Chapter 91

As Hotch followed the dark-haired Nathan, his mind raced to try to take in everything he was seeing. Not only was he trying to keep track of the path they were taking through the fortress, he was trying to figure out which way was out. He mentally sighed. Why does everything look the same in this damn place? Before he could figure it out, he screamed when something burned him across his bare back.

"Move a little quicker, leech. You don't need to be focusing on anything but yourself," Jordan demanded as he held the water gun still aimed at Hotch.

Hotch held back the comment he wanted to make and quickened his pace.

"I hope you enjoyed your rest, it'll be the last you get for a while," Nathan added with a vile smile as he looked back at him.

Rest? Is that what was happening? Did the warlock do something to me so I could be rested up for whatever hell is coming now? He licked his lips. Maybe it didn't have anything to do with Kahlan after all. At least, I can hope so.

After being escorted through several more passageways, all of them leading downward, Nathan stopped in front of a big wooden door and knocked.

Hotch frowned. Do I have to be let in to the pits, or have they brought me someplace else?

The door opened and Tyrese nodded to the men and then turned back into the room.

Jordan shoved Hotch forward. "Move it, leech!"

Hotch mentally winced when he saw the warlock sitting behind a massive desk that looked older than Sebastian, and the men took him right up in front of it.

The warlock finished writing something and then looked up at Hotch, studied him for a few moments, and then huffed. "Still proud, are we?"

Hotch held out his hands as far as the chain would allow. "Still scared, are we?"

Alucious laughed. "I like you, Aaron. I really hope you survive the pits," he told him as he got up and went around the desk. "But you really must learn your place," he told him and then made a fist, and Hotch dropped to his knees as he screamed.

After several long seconds, the warlock lessened his attack slightly and brought the vampire back to his feet by a strong hand on Hotch's chin. Alucious locked eyes with him. "This is nothing compared to what you are about to face, monster, and if you don't watch yourself, you will not make it out of there," he told him and then dropped him as he completely withdrew the witchcraft fueled attack and Hotch sucked in a breath.

"Get him to the pits, and make sure he gets introduced to it properly," Alucious ordered as he went back to his chair.

Tyrese nodded. "As you wish." He motioned to the two men and they grabbed Hotch by the shoulders and hauled him from the room.

Hotch let himself be dragged because he was way too weak to walk right then. I really need to figure out how he does that.

After several more downward twists and turns, Hotch could walk again, and the farther they went, the hotter it was getting. So are we close to some natural spring, or are we really going to hell?

When they finally stopped in front of a giant, arched, wooden, double door fitted with iron mounts and rigging, he shot a glance to the men escorting him. What the hell would need a door that fucking huge? He wasn't sure, but he was sure he really didn't want to come face to face with anything that big. He tried to swallow, but his mouth was suddenly very dry.

Jordan went to a smaller door cut within the right-hand side of the larger door, manipulated an antique mechanism, heaved it open with a strong shoulder, and then got someone or something's attention. "Got another one for ya."

While Hotch was wondering what or who was on the other side of the door, Nathan jammed the vampire pike into his back. "Get in there, dog!"

Hotch clenched his teeth against the yelp that wanted to escape and took a step into the unknown, and all of his senses were assaulted. The stifling heat not only made him instantly break out into a sweat, it seared his lungs and eyes. The heat was nothing compared to the noise traveling up the many rough-hewn passageways before him, though, and he cringed because peeking out between the sounds of roars and the clamor of metal, many different types of screams and cries were prevalent.

He tried to swallow again as his breathing and heart rate sped up. Jesus Christ! Is this really hell? I was just being sarcastic! He involuntarily took a step back, and Jordan's deep rumbling laugh echoed through the spacious anteroom as he put a meaty hand on Hotch's back. "Where do you think you're going, leech?" He shoved him forward. "Get your dead ass in there!"

The force of the violent push caused Hotch to stumble and fall to one knee. When he moved to get back up, a pair of black leather, knee-high boots stepped right in front of him, so he looked up. There stood a tall, shaggy man with red hair, and Hotch mentally frowned as he studied him.

The man reached down and picked up Hotch by the arm and held up off the ground by a couple inches as he spun him to get a good look at him. He smirked as he looked Hotch over, and Hotch grunted and felt lie a ragdoll in the man's powerful grip. He looked into the man's face and couldn't help himself. "What are you?"

Jordan laughed. "This, leech, is Red. He's a leprechaun."

Hotch's eyes went wide. He can't be serious, can he?

The red-haired man looked at the men who had brought Hotch to him. "This is the alpha? I thought he'd be a hardchaw."

His thick Irish accent sounded genuine, but Hotch huffed. "And I thought a leprechaun would be shorter."

Nathan laughed, but quickly turned the other way as Red's eyes bore into him for a second and then turned back to Hotch. "You think that's a gas, ye rawny wanker?"

Hotch thought he knew what the man was asking because he'd gotten used to some Irish slang while vacationing with his family in Ireland, so he shrugged as well as he could still being suspended above the ground. "Just a little."

The leprechaun's eyes glowed red and he grew a few more inches. "Don't worry, we'll batter that right out of ye," he told him and threw him against the nearest stone wall.

