Part 1

Lykaios went to Kelsa’s room and found it empty. Searching the castle he found her on the parapet looking towards the horizon. “Are you alright?” Kelsa didn’t replay. “About last night…..” Kelsa turned her vivid gold eyes stared at him “You are sorry, you did not want me” Lykaios groaned “By Orean I wanted you, still want you” She shrugged “So why are you sorry, you wanted, I wanted” she waved her hand with indifference as she kicked at a loose stone.

“Why did you tell me, allow me to….” Kelsa couldn’t answer “I don’t know” she felt something from him, something deeper but she was unsure of him, an Eclipse Demon, Vega’s words rang round her head ‘Disposes of them permanently’ Lykaios leaned in his lips brushed against her hair “I want you now” he growled huskily. He didn’t wait for an answer.

Cailean quietly closed the door and headed back downstairs, he had felt his brother’s desire over the Quella and his passion ran deep, deeper than even Lykaios himself yet knew.

“You look as if you are waiting for the blood letting” Looking up John watched the Vampire enter the hall. “We are not mindless killers, contrary to what your world states” Maybe so but they were still dead; still feed of blood, still capable of extreme pain. Cailean chuckled “Yes we are capable of all that and much more but we have moved beyond mere killing machines, we live peacefully and the majority like it that way” John looked at him, his red eyes the sickly pale skin “Most of you?” The Helmer nodded “Unfortunately there are some that think the old ways were better” he replied sadly, remembering Vega’s betrayal.

The wind was turning; the realm on hearing of the Vampire/Fae had started to unit. The Hellion had also heard and the air was full of rumours, whispers of an eminent attack in huge numbers, the leaders of each province were now preparing for the inevitable. Cailean went over the plans once more with Shoid and Lykaios; this was no time to make mistakes. “No matter what, the ones in here must be protected” they nodded “If we each of took a side, here, here, here and here” he indicated to the map but Shoid shook his head “That would spread us to thin, if we had look outs here and here then we could warn the units in plenty of time” Cailean agreed. Looking up they watched as Kelsa walked towards them.

“I will fight also” Kelsa stated with indignation. Cailean shook his head “I am sorry but you are here for another reason we cannot allow you to” Kelsa snorted “I will not sit and watch, I am Quella” Lykaios looked at his brother, she wasn’t going to give in. “Kelsa, we need you to protect the castle, if for any reason the Hellion break through you must protect Eirene and the others” She turned to Shoid, to not fight was not her way but he was right, if they were busy else where she was the only one capable, she nodded “Very well”

With everything in place the meeting was over.

Eirene prepared, with the sage nailed to the corners of the castle she went inside, there she drew a chalk circle on the floor. John watched as she wrote strange symbols around the circle “What are you doing?”

“This circle is the way” John looked confused “The way” Eirene nodded “It will allow me, us to call forth the light” He looked at it with scepticism, Eirene smiled “All will be revealed in time”  Placing candles at four points she turned to him “It is ready”

Taking a seat he studied the chalk markings, he didn’t understand how this was to save them but then he didn’t understand anything here. “What will you do when this is over?” he asked. Eirene shrugged “My journey may not be complete” she smiled at him “And you John Bishop, will you go home to your wife and child” John felt a chill run over him “Child?” Eirene nodded “Your wife is expecting?” Hell he didn’t know, on his feet he paced the hall, a child his child. Eirene felt sorry for him, she knew the marriage was gone but a child, she also knew his feelings towards Maleah.

What choice did he have, he must go back. He went to examine a tapestry “The baby……” She shook her head “My powers lie here in the realm, I know she is with child but nothing more” Dear god he wanted to stay but, he had been brought up to do the right thing. Eirene watched him go with sadness.

Cailean entered his chest tightening at the sight of her. “You have been busy” he studied the markings on the floor.

The castle felt charged, the air heavy with anticipation.

Finding a quiet corner he sat, God he wanted to stay, stay with her have kids and grow old but he had responsibilities back home, a child that would need him. John groaned, if only….

Fayna and Nahele also felt the change, felt the wind shift. They were bound, together for eternity but each held a concern that they would be torn apart.

The Hellion poured through the gap in their thousands, sweeping the land like a plague. They raped tortured and killed at will, leaving the ground soiled with bodies, with the ash of burnt villages. The rivers ran red with blood as they fulfilled their dreams, their desire to control Jajij. They took the easier ones first, circling the Vampire provinces knowing they would not be.

Cailean and Lykaios stood on the parapet and sniffed the air. “So it begins brother” Cailean murmured, Lykaios nodded, both knowing where the beasts were heading.....

Vaxur castle.

Redemption part 5                                                 Part 2........soon.