the last item of clothing and placing it on the bed. He turned carefully and pulled his husband into a warm hug.
‘Are you alright about Cerbz?’ The blond asked breathing in the unique scent of his husband.
‘Absolutely. We knew you were going to eventually have spirits becoming familiars. And what a fantastic spirit to start with.’
‘I feel bad that he’s been alone all this time.’ Quinn said sadly.
‘If he really is who he seems to be, it is rather amazing.’ Alex added kissing the top of the blond’s head.
‘He’s been showing me things since we found him. I’m not exactly an expert, but I’m pretty sure spirits can’t lie.’ The blond said releasing his husband and stepping to the window where he watched the spirit-pup frolicking about in the trees. ‘I’m almost certain he is the spirit of Cerberus.’
‘Well, I can’t think of a better familiar for you than the guardian of Hades himself.’ The Italian said with a smile, standing behind his husband and sharing Quinn’s vision and watching the newest addition to their family.
The Leader opened his eyes and looked around briefly. He was standing in the middle of a small field, the grass looking sunburnt and brown. The Leader felt a hand on his shoulder, squeezing firmly. He turned and looked into the unusually green eyes of Giuliana Salvati. Her hair was left loose and slightly wild, the curls making her hair seem much more voluminous. What fascinated the Leader was the woman’s hair was a deep, iridescent red. And when he thought about it, her eyes were normally brown.
‘Our astral forms are more reminiscent of our ancestor.’ Giuliana said nodding to her sisters who had just appeared on either side of her. They too had bright green eyes and dark red hair, identical to Giuliana. They all three smiled to the Leader, who returned it in kind.
‘So what do we do now?’ Francesca asked looking around the small field.
‘Yes, what do you do now?’ Asked a deep voice. Lachlan and the sisters all turned and watched a tall shadowed figure strolling toward them casually. Even with the sun immediately above them, they were unable to see the persons face, but they were able to see a second person, bound in what looked like black rope, hovering behind the figure.
'Is that the spirit?’ Aurelia asked with trepidation. She had moved back slightly, standing behind her sisters slightly.
‘You brought me some snacks.’ The shadowy figure said, his shoulders rising and falling with a chuckle. ‘It’s been quite some time since I’ve feasted on Witch.’
Lachlan suddenly appeared in front of the shadowed figure and was no longer the frail human form he normally was. He stood eye to eye with the tall figure, and was radiating a light almost as bright as the sun, forcing the figure to shrink back slightly. The Leader reached out and closed a fiery fist around the throat of the shadowed figure. As soon as he touched him, the figure screamed with pain as the shadows cloaking him faded, showing the face of a remarkably handsome young man, his face twisted in agony.
‘Let me go!’ He shouted as he tried to claw at the Leader’s arm, his hands burning at the touch.
‘Too many times have you defied me.’ The Leader said, his voice echoing in the eardrums, amplified by the power he was resonating. ‘Too many times have I lost innocent lives to you. No more.’
‘You will fail like you always have, you fool.’ The incubus said with a maniacal laugh.
‘This time, I think not.’ Lachlan said with a smirk. ‘Now.’ He instructed the sister’s telepathically.
Red hair flying, the three sisters made their move. Aurelia appeared behind the Leader, grasping his shoulder firmly and forcing her wiccan and psychic energy through Lachlan, holding the incubus securely in place. Francesca seized the bound form of the man behind the incubus and tore him away, dragging him as far from the demon as possible, while Giuliana stood beside the demon himself. The incubus looked at Giuliana with a sad and hopeless look on his face.
‘Please don’t. I don’t want to die.’ He begged with a terrified human voice. ‘Please don’t kill me.’
‘You were never alive to begin with.’ Giuliana responded as she seized the demons shoulder. She began chanting in an ancient tongue as the incubus sobbed.
‘No, please. Don’t. Stop! Stop, now!’ He sobbed hysterically.
‘Keep going.’ Lachlan was shaking with obvious effort trying to restrain the demon.
Giuliana chanted louder and faster, closing her eyes with the effort.
‘Please, Lachlan. Don’t.’ The incubus begged as he turned to the Leader. Lachlan’s eyes flashed white with anger.
‘Go back to hell Nefas.’ The Leader said with hatred, as rings of light began to form around the incubus and constricted rapidly, getting wider as they grew smaller, crushing the incubus within, growing smaller with his screams of pain. A dozen seconds of pained and terrified screams, the light collapsed in on itself with an audible pop. Lachlan closed his eyes meditatively and prayed to whoever heard him that it was over, that this would be the last time he would ever face this form of evil. He felt Aurelia slide an arm around his waist and he opened his eyes, looking into the green eyes of Alex’s mother.
