33 comments/ 29341 views/ 21 favorites The Guardians Ch. 00 By: musecues NB: All characters and reference to real places and historical names are meant to be used in purely fictitious ways. This is a work of fiction and bears no resemblance to any person alive or dead. Prologue Legend tells of the Florentine poet, Dante Alighieri whose love for Beatrice led him on a spiritual journey to help him see the errors of his way. His dead love Beatrice had asked the Virgin Mary to show him penitence; Mary accepts and sends him on a journey through Hell, up Mount Purgatory and finally to Heaven in the sky. In Inferno, Dante finds himself lost in the dark woods, surrounded by vicious wolves and beasts like. Spiritually unguided, Dante desperately seeks a way out. He is stopped by the ancient poet; Virgil who explains to him that the only way out is for him to finish the journey; to reach Paradise and to do so, Dante must first follow him on a tour of Hell. Through the gates, Dante sees the nine circles of Hell and their inhabitants. Beyond the sixth circle, Dante finds that each circle of Hell has more inner levels within them. And in the fourth level of the ninth circle of Hell, he comes face to face with the Devil himself. Seeing enough to burn his eyes, Dante begins to hate sins and fear punishment. The two poets then exit Hell in time for the sun's rising on Easter Sunday to which Virgil now leads him to Purgatory. Entering Purgatory, Dante carries with him seven P's for each of the sins and each burden is removed the higher up Mount Purgatory he climbs. Here the saved are purged of their sins and await entry to Paradise. At the end of the seventh terrace of Purgatory, Virgil leaves him and Dante is reunited once more with his love, Beatrice, at the gates of Paradise.... "Ella...my love that's enough reading for now..." Isabella tried to stifle her yawn as she looked up to see her father beyond the rows of books on his desk. "But Papa....A little bit more please..." the little girl pleaded. The wizened Professor Rafael Allegri put down his reading glasses and began to walk towards his daughter. He could see her nodding away since after dinner but didn't have the heart to part her from her precious reading. She, like him would always have a love for books. Her soft brown hair was dark like her mother's but her eyes, piercing green like his. Looking at them through her half hooded lids, he could see them turning almost dark green with fatigue. She was asleep even before they got to her bedroom and Rafael smiled as he looked at his beautifully precious and only daughter curled up against her favorite blankie. Pulling up the covers, he kissed her forehead and opened her palms to kiss her small fingers. He saw the wooden carved bracelet around her wrist and sighed. He missed his Anna so much... She had made him promised to give their daughter the bracelet on her 10th birthday as a gift from her. Rafael closed his eyes to stop the tears from falling. Walking back to his study, Rafael picked up the book his daughter was reading and shook his head. Divina Commedia – read the title. He saw her tiny little markings on his book to indicate that she had stopped just before the section on Paradiso. He smiled, knowing that she must be dreaming about Paradise at that moment.... ********* RING!!!!! "Ella! Wake up! We're going to be so late for class if you don't stop dreaming!" wailed her flustered roommate, Cathy, who was busily stuffing books and pens in Ella's bag. "We're so gonna be late Ella!!! Ella!!!" yelled Cathy as she banged at the bathroom door. And...30 minutes later... "We're sorry we're late... Prof..." Ella managed to huff her apology as she was totally out of breath from all that running from their dormitory to the lecture hall. "It's alright. I knew you'd be late Ella," a baritone voice replied her. It was then that she looked up to see one of the most handsome men she had ever laid eyes upon. He was tall, about 6ft and had shoulders way too broad for a professor, she thought. His hair was blond and his eyes had a sharp intensity that she couldn't stare at them for long. She didn't even dare to ask how he knew she was going to be late. "Ella!" hissed Cathy who was already seated. She gestured to the seat next to her and Ella quickly scrambled to her seat and tried to settle down. She saw his name already written on the board in black ink- Ben Martin. Below his name he had written the subject of his vocation: Medieval History and Linguistics Cathy had scribbled a note at the top of her notepad that said 'BORING!' and underlined it several times. Showing it to Ella, both girls ended up giggling as Cathy began to sketch a funny drawing of Professor Martin in metal armor. "Miss Ella, you seem to have a knack for distracting my focus today. I wonder why is that?" his baritone voice echoed loud in the auditorium. Ella's head snapped back up to face his piercing gaze. She was usually vocal during her lessons, but staring at him at that moment, she couldn't bring herself to give him any reason. Somehow, she felt really stupid at that moment in time. Seeing Professor Martin walking towards her direction, she quickly tried to burry her nose deep in her textbook but her ploy failed for he rapped his marker at her desk and said, "Since you have a penchant for seeking attention, perhaps you would like to enlighten us all as to what exactly the term 'Medieval' refers to?" Ella didn't dare to look up at him. She didn't know if she feared him or felt the beginnings of a crush but she couldn't stare at his eyes. Didn't anyone else notice how intense they were? They seemed to be glowing like sunlight each time his eyes were set in a gaze. "No? Anyone else?" he turned to face the rest of the freshman class. Someone had raised his hand and Professor Martin had walked over to the student. Even though he was far from her at that moment, Ella could still sense his gaze penetrating through her skin. She didn't know why she had such a strong emotion for this person. It was neither hate nor liking but it was deeply intense. The lecture continued for the next hour without him moving anywhere near her. After the class ended, Cathy was bubbling with excitement. "Oh, Ella! Did you see how handsome our professor was? God... he is to die for. Oh... and that voice of his... it's so captivating that I couldn't help but hear every word he said! Oh the Romans and the Byzantines... it all sounds so boring yet he made it so romantic! Oh Ella... I would never ever be late for his class ever again!" chirped Cathy as she held Ella's hand and swung it in glee. "Hey, Ella! I'm talking to you babe... what's gotten into you huh?" Cathy tried to shake Ella out of her thoughts. "Oh. I'm sorry Cat... It's just, that professor was really mean... I mean... I wasn't the only one giggling!" "Oh, don't be a sour pot. Maybe he thought you're hot!" Cathy said laughingly. "Yeah right," retorted Ella. She often heard people calling names at them each time they walk in the halls. 'Beauty and the Beast' they had said. Ella didn't need anyone to tell her who's the Beast. After lunch, Cathy had left her to go for another class. Ella decided to take a walk to the Faculty office. She had a lot of things on her mind and she knew just the right person who could help ease them all. The hallway to the Faculty office was always like a ghost town. No one seemed to like talking to their professors. Ella closed the door gently behind her and started walking towards her destination; she's done it a thousand times. Suddenly, she felt a light tap on her shoulder and almost shouted in surprise as she turned to face her perpetrator. "Ella," his voice was calm as he greeted her. Ella wanted to kill him for scaring her like that. "Professor Martin," she replied back, out of courtesy. She had to get away from him as fast as possible. "Visiting the Professor I suppose?" he said, matter of factly. Ella was frowning. What, can he read minds now? She didn't reply him but simply gave a soft knock on her father's office door and waited for his reply. "Yes, come in," the booming voice from inside answered. Ella pushed the door open, leaving Ben Martin standing outside. But the moment her father's eyes looked at the door, his first words were not addressed to her but to him. "Ah, Abben... how wonderful to see you. Do come in, come in!" he said, getting up to pull a chair for the young professor. Ella was very upset. She had come here to tell her father about the man sitting comfortably beside her and how is she suppose to do so with him around? "Would you like tea, Abben? I did ask Miria to make me a pot a while ago," her father said. Ella glared at Professor Martin. What kind of name is 'Abben' anyway, she thought. "It's Latin, my dear. I fear that my mother had a thing for such ancient language when I was born," he simply said as though reading her mind. Ella was furious and turned to look at him. She regretted the moment she did that for she felt a sudden twirl of excitement in her gut. His chiseled lips were curved in a smile so slightly and his eyes... they weren't the same colour and brightness as they had been back in the auditorium. They were greyish green. She couldn't believe it. His irises looked as though they could have been translucent! He held her gaze for no longer than a second before standing up to assist her father with tea. "Rafael, let me. Why don't you sit down?" he said, gesturing towards the chair. Sitting down, Rafael turned to his daughter and caressed her cheek. "My Bella... why are you always wearing those horrendous looking sweaters... don't you think they are a tad too big for you?" Rafael said as he stroked his daughter's hair. "But they're Mama's." "Yes, they are but they are so old and worn out my dear... one day we will have to let it go..." Ella looked at her father and somehow sensed that he wasn't just talking about her sweater anymore. "Anyway Papa... did you know that Professor Martin here is one of my core subject instructor?" she said, trying to bring back his focus to the present. "Ben will do, Ella, since we are in such intimate circumstances," Ben replied as he looked at her. Ella didn't like the way he said the word 'intimate'. It felt as if he had stroked some parts of her body and left her naked right in that room. She turned away from his gaze and looked at her father. "Well then Ella. You are so fortunate! Abben here is a superb authority on Medieval studies. There is nothing that one can ask that he wouldn't know. Isn't that right my friend?" Rafael gave Ben a playful wink. "But I thought you're the best there ever was!" retorted Ella. "Oh Bella... you know that is not true. Everyone has their specialties. Mine is in Literature and he in History. That is the beauty of knowledge, haven't I always told you? You can either study them all or study one in depth. You can't have it all my Bella... that is why we have books for people to share their knowledge." Ella sipped her tea and stared at the two men who were sitting in front of her. Their closeness brims just beneath the veneer of politeness that they both engaged in. Perhaps they had worked together on a paper before. But Ella had never saw Ben Martin ever walking in the halls of Princeton. **** Princeton- That's where her Papa said they were going to live. She didn't like the sound of it. So foreign... she wanted to stay in Italy, close to her Mama's grave but her Papa won't hear of it. He said he had a job at this strange place called Princeton and she must go with him because she is his daughter. Ella had remembered sulking for days, watching her Papa pack their things. She had gotten sick onboard the plane and Papa had patted her to sleep so she wouldn't feel nauseous. Papa had said their house was going to be at Springdale Faculty. She had liked that name. It made her think of spring, her favorite season because it was neither too hot nor cold. He had given her a very pretty carved wooden bracelet. He said it was a gift from Mama. Ella loved it very much for it was always reflecting off light and never got wet even when she took it to play in the bathtub. She had never taken it off ever since. But Princeton took her Papa away from her for many hours at times. She would sit in his office reading his many books simply to past time after school. At first, she couldn't speak English and had kept to herself during school lessons, only to rush back to her father's office to burry her nose in his extensive collection of books written in Italian. Even after 5 years, she felt homesick sometimes and reading in her native language helped ease the longing... It was during those lonely afternoons that she found the heavy leather bound book hidden under a few other on her father's desk. She couldn't recognize the other books because they were in another language. She knew that she should be reading those instead to improve her English but something about the Italian words on that leather bound book caught her attention: Divina Commedia What, she had wondered could possibly be so funny inside this book? Papa had told her stories of the Shakespearean comedies and how she loved each and everyone of them. But he had never told her this one. The book had startled her with its rather rude quote 'Abandon hope all ye who enters here!'. She had gotten scared but her curiosity pushed her to read further. Dante, the poet was ruthless in his description of Inferno, and Ella was grateful for the afternoon sunlight for company as Dante took her down the darkness of his writings. There were some strange scribblings on one of the pages but she couldn't understand them. She had thought them english but they were actually a far more ancient language that she did not know. Flipping a page, suddenly, a small parchment fell out. Papa must have been making notes for his class she thought. But when she turned the parchment over, she saw a picture of a painting... or was it a sculpture... of four horsemen. Maybe Papa was using this as a bookmark, she thought, but as she looked closer at each of the men, she felt herself drawn to the first one. She could see his eyes... they were so empty and hollow. She found herself staring at his face even more and more... "Papa... are all comedies suppose to be funny?" she had asked her father later that night during dinner. "Oh my Bella... of course not. Poetry in the ancient world fell into two categories- high to which it is called a tragedy and low to which it is called a comedy. So a low poem or a comedy usually has happy endings and talk about everyday things. Of course eventually people come to think of it as having humour in it only. Why do you ask my love?" "But why is Dante's Divina Commedia a comedy?" "Oh... Bella... you should not be reading such things at your age..." "Why is it a comedy Papa?" she insisted. Sighing to himself, Rafael continued, " Italian was considered a low and vulgar language of the Medieval times. Many would have expected him to write in Latin to describe such a serious topic." "Papa... who were the horsemen in the book? I saw it on a parchment..." "That's enough Isabella..." ****** RING!!!!! "Ella! Wake up! We're going to be so late again for class if you don't stop dreaming!" wailed her flustered roommate, Cathy who was busily stuffing books and pens in Ella's bag. "We're so gonna be late Ella!!! Ella!!!" yelled Cathy as she banged at the bathroom door. Cathy had not waited for her this time. By the time Ella had gotten herself down to the auditorium, she saw her coursemates strolling out. "Ella! You are so dead. Prof Martin was looking for you. He gave us a pop quiz today. You are so dead!" Ella couldn't believe her luck. Why must she be late on the day he intends to give the quiz? She had been punctual every lesson after their first late incident. She had been dreaming again about those damn horsemen. Damn them! Peeping into the auditorium, she noticed that Ben was still there. Taking in a deep breath, she tiptoed in. "Professor Martin...." "Ella, see me in my office in 10 minutes," he simply said and walked off. Oh boy... was she dead or what. 30 minutes later... She was still in his office, waiting for him. She knew she was in trouble but for how long did he intend to make her wait for him? Shuffling her feet from side to side, she decided to check out his office. He had a ridiculously medieval looking bow and arrow set hanging on the wall behind his desk. Rows of photos in frames lined the side of his desk. There were some with 2 other men- one red head and another black haired one. There was also another with a beautiful woman with pale blond hair like his. Was she his sister? Or wife perhaps? Ella didn't want to speculate but she did feel a twang of jealousy for no reason. Putting down the frame, she turned to the last frame which was of him alone. He looked truly handsome in this picture. He was standing beside a beautiful white horse and he was smiling. Ella realized that it was actually a rare time she saw him smiling showing his teeth. He seemed truly happy in this photo. "I wouldn't touch those if I were you," his voice startled her suddenly and she dropped his picture frame on the floor. She didn't even hear the door open! "Professor... I'm sorry... I was just looking... I was waiting for you and..." "Perhaps you now understand the essence of time Isabella. Time waits for no one. Just because your father is a colleague of mine does not mean that I will be lenient on you." Ella tried hard to stare at the floor. He had already sat down on his chair and she was standing in front of him like a petulant child. They remained like that for several seconds; it felt like many minutes to Ella. She continued staring at the floor and he continued staring at her. He wasn't moving from his position yet she could feel his gaze penetrating through her skin like a ray of light. She actually felt the heat rising in the room and felt uncomfortably warm in her clothes. Finally, breaking the silence, she looked up and caught his gaze. Her sudden move had caught him off guard and he blinked to shake off her returned gaze. Ella felt a little confused. It was as if it hurt him to have her look at him when he did not expect her to. "Will I fail the test because I did not take it?" she cautiously asked. He remained silent and looked at her. The sharp piercing look was no longer in his eyes but a soft greyish amber lined his pupils. He looked almost defeated at the moment. "I don't know what to do... with you," he said as he rose. He could not sit down and look up at her anymore. Ella felt that strange twisting in her gut again. Sure, Professor Martin was hot... and probably the most handsome guy on campus... but surely he didn't intend to make a move on her right? Ella felt her words choked down her throat. He was merely standing there and she was feeling this ridiculous sensation that she couldn't understand. He was looking at her and once again, she felt naked in front of him like the other time in her father's office. "Isabella..." she thought she heard his voice in her head. He wasn't even opening his mouth! No... she must have been hallucinating because she is so afraid of him... "Don't be afraid of me... please." Again she heard him in her head! Ella was definitely beyond mad now. Suddenly, she felt it... like a distant memory suffocating her and overpowering all her senses at once. His lips... so soft on hers. She didn't know such defiant lips could elicit the softest kisses. She had breathed out a sigh as her hands felt his solid muscles over his tunic. He was gentle, guiding her through her first kiss. One hand held her back firmly while the other was pulling her shoulders closer to him. His lips parted and coaxed hers to open as well for an erotic dance of tongues. His felt so strong yet gentle as it caressed hers into its wakening dance. She had been on tiptoes and her arms were around his neck, holding on for her dear life. The Guardians Ch. 00 He had always wanted her, from the first moment she met his eyes as he had knelt down in front of the royal family to be knighted. She had kept her eyes on him throughout the ceremony and afterwards during the ball, he had swept her off her feet... Ella shook herself out of her daydreaming. Ben was still standing behind his desk but he was leaning against the wall staring at her. He had an impatient look on his face. Obviously he had said something but she was not in control of herself; daydreaming and hallucinating! "Do you remember?" Again the voice in her head. "Professor... were you... talking to me?" Ella looked at him as she tried to talk to his voice in her head. She needed to know that she wasn't going mad. It startled him, the same way it did when she had looked at him abruptly a while ago. He looked away and suddenly the intense suffocation eased. "Ella, I think that's enough. Perhaps I shall see you later after your last class so you can do your test. I wouldn't want to fail you for reasons other than a lack of memory," he had said as he ushered her out. It sure was strange how he had used the word 'memory' instead of ' memorizing' but she figured it must have been because she frustrated him so much with her daydreaming in his office. ***** After closing the door and turning away from it, he came face to face with company. "That was a very risky thing you did there Abben. Just because we're watching from our frames doesn't mean we can't sense these things..." warned his sister, Aurora. She had materialized from the frame and was sitting down on one of his sofas. Her blond hair was a shade darker than his and her eyes were currently a mix of hues. He knew she was angry with him. A minute later the two men in the photos materialized as well, cordially summoned by their sister. "Hello... I am trying to be a fireman here... Aurora, do you think just because you're the baby of us all I will come here at every whim and command of yours? I was in the middle of putting out fires for god sake!" said the one with the red hair. "Aqurico you of all people should know that fires are no big deal!" said Adrian, the black haired one. "Now now... we are all gathered here. May I know for what reason please?" "Our brother... acted without much thought, putting us all at risk! I will not let what happened 1000 years ago repeat itself!" "Aurora! That's enough!" Abben turned to face his sister; he would have striked her if it was not for Adrian's hand shielding her. "Brother... what of this girl..." Aqurico asked. He, being second eldest and closest to Abben could sense the emotions going through him. "She is the reincarnation of Anicia Juliana..." "No... that cannot be! How do you know for sure?!" gasps Adrian. Anicia Juliana... she was the beautiful imperial princess of Olybrius who had condemned the four of them to their eternal life... He had traded them in return for something he could never get... "What of her mother?" Aqurico asked. "Rafael and I buried her at her designated resting place in that church in Florence." PS: I hope you guys like it! This is my first attempt at an erotica. Do vote and leave your comments! –MC- The Guardians Ch. 01 PS: Do read the prologue to this chapter first before you continue or you won't be able to make sense of some of the ideas here. Do keep the comments coming, you guys make my day! =) As always, hope you like it, and remember to vote! – M.C. PPS: If you're interested, you can actually do a wiki or google search on the various names mentioned in the story. Some are historical and/or mythical figures and will only be explained in the next few chapters. =) Chapter One Rafael watched his daughter go on stage during her convocation ceremony and he felt his heart burst with so much love and pride. He wished Anna could have been here to watch their daughter smiling and waving at them as she held her scrolls in her hands. Four years ago, she had just started her freshman year at Princeton. Rafael could recall it so clearly that his eyes began to sting with tears. She was now graduating with first class honors in both History and Literature. "She actually looks different out of those raggedly clothes of hers," Ben said jokingly. He had been Rafael's friend and confidant for many years and could feel the pride and joy in the old man's veins. He too, was proud of Ella. "You should see her tonight," Rafael said and winked at Ben. He knew how much his colleague had grown fond of his daughter. In fact, he had always known it was inevitable. Rafael knew that he was getting older. He only had two wishes: One that she replaced him as a Professor and the other, that he would still be alive to see his first grandchild. "Now, now old man… tuck those thoughts of yours away…" Ben warned as Ella came skipping to their direction. "Oh Papa! I love you so much! This is the happiest day of my life!" exclaimed Ella as she grabbed her father for a big hug. Parting from her father, she came face to face with Ben who was looking at her with those intense eyes of his again. She had begun to grow immune of them and had somehow learnt to control her mind since the first time he had invaded them without her knowledge. "Professor," she nodded and did a little curtsy. Ben almost fell back when she did that. It brought back too many memories… His startled gaze was not unnoticed by Ella. "Aren't you happy for me?" she asked, looking deeply into his eyes. They were that greyish amber again; that defeated look of his. Ben had become a family friend over the years and she had begun to accept his presence in her house, though she made sure to keep clear of his way. The more she felt attracted to him, the more she would hide her physique beneath more layers of old, faded clothes. She didn't want him to think of her as anything more than his student and a friend's daughter. Rafael had caught Ben's eyes and he gave a quiet smile and said, "My Bella, I shall see you in the car. I hear someone's having a party tonight. Gotta help her get ready eh?" Ella laughed as her father kissed her and headed towards the car to warm it up. The weather was getting chilly as the October wind blew its frost from up north. But she did not feel particularly cold standing in front of Ben at that moment. "I suppose I will have to go now. If you're not too old for the party, maybe I'll see you there," said Ella to Ben as she slipped into her infectious laughter. Old? He was beyond old, Ben laughed in his heart. He was ancient! "Uh, Ella… maybe… I'll pick you up tonight? I… uh… I kind of helped to approve some of the proposals for the party…" Ella suddenly turned and for a second caught a glimpse of light in his eyes. When she blinked, it returned to its usual greyish hue. She had never in her life heard him ever stutter or appear nervous like he was now. Ella couldn't help it. It was hilarious. Still laughing, she gave him a hug and started jogging towards her father's car. Ben was clearly in a daze now. He could hear his brothers laughing at him in his head. His sister Aurora was telling him he was such a prick. Back in his office, Ben was once again seated at his desk amidst his squabbling siblings. "Abben… can I trust you that you wouldn't do anything stupid tonight?" Aurora's irises were glowing ember with uncertainty. "Oh baby sister, come on… he's a man… she's a woman…" Adrian chimed in. "Oh, for gods' sake. He's not a man. He just looks like one!" Aurora retorted. "And a fine looking one at that," Ben replied as he smiled at his sister. "Come on Aqurico… how long does it take for you to get that tuxedo on me?" "Excuse me! You try and change profession every one hundred years and see if you remember how to do your last vocation!" exclaimed a rather irritated Aqurico. An hour later after much mental conjuring of the perfect tuxedo, Aqurico finally managed to get his brother into a handsome looking suit. Aurora had fixed his hair and Adrian had help buy the flowers. "Please brother, remember not to awaken her memory… or all that we have protected will be endangered…" Aurora managed to say to him before he disappeared from the room, kissing her forehead at the last instance. **** Ben was not used to driving and would have preferred Leukós anytime. But it would have looked out of place… and time. The steed was clearly hurt and dejected from the small rejection. He would have to speak to it later and console it. Standing outside Rafael's door, Ben felt strangely different about tonight. He had been here so many times but tonight, he didn't feel like he was here as a friend but like a guest. Rafael had opened the door, laughing and giving Ben a hug. Taking the flowers away, he