Hotch's shoulder took most of the brunt of the landing and he slid down the warm, smooth surface. Son of a bitch!

"He's all yours," Jordan told Red and then moved back to the door.

Not knowing what the leprechaun could and would do, Hotch stayed where he'd fallen, and as soon as the door was shut and locked, Red went to him. "Get up." Hotch did, and the man grabbed his shoulder and took him down the left passage way. "We're not ready for a new batch just yet, but don't worry, they get through here pretty quickly, so you won't have donkey's year to wait."

He took Hotch to place where the passageway widened and the whole left side of it was blocked off by bars. There was some other being behind the bars already, and Red unlocked the door and forced Hotch through it. "Stay," he demanded.

Hotch had to bit his tongue. I don't really think he cares whether or not I'm a dog. He watched Red open an antique lock hooked to the ceiling and then unlocked the chain belt at Hotch's waist. He ripped the belt upward causing Hotch's arms to move with it, and hooked Hotch's belt into the opened lock and closed it leaving Hotch's arms suspended out in front of him, and Hotch sighed.

"What? Ye'd don't like that, git?"

Hotch just looked at the ground.

Red laughed as he left the cell area and locked the door behind him, and Hotch's eyes widened. That high-pitched giggle had fit what a leprechaun was in Hotch's mind more the man's size did, and he still wasn't sure if Jordan had been serious or not.

He looked around the new space and shook his head. Why take me out of one cage just to leave me in another? He kicked the rocks out from around his feet to try and get comfortable because he no idea how long he'd have to wait.

XXXXX

Chuck stretched as he started to wake up and then jerked as he almost fell out of the chair he's fallen asleep in. It took him a second but he quickly remembered that he had sat down in a chair in Kahlan's room to keep watch over her through the night, and he silently cussed himself for actually falling asleep. His eyes went straight to the bed, but Kahlan wasn't there. What the hell?

The bed was made and Kahlan was nowhere to be seen. He frowned and went in search of her. When he opened the hallway door, soft talking drifted up from downstairs, and it was obvious that the kids were there. He smiled. Well, she's apparently doing better.

He followed the scent of bacon down and found most of the Hotchner family around the island enjoying breakfast. He smiled again as he nodded to his best friend. "Morning, guys."

"Hey, Uncle Chuck!" Joey yelled and ran and jumped into his arms.

"Hey, pintsize. Did you all make Mom breakfast?"

Wyatt huffed. "Nope, it was already made by the time Grandma brought us back."

Chuck put Joey down and went to his friend. "You sure you should even be up?"

Jack frowned. "Why shouldn't she be up? Is something wrong?" he asked and all three of the kids and Cindi suddenly got worried.

Kahlan sighed. "Nothing's wrong, we were just up kind of late last night," she told them with a smile and then shot Chuck a look.

"So, can I go wake up Poppi?" Joey asked with a big grin.

"Go ahead. I'll get his coffee," Kahlan told her and she darted for the stairs as Kahlan went to the kitchen.

Chuck quickly followed her and studied her as she reached for a mug out of the cabinet.

She sighed and turned to him. "I'm fine, Charles."

He stepped closer to her. "You almost died yesterday, Kay!" he insisted with hushed severity.

She shrugged and then smiled as she caressed his cheek. "Yeah, but I have you all to look out for me."

He huffed and flung her hand away from him. "So you knew Hotch had that shit?"

Confusion overtook her face. "What shit?"

He took a breath to respond but frowned instead. "Exactly what do you remember?"

She sighed as she poured Rossi's coffee. "I remember drinking that shit with that asshole, and I remember waking up here. I don't know what you all did, but thank you."

He studied her some more. "You sure you're alright?"

Her smile was genuine. "Yes, Chuck. I feel pretty damn good in fact."

He finally relaxed and then pulled her into a hug. "It's a good thing, too, cause I'd hate to have to kick your ass."

She chuckled and then shoved him away, and Rossi laughed as he walked into the kitchen. "Well, it's good to see things are well this morning."

She pulled the older man into a hug. "Yep, and how did you sleep?"

He shrugged. "Alright, I guess. How about you?"

She smiled. "I slept great, and I had a nice dream where Aaron was watching over me, so I'm good."

He grinned. "So you're felling alright?"

She sighed. "Yes, and if you all would wake your asses up completely, get something down your throats, and go get ready, we might even be able to start this day," she told him as she handed him his mug.

He shared a look with Chuck, but Chuck shrugged and Rossi looked back at her. "Plans already?"

She smiled. "Oh yeah."

Chuck winced. "Why do I have the feeling I'm not going to like them?"

Rossi chuckled. "One would think, you, of all people, would be used to her."

Chuck huffed and grabbed a plate and started filling it up with food. "Just because I'm used to her, doesn't mean I have to like it."

Rossi took a sip of the coffee and then raised his brows in question. "Care to give a hint about what those plans might be?"

An evil grin spread on her face. "We're going to talk to some hunters."

Rossi put the mug down and moved closer to her. "They got something?" he asked knowing she would know he was talking about the vampires who were supposed to find out all they could about the hunters.

She handed him back his mug as she nodded. "Yep."