Strike Two

Strike Two
Flashback- Crystalgrave - Years Ago

Liam patted Noah on the back as the four brothers stared at their father’s casket. “I just don’t understand, he was fine just moments before.”

Noah clenched his teeth, “Something tells me we know who was behind this.” His eyes shot to Morrigan who bore what he could clearly see were pretend tears. His eyes turned white as she looked at him and she quickly looked back down. “She did it, I know she did.”

Jayden's eyes followed to where Morrigan stood. The hairs on the back of his neck stood and he nodded, “Yeah, I get that vibe too...but unless we can prove it, we have no ground.”

Noah let out a low growl and pulled from his brothers. He prepared to make his way back into the castle, but paused hearing a voice.

“May you find peace with your beautiful Grace. She was as her name implied, and it was an honor and privilege to know you both.”

Noah turned and his lips parted, as he saw a gorgeous woman standing at his father’s casket. She wiped her teary eyes, and he found himself longing to reach out and wipe them himself. He tilted his head as he looked her over and for a moment his sadness felt a little lighter.

Who is she?

Looking for his brothers, he found them all occupied talking to other people. He straightened his suit and cleared his throat and she turned around and looked at him. Lilith’s lips parted in the same fashion as his had prior, and he saw her face flush. Extending her hand, she breathed in deep.

"Hello, I’m Lil-"

“We need to go NOW!” Morrigan shrieked, grabbing Lilith and pulling her away.

“Who is he?” Lilith asked, turning around looking back at Noah who gave her a small slightly sad smile. “He’s um...I can’t explain it, but I feel...”

Morrigan glared at her, “Really Lilith? Right now?”

Lilith looked down at her shoes, "You’re right, that was completely inappropriate.”

“Whatever, look, there has been another attack.”

Lilith felt her blood freeze. "WHAT?! Ho-Oh my God who was it? Is she okay?”

“It was Suzane and no-they-” Morrigan turned her head. “S-she didn’t make it Lilith, I’m so sorry.”

Lilith covered her eyes and let out her second deep sobb of the day. “I-I need to go talk to the other Succubus, first Astaroth and now Suzanne... excuse me.” She hugged Morrigian, “Can you please tell the princes that I had to take my leave.” She looked once more at the handsome stranger, not knowing he was to be her future husband. Inhaling deep, she clung tighter onto his sister.

Morrigan shook her head and gave a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, "Absolutely sis, anything for you.” As she watched Lilith leave, her eyes traveled to an incubus who watched her sister as well.

Of course, another one under her grasp.

She sucked her teeth. Walking over to him, Morrigan folded her arms to her chest. "Tell me, is it the tits, the ass or the rumors about how great she is in bed that has you over here fawning over a woman who will never be yours?” Watching the incubus’s eyes reddened, she laughed, "What’s your name?”

"Why is that any of your concern?”

"Because the succubus you’re fawning over is my sister, and I’m selling her to the highest bidder.”

His mouth dropped, and he tried to quickly recover, "M-my name is Sahir.”

"Good, I’m Morrigan. Now Sahir listen and listen good. You see him?” She pointed at Noah and she saw his body still.

"T-the new king, king Noah?”

She nodded, "Yes, see Lilith- my sister is set to become his wife. The problem with that is I want to be queen and you want her, so here we find ourselves in a bit of pickle.” Leaning in, she caressed his tie, “But, if you were to say find someone to distract the king from ever meeting her formally, and you distract Lilith...wellll we both can have what we want.”

Sahir shook his head, “I can’t go against the king, I’ll be slaughtered! Why can’t you just distract-”

"BECAUSE HE’S SEEN ME!” She shouted before trying her hardest to maintain her composure. "I used to have a thing with his dad.” A sinister smile found her face, “Before I killed him that is.” Sahir’s eyes widened, and she let out a laugh, “So you see my dear, I make shit happen. You want her, you can have her IF you’re willing to pay the toll.”

Sahir sat for a second and looked at the princes and the king. His mind turned to Lilith and he inhaled deep. Rubbing the back of his neck, he murmured, “What do I have to do?”

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Three Days Later

Noah awakened from his dreams and stared to the ceiling.

