The Children of Light - Book Two
Chapter Sixteen
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]
‘So what do we do?’ Quinn asked with mild panic colouring his voice. Alex, who’s eyes were still unfocused and staring into the distance, looked to his husband and with a great effort, managed to focus on the blond.
‘I need to see him.’ Alex’s response was hollow and devoid of emotion.
‘I can take you there now.’ Sam offered quickly. Quinn looked from his husband to the anxious face of the Canadian leader and back again.
‘Go, and be quick about it.’ Quinn said hefting Kian up, adjusting the baby’s weight in his arms. Alex’s blue eyes flickered with emotion as he reached over to Sam and took the outstretched hand. Both men disappeared with a muted crackle of energy, leaving Quinn standing in the darkness holding his son to his chest.
‘Let’s go find Jaden and Cade.’ Quinn said softly to the half sleeping babe.
‘He’s just through here.’ Sam said quietly, already stepping away from the Italian. Alex followed behind the Canadian leader as they swiftly wove their way through the darkness. Alex managed to keep up with the smaller man as they made their way through the buildings of the Canadian Sanctuary, Alex noticing some of the buildings still had lights on inside. Within moments, Sam broke through a small thicket of bushes lining the makeshift prison and held back the branches allowing Alex to enter unimpeded. The Canadian leader nodded to a large tree stump in the middle of the clearing. Alex stepped toward the eight foot clump of wood quietly, almost timidly. The half moon cleared a troublesome cloud and shone brightly upon the twisted tree stump.
Standing eight feet in height, and a solid twelve feet in diameter, the remaining stump of a great Canadian oak had been twisted and distorted, and standing in between two protruding shoots of root, the Italian looked into the empty face of his cousin, William. The former leader of the Order was firmly encased in the tree stump, strings of vine and runs of wood were twisted up, in and around the man’s body, holding him securely. The man’s eyes were vacant, as if staring into a great unseen distance.
Alex gulped with fear as he raised his right hand to the man’s face and, with trembling fingers, touched the man’s temple. Alex’s shoulders rose sharply, pre-empting an assault or intrusion, but nothing happened. The Italian retracted his two fingers and placed the palm of his hand against the cooled cheek; still nothing.
‘Why can’t I hear him?’ Alex asked nervously, patting his hand against William’s face, fervently trying to catch a thought or feeling from the prisoner.
‘He’s unable to create thought. His consciousness has been destroyed.’ Sam offered quietly from just behind Alex.
‘What about the song?’ Alex asked closing his eyes in disappointment and turning to the Canadian leader. ‘Why can’t I hear that?’
Sam looked up to the sky briefly and back to the tall Italian. ‘Give it a minute.’ He said, his eyes looking at Alex’s face without focus. Alex glanced to the moon and then turned back to William, hope and fear combining forces on the handsome Italian’s face. Exhaling slowly, Alex waited patiently for something he was not quite sure he was prepared for.
‘And I know…’ A hollow and emotionless voice whispered in Alex’s ear, startling the man so much he turned on the spot expecting to see someone behind him.
‘…a love so complete…’ The monotonous voice continued, sending chills up the Italian’s spine. Alex reached out quickly and placed his index and middle finger tips to the man’s temple and concentrated.
‘…someday must leave…’ Alex forced himself to focus and found himself beginning to telepathically enter his cousins empty mind.
‘…must say goodbye.’
The Italian’s blue eyes snapped open urgently as he spun on the spot. Sand… miles and miles of sand as far as he could see in every direction. He turned back to where he thought William would be still encased in the tree stump and saw a small, skinny, white barked tree, standing barely 5 foot in height. Unable to make sense of this Alex stepped back awkwardly and felt himself being pulled backward through the desert.
‘You should be careful doing that.’ Sam said gently as he squeezed the Italian’s shoulder. ‘The mind is a dangerous place to be without the host in control.’
‘That was his mind?’ Alex asked staring at the imprisoned body of his cousin, the same vacant expression on William’s face.
‘Yes, much like the field you saw when you communed with Lachlan in the astral plane.’ The Canadian leader said sadly. Alex shook his head, still unable to make sense of what had just happened.
‘So if his consciousness is destroyed, and his mind is that empty desert, how is he able to sing? And why that song?’ Alex asked turning to the Canadian leader, his body language practically screaming for a logical answer.
‘I don’t know.’ Sam said looking dejectedly to the grass at his feet. ‘I can’t work it out.’
Alex inhaled softly and took the leader’s shoulders firmly in his grasp.
‘I need to get back to Quinn.’ Alex said gently as Sam looked up into the blue eyes, shimmering with unshed tears. The Italian made to teleport from the spot before Sam clamped a hand firmly over Alex’s forearm.
‘Not from in here.’ The Canadian said with a half smile. ‘The protections are too strong. And whatever is making him do that may find a way to defer your travel.’ Alex’s forehead wrinkled with concern as Sam led him back through the bushes and into what now appeared to be a gathering field. The shorter man turned to Alex and taking his hand, pulled him through the unseen energies of transportation, landing with a muted thud behind Alex and Quinn’s private cabin.
Alex’s skin broke out in gooseflesh as he turned on the spot; stepping around the corner of his cabin, his body began trembling as he saw large flames dancing viciously across the field; the nearby buildings well aflame and beginning to crumble to ashes.
‘Quinn.’ Alex gasped as adrenaline took over and propelled Alex toward the Gathering Field at preternatural speed. The flames shrunk back, as if in fear, from the Italian as he moved through them with graceful ease.
‘QUINN?’ Alex shouted, telepathically screaming the word simultaneously. ‘QUINN?’
‘Taken…’ A weak voice called out from nearby; Alex spinning on the spot and identifying Grayson, sprawled on his back, covered in dirt and blood. Alex appeared beside the man, kneeling down to help. ‘They… took him. Kian, Preston and a few others. I… I couldn’t stop them.’
‘Who took them?’ Alex asked taking Grayson’s face firmly in his hands.
‘I… I don’t know.’ Grayson mumbled with effort. ‘I didn’t see them.’ Alex looked around and spotted Sam stooped over a few meters from him.
‘Sam?’ Alex called out as he stood up. He threw both his hands out to his side and slowly turned on the spot, the flames gradually growing smaller, and snuffing themselves out after a few seconds.
‘I’ve got Caiden here. He’s unconscious.’ The Canadian leader said fearfully. Alex closed his eyes and telepathically counted the people within the Sanctuary. The majority of the inhabitants were there, several of them unconscious.
‘If you can, please get up, and bring whoever you can to me please.’ Alex commanded of everyone. Within minutes the remaining inhabitants of the Santuary had managed to move several unconscious people to Alex. Caiden, his brother Jaden, a few men that Alex had met earlier and three other women lay on the grass at Alex’s feet, joined by Grayson, whom had fallen unconscious after warning Alex.
