Part 5

Vega had been gone a week and the castle had fallen into an uneasy calm, the arrival of Fayna and Nahele had been greeted with solemn excitement.  The pair were given a good meal and shown to their room where they slept till the following night. In the hall they were introduced to Cailean and Lykaios, Fayna was nervous at first but Cailean allayed his fears and soon the two where deep in conversation although he was not so sure of his brother. Lykaios was itching to go to Kelsa but his duties required him to stay here. Since his first bite he had gone to Kelsa every night and repeated the action, Kelsa had been sick since but she refused to allow him to send for help.

Eirene entered the hall, her quiet calm and grace seemed to have an effect on everyone around her. “You are Nahele a Teleri” Nahele nodded, Fayna stood and bowed “I am……” Eirene stopped him “I know who you are Fayna of Eriedge, you are Arla’s son” Fayna nodded surprised that she had heard of him. “I know all about you Fayna son of Arla and Adam, you had a sister, Sorcha” Again Fayna nodded. Eirene smiled “She was my Mother” Fayna landed on his seat with a thump “I didn’t know” he knew his sister had lived with them, had died here but a child and the eyes, was she Vampire? Eirene sat beside him and took his hand “There is much to talk about” Lykaios turned and headed for the stairs.

Entering the room he found Kelsa waiting for him, he dreaded it, each time grew harder and harder, not with thirst but desire, he wanted her. “The others are talking?” she stated, Lykaios nodded “You are looking better” She nodded, the first few bites had been agony, her body burned but as it went on it grew less her body growing accustomed to the alien life force flowing through her, last night had hardly affected her. Lykaios took her hand and flipped it over but she pulled it away, undoing the ties from her hair she turned her neck towards him “Here, you must do it here” Lykaios backed away “No, I cannot, it would mean……” Kelsa went towards him; her body brushed against his “You must, call it a test the last one”

Lykaios stared at her neck, the slight movement of her pulse, he couldn’t that spot was for feeding and….. he wouldn’t have the control. Sensing his reluctance she pressed against him craning her neck as close to him a possible “You must” His eyes burned like fire his teeth flashed as he thought of her blood, bending down he gave a small bite then went to pull away, he felt her hand on his head holding him their “Yes” she murmured breathlessly, his fangs sank into her as far as they would go. He hadn’t noticed before but her blood tasted sweet, the sweetest he had ever had almost like honey, he growled as his arm wrapped round her the other holding the back of her head, his control was slipping.

She had never experienced anything like it, all the poisons, all the daggers and swords she had felt was nothing compared to this. She moaned softly, her chest rose and fell heavily as her life was changing forever. Her arms slid round his neck causing the fire within Lykaios to erupt, removing his fangs he slid them along her neck making her squeal. His hand slid up to one of her breasts as his mouth met and plundered hers. Kelsa’s hand fell to his crotch causing a growl to escape his throat, undoing the ties on her clothes he let them slip to the floor revealing the most beautiful body, her pale blue skin seemed to shimmer in the torch light.

Pulling off his top she let her hands wander over his bare torso, she had never felt such cool skin before or such strong muscles. Lykaios was vehement, in all his years none of the woman he had had affected him so much. Her skin was warm; something he hadn’t felt since before his rebirth and it was exquisite. His tongue lingered over her skin, etching her taste into his mind; pushing her against the wardrobe he grabbed her hair forcing her head to his, his lips crushing hers. Pressing himself against her he savoured the feeling of her naked body against his.

Kelsa’s hands slid round his back and down to his buttocks, she felt the muscles twitch at her touch, Her hand took his manhood and gently caressed it causing Lykaios to groan deeply, with a sudden sweep of his arm he sent everything on the dresser scattering across the room, lifting her he placed her on top and entered her. Kelsa arched her back and cried out as his thickness filled her, clutching the dresser she let the wave of elation consume her.  Burying his head in her hair Lykaios thrust his hips, each movement more powerful than the last.

She felt herself losing control, her body burned, her crotch ached, digging her nails into his flesh she went rigid as her body let him release her. Feeling her climax he thrust once more letting his own essence flow. Straddling his hips she pressed herself against him, her head resting on his shoulder. Lykaios wasn’t finished, taking her to the bed he eased her onto him, Kelsa groaned as he filled her once more, as his fangs scraped along her breasts.