had called out to Ella to hurry down. "Ah… here she comes… Isn't she beautiful? Isabella… my Bella…you make your Papa cry…" Rafael placed his palms on his chest above his heart as he watched her walk down the stairs. "Oh Papa… thank you… for all this," Ella said as she hugged her father. He had actually taken her downtown to shop for a dress and had her hair and face done at a high end salon. Juliana… "Isabella…" Ben managed to say her name quick enough before his words could ring inside her head. "You look wonderful." "Thank you," Ella replied and smiled at him. She felt even more than beautiful at that moment. She had two men whom she loved and respected in her life standing at her porch and she felt nirvana. "Goodnight Papa. Don't stay up and wait for me okay? I love you." "I love you too my Bella… now have fun," Rafael said as he tried his best to hide the solitary tear from falling. Ben couldn't take his eyes off her. Her dress was made of a beautiful shade of lilac lace with sequins that glittered under the light. The tight bodice of the gown hugged her slim waist elegantly while the heart shaped neckline revealed a modest view of her cleavage. The lovely lilac complemented Ella's fair skin and the lovely choker around her neck reflected light back into her beautiful green eyes. Her long hair which she usually tied it in a ponytail was swept up in an elegant chignon, which pulled her face back to reveal her delicate jaw line and facial features. "Ella… you are so very beautiful tonight… I disgrace you with my humble rags," Ben found himself saying. He had forgotten his time and place at the moment and he let his eyes betray him, for Ella found herself staring into translucent eyes. Blinking for a moment and shaking herself as if to dislodge her hallucinations, Ella turned to Ben again and found him perfectly normal. When they reached the hotel ballroom where the party was being held, heads turned to watch the handsome couple enter. Many did not recognize Ella but Cathy, having stared at her for a few minutes exclaimed in surprise, "My goodness Ella, is that you?" Ben left Ella in the company of her friends as he headed to the side of the room. He hated social events. He simply blended with the background and stayed there, observing her, reading her thoughts and calculating her next move. He did not like it when she did things on impulse. It frightened him because he did not know how to react. He had known that she was the one; his salvation. He and his siblings had been guardians of every first female descendant of the Anicii maternal bloodline and he has waited for over a thousand years for Isabella. Where is he? Don't tell me he left me here alone! He heard her mind speak to itself. I'm here my love, like I always have been. Dance with me! Yes, my lady… Ben found himself holding Ella's shoulder and waist as they swayed to a slow song played by the DJ. He had not even noticed how he had gotten there and for how long had they been dancing. All he could feel was her soft skin against his and her soft lavender scent coaxing the beast inside him. Whatever conflicts going on inside his head, on the exterior, Ben Martin appeared most calm and refined to all that laid their eyes on him. Ella had looked up and caught his gaze. He was so handsome, she thought. She must be the luckiest woman to be in his arms right now- even if it was as superficial as for a dance. He had smelled wonderful; sandalwood and fresh mint leaves. Now that she was no longer his student, she suppose it was alright for her to be feeling attracted to him this way. Pulling away after the dance, Ella found herself alone again and wandered to the terrace with a glass of punch in her hand. Ben had kept disappearing and left her alone and frustrated. "I want you here!" she hissed out loud to no one in particular. The chilly air was starting to get to her bone now but she didn't feel like going back into the noisy and crowded ball room. "Ella? You called?" "Ben… I didn't know you were here. I thought no one heard me," she said as she blushed a shade deeper than her gown. "I was watching you from over there," he replied and stepped closer towards her. "Ella… please forgive me." With that, his lips came crushing onto hers in a controlled yet desperate motion. He was hungry for her; the wait was over. Ella arched her back and stood at the tip of her toes to mould her body more willingly to his deepening kiss. She had never kissed before, much less held any guy's hands. The sensations all over her body were confusing yet deliciously exciting her senses. I want you… Her mind screamed. Ben tried to ignore it but her soft sighs and impatient moans were driving him insane. He could hear all her needs screaming in her head and he was growing weak by the moment… becoming more human the more love he absorbed from her. "Ella…" "Ben… I know I want this… please…" "Wait for me at the lift lobby. I'll be back" He was back within 10 minutes and held keys to one of the suites in the hotel. His heart was racing and he could no longer concentrate enough to calculate his next move. He was moving by instinct now. He felt Leukós belting its primal need inside him. He wanted this woman and he will have her. He could smell her arousal the moment they were inside the enclosed space of the lift. She stood, facing away from him but he could sense her nervousness and he could hear her anxious thoughts: What if he finds me ugly? Oh no… I knew this was a bad idea. Oh god… did I remember to shave down there? Oh, I think I did… Oh my god! I am not wearing anything sexy… oh I am such a loser! Finding humor in the thoughts going through her head, Ben had smiled and started to relax. Moving closer towards her, with her back against him, he wrapped his arms around her slender waist and whispered to her ear, "You are most perfect, Ella…" In one movement, he had lifted her off her feet and was carrying her in his arms. He had heard her having second thoughts and figured he had to strap her to himself or she'll get away. He wanted her and he wasn't going to let her go this time. He had let her down once they were in the room and the door was safely locked. Ella looked at the sheets nervously and turned to face Ben. He was leaning against the door, his eyes an intense steel grey that seemed to radiate its own light amidst the semi darkness of the room. Ella had reached for the back of her dress and tried to unzip it herself. She didn't know what she was supposed to say or do when faced with a man in such a situation. His eyes continued to observe her with the same intensity as she removed her choker and slipped off her heels. She had given up on the back zipper and was now pulling the pins out of her hair. Just looking at her preparing herself for him made his body burn with lust. In another setting perhaps, he would have torn the dress off her and would have taken her without any preliminaries. He continued watching her as her hair now came to a tumble down her shoulders. Her scent, trapped in her hair was released and hinted at him like a drug. "Ben… would you help me get this zip undone please?" she had asked. The politeness in her voice strained as if unsure of her move. Moving closer towards her, he stayed close enough to unzip her dress but did not touch her. Dimming the lights, at will, he watched her through the semi darkness, peeling the dress tenderly with her delicate fingers. She didn't seem to mind that he was watching her but he could sense her shyness and awkwardness at undressing in front of him. With her dress pooled at her feet and clad in nothing more than her bra and thongs, Ella bent down to pick her dress up to lay it nicely on a sofa nearby. She head him take a sharp breath and had turned her head in surprise. His lips were slightly parted and he had already unbuttoned the top two buttons on his shirt. Ella stood, facing him with her eyes cast down. Ben couldn't believe that such a body actually existed under all those layers of clothes she usually had worn to school. She had a slender body but it wasn't too thin; her hips were slightly flared and her breasts were heavy enough to form a deep cleavage. They were full mounds that threatened to spill out from the confines of its white strapless bra. She had worn white thongs too and he couldn't breathe or think but simply take in her beauty. "Please… say something…" Ella pleaded as she dared to look up. "Ella… you are so very beautiful, I am ashamed to be presenting myself to you in this manner," he replied. Ella moved closer, leaving but an inch between them and placed her hands on his jacket. She heard him take another sharp breath as she pressed herself close to his body. Ella loved the scent of fresh sandalwood and mint on his body. She became bolder with her hands, slipping off his jacket and unbuttoning his shirt. He was saying something under his breath but Ella wasn't listening. She was fascinated with the contours she felt beneath her palm. She knew she was right during her first lesson with him that he had shoulders way too broad for a professor. She rested her cheek on his smooth pectorals. Just trailing her fingers over each sculpted muscle made her insides turn liquid. Her fingers found itself playing at the small brown nipple of his and she found them hardening to her touch. Amazed at such a response, Ella dared herself to flick her tongue over it. She heard him let out a string of curses and in a blink of an eye, he had tossed her on the bed and was impatiently removing every article of his clothes. Ben was awashed with lust and couldn't bear watching her seduce him in her sweet innocent way. He had been so hard just watching her. Ella had had the decency to turn away when he pulled his boxers off. Fully naked now, he climbed onto the bed and loomed above her, every inch of him covering her body. Ella felt her groin muscle clench in excitement and her nipples were straining against her bra begging to be released from their confines. Ben cupped her face in his hands and began kissing her- not with the same tenderness like earlier but with a raw savage hunger that demanded she kissed him back just as viciously. His breathing was getting deeper and hotter as his hands roamed her body, desperately unsnapping her bra hook and taking all of her breasts in the moulds of his palms. He had such big hands, she thought. He squeezed her breast just a little hard and heard her moan in sweet agony. Her hips were beyond her own control now, wriggling and thrusting itself towards the source of its impatience. Ella's eyes were closed now as she let herself only feel all the wonderful sensations that Ben was doing to her body. His lips had left hers to begin suckling on one of her hardened nipples. Ella felt bolts upon bolts of fiery hot pleasure shoot in her body. She could feel her thongs soaked; a subtle pain there nagging at her mind, wanting release. "Please Ben… more… please… more…" she moaned out loud as his fingers were now caressing at her pussy lips with such tenderness. She could feel the rough edges of his fingertips against her the tender skin at her pussy. Her head exploded with images of his thick fingers winding their way inside her warm, wet pussy and she began moaning and begging him to hurry. The moment two of his fingers entered her pussy, she had come with such force, Ben had to calm the beast inside him from wanting to fuck her like a primal animal. His fingers continued its quickened pace as his tongue now licked softly at her clitoris. Ella came again, her hips bucking and her moans turning into pleas. When she opened her eyes, he was on top of her again. His eyes were even more intense a color than they were earlier. She opened her arms and beckoned him to her; she was ready for him now. She felt him thrust into her and Ella screamed as the first feeling of intense pain shot through her body. The intense feeling of both pain and pleasure was an erotic experience for her even when Ben stayed still, his cock still impaled deep inside her pussy. Shhh…. My love… move your hips slowly when you're ready for me… the voice in her head told her. Ella began to move her hips slowly as the pain began to recede. She could feel his full length now that he was fully imbedded in her. He was thick and filled her up wonderfully. She thought this was truly the best feeling in the world, but she was so wrong… When he felt her hips moving, Ben began to slowly increase his rhythm of thrusting in and out of her. Ella's eyes flared wide open as the intensity of the feelings began to build up inside her again. His cock was fully thrusting inside her now and she knew she was going to come again. Her whimpers of pleasures became loud moans of ecstasy as her legs now wound itself around his waist, begging him to give her more and more. Make me yours Abben! Her mind had cried. Ben feeling that he could no longer hold himself back, took one final look at her, crushed his lips against hers and felt his release deep inside her just as she came again, her pussy muscles clenching him with such force, milking all of him deep inside her. She was his now as he was hers. He had always been hers. But now having sowed his seeds in her, he knew that he had sealed their fate forever. Feeling spent, he lay on top of her, taking care not to crush her. Ella's breathing was beginning to slow down now and her eyes were still closed. Ben could no longer see into her mind now that he had attained his mortality. She had given him not just her body, but her heart and her trust as well and Ben knew that he will be weak and vulnerable for the next few days as his body begins to accept the fact that he could now bleed. The Guardians Ch. 01 **** A few days later, at breakfast, Rafael had noticed that his daughter was exuding an exceptional sense of cheerfulness. She was wearing a turtle neck with a long flowy skirt and had her hair pinned only at the sides. "You seem very cheerful today my Bella…" "Oh Papa…" Ella replied as she flashed him a charming smile. "I have a surprise for us," Rafael said as he dished out the eggs and placed it on the table beside the cut up melons. "Oh?" exclaimed Ella as she poured them both their cup of morning cappuccino. "Your grandmamma has sent me a letter requesting that I bring you back to Florence to visit her. She's ailing and wants to see her only grand daughter. I know how much you've missed home… and I am sorry that I have been adamant never to go back there again…" "Papa… I know you miss Mama… I would miss her too if only I had the chance to know her. But cheer up! This could be a perfect opportunity for us to go sightseeing! I don't remember much of Italy right now. This is my home now… with you here, in New Jersey," Ella replied, pinching his chin in jest. Rafael smiled and looked at his beautiful daughter. Something must have happened that night during her party for she is now a changed woman. Gone were the old, worn out garbs she fashioned during her school years. She wore more colours and played with her hair more often. Looking up at their kitchen clock, he figured he too would have to start packing. **** Their flight was uneventful. Ella did not feel nauseous as her father had predicted. She was actually brimming with excitement ever since he had announced they were going to Italy for a week. She had done a check online to ascertain the weather conditions and if they were suitable for her various plans for sight seeing. She did not remember her grandmother very well for she had only been 10 when they had left for America. As there were no direct flights to Florence, Rafael had suggested that they take a flight to Paris and then board Air France to Florence. Ella knew that he wanted to land in Paris just for reminiscence sake. He had met her mother in Paris during a particular student exchange programme. As a young Teaching Fellow at the University of Paris, Rafael had been enchanted by the Italian student who took such keen interests in his literary studies. Annabella had been both witty and bold and had captured his heart when she started cursing at him in Italian when he had been an hour late for their first date. She made him think of home and of his family and before she left for Tuscany at the end of her stay, he had proposed to her. "Papa? We've landed," said Ella as she tried to dislodge him from his reminiscing lest they miss their luggage. Peretola Airport was a quiet airport, as of most domestic airports and after reclaiming their luggage, the pair headed to the taxi stand. As they both spoke fluent Italian, none had any problems getting around. Ella had noticed that her father seemed rather disoriented and was sullen throughout their taxi ride. Even his favorite, authentic Italian cheese served at their hotel café did not whet his appetite. Ella found it disconcerting, for she had hoped to inject some excitement, not sadness in him. That evening, she had left him alone in the hotel room to rest because he refused to go out with her. Taking her shawl with her, she decided to wander the streets of Florence or Firenze as the people there call it and see if there was anything interesting to learn. I wish you were here... she said to herself. The last few days following their love making at the hotel, she had been seeing Ben everyday. She began to see beyond the austere façade he was fond of showing while in school. Walking down the walkway that was overlooking the calm River Arno, Ella felt a sudden tug of nostalgia. She didn't want to be here alone, walking down this beautiful place with no one to talk to. Leaning against the walls at the side of the walkway, she stood still to watch the people passing by. She saw an old man sitting at a nearby café smiling at her and she gave a little smile. He was gesturing towards her to join him. Sensing no harm in accompanying an old man over a pot of evening tea, she walked over and sat in a chair next to him. "Such a beautiful young lady, roaming the streets of Florence all by herself?" the old man had asked her in Italian. "My father, he isn't feeling very well and I thought I should take a walk and see if there is anything that might cheer him up," replied Ella. "Would you like some company, my child? I may not be able to walk very fast but if there's anything about old men that I know, I sure know what can cheer them up," he told her, smiling as he brought his cup to his lips, so that only his eyes can be seen. Ella felt drawn to his eyes; she had seen them somewhere. She felt so lonely at that moment that she gladly accepted his offer, feeling unthreatened by his soft smile and his gentle voice. "If you like, we could walk to the Mercato Centrale from here. It sells some of the best food and you are very lucky for they are just opening up their stalls. Come this way my child…" the old man gestured to her. Ella was amazed at the agility of this otherwise frail looking man. He would occasionally cough and rest to take his breath but otherwise, he did not appear in anyway, weak. When she stepped into the marketplace, the smells of freshly made cheese, croissants and truffles wafted through the air. The old man's face had lit up slightly when Ella had stopped in front of a flower shop to take a look. "You like, Ella?" he had asked. Ella was too enchanted with the place to notice that he had called her by her name. She was smiling and nodding even as he paid for a bunch of daisies for her. As they were walking down the walkways that were lined with trinkets shops, a man had suddenly grabbed her shoulder and was trying to coax her into buying some fine ornaments. "Oh, no please…" she said, trying to fend off the man with a shake of a hand. It was then that he stared at her and pulled at her hand roughly. "Hey!" exclaimed Ella. The man paid no attention to her but continued to study the wooden bracelet that was around her wrist. His intense concentration made Ella a little uneasy but she was just as curious as to why he was so interested in her bracelet. "Dürer? It cannot be... but this is exquisite..." he began mumbling to himself. "I will pay you double the price that you paid for this bracelet, Signorina..." he added. "What? No! This is an heirloom. It's not for sale!" said Ella as she tried to tug her hand free of his grasp. No one had ever paid any attention to her old wooden bracelet and she did not think anyone should. It was then that she spotted her 'guide' who had somehow gotten distracted choosing some fresh cuts. "I'm sorry... I really must go now. Thank you for your kind company Signor... but I must really go back to my father now. Oh? For me?" Ella muttered in surprise as he handed her a paper bag of some sandwiches. Thanking him again, Ella made a dash for her room. She suddenly felt worried for her father and didn't want to leave him alone in the room. True enough, he was moaning and groaning when she got back to their hotel room. She was almost awashed with guilt for leaving him alone and thought him grossly sick. "Ella... I am sooooo hungry!!!" moaned Rafael as he yanked his blanket off. "And here I thought you were suffering from some sickness!" Laughing at her, he sniffed at her paper bag and began to greedily remove the sandwiches from inside them. "You know, they don't make these salami sandwiches this good in America. Maybe it's the weather here that cures the meat in a different way. But whatever it is, I love it!" he said, in between mouthfuls of food. Ella shook her head and took a generous bite of another piece of sandwich. Papa was right. "Papa..." "Yes my Bella?" "Why did Mama give me this?" she asked, pointing to her bracelet. Rafael looked at his daughter in a quizzical manner and asked, "She wanted you to remember her of course. Why do you ask this my Bella?" "I... well, it's nothing..." she smiled and continued eating. In her mind, she began to wonder why that trinket seller was so interested in her bracelet. And what is a Dürer? *** "You were not careful today Abben," reprimanded Aqurico. They were gathered on a grassy patch on a hill south east of the city; grazing so as to replenish their energy from using too much power to remain in their human form. "I got distracted." "You've grown weak, brother. I... I refuse to mention how upset I am that you have consummate with the human," Aurora chimed in. Her eyes were now of jade and turned to face her brother defiantly. "Aurora, you do not speak to your brother like that please," said Aqurico. His eyes were closed as he indulged in the chilly wind that combed through his whiskey colored mane. "I cannot hear her thoughts anymore... the nearer I am to her, the further away are her thoughts and feelings from me..." "You, of all people... you did not receive the crown for you to make bad judgments, brother. Wasn't it not you who failed to stop the 100 years war from happening?" seethed Aurora. Her horse, Khlōrós-Thánatos, belted loudly in agreement with its other half. "You never had to make choices, my baby sister… but we all did and we all had. Please…" said Adrian, who had been silent all the while, watching his siblings argue with each other. "I will do my duty. And I will watch from afar this time. I cannot risk losing my focus by being too near to her. I am sorry…" said Abben. His translucent figure floated towards Leukós, his horse, to which he merged and materialized as Ben Martin once again. Leaving his brothers and sister, he disappeared to stand watch over his love. **** The next morning, Ella and her father got ready for their trip to Chianti, South of Florence, to see her grandmother. Ella opted for a long sleeved dress and a wool shawl for their rather short ride. Rafael had rented a car especially for this trip and though they have not been in Italy for many years, he was sure of the roads like the back of his hands. Chianti was about 30kilometres from Florence and Rafael had plied those roads so often during his courtship with Annabella that he had to resist the urge to stop by some places along the way to reminisce. Her grandmother's villa was a simple abode with a modest vineyard behind it. Stepping out of the car, Ella had to take in the fresh air that circulated the hilly regions of Chianti. Ella hoped that her grandmother was as cheerful and pleasant as its sunny exterior. A mousy looking lady had greeted them when they had knocked and ushered them to a sitting room before calling for the Lady Margaret. When she entered the room, Ella all but stood up in surprise. Her grandmamma was a splitting image of herself! "Hello my dear… in the olden days, they would bow when facing a Savoy. But, I am now old and have no use for these things any longer," Margaret said sweetly as she smiled and gestured for Ella to sit down. Though slightly hunched, she had matured well into her old age, retaining her beauty and her speech. Ella figured her to be almost ninety by now but the woman sitting before her was no frail elderly. "Mama," acknowledged Rafael as he gave her a slight bow. "Allegri… you've aged so much since the last time I saw you. Still teaching in Princeton?" she enquired. "Yes, my Lady. I am still. In fact, I am thinking of retiring, maybe in a few years time. I am hoping Isabella would take my place." "And what do you think of that my dear?" Margaret smiled as she faced Ella. Ella was still in shock; shaking herself to bring back her focus, she smiled back. "Grandmamma… you smell of… cloves and cinnamon…" was all that came out of her mouth. "Why… yes, you remembered my Bella? You were always sneaking those buns from the kitchen and I had rubbed some of this scent on you too so you won't miss the smell of my kitchen when you're back home… Oh Isabella… you've grown so tall and beautiful now… hair like your mother, eyes like your father…" the old woman said. Her eyes were moist but she remained in her seat and did not move. They talked some more and Margaret invited them to stay the night. Rafael was slightly hesitant at first but after seeing how Ella had grown fond of Margaret, he relented. She had missed out so much on maternal love, he thought to himself. She had not left her grandmother's side since the elder woman had held her hand while walking through the vineyard. After dinner, Margaret walked them to their rooms and saw to it that her guests were comfortable. Ella liked her room. It reminded her of her old house in Florence with its arched windows and stone walls- nothing like the cemented squared rooms in her Springdale house. "I hope you have a good rest my Bella," Margaret said as she kissed her granddaughter's forehead. "I have missed you so much Isabella…" When her grandmother turned towards the door, Ella called out to her, "Grandmamma… will you stay here with me tonight?" Margaret looked at Ella and tears began to collect in her eyes. "Of course my child… I'll get dressed first and I'll come to you soon." A little while later, Margaret in her nightgown had climbed into the four poster bed of her granddaughter's. Ella had always been used to sleeping alone but having her grandmother beside her felt curiously peaceful. "Grandmamma… did you give this to my mother?" Ella had asked after her grandmother had slid comfortably beside her. "Hmm?" "This," Ella held out her wrist to show to her. Even in the dark, Margaret knew what Ella was referring to. She smiled to herself in the dark. Ella was beginning to ask questions; it was inevitable. So she will have to tell her the same thing she told Annabella. "My Bella… this bracelet is something like an heirloom; passed on from mother to daughter as a gift. My mother had given me this bracelet too, and now it is yours," she said as she stroked her granddaughter's hair. "But… it's an important heirloom right? Or expensive?" "Oh, but it has no price to it. It is priceless…" "But a trinket seller back in Florence had wanted me to sell this to him. How'd he know about this if it was an heirloom passed from mother to daughter?" "Oh Isabella…" I think it's time you put her to sleep now… please. Yes my lady. Margaret looked down at Ella whose eyes were slowly beginning to close as slumber called her forth. Mouthing her thanks, she too curled at her side and tried to sleep; Ella's question burning inside of her. *** The next morning, Ella and Rafael bid farewell to Margaret, promising that they will return for another visit before leaving Italy. Once back in Florence, Rafael had wanted to go for drinks at a local pub but Ella did not want to waste the rare sunny winter morning on booze. She told him that she would be visiting some of the museums to learn up a little about the place's history. In fact, Ella was planning on just that. Her