The Children of Light - Book Two
Chapter Five
This piece of fiction contains supernatural themes and sexual interactions between consenting male adults. Please do not read this if it is illegal where you are, or you are not of age to do so.
All characters are fictional and any similarities to known actual people are coincidental, unless otherwise specified.
Visit the blog to see visualisations of the characters throughout the story. As always your feedback is important and always welcome.
Alexander Phoenix - [email protected]
All characters are fictional and any similarities to known actual people are coincidental, unless otherwise specified.
Visit the blog to see visualisations of the characters throughout the story. As always your feedback is important and always welcome.
Alexander Phoenix - [email protected]
‘Ah here they are.’ The Leader said watching Alex, Quinn and Giorgio marching toward his private cabin, the latter of the men being somewhat dragged along.
‘Alex, you and Giorgio go with Jaden and Rama please.’ Lachlan said gesturing to the redhead and the half Egyptian waiting patiently to one side. Alex, gently pulling Giorgio in his wake, relinquished his charge to Rama who telepathically calmed the older cousin down. Rama, Alex, Mikhail, Jaden and Giorgio quietly made their way to an out of the way cabin where they could begin getting ready.
‘Quinn, Bruce, Fabrizio and Caiden are waiting for us inside.’ The Leader said gesturing to his private cabin. The blond skipped up onto the back deck beside Lachlan and the two men walked inside companionably.
‘So what do we need to do?’ Quinn asked as he sat next to Bruce, Fabrizio shuffling over slightly and resting his head on the blond’s shoulder. Quinn put an arm around each man and sighed happily.
‘Nothing.’ Caiden said with a giggle. ‘You know the basics of the ceremony, as do Fabz and Bruce. All we do now is relax and wait.’
‘Well, you could show Quinn what he’ll be wearing I guess.’ The Leader said with a glance to his bedroom. Caiden’s eyes lit up with happiness at the thought.
‘Yeah, come on. Let’s go look at what we’re all wearing.’ The blond twin said gathering everyone and leading them to the Leader’s bedroom.
‘I’m just going to have a quick word with Fearghas.’ Lachlan said as he disappeared out the back door.
'And now we just wait?’ Alex asked of the Egyptian man who was sitting cross legged in the middle of the lounge.
‘For now. Oh actually, where are the rings?’ Rama asked of the Italian man. Alex held out his hand and the two familiar black boxes appeared in his palm. He handed them to the Leader’s husband.
‘Okay, so you touch this one.’ Rama said opening one of the boxes; Alex pressed his finger to it and watched it change to the iridescent red. ‘And Quinn touches this one.’ He said waving his hand, the second box vanishing. ‘When you exchange rings, you give him this red one, and he gives you his silver one.’ Mikhail nodded with approval. ‘You, big guy, have the responsibility of looking after the ring until the exchange.’ The Egyptian concluded as he handed the now closed box to the Russian.
‘Consider it protected.’ Mikhail said with a confident smile, Jaden mock punching the giant’s arm.
‘Easy on Rasputin. You look like you just won the lottery.’ The redhead said with a laugh.
‘In a way I have. Today, my best friend is getting married to his soul mate. I could not be any more proud of him.’ The Russian said tearing up. His emotional statement had an effect on the Italian, who was wiping his own tears away.
‘Thanks Mickey.’ Alex said with a smile.
‘Okay, let’s head down to the River for our cleansing.’ The Egyptian said as he stood up graciously from his cross legged position. Alex, Mikhail, Jaden and Giorgio all rose and followed the man outside and toward Deep River. ‘Quinn and his party will have already cleansed by now.’ Rama said as they neared the river bank.
‘So, we just jump in?’ Alex queried.
‘Clothes off, dive in and you can teleport straight from the river back to the cabin.’ The Egyptian directed. ‘Lachlan is allowing both parties to teleport within the Sanctuary for just this one time.’ He clarified when Alex gave him a peculiar look. Alex removed his long sleeved shirt and slid out of his jeans and underwear, after kicking off his shoes. The Egyptian watched for a moment as the Italian’s divine physique rippled with his movement, the almost god like body shimmering in the late afternoon sun. As Alex stepped to the water, the Russian had disrobed and Rama found himself somewhat aroused watching the bulky muscles covered in soft milky skin twitch and flex as Mikhail walked cautiously to the water.
‘Two gods if ever I saw them.’ Jaden said quietly to the Egyptian as he himself had stripped naked. Rama looked at the redhead’s naked body and smiled appreciatively.
‘You are just as beautiful as them.’ Rama said looking at the muscular body of his friend, the broad shoulders and chest tapering to a narrow waist, his abdominal muscles very pronounced on the flat stomach. Jaden had one tattoo, a tribal design on the right side of his torso, the upper part of the tattoo circling the nipple, and spreading down over the barely visible rib cage, the lower part trailing off and down his thigh. Rama ran a hand softly down the tattoo and smiled as Jaden’s flaccid manhood bobbed slightly at the touch.
‘I think perhaps Lachlan and I might have company tonight.’ The Egyptian said winking at the redhead.
‘I’ll bring Caiden with me.’ Jaden said with a grin. ‘He’ll want to play as well.’
‘The more the merrier.’ Rama said with a laugh as the redhead helped Giorgio into the water.
Everyone was sitting in a semi-circle facing what was once the altar of the Stone Circle, their backs toward the lower part of the stone formation. The group collectively gasped in awe as they watched the tall muscular Italian and the shorter flat muscled blond enter the Stone Circle from opposite sides. Alex was wearing a simple piece of black fabric around his waist, a tidy knot at the hip, his right leg exposed. Wearing only the black lower robes, his naked torso glistened with perspiration in the moonlight, his chest rising and falling with his quick breaths. Quinn was wearing a similar garb of white, his left leg exposed and his lithe torso almost glowing in the moonlight. The two men walked slowly to the altar in the middle of the circle, stopping a few feet from each other. They both smiled as they looked each other over, their feelings of love, adoration and desire flooding the minds of all those present. Quinn’s party were all dressed in white robes, their upper bodies covered with another piece of white fabric, their left arms exposed. Alex’s were wearing black and their right arms were bared. As the crowd became hushed everyone watched as the tall Pict warrior priest and the slight and frail Leader walked to the altar from the top of the Stone Circle. There were a few gasps of surprise as people noticed that Fearghas was completely naked, his smooth, freckled skin covered from head to toe in black and white markings. His normally hairy body had been shaved completely smooth for the ceremony, save his long russet hair, and the markings painted painstakingly onto his muscled frame, long sweeping lines accenting his cheeks, neck, arms, chest, torso, legs and back. He stood before the altar stone and smiled at the Italian and Canadian. Lachlan, wearing the black lower robes of Alex’s party and the white upper robes of Quinn’s party, moved slowly to the top of the Stone Circle and raised his hands. With a quick glance around, he made sure that all thirteen people were in place, Rama, James, Sam and AJ, leaders of two other Sanctuary’s, were in place.
Quinn looked at the Pict Priest for a few moments and noticed something unusual. In a panic he reached out to Lachlan telepathically and everyone in the Stone Circle froze.
‘Quinn?’ The Leader asked aloud.
‘Whoa. Did I do that?’ The blond asked with nervous excitement as he slowly looked around the Stone Circle, eying all the frozen people intently.
‘How the hell did you do that? I didn’t realise chronokinesis was one of the Holy’s abilities.’ Lachlan pondered.
‘Let’s talk about that later, I think I’ve just discovered something.’ Quinn said slightly alarmed.
‘Quick, what’s wrong?’ The Leader asked stepping to the blond’s side.
‘Why is Fergus’s spirit glowing black and gold?’ Quinn asked.
‘Oh, I forgot to mention, during the ceremony, he is connected and bound with the spirits of his predecessor and the first High Priest of Calanais.’ Lachlan tried to explain.
‘So that explains the black I see in his spirit light?’ Quinn asked for clarification.
‘Yeah, why?’ The Leader asked.
‘Because that’s what I saw when I looked at Drew. The same thing. Drew is bound with a spirit.’ The blond said with panic.
‘Shit.’ The Leader said. ‘Okay, don’t panic. Relax, calm down, let’s get you wedded and I will go and investigate Drew afterward, okay?’
‘What does it mean?’ Quinn asked with concern etched across his face.
‘Quinn, leannan, let’s get through the wedding before we worry about that. I will take care of everything, I promise.’ Lachlan said squeezing the blond’s shoulders gently.
‘Okay, shit. Sorry.’ The blond said blushing red as he looked around at the frozen forms of his loved ones.
