She followed him, silently behind whispering madness in his ear as he strode along the halls of her manor. She filled his mind with hate and death, stripping away what little morality remained, teasing his eyes with the visage of Blair Sandburg’s blood. He smiled, cold black empty eyes saw her for the first time and he felt no fear. In the darkened hall they embraced, she covered his mouth with her own and let him feel the power they could share. “Yes.” David grunted.

“As you wish my Kindred.” She reached up and raked her nails across David’s throat. Blood sprayed from the gaping wounds left in the wake of her claws, the man’s eyes widened in shock momentarily and then life fled from him. Soren smiled as she buried her teeth into his open wounds bathing her tongue in his delicious blood. A bright blue light enveloped them, the force of her preternatural body holding her kindred against the wall as energy flashed around them. The photographer’s body twitched and jerked with a minion’s rebirth, his blood retreated into the floors and walls of the old mansion and the house its self groaned with satisfaction. His wounds closed, life returned to him, his heart beat, his lungs filled and the spark of eternity returned to his eyes.

Soren gently caressed his face, looking deep with in his soul and reveling in the power of his hatred. “We have work to do my love.” She whispered in his ear. “We must pay a visit to cook.”

David was alive, his body thrummed with energy, his mind whirled with excitement as he saw the dark truth of his existence and he loved it. This was his destiny, savage teacher of brutal lessons and more pupils than he had ever hoped for. The woman before him, bestowing the greatest gift giving him life, the house, it’s halls and exquisite classrooms, terror, beautiful fear and pain, it was all his. He was the teacher and class was officially in session.

Her, the vision in his eyes, porcelain skin, full blood red lips, pale Grey eyes all framed by hair the rich color of fire and a perfect graceful body barely hidden by the white gossamer dress she wore, she held within her delicate hands his soul, freely given and he had received so much in return. She held out his precious tool, the blade gleaming in a brilliant flash of lightening.  He took it caressing the handle lovingly and followed her into the darkness.

*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

The tall man slept, blissfully unaware of the storm raging beyond the window of his small room. He did not hear their arrival, did not feel their approach to his bed and he did not see the cold snarl on the face of the man as he raised the blade above his chest. A soft touch on his face, brought a smile to his face as he dreamed of a long missed love, a whisper in his ear caused a softly sighed “I love you.” to pass his lips.

“Then join me!” Soren spoke in a harsh tone.

Cook’s eyes flew open and he was confronted with the vision of his dead wife, her beautiful face dripping blood into his open mouth. The scream that built in his throat never escaped as his final living sight was the glint of cold steel a moment before the blade pierced his chest and buried its self into his heart.

*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

Blair came awake with a strangled scream, instant pain wiped away the image of what he had seen and he felt strong hands holding him down, sending him spiraling back to his room. He descended into panic, overwhelmed with agony, he screamed again, barely registering the voices speaking in unison beside him, warm hands gripped his own and his fear ebbed but the searing pain remained and the voices continued their litany.
 
“Blair, you have to stay still honey.”

“I know it hurts Buddy, but you need to keep still.”

“It’s okay, Blair honey, just don’t move, I know you’re hurting, just breathe through it Baby.”

“That’s it, Chief you’re doing fine.”

He knew the voices and he relaxed even more, he focused on controlling his breathing and finally forced the pain back to a manageable level. Blair opened his eyes and the concerned faces of Jim and Emma swam slowly into focus. It was almost comical, they were both hovering beside him looking ready to pounce if something should happen, almost comical but not quite. The amount of pain he was in told him it was serious and the memory of what had happened in his room earlier came flooding back. He closed his eyes and tried to reign in the fear he was feeling.

Jim heard his guide’s heart rate skyrocket, and saw the smaller man tense, he lay a comforting hand on Blair’s shoulder. “It’s okay Buddy. You’re going to be okay.” His partner’s eyes opened again and the pain there was unmistakable. “I know it hurts, you had a large piece of glass stuck in your back. It’s out now, but I know it’s pretty painful.” The younger man nodded weakly. “Do you remember what happened?” Another small nod. “Not up to talking?”

“No.” Blair whispered trying to keep his body from shaking as the agony in his back became unbearable. “Hurts.” He sobbed, tears once again filling his eyes and spilling onto his cheeks.

