So, it finally looks like I'm ready to start posting this fic...it's been a long time coming. First things first some warnings. It an occult fic, it has dark themes, talk of rape, death, sacrifice all sorts so I'm making it an M rating from the start. I'll give individual triggers on chapters as we go through but I thought I'd warn now in case anyone doesn't want to start and drop out. If you want more specific information feel free to PM either through here or on tumblr and I'll happily answer any questions.

Thanks go to Lilsherlockian1975 for hand holding as I put this together and I'll apologise now for any errors, they are all mine though I own nothing else. Anyway, enough from me on with the story.

Chapter 1

It seemed initially like such an ordinary run of the mill case, not even a case, just the story of yet another teenage runaway.

She was 17 with a known history of problems, truanting at school, recreational drugs, anger management issues. The police had taken one look, done a few desultory investigations and then abandoned it.

So her mother had turned to the only person she believed could help her, Sherlock Holmes.

It was only sheer boredom on his half that had granted her an interview. He too had looked at the email and the attached reports from the police and come to the conclusion that the girl had purposefully run away, no doubt with some boyfriend, and would return when she was either dumped or when she ran out of money.

He asked Molly to sit in on the interview firstly because John was unavailable, he was 'too busy with the baby' as Sherlock had air quoted to an amused Molly, and secondly because he suspected, no he knew the mother would be emotional and Molly would be good with that kind of thing.

As expected she had arrived five minutes early, she had cried and pleaded whilst Sherlock had tried to get some straight facts out of her. Molly had indeed proved invaluable, making the woman some tea, fetching her some tissues and generally providing an air of sympathetic concern that Sherlock had felt completely bemused by.

Within a few short minutes he had determined to dismiss the case. Expanding his scientific paper on the burn rate of differing cigarette papers would ease his boredom more than this would.

The woman had obviously picked up on this and had leant forward grasping his knee with her bony, manicured fingers, 'please Mister Holmes I'll give you whatever you need, whatever you want, money...anything.' Her eyes had flicked nervously to Molly as she said this but the whole room knew exactly what she was offering.

Sherlock looked at her bleach-blond, dyed hair and her overly made up face, mascara now running in ugly streaks from her conventionally beautiful eyes and he tried to keep the grimace off his face as he unsubtly moved his leg away from her grasp.

'I would say I am sorry Mrs Bennett but that would be a lie, your daughter has no doubt been brought up to be...'

Molly butted in unexpectedly, 'what Sherlock,' she blushed and glanced at him, 'Mister Holmes is trying to say is that she'll probably come home in her own time. Keep in touch with her friends, I'm sure she'll contact one of them sooner or later. Would you like me to call you a cab or...'

Mrs Bennett shook her head, 'you're wrong, you're both wrong. I know my daughter and this isn't something she would do.' She sat still for a moment obviously thinking through her options. She nodded quickly to herself and reached into her handbag. She pulled out a bright pink notepad covered in purple flowers. 'This is Lily's journal, or diary I suppose. Please...please just have a look. See what kind of girl she was...is. I'm staying in London overnight at the Dorchester. You can either contact me there or, if I hear nothing, I'll call round tomorrow to collect the book and I won't bother you again.'

She held the book out to Sherlock who took it from her as though it were infected. She stood and looked at him as though awaiting some kind of response. After a moment or two Molly got to her feet and thanked her for coming round, offering to show her out.

A moment or two later Molly came back into the flat and sat down in John's old seat which Mrs Bennett had just vacated, 'well she was a bit forward wasn't she? Did you pick up on what she was implying? I know her daughters gone missing but that's just wrong.'

Sherlock closed his eyes ignoring her chatter and sat back thinking, not bothering to respond.

'Aren't you going to have a look at the diary then?' Molly gestured towards the book which Sherlock had just flung onto the top of a pile of papers on the floor.

When she got no response from him she bent down and picked it up. Up until 'that offer' she'd been feeling sorry for the woman. She was obviously deeply upset and worried about her daughter and desperate to find someone to help. But Molly had bridled at her offering herself to Sherlock like that, especially when she was in the room. Was it so inconceivable that she could be Sherlock's girlfriend, his partner?

Molly grimaced a little to herself, maybe it was. After all she wasn't his girlfriend, she wasn't anything to him, not really, only in her dreams. Maybe this woman had just took one look at the two of them and had known automatically that Molly was not in his league.

She hoped Sherlock hadn't been tempted. He'd not reacted to her offer, but then Molly had been in the room. What if she hadn't been? She was obviously well off and even though she was a bit too made up for Molly's tastes she had been very attractive. The sort who would be used to men throwing themselves at her. Similar to that woman a few years back that Sherlock had identified from 'not her face'; Irene Adler. The name was ingrained into Molly's memory even after all this time.

