XXXXX

Chapter nine

XXXXX

Rion bit his lip as he let his eyes scan his apartment. He had gotten ready for his date, and yet couldn't bring himself to leave. He wasn't late yet, although he would be if he didn't leave soon. He still couldn't believe what had happened, that Sean wanted him out of his life. With a sigh, he went to his coat closet to get his coat. He stopped when he saw Sean's coat still hanging there, Rion felt tears come to his eyes and he angrily wiped them away.

Grabbing his coat, Rion left the apartment. He would go on his date with Victor, tell the man he had no desire to have a relationship with him and then he'd decide his next course of action. He knew that things couldn't stay the way they were. Pausing outside his apartment building, Rion let his eyes scan the street. He moved to catch the bus to downtown.

Walking the two blocks to the restaurant, a small grin found his face as he saw Victor standing outside. "Hey."

"I was starting to wonder if you were coming," Victor smiled at the blond.

"I debated," Rion stated honestly. He looked up to meet Victor's eyes, a frown coming to his face as he met those eyes. "I'm glad I did though."

"Me too," Victor moved to open the door. He smiled back at Rion as the boy moved past him.

Once they were seated, Rion looked over the menu. He knew that Victor was watching him, he looked up, one eyebrow rising.

"It's just…" Victor started.

"Just?" Rion glanced at his menu again as he waited for Victor to say something.

"I'm just surprised Sean set us up," Victor finally said. The dark haired man shrugged as he kept his eyes on his menu. They ordered; then sat quietly for a few minutes.

"He has no interest in me," Rion frowned slightly. "At least, well, not until he nearly hit me with his car, the silver Viper."

"That must have been scary," Victor let his eyes narrow; he wondered why almost hitting the boy would have Sean throwing the blond at every gay man they came across.

"I ran out into the street after a cat," Rion's eyes unfocused as he thought about that night. He had nightmares where the car had actually hit him; sometimes the pain was so bad he'd throw up as he woke up. "I was standing there and I was cold, so Sean gave me his coat to wear."

Rion looked up, a blush coming to his face as he had forgotten who he was with. Dropping his eyes Rion toyed with his flatware.

"He's got nothing but praise for you," Victor frowned again as he watched the blond. He wondered again about the relationship between the two. "So, it makes me wonder."

"Don't worry, he wants nothing to do with me," Rion's voice got quiet at the end.

"Are you sure?" Victor kept his voice quiet.

"I'm positive," Rion smiled slightly. He knew Victor was watching him, the man's deep blue eyes held concern. "It's not a big deal."

"Actually," Rion waited until the waitress was gone before he looked at Victor again. "I quit after lunch."

"What?" Victor couldn't keep the surprise from his face.

"I decided," Rion frowned. He wasn't sure what to tell the man, if he could tell Victor the truth of why he'd quit. "I needed to move on."

"I hadn't realized you and Sean had been together," Victor couldn't hide the hurt in his voice as he pushed what was left of his salad away.

"We haven't," Rion's honey brown eyes were wide. "I've only worked for him."

Victor continued to watch the blond. "But you want more?"

"Do you believe in something bigger than us?" Rion asked softly avoiding the question Victor asked. "That we're not always able to control our own fate?"

Rion picked at his salad; he knew that Victor was watching him. Maybe the man thought he was crazy, or maybe not. It really didn't matter at this point.

"I do believe," Victor finally said. "But I have a feeling that's bad for me?"

"I'm not staying in town," Rion hadn't really made a decision until he had spoken the words, but he realized that he couldn't stay.

"Where are you going?" the lawyer asked.

Rion shrugged. "No clue, haven't really thought about it."

"No chance of you staying, though?" Victor asked and Rion heard the unspoken question.

"I have to find myself, before I can be something to someone else," Rion pushed his plate away; he wasn't really that hungry to begin with. He wasn't sure he wanted to even continue with the date. Victor was nice and all, but to be honest it just wasn't it for him.

"I see," Victor placed his elbows on the table to rest his chin in his hands.

"I'm sorry," Rion said softly. He met Victor's blue eyes and wished things were different because there was a good chance he could have been happy with the man.

"Do you plan on coming back?" Victor asked; he sat back as the main course was placed in front of them.

"Just to visit, my aunt still lives here," Rion looked down at his meal.

"I'd really like to get to know you," Victor sighed.

"I have to get to know myself first," Rion looked up; pushing back his chair he went to stand. "I'm really sorry Victor."

Rion saw him nod, turning he made his way out of the restaurant. He slowly made his way back towards his apartment. He walked slowly, deciding that he needed the time to think. When he arrived back at his apartment, Rion paused in the living-room. He knew that he should call his aunt, but he didn't really want the woman there.

