Chapter 2 - Beltane
30th April 1813, Wilmington Farm, Connecticut
MIKE
A knock on the door and the entering of the others woke Mike. It was nearly dark outside. George Harris had arrived earlier that day. Wade's leg was better and he already was walking around in the wide area of the farmland. They got settled in for over a week now in Glastonbury. Though Mike had a room at his father's younger brother, Gregory Campbell, he mostly stayed at the Wilmington farm. He felt more at home here. He wasn't comfortable at his uncle's. Gregory was a grumpy guy who had a lucky hand in exchange. The war had brought his business to the edge. Likewise was his mood most times.
Now Wade entered the guest room he was in, shaking him mercilessly. "Mike, c'mon, get dressed! We're going to a party tonight."
Mike jerked up from his warm cozy bed. He had fallen asleep not long ago and had just started to dream of something really good. He had no idea what it had been but the feeling of joy still stuck to his soul. So he was grumpy when the others woke him. "What party, what are you talking about?"
"George said it is a coven festival. Come on, it will be fun. It is only once a year. You know about the opportunities of the Feast of Beltane," Bastian announced.
Oh, yes, Mike remembered the last time they had been there, though this year he had no intention to go there.
"C'mon that is an order, Campbell," Wade said half-jokingly.
"You're not The Guardian yet Wade, and we only assume Rutherford wants you to be his successor. So leave the order stuff." Mike got up, rubbing his sleepy eyes with another grunt.
"See, I will be The Guardian. You already follow my orders," Wade grinned about the obedience Campbell was showing by getting up, but found himself with a pillow in his face only seconds later.
*** EST ***
WADE
They rode along the small road through the grove near Glastonbury town. George led their way, happily chatting with Bastian about the event. He would guide them to the well-hidden spot in the adjoining forest. Wade was glad for this opportunity. His injured leg made his mood even worse. He hoped for some nice female company tonight, already thinking about Hannah. That Mike came with them was even better. Like him, his friend could use a girl. His behavior lately was weird since they had arrived home. He turned his head to his friend riding next to him and found him daydreaming, staring into the dark. "What's been wrong with you this week, Mike?"
"Huh? I … sorry, Wade, what?"
"This! Tell me what's been wrong with you lately? You've been absent every day since we arrived home. I …" Wade turned his head in the saddle staring back toward where they'd just ridden. "Did you hear that? Someone is following us." Wade brought his horse to a halt. Mike stopped too, letting the others ride ahead.
"I don't see anything, Wade. Did you hear something?" Mike stared into the darkness.
The only light source was the half-moon and the stars in the clear night sky. "Show yourself! I know you're following us!" Wade addressed the unknown rider he had heard following them, already drawing his blade.
A crack of wood and a horse nickering came from the side of the path. Then a rider showed up with the hood deep pulled into his face. The horse looked familiar. Wade couldn't believe it! "Diana! What the hell are you doing here?" Typically, his sister had followed them. She always clung to their heels. But these festivities were no place for a girl, and certainly not for his little sister. Father would kill him.
He watched his sister brushing the hood back, revealing her face. Stubbornly like always she raised her chin, facing him without turning a hair, "I want to go to the party too. Why should you be the only ones allowed to go out? I'm nearly eighteen. I can party too."
"Argh, damnit, Diana! You'll ride home now. This is not a place for you to be tonight. Father will kill you when he finds out," Wade began his quarrel with Diana which he usually lost. Wade's words did not intimidate her in any way.
Mike reached out for Wade's arm in a calming manner, "Wade, you can not send her back home in the dark all alone."
He turned to his friend. Diana's showing up had enraged him already. Mike had no say in this. "Shut up, Campbell! This is none of your business! My stubborn sister just wants to destroy our trip, like every time." Wade turned his head to Diana again. "You always crash the party Di. I can't believe it!"
Diana always had a reply at hand, "I will not ride home! If you send me back, I'm gonna tell daddy that you're planning to leave the farm to be some kind of boss of Rutherford's hilarious discovery of unknown animals-thing. I'm sure daddy will not be amused. You know as his only son you are supposed to take over the business."
Wade looked dumbstruck at her, "Who has told you about this?"
