Chapter 8

A5 the culmination of the act was completed Lydia gasped and cried out, "Take me!" Hearing her words she sat up in the bed and looked around the room. Her body was covered in sweat and so like before her mind was caught in a vortex of emotions and needs. Panting hard she looked around the room and noticed nothing had been disturbed.

Pushing her sweat soaked hair from her face she felt her body begin to tremble. Tugging the blankets over her body she snuggled down into her bed and wracked her mind over what was causing these dreams to be so vivid. Sighing, Lydia began to feel the exhaustion take her back to sleep.

Slipping into a dreamless sleep, the half nude body of Gerard Stiles stepped from the closet and moved to the bed. His gaze took in Lydia while she slept. "You are mine now my dear. Together we shall have a child and that child shall be the one to inherit the kingdom I have worked so hard to build. You shall sit at my left hand as my favorite." Gently he stroked her cheek then turned and began to fade out of existence the only sound left behind a haunting laughter that filled the entire house.

Vicki and Barnabas sat in front of the fireplace in his den. Barnabas cradled his wife in his lap as she sat and sipped her claret. "Darling." She spoke absently.

Barnabas enjoying the view gently stroked her hair back from her face and answered softly, "Yes my love?"

She snuggled down into his lap and curled to his chest. "How would you feel about a brief vacation to Martinique?"

Barnabas smiled and kissed her forehead. "Is that what you wish my love?"

She nodded feeling the rough cut of his lapel against her cheek and the slightly intrusive but soft touch of his silk shirt. "I think we should load the family up and go to the winter house while things in Collinsport are being rebuilt. I think a change of scenery would do us all some good don't you think?"

Barnabas was thoughtful; "You know my love I cannot deny you anything if that is what you wish we can have the pilot ready the plane."

Vicki smiled that smile he found so endearing. "Perhaps by weeks end, I can have the house aired and ready for us and it would do mother and father some good to get away from the burden. I am sure we could hire some people to take over their duties to those staying in the ballroom."

Barnabas was listening intently to her words. Pausing a moment to reflect he spoke gently if not curious, "My love is there something troubling you?"

Vicki sat up and looked into the deep burgundy color of the claret and sighed softly, "My love I had a terrible experience earlier and was afraid I would never get home. I am afraid and I just want some calm and happiness around me for a while."

Barnabas froze his reaction to her words and read more into what she said than was really said. "If that is what you wish my love then let us plan it and inform the family tomorrow after this storm has abated."

Vicki leaned in to lightly kiss his lips, "I hope Sarah stayed the night, I would hate for her to try and make her way back here in that mess."

Barnabas stroked her hair and looked at his wife whose features were marred by her concern. "Our daughter is very practical she will not risk herself in the woods in this storm. She does after all take after her mother."

Vicki chuckled softly. "Let us hope so."

Barnabas drew her back against his chest. "If you like I will be happy to call Liz and George and request they make sure she stays."

Vicki lifted her head and lightly kissed his lips. "Would you please and I will see you upstairs?"

Moving from his lap she stood, finished her claret and moved from the study. Barnabas watched his wife go with a calculated look on his face. "Something about you has changed my dear and I will find out what it is that troubles you so."

Moving to the phone he dialed the big house and made his request to speak with his daughter. That is when he was informed she had already retired for the night and was sleeping soundly in her mother's old room. Barnabas hung up the phone and sat against his desk. "Now as to what exactly is going on with your mother my little poppet."

Lydia worked diligently out of her makeshift office located at the Collinsport Inn. The signs of reclamation and renewal were in evidence by the new roof on the Inn and the return of the weather vane. The drug store had been rebuilt and a new Gazebo with a fair rendition of the original gazebo. The salvage of the Sheriff's Department's files and other important equipment had been secured and the building had been razed. The signs of a new more efficient facility was now evidenced by the framing of the multi-purpose building. The Exterior design was going to reflect the age of the town and mirror what had been a part of the historic district.

Town fathers had made it a request to not take away from the charm of the town. Thereby in acting a rebuild law that would ask any new buildings being built to mimic the time and the age of the historic old section of town.

It was hoped that they would match the other buildings exterior but could keep to a more modern facility inside. Lydia had looked at the buildings plans and was very happy with the upgrades that would be implemented. Sitting now in the renovated Collinsport Inn conference room, she laid out her case files and began to study them. There were unsolved murders that required her attention and she was pressed to get her answers.

The common denominator in this whole ugly mess the girls were all young child bearing ages and had been ladies of the evening. Looking at each picture of the four girls so far found murdered, Lydia frowned and leaned back and stretched from the small of her back.

