The Children of Light - 15. Chapter Fifteen

‘What happened?’ Grayson and Caiden said appearing out of thin air as the Russian stood in the middle of the gathering field. Mikhail looked utterly panicked as he struggled to hold Lachlan in his arms, who was doing a great job of attempting to break his back in half, thrashing about madly.

‘We were walking over to get something to eat and he just stopped.’ The Russian shouted over the screams of the man he was holding. ‘Then he grabbed at his stomach and started screaming.’ Grayson gestured for the Russian to put Lachlan down as Caiden reached out and took the Leaders hand. As soon as the Leader was on the grass, he turned to Caiden and stopped screaming.

‘Rama. He’s been hurt.’ The Leader said clearly and then dissolved back into screams of pain. There was a ripple of whispers around them and suddenly chaos erupted, people running in all directions, some shouting for loved ones. Alex and Quinn appeared beside the Russian, wondering what happened.

‘Dad, calm everyone down.’ Caiden said still holding the Leaders hand, his eyes closed as he concentrated on something. The blond twin shuddered suddenly but the people around him couldn’t figure out why.

‘Caiden? Is he okay?’ Alex asked kneeling beside the twin.

‘Lachlan is, physically. I can’t find Rama though.’ The twin said quickly.

‘He’s… he’s… it’s as if he’s just vanished.’ Alex, Quinn and Mikhail all wondered what that could mean. Lachlan suddenly stopped screaming and sat up quickly.

‘Are you okay?’ The Italian asked as he placed a hand on Lachlan’s shoulder.

‘NO!’ Caiden shouted, but it was too late.

As Alex made contact with the Leader, he felt a flash of pain in his stomach and then he wasn’t at the Sanctuary any more.

He was lying on his back, looking up. He felt a strange pressure on his stomach and when he looked down he saw a long silver blade protruding out of his stomach. He followed the blade up and saw an elaborate hilt, with several colourful stones in it. He shivered with pain and looked to his side. There was a man kneeling not too far away from him, his head bowed, his hands in front of him, as if praying. And then Alex spoke, but it wasn’t his voice he heard.

‘Hurry up and kill me.’ He said, almost sounding bored. The person kneeling looked up and made eye contact with him. There was an emptiness in his eyes that scared Alex.

‘Not just yet heathen. Your time will come, but for now, enjoy the pain of our Lord and Saviour.’ The man said standing and stepping forward. He reached behind him and presented another sword, identical to the one in his stomach. With a grin he turned to Alex’s feet and plunged the sword through the top of his foot, through the earth. Alex screamed in agony as his foot was pinned down painfully.

‘Alex, where are you? Look around!’ He heard as if from a distance. He looked to his right and saw lights in the distance. He looked to his left and winced at a flash of pain. He saw a strange circular building, a little like a small round temple.

‘I’ve got him!’ Alex heard a different voice say. ‘Break the connection!’

Alex looked above him and found the man still standing over him. With a sickening leer, the man pulled the sword out of his foot and walked toward his head, his leer contorting into a twisted smile on his face. He placed his foot on his right forearm and took aim with the sword, plunging it through his right wrist. He screamed in pain as he felt the hot steel pierce his wrist. He was gasping for breath. He suddenly felt sick, lethargic, and a strange sense of burning around the wounds created by the sword.

‘He’s been poisoned!’ Alex heard a distant voice shout.

The man leaned over slightly and looked into his eyes.

‘I hope you’re enjoying this as much as I am.’ He said looking slightly demented. Alex blinked and swallowed painfully, then looked back up to his torturer.

‘You sick fuck!’ Someone hissed from behind the man. Before he could even turn around, the man was ceased by invisible forces at the shoulders and thighs. He rose a few inches and with a blood curdling scream, and truly sickening bone cracking and the sound of flesh being torn, was pulled in both directions with great force. Even though it took less than a second, Alex had witnessed the man being torn in half, starting at his groin and straight up his stomach and chest, blood and tissue, organs and body fluids and waste gushing and splattering violently in all directions. As the tear passed the man’s chest, it veered off to the side of his neck, his head now flopping pitifully to the side, and his body was thrown, in two pieces, in opposite directions.

