GLITTER GULCH

Chapter 9: The Illusion of Love

The sleeping tiger’s ear swiveled toward the new threat. White Blaze lifted his massive head and sniffed. A growl formed in his throat. The hair on his back bristling, he padded softly to where the Indian lay. He nudged the hand hanging off the edge of the bed.

"Huh?" Ryo opened a sleepy eye. White Blaze was staring at him. "Okay. I’m up." White Blaze crept softly out into the hall, his massive bulk only inches from the ground. "What’s up, boy?" Then Ryo felt it. A cold, malevolent evil was somewhere close; its great maw sucking the warmth from the air. He rubbed his upper arms and stepped carefully out into the hallway. A feeling of dread washed over him. He could feel the icy tendrils of darkness coming from the end of the hallway, silvery light reflecting off a metal doorknob. Coming from Sage’s room.

White Blaze was already crouched outside the door, hackles raised and teeth bared. Sage! I'm comin', buddy! Ryo sprinted toward the door. He rammed his shoulder into the door, throwing it open, wood splinters flying everywhere. He caught a glimpse of bright red eyes at the window before White Blaze smashed through it. Then he noticed Sage and Rowan sitting on the bed. How come they're up? He ran to the window. White Blaze was nowhere to be seen. Shards of shattered glass mirrored the full moon. He leapt through the broken window and into the night.

"What the…" Rowan jumped up and ran to the window. He saw Ryo's form heading into the treeline. "What do ya suppose…" A flash of blonde streaked by him. Sage had grabbed his father's sword and leapt out of the window after Ryo. "Sage! Wait!" Rowan scratched his head and put his hands on hips, exhaling. "Well, I'll be damned."

"What's going on? Rowan, what happened?" Rowan turned to face a crowd of people at his now non-existent door.

"I dunno. White Blaze and Ryo came crashin' through and Sage ran off after 'em."

"Hey! His winkie's a lot bigger than mine!"

"Ulee!" Mia hid her face as well as Ulee's.

"Well, it is!"

"I'm sure it is," Rosemary leered.

Rowan reached for his drawers and hastily put them on. Kento was laughing at him. "It isn't funny! There was somethin' out there! And those two fools ran off after it!"

Cye elbowed Kento in the ribs.

Mia shivered. "It's cold in here." Rosemary wrapped an arm around her.

"Where'd they go, man?" Kento peered out the broken window.

"I dunno. They went for the trees."

"Well," Kento slapped Rowan on the back, "Come on, Ro, old pal. Looks like we've got some huntin' to do."

White Blaze has got to be around here somewhere. Ryo'd followed the white tiger's tracks as well as he could, but he'd lost him in the dense undergrowth. And what the hell was he looking for anyway? That thing? It looked kinda like a wolf, but it was way too big! It was the size of a bear. It even walked on its hind legs until it really started hauling ass. Then it had loped on all fours. And he could have sworn that the thing had been watching Sage and Rowan. Leering at them. The thorns from blackberry bushes and other assorted hateful plants tore at his pants. He wished he'd brought along a knife or at least a shirt. He shivered and knelt down. White hair. Gotta be White Blaze. He pulled a clump of hair off a thorn and scanned the area, looking for any more clues as to the tiger's whereabouts.

Why hadn't Sage and Rowan noticed the thing staring at them? What could somebody be doing to not notice something that big watching you? He tried to remember. Well. they'd been sitting…on the bed…together…Rowan behind Sage…naked…oh, shit…in the mirror… The mirror. He had seen in the mirror when he'd burst into the room. Rowan's hand wrapped around… Sage's… He shook his head. Groaning, he plopped down on the ground and put his palm on his forehead. "Sage and Rowan? Are they…together?" He dropped his hand and let his head fall back. "How could I have been so stupid?! Of course they are! They've traveled together for years. Why wouldn't they be? After all, it's not like Sage is interested in you anyway. Especially not after you…Say it, Ryo… After all you raped Sage, didn't you?" Ryo sighed and closed his eyes. The ache in his chest intensified. I still don't believe it happened. How could I have done that to him? After all he's done for me…He's my guardian angel and I betrayed him. He opened his eyes.