Kelsa lay curled up in a ball, asleep. Lykaios listened to her breathing, felt her warm skin under his cool touch, by Orean his feelings for her were strong. Sliding from the bed he quietly dressed and putting a blanket over her left the room.

Eirene looked up as Lykaios entered the room, there was something about him, he was more relaxed then she’d ever seen him. Searching his mind she found the reason and smiled. “How is Kelsa?” Lykaios shot her a look of daggers. “I know what you have been doing, Quella have never been able to take Vampire blood” Turning away he studied the carvings on the wall “And what if I did?” Eirene laughed “I am not here to judge, what will be, will be” Lykaios grunted but said nothing else. “She is interesting?” He nodded. “And she has spoken of her ways to you, her life” Again he nodded. Eirene stood and walked to the door, stopping she placed her hand on his shoulders “She must think highly of you to risk death”

With the knock at the door Shoid opened it and let him in “Welcome to Vaxur castle” Leading him into the hall Eirene introduced herself. “You are John Bishop of the mortal world” John nodded and took the seat offered. Eirene smiled “Now we are all here”

Part 4                                                            Denouement Part 1  

Part 4

Leaving Kelsa to sleep he went to the dungeon. Chained to the wall Vega snarled as he entered “You believe that bitch before one of your own?” Lykaios said nothing, with Cailean’s arrival Lykaios got to work, forcing his mind into hers, Vega blocked him as much as she could but his birth gave him superior strength and although he already knew through Kelsa he needed to see for himself, he hovered in her mind as her secrets played out before him, from the stealing of a spell book and the spell cast to opening the mist, right up to the moment she had let the Hellion in.

“It’s true, all of it” he turned to Cailean “What do we do with her?” Cailean looked at her with sadness, she was one of them, a Vampire of Vaxur but to do this, go so far “Do what you want with her” Lykaios nodded, Vega saw the glint of satisfaction in his eyes “My Lord, I did it for us, for our kind we live as sheep, following the word of others, the balance is wrong…….” Cailean’s head leaned against hers his hand stroked her face “No Vega, the balance is right, it brings peace, by Orean can you not remember the battles, the bloodshed on both sides” Walking towards the door with his head bowed in shame he murmured “What you have done my never truly be healed”  She turned to Lykaios.

“You understand don’t you, I did it for our ways, those that follow the light are our captors, they force us to live like them” Lykaios moved towards her his hand gripped her hair “No, we live this way by choice, for peace, I am sick of fighting, of watching my back” his hand slide down to her neck his thumb rubbing her artery. “Please, Lykaios I…I, please” Lykaios opened his mouth his fangs glinted in the dim light. Vega screamed as they plunged deep into her neck, squirming she tried to break free but the nickel chains and Lykaios held her.

The castle filled with Vega’s screaming, it echoed round the walls intensifying the sound, Eirene closed her eyes and blotted the sound from her mind, the woman sounded like a wounded animal, she felt sorry for her. Kelsa woke and listened, did she have to make so much noise, her kind died in silence to make such a racket was not honourable. Eventually the castle fell quiet; the sound of Vega’s pain was replaced by silence.

Lykaios lifted the drained body and dropped it outside; let the sun have what was left.

Much to his amazement Lykaios found Kelsa sitting on the floor, in meditation. “Why do you do that” Keeping her back to him she replied “If the mind is weak so is the body” Lykaios stood and watched, he could think of several of his kind that could use such a thing for they may have strength in body but in the head they were soft. Kelsa let out a deep breath then stood, turning to him her arms folded she watched him watching her. He suddenly felt uncomfortable as if she could see into his dark disturbed soul.

“What are you and don’t say Quella?” Lykaios asked his voice barely audible. Sitting on the floor she indicated for him to join her. Lykaios sat, his long legs stretched out before him, she seemed to be battling against their beliefs, their life a secrecy that was about to be broken. Finally she spoke “I am Quella, from the Fire Mountains of Rusulka, it is very hot there, the darkness is only broken by large pools of bright light that can hurt. We are warriors, live and breathe to fight and are trained to do so” Kelsa stopped she had said too much already. Sensing her concern Lykaios pressed for more “You are not Vampire”

Her laugh rang round the room “No we are not Vampires, to us that is a curse” Thanks a lot Lykaios thought but kept quiet, if he got angry she would stop and he doubted she would ever speak about it again “So what……?” Kelsa turned to him, her eyes sparkled in the light causing Lykaios’s groin to ache. “We are like you, we heal ourselves, have immense strength and can read minds and unlike you we can reproduce, our kind can live long, longer than any other in the realm except yours and yes we can die but it’s not easy” Lykaios listened in stunned silence, he had never heard of anyone so close to his own kind.