As if pulled out of water, Alex opened his eyes with a loud gasp and looked up into the very concerned faces of Lachlan, Caiden, Quinn and Mikhail.

‘Look after him.’ Lachlan ordered in a loud and terrifying voice, as he stood up and disappeared.

‘Babe?’ The Canadian asked his voice full of concern.

‘Alex?’ The blond twin asked cautiously.

The Italian was shivering with fear. He sat up slowly with the help of Quinn and sat, spread eagled on the grass. He leaned forward slightly and vomited the contents of his stomach up. He hurled and retched several times, until he was spitting up stomach bile. He had tears flowing freely from his eyes, he was shaking uncontrollably and felt both hot and cold at the same time. He felt sweat trickling down his face, back and chest. When he finally stopped dry retching, he looked up and saw Quinn kneeling beside him, looking equal parts worried and nauseous.

‘Are you okay?’ The blond asked quietly, trying to ignore his boyfriend’s stomach contents splattered in front of him.

‘I think so. I just…’ Alex put a hand to his mouth and dry retched. ‘I saw the most horrible thing.’ The Italian said, his eyes watering again.

‘Let’s get you into a cabin.’ The blond twin said gesturing to Mikhail. The Russian bent over and scooped Alex up, much like he had done with Lachlan and hoisted him effortless into his arms.

‘Follow me.’ Caiden said already marching away. The Russian carrying the Italian, and the Canadian following, all walked behind the blond twin, who had lead them to Lachlan’s private cabin. Using his telekinesis, he pushed the door open and let the Russian in first.

‘Second bedroom on the right please.’ He said from the door. Quinn followed the Russian into the cabin and then into the second bedroom on the right. Mikhail carefully deposited his charge on the bed and stepped back to let his Canadian friend closer to his boyfriend.

‘How do you feel?’ Quinn asked as he took a face cloth from Caiden and wiped at the Italians face.

‘I don’t know.’ Alex said honestly. Caiden looked at the Italian critically, telepathically assessing his current state of mind.

‘Forgive me Alex, but I think it best you sleep.’ The blond twin said with a saddened face.

‘What do you…?’ Alex fell asleep before he could finish asking the question.

‘What did you do?’ Quinn said rounding on the blond twin with anger, stomping closer.

‘I’ve put him to sleep.’ Caiden said standing his ground against Alex’s angered lover.

‘I can’t help him deal with what he saw in his current state. He needs to rest, and either Lachlan or I will help him deal with it when he’s rested.’ Quinn closed his eyes and sighed loudly.

‘Sorry Caiden. I didn’t mean to get angry.’ The Canadian said apologetically.

‘I would be the same.’ The twin said quickly closing the distance between them and grasping the Canadian’s shoulders, then pulling him into a warm hug. ‘He will be fine, I promise you.’

‘What did he see?’ The Russian asked curiously. The twin released Quinn but kept a hand on his shoulder.

‘When he touched Lachlan, he connected with Rama, who was being tortured by someone. Alex, through Rama, not only discovered where he was, but watched my brother kill the person, and unfortunately, it was a rather brutal death.’ The twin said sadly. ‘The torture and witnessing that were more than Alex was prepared to handle. I am sorry he had to go through that.’

‘It’s not your fault.’ Quinn said wrapping his arms around the twin. Mikhail stepped beside them, wrapped his gigantic arms around them both and pulled them into a three-way hug. When the Russian let them go, they were both smiling.

‘Let’s leave Alex here. He will be fine for the time being.’ The blond twin said already walking out of the room. Quinn quickly stepped to Alex’s side and looked at his face. He smiled when he saw a worry wrinkle between his boyfriend’s eyebrows. He leaned over and kissed Alex softly on the forehead and followed Caiden and Mikhail back outside.

‘I’m going to the veil to wait for Lachlan.’ Caiden said over his shoulder to Quinn and Mikhail.

