Part 5

Dragging the girl kicking and screaming out the door Lykaios hauled Kelsa up the stairs and across the hall. Throwing her into a room he slammed the door locking it behind him. Downstairs the others watched in shock as Cailean helped the injured Vega to her coffin. Shoid smiled in amusement, that’ll teach her but he knew now Kelsa had made a very dangerous enemy. With Vega secure in her coffin they left her to rest and heal, Cailean sought his brother “Have a word with the Quella girl, let her know the way things are done here that she cannot go around sticking swords in people” Lykaios glared at him “And what makes you think she will listen to me?” Cailean smiled affectionately “Because my Brother she is like you”

Quietly opening the door Lykaios stared down at Kelsa, what do you say, ‘Look as much as I’d like to see the bitch dead you just can’t go around skewering people’ yeah like she’d listen. Getting to her feet she stared up at the Demon, the growl that had started the moment her entered grew louder, Lykaios was expecting her attack and as she flew towards him he met her head on grabbing her and slamming her against the wall “I’m getting pretty tired of this” he snarled. Kelsa glared at him still growling, how dare he pull her away, stop the fight, she had lost honour. “I AM QUELLA, QUELLA STRONG, FIGHT WELL, FIGHTS NOT STOPPED, FIGHT TILL DEATH, YOU PULL ME OFF I LOOSE FACE, HONOUR NOW I MUST FIGHT YOU TO REGAIN HONOUR”…..Lykaios listened to the torrent of words as they spilled fragmented from her mouth, hell she looked cute when angered.

Kelsa froze as his lips met hers; memories of her captivity flooded her mind. She had no choice there but here, here she did have a choice. Lykaios yelped as her teeth bit into his lip. Stepping back he wiped his hand across the wound then examined the blood, his blood. The smile he gave her made her own blood run cold, leaping towards her he pinned her to the wall as his lips again pressed down on hers. Kelsa growled and squirmed but was unable to free herself, standing rigid she closed her eyes and waited for him to finish. There was no response, like kissing the dead but that didn’t matter to him, this was revenge. An image flashed in his mind it was brief but enough to make him stop, he looked at her for a moment then turned and walked out the door.

The following night Vega emerged from her coffin fully recovered. She wandered the castle with a mood like thunder, how dare the little bitch try and kill her! The brat would pay…dearly. Shoid was delighted over the attack, found the whole thing hilarious. Upstairs he stopped at the locked door and gently tapped it. Knowing who was on the other side Kelsa leant against the it “Yes” Shoid chuckled “You gave her something she’ll not forget easily but be warned Vega has a vile temper and you’ve made a serious enemy” Kelsa snorted “I have fought better” Hearing footsteps on the stairs he whispered “Watch your back” then quickly left. Cailean opened the door “If I let you out will you behave” Kelsa growled. “If that is your answer” he went to close the door when a hand appeared from behind stopping him “I will make sure she behaves” Lykaios assured his brother.

John woke to find the village awash with whispers, finding Calista he asked what was so exciting. She told him the news that was spreading through the realm that if it were true she was the answer to all their prayers. A child born from a Fae and a Vampire, that she had the blood of every race in the realm would indeed be special; she would be classed as a prophet by everyone in Jajij from Fae to Eiron. Calista lowered her voice “It is also said she has immense powers that she will rid us of the Hellion and bring unification” John was impressed but unsure, not even the powers in his world could unite.

Leaving Calista to talk with some others he went to Maleah. Finding her at home he snuck in and slipped his arms round her neck. Maleah lent against him and groaned at the feeling of his taught body against hers. John nuzzled her neck as he whispered hoarsely “I’m bored” She reached for his arm “And what do you have in mind” His hand slid down to cup her breast as his lips came down on her neck placing tiny kisses along her shoulder. Maleah moaned loudly, her body longing for more.

