GLITTER GULCH

Chapter 6: The Anchoring Rock

Rowan looked at the shirts in the cabinet and found a white one that would do, but he wanted another one. Something fancy. Something really nice. He waved the shopkeeper over. "Don’t you have something nicer?"

The shopkeeper frowned and shook his head.

"Ro?" That voice sounds familiar… Rowan blinked and turned around. "ROWAN!" He was picked up off the ground in a giant bear hug. "Ro! Buddy! Why didn’t you tell me you were going to be in town so soon?!" Rowan’s face began to turn purple. "Oh, damn, Ro. Breathe man, breathe!" The big man put him down.

"Kento?" Rowan gasped.

"Yeah! Good to see you again, boyo. Began to think I’d never see that blue head again." He ruffled Rowan’s hair.

"It was an unexpected visit. Really," Rowan said, smoothing back down his hair.

"Mr. Hardrock?"

Kento turned to the shopkeeper. "Oh, yeah. Uh, Smitty could you just put that on my bill?"

"Yes, Mr. Hardrock. Is this your friend?"

Kento grinned. "Yeah. This is Rowan Strata. He used to live here." He slapped Rowan on the back. "He’s used to only the finer things in life, so be sure to show him your best stuff."

"Um, Rowan?" Cye crept up behind Rowan and tugged on his sleeve.

"Oh, hey Cye."

"I’m not feeling too well. I think I need to go back." Cye’s face did look a little pasty.

"All right. In a minute, okay?"

Cye nodded. "Okay."

"So who’s the looker?" Kento nodded at Cye.

Cye blushed. "That’s Cye Torrent. He’s the new school teacher."

"School teacher, huh? Wondered if they were ever gonna get a new one. So how’d they talk you into coming way out here?"

"Uh…" Cye stammered.

"Ken, he’s got a little hangover." Rowan wrapped his arm around Kento’s shoulder and whispered in his ear. "Why don’t you come over to the saloon later and we’ll talk then. I’d better get him back."

"Sure, buddy. I’ll come over later. I gotta get my stuff outta there anyway."

"You’ve been staying at the saloon?"

"Yeah. Since I’ve been back in town, I’d been staying at Walt’s."

"Wait a minute. Wife-beater Walt’s?" Kento cringed.

"Yeah. It got to be a little too much for me. You know? His wife died a few years ago and I began to think he was gonna start taking it out on me…" Kento chuckled. "I know. Not the best choice for living accommodations, but I didn’t want to spend all that money at Kayura’s place." Kento slapped Rowan on the back again. "Ha! I’ll let you guys get back. I got some stuff to do today." He turned to Cye and winked. "See you later, teach!" Kento sauntered out of the store, waving.

"So, now you’ve met Kento. Kento Hardrock. My best friend ‘til I was 14."

"Your best friend?"

"Yeah. Great isn’t he?"

Cye blushed. "Oh, yes. Very nice."

Rowan smiled. "You know, you two could…"

"Mr. Strata? I think I found something you might be interested in." The shopkeeper had a shirt in his hands.

"Oh, thanks." Rowan walked over and took the shirt. He gasped. The fabric was slick and smooth under his touch. Silk. Just like his lips. Rowan shook his head to clear the images. He loved it. He wanted to see it on Anubis. He wanted to feel it on Anubis.

"The judge decided he didn’t want this one after he ordered it and I got stuck with it."

Rowan could imagine rubbing his hands over the muscles on Anubis’ chest through the silk. "I’ll take it."

Sage’s face was bloody and he knew he had a few broken ribs. He glanced back at Ryo. His eye was already swelling shut and his arm hung useless at his side. Sons of bitches! Sage tried to break free of Cale’s grip. He received a sharp punch in the kidneys for his trouble. He doubled over, gasping for air. He saw Ryo tense. He put his hand out to stop him. "No. I’ll be okay. Don’t." He stood up and glared at Cale who was enjoying himself.

Sage’s icy stare could have frozen hell. "This is far from over. You’ll pay for what you did. I swear it."

