Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
The Prophecy
~ Part Three ~
~o0o~
~ Peter's Point of View ~
~ By Spudzmom ~
~o0o~
~ Lemon Alert ~
Pete awoke, the room still shrouded in the deep shadows of the night, to a startling and foreign sensation. It was intense and he gripped the blankets that had been thrown off to his side at some point, his eyes clenching tight as he panted through pleasure so intense, it bordered on painful.
"Bella?" He rasped out. He opened his eyes and peered through the dark, spying her as she kissed her way up the inside of his thigh, a leonine purr sounding from her as she nuzzled at the juncture of his thigh and hip, her hand firmly stroking his rigid cock.
"Bella? What are you doing?!" He choked out, his eyes now wide in shock. She ignored him in favor of nudging at the base of his cock with her nose and lips and he gasped, throwing his head back into the pillows, a deep groan finally escaping him. Never in his life had he felt or imagined anything like this and it was overwhelming.
She licked and sucked and purred as she explored his manhood, the heady, concentrated scent of him there very pleasing to her lioness. "You are mine my mate." She growled out lowly, seduction in every syllable. "I shall mark you, claim you." She slowly licked up his length and he groaned and gasped, fists clenching whatever they could, desperate as he was to stay grounded and aware. "I shall love you and protect you, and this time, I shall not fail." She sucked in his length, her hot, wet mouth engulfing him and he cried out, burying one hand in her thick tresses. "Bella! Oh fuck…"
He writhed and tried to thrust his hips instinctively but she had straddled his legs, effectively pinning him down as her tongue swirled around the silky soft head of his beautiful cock, her purr of satisfaction at the taste of him gaining volume in the night's stillness. "Mine." She whispered when she'd drawn her mouth away, stroking him firmly from base to tip with her hand. "You are mine and will be forever more. No one shall take you away from me again." She continued to stroke him, circling a thumb over the slick sensitive head as she growled loudly. "I'm going to mark you now."
His eye's went wide again and he lifted his head from the pillows, staring down at her. "You're gonna what?!"
She continued to stroke his thick length as she bared her long, sharp fangs, leaned forward and bit down on his upper, inner thigh.
He cried out loudly as he threw his head back, his whole body seizing as he came, thick, pearly ribbons of come pulsing onto the rippling muscles of his abdomen, his chest heaving, his body now weak with the pleasure.
She grinned and moved up his body, sucking and kissing until she got to the heady, salty-sweet evidence of his pleasure on his muscled belly, reveling in the potent taste of him as she licked and purred, her eyes hooded in pleasure at her prowess. He watched her in shocked wonder and fascination, the sight and feel of her hardening his cock again within moments.
When she had him clean, she slowly made her way up to one hardened bud on his chest, flicking her tongue over it before sucking it in, drawing a surprised gasp from him when she nipped it lightly with her teeth.
The feel of everything she did seemed to go straight to his cock and he was surprised by the unfulfilled ache he could feel at the root of it. He needed something… badly, but he didn't know what it was. He growled in frustration, gripping his golden hair with both hands, muttering urgently. "Bella, Bella…oh god, please…"
She chuckled lowly, her lioness pleased at his need of her as she moved her kisses and licks to his neck, straddling his body as she did so. It was time… time to take him in… time to breach her mortal virgin body with that of her eternal mate… to connect in every way… to surrender to the bond.
He panted and watched her as she rose up, placing his hardness at her slick entrance and taking him in, inch by thick and rock-hard inch with a loud moan, her head thrown back in triumph, a shout leaving her at the feel of him finally seated deep within.
He bucked his hips up to meet her when she began to rise and fall on him. This… this is what he had wanted, what he had needed on a primal level and he reached out to her, hands grasping her grinding, tilting hips as he helped her along in a ride that was as old as time itself.
Just the feel of being inside her hot, tight, fluttering walls… slamming himself in time after time… the sensations building for both of them to such a degree that their eyes glowed with the power of their pleasured connection, their heated marks filling the room with a soft, white light.
She sped up her pace, chasing the release she knew would meld their souls forevermore, her hisses, moans and growls intermingling with his groans and panted breaths, a fine sheen of sweat making their bodies glisten in the glow that filled the room.
He stared up at her, his jaw clenched as his balls drew up tight, his whole body tense and on the brink. She moaned, caressing her own breasts as she rode him relentlessly, her inner walls beginning to grip him tightly. "I am ready my love." She moaned lowly. "Come inside me. Fill me with your scent and essence."
Her words, combined with the sight of her and the tight grip of her slick, hot muscles around his cock put him over the edge and he yelled out, releasing her hips as he threw both arms out to his sides, hands open wide, his head tilted back as she cried out and pulsed around him in their shared bliss, their connection, at last, perfect and complete.
~ End Lemon ~
He caught her as she collapsed onto his chest, her breathing heavy from her exertions. He held her close as he tried to slow his pounding heart, still in awe of what they had just experienced, so he was unprepared when she stiffened and hissed menacingly, her head whipping toward the door that burst open just as her shield shimmered into place.
