Brooklyn clung to the rail watching the swells as they cast the schooner up then down through peaks and valleys as the voyage led into its third day. The lulling motion of the ocean had nauseated the human since leaving Manahata. It didn't help when Alaric wanted to fill his needs – which were daily. Then there were the dreams.
Night after night he would haunt her in her dreams…..Lucifer.
The fallen angel had first appeared as a faint disembodied voice, echoing through the tunnels of her mind and soul.
Brooklyn…..
He would call for her the way lovers called for one another in the shadows- with gentle whispers and light invisible caresses that sent chills down her spine.
What do you want from me!
He would remain silent, watching with a sick pleasure as she thrashed through the darkness, enraged over her unseen tormentor.
What do you want from me!
It's always been you…..
Show yourself!
But you already know me…..
She feel the panic set in as the darkness closed in around her- cutting off any speck of light from reaching the deepest corners of her personal Hell. The human would spin around in circles and thrash her arms through the inky blackness only to be greeted with cruel gentle laughter.
The terrifying calm would settle over her as the air grew thick and heavy suffocating her to the point of unconsciousness. It was then he would appear. The inhuman strength wrapped around her in the form of two arms as the rest of the fallen angel would follow. His hands ran lightly up her bare arms, leaving icy streaks in their wake. Brooklyn felt the very breath being ripped from her lungs as the air turned suffocating and heavy. His lips ghosted along her neck and ear as the sweet intoxicating smell flooded his being.
Soon…
Brooklyn would awaken drenched in a fine film of sweat and fear each and every tormenting night.
"Haley," Alaric barked and the dark haired slave appeared.
"Yes Master Alaric," she bowed then kept her eyes level with his- a show of respect and submission.
"Brooklyn….She is ill. Summon the physician and take her below to my cabin."
"Yes Master Alaric," she scurried towards the weakened form and gently lifted one arm over her shoulder while her own arm roped around her waist pulling Brooklyn from her makeshift support. She didn't fight or argue and hoped Haley would draw up a bath and blend some of the oil she crafted so well within its steamy confines.
Alaric watched as the humans slipped below deck leaving him and William alone.
"It is probably sea sickness," the dark haired vampire spoke.
"I suspect so," Alaric agreed. "The swells are high which would make any human uncomfortable."
William changed the subject to the upcoming Games. "I understand the Elders will be at the Games."
"Yes," Alaric smiled, "The Elders are so secretive and the only one I know is Markus."
"They merely desire their privacy Alaric," William treaded cautiously. "Though occasions such as this is cause for them to unite."
"Which is why in their absence the Council oversees things," Alaric added.
"Indeed," William nodded.
"These Games will be special though," Alaric turned and leaned against the railing. "It will be the downfall of Judas."
William masked his alarm over this revelation and spoke in a steady tone, "How is this possible? Judas was killed I thought."
"No dear friend," Alaric chuckled, "That is what he wanted the vampires to believe for you see some of them want Iscariot dead."
William wasn't sure what to say or think for he and his father Deacon revered their creator and held nothing but respect and dedication to his memory. He had to tell Deacon but couldn't as he was in the middle of the Atlantic on a course for Barbados. Quickly he changed the subject.
"I understand your father has decided to start breeding slaves again."
"Yes he has," Alaric spun around, "My father is rather selective on which slaves will be selected for he will sell only the best."
"Will Brooklyn be included?"
"No," Alaric answered tightly. The vampire refused to let any other touch his slave in such a manner! She was his and his alone!
"My apologies," William bowed shortly. "It is just she is such a fine yet rare beauty."
"Which is why I will not have her being…bred…..with another. My father, however, will be using his slave Lynette for such purposes. The human would do anything to please my father."
William had learned a great deal about the Saltzman's plans to bring back human breeding not only within the Saltzman lands and properties but in other vampire domains as well. He shuddered as the images flooded his mind.
Women were restrained in rope or chains on cold wooden or metal tables with legs spread apart. The vampire overseers would spray human pheromones over the bare skin of the females to excite the males so they would be more willing to carry out their cruel master's wishes. They would be forced to perform this cruel act several times before the vampires were certain the female would be with child. Some vampires would mock the poor creatures while others would praise them for serving their masters.
When the time came the only comfort allowed to the human was the bed she was placed upon for the vampires wanted no defect visible on the offspring. A human slave would serve as midwife from beginning to end helping the other through the taxing process of childbirth. Their pitiful cries would echo through the halls as the pain lashed out and dominated their weak beings. The smell of blood would hang heavy throughout the hall causing some to become crazed with bloodlust.
Upon birth the child would be whisked away despite the feeble pleas of the female. Another would serve as nurse until he or she was sold.
Brooklyn soaked in the tub as Haley prepared the ginger root tea. She had befriended the copper haired slave since the first day she arrived sick and injured by Alaric's hand. The dark haired slave was chosen due to her calm patient nature and knowledge of herbs and apothecary. Brooklyn knew she could confide in Haley for Haley had confided in her the desire to be free and how her brothers were still out there somewhere looking for her.
"Here we go," Haley lifted up and under Brooklyn's arms with surprising strength. Brooklyn hated feeling feeble but her body couldn't stand up to the violence of the waves so she allowed another to care for her. It was a foreign idea given she had been on her own for so long until that night in New Orleans.
Her mind drifted to thoughts of her vampire Dean and how her heart ached and the pain grew with each day she was without him. Why couldn't they be together? Why did fate have to be so cruel and twisted? The one bright star in the darkness that had been her life was snuffed! Her hatred for Alaric and the Saltzman clan slowly increased the longer she remained a slave while her love for the vampire Dean increased tenfold.
