Having pleased Master, Tessa was sent back to the little room. Richie was
lying curled up on his side, bound hand and foot and gagged.
"Don't untie him," Tessa's mortal escort warned. "It's his punishment."
"Get out of here," she sneered. He left, locking the door behind him. "Petit." She knelt beside him and reached for the gag. "Are you alright?"
"I'm okay," he whispered. "What about you?"
Tessa smiled for him. "Nothing I haven't done before. I'm fine." She touched the ropes around Richie's wrists. "Do you want me to take these off?"
"No. He'll catch us. We shouldn't even be talking."
They heard the lock turn and Tessa quickly tied the gag again and began stroking his cheek. "Everything will be okay," she assured him as the door opened.
Master walked in. "Time for bed," he told them.
"We're not tired," Tessa told him flatly.
"What have I told you about talking back?"
"I'm an adult, not one of your slaves."
Master raised his hand to strike her and Richie sat up screaming into his gag, struggling wildly to get free. A sinister smile spread across Master's face. Instead of hitting Tessa, he pulled Richie to his feet and threw him into the wall. "From now on," he told Tessa. "When you misbehave, he will be punished."
"You can't do that!" she protested.
"Of course I can. I am your master. He learned that and you will too." He crouched down to where Richie lay in a broken heap and helped him back onto the pallet. "I'm sorry, baby," he soothed. "You have to remember that I don't like hurting you. You said you would train her, so make sure she's a good girl." Richie nodded feebly. Right now everything but his eyelashes hurt. "And as for your punishment..." his fingers grazed the ropes. "This is for saying no to me and arguing with me. You know better than that." Richie nodded again. "I will untie you in the morning before breakfast." He turned to Tessa. "Get in bed," he ordered. For the first time since she had arrived, Tessa obeyed without protest.
Master sighed and looked at the pair. "Well, I suppose you can't say your prayers like this can you?" he gently teased Richie. "I'll say them for you." He sat the boy up and positioned himself behind him. "Holy Master," he started with a pointed glare at Tessa.
"Bless my master," she recited with him.
As they said the prayer, Master gently rocked Richie. If Richie hadn't been tied up, he would have been very comfortable and falling asleep. As it was, he was wondering how to stop the coarse ropes from cutting into his wrists and ankles. When they were done, Master kissed the top of Richie's head and whispered. "I love you, baby boy." Then he leaned over to kiss Tessa's temple, settled Richie onto his pillow, tucked them in, turned off the light and left.
"Richie, I'm so sorry," Tessa whispered. "Are you alright?" He couldn't answer vernally or shake his head that she could see. "What a mess. Can this get any worse?"
. . . . . .
"Did he say where he was?" Conner asked.
"Would I be here if he had?" Duncan barked.
"Loosing your temper won't help matters," Sean said calmly. "What did they say."
"He said that we had business to discuss and he'd send a car at three on Wednesday."
"Did you talk to Tessa and Richie?" Duncan nodded. "What did Tessa say?"
"She was worried about Richie."
"What did he say?"
"That he was okay. They weren't hurt. And he said something about a long...something when the phone cut off."
"Did you hear any of the next word?"
He thought for a minute. "Could've been long trip, long drive, long flight, I don't know. What did you find?"
Sean shook his head. "I couldn't find any immortals."
"Two planes at the hanger," Conner spoke up. "So they have to still be here. And if he called and is sending a car, they can't be too far."
"But which way did they go?"
"Let's think this through logically," Sean suggested. "You have a coast to the west."
"Same thing south. You get cut off about ten miles out of town," Duncan added. "And twenty miles north is a national park."
"So that leaves east," Conner decided.
"Unless they're between here and the cut off or the park," Sean reminded him. "That's thirty miles."
"Not south. Once you leave the city limits there's nothing. Not a gas station, not a truck stop, not a cabin. Just a dead end and some picnic tables."
"What about north?"
"A few buildings," Duncan mumbled. "Some company tried to expand out there. Never worked though."
"How far out of town?"
"Five miles, I suppose."
"How long to get there from here?"
"About an hour and a half, two maybe." Duncan sat up a little straighter. "Richie can't stand being in a car for more than half an hour. He'd say that was a long trip."