Eirene watched as Cailean entered the room, she knew his feelings towards her had always known. She was fond of him, very fond but love….no she did not love him. She wished she did for he was a fine specimen of a man but her love; her allegiance was to the realm. She would never tell him, couldn’t tell him and she knew he wouldn’t tell her, he was proud sometimes too proud. Instead they would live their lives as they have done, together but apart.

Shoid went looking for Kelsa and found her outside, leaning against the castle wall her eyes fixed on a spot past Vaxur’s boundary, over the mountains and further.

“You miss your home” Kelsa nodded “Your ways are so different, in the fire we have honour” Shoid followed her gaze “We also have honour” She faced him “But you don’t, that woman I should have killed her” Shoid wasn’t sure if he understood “Tell me of your home?” Kelsa shook her head. “Why not?” She didn’t answer, nobody knew of her home, of the Quella life and it must stay that way. Shoid watched as she turned her attention back to her home. “Hey, what do you call a bitch with a hole in her?” Kelsa looked at him “What?”

“Vega” Shoid chuckled. Kelsa laughed, it was a poor joke but funny. Bowing Shoid went back inside.

The shadow shifted, moved along the castle wall then stopped. The brightness of the moon bathed the castle in a pale silvery light, the shadow waited. Large dark clouds crossed the sky and as if on command they covered the moon obscuring the light. The shadow crossed the grounds quickly, silently. On the other side it looked around and finding the coast clear slide round the wall and disappeared.

Kelsa watched the shadow as it made its journey across the barren grounds. Moving away from the wall she stepped into the darkness and followed.

The shadow stood by some dead trees. Kelsa watched as another shadow stepped from between them and joined the first. Even from such a distance Kelsa could hear what was being said, she smiled to herself as she watched the two shadows talk. The meeting was brief and soon the second shadow was gone, turning into a bat the first shadow made its way to the town.

Kelsa returned to the castle, a plan already in her mind. So there was to be a surprise tomorrow well two could play at that game.

Part 4                                        Redemption Part 1 

Part 4

With the rising of the sun Fayna and Nahele thanked their hosts and set off along the road. They hoped to be on the border with Grigor by sundown. John watched them leave; unable to sleep he had paced the floor of his hut for hours. Maleah entered, her beauty and bright smile seemed to light up the room. “Come” John took her outstretched hand “Where are we going?” Maleah kept smiling “You’ll see” Climbing down the ladder she lead him to a clearing, John gasped as he took in the sight before him. Leafy plants and bright flowers crowded round and between rocks that hung over a majestic waterfall; he had seen some fantastic sights on his travels but this......Maleah took his hands and pulled him towards the water “Come on” Pulling off her dress and undergarments she entered the crystal water, turning red John looked away “Err, I never brought any trunks”

Maleah laughed “So” scooping her hands she threw water at him “Come on the waters wonderful” Keeping his underwear on he joined her trying not to look at her perfect naked body. Maleah swam over to him her eyes locked on his bare flesh. He was magnificent for a mortal, tall blonde and tanned she had the irresistible urge to reach out.  Feeling something brush against his skin he turned to find her so close he could feel her heat “I...I think we should get back” With a giggle she reached down and started to stroke his crotch. John groaned, god he wanted her. Sliding his arm round her he pulled her closer her petite frame moulded to his. Wriggling free Maleah smiled wickedly and sunk under the water.

He felt the pull of his shorts as they were worked over his hips and down his thighs then her hand grab his erection and....oh my! John stood in the cool water with the birds singing and the trees rustling, how she could stay under for so long was incredible and if she was any longer he would lose control. Pulling her back up he pinned her against the rocks and entered her, wrapping her legs round his waist Maleah groaned as his thickness filled her. The water ran over them as they slowly brought each other to their pinnacle. After they lay entwined on the grass and said nothing, what was there to say after that? 

The shouts and cries from the village pulled them out of their paradise. Smoke was seen above the trees towards the next village.