A light rapping on the door announced the arrival of Adrian, Alaric's physician. His soulful brown eyes glanced down at the human then back to Haley.
"She has not been well," Haley explained in a shaky voice, "She has been nauseous and vomiting ever since we departed port."
"I shall have a look at her then," Adrian snapped his trusty leather satchel bag open and started drawing up several cc's of Phenergen to quell her nausea.
"This will help her keep food and water down," he said as his fingers flicked the vein exposing the bright blue thin line. Haley watched as the needle tore a tiny hold and fed her body with the sweet relief of medication. "It will be but a few minutes before she begins to feel the effects."
Haley nodded and went to fetch the tea she started to prepare. Brooklyn groaned when the schooner dipped then rose between swells and wished the pain would end soon.
"Brooklyn," Haley sat down beside the bed as Brooklyn sat up then carefully accepted the warm steamy offering. She put it towards her lips letting a trickle get past her lips and down her throat. A minute passed before Brooklyn dared to take another drink. Haley smiled and nodded to Adrian who bowed slightly then gathered his things and took absence.
Alaric appeared shortly thereafter and eyed Haley's presence.
"Go," he barked.
"Yes Master Alaric," she placed the kettle back on the table and bowed before leaving. She had not stepped halfway out the door when Alaric started stripping down. The sunlight played upon his naked body revealing scars from before he had been turned. He softly crossed the room then slipped within the thin blanket. Brooklyn felt her body being shifted around until she was face to face with the vampire. His eyes dark with a predatory hint as she knew what he desired but Alaric didn't move and remained pressed close to her instead. He placed a hand across her forehead and willed the human to sleep.
The vampire watched as her eyes grew heavy and harder to stay open until finally they stayed closed. He had pondered his father's idea of training her to fight as slave fights were big business and could bring in further wealth to the family. He wouldn't have to fear her being killed as Samirah's curse would heal all wounds. Perhaps he would send correspondence to his father once they reached the island and inform him he wished to have his slave partake in the Games.
The worn gravel path wound through the woods, edging closer to home. Dean's heart was heavy as the connection with his human had turned cold and dead. He hoped his father would offer guidance on how to get his human back.
"So your father owns slaves as well?" Judas asked from nowhere.
"Yes," Dean nodded, "We go into town and purchase slaves through the auctions and gather supplies."
Judas bit his tongue and held back judgment on John Winchester. Initially Judas had been the one to conceive the idea of enslaving humans for his hatred of them had been fanned after Lucifer had finished with him. But now he was saddened, especially now after Rachel came into his undead existence and he had found his daughter after nearly 30 years of tireless searching and heartbreak.
"But my father treats them well," Dean defended John, "They are given ample food and shelter and kept clothed against the elements."
"Dean," Judas paused, "I am not condemning your father or your family for what you do. I used to believe all humanity should be enslaved and submit to vampires. And yes I feel we are superior to humans but enslaving them…."
"My mother was a slave," Dean quietly admitted. "My dad loved her more than his very life."
Judas nodded and gently grabbed him by the bicep, "I know it was the Saltzman clan who sentenced her to death and ensured your father would live on with the guilt and burden of her death. I am familiar with the Laws that are in place and enforced throughout the vampire world. I know of the shadow guards and secret group that makes vampires who dare to speak out disappear. I also know of the Denver fields."
The grave tone in the vampire's voice and hardness in his timeless eyes told Dean of the many things Judas had been witness to. Dean turned and looked over his shoulder spying the gate surrounding the family estate.
"We're almost there," he started to hike up the path with Lilith and Judas alongside him. The trees started to thin and give way to the Winchester grounds which offered Dean some comfort. But the comfort would be short lived as they saw the state of the family home.
"NO!" Dean charged through the gate and pounded up the drive to the burned out remains of his home. Where glass once sat now shattered fragments clung to the frames while soot and ash charred the once ivory exterior. Statutes that lined the entrance were broken and turned over in fits of rage and hatred. The slaves' cabins were not spared the horrible fate of the house. Foundations remained where once modest ranch style homes had stood proudly on the grounds.
"Sam!" Dean shouted and kicked the door down, shocked to see how it splintered under the pressure.
"Sam!" He called again. His ears listened for any sound of life but only heard deafening silence in return.
Judas motioned to Lilith and the vampires went separately down the corridors leaving Dean alone in the foyer. His home, the place he grew up and cherished, was destroyed! Left in shambles for him to discover like a dying animal along the road. Dean couldn't move for his heart was grief stricken even further.
"Dean!" A familiar voice echoed from the upstairs. Dean looked up to see Sam and Jessica along with a few remaining slaves ease their way down the still sturdy stairwell.
"Sam!" He raced towards his brother and tackled him to the ground in a tight brotherly embrace. "Sam I thought you were dead!"
"Dean," Sam whined and pushed his brother off. "You're heavy and no we managed to escape with Bobby, Ash and Andy in the fracas. We arrived here two days ago."
"Where's Dad?"
"Captured," Judas appeared from the study. Sam and Jessica stared at Judas who was joined by Lilith.
"Dean who is that?" Jessica asked.
"That's Judas and Lilith," Sam and Jessica dropped to their knees causing Judas to chuckle lightly.
"Please there's no need to do that," he lifted a hand. Sam and Jessica rose to their feet staring in wide eyed disbelief at their creator.
"Dean what's going on?" Sam looked to his brother with a questioning expression.
Okay here is chapter 1 for the Gathering Storm!