“But how?” Kelsa couldn’t answer that “It has been that way since our first walked the land, the ceremony is the final change, from weak to strong” Her own purification was painful but at the same time exhilarating, she felt the power and strength rush through her like the liquid fires themselves. After she had drunk from the cup of renewal and then met her husband to be. Lykaios felt his stomach lurch “Husband?” Kelsa smiled with a tinge of sadness “When we are reborn we are shown the one we will join with, to bare strong children, only after we have proved ourselves in battle can the ceremony be performed”

He waited for her to say more but she didn’t. “When this is over, will you go home to your ceremony?” Kelsa stood and stared at the wall, closing her eyes she could see distant mountains and further, were the land met the sky, feel the heat that was her home “No, I can never go home” What the hell, why? Then it dawned on him, he fought the urge to go to her but his heartless soul felt her pain “You have talked” Kelsa nodded “I have broken the rules, spoken of our kind for that I can never return” Lykaios felt honoured if not confused “Then I too will keep the secret” Kelsa turned and nodded “Thank you but it will do no good, I know and……”

“They would learn from your mind!” Kelsa nodded. “Why did you tell me?” She didn’t know, she would never reveal their secrets but here with him? Lykaios turned to leave “Wait, I want you to bite me” He spun round “NO” Closing the door she watched as his face changed from a mixture of horror then fear. “I have your blood in me, Eirene saved my life but it’s still their flowing through my veins, I am weak, your blood poison but…..” Lykaios roared “I nearly killed you and you want me to do it again” She touched his arm; the heat that coursed through his body intensified the throbbing in his groin.

Lykaios was adamant, he couldn’t. “Your blood is the only thing that makes me weak, can kill me easily, if I could build up a barrier against it” Lykaios shook his head. “I have told you, spoken what I should never have, you owe me” Moving closer she held out her wrist, Lykaios stared at it, what if……but she had revealed her secret to him. Taking her wrist he searched her face for any sign of hesitation or fear but found none, Kelsa nodded. Exposing his fangs he plunged them into her soft skin then just as quickly released her and left the room.

The dark stone walls and heavy wooden door made Fayna uneasy but together they stood before it and knocked. Opening the door Shoid smiled broadly “Welcome, welcome we have been expecting you, come in”

Part 3                                                               Part 5

Part 3

The room filled with a familiar scent, Vega’s scent. Kelsa was immediately on guard her eyes scanned the room for anything to be used as a weapon. Vega stood at her bedside and looked down at the sleeping Quella; she desperately wanted to taste her blood but to do so would be her doom. Instead she pulled the cord from her pocket and started to wind it round the girl’s neck. Kelsa swung the candle stick down on Vega’s head with a crunch, the Vampire snarled, to hell with this, pinning her to the bed she drew her fangs.

The night was young and the two brothers were going to enjoy it. In town Cailean flirted with a young barmaid then grew tired of the game. Swinging her over his shoulder he hauled her to a room upstairs. Lykaios laughed, it was good to see his brother so relaxed. Looking the tavern over he spotted a young red haired girl that seemed to be frightened of him, why not. At her side in an instant he dragged the girl to another room. Removing her clothes he nibbled her neck, she had the taste of Virgin. Pushing her onto the bed he removed his shirt. ‘LYKAIOS’ He froze, ‘LYKAIOS’ it was Kelsa’s voice in his head, something was wrong. Turning to his dessert he bowed “Another time perhaps” and flew out the window.

Kelsa fought hard but even if she was at full strength Vega was stronger but she was going to give the bitch a hard time. Dragging her from the bed Vega sank her fangs in further the Quella’s blood flowed faster than she could drink, she could feel her life draining, her body growing weaker. Kelsa grabbed Vega’s hair, she could feel her strength waning, her fingers loosened then let go, her hand went limp.

Vega could feel the Quella woman’s heart slowing becoming almost nonexistent, she pulled back and looked at Kelsa with a smile and barring her fangs moved in to finish her off. Something grabbed her from behind and threw her across the room her eyes blazed with anger as she stared at Lykaios. ‘Her mind’ Kelsa told him weakly. Lykaios moved towards her “What have you been hiding from us?” Vega backed away “Nothing my Lord, the girl I found her, I was trying to save her” Lykaios looked towards Kelsa who was now seconds from death. Taking the chance Vega ran for the door.

