Disclaimer: Sweep/Wicca doesn't belong to me. It belongs to a wonderful author, Cate Tiernan.

Rating: T

Summary: Set after Eclipse. For Morgan Rowlands, the line between good and evil has always blurred. Tempted by the dark, but determined to live by the good. Until the choice is taken out of her hands, and one starts to overcome the other.

A/N: Well this is my first Wicca fic, and I'm a little nervous. I hope it goes down okay. It was just an idea that quickly came to me.

But this goes to a good friend, GeekdomBeckons-88, who loves the Wicca series as much as I do. I hope you all enjoy :)


The Darkness Within...

As I slowly let my senses come back to me, I could feel the cold hard cement of the floor I was laying on, seep through my ceremonial robe. The same magickal linen, that had been my birth mothers, passed down from generation to generation through Belwicket. Falling to me. Woven and weaved with magick, care and love. It always made me feel safe, comfortable and warm. Infusing me with the generations of good witches, who worked and weaved while wearing the sacred fabric. The icy chill growing stronger, the more I became alert and my senses tried to probe the surrounding space I was lying in. The orange flame and flicker of candles around me, weren't anything but a blur in my vision.

I dragged my heavy lidded eyes to the atmosphere above me. Feeling the dark oppressive air clinging and dragging me back down. A weight settling and pushing on me. The image and memory of Cal's Seomar flashed to my mind. The dark magick that had been worked in that room, becoming more distinct and foul, the more I opened my mind to what I had been seeing around me. The runes and symbols flashing on the walls as the fire built from the outside. Choking the air with the darkness and smoke.

And that was all I could feel here. A heavy darkness, spoken and whispered by the cloaked figures around me. Their heads bowed with their hoods hiding all but their eyes. Each holding a hunger and thirst for revenge and retribution. Eager and desperate to inflict more as their tones and voices raised. Their spell weaving, growing more powerful and harder to bare, as I listened to their unfamiliar words. The sound was lilting and smooth. Gaelic in it's purest and most ancient form. Meanings and strength behind something I couldn't understand. The questions raced through my mind, trying to make sense of what was going on. Why I couldn't break free.

I sent out my senses like a net. Hoping to feel something or someone familiar close to me. Looking for Hunter or someone to save me. The more the seconds dragged on and theirs voices mingled and wove around me, the tighter I could feel the spell. I tried fighting against it. Tearing through it like tissue paper, knowing I was strong and powerful enough to do it. Drawing on the knowledge hidden deep in my mind. Some from Alyce some from Daniel Niall. But most of all, from my ancestors and heritage Belwicket. Looking and hunting for something that would take me away from the darkness licking at my skin.

But nothing was coming to me. I was alone.

I twisted my heavy limps into the fetal position. Trying to bat away the teasing and taunting. Not to let the evil darkness take over my mind. Whatever it was they were chanting and creating, it was more powerful, than anything I had ever gone up against before. More than I could handle, in my weary and drugged state. I had no idea where I was. No idea who was throwing such torture at me. I'd thought the danger was gone. That I would be free, and safe from direct harm. I'd stripped my own father of his immense powers, just so I could have that safety. I brought the man, who was my birth mothers own Muirn Beatha Dan, down to an empty husk. A ghost of the man he once was. To save myself and everyone I love and care about.

We had battled the Dark Wave. Fought against one of the most dangerous and evil forces on earth, that didn't stop for no man or magick, just so I could have that security. Nearly gotten my own Muirn Beatha Dan killed to save me. My own family and coven. I'd done all I could do, to save them. And yet, there was still more to come. More danger lurking behind the corner, pouncing and clawing at me. And it did nothing to stop the terrifying fear coursing through me.

This was going to be the worst yet.

Their voices raised to crash down in a thunderous crescendo. A loud clap of thunder roaring around me, echoing in my head and piercing my mind with a thousand white hot needles of pain. Slithering down and through my soul. Tearing and kneading at anything to come into contact. Disrupting my memories and my thoughts. My strangled and curdling scream, halted in my chest. A painful whimper was the only sound I could make. The breath leaving me with each second the darkness clawed and raced through my mind. Leaving me helpless and without a grip. I couldn't think enough to raise the barriers and stop it.