‘It’s alright. Just take a breath, close your eyes and release your hold on everyone.’ The Leader said taking his place at the top of the Stone Circle. ‘Ready?’ Quinn closed his eyes and nodded, the temporal stasis field dissipating and everyone returning to normal.
‘We’ve got it covered neteru. You can begin.’ The Egyptian communicated to his husband. The Leader nodded to the Egyptian with a smile and closed his eyes. Bringing his hands above his head, he concentrated his thoughts on the spirit energy of the Stone Circle and the long since lost island in the Southern Ocean. Placing his hands together as if praying, he brought his hands down slowly, as they shook with the effort. His hands stopped shaking when they came level with his face, which was blank with confusion.
‘Something wrong?’ Rama asked as his eyes swept the stony field beyond him.
‘I think I’m going to need to go all out for this.’ The Leader replied, most of the wedding party hearing this. Alex and Quinn both looked to the man with curious looks. Lachlan looked back at them with a “Sorry, but I have to” shrug of the shoulders.
As everyone watched, the Leader’s hands dropped to his side as bright yellow flames erupted from his body, wrapping him in fire. Several people gasped in shock, watching what looked like the ancient fire bird of mythology cocoon the Leader within itself. Watching the delicate framed man being embraced by the flames, everyone watched on as the Leader’s robes were burnt from his body.
‘Show off.’ Fearghas said with a giggle.
‘Jesus.’ Francesca said sitting up to get a better look at the small framed Leader. ‘Makes me want to get married again.’ She said to Giuliana as Aurelia slapped her arm with a snigger. Everyone, including Alex and Quinn laughed at the sisters.
Lachlan’s attention was on his task as he pulled not only the spirit energy of the lost island circle to the energy of the Stone Circle of Calanais, but also anchoring all thirteen stones of both circles, to a person within the bridal party, each person’s own spiritual energy anchoring the two circles together, creating a temporal tachyon bridge connecting both sides of the planet together.
‘Can you feel that?’ The young mage asked of his master as he raced into the room.
‘What the hell is that?’ The Archivist asked rushing to the side of his chamber. He waved a hand over a basin of water and watched as an image of the planet appeared in it. The mage and the Archivist watched as the image of the planet distorted slightly, as if being squashed between something, making the circular planet oval.
‘What the fuck is doing that?’ Johan asked with astonishment.
‘I don’t know, but whatever it is, it is impossibly powerful.’ The Archivist said with disbelief. ‘And I’ve no idea what it is doing.’
‘Should I tell Dominus?’ The mage asked not sure what to do.
‘No. I doubt he can feel it.’ The Archivist said, his eyes narrowing with disbelief as he continued to watch the image in the basin.
‘Is tu fuil ‘o mo chuislean, is tu cnaimh de mo chnaimh. Is leatsa mo bhodhaig, chum gum bi sinn ‘n ar n-aon. Is leatsa m’anam gus an criochnaich ar saoghal.’ Alex recited with pure love, his eyes focused solely on his lover.
‘You are blood of my veins; you are bone of my bone. Yours is my body, that we may be one. Yours is my soul until our worlds end.’ Quinn recited in English as was expected of him. His green eyes were boring into the almost purple eyes of the Italian as he said his vows.
‘The bands of unity please.’ Fearghas asked of Mikhail and Bruce, both of whom stepped forward with their hands clasped and raised in front of them. In the palms of their hands were the small black boxes which held the rings, in Mikhail’s box sat the iridescent red wedding band. Alex took the ring carefully and turned to the blond.
‘Bheirinn a’ ghrian dhut ’s a’ ghealach, is reultan na h-iarmailt gu tur. Ciamar, mar sin, as leòr dhomh, mi fhìn a thoirt dhut?’ Alex whispered softly, his eyes locked on the bright green eyes of the Canadian as he slid the wedding band onto Quinn’s finger. Due to the telepathic field and connections of all those present, the Gaelic offering was immediately translated to all those present.
‘I’d give the sun to you, and the moon, and all of the stars. How then is it enough that I give you myself?’ Quinn repeated in Gaelic, the words instantly translating through the telepathic field to all people present. The blond, having not broken eye contact with his Italian lover, had taken the shimmering silver ring from the black box in Bruce’s hand and slid it onto Alex’s finger.
Both men smiling from ear to ear turned to the naked priest who was smiling to both of them. Waving a hand, a length of black and white fabric appeared in his hand. He stepped forward and gestured for Alex and Quinn to stand on either side of him. The Italian took his place and held out his left hand as the Canadian stood in front of him, his chest rising and falling rapidly with his breathing, as he held out his left hand. Alex took Quinn’s hand in his and squeezed it tenderly, blinding the poor blond with a dazzling smile. Fearghas began intricately winding the length of black and white fabric around the wrists and hands of both men, binding their hands and rings together, as now were their lives. After a few minutes, the High Priest stood back and gestured to the two men.
‘Giùlanair de Solas,’ The High Priest said nodding to Alex. ‘Sgàile de a'Gealach,’ Fearghas said with a nod to Quinn. ‘You two are now joined as lovers, as husbands, as one.’ The High Priest said clearly over the entire wedding party. Alex raised his left hand as Quinn stepped in and turned, his back against the Italian’s chest, their arms joined at the wrist with Alex’s arm wrapped around Quinn’s torso. Facing the people, the watching crowd gasped loudly as the Leader, still firmly entrenched in the ancient fire bird’s flames, bore down with effort as the flames embracing him began burning bright white. At the same time, the thirteen stones of Calanais began glowing brightly. Alex leaned down slightly as Quinn turned his head and the two men kissed, for the first time, as husband and husband.
The loved ones and family of the two men were shocked out of their minds as the Italian and Canadian were suddenly engulfed in white flames. Watching closely everyone observed the two men almost becoming one, melding, front to back, becoming of one body for a few moments. As the white flames disappeared, the two men returning to their separate bodies, broke their kiss with the biggest smiles either man has ever worn.
‘I felt your heart next to mine.’ Quinn whispered as he looked into the near purple eyes of his husband.
‘And I felt yours.’ Alex whispered back, love and devotion evident on his face. ‘Thank you.’ The two men lost themselves in each other’s eyes.
‘Ladies and Gentlemen, Alessandro and Quinton Beauchamp-Braddock!’ The High Priest shouted across the Stone Circle as the watching people erupted into shouts of happiness and applause.
‘You bloody show off.’ James said as he embraced the Leader warmly. ‘Any excuse to get your kit off.’ Releasing Lachlan, the tall man turned to the men gathered around.
‘Thanks for helping us out James.’ Lachlan said with a nod of acknowledgement.
‘No worries at all. Want some help getting everyone back to your Sanctuary?’ The taller man asked. The Leader shook his head in negation.
‘No I think we’ve got it covered.’ Lachlan said looking to his husband, and the twins.
‘Alright. I need to head off. My man gets snotty when I’m away for too long.’ The New Zealand Leader said with a chuckle.
‘How is Stephen?’ Lachlan asked of the tall man.
‘He’s good. Been a little unwell of late, but is doing much better now.’ James said with a hint of sadness. Lachlan picked up on the thoughts and made a mental note to himself to visit with the two men.
‘Well thank you again for helping us.’ The Leader said with a smile as the tall man waved and vanished on the spot. ‘Alright, let’s get these guests back home.’ Lachlan said with a smile.
In groups of three anyone who was able to, teleported wedding guests back to the Sanctuary safely, where decorations and preparations were completed for the wedding function. As people walked into the Sanctuary’s gathering field they were amazed at the decorations. Small flames floated benignly about the place, giving off the appearance of candles being suspended from the night sky somehow, which was just becoming the deep black, star speckled canvas it normally is. Long lengths of white ribbon were weaving about the small flames as if drifting in water. There were plush white rugs scattered about the field, each with a low table, glasses and bottles of wine sparkling in yet more small flames hovering around each table. In front of the communal bonfire, which was prepared but unlit, sat a huge white rug, a large, low table set in the middle before a large piece of wood which had been carved into a comfortable seat for two, cushions and rugs covering the seat. Those members of the Sanctuary who had not attended the wedding came towards the gathering field and joined with the wedding guests, getting a run-down of how the ceremony went. Being a special event, the children of the Sanctuary members were allowed to attend, the younger of the children running around, chasing the white ribbons.