‘We’ll come with you.’ Quinn said confidently, stepping beside the twin, Mikhail taking up position on the other side of Caiden. They all walked, taking long strides, up the path toward the entrance of the Sanctuary, in darkness. Quinn walked closer to Caiden than he normally would have, out of fear of the darkness. As they got to the veil, Caiden raised a hand and the veil parted in the middle, and was held back by an invisible source, like curtains. They stepped through quickly and followed Caiden, who stood off just to the side of the road, facing the still opened veil.

‘Where do you think they are?’ Quinn whispered.

‘They’re on their way.’ Caiden said watching a spot some ten feet in front of him. With a loud roar and a whirl of unseen energy, four people suddenly appeared in front of them. One person collapsed as soon as he appeared. The other three people and Caiden all jumped at the fallen person.

‘Jaden, get Grayson and Helena and take them to my cabin.’ Lachlan said sounding panicked. The red head turned to the veil and with inhuman speed ran into the Sanctuary. ‘Daxa, get Ramz to my cabin as safely as you can.’

‘Lachlan, I have a better idea.’ Caiden said quietly, but confidently. Lachlan turned to Caiden with a look of confusion. The twin merely turned to the giant Russian and raised an eyebrow. Mikhail swooped down and collected the broken body lying prostrate on the damp grass and with effortless ease, pulled him up and into his arms securely. The Russian looked down to Lachlan and smiled warmly.

‘Lead the way please Lachlan.’ Mikhail said with a nod. The Leader looked at the Russian, and then to the limp body he was carrying with ease, then nodded firmly and turned to the Sanctuary and led the way. Mikhail fell in behind, being careful not to move the man he was carrying too much. Quinn and Caiden fell in beside the Russian, and Daxa just behind them, watching for any signs the Russian might fall or stumble. Lachlan would look back every now and then to make sure everyone was okay.

*

‘Is Lachlan’s husband okay?’ Quinn asked. He was sitting on the deck of the Leader’s private cabin with Mikhail as Caiden came out the sliding door and sat down exhausted beside the Russian. He leaned into the Russian and rested his head on the giant’s shoulder and closed his eyes. Mikhail wrapped an arm around the small man and held him firmly.

‘A few deep wounds, a broken bone or two and several rather large bruises. Nothing they can’t heal.’ The twin said without opening his eyes. ‘Lachlan is more concerned with what Rama was thinking at the time.’

‘What was he thinking?’ Quinn asked quietly. Caiden sighed quietly and was about to answer when the sliding door opened. Mikhail and Quinn both turned to look and saw the Leader step out onto the deck. The Leader moved to the edge of the deck, a few feet from Quinn and sat down, his legs flopping over the edge. He sighed loudly.

‘Rama blocked me.’ The Leader said quietly, a sad tone colouring his voice.

‘He blocked you?’ Quinn and Mikhail queried simultaneously.

‘He blocked me.’ The Leader reiterated. He paused a few moments and continued. ‘Rama and I have a telepathic rapport. We have done ever since we were married. I was particular aware of what he was doing today. But neither of us expected what happened to happen.’ Lachlan took a deep breath and continued. ‘He was ambushed. The person had set a trap and caught Rama. He was pinned to the ground with magical restraint. As soon as the Rama realized what was happening, he blocked me.’ The Leader said with sadness.

‘Why would he do that?’ Quinn asked surprised to hear what the Leader was saying.

‘He didn’t want me to see him like that.’ Lachlan said as a tear fell from his eye. Quinn scooted over and put an arm around the Leader, holding him tenderly. ‘He blocked my telepathy, trying to shelter me, stop me from seeing what was happening. That’s when Alex touched me. I was trying so hard to reconnect with Ramz, and he was trying to block me. Alex caught the blast of reflective psionic energy and was telepathically connected with Rama. Is Alex okay?’ The Leader asked reaching around Quinn and cuddling him.

‘Caiden said he’ll be fine.’ The Canadian said with a smile.

‘I’ll help him through it.’ The Leader said laying his head on the blond’s shoulder and closing his eyes. ‘I’m sorry it happened to him.’

‘Don’t be.’ Quinn said softly. ‘It’s only going to make him stronger.’