"Rutherford's son has - at the spring dance. He danced with me and couldn't stop talking about his father's business, but that is not what matters now. I'll stay!"
This was unbelievable! Wade wondered if William Rutherford had even told her what his father really did. His father knew about the supernatural but he never wanted to be part of Rutherford's business. He let Wade help though. But to tell his father that he hoped to be the next elected Guardian could destroy his plans. "You will not tell father anything!"
"I will. You're running out of options here Mr. Wilmington. So let me join you at the party and I will keep my mouth shut about it!"
Wade was furious now. But he also couldn't risk Diana telling their father about this - not now. He saw only one other option though he was a little bit sorry for Mike. His friend was the only one around at the moment and had the bad luck to be on the receiving end of his rage. He would babysit Diana. His friend should have kept his mouth shut. He would deal with his bad mood tomorrow but this night was his. He wanted to relax and not watch out for his sister. "You're right Mike, I can not send her home all alone in the dark, and because of that, you will watch out for her until we leave. I don't want another man to even look at her at the festival, did you get that?"
Mike looked like a hit dog. At least now he had an excuse for not partying with them. For some reason, Mike hadn't even wanted to come. Wade didn't have the muse to think about his reasons now.
George and Bastian had turned, coming closer. "What's wrong, we're nearly there! Diana? What are you doing here?"
Wade answered for her. "She's staying with Mike for the rest of the evening. We, on the other hand, are gonna have fun."
*** EST ***
MIKE
Mike felt a heat in his stomach. Should he say something to Wade? His friend didn't know what he had just done. Mike would certainly not allow another man to look at Diana. He could do what his friend had told him. But he knew what Wade had meant. He couldn't guarantee that he wouldn't look at Wade's sister.
Wade turned his horse and followed the others, leaving Mike and Diana trailing the group.
Mike gave her a shy smile and she returned a victorious one, satisfied that she was allowed to stay. She was so beautiful, with an adventurous smirk in her eyes, even more than at home. Mike didn't know what to say.
"Looks like you're stuck with me for the night, Mike," she took over the conversation. Her eyes shone in mischief and excitement. "So tell me what this Feast of Beltane is exactly about. Why is my brother so angry with me? I know he hates when I sneak at you but today it is much worse."
Mike snorted. "Yeah, well this is a love feast. Wade wants to find some female company and certainly not watch out for his sister."
Diana looked curious at him. "A love feast?" Then she changed the questioning look and blushed. "Oh … you mean you came to make… oh." It was rare to see her speechless. Mike had to smile even more. "We should stick together with the others. Don't worry about Wade. He's just moody. It's no punishment for me to watch out for you. I will enjoy your company tonight."
"Of course, you will. I'm a pleasure to be around, Mr. Campbell." Diana turned to follow the others.
Mike shook his head slightly over the turn of events.
*** EST ***
They arrived at the clearing where inviting fires glowed in the dark. The festival was all but boring. They watched the dances of the witches around the fires to officially start the festivities. The highest priestess prayed to the goddess for her blessing. Then one by one the women around the fires chose their partners for the night. The couples began dancing around the fires.
Mike sat with Diana a little bit away from the stomping place where the main event took place. He spotted Wade and George. They both danced with girls in their arms. Wade seemed already drunk by his demeanor. To see him so relaxed was a good change. His friend seemed to really need this tonight. He watched him for a while longer as the women gave him one drink after another and he finally vanished with not one but two girls into the woods.
Mike felt uneasy to let his friend out of sight. He even felt a bit like he was sinning to be here on a witch feast. He believed in God and Jesus Christ, he had been raised to trust the Lord. When he first was confronted with the supernatural he had a hard time accepting the fact there were things between heaven, earth, and hell. He still needed to get used to things like magic really works. Being here during a heathen ritual felt somehow wrong.
But Mike Campbell told himself he had to trust the Lord. God had guided him even to this place, to this evening because to be here right next to Diana felt so right like nothing ever in his life. Mike wanted to spend every night with Diana from this day on.