Cale returned Halo’s glare. "I look forward to it." The two of them stood nose to nose locked in battle.

"Why you lying cheating one eyed snake! You won’t get away with this. That’s my ranch!"

"Now, Rosemary, that’s the law. I can’t change it, not even for you."

"You bastard!"

A door slammed against a wall, breaking the contest between Sage and Cale.

"Shit! You’re saying I can’t get my inheritance unless I get married?!"

A tall blond woman stood there, fire in her brown eyes. She was facing a man with long pale hair and a patch over one eye. He calmly placed his hand on her shoulder. "I’m afraid that’s right. Now, Rosemary, there are plenty of eligible bachelors who might want to marry you. Myself for instance." Sage snorted. The cyclops looked his way, his gaze resting on them briefly before moving on to Sheriff Cale. "Or even Sheriff Cale there." The one-eyed man gestured with an elegantly clad arm.

The woman laughed and wrinkled her nose. "I don’t think so Judge Dais. You and your filthy friends have been trying to get your hands on my father’s ranch since before he died and it ain’t gonna happen."

"Rosemary. My name is RoseMARY."

"My hands are tied, Rose. The ranch will be forfeited to the county unless there is a suitable heir."

"And woman aren’t suitable heirs. You son of a bitch. I’ll get a lawyer or petition another judge. You won’t get away with this," Rosemary spat.

"If you can’t do it before sundown today, I’m afraid the point will be moot."

"What?!"

"It’s been over a week since your father died, Rose. I’ve held out on this way too long as it is. The commissioner will want his land if no one claims it."

"You can’t do that! That only gives me a couple of hours!"

"I’m afraid you don’t have any other choice. Inherit the land or lose it."

Rosemary’s jaw jutted forward and her gaze shifted from Dais to Cale. She noticed Sage and Ryo for the first time. Her gaze rested on Ryo. "So if I were to get married within the next couple of hours then I’ll get to keep the ranch."

"Your husband would, yes."

"Whatever. Then how about him?" She pointed at Ryo. Ryo looked behind him and realized the woman was pointing at him. He grinned.

"He can’t own land! He’s an Indian!" Cale sputtered. Sage growled. I have had just about enough of this! If that bastard makes one more derogatory remark about Ryo, I’ll…

"I’m afraid Cale’s right. He isn’t suitable either, Rose."

Rosemary sneered and turned to look at Sage. She cringed at the sight of the red streaks on his face and neck. She pursed her lips. "What about him then?" She pointed. "He can, can’t he?" She looked at him. "Well, can you?"

Sage nodded. "Okay, then, what about him?" Dais grabbed Rosemary’s arm and pulled her toward him. She flinched and tried to pull away.

"You don’t want him. He’s a common criminal. Be reasonable, Rosemary."

"Reasonable?! You call what you’re doing reasonable?" She yanked her arm free and stomped over to Sage. "So what about it?"

He looked at Rosemary, his face expressionless. Cale’s grip on his arm tightened. He winced. There’s going to be a major bruise there.

"Rosemary, you really don’t want to do this. He’s a stranger and a troublemaker. You’d be better off with me or Dais." Sage could hear the desperation in Cale’s voice. This is interesting.

Rosemary glared at Cale. "I’ll decide what I should and should not do. As for him being a stranger..." Rosemary smiled. "I’m Rosemary Wilkerson. Pleased to meet you." She stuck out her hand in greeting.

Sage reacted involuntarily. He reached up, ropes and all, to shake her hand. "Sage, Sage Halo." Cale jerked him back.

Rosemary looked smugly at Cale. "He’s not a stranger anymore." There was an uncomfortable silence. Ryo shifted from one leg to another. Rosemary moved to Sage’s side and whispered into his ear. "Look, I don’t know you from Adam, but I’ve got to keep my father’s ranch. So here’s the deal. If you do this, I’ll pay your and your friend’s fines. Then you can go wherever you want. I’ll give you what money I have and you can disappear."