Eirene sat in the upstairs hall, from the looks of her she had been crying “Are you alright?” Cailean asked trying to hide the affection in his voice. She gave a weak smile “Sometimes I wonder why it’s so important to save the realm, it can be so cruel” Eirene told him what she had seen, the village destroyed, burned to the ground, woman and children …. She knew it was the Hellion but there as others, some that belonged to Jajij “How could they be so evil....to their own kind” Cailean pulled her towards him and held her tight “There is a little of each in all of us, look at my kind, we are from the Eclipse live in the shadows but we have compassion, forgiveness, just as we can show elements of the light so can others have elements of shadow” So why was she here?

Wiping away the last of her tears he smiled “You are here to bring balance, to remind us of what we have, the peace, to leave us as we are we will sink back into the old ways bring bloodshed back to Jajij, and that is something that must never happen” He was right, if left the realm would end up in turmoil like before, hundreds of years of war for what....nothing. Taking a deep breath she stepped back “Its time, the realm must know of my existence of my parentage” Cailean stared at her in horror “It will put you in danger?” Eirene nodded “I know the risk but word must be spread, we must get the realm to work together to remember who they are”

Sitting in the hall her eyes shut Kelsa seemed to be in a trance, Cailean stopped and watched her, maybe now was not a good time. “Yes” a small voice echoed round the large stone room. Cailean stepped forward “Yes?”  Without turning she nodded “You want me to guard the peaceful one” Peaceful one? Cailean realised she meant Eirene “She could be in grave danger and I...we....” Kelsa grunted “Messy if you go in the sun, I will watch her” Cailean bowed and thanked the Quella girl but got no reply. She went back to her meditation; if her mind was weak then so was her body. The peaceful one was special, she believed she was the one that had called her, wanted her to join, why she didn’t know but she felt goodness in her and that was enough 

Finding Shoid and Vega Cailean explained what was going to happen that they must all be on their guard from now on. Shoid yelped in delight finally some action, remembering his place he bowed to the Helmer and announced he would do his best. Vega glared at her him; his attachment to the mongrel was strong and was putting Vaxur at risk, still she had to obey.

Kelsa leant against a wall her eyes closed; she sensed the female Demon but didn’t look. “Really must you hover round here all the time, Cailean has no interest in you, all he see’s is the Fae” Vega snarled in irritation. Kelsa kept her eyes shut not responding. Vega felt her anger rise, stupid girl “And as for Lykaios, well he does like his toys but be warned, when he’s finished with them he’s inclined to get rid of them permanently” Still the Quella didn’t answer. Vega’s bad mood only intensified going over to her and giving her a kick “Are you in there, hello I’m talking to you, you stupid girl” Kelsa’s eyes opened slowly as she gave a low growl. Vega laughed “What you think you can frighten me, take me on, sorry to disappoint you but better men than you have tried, besides I don’t fight children” A child! How dare she call her that?  Jumping to her feet the growl grew louder. Vega smiled maliciously.

Hearing the noise Shoid went to look and found Vega and Kelsa in unarmed combat. Shit Vega will kill her he thought as he ran with inhuman speed to find Cailean. Calling Lykaios the three met at the entrance to the hall. Cailean grabbed Vega while Lykaios went for Kelsa. “THAT IS ENOUGH!” Cailean barked at Vega. Turning she snarled at her Helmer “This, this….she started it” she sulked. Lykaios made for Kelsa but she managed to avoid him, so they were all turning on her now…. Whirling round Kelsa swung her fist catching him square on the jaw. Lykaios snarled as he jumped towards her only to find air, Kelsa moved swiftly out of his way her hand raised for another punch.

