Chapter 2: Dreams and Nightmares

Chapter 2: Dreams and Nightmares

When Ian reached Irons' home to report, he was still visibly shaken from Sara and he sharing his memory. Did the Witchblade have a reason for Sara to learn of his painful past, to learn of Constance? She was such a huge part of his life; there were many good memories with her. Once she was gone his life never the same. Ian walked slowly into Irons' study and bowed his head, as always, waiting for Irons to speak.

Irons was reading through his "book", he sensed that there was something wrong with Ian tonight. "What happened?" he said not even looking up to acknowledge Ian's presence.

"She said that she'll come."

"No, I was asking about why you are upset?" Ian knew that Irons was not worried about him, he never was, but he did want to make sure that Ian was not concentrating on things that he shouldn't, one of these being Constance.

"Nothing." Ian lied, knowing that it was too late to change the subject, Irons could read his mind.

"You're thinking about "her" aren't you?" Ian dropped his head lower. "Don't you remember? She hated you, left you and ME! She used you for her own purposes then tossed you like a damaged toy." Irons' tone was cruel, abusive, stinging. "You know the punishment for bringing her back into OUR life. GO!" Irons pointed to the hallway. They walked together down the dark hall and into a dark cold room. No one made Irons as mad as the woman known as Constance. Ian knew that his punishment was going to be severe.

Ever since Ian had left she had been thinking about that woman's face. She was a very beautiful woman and very young. Had she been Ian's lover? She thought this unlikely, yet it was the only idea that had popped into her mind. Why had he been so shaken? Sara had become very tired from the whole ordeal; the vision had taken a lot out of her. She conceded to go to bed and examine the vision more in the morning. As soon as Sara was asleep, the Witchblade went to work.

Ian stood very still in the center of an all-concrete room. Irons closed the door and locked it. "Take off your coat and shirt." His voice was icy. Ian slowly took off the clothes requested. He always felt more vulnerable without his clothes; Irons made sure of this. There were two iron shackles hanging from the ceiling, Irons clasped one on each of Ian's wrists. Ian knew what was coming; he would be given lashes for his disobedience. Ian had learned to make himself completely numb while Irons beat him. The pain came later, and this time Irons was very mad.

Two hours and 39 lashes later, Ian was walking slowly into his apartment. He felt each cut tear as his shirt rubbed against them. He gingerly removed his clothes and fell face down on his couch, which acted as his bed. Images of Constance and his childhood swirled through his mind again and he slipped into sleep.

His dream began as it always had; he had just arrived at his new "home" as Constance had told him. A tall platinum blonde man had greeted her he had kissed her. "Isn't he beautiful, Ken?" Her words seemed to roll off her tongue like honey on a spoon. The man identified as Ken walked over to Ian and forcefully lifted his chin to look into his face. Ian neck twinged with pain. Why was this man hurting him? Constance grabbed Ken from behind; something was on her hand, some metal glove. A blade grew out of it and she pressed the blade to Ken's throat. "We agreed that you would not hurt him to win him over. Why can't you just show him love, get him to love you!" Her voice sounded desperate.

"This boy will not be won by love, sooner or later he will find his own will and will turn on me."

"Then that is your destiny." Her metal glove disappeared as she released Ken from her grip. She walked slowly over to the cringing boy, "I won't ever let him hurt you again. Your my little boy now, all mine." She took Ian into her arms and carried him into the enormous mansion.

Ken could be seen in the background. The scene zoomed towards Ken's face, IRONS! His face was unmistakable it was Irons. He started to speak, "If she keeps this up, I will have to get rid of her, she cannot taint the boy. She will poison him towards me. Ian you're MINE and always will be MINE!"

Ian woke up breathing heavily and cursing the name of Irons. His back twinged in pain, he felt blood trickle down his back, falling on his blankets. He knew he wouldn't be able to sleep anymore tonight.

Across the city: Sara awoke in a cold sweat, she and Nottingham had shared another dream, or should she say nightmare. It was becoming clear to her now. So Constance was the woman's name. She was one of Irons' lovers and a blade wielder! Big tears filled Sara's eyes. She had felt Ian's pain, it was as if their two minds had joined during the dream, she was able to feel every emotion that he felt. Sara felt very close to him, even after waking up, she could feel that he was still in pain, emotional and physical. The Witchblade was opening her eyes, and she was opening her heart.