Part 5

Silence, as quickly as it had come, it had vanished. The wind was now nothing more but a gentle breeze, the shaking and roaring had gone leaving only the damage to prove it had been. Looking up they turned to one another and smiled, it was over they had survived and won. Hugging each other they relived what had happened tried to understand what Eirene had done. Turning to where she had stood to thank her they found Cailean standing alone, his head bowed.

“Where is she?” John asked looking round the room. Lykaios went to his brother, his arm sliding over his shoulder “I am sorry” Cailean nodded but said nothing. The others fell silent as they realised she was gone, the light had consumed the Hellion but also Eirene, wherever she was she was no longer with then. Exhaustion hit and they sank to the floor in mute unison, the realm was safe but at a cost.

Light started to seep through the broken windows, the sign of dawn.

  

Still in shock the three Vampires retired for the day, they would tidy up and talk tonight.

They others retired also, they bodies and mind drained. John curled up in a ball and instantly fell asleep, Fayna and Nahele made love, their need for contact, to prove they were alive over rode their need for sleep but finally they too succumbed to exhaustion. Only the Quella woman sat up, her sadness for Eirene was deep. Leaning against the fireplace her eyes finally closed.

She was the first to wake and heading to the small room she striped off. Splashing cool water over her she sighed. It was over, her task done and now, now there was no reason to stay nothing to keep her here. She thought of Lykaios, her love for him but she would not go to him, Quella did not beg.

Dressed she entered the kitchen and grabbed some bread and cheese stuffing them into her pocket, her services paid for she opened the main door and stepped outside.

With the setting of the sun the brothers and Shoid woke. Joining the others they cleaned up “Where’s Kelsa?” Lykaios asked Fayna. “The Quella left some hours ago, I don’t know where” Lykaios sucked in air, left she hadn’t even rested properly, eaten or said goodbye to them, him. Cailean gazed at his brother watched as the muscles twitched and his jaw stiffened, stubborn both of them. 

Cailean had a huge meal prepared for their guests and joined them while they ate, they too planned on leaving in the morning.

Cailean went in search of his brother finding him on the Parapet. “So” Lykaios responded “So” They looked over the land, it looked as if nothing had happened “All is well again, normal” Cailean stated. Lykaios nodded. “Pity about Kelsa, she would have made a fine member to the clan” Lykaios nodded but said nothing. Turning Cailean made for the stairs. “I am sorry, about Eirene” Cailean stopped, his heart a twisted mass of knots “So am I brother, so am I” he murmured.

John returned to Clearlyn to a celebration. Lights hung from the trees and the villagers danced to music. John and Maleah joined in till they thought they had been polite long enough. Ducking inside her hut John grabbed her, his arms sliding down her body till they rested on her rear; pressing himself against her he whispered his love and desire for her. Maleah’s eyes light up with passion and removing her clothes went to him. After John held her close while she slept, dear god he wished the sun would never rise.

Standing at the water’s edge, they held each other tight. “I love you and I’ll be back” John murmured huskily, Maleah nodded knowing it was not to be “I love you John Bishop” His arms dropped to his side and with one last look he walked into the water. Maleah watched till he was completely submerged her hand went to her stomach and slowly caressed it “Goodbye, my love” Slowly she made her way home.

Returning to Faymoor Fayna was given the sad news his father had died not long after he left for Vaxur. Teaching Nahele how to farm and fish they spent several weeks with his brother then ventured out on their own and started a small farm.

Sitting he looked over what they had achieved, Jajij was at peace, his brother settled and happy and he… he looked at the woman beside him. He loved her with all he had. Pulling her beside him he kissed her deeply “How about starting that family” he murmured hoarsely.

Looking down she saw the land as it should be, at peace. The Hellion forced back by the light that consumed Jajij, the hole in the mist sealed. There would other meetings of the two, more battles not just with the Hellion but for now it was quiet, calm. Vaxur would become strong, stronger than anyone expected but for good reasons, they had proved themselves to be worthy of the Great Mother, Eclipse Demons or not because of them the evil had been pushed back. There were losses, many deaths and they would be missed.

With one last look Eirene turned away and took her place beside the Great Mother. She thought of Lykaios, Cailean and smiled….. Their hearts may be in pain but their story was not finished, the book of Vaxur not yet complete.

                                                                          THE END