Anticipating the move he kicked out and catching her leg brought her down where he pinned her. Kelsa growled at him in anger but was only met by him doing the same. With her finally under control he pulled her to her feet “Don’t let her get to you” he whispered in her ear. Kelsa ignored him, her eyes locked on Vega, how dare the Demon woman……

Lykaios sensing she was calm let her go, jumping from his reach Kelsa pulled a sword from the wall and threw it towards the Demon woman striking her in the stomach. Vega gave an ear splitting scream then fell to the ground.

Part 3                                          Part 5

Part 3

She was strong for someone so small and a fighter, it took nearly all his strength but finally Lykaios felt her weaken, slowly the Quella girl calmed and went quiet. “Let go” she ordered. “Only if you promise not to kill anyone” he felt her tense instantly regretting his words, the amusement he felt over the situation. “Step out of line and I’ll break your neck” his words more a promise than a threat. Letting her go Kelsa fell to the ground, instantly on her feet her hand swung. Grabbing her arm Lykaios slammed her against the wall, pinning her there “Don’t” He watched as her anger faded, her breathing settled to a steady rhythm and her eyes no longer burned with hatred, grabbing the sword he pulled it from her fingers.

Kelsa sat on the ground, in her world the Demon woman’s words would have been met with cold steal. But this was not her world; all she knew was hundreds of miles from here, so far it was if she was in another realm. Lykaios tried again to read her mind, to get the answers to his questions but the wall stood as solid as ever. He did feel confusion, a sense of lose unable to understand the world around her. Sliding down the wall he joined her “Vega’s a bitch, useful but a bitch” he stated deliberately not meeting her eyes. “I would have killed her” Her words of anger made him smile “Possibly but she is strong” Kelsa scoffed “I am stronger, I am……” Lykaios threw up his hands and laughed “I know, I know, you are Quella” Kelsa grunted in agreement unsure if he was laughing at her.

Fayna and Nahele reached the border, the unseen line between the Drayad and Clearlyn province. They would have been quicker going through the Eriedge province but the ones they had spoken to had warned them it was overrun with Hellion. Nahele felt happier, the green grass and lush trees reminded her of home. They had not travelled far into Clearlyn when they were met by a group of men. “Who are you and where are you going” Fayna stepped forward “I am Fayna of the village of Faymoor in the Eriedge province, we mean no harm we are just passing through” The men looked at them suspiciously then beckoned them to follow.

John watched as the strangers were brought into the village. One looked like the Elf’s but the other the female, Jesus he had never seen anyone like her before. Calista greeted them warmly and lead them to another hut. Maleah joined him. “Who are they?” he nodded towards the hut. “Outsiders, the male is Fae, the female is Teleri” John looked at the hut, Fae, Teleri, what kind of place was this? As if reading his mind she tried to explain “Fae are from the Eriedge province, they look like us but have Majick, the female, we know little of the Teleri except the normally lead solitary lives” Strange that she should be with a male especially a Fae male. “I have some work to do then we will go and eat” John nodded, his eyes still on the hut.

Fayna explained their journey, the distance they had travelled and that it was not yet over. Calista sent for some food and listened while the Fae told her of their need to go somewhere, that they would know their destination when they got there. She looked at Nahele “You are being called” Nahele nodded. “Then you will have free pass through Clearlyn” Fayna stood and bowed “Thank you your Divines” Calista threw up her hands “Please, I am Queen yes but we do not follow such rituals, especially in such troublesome times” Fayna nodded “Then I will just say thank you” A noise at the doorway caused the three to turn. John stood staring at the newcomers, the Teleri if she existed then what else did and what did Calista mean ‘troublesome time’

“John you shouldn’t be here right now” Calista sighed “These are our guests for the night” Fayna looked at him with surprise “You are mortal?” John looked at him, was he that noticeable? He nodded. Fayna indicated for him to join them “Tell me what is happening in your world?” Calista looked at him “You have seen the mortal world?” Fayna chuckled “My Father is a mortal” Calista gasped “And does he still live here?” Fayna stared at the wall behind her “He went to fight with the others…..” Nahele sensing his sadness took his hand and held it tight. John looked at the Fae “Hellion!” Calista and Fayna exchanged glances then turned to him “You should know what is going on as I believe you are here for this reason”