I wish you were here father, I could really use your advice. I know I’m to take over the for you, but I don’t know about marrying this Lilith, especially not after seeing that beautiful creature-

He let out a loud sigh, and rose to go take a shower. He leaned against the tile and allowed the water to pour over him. He felt the presence of his brother. “Mason, am I not allowed to have a moment alone now that I’m king?”

"Sorry, but it’s urgent. The sorceress is here.”

Noah arched his brow, "Why is she here?”

"She won’t say until we all join her.”

“Okay give me a moment.”

Finishing his shower, Noah quickly dressed and made his way out into the garden. As he approached the warm smile on Samantha’s face, made him smile. He kissed her cheek, "Hello Sam, this is a wonderful surprise.”

Giving him a genuine smile, she handed him a bouquet of roses. "From Chas, Calc and I, our condolences. We know how much your father and mother loved roses.”

Noah stared at the flowers, loving that they’d been so thoughtful. "Please tell them that they are appreciated and that I hope they will visit soon.”

She nodded, and turning to the other brothers, Samantha took a deep breath. “I know this is not the time for this, but there is something very important I must tell you-all of you, about Lilith.”

Liam let out a cough, and Noah looked at all of his brother’s nervousness. “Why are you all so jittery?”

Samantha smiled, “Because they’re all in love with your soon to be bride.”

“WHAT?!” Noah shouted out of shock and Jayden shook his head.

“It never was meant to happen, we SWEAR and we would NEVER betray you like that.”

Liam agreed, “Yeah, it doesn’t matter how we feel, you’re our brother. We won’t interfere, we know she’s supposed to be with you.”

“She is to be with all four of you.” Samantha interjected, “That is what I came to tell you all.”

Silence filled the garden as they all tried to understand. Noah stared at her, “How is that possible?”

“It is a rare occurrence, but as you know it’s not impossible, especially for someone as gifted as Lilith.”

“What do you mean gifted?” Mason asked and Noah closed his eyes.

“She posses the gifts of Gaia, the elders confirmed it.”

Samantha folded her arms to her chest, “And while extraordinary, they are a great power for one person to have. Lilith is strength, she is power, she is a force, but she is also love, kindness and vulnerability.” Looking around at the four incubus, she placed her hands over her chest. “Each of you possess something that she needs, but it’s so much more than that. Something is coming and she’ll need your protection and your love, or she will die.”

The brothers all looked around one another, before settling their eyes onto Noah.

“I know what you’re all thinking. I-I don’t know if I can ever feel the way you do about her, but if we are to be with her, if we are to protect her, I’ll do it for you all. It is my duty as king and my duty as your big brother.”

The look of pure sadness on his face, made Liam shake his head. “We could never ask you to give up your happiness for-”

“OUCH!” Noah shouted, interrupting him. Looking down at his hand, he saw blood trickle from his fingers. The thorns of the roses held drops of his blood.

Samantha quickly grabbed the bouquet, “I-I don’t know how that happened.” Producing a vase, she took both to a nearby table. “I’ll have these clean and set right away.”

Noah nodded absentmindedly, “Thank you” he said to her before leaving the garden with his brothers following behind him.

Samantha held onto the roses and looked around feeling a chill go up her spine before she vanished.

Morrigan appeared from the shadows and let out a roar, “FUCK!!! THAT FUCKING LITTLE SLUT!!” She screamed at the news about her sister. “She gets everything.” Inhaling sharply, she vanished from the garden.

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“Get this right Melanie.” Sahir said as he handed her the fairy dust. “Get it on the king and make him fall in love with you.” He pointed to the castle, “My confidant said he should be coming out soon. Make yourself...noticeable.”

“What does that mean?”

Sahir gave her a sinister smile before pushing her hard onto the castle steps. He winked and disappeared as she held onto her bloodied knee.

“Where are you going?” Liam said as followed behind Noah who stalked from the castle.

“I just need a moment okay? That was a lot to process.”

Mason looked at his brother’s body language, “Oh my God, you’ve met someone.”

Rubbing the back of his neck, Noah avoided his eyes. “I didn’t MEET her per say, I just happened to see her at dad’s funeral and she kind of caught me off guard. She looked like-” He sniffed, the smell of blood entering his nose. Blocking the sun from his eyes with his hands, he looked down the castle steps. Seeing a woman at the bottom holding her knee, he quickly rushed down them. “Are you alright?” He asked, extending his hand.