He turned his head from the dancing couples at the fires and studied every inch of her lovely face. From her dark wavy hair, worn in a braid today, over her evenly curved eyebrows, along her small nose, and to her full rosy lips. Mike felt the heat in his chest spreading all over his body. He had to swallow and separated his lips to say something but had no words to explain what he was feeling. He ended up staring at her in total awe.
She turned to him and began to giggle as she saw him staring at her. "Are you ok, Mike?"
He had to blink twice to get his brain working again. "No, Diana. Someone stole my heart."
She didn't reply instantly but studied his blue eyes with her grey ones, then whispered unsure, "Who?"
How could she be unsure who he was talking about? She was the most beautiful woman around. He had tried to talk to her every day since they had arrived at the farm, but wasn't able to talk about the real important things - her. He was afraid she wouldn't see him the way he saw her now. That she still saw just her brother's best friend and that he finally wasn't impolite to her. He took an uncontrolled breath and spilled it out. "Diana, you did. I love you with every fiber of my heart."
He was prepared if she would laugh over his words or run to her brother or would tell him maybe with the slightest chance of luck she liked him too, but he was so far from wrong.
Diana brought a hand to his cheek and straddled his lap, coming so close that he could taste her sweet breath. "Oh Mike, I love you too. I heard what this festival is about and I have to admit, I couldn't believe that all these people would actually make love in the middle of the woods. But if there was even the slightest chance you'd join them, I'd better be with you tonight. It was the only reason I was following you. I don't like to share." She kissed him fiercely with her hot soft lips, demanding more and more of him and he was willing to give her everything he had, just to keep her close.
Mike's arousal grew with every touch Diana did on his body. She opened his jacket and ripped at his shirt. He lifted it himself to pull it over his head and bring his hands back to her as quickly as possible around her small waist, feeling her body heat through her thin linen shirt. Their tongues danced as wild as the witches around the fires. The magic of the festival seemed to take them both over.
*** EST ***
DIANA
Diana drew small circles on Mike's strong chest which caused Mike to squirm from the slight shivers it gave him. She watched him smiling with closed eyes, obviously enjoying her touch.
This had been her first time. Mike had been so careful with her. He hadn't pressed her to do anything. Indeed, she had thrown herself at him like a needy cat. She felt a little bit ashamed. But when Mike finally realized she really wanted him. He had shown her how much he wanted this too.
Now they lay on the dark blue checkered blanket Mike had brought from his saddle. It was big enough to cover them both. Snuggled in the warm soft fabric, Diana purred in his arms, "I love you, Mike."
Mike whispered in her ear. "I love you too, Diana. I can't believe my luck today. You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. And the fact that I have known you for years makes me even more sure that I truly love you with all my heart and soul."
She smiled, feeling entirely safe with her lover. "Then marry me."
Mike laughed. "What? If anything, I should ask you this."
"Then ask," Diana answered completely earnestly.
Mike's expression changed from a joking demeanor to a true-hearted tone full of love and respect for her. He got to his knees next to her, pulling her to a sitting position. "Diana Wilmington, would you be my wife for all ages until our undying souls are dancing together in heaven for eternity?"
A shiver ran through Diana's body. She was sure such words had no other woman ever heard from the man she had just given her body to. "Yes, for eternity," she breathed overwhelmed.
*** EST ***
BASTIAN
Bastian stepped closer to the blue-green checkered blanket. He finally had spotted the Campbell tartan; his friend didn't wear it as a part of his clothes but had it rolled up to a blanket on his saddle to have it always with him. The plaid was spread over Mike as well as a black-haired beauty entwined around his hips in sleep. Her bare shoulder peaked out of the blanket and a naked foot peaked out on the spot behind Mike's back.
He was glad Mike had found some company too. With a second thought about last night, he realized that Diana must be around. He swallowed hard as he recognized Wade's little sister in the naked sleeping beauty in Campbell's arms. "Holy mother, Mike what have you two done?"
Mike's head jerked up with Bastian's words, looking sleepy at him. "Bastian, what …?"
Mike, suddenly realizing in what situation they were caught, began shaking Diana on her shoulder to wake her. Protectively, he tried to keep her covered with his plaid. "Di, get dressed it's getting late."
Bastian turned gentlemen-like to look in the other direction, only to face Wade who just climbed up the small hill Bastian had found the two on. He felt ashamed though he hadn't done anything wrong. Wade would freak out.
