| Chapter 43 "Bri, you need to get up," Lyn said, rubbing her hand up and down his arm. Brian looked up at her, "Hmm?" "Sweetie, your interviews start in about an hour," she said. He sat up running his hand through his hair, "Oh, the phone interviews?" "Yeah," Lyn laughed. Brian was harder to wake up than Nick ever thought about being. "Are Nick and Tara still here?" he asked, stretching. "Yeah, but they're getting ready to leave," she answered. Brian nodded, swinging his legs over the side of the bed and standing up. He was happy when he felt no dizziness, or weakness. "Hey, you feeling better?" Nick asked, stepping through the door. "Yeah, just like new," Brian answered, walking over to Nick. "Good, I hate to but we really need to get back," he said. Brian nodded, "I understand." Nick pulled him into a hug, "Thank you for helping Tara." "Anytime man, you know that," Brian said, patting him on the back. Nick pulled away, nodding, "So, when does the book come out?" "Tomorrow," Brian answered, as a smile crept across his face. "So I guess you'll be busy for the next few days huh?" Nick asked. "Sorta, I've got a couple hours worth of phone interviews this afternoon, and I'm gonna pre-tape some TV interviews after that. So I actually have tomorrow off," Brian said. "Cool," Nick said, "I know it'll do well, and it'll help us so much. Thank you for putting yourself through that." Brian laughed, "It could've been worse I guess." "Man, don't say that," Nick warned, with a laugh. Together they walked into the living room. Tara, Jade and Aleisha where getting ready to leave. Tara walked over to Brian, "You look better." "I feel better, you OK?" he asked. She nodded, "Yup, can't keep me down for long." Brian chuckled, "Ain't that the truth." Tara's expression turned serious, "Bri, thank you....." Brian put his hand up, "Don't mention it. You guys stay safe alright?" "We will," Tara said, pulling him into a hug. They parted and Brian watched as everyone said goodbye to Ted and Lyn, then vanished from the room. "Well, it's never boring around here huh?" Ted said, standing up. "Nope, can't accuse us of that for sure," Lyn said. "Baby, is there any coffee?" Brian asked, stifling a yawn. Lyn smiled, "No, but I'll make some." "Thank you, I'm not sure I'm gonna get through these interviews without it," Brian said, following her into the kitchen. "Brian, do you mind if I stay?" Ted asked. "Naw, but why would you want to?" Brian asked. "I dunno, I've never seen this part of your business before. I think it's interesting," Ted said. Brian smiled, "Wait til the third or fourth hour of it, then tell me if it's still interesting." Ted laughed, "OK, I'll let you know." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gideon and Micah where in the command tent going over the battle plans with the generals when Nick and the rest of the group arrived. "So, what'd I miss?" Nick asked, getting right to work. "Nick, welcome back," Micah said. Nick smiled at his friend. Gideon looked at Tara, "You alright?" "I am now," she said, taking a seat at the table. Jade and Aleisha excused themselves so the meeting could continue. "OK, back to business," Nick said, "What's happened since I left?" "A whole bunch of nothing," Micah said. "It's almost like they're stalling or something," Gideon added. "Stalling? For what?" Nick asked. "That's what we've been trying to figure out," Michael said. Nick sat down, wondering what they were doing. "OK, let's talk this out," he said, "Their intent was to get to me and Tara, right?" Several at the table nodded. "And they attempted that, and didn't succeed. We're both here now, and they can't touch us here unless they come prepared for an all out battle," Nick mused. "Right, so what else could they be doing?" Tara asked. Nick shook his head, "I dunno, but I have a feeling we need to figure it out before something happens we aren't prepared for." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "How could you let her slip through your fingers! She is one measly �helper', you are suppose to be a warrior!" the general yelled. "She wasn't alone," the captain said, trying to defend himself. "Yeah and you outnumbered them! Why didn't you follow them and take her then?!" the general screamed. "We did follow them, but he showed up," the captain said. The general walked over to his planning table and sat down, completely frustrated. "Nickolas, If I hear that name one more time I think I'll explode," he said. He looked back over at the nervous captain, "Alright, if we can't take her, we'll get the next best thing. Assemble your team, and this time don't come back until you have what you left for." The captain nodded, backing out of the room, "Yes sir, you won't be disappointed." "I better not be, or you will pay for it," the general said, his voice dripping with threat and promise. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian, Lyn and Ted walked into the house and collapsed on the couches. All the interviews where over with. They had gone down to the local TV station and pre-taped interviews with several morning shows by remote. "God, I'm exhausted," Ted said, "I can't believe you do that for every cd you put out." Brian laughed, "Well actually, this is light compared to what we do for a cd launch." Ted stared at him, "You're kidding?" Brian shook his head, "Nope, I'd take this over a cd launch any day." Ted shook his head, "I think I've found a new respect for what you do." "Thanks, I think," Brian laughed. "Is anyone hungry?" Lyn asked. "Starving," both men said. Lyn smiled, "Alright, come make yourselves useful and help me fix something to eat." The three stood to go into the kitchen when Tracy, William and Lucas appeared. "Oh hey guys," Brian said. "Get behind us," Tracy ordered in a stern voice. "Why, what's going on?" Ted asked. "We have visitors and they aren't friendly," Lucas said, drawing his sword. Brian and Ted both grabbed Lyn and got behind the three, pushing Lyn behind them. They watched as the three held their swords at the ready, glancing around the room. "The house is surrounded," William said. Just then several demons appeared in the room, their swords at the ready. "What are you doing here?" Tracy asked. One of the demons smiled at her, "We're here to retrieve him," he said, pointing his sword at Brain. "Me? Why do you want me?" Brian asked, more confused than afraid. The demon laughed, "The reason is invalid. Now step aside and you won't get hurt." "No," Tracy said, standing her ground. "Listen, helper you are grossly outnumbered. So if you want to live through this you'll be smart and step aside," the demon spat. "You will not take him," William said, taking a step forward. The demon glared at him, "Alright, have it your way." He then motioned to several soldiers behind him, and they moved to confront William. Brian couldn't take what was about to happen. He couldn't let anyone get hurt because of him. He quickly stepped in front of William. Lyn and Ted tried to stop him, but he pulled from their grasp. "No stop!" he yelled. The demon lifted his arm to stop the soldiers from advancing. "Brian, don't do this," Tracy said, grabbing his wrist. He pulled it from her hold, "I can't let this happen. Not over me." He then turned to the demon, "You came here for me right?" The demon nodded. "So if I go with you, none of them will be hurt?" Brian asked. "All we want is you," the demon assured him. Brian took a shaky breath, "Then I'll go with you." "No Brian please!" Lyn pleaded, running to him and wrapping her arms around is neck, holding on to him for dear life. "Please don't go," she begged, tears streaming down her face. Brian gently lifted her head so she was looking at him, "I don't have a choice. If I don't go, you could get hurt, and I'll never allow that to happen. Not when I can stop it." "But you don't know what they'll do," she said. He shook his head, "It doesn't matter. As long as you're safe, I'll get through it. I love you." "I love you too," Lyn said, as Brian pulled her to him, taking her mouth with his in a searing kiss. The demon motioned to a couple of soldiers and they moved forward, grabbing Brian by the arms and yanking him away from Lyn. "No!" Lyn screamed, trying to hold on to him. Tracy and Ted moved to her side, holding her as she cried. Brian looked at her as a single tear trailed down his cheek, "I love you," he said as the group vanished from the room. "No! God No!" Lyn screamed, her grief and fears consuming her. Ted held onto her for dear life, his own tears mixing with hers. "William, follow them," Tracy said. He nodded, quickly vanishing. "Lucas, go inform the protectors what's happened. Get everyone here. It'll be easier if we're all together, then go let Nick know what's going on," Tracy ordered. Lucas nodded, disappearing. Tracy made her way to her sister, taking her in her arms, "Well get him back, I promise." Chapter 44 |