Melanie gave him a shy smile, “I’m sorry my king, I’m a bit clumsy.” She took his hand and stood.

Noah felt his body rock, as a haze fell over him. he shook his head. "W-who are-”

“Melanie” She replied, caressing his lapels. “And yes, I would love to go on a date with you.”

Noah looked at her flushed face and tried to remember asking her out. His eyes darted to his brothers and they shrugged their shoulders in as much confusion as he was. She was indeed beautiful and her words began to sound familar to him. Giving her a wide grin, he wrapped her arm into his. “Good. Now let’s get that knee looked at and then how about dinner?”

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“Did you get the dust on her Sahir?” Morrigan called behind her as she folded her arms to her chest.

He nodded, “I will tomorrow. She accepted my request for us to spend time with one another.”

“I figured she might. Lilith loves attention. I’m sure all it took was a compliment.”

Sahir's eyes reddened slightly, “Do not speak about her that way. She didn’t accept my offer because of a compliment she accepted on the terms of sitting down and doing a mediation between the Succubus and the Incubus.”

Morrigan whipped around, “Ever the saint isn’t she? Whatever, as long as it works, I don’t care what you have to do.” She placed her hand under her chin. “Okay, okay then we need to up the attacks. I’ll add a bit more of my influence.”

Sahir knew he needed to choose his next words carefully. “Are you sure there is no other way to do this? The idea of my Incubus brothers taking the fall for-”

Morrigan hand collided against his face, “I don’t give a FUCK who takes the fall and that includes you. If she separates the Incubus and Succubus that’s another assurance that she and the king won’t meet.” Turning to leave, she paused. “Oh, we may have a small problem on our hands.The sorceress told of a prophecy. Lilith is supposed to be with the four princes-well I guess three princes and the king.” She saw Sahir still, and she waved him off, “Oh relax, if this works how it’s supposed to, the king will be in a trance and so will his brothers. You get the dust on her, she’ll forget that she met them and as such, she’ll be all yours."

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Two Days Later

“NO! NO! NO!” Calchas screamed as he looked out to Melanie and Noah walking hand and hand. Looking over his visions, he screamed loudly again, “IT ISN’T HERE! HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?!” He grabbed the green book of history and realized that Noah’s blood still wasn’t included. Hearing the front door slam, he quickly rushed to see who it was. “OH THANK GOD HONEY!”

“AHHHHH!” Samantha screamed, zapping him. “WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU?! HOW DID YOU GET IN HERE?!”

“Wha-It’s me!” He said standing and dusting himself off. “Honey there’s something weird going on. The book still isn’t locked, what happened I thought you were getting the king’s blood.” As he walked towards her, Calchas realized she was backing away. “Wait...where is Chasity?”

“HOW THE HELL DO YOU KNOW CHASITY?!”

“W-Wha-” He stared at her. “Y-you really don’t remember me?”

Samantha’s eyes teared as she looked at the seerer. “I don’t...please don’t hurt me. Whatever I did to offend the Elders, please...I’ll do anything to make it right.”

“Hon-” Calchas reached out and she flinched as he grabbed her face. His milky white eyes bore into her. “Fight Sam, I don’t know what’s happening, but I need you to FIGHT...remember me.” A tear fell down his face and he leaned his head against hers. He felt her body relax.

“I-I don’t remember, but I trust you. I feel that you...you won’t hurt me.” She saw the sadness in his eyes as he pulled away.

“Samantha, why is the king with Melanie?”

“Because she is his bride and the future queen.”

Calchas stilled. “What about Lilith? What about the princes?!”

Samantha looked at him in utter confusion, “What are you talking about? Lilith and Sahir are together. She’s never met the king or her brothers.”

He felt himself stumble. “FUCK! FUCK! SHE DID THIS! THEY ALL DID THIS AND THEY HAVE HELP!” Grabbing her in his arms, he inhaled sharply, “Do you trust me?” She nodded. “Good because we have to try again. I need you to do something, there’s a prophecy about Lilith and the four and you need to be the one to tell them.”

Samantha's eyes widened, “Wha-why me?”

Calchas looked up to the sky, “Because someone isn’t playing fair, and we’re no longer going to either.”