I'm Coming Home Chapter 48
After Alecta had come back into the palace grounds with Themistocles and his navy, she slung the body of Mot down on the ground at her feet and barked an order at nobody in particular, anyone within range really.
"Bring me the head of John the Baptist."
Selim turned with a grin on his face to haul the body up to the battlements, 'How long has it been since any of us have heard those words uttered."
"Oh dear! Things must be getting dreadfully deep now." Mac was heard dripping with sarcasm.
"What makes you say that?" Reid questioned.
"Excuse me young sir,' Kong stepped forward. "John the Baptist is the man that taught the young Jesus everything he knew…he baptized Christ as a matter of fact. If she is calling him then she knows something bigger is at hand, and he is the only one that will have the information that she needs."
It was another few minutes before Simon came back carrying a silver tray that was covered with a glass bell shaped container. In the middle of this tray was the severed head of a man; it still had the appearance that it would have held in life, no decomposition seemed to have touched it.
Alecta took a seat on ledge in the courtyard of the palace, a large babbling fountain behind her, waiting. One of the Sultan's men placed a small display stand in front of her just as Simon set the silver platter down; both men took several steps back.
Removing the glass cover from over John's head, Alecta greeted him.
"Hello old man."
The eyes of the head opened revealing almond shaped chestnut colored dark eyes. The hair of the head was long and had corkscrew curls. The nose was aquiline, in that Mediterranean way. The features of the face altogether were sharp; the skin was of an olive complexion.
"Old man. Why, if I had the rest of my person…."
"Yes, yes….You'd show me what an old man can do. Yes, I know. I need some information."
"Of course you do. Now, come tell Uncle John what it is."
"Snarky much? My dear old Dracula isn't behind this is he?"
"What gave that away? Was it Ares' involvement?"
"The way you're acting you would think that I had been the one to cut off your head. You really need to take a pill for that."
"Very well. No. Dracula is the least of your worries; he is only a puppet…although a very effective one wouldn't you say? Not even Ares can be blamed for this, although, it would behoove you to get rid of him as soon as possible. He is a menace. The longer he exists he will only serve to harm your cause. You must deal with him by any means necessary. Beware of the serpents."
"There is more than one?"
"Have you learned nothing in all of your years? Of course there is more than one. As I said beware of them, one very dear to you could pay the price otherwise."
"Who!" Alecta became quite upset, standing suddenly, her face a study in barely contained rage at the thought that someone that was close to her might be in danger….well more than needs be.
"All I can tell you is what I have seen. If you do not heed the serpents, someone you care about will pay the price. I cannot tell you their identity, I have not seen it. Your next days will be dark. You will be pushed to the limits."
"What limits, I have none."
"Yes you do, you have more limits than you know. And you will be pushed to the brink of them all, every last one of them."
"What limits do you think I have?"
"Your faith."
"Oh, please…"
"Not religion, but faith. As far as the question over religion, you've always been such a strange little bird; but, your faith that you're not alone. You are out-numbered, yes. But you will not be left alone on the battlefield. Of that much you can be sure."
"Are there any other limits of mine that I am unaware of?"
"No you know what they all are, even if you are unwilling to admit to them."
"What else do you have for me old man?"
"Let's see…warned you about the serpents…..Ares….Dracula's not the worst of it…blah blah blah. Oh yes. Nephilim….can't forget the Nephilim."
"What about them? I killed most of them centuries ago."
"Sure you did." John's eyes cut at her almost sarcastically.
"Who's been making more? I learned my damned lesson last time. I haven't created another sense."
"I don't know names of the offenders. But it might be pertinent for you to know that many of the ones that survived the last battle have somehow managed to find a way to procreate."
Alecta stood, pacing.
"That's just fucking fabulous. I think I'm getting a headache."
"Walk it off; your kind doesn't get headaches."
"How did they…"
"Do I really have to explain that one to you? You've had how many children? I'm sure you know where babies come from."
"Smart ass. I thought the beauty behind killing off the Nephilim was that they were sterile and couldn't multiply. Who's been screwing with evolution again?! Are they expected to show up here?"
"I can't say with 100% clarity. But it would serve you well to prepare for the unexpected where they are concerned. Or would you prefer to just fly by the seat of your pants as always?"
"Thank you for your time John. Put him back in the box. He's awful damned cranky."
"Really? That's how you're going to play this?"
"Alright fine! Give him a room with a view." In a voice laden with concern, Alecta asked him for one last nugget of information.
"John?"
"Do not fear. You have not been forgotten, hardly."
With that, Simon lifted the tray and to the head of John to a place where he would have a sea view and be able to breathe free air at least for a time.
Alecta only nodded and paced. It was nearing nightfall already; there would be a dinner soon.
"What are you thinking?" Hotch came over to her, holding a hand out to her.
"That I should invite an old friend to dinner. We must talk."
"Is this about Ares? I heard what John said."
"As a matter of fact it is. My first order of business is to get rid of him. He's been a thorn in my ass for over 3,000 years. He's got to go."
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Post AN: Alright, this was one of my shorter chapters, but I was trying to wrap it up in time to post a little something for an update for Christmas (in case I wasn't able to do anything about it tomorrow). So next, we can look forward to Ares getting his. I think the whole idea behind that character even being in the story was because my birthday is in April…that and I used to have the hots for the guy that played him on Xena. Anyway….There wasn't a lot of action in this chapter, which is a tad unlike me; but it did give me an opportunity to set things up for the next chapter….silver lining or something like that.
If I don't get to do any writing or posting tomorrow (12/25), then I hope that everybody has had a safe and happy holiday.