Emma straightened up. “I can’t believe I didn’t think of this before!” she hissed. “I’ll be right back.”

She was up and out the door before Jim had the chance to say okay. He turned his attention back to his suffering partner and felt completely helpless as he watched the younger man weep silent tears of pain. He soothed with words the best he could, not sure if Blair could hear him or not. Jim would have given anything to be able to take the pain away, or at least to make it more manageable. He continued to speak softly to his friend and Blair’s grip on his hand strengthened as he fought against crying out. Jim smoothed back his guide’s hair, gently rubbing the younger man’s temple with his thumb. He was so focused on his partner he didn’t hear Emma reenter the room. She knelt beside him, a glass of water in one hand and a prescription bottle in the other.

“What is that?” Jim asked.

“Percoset.” She answered and felt the absurd need to explain why she had it. “You uh can’t work with your hands as much as I do and not suffer some consequence.”

Jim nodded, thankful beyond words that she had it and that it would help his guide. “Okay Blair we’re going to give you something for the pain. I know you don’t like chemicals but I don’t think you’ll object this time huh? He allowed himself a nervous smile as Blair gave a small shake of his head.

Emma placed the pill into Blair’s open mouth and Jim held his head while he managed a few sips of water to wash the medication down. Blair's eyes widened as soon as the liquid hit his stomach and Emma was instantly in his face, holding on to his hand and talking to him very intently. “You are not going to be sick.” She whispered. “Just breathe, nice and easy, in a few minutes you’re going to be pleasantly numb, won’t that be good? There you go, find your rhythm, you’re doing great.”

Blair closed his eyes as he fought back the nausea, focusing on the sound of Emma’s voice, the feel of Jim’s hand on his shoulder, Jim’s thumb as it rubbed small circles on his temple, he focused on taking shallow even breaths, stubbornly fighting off the pain that accompanied each breath. He wasn’t sure how much time had passed before he noticed the agony had diminished to a constant dull pain that he could manage. He felt the tug of sleep and fell into it willingly with a whispered. “Thank you.”

Jim and Emma both relaxed when Blair slipped into a drugged slumber, they were exhausted and stressed, but they had made it through another crisis, and they now could keep the pain their friend was suffering from becoming overwhelming again. Jim draped his arm around the artist’s shoulders and smiled down at her. “I am so damn glad you had that.”

She nodded and flashed a fatigued grin at him. “Me too.” She sighed. “He’ll be out for a while. They’re safe to take every four to six hours and there is enough to keep him pleasantly drugged until help arrives.”

“Maybe you should get some sleep too.” Jim suggested.

The young woman ignored the statement. “How did you know? How did you find him?”

Jim sighed uncomfortably. “If I tell you you’re not going to want to sleep.”

“I don’t want to sleep now Jim, but you’ve answered my question.” Emma scrubbed at her face wearily. “I knew I didn’t imagine it.” She said under her breath.

“What did you see?” The Sentinel asked wanting to believe it was instinct that had forced the scenario on his subconscious, but knowing with grim certainty it was not. He’d been down this road before and he knew there were things going on in this house that defied logical explanation.

“I didn’t see, I heard. Someone earlier in my room, telling me not to cry that it would be okay. It was a woman, it scared me but thinking back on it there was something comforting about it too.” She looked him in the eye. “I am not sensitive to this shit at all, but I know there is something here, I can feel it.”

“Me too. More than one something.”
 

Chapter Eleven

David stared angrily at the threshold he could no longer cross, the barrier that separated him from two more fulfilling deaths. Soren stroked his cheek lovingly. “They will come to us.” She purred in his ear.

“I don’t understand why we can’t take care of Sandburg and the Cop now.” He snapped.

Soren’s Grey eyes became hard. “They are protected for the time being.” She hissed. “It won’t last, and once you take the Caretakers you’ll be strong enough to break through that protection.” She spoke the last word with such hatred that David almost flinched but then he allowed the feeling to was over him and he pulled the demon ghost into a rough embrace and kissed her fiercely.

“I can wait.” He ran his tongue along her throat. “There must be other things we can do in the mean time.”

Soren looked deep into the black eyes of her kindred and smiled. “Yes, I can introduce you to the master.”

