GLITTER GULCH

Chapter 13: Poisoned Minds

"No, ya can't."

"Yes, I can."

"No, ya can't."

"Yes, I can!"

"No, Sage! Ya can't drive the wagon! You have ta watch Ryo. Remember?"

"Oh, yeah!" Sage stood up and stumbled over the backboard into the wagon. Ryo reached out his arms to steady him. Sage fell into Ryo's arms and hugged him. "I love you, Ryo." He reached out and patted the top of Rowan's head. "I love you, too, Ro. Hey! Ryo. Ro. Ryo. Ro." He giggled, and Ryo and Rowan exchanged exasperated glances.

"Sage, dude, why don't you sit down?"

"If Rowan would stop moving the goddamn wagon, I would!"

"Huh?" Ryo looked at the still horses, and Rowan shrugged. "Here, I'll help you."

"Ryo?"

"Yeah?"

"I gotta puke."

Ryo scrambled to get out of the way and lean Sage's head over the side. He would have made it too, if the blonde had let him go. He cringed as he felt the warm liquid seep into his clothes. "Awww, man! That's just gross! Rowan!"

Rowan bit his lip to keep from laughing and shrugged.

"Crap! Sage! Sit down!" Sage fell to his knees and clawed his way to a sitting position by the side of the wagon. Ryo's hands were trying to decide whether to wipe the vomit off or just leave it. "Crap. Now what?"

Rowan hid a smirk and offered, "I know uva waterin' hole where Ken and I played as kids. We can go there. It's not too far."

"Thanks, Rowan."

"Sure. Just keep an eye on puke breath."

Ryo sat down, pressing his back against the side of the wagon, as Rowan goaded the horses into action. The lurching motion brought new spew from Sage. He shook his head and watched the blonde closely so he wouldn't fall out as he leaned his head over the side. He frowned. The cowboy normally didn't drink himself silly like this. He'd only done it a couple of times since Ryo had known him and those times had been because Sage was worrying about something. It was like he was trying to get away from the problem instead of facing it. But what was it this time? He knew something had happened last night, but he couldn't remember any of it. The last thing he remembered was seeing Sage and Rowan… After that, it was all just ghost images of gray eyes and a bright light. He didn't even know why he'd woken up at Doc Kaos' place. The old man had been very pleasant and accommodating, putting Ryo at ease immediately. He felt attached to the old guy for some reason. The smells in the apothecary's place seemed familiar…And he'd called him Rekka.

Ryo watched Sage's body spasming and moved to sit beside him. He placed a hand on the blonde's back and traced lazy circles to help soothe the jerking.

"Fuck. This sucks,'" Sage muttered briefly before trying to purge his empty stomach again. Ryo smiled and shook his head. The blonde also tended to be far more blunt and vocal when he was piss drunk. He'd managed to get them thrown in jail in Dallas, and Rowan had barely managed to talk their way out of trouble in Topeka. Sage's combative nature lingered into the next day as well, as if he blamed the world for his hangover. If there was no one else around to start a fight with, he generally tried to get Rowan's ire. He knew what buttons to push, too. Ryo knew on a couple of occasions if he hadn't been around, there would have been a tangle of yellow and blue rolling on the floor, heaving curses and punches at one another. He giggled at the thought of the two friends trying to pull each other's hair out. Neither one of them would be happy about losing a handful of hair. He also knew that they would never dream of seriously hurting the other one. They were too good of friends and cared too much about one another to even consider staying angry too long. Evidently from what I saw the other night, they do more for each other than I originally thought.

"I'm sorry, Ryo. I did it again, didn't I?"

"Huh? Oh, that? It'll wash out, Sage. Don't worry about it."

"I did it again," Sage mumbled. "I let you down again. I just can't seem to do anything right." The blonde's shoulders were slumped and his chin bounced on the edge of the wagon.

"Sage? Are you okay?" Ryo brushed Sage's golden, silky hair out of his eyes.

Sage tried to shake his head. "I don't know what's wrong with me, Ryo. I…I can't seem to focus. I'm so confused." The blonde raised one limp hand to brush the drool from his lips. "You hurt me. The look in your eyes…I won't ever forget that."