As nearly everyone was seated at one of the white rugs scattered about, they erupted into applause and calls of excitement as the now wedded Alex and Quinn came out of the Circle and walked, hand in hand, to the large wooden seat, where they sat down comfortably close to one another. Smiling and waving to everyone who was still applauding, Alex spotted his mother and mother-in-law sitting at their rug, both smiling and clapping. Whispering to his husband, Alex stood up and stepped to his mother’s side, Quinn standing beside Sarah Beauchamp. Both men held out their hands and helped their respective mothers to their feet. Alex and Quinn led their mothers to the large seat and bade them both to sit down in comfort. Blushing from the generosity of their son’s and mild embarrassment, the two women sat down hesitantly as Alex and Quinn sat amongst their wedding party members, both smiling like Cheshire cats.
‘I have a great dislike for formalities, so, dig in guys.’ Lachlan said to everyone present, as a dozen people brought out plates of food to everyone seated. Within a few minutes, everyone was eating possibly the best feast they’ve had for quite some time. The Leader pulled Rama aside and spoke with him quietly.
‘I just need to disappear and take care of something quickly. Can you keep everything going and just make sure no-one notices my absence?’ The Leader asked quietly.
‘Of course. Do you need help neteru?’ The half Egyptian asked as he ran a hand down the frail arm of his husband.
‘No I’m alright. Just keep everyone happy and distracted for me.’ Lachlan said with a smile. ‘I’ll be back as soon as I can.’
‘Alright my love. Be safe.’ Rama said as he kissed Lachlan softly.
‘Always am.’ The Leader said as he disappeared into the falling darkness, heading for the Sanctuary’s veil.
Cloaking himself in shadows, the Leader appeared on the balcony of Alex’s apartment in silence. Peering into the gloom of the living room, the Leader saw no presence of life. With Quinn’s protection spell removed, Lachlan phased through the door and appeared in the living room quietly. Invisible to the eye, and the sharp senses of any telepath, the Leader walked quietly through the apartment searching for his target. Sensing a person in the master bedroom, the Leader made his way carefully down the hallway. Unable to get a proper sense of this person without revealing himself, Lachlan cautiously stopped at the partially open door and listened for a moment.
‘So what should I do now? The Third is suspicious of me.’ The voice asked with a Welsh accent.
‘Return to us as soon as you can. We will re-group and form another strategy.’ A crisp English accent said, albeit slightly distorted. ‘Dominus has a plan that you might be able to help with.’ Lachlan crept into the room unnoticed and watched the man talking to a mirror, from his position he was unable to make out the face in it.
‘I’ll be there as soon as I can.’ The man said as he waved a hand in front of the mirror, the image of the person rippling until it vanished. The Welshman turned from the wall, walked briskly to the walk-in wardrobe and disappeared inside.
Preparing himself, Lachlan stood just outside of the wardrobe and braced. As Drew walked out of the wardrobe, the Leader dropped his visual and telepathic cloaks and reaching out with a hand, touched the side of the Welshman’s head. Shock was plastered on Drew’s face, his eyes as round as saucers when he saw the Leader, and as the hand touched his head, his eyes fluttered momentarily and closed as he collapsed to the floor, unconscious. Looking down at the subdued Welshman, Lachlan scanned the mind and was shocked at what he saw.
‘Impossible.’ The Leader whispered as he knelt down and touched a hand to the side of the head. ‘You barbaric fools!’
Using his telekinesis, Lachlan stood the man on his feet and held him in place, a grotesque human marionette, his arms, legs and head all stooping. Touching the man’s shoulder, the Leader pulled him through the vortex of energy and they appeared on the metal road mere feet from the veil.
‘Rama, excuse yourself and join me at the veil please.’ The Leader asked of his husband as he walked through the veil, the human marionette Welshman following behind him in a comically grotesque fashion. Within moments Rama was standing beside his husband, a hand on his shoulder.
‘Who’s that?’ The half Egyptian asked looking at the suspended Welshman.
‘Giorgio’s boyfriend, Drew. Quinn told me that when he saw him last, he had a spirit cloud much like Fearghas’, black and gold. This man is possessed.’ The Leader said gesturing to the dangling form of the Welshman.
‘Shit!’ Rama said realising the gravity of the situation. ‘A plant you reckon?’
‘Quite.’ Lachlan said nodding gravely. ‘Help me get him to the grove.’ The Leader said walking away from the gathering field and through the outlining tree line. ‘Are Sam and AJ still here?’
‘Yes, they’re with everyone else.’ The half Egyptian responded.
‘Can you ask them both to join me in the grove please? Tell them to change clothes first.’ The Leader said as he stepped out of the tree line and into the Grove. At a quick glance, it was a small field covered with thick vines of some type, forming small holding pens of a description. Approaching the nearest opening of the vines, Lachlan made a gesture and the marionette Welshman moved into the enclosure. The vines forming the opening closed slowly and wrapped around the man’s body, only his head visible through the vines. Standing quietly watching, Lachlan heard the approach of two men. He turned and saw two men walking through the treeline. One man was about 6’3”, was lean and athletic, the type of physique a surfer would have. He had sandy brown hair tousled over his forehead, his pale green eyes soft with affection. He was wearing a pair of black jeans and a long sleeve grey shirt, his tanned skin glowing in the moonlight. The other man was about 5’7”, a few inches shorter than the Leader himself, his dark brown hair swept to the side tidily, sitting across his forehead just above the intense grey eyes behind the small rectangular spectacles. His compact and flatly muscled body was hidden beneath the blue jeans and white t-shirt he was wearing, what skin was showing almost as white as the shirt itself.
‘AJ.’ The Leader said nodding to the taller man. ‘Sam.’ He said addressing the shorter man.
‘What’s happened?’ The taller man asked with a slightly Southern American accent, an unusual combination of Southern and Western American influences.
‘This man is a plant from the Order. He is possessed by a spirit. Please keep him unconscious and secure for me.’ The Leader asked of the two men.
‘Of course we will.’ The shorter of the men said with a Canadian accent as he stepped forward. The Leader reached out and gently squeezed the shoulders of both men.
‘I’m sorry to pull you away from the party, but, if this means what I think it does, this party might need to end sooner than expected.’
‘It’s quite alright.’ AJ said as he stepped toward the ensnared Welshman. He crouched down and put a hand to the man’s forehead, pulling his hand back quickly with a sharp intake of breath.
‘What is he?’ The tall man asked as Sam crouched down and performed the same thing, yanking his hand away as if burnt.
‘I haven’t had a chance to look properly, but whatever he is it doesn’t bode well for Giorgio.’ The Leader said sadly, glancing at the two men briefly. ‘I’ll be back soon.’
AJ, the Sanctuary Leader of Western America, and Sam, the Sanctuary Leader of Canada, both stood up and watched as Lachlan made his way through the tree line and out of sight.
‘You keep him unconscious, I’ll keep him secure.’ AJ said to the shorter Leader.
‘Deal.’ Sam said fixing his gaze upon the unconscious Welshman and concentrating.
‘We’ll see you in a few weeks Mamma.’ Alex said releasing his mother and turning to his mother-in-law. ‘Thank you for coming Sarah.’ He said embracing the mother of his husband.
‘I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.’ Ms. Beauchamp said with a smile.
‘See you guys soon.’ Quinn said as the newlyweds stood back and allowed Jaden and Caiden to teleport their mother’s to their respective homes, Alex’s aunts, Francesca and Giuliana having already left for their homes. The two men, walking hand in hand made their way back into the Sanctuary and toward their private cabin.
‘Alex, Quinn, can I have a quick word before you go to bed?’ The Leader asked suddenly appearing before the two men.
‘Of course.’ The newlyweds said in unison as they followed Lachlan. He led them to a quiet area just behind his private cabin.
‘During the wedding, Quinn told me of what he saw when you confronted Drew.’ The Leader began.
‘During the wedding? How?’ Alex asked.
‘Another time for that Alex. What I need to tell you is that Drew isn’t who he appears to be.’ Lachlan continued as if without interruption.
‘How do you mean?’ Alex questioned.
‘Quinn said he saw a mixed spirit in him and I went to investigate. And it’s not looking good.’ Lachlan said with a heavy voice.
‘How so?’ Alex and Quinn asked, the Leader allowing himself a smile at their duality.
‘The black and gold you saw with Fearghas is the combination of his own soul or spirit, mixing with the spirits of his predecessor and the first High Priest. When you looked at Drew, was the gold and black mixed together, or was the black more visible then the gold?’
‘The black was more dominant.’ Quinn said with a nod. Lachlan shook his head sadly.
‘He’s possessed. Not like Fearghas was during the ceremony, but, I believe whatever is in him, is controlling the body. Whoever Drew is, I don’t think that’s the actual owner of that body.’ The Leader said quietly.