‘Sam, help me get these people to my house please.’ The Italian asked as he stooped over and without a second’s hesitation had pulled Jaden, Caiden and Grayson through the darkness and onto his back lawn.
‘MICKEY!’ Alex shouted both verbally and telepathically. Within seconds, the giant was thundering across the back yard to his friend.
‘Help me get them inside.’ Alex asked of the Russian. Without a second thought Mikhail had Jaden over one shoulder and Caiden over the other, as Alex levitated Grayson carefully to the house. Alex heard the crackle of energy as Sam appeared in his back yard, followed by several more pops.
‘Bring them in here Sam.’ Alex called over his shoulder as he stepped into the house, Grayson floating before him into the lounge. Mikhail carefully placed the twins on one of the sofa’s as Alex placed Grayson on the floor at their feet.
‘What happened?’ Mikhail asked rushing to the Italian’s side.
‘The Sanctuary was attacked.’ Alex told the Russian, his voice catching in his throat.
‘Where’s Quinn? And Kian?’ The giant asked. After a moment’s hesitation he had Alex’s shoulders in his large hand’s and he squeezed, illiciting a yelp of pain from the Italian.
‘I don’t know.’ Alex said as his unshed tears began falling earnestly. Mikhail released his friend momentarily before pulling the Italian into a bear hug, and held him for several moments. Sam cleared his throat quietly, almost embarrassed to interrupt the two men.
‘Alex, everyone from the Sanctuary has come.’ The Canadian leader said in a small voice. ‘They were too scared to stay behind.’
‘They can have our cabin.’ The Russian said releasing his best friend and walking to the comparatively miniscule Canadian. ‘Let’s get them sorted.’ Mikhail said leading Sam out the back door where the remaining unconscious people were brought inside and safely deposited in the living room. With a snap of the fingers, all the lights within the main house, the back deck and the guest house at the bottom of the back yard were all alight, shining light in all directions. Alex stepped into the kitchen and through the back door, already deciding he was going to his mother’s for help when he saw three familiar faces running across the lawn.
‘Mamma!’ Alex called out helplessly as he fell to his knees on the deck. Aurelia Braddock was almost instantly in front of her son with her arms around his neck, clinging to him desperately. ‘They took Quinn. And Kian.’ Alex sobbed hopelessly against his mother’s shoulder.
‘Mamma, there are injured people inside.’ Mikhail said as he scaled the back steps with Fabrizio and Nikolai quickly behind him.
‘Mikhail, take Alex and don’t let him out of your sight.’ Francesca said swooping down and taking Aurelia by the waist. ‘Gilly, let’s get to work.’
The three women, Aurelia being supported by her sisters, made their way inside to the injured people, Mikhail scooping his best friend up into his massive arms and walking off to the side of the back deck and sitting down carefully, hugging his crying friend to his chest for several long and quiet minutes.
‘I need to find him.’ Alex said after a moment, his face buried in the armpit of his giant friend.
‘How?’ Mikhail asked, truthfully unsure how his friend was going to find the beautiful little blond and his son.
‘I… I don’t know.’ Alex said quietly.
‘Alessandro! Come here.’ One of his aunt’s called from the lounge in a mild panic. Alex was instantly in the lounge watching the three women working quietly over the injured group of people.
‘Connect with me caro and speak to this miserable spirit.’ Giuliana said without even looking at her nephew as Alex reached out telepathically to his aunt, temporarily using her spirit vision. Alex swept the room and saw a downtrodden Bael standing behind the sofa looking straight at the Italian.
‘What happened?’ Alex asked immediately, startling the fire spirit mildly.
‘Dark mages stormed through the Veil. They cast spells at everyone, threw some of them across the field.’ Bael said in a deep, hollow voice.
‘How did they get through the barrier?’ Alex questioned the spirit who almost seemed to shrug his shoulders.
‘I don’t know, but they hit my master with something powerful. He fell almost instantly. They tried to take the child, but my master was paralysed, his arms wrapped tight around him. So they took them both. And then another one took the other child.’ The fire spirit continued, sadness causing his fiery appearance to dim in brightness.
‘Some of the mages tried to stop them, and were taken captive. The woman with dark hair, the healer, she followed them.’ Alex’s eyes flew open at this.
‘What woman? What’s her name?’ The Italian asked quickly.
‘I do not know.’ Bael said sadly. ‘I can show you.’ The spirit said after a moment. Alex nodded briefly and Bael projected an image of the woman to the Italian.
‘Monica.’ Alex said the moment he saw her, but he was more curious than concerned. ‘The image you just showed me, when did you see that?’ He asked closing his eyes and concentrating on the image again.
‘Tonight. During the attack.’ The spirit replied obediently. Alex shook himself visibly as he ran out the back door again.
‘Sam?’ Alex called out hoping he was nearby.
‘Here.’ The Canadian responded, instantly appearing before the Italian.
‘We need to find Monica.’ Alex said urgently, suppressing a cold anger sweeping his body.
‘Why?’ Sam asked cautiously, noticing the Italian’s tense posture. Alex, without asking permission, forced the image that Bael had shown him into the Canadian’s mind, who gasped at both the intrusion and the revelation.
‘Bael showed me that. He says he saw that tonight when they attacked. The person beside Monica, look at their hands.’ Alex said with venom.
‘Are they…?’ Sam begun but was cut off.
‘Helping her. Yes.’ The Italian said through his teeth.
‘Why?’ Sam asked regaining his own sight and private thoughts.
‘Let’s go and find out.’ Alex said with determination.
‘But where do we…?’
‘Does anyone know where Monica lives?’ Alex cut across Sam’s question shouting out to the backyard where the inhabitants of the Sanctuary were assembling some sort of makeshift accommodation.
‘In the mountains, behind the Sanctuary.’ A person called out from the darkness.
‘Aunty Gilly, I need you to come with me.’ Alex called into the house. ‘I need any healers to go inside and help the injured.’ He continued in the same breath to the group of people on the lawn. Several people trotted past the Italian and into the house as Giuliana came out onto the back deck.
‘Aunty, I need you to come with me so that I can communicate with Bael.’ The Italian explained quickly to his aunt, who merely nodded in agreement. ‘Sam, can you please go and get AJ and ask him to join us please. And perhaps bring a few of the warriors as well.’ The Canadian leader nodded once and vanished from the spot instantly leaving Alex staring at the wall.
‘Alex?’ A voice called from inside, the Italian disappearing and reappearing inside the living room. ‘Caiden is conscious.’ Aurelia said softly, propping the blond twin’s head up gently. Alex was on his kness beside the twin instantly.
‘Monica.’ Caiden said softly. ‘She let them in.’
‘Do you know why?’ Alex pleaded quietly with the blond who merely shook his head, stopping abruptly as nausea threatened to overwhelm him.
‘I couldn’t read her mind. She blocked me.’
‘Do you know where she is?’ Alex asked of Caiden, gently placing his hand against the soft cheek of the blond.