Sage kept his face solemn. I could get my ranch! His inner voice whooped with excitement. I won’t have to pay for it. He glanced at Rosemary. Well, at least not monetarily… What sweet revenge. I would get bailed out early, get my ranch, and stick around for awhile as a resident of Glitter Gulch. Besides, the woman’s attractive. She might be able to take my mind off...

Sage glanced back at Ryo; the bruises on his face were already turning purple. He looked at Cale, his face registering hate and shock. Judge Dais seemed livid, as if he were daring Sage to do it. That was all it took.

"Sure, why not," Sage shrugged. Cale’s grip cut off the circulation in his arm.

"GREAT! Well, Judge Dais, you can do this, can’t you?" Dais looked as if he’d been hit by a stampede. "Hey! Dais! You in there?" Rosemary waved her hand in front of Dais’ face. His eyes were dripping with hate. I like this girl. Sage smirked and winked at Ryo, whose mouth was drawing flies.

"You’re right. But I do know you and Cale and this criminal is a much more attractive option."

Dais scowled. "You can’t. He’s a prisoner."

"Not if I pay his fine."

"WHAT?!"

"How much is his fine? I’ll pay it. Then he won’t be a prisoner anymore. I can do that, can’t I?"

It was hell getting Cye to drink the stuff that Doc Kaos had given him. Rowan had to grind the stuff up and boil it for him. The smell alone had made Cye want to vomit, but luckily for Rowan there was nothing left in his stomach to upchuck. The potion had made Cye drowsy immediately so Rowan had laid him on the bed and quietly slipped out of the room. Now it was off to find Anubis. Tucked under his arm were a couple of shirts he’d found at the dry goods store: a nice, midnight blue one and a white one to replace the one he’d ruined. If I keep that up, I’m gonna spend all my money on clothes. He smirked and scanned the bar. Sure enough, Anubis was there, filling drinks for customers. He made his way through the already crowded saloon and found an empty barstool. He plopped down and waved Anubis over. Anubis looked up from the bar, smiled, and made his way toward Rowan, ignoring the other customers. He nodded his head at a young boy who immediately ran over and began filling drinks.

"Hey, it’s the bluebird. What are you up to?" Anubis ruffled his hair. Rowan grinned and held out the package. "For me? What is it?" Anubis frowned.

"Open it and find out." The bartender shook his head and carefully unwrapped the package, almost too slow for Rowan’s taste. He pulled out the shirts. The white one was almost identical to the one Rowan had ruined, but the fabric was finer and softer. The midnight blue one made Anubis gasp. It was made of pure silk.

"Where…"

"Oh, the dry goods guy said that the judge had ordered that one but decided he didn’t want it."

"You didn’t have to…"

"I know. I know. But I felt so bad about…ruinin’ your other one. Besides, I like it." Rowan winked and Anubis’ jeans grew tighter.

"Thank you. I’ll have to wear it for you sometime."

Now it was Rowan’s turn to squirm. Is it getting hotter in here? "I’d like that very much."

"Anubis! What the…?!" Lady Kayura stormed over. She brightened when she saw Rowan. "Oh, Mr. Strata. Why good morning! I hope you’re enjoying your stay?" Kayura eyed the shirts lying on the bar and gave Anubis a questioning look. He shrugged.

"Actually, I’m enjoyin’ my stay very much. Oh, how much do I need ta give you for…"

"Let’s not worry about that now, Mr. Strata. We’ll take care of it when you leave, all right?" Rowan nodded. "Anubis, don’t be rude. Get Mr. Strata a drink. It’s on the house, of course." Kayura patted Rowan’s arm and walked off. Anubis glared at her retreating form.

"So, what’ll it be then?"

"Uh, it’s a little early ta start drinkin’."

"Well then, I have just the thing for you." Anubis reached under the counter and brought up a small bottle.

"Cock-a-coh-la?"

"Coh-ca-coh-la. It’s new. Try some." Anubis popped off the top and handed the small bottle over to Rowan. "Be careful of the fizz and just sip it for starters." Rowan sniffed the dark liquid and watched the foam bubble and pop. He put the bottle to his lips, took a drink, and proceeded to cough up a lung.