It was all too much to believe, but then not long ago he was in an office happily married and looking forward to the future. John listened as they told him of the eminent war only asking the odd question. Calista turned to Fayna “I have heard stories, rumours that the Vaxur province refuse to get involved but that they have a Fae, that she is no ordinary Majick” Fayna nodded “I also have heard these rumours but they are probably just that” John was at risk of getting lost in the conversation “Vaxur province?” Fayna grunted “Vaxur, one of three provinces that are ruled by Vampire, they outnumber all other races in the realm but the followers of the light outnumber the followers of the shadow” Shit, now he was lost “Followers of what?” Nahele let them talk, listened as they tried to explain their life here, looking at Fayna she had felt a twinge in his heart at the mention of the Fae of Vaxur but before she could understand it had gone.

Lykaios rose and jumping off the parapet turned into a bat and flew into the night. Looking down over the village he quickly spotted one of his whores. “My lord” the woman curtsied. “I am hungry” the young woman immediately tilted her head to one side. Lykaios drank deeply, first from one side then the other. With his hunger sated it only left one thing, pushing her against the wall he lifted her skirts and entered her, the girl clung to him unable to protest, you didn’t dare argue with Lykaios. Finishing with her he let her fall to the ground then headed to his woman where he promptly took them all.

Several hours later he returned to the castle, flying over the rooftops he felt dissatisfied, hollow. Oh his lust was satisfied but he still felt…..? Landing at the castle doors he entered quietly and made for the hall. Kelsa lay sleeping still insisting the stone floor was fine. He was baffled by her actions, a warm bed was better or at least by the fire, was she trying to keep hidden. The wall to her mind was not as strong as if in sleep she was weaker. His mind filled with images of her home, the huge mountains of Rusulka, the deep craters and large pools of lava then it moved onto battles, many fights in which she had maimed or killed, some of the wounds she had received looked serious. Suddenly his mind jumped, the prison in which she was kept swam into view…….

Kelsa’s eyes opened her senses telling her someone was there. Jumping to her feet she saw Lykaios watching her, she felt the touch of his mind and immediately the wall went up. Lykaios stepped forward “It can’t be very comfortable lying their!” Kelsa held her sword high and watched him with distrust. “So Quella you are good with a sword but are you good enough to go against me?” pulling one from the wall he swung it “Shall we find out” Kelsa smiled then bowed “My you die with blood on your sword and rage in your heart” she declared as she moved into position. Going gently at first he found she had an acute ability of sensing his movements, whichever way he went she matched him. Kelsa knew he was testing as was she, always know your enemy.

Part 2                                                                Part 4

Part 2

John stood on the bridge and looked into the trees. He had been here a few weeks now and no one seemed to be able to tell him how or when he could go home. Scratching his shoulder he grimaced, these clothes were awful, so uncomfortable and itchy, he longed for his pure cotton and silk. Calista joined him “Are you alright?” she smiled warmly “You seem despondent” He looked sad, damn right, his job…gone, his wife…gone and now this! Calista took his hand “Come I want you to meet someone” leading him along the bridge she stopped at a hut and called out “Maleah” The sound of an old sewing machine stopped and a young voice called out.

He stared at the woman before him; these people were all beautiful but this one Maleah made his heart skip a beat. “Maleah this is John” Maleah curtsied “I trust you are adjusting to life in Jajij?” John mumbled something about it not being like home. “John, Maleah will take care of you and show you the way we do things” John looked at Maleah nervously, his hands were sticky with sweat and his heart hammered like a herd of wild stallions pounding the earth in full gallop “You’re not….?” He turned to Calista. “I am afraid not, there is plenty I must do as it is, Maleah is very patient and will teach you what you need to know” With a wave she was gone leaving John alone with her.