Sharp needles pierced Ryo's heart. There it was. A simple, drunk confession. Sage did hate him. Ryo pulled his hand back as if he'd been stung. He wanted so much to go back and change what he'd done, but he couldn't. He couldn't undo the harm he'd caused. He'd betrayed the trust and friendship that he and Sage had. He'd destroyed everything in that one brutal act. He fought to keep his body in the wagon; he wanted to run. He wanted to run from it all and never look back. He didn’t deserve to be near Sage. But he couldn't run. He had to make things right. He had to. He owed his life to Sage.

With gleeful anticipation, Sekhmet stared at the shiny, silver needle. The power that he'd held over Anubis last night was incredible. He'd been willing to do anything that he'd asked. Anything. He could've had him on one of the tables in the saloon if he'd wanted. Right in front of everyone. Hell, he could have anyone he wanted. No one could resist him. And it all was thanks to the liquid hiding in this silver metal casing. He had the power to hypnotize and control minds. To make people throw away their inhibitions and do anything he desired. He had the power. It was in his control. It was in this shiny metal sheath given to him by an unknown benefactor. He'd tried to thank Anubis for the gift but the bartender feigned ignorance of the silver box. He hadn't given the precious present to Sekhmet. He shook his head. It didn't really matter who had given him the box now. He had it, and he wasn't giving it back.

He plunged the needle into his arm and pressed the plunger. He could feel the cool liquid beginning its trek to his heart. Icy fingers caressing his veins as the blood flow began to slow. He sucked in a breath as he felt it reach his heart. His lower lip quivered, and his body began shaking. This was it. This was the power he craved. He needed to experience that control again. He wanted to wield power over someone else's life, and he had a new test subject in mind. Someone who didn't like him. Someone who feared him. A certain schoolteacher with auburn hair.

As the strange potion worked its magic, Sekhmet thought back to this meeting with the new schoolteacher. He'd chosen the Brit over the other applicants simply for the fact that he was a young man. Sekhmet enjoyed young men. He went so far as to offer Cye a house of his own to come to the states. There was no house of course, nor would there be. He smiled wickedly as he remembered how crushed the Brit had been upon hearing that his house wasn't ready. The beautiful green eyes welled up with tears and the full lips drew together in a delicious pout. Sekhmet groaned as he thought about what those pouty lips could be capable of. The wide-eyed innocence that Cye Torrent displayed had caused Sekhmet to nearly attack him in his office. He'd managed to corner the schoolteacher and if it hadn't been for the interruption by his bookkeeper, he would have had a taste of the Brit. The schoolteacher had practically fallen over himself to get out of Sekhmet's office. Yes. He would see Cye Torrent again and the little schoolteacher wouldn't stand a chance this time.

Cye watched as Kento, hauling lumber, walked past the kitchen window. The big guy had insisted on nailing up the broken window in Sage and Rowan's room, and Cye wanted to watch. His legs went rubbery whenever he thought about the kiss that Kento had given him. He tried not to think about it. He really did. But every time he saw the mountain man, he could taste Kento's tongue and feel the warmth of his body. So did that kiss mean Kento was interested? It had sure felt like it. But Kento had basically ignored him all the way home. Hmmm. I've got an idea. He likes food and seems to like my cooking… He smiled and pulled out the flour.

Rowan halted the wagon. "Here it is, Ryo. Maybe we oughta give Sage a bath too. He sure could use one."

"Uh, yeah. Sure. But he's pretty much out cold."

Rowan got down and stood by the side of the wagon. "Here, hand him ta me."

Ryo bent down and picked up the unconscious blonde. He carefully handed Sage over. Rowan watched the Indian with guarded eyes. He almost giggled when he noticed how gingerly Ryo treated Sage. Almost like a china doll. As if he was afraid the blonde would break. These two have gotta get together.

The small pond brought vivid memories flooding back into Rowan's mind. He and Kento had stumbled upon the place when they were kids. Soon after it had become their favorite place to go. A small trickle of water from a natural underground spring fell from a rocky ledge into the quiet pool below. That trickle served as a rushing, roaring waterfall. Many an imaginary bad guy fell from the dizzying height into the rushing river below, only to be eaten by ravenous crocodiles and sharks. He chuckled. They'd been pirates, lawmen, and outlaws. Kinda funny how things worked out.