"What's out east?" Sean asked.
"Interstate. There are a few small towns, a couple cities. They could have gone that way."
"Our best bet is north," Conner said. "It has to be there."
"Why?"
"Less chance of being caught. If they go somewhere on the interstate, there are cars going by at all hours. If they go north, it's just a two- lane road. And this time of year, with school about to start, I doubt there's many people passing by."
Duncan thought for a minute. "That makes sense."
"Then we go."
"What? Go where?"
"North. To get Richie and Tessa."
"We can go look and have plenty of time to get back if we're wrong," Duncan agreed.
"We can surprise him before he's ready for us," Sean added. "And with three of us, he doesn't stand a chance. Two of us get Tessa and Richie, the other takes his head."
"Conner, you get Tessa; Sean, you get Richie in case he's confused again. I'll take care of 'Master'." Duncan stood up and began to leave.
"Where are you going?" Sean stopped him.
"To get Richie and Tessa."
"Duncan, there's no reason to rush into this," Conner told him. "As long as we show up before he sends for us we'll surprise him. We need to be rested to make sure nothing goes wrong. Tessa and Richie will be fine for one more night. They're both strong."
"I suppose you're right."
"Then it's decided," Conner said. "We'll leave first thing in the morning."
. . . . . .
Richie was awakened by gentle hands unwinding the ropes from his ankles. He stirred a bit and tried to see who was doing it. It was too dark to see. Tessa was beside him so it was either Master or one of the boys.
"Shh, baby. You're punishment is over," Master's voice soothed him as a hand brushed his cheek. "I've come to let you go." He moved to untie Richie's wrists. Then removed the gag. "I bet you're sore. Let me help you." He eased Richie up so he was sitting. The movement woke Tessa.
"What are you doing to him?" she asked.
"I'm ending his punishment. Now go back to sleep."
"Don't hurt him."
"I would never hurt my baby. And I believe I told you to go to back to sleep."
"I'm okay, Tess," Richie whispered his voice a bit horse. He felt her lay back down.
"Would you like a special treat?" Master asked him.
"What?"
"Would you like to come sleep with me?"
Richie wanted to say no and curl back under the covers to hide until three on Wednesday. "Yes, Master."
"Then get up."
Richie got to his feet and trailed behind Master out of the room, past where the mortals slept huddled together under a blanket and into Master's room. He waited for Master to get settled then moved to his spot at the foot of the bed.
"Not tonight. Tonight you sleep with me."
Richie obediently got into bed next to Master, who pulled him close and held him tightly. The next morning, Master was served breakfast by the mortals and Richie stayed by his side, taking the offered bits of food. Richie was then ordered back to sleep while Master got breakfast for the children. As soon as the door was closed, Richie got out of bed and pressed his ear to the door. After a few minutes, he could hear the prayer being recited, Tessa's soft French accent noticeable. She didn't sound hurt or scared, so Richie's worry for her diminished a bit. Once his curiosity was satisfied, he got back into the bed and closed his eyes, willing light sleep to come.
He must have dozed off because the next thing he knew he was being gently shaken awake.
"Baby boy," Master said softly. "I have a surprise for you." Richie rolled over and opened his eyes. Master stood with Tessa at his side. "I brought you someone to play with. So make room for her." Richie obediently scooted over, but turned his back as Tessa got into the bed next to him. "Looks like someone is playing hard to get." Richie mumbled something. "What was that, baby?"
"I can't," he repeated. "I won't." He gathered up his courage and got out of the bed, turning to face Master. "And you can't make me."
"Excuse me?"
Richie stood up as tall as he could and tried to look tough. "I said no."
"Do you remember what happened last time you said no to me?" Master asked, a slight edge to his voice.
"I don't care. Nothing you do will change my mind."
"What if I told you that you are grounded unless you do as I say."
"I'd say I'd rather be dead than your whore."
"Richie?" Tessa looked up at the boy who not one day before was scared to death of the violent man he was now standing up to.
"Boy, you listen to me. I will not tolerate this kind of disobedience," Master growled. "You will do as you are told. Now get into bed."