Anubis laughed and slapped him on the back. "I told you to watch out for the fizz."

Rowan nodded. "Wow! It went up my nose! This stuff is great!" He took another swallow. "I think I could really get inta this stuff. Mmmm…what’s it called again?"

Anubis smiled. "Coca-cola."

"This stuff has promise. I gotta get me some of this." Rowan took another swig.

"You did what?!" Mia yelled at Rosemary.

"I got married, okay? How many times do I have to tell you?"

"How could you…I thought that you and I were…"

Rosemary hung her head. "We are." She placed her hand under Mia’s chin and forced her to look at her. Mia’s eyes were watering. "I had to. To save the ranch."

"We could have done something else. Like…like…"

"Mia, no, we couldn’t have. Dais wouldn’t let me. He was trying to trap me into marrying him. You know how badly they want Dad’s ranch. I didn’t have a choice."

"But..but…"

"Mia." Rosemary held Mia’s head in her hands. "I love you, okay? Besides, I chose the shiftiest lowlife I could find. He won’t stay. I’ll give him some money and he’ll leave. That will be that and I can keep the ranch." She placed a light kiss on Mia’s cheek. "Trust me. Okay?"

Mia nodded as a tear rolled down her cheek.

"You did what?!" Rowan was flabbergasted.

"I got married."

"I let you outta my sight for four weeks and you get married?" Sage shrugged. "And you! You let him do this?!" Ryo didn’t meet Rowan’s accusing glare. "Shit!"

Rowan had met up with Sage and Ryo at the saloon. He caught Sage throwing withering looks at Anubis who ignored the blonde. It was making Rowan uneasy, so they went upstairs to Rowan’s room. He’d already introduced them to Cye when Sage told him.

"So now what?" Rowan ran a hand through his hair.

"We go out to the ranch."

"Go out to the ranch? Just like that? And what if your new bride doesn’t want us there? Then what?"

"She’ll just have to live with it.’

"GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!" Rosemary screamed. Ryo blanched, Rowan snickered, Cye cringed, and Kento stared. "I only married you to save my ranch! I told you I’d give you money and then you had to leave!"

Sage folded his arms and leaned against the wall. "You never said I had to leave. You said I could leave."

"What?! You took me literally?!" Rosemary’s hair flew about her face like a banshee. Mia and Ulee stood behind her.

A growl came from the doorway. Rosemary grabbed a shotgun in one fluid motion and aimed it. A giant white tiger padded into the room. Mia screamed and grabbed Ulee. Rosemary dropped the gun and Cye fainted. Kento caught him before he fell. Rowan groaned.

"Hey, White Blaze! Uh, maybe right now isn’t such a good time, boy." Ryo reached down and scratched the tiger’s chin.

"Cool!" Ulee broke free from Mia’s grasp and ran to the tiger. He buried his head in its fur. Ryo laughed.

"Hey, Ulee. He likes you. He doesn’t let just anybody do that." Ryo patted the big tiger’s back.

"Can they stay, Rosemary? Please, please, please, please, please…"

"All right! All right! Just shut up already. Jeez." Rosemary fell into a chair. "Crap. Now what? I’m married. I have a kid. I have house guests and a 400 pound housecat." Mia put her hands on Rosemary’s shoulder. She lightly kissed a finger. "Well, kid, I guess we’re going to have company for a while."

Cye was humming softly to himself as he began to unpack. Rosemary had originally intended to rent out the other rooms to boarders, so each came with an armoire, dressing table and full bed. Cye was pulling his things out of his suitcases and arranging them in the armoire. He remembered to save half for his new roommate – Kento. Since he was the second smallest, he got stuck with the largest. Ulee had adamantly refused to share a room with anyone but Ryo. Not that I mind sharing it with a big, burly mountain man, but… Cye reached for another shirt. It was the deep aquamarine shirt Philip had bought him. Cye smiled and smelled it. There was a faint lingering smell of Philip in the fabric. He breathed in the rich smell and noticed a piece of paper sticking out of the pocket.