It laughed and mocked me. Pulling up from the deepest abyss, something I had denied and refused to embrace. Making it grow and pulse, the more I tried to fight the invasion. My hands scrapped down my face. Twisting in my hair. My eyes streaming with tears as I felt the thick dark roots plant themselves in my mind. The small vines curling and knotting around all that I could only make real. A fatigue and tiredness begging for me to let go, even as my hands slipped through my hair and down my bloody face. I sent out one last message. Calling and begging for the safety of the one person who could save me.

'Hunter . . .'

xXx

Gasping, I sat upright in bed. Dislodging Dagda, as he rolled away from my side with an indignant mewl. My hands instantly flying to my face to search for the streaks of blood running there. My head aching, like I'd really been twisting and pulling my hair to stop the pain and invasion. But when I pulled my hand away, all I could see through my blurry eyes, was warm wet tears. The lingering memory of the scream still sitting in my throat as my breaths finally came to me. My heart hammering so loud, I could hear it my ears as my blood pumped around my body.

Groaning I slumped forward with my head in my hands. The thumping headache from having the blood rush back to my head too quick, almost made me lose my breath again. I placed my fingers on my temples and murmured a quick healing spell. Trying to rid myself of the tension coiling in my back and my mind. Feeling the familiar and soothing words start to ease and relax me instantly. While the last scant pictures of my nightmare, started to filter to the edge of my mind. And a fresh wave of tiredness overtaking me instead.

I tried to swallow, but it felt like something was blocking the way. Just a scratchy dry bitter taste, probably left over from such a frightening, and vivid dream. I didn't think too much of it. I'd been having vivid and symbolic dreams and nightmares for the last couple of weeks. Ever since the incident with the Dark Wave, and stripping Ciaran of his powers. I knew it was the aftermath, of so many months finally catching up to me. But I preferred it coming now, then later. I wanted to get it out of the way. Even though I knew I would never get over my guilt for what I did to him, just looking around at my family and friends, helped to go along way to healing that deep wound.

I threw my covers back and climbed out of bed. My bare feet hitting the cool wood of my floor and padding across the room. The sky still very black out my window, with only a tint of pink on the very edge. A nicer view to the one that I witnessed when the Dark Wave approached. That was an image I knew none of us would be able to shake off, for a very long time. And not for the first time, my thoughts and gratitude went out to Alisa for being able to do what rest of us couldn't.

Giving myself a shake, I carried on towards the adjoining bathroom I shared with Mary-K. Not bothering to turn on the light, or look up to the mirror. I knew how I must of looked, without having to see the damage for myself. But ran the cold tap and splashed my face. Wiping away the last of the tears that had escaped. Getting rid of the traces of them ever being there. It was a shame I couldn't do that with my guilt and memories. And once I dried my face off, I went back to my room. Standing on the rug Hunter and I had sat and scryed on together. When he saw his father for the first time in too long.

I sifted through my thoughts. Trying to decided whether or not return back to bed, even though I knew I was too alert and awake to sleep. Or to mediate, and help clear my mind a little better. Both options sounded appealing, and I was just about to retrieve Maeve's BOS to read, when I felt him approaching. His familiar presence at the edge of my mind, making me break out into a relieved smile. Not bothering to wonder what he was doing at my house so early. Or why. I just slid my feet into my slippers and shrugged on my bath robe. Going down the stairs as quietly as possible.

My family were still sleeping peacefully. And I knew I had a little bit of time before my father started to stir. So I edged open the front door and walked straight into Hunter's arms. Feeling his own instantly come around and pull me closer still. His cheek coming to rest on my hair, as I took in his presence, strength and scent all in one go. Overwhelming and enticing my senses deliciously. Giving a contented sigh, I snuggled into his chest further. Needing the reassurance of him here with me. No matter the odd hour.