*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

Blair was dreaming he had to be, what he was seeing was not possible. He watched as the woman in white led David Colby through the wall and deep into the bowels of the house. He watched as they reached the center of the great manor and horror filled him as he realized that it was alive. Living, breathing and radiating more evil than he had ever known. It knew he was watching, Blair felt it the moment before his world scorched white with pain. It only lasted a moment, then he found himself somewhere else entirely.

He was safe, someone was caring for him and he was blessedly free from pain. A voice, gentle and feminine, reached his ears through the fog surrounding him and he was compelled to answer her call. Slowly he opened his eyes and found that he was in a garden. Flowers bloomed all around him, explosions of color made more vibrant by the bright sunlight bathing him in warmth.

“You like it?” The voice asked him.

The Anthropologist’s gaze fell on a young woman, kneeling on the ground beside him. She could have been no more than twenty, her Blonde hair so light it was almost white, sharply contrasting her deep brown eyes. She was in a word, beautiful. Blair just stared as she continued speaking. Her soft melodic voice adding to his sense of peace.

“This was mine. My little corner in all this mess. He let me have it and he loved it here too.”

Blair blinked at her, trying to focus his muddled thoughts. “Who are you?”

She smiled at him. “I’m sorry, where are my manners? My name is Madeline, I brought you here, away from…” she trailed off fear clouding her eyes.

“From the house?” He asked sitting up, surprised to find it did not hurt.

Madeline nodded. “I couldn’t let it hurt you. Not anymore, I’m sorry I couldn’t stop what happened. When you wake up you’re going to be in pain again.” She worried her lower lip with her teeth. “I needed to be able to tell you, to warn you so I brought you here, it’s still a sanctuary for me. One place she can’t come, one place her master can’t reach.”

“I’m not sure I understand. Who are you talking about?”

“Soren Merrick. There isn’t time to tell you everything, but I need to warn you. What you saw in your dream was real, I know you saw her take the man you came with into her fold, I know you saw them kill the cook. I know you saw the heart of the evil that resides here. It was real all of it. The man David means you harm, your friends as well. Soren knew this and she was responsible for what happened to you. Now that she has taken David into her service he’ll soon be able to get to you. Josiah protects you now as do I, but we have no power compared to her and this house.” She saw the realization of her identity dawn on the man before her and her face fell.

“You’re the mistress.” Blair whispered, slowly backing away from her. “You killed them.”

Tears filled the woman’s eyes as she spoke again. “I was long dead before my hand grasped the handle of that knife. It was Soren’s way of exacting her revenge on Josiah for taking me into his bed. Look at me! Blair you see things that others don’t, feel things it is your gift as a Shaman, but you don’t trust it. Trust it now, your life and the lives of those that you love depend on it! Look at me and tell me what you see!”

“How?” Blair gasped, looking for an escape. You can’t…this isn’t real. This can’t possibly be happening.”

She stood and took him by the arm, he pulled away from her grasp but the ghost held fast to him. “How do I know this? You’re here, seeing me, talking to me. Even in dreams only the gifted can walk this plane. You are unique, more so than I have experienced in a hundred years. As are your friends, Jim is a threat to the evil that resides here, because he is a watchman and that puts him at grave risk once David can take apart the barriers we have around you.”

He stared at her open mouthed. What was he supposed to do to stop this, he wasn’t exactly at his best and last he remembered his mobility had been seriously restricted. He shook his head, he couldn’t believe he was buying into all of this. He was dreaming, pure and simple, this was just some whacked out drug induced nightmare.

“You know that’s not true.” Madeline’s voice was low and determined.

Blair closed his eyes, she was right, he did know and it frightened the hell out of him. Accepting the truth did nothing to help him figure out how to protect his friends. “What am I supposed to do? I’m not exactly at fighting strength.”

“Not every combat requires a physical hand. I don’t know how to advise you here, you have to look within for that. Accept the gift that was given to you at birth and defend them with it.” She brought her hand up to his face and kissed him on the forehead giving benediction for the battle he would fight. “You have to go back now. Tell them, make them believe you. It falls to you to protect your friends.”

