Chapter Forty Six:
Returning the Lost Lamb
The men hurried to get into place, not sure how an intruder had managed to slip in without their knowledge.
Women were tossed out onto the front lawn. Some were half naked but there was no time to waste as the men scrambled to lock up the mansion.
One by one Darius passed the men.
The men did not suspect anything as he gripped the dagger.
He sliced his way down the hall, letting the bodies fall to his feet.
He continued leaving none untouched by the dagger, its effect almost immediate.
By the time the others realized what was happening, he'd managed to kill over twenty.
Several of them jumped him as he reached the bottom of the stairs but they could not stop him as he continued on his killing spree.
He felt the blade of several knives slice through his own body but he continued, sick of the smell of blood that now covered his clothing.
He could not stop because of the pain, knowing that if he did not kill all of them then he would fail.
Grissom was surprised to arrive home and find Brass there.
"Francis had to run an errand so I stayed," explained Brass.
"Is something wrong?" asked Grissom as he looked around the room and found Sara near the window, holding the baby.
"She sent Francis after Darius. He left…again."
Grissom came to stand behind Sara.
"I sent the dagger to Darius," she announced.
"Sara, you can't force him…to change."
"I'm not."
The door opened and instinctively Grissom moved in front of Sara and the baby.
They both sighed when they saw that it was Francis.
"Where is Darius?" asked Sara.
"He called his men on me. I barely got out of there," he said.
"I'm going," she said but Grissom grabbed her.
"No, you're not!"
"Grissom, I can reason with him," she urged.
"Sara…he's being tempted…by Lucifer," stated Francis.
Sara swallowed. "I was supposed to stay with Darius. He doesn't need to be alone. They can get to him when he's alone."
"I think we need to take precautions," urged Francis.
"You think…the others might try…to come here? Darius said he wouldn't let them," stated Sara.
"It's just a precaution," reasoned Francis.
Grissom pulled her close to him, noticing that Matthew was asleep. "Go put the baby in his crib," he urged.
They waited until she was out of sight.
"She's been up most of the night, waiting for word about Darius," stated Brass.
"Francis…what happened?" asked Grissom.
"Lucifer has tempted him. He can either take Sara for himself or…his men will do it."
"I thought the men belonged to whoever defeated Silas."
"They do but…Darius is not like them and they will see….this. Lucifer will make sure of it. His men will mutiny and come after Sara."
"Can Darius stop them?"
"Darius is powerful…but to defeat all of them….he will need divine intervention."
"Can we…help him?"
"We can't seek out evil…we can defend against it. If they strike, we can retaliate."
"We should strike…go over there and…" Brass was interrupted by Grissom. "If they attack, we don't have the dagger."
"I know," worried Francis. "I can hold them off…but if there are too many then you will need to get Sara and the baby out of here."
Grissom glanced up the stairs.
"Gil, I must warn you. My son…"
"Is no longer a eunuch?" Grissom finished.
"He never was…just restricted…sort of a means of teaching him right from wrong."
Brass cursed. "Sorry, I must not have been taught very well myself. Are you trying to warn us that Darius might try to harm Sara?"
"My son wouldn't…I'm not sure. I pray that he's…changed but now that he must decide for himself…he might not make the right choices."
"Oh great!" muttered Brass.
Grissom did not respond but took off upstairs.
Softly he entered her room, sitting gently on the bed. She had placed Matthew in the bassinet, choosing to keep him near her.
"You should try to sleep," he said softly.
"I trust him, Gil. He wouldn't harm me…which means he won't harm any of you."
"Sara, sometimes we hurt the ones we love even though we don't mean to."
"He needs help," she swallowed.
"Francis tried."
"I should…try."
"It's up to Darius now."
"It's not fair," she wept. "He belongs with us."
"You keep saying that, Sara."
She rolled over to face him. "Gracen told me to stay with Darius."
"For how long?"
"I don't know. He didn't say…but I'm not about to not follow instructions…I heard what happens when you half listen to…His instructions."
Grissom grinned. "Forty years in a desert…maybe forty years in Vegas is too much for you."
"I was referring to being turned to a pillar of salt."
"Sara…"
"Do you think he's safe?"
"Darius can take care of himself."
His hand caressed her cheek as he leaned over and kissed her.
"Would…you sleep here with me?" she whispered.
Grissom molded his body to hers. "Just sleep Sara while I watch over you."
"I love you," she whispered.
He breathed in deeply, "I love you, too."
Days passed as they waited but no one came nor had there been any contact with Darius despite Sara's effort to call him.
Francis met Brass at the door one morning.
"Is Grissom awake?"