"Hello." Cye picked the paper out of the pocket and squealed when he recognized the beautiful script as his lover’s. He plopped down on the bed and began to read.

"So you’re the Ryo Wildfire and the Amazing White Blaze?! I saw your show in Wichita! That was great! That trick you guys did with the fire ring! That was amazing!" Kento stared at the poster. "Wow! I never thought I’d meet a celebrity like you! Could you teach me that knife thing? That’d be awesome!"

Ryo’s ears were red. He never thought in a million years that someone would consider him important. "I guess I could…"

"Hey! This tiger’s great!" White Blaze was licking Ulee’s face – well, more like Ulee’s head. The tiger’s head was bigger than Ulee’s.

Ryo laughed. Apparently White Blaze had made a new friend.

Rosemary peeked her head out of the kitchen. "Uh, Ryo, was it? Could you or the big guy go get the Brit? It’s almost dinnertime. And I guess someone oughta find blue boy and my 'husband' too."

"I’ll go get Cye." Kento stood up and winked at Ryo.

Cye sat on the bed, the crumpled note in his hand. Tears were streaming down his face and his body was hiccuping. There was a knock on the door and he tried to wipe away the tears. "Yes?"

The door opened and the big mountain man walked in. "Hey, teach, supper’s ready."

Cye stood up and put his back to the big guy. "All right. I’ll be there momentarily."

"Are you okay?" Cye felt a hand on his shoulder.

He put on his best smile and turned around. "Of course. I’ll just be a moment." He saw the concern in the other’s eyes and his charade faltered. His lower lip quivered.

"Hey, what’s wrong?" Cye tried to hold it in but when he thought about the note, he burst into tears. "Hey, it’s all right. Whatever it is, it’ll get better." Kento pulled Cye into his arms and let him cry. "Hey, I’m here. Everything’s gonna be okay. I promise." Cye bawled.

Well, this is gonna be interesting. Kento held the Brit in his arms and let him cry.

Cale shifted his weight nervously. He was staring out the window at the silvery moon. Tomorrow night would be the full moon - he could feel it. What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I sleep? A vision of blond hair and violet eyes flashed before him. What is it about that guy? Why do I feel the need to see him again?

"What are you doing, dear one?" A hand slipped around his waist and he flinched.

"Damn! Your hands are cold!" He hadn’t even heard Dais get up.

"How about warming them up for me?" The judge’s hand crept lower. Cale closed his eyes and leaned into the caress. Not only could he feel Dais’ arousal, he could swear that he could smell it, too. I’ve been all fucked up since Damon gave me his scar. That bastard! He did something to me. I know it! But what?

"Man, you’re freezing!" Cale grabbed Dais’ hand and rubbed it. "You’d better get back under the covers. Come on." He led Dais back to the giant four-poster bed, lightly rubbing the judge’s arms. "I’m going to have to see about warming you up." He lightly brushed Dais’ lips with his own. The moonlight made Dais’ skin look silver and his eyes… Damn you, Damon. Cale lifted the eye patch that Dais now wore. A pale hand with long slender fingers stopped him.

"Don’t." The judge jerked his head back.

"But I want to see…"

Dais turned his head. "No. You don’t."

Cale frowned and cursed under his breath. He put his hands on Dais’ shoulders. "Look at me." The judge refused to meet his gaze. "Look at me!" Dais raised his head, a tear glinting in the moonlight. "No matter what happened, know this: I love you. All of you. I don’t want anything to be hidden from me."

Dais looked away. "But…I’m…I’m repulsive."

"NO! Don’t you ever say that! You are not! You are just as beautiful as you were when I first met you." Cale reached up and removed the eye patch from Dais’ pale face. He lightly kissed the eyelid of the judge's milky eye. "Even more so."

Dais huffed. "Oh really?"

"Yeah. Now you have that element of danger about you. Kind of like a pirate." He pulled Dais into his embrace. "Want to shiver me timbers?"

Dais laughed. "How about you be my cabin boy?"

