Kira bide farewell to the final people who had decided to leave. She turned back to see who remained. Elsu, Ryker and Gideon had refused to leave with their parents. Bree and Robbie stayed because Kira wished to treat Ebony here. Although Charlie left, Alisa stayed along with Sky, Morgan, Hunter and Moira. Hope and Kira stayed because this was there home, they had no where else to go. Kira returned for her seat and joined in the awkward silence where everyone was waiting for someone else to say something first before them.
"So anyone mind explaining this?" asked Gideon trying to break the silence.
"What, the massive demon horde that came bursting through my windows and trashed my house." Kira said.
"The cloud of smoke that almost killed both Morgan and me?" added Hunter.
"Or the amazing power that Ebony was able to conduct that left scars all over her body." Alisa continued. All turned to Gideon.
"All of it, I was thinking." He said, feeling pressured. Since the demons disappeared, they had managed to arrange the furniture, without even realising, into a circle. Ebony lay on a couch, Ryker held her hand from his position on the floor, while Bree and Robbie sat on either side of their daughter. Next to Bree was Gideon on a dark red armchair, stroking Hope's hair, who sat crossed legged on the floor. After that was Sky, Morgan and Hunter on a couch that clashed with all other chairs and couches, as did all the furniture, Morgan lay in Hunter's arms, clearly still shaken up by the events of tonight. On Robbie's side sat Elsu, Kira, Alisa and Moira.
"Does anybody know anything that could have caused this?" Kira asked, suggestively. Some heads fell to the floor but the silence remained, as quiet as ever. "Well, looks like we have squat."
"I don't believe this." Sky stated shaking her head. "Its been more than twenty years since anything like this has happened." Morgan, Hunter and Alisa nodded in agreement.
"Ebony, sweetheart, are you sure you can't remember anything?" Robbie asked. She thought for a moment but shook her head.
"I remember fighting demons and then waking up on this sofa." She said, frustrated from the lack of memory of tonight's dealings. A few minutes after all the demons were vanquished, Ebony lost consciousness and Ryker carried her over to the couch. Seconds later, she awoke, unaware the fight had ended. They sat there without a sound.
"Bree, Robbie, I think it would be best if you went home." Morgan said, implying that they were unneeded.
"What about Ebony?" Bree asked, concerned for her daughter as she looked at the terrible state she was in. She looked the worst out of all of them. Cuts bruises and scars tainted her flawless skin.
"She can stay here, why not, everyone else bloody is." Kira said frustrated, not by the fact her house was being used as a very low priced hotel, but at the situation they were in. Bree and Robbie reluctantly left, after everyone convinced them that Kira could help her heal and that it would be safer here.
"So what exactly stopped all the demons. They seemed to be multiplying and then suddenly, poof! No more demons." Hope asked. Gideon inwardly smiled at her description of what had happened.
"I think it was when Moira and I killed this one demon." Elsu answered.
"It seemed to be their leader. It wore a black helmet and had a large pole-like weapon…" Moira added.
"A staff?" interrupted Kira.
"I think so." Moira continued. "And it had a gemstone on its back." She turned to Elsu. "Now I think about it, when you stabbed it you shattered the stone."
"It was probably that that did it then," Elsu said, catching on her brainwave.
"What can you remember about the smoke?" Alisa asked Morgan. She remained silent though, unmoved. It was as if she had no idea were she was or that anyone was trying to contact her. Hunter saw this and sighed, thinking it better to leave his wife, knowing what was bothering her.
"I never noticed the smoke until it was past my knees. I could feel it draining me of my magick and energy. It moved quickly, draining me more as it went, When it came to my neck it began to choke me and…"
"You fell to the ground." All turned to Ebony as she began to remember what had happened. "Morgan was already on the floor. Moira saw you fall and called to you. That's when I turned around. I don't know why, but I put my hands out and all this power came to me." Everyone was pleased that she was remembering until silent tears fell from her eyes.
"Goddess, it hurt so much. I wanted scream but couldn't, wouldn't. I felt the power try and consume me, take over my body. To use me to its own will. It was pure evil." Her eyes remained looking straight forward at the ceiling . It pained her and her tears grew slightly .She could feel everyone sending comfort spells towards her.
"Please stop. Even that hurts." She said. Immediately, it stopped. But the pain remained. She couldn't believe it hurt when people were trying to help her. She took a deep breath to continue. "I remember thinking, I had to stop it. So I took all the energy I could gather, and let it out. I screamed and cried. It hurt so much it felt like I was being pulled out of my skin. Then I went flying backwards after the smoke was gone. I don't remember getting the scars, honest." When she said that, it sounded like she was looking for trust in her story that she didn't remember getting the scars.