Pete craned his neck to see around Bella and was appalled to see Jasper and Alice rush into the room. Only then did he notice the lamp on the dresser… the lamp that was in flames… flames that Jasper and Alice extinguished quickly with a quilt.
Jasper picked up the ruined lamp and quilt and headed for the door as Alice turned to them with a smirk, her musical voice cutting through their stunned silence. "Crisis averted. As you were." She turned and flitted out the door, leaving an annoyed Bella and a speechless Pete behind.
Bella turned to him then, looking exasperated and amused. "Now that we've bonded, I sure hope you can avoid setting things on fire when you come. If you can't, it's gonna put quite the damper on the fun stuff."
She smirked as he rolled his eyes, pulling her down onto his chest. She snuggled into his side getting comfortable as he covered them both with the discarded blankets. "It's not like I had an outlet for my extra energy as you did. I couldn't exactly chomp down on you, now could I?"
She popped up to look at him, her eyes wide with realization. "Perhaps that flame was meant for me."
He furrowed his brow, frightened at the prospect, but determined to joke his way out of this. "Right, like after wanting you all this time, I'm gonna torch you after one round of sex." He smirked halfheartedly. "That'd be one hell of a waste baby. One I'm not about to agree to."
She slapped him lightly on his chest. "No you ass. Perhaps it was supposed to be how you marked me."
He shot her a dark look, his attempt at joking all but abandoned. "And how the hell would we find that out, huh? That's not an experiment I'm willing to try Bella. I've killed people with that fire, you understand that?"
He looked away, a frown on his face as he rubbed his forehead with his fingers, the memories of that place assailing him. "Let's just get some sleep. I have a feeling we're in for a long day tomorrow."
Bella, seeing how upset he was, decided to let the issue lie, and snuggled back into his side, both of them drifting into a peaceful sleep within minutes.
They were up and ready for the day early the next morning, Pete still upset about their talk the evening before. He was very reserved and everyone noticed immediately, but thought better than to mention it.
They chose instead to concentrate on making their temporary camp out behind Bella's cottage more functional, not to mention expandable for the others they knew were soon to arrive.
The first of these knocked timidly at the door just as Bella and Pete finished breakfast. She glanced at him and rose from her chair, motioning for him to relax. "It's okay, I'll see who they are and what they want and hope like hell it isn't more weirdness. This place is looking like a refugee camp already." She walked to the door grumbling. "Thank god I don't have close neighbors."
She pulled the door open to two more people, young people if she was judging them correctly, a guy and a girl perhaps the same age as she and Peter.
"Can I help you?"
The dark haired girl spoke with a small smile. "Hi. I'm Angela and this is my boyfriend Ben. We've been drawn here to help." Before Bella could say a word, they both pulled back their sleeves, showing the phoenix mark.
Bella nodded slowly, her eyes on their marks. "Ah, got it. Just one quick question; what have you been dreaming about?" They both smiled as they answered in unison. "The Sun and his Lioness, my Lady." Bella nodded with a smile. "Well, you may as well join the others. They're all gathered around the back of the house. Just follow the walkway around to the back yard. You can't miss it. We'll all talk later after Pete and I get situated for the day."
They both smiled and Angela answered. "Thanks Bella. We look forward to getting to know everyone."
Bella watched while they turned and disappeared around the side of the house, shaking her head at the changes that had taken place in her solitary life just within the last two days. If she wasn't living it, she would never believe it. She turned back into the house, closing the door with a sigh. She looked up as Pete spoke to her. "Well?"
She smiled wanly, sad over the distance she could feel between them now that Peter had shut down somewhat. "Just two more helpers. I sent them around back with the others."
He nodded and looked back toward the kitchen. "I cleared the dishes and loaded them in that box that cleans them. That's where they go, right?"
She chuckled. "Yeah, the dishwasher. Thanks for doing that." She glanced at the growing group that she could see through the French door that led to the back and sighed. "I'm going to have to do some shopping for groceries. We're getting quite the crowd here and we all have to eat."
He shook his head. "The uh… fuck, I can't believe I'm saying this." He sighed. "I probably sound like a complete fuckwit, but the leprechauns took care of the shopping early this morning. Seems they're loaded money-wise. That whole pot o' gold thing isn't bullshit apparently."
He smirked and she chuckled. "Well good then because I hate shopping in all its forms."
Just then the back door opened and Carlisle stuck his head in. "I've a need for the facilities, if that's all right?"
Bella placed a hand to her forehead rubbing as she answered. "Of course! I'm sorry I haven't offered already. Please pardon my oversight, but I'm just not used to having people here. Bit of a social reject I'm afraid."
Carlisle laughed as he stepped in. "It's quite all right Bella. I think we all understand. This has to be a stressful situation you find yourselves in. We'll muddle through with all good grace and understanding."
He smiled at them both, disappearing down the hall and into the restroom.
