Dead Stick

Chapter 13

A moment later Cloe sat next to me with a plate of food. "I take it didn't go that well?" She asked, shyly looking at me from eyes partially concealed by her lashes.

"If you consider I have been visited by the leader of the Timmings clan, his wife, their daughter and the son of the Vidon clan, then yeah you could say that. Oh yeah Lord Vidon appeared also I had to deny his claim to this fight." I told Cloe as if this was an everyday occurrence, her eyes wide as each name was said.

"You denied Lord Vidon!? How in the hell did you do that!!! No one denies that Vampire anything!" Here she backed away from me giving me the oddest of looks. Reaching out I could feel her scanning me s**t! She was far stronger than I thought!

Sighing I allowed her to opening up to allow her further in. Then I started to regret it, I could see the tears starting to fall I had opened all the way, she wanted to know fine! I let her have it all not realizing that the pain I had learned to deal with over the centuries might be too much for her.

I thought she could take it all, in my arrogance and a flash of anger I let her have it all. It wasn't 'til she started to shake I knew that I had gone too far. Closing everything like a steel door her eyes went wide then she was on her knees weeping uncontrollably. "I'm..." hanging my head I tried again, "I'm sorry Cloe no one has tried to do that to me in a long time. I'll be in the other room I know you don't want me too near right now."

I flashed out still hearing her whimpering; now I felt like a complete ass. There was a knock at the door, getting up I saw that it was Celina. "That was a hideous thing you did Tyrome," she hissed.

My faced screwed into a mask of anger I told her, "Considering that you were a part of that pain you don't have that much room to talk. Or would you like to experience the hell that I have for well over four hundred years!? Why are you here?" I said dropping my voice and emotions.

"I came to continue the discussion, things were said that need to be cleared up, don't you think?" she said a little smirk on her lips. What in the hell was going on? Was the damn world descending on me tonight? s**t!

"Fine after I do my exercises I should pass him tonight, I only need three to equal four to pass shouldn't be too hard." I told her a smirk now on my lips. "Might take a few hours though get comfortable." I started to concentrate as I felt her move toward the front room. I had obviously been at it for a while when I felt a disturbance on the dreamscape.

"Ah! Your power has finally passed mine excellent! When I drain you here I will burst forth and drain this world of ALL magic, then I will be a god!" Cedric's hideous laughter ringing in my ears I felt him reach toward me, this time though it wasn't an attack, I could feel the energy he was expanding it was more of a vacuum. Changing my energy I quickly erected a shield I hadn't used in over one hundred fifty years. Hitting it he was stunned at first that I knew what he was about.

"I told you ass hole I am a master of counter spells!" I sneered at him.

"True but can you handle both?" With those words he started to fire at me, holding both shields wasn't easy but somehow I did. Pissed off he started to retreat when I reached out grasping near his heart, strange but I felt this wasn't really him. Cursing he began to throw even more at me, smiling I just relaxed more feeling my shields flair stronger. Laughing he again reached for my power. Snapping a shield I had only used once he hit it with a shock. "So, bastard, you know of that also, good when I drain you it will be sweeter."

He was withdrawing again, I held fast maybe I could rip something else lose and seriously weaken him. Screaming, I felt him pull with a strength I didn't think he had left in him. Still I held on to what I felt near his heart. Finally he turned firing at me, "Let me go you slimy, nasty, filthy, human!" With those words he again wrenched as hard as he could screaming as another huge section of his power ripped loose. "Fine! You can have the human w***e!" Laughing he withdrew again, human w***e? What in the hell was he talking about?

Suddenly I was exhausted I needed to leave though that was easier said than done, I could see the surface I just couldn't get to it. That's when I felt a hand push me up, ah! Elura was helping me thank god she was still safe, then I felt another hand guiding me up huh? Looking back I saw not only Elura but another older woman smiling at me, I tried to open my mouth to ask her who she was when I opened my eyes. Immediately I closed them again, Christ the light was so powerful.

I heard several gasps trying to turn my head I could barely make out Ben, trying to talk to him I finally got a thought to him. (Ben I did it I passed him I fought him the power resisting shields worked but I think he has more. I also ripped more from him but I don't recognize her.)

(Another soul? I thought only family could add to power. Let me see her.) He told me I was barely able to bring up her face when I heard him gasp.

(Lillian!) Finally I couldn't keep my eyes open.

"You should be fine soon Tyrome," I heard Evelyn Timmings say, "Oh great" I thought though if I had to be healed she was the best.

I didn't know how long I was out, all I knew was my head felt as if it had been stepped on a few thousand times. Finally I managed to get my eyes open though they felt like they weighed a ton. Scanning the room I saw that both the Timmings were there though asleep on a near king size bed. Suddenly alert I could see that there were several more than just a few people in my now apparently three times as large apartment. Trying to rise off the floor I groaned as a huge wave of nausea swept over me. Nearly falling, I felt a strong arm around me as I emptied the contents of my stomach; yup Ben was here too s**t that was all I needed.