Maleah listened with delight and horror as John told her about his home. Sitting here surrounded by trees and the heavy scent of wild flowers he started to feel a little homesick. “You miss the place” John nodded sullenly. Taking his hand she looked into his eyes and smiled “You are here because you are needed, when the time comes you can return home” John stared at her, needed in what way, why? Christ she was beautiful, he had never seen skin as creamy or hair as black as coal “Are you married?” Maleah looked at him her blue eyes seemed to look into his very core “What’s married?” John looked round “You mean no one here is married, what about children?” She tried to understand what he was saying “Married, children”

Lifting his hand he showed her his wedding band “When two people love each other they sometimes marry and then have children, marriage is a ceremony that tells the two they love each other and….” Maleah started to laugh “You mean join” she nodded “We join, no ceremony, no ring, we love each other that’s enough” she looked at him with a shy smile “To answer your question, no I am not ‘married’” John smiled back maybe it wasn’t so bad here after all. Taking a walk outside Maleah looked up at the sky and took a deep breath “Can you smell the air, trees flowers the salt of the ocean it’s all combined, I love it here, it’s beautiful” John looked at the ground “Not as beautiful as you” he murmured to himself.

With her stomach full and her body recovered Kelsa was her old self again. She despised the castle and its cold damp walls, it was like being back in the prison, she missed the heat of her home, the intense light from the liquid fire and most of all she missed her family. Something told her she was here for a reason, as the strange woman had said 'pulled by an unseen force'. She sensed a great battle would be held here and she for one would not miss it. Standing in the hall she swung her sword, the sword that had killed the Hellion, looking at it for the first time she noticed it was remarkably light and after a few swings she decided to put it through its motions.

Lykaios watched as she swung the sword over her head, her body moved with fluid motion as if she and the sword were one. He was impressed, studying her he found she had no real weakness; to go against her would be challenging if not foolhardy. Kelsa felt his eyes on her; felt him studying her ways, if he wanted to try then so be it. Sensing she knew he was there he moved into the light “You are very good… what are you?” Stopping she turned to look at him “I am Quella” her tone more of a statement than an answer. Lykaios moved closer “What is Quella?” He watched as she seemed to search for an answer “Quella is strong” Lykaios drew closer till he was inches from her “What is Quella?” Kelsa looked up at him with pride “I am Quella” 

Was she as young as she looked; her pale blue skin seemed as if it were coated in ground sapphires which shimmered in the torch light and her eyes were the colour of molten amber. His eyes travelled down her body her skimpy clothing left nothing to the imagination “By Orean” he mumbled to himself. They stared at each other, Lykaios tried hard to read her mind but the wall still stood, Kelsa stood in defiance, glaring into the red eyes of the Eclipse Demon. He reached out but to his surprise she backed off, fear clouded her eyes briefly then passed as she gained control of her emotions.

Vega crossed the floor “Well Lykaios, I take it you have found your new toy!” Lykaios growled “Fuck off” Staying where she was Vega looked at Kelsa with disdain and chuckled “Really, I thought you had better taste than this child” A low snarl escaped Kelsa as she watched the female Demon with hate. Vega ignored the sound and Kelsa “My dear Lykaios if you are looking for something to pass the night there are other ways than to play with toy warriors” Kelsa lifted her sword with a scream and charged towards Vega. Lykaios leapt towards the Quella and in one fail swoop lifted her off the ground and held her tight “Get out Vega” he roared. Visibly shaken Vega turned and quickly left. Kelsa screamed and snarled as she tried to get free but his strength was more than her own.

Hearing the commotion the others ran into the hall to find Lykaios holding an irate Kelsa “What happened?” Lykaios lips curled in anger as he told them. “VEGA” Cailean roared with fury as he stormed out the room in search of the troublesome woman. Throwing the squirming girl over his shoulder Lykaios backed out the room. “Do you want some help?” Eirene asked. “No” She watched as Kelsa fought to get free but was held fast. “Lykaios, be gentle” she called out. Shoid whistled “There’s always something happing these days” he said to no one in particular. Eirene nodded and it would only get worse.