Rowan began wrestling with Sage to get the cowboy's soiled clothes off while Ryo stripped off his own clothes. "Aah, screw it. Hey, Ryo. Take him. I'm gonna get cleaned up too. Might as well, somebody's gotta wash the clothes while the other one watches puke breath." A naked Ryo held Sage while Rowan undressed. Once he was done, he gathered all their clothes together and sat down on the rock ledge to do some laundry. Ryo finally managed to get Sage into the water and gently washed the blonde's face.

Sorry, Ken. But somehow, I don't think you'd really mind. This was their secret place and now he'd brought two others to their hideout. The small rocky area where Ryo was fussing over Sage was where Rowan and Kento had their first kiss.

It was the summer Rowan's family had moved away. He and Kento had come to the pond to say their good-byes - one last big blowout before Rowan moved north. They'd played all afternoon - everything from pirates to outlaws. They'd even made a rope swing to hang out over the pond. After a few hours of swinging out and bellybusters, the two of them had crawled up onto the rocky ledge and lay there basking like two lizards in the sun. They began talking about Rowan's departure, and Rowan had begun crying. Kento had wrapped his arms tightly around the smaller boy and held him for a little while. Rowan could still feel those strong arms around him, holding him. Then Kento had gently placed his hands on either side of Rowan's face and kissed him. It was the single most incredible feeling Rowan had ever experienced in his young life. All the warmth and understanding a friend could give had been contained in that kiss. Rowan was hesitant at first but then wrapped his arms around the bigger boy and leaned into the warm lips.

Unfortunately, Rowan's dad showed up. Walt, the little snot, had told him where to find the two boys and they were in trouble. Well, if they hadn't been before that, they were now. Rowan's father was furious. He didn't even wait until he'd gotten home to beat Rowan senseless. He managed to get a few good punches in on Kento too, before his anger abated enough for him to realize he'd nearly killed his own son.

Rowan flinched. Not exactly somethin' I wanted ta think about. That was the last time he'd seen Kento. They'd written back and forth a few times, but the letters were always pretty tame. Rowan smirked. At least until I moved out, and Dad wasn't there ta open my mail for me.

Kento picked up the wood plank he'd chosen to seal up the broken window in Rowan and Sage's room. He used one hand to hold it and the other to grab some nails and put them in his mouth, pointy end out. He picked up the hammer and started nailing. Man, if Ro saw me doing this, he'd freak. He always tried to get me to quit doing stuff like this. He'd always offer to help so I didn't strain nothin'. But it's so easy… He pulled another nail out of his mouth and set it, driving it in with one pound of the hammer.

Rose probably won't like the addition to her house, but I'm not about to give that thing from last night easy access. He'd picked up all the glass and had done some preliminary investigating into what that thing was. He'd found a couple of tracks, but they didn't make any sense. They seemed like wolf prints, but they were way too big and had five toe pads. The weight distribution was off, too. The way the tracks were spread out, this thing walked on its hind legs, upright. That didn't make sense. There wasn't an animal like that in this area, or he would have seen it by now. And what attacked Ryo and Sage? Was it the same thing? Or different somethings?

Kento shook his head. His answers only brought up more questions. That scream they'd heard inside their heads. Had that been Ryo? It sure sounded like the Indian. But how? How had they all heard it? Even Cye said he could "feel" it. Rosemary said Cye nearly passed out. And that's another thing. Why didn't Rosemary, Mia, and Ulee hear the scream?

Mia had taken Ulee to the house of one of Rosemary's friends. Ulee's protective sister didn't want him to stay in the farmhouse as long as there was a vicious creature running loose. Mia suggested that Rosemary go with them as well, but the spitfire had refused to leave. It was her home, and she be damned if some dumb animal was going to run her off. Rosemary stayed behind to take care of White Blaze and wait for the guys. She was going to let Mia know what was happening as soon as someone else got there and could look after the white tiger. As soon as Kento and Cye arrived, she saddled up a horse and took off, leaving them to keep an eye on the ailing animal.

Blaze was very sluggish and slept most of the time. Kento left some milk and water next to the tiger sleeping in Ryo's room and shut the door. He knew that the door wouldn't stop the animal if he really wanted out. The window last night was proof of that, but Kento thought it best so that no one surprised the sleeping tiger.

Kento checked over his handiwork and frowned. He'd put the damn thing on crooked. He pulled it out with one tug and started over. Well, this'll give Cye time to think.