She looked at Pete who turned away to stare out the window and she couldn't take it any more. She walked up to him and embraced him, resting her head in the middle of his back as her hands caressed his firm abdomen. "Pete", she whispered. "Can we please resolve this distance between us? I can't stand it."
He sighed as he placed his hands over hers, the tension leeching from his muscles as relief filled him. He hadn't really realized how his mood had affected them both until this very moment and he was filled with remorse.
He turned and took her into his arms, his head resting atop hers. "I'm sorry Bella. I didn't realize… It's very hard to communicate when you've had to grow up in a stone cage with only your own mind for company. It's just… well, I love you, and the thought of harming you and you being willing for me to try such a thing without having seen what I can do to a human body with my power… It's not a pleasant thing Bella. I mean, the cold, unfeeling part of me enjoyed the hell outta torching those fuckers, but to think I could potentially do that to you… the only person in this entire fucking world that I care about… just the thought is too much for me to bear. It tore me up inside just thinking of it."
He looked down at her and his heart clenched when he saw the tears on her cheeks. "I can't lose you Bella. I'll fuckin' die if I do."
She reached up and cupped his face, her thumbs rubbing his skin gently as she stared into those bright blue eyes. "Baby, you're not going to lose me, I swear it. But you have to learn to trust me. We have to learn to trust each other, and we don''t have a lot of time to do that." She laughed softly. "This is a crash course in relationships and just like everything has been in our lives, we either sink or swim." Her look was fierce as she spoke again. "I don't intend for either of us to drown in this situation we find ourselves. We will prevail and from the sound of things, we will rule, together, forever. So, you trust me and I'll trust you. It's the only way we're going to make it through this."
She leaned up, brushing her lips against his. He pulled her closer and deepened it but still kept it soft and sweet, their passion for each other remaining at a low simmer.
They ended the kiss at the same moment, just in time for a smiling Carlisle to waltz through on his way back out. "Don't mind me. Carry on!" He opened the french door and closed it softly behind him as Bella looked at Pete. "He's entirely too chipper."
Pete smirked. "I think Esme has a lot to do with that."
Bella nodded, looking outside. "Well, shall we tackle this mess we find ourselves in?"
He sighed. "I don't see that we have much of a choice. If we don't, no one else will and we can all kiss our asses goodbye."
The next to arrive was a young, single guy named Michael Newton. Pete laughed when he heard the name along with what kind of supernatural he was; a warlock. Mike didn't seem to appreciate Pete's mirth at his expense. Apparently, he had heard the 'newt' joke one too many times while growing up and it had lost it's humor factor. Pete didn't care, the irony in the guy's name bringing a chuckle to him whenever he spotted the guy in the ever increasing crowd.
They were all sitting in a circle brushing up on the bonding ritual they would have to perform when a very bedraggled tiny blonde pixie arrived, an equally ragged looking letter tied at her lower back.
Alice scrambled toward her as she crash landed right in the middle of the circle her torn wings still beating feebly.
"What happened little one?!" Alice questioned her as she scooped her up.
Pete grinned at Bella, his voice low as he spoke. "I bet she doesn't get to use that line very often."
Bella slapped his shoulder, looking warily to her left where Jasper sat, his lips twitching at his attempt to keep a grin at bay.
"Men." She grumbled, rolling her eyes and directing her attention back to Alice as she freed the letter from the exhausted Pixie.
They all listened attentively as a tiny bell-like voice rang out. "Osiris' minions intercepted us but my mate and I fought them and were able to get away. We have very sharp teeth you see. Anyhow, this letter was too important to fall into his evil mitts so I made it here despite my injuries." She sniffed and stuck her nose in the air as well as she could at the moment.
Alice set the Pixie on a chair. "And what of your mate?"
The Pixie looked worried but fierce, as unbelievable as that may seem. "My mate is strong and a great warrior!"
Pete choked on a laugh, an 'omph' escaping him as Bella elbowed him in his side. She then leaned forward and took the letter Alice handed her, speaking softly to the tiny being. "May I see your mark?"
The Pixie nodded her head. "Of course my Lady." She showed her tiny wrist and sure enough, there was the phoenix, albeit a miniature version, glowing brightly.
Bella smiled. "Thank you. Now, perhaps some food and drink would help you recover? Carlisle is our healer, I'm sure he'd be willing to have a look at your wings."
The tinkling sounded again as the little one spoke. "I would be grateful, thank you."
Bella glanced at Carlisle who had already risen from his seat. "I'd be happy to help." He gently took the little Pixie and went into the house where he'd set up in what used to be Bella's small office.
Bella unrolled the missive, leaning toward Pete so they could read it together, her anger rising and shield flickering as she registered the words written there.
~o0o~
My Dear Ones,
I pray this letter finds you well and on your way to becoming practiced in all that you need to know in order to defeat your greatest foe, Osiris, Lord of the Underworld.
While I am greatly concerned with your well-being and increasing knowledge, this letter is unfortunately not about that.