‘Oh shit, Georgie!’ Alex exclaimed stepping away from the two men as Lachlan reached over and took hold of his arm.
‘Rama is with him at the moment.’ The Leader said kindly. ‘He is alright and we will help him through this.’
‘Oh this is horrible.’ Quinn said putting his hands up to his face and sobbing quietly.
‘Don’t cry leannan, everything will be alright.’ Lachlan said reaching over and squeezing the blonds shoulder tenderly. ‘Get ye’selves to bed and we’ll talk more in the morning.’
‘Please come and get me if anything happens.’ Alex said taking his husband into his arms and squeezing him.
‘Goodnight.’ The Leader said nodding to the newlyweds. When the two men made it around the corner, Lachlan sped to the Grove to check on AJ and Sam.
‘Sorry that took so long.’ Lachlan said as he stepped through the trees.
‘HURRY!’ Sam shouted when he heard the Leader speak. ‘We can’t hold him under any more.’
The Leader appeared beside the two other Leader’s and concentrated on the prisoner. Closing his eyes he saw the possessing spirit pushing against the telepathic restraints of the two men. Focussing on the task, Lachlan gathered the spirit into a small ball telepathically and forced it into submission. Without breaking concentration he telepathically created a cage and forced the spirit into it within the psyche of the unconscious man. Backing off slightly, he watched for a few moments and was glad to see his telepathic restraints held the spirit in check. Opening his eyes and turning to the smaller Leader, he noticed that AJ had fallen over.
‘What happened?’ Lachlan asked as he leaned over and helped the taller man to his feet.
‘We don’t know. We were talking and then he woke up suddenly and we tried to force him back to sleep, but, something was pushing against us. Something wickedly strong.’
‘Well, he’s subdued for now. Why don’t you two go and rest.’ The Leader said warmly. ‘I’ll come find you both in the morning.’
‘Thank you Lachlan.’ AJ said pressing his fingers to his temple and massaging gently.
‘Now, what in the hell am I going to do about you?’ The Leader asked of the unconscious man.
‘Kill me perhaps?’ A deep and resonating voice replied in the Leader’s mind.
‘Why would I kill you?’ Lachlan asked aloud, barely registering shock at the telepathic communication.
‘It’s the only way you’ll get me out of this body.’ It responded.
‘Clearly you’ve no idea who I am.’ The Leader chuckled.
‘I know you will fail, and you will fall, like always.’ The voice responded with a maniacal laugh.
‘Enough with your nonsense.’ Lachlan said waving a hand as a telepathic dampening field fell upon the unconscious Welshman, extinguishing the voices connection. The Leader stepped back a few paces and sat cross legged on a patch of grass, watching the man intently.
‘I’m spending the rest of the night in the Grove. Can you come and take over at sunrise. I need to go and see someone in the morning.’ The Leader communicated to his husband.
‘Of course neteru. Good night.’
Keeping his eyes focused on the Welshman, the Leader fell into a meditative trance trying to figure out what he was going to do.
‘You will fail, and you will fall.’ The voice echoed in his mind.
‘I’m so very sorry for the early visit Aurelia, but I am in dire need of your assistance, and perhaps that of your sisters.’ The Leader said bashfully when Aurelia Braddock opened her front door.
‘Come in picccolo.’ Mrs. Braddock said stepping back and gesturing for the Leader to come inside. ‘Gilly and Fran are in the kitchen.’ She finished as she closed the door and followed the frail man down the hallway.
‘Jesus who died?’ Francesca asked standing up from the table looking at Lachlan. Giuliana slapped her sister and gestured for the sad looking Leader to sit down.
‘If I understand correctly, you three women have the same powers as the Holy combined, right?’ Lachlan began as he sat down, Aurelia sliding a steaming cup of coffee in front of him and taking her seat.
‘Yes.’ She said eying the Leader curiously.
‘I have in my custody Giorgio’s boyfriend, Drew. He is at present, possessed by a spirit, one that I have had encounters with previously. And I have not had any luck with removing it from the host body. Not successfully anyway.’
‘Define successfully?’ Francesca asked with a hard tone to her voice.
‘All previous efforts at removing this particular spirit have resulted in the death of the host.’ Lachlan said sadly, closing his eyes momentarily.
‘So this Drew person…’ Francesca began.
‘I don’t believe his name is Drew, the host that is.’ Lachlan said looking at the three sister’s one at a time. Looking at his hands he continued. ‘Drew, is the hard pronunciation of a Welsh word. The word in question is Rhyw.’
‘And what does that mean?’ Aurelia asked.
‘Rhyw, is the Welsh word for “sex”. The spirit that possesses this man, that I have had encounters with before, is an incubus.’
‘You’re shitting me?’ Francesca said with a laugh. ‘My son was banging an incubus?’
‘Wait, he looked rather skinny last night.’ Giuliana said to her sister. ‘And his spirit light was rather dim.’
‘Gilly!’ Francesca said mildly irritated.
‘No Franny, she’s right.’ Aurelia intervened. ‘It fits.’ She said looking into the distance.
‘What did you want us to do?’ Giuliana asked of the Leader who raised his head and looked pleadingly at the sisters.
‘Will you help me remove the spirit, please?’ He begged of the three women. Giuliana and Aurelia nodded instantaneously and both looked to their sister. Francesca looked conflicted and finally nodded briefly.
‘Thank you so much.’ Lachlan said smiling for the first time since last night.
‘Take us there now young man.’ Giuliana said seriously as she and her sisters all rose and stepped away from the table. The Leader stood up and was beside the sisters in the blink of an eye, all three of them reaching out and holding Lachlan’s arm as he vanished into the vortex.
‘I need to go and see Alex and Quinn off and then I will take you to the Grove.’ The Leader said as they appeared in the living room of his cabin. ‘Make yourselves comfortable and I will be back soon.’
The Leader raced out of his cabin and met the Italian and Canadian in the gathering field, both of them smiling ear to ear.
‘I hope you have a wonderful time.’ The Leader said hitching a smile on his face and hugging the two men.
‘I’ll give them a quick tour of the island when I drop them off.’ Caiden said with a smile as Quinn and Alex picked up their suitcases and they made their way to the veil.
‘Be safe you two.’ Lachlan said with a smile as he waved them off. When the newlyweds were through the veil he raced back into his private cabin, startling the sisters slightly as he appeared before them.
‘Let’s go.’ The Leader said leading them out of the cabin and toward the Grove. As he and the three sisters stepped through the tree line, Rama stood up from his cross legged position and turned to the sisters.
‘He is still under and in control.’ The half Egyptian said as he took his husband into his arms and hugged him.
‘Let us see what we can do.’ Giuliana said gliding forward and crouching down to look into the man’s face. The Welshman’s eyes opened suddenly, and Giuliana looked into the bottomless black. ‘Ooh, you are a nasty one.’
‘Witch!’ The Welshman spat at the woman as if it were a stone.
‘Lachlan, come here for a minute.’ Giuliana gestured to the Leader, beckoning him closer, not taking her eyes off of the pools of black that were the Welshman’s eyes. Lachlan crouched down beside the woman who reached out and took his hand softly in hers.
‘Guide me with your telepathy and when I say so, amplify what I’m doing.’
‘Yes ma’am.’ The Leader said gladly.
‘Ha! Taking orders from a peasant witch now.’ The demonic voice of the Welshman mocked.
‘Be quiet.’ Francesca said angrily as she flapped a hand at the Welshman, one of the vines snapping over the man’s mouth, closing it.
Francesca, Aurelia and Rama spaced themselves around the prisoner, the Leader and Giuliana, channelling their energies to them. Giuliana had her eyes closed for several minutes concentrating on her task as Lachlan sat in a trance, guiding her telepathically.
‘Foolish imbecile!’ The incubus shouted telepathically at the Leader.
‘There he is.’ Giuliana said with concentration. ‘Wait, what?’
‘Something wrong?’ Lachlan asked politely.
‘It moved, or rather, managed to evade me.’ Giuliana said with surprise, sensing the spirit withdrawing deeper into the host body.
‘It’s always managed to do that on me, and if I force it out, it somehow manages to pull out the psyche of the host with it.’ The Leader said crestfallen, watching the Welshman’s body slip back into unconsciousness, the vines tightening around him.
‘Never mind.’ Giuliana said with a sigh. ‘I know how to recognise it; we just need to work on a way to corner it.’
Aurelia made a sound like she was choking and everyone turned to her.
‘Aurelia?’ Lachlan asked looking at her, as her eyes rolled up showing only white. ‘Aurelia!’ The Leader called loudly as he took her shoulders carefully in his hands.