The trees blocked out most of the sky, but patches of moonlight seeped through. It's so peaceful out here. I wish I could enjoy it. He wrapped his arms around himself. What am I doing? I better go back. He stood up and turned around. A low growl came from off to his right. "Blaze? Is that you boy?" He stared into the night trying to spy the tiger's coat. A pale light shimmered about 50 feet from where he stood. Huh…? He walked toward the light.

Sage stubbed his toe and cursed. It was darker here in the trees than it had been at the ranch. He'd lost sight of Ryo and White Blaze and was basically feeling his way around in the dark. Maybe I can use the moon's reflection on my father's sword, just so I can see where I'm going. He slid the saber from its sheath and held it up to the moon. A faint light glinted off its surface, calming his nerves a little. Ryo, where are you?

Something rustled in the trees to his left. He swiveled around and stared into the blackness. Nothing moved. He could hear the sound of his own breathing, ragged and harsh in his ears. I have to calm down. Focus. Eyes still scanning the darkness, he took a deep breath and let it out slowly. What if Ryo saw Rowan and me… His cheeks flushed with shame. No. He wouldn’t let himself think about that right now.

The light from his sword offered little comfort. The air around him was like a living being, feeding on the pinpoint of light. He could feel someone… something watching him. The same thing Ryo and White Blaze chased off? As a charm to ward off his fear, he held the sword between his face and the shadows. His skin goosepimpled. "Whatever you are, come out! I know you're there!" Sage felt silly yelling at the trees. His voice sounded loud and hollow. Then he realized his voice was the only sound he heard. There were no night noises, no crickets or even wind. The hair on the back of his neck stood up as if caressed by hidden fingers. I don't like this. Where's Ryo? He focused all his energy on the light from his saber. Maybe he's all ready gone back. Something I should do. He started to carefully creep back the way he came. But the darkness had other plans…

Ryo stepped into a pool of golden light. "Huh?" His skin tingled and his body was bathed in the amber glow. "What is this?"

"Hey."

That's… Ryo wheeled around. "…Sage?"

"Hello, Ryo Wildfire." Sage stood a few feet from Ryo, his body clothed only in the golden light. He looked like an angel.

Ryo blushed and turned his head. "But, I thought…"

Sage moved closer and put one hand behind Ryo's neck. "I followed you. Now…" He curled a finger in the Indian's hair. "What can we do…out here…all alone?" His face was dangerously close to Ryo's.

Seeing Sage like this with his golden hair and halo, Ryo wanted nothing more than to smother Sage with kisses, but something wasn't quite right. The amber glow and the way Sage's eyes flashed from violet to gray sent off warning bells in his head. To push himself away, he put his hands on Sage's chest. Sage held him where he was and stared into his eyes. Ryo began to fidget. Tiny shreds of doubt worried at his mind, like a dog gnawing on a bone until there was nothing left. This can't be Sage. He stared into the shifting gray/violet eyes.

A bolt of searing white pain surged through him. He felt icy fingers rummaging through his memories, sorting and categorizing them. Pieces of images flashed in and out. Memories of his childhood. His time with the freak show. Star Wolf. And Sage. He was reliving his life only this time in a mere few seconds. His eyes rolled in his head and the world tilted. Sage's grip on the back of his neck kept him aloft. After what seemed like an eternity, the blonde slowly smiled.

"Ryo, I forgive you."

"Wha…What?"

Sage bent closer and whispered in Ryo's ear, "I forgive you, Ryo Wildfire." He kissed Ryo's earlobe. "You're forgiven."

Tears blurred Ryo's vision. A floodgate of anguish and guilt were let loose and washed over him. He tried searching the blonde's face for any sign of deception, but all he saw was love and forgiveness. "Oh, Sage!" Ryo hugged Sage tightly as the tears ran down his face. "I…don't know what I would have done if you hadn't…Oh Sage!"

Sage put his hands on either side of Ryo's face and peered into ice blue eyes. He seemed amused. "Why wouldn't I have forgiven you? I love you, Ryo Wildfire." Then he kissed him.