"Aye, aye, Captain." Cale saluted. "But I don’t know anything about sailing."

Dais pushed Cale down onto the bed. "First of all, you have to raise the mast."

Dais trailed light kisses down Cale’s bare flesh, flicking his tongue now and again. Cale moaned as Dais’ tongue wrapped around one of his nipples. The judge’s hand grasped his sex and he flinched. Damn his hands are cold.

"I guess I’ll just have to use my mouth then…" Dais moved lower and licked Cale’s flaccid sex. Cale’s body reacted immediately. "There it is. The mast has been raised." He continued licking and sucking, running his tongue over the head and trying to warm his hands in between his own thighs. Cale groaned and Dais secretly smiled. He loved the way Cale moved. The moonlight was shining over his body, highlighting the hard, toned muscles. The scar on his face had reopened and Dais stared at the blood that had seeped and dried at the edges. He shivered. He moved up Cale’s body lightly touching the more sensitive areas with his tongue. He stopped at the neck – more precisely, the pulse. The rhythmic thumping fascinated him. He ran his tongue over it, relishing the feel. He suckled at the sheriff’s neck. Cale moaned. Dais sucked harder, wanting to feel the throbbing.

"Ow!" Cale pulled back. "Hey, you’re getting a little too much into that."

Dais grinned. He traced the cut on sheriff’s face, lingering on the dried blood caked there. Cale winced. The judge licked the wound.

"Hey! What are you doing?" Dais stroked Cale’s shaft. "Uhnnnn…"

"I want to feel you inside me, Cale."

The sheriff pushed Dais over onto his back. "You want me, Captain?"

The judge smiled and Cale’s heart melted. "Yes, cabin boy. I want you."

Cale reached for the small jar on the nightstand. "Are you sure?"

Dais nodded and tugged on Cale’s penis. "Quit teasing me, boy."

Cale laughed as he lubed up. "Well, get ready for a little swordplay then." He bent down and kissed Dais, his tongue invading the soft mouth. As he did, he pushed into Dais’ hot tight ass. He groaned as Dais cried out and bucked against him. He thrust harder and faster, feeling Dais pushing back against him. Lights and a brief vision of blond hair flashed in front of his eyes.

Cale felt Dais’ teeth pierce his flesh. He cried out as he came, his nostrils flaring with the scent of semen and blood. His eyes went wide and his face twisted in pain as his blood flowed into Dais’ mouth. He was aware of Dais lapping at the blood as it rushed from his neck. What the…? He tried to push Dais away. He was getting too tired, too rapidly. Dais was drinking his blood? Then he felt like a hot poker had been driven through his stomach. He screamed. White, hot lightning spread through his body and his limbs began to fold in on themselves. Bones broke and reformed into new configurations. Blood flowed from his pores as thick, wiry hair poked through his skin. Dais shrank back from him, cowering in the corner, blood staining his mouth. Cale screamed again and found oblivion.

Startled, Sekhmet sat up in bed. He’d heard screaming. No, he’d heard a wolf howl. That’s all it was. Some wolf, howling at the moon. The screaming had been earlier. One of Talpa’s toys. He’d tried to drive the images of bleeding flesh and broken bones from his mind when he’d heard the screams, but he’d been entirely too unsuccessful. He’d wound up taken a small dose of laudanum just to get to sleep. He looked at his nightstand. A small silver box glinted in the moonlight. What’s this? He reached over and picked it up. It was decorated with tiny snakes. He smiled. Snakes were such beautiful creatures. On the lid was an intricate engraving of a King Cobra, it’s hood flared and poised to strike. He pushed the latch and felt a small prick on his finger. He stared at the bead of moisture. Hmmm…a trap? He wiped away the blood and opened the box. Inside the box were a syringe, a vial of liquid, and a neatly folded note. He opened the note.

A gift for you. A.

Anubis? Could he have possibly left this for me? A new plaything? Sekhmet pulled out the vial and smelled the contents. He smiled as the effects of the needle’s drugged prick went to work. This is nice.

Damon’s black eyes glittered in the dark of the hallway.