The little schoolteacher. He loved Cye's smile and hated to see him cry. He wanted to protect him and make him happy. Now that he knew Cye's sexual orientation and availability, it would be no problem convincing the Brit that he could and would take care of him. But I don't want to be a temporary replacement for Philip. I want to be a permanent solution.

"Sekhmet! You in there?" Cale knocked on the door. He'd seen neither hide nor green hair of the mayor for a couple of days and decided it was time to check up on him. "Hey!" He knocked again. No response. He tried the knob - it turned easily, and unwittingly, he let himself into the serpent's lair.

The mayor lay prone on his bed, his green hair plastered to his forehead and his semi-clad body bathed in sweat. A small silver box lay on the nightstand next to the bed. "Sekhmet? You okay?" He reached over and felt the mayor's forehead. Sekhmet's hand snapped up and caught his as the mayor lazily opened his eyes. Cale's first instinct was to get the hell out of there, but Sekhmet's eyes held him. He watched the irises as they swirled with tiny pinpoints of color.

"What do you want, Cale?" Sekhmet spat.

The sheriff blinked and shook his head to clear it. "Dais asked me to check and see if…" Those eyes. He was being sucked into their whirling depths again. "If…you…" Speech failed him. All he wanted to do was sit and watch the dancing kaleidoscope of colors.

Sekhmet smiled. It was working, and he wasn't even trying. The power he now controlled was incredible. And it was getting easier. Cale's eyes were glassed over and his mouth hung slack. Sekhmet held his eyes for a few more minutes to make sure he was fully under, then began to let his eyes wander. He admired the way the linen shirt clung to Cale's chest, accentuating the firm, powerful muscles. He'd often imagined what it would feel like to run his hands over those bulging muscles and hear the sheriff moan his name. Many nights, he'd lain awake listening to the sounds of Cale and Dais' lovemaking. He'd lean against the wall and pretend he was in their midst - groping and moaning with them.

Sekhmet frowned. Cale wouldn't let him. Cale had no intention of sharing himself or Dais with anyone else. The judge had been up for the idea, but the sheriff had adamantly refused and began avoiding Sekhmet like a disease. He had gone so far as to all but put Dais in a gilded cage, more or less telling Sekhmet he could look but couldn't touch…but the judge wasn't the one who Sekhmet wanted to touch.

He wanted to put Cale in his place. Now was his chance. The perfect opportunity to humble the proud sheriff. So, why not?

"Strip for me."

Cale's hands flew automatically to the buttons on his shirt as a brief look of outrage blanketed his face. The mayor smiled. Cale was very possessive and selfish. If anything was done, it was by Dais for him. Seduction and foreplay were Dais' responsibility. Now Sekhmet was imposing upon that notion. And that wasn't going to be all he was going to impose upon.

"No. Start with your boots and slowly work your way up. Your shirt will be the last thing you lose." The sheriff's eyes flashed briefly before he bent to remove his boots. Good. He realizes what's happening. He knows, and he can't do anything about it. My will is so much stronger than his. After unfastening his own pants, Sekhmet played with himself while he watched through half-lidded eyes as Cale began to undress. He was moving too quickly.

"Slowly. Seduce me," the mayor hissed.

The only thing that could possibly be more satisfying was if the judge were here to witness it all. But no - the fact that Cale knew what was happening was good enough. For now.

Sekhmet watched as the sheriff's hands slowed, toying with his clothing. Dark eyes blazed indignant fire as Cale's body obeyed the mayor's commands. A wicked grin spread across his face as he watched Cale's eyes linger a little on his growing erection. "You want that, don't you? You'd love to feel me inside you." He touched himself, teasing the dark-haired man. Cale licked his lips but didn't respond. The sheriff stared at Sekhmet's hand as he stroked himself.

"Keep going. You're not undressed yet."

Cale's hands crept to his waist and unbuckled his belt. He pulled and let the belt slip through the loops slowly and seductively. He allowed the belt to fall at his feet and fumbled with his pants, loosening them and letting them slide to the floor. Sekhmet leered at the sheriff's bulging, hardened member. So that's the reason Dais stays with him. This is for all those times you wouldn't let me join in. This is for all those times you stopped me from having Dais. It's for all those times that I finally did have Dais… Cale reached up and started to unbutton his pale linen shirt. Once finished, he shrugged one shoulder out of the fabric. "Stop," the green-haired man commanded. "Leave your shirt on." The dark-haired man blinked at him.