Sage forced himself to calm down. Something was stalking him. He could feel eyes watching him. He put his back to a tree and vainly tried to peer into the darkness. Every shadow seemed to suck in the moonlight. He could barely make out the impressions of trees it was so dark. I need more light! He sucked in a breath and held his father's saber up in front of him. Breathe. Focus. Relax. Close your eyes. They're useless anyway. Use your other senses. He slowed his breathing. In through the nose, out through the mouth. The air cooled around him. A wintry blast of cold air swirled around his naked torso. That's not normal… He ignored the cold. Have to concentrate. The forest was silent. The only sound he could hear was his own breathing. It's here. I know it is. But where?

Cale grinned, a hideous parody of teeth and fangs. He loved watching his prey panic. But now, it had leaned against the very tree Cale was crouching behind. It's sword pitifully shining in the dark. The smell of lemons, fear, and sex filled his nostrils. He savored the delicious aroma. He could almost taste the sweat that beaded down the lovely light's face. He loved the light. He wanted the light. He fed on the light. "The light belongs to me!" he snarled as he sprang to feast on the light.

Ryo struggled briefly and then gave himself over to the kiss. Sage's tongue invaded his mouth, pushing and probing. He wrapped his arms around the blonde's torso to pull him closer. Ryo cringed when he felt Sage's cold flesh on his. He's freezing! Maybe I can… A small red glow seeped from Ryo's fingers as he tried to warm the other's skin. Sage grunted and pulled back.

"What the…?"

"Sorry. You felt cold, so I was just trying to get you warmed up, is all."

Sage chuckled. "There are other ways of warming me up, Ryo Wildfire." He licked his lips.

Ryo blushed. "Uh, Sage, maybe we oughta go back now. The guys have gotta be worried about us."

Sage's lip stuck out prettily in a pout. "Don't you want me?"

"Yeah, of course I do. But we oughta go back to the house…"

Sage's lip curled into a snarl. "I don't have time for this! I thought you wanted this body. So what's stopping you?" He forcefully grabbed Ryo's jaw under his chin and held it.

"Sage? What are you…I…" The Indian clawed at the cowboy's hand. "Sage, let go!"

Sage laughed. "I'll say when we're ready to go back inside, Ryo Wildfire." He licked his lips again. "Right now, I have things to do. Namely, you." The violet eyes flashed to gray and pearl white teeth grew fangs.

GET OUT OF HERE! GET AWAY FROM THAT THING NOW! THAT ISN'T SAGE! Ryo's mind screamed. "But…but…"

Shocked, Ryo watched as the Sage with gray eyes lifted a finger to Ryo's lips. A long pointed nail, almost like a claw, nicked his lower lip. A small bead of blood pooled on the surface. Sage's tongue flicked across his teeth. "Your blood will taste sweet, Ryo Wildfire. As sweet as the rest of you, I suppose. But first…" Horrified, Ryo watched as Sage licked the blood from his lip and shivered in ecstasy. He vainly struggled to free himself from the blonde's fierce grip.

"Sage, please. I'm scared. Please stop."

Red lightning flashed in Sage's eyes just before he bit into Ryo's throat.

The sword held as a talisman before him, Sage whirled as a terrifying shriek pierced the night behind him. A huge, hairy beast leapt from the trees and crashed into him, throwing him to the ground. He landed with a thud and got the wind knocked out of him. Luckily, his saber was between him and the beast as a shield. It kept the slobbering creature's white fangs from tearing out his throat but not its knifelike claws from raking his arms and legs. Sage screamed as claws ripped away chunks of skin and flesh. He sucked in a breath to try not to concentrate on the pain but rather on keeping the beast from biting his head off.