"No." Richie shakily stood his ground. "I won't do it."
"If I have to tell you one more time..."
"You'll what?" Richie challenged. Ten years of use and abuse came rushing down on him. Ten years of 'Come to my room, boy' and 'I am your Master' and mindless obedience coupled with an order to sleep with the woman who was the best mother he had ever had pushed him over the edge.
Master skirted the bed and towered over the boy. "I will give you a beating you will never forget."
"Is that all?"
"Who do you think you are?"
"You said it yourself," Tessa spoke up standing on the other side of the bed. "He is the end of you."
"Now you are poisoning the others!" Master slapped him across the face. "Just wait until I get you back home. You will rue the day you ever said no to me."
Richie's face twisted oddly. His bottom lip jutted out, his nose wrinkled in concentration, his eyes flashing with anger. Before he knew what he was doing, he pounced on the man throwing wild punch after wild punch. Not soon after that, he was pinned to the floor getting beaten and screamed at by an older, bigger, stronger and meaner immortal.
"Leave him alone!" Tessa screamed pulling at Master's collar. "Don't you hurt him!"
"You asshole! I hope you rot it hell!" Richie screamed trying to defend himself.
"I am your master and you will do as I say!"
"Fuck you!"
"Stop it!"
"You must obey me!"
"I hate you!"
"I own you!"
"Get your hands off him!"
Master was still beating Richie, who lay beneath him crying and shout obscenities and Tessa was screaming at pulling on Master to get him off Richie when two of the three froze mid-move.
Through the blood and tears Richie smiled. "You're grounded."
"You stay put," Master ordered, shoving Tessa off of his back and quickly leaving the room, locking the door as he went.
"How could you be so stupid?" Tessa scolded gently cupping Richie's chin to get a look at the healing cuts and bruises on his face. "He could have killed you."
"It was worth it." Richie shrugged her off. "Do you think that's Mac?" he asked struggling to his feet and going to the door.
Tessa followed, not missing the little bits of quickening healing his various wounds. They both put their ears to the door, trying to find out what was going on in the next room.
. . . . . .
After securing his acquisitions, Master took his sword from its place on the desk in time for the door to open and three immortals to enter.
"Aren't you the clever ones?" Master muttered. "You stole my boy," he said louder.
"You took him from me first," Duncan returned. "You had him kidnapped from my doorstep."
"I had no one kidnapped; I simply bought a boy that was brought to me."
"I don't care about the logistics. I'm here to take my family home," Duncan spat.
"I'm afraid I'm here to take back what is mine."
"Then we have a problem." Duncan drew his sword.
"Where are they?" Conner asked from a few feet behind Duncan.
"Put away for safe keeping."
"Where are they?" Duncan demanded advancing on Master.
As soon as Tessa and Richie could hear the voices clear enough to know what was going on, they started pounding on the door and yelling for help. Sean and Conner moved to get them out. Hearing the dead bolt turn, Tessa and Richie stepped back. Their rescuers came in with a bag of clothes that were quickly handed out.
"What happened to you?" Conner asked, looking at the drive blood on Richie's face, chest, and arms.
"I said no," he said proudly.
"Good for you," Sean smiled at him. "Are you okay?" he asked Tessa.
"I'm fine."
"Do you want to talk when we get back?"
"There's nothing to talk about." She buttoned the blouse they had brought her. "He's a monster and has to be stopped."
"Mac's gonna kill him right?" Richie asked.
"Stay away from them," a shaky voice ordered from the doorway. "They're Master's prisoners."
"Get outta my way," Richie groaned, trying to push past the mortal boys.
"Master said you are to stay in here."
"I don't care."
"Master told us to..."
"Get in here," Conner ordered the mortals drawing his sword. The boys didn't move, but stood like a deer in the headlights.
"Move it," Richie added impatiently.
Finally, the two moved into the room. Everyone else got out and locked the door promising to be back in a few minutes.
Duncan and Master were fighting a fierce duel in the main room. They were pretty evenly matched, neither had the upper hand on the other.
"Can't you help him?" Richie asked Conner.
"Just wait. Let Duncan handle this, lad."