‘I heard one of them say the mountain grotto.’ The blond twin said with a faint shrug of the shoulders, as if to say he didn’t know what that meant.
‘I’ll be back soon.’ Alex said firmly, and before anyone could say another word, Alex was back outside again, beside his aunt, recreating the telepathic connection with her and turning to face Bael.
‘Alex?’ A voice called from the darkness as AJ ran up the steps. ‘Sam told me. What are we doing?’ He asked quickly as Sam appeared beside the man.
‘We’re going to Monica’s house in the mountains. Caiden just told me that he heard one of the intruders mention a mountain grotto. Mickey, you’re coming with me.’ The Italian said quickly.
‘I brought some of my warriors as you requested.’ The other leader offered, gesturing to four men standing at the bottom of the steps.
‘Alright, let’s get going.’ Alex announced to the small group of people, walking down the back steps and into the middle of the lawn.
‘Alex, I’d like to come please.’ A voice called from the darkness, Johan appearing in a shaft of light from the house.
‘I don’t know Johan.’ Alex said softly, not entirely sure he could trust the young mage.
‘They have taken our Holy. I want to help.’ The dark haired mage said sadly, his eyes flashing briefly with emotion. Alex nodded once and looked at the group assembled around him, and waving his hand cast a telepathic net over the group, connecting them all with each other. The Italian smiled determinedly at the group and addressed the tall and aflame fire spirit standing behind Giuliana.
‘Do you know where she lives?’ He asked of the spirit, who nodded once. ‘Guide me to it please.’ Alex requested of the spirit, who projected an image of the small house nestled in a small closure of trees at the base of a mountain range. Alex closed his eyes in concentration, and extending a telekinetic leash to the entire group, led them through the teleportation conduit and appeared in complete darkness a few hundred meters from Monica’s private home.
‘Let’s do this quietly.’ Alex announced through the telepathic network, several silent nods reverberated back to him as he led the way toward the house.
‘There’s a mage at the entrance.’ Bael stated silently. ‘I can take him down.’ Alex nodded to the fire spirit who disappeared from sight. The entire group watched silently as the tall spirit materialised behind the solitary mage standing watch at the front door and collapsed pitifully at the spirit’s feet.
‘Nice work Bael.’ Alex said stepping into the light in front of the house.
‘The house is empty.’ The spirit said turning to the door.
‘But there’s a passage beneath it.’ AJ stated as he appeared beside Bael and placed a hand against the closed door.
‘Take the door off.’ Alex ordered. AJ stepped back and to the side as the hinges of the door crumpled with a muffled crunch and the door flew across the small front garden, disappearing into the darkness. Alex stepped through the threshold, sweeping the house carefully for any signs of life, and finding none gestured for AJ to follow him inside.
‘Here.’ He said kneeling in the middle of the front room, sweeping a rug aside. He extended both his hands over the spot of bared wooden floor and the trap door popped open. Bael stepped in first, followed by Alex, AJ, Giuliana, two of the warriors, Sam, Mikhail, Johan and the final two warriors, bringing up the rear.
The party walked in relative darkness, Bael’s fiery appearance dampened slightly in an effort to remain stealthy, which made Alex giggle a little. Several hundred meters they walked in silence, the rustle of their clothes the only noise they made before the path began to rise slightly, the intense coldness of the enclosed space beginning to warm.
‘The exit isn’t far.’ Bael said to Alex, stepping aside.
‘Bael, are there any spirit talkers on the other side?’ Alex asked of the fire spirit as he sensed a large cavern beyond the door.
‘There are several of them.’ He replied after a moment.
‘Allow me.’ Sam said stepping forward with an extended arm. The group felt a surge of energy rush around them, finally centering on the fire spirit. ‘They wont be able to see or hear him now.’ Alex smiled to the Canadian leader and turned back to the door.
‘Aunty, hang back with Caleb and Roger. AJ, to my left, Sam to my right, Mickey, right behind me big guy. Gavin and Glen, behind Mikhail, then Aunty, Caleb and Roger.’ Alex said as the people began rearranging themselves as instructed. ‘Caleb, Roger, protect Aunty Gilly please.’ The Italian pleaded with two of the warriors, both of whom closed ranks on the woman with a nod.
A final check ensured Alex that everyone was in place and ready to act. He turned back to the door and with a nod, stepped forward, hand extended in front of him as the door exploded outward in a rain of fire and smoke, the door itself flying across the chamber and collecting two people on its path. Alex rushed forward and neutralised two more people as AJ took out three people along the side of the chamber, Sam taking down two people, Mikhail rushing in behind Alex, slightly disappointed that the several guards were already taken care of.
‘Save one for me next time.’ The Russian joked as Alex found a path on the side of the chamber, a cold and sharp breeze whistling through it.
‘Shit, there are people in there. I think they heard us.’ The Italian said striding over to the path. AJ reached out and held the Italian back.
‘Let me.’ The American leader said confidently as he inhaled deeply and disappeared from sight. Alex followed along behind AJ and heard the muffled cries of several people, one after the other, and a rapid succession of bodies hitting the floor painfully. Alex ran along the darkened pathway and passed three bodies along the way before exiting the cave path and finding AJ standing over six more bodies, already slung together in a heap.
‘Nice.’ Alex said with a chuckle, AJ responding with a cheeky smile.
‘Lach taught me well.’ The American Leader said, his smile cracking slightly in sadness. Alex made a mental note to check on AJ afterward.
As the remainder of the group gathered within the small opening in the dense forest, Alex scanned the surrounding bush and sensed a small collection of people several hundred yards away.
‘They’re through there.’ Alex said with a gesture toward the north.
‘I sense no spirit talkers, would you like me to go ahead?’ Bael asked of the Italian, who nodded without hesitation, the fire spirit rushed through the trees and disappeared.
Alex led the small group through the woods, the same order they had used in the caves. As they got closer to the group of people, Bael materialised in front of the group, his face cast downward.
‘Bael?’ Alex asked fearfully.
‘My master in unconscious. And I cannot find the child.’ The fire spirit said sadly, Alex however was shaking with suppressed fury. In the flicker of an eye, Alex had vanished from sight and appeared in the small grotto with an explosion of flames. With glowing eyes, he turned on the spot, his arms extended in front of him, waving his hands in a smooth circulation motion, the flames swam around him and enveloped the kidnappers in their fiery embrace, blood curdling screams escaping the victims as they perished. The rest of the group broke through into the enclosure and found the Italian panting heavily as the flames dissipated. Regaining control of himself, Alex rushed to the unconscious Quinn’s side and fell to his knees, his hand closing over the blond’s forehead.
‘Wake up my love.’ The Italian said softly, both verbally and telepathically, as he forced his consciousness into his husband’s mind. He was pulled into a dark void where his breath caught; it was utterly cold.
‘Quinn?’ Alex called out into the darkness. ‘My love, answer me.’ Alex turned around slowly and noticed a small flicker of light some distance away. He ran toward the spot at full speed, the small light getting marginally brighter as he got closer. He came to a stop as he saw a young boy sitting cross legged in the darkness, his head lowered over his lap, a small and solitary flame dance in his hands.