Rubbing her eyes she stood and moved to peer out one of the large first floor windows and watched the furious building activities going on outside. They had to have another connection other than what she had discerned so far.

Maybe she would seek assistance from the SHADOWS Operations unit to see if they could take some forensics and tie them together. One thing was for sure, if she just a serial killer she wanted him stopped before another girl lost her life.

However, if this was something that fell under a 'mysterious' occurrence she needed to get SHADOWS on it now. Rubbing the back of her neck she was feeling the strain of sitting too long over the case files. Then there was the dead man in the woods, which would fall under SHADOWS jurisdiction.

Moving back to her make shift desk, she reached for the grey folder and opened it. A black and white picture of the Maggie Mae lay placidly in a slip. The Coast Guard had finished up their part of their investigation and had handed it over to their department. Looking over the findings of the Coast Guard she studied it and then threw the file on the desk. Grabbing her purse and her weapon from the desk's top she moved towards the door.

Securing the door behind her she moved to the front of the hotel to her vehicle. Putting the car into gear she headed to the port. Arriving at the port parking lot she saw the imposing structure of the Maggie Mae sitting like a ghost ship still and foreboding. Walking up to her she noted a guard posted at the gangplank. Lydia paused, showed him her ID; and then nodding to him she went up the gangplank to the deck. Walking over to the stern castle she entered and began to look it over. The whole ship had been missing for over 30 years. However the ship she was looking at was still as pristine as the day she set sail. No rust, no decay, nothing to indicate she had been adrift for that many years.

The only sign of any ill falling the ship was the obvious missing crew and the apparently fairly fresh blood stains that had marred her deck. The Captain's log had been taken by the Coast Guard with a promise to get her complete copies of the log. Moving around inside the ship she found the crews quarters appearing as if they had just left for the afternoon and was awaiting their return. Joe's cabin was spotless with the bed made to meticulous specifications. Lydia moved to the cargo hold and it hit her. A coldness that was more than just a little unnatural and it filled her with a sense of dread and doom.

A shadow fell over her as she stood in the center of the cargo hold. Joe had taken her out for her maiden voyage and the hold had not even had a chance to take in the smell of the catch of the day. She searched the area noting that it had grown darker in the hold. Pulling her flashlight from her jacket pocket she flashed the light around the room. The light did not penetrate the darkness that encompassed the area. Lydia could feel her heart beat a little faster, her nostril flare with her instinctual fear of the unknown, and her hair on her arms and the back of her neck to rise. There was something evil here and it was watching her.

Backing up slowly she moved to the open door way only to hear it slam and the distinctive sound of the lock being thrown. Pulling her weapon and pressing her alert chip on her wrist she called out trying very hard to not allow her nerves to make her voice warble with her command. "Who is there! Show yourself! Police department!" A soft dark chuckle echoed the room as the entity wanted to toy with her. "Puny female human you think that little pop gun can stop me and my breather?"

Lydia had felt fear before; had even tasted it to the point it tasted like bile in her throat. This had her pinned in a room and she was alone and at this time afraid. "I can feel your fear, I can taste your terror, I can sense that you are nearly frozen and terrified. You belong to me now and will soon join the crew of this ship in my domain are you prepared to die?"

From the interiors' darkness another voice spoke to the entity. "Not so fast Dragos, what makes you think you have the right to toy with this female?"

Camron stepped into the sliver of light that penetrated the inky darkness around them. "Ahh Camron, I wondered what had happened to you. I see you champion the humans now. No wonder your brother is angry."

Stepping next to Lydia was Josette; she laid a comforting hand on her arm. "Come on Aunt Lydia time for us to go and let Camron deal with this. This is our domain now."

The voice of Dragos reacted around the room. "STAY PITIFUL HUMANS YOU BELONG TO ME!" Josette looked over to Camron and nodded having communicated with a single glance to him as she folded and teleported her aunt and her self out of the room."

From the outside to the deck of the ship, Josette appeared with Lydia. "Go, take the guard and get back. This ship is not going to stay here much longer and you do not wish to go where it will be going Aunt Lydia."

Josette smiled encouragingly to her Aunt, stepped back into the tear in the fabric of time and was gone from sight. From her vantage on the deck, she could hear what sounded like a huge battle ensuing below deck and the ship was rocking back and forth from the force of the impacts being made.

Glancing down at the guard she rushed forward hooking his arm as she disembarked from the ship. "Get out of here! This thing is going to blow!"

The guard looking at the massive ship heaving back and forth looked at her in astonishment. "What the hell did you do?"