curiosity was nagging at the back of her mind and Ella, after enquiring at a local shop, found out that Florence housed the second largest library in all of Italy- The Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale, or the National Central Library. The museums would have to wait for later. She had always put her trust in books and research methods and that's where she was going to find some answers to her burning questions. Searching for a free computer terminal, Ella did a simple Google search on the word 'Durer'. To her amazement, Dürer, was not a thing but a person! She learnt that he was an exceptional printmaker and was famous for making the woodcuts of Apocalypse in 1513. He was also a theorist who contributed greatly to realm of Mathematics with his work on geometry. Ella was amazed at the intellect and gift of this man who was both renown in his native Germany as well as Italy. Years of academic studies have taught her that while the Internet could provide you the roughest impression for a study, the most comprehensive ones must still be done manually. Using the database finder, Ella found the call number of books under Albrecht Dürer. She was sure she would find something that would be related to her bracelet; why else did that man at the market associate it with this Dürer person? After almost an hour pouring over some of the books piled in front of her, Ella's head started to pound and her vision began to cloud. She knew that an oncoming migraine was inevitable… "Don't go digging into things you cannot understand…" the tall cloaked figure had said. "Why can't I Papa?" challenged the young woman, sitting at the edge of her bed. Beside her were weapons that looked far too powerful to be wielded by a woman. "Because I say so. Now give me those!" the cloaked figure who was her father had demanded. The young woman eyed him with great disdain and distrust. His skin were crackled and stripped close to the bone and his face no longer bore resemblance to the man she called her father. It was sunken as if all blood had drained from it; leaving the skin flapping on bones. He had demanded for her hunting bow and her scales which she had used to weigh the herbs and leaves for her studies. They were embalmed with the royal mark and were her precious belongings. The woman looked at the man who called himself her father and knew that there were no traces of humanity in him left. "Please Papa… let Abben go… and I will give these to you. Please just spare him!" she had pleaded. But the man only growled in anger and pointed his sword at her. "I will kill you Juliana if you do not give them to me," "No! Please Papa!" "Juliana!" Her screams shook the walls… Ringing deep into her ears, Ella awoken with much a fevered sweat beading at her forehead. "What a dream…" said Ella, looking at her watch. She had nodded of to sleep for about half an hour and she still had not found anything useful. Thinking a little harder, she finally thought of it. Of course! She had wanted to find out about the bloody wooden bracelet, not about some dead and forgotten artist! Flipping through the content pages of some of the books, she finally found what she was looking for: Woodcuts of Albrecht Dürer Apocalypse Knight, Death, and the Devil Saint Jerome in his Study Melencolia I Dürer was known to fashionably engrave his signature at the back of each woodcut. He was also known to carve detailed instructions on the method of relief printing using his woodcuts to preserve its' optimum state. Ella sat back and tried to make sense of how the information would help her in anyway. Could it be possible that Dürer did not just carve for printing blocks but carved for fun? Could it be possible then that her bracelet was a Dürer? Was that what the man at the market meant? Unclasping her bracelet for the first time in her entire life, Ella felt a rush of adrenaline at the anticipation of finding something. Didn't the book say that Dürer always engraved his signature at the back of his work? The Guardians Ch. 01 When she turned it over, true to her hunch, there was. But it wasn't his name. Instead, there were some strange words she did not understand: Die Wächterreiter. Sacrum Romanum Imperium What the hell? The words were carved so finely at the ends of the bracelet where the clasps were held. She figured the second one to have something to do with Imperial Rome but the first? She did not want to ask anyone lest they gain as much interest as her should they actually know what the two words combined meant. Securing her bracelet back on her wrist, Ella decided its time to find her father. **** NB: All characters and reference to real places and historical names are meant to be used in purely fictitious ways. This is a work of fiction and bears no resemblance to any person alive or dead. The Guardians Ch. 02 NB: As always… do read the previous chapters first before reading this. As for those who have left comments and sent me emails, I hope you'll like the following chapter. Do keep on voting and commenting =) You all make my day! Chapter Two Heading back to the pub where she left her father, she figured he should now be hungry for lunch. She had loved her grandmother's cooking and was looking forward to having more local dining while they were still here. Stepping into the cozy pub, she immediately spotted her father with his gradual greying hairs and slight belly. But it was his company that surprised her. Walking up to them both, with her hands on her hips, she said, "Why am I not invited to this party of two?" "Ella!" both replied in unison. Her father had turned a shade of pink and Ben was looking away. "Papa, why is he here?" Ella demanded. Sure, he was a family friend and she was starting to like this man but to have him around all the time? He was surely overstepping boundaries! This was a personal trip! "It was coincidence," said Ben, trying to hold his gaze with hers. Sure as hell it was, she thought. She didn't know to be angry or flattered; she just felt betrayed somehow. "I think I'll head back to the hotel. Perhaps you gentlemen would like to join me for dinner later," she muttered and walked off. "Perhaps it wasn't such a good thing for us to meet at such a public place hmmm my friend…" Rafael said as he watched his daughter storm off. "At times, she has such fire just like her mother." "Would you rather I walk into your thoughts? I don't think so Rafael. There are times when I do want to live in the company of humans too," Ben said. "Besides, you said yourself that her Grandmamma had summoned her here. Do you know why?" "The old woman is dying though she may appear so well. I know you know why she had asked Ella to come here. Why don't you tell me Abben?" Rafael said, his eyes weary. "She wants to bring Isabella to The Chiesa di Santa Margherita de' Cerchi. Yes, her mother's resting place… you need not come if it brings you much sorrow. But you must know… Before the mother who confers the bracelet to her daughter, the child must first be affirmed by the priests to be the bloodline descendant of hers, thus reserving her, her final resting place in the Church. Annabella had not been able to do so after passing away soon after giving birth as such it becomes the duty of her mother, the Lady Margaret. Her maternal ties to Ella is so strong that she can still summon and will me to do her biddings as she wishes. Rafael… I am sorry that I could not protect Anna anymore… the birth rite is a personal rite between her and her Maker and I can only promise you now that I will do my all to protect Ella…" "Go to her Abben… I think… I shall have my time alone now. I want to be there when we visit the Church." "Very well my dear friend… I will come here again to fetch you for dinner. Stay well old man," Ben said as he bowed and walked towards the exit. Ben knew that he would grow weak the moment he entered her room, but he had no other choice. Knocking on her room door, he waited and hoped that she would not slam the door at his face. She didn't. She had ushered him in and walked back into the bathroom. "I'd like to continue my bath now, if you don't mind. Make yourself comfy; make a cup of coffee, whatever. I suppose Papa sent you here to keep an eye on me. I'll be out soon," she shouted. Ben didn't dare to even breath as he watch her clad in only a towel. He had seen her naked, but there was something even more erotic and sexy about seeing a dripping wet woman wrapped in just a towel. He could smell the scent of soap that she had applied in her bath. Did he dare to open the bathroom door and walk in? He sat on her bed for a few minutes contemplating his decision. She was humming a modern pop tune and he heard the splashing of water. He had abstained from human contact with her for so long for fear that he would lose his focus and strength… but the image of her kept creeping into his head, nagging at his lust, at his need. "Down boy…" he muttered as Leukós sired a cry deep inside him. Opening the bathroom door, he was treated to a view of Ella buried beneath a tub full of bubbly foam, except her head. The room smelled of rose oil. "Ben? Is there something you need?" her eyes were suddenly open and looking threateningly at him. "You…" was his only reply. Her eyes ceased their warning stare and soften. He was looking at her with his intense stare again; stirring her loins with memories of their first love making. She watched him pull off his polo t-shirt and tossed it carelessly on the floor. His body was even more beautiful than the Statue of David that she had glimpse briefly from outside one of the museums in Florence. With the bathroom light on, she could see everything that she had touched in the dimness the other night. His jeans were worn low on his hips and her eyes were drawn particularly to his well defined obliques slightly below his waistline. She always found that irresistibly sexy in a man. His oblique muscles visually pulled her line of focus downwards… towards his… His hands were slowly unbuckling his belt and buttons and Ella felt extreme heat that wasn't from the water bath. Leaving his button undone, he stepped closer to her, willing her to pull down the zipper. Ella felt excited touching his cock, now semi hard from outside his jeans. She didn't get a chance to touch it the other time. This time, she wanted to see it… and taste it… Ben chuckled as he watched her try to pull his jeans down. Relieving her of her agony, he pushed it down together with his boxers and stood stark naked; his cock directly in front of her face. Ella actually sat back, startled to actually see Ben's cock. It was thick and she could see the veins pulsing beneath the skin. She blushed remembering all the things he had done to her with his cock the other night. Feeling rather bold, she touched it gently and heard him gasp. Looking up to make sure she was doing nothing wrong, Ella continued to stroke him. She pushed his cock up and tickled his balls with her left hand. When Ben gave a loud groan, she quickly pulled her hands away. "No… no… it's… it's so good…" he said and guided her hands back to his cock. "Would you like to taste me Ella?" he added gently. Ella nodded her head and brought her mouth closer to the tip of his cock which was glistening with pre-cum. She knew the male anatomy from her classes in school but she never would have imagined an erect cock feeling so powerful and virile in her hands. When she licked his pre-cum, Ben started swearing in a foreign language. "Ben?" Ella looked up to see his eyes a pool of liquid steel. "What were you saying?" "Oh Ella…" he said and climbed into the bath tub with her. In one quick movement, she was sitting on top of him, with her back on his hard chest. Ella could feel his cock, now hard, poking at her butt. "Tell me what you want…" he whispered to her ear. Ella moaned as he nipped her earlobes and trailed hot, wet kisses down her slender neck. "Please…" she pleaded. Her hips tried to move to position his cock at her entrance, which was already wet with anticipation. "Please what my love?" "Please, please me…" "With pleasure…" he said and lifted her hips and impaled her pussy on his cock. The feeling of warm water gushing away from between them combined with the feeling of fullness of being connected to each other made them both moan out loud. Ben was thrusting his hips upwards and Ella pushed hers downwards to meet each of his thrust. His lustful grunts and her pleasured screams echoed within the walls of the bathroom. Ben used is hands to grab fistfuls of her bouncing tits and massaged them. He moved his thumb and index finger to leisurely squeeze her hardened nipple; enjoying the wonderful moans that he elicited from her. Ella was grinding her pussy, wanting more and more from him. His cock felt so good inside her; its thickness stretching her muscles so intimately. With her pussy still gripping his cock tightly, Ben stood up, carrying her, and got out of the bath. Ella grabbed hold of the vanity top in front of her and looked at their reflections in the mirror. Her hair which she had tied up just now was escaping from its knot and falling down her shoulder while his, were turning a dark shade of ash. He stood behind her, grabbing her by the hips as he thrust his cock deep into her. In this position, Ella felt him impossibly much bigger and harder than before and he was ruthless as he continued to fuck her with such a continuous speed that she knew she would come very soon. Her screams became louder and longer as her hips moved uncontrollably to meet his hard cock, signaling her orgasm. Ben felt a wave of satisfaction seeing her face glowing with lust and pleasure. Pulling his cock out, he lifted her and made her sit on the vanity top. Ella did not get a chance to protest as his tongue was now lashing greedily at her pussy; his mouth greedy for her scent, for her taste. Her juices were plentiful from her previous orgasm and Ben wanted to make her come one more time in this position. His fingers soon joined in the hunger and delved deep into her pussy as his tongue sucked greedily on her clitoris. Ella was screaming with pleasure as she held his head between her two palms. She was pushing him nearer and harder towards her pussy, all the while thrusting her hips upwards to meet his invading fingers. She could feel her come building up inside her; waiting no more for her release, she screamed and surprised them both when hot jets of liquid squirted out from her pussy. Ben did not let a single drop to waste as he quickly covered her pussy with his mouth and devoured her. "Oh my… that… was amazing…" she sighed and leaned back against the mirror. "Return me the favor soon," Ben replied her and winked. Standing up now, he pulled her legs towards him and positioned his cock at her pussy once again. Ella's eyes widened when he began to thrust deep inside her again. Ben could see himself mounting her like a berserk stallion in heat; a primal growl inside him from Leukós reminded him that he was just that. "Ella… quick… get on your knees and open your mouth…" he instructed as he felt his cum rising to its climax. Ella did as she was told, not really sure what to expect. When Ben placed his cock inside her mouth, she did what was most natural- she closed her mouth and suck. That brought him to the edge of ecstasy and he came, gushing into her mouth; filling it with his thick hot cum. Ella was surprised when the sudden gush of his cum hit the back of her throat. She didn't have much time to think as jets upon jets of hot cum filled her mouth. He tasted salty and tangy at the same time and she swallowed all of him, sucking his cock, milking him with her lips. Ben looked down and saw her soft lips draining the life out of him. He knew that once the fatigue sets in, he would once again become weak and unable to perform his guardian duties. But watching Ella's face, satiated, and glowing pink with happiness, he did not know which was worst- sacrificing his immortality or abstaining from making love to her. Although he knew it was only temporary; history has taught him that when you let your guard down even for a moment, that's when your enemies attack you. "Ben… what language was that that you were saying while we were in the bathroom? I've never heard it before," Ella had asked a little while later while they were lying on her bed. "It's an old language that I find useful in the course of my research and studies. Latin? That's the root of all languages my dear." Latin? Ella thought she had heard something about this before. Oh yes! Didn't her father say that Latin was regarded as a more refined language of the past? And who was that poet who defied the norms by writing his cantos is Italian? She couldn't remember and wasn't in the mood for all that rubbish right now. She was positively glowing from their love making. Tangled up naked on her bed, she could see his full body laid out for her eyes. It was then she noticed a small white tattoo near his ankle. "Oh? I have never seen a white tattoo before," she said as she scrambled forward to examine the design. "It's a dragon…" Ben looked at Ella and smiled. She was so beautiful and absolutely wonderful in the way she laughs or pouts or dazzles him with her knowledge. Sometimes he was convinced she is the same woman that he had loved more than a millennium ago, but her spirited nature and penchant for getting into trouble set her apart from Juliana. Juliana was serious and never said a word more than necessary; she was gifted in her study of the natural medicine and was an excellent markswoman but she had neither the carefree spirit of Ella nor her sweet radiant laughter. He had never had more than a brief kiss with Juliana up on that terrace but his heart had been forever hers. With each century he had anticipated her rebirth but she never came. The night that Annabella was at the hospital having her contractions, he had stood by her, watching. He had guarded Juliana's line of descent ever since the start of the Anicii bloodline. Annabella was beautiful as she was bold. She had a temper and a glib tongue that was often in argument with him over her thoughts. In her lifetime, he had been a student, who later became her best friend and later her best man at her wedding. As a guardian, the rule of the thumb was to never let out the secret until the person's very last hour. Somehow, he had known that this birthing was extra special because his siblings had come down to see her as well. As far as he knew, they were never around any one human at any one time for their powers were too great for the human to bear. Aurora was usually not allowed at any birthing for she was the messenger of death that instantaneously took life away just by her mere presence. Neither was Adrian for he would bring sickness and disease to the living. But they had all crowded around the bed; Rafael on her right, he on her left and his two brothers and sister in their spirit form at the foot of the bed. After Ella was born, she had curled up at Annabella's breast and Ben had felt a wonderful pull radiating from this small, little baby. But he knew, as did his siblings that it was time for revelations. Anna was already gone. Ben had to part with Leukós so that the beast could mediate inside Rafael's body to prevent him from dying. His siblings soon materialised in their human form; parting with their respective horses as well. Ben had explained to Rafael that at that point in time divine intervention had made its way into their circle and had chosen Annabella's life to be taken away before her mother's; breaking the cycle of guardianship. Since she has died even before her revelation or her mother's revelation, the baby Ella therefore was granted two revelations. But because she was not of age, Rafael as her sole guardian would have to hear the first revelation for her. Rafael had fallen to his knees, crying as he heard all that was told to him. Baby Ella was crying for she had not had the chance to nurse. Rafael had picked her up and held her to his heart, promising he would love her and protect her forever. "Rafael, I will give you only one moment… before the five of us will have to leave," Ben had said. Each of the four beast had retracted back into their guardian bodies and for that one moment, in between the realm of life and death, he had seen the spirit of his dead wife, smiling at him. "Take the bracelet from my hand and give it to her when she turns ten… Give our child my love Rafael…" and within the blink of an eye, the four horsemen and Annabella were gone. Rafael felt his lifeforce being sucked back into his body albeit a gush of wind that strikes deep to the bones. Ella had been quiet, her right thumb in her mouth, sucking as she would on her mother's teat. Rafael faced his wife for one last time, to take her bracelet and turned his back and walked out. She was no longer there. Ben couldn't bear remembering what had happened in that hospital room 21 years ago. It made his heart ache to recall the lost of a friend. Ella had now curled up beside him, her head resting on his chest. He only wanted to think of now, of her in his arms, for tomorrow could wait another sunrise. **** Ben knew that he was in a truly mortal state and would leave Ella vulnerable should he go and find Rafael without her. "Aurora…" "No," was her reply, so loud his head almost burst. "Fine, Adr…" "Alright alright! Hurry up and go. Your mortal scent is choking me," she had snapped. "Baby sister… you do know that eventually you will find yourself in this same position one day… so stop complaining and keep watch!" instructed Ben as he pulled his polo t-shirt down over his head. Rafael was actually already at the lobby café having a cup of freshly brewed coffee. He felt that he had too much to drink and had wanted to sober up with some caffeine before seeing his daughter for dinner. She wouldn't be pleased at him otherwise. Ben had patted his friend's shoulder in agreement and told him to wait for them at the restaurant. He was going up to escort Ella down. When he was back in her room, Ella was already awake and brushing her hair in front of the mirror. She was wearing her bathrobe and stood smiling as she saw his reflection in the mirror. "Your father is waiting for us at the restaurant downstairs. Guess we all need some food to replenish ourselves?" From the corner of his eyes, he had seen Aurora rolling her eyes. He gestured for her to go. A while later, Ben had walked with Ella down to the restaurant; Rafael was already savouring his favourite Italian cheese, Fontina with a glass of red Chianti wine while waiting for them. "Papa, I see you've gained your appetite again?" Ella mused. "Oh my Bella, how can a father not be anymore happier to have his family gathered around the dinner table like this?" Rafael replied smiling at the two of them. "What do you feel like having Abben?" Ben smiled. Both of them knew that he could not taste anything he ate as a human so food was usually a social act of normalcy for him. But now, knowing that his state of mortality was at its peak, Ben decided to try his luck. "Perhaps the lady could suggest something really special for us all?" he replied instead. "Ah! I don't know… let's see… how bout fresh pasta and a nice plate of pizza? I'm sure we could all share," Ella said. She was in such a delirious mood. Everything was perfect- Ben and now her father with his cheerful appetite. **** With only two days left to their trip, Ella had decided to go visit the museums and perhaps drop by the library to do more research. Her father had chosen to do some shopping and had urged her to bring Ben along. He had sensed the growing affection they had for each other and figured that they should have the time alone for themselves. What other way for two academics to enjoy themselves than to share their passion for history and art? Ben was still weak but he would not let Ella wander around on her own. He had wanted to follow her unnoticed but after yesterday, he could not come up with any excuses to stay away from her. Despite the rain that followed the dull weather that morning, Ella had appeared at the lobby dressed in a red pencil dress that hugged every inch of her curves. She held her coat in her arms and was smiling at him with such warmth, he couldn't look away. The Guardians Ch. 02 "Since when did you develop a sense of style Ella?" Ben had mused. "Oh, here and there. I'm not blind to fashion you know. I shared a room with the prom queen if you don't remember," she replied. Slipping her arms into his, Ella felt a rush of warmth in her that beat the dimness of the cold weather. The taxi driver had dropped them off at the Palatine Gallery, one of the more important museums housed in the Pitti Palace. "This is unbelievable Ben… look at its 15th century architecture- the frescoed walls, damask covered walls… oh my… the ceiling is so elaborately painted!" Ella exclaimed the moment they got inside. "Ah yes…I remembered… This palace belongs to the Medici family… and I'm sure you would be glad to know that it houses some of the most famous masterpieces by Rubens, Titian and even Raphael. If that brain of yours had a better memory, I'm sure you would recall that I covered this in lecture…" "Oh shush!" Walking down the aisle of the museum, Ella had been enchanted by the intricate works of art. Ben smiled at her fascination. He had been in Italy during the 1400s, as a philosopher and had experienced first hand the works of the Renaissance and later the onslaught of the Black Death… Ben closed his eyes to try and dispel the memories. Adrian had reigned far and wide; killing so many with his famine and disease… In his dazed state, he had not noticed that Ella had wandered by herself into a side chamber that was closed for an auction being carried out later that evening. She had always been a curious one and she had wanted to see which paintings were being put up for auctions- were they not important enough to be placed in a museum for all to see? She had wondered. A painting in bold vermillion colours stood in the middle of the row and caught her attention. Seeing no guards around, Ella had moved closer to take a look. The paintings were stored behind a glass wall so she could only see from a foot away. There were four horsemen… but it was the one, painted in the light that caught her eye. He was riding a beautiful white stallion and held a bow. Was he a prince? He was wearing a crown. Ella leaned closer to look at his face. She couldn't see it very clearly but in the painting, he was the only one wearing no robes; his body sculpted and well defined, like that of a warrior. There was something frightening yet powerful about this painting. The last rider had no face but was a skull and wore a white robe, covering from head to toe like that of a middle eastern woman. She didn't think this rider was a man for it was painted so lithe and graceful like that of a woman. This particular rider was shrouded in darkness and was pulling behind it the souls of the dead. Death and Valour in the same painting. Looking down to the title of the painting, Ella almost jumped in surprise. It was an oil painting of the four horsemen of apocalypse… but this was not a Dürer. It was at that moment that she realized that she needed to find Dürer's work. She had just thought of something and was eager to piece the puzzles in her head. When she turned to leave the room, she had spotted Ben, walking towards her. "Ella! Please don't do that again. What if you had gotten lost? Oh my god… I was so worried about you…" his voice trailed off as he stared at the painting behind her. Ben had always mused about the paintings of many that have tried to envision him and his siblings. But this… "Ella… let's go. Perhaps you would like to visit another museum?" Ben asked gently. Ella had grown quiet and was staring at him. He did not even notice that his eyes had become translucent again… When he closed his eyes and opened them again to look at her, Ella was still looking at him. "I have always wanted to ask you something… but… I don't know if I should… but Ben… sometimes your eyes… they just look different… like, not normal…" she said. When he kept quiet, Ella continued, "At times they reflect so much light I feel blinded by them… and twice have I seen your irises disappear Ben… I don't want to keep telling myself I'm hallucinating but maybe…" her words were interrupted by a guard who had heard noises and had come to investigate. "Hey you! This section is closed! Get out!" he shouted to them in Italian. "I'm sorry signor, we're leaving now. I'm sorry we got lost…" Ella