‘Quinn?’ Alex asked dropping to his knees before the child.
‘No. This is Quinn.’ The child said in a hollow voice. ‘His flame is dying.’ Alex’s eyes opened in horror and beads of sweat began forming on his knotted forehead. ‘I cannot sustain the fire.’ The child said with sadness.
‘You must help him.’ Sam said from behind the Italian, Alex barely registering that the Canadian Leader had joined him in his husbands consciousness. Alex leaned forward carefully and cupped his hands around the small flame and brought it carefully to his lips.
‘Please don’t leave me Quinn.’ Alex pleaded softly as he closed his eyes and blew gently, presenting the flame with fuel to burn. The flame fluttered darkly and then began to glow brighter, the light changing Alex’s blue eyes to purple. He blew again and the flame grew brighter still, growing in size slightly.
‘More.’ Sam encouraged of Alex, who blew again, over and over, further stoking the flame and tripling it’s size and brightness. In a few short seconds, the flame was much larger and cast a brighter light and Alex handed the flame back to the child, who took it carefully with a smile.
‘Thank you.’ The child said with a dazzling smile as he pulled the flame to his chest. Alex and Sam watched as the flame was pressed against the small chest of the child, and the two became one, a small explosion of white light as the two disappeared, Alex and Sam both ejected from Quinn’s consciousness.
‘Quinn?’ Alex asked again, leaning over his husband protectively.
‘She took Kian and Preston.’ The blond said sadly, his voice raspy and broken.
‘It’s okay my love.’ Alex said pulling his husband into his arms and hugging him firmly. ‘I’m just glad you’re alive.’
‘But our son.’ The blond said sadly, tears falling from his eyes.
‘We’ll get him back, I promise.’ Alex said squeezing Quinn to him. ‘Let’s get you home first.’ The Italian said effortlessly lifting his husband into his arms. ‘Can you guys grab them please?’ He asked of the others, who all swooped in and collected an unconscious person each. Alex turned on the spot and led the way back to his house, the remainder of the party following behind him. Walking purposefully up to the house, Alex strode through the back door and into the lounge, placing him on the sofa carefully beside Caiden as Aurelia, Francesca, and the newly returned Giuliana all gathered around the blond and began the long process of healing. Alex stood by watching for a moment when he heard screams coming from the back yard, and materialised outside to a disturbing scene.
Walking slowly across the backyard was an astral projection of the woman who had kidnapped his son. Alex’s teeth slammed together noisily as he watched the woman’s arrogant swagger as she got closer.
‘Where is my son?’ Alex demanded of her when she stopped walking.
‘Somewhere safe, and beyond your reach.’ She replied with venom.
‘WHERE?’ Alex shouted, the people nearest to him recoiling in shock from the volume.
‘You’ll never find him. And he will be safe from your abominable lifestyle. Mac de Grian will not marry another man, ever again.’ Monica’s projection said with a laugh. ‘Dirty little faggots.’
‘Find her Bael.’ Alex pleaded of the spirit who was nearby. Alex felt the spirit connecting with him telepathically and showed the Italian an image of himself and Cerberus growing in size as they flew at amazing speeds in different directions.
‘The Children of Light will not be commanded by an abomination any more. I will raise the boy and he will marry a woman, and bring forth a child of pure energy, a child free of this fragile body, a child worthy to rule us all.’ The projection said with mild vehemence.
‘I always knew there was something wrong with you.’ Alex said venomously to the projection, the eyes of which bulged slightly at the slur.
‘You know nothing about me.’ She responded with a laugh. Alex saw an image of the Sanctuary flash before his eyes, and then an image of Bael and Cerberus walking through to the Circle, looking through the trees and seeing a woman sitting cross legged in the middle, with two children lying in front of her crying, and several hooded figures standing behind and around her.
‘I’m on it Alex. Keep her talking.’ The Italian heard AJ speak telepathically and felt the American and Canadian leader’s teleport away, quickly followed by the four warriors AJ had brought with him.
‘Why are you doing this?’ Alex asked of the projection, who looked at the Italian with a raised eyebrow.
‘You don’t need to know.’ She said with a gloating smile. Alex’s fury began to bubble again as he watched the woman’s projection fall lifelessly to the ground and disappeared.
‘We have them.’ AJ said with happiness, as Alex fell to his knees, his emotional exhaustion almost overwhelming him. Tears began falling down his face when AJ appeared in front of the Italian and pushed the crying baby into his arms. Alex pulled the child close to him and snuggled him tightly to his chest, burying his face in the soft blanket he was swaddled in.
‘Shoosh my darling. Hush now baby.’ Alex murmered through the tears, trying to quiet his son as Sam rushed into the house with Preston, heading for Jaden and Caiden. ‘I’ve got you now my son.’
‘Where would you like these guys?’ Glen, one of the warriors, asked of Alex.
Sniffling back his tears, as a quieted Kian cooed happily to his dad, Alex replied, ‘Confine them. Through the trees there is a small opening. Physically tie them to the trees, and do whatever you can to keep them unconscious. Bael and Cerberus will watch over them.’ The Italian said, the two spirits in question already heading to the opening. Glen, Gavin, Caleb and Roger all dragging the unconscious captives across the yard.
‘Alex?’ Aurelia called softly from the back deck, Alex standing up instantly and walking quickly to his mother. ‘Come inside bambino.’ She said quietly, guiding her son inside. ‘Quinn is upstairs in his bed.’
Alex stepped lively up the steps and walked through to his bedroom and saw his husband lying in bed, his eyes closed in what seemed to be a slightly painful expression.
‘Quinn?’ Alex asked sitting on the bed and reaching for his husband’s hand. The green eyes of the blond opened slowly, as if waking from a coma. Blinking several times, the eyes began to focus on the Italian’s face.
‘Hello baby.’ Quinn croaked quietly, Alex’s face hardening from emotion.
‘Are you alright?’ Alex asked softly of his husband.
‘A little sore, but I’ll be fine.’ The blond replied with a half smile. ‘Is our son alright?’
‘He’s absolutely fine.’ Alex said happily, reaching over and placing Kian in the crook of Quinn’s arm. Kian turned slightly on the bed and spotting his daddy, squawked with happiness.
‘Hello Key!’ Quinn said with a smile, tears forming in his eyes. ‘Yes, hello my baby.’
‘I need to go and make sure everyone is alright.’ Alex said with mild regret before Aurelia stepped into the room.
‘I will look after them caro.’ Mrs. Braddock said happily as she stood on the other side of the bed from her son and sat down. Alex leaned over and kissed his husband on the forehead tenderly, before kissing his son’s cheek lovingly and walked toward the bedroom door. He turned back and looked at his husband, lying in bed with his son, happily patting his daddy’s chest, and Aurelia watching the two carefully.