As far as Richie knew, since Master had Duncan backing across the floor it meant Duncan was losing. But Conner, being the experienced swordsman, saw that Duncan was simply gauging Master's abilities and looking for a pattern or definite fighting style. And then it showed itself...Master's weakness, he had very sloppy underhand blocks. Duncan forced his way back across the floor then went in for the final attack. He sent a blow aimed for Master's left leg, then switched half way through the move and hit him behind the right knee, sending the immortal to his knees. Duncan kicked the other immortal's blade out of his hand and positioned his own at Master's throat. He widened his stance and prepared himself to make the fatal cut.
Richie stood, holding his breath, waiting to see what his subconscious had dreamed about for years. What he didn't understand was why Duncan was taking so long. The few times he had witnessed a beheading it had been quick and almost an afterthought. Duncan seemed to be debating something.
"You know you want to," Conner said drawing his own sword and putting it at Master's throat. "He deserves this more than anyone."
"It's against the rules," Duncan protested.
"Two against one is against the rules," Master agreed, none too comfortable with two blades at his throat.
"You be quiet; you don't get a say in this matter," Conner growled pushing his blade into the skin of Master's throat.
"Conner, I fought him."
"And?"
"It's my fight to finish."
"But you are fighting on behalf of someone else."
"The rules, Conner."
"Did no one ever teach you that the rules don't always apply?"
"Aren't you gonna kill him?" Richie blurted out, worriedly.
Duncan and Conner debated silently for a few seconds then Duncan stepped away from Master and turned to Richie. He turned his sword so the blade was resting on his arm and the hilt in his hand.
"Only if you don't want to," he told the boy solemnly.
"What?"
"It's up to you. Either you kill him or I'll do it." He extended the weapon to Richie. "Either way he dies." Tentatively he took hold of the warm, ivory hilt. "It's heavy," Duncan warned.
Slowly Richie picked it up and stepped back. He had to use both hands to hold the sword.
"Put it down, baby," Master told him sweetly. "You can hurt yourself." Richie ignored him and moved so he was right in front of his target. "Be a good boy and leave the adults to their business," Master told him.
"You can do this, Rich," Duncan encouraged. "Ignore him."
"You aren't allowed to play with that, baby."
"Take your time, Richie, he's not going anywhere."
"Boy, I told you once, don't make me tell you again."
"Shut up," Richie snarled. "You can't tell me what to do anymore." Conner smiled at Richie over Master's head. "I'm not your baby." He changed his grip on the hilt and changed his stance. The only thing he knew how to swing properly was a baseball bat, so all he had to go on was his years in T-Ball. He closed his eyes for a second, blocking out the taunts and encouragements then open his eyes and swung.
It was a clean cut. Slowly a mist started to form around Richie's feet; he hadn't considered what came next. He looked for Duncan but he wasn't where he had last seen him. Instead he was backing away and shielding Tessa with his body.
"Mac?!" Richie called out in alarm.
"It's okay, Rich. Just stay right there. It will be over soon."
"AGH!" Richie screamed out as the first bolts started to force their way into him. It burned like nothing he had ever felt before. No stove, oven, candle, cigar, or hot fire poker had ever hurt this badly. The energy seared his very core, torturing his muscles, organs and senses with white- hot surges of power. Centuries upon centuries of memories and images flooded his mind. His arms moved in short jerks, random spasms in his muscles controlling his limbs. His hands clenched briefly on the sword handle then released it. It clattered to the floor unnoticed amidst the lightshow.
He could hear encouragement that it would be over soon, but couldn't tell from where or who the words were coming from. Slowly the pain subsided and he could catch his breath.
"Rich?" He heard Duncan call. "Are you okay?"
The four others approached the swaying boy.
"Rich, are you okay?" Duncan asked.
"What's wrong with him?" Tessa asked.
Richie made a small pouting noise then his legs gave and he collapsed.
"He's alright," Sean assured everyone, feeling for a pulse. "He probably just got too much power for a first quickening. His system wasn't ready yet. We just need to get him home."
Duncan stooped down and lifted the immortal off the floor and began for the door. "What about the boys?" Tessa asked looking to the room where the mortals waited.