shouted back, trying to give him a sweet smile. Leaving the museum, Ella told Ben that she wanted to go the library but suggested that he go home and rest. She was concerned about his strange eyes and thought maybe he had some sort of illness. "Such innocence," Aqurico said the moment Ben returned to his spirit form. Something about the painting recharged his strength such that he was able to change form again. Following her, the two spirits continued talking. "I've never been this careless with anyone…" Ben had muttered as they followed her to the library. "You've begun to choose more personal vocations Abben. First as Annabella's best friend and now her daughter's lover? I would have thought you to have the most sense amongst us all!" his brother replied. "I had intended to be Anna's classmate and Ella's teacher. But it's not always so easy… These humans…" "These humans are what we were Abben… Unlike you, I cannot read minds. I can only sense her emotions; Adrian her health and Aurora, her end. That is why we agreed that you take human form and guard the women by her side. But she is piecing together some things Abben… have you not known? Or were you too weak to know?" "Aqurico… that's enough. I will not be spoken to like that. I summoned you here because I am not sure of the extent of my strength yet and might need your help. So please… my brother…" Ben had pleaded. He had watched Ella pile books on the table in front of her. She had flipped through them for a while before the shout in her mind rang loud and clear in both her guardians' head. "Dante! Now I remembered where I've seen that woodcut printing! Oh I must return home soon and find it! Wait… why did Papa put the printing of the apocalypse in the Divina Commedia?"Ella thought to herself. "Because who else would have guarded him against the savage beasts in the Inferno and the desperate souls in Purgatory if not for us?" Aqurico said, smiling at his brother. He knew Ella could not hear him and had said so to spark anger in his brother. "I will stop her if you think that is wise," said Ben. "It is not I who holds the Crown of Judgement, Abben," Aqurico replied and vanished. **** On their last day at Florence, Rafael told Ella that her grandmother would be meeting them at their hotel after they've checked out at twelve. "Your Grandmamma has some errands she would like to do together before we leave," Rafael had said. Ella merely nodded as she was busy packing her things. Her father had bought quite a lot of goodies to be brought home and she was trying hard to squeeze them into her luggage. The rain was tireless as it raged through the night and into the morning. The sky looked dark and gloomy; the streets were empty and the open markets were closed. Ella wondered what kind of errand her grandmother had in mind. Whatever it was, she just hoped that her boots were thick enough to keep her feet warm and dry in the winter's rain. After checking out, they waited downstairs for her grandmother to arrive. Rafael had told Ella that Ben had some business to attend to and would meet them back home in New Jersey. Ella was a little disappointed but she kept her spirits up in anticipation for her grandmother's arrival. She was shocked of course when she saw her grandmother step out from a Maserati Quattroporte sports sedan at the hotel foyer. She was imagining a horse carriage; hopeless romantic that she is. "Wow," Ella said as Margaret gestured for them to hop in. Rafael had arranged their luggage in the trunk and had opened the door for Ella to get it. "Mama, always in style as ever," he said when they were all settled in. Ella was amazed that her grandmother was still strong enough and certainly of a certain calibre to be behind such wheels! "Where are we going Grandmamma?" she asked. "You'll find out soon enough my child," was her reply. * 10 minutes later…. Stepping out of the car, the three of them quickly ran towards the shelter of the church that stood before them. "Welcome, Isabella, to the Chiesa di Santa Margherita de' Cerchi," Margaret said as she led Ella down towards the main hall. "Papa…" Ella had turned to her father; fear in her eyes. Rafael tried to smile at her to reassure her but his emotions were holding him back. He could only look at her from far but would not go near the altar where Margaret had now brought Ella to. "I'm here…" Ben had whispered to Rafael. He knew that this church brought much pain to Rafael. Nodding to acknowledge his presence, Rafael braved himself to sit at the nave chairs to wait for his daughter. "Ella," he heard Margaret say. "This is the place where all the female descendants in our family formally undergo a ritual called the Affirmation; for the mother to declare in front of the Saints and the Virgin that this is her child. This is where our bodies will rest when our time on earth has come to and end." "I thought… I thought Mama's grave was at San Miniato al Monte…"Ella said, feeling vaguely hurt. "This is her burial grounds my dear and I will bring you there later my child… Ella… I see much fear in you. Please do not be. This saddens both your father and I greatly… for it should be your mother who is in my place now and I in hers…" Margaret said as she stroked Ella's soft cheek. "Margaret…" a voice called out. Both the women turned to face a Priest who was smiling at them. "It is nice to see you here again. Is this the child of the late Annabella?" "Yes, Father…" "Then come with me my child," he smiled, ushering them to another part of the church. Ella figured that she would have to undergo another sort of Baptism to formally include her as a member of this Church. Though she felt lonely and scared, she was burning with questions, which she figured would have to be asked later. He had led her to a room where a painting of Madonna and Four Saints hung behind the pool holding the baptismal water. The Priest had been gentle, as he guided her towards the water and when she was ready, immersed her. When she came out, he blessed her. "Welcome, Isabella, daughter of Anicii, to our humble abode. Here within, lies your future resting place. Shall I bring you there Ella?" he asked her. "Father, may I stay here with my Grandmother first?" Ella had asked instead. The Priest merely smiled and said, "I will go and talk to your father and leave the two of you alone. Call me when you are ready, my child." Ella watched him leave and turned towards the painting to look closer. The Saints looked familiar somewhat, as if she had seen them in another painting. "Why did you bring me here only now Grandmamma?" Ella asked, without turning around; her eyes studying the Saint with the long blond hair. "I am dying my child…and I had not been sure if I should bring you here… but then circumstances have changed and so I have." "Grandmamma… oh… I'm sorry…" Ella turned and hugged her grandmother. "Let's walk and visit your mother shall we? Perhaps you would call the priest for me?" When Ella walked out of the room, Margaret looked at the painting and said, "She even recognizes you when you are in such a form." A while later, the Priest had guided them down to the tombs where the bodies of the Anicii descendants were laid to rest in peace. "And here… is the fair Annabella…" he said. The rain was still pelting down on them. Even with the umbrellas, Ella felt the cold seeping close to her skin. Ignoring it, she knelt down and said a prayer for her mother. She had never known the woman but loved her all the same. She saw among the names- Portinari, Anicii, Donati. Perhaps she would look them up later. **** Back at her home after sending Ella and Rafael off at the airport, Margaret had leaned back against her sofa. Closing her eyes gently, she summoned for them. She knew she must not keep them too long and far away from Ella but she feared that her time was nearing. "Abben… had you not come here four years ago, I would never have put myself through this… To be there at your child's affirmation, then her burial takes a lot out of a mother. And to tell your granddaughter at her affirmation of your impeding death… Ohhh…" the old woman began to sob. Abben, Aqurico, Adrian and Aurora stood quiet in front of her. She was never allowed to summon them all at one time but she felt that her duty was done and her time has come. She had only known Abben all her life; he had been her horse groom until he left to study about the same time that Annabella left home for college. But after seeing Ella stare at the painting today, she understood that there had to be four of them, not just one always protecting her. "Lady Margaret," called Aurora. "It is time." Margaret remained crying as her revelation was told to her. She had never known that Abben was her guardian until Anna's birth but when she had died, he had returned; to tell her what he was; to reassure her that Ella would be safe. **** Once they were home, Ella mentally made a note to do her research on two things- on the picture of the four horsemen in her father's copy of Divinia Commedia as well as find out who were those women whose names she had seen at the graves. Her father had retreated to bed, weary from their long journey. Ella had kissed him goodnight. She watched him hobble up to his room- He was getting older, his health waning. Promising to herself to bring him to their physician at the end of the month, she then started to walk towards her father's study, when suddenly the doorbell rang. "I have to stop her," Ben said softly under his breath. Ella opened the door slightly and found that it was Ben. She instantly smiled. Opening it fully, she let him in. Ben did not miss a beat. His lips met hers in a delightfully soft kiss. "I've missed you," he said. Weaving his fingers through her hair, he bent down to kiss her again. It wasn't the urgent kisses that they had shared in her hotel bathroom the other night, but this was soft; flitting, as if trying to steal her breath while his tongue explored the recesses of her mouth. "Ben… Papa is upstairs in his room. I don't think we should be kissing in his house like this…" Ella said, eventually pushing him away. "Why don't you accompany me to the study? I've got something in mind. I don't know… maybe you could help me." "I think I'd rather help you in some other way," Ben said as his nose rubbed against her neck; his hands under her blouse, squeezing her breasts. "Well… Mr Abben Martin… you are welcome to stay, but I will not allow you manhandling me like this!" her harsh warning, sent him reeling literally across the room. Leukós was temporarily parted from Ben's body as the force of her anger splitted his form. Ben was thankful that she had stormed towards the study and had not noticed a white stallion halfway across her living room or his translucent spirit rider. "How the hell did that happen?" Ben yelled in his head. "She's overpowering you somehow. Well… a millennium old Juliana in that body… possible…" Aqurico had replied. "That's no Juliana alright. But I'll have to continue distracting her somehow. Adrian, can't you make her sick or something?" "WHAT? I am the guardian of her health not the bringer of her death! That's Aurora's job." "And of course, there's never any point asking me for help other than babysitting…" came Aurora's sharp voice. "Okay, enough all of you," snapped Ben as he entered the study room. Ella was already looking at her father's copy of the Divinia Commedia. Beside it, lay a picture of the four of them. "Who painted that?" he asked, as if he had never seen such a painting before in all his life. "Oh? It's by Dürer. Haven't you heard of him?" Ella asked. She thought that he was the expert on all things medieval. "I know who he is! But where did you get that!" "Why are you raising your voice at me?" Ella snapped back. "Yeah, why are you raising your voice at her?" Ben heard his siblings mock him. "Enough!" he shouted at them but instead, his thoughts had been voiced out and Ella looked angrily at him. "Fine. Get out! Get out! Or I will bring hell upon you. Out out out!!!" she yelled back and started pushing him out the door. Defeated and unsure of what future outbursts from her could do to him, he relented, watching her slam her house door at his face. "Oh, that went well," Aurora sneered. She had materialised when Ben started walking a few blocks away from the Allegri's house. Ben was too flustered and annoyed to notice that the flowers were wilting as they walked past them. Back in her study, Ella had given up trying to piece the horsemen and Dante together. Instead, she decided to do a search on the the three names- Anicii, Portinari and Donati. Who were those women and why was she baptized to be in the same church as them? Anicii – Belongs to one of the most powerful aristocratic houses in the Roman Empire ever since the 2nd century. The most famous of them included Emperor Olybrius, survived by his wife and daughter Anicia Juliana. Juliana was known to be an avid patron of the arts to whom her commissions have include portraits, sculptures and woodcuts. Woodcuts? Ella thought. Is this bracelet hers? "Oh my god!" gasps Ella. "Sacrum Romanum Imperium! That must be what that meant! It was commissioned during the Roman Empire, possibly for this princess! But what of the other word…? Oh this is really intriguing!" She decided to look up on the other two names. Perhaps they might give her more clues. Which first? Donati gave her no search results but Portinari gave her two- a man and a woman. Portinari- Beatrice Portinari was considered to be Dante's source of salvation, inspiration and most importantly, his true love. When she died at the age of 24, Dante had mourned at her loss and withdrew to write poetry dedicated to her memory. Perhaps, one of his most famous works drawn from this inspiration was the Divine Comedy. Although Dante had married Gemma Donati, whom he had been promised to at the age of 12, his love for Beatrice followed him till his death, to which just before it, La divina commedia was completed. Ella fell off her chair in genuine disbelief at the information just exposed to her. Were all these women buried at the same church as her mother? A quick search told her just as much: The Chiesa di Santa Margherita de' Cerchi is an ancient church dedicated to Margaret the Virgin in the centre of Florence, Italy. It was where Dante was married to Gemma Donati in 1295. It also houses several tombs of the Anicii family and the Portinari family, to which Dante's great love Beatrice Portinari belonged. The church can sometimes be referred to as the one with an altarpiece of the Madonna and Four Saints by Neri di Bicci. The Guardians Ch. 02 "What are you hiding?" Ella asked, to no one in particular. But of course, she is never alone. Adrian and Aqurico who had stayed back to watch her unveil her own revelation, quivered with fear. "I do not know where this is heading to brother… She is the protected one, we her guardians. She will bring no harm to us by finding out all these… but I fear brother that her knowledge might not remain safely for herself. I fear brother…" Adrian whispered. Mélas, his black stallion gave a low cry of fear as his rider spoke. Aqurico could only look at Adrian and smile weakly. His horse, Purrós remained silent. "Perhaps it is time we find Abben and Aurora to discuss all this," he replied. **** The Guardians Ch. 03 "Our analyst tells us that there has been a significant increase in the amount of searches done through the library systems and the internet database on certain keywords that are of concern to the Order Sir," the thinner of the two said. "Do not waste my time with stupid suspicions Cornelius. The internet is just what it is- words; they lead to nothing. The key is here and it is safe. No one, I repeat, no one is smart enough to piece everything together," the burly one replied. Though muscular and big in size, the man looked very elegant in his white designer suit as he sipped his cup of tea. "But sir, the hits have been increasing over the past few days and are always the same- Dante, Dürer. Anicii, Donati... Portinari," the man named Cornelius replied. The man who was drinking his tea paused for awhile, considering this piece of information. Taking a notepad, he wrote something, ripped it off and gave it to him. "Take this to the analyst- he'll know what to do... And Cornelius?" "Yes sir?" "Tell the Battle at East Sussex that I want Portinari under lock and key at all times. Increase their security if they must," said the large man. Cornelius scampered as fast as he could away from the man. He had never told anyone his real name but had instructed all to always address him as Mr F . But most of them called him Mr Foul, from his initials- F.A.O. He hardly spoke but was neither kind nor brute in his management of the Order. Most of them kept out of his way and did not bother him much unless it was absolutely important. The man called Mr F. stared out the window from his office. From time to time, some people have taken interest in those subjects that Cornelius had mentioned but to be interested in them all at the same time? That is too much of a coincidence. **** When Ella woke up that morning, she had found herself asleep ontop her books on her father's desk. Looking at the clock, she realized that it was already 9am. Her father must have already left for his class. She was still bleary eyed when she walked to the kitchen to fetch herself a glass of milk. "Morning sunshine," a deep baritone voice greeted her. Ella was still half dazed to recognize the voice and had screamed in surprise. "Your father let me in. He told me to wake you up and take you out... But when I saw you sleeping, I decided to help myself to breakfast. Care for some?" said Ben calmly. Ella eyed him suspiciously. "No kisses or suspicious seduction?" "Yuck... you might have morning breath," Ben replied a little too smoothly. "WHAT?! I do NOT have morning breath you idiot! ARGH!" she yelled as she dumped her glass in the sink and stormed up to her room. "Hey! I was joking! Ella!!!" he replied, getting to his feet and following her up the stairs. "Stay there!" she yelled back. "Morning breath... I'll give you morning breath!" she muttered as she slammed the bathroom door. "Way to go brother," Aurora snickered. "It was a trick to get her out of the first floor so I can look at the stuff she was studying last night," Ben replied. "But I've already told you that!" Adrian muttered. "He's just trying to salvage his pride. Kinda reminds me of Anna don't you think? The way she'd yell at you. But of course you'd yell back at her all the same," chimed Aurora. "Hush now all of you. Look..." Ben pointed out. "She found links here and there but I don't know how she's going to piece them together. She will need to find more clues before she finds anything substantial." "At least she doesn't know we're her guardians," Aqurico said. "No one knows that; it has never and could never be documented because the women only know this at the hour of their death," replied Ben. "You forget the old man and the late Lady Margaret..." said Adrian. "No... they wouldn't... would they?" "Then what do you call this?" Aurora said, holding up the divinia comedia and the printing of the Four Horsemen of Apocalypse by Dürer. "No! Rafael would never betray us, nor would he purposely harm his daughter by sharing such information! No, I know him... he will not do this. Perhaps he wanted to check us up... wanted to make sure we could really protect Ella," Ben said defensively. "I trust him," Aqurico said. "Sometimes when his emotions get too overwhelming, I can sense their presence. He is a kind soul, that man; he only wants happiness for his daughter." "Ben!" called Ella from upstairs. The four siblings looked at each other. Ben turned to leave the study and gestured for his siblings to return to their spirit form. He wondered what she could possible want. "Yeah?" he yelled back. "Would you like to follow me to the Sussex fair?" Ella said as she walked down the stairs. Ben raised his eyebrows as he studied her dressing: jeans, a white polo t-shirt and a cowboy hat; in her hands a pair of leather boots. "In England?" he asked cautiously. "No, silly! Here, in New Jersey! What don't you ever read American history?" laughed Ella as she put on her leather boots. "And, what of this fair?" "Oh, this and that. It's a charity fair. Kinda like fun raising like what we used to do in school. Oh god... Don't tell me you've never been to a fair?!" gasps Ella. "Does the Highland Games or Olympics count?" he replied, giving her a weak smile. "No, we do not wear kilts nor is this a competitive arena. Come on! It'll be fun!" sniggered Ella as she pushed him out the door and locked it behind them. Ben heard his siblings laughing their heads off, but he didn't dare say a word for fear that he might say it out loud and spoil her good mood. "So, tell me about this... fair" Ben said as they were walking towards the garage. "Well, every August, there's a ten-day agricultural fair that takes place at the Sussex County Fairgrounds. I cannot believe that you've never heard of it! Where have you been all these while huh?" Looking after your predecessor... "So, yeah, it's usually a lot of fun and I'm sure you'll learn something too! Medieval history is a thing in the past, professor. I suggest you move on and live in this era," she continued, oblivious to the scowl on his face. Ella had geared up her father's old space wagon and laughed as Ben closed his eyes. "Saying a prayer?" she mused "I have many lives. Just spare me my last one," he retorted, though he knew that that was possibly not far away from the truth. Ella's driving left much to be desired for halfway through the ride as they were entering Morristown, north of Princeton, Ben felt Leukós protesting to be freed. The horse had a mind of its own as it simply parted from Ben's body to run wild behind the car- leaving him a pale translucent color. He was just glad that Ella was so focused on the road that she didn't even turn to look at him when she spoke. The open range that greeted them as they neared their destination made the other three horses rejoicing with glee. From the side mirror, he could see his three siblings on horseback trailing them from behind. "Oh, look! We must be nearing the fair already. How nice of their farm hands to guide us from behind," said Ella as she looked at her rear mirror. Ben's mouth went agape as he realized that she could see them too. She wasn't supposed to see any of them except him! The Statesville Quarry road that took them to the fair was a long straight road but when they finally reached, they were greeted with a view of a the fairground, with its wide marquees and show ring seats, the Ferris wheel and many other stalls that were already open and offering food or games to the crowd that were already there. After Ella had parked the car, Ben had held her forearm and looked at her. "Why'd you bring me here Ella?" he asked, his eyes growing intense as she looked back at him. "I... I... Papa hasn't brought me here for a long time... I just thought... we could spend some time together before the semester starts... I..." she stammered, not knowing really how to put it. "Ella..." Ben moved closer and covered her mouth with his. He could taste the excitement and also the anxiety in her. She tasted so sweet and was softly yielding against him. He knew why she had brought him here. He could hear her thoughts throughout the ride, but he had wanted her to say it to him. Breaking the kiss, he gave her cheeks a little pinch and started to open the door. The fair had already started. Families with children were strewn all over the fairgrounds. He thought he saw a baby crawling race and a kissing booth: they all seem so strange to him. Ella was already busying herself with purchasing candy floss and drinks at one of the stalls. When she offered him some, he declined, knowing that he wouldn't be able to taste them anyway. It was at that moment that she caught sight of the horse rides. It was one of the few areas that were incredibly crowded with children and adults alike who were waiting for their turns. The show horses had just returned from their parade around the show ring and were being saddled up. "Oh, Ben! Look at them. They're so beautiful! Do you think I could go and queue up for a ride?" she pleaded in between her childish giggles. Ben looked at Ella in disbelief. She has four horses and she wants to ride that skinny little show horse? Ben heard Leukós whimper in agreement. He was a purebred stallion and that little mutt of a show horse was... "Go and entertain yourself if you don't want to wait in line," said Ella, distracting his jealous thoughts. "Huh?" "You looked so angry... so I'm guessing you're not into horses or something. But, you don't get to ride horses back at Princeton you know..." said Ella, cautious not to say something wrong lest he get angry at her again. "I'm not angry Ella... it's just... why... argh! Never mind..." he said as he waited patiently in line with her. "You're so going to do it aren't you?" Ben heard Aqurico say to him "Oh yeah, he's so going to do it," Aurora agreed. "I refuse to be part of this conversation," said Adrian. "I'll show those farm raised colts what a real horse is!" Ben said in his head. "We could join you... for fun," suggested Aurora. "And kill everyone, little sis?" sneered Ben. "This is so unfair!" she retorted. Ben looked towards the stables where the show horses were being saddled. He saw that those who had stayed in line were walking towards the stables to choose their horse or pony. Ella would probably be in the next round. So he stayed there and watched the horses trotting slowly over the sturdy ground. They were fine breeds of course, but they were still domesticated and raised for shows. "Ella, I'll see you when you're done? I probably will watch from those stands over there alright?" Ben said as Ella walked to the stables. "Uh, okay..." she replied, obviously uninterested in what he had to say as her eyes was fixed on the few horses that were returning to their stables. It took Ben less than a second to reach the stable and to take the form of Leukós- the Palomino thoroughbred. The guardian Abben and his siblings had three forms- one as the spirit rider and its horse, one as the spirit inside its horse's form and the other is the horse inside its human form. Leukós grunted its pride as he materialised, standing tall among the other horses in the stable. He clearly looked out of place, with his white coat, white mane and tail. The other chestnuts had let out soft whines as recognition of his alpha male status in the stable at that moment. When Ella and the others entered the stable to choose their horse, Leukós had stood proudly, with his head up high, confident that she would come to him. Ella had noticed the regal looking Palomino but had looked away. She didn't think she was fit to be riding a thoroughbred like that! He was a handsome horse of course but she didn't think he would be too tame for her. Ben heard her thoughts and Leukós led out a loud bray of protest. He was a great horse! Leukós trotted to her side and nudged her arm, forcing her to look at him. Ella had turned, with a look of intimidation in her eyes and walked away. Still, the horse followed her. "Just look at him!" Aurora laughed. "He looks like a stallion in heat, chasing after his mare. Oh boys... why don't we give him some help?" Aqurico and Adrian laughed. They had never seen their eldest brother sillier than he was right now. Ella kept moving away from the Palomino even as it followed her. She saw that most of the others had already chosen their horses. It was at that moment that she set her eyes on the demure looking black stallion with a white marking down its forehead. He was so beautiful yet had a certain shyness to him. Ella moved closer and stroked its forehead. The stallion gave a soft bray and rubbed its snout at her cheeks. Ella was enchanted with this black beauty and immediately signalled for the horse groom to help her mount him. The stallion stayed still as she climbed onto him. When the horse groom pulled at his reigns, he gave a silent trot and walked into the sunshine. The Palomino followed beside him. Ella didn't like the white horse at all! It looked so threatening as compared to her docile horse. "I'm going to kill you when I get the chance!" Ben snapped at Adrian as they trotted side by side. "You're the one reaching mortality and I can't die. You know that. Stop being a baby Abben," said Adrian. He was always the gentlest of the lot and never quarrelled with his