‘I suppose.’ Lachlan said. ‘Some teacher I am. “For your homework on your first day, I want you to connect with a stranger while they’re being tortured and not only endure the physical pain, but I also want you to witness the most barbaric death of a person and try not to throw up.”’ The Leader said with disgust.

‘Hey, stop it!’ Quinn said squeezing Lachlan gently. ‘Not your fault.’

‘I know. But still.’ The Leader went quiet, drawing comfort from the Canadian holding him.

‘I think we all need to get some sleep.’ Quinn said, trying not to yawn. ‘It must be nearly two am.’

‘Twenty past two.’ The Leader said.

‘Then it’s definitely time for sleep.’ The Canadian said releasing Lachlan and standing up. He held his hand out to him and the Leader took it, standing up slowly.

‘Where are you sleeping tonight?’ Lachlan asked as they moved into the Leader’s cabin.

‘I was going to go back to our cabin.’ The blond said looking to Mikhail. The Russian nodded affirmatively.

‘You’re both welcome to stay here.’ Lachlan said gesturing to his cabin. ‘There are four bedrooms here, plus the couch.’ Quinn nodded acceptance.

‘Okay, I’ll sleep on the couch, considering I’m the smallest of us all.’ The Canadian chuckled.

‘Bullshit you will.’ Mikhail said looking at Quinn. ‘You grab one of the beds and I’ll sleep on the couch.’

‘If you like, you can both take one of the beds?’ The Leader offered. Mikhail looked from the Leader to the Canadian and Quinn looked at the Russian.

‘If your dick comes anywhere near me, I’ll cut it off and stuff it up your nose.’ The little blond said with mock anger. Mikhail laughed loudly, triggering Lachlan, Caiden and Quinn to join him.

‘Where are you sleeping?’ Quinn asked of the Leader.

‘In the room opposite Rama.’ Lachlan said. ‘Grayson and Helena are staying in the room with Ramz, to make sure he’s okay.’

‘I’ll sleep with you.’ Caiden said with a sad look to Lachlan. The Leader gave a small smile in recognition.

‘I will too.’ Came a voice from the hallway. The red headed twin had just walked into the living room. Lachlan smiled to Jaden, and the dominant twin returned the smile affectionately.

‘Alright, let’s get some sleep.’ Quinn said holding his hand out to Mikhail, who took it and pulled the Canadian into himself, hoisting him up into his arms, exactly how he had carried Alex and Rama earlier.

‘I feel like an ambulance.’ The Russian said with a giggle. All the people in the room laughed as he walked toward the fourth bedroom. ‘Night guys.’ He said over his shoulder. Quinn looked over the giants shoulder and waved to everyone.

‘Sleep well.’ Lachlan said smiling to the Canadian. He watched the door close behind them and turned to the twins. ‘Isn’t Quinn a fascinating creature?’ He asked.

‘A heart as big as the ocean.’ Caiden said with a smile.

‘And always willing to give of himself.’ Jaden added with a nod. The Leader smiled to them both.

‘Alex is incredibly lucky.’ He said quietly as he walked to the bedroom opposite the master bedroom. He stepped into the room and using his telekinesis, pulled the duvet back. He stripped his clothes, manually, and crawled into the middle of the bed where he lay on his side. Jaden quickly stripped, climbed into the bed and cuddled up behind the Leader, sliding his arm under Lachlan’s head, while Caiden, naked, shuffled back into Lachlan’s front, resting his head on his brothers forearm and pulled Lachlan’s arm over his torso and tucked his hand into his armpit. The duvet, being manipulated by someone’s telekinesis, gently rose and covered all three of them.

‘Sleep.’ Jaden ordered of Lachlan.

‘Yes sir.’ The Leader said with a chuckle. Within minutes they were sound asleep.

In the fourth bedroom, Quinn, facing away from the Russian, had fallen asleep the moment his head had hit the pillow. Mikhail, unable to fall asleep just yet, reached over and pulled the Canadian back and into himself gently, snaking his arm under the blond’s head and using his other arm, pulled the small, taut body back into his hugely muscled frame. The blond responded warmly by pressing himself back into the huge, warm body and sighed softly in his sleep. The Russian closed his eyes, smiled, and drifted off to sleep.

