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

Part 3

The realm was all but fallen; the Hellion had destroyed nearly all, town’s villages and farms burnt to the ground. The air filled with the scent of death. Grigor had gone down not easily but had lost all the same; the Vampires that had survived had fled to other provinces the unlucky where bound in cells for the whim of the Hellion.

Eirene sat her eyes closed as she watched them stampede into Vaxur, their torches lighting all they around them.

Cailean stood in the hall, eyes burning fiercely with hate and anger; he had sensed their presence some of his clan had warned him, their cries for help etched into his mind for eternity. Shoid and Lykaios were informed and the units made ready, from now on there would be watchers posted at all times. Kelsa practised her moves, her skill, she too had seen their advance into Vaxur had seen the terrible things they had done and she was ready to fight.

Fayna joined her and the castle was filled with swords striking. He had never met her kind before and was glad she was on their side; he did not fancy the idea of going against her as an enemy.

Checking the units and speaking to the watchers Lykaios flew down to the dusty ground, the sound of steal had his attention. He observed from the shadows as the Quella and Fae fought, their steal flashed in the moonlight her skin glowed like the stars themselves, Lykaios’s groin started to throb. Turning he started to walk the parameter of the castle, just to be sure.

The two fought, holding nothing back. Both had fought these things before and now swapped stories learning more from each other.

Eirene retreated to her room; locking herself away she ate little and prayed. She prayed for the Great Mother to give them the strength to fight to overcome any weaknesses and drive the Hellion back to their realm, she did not want them destroyed that would be wrong, they were creatures, living beings that had fallen from the light, she hoped one day they would find it again.

Cailean would hover at her door ask if she was ok but never got a replay, he sensed she was there and alright but whatever she was doing she kept to herself.

Some of the clan had got through and retreated to the castle for safety, there they told their Helmer of the things they had witnessed. During the Great War Cailean had seen for himself how these beasts worked but what he heard now made him sick to his stomach, could they have gotten any worse.

The castle was placed on lock down; the called ones were not permitted to leave at any time. This infuriated Kelsa, how dare she be told where and when she could leave she was Quella.

Ignoring the order she walked round the castle checking everything was secure. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust the Eclipse Demons to do their job but they had not been in battle for a long time, they had grown soft. “You were given orders not leave….” Kelsa swung round to see Lykaios approaching his barely contained anger evident. “I do as I please” With a growl he grabbed her arm “No, you do as I say” his eyes flashed. She tried to remove her arm from his hold but couldn’t “Let go of me you shiatin” His temper exploded and lifting her off the ground her threw her against the wall.

Her body hit the stone with a thud then slid down till landing on the ground. Stunned Kelsa shook her head, sweeping the fuzziness from her mind, she went to get to her feet but Lykaios stood before her, grabbing her by the throat he slowly squeezed. He stopped as his teeth flashed, Kelsa met his stare with defiance, he glared at her for a moment then plunged his fangs into her neck. A soft groan escaped her not of pain but elation, desire, his bite had an effect on her, drove her to heights never felt before.

Removing his teeth he sought her mouth and bit down on her lip. Blood oozed from the wound but she paid no attention as his tongue plundered her mouth. He was no longer in control, rage and lust moulded into one and had now exploded into one furious act, his hardness was so intense it was almost painful. Pinned against the wall she could do nothing but let him wrap her legs round his waist, let him enter her. His movements were fevered, ragged as he ground his hips against her soft flesh and rammed his swelling as far as it would go. Finally he roared as he felt his release flow into her, his eyes turning almost black. Letting go Kelsa dropped to the ground bruised and exhausted. “Go inside” he growled.

Back in her room she fell to her knees, her body ached and shook, she would have nasty bruises on her thighs but she felt exhilarated, that was the true Lykaios. They were like two negatives, drawn together but when close repelled, her mind was filled with thoughts of him, his power, his body, but near him she felt the need to fight, to control her feelings. He was an Eclipse Demon and as such an enemy no matter what side they were on. Wiping the blood from her lips she wished it was any other way but she was Quella and he a Demon, they were not meant to be bonded besides his feelings were clear, lust and anger drove him and nothing else. All the same she loved him.

Lykaios leant against the wall, his anger gone he was now filled with disgust, loathing. Images of him and Sorcha flooded his mind as the night Eirene was conceived ran through his head. Vampire by birth and Vampire by nature, he was all that was meant to be in his kind. By Orean he had done what he swore he would never do again, taken, owned and humiliated. She brought out the monster in him all his restraint was blown to pieces with her and now, here, for fuck’s sake they were at war, an attack immanent and there he was grinding himself into her like a wolf on heat. The sooner it was over and she was gone the better.

Denouement - Part 2                                              Part 4........ soon.