Cailean held Vega by the throat “What have you been saying?” Vega growled angrily at him and snarled “Nothing” her eyes burned with rage. “Lykaios says…..” He was beginning to regrette the day he let her stay…. “Lykaios is a fool” Vega laughed. Cailean smiled “So my brother turned you down!” Looking away she refused to answer but the humiliation was written all over her face. “I warn you Vega…..” Her head snapped back, her eyes locked with his “Or what?” Cailean’s fangs sank into her neck then just as quickly withdrew, letting go he wiped the blood from his mouth as he watched Vega drop to her knees “Or I’ll drain you myself” he snapped. She watched him walk away; back to that mongrel….he would pay….they all would.

Joining Part 1                                                        Part 3

The Joining - Part 1

Kelsa lay quietly and listened to the discussion around her. One of the men seemed angry in fact furious if she were to stand she had the feeling he would throw her out. “Get rid of her” Lykaios barked as he turned to Shoid “You should have left her where she was” Cailean shook his head “She won’t last the night” Eirene looked at the woman, she was gravely ill “She will survive” Cailean scoffed “How can you be sure, does Majick tell you?” Eirene shook her head “She is Quella, she will survive” Kelsa felt the heat seep into her body, how did the woman know what she was, had she met one of her kind before? Lykaios stared at the woman in distrust “Judging from the punctures in her neck whatever pierced her carried poison; she’ll be dead by morning” If she could she would laugh, she would recover, her kind could heal hundreds of ailments and injuries and this was no different.

Hearing them leave she closed her eyes and slept. Cailean looked for Eirene, not for any reason except he wanted, needed to see her. His feelings for her were growing stronger by the day and it unsettled him. Unable to find her he stood on the parapet and looked over his land. Not far from here was a fight, a war over Orean only knows and it was coming this way, soon it would come here and once again the land would be stained with blood. Lykaios watched his brother, felt what he felt, not all that difficult for Vampires but with them it was stronger than normal. “Is everything alright?”  Cailean asked his brother sensing his presence, Lykaios stepped from the shadows “Yes” Cailean turned “So…..”

“I sense a sadness in you, is there anything I can do to help” Cailean turned and again looked at his empire, he scoffed…. his empire, he had hoped that maybe one day he would met someone have someone beside him as he rules, love someone, not the love he had for his province or his brother but the gut wrenching, all consuming love one felt towards another……now he did he didn’t want it. Lykaios felt it, like a sword piercing his heart. “You love her!” Cailean faced him laughing “Am I that obvious?” Moving closer his face softened “I can sense everything in you but it is also written on your face” Cailean shoulders slumped “Yes, I love her but it is wrong, how I can love my own niece, my brother’s child?” Letting his hand drop he walked to the edge and saw what Cailean saw, his province, his land…. his home “She is not my child”

Cailean stared in disbelief “But…I thought….?” Lykaios explained the conversation he had with Sorcha at the announcement of her pregnancy. Oh he had taken her, forced himself on her like an animal, given his seed but he was only catalyst, the spark that ignited the flame “Don’t ask me how as I don’t understand myself all I know is that Eirene is not mine….not solely she is the child of every being on the realm her father is not one but the entire realm” remembering her words ‘All that follow the light and the shadow’ Turning he faced his brother “Do not feel guilt for what is not true” Cailean was stunned “Why did you not tell me” Lykaios saw Sorcha’s face as she had pleaded with him all those full moons ago not to speak to anyone about it, that it must remain a secret “It must stay between us”

“So why were you so angry, if the child is not yours” Lykaios roared with laughter “I am a Vampire, a monster created from the eclipse, from darkness unable to procreate and I had created a child, life, another monster….or so I thought” It was bad  enough he had let his anger and desire get the better of him but then to find she was having a child….he had been tricked, he didn’t care about Sorcha’s belief, the Great Mothers wishes or anything else, he had been used and was responsible for the this half-breed.