She started dragging him over behind some huge containers and her gaze was fixed to the ship. "It was not what I did, it was what was in there when I went to the hold to investigate and you don't wanna know!"

The ships deck gave a mighty moan and from the bowels of the ship a huge dark creature with a grotesquely large body covered in blackness with multiple arms, a large humanoid head of a man with dark penetrating eyes that glowed red, his face covered in a dark beard arose from the ships innards. His face contorted in rage feeling another blow to his massive form from something below.

The decking shattered and splintered throwing metal shards a hundred feet into the air to come splashing down into the bay. The scream of outrage and anger filled the evening air as the battle on the ship continued.

In amazement, the guard watched as a tiny figure; compared to the massive form that had become a part of the ship shot out of the innards of the ship and with a glowing long sword dove for the creatures face driving the blade into his eye. The pain was immediate and immense the creature screamed out in anger and frustration only to feel the other eye attacked by the small form rebounding and moving in to blind the creature. The ship rocked violently with the thrashing of the dark creature, the air was rent with lightening from above.

The lightening bolts appeared to be directed at the creature fighting the tiny human. From the sea another form began to take shape and a ethereal beautiful creature appeared forming from the water itself. Next to her another creature formed from the earthen shoreline and she joined with the Sea nymph. From the wind that now arose from the sea, another form took shape then with the lightening directed its searing hot strike to the ship and flame appeared another form stepped from that flame and joined. The voices of the four joined together as they spoke as one. "Sisters of the elements send the darkness to its death. Return to that from which you came evil one!"

All four arose and drifted over the ship and in forms of earth, wind, fire and water joined hands and together they concentrated their efforts and directed them towards the living ship. Camron anticipating what was about to happen, soared up and over the four and joined them hovering behind them and directed his own immense power to the living ship.

They all focused their efforts, the very air around the ship seemed to spit as yet another figure appeared high above the ship and using its body to open a portal the five over the ship used their powers to shove the huge ship into the opening. When it entered, the figure above moved down making it appear she was sealing the portal with the movement of her body.

The guard a devout man of religious intent crossed himself, closed his eyes and shook his head. "You are right I don't want to know and this did not happen. Its up to you to decide how to explain that." He turned and moved away from Lydia heading to his car.

Not wasting time he spun out and drove away like a bat out of hell. Lydia sighed softly watching him go and shook her head with the last of the display was gone. Moving back to her car she sat behind the wheel of her car and began to feel ill to her stomach. This was way too much stress for her and she was not sure why this made her stomach turn and lurch and she opened the car door and spewed her breakfast onto the blacktop by the docks.

Waiting for the moment to pass she leaned back in her car resting her head against the neck rest and closing her eyes. From somewhere there was a deep sensually sexy voice speaking to her, "Lydia? My dearests are you quite well?" Opening her eyes she looked up into the dangerously handsome features of Gerard Stiles.

Feeling her lips tug into a sheepish smile she nodded. "Yes, just tension I think. Take care not to step in what is left of my breakfast."

He shook his head and moved around to the other side of the car and sat in the front seat. "I saw you from across the street and came to check on you. Do you want me to take you home?"

Lydia thought about his offer and then nodded. "Yes, I think I do. I am feeling pretty raw." She looked across the street seeing his black luxury car parked by the Blue Whale. "Thank you Gerard."

Securing her car she allowed him to lead her to his car and seat her. Leaning back enjoying the feel of the deep leather seats she closed her eyes and felt herself drift into a sea of restless sleep. The slight pressure of Gerard's hand lay on Lydia's resting hand. She could feel his thumb making a rhythmic motion on her palm stirring a sensual pleasure through her body. A slight smile teased the edge of her lips as she kept her eyes closed.

Feeling the car pull to a halt she opened her eyes to see he had brought her home. "How did you know where I lived?"

She asked pleased and somewhat surprised. "I asked and put your address into the gps." Lydia opened the door only to feel him stay her motions. "Allow me malady?" He offered her one of his most winning and charming smiles. Getting out of his car he moved around to the passenger side door and opened the door for her. Holding out his hand he helped her from the car and put a familiar arm around her waist and escorted her to the door.

Pausing only briefly at the door, he took her keys from her hand and opened her door then led her into the common area of the small cottage. "Come sit and put your feet up my dear and allow me to make you some tea."

Lydia set down and shook her head. "I really want to brush my teeth and put my pajama's on and rest."

Gerard flashed that famous white-toothed smile with a twinkle in his eyes. "Then allow me to hold you while you rest."