"He's in the kitchen," stated Francis. "Do you have any news?"
"Maybe."
Brass took the cup of coffee Grissom offered.
"I've been getting a few patrol cars to go near the mansion. For the past several days, they've not seen anything."
"So they're not up to anything," replied Grissom.
"They've not seen anyone."
Grissom's cup stopped in mid-air. "No guards?"
"I even went by there and drove up to the front door…no one."
Grissom glanced toward Francis. "I'm going to go over there."
"Grissom, no!" warned Francis.
"You can protect her more than I can. I'll go and check it out. I'll try to see Darius."
"I'll go with you," offered Brass.
"No…I can't let you do that," stated Grissom. "I need you…to be here in case…anything happens to me."
"Gil, I won't let you do this," insisted Francis. "He's my son. I'll go."
"Sara and the baby need you. It's the reason Darius let you return unharmed."
"But…" Grissom did not listen to Francis but headed to the door.
"You're not going to tell her?" asked Francis.
"I fear her more than I do them," he grinned slightly.
He frowned when Brass slipped into the vehicle on the passenger side.
"I'm coming so get over it," he griped.
They drove up to the mansion and were surprised that no one had appeared.
Grissom stepped out of the vehicle and walked to the front steps but halted when he noticed blood drops.
Brass drew his weapon. "Aim for the head," whispered Grissom.
Grissom opened the door and Brass followed.
Both men halted at the entrance upon the sight of the carnage.
Bodies lay everywhere.
"Do you think the sect intervened and wiped out the clan?" whispered Brass.
"Not likely. Francis said they do not seek vengeance…they only fight to defend themselves," replied Grissom as he made his way slowly to the stairs, stepping over bodies.
"These cuts…are not fatal," observed Brass.
"Darius must have used the dagger," stated Grissom as he proceeded up the stairs.
"You mean to tell me he killed all of them? One man against…" he didn't finish as they heard a slight noise upstairs.
Grissom swallowed as he continued to follow the trail of bodies.
He stepped into the bedroom, catching sight of someone sitting in the chair near the fireplace.
"Darius?" Grissom called.
"No one…is left," he replied.
Grissom rushed over but gasped when he caught sight of Darius.
Brass grabbed a towel that was lying on the floor and attempted to stop the flow of blood to a wound.
"Looks like you didn't go down without a fight," muttered Brass.
"They're all dead," stated Darius.
"We need to get you out of here," stated Grissom.
"I'm not finished," he said. "I have to finish this."
"Tell me…what to do," urged Grissom.
"The house is rigged to blow. You need to get out," he coughed, swallowing the blood that came up.
Brass glanced at Grissom. "Time to go!"
"Leave me," gritted Darius as he tried to stand but he fell into Grissom's arms, the dagger falling at his feet.
"I'm taking you…home," stated Grissom.
Darius tried to shove Grissom away but he was too weak.
Grissom gripped his body as Brass took hold of his other side. "Good fight, kid," stated Brass as they headed to the door.
Darius cried out as they stumbled with him.
"Not so fast," came a voice from behind.
They turned and came face to face with a man they had not seen before.
Darius stood on his own feet, stepping away from them.
"I beat them…I beat you," yelled Darius.
"What did you do, Darius?" sighed Lucifer.
"What? The clan was mine to do with what I pleased…I killed them. I killed all of them…before they killed me."
"Yes, you did. This is quite a mess," commented Lucifer.
"Not much choice…they sucked at skating," gritted Darius.
"Even now as you face death, you still have your sense of humor. A pity I should lose you."
Lucifer shook his head in disappointing manner. "You killed them in order to save Sara….my how noble. You turned on my men…you struck first."
"Sorry…demon in me," gritted Darius.
"Not very angelic…very fallen in nature. Of course, you were always fallen," glared Lucifer.
Lucifer picked up the dagger. "Look what we have here…a dagger."
"You can't take it," challenged Darius.
"You're right. I can't. It belongs to you," admitted Lucifer as he handed it to Darius.
Darius reached for the dagger but Lucifer embedded it into his chest.
"Take it with you," Lucifer said with a smile as Darius dropped to his knees.
He laughed as he passed Brass and Grissom. "Now you can leave with his dead body."
Grissom grabbed Darius as he struggled to breathe.
"Darius!"
"I think I'm dying," he grimaced.
"Not because of the dagger," urged Grissom. "You are not fallen!"
Darius cried out when Grissom lifted him. "We've got to get him out of here."
Darius gasped for air. "The house is going to explode. You have to get out."
Grissom threw him over his shoulder. "We're taking you with us. I'm not facing Sara's wrath alone. She is going to kick both of us."