‘Let’s go and sort this one out.’ Aurelia said pointing to the formerly bound psyche of the host. With a blink of the eye, the two men and three women vanished from the astral plane.
‘Come on Cerbz.’ The blond called out to the forest. The two men waited for a moment as the spirit-pup came zooming out of the woods. He hopped excitedly around the feet of the two men, Quinn looking down and smiling. With a gasp, he looked to his husband, concern etched across his face.
'What’s wrong?’ Alex asked of his husband.
‘I don’t know if we can port with him. What if we can’t?’ Quinn panicked slightly. Alex thought quickly and had an idea.
‘You’re able to hold him physically, right?’ The Italian questioned, his husband nodding affirmatively. ‘Try holding him, and we’ll port. If he doesn’t follow with us, we’ll come back straight away and try something else.’ The blond nodded hopefully, beckoning the spirit-pup to him. Alex connected with his husband, sharing his unique view to keep an eye on the Canadian’s new companion. The Italian waved a hand, sending their luggage back to their house as Quinn shared his mental images of their home with the spirit-pup. Hoping that Cerbz understood what he was seeing, the blond placed a hand on this husbands forearm and they disappeared into the unseen vortex.
As the two men appeared in their backyard, Quinn panicked as he was no longer holding his spirit-pup.
‘CERBZ!’ The blond shouted as he turned on the spot looking everywhere for him. The Italian grabbed for his husband before he could erupt into all out panic.
‘He’s there.’ Alex said pointing to a spot near the wood line of their back yard. Quinn spun around and looked where his husband was pointing and saw Cerbz, nose to nose with the marginally larger red dragon.
‘I’m guessing Favillo stopped him from coming in, until he knew what he was.’ Alex said watching the spirit-pup and his dragon sizing each other up. Cerbz sniffed at the scaly claw of the dragon and hopped away, jumping in circles a few feet from the dragon. The red dragon snorted with amusement and took to the air, returning to his post.
‘Does that mean he’s allowed in?’ Quinn asked with uncertainty.
‘I think so babe.’ Alex said with a smile. ‘Come here Cerbz.’ The Italian called beckoning the spirit-pup.
‘Welcome home.’ Quinn said gesturing to the house as the spirit-pup galloped at full tilt to the building. Laughing at the behaviour of the blond’s companion, the newlyweds walked up the back steps to the house as someone knocked fervently on the front door.
‘Who’s that?’ Quinn asked pushing the back door open.
‘It’s Callum.’ Alex said raising an eyebrow as he walked through the house quickly. He opened the front door and gasped when he saw his cousin. He was barely standing under his own strength, his eyes circled with dark shadows, what skin the Italian saw was pallid and dusted with bruises. The Brit collapsed painfully.
‘Alex.’ Callum Braddock gasped as Alex caught him and pulled him inside, laying him down on the sofa.
‘What happened? Alex asked looking his cousin over. He was very gaunt, had bruises on most of his face, his ghostly skin clinging to the bones.
‘It’s William.’ The Brit said quietly, his eyes closing with the effort to remain conscious. ‘He held me captive.’
‘Why?’ Alex asked as his husband came over and knelt in front of the Brit, placing his hands gently on the fragile chest.
‘Just relax.’ Quinn whispered with concentration, trying anything he could think of to aid the Brit’s health.
‘Why did William hold you captive?’ Alex asked of his cousin.
‘Have you not heard?’ The Brit asked with a sigh. ‘He’s the Dominus now. He is the leader of the Order.’
‘What?’ Alex shouted in confusion, his husband looking at him with shock.
‘He joined the Order a few years ago, when dad died. Mum was so proud, but I tried to run away. They caught me and held me, but not before they beat me senseless.’
‘Okay, you get some rest. Quinn, make him as comfortable as you can, I’m going to get Mamma and Lachlan.’ The Italian said quickly, already heading for the back door.
‘Alex!’ Callum called out weakly. ‘Where is your Russian friend?’
‘I don’t know.’ Alex replied walking back into the lounge. ‘We’ve only just gotten back from our honeymoon just now.’
‘Alex, William was talking about a trap for you, using your Russian friend as bait.’ Callum said sadly. ‘You need to find him.’
Alex stood motionless looking at his husband with confusion plastered across his face, which fast became a mask of fear.
‘I can’t find him. He’s not here. I can’t find him.’ Alex gasped.