"We believe you." Kira said. Ebony nodded and a slight smile appeared on her face. But it soon disappeared as she broke into sobs. Ryker leant up and kissed her forehead to let her know he was there for her. He started to stroke fallen strands of hair away from her face when she quietened down, being careful not to hurt her. A ringing could be heard and Sky took out her cell phone out.
She looked down and saw the number. Her faced changed instantly. Everyone could tell the situation just got a hell of a lot worse for her.
"Sorry, I have to take this." Kira nodded and motioned for her to go down the hall. A distant hello could be heard but the rest of the conversation was lost.
Moira looked at her parents. Hunter had his arm around Morgan. Morgan didn't seem to notice it, or anything in the room. Her face was unchanged since she had moved onto the couch. She was keeping something for them.
"Mum," she said and waited for Morgan to react. She didn't.
"Mum, what aren't you telling us?" She asked directly. Morgan lifted her head to look at her daughter and finally acknowledging a question asked to her. No use lying to a room full of witches.
"I, um, I've seen that smoke before." She paused. "It didn't attack me like it did tonight though." Everyone was stunned. How could she not tell them this?
"Hunter, what about you?" Alisa asked. Although they were all shocked, they were in trouble and needed the information fast. Besides, chances are if it happened Morgan, it happened to Hunter.
He sighed and looked up at the ceiling. "Um, yes. It did attach me however." Jaws dropped as he said this. This was major information that they with held from them. It could help a lot. Why hadn't they told them this before?
"Where did it come from?" asked Elsu. The atmosphere was changed from just a minute ago. Moira looked at the ground in chick, trying to think of a reason that they would keep this from them. Kira and Alisa, who at first were startled by the news were now trying to function logical explanations of why the smoke and demons had come.
"Selene Belltower." As soon as Morgan said that, it made sense why they hadn't told them about it at first. They all knew the story of Cal and Selene all to well. It was used to warn them about dark magick. Morgan had come up with the idea of telling them. They waited in silence until Sky returned. Tear stains scared her cheeks and her eyes were glazed. All looked up in concern.
"Its Erimentha." She answered their unasked question. As soon as she said her daughter's name, everyone knew this was an extremely sensitive subject. This was probably worse for Sky than the battle had been. "She escaped." She paused. "And is the prime suspect for a murder of a security guard there." Sky sat down and put her head in her hands. It was all too much to take in. Her daughter had escaped from the hospital, is thought to have killed a man and her coven was just attacked by a bunch of demons. She wanted nothing more than to wake up in Elijah's arms and find it had all been a dream. But it wasn't.
When Sky had met Elijah, she had been party gal, going from girl to guy, in relationships that lasted 2 weeks at best. But she settled down with Elijah. He changed her, but not on purpose, she changed with realising. But when Erimentha was taken to the hospital in England, it had all become to much for the couple. They had spilt and moved apart. But they both knew they were still deeply in love with each other. Maybe some day they would get back together. After Erimentha was ok again. She hadn't seen her in so long. The hospital had labelled her unstable and not able to have visitors. The last time she saw her daughter was the last time she saw her husband as well. They were still married and didn't plan on getting a divorce. They were still a family and told people that.
Moira sighed. She didn't think it could be any worse. She used to know Erimentha. They were good friends. The last time she saw her, the memory pained her, was the night before she left for the Widow's Vale institution. Herself, Ebony, Ryker and Gideon had gone into her room to find her curled up on her bed in tears, she had screamed at then to get out and yelled things that made no sense. The next day she was taken to the mental hospital in Widows Vale. None of them went to visit but constantly asked about her.
"So what do we do now?" Hope asked. She clung to Gideon's hand, afraid he would have to leave.
"I think we should all get some rest. We can talk about this another time." Kira suggested. All agreed as they gave in to their urge for sleep. Kira had offered that they could all stay here if they wanted. Alisa said she had to go home to Charlie but all else accepted.
"I think I will go home.2 Morgan said weakly. Hunter said he would go with her, he didn't think this would be the best time to leave her alone.
"I'm staying here." Moira said, not looking up at her parents.
"Me too." Elsu stated. No one could blame them for wanting to stay. Their powers were greater together and with Kira and Hope there, they were safest here. They said goodbye and went home. Sky sat silently, thinking about all the information she had received tonight.
"Sky?" Kira asked, but before she could say anything else, Sky left wordlessly. When she got outside she almost ran to her car. But when she got their she couldn't hold it in. She cried, desperately wanting Elijah there to hold her but finding herself alone, as she had been a lot lately. Not going out with her friends or family. Just staying at home, sitting and thinking about her life. Maybe she was destine to be alone. Maybe that was what the goddess intended. Maybe, now that Erimentha was born, she was to be alone. Sky prayed it was untrue. She held her tears long enough to get home but when she got in, she cried herself to sleep that night.