Darius chuckled. "She didn't know that you were coming here. She's going to…" he didn't finish as he passed out.
They hurried, stepping over bodies while expecting Lucifer to stop them but he was no where in sight.
Brass sped down the driveway just as the house exploded sending debris into the air.
"How is he?" asked Brass as he looked in the rearview mirror.
"I'm not sure," stated Grissom as he held the towel over the dagger wound. "His body is riddled with knife wounds. Doc is going to have a field day treating him."
"Gil, you think he's going to make it?"
"I'm not sure. If he was truly fallen, he would be dead by now," replied Grissom.
They rushed him into the house, trying to explain as they carried him inside.
"Take him to my room," insisted Francis.
Doc was there as well as David. "I figured two hands were better than one. David knows anyway."
Darius looked lifeless as Grissom laid him on the bed. Both he and Brass had blood on their clothes. "You have some clothes here," said Sara to Brass, her voice a bit hoarse. "I'll get them for you."
She returned, handing them to Brass. He gently squeezed her hand before disappearing into the bathroom.
Grissom headed upstairs and she followed. He slipped in the bathroom, stripping from the clothes as he ducked into the shower, needing to get rid of the stench of death.
The door opened and he glanced out, surprised to see Sara there.
He finished in record time, fearing Darius may have died.
"Any word?" he asked softly.
"Not yet," she said.
"He's strong, Sara."
"Why did you go?" she asked angrily.
"Someone needed to go…so I went with Brass."
"You could have been killed!" she seethed.
"I wasn't."
She reached for the bloody clothes but Grissom stopped her. "I'll dispose of them."
"That could have been your blood," she cried. "I've been going crazy with worry…not knowing…"
He pulled her into his arms even though she hit him with her fist. "You stupid…"
"Sssh," he whispered. "I didn't get hurt."
"What happened?" she insisted.
Grissom swallowed. "Darius…killed them…all of them."
"Why?"
"He didn't see any other way…if he remained, they would finally mutiny. If he left, they would come here. He chose to kill them…to keep us safe."
She was silent for a moment. "He's not impotent anymore."
"I know."
"Gil, he wouldn't do anything…"
"He loves you, Sara."
"He loves what I offered," she said.
"What did you offer him?" he asked softly.
"I offered him love…a family. He…feared nothing except loneliness. He doesn't want to be alone anymore."
"Are you sure he doesn't want you?"
"He needs to know that there is love…without intimacy. He needs to understand that he has a family…all of us. He's not fallen. I'll never believe that."
"No, he's not. Lucifer stabbed him with the dagger."
Sara's eyes widened.
"He killed his men by a simple cut. Lucifer stabbed him in the chest but he didn't die. He's not fallen, Sara."
"Does Francis know this?" she asked.
"I'm sure he's drilling Brass."
Grissom breathed in deeply.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"I've never seen a crime scene that gruesome."
"Gil…did he kill any humans?"
"No. He killed only his men."
He looked at her. "If you're wondering if he had any remorse…I didn't see any."
"He's not a cold blooded killer."
"There wasn't anything brutal about the dagger wounds. He struck…just to inflict the slightest wound. The poison…Jesus' blood killed them."
She swallowed.
"I lost count of the number of stab wounds he received."
"What are we going to do about the bodies?"
"Darius rigged the mansion to blow. I'm not sure any bodies will be found."
"He was going to blow it with him inside wasn't he?"
"Yes…I think he was."
"Thank you for going…but I'm still angry."
He smiled. "I'll try to make it up to you."
"I moved…some of your things into the master bedroom," she said.
"So…am I sleeping in there from now on?"
"If you want," she said softly.
"Add a few mirrors to the ceiling and…" A loud "umph" was heard as she hit him.
Matthew began to cry and Sara started toward the nursery but Grissom stopped her.
"I'll take him for awhile. Go…check on Darius."
She kissed him and he groaned. "I've missed this."
"Me too," she admitted.
Hours passed as they took turns sitting vigil at Darius' bedside.
Francis refused to leave his side, sitting quietly in a chair in the corner while he prayed earnestly.
Since his arrival, Darius had not moved, his skin cold to the touch.
By the next day, his fever rose and they feared the worst.
His body shook as they tried to fight the fever.
Once or twice he cried out, begging for Heather to forgive him but then quieted when Francis held his hand, whispering softly to him.
He woke one evening, screaming while Francis and Grissom tried to hold him down.
"Darius, it's okay," soothed Francis.
"They're dead…they're all dead," he cried. "Their blood…is…on me."
"No, it's not!" soothed Francis. "You protected your family. You had no choice, Darius. Lucifer would have sent them after us."