This is a warning my friends, to be on guard every moment of every day from now until you face him in battle one final time, for he knows of Peter's freedom and is making plans to thwart you before you're prepared.
I cannot stress this point enough: Trust no one but those who bear the mark. You know of which mark I speak. I dare not list it here in the event this missive should fall into the wrong hands.
Take care of yourselves and each other.
Blessed Be,
Your Observer
~o0o~
Pete placed his arms around Bella's shoulders, trying to comfort and calm her. "Baby, we already knew this would be the case. It's just that now, our reprieve is over. He's realized I'm gone and he's now after me. All we can do, like the letter said, is be very careful and not trust any unmarked beings."
He cast his gaze around the circle meeting each being's eyes in turn as he spoke to them. "I believe it would be wise not to let anyone see your marks if you need to go anywhere. Osiris will most likely have spies everywhere. It's not as though he's short on numbers. They can be anywhere and look like anyone."
They all nodded as he met eyes with them again. "Good. Well what do you say we break for food. One hour, and we'll meet back here and get back to it."
He rose and and helped Bella up. She still looked upset and he needed to help her with that.
They sat together at Bella's small table, eating the sandwiches he had made for them. Bella was silent, her gaze trained at the table top. He knew she was worried and he meant to fix it, as well as he could at any rate.
"Bella."
She raised her head, meeting his eyes.
"Let me ask just one question."
She nodded. "Go ahead."
He smiled sadly, taking her hand. "What has really changed about our situation? He's always been after us Bella. And today we get a letter saying… 'Guess what? He's after you!' …as if that's really news to us, so you see? Nothing has really changed. No need to be so upset about it. What's important to focus on is that we now have each other for real baby, for the first time in this life anyway, and we can do something about this massive asshole and his flunkies. We're getting there, and we're gonna beat him this time. I can feel it."
She smiled a real smile and squeezed his hand. "You're right. Thank you."
He nodded. "I know. You're welcome. Now eat, your food's getting cold."
She rolled her eyes as she picked up the sandwich. "Peter, we're eating sandwiches. They were never warm."
He shrugged. "Yeah, I know." He smirked. "Your point?"
She smirked back. "I'm gonna leave that one alone."
They gathered back in the circle after their break, everyone refreshed and ready to go. Angela stood and cleared her throat before paging to the ritual in the Book of Shadows that had arrived with Bella and Pete's armbands. She began reading the steps aloud. When she was done with the passage, she looked at each being in the circle. "Any questions?"
Bella nodded. "I have one."
Angela turned to face her. "Go ahead Bella."
"What the hell does 'sky clad' mean, and why do I get the feeling that I'm not going to like the answer?" She glanced around as some, particularly Edward, blushed and fidgeted nervously."
Angela smiled widely. "Simply put, it means that we all get naked for this."
Bella frowned as Pete grinned "I like this plan."
Her frown deepened into a scowl which she directed at him. His grin dropped off his face under her glare and he shot the bird at a smirking Jasper, keeping his action out of Bella's view.
She kept him pinned with her glare a few seconds more before she looked back at Angela. "Is that really necessary? Because, unlike certain others…" she shot a contrite looking Pete a dark look, "…in our group, I can't say the idea thrills me."
Poor, reddened Edward was nodding emphatically as his father squeezed his shoulder in support and his mother patted his hand in sympathy.
Angela sighed. "Yes, it is necessary in order for our group to be open to all that nature would impart during the ritual. From the sound of things, we're going to need all the power we can get, right?"
Bella nodded in resignation. "That's very true."
Angela shut the heavy tome. "Well then, we must, each one of us, follow the ritual to the letter, including consuming a dose of the potion that Ben and I will brew."
Pete groaned, hanging his head. "Just don't share what's in the noxious brew. I'd rather not know."
Mike leaned forward to better see Pete, a vicious grin on his face. "Perhaps there's newt in there. I'll be sure to give you the chunky portion."
Bella's eyes widened as she saw flames flickering in the palms of Pete's hands. "You look a little cold over there Newton. Would you like some help with that?" He held up one hand, a blue ball of flame bouncing there and Mike sat back, his grin a thing of the past. "N…No, thanks. I'm just fine."
Pete grinned as everyone watched him carefully. "That's what I thought."
The awkward tension was broken with the arrival of a tiny but… buff? …looking male Pixie who had a scaled down bow and quiver of arrows slung over a shoulder and a grin on his face. He waved a minuscule but beefy hand at the speechless crowd of beings before him. "Howdy peeps! I'm Emmett. Lookin' for my mate Rosalie. Anybody seen her? She's blonde…" He held both cupped hands in from of his tiny muscled chest, "…and she's got one hell of a set of knockers on her. Nice ass too." He grinned around at the now flabbergasted bunch. "Well? My mate, Rosalie? Hello?"
He spun around as Carlisle opened the back door, a fully restored tiny Pixie zooming straight to her mate, Emmett.
