-1A/N: Again, I apologize for the ridiculously long waits…

Disclaimer: I do not claim ownership of Criminal Minds.

10. In the dark of the night pt. 2

The bells rang loudly through the halls of the manor, signaling to all that the shifts were ready to change. Signaling that they had made it halfway through the night without incident. Except for the king's moment, but that seemed forgotten in the relief of going to the room where Hotch would be waiting. To be back within his arms, there was nothing Reid wanted more right now.

He made it back to the room without bumping into anyone, nothing strange happened, as if, he were all alone. A feeling that made him long for Hotch all the more. Yes, this place excited him, it was a wondrous dream, but, it wasn't home. Something wasn't right, and an un-understandable fear kept growing within him.

Once inside the room, he let his strength drop, breathing in the ease of waiting for Hotch, of exhaling duty. He didn't want anything to happen to these people, but, there was only so much he could do.

.-.-.-.-

Eclise found himself in the empty stone hallways, listening to the distant voices of guards and various others. None knew what they were waiting for, none knew that everything they feared, was so very close.

He needed to find the boy, to take him under cover of shadow, and wait. But where was he? He knew that he had heard his voice, but had lost it as the bells rang. Damn these bells. There was so little time left, half the night all ready wasted.

Nonetheless, he needed to find the boy. He strode in the shadows, quick, fluid movements that went unnoticed by any whose attention strayed. His cloak a trailing ribbon. He would find the boy, and he, would take him.

.-.-.-.-

Someone close to them was in danger. That was why this wizard was blocking their thoughts, trying to buy time. It was as if there was no need to be patrolling around the castle ballroom, the next target wasn't in there, paranoid of everything. No. The person this wizard wanted was out of sight, unprotected. The person this wizard wanted was…

"Gideon!" Morgan shouted, running back around the ballroom, trying to catch up to his colleague. He wasn't far, and quickly had his friend by the shoulder. "Gideon,"

"What?" He asked, in truth, he had been about to chase down Morgan, his thoughts much on the same thing.

"Where's Reid?"

.-.-.-.-

Hotch came into the room, strangely relieved to Reid there waiting for him. He smiled, and pulled Reid into a long, somber embrace. He had been scared, in those minutes without him, that something had happened. But here he was, all of him, safe.

"What happened to your arm?" Hotch asked, alarmed by the bruises.

"Nothing." Reid shook his head, hesitating. "Actually, I'm not sure. The king, he just, he seemed out of it, I don't think he meant to grip my arm so tightly.

"Are you all right?" Hotch asked, staring into the bruises.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Reid answered, smiling shyly.

.-.-.-.-

"We're ruined." The king slumped in his throne. Looking at Avolrn. "I couldn't force the boy to sacrifice, even before the girl aimed her weapon at me, I knew I couldn't do it."

"Lets defy this spell." Avolrn said, his words hurried. "There has to be some way to warn them."

The king nodded, standing. "You're right. We must find some way to help them."

He and Avolrn raced toward the door, into the halls in search of whomever they could find. There wasn't much time.

.-.-.-.-

Mercede watched them from his seeing crystal. He watched as they wrapped their arms around each other, as their lips met and parted. And he laughed. This boy, so perverse and strange, was the hope to the people? He would determine whether the land remained good, or fell to evil. Hilarious.

He gathered his cloak around himself, and left the tower room. Matters would be taken into his own hands to assure the future. No more waiting for the King, or anyone else. It would all work to his advantage, and at his pace.

.-.-.-.-

They stood together, staring out into the courtyard, deep in thought. Something nagging at the back of their minds, demanding to be unleashed. Hotch wrapped his arms around Reid, holding him close as the moonlight embraced them.

"Aaron," Reid breathed, closing his eyes and breathing it all in.

"What is it?" Hotch asked, opening his eyes and looking down at Reid.

"I think we need to find the others."

Hotch nodded. "Yeah," He agreed, pulling away. "We need to put all of this together, before it's too late."

Reid nodded, moving toward the bed and slipping his shirt over his pale chest. Slowly, Hotch moved toward the small side room, wanting to rinse cold water over his face.

.-.-.-.-

The boy stood alone, his partner having et the main room. So young, vulnerable, was he really the hope of the people? Their demise? This would be simple, and then, the fun would begin.

.-.-.-.-

Reid saw the room darken as the moon was covered, felt the breeze of movement just as the hand fell over his mouth. His body caught in the iron grip of a stranger. He struggled, tried to call out, but to no success. He felt himself floating with the stranger, moving backward into the night. He watched helplessly as Hotch ran out of the side room, as he ran forward, and cried his name.

.-.-.-.-

He had been emptying the water when he felt it, a jolt of pure terror and break of the mental barrier. He knew what the wizard had been trying to hide from them, why he had felt so protective of Reid. Reid!

Hotch ran from the side room, and looked in horror as The cloaked wizard held Reid tightly, and began to move away. He was too fast! Hotch ran across the room, his heart racing, the fear blinding him from everything except Reid. He reached his hand out, hoping madly that he could just grab hold of Reid and bring him back into safety.

And then he was gone, vanished into the night like a star hidden by dark, foreboding clouds. And there was nothing he could do but call out his name, the pain permeating everything that he had ever been.

.-.-.-.-

It happened faster the a flash of lightning. One moment, each of them was trying to decipher the spell holding their thoughts, the next, it was clear to them, and somehow, each of them knew that it was too late.

you must be waiting for a long time. then again a succubus has all the time in the world do they not? along with an angel. ponders a thought to wait for an eternity shall be painful. i do not envy either of you. i will die as my mortal bood has damned me to. fair thee well. i give a kiss to both , tho the kiss of a mortal means not. Perhaps the words you say shall last the eternity we live. A kiss I give in return shall be yours.