"We'll take care of them," Conner assured her. "You just get that boy home."
"Don't untie him," Tessa's mortal escort warned. "It's his punishment."
"Get out of here," she sneered. He left, locking the door behind him. "Petit." She knelt beside him and reached for the gag. "Are you alright?"
"I'm okay," he whispered. "What about you?"
Tessa smiled for him. "Nothing I haven't done before. I'm fine." She touched the ropes around Richie's wrists. "Do you want me to take these off?"
"No. He'll catch us. We shouldn't even be talking."
They heard the lock turn and Tessa quickly tied the gag again and began stroking his cheek. "Everything will be okay," she assured him as the door opened.
Master walked in. "Time for bed," he told them.
"We're not tired," Tessa told him flatly.
"What have I told you about talking back?"
"I'm an adult, not one of your slaves."
Master raised his hand to strike her and Richie sat up screaming into his gag, struggling wildly to get free. A sinister smile spread across Master's face. Instead of hitting Tessa, he pulled Richie to his feet and threw him into the wall. "From now on," he told Tessa. "When you misbehave, he will be punished."
"You can't do that!" she protested.
"Of course I can. I am your master. He learned that and you will too." He crouched down to where Richie lay in a broken heap and helped him back onto the pallet. "I'm sorry, baby," he soothed. "You have to remember that I don't like hurting you. You said you would train her, so make sure she's a good girl." Richie nodded feebly. Right now everything but his eyelashes hurt. "And as for your punishment..." his fingers grazed the ropes. "This is for saying no to me and arguing with me. You know better than that." Richie nodded again. "I will untie you in the morning before breakfast." He turned to Tessa. "Get in bed," he ordered. For the first time since she had arrived, Tessa obeyed without protest.
Master sighed and looked at the pair. "Well, I suppose you can't say your prayers like this can you?" he gently teased Richie. "I'll say them for you." He sat the boy up and positioned himself behind him. "Holy Master," he started with a pointed glare at Tessa.
"Bless my master," she recited with him.
As they said the prayer, Master gently rocked Richie. If Richie hadn't been tied up, he would have been very comfortable and falling asleep. As it was, he was wondering how to stop the coarse ropes from cutting into his wrists and ankles. When they were done, Master kissed the top of Richie's head and whispered. "I love you, baby boy." Then he leaned over to kiss Tessa's temple, settled Richie onto his pillow, tucked them in, turned off the light and left.
"Richie, I'm so sorry," Tessa whispered. "Are you alright?" He couldn't answer vernally or shake his head that she could see. "What a mess. Can this get any worse?"
. . . . . .
"Did he say where he was?" Conner asked.
"Would I be here if he had?" Duncan barked.
"Loosing your temper won't help matters," Sean said calmly. "What did they say."
"He said that we had business to discuss and he'd send a car at three on Wednesday."
"Did you talk to Tessa and Richie?" Duncan nodded. "What did Tessa say?"
"She was worried about Richie."
"What did he say?"
"That he was okay. They weren't hurt. And he said something about a long...something when the phone cut off."
"Did you hear any of the next word?"
He thought for a minute. "Could've been long trip, long drive, long flight, I don't know. What did you find?"
Sean shook his head. "I couldn't find any immortals."
"Two planes at the hanger," Conner spoke up. "So they have to still be here. And if he called and is sending a car, they can't be too far."
"But which way did they go?"
"Let's think this through logically," Sean suggested. "You have a coast to the west."
"Same thing south. You get cut off about ten miles out of town," Duncan added. "And twenty miles north is a national park."
"So that leaves east," Conner decided.
"Unless they're between here and the cut off or the park," Sean reminded him. "That's thirty miles."
"Not south. Once you leave the city limits there's nothing. Not a gas station, not a truck stop, not a cabin. Just a dead end and some picnic tables."
"What about north?"
"A few buildings," Duncan mumbled. "Some company tried to expand out there. Never worked though."
"How far out of town?"
"Five miles, I suppose."
"How long to get there from here?"
"About an hour and a half, two maybe." Duncan sat up a little straighter. "Richie can't stand being in a car for more than half an hour. He'd say that was a long trip."