siblings over most things. Many recounts had always awarded virility and looks to the first horseman, Abben but it was because they never had the chance to see the third horseman while they were alive. Adrian was the bringer of famine and diseases and most artists would imagine him with boils and crackled skin. But Adrian was truly the most handsome of the lot. His black hair was long and always combed neatly backwards. His eyes were elegant gems of charcoal while his face always wore a sexy five o'clock shadow. "She's mine Adrian! You know that. Why'd you transform anyway?" "You were getting pompous, brother. Did you see the way you made her afraid? You of all people should know that if she rejects you; in any form, you will cease to be her guardian." Ben kept quiet for a while. Leukós stopped snorting its anger and began to quieten down, trotting silently beside Mélas. "Don't let your ego overtake you Abben. She is yours and always will be. There is no need fight for your prize," Adrian concluded as Ella slipped off him at the end of her ride. "You're such a beautiful horse," she said as she stroked his forehead again. "Maybe I'll see you again next time when I'm here." Mélas let out a humble neigh of delight and trotted back to the stables, followed by Leukós. When Ben resumed his human form, Adrian had resumed his spirit form and disappeared from sight. "Oh Ben! Did you see me? Oh, I rode the most charming horse ever! He was so gentle and calm and never made a single protest even when I dug too hard into his sides," said Ella as she laughed. "Oh, but did you see that white horse that kept following us around? I think he wanted me to ride him. Oh Ben! I wish you had joined me. It would have been so much fun!" "Oh, I was watching you, my dear... and you are a good rider," he replied and kissed her forehead. While Ben accompanied Ella at the fair, Adrian and Aurora watched from afar. They were at the ridges facing the fairgrounds and were standing beside their individual horses. "Adrian... you surprise me brother," said Aurora. Adrian merely looked at her and smiled. "She's the one isn't she?" "Yes," he replied. "I'm sorry Adrian..." Aurora said as she caressed his cheeks. She was closest to him for they were only a year apart. She had adorned his clothes and imitated his sword fighting skills in order for the imperial officials to admit her into their training regime. When Adrian had found out, he had not scolded her as Abben would have, but had instructed her, in solitude on how to perfect her moves. It was a year later that she joined her brothers as knights for the Roman Empire. When the Emperor Olybrius had put Abben in charge of his imperial knights, Aurora had been thrilled. Aurora hadn't always wanted to be a knight. She had had those dreams too, of being whisked away by a handsome prince. But one day a massacre had taken the lives of her parents when her brothers were away at the castle and she had crawled under her bed; unknown to their perpetrators who had slaughtered her parents in front of her 12yr old eyes. She had remembered when she first laid eyes on the Princess Anicii. The four of them had been knighted in a special ceremony in front of the royal family for displaying exceptional bravery and valour. Olybrius had required them four to undergo a special journey for him to retrieve something for him, which Aurora felt too painful to recall. She had known then, that the Emperor had chosen Abben as their leader for he was getting too close to the princess Juliana Anicii and he had had other plans for her; to be wed to Dagalaiphus who was to succeed her brother as the Magister militum: master of the military. He was of royal descent, while Abben, was not and Olybrius had sent them out on this mission with every intention of killing them all. When Abben was assigned for this mission, he had requested for the best imperial doctor to ride with them. Adrian though a talented knight, had previously given up his place in the military for Aurora, so that she could pose as him. Instead, he went to teach medicine and the laws of science for the imperial children. It was there that he fell in love with the Princess Juliana. But she had always loved his brother, Abben and so Adrian had never told anyone his feelings except to Aurora, his beloved sister. Like Abben, he too had waited century after century for the rebirth of Juliana. He had never stood in Abben's path for he knew that Juliana was destined to be with him. He had loved Ella and had always taken care of her health, as her doctor and her personal guardian. For him, he would never ever attain mortality for his love would never consummate with him. Abben had marked her as his and so, he has to find some other in order to break the curse. When Aqurico joined them a little later, he told them about the precarious state of emotions that Abben and Aurora were in. They were arguing again. Ella's emotional power was increasing with every moment that Abben remained close to her. Aqurico realised that she drained him when he began to react with his emotions, not his mind: for Abben was given the gift to manipulate minds, not emotions or health and as such could not hold his ground. "Ella, why are you so angry at me? What did I do?" "I don't know! You tell me! Ever since after that horse ride, you just wouldn't be nice to me. Everything that I said you'd reply 'whatever'! It's as if you really didn't want to be here!" "I never said that!" "But you didn't say you did either!" Ben scowled at her for he didn't know what to say. He kept trying to read her mind in advance to know what she was going to say but he couldn't. There was a mental block in his mind and he was getting increasingly agitated. "There you go again... going silent each time I hit the right spot! Oh, why did I even bring you? I knew you were going to be a spoilt sport!" she scowled back and started heading towards the car. Ben staggered after her. His siblings had left them alone and he knew that the long ride home would be the most unpleasant one ever. He couldn't remember being in such a horrible argument before. Even with Anna, he could always read her mind and never felt at a loss like now. The Guardians Ch. 03 "Why did you bring me here, Ella?" Ben asked when they had driven away from the fairgrounds. "Why does it concern you?" she snapped back. "I am asking you nicely, Ella," Ben pleaded. He could take the migraine no more. His head was simple jammed with no inkling of his ability to read her mind anymore. "Because... oh, what's the point of saying it. You're in a foul mood anyway..." "Ella..." whispered Ben as he slowly lost his consciousness. It was when Ella looked at her right side mirror did she noticed him. "Oh my god! Ben! Ben... oh please wake up!" she cried, trying to shake him with one hand. When it was no use, she pulled over to the side road and tried to check for his pulse. There was none! "Oh Ben... please..." Ella whimpered as her eyes started to water. She was panicking and almost reached for her phone to dial 911 when she realised that she was in the middle of nowhere. It was at that moment that she saw three horse riders, whom she assumed must be the ranchers from the fairground and called to them. She noticed the black horse that looked like the one she had ride earlier on. He was accompanied by a chestnut and another pale Palomino. Getting out of the car, she called to them and started explaining to them amidst tears what had happened. Aqurico had already dismounted and had rushed to the left side door to carry Ben out. He signalled to Purrós to sit down so he could lean Ben on him. The usually fiery tempered horse obeyed his master's command without protest and sat on the grassy patch near the car. Aurora and Adrian had dismounted too. While Adrian had moved towards Ben to examine him, Aurora was left with the task of distracting Ella. She was forever amazed at how strong Ella was to still stay alive each and every time the four of them were around her. Even now as Aurora dared herself to touch Ella, her fear of killing her dissipated. "Don't worry Ella... he'll be fine... why don't we take a walk..." Aurora tried to sooth her. Ella was too distraught to realise that this stranger was calling her by her own name. Khlōrós, Thánatos had followed behind them quietly. The mare was another Palomino just like Leukós but her eyes were jade green. Even her mane had speckles of the softest shade of green. Ella tried to focus on the woman holding her hand. Her blond hair was tied up in a ponytail and she wore a pale white blouse with jeans. Her eyes too were green just like hers and Ella thought her face reminded her of Ben. It was then she started panicking again and started towards the car. "No, stay here with me," Aurora insisted and tightened her grip on Ella's hand. Ella looked at the strange woman and calmed herself. Back at the car, Adrian was confirming his suspicions. "She totally zapped his emotional strength such that he couldn't think anymore. It was the only thing he could do; it was his strength and his weakness. Now, I need you and Mélas to shield him from Ella's view," he said to Aqurico. "I'm going to split their bodies," said Adrian as he reached into Ben's chest and pushed apart the two hearts; Leukós's beating strongly while Ben's not beating at all. As the healer of the quad, he was the one who had always maintained the balance in Ella's body and nursed battle wounds on his siblings whenever necessary. When Leukós had materialised, Abben lay in his arms, a translucent figure. Adrian nodded in Aqurico's direction and watched his brother draw a strand of translucent vapour from inside him and transferred it to Abben. Aqurico who was given the gift to manipulate emotions had the strongest emotional quotient among them and most likely able to spare some to heal. When Abben began to choke on Aqurico's powers, Leukós merged itself with Abben to support his rate of recovery. The two brothers smile when Abben opened his eyes. "Aurora...Ella..." Adrian called to them in his mind. The two women came as quickly as possible to his side, in time to watch Abben take his first breath as a human again. "Oh, thank you... so much... I'm so thankful to all of you for your help... I wouldn't know what to do... oh... Ben..." Ella cried as she hugged him. It was then that she looked up to see Adrian's soft eyes that were looking at her. Their dark black irises smiled softly at her before he broke his gaze and stood up to fetch his horse. "Thank you... sir..." Ella called out as the three of them started to walk away from the car. "What are your names?" she suddenly shouted out. The three of them looked at her. Aqurico replied her first, followed by Aurora and then Adrian. Ella waved at them goodbye and got back into her driver's seat, but when she looked in the rear mirror for them, they were gone. "Adrian..." Ella whispered to herself. His eyes were kind and gentle, just like that of his horse. Looking to her side, she saw that the passenger chair had been reclined and Ben was breathing again. She didn't know what they did to him but he was fine now and that was all that mattered. She figured he must have had some sort of heart attack from all her shouting. When they finally arrived at Princeton, it was already dark. Ben was already conscious and asking her for food. She had rolled her eyes at him and chided him for not eating when she had offered. Even Ben himself felt slightly strange asking to be fed. He figured that his mortality was catching up with him, draining him of his usual capacity to heal. Ella had parked at some big supermarket parking lot but judging from the few cars parked, it must have been rather late at night. She had tossed at him a bag of MacDonald's takeaways that included a quarter pounder, fries and coke. Ben stared at the food in the bag suspiciously. They smelled good but he never had a burger before. Biting cautiously into the stack of meat between two pieces of bread, he let the taste linger in his mouth. It was good! Ella watched the way he ate; humour in her eyes. He was absolutely starving for he had polished off all the food within minutes. "What?" he asked. "Nothing. You just look incredibly cute eating the burger like that... like a child eating its first MacDonald's happy meal," laughed Ella. Ben raised his eyebrows and looked at her curiously. "What if it was?" he asked "Was what?" He didn't answer but instead looked at her. He didn't know what happened today but he didn't mean to argue with her... But she brought out such strange emotions in him; her reactions surprising him and caught him off guard with her impulsiveness. Ella was growing up to be such a beautiful woman and though he knew he loved her, he never understood what love meant until today. He had been pompous- wanting to show off his might for her then he had been jealous when she had chosen to ride Adrian's Mélas. Though it was just a horse, he had felt insanely possessive of her... something he had never felt with any of the others- not even with Juliana. He knew he and his siblings were her guardians... but with Ella, he only felt that he had the right to protect her. He suppose he must apologize to Adrian later on. Ella had geared up and was driving them back to their Princeton residence. "Ella, could you stop by the Prospect Gardens please? I... I was thinking, maybe we could sit and look across the lake. The moonlight is quite lovely tonight," Ben said softly. Ella glanced at him and smiled. "Alright," she said. *** It was dark when Ella parked the car at a grassy area in the garden that faces the lake. The water looked so still and reflected the moonlight so vividly. "Just sit here..." said Ben as Ella started to reach out for the door. "Okay..." she replied and leaned back against her seat. Her hand searched for Ben's and she held his tight as they both just stared out to the open lake. "Sometimes I imagine that I can walk on the water's surface when it's so still like this. It looks almost like it was a solid void of silk," whispered Ben. His fingers were caressing Ella's. Ben had closed his eyes; the stillness of the night echoed in his ears and his stomach felt full. Perhaps this is what mortality feels like- a sense of heaviness... He could feel her staring at him, her gaze boring into him. He smiled, knowing that she wanted to say something but was holding back. "I... Ben... I'm sorry about today..." she stammered "I know that's not what you want to say..." he replied. Ella could see his lips curling in a grin. "I don't know what I'd feel if something bad had happened to you Ben... oh... I just can't think of it... I've never... I mean... you know... It's always just me and Papa... and then suddenly there's you... and then..." Ella didn't get a chance to finish her stammering for Ben had laid a finger on her lips and smiled. "I love you too, Isabella..." he whispered. He didn't need any sort of powers right now to know that. Ella's eyes had widened in surprise. He didn't give her a chance to say anything for his lips were on hers now, trying to make her forget the words that she had planned to say to him. His kisses were always intoxicating; stirring her loins and making her heart flutter. Ben was now leaning towards her, deepening his kiss. Ella could smell his scent and it made her crave more for him. His right hand was already rubbing up and down her thigh. Warning sirens rang in her head. Surely he didn't mean to have sex here in the car? "Get in the backseat Ella...." Ben moaned into her mouth. He was already getting a hard on and wanted her, hot and fast, right here and now. Ella though surprised and unsure about what they're about to do, did as she was told and scrambled to the backseat. "Take off your jeans and your shirt," he instructed again. Ella kept looking out the window in case someone was coming. Though they were parked quite far away from the footpaths and shrouded in darkness, she couldn't help feeling insecure. When Ben turned to join her at the backseat, he was surprised that she had only pulled down her jeans till her thighs. "Ella..." was all he said as his lips came crushing down on her again and his right hand forcefully pushed down her jeans further. His left hand went under her shirt and unbuckled her bra. He didn't even bother to take it off but simply pulled both her bra and shirt up to begin suckling on her tits. Ella had to control her moans of pleasure for fear that someone might hear her and come and investigate. She really should tell him to stop but he was nipping at her nipple with his teeth and it felt so good. She really shouldn't be doing this... but it felt dangerously exciting! Ben had already unbuckled his belt and he was fumbling with his jeans; his mouth never leaving her tits. He continued to fondle the other with one hand while he pushed his boxers and jeans downwards. Even in the dark, Ella could make out the shape of his cock, fully hard and begging for her to touch it. "Do you want to suck my cock Ella?" whispered Ben as he pulled his shirt off. Ella didn't reply him but moved her head and hands down to meet his hard cock. This was the second time she'd given head to anyone in her whole life. Fairly unsure still, she simply licked the dick head and heard Ben take in a sharp breath. Swirling her tongue around his cock, her hand started to pump him up and down. She felt encouraged when she heard him moan and proceeded to engulf his cock with her warm mouth. "Oh fuck... Ella... No... I can't wait anymore... Get on top here..." he groaned. Ella wasn't sure what he meant so she simply froze. "Ride my cock Ella.... Sit on it..." Ben whimpered. He could feel the blood pumping in his veins; the adrenaline rush. Ella pulled off her jeans and tried to straddle him; she had never been on top before. Using his finger, he massaged her clit slowly and inserted them into her pussy which was wet and waiting for him. Unable to wait any longer, Ben held on to her hips and pushed her down, impaling her on his hard cock. Ella had screamed the moment her pussy enveloped his hard cock. He felt strangely bigger in this position. Ben's cock was thick and was stretching her so good that she couldn't think at the moment. Holding on the headrest of the seat, she started moving up and down on his cock. When she slammed her hips down, Ben would raise his hips up to meet her. The result was a wild thumping of cock and pussy that drove both nearer to their climax. Ben had grabbed her tits, pushed them together and sucked on the nipples both at the same time even as her hips went wild, fucking him up and down. Ben could feel her wet juices dripping down his thigh. He couldn't resist her juices- they smelled and tasted so damn good. Pulling her off his cock, he laid her on her back and pushed up her thighs so that her ankles were near her head. Bending down, he began to lick at her pussy, sucking in her juice greedily. Ella was moaning loudly now, impervious to her surroundings. Ben felt her contracting her pussy muscles, in anticipation for her cum. It was then that he quickly inserted his cock back into her pussy and began to fuck her hard. Ella started screaming as his cock touched her g-spot, making her cum in big waves. She was bucking her hips wildly as she came and Ben continued to thrust deep into her pussy. Ella's eyes went wide open as she felt him grow longer and harder inside her. "Oh Ben, Ben, Ben! Fuck me please! Fuck me! FUCK ME!!!!!" and she came again. Ben felt her pussy really squeezing him hard and he couldn't hold on much longer. Pushing her knees backwards till they touched her chest, he mounted her and began to fuck her with such intensity and speed that both of them began moaning out loud. "Ella... oh Ella.... I'm coming baby... Oh Oh Oh!!!! YESSSS!!!! FUCK!!!!" Ben shouted as his hot seed spurted deep into her pussy. Ella's pussy continued to contract, milking his cock of his sperm. She felt really dirty and naughty in that moment. So when Ben finally fell back to rest, she quickly set her mouth on his cock and began to suck out the remaining cum. Her boldness made him horny again but his body was still fairly weak from the day's incident. "Ella, my love... I can't... anymore..." his words came out in a breathless whisper. Ella looked up at him, saw the fatigue in his eyes and stopped what she as doing. Sitting upright beside him, she rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. "Ben... did you mean what you said just now?" she asked. "I said many things... which one?" he replied with a chuckle. "That you love me?" said Ella as she gave a soft slap on his thigh. "Ouch! Yes!" "Sure?" "Yes, my Ella..." "Does that mean you'll do anything for me?" "I've always done everything you've asked me to do... my lord," said Abben. "Then you shall be rewarded Abben... for your excellent loyalty and valour. I have a highly arduous task for you. If you succeed in bringing me back what I desire from this quest, I shall give you your heart's desire. Anything... anything at all that you ask." "You are too kind and generous my lord," Abben replied humbly though his heart was pounding with anticipation to know what the quest was about. **** The man called Mr. F was pacing in front of office desk. His chopper was due to arrive any minute now. Although he had instructed Cornelius to inform the Battle about Portinari, he wanted to reassure himself that it was really under maximum security. Why... that Waterhouse boy! Mr F regretted confiding in him. He was just a painter, what did he know? Oh, he had told the boy so many, many things that he now regretted. How was he to know that the boy took his stories for the truth and painted that damn painting for the world to see? He had commissioned the boy to do a portrait of himself and during those long stationary hours, he had blabbered. The boy... was taken care of, of course... but the painting... he did not want to destroy such a beautiful piece of art... but he had to keep it hidden... The museum at East Sussex was not far from his office and he had been an avid contributor to their project funding- especially the excavation works on an ancient Roman Bath-house that lay between Battle and Hastings. It was no coincidence that he had founded the The Beauport Park Archaeological Trust for this purpose... and another, to house the painting of Beatrice Portinari. He would never keep her in his private or office domain for she reminded him too much of his losses and failures. The Battle, was his secret. Portinari was an essential key to protect all that he has kept secret all these years. Walking into the private vault where she was mounted on the wall, he gazed into her eyes... The Guardians Ch. 04 NB: As always… do read the previous chapters first before reading this. As for those who have left comments and sent me emails, I hope you'll like the following chapter. Do keep on voting and commenting =) You all make my day! Chapter Four Beatrice… What was so special about her… until the four guardians let Dante through the gates into Inferno? No one was powerful enough to overcome them- not even himself when he tried to walk down that path again… Oh… but Dante had walked through… unscathed through the depths of Inferno, guarded by the four horsemen. He had read Dante's work of course. Impressed as he was with the accuracy of the description that matched his own experiences, he was still unsatisfied not knowing how the poet had done it. He had tried… in 1337; almost a millennium later to visit that ninth circle in Hell. He had laughed of course when the four horsemen stopped him at the gates. How dare they? They were his knights! "You are not worthy to enter beyond these gates," said the first rider, on his white horse. He recognized that face and that voice from anywhere and proceeded only to be stopped by the sword of the second rider, aimed at his chest. "You have been judged not worthy. If you proceed, you will have to overpower us first," said the second horseman. The first horseman had already drawn his bow and arrow and both faced the man who wanted to enter the gates of Hell. "My knights… Abben, Aqurico… I have walked this path on my own and I will do so once again. I command you to step aside you blistering fools!" he had shouted. The first arrow went to his chest and the sword aimed at his throat. "LEAVE!" the voices of the two horsemen echoed loud in his ears. When he woke up, he was back, in England; bounded and dragged by the red horse of Aqurico. Aqurico had brought with him war and rivalry on earth. It was punishment for humanity for daring to seek entrance into the afterlife before their time. Dante had warned in the first few pages of his book "Abandon hope all ye who enters here!" and was a fair warning to the likes of Olybrius who was greedy enough to seek favors from the Devil for the second time. The hundred years war between England and France raged with no mercy; rampaging the lands and sacrificing lives for the nobility. He had watched many of his royal descendants die. Though the war was a struggle for land and resources, he knew who had instigated the intense desire for rivalry in the nobles and it had increased his anger and spite towards the four of them even more. He didn't care much for the silly lives of his descendants. If he could bear killing his own daughter, what significance do these other lives mean to him? Olybrius had once again tried to walk through the gates of Hell in 1348, but this time, he was only met with one horseman- Adrian, on his black horse. He had known Adrian as the imperial physician and mentor for his children. The man was gentle as he was kind and spoke only the kindest words. He felt more confident this time of overpowering the third horseman. What worst could come after 10 years of war? Oh… he had underestimated Adrian. The horseman did not say anything to him but had let him walk through the gates. But after 10 steps, Olybrius had felt his legs growing weaker, unable to carry his weight further into the Inferno. Looking down, he saw boils and blisters the size of saucers eating into his flesh. The pain knocked him unconscious and in 1948, Adrian had descended to earth bringing the Black Death with him. Diseases killed not only humans but plants and animals too- causing widespread famine and deprivation for humanity. This time, with himself inflicted with the pain and suffering brought about by the Black Death, Olybrius had pleaded with Adrian to stop and he will return no more to seek access to the Inferno. Adrian's massacre killed more than half of the world's population, within a shorter period of time than during Aqurico's descent. Olybrius had begged Adrian to spare his life in return for his promise to safeguard their secret and to protect all of them from the last descent of the fourth horseman. Adrian, who could not judge the truth and sincerity of a man's words, had called Abben and Aqurico down to decide Olybrius's fate. "I promise! I will safeguard all your secrets! I will not hesitate to kill anyone who comes even an inch close to finding out about us! I promise! Please, please Abben, my most trusted knight! Please believe me!" he had pleaded. "If you or anyone arrives at the gates of Inferno again, Apocalypse will be doomed on humanity. Remember that, Flavius Anicius Olybrius," said Abben. Then the three brothers disappeared and the world began to heal; Olybrius had commissioned a young painter to paint his portrait in case he was to die and in his solitary suffering, he had confided to him. No church would accept him for his sins were too great and he had no family left… After Juliana, all he ever craved for was power. He had given her everything; she was his child and he loved her so much. But she had been ungrateful to him even after he had married her off to Dagalaiphus, who was a royalty and wealthy. He had given her a privileged life she should have been thankful for but she had threatened to reveal his secret and find a way to destroy him. He had been weakened from his trip down the ninth circle of Inferno to see the Devil; happiness and joy sucked out from his soul as payment for their deal. He now lived, barely alive and lifeless among the living. He had returned to bring with him his four knights for their last journey and had come for some of her possessions. "Don't go digging into things you cannot understand…" he had said when she asked him why he was doing this. "Why can't I Papa?" Juliana had challenged as she sat at the edge of her bed. Beside her were weapons that looked far too powerful to be wielded by a woman. "Because I say so. Now