Mrs. Braddock’s mouth fell open and without moving, a voice not her own spoke in a horrifying tone.
‘The Guardian shall fall into thine enemy hands, while the Priest will fall upon God’s Sword. The Sun, avenging his Priest, will burn those loyal to Him and shall cease to be himself.’
‘What in the hell?’ Lachlan queried quietly as Giuliana and Francesca caught their collapsing sister.
‘Alex, you and Giorgio go with Jaden and Rama please.’ Lachlan said gesturing to the redhead and the half Egyptian waiting patiently to one side. Alex, gently pulling Giorgio in his wake, relinquished his charge to Rama who telepathically calmed the older cousin down. Rama, Alex, Mikhail, Jaden and Giorgio quietly made their way to an out of the way cabin where they could begin getting ready.
‘Quinn, Bruce, Fabrizio and Caiden are waiting for us inside.’ The Leader said gesturing to his private cabin. The blond skipped up onto the back deck beside Lachlan and the two men walked inside companionably.
‘So what do we need to do?’ Quinn asked as he sat next to Bruce, Fabrizio shuffling over slightly and resting his head on the blond’s shoulder. Quinn put an arm around each man and sighed happily.
‘Nothing.’ Caiden said with a giggle. ‘You know the basics of the ceremony, as do Fabz and Bruce. All we do now is relax and wait.’
‘Well, you could show Quinn what he’ll be wearing I guess.’ The Leader said with a glance to his bedroom. Caiden’s eyes lit up with happiness at the thought.
‘Yeah, come on. Let’s go look at what we’re all wearing.’ The blond twin said gathering everyone and leading them to the Leader’s bedroom.
‘I’m just going to have a quick word with Fearghas.’ Lachlan said as he disappeared out the back door.
'And now we just wait?’ Alex asked of the Egyptian man who was sitting cross legged in the middle of the lounge.
‘For now. Oh actually, where are the rings?’ Rama asked of the Italian man. Alex held out his hand and the two familiar black boxes appeared in his palm. He handed them to the Leader’s husband.
‘Okay, so you touch this one.’ Rama said opening one of the boxes; Alex pressed his finger to it and watched it change to the iridescent red. ‘And Quinn touches this one.’ He said waving his hand, the second box vanishing. ‘When you exchange rings, you give him this red one, and he gives you his silver one.’ Mikhail nodded with approval. ‘You, big guy, have the responsibility of looking after the ring until the exchange.’ The Egyptian concluded as he handed the now closed box to the Russian.
‘Consider it protected.’ Mikhail said with a confident smile, Jaden mock punching the giant’s arm.
‘Easy on Rasputin. You look like you just won the lottery.’ The redhead said with a laugh.
‘In a way I have. Today, my best friend is getting married to his soul mate. I could not be any more proud of him.’ The Russian said tearing up. His emotional statement had an effect on the Italian, who was wiping his own tears away.
‘Thanks Mickey.’ Alex said with a smile.
‘Okay, let’s head down to the River for our cleansing.’ The Egyptian said as he stood up graciously from his cross legged position. Alex, Mikhail, Jaden and Giorgio all rose and followed the man outside and toward Deep River. ‘Quinn and his party will have already cleansed by now.’ Rama said as they neared the river bank.
‘So, we just jump in?’ Alex queried.
‘Clothes off, dive in and you can teleport straight from the river back to the cabin.’ The Egyptian directed. ‘Lachlan is allowing both parties to teleport within the Sanctuary for just this one time.’ He clarified when Alex gave him a peculiar look. Alex removed his long sleeved shirt and slid out of his jeans and underwear, after kicking off his shoes. The Egyptian watched for a moment as the Italian’s divine physique rippled with his movement, the almost god like body shimmering in the late afternoon sun. As Alex stepped to the water, the Russian had disrobed and Rama found himself somewhat aroused watching the bulky muscles covered in soft milky skin twitch and flex as Mikhail walked cautiously to the water.
‘Two gods if ever I saw them.’ Jaden said quietly to the Egyptian as he himself had stripped naked. Rama looked at the redhead’s naked body and smiled appreciatively.
‘You are just as beautiful as them.’ Rama said looking at the muscular body of his friend, the broad shoulders and chest tapering to a narrow waist, his abdominal muscles very pronounced on the flat stomach. Jaden had one tattoo, a tribal design on the right side of his torso, the upper part of the tattoo circling the nipple, and spreading down over the barely visible rib cage, the lower part trailing off and down his thigh. Rama ran a hand softly down the tattoo and smiled as Jaden’s flaccid manhood bobbed slightly at the touch.
‘I think perhaps Lachlan and I might have company tonight.’ The Egyptian said winking at the redhead.
‘I’ll bring Caiden with me.’ Jaden said with a grin. ‘He’ll want to play as well.’
‘The more the merrier.’ Rama said with a laugh as the redhead helped Giorgio into the water.
Everyone was sitting in a semi-circle facing what was once the altar of the Stone Circle, their backs toward the lower part of the stone formation. The group collectively gasped in awe as they watched the tall muscular Italian and the shorter flat muscled blond enter the Stone Circle from opposite sides. Alex was wearing a simple piece of black fabric around his waist, a tidy knot at the hip, his right leg exposed. Wearing only the black lower robes, his naked torso glistened with perspiration in the moonlight, his chest rising and falling with his quick breaths. Quinn was wearing a similar garb of white, his left leg exposed and his lithe torso almost glowing in the moonlight. The two men walked slowly to the altar in the middle of the circle, stopping a few feet from each other. They both smiled as they looked each other over, their feelings of love, adoration and desire flooding the minds of all those present. Quinn’s party were all dressed in white robes, their upper bodies covered with another piece of white fabric, their left arms exposed. Alex’s were wearing black and their right arms were bared. As the crowd became hushed everyone watched as the tall Pict warrior priest and the slight and frail Leader walked to the altar from the top of the Stone Circle. There were a few gasps of surprise as people noticed that Fearghas was completely naked, his smooth, freckled skin covered from head to toe in black and white markings. His normally hairy body had been shaved completely smooth for the ceremony, save his long russet hair, and the markings painted painstakingly onto his muscled frame, long sweeping lines accenting his cheeks, neck, arms, chest, torso, legs and back. He stood before the altar stone and smiled at the Italian and Canadian. Lachlan, wearing the black lower robes of Alex’s party and the white upper robes of Quinn’s party, moved slowly to the top of the Stone Circle and raised his hands. With a quick glance around, he made sure that all thirteen people were in place, Rama, James, Sam and AJ, leaders of two other Sanctuary’s, were in place.
Quinn looked at the Pict Priest for a few moments and noticed something unusual. In a panic he reached out to Lachlan telepathically and everyone in the Stone Circle froze.
‘Quinn?’ The Leader asked aloud.
‘Whoa. Did I do that?’ The blond asked with nervous excitement as he slowly looked around the Stone Circle, eying all the frozen people intently.
‘How the hell did you do that? I didn’t realise chronokinesis was one of the Holy’s abilities.’ Lachlan pondered.
‘Let’s talk about that later, I think I’ve just discovered something.’ Quinn said slightly alarmed.
‘Quick, what’s wrong?’ The Leader asked stepping to the blond’s side.
‘Why is Fergus’s spirit glowing black and gold?’ Quinn asked.
‘Oh, I forgot to mention, during the ceremony, he is connected and bound with the spirits of his predecessor and the first High Priest of Calanais.’ Lachlan tried to explain.
‘So that explains the black I see in his spirit light?’ Quinn asked for clarification.
‘Yeah, why?’ The Leader asked.
‘Because that’s what I saw when I looked at Drew. The same thing. Drew is bound with a spirit.’ The blond said with panic.
‘Shit.’ The Leader said. ‘Okay, don’t panic. Relax, calm down, let’s get you wedded and I will go and investigate Drew afterward, okay?’
‘What does it mean?’ Quinn asked with concern etched across his face.
‘Quinn, leannan, let’s get through the wedding before we worry about that. I will take care of everything, I promise.’ Lachlan said squeezing the blond’s shoulders gently.
‘Okay, shit. Sorry.’ The blond said blushing red as he looked around at the frozen forms of his loved ones.
‘It’s alright. Just take a breath, close your eyes and release your hold on everyone.’ The Leader said taking his place at the top of the Stone Circle. ‘Ready?’ Quinn closed his eyes and nodded, the temporal stasis field dissipating and everyone returning to normal.