‘His injuries are worse than he’s letting on.’ Aurelia said telepathically to her son. ‘He cannot move his legs.’
‘I need to see him.’ Alex’s response was hollow and devoid of emotion.
‘I can take you there now.’ Sam offered quickly. Quinn looked from his husband to the anxious face of the Canadian leader and back again.
‘Go, and be quick about it.’ Quinn said hefting Kian up, adjusting the baby’s weight in his arms. Alex’s blue eyes flickered with emotion as he reached over to Sam and took the outstretched hand. Both men disappeared with a muted crackle of energy, leaving Quinn standing in the darkness holding his son to his chest.
‘Let’s go find Jaden and Cade.’ Quinn said softly to the half sleeping babe.
‘He’s just through here.’ Sam said quietly, already stepping away from the Italian. Alex followed behind the Canadian leader as they swiftly wove their way through the darkness. Alex managed to keep up with the smaller man as they made their way through the buildings of the Canadian Sanctuary, Alex noticing some of the buildings still had lights on inside. Within moments, Sam broke through a small thicket of bushes lining the makeshift prison and held back the branches allowing Alex to enter unimpeded. The Canadian leader nodded to a large tree stump in the middle of the clearing. Alex stepped toward the eight foot clump of wood quietly, almost timidly. The half moon cleared a troublesome cloud and shone brightly upon the twisted tree stump.
Standing eight feet in height, and a solid twelve feet in diameter, the remaining stump of a great Canadian oak had been twisted and distorted, and standing in between two protruding shoots of root, the Italian looked into the empty face of his cousin, William. The former leader of the Order was firmly encased in the tree stump, strings of vine and runs of wood were twisted up, in and around the man’s body, holding him securely. The man’s eyes were vacant, as if staring into a great unseen distance.
Alex gulped with fear as he raised his right hand to the man’s face and, with trembling fingers, touched the man’s temple. Alex’s shoulders rose sharply, pre-empting an assault or intrusion, but nothing happened. The Italian retracted his two fingers and placed the palm of his hand against the cooled cheek; still nothing.
‘Why can’t I hear him?’ Alex asked nervously, patting his hand against William’s face, fervently trying to catch a thought or feeling from the prisoner.
‘He’s unable to create thought. His consciousness has been destroyed.’ Sam offered quietly from just behind Alex.
‘What about the song?’ Alex asked closing his eyes in disappointment and turning to the Canadian leader. ‘Why can’t I hear that?’
Sam looked up to the sky briefly and back to the tall Italian. ‘Give it a minute.’ He said, his eyes looking at Alex’s face without focus. Alex glanced to the moon and then turned back to William, hope and fear combining forces on the handsome Italian’s face. Exhaling slowly, Alex waited patiently for something he was not quite sure he was prepared for.
‘And I know…’ A hollow and emotionless voice whispered in Alex’s ear, startling the man so much he turned on the spot expecting to see someone behind him.
‘…a love so complete…’ The monotonous voice continued, sending chills up the Italian’s spine. Alex reached out quickly and placed his index and middle finger tips to the man’s temple and concentrated.
‘…someday must leave…’ Alex forced himself to focus and found himself beginning to telepathically enter his cousins empty mind.
‘…must say goodbye.’
The Italian’s blue eyes snapped open urgently as he spun on the spot. Sand… miles and miles of sand as far as he could see in every direction. He turned back to where he thought William would be still encased in the tree stump and saw a small, skinny, white barked tree, standing barely 5 foot in height. Unable to make sense of this Alex stepped back awkwardly and felt himself being pulled backward through the desert.
‘You should be careful doing that.’ Sam said gently as he squeezed the Italian’s shoulder. ‘The mind is a dangerous place to be without the host in control.’
‘That was his mind?’ Alex asked staring at the imprisoned body of his cousin, the same vacant expression on William’s face.
‘Yes, much like the field you saw when you communed with Lachlan in the astral plane.’ The Canadian leader said sadly. Alex shook his head, still unable to make sense of what had just happened.
‘So if his consciousness is destroyed, and his mind is that empty desert, how is he able to sing? And why that song?’ Alex asked turning to the Canadian leader, his body language practically screaming for a logical answer.
‘I don’t know.’ Sam said looking dejectedly to the grass at his feet. ‘I can’t work it out.’
Alex inhaled softly and took the leader’s shoulders firmly in his grasp.
‘I need to get back to Quinn.’ Alex said gently as Sam looked up into the blue eyes, shimmering with unshed tears. The Italian made to teleport from the spot before Sam clamped a hand firmly over Alex’s forearm.
‘Not from in here.’ The Canadian said with a half smile. ‘The protections are too strong. And whatever is making him do that may find a way to defer your travel.’ Alex’s forehead wrinkled with concern as Sam led him back through the bushes and into what now appeared to be a gathering field. The shorter man turned to Alex and taking his hand, pulled him through the unseen energies of transportation, landing with a muted thud behind Alex and Quinn’s private cabin.
Alex’s skin broke out in gooseflesh as he turned on the spot; stepping around the corner of his cabin, his body began trembling as he saw large flames dancing viciously across the field; the nearby buildings well aflame and beginning to crumble to ashes.
‘Quinn.’ Alex gasped as adrenaline took over and propelled Alex toward the Gathering Field at preternatural speed. The flames shrunk back, as if in fear, from the Italian as he moved through them with graceful ease.
‘QUINN?’ Alex shouted, telepathically screaming the word simultaneously. ‘QUINN?’
‘Taken…’ A weak voice called out from nearby; Alex spinning on the spot and identifying Grayson, sprawled on his back, covered in dirt and blood. Alex appeared beside the man, kneeling down to help. ‘They… took him. Kian, Preston and a few others. I… I couldn’t stop them.’
‘Who took them?’ Alex asked taking Grayson’s face firmly in his hands.
‘I… I don’t know.’ Grayson mumbled with effort. ‘I didn’t see them.’ Alex looked around and spotted Sam stooped over a few meters from him.
‘Sam?’ Alex called out as he stood up. He threw both his hands out to his side and slowly turned on the spot, the flames gradually growing smaller, and snuffing themselves out after a few seconds.
‘I’ve got Caiden here. He’s unconscious.’ The Canadian leader said fearfully. Alex closed his eyes and telepathically counted the people within the Sanctuary. The majority of the inhabitants were there, several of them unconscious.
‘If you can, please get up, and bring whoever you can to me please.’ Alex commanded of everyone. Within minutes the remaining inhabitants of the Santuary had managed to move several unconscious people to Alex. Caiden, his brother Jaden, a few men that Alex had met earlier and three other women lay on the grass at Alex’s feet, joined by Grayson, whom had fallen unconscious after warning Alex.
‘Sam, help me get these people to my house please.’ The Italian asked as he stooped over and without a second’s hesitation had pulled Jaden, Caiden and Grayson through the darkness and onto his back lawn.