give me those!"he had yelled at her. Juliana eyed him with great disdain and distrust. His skin were crackled and stripped close to the bone and his face no longer bore resemblance to the man she called her father. It was sunken as if all blood had drained from it; leaving the skin flapping on bones. He had demanded for her hunting bow and her scales which she had used to weigh the herbs and leaves for her studies. They were embalmed with the royal mark and were her precious belongings. The woman looked at the man who called himself her father and knew that there were no traces of humanity in him left. "Please Papa… let Abben go… and I will give these to you. Please just spare him!" she had pleaded. But had only growled in anger and pointed his sword at her. "I will kill you Juliana if you do not give them to me," "No! Please Papa!"she had screamed. "I will tell the world what you've done, you beast! You're a monster! And I will find a way to your end Papa, I promise!" "Juliana!" He could still hear her screams… He closed his eyes and tried to forget them all. He took his eyes away from the painting of Beatrice Portinari and left the vault, entering his code to seal it shut. **** Ella opened the window of her father's study. He had fallen asleep over his stack of student assignments. Gently touching his forearm, she coaxed him to wake up. "Papa… it's almost nine in the morning…" she whispered. However, he continued snoring, even as he pushed her hand away. It was then that she accidentally moved his mouse and the blank screen saver on his computer went away revealing a photo of an old artifact. Ella thought it was strange that her father would be interested in such an archaeological finding since he was a linguist by profession. With her curiosity piqued, she began reading… "Mmmm… My head hurts… owww…" moaned Rafael as the morning sun started to blind him. "Papa, there you go… rise and shine! This looks interesting… is it a new research you're doing?" she asked. "Oh… that… that's nothing my dear…" Rafael replied quickly, switching off the screen of his computer Ella gave him a hurt look and started to pout. She probably hadn't done that since she was eight but it produced the desired effect on Rafael for he started to sigh and switched the screen back on. "It's an excavation of an ancient Roman bath-house," Rafael said as he stroked his daughter's hair. She had grown up to be such a beautiful woman and his heart ached knowing that she was now of the same age as Annabella when she died. "Oh, that's interesting! Why are you researching on it?" "My Bella… why don't you go and make a cup of coffee for me? And I'll share with you a little secret for my new thesis when you're back," Rafael offered. Ella smiled and started to skip downstairs to get breakfast for both of them. 10 minutes later… Ella was sitting down on the rug in front of her father's desk while she listened raptly to what he had to say. She had always admired her father and his work. "Remember the other time we were at The Chiesa di Santa Margherita de' Cerchi in Florence? While you and your grandmamma were engaged in your affirmation ceremony, I had explored the church myself. I didn't want to just sit and wait. Anyway, on the wall near the nave where I was sitting, there was a drawing of a family tree of sorts that traced all the women affirmed to that church. It had traced down all the way to your mother and you of course. I had looked all the way up and saw that you are a direct descendant of royalty my Bella… The Anicii family was one of the Roman royal families- very powerful and respected at that," "Oh… actually I already knew that… I had seen her tomb remember? I did my own research too and I'm guessing some of the names you saw piqued your interest?" said Ella. "Of course! Would it not be coincidental that Portinari and Donati are on that very same tree? If every mother had to bring her daughter to The Chiesa di Santa Margherita de' Cerchi, I am guessing that they must have passed down verbal information about their history! Perhaps someone had documented it?" "Oh Papa! That's a very interesting theory! But where do you reckon you will find it? Oh… my… you think it's at that roman bath?" the excitement in Ella's voice undeniable. "Oh! Do you think Professor Martin would know anything about this?" "Abben? In fact, he does. He was rather upset though when I told him about it. So I suggest you not talk to him about it to upset him further. But he had told me that the Romans used to hold public baths for the nobles; a place to exchange ideas and socialise within their echelon," Rafael continued. "There is no available record of this family tree so far Ella… but I am guessing that the documents would lie either in the church or in that public bath." "But why that particular one Papa?' Ella asked. "It was the only one built in the area now called England… If you wanted to hide something important, you would make your private spaces further away from the main court don't you think? Most of the other public baths are located in Italy but this one… this one certainly was geographically too remote," said Rafael, the excitement clearly in his eyes. ***** Rafael wasn't sure if he was pushing Ella in the right direction by telling her all that. Lately, since he heard the news that Lady Margaret had passed away, he began to grow fearful that he would lose his daughter too to this strange guardianship of the horsemen. It wasn't that he had no faith in them, but he wanted her to at least be prepared for anything; should something happen to her. Ella had followed him to the university that day and he had advised her to start thinking about her research question if she was planning on doing her masters in the new semester. Lately, he was also having strange premonitions that something bad was going to happen to her and it made him all the more worried. As much as possible, he wanted her close by so he could keep watch. Leaving her in the library, he started towards his lecture hall. He knew that she would be safe as long as he was nearby to protect her. Plus, Abben would also be in school if there was anything she would need. Rafael grinned thinking about his old friend. 'Old' would probably be an understatement. Abben would be almost two millennium old. He didn't know if it was amusing or insulting to allow his daughter to date someone like that. Ella was really at a loss over what to research about for her mind was thinking about what she and her father had discussed earlier that morning. She knew that he was busy with his students right now, so she started walking towards the Faculty office, hoping to find Ben. He was seated at his desk, swarmed with stacks of student's assignments, just like her father had been. She supposed that the end of the semester was always harder for the lecturer than the students; all those assignments to grade. "Hi," she said softly, knocking gently on his open door. "Oh! Oh my… you surprise there Isabella… oh… close the door will you? I almost forgot that I had left it open," said Ben, the startled look on his face unmistakable. Ella remembered the first time she had been alone in his office with him and how he had stared at her with his intense eyes, scaring her half to death. Perhaps back then he was trying to act austere for he was her teacher after all and she, his student. But now, he was smiling more and his eyes were always a light shade of grey that seemed to twinkle with his laughter. Right now his medium long blond hair was tied up in a ponytail. Ella couldn't remember any other time where he looked more appealing. He probably had stayed up the night marking as well for the stubbles on his face looked more than a day old. "I'll make you some coffee. No arguments Ben. You look worst than Papa when he has a hangover. And he's a real Italian prick when he's having a hangover; all the curses and tantrums," said Ella, as she walked towards the small pantry he had by his bookshelf. Ben closed his mouth for he was in no mood to argue with her. He didn't expect to see her today but felt a strange sort of comfort when he saw her knocking at his door. The winter chill was beginning to give way to the sweet spring and she was just that… like the calm after a storm. She was wearing a simple blue frock with a white belt and white heels. He didn't remember her looking so beautiful when she was still a freshman! Laughing in his head, he heard her chide him as if she heard his laughter. "Ella?" he asked. "Huh?" she replied. Both stared at each other and started laughing. Ella passed Ben his cup of coffee and started to hug him from the back. She pressed her cheek to his and tried to look at the paper that he was grading. "Are you going to continue to distract me like this hmmm?" Ben muttered as she started nuzzling his neck. He loved the way she always subtly smelled of soap and lavender. When his gaze moved to the left of his desk he noticed the picture frames and faced them down. Ella laughed. "You don't think they'd blush seeing us kiss do you?" Ben nodded. "If it's not them who are blushing, then it's me," he added. Ella was still laughing as she gave him a peck on his cheek. "I don't remember you being bashful at all a few nights ago…" she teased. "Oh, I vaguely remember… why don't you refresh my memory Ella? Perhaps you can tell me if I am still bashful?" Ben replied back cheekily. He couldn't stop grinning and that earned him a playful slap on his arm. "Professor Martin! You naughty, naughty boy! You should be spanked for having such naughty thoughts!" said Ella in a mock reprimanding tone. "Are you going to punish me then?" he challenged; his eyes gaining intensity as he spoke. Ben felt rather excited just from all their bantering and he could sense Leukós's mating need rising. Still laughing, Ella released her grip around his neck and turned to sit on his desk facing him. "Let's see… maybe you can put that tongue of yours to good use instead of saying the naughtiest things!" chided Ella in mock anger. "Yes ma'am. I have been a very bad boy. I promise I will only use my mouth for the best results only," replied Ben, his eyes twinkling with mischief. He had seen Ella spread her legs slowly and he felt his cock lurch in anticipation. When her legs were fully spread eagle in front of his face, he almost choked back on his saliva. "Ella! Where is your underwear?!" he exclaimed. Ella closed back her legs and hopped off the desk. Ben could almost hear a whine rising from his throat. "Looks like you're not ready to be punished today… Well… we shall continue with work then," said Ella nonchalantly as she sat at the chair opposite him and started to leisurely read one of his student's essays. "No… please… please punish me now…" Ben pleaded. "Well… since you asked so nicely…" said Ella, opening her legs and resting her feet on top of his desk. Ben's eyes widened with lust at the feast in front of him. He didn't say anything more but unbuttoned his shirt and pulled down his pants. Walking towards the door, he locked it, hoping that they wouldn't scream too loud and attract attention. When he turned to face her, his mouth fell open as he watched her fingers playing with her pussy. Ben started to jerk himself slowly as he watched the show in front of him. She was looking into his eyes with lusty look on her face, moaning as she started to finger herself. Ben could now see the moisture on her fingers each time she pulled them out before thrusting them back in. He could smell her already and wanted her. Ella crooked her fingers and signalled him to come to her. Immediately she got to her knees and started to put his cock into her mouth. Ben had to remember not to moan too loud but she was sucking him so good. Ella licked the sides of his cock and looked up into his eyes. Just looking at her licking his cock like that made him even harder. He didn't know why she was so bold today but he liked it. It was at that moment that he felt her taking his cock all the way into her mouth and his head touched the back of throat. "Oh God… your mouth feels so warm Ella…. Yeah… suck me more… yeah like that baby…" he moaned, holding on to her head. Pulling her mouth off his dick, Ella gave him a sexy grin and licked his cock all the way from his balls to the head without taking her eyes off him. Ben moaned when he saw how lustful she was and surrendered to the intense sensation on his cock. "Stand still," she instructed as she started to rise from her position. Ben was unsure what she had in mind and boy was he surprised when she gripped his neck and wrapped her legs around his waist. When he started to open his mouth, she covered his mouth with hers and kissed him, exploring the recesses of his mouth with her tongue. All the while, her pussy rubbed teasingly at the head of his cock. Each time he wanted to thrust into her, she would slap his chest so he had to learn to stand still and endure the agony of being teased. With one hand holding his neck, Ella used the other to position his cock just under her pussy and gave a light thrust. Hearing him take a sharp breath, Ella had to burry her face at his neck to prevent her from screaming out loud. Was he this big the last time? He was so thick and incredibly hard right now that she had to keep still letting the pain ebb away. The Guardians Ch. 04 Ben held on to her buttocks and moved her up and down his cock. He loved it each time he pushed her up and let her fall on his cock for she would stifle her moans and that made it all more exciting. Leaning her on his desk, he decided it was time to fuck her senseless. He had loved her boldness but when it came to mating, he wanted to be on top and in charge. He growled in an almost animalistic manner as he held to her shoulders and pushed his cock in deeper into her. He wanted to fill her up with his cock, to the hilt and spray his seeds all inside her. She was his and his alone! Ella was beginning to moan louder now so Ben had to kiss her hard to stop the sounds from escaping. But both were finding it hard to keep their voices down for Ben was fucking her real fast and pushing really deep into her pussy. "Oh god Ella… you're so tight…" "Oh… oh… oh… oh!!! Oh my god!!!!" Ella screamed as she came, squeezing Ben's cock hard, he almost couldn't breathe for a minute. When she had calmed down, he carried her and laid her on his carpeted floor. Pushing her legs backwards so that her ankles were near her head, he began to thrust his cock mercilessly inside of her. In that position her pussy muscles were close together and felt so much tighter for him. Ella was stifling her screams by biting her forearm but he knew that he was fucking her pussy good. He was an animal in heat right now and he wouldn't reduce his speed now that he was coming close to his climax. "Hold on tight baby…" Ben moaned as he gave her a few final thrusts and came deep inside her pussy. Ella felt the jets of hot cum spraying deep inside her and in that instance, let herself cum as well, contracting her pussy muscles and letting the pleasure crawl all over her body. She went blind for a moment as the pleasure was so intense it made her forget time and space. "Abben!" she had shouted in the heat of their climax and went unconscious. Ben's head immediately came up when she called his name. She never called him anything other than Ben before. When he looked at her, he knew he had mated with her beyond her human capacity and she had lost consciousness as a result. His cock was still dripping with his cum and he figured he had deposited enough to create a child inside her. Lifting her off the floor, he laid her on the long sofa in his office and covered her body with his jacket. She will come to soon. He stroked her hair and pushed them away from her face. "I'm sorry my love… I was too greedy with need…" he said as he kissed her forehead. "Abben… don't let them take my bracelet," he heard her say. Her eyes were still closed but her lips were moving; speaking in a voice that wasn't Ella's. "Ju… Juliana…" he stammered, recognizing the voice. "Don't let them take my bracelet. Don't let them take my bracelet," the voice kept repeating. "Why… Juliana… what bracelet…" He didn't finish his sentence for suddenly Ella's eyes flew open and he saw the brown irises of Juliana staring at him. She had sit up straight now and was gripping his hands tightly; her face contorted with fear. "You must not lose, Abben!" she shouted and then Ella fell back to the sofa, losing her consciousness once again. Ben closed his eyes and pressed his forehead on Ella's shoulders. When he felt the tears pooling in his eyes, Ben knew that he was now a full mortal. Whatever energy that Leukós had given him a few minutes ago were like a purging effect that came about to split man from horse. His brothers and sister would be here soon but he didn't want to move. The wave of emotions flooding into him at that moment seem so long forgotten that he wanted to revel in it for another moment. His heart felt so heavy with fear and love and regret. When he felt the gentle touch on his shoulder, he knew that they were already in his office. "It's just me…She'll be fine Abben…" said Adrian softly. He had knelt down beside his brother and was covering him with his discarded shirt on the desk. He had instructed Aurora and Aqurico to wait outside. "She… she was here…" Abben stammered. "Who was here, brother?" "Juliana…" "Can you erase… oh… no, you can't erase that memory from her anymore," replied Adrian, sighing. "Get yourself dressed please Abben and I will get her home for you." ***** When Ella woke up, she was back in her room, covered with a blanket. She must have had a fever for her body felt so warm despite the cool weather. Trying to shake herself awake, Ella tried to remember what had happened that day. All she could remember was a nagging sensation at the back of her head, like a migraine and a really horrible nightmare about a princess being killed by a soul- deprived man. She shuddered remembering the details of her nightmare. The house sounded really quiet and a quick look out the window told her that it was nearing dusk. Her father might not have been home from school yet. Somehow, she found herself reaching for her handphone to give him a call. "Papa… will you be home soon?" The voice on the other line said he would and that he was surprised that she had left without telling him. After putting down the phone, Ella tried to recall harder what had happened today. Her father seemed to imply that she had been in school with him but she just couldn't remember. Picking up her phone again, she dialed Ben's number. There was no answer… She became frustrated, not just with him not answering, but with herself for not being able to recall anything. Each time she forced her mind to think, she will get a nagging migraine that seemed to throb at her pulse. Closing her eyes, she tried to focus all her will and energy to dispel that irritating block in her head. Then it clicked- whatever spell that was temporarily blocking her mind was removed with such a force that she went into a state of mental coma; all that remained of her eyes were her white aqueous humour. **** It was the eve of Good Friday in the year 1300…. A millennium after the beginning. A man stood alone in a dark forest, feeling his doom approaching. Beasts of all kind were prowling around him, waiting for the sun to set before they could pounce on him; hunger in their cold eyes. With the last ray of light nearly gone, the man felt something swift lifting him off his feet; when he dared to open his eyes, he was standing in front of a tall blackened iron gate. There was a lady in a jade gown smiling at him. "It is not time for your death yet Dante…" she had said. "Here, this is Virgil. He will keep you company along your journey from here…. These… are my brothers. We will keep you safe." The man still looked at the other three mounted on horses and felt less fear of the woman than of them. They were all handsome beings but he did not think they would hesitate to kill anyone with those menacing weapons of theirs. "Why… why… am I here?" he stammered, all the while keeping his gaze on the woman. "Beatrice sent you here. Her love for you has bought you passage to walk through these gates and learn penance," she replied. "You are pathetic and weak, human. But your heart has no intent for greed or power. You may pass," the booming voice of the white horsemen said. Dante dared himself to peek a look at his four guardians before following Virgil and the woman pass the gates. After walking for a while, they reached a river where they were stopped by Charon, the boatman who ferries the dead across into the afterlife. "Let us through Charon," the woman said. "He is a mortal, Aurora. He will die first. Draw your sword you mortal!" bellowed Charon. Dante faints out of fright and is laid on top the pale green horse of the woman called Aurora. "I say when he dies," she merely replied and takes out her sword made out of pure jade. Charon acknowledges her status as superior above him and bows; ushering them onto his boat. When Dante awoke, he was on the other side of the river; his eyes widened with fear. He was afraid of what he had seen and feared what he was about to see. Virgil had told him that there were approaching the next circles of the Inferno. "Mortal…" echoed a thundering voice. Dante stopped moving and started walking towards his guardians but the white horseman had moved forward and made him change his mind. But when he turned around, he stood face to face with Cerberus, the three headed dog guarding the river. He could smell their breath- of ash and rotten flesh and felt that he would faint once more. But this time, the rider on the white horse hopped off his horse and bowed to the beast. "He is not here to be punished, nor will he escape," he said. Dante thought, surely that beast could not understand words for it was still snarling at him; he saw the leash that was held around its neck and realize that the man was speaking to someone behind the large beast. "And what do I gain from this… grant of passage, Abben?" said the man behind the beast. Dante recognized it as Plutus, the child of Hades and Persephone- ruler of the underworld, and quivered with fear. "You gain nothing," replied Aurora, who started to continue walking with her horse in hand, ignoring the look of disdain on Plutus's face. "One night with your sister, Abben, and I will grant you passage through Inferno with no further disturbances. I promise," he replied. But his grin was short-lived for the rider of the black horse had already placed his sword around Plutus's neck. "I cannot die, Adrian. Why so brusque." The commotion had allowed Virgil and Dante to progress through their journey, unknown to Plutus. Aurora had told him to walk on for they will catch up. If it wasn't for Beatrice… she would never cross that river; she hates Plutus. But Beatrice had been an Anicii… and this was her last wish and as her Guardians, they were obliged to carry it out. Dante, having walked quite a distance from the argument felt relieved that he and Virgil were not to walk the path alone. It was then that he saw one of his friend's father, having a conversation with another poet called Cavalcanti. Feeling at ease, Dante started talking to them. They were being punished for Heresy. "Oh… we cannot speak to you anymore. They have come!" said the two and scampered off. Dante turned to see his four guardians on horseback, trotting towards him. He didn't dare ask them anything for the looks on their faces were harsh and menacing. He simply continued walking beside Virgil who helped explained all that they have encountered so far. Virgil told him that they were approaching one of the most violent circles in Inferno that he has ever seen. Dante didn't think anything could be more frightening than what he had seen so far, but he was wrong. Guarding this next circle was a Minotaur, who was part man, part bull. He had studied Dante the moment they came to sight and did not say a word when they walked across. Sensing his puzzlement, Aurora said, "You are neither suicidal, blasphemous nor fraudulent. That is all he cares; if nothing else, you do not belong here." The final circle that they reached was guarded by giants. One of them, Antaeus had bowed when he saw the four horsemen and carried them all in his palm to walk down the Ninth Circle. Traitors of all kinds were housed here and their punishment: immersion in ice. Dante could see that some were crying in pain but the cold had frozen their tears such that their eyes were closed shut, denying them of the comfort of tears. It was silent in here and Dante could hear his own breath; he was the only one mortal, breathing and alive while his companions seemed to be merely moving creatures. The four horsemen now moved in front of Dante and Virgil and did not say a word. Dante simply kept quiet too for he did not want to let his voice echo in the silence. When they had descended almost all the way to the center of the Ninth Circle, Dante's mouth had gaped open to see a being so disgusting and terrifying. It had six eyes and three heads but was not like the three headed dog they met earlier. This was a magnificently gruesome beast with wings and jaws that were constantly drooling with blood. Dante didn't want to look anymore. He tried to close his eyes but opened them again when he heard one of the horsemen speak. It was the one with the chestnut horse. He had been silent all these while and was now saying something to this terrible beast. Dante felt his fear rising. Surely they were not going to feed him to this… monster? "My Lord… this mortal is here on the request of an Anicii… He means no harm to you." "GET HIM OUT OF HERE!!! Aqurico! How dare you bring this sacred mortal into my abyss and mention HER name in front of me!" the beast bellowed; his breath so strong that Dante had to squat as to not lose his balance. "I am sorry My Lord. But the Lady had bought this right of passage from the divine above- of which we have no control of…" Dante was amazed that the rider named Aqurico could still stand still, unfazed by the fearsome stance of the beast in front of him. "Did I not place you as Guardians at the Gates? Did I not make that Olybrius scum trade the four of you for his immortality? Did I not say that I will never be summon by anyone ever unless you four have descended and brought Apocalypse on earth?" roared the beast, even louder than before. Aqurico merely nodded and signaled for Antaeus to lift them out of the circle. "He is not here to summon you, My Lord, do not mistaken. He is here because Beatrice sacrificed her revelation so that she could buy this mortal here passage through the afterlife to learn penitence. Her love warmed us all and the Virgin Mar…" "GET OUT! GET OUT!!!!" yelled the beast once more, before he turned his back and entered his cave. Antaeus lifted them out and looked fearfully at Aqurico who had just spoken to the devil without an inch of fear in his blood. **** "Abben…" she whispered his name as her eyes regained their sight. Ella walked towards the mirror to study her reflection. She looked so tired and haggard; it was as if she had aged many years after regaining her consciousness. It was then she thought she saw her irises a light shade of brown instead of green and blinked. Surely now that she has gained her memory, she did not lose her sanity? Blinking again, Ella calmed down as she only saw her own reflection in the mirror. "I need to find Beatrice," Ella found herself saying out loud. Shaking herself, she stepped back from the mirror and tried to think where that suggestion came from. Beatrice? Why would she want to find her? That woman has been dead for centuries! Ella touched her forehead and tried to focus. She felt so giddy and restless at the moment. Opening her room door, she found herself walking towards her father's study room. Ella didn't know why she knew that her answers were there but she just did. When she entered the study, echoes of her last conversation with her father rang loud in her ears: "Would it not be coincidental that Portinari and Donati are on that very same tree? If every mother had to bring her daughter to The Chiesa di Santa Margherita de' Cerchi, I am guessing that they must have passed down verbal information about their history! Perhaps someone had documented it?" "Oh Papa! That's a very interesting theory! But where do you reckon you will find it? Oh… my… you think it's at that roman bath?" the excitement in Ella's voice undeniable. "Oh! Do you think Professor