Blair felt the soft touch of her lips against his skin once more before the garden faded into the oppressive pain filled darkness of his awakening mind. As he ascended to consciousness one singular thought consumed him. “It falls to you to protect your friends.” He opened his heart to himself and began the journey into his true nature.
 

Chapter Twelve

“Penny for your thoughts?” Jim asked the woman who was sitting beside him. Her eyes were focused somewhere in the distance and a small smile had turned up the corners of her mouth.

“I never take advantage of my friends like that.” She looked up at the detective and smiled. “I was just thinking, for some insane reason, about one sunny day in February about five years ago. It had been rainy and Grey and cold for three weeks straight and then the sun finally decided to make an appearance. Blair comes tearing into my studio, with a picnic basket. It’s the middle of February and he has a picnic basket. He drags me out of the studio and into the quad for a picnic. It was cold, Jim.”

The Sentinel shook his head. “He hates the cold.”

“But he loves the sun.” Emma smiled again. “I don’t know why I thought about this, or the picture of us he took that day. I was covered in paint, my hands my clothes, my face-.”

“I’ve seen the picture. I wondered about the story behind it.” He chuckled at the image her story had created.

“He was just so damn glad to see the sun, he had to share it.” She reached forward and brushed an errant curl away from her sleeping friend’s face. “I was happy he decided to share it with me. He had a few options at that time.”

“None of them would have appreciated it the way you did.” Blair’s tired voice interjected.

Jim moved closer to the bed and his injured friend. “Hey Buddy.” He said quietly. “How are you feeling?”

Weary eyes opened and focused on the man hovering beside the bed as Blair considered his current state of being. “You were right Em.” His voice was little more than a whisper. “I feel pleasantly almost numb, just a little pain, but it’s not bad.”

“Yeah well just don’t move, Chief.” Jim admonished.

“I got that, moving is bad.”

Jim watched as Blair’s brow knitted in concentration. “What is it?”

“May not have a choice about the moving.” Blair’s eyes took on a desperate look as the full memory of his  ‘experience’ with Madeline came crashing back. “We have got to get out of this house. Ghosts…one attacked me… the house is evil…David killed the cook, he’ll kill… He’ll kill the Adolph’s. Jim we can’t let that happen, they won’t be able to keep David and Soren away if he kills the Adolph’s. We…have to warn them! We have to get out of the house now!”

Jim studied his guide for a moment, noting with concern that the younger man was impossibly paler than he had been before. “Blair if what you’re saying is true, then I can’t leave you two alone here, you’re in no condition to defend your self.”

“And I’m helpless?” Emma arched her brow, her irritation at the comment clearly evident in her tone.

“It’s true, Jim, and you’re not going alone.” He closed his eyes and took a breath before continuing. “Trust me, we’ll be fine. I’ll make sure of that.” He looked at his Sentinel setting his jaw in determination he reached out and latched on to Jim’s arm. “I know I am not the paragon of health and strength right now, but there are other ways I can defend my self…and Emma…who by the way…is not helpless.”

The detective fixed his partner with a hard look. “Forget it, Chief. You are not going anywhere, I am not leaving you, and unless you took a course in Ghost Busting I am unaware of, I have issues with the other ways to defend your self you could come up with!”

Rare anger flashed behind the younger man’s eyes. “God damnit! You do not listen! If the Adolph’s die, and they will die if we don’t keep them away from the house, we’re screwed! We have to go, I will be fine, and staying is not an option, got it? I swear to God Jim if you try to stop me from getting out of here I will flatten you!” Blair tried desperately not to let the pain that had reawakened in his back submarine his show of force. “Don’t forget what I am. Don’t forget what that means, Jim.”

Jim sighed, the Sentinel within warring with the detective and looking into the heart of his guide. He had been avoiding the path he was now thrust upon and he hated giving up control to the mysticism he did not understand. He was faced with a choice he did not want to make, but he had no doubt that his guide was right and the power Blair possessed as a Shaman could and would make an appearance if he needed it. If Jim had more time he would have marveled at the fact that even injured his partner and guide was never weak. The Sentinel found faith in his Guide and reluctantly yielded to his direction. It was going to take time adjusting to giving up control. “Point taken.”

“Thank you.” Blair whispered. “I didn’t want to have to flatten you.”