‘MICKEY!’ Alex shouted both verbally and telepathically. Within seconds, the giant was thundering across the back yard to his friend.
‘Help me get them inside.’ Alex asked of the Russian. Without a second thought Mikhail had Jaden over one shoulder and Caiden over the other, as Alex levitated Grayson carefully to the house. Alex heard the crackle of energy as Sam appeared in his back yard, followed by several more pops.
‘Bring them in here Sam.’ Alex called over his shoulder as he stepped into the house, Grayson floating before him into the lounge. Mikhail carefully placed the twins on one of the sofa’s as Alex placed Grayson on the floor at their feet.
‘What happened?’ Mikhail asked rushing to the Italian’s side.
‘The Sanctuary was attacked.’ Alex told the Russian, his voice catching in his throat.
‘Where’s Quinn? And Kian?’ The giant asked. After a moment’s hesitation he had Alex’s shoulders in his large hand’s and he squeezed, illiciting a yelp of pain from the Italian.
‘I don’t know.’ Alex said as his unshed tears began falling earnestly. Mikhail released his friend momentarily before pulling the Italian into a bear hug, and held him for several moments. Sam cleared his throat quietly, almost embarrassed to interrupt the two men.
‘Alex, everyone from the Sanctuary has come.’ The Canadian leader said in a small voice. ‘They were too scared to stay behind.’
‘They can have our cabin.’ The Russian said releasing his best friend and walking to the comparatively miniscule Canadian. ‘Let’s get them sorted.’ Mikhail said leading Sam out the back door where the remaining unconscious people were brought inside and safely deposited in the living room. With a snap of the fingers, all the lights within the main house, the back deck and the guest house at the bottom of the back yard were all alight, shining light in all directions. Alex stepped into the kitchen and through the back door, already deciding he was going to his mother’s for help when he saw three familiar faces running across the lawn.
‘Mamma!’ Alex called out helplessly as he fell to his knees on the deck. Aurelia Braddock was almost instantly in front of her son with her arms around his neck, clinging to him desperately. ‘They took Quinn. And Kian.’ Alex sobbed hopelessly against his mother’s shoulder.
‘Mamma, there are injured people inside.’ Mikhail said as he scaled the back steps with Fabrizio and Nikolai quickly behind him.
‘Mikhail, take Alex and don’t let him out of your sight.’ Francesca said swooping down and taking Aurelia by the waist. ‘Gilly, let’s get to work.’
The three women, Aurelia being supported by her sisters, made their way inside to the injured people, Mikhail scooping his best friend up into his massive arms and walking off to the side of the back deck and sitting down carefully, hugging his crying friend to his chest for several long and quiet minutes.
‘I need to find him.’ Alex said after a moment, his face buried in the armpit of his giant friend.
‘How?’ Mikhail asked, truthfully unsure how his friend was going to find the beautiful little blond and his son.
‘I… I don’t know.’ Alex said quietly.
‘Alessandro! Come here.’ One of his aunt’s called from the lounge in a mild panic. Alex was instantly in the lounge watching the three women working quietly over the injured group of people.
‘Connect with me caro and speak to this miserable spirit.’ Giuliana said without even looking at her nephew as Alex reached out telepathically to his aunt, temporarily using her spirit vision. Alex swept the room and saw a downtrodden Bael standing behind the sofa looking straight at the Italian.
‘What happened?’ Alex asked immediately, startling the fire spirit mildly.
‘Dark mages stormed through the Veil. They cast spells at everyone, threw some of them across the field.’ Bael said in a deep, hollow voice.
‘How did they get through the barrier?’ Alex questioned the spirit who almost seemed to shrug his shoulders.
‘I don’t know, but they hit my master with something powerful. He fell almost instantly. They tried to take the child, but my master was paralysed, his arms wrapped tight around him. So they took them both. And then another one took the other child.’ The fire spirit continued, sadness causing his fiery appearance to dim in brightness.
‘Some of the mages tried to stop them, and were taken captive. The woman with dark hair, the healer, she followed them.’ Alex’s eyes flew open at this.
‘What woman? What’s her name?’ The Italian asked quickly.
‘I do not know.’ Bael said sadly. ‘I can show you.’ The spirit said after a moment. Alex nodded briefly and Bael projected an image of the woman to the Italian.
‘Monica.’ Alex said the moment he saw her, but he was more curious than concerned. ‘The image you just showed me, when did you see that?’ He asked closing his eyes and concentrating on the image again.
‘Tonight. During the attack.’ The spirit replied obediently. Alex shook himself visibly as he ran out the back door again.
‘Sam?’ Alex called out hoping he was nearby.
‘Here.’ The Canadian responded, instantly appearing before the Italian.
‘We need to find Monica.’ Alex said urgently, suppressing a cold anger sweeping his body.
‘Why?’ Sam asked cautiously, noticing the Italian’s tense posture. Alex, without asking permission, forced the image that Bael had shown him into the Canadian’s mind, who gasped at both the intrusion and the revelation.
‘Bael showed me that. He says he saw that tonight when they attacked. The person beside Monica, look at their hands.’ Alex said with venom.
‘Are they…?’ Sam begun but was cut off.
‘Helping her. Yes.’ The Italian said through his teeth.
‘Why?’ Sam asked regaining his own sight and private thoughts.
‘Let’s go and find out.’ Alex said with determination.
‘But where do we…?’
‘Does anyone know where Monica lives?’ Alex cut across Sam’s question shouting out to the backyard where the inhabitants of the Sanctuary were assembling some sort of makeshift accommodation.
‘In the mountains, behind the Sanctuary.’ A person called out from the darkness.
‘Aunty Gilly, I need you to come with me.’ Alex called into the house. ‘I need any healers to go inside and help the injured.’ He continued in the same breath to the group of people on the lawn. Several people trotted past the Italian and into the house as Giuliana came out onto the back deck.
‘Aunty, I need you to come with me so that I can communicate with Bael.’ The Italian explained quickly to his aunt, who merely nodded in agreement. ‘Sam, can you please go and get AJ and ask him to join us please. And perhaps bring a few of the warriors as well.’ The Canadian leader nodded once and vanished from the spot instantly leaving Alex staring at the wall.
‘Alex?’ A voice called from inside, the Italian disappearing and reappearing inside the living room. ‘Caiden is conscious.’ Aurelia said softly, propping the blond twin’s head up gently. Alex was on his kness beside the twin instantly.
‘Monica.’ Caiden said softly. ‘She let them in.’
‘Do you know why?’ Alex pleaded quietly with the blond who merely shook his head, stopping abruptly as nausea threatened to overwhelm him.
‘I couldn’t read her mind. She blocked me.’
‘Do you know where she is?’ Alex asked of Caiden, gently placing his hand against the soft cheek of the blond.
‘I heard one of them say the mountain grotto.’ The blond twin said with a faint shrug of the shoulders, as if to say he didn’t know what that meant.