She'd never quite got to the bottom of what had gone on there, between Irene and Sherlock, but they must have been close. He'd seen her naked, he had her moaning on his phone and when Molly had googled her name...well, let's just say she'd felt shocked and a little sick. Not sick because of her profession; some kind of dominatrix, Molly was open minded enough about sex, but just at the thought of how little she was able to compete. If that was the type of woman Sherlock went for no wonder he'd never looked twice at her.

When she came out of her reverie and looked up Sherlock was looking right at her; his eyes narrowed in thought, no doubt trying to deduce what she was thinking. She blushed hoping he hadn't figured it out and she held up the diary, smiling as brightly as she could manage, 'well, shall we have a look?'

She opened it to the first entry which was dated about six months ago. Reading aloud to Sherlock she began,

Went back to school after Christmas. Soooo boring. All the teachers are banging on about is the exams. I don't give a fuck about them. If it wasn't for my mates and Liam I'd have jacked this in months ago.

'Hmm not exactly off to an auspicious start are we.' Molly skimmed a few more pages and then took up the narrative again.

I can't believe Liam asked that bitch Cassie out. She's so false her boobs will probably come off in his hand if he tries to feel her up. Would serve him right? Don't know what I ever saw in him. Karl asked me out and I said I'd think about it.

I can't stop thinking about him. He told me to wait, not to lose my virginity to the wrong person. I told him it was none of his business but he's so much more mature than the guys at school.

Molly flicked on again.

Easter. He says it's an important time of year, says he's going to show me amazing things if I just wait. I told him all I was waiting for was the next Rhianna album, he laughed but said he'd buy it for me and anything else I wanted.

Two days later

I kissed Karl for the first time and have to admit he's a really hot kisser. I even let him feel me up a bit but didn't go further than that. He says he wants to sleep with me. Karin reckons I should. Her and Vicky have both done it. I'm the only one who hasn't. Summer seems a long time off and I'm not sure I can be bothered to wait but he says it will be worth it

I pulled him up on the fact that he's always saying 'do what thou wilt' like some fucking stiff but then he tells me to wait. He said he'll make it up to me. He bought me a fuck awesome bag the other day, the girls were all well jealous so maybe I will.

Molly flicked through a few more pages but it was all much of a muchness. She was about to throw the book down and let Sherlock drop the case when he leant forward and pulled it out of her hands.

She jumped a little in surprise but then noticed the gleam in his eyes as he flicked through the pages, seeing his lips mouthing some of the words as he scanned the young girl's words. It looked as though something had piqued Sherlock's interest.

'What's today's date?' He snapped at her, 'come on...hurry up.'

'Oh err...20th April...why?'

Sherlock ignored her as he got up before sitting down in front of his laptop tapping away.

He had obviously found the page he was looking for as he used his forefinger to trace down the screen, leaning forward concentrating.

'We're coming up to Beltaine after that it would be Litha and the Summer Solstice. What's the last entry?'

Molly had no idea what Sherlock was talking about at all, 'I'm sorry what?' She sat forward looking at him baffled.

'The diary Molly, the diary. Come on...' He snapped his fingers repeatedly whilst she scrabbled around picking up the diary from the floor and finding the last entry.

Have decided that tonight is the night! I can't wait, everything is prepared I'm just waiting for Karl to text and then I'll let him know...wish me luck.

'So, this Karl is that who she's run away with?'

Sherlock glanced round with a frown, 'what? No, don't be ridiculous Molly. This isn't about some teenage runaway. No this is a case Molly, a proper case.'

'Well I'm getting that from your reaction but I have no idea what has got you so excited or what all those dates were that you read out. What the hell is Beltaine and Litha and whatever that other one was?'

'They're important dates from the occult calendar Molly. Human sacrifice, that's what we're up against and it's possible we may not have much time.'

He checked his watch.

'We can get a train to Almsbury every half hour. If we aim for the 15.20 that should give you time to talk to Mike and pack. I'll book us tickets and meet you at Marylebone at just after three.'

With that he stood and started to make his way to his bedroom.

'Wait, hang on. I can't just up and leave with you.'

He turned as he reached the bedroom door and flashed her a wicked smile, 'why not Molly? You've always wanted to be whisked away by me and now's your chance. I suggest you take it.'

He winked and then pulled the door too behind him leaving a baffled and bemused Molly in his wake.

So I think we know she's going to take him up on the offer. Let me know what you think of the start and I'll be back in a couple of days with chapter 2. At minimum it will be two chapters a week but I may occasionally throw in a third...we'll see.