Jim nodded not doubting for a moment that his Guide would have found a hidden reserve of strength to do exactly what he promised. “Okay Chief, can you walk?”

“Give me a hand up and we’ll see.” The younger man smiled gamely.

Both Emma and Jim moved in to assist Blair to his feet

Blair clenched his jaw in an effort not to give any indication of the pain he was suffering. He looked at Emma who was studying him with a concerned frown. He noted the lines of exhaustion on her bruised face and he hoped that this nightmare would soon be over for all of them. David Colby was lost, he could not change that or the fact that the man had killed the cook, but Blair swore a silent oath that he would find the strength to see Jim, Emma and himself safely off this God forsaken island. He concentrated on reigning in control of the pain radiating across his back, he needed to be able to move.

Focusing back on Emma he found himself looking into terrified green eyes.

“Blair we’re not alone.”
 

Chapter Thirteen

Jim made his way quickly and cautiously through the darkened halls of the house. He fought the urge to extend his hearing back to his partner and Emma. He needed his full concentration around him, to be aware of the dangers he would face on their way out of the manor. The Sentinel knew something was following them, tracking their progress and he waited for the attack. Inspite of his mental awareness he was still surprised when it came. He heard Emma's exclamation immediately followed by a flash of lightening that lit the landing of the steps long enough for him to see the wooden snakes head banister come to life. If not for the fact that he had his sight dialed down so that the frequent lightning wouldn’t blind him he would have seen it sooner, he would have had more of a chance to react. As it was he jumped back just as the head of the beast struck out at him, delivering a glancing blow to his shoulder and cried out as the fangs of the creature sunk into his bicep.

The thing drew back for another strike and Jim rolled out of the way as it smashed into the floor beside him, showering him with splinters. He struggled to his feet only to catch the snakes tail in the stomach stealing the air from his lungs and sending him flying backward into the wall. He was barely aware as his body bounced off and he landed hard on the marble floor. Marginally conscious he struggled to get his shocked diaphragm to work with him so he could breathe again. Finally his lungs filled and his head cleared, he pushed himself onto his back, biting back a cry of pain as his abused and battered body protested the action. His vision focused on the horrifying face of the snake, its eyes glowed as it drew its head back for the killing blow. Jim tried to push away, but his body was beyond the point of cooperating with his wishes. He was dead. Jim watched in mute horror as the snake’s head descended upon him, his vision whited out in an explosion of light as he felt strong arms encircle his chest.

He expected pain. It did not come. Jim opened his eyes to see a golden man wrestling with the beast. The man held fast to the creature as it struggled to complete its task. He felt other hands assisting him as he pushed himself painfully backward away from the otherworldly spectacle.

“Get up! Jim, Get up!” Emma screamed over the din of noise the beast made as it thrashed against its assailant. The snake was now leaking clear fluid from its neck as the man straddling its back sawed at it with a long curved knife.

Jim turned his head towards Emma and caught sight of his guide on his knees a few feet away, hunched over with his head nearly touching the floor.  The Sentinel forced himself to his feet, pushing his pain dials all the way down to zero and stumbled to his guide’s side. “Blair!”

“I’m okay, Jim.” The younger man panted. “Just help me up. We have to get out of here now!” With both his companions helping once again Blair got his feet underneath him, too tired to even attempt to stifle the shout of pain that was torn from him as he straightened.

The trio turned and fled in the opposite direction of the snake monster, heading instead for the main marble staircase.  The storm outside picked up in fury adding a backdrop of brilliant lightning and deafening thunder claps to their already desperate flight through the halls of the manor.

Supporting Blair between them, Jim and Emma made their way as quickly as possible down the L shaped stair case. Their goal was in sight when they were stopped short by a chilling scream of fury, turning as one they had a glimpse of David Colby’s rage filled face as he flew down the steps and plowed into his intended victims, his unnatural strength scattering the three like bowling pins.

Emma’s hands shot out in a futile effort to balance herself as she teetered against the marble railing, she had one brief moment of hope she had righted herself an instant before she felt a hand on her chest pushing her backward over the edge. The world tilted wildly as she tumbled heels over head followed by a brief feeling of weightlessness before she crashed into the floor six feet below. The air exploded from her lungs as she came to rest face down on the cool stone surface, her mind fully registering every pain in her body before it surrendered to the merciful black.