‘We’ve got it covered neteru. You can begin.’ The Egyptian communicated to his husband. The Leader nodded to the Egyptian with a smile and closed his eyes. Bringing his hands above his head, he concentrated his thoughts on the spirit energy of the Stone Circle and the long since lost island in the Southern Ocean. Placing his hands together as if praying, he brought his hands down slowly, as they shook with the effort. His hands stopped shaking when they came level with his face, which was blank with confusion.
‘Something wrong?’ Rama asked as his eyes swept the stony field beyond him.
‘I think I’m going to need to go all out for this.’ The Leader replied, most of the wedding party hearing this. Alex and Quinn both looked to the man with curious looks. Lachlan looked back at them with a “Sorry, but I have to” shrug of the shoulders.
As everyone watched, the Leader’s hands dropped to his side as bright yellow flames erupted from his body, wrapping him in fire. Several people gasped in shock, watching what looked like the ancient fire bird of mythology cocoon the Leader within itself. Watching the delicate framed man being embraced by the flames, everyone watched on as the Leader’s robes were burnt from his body.
‘Show off.’ Fearghas said with a giggle.
‘Jesus.’ Francesca said sitting up to get a better look at the small framed Leader. ‘Makes me want to get married again.’ She said to Giuliana as Aurelia slapped her arm with a snigger. Everyone, including Alex and Quinn laughed at the sisters.
Lachlan’s attention was on his task as he pulled not only the spirit energy of the lost island circle to the energy of the Stone Circle of Calanais, but also anchoring all thirteen stones of both circles, to a person within the bridal party, each person’s own spiritual energy anchoring the two circles together, creating a temporal tachyon bridge connecting both sides of the planet together.
‘Can you feel that?’ The young mage asked of his master as he raced into the room.
‘What the hell is that?’ The Archivist asked rushing to the side of his chamber. He waved a hand over a basin of water and watched as an image of the planet appeared in it. The mage and the Archivist watched as the image of the planet distorted slightly, as if being squashed between something, making the circular planet oval.
‘What the fuck is doing that?’ Johan asked with astonishment.
‘I don’t know, but whatever it is, it is impossibly powerful.’ The Archivist said with disbelief. ‘And I’ve no idea what it is doing.’
‘Should I tell Dominus?’ The mage asked not sure what to do.
‘No. I doubt he can feel it.’ The Archivist said, his eyes narrowing with disbelief as he continued to watch the image in the basin.
‘Is tu fuil ‘o mo chuislean, is tu cnaimh de mo chnaimh. Is leatsa mo bhodhaig, chum gum bi sinn ‘n ar n-aon. Is leatsa m’anam gus an criochnaich ar saoghal.’ Alex recited with pure love, his eyes focused solely on his lover.
‘You are blood of my veins; you are bone of my bone. Yours is my body, that we may be one. Yours is my soul until our worlds end.’ Quinn recited in English as was expected of him. His green eyes were boring into the almost purple eyes of the Italian as he said his vows.
‘The bands of unity please.’ Fearghas asked of Mikhail and Bruce, both of whom stepped forward with their hands clasped and raised in front of them. In the palms of their hands were the small black boxes which held the rings, in Mikhail’s box sat the iridescent red wedding band. Alex took the ring carefully and turned to the blond.
‘Bheirinn a’ ghrian dhut ’s a’ ghealach, is reultan na h-iarmailt gu tur. Ciamar, mar sin, as leòr dhomh, mi fhìn a thoirt dhut?’ Alex whispered softly, his eyes locked on the bright green eyes of the Canadian as he slid the wedding band onto Quinn’s finger. Due to the telepathic field and connections of all those present, the Gaelic offering was immediately translated to all those present.
‘I’d give the sun to you, and the moon, and all of the stars. How then is it enough that I give you myself?’ Quinn repeated in Gaelic, the words instantly translating through the telepathic field to all people present. The blond, having not broken eye contact with his Italian lover, had taken the shimmering silver ring from the black box in Bruce’s hand and slid it onto Alex’s finger.
Both men smiling from ear to ear turned to the naked priest who was smiling to both of them. Waving a hand, a length of black and white fabric appeared in his hand. He stepped forward and gestured for Alex and Quinn to stand on either side of him. The Italian took his place and held out his left hand as the Canadian stood in front of him, his chest rising and falling rapidly with his breathing, as he held out his left hand. Alex took Quinn’s hand in his and squeezed it tenderly, blinding the poor blond with a dazzling smile. Fearghas began intricately winding the length of black and white fabric around the wrists and hands of both men, binding their hands and rings together, as now were their lives. After a few minutes, the High Priest stood back and gestured to the two men.
‘Giùlanair de Solas,’ The High Priest said nodding to Alex. ‘Sgàile de a'Gealach,’ Fearghas said with a nod to Quinn. ‘You two are now joined as lovers, as husbands, as one.’ The High Priest said clearly over the entire wedding party. Alex raised his left hand as Quinn stepped in and turned, his back against the Italian’s chest, their arms joined at the wrist with Alex’s arm wrapped around Quinn’s torso. Facing the people, the watching crowd gasped loudly as the Leader, still firmly entrenched in the ancient fire bird’s flames, bore down with effort as the flames embracing him began burning bright white. At the same time, the thirteen stones of Calanais began glowing brightly. Alex leaned down slightly as Quinn turned his head and the two men kissed, for the first time, as husband and husband.
The loved ones and family of the two men were shocked out of their minds as the Italian and Canadian were suddenly engulfed in white flames. Watching closely everyone observed the two men almost becoming one, melding, front to back, becoming of one body for a few moments. As the white flames disappeared, the two men returning to their separate bodies, broke their kiss with the biggest smiles either man has ever worn.
‘I felt your heart next to mine.’ Quinn whispered as he looked into the near purple eyes of his husband.
‘And I felt yours.’ Alex whispered back, love and devotion evident on his face. ‘Thank you.’ The two men lost themselves in each other’s eyes.
‘Ladies and Gentlemen, Alessandro and Quinton Beauchamp-Braddock!’ The High Priest shouted across the Stone Circle as the watching people erupted into shouts of happiness and applause.
‘You bloody show off.’ James said as he embraced the Leader warmly. ‘Any excuse to get your kit off.’ Releasing Lachlan, the tall man turned to the men gathered around.
‘Thanks for helping us out James.’ Lachlan said with a nod of acknowledgement.
‘No worries at all. Want some help getting everyone back to your Sanctuary?’ The taller man asked. The Leader shook his head in negation.
‘No I think we’ve got it covered.’ Lachlan said looking to his husband, and the twins.
‘Alright. I need to head off. My man gets snotty when I’m away for too long.’ The New Zealand Leader said with a chuckle.
‘How is Stephen?’ Lachlan asked of the tall man.
‘He’s good. Been a little unwell of late, but is doing much better now.’ James said with a hint of sadness. Lachlan picked up on the thoughts and made a mental note to himself to visit with the two men.
‘Well thank you again for helping us.’ The Leader said with a smile as the tall man waved and vanished on the spot. ‘Alright, let’s get these guests back home.’ Lachlan said with a smile.
In groups of three anyone who was able to, teleported wedding guests back to the Sanctuary safely, where decorations and preparations were completed for the wedding function. As people walked into the Sanctuary’s gathering field they were amazed at the decorations. Small flames floated benignly about the place, giving off the appearance of candles being suspended from the night sky somehow, which was just becoming the deep black, star speckled canvas it normally is. Long lengths of white ribbon were weaving about the small flames as if drifting in water. There were plush white rugs scattered about the field, each with a low table, glasses and bottles of wine sparkling in yet more small flames hovering around each table. In front of the communal bonfire, which was prepared but unlit, sat a huge white rug, a large, low table set in the middle before a large piece of wood which had been carved into a comfortable seat for two, cushions and rugs covering the seat. Those members of the Sanctuary who had not attended the wedding came towards the gathering field and joined with the wedding guests, getting a run-down of how the ceremony went. Being a special event, the children of the Sanctuary members were allowed to attend, the younger of the children running around, chasing the white ribbons.
As nearly everyone was seated at one of the white rugs scattered about, they erupted into applause and calls of excitement as the now wedded Alex and Quinn came out of the Circle and walked, hand in hand, to the large wooden seat, where they sat down comfortably close to one another. Smiling and waving to everyone who was still applauding, Alex spotted his mother and mother-in-law sitting at their rug, both smiling and clapping. Whispering to his husband, Alex stood up and stepped to his mother’s side, Quinn standing beside Sarah Beauchamp. Both men held out their hands and helped their respective mothers to their feet. Alex and Quinn led their mothers to the large seat and bade them both to sit down in comfort. Blushing from the generosity of their son’s and mild embarrassment, the two women sat down hesitantly as Alex and Quinn sat amongst their wedding party members, both smiling like Cheshire cats.