"I'm sorry," he said over and over. "I've…killed. I'm sorry."
Sara was the only person who seemed to soothe him during these moments, whispering softly to him as she sat holding his hand.
By the third day, he began to wake for brief periods of time.
He always woke with a start as if fearing where he was.
Francis would reassure him while urging him to stay awake.
Days passed where his life hung in the balance.
He woke one morning, opening his eyes to find Grissom sitting next to him.
"Sara just left. She's feeding Matthew."
Darius glanced around the room and saw that Francis slept in a chair.
"He's been very worried about you."
Darius shifted, grimacing as he tried to sit up.
Grissom assisted him despite his protest.
"Where am I?" he asked.
"You in your father's room," explained Grissom.
He glanced toward the door, knowing that he was no longer near Sara or the baby.
"Would you like to see Matthew?"
"Matthew?" he choked.
"He's awake. Would you like to see him?"
He dreamed so much of the baby's death that he nodded eagerly but then declined when Grissom stated that he would get Sara to bring him.
"You want me…to bring Matthew?" asked Grissom.
"Please," he managed to get out.
"But not Sara?" Grissom clarified.
Darius nodded.
"Sara has been here…she's been concerned about you."
He shook his head violently. "I hear a voice in my head," Darius blurted.
"You can make it leave…you can make Lucifer leave you alone," offered Grissom.
"How?"
"Call out in the name of Jesus and he must leave you alone," explained Grissom.
"Doesn't work," muttered Darius.
"Have you tried it or have you let him question your salvation?"
Darius said nothing.
"You've had the opportunity to hurt Sara but you haven't."
"Then...why am I down here?" he asked weakly.
"We put you here at Francis' request. He wanted to be with you and it would be easier for your recovery….no stairs to contend with."
He didn't seem convinced of the reason.
"We didn't put you here because we thought you would hurt Sara or Matthew."
"I'm weak. I'm not sure I that I won't."
"You will because you seek love…and Sara gives that freely. She loves you. You are part of our family. Just because we are…mated does not mean she loves you any less. She loves you because you are family."
"You don't like me," he muttered.
"I'm getting to know you. You've proven to me that you will protect what I love the most…therefore I consider you a friend. I consider you family….like Jim and Doc."
"I don't like you," Darius announced.
"You fear that I will change Sara's mind about you. I can't do that. Sara has a mind of her own."
Darius grunted. "Stubborn too."
Grissom grinned. "Yes, she is."
Darius glanced at Francis.
"He's not left your side. He's been worried."
"I'm not like…his son, Joseph or…his grandson, Gracen. Gracen…the golden one."
"I didn't like Gracen," admitted Grissom.
"He wanted Sara."
"He chose to watch over her," stated Grissom.
"I'd agreed to do that…as a eunuch. But now…I'm not a eunuch anymore," he announced wondering if that would change Grissom's mind.
"I know….Sara knows also."
Darius was surprised. "Then…she despises me," he bit out.
"She knew that you were no longer impotent and yet she begged us to bring you home."
"Doesn't she…worry that I might hurt her?"
"No. She insists that you won't. Are you?"
"No!"
"Then I'll be right back with Sara and Matthew."
Darius looked worried but nodded slowly.
Within minutes Sara was rushing into the room.
Her smile warmed him as she sat down taking his hand into hers.
"You had me worried," she sniffled but then gently placed her head on his shoulder, careful of his wounds.
Grissom appeared with Matthew.
Gently they placed Matthew in his arms.
"He's still eating like this Greg person…he's heavy," griped Darius softly as he smiled at the baby.
Matthew stared intently at him as his small hands attempted to grasp onto his shirt.
Darius let the baby wrap his hand around his finger and he chuckled. "Strong!"
He grew teary eyed as he whispered, "I missed him."
"How do you feel?" asked Sara.
"Tired," he admitted as he closed his eyes too emotional to look at Sara.
"Let me wake Francis so he…."
"No! Don't," insisted Darius.
"Darius, he'll be disappointed if he doesn't get to talk with you," urged Sara.
Darius shook his head and so she let it drop.
"You want me to sit here until you fall to sleep?" she asked.
"No," he choked as he gently attempted to pass Matthew back to her.
Sara glanced at Grissom and he took the baby slipping out of the room.
"Darius?"
"Leave…me be," he choked.
She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "I'll be close by."
She stepped outside the door but leaned against the door, swallowing her tears as she heard the first sob.
She slipped to the floor, sitting there against the wall as she listened.
Darius rolled over to his side, clutching his chest as he broke down.