*

Alex had woken with a start and wondered where he was. He sat up quickly and felt a bit dizzy. He swung his legs out of the bed and stood up slowly, his body feeling a bit battered. He stood up and headed out of the room, standing in the hallway wondering where he was. He turned toward the hallway and heard someone whispering to him telepathically.

‘He’s in the room next to yours.’ The voice said. ‘Also, you’re naked and excited.’ The voice said with a giggle. Alex looked down, and sure enough, saw that he was indeed naked, and his manhood was at full attention, dribbling slightly. He laughed quietly and made his way to the door of the room next to the one he had just come out of. He quietly opened the door and peeked around the corner. He saw a large lump on one side of the bed. He looked to the floor and saw two piles of clothes and recognized the pale blue sweater of his lover. He stepped to the empty side of the bed and saw Quinn tucked up securely in the arms of his Russian friend. He pulled the duvet back and climbed in trying not to jostle the bed. He shuffled to the middle slightly and Mikhail’s eyes flew open in shock. He looked to his friend and looked concerned.

‘It’s alright big guy.’ The Italian whispered.

‘Sorry Alex.’ Mikhail whispered, trying to shuffle out from under the Canadian.

‘It’s okay Mickey.’ Alex smiled trying to calm his friend, reaching over and squeezing the Russian’s arm.

‘We were worried about you.’ Mikhail said looking concerned.

‘I’m fine.’ Alex whispered. ‘But, can I have my boyfriend back?’ He laughed quietly. Mikhail giggled and with extreme care, both lifted and pushed the Canadian into the arms of his lover. Quinn mumbled in his sleep as Alex wrapped his strong arms around his boyfriend’s back and pulled him closer into himself. The blond muttered something unintelligible and buried his face into the softly haired chest of the Italian. Alex tenderly kissed Quinn’s head and smiled to his Russian friend.

‘You guys alright?’ He whispered.

‘Yeah. Just worried about you.’ The Russian whispered back.

‘Thanks for looking after us.’ Alex said quietly.

‘You would have done the same.’ Mikhail whispered with a smile. Alex, being careful not to jostle Quinn, reached over and caressed the Russian’s cheek.

‘Where are we?’ The Italian asked quietly as he wrapped his arm back around his lover.

‘We’re in Lachlan’s cabin.’ The Russian answered quietly.

‘Why are we here?’ Alex queried softly.

‘They were worried about you last night. Caiden put you to sleep.’ Mikhail said. Alex thought for a moment and then remembered what happened last night. He turned a visible green at the thought and Mikhail thought he was going to vomit again.

‘I forgot about that.’ The Italian said, trying not to vomit.

‘Are you alright tovarishch?’ Mikhail asked with concern. Alex nodded a few times, and swallowed dramatically.

‘Yeah, I’m good big guy.’ He said with watering eyes. ‘Just don’t like thinking about that.’

‘I’m awake if you guys want to talk about it?’ They both heard. Mikhail jumped slightly, causing Alex to giggle.

‘I’ll get up shortly.’ Alex said slightly louder than a whisper. ‘When Quinn wakes up.’

‘I’ll be here when you do.’ The voice said warmly.

‘I can never tell whose talking to me when they do that.’ Mikhail said frowning slightly.

‘That was Lachlan.’ Alex said with a smile. ‘He told me where you guys were the same way when I woke up.’

‘First time I’ve heard him like that.’ The Russian said, his frown easing slightly.

‘When did you guys get to sleep?’ Alex asked tightening his grip on the blond cuddled against him.

‘About half past two last night.’ The Russian said stifling a yawn.

‘Hmm. I’m hungry.’ The Italian said as his stomach growled loudly. Alex and Mikhail both laughed uncontrollably, jostling Quinn a bit. The blond opened his eyes and looked up into the face of his boyfriend.

‘Hi!’ He said happily, in a sleepy voice.