"Did you find them? We have to hurry home. I don't want to …" Wade was near enough to see what took place behind Bastian's back. After a split second of the shock he had to overcome, he stepped closer, suddenly angry, rushing past Bastian. Bastian had barely time to turn as he witnessed how Wade pushed Mike roughly backward against the next tree. "What on earth have you done!? You had to keep her safe, not seduce my little sister!"
"Wade, take your hands off my man, NOW!" Diana screamed at him, grabbing his arm.
Wade turned shocked, "Your what? How can you throw yourself at a man like a whore?"
"We love each other, he is not just any man. You know him, he is your best friend and an honorable man. We will marry as soon as possible. We belong together, no one will separate us!"
Bastian witnessed the scene in horror. This would change just everything. He knew Wade was not amused about this all. Though he knew Wade loved Mike like a brother, this maybe would leave a crack in their friendship. But to face Henry Wilmington with this … he would kill Mike to lay a hand on his little girl. They had to be home before sunrise. Or this would turn out even worse.
Bastian pulled Wade away from Mike, taking him by his shoulders to get his attention. "Wade, calm down! He is your friend!"
"A friend? My damn friend brought me into a sticky position. You know my father will never allow this marriage!" Wade turned to Mike again, "Fuck, Campbell! Why now - like this?"
Mike had taken Diana's hand, having her protectively a step behind him. "Wade, you have to understand this. I love Diana. This was not just …"
Frustrated, Wade ran a hand through his wavy hair. "I don't wanna hear this right now - from neither of you three," Wade's mind was racing.
Bastian wouldn't want to switch with either of them in this mess.
Sighing, Wade looked at them all. "We better leave now or father will already be up when we make it home."
*** EST ***
HENRY WILMINGTON
Henry was awake for hours when he spotted the small group arriving at the blooming and blossoming property of the farm and stopped pacing on the porch of the main house. He'd heard a noise in the night and had checked on everyone in the house only to find his little girl's bedroom empty.
Henry had been worried sick about Diana's safety since that moment. Deep down inside his heart, he knew she had followed his son and his friends to this coven festival. God knows what they did there. Well, he knew what they probably did there but his little girl had not to be anywhere near that. He should have never allowed Wade to become a hunter. His longtime friend Thomas Rutherford had asked him to train his boy. He was the head of this organization, the Brotherhood.
At the moment Henry wasn't sure if Wade would live long enough to ever be trained by Thomas again. Because right now he was in furious rage over his son for allowing Diana such a thing as to come with them.
As he now saw the small group of the five nearing the house, obviously trying to enter the property unnoticed, his anger boiled over. He would not allow Wade's friends to come in today. This was a matter he needed to discuss with his son in private. And for Diana? She would not again leave his house without a chaperone.
The five dismounted their horses in the yard, not far from where Henry waited on the veranda by the main door. Henry did neither miss the courtesy with which Mike helped his daughter out of the saddle nor the short squeeze of their hands before they turned toward him.
Diana and Wade stepped up to him while the others stayed in the yard. The remorseful gaze Diana shot him didn't bring forth any pity. He grabbed her by her arm as soon as she was within reach, turning to Wade, "Wait in my office, Son. We have to talk."
Diana fought against her father's grip. "Daddy, let me explain, I was safe there. Mike was with me the whole night."
Mr. Wilmington's mood got even darker. "What are you telling me?! Go inside, Diana!"
"No, I will not!" she stubbornly answered.
Mr. Wilmington gave her a fast, angry slap. Shellshocked, she stared at her father, holding her quickly blushing cheek in shock. She might be his little baby, but this behavior was unacceptable. He didn't raise a whore.
Mike ran up the stairs to intervene but was stopped by Henry's quickly drawn saber that now was pointed at his throat. "Don't you dare to come anywhere near her again!"
"Father, please don't hurt him!" Diana clung to his free arm now. "I love him! We want to marry," she tried to pull him back from Campbell.