"Em! Baby, those assholes didn't hurt you did they?"
He grabbed her, his hands on her tiny, voluptuous ass as he spun her around, kissing her soundly. He leaned back. "Hell no babe. You know me better than that!" He leaned in for another fiery kiss and Pete nearly fell off his chair at the sight of these pint sized beings hovering in the air as they proceeded to put on an almost x-rated show.
He finally recovered and cleared his throat. "Uh, excuse me? Would you two like a comfortable, private cupboard in which to continue devouring each other? 'Cause I don't know about anyone else, but this whole thing is fuckin' with my head just a little too much. My mind is goin' places it shouldn't." He looked around and shrugged at the now livid Rosalie. "I'm just sayin' what all of them are thinking, toots, don't get your leotards in a twist."
Bella grabbed onto his bicep and held up a hand toward the now very pissed off pixies. "He didn't mean any offense. He's just even more stunted in the social graces than I am, which I never thought possible. Nevertheless, it's true."
She scowled at him as he protested. "What? We aren't the ones puttin' on a show baby.!"
She stood. "Okay, enough of this. We still have the fight training to do, right Jasper?"
The whole group groaned, practically in unison. No one enjoyed getting their asses handed to them, and Jasper did that on a regular basis during his training sessions. Even still, they all rose and paired off.
Just as they were getting into their ready positions, they all heard two female voices bickering loudly as they walked around the side of the house into the back yard. Bella pulled Pete close, ready for anything as she watched the two screeching females argue, completely oblivious to the entire group staring at them.
She relaxed only marginally when Jasper's sister, Charlotte also joined them, a dark look on her face as she joined her brother. "Never again Jasper. I can't tell you how many damn times I wanted to choke the livin' shit outta those two raving harpy's."
Alice smirked at her. "Aw Char, you mean they're worse than me?"
Char eyed her sister-in-law with disdain. "I never thought I'd see the day Alice, but yes, they are worse than you."
She turned to Bella and Pete. "I checked out their marks and listened to their stories, but I'm sure you want to do that for yourselves, so good luck with that. The curly haired one is Jessica and the other is Lauren. They're wood nymphs." She smirked at them. "Now, I'm going to my tent to decompress for a while. I don't dare spar with anyone while I'm like this. Blood would be shed for sure."
She marched off and they watched her go. Bella turned to Jasper. "Is she easily upset?"
Jasper shook his head. "Nope, she's one of the most patient people I know."
She sighed and nodded. "Damn, I was afraid you were gonna say that."
Just then, they heard Esme shriek. "You keep your hands off him you loose hussy! He's mine!"
They spun around in time to see an uncharacteristically pissed off Esme hauling Lauren away from a mortified Carlisle by one arm and a fistful of her hair as she screeched loudly.
Bella shook her head. "Shit, we need to get control of this." She looked at Pete who was standing there with a smirk, his arms crossed over his chest as he leaned casually against a tree. "Well, come on. It's up to us. We need to separate those two from the group and talk to them. We'll take them inside, verify that they even belong here and then set down some rules for them."
Esme tossed Lauren at their feet and loomed over her. "Don't come near him again!" She dusted her hands together as if ridding them of something vile, turned and stalked off.
Bella helped Lauren up. "You're coming with me. I need to speak with you and your friend inside." She turned back to Pete. "Will you go and get the other one and meet us inside?"
He nodded and headed off to where he saw the curly haired female flirting with a very receptive looking Mike Newton, smirking as he passed Edward who looked to be hiding behind a tree.
He stopped to talk to Angela and Ben on the way. "Hey, Bella and I will be speaking with the two newcomers for a bit and once we see their marks and lay down some needed rules, we're gonna need you to bring them up to speed on the ritual. I'd say that'll be in about a half hour. You two good with that?"
They looked at each other and back at him. "Yeah, that's fine with us."
He turned and headed toward the girl again, sending a "Thanks guys" over his shoulder.
When he got to Jessica and Mike, their faces were locked together and to his increasing nausea, wet sucking sounds were heard amidst their combined moans as their hands roamed freely.
He cleared his throat. "As nauseating as this is, it's time to break this up. Bella and I need to speak to Jessica inside." The two now stared blankly at him and he sighed. "Now." He motioned with his hand and he turned back toward the house, throwing a look back as he walked away. "Let's go! We don't have all day."
Jessica glared at him as she followed, grumbling all the way. "Who died and made you boss? Just who the hell do you think you are, ordering me around?"
He stared straight ahead. "I am Ra. Don't piss me off."
She choked on a gasp. "Forgive me my Lord. I had no idea."
He opened the door and stepped in, glancing at her as she closed the door behind her. "Yeah well, you and your friend didn't exactly bother with introductions when you got here did you? Too busy arguing and scoping out the goods available." She frowned and he continued. "That's going to stop, understand?"
She didn't look happy but she nodded. "Yes."
He turned and led her into the living room. "Good. Have a seat beside your partner in crime and we'll get started."