‘Hi beautiful.’ Alex said smiling down to his boyfriend. ‘How’d you sleep?’

‘Alright I suppose.’ Quinn said burying his face back into Alex’s chest.

‘Just alright?’ Mikhail asked pretending to be offended.

‘No offence Rasputin, but, you just don’t feel like Alex. Or even smell like him.’ The blond said with a chuckle. Mikhail reached down the bed and Quinn jumped as the Russian pinched his bum cheek. All three of them laughed happily.

‘Lachlan, is there anything for breakfast?’ Alex asked out loud.

‘Breakfast is finished but there’s some food in the kitchen here.’ The Leader communicated to all three of them.

‘I’m starved. Let’s have something to eat.’ Alex said hugging his lover once more.

‘I’ll have a coffee please. Black and one sugar.’ Lachlan communicated with a laugh.

‘It’ll be ready in five minutes.’ Alex said throwing the duvet off of the three of them and sitting up. He jumped out of bed, stretched slightly. Quinn and Mikhail both giggled as they watched his manhood, standing at half mast, flex and firm as his body stretched.

‘Perverts!’ The Italian said skipping out of the room, heading to collect his boxer briefs from the other room.

*

Alex, Quinn, Mikhail, Lachlan and the twins were all sitting on the deck of the Leader’s cabin, enjoying a hot cup of coffee, Alex and Quinn taking pleasure in a cigarette.

‘How’s Rama?’ Quinn asked of the Leader.

‘He’ll be fine. Grayson and Helena have done everything they can for him.’ The Leader said with a smile.

‘He’ll be up soon.’ Caiden said staring off into space. The Leader looked at the blond twin curiously. Caiden eventually returned the look with a smile.

‘That’s good to know.’ The Leader said secretively. Everyone wondered what thoughts they had exchanged.

‘Here he comes.’ Jaden said looking through the sliding door to the hallway. Everyone turned to look and watched as the Leader’s husband shuffled slowly down the hallway into the living room. He was wearing a dark blue bathrobe and had messy hair. He looked out the sliding door into the bright light and couldn’t quite make everyone out. Lachlan stood and moved inside at inhuman speed, Mikhail and Quinn actually seeing him as only a blur. The Leader wrapped an arm around the waist of the tall, muscled man, who had an uncanny similarity to Alex.

‘How are you feeling?’ The Leader asked quietly.

‘I’m fine neteru.’ The man said with a laugh. The Leader smiled warmly. ‘I want to go outside. It look’s lovely out there.’ The man had a very odd accent. It sounded ancient, and the stress on certain words was fascinating. Lachlan kept his arm around the man’s waist and helped him shuffle to the sliding door, where Jaden was standing. He flanked the man on his other side and helped him walk to a wicker seat and sit down. When the man was settled, Lachlan sat on the deck beside him and Jaden stood off to the side. He looked around at everyone and smiled, slightly embarrassed.

‘Everyone, this is Rama.’ The Leader said smiling his dazzling smile to the man in the chair. He pronounced the name as “Rah-mah”. ‘Ramz, this is Alex, Quinn and Mikhail.’ Lachlan said indicating each person in turn.

‘I saw Alex yesterday, as brief as it was.’ Rama said with a smile to the Italian.

‘You did?’ Jaden asked curiously.

‘Yes. He had just come back from a run, I assume. I was just leaving.’ Rama said with a nod of the head.

‘Curious.’ Caiden said staring into the distance. Lachlan raised an eyebrow in his direction but turned to Rama and spoke.

‘How you feeling?’ The Leader asked, running a hand down the back of the man’s head, trying to pet the unruly hair into submission.

‘I actually feel good, considering what I went through.’ Rama said with a blush. Alex turned a little green in the face, which Rama noticed. ‘Are you alright?’

‘I… I’m just… remembering.’ The Italian said with his hand to his mouth, trying not to vomit.

‘Remembering what?’ The Leader’s husband asked.

‘Last night, when you blocked me out, Alex managed to connect to you.’ Lachlan said with a worried glance to Alex.