Cailean now stood alone, Lykaios had left to relieve his frustration, he could guess how. Sitting he let his brothers words sink in, not his child; there was no law in the Vampire world preventing such acts but even so it felt wrong.

Heading to the house at the far end he threw open the door. The woman inside curtsied and lifting their clothes from their shoulders let them fall to the floor. Lykaios looked at each in turn then picking two dragged them to the other room.

Returning to the castle several hours later he watched in stunned disbelief as the Quella girl got to her feet. Wandering down the corridor she came to a reading room. Finding it a dead end Kelsa turned and headed back, with all the doors and corridors it was proving difficult to find an exit, passing the fire she had lain by she stood in a large hall, like the rest of the place it was dimly lit with dark but rich walls. Sensing someone behind her she whirled round her sword ready “Who are you?” she demanded.

Stepping from the shadows Lykaios was stunned to find her wounds had fully healed. Her body showed nothing of what she had been through. “I should be asking you that question” he stepped forward. Kelsa stood her ground if he wanted to fight then so be it, passing a torch Lykaios’s eyes lit up, Kelsa gasped “You are a Demon from the eclipse” He almost laughed, he had never heard of his kind being described that way “And you are?” She quickly looked round for more but found none “You are not alone, where are the others” Lykaios smiled slyly “Around” hoping to give her the impression to attack would be foolish. He tried to enter her mind but to his surprise he found it impossible, an invisible wall blocked his path. Coming down the stairs Vega saw the stranger standing, her sword raised; quietly she crept into the hall.

Kelsa felt the newcomer and swung round “Stay where you are, don’t come any closer” Vega stopped and exchanged looks with Lykaios ‘How did she know?’ Kelsa was flanked; there was only one thing to do…. She watched them waiting for one to make the first move but neither did. From the female she felt anger, hate but the male….he was amused. Her eyes kept a close watch on the female.  Cailean entered, taking in the situation “Get Eirene” he ordered Vega, with a sigh she obeyed, pity she would have liked to have fed from her. “We won’t harm you” Cailean calmly told Kelsa. She looked at him with suspicion “Where am I, who’s in charge?” Stepping forward Cailean bowed “I am Cailean and I am Helmer of this the Vaxur province”

Kelsa turned her attention to the others “You, the one that finds this funny what do you want of me?” Lykaios looked at his brother ‘She can read my mind’ Cailean was surprised ‘She is not Vampire’ Kelsa stepped forward “Speak with your mouths” Cailean turned “My apologies, I did not realise you could read our minds, now tell me what is your name?” Vega reappeared with Eirene. Kelsa new she was not one of them even if she looked like them in a way “Who and what are you?” Eirene smiled and went towards her “I am Eirene and you are safe here, we will not harm you” It was strange but Kelsa believed the woman and her sword lowered. Lykaios sensing a chance moved forward ‘No’ Eirene’s voice echoed round his mind, Kelsa lifted her sword and prepared to fight. “Are you hungry?”

An old woman appeared and put a bowl in front of her, Kelsa looked at it in agony, she was starving. Slowly she went to her knees and grabbed the bowl, not once letting go of the sword. Eirene sat with her keeping a discrete distance “You are here for a reason” Kelsa kept her eyes on the woman as she ate, listened to her words. “You are Quella, from the Fire Mountains of Rusulka; you were brought here, by something unseen, yes” With the last of the broth in her she settled on the floor “Why?” Eirene smiled at her “I do not understand myself yet but others are coming” Eirene waved and Cailean and Lykaios joined her on the floor. Vega stood in disbelief were they mad, feed of her, drain her then dump the body.

Fragments Part 5                                               Part 2