He sat beside Bella and she took his hand as she looked at the two across from them. "So, first we'll start with introductions. I'm Bella otherwise known as the Goddess Ra and this is Peter, my mate otherwise known as the Sun God Ra. We already know that your names are Jessica and Lauren and that you're wood nymphs. Now, we'd like to see your marks and hear your stories about how you came to be here."
They both pulled up their sleeves and showed their phoenix marks and then took turns telling their stories which were very similar to all the others.
Bella laid down the law about their flirting and making out publicly, asking them to refrain, and they both agreed. All in all, the whole encounter was mercifully brief and they went their separate ways.
Pete sighed and sat back after Jessica and Lauren left the house. "Hopefully they'll behave now. If not, Esme might just tear them up. If Lauren touches Carlisle again, she might not survive to tell the tale." He smirked at the thought.
Bella raised a brow at him. "Just make sure that you aren't egging anything on with your sarcasm."
He looked affronted, one hand placed to his chest as he looked at her. "Would I do something like that?"
Bella laughed as she rose from the couch. "Yes lover, you would. Now come on, we have to make sure that all is ready for the binding ritual. Ben's brewing the potion now while Angela teaches the dynamic duo the steps, since they weren't here to learn with the rest of us. Then I figured we'd head out to the site to set it up and break for dinner after. What do you think of that?"
He nodded as they headed out the door. "Sounds fine to me. I'm just ready for this shit-storm to be over so we can get on with living life. I've never had that opportunity. I'd love to give it a go, ya know?"
She took his hand as they walked toward Ben who was busy stirring the contents of a large cauldron, the brew inside smelling vile, even at a distance. "Jesus, please tell me the dose is tiny. I doubt I could choke down even a mouthful of that horrid shit."
Ben laughed. "You knocking my cooking Pete?"
Pete curled his lip in disgust. "After a whiff of that pot of shit, yeah, I guess I am. Fuck, but it's awful." He shuddered.
Ben nodded. "Yeah, it is for now, but it doesn't contain all the ingredients yet. There are some herbs and flowers that are quite pleasant that I've yet to add."
Pete stood behind Bella, wrapping his arms around her. "Yeah well, I'll reserve judgement, but I gotta say, I'm not optimistic. Sorry."
Angela joined them having finished with Jess and Lauren. "It won't be that bad my Lord. I promise. Just don't ask what's in it."
Bella patted Pete's arm. "They're just teasing. It'll be fine."
He grunted, not convinced in the least. "We'll see."
Bella moved away from him and grabbed a large box of salt. "We're gonna head out and set up the site. We'll see you guys in a bit."
They waved and continued to add things to the cauldron as Bella and Pete walked up to the rest of their group that had just finished sparring in turns with Jasper. "We're going to the site to set up. Anyone willing to help?"
Charlotte stood at the same time as Edward and they both blushed as they glanced at each other quickly before looking away. Pete watched them with interest. It seemed they liked each other, but both were pretty shy. Interesting.
Charlotte grabbed a heavy sledge hammer, a stake and a pre-measured length of light rope from the supplies they'd purchased. "I'm willing. Let's go."
She smiled as Edward took the stuff from her so she wouldn't have to carry it. "Thank you Edward." He smiled a small smile. "You're welcome."
Pete grinned. "Aww, you two are just too damn cute together."
Bella rolled her eyes and pinched his nipple drawing an outraged hiss from him. "Quiet you. Leave them alone. I think it's sweet."
She began walking out of the yard, a smirking Char and a blushing Edward following her as Pete trailed behind, pouting and grumbling. "Shit, I was just sayin' they are cute. Damn woman. Pinch the hell outta me…"
By the time they had everything set up, it was time to go back and break for dinner. It was a good thing too because everyone was tired and tempers were becoming short, especially Pete's.
No one knew this better than Mike and Jess as he walked by and set the seat of Mike's pants aflame when he saw them making out heavily in the open instead of helping with dinner. "Get to work!" He barked, as Mike shrieked like a girl, jumping around trying to put the tiny, controlled flames out. Pete hadn't been trying to hurt him, just scare the shit out of him and it looked to have been successful. The whole thing brought a smile to his face and he whistled a tune the rest of the trek to the house.
He and Bella had an enjoyable dinner inside, away from the rest of the group. They needed the quiet time together as the stress was beginning to get to both of them. They were worried, but tried to put on a brave face for each other, and it was exhausting.
After they cleaned up from dinner, they made their way to the bedroom and stripped, climbing into the bed, just holding onto each other as they fell into dreamless sleep, both too exhausted for anything else.
They were up and ready early again the next day. It was going to be another intense day full of training. Hopefully it would all go smoothly.
They had just got to the kitchen when Alice popped her head in the door. "Hey, breakfast is ready out here if you two would like to join us."
Bella smiled and took Pete's hand. "That sounds great Alice, thanks."