Jim had a moment to register Blair’s pained scream as the younger man tumbled helplessly down the last seven steps sprawling like a broken doll at the bottom. Jim saw his guide’s body twitch once, twice and then move no more. His brief inattention cost him as David moved in for the kill, grabbing the detective by the throat and slamming him forcefully against the wall.

Jim struggled against the more powerful man who had him pinned effortlessly against the tapestry covered wall, the hands around his neck tightened cutting off precious oxygen and blood flow giving Jim a very intimate and grim understanding of squeezing the life out of someone. Black spots danced across his vision and he could hear nothing over the roar of blood trapped in his veins as he grappled ineffectively with his would be killer. He thought he heard a primal cry of defiance and his vision cleared momentarily, long enough to wonder when David had lost his head. The vice around his throat disappeared as Colby’s body fell away, crumpling against the stairs. Jim drew in a shuddering breath, his knees gave way and he slid down the wall sitting hard on the floor, his eyes traveled up the pair of jean clad legs filling his vision and saw his guide leaning heavily on a broad sword. Dumbstruck he looked at Colby’s body still idly wondering where the hell his head had gone, and then looked back at his pale trembling partner as the younger man’s eyes rolled back into his head and Blair collapsed bonelessly to the floor infront of Jim.

The Sentinel tried to summon the strength to reach out for his guide, but his arms and legs betrayed him, the bright flashes of lightning dimmed, the thunderclaps sounded as if they were coming from a great distance, beside him the Panther growled but his consciousness had already fled into the sanctuary of nothingness.

The house stilled, the storm that had raged so furiously dissipated as the first light of morning danced on the stained glass windows of the manor.

Chapter fourteen

Time had lost all meaning. Thoughts and feelings coalesced and fractured in his weary mind. Memories and dreams splintered his reality; voices foreign and familiar warred for attention in the drifting facets of his psyche.

“You’re kindred has been destroyed!”

“Damn them!”

“You’ve lost him.”

“Jesus! Blair!”

“Jim? Jim! Oh my God!”

The voices rose to a fevered din and then there was silence. He found himself back in the garden, only it had changed. Water dripped from the plants and the ground beneath his feet was a marsh. He lifted his face to the sky, black on white clouds boiled above him. A cyclone of darkening sky framed the fading sun. This place that once had been so tranquil spoke only of despair and the face he longed to see on this plane was no where within his vision. He was afraid.

He slogged through the rising water trying to find his way back to the house, moving was difficult as the water, mud and debris we’re up to his waist now. He was within sight of the house and for all it’s foreboding it would provide him with a sanctuary from the rising waters.

Something snaked passed his leg and Blair stopped dead. Momentary panic seized him as he felt I ‘it’ slither around again, he fought hard to focus his thoughts and started to move forward again. The thing tripped him up and he fell face forward into the murky waters. More tentacles surrounded him pulling him down. He seemed to sink forever, his lungs craved air, he struggled but the creatures holding him, drowning him only tightened their grip on his body.

He was dying, and the screams returned in a cacophony of desperation and rage. It overwhelmed his mind, the pain of death and the backlash of what had to be all those that had gone before coalesced into an unbearable screech. Blair could stand no more and his souls scream joined the reverberation of agony.

“Blair!”

The body that had been so still a moment before shot upright and issued a terrifying scream. The sound of it chilled Jim to the marrow of his bones.
“Blair, come on buddy. It’s okay you’re safe.” Jim glanced at his surrounds. “Relatively so any way. Come on, chief snap out of it.” Jim tried to keep his calm, but he had never heard his friend make a sound like this. There was more fear and pain in Blair’s voice then he had ever heard before. Jim continued his litany of assurances. Blair kept screaming.

“Blair Please.”

Jim looked up to see Emma staring wide eyed at Blair, her face was ashen and tears mixed with the blood staining her face. Jim had no words for her, he shared her fear and her helplessness. Blair continued to scream until he had no voice left to scream with. His mouth and face remained locked in a now silent cry of madness.
 

To be continued......

Hopefully with your help!

Take me home, James.

Email Ihket.