"Fuck!" He clamped his mouth shut. I'm going to have save my breath. This creature's powerful! Let's hope I can keep this up.: He struggled to bring a knee up between himself and the brute to use his more powerful leg muscles to fling it from him. But the creature was randomly and viciously attacking any and all flesh it could reach. Strips of flesh and skin clung to the thing's claws. I'm losing too much blood. I'm not going to be much use in a few minutes…

The creature's weight was stifling and Sage fought for every breath, his saber cutting into his left hand. The blood made it difficult to keep his grip. The long wolf-like snout came close to nipping Sage's nose several times and drool spattered his face. Panic…pushing it aside. You have to get out of this Sage…You have to find Ryo and explain things…Don't let it end this way. You can't die this way. A calm flooded over him. He tried to watch the creature to see if something could give him an idea how to get the brute off. What he saw surprised him. The eyes…Its eyes are human.

NO! Ryo's mind screamed. It can't be happening! It can't! This isn't Sage! His arms flailed as he tried to free himself from the pain. The arms that held him tightened, pinning him close. He could feel his blood dripping down his back as the thing that wasn't Sage sucked greedily at his neck. He felt his limbs go weak and his eyes began to droop. No! He tried to call the fire but it wouldn't come -- he was too weak. He'd lost too much blood. His legs faltered and the thing holding him grunted and pulled him back up in frustration. The creature lapped hungrily at the blood seeping from Ryo's neck. "You're …not…Sage…"

The creature pulled back and leered at Ryo. "Oh, but I am, my sweet. I can be anything or anyone you want me to be." Ryo blanched as the creature visage shifted and suddenly he was staring at Star Wolf. "How's this, Ryo Wildfire. Better? Would you rather have your dead Indian lover?"

"No…" Ryo gasped and fell to his knees. "GET OUT OF MY HEAD!" The creature walked around behind Ryo and pushed him down onto his hands and knees. Ryo landed hard, his arms giving way. His face landed in the dirt. "Ugnh."

"I like you this way, Wildfire." The thing that wasn't Sage ran his hand over Ryo's ass. Ryo flinched and tried to roll away. "I wouldn't if I were you. I have plans for you and this new blood." The creature grabbed Ryo's hips and held him still. Ryo tried to push himself up on his hands but failed, driving his chin into the ground. "It would be a lot easier if you didn't squirm."

"No, please…"

"You want the blonde, don't you? You want him to possess you." Ryo felt his pajama bottoms being forced down over his hips. "Well, I can help with that. I can help you release that ache. The painful throbbing." The night horror reached around and grabbed Ryo's limp sex roughly. He stroked it and pulled Ryo into his hips. Ryo used his last reserve of energy to lurch forward. The creature held him still. "You want it rough, do you?"

"No, don't! Please…"

A hand tangled in his hair and pulled his head back. "Happy to oblige, Ryo Wildfire." Ryo screamed as the creature thrust into him.

Sage nearly blacked out when the scream hit him. It filled his head and blotted out all his other senses. A desperate plea of anguish and despair. Ryo! He needs me! The snarling, drooling beast snapped at his head. His saber bit into his flesh and he could no longer feel his legs. Blood ran down his hands and threatened his grip on his sword. The scream came again. This time he could feel the painful, hateful thrusts, tearing him from the inside. He struggled to retain consciousness. NO! Ryo! I have to help him! But he was hopelessly pinned. "Son of a bitch! Get off me! I have to help Ryo!" His arms were quickly tiring and he knew that if he didn't get free soon he wouldn't be of any help to Ryo. He had to get free! Ryo needed him! Anger welled up in his chest and fury blinded his vision. "I said…GET OFF!" A brilliant light surged from his sword and blasted the snarling beast off his chest. It landed with a thud a few feet away. Sage slowly pushed himself up to his feet and using his saber as a cane, limped to where he knew Ryo needed him.

Rowan winced and fell to his knees. "Fuck!" He slapped his hands over his ears. The scream echoed in his head. It was Ryo…Ryo was in pain. He glanced over at Kento who had squeezed his eyes shut. "Ken? Do ya hear that?"

Kento nodded. "Yep. That's Ryo, isn't it? We'd better hurry."

Rowan staggered to his feet. That's when the pain in his ass began.