They headed out the door and found the seats that had been saved for them just as Angela and Esme handed them their plates loaded with food.
Pete's eyes widened at the sight of so much food. "Wow, this looks great. I'm gonna get fat if this keeps up."
Jasper grinned at him. "Don't worry about that. We'll be workin' it off soon enough."
Pete sighed and began to eat. He tried not to talk much during meals as he ate slower than anyone else to begin with. It was very noticeable and he didn't want to be questioned on it. His plan didn't work though and everyone was done way before him. He could feel their curious stares and glances. He knew it wouldn't be long before someone asked about his habits and he was right.
Esme spoke up getting his attention. "My Lord, why do you eat so slowly?" She blushed when her mother, Elizabeth scolded her. "Esme! That's a personal question and you shouldn't have asked it."
Esme turned to him. "Forgive me my Lord. I meant no offense."
He smiled wanly, shaking his head. "No, it's all right. I might as well get this out of the way since I can tell you're all curious about me."
Bella gripped his hand and he smiled at her in silent thanks. "I was taken from my parents by Osiris' minions just a day after my birth and raised in a dungeon cell of the Underworld. I was there, in that same stone cell until October 31'st when I escaped through a ritual performed in a pentagram in the center of my cell. I had no idea that the ritual would free me. I had thought I was simply meditating and connecting with my power as I did every day…"
There were exclamations of shock and outrage throughout the group as he spoke, telling them the details of his life and by the time he had finished, all of the females were wiping tears away and the males looked ready to kill.
"So, yeah… I had made a vow to myself that I would never rush through another meal and so I always take my time. It's probably a ridiculous thing to every normal person, but it's significant to me." He shrugged. "That's the whole story."
Elizabeth leaned into her husband Edward Sr. and dried her tears. "You poor lad. Oh, this blighter needs to be stopped!"
Edward Sr. hugged her close. "We'll get him my dear. We'll stop him."
Pete stood and threw his plate away. "Well, it's time we got to it I think. I'm going to go take some time alone if you all don't mind." He glanced at Bella who was looking at him with understanding plain on her face. "Of course not baby. Take all the time you need."
Pete walked over to the area where they practiced fighting. It was large enough for his pentagram and he felt the need to meditate. He hadn't done it since he'd been here and he was feeling a mounting tension within at the lack of centering himself. He needed this. Desperately.
Quickly bringing the pentagram to life around him, he sat and sank within himself, oblivious to those of the group who now watched avidly, fascinated by the flames as they were. He began whispering a low ancient chant in that dead language that came instinctively to him in his relaxed state, the flames rising and flaring, a breeze now circling around him as his hands rose to the sky and the sun above.
In his minds eye, he began to see images; images of a crater and a great battle within it. He saw himself fighting with Bella at his back, fighting those behind him. He saw each being in their group and a pride of lions, cutting down any who fought for the Dark. He then began to hear a voice: "This battle you see my Lord will take place in Meteor Crater in the state of Arizona. You and your followers will go and prepare the battle site. You must bless the site, cleanse it with a ritual you will find in the Book of Shadows and draw the sacred pentagram in the center of the crater. Follow the directions precisely. Do not deviate. You must do this in 36 hours time. Another message will follow letting you know when it's time to fight. Blessed be my Lord and may your light prevail.
The entire group watched in awe as the flames calmed and Peter's body settled back onto the ground from where he had risen as his chant had intensified. If this display of supernatural power had done nothing else, it had driven home to them just who they were following and fighting for. It was a sight they would never forget.
Peter resurfaced to the sight of the group staring, awestruck at him. He waved a hand dismissing the flames around him and stood gracefully. "We need to talk. Gather in the circle."
Once they were all seated he broke the news. "During my meditation, I received a message. The battle will be at a place called Meteor Crater." He looked at Bella. "Do you know the place?"
She nodded. "Yes, it's quite famous. My parents dragged me there when I was small. It wasn't very exciting but I was a small kid. I really had no idea what I was seeing. It looked like hills and dirt to me."
He smiled as others chuckled. "Yeah well, we're going to battle for the fate of the world there, and we have to prepare the site in 36 hours."
The response was immediate, everyone speaking at once, worried faces all around. Bella placed two fingers at her lips and whistled loudly, gaining the groups attentive silence once again. She gestured at Pete and he nodded. "Thank you baby."
"This is not the battle yet, just the preparation of the site, but it's coming soon folks, whether you feel ready or not." He looked to Angela and Ben. "Is there a specific time that's necessary for the binding ritual?"
Angela shook her head. "No my Lord. It's whenever we're ready and we are ready. The potion is done and the site prepared. We're good to go."
He nodded. "That's good because we have to haul ass. I say we break from here, prepare ourselves and meet at the ritual site in half an hour. We have cloaks for everyone? I don't know about the rest of you, but I'd rather not travel to the site in the buff." He smirked.
Alice stood. "We do have the cloaks my Lord. I'll get them and hand them out now."