"What's out east?" Sean asked.
"Interstate. There are a few small towns, a couple cities. They could have gone that way."
"Our best bet is north," Conner said. "It has to be there."
"Why?"
"Less chance of being caught. If they go somewhere on the interstate, there are cars going by at all hours. If they go north, it's just a two- lane road. And this time of year, with school about to start, I doubt there's many people passing by."
Duncan thought for a minute. "That makes sense."
"Then we go."
"What? Go where?"
"North. To get Richie and Tessa."
"We can go look and have plenty of time to get back if we're wrong," Duncan agreed.
"We can surprise him before he's ready for us," Sean added. "And with three of us, he doesn't stand a chance. Two of us get Tessa and Richie, the other takes his head."
"Conner, you get Tessa; Sean, you get Richie in case he's confused again. I'll take care of 'Master'." Duncan stood up and began to leave.
"Where are you going?" Sean stopped him.
"To get Richie and Tessa."
"Duncan, there's no reason to rush into this," Conner told him. "As long as we show up before he sends for us we'll surprise him. We need to be rested to make sure nothing goes wrong. Tessa and Richie will be fine for one more night. They're both strong."
"I suppose you're right."
"Then it's decided," Conner said. "We'll leave first thing in the morning."
. . . . . .
Richie was awakened by gentle hands unwinding the ropes from his ankles. He stirred a bit and tried to see who was doing it. It was too dark to see. Tessa was beside him so it was either Master or one of the boys.
"Shh, baby. You're punishment is over," Master's voice soothed him as a hand brushed his cheek. "I've come to let you go." He moved to untie Richie's wrists. Then removed the gag. "I bet you're sore. Let me help you." He eased Richie up so he was sitting. The movement woke Tessa.
"What are you doing to him?" she asked.
"I'm ending his punishment. Now go back to sleep."
"Don't hurt him."
"I would never hurt my baby. And I believe I told you to go to back to sleep."
"I'm okay, Tess," Richie whispered his voice a bit horse. He felt her lay back down.
"Would you like a special treat?" Master asked him.
"What?"
"Would you like to come sleep with me?"
Richie wanted to say no and curl back under the covers to hide until three on Wednesday. "Yes, Master."
"Then get up."
Richie got to his feet and trailed behind Master out of the room, past where the mortals slept huddled together under a blanket and into Master's room. He waited for Master to get settled then moved to his spot at the foot of the bed.
"Not tonight. Tonight you sleep with me."
Richie obediently got into bed next to Master, who pulled him close and held him tightly. The next morning, Master was served breakfast by the mortals and Richie stayed by his side, taking the offered bits of food. Richie was then ordered back to sleep while Master got breakfast for the children. As soon as the door was closed, Richie got out of bed and pressed his ear to the door. After a few minutes, he could hear the prayer being recited, Tessa's soft French accent noticeable. She didn't sound hurt or scared, so Richie's worry for her diminished a bit. Once his curiosity was satisfied, he got back into the bed and closed his eyes, willing light sleep to come.
He must have dozed off because the next thing he knew he was being gently shaken awake.
"Baby boy," Master said softly. "I have a surprise for you." Richie rolled over and opened his eyes. Master stood with Tessa at his side. "I brought you someone to play with. So make room for her." Richie obediently scooted over, but turned his back as Tessa got into the bed next to him. "Looks like someone is playing hard to get." Richie mumbled something. "What was that, baby?"
"I can't," he repeated. "I won't." He gathered up his courage and got out of the bed, turning to face Master. "And you can't make me."
"Excuse me?"
Richie stood up as tall as he could and tried to look tough. "I said no."
"Do you remember what happened last time you said no to me?" Master asked, a slight edge to his voice.
"I don't care. Nothing you do will change my mind."
"What if I told you that you are grounded unless you do as I say."
"I'd say I'd rather be dead than your whore."
"Richie?" Tessa looked up at the boy who not one day before was scared to death of the violent man he was now standing up to.
"Boy, you listen to me. I will not tolerate this kind of disobedience," Master growled. "You will do as you are told. Now get into bed."
"No." Richie shakily stood his ground. "I won't do it."