Dais thrust into Ryo and practically passed out from the pleasure of that tight hot ass. He didn't wait for Ryo to adjust before he began pumping harder. The body underneath him writhed as he hit the sensitive spot within the dark haired Indian. The flaccid sex in his hand hardened and he groaned as Ryo's muscle tightened around him. He could see a faint pink glow on the Indian's face. He leaned forward as he shoved and licked the blood off the tanned back. The body shivered. He reveled in the sensations that the blood brought forth: the euphoria and the feeling of being alive. He could feel the blood as it coursed through his veins. Most of it flowing into his hardened sex, as each nerve sent sensations and tingly vibrations into his body. He pounded into Ryo, not caring whether he enjoyed it or not. Dais focused on his own release and all the wonderful jolts electrifying his senses. He was connected to the soul beneath him now. He knew all his secrets and desires. He knew about his love for the blonde and his hatred for…Dais smiled…his hatred for Talpa.

Ryo tried to lunge forward again, but Dais pulled his hair back farther. "You aren't going anywhere until I'm…Ughnnnh!" Dais cried out from his release, falling onto the body underneath him, driving them both into the ground. Ryo whimpered and Dais grinned. I should feel horrible for what I've done, but…it made me feel so alive! He pulled out of Ryo and licked the blood from Ryo's thighs. "You are sweet, little Indian." His tongue traced the inside of Ryo's leg. "Very sweet. I think I may just take you home with me. Talpa would be most pleased," he hissed.

"Get off him, you son of a bitch."

Startled, Dais looked up. Standing in a radiant glow of light was a golden haired warrior, sword raised. His stance was weak and he was breathing heavily but the edge in his voice made Dais pause. "I said, GET OFF HIM, YOU SON OF A BITCH!" Light flared from the sword and knocked Dais off his feet, throwing him backward in a searing flash of pain that blotted out his vision and he screamed the scream of the dead.

When the night horror evaporated, Sage collapsed. "Not now!" he gasped. He clawed his way across the undergrowth to Ryo's side. He lay next to him, exhausted but managed to hoist himself up. "Ryo. Ryo, are you still with me?" His voice was harsh and rasped. He propped his form against a tree and dragged Ryo's body up into his arms. Blood leaked from a small cut on his lips but also stained his legs. Sage paled. "Oh, Ryo, my love, what did that thing do to you?" He cradled the still body next to his chest hoping to ease the pain in his heart. "I failed you…I've betrayed you again." His body shook with sobs and tears traced a path down his sweat caked face. He gently rocked back and forth. The pale glow from his body embraced Ryo's form. He kept rocking and repeating, "Please be all right. The guys are coming for us. Please be all right." Steam rose from where Sage's tears dripped onto Ryo's body. "Don'tdiedon'tdiedon'tdiedon'tleavemedon'tleavemedon'tleaveme…"

Rowan panicked. A bright beam of light shot out of the trees. "What the hell was that?" He ran to where he had seen the light. "Ken! Over here!"

The bigger man quickly made his way over to Rowan. "What'd ya…" Rowan pointed. "Holy crap! Man, that's somethin' else!"

Trees and brush were incinerated in a long, black line back into the trees.

"I hope they weren't in the way of whatever that was."

"Me too, Ken. Me too."

They followed the path of destruction. It resembled a dynamite blast to clear away rock, trees and bushes nothing but ash. The ground was also blackened and charred.

"What the hell happened here?" Kento tapped him on the shoulder… "What?"… and pointed. Lying at the end of the blackened trail was Sage. His back against a tree and his blonde hair caked with dirt, grime, and blood. Rowan rushed forward and realized there were two forms. Sage was bent over, covering Ryo's torso with his own, seemingly protecting the Indian from something but what? What had caused this destruction? Rowan cautiously crept up beside Sage, knelt down, and began examining the pair. He found a pulse on each of them, weak but still there. Neither stirred. "We'd better get these two ta Doc Kaos. Ryo seems fine, but Sage…he's all cut up. I'll get Ryo if you get Sage."

"No prob."

"Where's White Blaze?"

Kento shrugged. "Don't know. We'll look for him later, Ro. I'm worried about these two."

"Yeah. I know what ya mean."