‘It was you?’ Rama asked with surprise. Alex nodded slightly unsure. ‘How in the hell did you move my head?’ The man asked with shock.

‘I didn’t realize it was me that moved it. I thought you did when you heard the person asking where you were.’ Alex answered in confusion.

‘I didn’t hear anyone speaking to me.’ Rama said looking to Lachlan for support.

‘It wasn’t me asking Alex where he was.’ The Leader said shrugging his shoulders. Jaden shuffled uncomfortably, scratching his foot on the ground with a nervous glance at the Canadian. Lachlan saw this look and immediately made the connection.

‘It was you?’ He asked Quinn with amazement. ‘You managed to communicate with Alex, while he was inhabiting Rama’s mind on the other side of the planet, AND told Jaden where to go?’

Quinn turned an amazing shade of red and bowed his head with embarrassment. ‘I didn’t know I could do it.’ The blond said quietly to his lap. The Italian reached over and pulled the man into his lap gently and wrapped his arms around him, squeezing him tenderly.

‘If you hadn’t, Rama would have died.’ Alex said pressing his forehead against the blonds.

‘I’m sorry.’ Quinn whispered barely audibly.

‘Nothing to be sorry about.’ Alex said kissing his boyfriend softly.

‘I think I might need to see what you’re capable of, my little Strega.’ The Leader said with a laugh. ‘You are certainly proving rather talented for a mere witch.’ Quinn blushed a darker shade of red and buried his face in the Italian’s chest.

‘Oh look, you’ve embarrassed the poor thing.’ Rama said laughing.

‘Well, let’s finish up our coffee’s and let’s get some training done.’ Lachlan said smiling to the entire group. Everyone returned the smile and quickly finished their drinks. Quinn started collecting the coffee cups, but Lachlan winked at him, waved a hand and all the cups vanished. The Canadian smiled to the Leader as the Italian scooped him up from behind and carried him off toward the clearing, following the twins.

‘I love you.’ Alex whispered into the blond’s ear.

‘And I love you.’ Quinn said looking into the Italian’s pale blue eyes.

*

‘You know, I think he might just be ready to take on Lach.’ The blond twin said with a smile. His red-headed brother was on his back, hands to his head recovering from a rather heavy hit.

‘He got lucky.’ Jaden stood up in the blink of an eye, his eyes darkening with anger, his gaze fixed on the Italian.

‘You’ve been training him for two weeks Jaden. I think he’s ready.’ The blond twin said watching his brother carefully. Alex was standing at ease a few feet from Jaden, a coy smile about his eyes. As he was about to say something, the twins, Alex, Mikhail, Quinn, Rama and Grayson who were watching this training session, all turned to the path as two people stepped into the clearing.

‘Perhaps I should test him?’ Lachlan said walking at an easy pace to the small gathering of men. Daxa was at his side, arms crossed and a smug smile on his face.

‘Don’t want you getting any more hurt now do we little bro?’ The marginally older replica of the twins said cockily.

‘When I’m done with him, I’ll have you on your arse.’ Jaden said through his teeth, still not taking his eyes off of the Italian. ‘And I’m not your little bro.’

‘No, you’re not, nephew.’ Daxa replied with a hearty laugh. The red head turned on his not that much older uncle and snorted.

‘You’ll keep old man.’ Jaden said with a laugh.

‘Hey, watch who you’re calling old.’ Grayson said elbowing Quinn companionably in the ribs as they both giggled.

‘Fine. Have at him Lach.’ Jaden said flapping his hand in dismissal. He walked to his father and plopped himself on the ground with a sigh. Alex watched as the Leader walked purposefully to where the red head was standing moments before. The Italian watched him carefully, as he calmly turned to face him, and then bowed.

‘Ready?’ The Leader asked simply. Alex nodded quickly, not quite trusting his nerves.

‘Wait a moment.’ Rama said moving instantaneously to their sides. ‘No drawing blood.’ He said looking at both men momentarily. Both of them nodded.

‘First to get their opponent on the back wins.’ He finished, to which both men nodded in agreement. ‘Then go.’