‘I have a great dislike for formalities, so, dig in guys.’ Lachlan said to everyone present, as a dozen people brought out plates of food to everyone seated. Within a few minutes, everyone was eating possibly the best feast they’ve had for quite some time. The Leader pulled Rama aside and spoke with him quietly.
‘I just need to disappear and take care of something quickly. Can you keep everything going and just make sure no-one notices my absence?’ The Leader asked quietly.
‘Of course. Do you need help neteru?’ The half Egyptian asked as he ran a hand down the frail arm of his husband.
‘No I’m alright. Just keep everyone happy and distracted for me.’ Lachlan said with a smile. ‘I’ll be back as soon as I can.’
‘Alright my love. Be safe.’ Rama said as he kissed Lachlan softly.
‘Always am.’ The Leader said as he disappeared into the falling darkness, heading for the Sanctuary’s veil.
Cloaking himself in shadows, the Leader appeared on the balcony of Alex’s apartment in silence. Peering into the gloom of the living room, the Leader saw no presence of life. With Quinn’s protection spell removed, Lachlan phased through the door and appeared in the living room quietly. Invisible to the eye, and the sharp senses of any telepath, the Leader walked quietly through the apartment searching for his target. Sensing a person in the master bedroom, the Leader made his way carefully down the hallway. Unable to get a proper sense of this person without revealing himself, Lachlan cautiously stopped at the partially open door and listened for a moment.
‘So what should I do now? The Third is suspicious of me.’ The voice asked with a Welsh accent.
‘Return to us as soon as you can. We will re-group and form another strategy.’ A crisp English accent said, albeit slightly distorted. ‘Dominus has a plan that you might be able to help with.’ Lachlan crept into the room unnoticed and watched the man talking to a mirror, from his position he was unable to make out the face in it.
‘I’ll be there as soon as I can.’ The man said as he waved a hand in front of the mirror, the image of the person rippling until it vanished. The Welshman turned from the wall, walked briskly to the walk-in wardrobe and disappeared inside.
Preparing himself, Lachlan stood just outside of the wardrobe and braced. As Drew walked out of the wardrobe, the Leader dropped his visual and telepathic cloaks and reaching out with a hand, touched the side of the Welshman’s head. Shock was plastered on Drew’s face, his eyes as round as saucers when he saw the Leader, and as the hand touched his head, his eyes fluttered momentarily and closed as he collapsed to the floor, unconscious. Looking down at the subdued Welshman, Lachlan scanned the mind and was shocked at what he saw.
‘Impossible.’ The Leader whispered as he knelt down and touched a hand to the side of the head. ‘You barbaric fools!’
Using his telekinesis, Lachlan stood the man on his feet and held him in place, a grotesque human marionette, his arms, legs and head all stooping. Touching the man’s shoulder, the Leader pulled him through the vortex of energy and they appeared on the metal road mere feet from the veil.
‘Rama, excuse yourself and join me at the veil please.’ The Leader asked of his husband as he walked through the veil, the human marionette Welshman following behind him in a comically grotesque fashion. Within moments Rama was standing beside his husband, a hand on his shoulder.
‘Who’s that?’ The half Egyptian asked looking at the suspended Welshman.
‘Giorgio’s boyfriend, Drew. Quinn told me that when he saw him last, he had a spirit cloud much like Fearghas’, black and gold. This man is possessed.’ The Leader said gesturing to the dangling form of the Welshman.
‘Shit!’ Rama said realising the gravity of the situation. ‘A plant you reckon?’
‘Quite.’ Lachlan said nodding gravely. ‘Help me get him to the grove.’ The Leader said walking away from the gathering field and through the outlining tree line. ‘Are Sam and AJ still here?’
‘Yes, they’re with everyone else.’ The half Egyptian responded.
‘Can you ask them both to join me in the grove please? Tell them to change clothes first.’ The Leader said as he stepped out of the tree line and into the Grove. At a quick glance, it was a small field covered with thick vines of some type, forming small holding pens of a description. Approaching the nearest opening of the vines, Lachlan made a gesture and the marionette Welshman moved into the enclosure. The vines forming the opening closed slowly and wrapped around the man’s body, only his head visible through the vines. Standing quietly watching, Lachlan heard the approach of two men. He turned and saw two men walking through the treeline. One man was about 6’3”, was lean and athletic, the type of physique a surfer would have. He had sandy brown hair tousled over his forehead, his pale green eyes soft with affection. He was wearing a pair of black jeans and a long sleeve grey shirt, his tanned skin glowing in the moonlight. The other man was about 5’7”, a few inches shorter than the Leader himself, his dark brown hair swept to the side tidily, sitting across his forehead just above the intense grey eyes behind the small rectangular spectacles. His compact and flatly muscled body was hidden beneath the blue jeans and white t-shirt he was wearing, what skin was showing almost as white as the shirt itself.
‘AJ.’ The Leader said nodding to the taller man. ‘Sam.’ He said addressing the shorter man.
‘What’s happened?’ The taller man asked with a slightly Southern American accent, an unusual combination of Southern and Western American influences.
‘This man is a plant from the Order. He is possessed by a spirit. Please keep him unconscious and secure for me.’ The Leader asked of the two men.
‘Of course we will.’ The shorter of the men said with a Canadian accent as he stepped forward. The Leader reached out and gently squeezed the shoulders of both men.
‘I’m sorry to pull you away from the party, but, if this means what I think it does, this party might need to end sooner than expected.’
‘It’s quite alright.’ AJ said as he stepped toward the ensnared Welshman. He crouched down and put a hand to the man’s forehead, pulling his hand back quickly with a sharp intake of breath.
‘What is he?’ The tall man asked as Sam crouched down and performed the same thing, yanking his hand away as if burnt.
‘I haven’t had a chance to look properly, but whatever he is it doesn’t bode well for Giorgio.’ The Leader said sadly, glancing at the two men briefly. ‘I’ll be back soon.’
AJ, the Sanctuary Leader of Western America, and Sam, the Sanctuary Leader of Canada, both stood up and watched as Lachlan made his way through the tree line and out of sight.
‘You keep him unconscious, I’ll keep him secure.’ AJ said to the shorter Leader.
‘Deal.’ Sam said fixing his gaze upon the unconscious Welshman and concentrating.
‘We’ll see you in a few weeks Mamma.’ Alex said releasing his mother and turning to his mother-in-law. ‘Thank you for coming Sarah.’ He said embracing the mother of his husband.
‘I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.’ Ms. Beauchamp said with a smile.
‘See you guys soon.’ Quinn said as the newlyweds stood back and allowed Jaden and Caiden to teleport their mother’s to their respective homes, Alex’s aunts, Francesca and Giuliana having already left for their homes. The two men, walking hand in hand made their way back into the Sanctuary and toward their private cabin.
‘Alex, Quinn, can I have a quick word before you go to bed?’ The Leader asked suddenly appearing before the two men.
‘Of course.’ The newlyweds said in unison as they followed Lachlan. He led them to a quiet area just behind his private cabin.
‘During the wedding, Quinn told me of what he saw when you confronted Drew.’ The Leader began.
‘During the wedding? How?’ Alex asked.
‘Another time for that Alex. What I need to tell you is that Drew isn’t who he appears to be.’ Lachlan continued as if without interruption.
‘How do you mean?’ Alex questioned.
‘Quinn said he saw a mixed spirit in him and I went to investigate. And it’s not looking good.’ Lachlan said with a heavy voice.
‘How so?’ Alex and Quinn asked, the Leader allowing himself a smile at their duality.
‘The black and gold you saw with Fearghas is the combination of his own soul or spirit, mixing with the spirits of his predecessor and the first High Priest. When you looked at Drew, was the gold and black mixed together, or was the black more visible then the gold?’
‘The black was more dominant.’ Quinn said with a nod. Lachlan shook his head sadly.
‘He’s possessed. Not like Fearghas was during the ceremony, but, I believe whatever is in him, is controlling the body. Whoever Drew is, I don’t think that’s the actual owner of that body.’ The Leader said quietly.
‘Oh shit, Georgie!’ Alex exclaimed stepping away from the two men as Lachlan reached over and took hold of his arm.
‘Rama is with him at the moment.’ The Leader said kindly. ‘He is alright and we will help him through this.’
‘Oh this is horrible.’ Quinn said putting his hands up to his face and sobbing quietly.
‘Don’t cry leannan, everything will be alright.’ Lachlan said reaching over and squeezing the blonds shoulder tenderly. ‘Get ye’selves to bed and we’ll talk more in the morning.’
