GLITTER GULCH

Chapter 19: Secret Confessions

Kento yawned and stretched as he walked out of the room he and Cye shared, the events that had happened between Rowan and him fresh on his mind. Rowan had been going on about how much of a prick Sage could be at times, and that he didn't have a right poking his nose where it didn't belong, and how did he know anyway? "Anubis would have told me," Rowan had insisted, "wouldn't he? How could he keep a thing like that secret?"

Kento sighed. He'd really wanted to tell Rowan that Sage was a dirty lying son of a bitch, but what Sage had said was true. He knew from first-hand experience that Anubis was a whore. But how could he tell the blue-haired Yank that? Rowan was his best friend, and he deserved to hear that kind of information from Anubis himself. After all, that's how Kento had learned. It had sorta cushioned the blow a little bit. Kind of like putting a pillow on a rock and then dropping it on your big toe. It still hurt like hell, but at least it didn't have any sharp edges.

He finally managed to steer his best friend from the whole Sage issue, and they started telling stories and reliving old times. That was, of course, until they got sidetracked. His lips were still a little swollen from the ferocious kiss Rowan had planted on him. Not that he was complaining. But he did feel a little guilty. After all, he'd had his sights on a certain schoolteacher when the blue-haired Yank stormed into their room and slammed the door. He had gone in with every intention of throwing Rowan out, but wound up groping and tonguing the Yankee instead. What the hell was I thinking?

When Kento's senses had finally returned, he realized his shirt had been torn off, and Rowan was completely naked. Kento chuckled. I sure work fast for a big guy. Rowan managed to blush and started fumbling for his clothes. A few seconds of awkward silence passed before Kento mumbled an apology to Rowan who laughed it off with a wave of his hand. But tears were still marring the Yankee's vision. Kento wasn't about to let his best friend spend the night crying, alone in his room. Through coercion and downright underhanded sneakiness, he convinced Rowan to sleep with him and Cye. They'd have to be extremely close to one another to all fit on the bed, but Kento was willing to risk it.

The smell of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies wafted through the air. Kento inhaled the delicious aroma and found himself standing in the kitchen near several plates of the tempting treats. There were small labels on each of the plates - one for Cye's students, one for the household, and a smaller plate held a separate stack for Kento himself. Kento smiled and took a cookie from that stack, although he was sorely tempted to take one from one of the other plates. The cookie literally melted in his mouth. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the taste, letting the sweet chocolate slide across his tongue. He decided to get another one. He opened his eyes and lying there on the couch in front of him was the baker himself.

Kento gazed at the sleeping beauty. Cye was stretched out as much as he possibly could, and a blanket had been hastily thrown over his sleeping form. It barely even covered his legs. Cye's shirt was unbuttoned revealing his smooth chest. Kento resisted an urge to spread chocolate all over that tantalizing vision. Instead, he lightly ran his hand down the pale flesh, feathery light touches that caused the schoolteacher to stir and moan slightly. Kento bent and gently caressed Cye's lips with his own. "Wake up, little one," he whispered.

His heart stopped beating when those lovely green eyes opened and the Brit smiled up at him.

"Hello there," Cye murmured, stretching lazily on the couch.

"Ready to come to bed?" Kento asked.

Cye blushed and nodded. He made to get up, but Kento stopped him. "Allow me," he said as he scooped up the schoolteacher into his arms. Cye instinctively wrapped his arms around Kento's neck to steady himself, then snuggled up against the big guy's chest. Kento reveled in the hug. He had plans for this little one. But not tonight. Rowan and the schoolteacher's first day of school tomorrow put a BIG damper on that.

"There has been a little modification for the sleeping arrangements tonight, I'm afraid." Kento felt Cye's body stiffen. He looked down at the schoolteacher. "Rowan will be sleeping with us tonight." Cye's bottom lip stuck out. "But it's only for tonight. I just didn't want him crying all night long. He feels awful."

Disappointment then resignation registered in Cye's eyes. "It's quite all right," Cye sighed. "As long as it's just for tonight." A coy little smile brightened the Brit's face.

Kento grinned. "Yep. Just for tonight. Tomorrow, you're all mine."

Damon stood patiently waiting in the middle of the room. The jade-handled knife he was holding gleamed viciously in the soft candlelight. His body glistened with sweat, and his form was perfect. He held his stance for a few more seconds before continuing his kata. The movements had become automatic after years of training and daily rituals. Master Mifune had taught him well. Not only had he learned the Eastern style of fighting, but had also learned ancient spells and sorcery from the old man. He'd spent a small amount of time in the military helping to rout the undesirables from the civilized areas. Those had truly been his fondest memories. He'd been able to practice all that Master Mifune had taught him and more. He paused and cocked his head to the side. He was going to have a visitor.

Sekhmet paused outside the door wondering if he should try this or not. He knew that Damon was Talpa's favorite, so realizing he had to manipulate the dark eyed man was a given. He just didn't know if he could do it. He decided to give it a try.

He raised his hand to knock just as the door opened. "What do you want?" Damon snarled from the open door.

"I wanted to talk to you," Sekhmet purred.

Damon snorted and moved aside to allow the mayor to enter the room. Sekhmet strode past the sorcerer with his nose in the air. The room smelled of sweat and sandalwood incense.

"What did you want to say to me?" Damon regarded Sekhmet through lidded eyes.

"Just to see how things were going…And to find out if you'd made any progress on the Wilkerson ranch." Sekhmet began to think that toying with Damon and humbling him like he did the sheriff was a very pleasant notion. The haughty demeanor and angled features were highly tempting. He began to focus his intense gaze on Damon.

Damon laughed. It began as a small chuckle and eventually worked its way up to a loud guffaw. Sekhmet began to feel uneasy and shifted nervously from one foot to another.

"Did you really think that you could control me? The one who did this to you? You thought you could control me like you did the sheriff this afternoon? I think not. I won't have you teaching me any lessons in humility, Mayor. It is I who should be teaching you." The black-haired man traced the line of Sekhmet's jaw with his hand. "Ringmaster Talpa should be back shortly. Perhaps I ought to provide him with a special private show. Just you and me. What would you say to that, little snake?"

Sekhmet licked his lips before speaking. "What have you done to me?" he croaked.

Damon's lips pulled back into a wicked sneer. "Just what Lord Talpa wished, viper. Nothing more. He gave you to me. Didn't you know?"

Evidently not. Sekhmet's eyes blazed with betrayal and righteous indignation. "He didn't…he wouldn't have…"

Damon's black eyes glittered. "Oh, but he did, little snake. You're mine to do with as I wish."

Sekhmet struggled to move, but his limbs were paralyzed. He vainly tried to break Damon's mesmerizing hold on him as tears streamed from the corners of his eyes.

"It won't do you any good to struggle, viper. You're mine now," Damon hissed as he began to circle his hapless victim. This will be fun…