Kira stood and walked upstairs, meaning for them to follow. Moira and Elsu went in silence as Ryker, Hope and Gideon rose.
"Do you want me to take her?" Gideon offered Ryker. He looked down at Ebony. If anyone else had offered he would have said no, but it was Gideon. He had super strength and find it easy. Ryker would probably end up hurting her anyway. He nodded and he and Hope waited as Gideon lifted Ebony upstairs.
When they reached the top, they found Moira and Elsu waiting anxiously for them.
"Ebony and Ryker you can stay in that Guestroom." She pointed to one across from her. "Elsu, Moira, there's one down the hall to the left, Gideon," She paused and sighed. "You can stay in Hope's room." She said reluctantly. She didn't like the idea of them sleeping in the same room, together. Especially in Hope's King sized bed. Or any of them for that matter. But it was them she was worried about. Not only because it was her daughter. But Moira and Elsu weren't a couple and Ebony was in no shape to do anything. But if she didn't put them like that they would do it secretly. It's better I know where they are, she thought as she walked into her own room.
…
Gideon walked in with Ebony in his arms and Ryker following closely behind. He laid her on the bed gently. He made sure she was ok before walking out the room.
"Night," He said from the door.
"Night," they both called. Ryker shut the door and slowly climbed onto the other side of their bed.
"Hey," he whispered. Before he could master anything else, tears fell from her eyes once again. He sat up slightly and wrapped his arms around her, careful not to hurt.
"It hurts so much, Ryker." She said in between sobs. He started to rock her back and forth to comfort her. A few minutes later the tears gradually slowed and stopped.
"I'm sorry." She whispered, weakly.
"For what?" Ryker asked, confused.
"For tonight, we should be…" He drew back slightly to look at her. "You know." The fact she wouldn't say sex or "doing it" in front of him reminded him about the shy little girl inside of her that she didn't like show. She never liked to show her weak spot, that's why she wouldn't scream when she was in pain until the end.
"Honey, it's fine…" He began but was interrupted.
"No, its not. And its not a case of 'I'm not ready' because its not like it would be the first time." She said, sounding disappointed. He kissed her forehead and continued to smile.
"It doesn't matter. Its not like we have to. Just because out parents and friends expect us to." He said, causing her to laugh slightly. "Just try to get some sleep." He said. They stayed as they were and fell asleep in each others arms.
…
Gideon walked into Hope's room to find it empty. He was sure that he had seen Hope walk in here. He sighed and sat on the bed. The double bed looked more like a double king Size. The walls had been painted blood red and the floor had been stripped and polished. The bed was the main attraction of the room. The pine mirror and table stood opposite the bed. A mirrored wardrobe stood along side the door. A large window on the opposing wall, with cushions and on the sill. At the end of the bed sat a wooden chest with runes craved into it. The tip of a sword stuck out the edge indicating that that was a weapons chest. Figures.
"Gideon?" Hope said as she walked out of her private bathroom. Gideon tried as hard as he could to not drop his jaw at the sight of her but was failed miserably. She had come out, wearing a black bra and matching thong. It may not have been a lot but it was enough to make Gideon melt inside. She watched him gawk at her. "It's rude to stare you know."
"Sorry.. But… wow." He managed to say, stuttering. Hope smirked as she noticed that coherent sentences had become a problem for him. She felt a pain in her neck and brought her hand up to it. He stood a walked over to her quickly.
"Are you ok?" He asked, concerned. It was then that his accent became the most noticeable to Hope. She nodded slowly and forward, onto him.
"I was so scared, tonight." She said, her head buried in his chest.
"I was scared I was going to lose you." He said, remembering when the demon had her by the throat. Just the thought of her no longer being here brought pain to his heart.
They looked at each other. Hope seemed to ask a silent question and Gideon nodded. They pressed their lips together and kissed, fighting fire with fire, never wanting it to end. Without words, they undressed each other and fell into bed.
…
Elsu and Moira walked into their room without a word. It was awkward because of a number of reasons.
"Odd night, huh?" Elsu said, trying to break the silence. If it had been any other night they would be talking non-stop but tonight, they could barely manage proper sentences.
"Ye," Moira said quietly.
They washed up without a sound. Moira just slipped into the bed, fully dressed, while Elsu took his shirt off and did the same. They said good night and prepared for sleep that their bodies desired more than air itself. But they just lay in the darkness, consumed by their own thoughts.
A/N: Ok its now 12:31 at night and I am tired. If anyone is confused by anything in the story, ask in a review. The lines in Italics are thoughts.
I have decided that I will not review unless I get 3 reviews for each chapter. I know that's kinda of nasty but I know there are at least 4 people who review almost every chapter so you can do it. Also, I'll update when that happens and when I manage to copy the stories out onto the computer, which, let face it, is more boring than watching grass grow.