Finally over my bout of sickness I could swear that Ben was laughing at me. Turning I saw that though he was trying not to he was indeed laughing. "Alright asshole," I gasp at him, "I can let you see how it feels to have the s**t beat out of you!"

Smiling even bigger he said, "It's good to see that you are almost back to normal with that attitude!"

Shaking my head I looked at him like he was crazy, "I'm serious damn it, I haven't taken a beating like this in several hundred years, just to rip part of him loose! Now maybe you can tell me what you meant when you said that name. As far as I know I never knew a Lillian. Father never went with any females," here I hung my head whispering, "I never knew my mother, nor did father ever tell me who she was."

Ben's face suddenly took a serious look to it, "I cannot tell you then, I made a promise to him and her centuries ago. A promise that even I cannot break; though if she is where she can, she can tell you." Looking directly into my eyes Ben said, "That is if you can Lillian, I know things were never well in the family but does he not deserve to know?"

Suddenly I felt a presence within me that I hadn't before then an older woman's voice came out of my mouth. "Don't push it Ben! You as well as I, know the consequences of that knowledge, leave it alone!"

"I can't Lillian he deserves to know, I am the closest to family he has ever had. Don't you think it is time?" Ben asked almost begging, s**t who was this Lillian that she could almost frighten Ben like that?

"Uh excuse me but I am right here, just f*****g tell me!" I told both of them.

"You stay out of this!" Ben hissed at me.

"That's enough damn it!" I heard the female voice say. "You're right he deserves to know but not now, soon but not now." With that the presence was gone as was the voice, holy crap I felt nothing of the woman at all. Search as hard as I could I felt nothing, this had to be an extremely powerful being if I couldn't feel her within me.

Ben was shaking his head as he moved away, I also noticed that he was trembling who in the hell had this much power over Ben?

Finally off the floor I saw that the entire council was there, glancing up I couldn't even look at Cloe. I was already enough of a freak as it was but this had to have her looking at me even harder, plus after what I did I wasn't sure if she wouldn't be trying to kill me again. Yup I thought about a normal month for me everything all screwed up and falling apart.

Then I noticed that there were several Vampires in the room, as well as Timmings clan mages, thing is, they all felt human. What in the hell was going on? I get the s**t kicked out of me and everyone shows up to cheer him on? As my face twisted into rage, Celina touched me on the shoulder. "We still have to finish our discussion." Sighing I nodded as we moved into the only empty room in the house I guessed it was going to be like this the rest of the day.

"Look Celina," I started when I turned back toward her. Launching herself at me she met my lips with her own. Sliding my arms around her I let my hands drift lower to her firm backside.

Breaking the kiss she smiled at me seductively, "There discussion over, I may not remember all that happened back then but I do remember how much I loved you." Here she lowered her eyes, "I find that I still do, please Tyrome don't answer now, just," taking a gulp she went on, "just know that I love you ok?" Celina walked out leaving me standing there like a stunned i***t, I remember the Doctor telling me it was all her but I thought it was another of his lies.

Ok, this was another shock, walking out I saw that Ben was smiling weird, as were a few others, "Shut up all of you. Thank you all of you that came, I fought Cedric again, it was different but I weakened him again though I am afraid that this next battle will be here. I need everyone safe, I am suspending the school 'til it is over." I looked at Tom and Ben, "If I don't make it I trust that you and your clan," I turned toward Lord Vidon, "and your clan will finish this." They all nodded, "If you'll excuse me I need to rest before he breaks free." Again all nodded then they all started to flash out, finally I was alone, well with Cloe and Celina.

"I am glad that you finally told him," Cloe told Celina who held a huge grin on her face as the two women embraced.

Shocked I must have looked ridiculous as they both were smiling at me, "Wait when did ... how did you ... what are you," I sat with a thud on the couch really confused apparently they both had known about each other and were fine with it. Damn I thought go figure and the simple fact that they wanted me was an even bigger shock. Feeling the fatigue though not that tired after being out so long, I decided to just talk to the two of them. It was a good few hours we had talking about everything under the sun.

The next thing I knew I was waking up, the sun a blistering ball of heat streaming through the window. Looking down I saw that both Cloe and Celina had fallen asleep on my lap; I also noticed that I wasn't the only one awake. Adjusting myself to get more comfortable I was walking into the kitchen when I felt the barrier I had erected centuries ago start to c***k. Damn it! He would pick today to break out just when I had finally found what I had looking for, for so long. Now I really was pissed but I had to calm, looking back at the two women I wanted to stay with for a really long time I knew that no matter what I had to for them.

I appeared in the center of the magic realm, I knew he wanted this to be a spectacle as I am sure every megalomaniac did. After what I had learned last night I doubted seriously he could win, that is if I could actually pull it off. An immensely loud cracking sound was all that could be heard, then I felt a powerful rushing toward me. Bracing I awaited his first onslaught, when nothing came I saw that he has stopped before me a huge smile on his face.