‘I’ll be back soon.’ Alex said firmly, and before anyone could say another word, Alex was back outside again, beside his aunt, recreating the telepathic connection with her and turning to face Bael.
‘Alex?’ A voice called from the darkness as AJ ran up the steps. ‘Sam told me. What are we doing?’ He asked quickly as Sam appeared beside the man.
‘We’re going to Monica’s house in the mountains. Caiden just told me that he heard one of the intruders mention a mountain grotto. Mickey, you’re coming with me.’ The Italian said quickly.
‘I brought some of my warriors as you requested.’ The other leader offered, gesturing to four men standing at the bottom of the steps.
‘Alright, let’s get going.’ Alex announced to the small group of people, walking down the back steps and into the middle of the lawn.
‘Alex, I’d like to come please.’ A voice called from the darkness, Johan appearing in a shaft of light from the house.
‘I don’t know Johan.’ Alex said softly, not entirely sure he could trust the young mage.
‘They have taken our Holy. I want to help.’ The dark haired mage said sadly, his eyes flashing briefly with emotion. Alex nodded once and looked at the group assembled around him, and waving his hand cast a telepathic net over the group, connecting them all with each other. The Italian smiled determinedly at the group and addressed the tall and aflame fire spirit standing behind Giuliana.
‘Do you know where she lives?’ He asked of the spirit, who nodded once. ‘Guide me to it please.’ Alex requested of the spirit, who projected an image of the small house nestled in a small closure of trees at the base of a mountain range. Alex closed his eyes in concentration, and extending a telekinetic leash to the entire group, led them through the teleportation conduit and appeared in complete darkness a few hundred meters from Monica’s private home.
‘Let’s do this quietly.’ Alex announced through the telepathic network, several silent nods reverberated back to him as he led the way toward the house.
‘There’s a mage at the entrance.’ Bael stated silently. ‘I can take him down.’ Alex nodded to the fire spirit who disappeared from sight. The entire group watched silently as the tall spirit materialised behind the solitary mage standing watch at the front door and collapsed pitifully at the spirit’s feet.
‘Nice work Bael.’ Alex said stepping into the light in front of the house.
‘The house is empty.’ The spirit said turning to the door.
‘But there’s a passage beneath it.’ AJ stated as he appeared beside Bael and placed a hand against the closed door.
‘Take the door off.’ Alex ordered. AJ stepped back and to the side as the hinges of the door crumpled with a muffled crunch and the door flew across the small front garden, disappearing into the darkness. Alex stepped through the threshold, sweeping the house carefully for any signs of life, and finding none gestured for AJ to follow him inside.
‘Here.’ He said kneeling in the middle of the front room, sweeping a rug aside. He extended both his hands over the spot of bared wooden floor and the trap door popped open. Bael stepped in first, followed by Alex, AJ, Giuliana, two of the warriors, Sam, Mikhail, Johan and the final two warriors, bringing up the rear.
The party walked in relative darkness, Bael’s fiery appearance dampened slightly in an effort to remain stealthy, which made Alex giggle a little. Several hundred meters they walked in silence, the rustle of their clothes the only noise they made before the path began to rise slightly, the intense coldness of the enclosed space beginning to warm.
‘The exit isn’t far.’ Bael said to Alex, stepping aside.
‘Bael, are there any spirit talkers on the other side?’ Alex asked of the fire spirit as he sensed a large cavern beyond the door.
‘There are several of them.’ He replied after a moment.
‘Allow me.’ Sam said stepping forward with an extended arm. The group felt a surge of energy rush around them, finally centering on the fire spirit. ‘They wont be able to see or hear him now.’ Alex smiled to the Canadian leader and turned back to the door.
‘Aunty, hang back with Caleb and Roger. AJ, to my left, Sam to my right, Mickey, right behind me big guy. Gavin and Glen, behind Mikhail, then Aunty, Caleb and Roger.’ Alex said as the people began rearranging themselves as instructed. ‘Caleb, Roger, protect Aunty Gilly please.’ The Italian pleaded with two of the warriors, both of whom closed ranks on the woman with a nod.
A final check ensured Alex that everyone was in place and ready to act. He turned back to the door and with a nod, stepped forward, hand extended in front of him as the door exploded outward in a rain of fire and smoke, the door itself flying across the chamber and collecting two people on its path. Alex rushed forward and neutralised two more people as AJ took out three people along the side of the chamber, Sam taking down two people, Mikhail rushing in behind Alex, slightly disappointed that the several guards were already taken care of.
‘Save one for me next time.’ The Russian joked as Alex found a path on the side of the chamber, a cold and sharp breeze whistling through it.
‘Shit, there are people in there. I think they heard us.’ The Italian said striding over to the path. AJ reached out and held the Italian back.
‘Let me.’ The American leader said confidently as he inhaled deeply and disappeared from sight. Alex followed along behind AJ and heard the muffled cries of several people, one after the other, and a rapid succession of bodies hitting the floor painfully. Alex ran along the darkened pathway and passed three bodies along the way before exiting the cave path and finding AJ standing over six more bodies, already slung together in a heap.
‘Nice.’ Alex said with a chuckle, AJ responding with a cheeky smile.
‘Lach taught me well.’ The American Leader said, his smile cracking slightly in sadness. Alex made a mental note to check on AJ afterward.
As the remainder of the group gathered within the small opening in the dense forest, Alex scanned the surrounding bush and sensed a small collection of people several hundred yards away.
‘They’re through there.’ Alex said with a gesture toward the north.
‘I sense no spirit talkers, would you like me to go ahead?’ Bael asked of the Italian, who nodded without hesitation, the fire spirit rushed through the trees and disappeared.
Alex led the small group through the woods, the same order they had used in the caves. As they got closer to the group of people, Bael materialised in front of the group, his face cast downward.
‘Bael?’ Alex asked fearfully.
‘My master in unconscious. And I cannot find the child.’ The fire spirit said sadly, Alex however was shaking with suppressed fury. In the flicker of an eye, Alex had vanished from sight and appeared in the small grotto with an explosion of flames. With glowing eyes, he turned on the spot, his arms extended in front of him, waving his hands in a smooth circulation motion, the flames swam around him and enveloped the kidnappers in their fiery embrace, blood curdling screams escaping the victims as they perished. The rest of the group broke through into the enclosure and found the Italian panting heavily as the flames dissipated. Regaining control of himself, Alex rushed to the unconscious Quinn’s side and fell to his knees, his hand closing over the blond’s forehead.
‘Wake up my love.’ The Italian said softly, both verbally and telepathically, as he forced his consciousness into his husband’s mind. He was pulled into a dark void where his breath caught; it was utterly cold.
‘Quinn?’ Alex called out into the darkness. ‘My love, answer me.’ Alex turned around slowly and noticed a small flicker of light some distance away. He ran toward the spot at full speed, the small light getting marginally brighter as he got closer. He came to a stop as he saw a young boy sitting cross legged in the darkness, his head lowered over his lap, a small and solitary flame dance in his hands.