Part two

Gathered round the table they listened to the Helmer as he told them what he had heard. Clearlyn and Faymoor had fallen the survivors had fled into the hills and forests. Rusulka was proving difficult but not impossible, the province taking heavy losses. Kelsa stared at the floor and shifted uneasily, she should be with them, fighting, her blood spilling along side that of her people. There was no word of Drayad or Prylea so the worst was suspected; they had now entered Grigor which was under heavy attack. “So what do we do?” Fayna turned to Eirene. “We wait, I will know immediately the moment they set foot in Vaxur and then…….” Cailean turned to Eirene who only nodded.

Cailean turned to John “I understand you will be going home when this is over?” John nodded. “Then I shall give my thanks now while I have the chance, you will always be welcome” John thanked him. The conversation turned to after, nobody wanting to think the worst. Fayna and Nahele were going to move to Eriedge but not Faymoor itself, Cailean looked at Eirene who stayed silent, he wondered where her path would lead her next, turning to Kelsa “And you Quella, what will you do?” Kelsa looked briefly at Lykaios who stared at the wall behind her his jaw rigid “I will leave, where I do not know” Cailean looked at his brother who's jaw had become rigid with the look of indifference.

Going their separate ways they scattered the castle. John retired to his room as did Fayna and Nahele; their need for love, compassion over rode anything else. Eirene went to her room to prepare leaving the brothers and Kelsa. Kelsa talked to Cailean for a while aware of the cold looks from Lykaios; finally she too made her excuses and left them alone. “She is a fine woman” Cailean looked at his brother. “Strong, a warrior, but as stubborn as you, you have picked well” Lykaios laughed dryly “She is amusing, something to pass the time nothing more” Deep laughter rang round the room, Cailean eyes shone with amusement “If that is what you tell yourself” Rising he left his brother to his thoughts.

Lykaios was furious; she had not mentioned leaving to him. Leaping the stairs he threw open her door, not bothering to knock. Kelsa sucked in air as he strode across the room, such a strong powerful presence. “Why did you not tell me you plan on leaving?” His anger took her back, her own rising she fired at him “Do I need your permission?” Lykaios growled “What you do is none of my business, what do I care” His words hit her full on causing a sharp pain to rip through her heart, lifting her arm she screamed at him “Get out” Lykaios grabbed it before it made contact, his hold on her tight, she winced with pain.

They stared at each other; their blood boiled their eyes ablaze. His lips met hers with hunger, Kelsa moaned as her arms slide round his waist. Lykaios gripped the back of her neck, his intention to hurt but this only fuelled her passion more. He could refuse, stop but why not if she wanted him then….. Kelsa removed his shirt and started to kiss his bare skin, Lykaios’s eyes burned once more but with passion, removing the rest off his clothes then her own she knelt on the floor.

Her lips moved further down till they came to his erection, Lykaios roared as they wrapped round him. A man of little emotion he always seemed to lose it with her, one way or the other, his legs gave way and he fell to the floor while Kelsa's lips brought him further to release. On his knees he pulled her roughly to him letting her slide onto him. His grip fierce his desire fervent he pushed her down hard till she took all of him ignoring her squeals, his teeth bared and  bit suckling her breasts. Kelsa was on fire, how someone so bereft of life could be so passionate, so turbulent was incredulous. Her hands explored every inch of his toned body; her lips tasted every part of his delicious skin.

Their anger slowly subsided and their bodies changed tempo, pushing him onto his back Kelsa straddled him her movements slow and deliberate. Lykaios held her hips helping her with each languid action, he had the strength to go all night and he intended to, she would not forget him in a hurry.

The sun had started to rise when Lykaios moved. He had lain, on the floor with Kelsa nestled into him asleep, he had felt her heart beating, strong and rhythmic like a marchers drum, he had felt the warmth of her breathe as it passed over his body. Dressed he lifted her onto the bed then bent down his lips brushing hers.

John sat on the bed and waited, for what he hadn’t a clue but something would happen soon. He listened to the castle sounds, of doors closing of Shoid laughing, Vampires, Fae and Elf’s, it seemed only yesterday he was in his office being told he was out of a job, they all were. Now he was sitting in a richly decorated room surrounded by creatures only thought of in dreams. His dreams were filled with Maleah, he thought his wife was the one that they would be together forever but now, now things were different, he was different, his dreams and desires were not of the John from his world…

Fayna and Nahele sat in the grounds; nestled together they made plans for their future. A small farm, enough to grow what they needed and children, lots of children. Nahele couldn’t hide her excitement, to be part of something; part of a whole made her quake with fear but at the same time filled her with joy. Fayna planted a kiss on her head then nuzzled her neck “How about we go practise those children” Nahele giggled and taking his hand followed him into the castle.

Eirene stood and stared into the darkness, the castle was filled with love and lovemaking but she wasn’t jealous, she was not here for such things. Still it would have been nice to just once feel the touch of a man. She could go to Cailean but that would not be right, to raise his hopes then…… she loved Cailean and Lykaios, they were almost brothers in a small way Lykaios was her father but to love as the others did was not possible, not between her and Cailean.

On the parapet she looked towards the mountains and the ocean behind, blocking out the sounds of clashing steal and screams she stared. The time was near.

Denouemont part one                                                   Part 3

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.