"You really think I am that stupid to attack you head on?" His booming voice came at me.

"Yeah actually I did, you were a moron the last time I expected more of the same." I said a wide smile on my face.

"Why in the hell are you so happy?" He demanded to know.

"I know for a fact that if you beat me," here I swept me hand toward the rear of me where I am sure he could feel literally thousands of mages and vampires. "They will exact revenge on you, besides," I started laughing, "you've lost part of your power."

Here Cedric started to laugh, "What? That weak little s**t of a sister and the w***e? Oh I see! You don't know who she really is, do you? Well then little brother I'll tell you, she's..."

Suddenly I had no control of my voice, "Yes go ahead you fool!" Cedric's face was in shock. "You know what will happen if he knows, though at this point," here the older woman's voice laughed, "I think it's really too late for you go ahead!"

"Fine you f*****g human w***e," here he sneered at me, "that human is yours, YOUR sister and brother's mother." Looking up he screamed, "Go ahead try to I am far too damn powerful for it to matter!"

I stared at Cedric, he'd killed ALL of my family including her! Roaring I felt my power and rage grow. The sky started to darken as the wind began to howl. Cedric laughed even harder seeing my rage growing thinking I was an easy target now he started to fire at me at first I only stood there watching as his blasts skipped off, then he was again trying to draw off all of my power. Smiling I erected the new shield I had learned the day before, that's when I really started to laugh at the startled and enraged look on his face.

"You son of a b***h! You won't win, you can't win!" Cedric was almost screaming now starting to unload almost all he had on me.

"No you ass wipe! It's you who won't win just like you never do!" Finally I felt a lull in his power taking spell and sent a few blasts his way I smiled when I saw the blood well up on his arms.

"Really brother this is all you got? Did you forget I can heal a hell of a lot faster than you?" Smiling I hadn't forgotten but as I remembered from our last battle it also took a lot of his energy to accomplish. Sending out a warning I told all below that the battle had started and no structure was safe. Blasting away at him was taking a toll on him and me both.

Though he'd only gotten a few past my defenses it was more than enough to seriously weaken me. Changing tactics I reached out for only the third time hoping that this time I could effectively weaken his power enough to get in a killing blow. Grabbing a huge area of power I began to twist as hard as I could, eliciting a hair raising scream from him. I knew I was on the right track when I felt his power significantly drop.

"NO!" I heard him scream as I pulled as hard as I could, this time his power really did drop. Then it was gone and free, or so I thought it was as I saw my brother. Christ I thought there won't be any room in there for me at this rate. Laughing he sneered at me, "You really think you've won? I didn't know how to use their power the first time we fought as you can hardly use all the levels you have gained. I know you can't hold out forever, I also know that was your last ditch attempt to defeat me.

I heard Tan and Elura both say to open up they would supply me with their power, I told them I couldn't it was theirs not mine I therefore had no right. Glaring at Cedric I saw him smile then he started to hit me with renewed power. This power seemed so familiar, my eyes opened wide as I realized that it was our father's power he was using. I told my sister and brother to fire at Cedric through me, with me as all three of us began to back Cedric up. Reaching out I prayed I had enough to free father I had to. Ripping my way through I felt the power but Cedric had somehow increased his protection of the area.

Suddenly I heard my father say, (back off son you can't beat him not like this, please.) I started to back off still trying to pull father free. (Son no, you can't win this we can beat him together.)

(No father!) I screamed in my mind. (I have to save you!)

(You have son back off please!) I heard his tear strained voice as he was almost pleading for me to back off.

(Father if I do you would die with him, > I told him.

Epilogue

Five years later I was still at the school though we were only having classes every 10 years. I had monitored all of my students from the previous class as of yet they were all still alive though I was afraid that it might change soon. To my utter amazement the council had allowed me to marry both Celina and Cloe. Celina still helped me with the school and the business. Though as I looked at her; that was going to have to stop soon I could see.

Celina came out from around the desk her eight month belly very hard not to notice. Cloe had foregone getting pregnant saying she still had work with the council to do, personally I think she enjoyed just s*x with me far too much. I had been working on my levels not realizing all these years that I had been slowly releasing the wild magic. I was far better at using it than both Johnathon and Tom, though I had started to train Johnathon to increase my way.

I was about to open a portal that Tom had taught me when I suddenly reached into the shadows bringing my hand back around Murry the snit's throat. "Hello Murry feeling braver lately huh?"

Coughing he stated, "No Tyrome just here to give you the last payment," He choked out. "You know I can't be seem going into your office this way I get more business on the street."

"Still, I have an office you ass!" I told him as I took the crystal from him. "Alright you're paid up for most of the things I have a file for." Pulling him close I said while staring into his eyes. "Don't let me catch you again." Nodding he was gone in a flash. Looking at the crystal I smiled it was going to piss Johnathon off again, he and Lana were trying again, having failed at her last cycle, no one had seen them for almost a week. FIN