With a disgusted sigh, the blond moved towards his bedroom to shower before crawling into bed. He knew he had a lot to do in the morning. He planned to pack everything, call his aunt and then of course, he'd need to buy a car so he could leave.

XXXXX

He looked up, his honey brown eyes meeting cold blue. The man had been at the inn for three days and he was becoming uncomfortable with how the dark haired man looked at him. Dropping his eyes, he went about his duties.

"Hey, boy," the boy turned to the man who had spoken.

"Yes, sir?" he answered.

"Take this out back," the innkeeper said indicating a box.

"Yes, sir," moving he grabbed the box; he headed out of the building into the dark, pausing a few second to let his eyes adjust. He walked across the darkened yard heading toward the barn. He jumped when someone stepped out from the shadows.

"What's your name, boy?"

"It's Tim, sir," he replied taking a step back away from the dark-haired man. He didn't take his eyes off him, knowing that something about the man was off.

"Tim, huh, I'm Ben," Ben took another step towards the boy.

"I'm very busy," Tim took another step back; he moved to set the box down.

"I've been dreaming about you," Ben moved to close the gap between them, his voice low and harsh.

"Sir?" Tim's voice cracked slightly.

"How old are you?" Ben asked.

"Almost fifteen," Tim swallowed, hating how his voice quivered. He didn't dare take his eyes off the man in front of him. He looked up as Ben stopped right in front of him; Tim didn't move as Ben touched him, gasping when the man's mouth was suddenly on his. Bringing his arms up, Tim tried to push the man off of him.

"Don't fight me, boy," Ben cupped the blonde's head. "You always love it when I fuck your ass."

"Please…" Tim tried to twist free.

"Shush," Ben stepped closer; he placed a gentle kiss on the boy's lips. Pulling back he looked into brown eyes. "I've dreamt of you for years, you've always begged me to fuck you."

"You want to what?" Tim asked as tears slipped down his cheeks. He could feel fear in his stomach; he was afraid that the man was going to hurt him.

"I want to bury my cock in you," Ben whispered into the boy's ear.

"Where?" Tim tugged his head again, crying out as Ben's hands tightened. He stared wide-eyed at the man as Ben cupped the back of his head; Ben's other hand moving to squeeze his ass. "You want to stick your cock into my ass?"

"You'll love it," Ben's voice was low and rough.

"NO!" Tim pulled away, yelling as Ben's hands tightened on him. He struggled to get away from the big man, a yelp escaping him as he found himself pinned under Ben's weight.

"Stop it!" Ben growled grabbing the blonde's head again; pulling up he slammed it into the ground.

Tim's eyes widened as stars danced in front of his eyes, he could see anger in the dark-haired man's face. He couldn't understand what the man was saying, another cry escaped him as the man continued to hit his head into the ground. He groaned as his head hit a rock, feeling the skin break.

"Shit, no, god, no," Ben shifted as blood spilled from the back of the blonde's head.

Tim couldn't move, everything seemed distant from him; he continued to watch Ben, feeling numb. He noticed that the man had tears in his eyes and wondered about it. Tim closed his eyes, opening them again when he was shaken. He didn't know what the man wanted, but didn't care as everything started to fade until there was nothing.

XXXXX

Rion locked the storage unit; he had already returned the rental truck and had paid for six months worth of rent. He had turned in his apartment keys and found a cheep car to buy. Now he had to speak to his aunt; something he wasn't looking forward to; there would be questions he had no answers to. With a last look around, Rion moved towards the car he had bought, no use in putting it off any longer.

The drive to his aunt's didn't take as long as Rion hoped it would. He sat in his car; he stared out the window at nothing. He knew he had to face her before he could leave, knew also that she wasn't going to be happy with his decision. Getting out, he made his way towards the house. He knocked and then waited for his aunt to answer the door, a little surprised when David did.

"Orion, it's good to see you," David stepped back to let Rion in. "Your aunt is in the kitchen."

"Thanks," Rion moved passed the man, he paused in the doorway letting his eyes scan the woman that had raised him after he'd lost his parents.

"Come in and sit, Orion," Anca didn't turn around as she spoke, making Rion smile as he moved towards the table.

"Thanks," Rion said as his aunt set a cup of coffee in front of him. He looked up as she sat down across from him.

"So what brings you out so early?" Anca asked; her eyes on him.

"I've made some decisions," Rion stared into his coffee cup; he wished that he didn't have to do this.

"Alright," Anca spoke quietly.

"I'm leaving," Rion looked up as he spoke.

"Leaving?" Anca's eyes were wide.

"I just can't stay, Auntie," Rion reached out to lay his hand over his aunt's; he met eyes so much like his own.

"Is this about your soul-mate?" David asked.

Rion looked over at him, with a frown he nodded. "My soul-mate keeps setting me up with other people; I can't stand by while he makes a life with someone else."