‘Quinn?’ Alex asked dropping to his knees before the child.
‘No. This is Quinn.’ The child said in a hollow voice. ‘His flame is dying.’ Alex’s eyes opened in horror and beads of sweat began forming on his knotted forehead. ‘I cannot sustain the fire.’ The child said with sadness.
‘You must help him.’ Sam said from behind the Italian, Alex barely registering that the Canadian Leader had joined him in his husbands consciousness. Alex leaned forward carefully and cupped his hands around the small flame and brought it carefully to his lips.
‘Please don’t leave me Quinn.’ Alex pleaded softly as he closed his eyes and blew gently, presenting the flame with fuel to burn. The flame fluttered darkly and then began to glow brighter, the light changing Alex’s blue eyes to purple. He blew again and the flame grew brighter still, growing in size slightly.
‘More.’ Sam encouraged of Alex, who blew again, over and over, further stoking the flame and tripling it’s size and brightness. In a few short seconds, the flame was much larger and cast a brighter light and Alex handed the flame back to the child, who took it carefully with a smile.
‘Thank you.’ The child said with a dazzling smile as he pulled the flame to his chest. Alex and Sam watched as the flame was pressed against the small chest of the child, and the two became one, a small explosion of white light as the two disappeared, Alex and Sam both ejected from Quinn’s consciousness.
‘Quinn?’ Alex asked again, leaning over his husband protectively.
‘She took Kian and Preston.’ The blond said sadly, his voice raspy and broken.
‘It’s okay my love.’ Alex said pulling his husband into his arms and hugging him firmly. ‘I’m just glad you’re alive.’
‘But our son.’ The blond said sadly, tears falling from his eyes.
‘We’ll get him back, I promise.’ Alex said squeezing Quinn to him. ‘Let’s get you home first.’ The Italian said effortlessly lifting his husband into his arms. ‘Can you guys grab them please?’ He asked of the others, who all swooped in and collected an unconscious person each. Alex turned on the spot and led the way back to his house, the remainder of the party following behind him. Walking purposefully up to the house, Alex strode through the back door and into the lounge, placing him on the sofa carefully beside Caiden as Aurelia, Francesca, and the newly returned Giuliana all gathered around the blond and began the long process of healing. Alex stood by watching for a moment when he heard screams coming from the back yard, and materialised outside to a disturbing scene.
Walking slowly across the backyard was an astral projection of the woman who had kidnapped his son. Alex’s teeth slammed together noisily as he watched the woman’s arrogant swagger as she got closer.
‘Where is my son?’ Alex demanded of her when she stopped walking.
‘Somewhere safe, and beyond your reach.’ She replied with venom.
‘WHERE?’ Alex shouted, the people nearest to him recoiling in shock from the volume.
‘You’ll never find him. And he will be safe from your abominable lifestyle. Mac de Grian will not marry another man, ever again.’ Monica’s projection said with a laugh. ‘Dirty little faggots.’
‘Find her Bael.’ Alex pleaded of the spirit who was nearby. Alex felt the spirit connecting with him telepathically and showed the Italian an image of himself and Cerberus growing in size as they flew at amazing speeds in different directions.
‘The Children of Light will not be commanded by an abomination any more. I will raise the boy and he will marry a woman, and bring forth a child of pure energy, a child free of this fragile body, a child worthy to rule us all.’ The projection said with mild vehemence.
‘I always knew there was something wrong with you.’ Alex said venomously to the projection, the eyes of which bulged slightly at the slur.
‘You know nothing about me.’ She responded with a laugh. Alex saw an image of the Sanctuary flash before his eyes, and then an image of Bael and Cerberus walking through to the Circle, looking through the trees and seeing a woman sitting cross legged in the middle, with two children lying in front of her crying, and several hooded figures standing behind and around her.
‘I’m on it Alex. Keep her talking.’ The Italian heard AJ speak telepathically and felt the American and Canadian leader’s teleport away, quickly followed by the four warriors AJ had brought with him.
‘Why are you doing this?’ Alex asked of the projection, who looked at the Italian with a raised eyebrow.
‘You don’t need to know.’ She said with a gloating smile. Alex’s fury began to bubble again as he watched the woman’s projection fall lifelessly to the ground and disappeared.
‘We have them.’ AJ said with happiness, as Alex fell to his knees, his emotional exhaustion almost overwhelming him. Tears began falling down his face when AJ appeared in front of the Italian and pushed the crying baby into his arms. Alex pulled the child close to him and snuggled him tightly to his chest, burying his face in the soft blanket he was swaddled in.
‘Shoosh my darling. Hush now baby.’ Alex murmered through the tears, trying to quiet his son as Sam rushed into the house with Preston, heading for Jaden and Caiden. ‘I’ve got you now my son.’
‘Where would you like these guys?’ Glen, one of the warriors, asked of Alex.
Sniffling back his tears, as a quieted Kian cooed happily to his dad, Alex replied, ‘Confine them. Through the trees there is a small opening. Physically tie them to the trees, and do whatever you can to keep them unconscious. Bael and Cerberus will watch over them.’ The Italian said, the two spirits in question already heading to the opening. Glen, Gavin, Caleb and Roger all dragging the unconscious captives across the yard.
‘Alex?’ Aurelia called softly from the back deck, Alex standing up instantly and walking quickly to his mother. ‘Come inside bambino.’ She said quietly, guiding her son inside. ‘Quinn is upstairs in his bed.’
Alex stepped lively up the steps and walked through to his bedroom and saw his husband lying in bed, his eyes closed in what seemed to be a slightly painful expression.
‘Quinn?’ Alex asked sitting on the bed and reaching for his husband’s hand. The green eyes of the blond opened slowly, as if waking from a coma. Blinking several times, the eyes began to focus on the Italian’s face.
‘Hello baby.’ Quinn croaked quietly, Alex’s face hardening from emotion.
‘Are you alright?’ Alex asked softly of his husband.
‘A little sore, but I’ll be fine.’ The blond replied with a half smile. ‘Is our son alright?’
‘He’s absolutely fine.’ Alex said happily, reaching over and placing Kian in the crook of Quinn’s arm. Kian turned slightly on the bed and spotting his daddy, squawked with happiness.
‘Hello Key!’ Quinn said with a smile, tears forming in his eyes. ‘Yes, hello my baby.’
‘I need to go and make sure everyone is alright.’ Alex said with mild regret before Aurelia stepped into the room.
‘I will look after them caro.’ Mrs. Braddock said happily as she stood on the other side of the bed from her son and sat down. Alex leaned over and kissed his husband on the forehead tenderly, before kissing his son’s cheek lovingly and walked toward the bedroom door. He turned back and looked at his husband, lying in bed with his son, happily patting his daddy’s chest, and Aurelia watching the two carefully.
‘His injuries are worse than he’s letting on.’ Aurelia said telepathically to her son. ‘He cannot move his legs.’
Next Chapter - ETA 22 January 2015
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