Throwing it open she dashed outside only to crash into Cailean “Going somewhere?”  Lykaios checked Kelsa’s pulse which was faint. She needed blood fast, piercing his own skin he brought the wound to her lips “Drink Kelsa, drink” Kelsa fought, tried desperately not to let his blood enter her but he forced her mouth open and let the flow of life enter her. Lykaios wished she would relax and let him heal her; his blood would give her the strength to fight and build her own blood up.

Kelsa felt her heart tighten, her lungs gasp for air, her body started to jerk uncontrollably Lykaios jumped back in horror.

What the hell was going on, she should be getting better, sleeping, not this, this…. “Eirene” His mind almost screamed as he called the Fae. Eirene entered the room “What did you do?” she asked Lykaios as she went to the girl. Placing her hand on Kelsa’s head she immediately quietened. “Nothing” Lykaios growled “She was dying, I gave her some of my blood and…” Eirene swung round “You gave her your blood!” Of course he fucking had it was that or she died, Eirene shook her head “The two bloods cannot join” Turning back to Kelsa she again placed her hand on the girls head, this time heavy black orbs floated from the Quella then drifting into air vanished. “She will be fine now”

“What the hell do you mean?” Lykaios demanded, all blood could mix with Vampire. “No, not all, to the Quella your blood is poison” He looked at Eirene “Poison?” Eirene placed a hand on his arm “She is Quella” He was sick of hearing that, Quella, Quella that was all he got. Eirene understood his frustration “I cannot tell you any more for I am not sure myself” walking towards the door she stopped and looked at Lykaios, something was happening to him, his connection with the Quella woman was strong and growing stronger “All I can tell you is she is like you but not like you” she closed the door behind her.

Taking a seat he watched Kelsa sleep, by Orean he thought he was saving her. What did the Fae mean, like him but not he needed answers and the only one to give them had a permanent wall. Kelsa moaned softly, taking a look he found her awake “I’m sorry, I didn’t know” Kelsa smiled weakly “I am…” Lykaios laughed dryly “Quella” She nodded. Turning to leave Kelsa grabbed his arm “Stay” Obeying he sat on the bed.  Kelsa studied him closely; his taught broad body had her wondering what the rest of him looked like. Pushing the thought from her mind she took his hand and squeezed “Thank you” For what, trying to save her he had nearly done the opposite. Kelsa smiled at his thoughts “You tried”

Kelsa opened her mind and allowed Lykaios to enter. His eyes darkened as he saw images of Vega’s meeting with the Hellion. It was she that had pierced the wall of mist, she who had called the Hellion and she who had let one enter the castle. Lykaios’s blood boiled with anger, she was a bitch but he never thought she would go so far. Kelsa had not finished, she flooded his mind with her home, the tall majestic mountains of Rusulka, the rivers of liquid fire and the deep caves they called home. He saw her tribe, her family, their way of life. He tried to understand but whatever she was trying to explain was lost to him.

Kelsa showed him their rite of passage, the ceremony performed at fifteen. Chained above the ground their bodies pierced by their leader’s sword they were left to bleed for seven moons, if they survived they were then adults and invincible, not all of them lived. Lykaios was disgusted, what kind of tribe were they, he didn’t want to know any more but Kelsa pushed more into him. At the point of death, their bodies must heal, their blood replenish this was the reincarnation, rebirth. Lykaios suddenly understood, like him but not, he remembered his own rebirth.

Part 2                                                                    Part 4

Part 2

Fayna stopped as he spied the land before him, the small houses looked different but at the same time familiar. The salt air penetrated his nose causing memories of his youth to flash by, taking Nahele’s hand he smiled “Come on”

Githa dug, the rich soil had been giving them wonderful food for as far back as he remembered but it was time to plant elsewhere, let the ground rest for a while. Standing upright he stretched as he tried to remove the kinks from his back, looking up at the hills above him he saw two people slowly making their way down to the village. Even from this distance the man looked…..no, it couldn’t be?

Dropping the hoe he walked forward his eyes squinting in the sun as he tried to get a good look. The couple drew closer, the woman he had never seen before wasn’t even sure what she was but the man, his hair was longer and the beard made him think twice.