But it was Hunter who pulled away first. Looking down at me, still ensconced in his arms safely. "Are you okay?" He asked me with sheer concern in his clear green eyes. "I came as soon as I got your message."

I looked back at him confused. "I didn't call you," I said, titling my head and trying to remember. I looked away from his eyes, a small unclasped memory just evading me. The quick flash of how I was when I woke up, with his name just echoing made me turn back to him in apology. "Oh, I could of done. I was having a nightmare and remembered calling out for you. But I didn't realize I actually had."

He furrowed his brow, while I tried to read his eyes. "That's not happened before," He commented. "Not between us anyway. But it has been known. Depending on the strength of the witch and the dream. So I shouldn't be surprised considering it's you," He gave me a fleeting grin, making me feel warmer. "But still, are you okay?"

I nodded in confirmation and went back to resting my cheek on his chest. "Yes. It was just a very emotional and vivid dream, that's all. But thank you for coming."

"Always," He replied, his gloved hand rubbing up and down my back, as I felt more soothed and relaxed as the seconds passed. "Do you think it was running along the same premise of your other dreams. That it's to do with everything that's happened?" He questioned.

"Kind of," I breathed. "But this one felt more to do with Ciaran. I knew it would come sooner or later. I'm not concerned by it." He nodded against my hair. His breath stirring it slightly as we held each other in silence for a few minutes. Both going over all the drama that had been coming, one after the other since we met. The highs and the lows and all we had to suffer through. Separately and as a couple.

But I never felt more safe and loved by Hunter, then I did, as we battled and overcame them together.

"If you want to talk about it," He murmured quietly, easily reading my thoughts. "I'll always listen, love. Or you could work with Alyce and Bethany, and do some healing. You're not alone in this. Not anymore." I smiled against his black woollen coat. Pulling myself away as I looked up into his eyes. Instantly seeing his sincerity and wish to help me. Along with his desire to take the pain from me and hold it on to himself. His love I felt so sure of. All there, with nothing he hid from me.

Laying one of my hands along the side of his face, I drew him down to me, feeling his soft lips brush across mine, before claiming them fully. Sinking into the rush and passion that always flowed between us in unguarded moments like this. That hint of magick woven through every touch and thought. How we connected and lost ourselves a little more, each and every time. Like we were learning and exploring our love a little deeper. Leaving me breathless and dizzy, as he broke away and rested his head against mine. Our breaths mingling together in the cold air.

The prickling at the edge of my senses alerted me to my dad waking up. And I reluctantly pulled away from Hunter and temptation. Giving him a small smile as he leaned down to kiss me on the forehead. Lingering as he whispered some unfamiliar words to me, that made me tingle and close my eyes. Savouring the novelty of having a powerful witch as a boyfriend. Opening them to see his small grin as he read my thoughts again.

"Love you," I whispered as I stepped up to wrap my arms around him for a hug. Memorising that moment early in the dawn, safe and loved. Hearing his answer in my ear as he stepped away from me, and walked down the path. To his beat-up old car sitting at the curb. He turned to wave just as he opened his door. Sending me one quick message as his eyes locked on my own. 'Call if you need me,' I nodded to let him know I understood, and turned to walk into my house. Throwing him one last glance as walked into my home. Not hearing him drive off until I closed the door.

Sighing, I slowly made my way back up the stairs to my room. I decided to pull Maeve's Book of Shadows out for a couple of hours. Knowing that would lull me into a comfortable sleep, and hopefully make my dreams a little less severe then they've been lately. Relishing in the contact and link with my birth mother, as I went over the words I've read so many times before. With her ceremonial dagger, held lightly to the page and drinking in the hidden captions written there. Losing my thoughts to a book, I love and cherish. Forgetting about the dark torn from me.

And never realizing that the nightmare I'd woken from, wasn't going to stay as a far off dream . . .


A/N 2: Thanks for reading, I hope it wasn't too bad. Please review!