The Leader didn’t move. He became absolutely motionless. His eyes appeared to glaze over slightly. Alex strafed to his left slowly, as the circle of watchers moved hastily to the tree stump seats. The Italian was nearly behind the Leader, about twenty feet away. Lachlan closed his eyes and a smile played across his lips slowly. Alex, sensing his time had arrived, disappeared from the spot he was standing and appeared beside the Leader, his right arm swinging with inhuman speed at the man’s throat. His hand, only inches from making contact, was suddenly trapped in the hand of the Leader. No-one had seen the Leader move. Alex sensing the movement lifted his right knee up and leaned in slightly, meaning to knee the Leader in the stomach.

Lachlan’s lips twitched with a smirk as Alex was lifted bodily from the grass, the Leader’s hands moving faster than light, as Alex was thrown across the clearing. The Italian twisted in flight and landed on foot and knee, eyes still on the Leader. He coughed suddenly and winced as he clutched at his stomach. Quinn gasped quietly.

‘What happened?’ The Canadian asked with eyes fixed on his lover.

‘Lachlan hit him three times in the chest and stomach before throwing him across the Circle.’ Grayson said, having seen the impossibly fast maneuvers

‘Shit.’ Quinn said now concerned for his boyfriend.

‘He’s fine.’ The blond twin said stepping beside the Canadian. ‘Lachlan won’t intentionally hurt him.’ Torn between trusting Caiden and the safety of his boyfriend, Quinn continued watching with the panic quite evident on his face.

The Leader stood straight, his eyes still closed and he faced the Italian. Alex, wondering what to do, suddenly thought of an idea. He began strafing to his right, the Leader turning on the spot and following his progress, though his eyes were closed. As the Italian stepped behind the first person he reached, Rama, the Leader stopped moving and smiled.

‘Clever.’ Lachlan whispered, though everyone heard him clearly. As Alex continued his sideward movement, he was dredging up all his telepathic strength and attempting to shield his mind.

‘Well done.’ The Leader said opening his eyes and actually needed to turn slightly to find the Italian, who had stepped out on the other side of the small group. His telepathic shield was firmly in place and all telepaths present were unable to “see” his psionic self.

‘Well, you’ve neutralised that advantage. Let’s see what you’re capable of.’ The Leader finished saying as Alex flew with amazing speed at Lachlan. Caught momentarily by surprise, Lachlan was forced to step back to avoid the Italian landing a right hook. As it was, he could feel the energy of the telekinetic enhancement around Alex’s hand. Side-stepping quickly, the Leader seized Alex by the top of his right arm and attempted to lift him from the ground again. Being prepared, Alex leapt gracefully into a cartwheel over the Leader’s head, landing behind him, where he leaned back and swung a right kick which connected with a sickening thud on impact. Lachlan was tossed forward with the force and performed a cartwheel and three back flips, landing at a safer distance from the Italian.

‘Impressive.’ The Leader said putting a hand tenderly to his back. Alex smiled despite himself. As he shuffled his weight to make another advance, Lachlan turned to his left and suddenly vanished from sight. Everyone had naturally followed the direction it appeared he was heading in, but only Alex noticed the feint and only just managed to brace for the impact as Lachlan had circled to his right at supernatural speed and collided with the Italian, lifting them both off of their feet and hurtling through the air in a flurry of limbs. The Italian was trying to spin around in mid-air while trying to force Lachlan into a submissive position. Their arc through the air came to an end as both men were suspended several inches above the grass. Alex was on his back, with the Leader’s hand to his throat, his other hand forcing his shoulder down, and Lachlan’s right knee on his chest. Alex was struggling to keep his body off the ground, his telekinesis flattening the grass immediately beneath the two of them. There was a smile playing about the Leader’s blue eyes, which began glowing. But unlike Jaden or Caiden’s eyes, which just brightened, Lachlan’s eyes began glowing bright white. Alex was sweating with the effort of keeping his back off the grass and as a result his telepathic shield faltered. It was all the Leader needed.

With a laugh, Lachlan focused his telekinesis and slammed the Italian into the grass.