Fayna grinned widely as he stared into the young man’s face, it had been so long “Hello brother” It was him, Githa ran and embraced him “We thought, well, we hadn’t heard from you in so long” Fayna laughed “I have been busy” he turned to Nahele “This is Nahele” taking her hand he pulled her next to him. Githa noticed he didn’t let go and smiled, busy was he?

Githa ushered them to the house where Adam lay sleeping. Hearing the door open he woke and sat up “Hello father” Fayna smiled down at him, Adam’s eyes filled with tears as he saw his eldest son stand before him “My boy” he whispered gruffly. Fayna waited for him to get over the shock, his eyes travelled up and down the old man; he looked frail not like the robust figure he had seen leave their home so long ago. Adam noticed his son’s look “I am as well as ever, just err, resting my eyes” Fayna chuckled. Adam’s eyes turned to the woman standing close by “Well now, who do we have here?”

“This is Nahele” Fayna went over and lead her to the old man “This is Adam, my father” Nahele stared at him, she had never seen a father before, did they all look like that? Adam slowly swung his legs of the bed and with the help of Githa stood “I am pleased to meet you Nahele” She smiled shyly, Adam turned to his eldest with a mischievous grin “I thought you went to fight?” Nahele observed with amusement as Fayna’s face flushed red “I did, for a while”

Ordila entered the room with the children and shrieked with delight on seeing Fayna, hugging him tight she smiled at her husband, the family was back together. Nahele watched with ever growing unease as they laughed and joked, brought up things from their past. She was out of her depth and with the others busy she slipped outside.

Fayna found her a while later standing at the ocean edge. “I missed you” he whispered hoarsely as he wound his arms round her. “You were busy” Kissing the back of her head “My family are your family, I love you and want you to be in my life always, will you” Nahele smiled weakly and nodded “But A lot…” Pulling her to him he held her tight, in a small space of time she had seen more people than she would have her entire life “We will sort something out” he murmured softly as he nuzzled her neck.

A candle fluttered as the air brushed over it as if sighing in sadness at the stricken girl in the bed, outside it had started to rain; the small drops of water hit the window sill making faint taping sounds. Lykaios sat and watched as the Quella slept; every so often he would wipe her brow with a cool cloth. How had the wound healed by itself, only his kind had that ability and she was certainly no Vampire but her life force was so strong he could almost taste, it had healed just as her wounds had when she arrived, had fought the poison as she would now. She looked younger almost a child curled up under the covers but one look at her curves told you she was not. Going to the window he watched as the rain grew heavier the tapping sound now a weak thud on the glass, who was the other she was trying to warn him of?

Cailean told Eirene of the attempted assassin and told her of his fears for her safety, Eirene had just smiled and replied “What will be will be” still she was grateful to Kelsa and knew she would pull through. Lykaios had disposed of the corpse with the help of Shoid then immediately returned to Kelsa’s room, Cailean smiled, could two negatives attract? Vega had not been seen since the attack and he wished the bloody woman would stay put, her continuous wanderings were rattling his nerves.

Kelsa opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling above her, the ornate carvings were different to the ones she had seen before. Sitting up she felt strong hands press down on her shoulders “No, stay still” Lykaios’s crimson eyes pierced the dim room “You are still weak” fighting the urge to sink back under the covers she sat up. “How do you feel?” Lykaios asked with genuine concern. “Fine” He laughed “You look it, here eat this” he handed her a bowl. Kelsa ate slowly her eyes locked on him, why was he being so….nice? “Is everything all right?” Sitting beside her he thought that an odd question “Shouldn’t it be?” Mumbling a yes she turned her attention back to her food. “What did you try to tell me, you were warning me of something?” Kelsa shook her head, settling under the covers she went back to sleep.

Vega sat among the coffins, sulking. Her plan had been ruined by that bitch, the weeks she had been waiting for that moment only to find the damned creature couldn’t do the job, fuck. How had the Quella found out, had she read her mind, she didn’t think so she had long ago learnt to control her thoughts, still she’d have to be more careful and as for the Quella girl…..

Kelsa drifted in and out of sleep, her sharp hearing picking up the slightest noise would bring her round only for her to nod off again. This time the sound was different, close. She listened to the near silent footsteps outside her door, the turning of the handle. The glimpse of torch light only for darkness to fall once more.

Someone else was in the room……

Redemption Part 1                                               Part 3