Martin would know anything about this?" "Abben? In fact, he does. He was rather upset though when I told him about it. So I suggest you not talk to him about it to upset him further. But he had told me that the Romans used to hold public baths for the nobles; a place to exchange ideas and socialise within their echelon," Rafael continued. "There is no available record of this family tree so far Ella… but I am guessing that the documents would lie either in the church or in that public bath." "In the church or in that public bath…" repeated Ella. Her body was moving on its own accord to the computer where her father had shown her the picture of the Roman Bath earlier. Ella felt her eyes closing once again… and her head gently rested on her father's desk. An hour later… "My Bella! Why… you must have dozed off! Come to bed now my love," exclaimed Rafael when he entered his study to keep his office bag. He had just gotten home and had assumed that Ella was sleeping in her room for he saw her nightlight from outside their house. Shaking her gently, Ella slowly opened her eyes and came face to face with her father who was smiling at her. "I'll make us a cup of hot cocoa and then we'll head to bed shall we?" he said, smiling as he started towards the kitchen. Dragging herself after him, Ella tried to stifle her yawn as her father handed her her cup of cocoa. "Papa… I think I must go to England tomorrow," she suddenly announced. Rafael eyes looked at Ella curiously over the top of his mug. "Alone?" was all he asked. "Yes… there is something I must find there," she replied. "I don't think you should go there alone my Bella… I worry for your safety," he sighed as he put down his mug. He knew he shouldn't have showed her that photo of the Bath; he didn't even know what prompted him to research on it in the first place. "I will ask Abben if he can take a few days off this week to accompany you. He knows Europe better than I do. I can't leave right now to follow you Ella, though I wish I could. Abben is not invigilating this year so I suspect that he can spare some time. I will tell him tomorrow morning when I see him in school. I promise," he said. Ella smiled at her father and nodded. Giving him a hug, she washed her mug and started walking up towards her room. *** "Ella… this is quite impromptu… I can't believe the board actually allowed me to take five days leave on such a last minute account," said Ben as they were queuing up to get through the checks at the departure hall. "Papa insisted you come along. I don't need either of you," scoffed Ella. Ben looked at her with slanted eyes. He wasn't sure if she was referring 'either of you' to him and her father of he and his siblings. He didn't think Ella knew about them, yet, did she? After having their bags cleared, they decided to wait at the transit area for their flight announcement. Their flight was only available for boarding in an hour's time so they had some time to rest before their flight that afternoon. Ella had already seated herself at a cushion sofa at the transit café. Ben thought she looked really tired and cranky at that. Didn't she just snap at him a while ago? Since gaining full mortality, Ben had been regaining his ability to use his emotions like a normal human being. Though he has lost his abilities to read other's minds or change form at will, he had embraced this new found emotions like a long lost lover. Looking over at her, slumped against the sofa with her face without a touch of make up, Ben still felt a thrilling sense of love flowing through him for her. He felt a sudden urge to tell her how he felt about her. He never felt so impulsive before! The Guardians Ch. 04 "Ella?" he said, picking up her palm and rubbing it gently in his. "What?" she snapped. "Ella… will you marry me?" The other passengers who were seated nearby started clapping and looked at Ella expectantly. "What…" said Ella, fazed by the sudden question. She suddenly felt really sick and started to run towards the nearest toilet, leaving Ben staring after her; his face full of disappointment. Collecting their luggage and her handbag which she had left behind, he started to walk towards the same toilet, trying to ignore the stares that were directed at him. How many centuries has it been since he last felt shame and embarrassment like this? It was then that he saw Adrian leaning against the door of one of the unisex cubicles. "I saw that," was all he said as Ben approached him. "Don't mind her. She's trying to adjust too." "Bah! Wait till you find your mate and then you'll understand how I feel. It feels so… so human… I don't know whether to laugh or cry Adrian…" sighed Ben. Then he heard it: loud sounds coming from inside the cubicle. "Ella! Are you alright?!" he shouted, loud enough for her to hear. "She will be. Trust me…" Adrian chuckled. He was clearly enjoying the drama unfurling before him. "Give me a minute…" "Adrian… she better not be naked when you…" but his brother had disappeared. When Ella came out a few minutes later, she was still belching and tried to cover her mouth. "Go away…" she muttered and started walking towards the pharmacy. Ben was clearly distressed, not knowing what's wrong with her. "ADRIAN!!!!" he yelled in his head. He was sure his siblings could still hear him although he was now a mortal. "Why is she so…. She's so mean!" said Ben, flustered. "Here she comes… you better just let her be," warned Adrian as Ella slammed the cubicle door at Ben's face. "In the meantime, go get yourself some orange juice. That's an order Abben. From your health consultant," said Adrian with a wink. Grumbling to himself, Ben headed back to the café. Alone, without his brother breathing down his neck, Adrian called for Aurora. "She needs you. No… not as her death marker… just as a woman… a sister if you like," said Adrian, smiling as Aurora materialised into being. Knocking on the door softly, Aurora called out to her. "My Lady, are you alright?" she asked. "Miss!" hissed Adrian. "I mean… Miss, are you alright in there. Do you need some help?" Aurora asked again, sticking her tongue out at Adrian. "Uh… are you alone?" came the reply. "Well… yes, I'm the only one waiting outside. Do… do you need help?" Ella opened the door and pulled Aurora in. "I… I've never done this before… I… I am scared," sobbed Ella. "What?" said Aurora. She too started to panic. "This…" "My god…" *** Ben had not said much to Ella since they got on the flight. She had been silent and seemed to be grumpily eating her food provided by the flight service. She had even taken his when he had closed back the cover, recoiling from the strange taste of the food. Even when they were in Italy and he had eaten, he had not developed the full range of human taste buds yet and had gained no pleasure in what he consumed. Later that night as they reclined their seats to get some sleep, Ella had turned away from him; looking out the window instead. Ben felt a little saddened by her actions. Was she behaving like this because he had proposed to her? Perhaps he had read her wrongly… He wasn't the one with the ability to manipulate and read her emotions! Feeling fatigue claiming his body, Ben gave in to his mortal need for sleep and closed his eyes. His hand had reached out for Ella's and held it in his as they fell into a deep slumber… When he woke up, Ben's eyes lit with wonder at the beautiful open countryside that greeted them from below. Just from memory alone, he knew that they were reaching Gatwick Airport. For a moment, Ben's eyes scoured the landscape, remembering what had taken place on those very lands nearly a millennium ago. War… and famine… "Abben…" groaned Ella, stretching as she opened her eyes. Ben looked at her and smiled. Even with her hair messed up, she still looked beautiful. "Yes my dear?" "Are we there yet?" "Yes… we are landing soon." "Okay. Can we fuck once we're in the hotel?" Ben did a double take at her when she said that. Her eyes were still semi closed and he wasn't sure if she was still in her slumber. He leaned forward and gave her lips a soft kiss, to wake her up. Sure enough, she was already awake, for her hand started to caress his thigh through his pants. Ben tried to pull away from the kiss but Ella kept kissing him back harder; he became intoxicated with her sudden horniness. "Ella… not here okay…" Ben tried to say in between moans. Her fingers were caressing his thigh, near his crotch and Ben was sure anyone looking their way could spot his hard-on clearly because he was wearing cotton pants and boxers. Ella gave him a wink and she immediately retracted back to her original position and turned to face the window. Ben realised that the flight stewardess was approaching them; he was sure she could see his hard on and he had to cross his legs so as not to make it so obvious. She had held his hand tight and smiled as the plane began its descent to the runway…. **** PS: I hope you all like this chapter. As always, remember to vote if you like it. =) -cheers- M.C The Guardians Ch. 05 The Powder Mills was a breathtaking country house hotel and was originally used as a site to make gunpowder during the Napoleonic Wars. Ella had chosen this hotel particularly for its historical significance and natural surroundings. She had been feeling particularly melancholic these days and wanted a place that would cheer her up. Ella had also carefully chosen the Powder Mills because they housed on of the most beautiful libraries with books dating from the 18th Century. Nothing comforted her more than the endless pages of a book held close on her lap. When the cab entered the gates of the hotel, Ben's face immediately lit up with wonder. Ella knew that a professor of history such as himself would surely recognize this place and if anything would indulge her a little in some history lessons, without making it look like she was desperate for information. "This... this is the famous Gunpowder Works site isn't it? I didn't know they converted it into a hotel..." said Ben in amazement. Ella smiled. Looking out the window herself, she saw the beautiful woodland trails on their left a small lake on their right. "Yes sir, it is. In fact, this hotel also adjoins the famous Battlefield of 1066," said the cab driver as he caught the couple's gaze in the rear view mirror. "Ah, yes I am aware... the Battle of Hastings when William of Normandy conquered the Saxon King Harold to gain the throne of England in 1066." "You would visit them sometime soon will you Sir?" the driver replied, smiling, pleased that his American guests were not as ignorant as he thought they would be. Ben smiled back as he placed his palm on top of Ella's. Perhaps that urgent leave that he took was worth it after all.... **** Ben watched Ella from a distance as she stood at the front desk waiting for the key to their room. Somehow, she did not look at all out of place amidst the Georgian setting, even though she was wearing jeans and a simple chiffon blouse. He didn't think that anyone could fall in love with another person over and over again each day, but he did. When Ella turned to face him, he caught sight of the dimple at the side of her face as she smiled and gestured him to follow her. He was such a sucker for her; there was no way he will accept 'no' for an answer to his proposal. When she opened the door to their room, Ella simply stood still, her palms over her chest. "Ella! What is it my love..." Ben panicked. "It's... so beautiful..." she whispered. Ben put their bags down and walked towards the door. There was a four poster bed, complete with floral bed covers that were clearly Victorian in style. The plush cushion and coffee table were placed beside the window that overlooked a beautiful lake behind the hotel. He felt warmth and comfort just looking at their room. In fact, his eyes lit up when he saw their four poster bed. Didn't Ella mention something about making love once they reached the hotel? Glancing at him, Ella caught the gleam in his eyes and narrowed hers almost to a squint. "What?!" he asked, shamelessly. "I know what you're thinking, you old pervert. Get those bags in and don't even think of getting me out of these clothes until I've grown tired of sitting down by the window," she snapped. Ben made a sulky face at her and went back to carry their bags in. She was extremely irritable since he proposed to her. He watched her sitting at the sofa, her eyes capturing every single detail of the view offered by the full length window. "Would you like me to order something for us to eat Ella?" Ben asked gently. She turned to look at him, smiled and nodded her head. Ben dallied over the menu. He was still getting used to having an appetite of a human again. Giving up, he asked the receptionist on the line to recommend to him what was best to feed a famished couple. When their food came, Ella, who had been staring silently since they've arrived, turned her head; sniffing at the wonderful smells wafting in the room. Her eyes widened at the various amounts of food presented before them. "Are you sure that we can eat all these Ben?" she asked. "It was supposedly a set meal for two..." There was an excellent game pie that had generous slices of duck, pigeon and other fowls, pressure cooked and served alongside home made red plum chutney. It looked about enough to feed four people instead of two! As their entrée, there was a serving of pork rillette; where the meat was cured and cooked slowly in fat until it became tender enough to be shredded easily. There was also a serving of tomato and mozzarella salad topped with pesto dressing and parmesan shavings and saffron infused mashed potatoes as a side. "This is wonderful Ben! My goodness! I've never eaten anything that tastes like this... It simply melts in your mouth!" "I'm glad you're enjoying yourself my love... perhaps we can go for a walk after this... We can take a look at some of the places that we can explore tomorrow. I suppose there's a reason you want us to come here right, Ella?" Ella simply smiled. **** Ella was up early the next morning, looking at the map given by the receptionist. She needed to find that Roman Bath house that her father mentioned. There was only mention of the Battle Museum that housed a replica of it but Ella knew she had to find the actual bath house itself. Nevertheless, she decided she must give it a try. "Ben... wake up... it's almost 9 in the morning now... I want to take a walk. The weather looks so nice today," Ella said as she nudged him to wake up. "Mmmmm...." Ben moaned as he covered his face with the pillow. He started moaning something about jet lag. Rolling her eyes, she got on the bed to try and pull the covers off him. "Come on!" To her surprise, Ben pulled her down on top of him and locked her with his legs around her waist. "I'm coming on right now..." he teased. "Professor Abben Martin! Get off me this instance! I am already dressed!" she yelled as she struggled to free herself. "I'm not letting you go until you say yes." "What?" "Marry me?" "Why you little...." was all she could say as Ben covered her lips with his. Feeling trapped, Ella did the only thing she could- she kneed his groin. "Owww... Ella... oh man..." he moaned. Leaving him to settle with his pain, Ella got her pouch bag and headed out the door. Is sex and marriage everything that that man thinks about? Grumbling to herself, she headed towards the lobby to see if the receptionist could help her with the directions to the Battle Museum. She was told that it wasn't very far on foot but after storming out of the room earlier on, she figured it was best to take a cab. Ella didn't want Ben to catch up with her too soon so she decided to hail a cab. Giving the destination to the cab driver, she simply sat back and thought about what exactly she would need to do once she discovered the location of the bath house. "We're here ma'am," the chirpy cab driver said. He held out his hand as Ella fumbled with the Euros. Getting off, she simply stood staring at the cottage in front of her. Did she get the right address? This is Battle High Street... but there wasn't anything but this run down looking cottage with its simple gable rooftop and cobbled walkway. It also looked too quiet to be a museum; nothing like the ones Ella was used to or had seen. Even in Florence when they had gone the last time, the museums there looked at least 20 times bigger than this one. Gathering up her courage, Ella walked slowly to the entrance and pushed the door open. "Yes?" came the booming voice of a burly looking man behind the counter. "Here for a tour?" "Uh... umm... is this the Battle Museum sir?" Ella asked, meekly. The man stared at her intently. "Whadda ya foreign folks always ask tis stupid questin'. O'course tis the 'attle Museum!" "Ah, I see... thank you sir. I, I suppose I'll just have a look around then..." "That's one pound for ya," he said. "Huh... a pound of... oh... yes, yes sir..." Ella blushed as she fished in her pouch for the money to pay him. Nodding as she placed the money on the desk in front of him, he continued to read the newspaper that he was reading before being interrupted by her. Not wanting to disturb the man anymore, Ella walked herself through the museum. The first section consisted of a panel of exhibition of The Bayeux Tapestry. It was made by Charles Stothard, an appointed historical draughtsman to the Society of Antiquaries of London. It was a beautiful piece of embroidered linen that showed pictures of merchant boats as well as the life of the people in the 1800. On the bottom of the first tapestry was a picture that looked at odds with the rest. It was a building that looked greek-like with its columns and open aired roofs; nothing at all like the houses commonly found in England. "Could this be...?" Ella wondered. Continuing past the last panel, she saw it... the model of The Bath House. It said on the notice beside it that works are under way to make the actual site a public display but it is still in progress. There was a phone number left there for anyone who wished for further information. Scribbling down the number, Ella smiled, satisfied with herself. Finding her way back to the main entrance, she smiled meekly at the burly man and started walking towards the main road. The bath house site was somewhere at Beauport Park which was roughly 3km away from where she was. While sitting in the cab, Ella wondered about Ben. Was he still sleeping or had he got up in a rage, looking for her? She smiled thinking about the latter. The Professor Martin she knew never got angry at anything. He was cool and confident and spoke only when necessary. She wondered how it was that they came to be so deeply involved with each other until... Ella closed her eyes; her palm resting on her stomach. **** "That pouty- mouthed, anger snapping little... ARGH!!!!" yelled Ben as he paced up and down in his room. "Calm down Abben... seriously... she's not a child anymore. She'll be alright," said Aqurico. "Ever since... ever since I've become this... human, I can't read her mind anymore! I feel so powerless! Argh! I feel so goddamn fucking human! I can't stand it!" he continued to yell. "Are you regretting it?" Adrian replied calmly. He looked so serene, leaning against the wall, staring at his brother pacing about angrily. "You know he's such a sucker for her..." Aqurico added. "Shut up!" roared Ben. "Abben... has being a human taken away your memory of your duty? To have simply let her walk away like that without a guardian..." Adrian sighed. As predicted, Ben's eyes widened, first in shock and then, horror. He started to panic and scrambled for his bag. With a nod of his head, Adrian made Leukós stand in front of his master, adamant not to let him budge. "Aurora is with her. You will be of no use to Ella at this moment, seeing that you are powerless and lack the mobility you used to possess. Plus... there's something I need to talk to you," said Adrian. Aqurico had already placed their brother onto the sofa in front of him. "Wait till you land yourself in this position... oh brothers... what have I become...?" Ben muttered as he covered his face with his hands. "A father." "You mean I will... wait a minute... WHAT?!" he exclaimed, scrambling to his feet, only to be shoved back down by Aqurico. "Sit," was the command. "What... why... how... oh my god... I must go... now..." he muttered, half dazed. Sighing, Adrian continued to watch his brother's state of mind, willing it to stabilize before saying anything else. Aqurico patted Ben's shoulders; synchronizing their emotions to calm his brother down. "How long have you guys known?" he asked, gaining back his composure. "Longer than you have, obviously. But it doesn't matter. What matters more is that she shouldn't be in any stressful situations... and that..." "Includes you," said Aqurico, finishing the sentence. "What? What have I done?" exclaimed Abben, getting agitated again. "Just that! Look at yourself Abben! You've become emotional and your health is clearly not at its best. You forget mealtimes and forget sleep. You are clearly forgetting your responsibilities!" chided Adrian. He couldn't believe he was speaking to his elder brother, as if reprimanding a child. "But I'm a father now... wow..." said Ben, grinning to himself. "Yes, but a Guardian first." Closing his eyes for a moment, Ben tried to gather his thoughts and focused. "Alright. Let's go and find my wife," he said, once he opened his eyes. *** Beaufort Park looked like an enchanted forest to Ella. As she wandered around, she wondered if she was ever going to find the location of the ruins. She didn't have a phone with her and there were no public phones in sight. Furthermore, the park seemed too quiet, even for a weekday. Wandering further in, she noticed some men, wearing overalls walking past some bushes. Following them, she figured she could ask them for some help. They were walking incredibly fast and Ella had some difficulty catching up. Her ankles were aching; looking down; she noticed that they were a little swollen. Cursing to herself, Ella continued walking, not wanting to lose sight of the men. Stopping to catch her breath, it was then that Ella saw what looked like a construction site. There were wheelbarrows filled with sand and soil, left at the entrance that was made out of make- shift metal scaffoldings. Men in overalls were going in and out from that entrance. Ella wondered if this was the excavation site of the bath house. It did not look like anything she had seen or read before about the Roman Bath houses. "You there!" someone shouted at her direction. Clearly startled, Ella simply kept quiet, even when the man approached her. "Who are you?" "Umm..." "Are you deaf?" "Ah, no... I mean... I am lost," she replied meekly. The man looked at her enquiringly. "You here to see the goods?" he whispered. Ella's eyes widened in shock. Did she accidentally walk into some drug den? Panicking, she tried to inch away from him, only to have her hands grabbed by his strong ones. "You're in luck Missy. Mr Flavius's already here today. You can make your bid to him," he said gruffly as he let go of her wrist and walked off. "Wa... wait! What bid?" Ella dared herself to ask. But the man did not turn back to reply her. Following behind him, Ella walked past the entrance and found herself in a dimly litted tunnel of sorts. Emerging at the end of the tunnel, Ella's mouth hung wide with amazement. There it was... The cold, warm and hot rooms, plunge baths, heating chambers and changing rooms, fully preserved, greeting her with their ancient grime. "Oh, are you here for the bid too?" a feminine voice said from behind. "I must have startled you. Hey... you look familiar!" Ella turned and frowned. The lady staring at her looked familiar... "Oh! You're the one who helped me at the airport! Remember?" Ella chirped, almost jumping in joy at the fact that she was no longer alone. She didn't think her heart could contain the happiness at finding the bath house anymore. She must share it with someone. "This is something isn't it?" the lady exclaimed. "Why yes! I've been hoping to see it for such a long time!" It was then that a tall man appeared from a side door to greet them. "Ladies... how fortunate of me to see you today. Please, please don't be shy. Mr Flavius at your service..." Ella noticed that the lady beside her started to tense when he appeared. Perhaps she was nervous, Ella thought. She was simply too ecstatic to think of anything else. She wanted to know all about the bath house and if possible, to tour it. "You see, this bath house was an accidental find by one of my friends. He's the headmaster at one of the nearby schools here. He's really an amateur archaeologist but a brilliant one. He was the one that explained to me how the landslide preserved this place almost perfectly." Seeing that his guests were silent, he continued. "You see, I recently bought this site. It would be a shame to let such a national treasure be closed off from the public. I have already transferred some of the artefacts here to my museum at Battle High Street. If you have the time, do take a look. I kept them in a private room on the second level. Just mention my name to the security guard there and he will let you in." "Earlier on, the man that brought me in said that there was some sort of bid?" Ella asked. "Ah, yes... you see, although I am the owner of this ruin, alas, I still need to raise some funds to create a permanent building to house this site. It is a pity of course to have to part with some of the artefacts to private collectors such as yourself. But, there will always be a price to pay for everything, isn't that so?" he replied, his gaze fixed upon the woman accompanying Ella. "Right. I'm sorry for taking up your time Mr Flavius... but I really must get going. Let's go," she said tugging gently at Ella's arm. Ella looked at her watch and realised that she had been out for almost the whole day. Ben must be really worried. "He gives me the creeps!" "Oh? I thought he was really nice, bringing us around and explaining things to us," said Ella. "How will you be going back?" the lady asked her. "By cab, I suppose. I'm not a native here so I'm afraid of getting lost," replied Ella. "You must make your husband worry... Well, I'll be off then?" Aurora gazed at Ella from a distance. Closing her eyes, she changed her form to follow behind Ella, unseen. Aurora knew that she had made a mistake by transforming into her human form. She had sensed the fear in Ella and didn't want either mother or child to be alone in that eerie ruin. It was reckless of her to have changed into her human form, but she never thought that she would have to come face to face with him. He recognized her of course and she knew that she had just put Ella in danger. Ella, unaware of what had happened, was lost in bliss. She wanted to get back to the hotel to tell Ben everything and maybe make a call to her father. She was closer to discovering about her ancestors. When she reached her room, she realised that she had stormed out earlier without taking the room key. Hoping that Ben was still inside, Ella knocked. She really hoped that he had not gone out to look for her, taking the key with him. After 10 minutes of knocking, Ella decided it would be better to get some dinner instead. She wouldn't want to wait for Ben outside their door. Turning to walk towards the stairs, she bumped into Ben. "Ella..." he croaked. His eyes betrayed his cool demeanour, glistening with tears. "Don't... don't ever do that again," he said, hugging her tight. Opening their door, he held her hand and led her into the darkness of their room. Closing the door behind them, he eased her back towards the door and pressed his palm on the door beside her face. "Don't ever, make me worried like that ever again," he said as he kissed her forehead. "Don't' ever make me think of losing you," he said, kissing the bridge of her nose. "And... don't ever think of making me stop loving you," he whispered as he pressed his lips over hers. He heard her sigh softly in response. Gently placing his hands on her shoulders, he eased the jacket off from her body. His hands went under her blouse, reaching to her back to unclasp her bra. To please her, he cupped her breast, slowly, gently tweaking at her nipples, seducing them to hard peaks. Ella moaned under his kiss and tried to undress him but Ben merely took both her wrists and held them with one hand above her head. He wanted to punish her for making him worried, making him look for her like a raving lunatic all over Battle. The Guardians Ch. 