"If I have to tell you one more time..."
"You'll what?" Richie challenged. Ten years of use and abuse came rushing down on him. Ten years of 'Come to my room, boy' and 'I am your Master' and mindless obedience coupled with an order to sleep with the woman who was the best mother he had ever had pushed him over the edge.
Master skirted the bed and towered over the boy. "I will give you a beating you will never forget."
"Is that all?"
"Who do you think you are?"
"You said it yourself," Tessa spoke up standing on the other side of the bed. "He is the end of you."
"Now you are poisoning the others!" Master slapped him across the face. "Just wait until I get you back home. You will rue the day you ever said no to me."
Richie's face twisted oddly. His bottom lip jutted out, his nose wrinkled in concentration, his eyes flashing with anger. Before he knew what he was doing, he pounced on the man throwing wild punch after wild punch. Not soon after that, he was pinned to the floor getting beaten and screamed at by an older, bigger, stronger and meaner immortal.
"Leave him alone!" Tessa screamed pulling at Master's collar. "Don't you hurt him!"
"You asshole! I hope you rot it hell!" Richie screamed trying to defend himself.
"I am your master and you will do as I say!"
"Fuck you!"
"Stop it!"
"You must obey me!"
"I hate you!"
"I own you!"
"Get your hands off him!"
Master was still beating Richie, who lay beneath him crying and shout obscenities and Tessa was screaming at pulling on Master to get him off Richie when two of the three froze mid-move.
Through the blood and tears Richie smiled. "You're grounded."
"You stay put," Master ordered, shoving Tessa off of his back and quickly leaving the room, locking the door as he went.
"How could you be so stupid?" Tessa scolded gently cupping Richie's chin to get a look at the healing cuts and bruises on his face. "He could have killed you."
"It was worth it." Richie shrugged her off. "Do you think that's Mac?" he asked struggling to his feet and going to the door.
Tessa followed, not missing the little bits of quickening healing his various wounds. They both put their ears to the door, trying to find out what was going on in the next room.
. . . . . .
After securing his acquisitions, Master took his sword from its place on the desk in time for the door to open and three immortals to enter.
"Aren't you the clever ones?" Master muttered. "You stole my boy," he said louder.
"You took him from me first," Duncan returned. "You had him kidnapped from my doorstep."
"I had no one kidnapped; I simply bought a boy that was brought to me."
"I don't care about the logistics. I'm here to take my family home," Duncan spat.
"I'm afraid I'm here to take back what is mine."
"Then we have a problem." Duncan drew his sword.
"Where are they?" Conner asked from a few feet behind Duncan.
"Put away for safe keeping."
"Where are they?" Duncan demanded advancing on Master.
As soon as Tessa and Richie could hear the voices clear enough to know what was going on, they started pounding on the door and yelling for help. Sean and Conner moved to get them out. Hearing the dead bolt turn, Tessa and Richie stepped back. Their rescuers came in with a bag of clothes that were quickly handed out.
"What happened to you?" Conner asked, looking at the drive blood on Richie's face, chest, and arms.
"I said no," he said proudly.
"Good for you," Sean smiled at him. "Are you okay?" he asked Tessa.
"I'm fine."
"Do you want to talk when we get back?"
"There's nothing to talk about." She buttoned the blouse they had brought her. "He's a monster and has to be stopped."
"Mac's gonna kill him right?" Richie asked.
"Stay away from them," a shaky voice ordered from the doorway. "They're Master's prisoners."
"Get outta my way," Richie groaned, trying to push past the mortal boys.
"Master said you are to stay in here."
"I don't care."
"Master told us to..."
"Get in here," Conner ordered the mortals drawing his sword. The boys didn't move, but stood like a deer in the headlights.
"Move it," Richie added impatiently.
Finally, the two moved into the room. Everyone else got out and locked the door promising to be back in a few minutes.
Duncan and Master were fighting a fierce duel in the main room. They were pretty evenly matched, neither had the upper hand on the other.
"Can't you help him?" Richie asked Conner.
"Just wait. Let Duncan handle this, lad."