‘Please come and get me if anything happens.’ Alex said taking his husband into his arms and squeezing him.
‘Goodnight.’ The Leader said nodding to the newlyweds. When the two men made it around the corner, Lachlan sped to the Grove to check on AJ and Sam.
‘Sorry that took so long.’ Lachlan said as he stepped through the trees.
‘HURRY!’ Sam shouted when he heard the Leader speak. ‘We can’t hold him under any more.’
The Leader appeared beside the two other Leader’s and concentrated on the prisoner. Closing his eyes he saw the possessing spirit pushing against the telepathic restraints of the two men. Focussing on the task, Lachlan gathered the spirit into a small ball telepathically and forced it into submission. Without breaking concentration he telepathically created a cage and forced the spirit into it within the psyche of the unconscious man. Backing off slightly, he watched for a few moments and was glad to see his telepathic restraints held the spirit in check. Opening his eyes and turning to the smaller Leader, he noticed that AJ had fallen over.
‘What happened?’ Lachlan asked as he leaned over and helped the taller man to his feet.
‘We don’t know. We were talking and then he woke up suddenly and we tried to force him back to sleep, but, something was pushing against us. Something wickedly strong.’
‘Well, he’s subdued for now. Why don’t you two go and rest.’ The Leader said warmly. ‘I’ll come find you both in the morning.’
‘Thank you Lachlan.’ AJ said pressing his fingers to his temple and massaging gently.
‘Now, what in the hell am I going to do about you?’ The Leader asked of the unconscious man.
‘Kill me perhaps?’ A deep and resonating voice replied in the Leader’s mind.
‘Why would I kill you?’ Lachlan asked aloud, barely registering shock at the telepathic communication.
‘It’s the only way you’ll get me out of this body.’ It responded.
‘Clearly you’ve no idea who I am.’ The Leader chuckled.
‘I know you will fail, and you will fall, like always.’ The voice responded with a maniacal laugh.
‘Enough with your nonsense.’ Lachlan said waving a hand as a telepathic dampening field fell upon the unconscious Welshman, extinguishing the voices connection. The Leader stepped back a few paces and sat cross legged on a patch of grass, watching the man intently.
‘I’m spending the rest of the night in the Grove. Can you come and take over at sunrise. I need to go and see someone in the morning.’ The Leader communicated to his husband.
‘Of course neteru. Good night.’
Keeping his eyes focused on the Welshman, the Leader fell into a meditative trance trying to figure out what he was going to do.
‘You will fail, and you will fall.’ The voice echoed in his mind.
‘I’m so very sorry for the early visit Aurelia, but I am in dire need of your assistance, and perhaps that of your sisters.’ The Leader said bashfully when Aurelia Braddock opened her front door.
‘Come in picccolo.’ Mrs. Braddock said stepping back and gesturing for the Leader to come inside. ‘Gilly and Fran are in the kitchen.’ She finished as she closed the door and followed the frail man down the hallway.
‘Jesus who died?’ Francesca asked standing up from the table looking at Lachlan. Giuliana slapped her sister and gestured for the sad looking Leader to sit down.
‘If I understand correctly, you three women have the same powers as the Holy combined, right?’ Lachlan began as he sat down, Aurelia sliding a steaming cup of coffee in front of him and taking her seat.
‘Yes.’ She said eying the Leader curiously.
‘I have in my custody Giorgio’s boyfriend, Drew. He is at present, possessed by a spirit, one that I have had encounters with previously. And I have not had any luck with removing it from the host body. Not successfully anyway.’
‘Define successfully?’ Francesca asked with a hard tone to her voice.
‘All previous efforts at removing this particular spirit have resulted in the death of the host.’ Lachlan said sadly, closing his eyes momentarily.
‘So this Drew person…’ Francesca began.
‘I don’t believe his name is Drew, the host that is.’ Lachlan said looking at the three sister’s one at a time. Looking at his hands he continued. ‘Drew, is the hard pronunciation of a Welsh word. The word in question is Rhyw.’
‘And what does that mean?’ Aurelia asked.
‘Rhyw, is the Welsh word for “sex”. The spirit that possesses this man, that I have had encounters with before, is an incubus.’
‘You’re shitting me?’ Francesca said with a laugh. ‘My son was banging an incubus?’
‘Wait, he looked rather skinny last night.’ Giuliana said to her sister. ‘And his spirit light was rather dim.’
‘Gilly!’ Francesca said mildly irritated.
‘No Franny, she’s right.’ Aurelia intervened. ‘It fits.’ She said looking into the distance.
‘What did you want us to do?’ Giuliana asked of the Leader who raised his head and looked pleadingly at the sisters.
‘Will you help me remove the spirit, please?’ He begged of the three women. Giuliana and Aurelia nodded instantaneously and both looked to their sister. Francesca looked conflicted and finally nodded briefly.
‘Thank you so much.’ Lachlan said smiling for the first time since last night.
‘Take us there now young man.’ Giuliana said seriously as she and her sisters all rose and stepped away from the table. The Leader stood up and was beside the sisters in the blink of an eye, all three of them reaching out and holding Lachlan’s arm as he vanished into the vortex.
‘I need to go and see Alex and Quinn off and then I will take you to the Grove.’ The Leader said as they appeared in the living room of his cabin. ‘Make yourselves comfortable and I will be back soon.’
The Leader raced out of his cabin and met the Italian and Canadian in the gathering field, both of them smiling ear to ear.
‘I hope you have a wonderful time.’ The Leader said hitching a smile on his face and hugging the two men.
‘I’ll give them a quick tour of the island when I drop them off.’ Caiden said with a smile as Quinn and Alex picked up their suitcases and they made their way to the veil.
‘Be safe you two.’ Lachlan said with a smile as he waved them off. When the newlyweds were through the veil he raced back into his private cabin, startling the sisters slightly as he appeared before them.
‘Let’s go.’ The Leader said leading them out of the cabin and toward the Grove. As he and the three sisters stepped through the tree line, Rama stood up from his cross legged position and turned to the sisters.
‘He is still under and in control.’ The half Egyptian said as he took his husband into his arms and hugged him.
‘Let us see what we can do.’ Giuliana said gliding forward and crouching down to look into the man’s face. The Welshman’s eyes opened suddenly, and Giuliana looked into the bottomless black. ‘Ooh, you are a nasty one.’
‘Witch!’ The Welshman spat at the woman as if it were a stone.
‘Lachlan, come here for a minute.’ Giuliana gestured to the Leader, beckoning him closer, not taking her eyes off of the pools of black that were the Welshman’s eyes. Lachlan crouched down beside the woman who reached out and took his hand softly in hers.
‘Guide me with your telepathy and when I say so, amplify what I’m doing.’
‘Yes ma’am.’ The Leader said gladly.
‘Ha! Taking orders from a peasant witch now.’ The demonic voice of the Welshman mocked.
‘Be quiet.’ Francesca said angrily as she flapped a hand at the Welshman, one of the vines snapping over the man’s mouth, closing it.
Francesca, Aurelia and Rama spaced themselves around the prisoner, the Leader and Giuliana, channelling their energies to them. Giuliana had her eyes closed for several minutes concentrating on her task as Lachlan sat in a trance, guiding her telepathically.
‘Foolish imbecile!’ The incubus shouted telepathically at the Leader.
‘There he is.’ Giuliana said with concentration. ‘Wait, what?’
‘Something wrong?’ Lachlan asked politely.
‘It moved, or rather, managed to evade me.’ Giuliana said with surprise, sensing the spirit withdrawing deeper into the host body.
‘It’s always managed to do that on me, and if I force it out, it somehow manages to pull out the psyche of the host with it.’ The Leader said crestfallen, watching the Welshman’s body slip back into unconsciousness, the vines tightening around him.
‘Never mind.’ Giuliana said with a sigh. ‘I know how to recognise it; we just need to work on a way to corner it.’
Aurelia made a sound like she was choking and everyone turned to her.
‘Aurelia?’ Lachlan asked looking at her, as her eyes rolled up showing only white. ‘Aurelia!’ The Leader called loudly as he took her shoulders carefully in his hands.
Mrs. Braddock’s mouth fell open and without moving, a voice not her own spoke in a horrifying tone.
‘The Guardian shall fall into thine enemy hands, while the Priest will fall upon God’s Sword. The Sun, avenging his Priest, will burn those loyal to Him and shall cease to be himself.’
‘What in the hell?’ Lachlan queried quietly as Giuliana and Francesca caught their collapsing sister.