"Come here," Sekhmet purred.

Cale nodded and walked forward. "Help me," the mayor said, glancing at his erect penis. Doing as he was told, the sheriff began to remove the mayor's pants, the only article of clothing the green-haired man was wearing, and then straddled Sekhmet's body. He freed Sekhmet's erection and began stroking it lightly with his hands as he slid the pants off. The mayor's eyes fluttered closed.

"Use your mouth."

There was a slight pause and his eyes popped open, focusing on Cale's face. The dark-haired man was staring intently at Sekhmet's groin and licking his lips. The mayor was still gauging whether or not Cale was still under his control when the sheriff bent his head to take Sekhmet into his mouth. Sekhmet hissed and arched his back. "Yessss. That's it." He closed his eyes and gave himself over fully to the sensation.

He writhed under Cale's touch - his tongue and mouth charming the serpent locked inside Sekhmet's body. He wanted to shove himself deeper into that warmth. He grabbed the back of Cale's head and pushed. Cale momentarily choked as he was forced to swallow all of Sekhmet's cock, but relaxed his throat and began sucking harder. The mayor moved with the sheriff's motions, thrusting and withdrawing. His body tingled all over, and he felt like he would explode like dynamite. He erupted into Cale's mouth, and the sheriff expertly swallowed every drop. But Sekhmet wasn't finished yet. The humiliation wasn't complete.

He lay there panting as Cale wiped off his mouth. "You won't be kissing Dais anytime soon, I bet. Afraid he'll taste me on your tongue. And he will, too. It will be a familiar taste for the judge." Cale's face contorted into a mask of rage, but his body remained rooted where it was. "Oh, yes. We found ways around the prison walls you erected around Dais. By the way, your little toy likes to give as well as receive. Did you know that?" Sekhmet watched Cale's eyes widen and he chuckled. "I guess not."

The mayor felt himself begin to grow hard again just with the thought of what he had planned for the proud sheriff.

"Stand up and turn around," he commanded.

Cale hesitantly complied.

"Now bend over and spread your ass for me. Let me see you." He silently watched the sheriff wage war with himself. He was no longer worried that Cale would manage to break free of the power controlling him. Whether or not the sheriff was willing, his body was now Sekhmet's plaything - a toy to be used and discarded. The mayor had a hard time controlling himself as he leered at the sheriff doing his bidding. The power was dizzying.

"Touch yourself. Stretch yourself for me."

The dark haired man was sweating now and his face was a deep crimson, but he still did as he was told. Sekhmet watched as the sheriff ran his hands over his ass and tentatively pushed a finger inside, slowly moving it in a tiny circle. The mayor groaned and bit his lip to keep from attacking Cale.

"Add another finger."

The sheriff obeyed and grunted as he did so. Sekhmet watched the fingers disappear into Cale's opening. Watched as they undulated while stretching the passage for Sekhmet's entrance. This time it was the mayor's turn to be mesmerized. He lost all sense of self-control. He surged forward, yanking the sheriff's hand away. He paused only long enough to situate himself before thrusting all the way in. Cale's body jerked and Sekhmet gasped. The sheriff was so tight it was almost painful. Cale tried to lean forward to free himself, but the mayor grabbed his hips and held him still.

"Oh no. You're not going anywhere," he sneered.

Sekhmet groaned as he waited for Cale's body to adjust a little to give him some room to move. The sheriff was too tense. He has to enjoy this for the humiliation to be complete. He has to want this to happen again. Every time he sees me, there has to be a shameful twinge of desire.

"Relax," he said as he traced small circles on Cale's back. Some of the tension drained from the broad shoulders. "That's it." He reached around the sheriff's body and lightly caressed Cale's sex. He heard a sharp intake of breath as his grip tightened.

"Is that better?" he whispered.

Cale moaned. Sekhmet took that as a yes. He began pumping with his hand as his body slowly started rocking back and forth. He inched his way in and out of Cale, relishing the heat encasing his rigid member. The sheriff thrust his hips forward, pushing into his hand. He toyed with Cale as he tried to find the pleasure center - slowly manipulating to find the spot that would make the sheriff beg.