As far as Richie knew, since Master had Duncan backing across the floor it meant Duncan was losing. But Conner, being the experienced swordsman, saw that Duncan was simply gauging Master's abilities and looking for a pattern or definite fighting style. And then it showed itself...Master's weakness, he had very sloppy underhand blocks. Duncan forced his way back across the floor then went in for the final attack. He sent a blow aimed for Master's left leg, then switched half way through the move and hit him behind the right knee, sending the immortal to his knees. Duncan kicked the other immortal's blade out of his hand and positioned his own at Master's throat. He widened his stance and prepared himself to make the fatal cut.
Richie stood, holding his breath, waiting to see what his subconscious had dreamed about for years. What he didn't understand was why Duncan was taking so long. The few times he had witnessed a beheading it had been quick and almost an afterthought. Duncan seemed to be debating something.
"You know you want to," Conner said drawing his own sword and putting it at Master's throat. "He deserves this more than anyone."
"It's against the rules," Duncan protested.
"Two against one is against the rules," Master agreed, none too comfortable with two blades at his throat.
"You be quiet; you don't get a say in this matter," Conner growled pushing his blade into the skin of Master's throat.
"Conner, I fought him."
"And?"
"It's my fight to finish."
"But you are fighting on behalf of someone else."
"The rules, Conner."
"Did no one ever teach you that the rules don't always apply?"
"Aren't you gonna kill him?" Richie blurted out, worriedly.
Duncan and Conner debated silently for a few seconds then Duncan stepped away from Master and turned to Richie. He turned his sword so the blade was resting on his arm and the hilt in his hand.
"Only if you don't want to," he told the boy solemnly.
"What?"
"It's up to you. Either you kill him or I'll do it." He extended the weapon to Richie. "Either way he dies." Tentatively he took hold of the warm, ivory hilt. "It's heavy," Duncan warned.
Slowly Richie picked it up and stepped back. He had to use both hands to hold the sword.
"Put it down, baby," Master told him sweetly. "You can hurt yourself." Richie ignored him and moved so he was right in front of his target. "Be a good boy and leave the adults to their business," Master told him.
"You can do this, Rich," Duncan encouraged. "Ignore him."
"You aren't allowed to play with that, baby."
"Take your time, Richie, he's not going anywhere."
"Boy, I told you once, don't make me tell you again."
"Shut up," Richie snarled. "You can't tell me what to do anymore." Conner smiled at Richie over Master's head. "I'm not your baby." He changed his grip on the hilt and changed his stance. The only thing he knew how to swing properly was a baseball bat, so all he had to go on was his years in T-Ball. He closed his eyes for a second, blocking out the taunts and encouragements then open his eyes and swung.
It was a clean cut. Slowly a mist started to form around Richie's feet; he hadn't considered what came next. He looked for Duncan but he wasn't where he had last seen him. Instead he was backing away and shielding Tessa with his body.
"Mac?!" Richie called out in alarm.
"It's okay, Rich. Just stay right there. It will be over soon."
"AGH!" Richie screamed out as the first bolts started to force their way into him. It burned like nothing he had ever felt before. No stove, oven, candle, cigar, or hot fire poker had ever hurt this badly. The energy seared his very core, torturing his muscles, organs and senses with white- hot surges of power. Centuries upon centuries of memories and images flooded his mind. His arms moved in short jerks, random spasms in his muscles controlling his limbs. His hands clenched briefly on the sword handle then released it. It clattered to the floor unnoticed amidst the lightshow.
He could hear encouragement that it would be over soon, but couldn't tell from where or who the words were coming from. Slowly the pain subsided and he could catch his breath.
"Rich?" He heard Duncan call. "Are you okay?"
The four others approached the swaying boy.
"Rich, are you okay?" Duncan asked.
"What's wrong with him?" Tessa asked.
Richie made a small pouting noise then his legs gave and he collapsed.
"He's alright," Sean assured everyone, feeling for a pulse. "He probably just got too much power for a first quickening. His system wasn't ready yet. We just need to get him home."
Duncan stooped down and lifted the immortal off the floor and began for the door. "What about the boys?" Tessa asked looking to the room where the mortals waited.
"We'll take care of them," Conner assured her. "You just get that boy home."