Francis was there immediately, pulling him into his arms despite his protest. "I've got you my son," cried Francis.
"Help me, Father," he cried.
"I'm here, Darius."
"I hear theirs screams…I see their faces…I feel their pain," he cried.
"It is the guilt," whispered Francis. "Let it go, Darius and he has no further hold on you. You killed what was already dead. They were fallen…there were no souls to be saved and that is what you mourn."
"I knew them…I lived with them…I was one of them," he wept.
"You were never one of them. You sinned…but you've been forgiven. You've accept God's Holy One, His Son as your savior. He cannot take what now belongs to our savior."
"I'm scared…that I'm really one of them."
"You're not. He knows that so he uses your guilt…your pain…your need for love to hurt you."
Francis rocked him back and forth as if he were Matthew. "Ssssh, you need to rest. Regain your strength. I'll be here to watch over you."
Soon the room was quiet except for the soft voice of Francis as he prayed beside his son.
Grissom extended his hand and Sara took it.
"Matthew is in bed asleep. Come and lie with me," he whispered.
She took his hand, leaning on him as they made their way to their room.
She curled her body into his needing to feel close to him.
"He's going to get through this," whispered Grissom.
"I just…feel his pain," she wept.
"I know. You still have a connection with him," he said softly as he stroked her hair.
"He's afraid to trust himself," she said.
"He will. It will take time," he replied as he kissed her.
"I need to feel you inside me," she choked.
He slipped inside her, feeling his own heart ache for the sadness within her. His lips kissed her as her hand took hold of his.
"Mates forever," she cried.
"Forever," he promised.
He carried them over the edge as she clung to him, not wanting him to withdraw. "Stay close to me," she begged.
"I will," he soothed.
She closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath, "I've felt half a person without you."
"I know. I've felt the same."
He shifted so that they were side by side. "Everything is going to be alright."
She nodded as she rocked back and forth, coaxing him to make love to her again.
Hours later, he slipped from the bed, checking on Matthew and then went down the stairs, smelling fresh brewed coffee.
He took a cup from Doc.
"Francis called me. He was worried about Darius."
"How is he?" asked Grissom.
"He's got a long recovery. He bled out most of his blood. I'm amazed that he lived but then that angelic part of him is hard to kill."
"How's Francis?" asked Grissom.
"He won't leave his side. I took him a cup of coffee a little while ago."
Grissom turned and saw Sara coming down the stairs.
"Hey Doc," she said sleepily.
"It's pretty early for you," he said as he took out the orange juice from the fridge and poured her a glass.
"I got cold," she admitted.
"I'm sorry," whispered Grissom as he pulled her into an embrace, disregarding Doc's blush.
"Should I leave you two alone?"
"No, Doc," smiled Sara. "He just doesn't want to get out of changing Matthew when he wakes."
Grissom frowned, pretending to be hurt by her comment but then smiled as he kissed her on the cheek.
That morning she insisted on sitting with Darius for awhile despite his request to be left alone.
She purposely sat on the bed beside him, telling him about Matthew.
Her hand slipped into his. "I have a surprise for you when you're feeling better."
"I'm better," he said.
"When Doc says you're better then I'll show it to you."
He nodded squeezing her hand as his head rested on her shoulder.
A week passed since Darius returned from the dead.
There was an investigation into the explosion but as suspected, there were no bodies found.
Brass was relieved, hoping the event would go away quietly.
One morning Francis woke from his chair and rushed out of the room when Darius was not in the bed. He rushed up the stairs, checking the nursery and then tapping on the master bedroom.
"Sara!"
Sara opened the door immediately. "What's wrong?"
"Darius is gone."
"He's too weak. He couldn't have gone far," she insisted as she grabbed her housecoat, checking every room on the second floor.
Francis was sick with worry as he rushed to the front door but noticed the alarm was still set. "He couldn't have left unless someone reset the alarm."
Sara checked the study then the back yard. "He's not out here."
She then ran to the other bedroom and opened it.
She sighed when she found him lying on the bed.
"Darius…you scared us."
"Needed…" he swallowed.
"Space?" she asked.
"Yes," he gulped as he lay on his side.
She grabbed a blanket and threw it over him.
"Are you warm?" she asked.
He nodded.
"If you need anything, call out. Francis and I will be close," she vowed.
She waited in hopes that he would ask her to stay but he didn't so she kissed him on the cheek and shut the door.
"Is he alright?" asked Francis anxiously.
"He will be," she said hoping the she was right. "He needs some space so we need to give it to him."
"What if he needs something?" asked Francis.
"We'll stay close by," urged Sara.
Note from author:
Wow, no cliffhanger.