Lydia not feeling like arguing merely stood and moved to her bedroom and bath. There she brushed the bilious taste from her mouth, dashed cold water on her face and pulled on her pajamas. Moving to her bedroom she paused to see Gerard had already taken his shoes off and lay on the bed with his arms folded across his chest awaiting her return.

Smiling that disarming smile with a slight glint of mischief in his eyes he awaited her. Her side of the bed was turned back and her pillows fluffed. "Come on my sweet Lydia. I promise to just hold you until you sleep and nothing more."

She could not help the teasing smile that spread across her lips. "Well since you put it so nicely." She moved to the bed and sat on the edge, then slid her legs under the sheet and blanket. Gerard covered her then curled himself into her body. Cradling her close to him he gently kissed her temple and sighed feeling she had fit into his life and arms just right.

Watching her slowly began to relax in his hold; he ran his hand down to the flat of her stomach and smiled. That was a smile grew broader when she laid her hand over the top of his hand and sighed. "This is nice." Her voice was soft and hushed.

He lowered his lips to her ears. "I think I have found a reason to move my practice to Collinsport."

She twisted her head up to smile into his gaze. "Oh you think so?"

Gerard lowered his lips to hers and lightly brushed them against their inviting softness. "Yes. I am seriously falling in love with you Penelope Lydia Patterson." He watched her face go a lovely shade of pink and her eye lashes flutter down over her shocked look. "I find myself only thinking of when I can be with you and frankly my dear I cannot wait until we are together even if its for a few moments and I am disappointed when we must part."

Lydia took a deep breath. These were all the right words and they seemed to express her own emotions about him "I am going to take a chance here and ask you Penelope Lydia, if you would do me the honor of becoming Mrs. Gerard Stiles?" She felt his arm slide away and his hand search for something under her pillow.

Opening her eyes she looked at his hand and saw the biggest diamond ring she had ever seen lying against a bed of white satin. The sudden prick of tears burned her eyes peering down at the ring and with hands that trembled she curled her fingers around the box.

She felt her hands body shake with emotion looking from the ring box to his face. She saw the expectant look in his eyes while he waited for her answer. Looking up into his gaze she smiled and then not trusting her voice she slowly nodded her head. "I would be honored to become Mrs. Gerard Stiles under one condition."

He frowned slightly hearing she was putting in a proviso. His voice taking on a cautious tone he cocked that well groomed head, "And this contract is negotiable?" He held only the slightest hint of uncertainty to his voice.

With her free hand she gave him a comforting pat. "I only wish to continue to work with the Department and that you are not one of those old fashion husbands that expects me to be home with a house full of children, pregnant all the time, and cooking your meals. That you will allow me to be me and to continue with the job I love."

She only felt the slightest of tensions in his body and then he took a deep breath and released the tension with his exhale. "Never would I change a thing about you and I would relish the fact you wish to continue with your job on the Sheriff's Department. I will support you in whatever you wish my dearest Lydia. Just say you will be mine from now until death do us part." He leaned down and kissed the tip of her nose.

Shifting in his hold she turned to embrace him more fully and smiled into those glorious dark smoldering eyes that seemed to bore into her very soul. "Always my dearest love, always."

Her voice was soft and filled with contained passion as she found his lips and allowed him to plunder her lips with a passionate kiss to seal the deal. He broke the kiss; Gerard took the ring from the box and slid it to her ring finger.

Lydia felt the confinement of the ring on her finger and for a moment she felt the most unsettled feeling of uncertainty over this commitment and thought she felt the ring tightened to her finger. Brushing the feeling aside as pre engagement jitters she felt him captured her lips again and plundered her mouth with another heated demanding passionate kiss.

Lydia thrilled to his touch and the taste of him as she allowed his exploration of her more tender feminine parts. The kiss was growing into so much more than just a passionate touch and feel Lydia felt his needs become more demanding and she was more than willing to accommodate those needs with little resistance or thought to what was happening.

Giving into her own pent up sexual frustration she allowed the kiss to progress to so much more than pandering to a childish need of exploration, it moved into the more demanding need to express an emotion that she had long denied she held since that disastrous relationship she had fostered in New York so many years ago.

Going with her emotions and throwing caution to the wind, Lydia found herself caught up in the heated throws of passion that had found a part of her that she never knew existed. Clinging to him she heard her own voice held heavy with passion and emotion as she writhed under him to his touch feeling the excitement she had long denied herself until she climaxed on a wave of shuddering passion and exhaustion.

Closing her eyes she curled into his embrace and gave in to the beckoning call of sleep. She slipped into the deepest part of her rim sleep Gerard kissed her temple and sighed, the look of evil gratification held his features letting his own thoughts plot and plan for the impending coming of a new age for his coven.