05 "Take off your clothes and get on the bed," he instructed, releasing his hold on her hands. Ella did as she was told. He had the right to be angry with her and punish her if he sees fit. Lying down on the bed, she merely waited for him quietly. Ben had come out from the bathroom, stark naked. Even in the dark, she could see his cock already hard and rigidly pointing upwards. It made her squirm a little, in anticipation. "Close your eyes," he instructed. Ella wanted to protest but he silenced her with his palm over her mouth. "Please." "I'm going to tie you up. Don't move." Ella almost choked when she heard him say that. Tie her up? She wasn't quite sure about it but kept silent as she felt her wrist and her ankles being wrapped around by something cold. She was forced to spread her legs wide and realised that he was going to tie her limbs to every corner of the bed! She shivered in anticipation. Just waiting, knowing not what he was about to do to her made her excited. She could feel him move over her. He smelled of sweat and faintly of his favourite cologne. "Ben, I..." "Hush..." he replied, covering her mouth with his. Ella could feel his hard cock nudging at her belly. She wanted to stroke it but the tug on her wrist reminded her that she was tied. "Ben... please don't make me wait..." Ella pleaded. She tried to move about as much as she could to draw his attention. However, Ben only brought his left hand down and stroked her pussy. He caressed her outer lips gently, teasing her as he playfully dipped his fingers into her dripping pussy and pulling out immediately. He repeated this a few times until Ella was moaning and begging him to fuck her. "Please Ben, please! Make me cum..." Ben ignored her pleas and instead gave soft kisses down her neck, to her chest and gave her already stiffened nipples a gentle lick. He did not linger at her breast long, although he wanted to but continued to trail soft, wet kisses down her body until he reached her navel. With her legs spread wide open and tied at an angle, Ella had to lift her head to see the edge of the bed. She could only see the top of Ben's head but could not see what he was doing. Suddenly, she felt something hard entering her pussy. It felt so good, that for a moment, Ella simply closed her eyes and let her orgasm take over. She had been holding it back for so long that letting it go felt so pleasurable. When she regained back her senses, she felt the vibrations in her pussy still there, pushing her towards another orgasm. "What... what's that Ben?" "Mmmm... vibrator..." he said as his tongue continued to lick at her clitoris. Seeing her bounded for his pleasure only made him more excited. Ella wanted to move, to squirm, to get on her knees to suck his cock but all she could do was close her eyes and let the sensations take over. "Please, no more... I want you. I need you Ben..." she pleaded. The strain of his hard cock was becoming unbearable. Releasing the knots that held her ankles to the bed, he pushed her thighs up so that her knees were close to her face. "Hold your legs like that for me please," he whispered, before pressing a soft kiss on her full lips. "You've been making me crazy these few days with thoughts of you." Using his left hand, he pulled the vibrator slowly out of her pussy and pushed it back in with enough pressure to make her cum again in his hands. Ella was moaned loudly and kissed him back with a wantonly passion. Having let her cum for three times now, he felt it was his turn. It ached just waiting to fuck her. Using his body weight to hold her in position, he slid his hard cock into her waiting pussy. She was so warm, so tight, so inviting that he almost lost control of himself. But he wanted to go on pleasuring them both more. "Ben?" "Hmmm?" "Cum with me," she whispered into his ear, nibbling on his earlobe. She knew that that drove him crazy. With his last ounce of sanity, he pushed hard once more into her pussy and let himself go. He held on to her as tightly as he could. Nothing was going to take her away from him.... A while later, he rolled off her gently. Her hands were still tied but the knot had been loosened a little by her squirming during their love making. However, in that position, she looked so vulnerable... Positioning his mouth over her nipple, he gave a slight tug; his tongue twirling around the slowly hardening bud. "Mmm... there won't be any milk there yet Abben... don't be so greedy..." she said sleepily. "Yet?" he asked, casually, teasing her. Ella's eyes widened, realising that she had just had a slip of the tongue. Not wanting to alarm her, he merely chuckled and started to untie the knots at her wrist. Kissing her forehead, he tucked her back into bed and went to the bathroom. Ella closed her eyes and smiled. "Abben Martin Junior..." she whispered to herself, lulling herself to sleep, thinking about names for the baby. *** When he stepped out of the bathroom, she was already sound asleep. "Abben..." the slight ringing of Aurora's voice came to his head. She didn't sound like her usual sarcastic self; worry and fear was evident in her voice. "I'll be down in a minute. Tell the rest to meet me at the lobby. I think Ella will be safe as long as she's in this room." After getting dressed, Ben made sure that he locked the door. "Watch over her Leukós." His sister and brothers were already waiting for him downstairs. "Abben... I'm sorry..." Aurora apologized. *** She was dreaming wasn't she? Or perhaps not. She could feel the soil beneath her feet, the wind in her face. How did she get here again? Doesn't matter Ah, that's right... she needed to go where again? Into the museum ... This place felt familiar... there was that burly man again at the reception. Why didn't he ask her for a pound? Ella felt herself walking up the stairs beside the counter. Why hadn't she seen this stairs before? Up, up, up... into the darkness... What was that sound? She thought she heard a horse neighing. Silly girl! Horses in museums? Shaking her head, she continued her climb until she came to a door. A petite man with a hunched back looked straight at her. "Hello?" she asked, but the man kept looking past her as if she wasn't there. Come in... The door had opened itself and Ella stepped forward, lulled by the soft voice calling to her. The man at the door didn't even notice her walking in. That voice... was calling out to her. Isabella... my child... The room was dark... but she wasn't afraid. Someone is calling for her.... It sounded so sad... Ella continued walking towards the light in the middle of the room. Then she saw her. Sitting down with her back facing Ella, was a weeping woman. Her brown hair was so long that it pooled at the floor. "Hello? I'm Ella... I... I don't know why I'm here..." said Ella, suddenly confused. Why was she here again? That sound... it's so irritating! The woman kept crying, her sobs pulling Ella closer. "Why are you crying? Who are you? What are you doing here all alone by yourself?" she pleaded. She felt just as lonely and just as sad as this woman. Hello Isabella... "Hello... how do you know my name?" I am Beatrice... "Why did you bring me here Beatrice?" You were the one who has been looking for me Isabella... Are you afraid of me? "No... no I'm not. But... where am I and why am I here Beatrice?" I'm going to protect you. You see... he imprisoned me here... "Who? Who imprisoned you here Beatrice? Why did he imprison you?" Because he knew you were coming Isabella... "Who is he?" Why... Juliana, you should know very well who it is... Wasn't it you who sent this child to me? Ella felt herself speaking, but she was looking at herself speaking words she did not will to come out. She was confused... and that neighing sound was getting louder and louder... Isabella, do not be frightened... As long as I'm with you, and you are here, he will not harm you. Do you trust me? "Yes." *** "Something is wrong... Leukós is calling out to me," said Ben, panic materializing on his face. Even as he rushed to the stairs, his brothers and sister were already vanishing to appear inside the room. "Ella..." Adrian gasps as he held rested her head on his lap. There was no pulse in her and he tried to synchronize their heart rates but she did not respond. It was seconds later that Ben opened the door; dropping to his knees when he saw the worried look on Adrian's face. Adrian was not one to show much emotions. Therefore to see his brother trembling made Ben's heart break. After what Aurora told him... he knew that he should have never left her alone. Ben covered his face with his hands and cried; an action he has never done in front of his siblings. "Abben... oh Abben, please don't cry..." soothed Aurora, wrapping her arms around him, whispering comforting words to calm her brother down. "I can't... I can't sense her. Aqurico?" "Nothing. Adrian... is there something else we can do? I just can't stand standing around like this..." "Abben... I know this is too much to ask from you at this point in time, but can you try to hear her thoughts? Please?" pleaded Adrian. He knew that his brother felt useless about his loss of powers but he had to give it a chance. "I don't know... but I will try. Leukós, come here," he said. Being unable to merge as one with his horse spirit, he touched the stallion's muzzle, trying to absorb some of the horse's powers. "Ella... Ella..." he tried calling in his mind.... Nothing. Closing his eyes a little tighter now, he tried again. "Ella, please my love... can you hear me?" he pleaded. Still, nothing. "Let me try," said Aurora. "You?" her brothers all said in unison. "Hey, I am a third of all of you. Surely I am something?" she snapped. "It's worth a try baby sister," said Abben softly. He kissed her forehead and patted Leukós quarters, to urge him towards her. "Khlōrós Thánatos, I want you to focus your mind with Leukós. Good girl," she said as she heard her mare's enthusiastic belting. Ella... can you hear me? She could hear people talking... female voices... but so faint... Ella... I know you don't know who I am... but I'm a friend... if you can hear me, please... Abben is worried about you... we all are... Abben... I... hear...who...that...cold... Aurora started cursing because she could not hear completely what was being said. Only spurts. Not only that, she couldn't ascertain if it was really Ella. "I can hear something but not too strong Abben. I think she said she's cold," Aurora said, too late to realise that her brother became frantic knowing that. "WHAT! Ask her please where is she? Is she trapped? Who is with her?" he yelled. Aqurico had to hold him back to stop him from leaping at their sister. "Shut up Abben! Argh... men!" Ella... I want you to yell if you can hear me. Ben! ... Horse! "What the hell is a Ben horse?" Aurora wondered. "Leukós you can hear her loud and clear?" The white stallion blinked its eyes flirtatiously at Aurora. "Right. Tell that to Thánatos. You think I understand what you're saying?" she grumbled. "Aurora. Take Ella's hand," Adrian instructed. The moment she did, she felt her eardrums bursting with Ella's shouts. Apparently, the woman has been shouting in her head trying to reach out to her. I hear you! There's the sound of that horse again! Where are you Ella? I...I don't know where is this place... but it's cold... and dark... I... Ella? Are you alone? Are you safe? Yes. Beatrice is here... and... Juliana too... I'm not afraid... Ella... you need to come back. You're in a dream... You have to wake up! But all she could hear was silence. She waited but still silence greeted her. "It seems I can only keep up a genuine gauge of her mind for a short while only... relatively shorter than Abben I suppose," she sighed. "What did she say Aurora?"Adrian asked, bringing her back to the main point. "I find it troubling brothers. She says she's with Beatrice and Juliana," she replied, her voice solemn. "Does... does that... mean... she is... dead? No... no...no!!!" Ben sobbed. Ella wasn't breathing nor was she moving. "You can't connect minds with the dead Abben," Adrian replied calmly. His mind tried to think of the best explanation but his possibilities were limited. "Aqurico, I think what's best for now is if you can go back to the Chiesa di Santa Margherita de'Cerchi and ask the priest what to do." "How about me?" "You kill all within your path, Aurora. You stay here with Ella and Abben. For all its worth, you're at least a third as strong as each of us," Adrian replied sternly. He could see she was pouting but he had to be firm. "What about Raphael?" Abben asked. "I will find him for you. Stay here. Aqurico, let's go." And the two brothers disappeared; vanishing as spirits to their respective destination. **** The man who called himself Mr F sat grimly behind his desk. He looked polished as always in his white designer suits. He never wore any suit more than once; his butler was responsible for making sure a new suit was steam pressed and hung in his closet every day. He liked the colour white. It made him look ethereal- to a man such as himself that was important. Accepting his specially concocted vitamin drink, he gulped down the mixture of herbs, vegetables and Chinese roots and passed the glass back to his servant. "Now Cornelius, what is it that you would like to tell me?" "Sir, about the lady you asked me to research on..." Cornelius felt his sweat drip down his back. He was nervous. "What about it, Cornelius? I don't have all day." Despite his words, he was leaning forward with anticipation. "Her name is Isabella, daughter to Rafael and Anabella Allegri." "Hardly a threat then," he said, breathing out a sigh before he tensed again. "What else?!" His sudden outburst caused Cornelius's knees to shake. "Her... her... grandmother is the late Lady Margaret de Savoy..." "Savoy?" Mr F repeated the name, comtemplating it's significance. "Why would a descendant of a Savoy have a nonhuman companion by her side?" Oh, he had felt it, the tugging within him; only he had no soul for that nettlesome woman to take. She seemed to have recognize him although he didn't but he could tell that she, like him were placed under some kind of curse. "Uhm... Sir... I checked up her lineage, Sir..." "And?" "There is nothing suspicious. But... to be thorough, I also checked up her maternal lineage... and Sir... there is nothing. A few women up the lineage and there was no more... I... I propose this as an error of the royalty of ... taking a common bride..." "You propose? Since when did you ever propose anything Cornelius?" he sneered, lighting a cigar. "I don't care who her parents are or who she is. Just find me the damn girl and bring her here alive you understand! I will not tolerate failure Cornelius." An hour later.... "Mr F, Sir... I've located her. Isabella Scelto Allegri... She's currently staying at the Powdermills Hotel Sir, with... with Abben Custos Martin...." He expected an outburst, a shriek of horror but his employer merely threw his head back and laughed till tears were evident in his eyes. "Abben, Abben... looks like you were careless..." he smirked. "Get me my coat. I will pay a visit to this Powdermills place." *** "Mr Flavius," he gave his name to the receptionist at the desk. "I have a dinner reservation here today for two," he said smiling. "I was wondering if my date is here yet. Do you think you can check it up for me? I think she's a guest here. Miss Isabella Allegri?" "I'm afraid your table is still empty sir. But if you like, I can give her room a call to see if she's coming down. Please follow my colleague to your table first sir," she replied, smiling back at him. Waiting at his table, he planned his next movement. He knew that Abben would be upstairs. He could feel him. RING RING! "I'll pick it up." Aurora patted her brother's shoulder and went over to pick up the receiver. "Miss Allegri?" "Uh... yes speaking." "Your date is waiting for you at the restaurant. He wanted me to let you know that he is here and already waiting for you." "Oh... my date." Quickly thinking, Aurora replied. "Is it Mr Williams? Ah, I'm sorry I have so many dates this week, it must have slipped my mind," she added with a hint of remorse. "He made reservations for two under the name Flavius. If that is all Miss, we look forward to having you dine with us tonight." Aurora put down the receiver angrily. "Bloody bastard, mother fuc..." "Aurora..." "He's downstairs. Olybrius. Baiting Ella to go down and have dinner with him. Do... do you think he did this to her? Oh my god Abben..." Aurora started, panicking. Ben tried to make sense of what his sister just said. Why would Olybrius want Ella? Or did he find out about her tie to his daughter? "Calm down. Aurora, can you call the other two now." A minute later... "What should we do now?" asked Aurora. "I really hate to do this to her at this moment... but we might have to be one with her body... I really... I can't..." stammered Ben. "Use her as a vessel? Abben that is just absurd!" exclaimed Aquirco. "That's just three of us. We need all four of us in order to create a stable bond!" Aurora was exasperated. Minutes were passing and they were still squabbling over a solution. "The baby has our blood. That'll make 4 of us," said Adrian calmly. "The baby is strong. It's keeping Ella alive." "And me?" Ben asked. "You can sit somewhere near. Keep yourself hidden. In your full human form right now, he will not sense a thing even if you're beside him. Whatever he's sensing right now comes from the three of us," Adrian added. **** The three spirits combined as one created a strange fiery yet calm persona. Ben kept looking at the person standing beside him but felt nothing towards her. This wasn't Ella. He closed his eyes and tried to remain calm. "I will find you my love. Please be patient," he said to himself. Putting on his sunglasses and baseball cap, he followed behind Ella cautiously. "Let me do the talking," said Adrian. "You're not a woman!" Aurora snapped. "Can we please not quarrel in other people's bodies?" yelled Aqurico, giving them all a stinging headache. "Good Evening Miss...?" the receptionist at the hotel restaurant inquired. "Miss Allegri... I'm joining Mr Flavius at his table please." "This way please, ma'am." The three of them followed the waitress, hidden within Ella's body. "Mr Flavius?" came Ella's sweet voice. The gentle smile on her face was Aqurico's doing, playing upon her happy emotion. "Isabella Allegri? It is nice to meet you. My name is Olybrius Flavius. We have met previously haven't we?" he replied, taking her hand for a kiss. Aurora almost wanted to pull Ella's hand away in disgust. "Ah, yes, of course," Adrian replied. Aurora had filled them in about Ella and her encounter previously with Flavius at the Roman bath house site. "You didn't call me, Isabella... may I call you that?" he asked politely. Olybrius sat back, admiring the woman in front of him. She was beautiful; straight nose, pointy chin, fair porcelain skin and a svelte body. Just looking at her, he wanted to touch her pretty face and stroke her cheek. She reminded him too much of Juliana. She even sounded slightly like her. The Guardians Ch. 05 "Ella please. May I know why you've come here Mr Flavius?" "Olybrius, please. I have come here, in hopes that you would be interested in bidding for one of my artefacts Ella. We had quite a good chat about it the previous time remember?" "Of course. Is it of much urgency Mr Fla... I mean Olybrius?" "Actually yes it is. But we could discuss business later shall we? Why don't we talk more about you, Ella, over dinner? I'm sure you're ravenous." As the three of them had no real need for food, they glossed over the menu; bickering of course as to what was best for Ella's body. She still needed feeding to keep her body alive. "Undecided Ella? Why don't you let me pick then?" Olybrius mused. He thought he had seen Ella's eyes change colours so very often. Perhaps it was a trick of the lights. Whatever it was, he felt strangely comfortable in her company... Ella smiled as a response and ate in silence. Olybrius watched with curiosity as she ate. "Perhaps the cuisine doesn't suit your palate, Ella? I assume you're more of the Italian?" he asked, inching towards her background. "Yes, my parents, they were from Italy." "Oh, how lovely. I used to live there once... a long time ago. In fact, we used to stay in Rome and later I moved to England. Where did you live before Ella?" "I'm sure that is not important, Olybrius." "Don't you think that's just too 'Adrian'; austere and so un-Ella-like you moron!" snapped Aurora. "I'm sorry, I mean, I don't see where this conversation is going Olybrius." Aurora added a sweet smile to finish. "You almost broke an old man's heart there Ella. I thought you were angry at me. Well... it is like this Ella. I am a truly Roman at heart and I felt rather nostalgic that day when you turned up inside my ruins. You remind me very much of my daughter and I came here to see you again." "What happened to your daughter...?" Aqurico added with a touch of sympathy. Although he was best at manipulating emotions, his own heart felt threateningly unsympathetic towards the man sitting across them. "Ah, she died when she was at her prime. An accident of sorts. Ah... you make an old man tear up, talking about this... I'm sorry Ella..." "Who wants to bet that our real Ella would have fallen for this line hook and sinker?" sighed Aurora to her siblings. "Isabella..." Olybrius took her hand in his and smiled. "Please come to my museum tomorrow. I would like to show you the things as I've promised. Please come." With that, he set his napkin down and rose to take his leave. "I'm afraid I must leave you now for some business I have to attend to. I will be expecting you tomorrow. Do not disappoint me, my child." Ben watched the man in white suit leave. He didn't look very much like the Olybrius he once knew... and hated. This man, had a resigned look; worn out from years of living... A curse, of eternity, just like the four of them. *** "Are you sure we should be doing this Abben?" Aurora looked at her brother. He was selecting clothes to change Ella into. He didn't want to talk much ever since they got back to the room. "Let him be, Aurora," said Aqurico, putting his hand on her shoulders. Adrian too had been silent. He had been taking care of Ella, making sure she was alright. The baby may be strong, but it still needs its mother. She could already feel its soft heartbeat, pulsing, reaching out to her. Aurora closed her eyes. Their powers have become weaker ever since Abben became a full human. For him, the spell of eternity has been broken. But for herself, Adrian and Aqurico? Was this their destiny? Looking at Ella lying on the bed, Aurora felt a strange feeling of pain in her heart. Perhaps it was true that Ella can break their spell after all... Isn't she the chosen one? "Would all of you... go out for a while please?" said Ben. His voice soft and almost unstable. When his siblings had left, he sat on the bed beside Ella, taking her hand in his. "Hey there little fella... your Mummy, she's a stubborn person but cooks up a hell of a storm when she's in the mood. She's really beautiful too you know that? Daddy's going to get Mummy for you... no... for us. So you must be strong and keep her heart pumping too you hear?" Letting the tears fall naturally, Ben undressed her and changed her into fresh clothes. It was almost as if he was dressing her for battle; armour and all. "I'm done," he called out. "Tell me, what the plan is." *** "We're here to see Mr Flavius," said Ben, tightening his grip on Ella's hand. "Ah, of course, if not Abben himself to bring my guest to my humble sanctuary..." a voice replied from behind them. Ben did not reply, nor did he smile. He simply looked at Olybrius. "I was hoping Ella would come by herself. But since you're here, you make my job so much easier. Please, please follow me." Cautious, Ben followed behind, his hands still holding onto Ella's. "Come on in Abben. Where are your manners?" chuckled Olybrius as he gestured towards the door on the second floor. "It's a trap," Ben replied, matter-of-factly. Olybrius only smiled. Once the three of them entered, the door disappeared. Ben did not look behind him to know that Olybrius had brought them into another place, in another time. Holding Ella close to him, Ben took a look around. It was the same room where he had, on numerous occasions knelt before the royal family. His eyes flickered briefly to the right where he knew Juliana usually sat. "Ah you remembered. She is the chosen one; Scelto, isn't she? " said Olybrius; his gaze on Ella. "I could feel myself weakening each time I'm around her." "What would you know and what do you want even if you knew it?" "Is that the way you speak to your king, Abben?" sneered Olybrius. "I plan for her to die here. But you decided to come along." With a lift of his fingers, Ben was thrown backwards, crashing onto the walls behind him. Before he could get up, he felt the invisible chains holding him back. His neck, wrist and ankles were shackled, immobilizing him. Ben saw Olybrius walk over to his throne. He was going for the royal crest; the sword, hanging behind his throne. This must have been a time even before he became a knight. That was the same sword that was given to Aqurico. "I will kill her and you will watch her die. But before that... I will play with her first, and you shall watch," he sneered. "Oh... you should have seen Juliana just before I killed her... 'Father, father, no, no, please... spare Abben'." His laughter was maniacal, echoing throughout the empty room. Ben looked straight at Olybrius, not saying a word. He could hear his siblings' voices exploding inside his head. With the sword in his hand, Olybrius moved closer to Ella. He tried to stroke her cheek but was surprised when he came up with a barrier. Overcome with rage, he wielded the sword and tried to pierce it through only to have the sword disintegrate into pieces. "Is this your magic Abben? Is that the power that the devil gave to you? Much stronger than mine!?" he shouted, his voice shaking with anger. "Fine! I'm done playing. If you don't tell me how to kill her, I'll just have to kill you first then." The sword that lay broken on the floor began to piece itself and glued together to form the same sword like before. "This is my world, Abben. My rules, not yours!" he shouted, charging at Ben with the sword, aiming for his heart. "Leave her and get out!" Ben yelled. The confused Olybrius stopped and turn, in time to see the three spirits leaving her body and disappearing. Outraged, he faced Ben; the rage within him had turned his face into a ghastly hollowed appearance. Ben knew that this was his real face; the face not adorned with magic. A face full of hatred for everything and one that craved for power. "Get up!" he yelled. The shackles around Ben disappeared and in his hand, was a sword; an exact replica of the one in Olybrius' hand. "Get up and fight me!" Ben knew that the protection around Ella would last for as long as he wasn't hurt. He had to fight, to prolong the battle... until his siblings could get Ella out of the place. "No human can leave this world, Abben... not alive anyway, unless I allow them to. I know what you're thinking... but you are no use to her dead!" he roared and thrust his sword in Ben's direction. Unable to evade the blow, Ben felt the cold metal pierce his right shoulder, missing his heart by a few inches. "What... what is this? Blood?" Olybrius stepped back, clearly in shock. Fear loomed on his face. Turning around, he quickly grabbed Ella's body that was lying on the ground. The magic protection around her was gone; he didn't know for how long, but he needed to escape. He was confused how the immortal horsemen could become a human. Within a blink of an eye, Ella was gone. Still pressing a hand to his wound, he howled a cry for her. The illusion of the room disappeared with Ella and Olybrius. It was just an empty room now, with the door to his left. Ben struggled to open the door. He was losing consciousness; too much blood had drained out of him. When he scrambled through the door, he vaguely saw his siblings crouching over him; he could hear their voices shouting... what were they saying? Then all... went dark... and blank... *** PS: Hi all, this is the ending of the first part of the series. I will follow up the story in another part called 'Healing Rights of Revelation'. I'm really sorry for the long wait some of you have for this chapter. But I hope you have enjoyed The Guardians so far. –love, M.C-