Charlotte got up and followed her to the supply tent, taking half the bundle and handing them out. They were pure white with an Egyptian sun embroidered into the back. When everyone had one, Pete stood. "All right, half an hour."
He walked off and Bella followed, worried with his abrupt manner. She caught up to him as he opened the door to the house. "Baby, what's wrong? Talk to me."
He pulled her inside the house and shut the door, embracing her closely, just needing to feel her in his arms. "I'm afraid Bella. This is all just becoming so real to me now. The scenes from the battle that I was shown were terrifying even if there were weapons involved. You were there, fighting with me. I just…" He choked on emotion. "I… fuck! I just don't want to lose you. I just got you."
She clutched tightly to him, as tightly as he clung to her, both unsure of what to say. There really wasn't much they could say; the knowledge that they could both die in battle soon in the forefront of their minds and there was nothing they could do to stop the course they had been on their whole lives.
Bella thought she should try though. "We're together in this baby. We'll always be together, no matter what. That and doing our best to off that fucker are the only things that we can promise each other."
He nodded and released her, smiling sadly at her as she met his gaze. He motioned toward the bedroom with his head, a half-hearted smirk now in place. "Shall we go get naked my Goddess?"
She laughed and took his hand. "Yeah, I look forward to seeing that luscious ass of yours again."
He followed her to their room puffing up with pride as he went. "You think my ass is luscious.?"
She smirked as she shut the bedroom door. "Yes." She tossed a cloak at him. "Now get changed. We have a ritual to perform."
They all gathered at the ritual circle and Pete groaned in dread when he saw Ben bring out the tray with vials of potion for each one of them on it. They even had tiny portions set aside for the two pixies. "Aw, damn it. Can't we convert to Christianity? Their apocalypse isn't scheduled for a while yet and they don't have to drink liquified shit before participating. This just isn't fair."
Angela smirked as she handed him his vial. "Suck it up my Lord." He looked at her and just stood there holding the vial. She gestured with her hand. "I meant that literally. Drink it and quit whining…my Lord."
He scowled. "Why am I surrounded with bossy females? Shit, it's not fair. Jesus hung out with twelve dudes and went to parties and shit. I have bossy women and have to drink this crap."
Angela and now Bella stood there, hands on hips, giving him a flat look. "Aw fuck, fine… I'll drink the shit." He uncorked the vial and gagged at the stench. "Oh god damn! That's atrocious." He glanced back at them and they stared. He sighed and downed the stuff with a shudder. He handed the vial back to Angela. "Never again, you hear? The whole fucking world can go to hell in a hand basket before I drink that shit again." He gagged again.
Angela smiled. "Don't worry my Lord. If you throw it up, we made extra portions."
He glared at her, his eyes watering. "I haven't seen any of the rest of you take yours yet. Come on then, let's see how you all do with it."
He watched, arms crossed over his chest as the rest of the group took theirs, feeling vindicated when Jasper, Bella and Charlotte puked theirs up almost immediately.
They looked green as Angela handed them another full vial but managed to toss it back and keep it down that time around. Bella looked at Pete. "I'm sorry for doubting you baby. That shit was indescribably bad."
He looked smug. "I know. I'm thinking we could've just sent a batch of that shit to Osiris and his merry band of fucknuts and this battle would've been over. I sure as hell hope it's more gentle on the exit than it was on the entrance."
He smiled maliciously when Jessica, Lauren and Mike puked next. Angela was starting to lose patience, especially when the three protested taking another dose. "Oh just knock the shit back and quit crying about it!"
They did eventually, after Pete sparked up a flame in his hand while staring at them. They were now ready for the ritual.
Edward whimpered as everyone but him dropped their cloaks, shaking his head until Charlotte touched his arm, giving him a gentle smile. "It's fine Eddie. We're all in the same predicament and no one will be looking."
He sighed and dropped the cloak and they all joined hands inside the circle, the chant they'd memorized coming from them in perfect synchronization. Pete directed his gaze at the pentagram in the center, lighting the candles there as the chant picked up and a glow surrounded them.
They all raised their joined hands skyward as the chant ended and Angela's voice rang out, asking blessings and binding for their group and the power of all the gods and goddesses of light and goodness to infuse them. When she finished, a sphere of pure white light appeared above the pentagram and rays of pure energy shot out, striking each being in the center of their chest. They all rose from the ground, their hands still held high and heads tilted back, gasps heard all around at the sensations from such pure power and the connection they could now feel to each other.
They remained suspended for moments as the light suffused their every cell, empowering, cleansing and binding them.
Their descent was slow and gentle, timed perfectly with the waning light, their feet touching down as it dissipated completely. They dropped their hands and stared around at each other once again awe struck at what had just taken place.
They remained silent as they donned their cloaks, no one willing to be the first to disrupt the peace that now surrounded them.
They were now fully connected, fully grounded with the earth, the sun and the sky; a force that would bring a reckoning to the Dark in a matter of days.
They were ready.
~ End of Part Three ~