Henry couldn't believe it! He had failed to raise his children right, not only had his son not brought back Diana immediately when he had noticed her. No - it was obvious his daughter had thrown herself at Campbell. His hands trembled from anger. Henry's eyes got even darker. He turned his head to his daughter. "You will not marry this poor Scot! What has gotten into you?"
"Sir, please," Mike began.
But Mr. Wilmington shook his daughter off his arm, pushing the saber harder at Mike's throat. "You have no say in this." Henry spat at him.
Mike held his position stubbornly. Henry pushed harder and saw the pike of his weapon drawing the first drop of blood. This forced the stubborn kid at least to take a step back.
Henry still clutched the handle turning to the others in the yard. "You three, and especially you," he stated hatefully at Mike, "will leave my property - now! I will not allow you anywhere near my daughter or in my house again, Campbell."
"No! I will not give up Diana!" Mike replied sternly.
Henry let his saber sink. He was no murderer, though right now he was not quite sure. His anger needed to escape, and with a swift motion no one had thought the man was capable of, Mr. Wilmington punched Mike hard in the face with his free hand.
He heard his daughter shouting Campbell's name. All eyes were on him now. He was the head of the family, this was his house - his land. They had to do what he ordered. Mike had stumbled back down the stairs, nearly falling; Blood gushed from his nose. With a bit of luck, it was broken and Campbell would remember his wrongdoings. Henry thought maybe he should give him a second taste of what he was capable of.
Wade stopped him before he could come after Campbell again. "Father, you're overreacting. We should all calm down."
Bastian and George hurried to grab their perplexed friend to bring him away from Henry's wrath.
*** EST ***
MIKE
The three friends were sitting in Mike's small room in the back of the wine trading station Mike's uncle ran.
George pushed an alcoholic-smelling cloth to Mike's bruised cheek and bloody nose. "Here, you have to apply this or it will swell."
Mike knew the smell. It was the Arnica tincture George offered often for bruises. He hissed annoyed, "Ah. God damn it, George, I know that. Give me the damn cloth."
George shook his head, handing him the cloth, "And you keep telling me I know how to find trouble. I think this time you really got the upper hand in the trouble department, my friend."
Bastian shot George a stern glare. "George, this is not the time for jokes. This is a really bad situation and somehow Mike managed to get us caught in the middle of it."
Mike got up from the chair, heatedly, "You are caught in nothing with me. This is only between me and Wilmington."
Bastian raised a calming hand, "Now let us all calm down before you start a war over a romance, Mike."
"Romance?" Mike punched his fist onto the table. "I love Diana! This is not a ROMANCE!"
Bastian got up too, steadying his weight on the table across from his friend. "This is hilarious, Mike! We came back only three weeks ago and before that, you hated each other. At best times you were annoyed with her, constantly on our heels. How can this turn into love? I saw that she turned into a beautiful young woman but what you did at the feast was just dick driven when you bedded her - for god's sake, Mike - she is Wade's little sister! How did you think this would turn out? Of course, Mr. Wilmington is out of mind. Try to see it from his side."
The silence in the small room was crushing. Bastian held his stare. Mike's mind was racing. How could all of this happen in less than a day? Bastian was right. He shouldn't have touched her. He could still feel her lips on his, her warm lean body. Her wonderful smell was still in his clothes and blanket. God - he loved her - really loved her. He had to think this all through to come up with a good idea - and for that, he had to be alone. He could not deal with his friends' suggestions and good advice at the moment. "Please, get out, both of you. I need to think," he said defeatedly, slumping back to his chair.
George got up, patting his shoulder. "Don't worry, it will be alright. Wilmington just has to cool down a bit." Grabbing his coat from the chair, George was the first one out.
Bastian sighed, running a hand through his hair. He spoke, much calmer now, to his friend, "Look, Mike, I'm on your side, Brother - always. But please, don't do anything stupid!"
Mike looked up at his friend, ruefully. "Sorry Brother, but I already have. You heard her, I asked her to marry me."
Bastian blinked in disbelief, dropping his jaw. "She'd really meant what she'd thrown at Wilmington?" With a snort he shook his head slightly, "This sounds so like you." Bastian turned, grabbing his coat too. "I'll check on you tomorrow. We all should sleep on this. See you."
"Yeah," Mike said and was alone.
TBC