"You shouldn't run away," Saso stated.

Rion looked over at the cat; he met multi-colored eyes and felt anger go through him. He didn't know why the sight of the cat made him so angry, but it did. Narrowing his eyes, he curled his lip back slightly. "Stay out of this, Slave."

"Orion," Anca gasped astonished.

"Sorry," Rion dropped his eyes. "I just can't stay, I have to figure things out and I can't do that here."

"Okay, I'll take care of your apartment," Anca sighed softly.

"I have already taken care of it," Rion looked up. "I've paid for storage for six months, after that I'll figure out what I'm going to do."

"Oh okay," Anca pushed back as Rion stood. "You will keep in touch, right?"

"Of course," Rion kissed her cheek and hugged her, and then he shook David's hand before leaving the house. Pausing by his car, he looked back before he took a deep breath. With a last wave, Rion got into his car and drove away.

XXXXX

"So how did the date go?" Sean asked Victor the next morning. A frown on his face knowing he had to make sure Rion was happy.

"Not as well as I had hoped," Victor replied. "You didn't tell me he quit."

"He was angry, Vic; when he comes in today I'll talk to him," Sean frowned down at the phone.

"He told me last night he was leaving town," Victor's voice sounded concerned.

"I'll call him later," Sean sighed; he looked up hoping to see Rion sitting at his desk, but it was still empty.

"I wish you luck," Victor said before he hung up. Sean shook his head as he hit the off button on his phone. Taking a deep breath, Sean picked up the phone and dialed Rion's number.

Sean frowned when he received a recorded voice telling him the number had been disconnected. Hanging up, he tried the number again, only to get the same results. With another frown, he hung up the phone. Looking over the work on his desk, Sean debated if he should take the morning off and go look for the blond.

"Sean, we have a meeting, where is your assistant?" Martin stuck his head into the man's office.

"I guess he quit," Sean sighed as he stood. He gathered up his paperwork and made his way out of his office. "I assumed he was just angry yesterday."

"I see," Martin frowned.

"I'll talk to him at lunch," Sean followed after Martin; he saw the senior executive nod.

When Sean finally found himself outside of Rion's apartment, it was closer to two in the afternoon then lunch time. He knocked on the door and waited, he shifted his weight from one foot to the next. He didn't know if the man was home or not, or if Rion would open the door to him.

"He doesn't live there anymore," Sean turned to find the super standing behind him.

"What?" Sean couldn't help but ask.

"Rion moved out this morning," the man replied.

"Oh," Sean looked at the apartment door. "Can I see the apartment?"

The super looked at Sean for a few seconds, before he nodded. "All right."

"Thanks," Sean said as the old man unlocked the door and pushed it open. He moved into the apartment, his eyes scanning the emptiness.

"He said he left something of yours," the old man nodded towards the entryway closet. Sean glanced at him before he moved to the closet, hanging inside was the coat he had given to Rion the night he nearly ran him down. Pulling the coat out of the closet, he turned to leave the apartment.

"Thanks," Sean moved past. Heading back to the office; he knew he would have to go see Anca, he hoped the woman would be able to help him. As he exited the elevator and headed towards his office a frown found his face. There was a woman sitting at Rion's desk.

"Mr. Timpson," the woman smiled.

"Who the hell are you?" Sean asked; his anger overwhelming him.

"I am your new assistant," the woman said keeping the smile on her face. "Martin hired me."

"Whatever," Sean turned; he slammed his office door before going to throw himself into his chair. He clenched his teeth as he felt anger again. He didn't want to believe that Rion would leave, but if the blond wanted to run away, then it was fine with him, he wouldn't stop him.

XXXXX

"It's been two months," Saso said from where he was sitting on the stairs leading to the basement.

"I know," Anca sighed as she moved to another box. "He said he'd keep in touch."

"I'm sure he's okay," Saso shifted, wrapping his tail around his feet.

Anca glared back at the cat, "But you don't know."

"Of course I don't," Saso moved down a few steps.

"And you won't help," Anca muttered with a sigh.

"I can't help," Saso reminded her. "I've told you."

Anca went back to the boxes, there was more to this than anyone was telling her. She knew Rion was in a great deal of pain, she hated that she couldn't help because no one would tell her anything. She couldn't find her nephew, couldn't find anyone on the Council to help her locate him. Tate had been as much at a loss as she was, he and Bailey had both tried to help.

"Anca?" David called from the top of the stairs. "Are you down there?"

"Yeah, I'm down here," Anca stood as David came down the stairs. "Anything?"

"No," David shook his head. "Did you have any luck?"

"No," Anca let her eyes scan the basement. "I haven't realized all the crap we've kept over the years."

"Are you sure the answer is down here?" David came down the rest of the way.

"Saso?" Anca raised an eyebrow at the cat.

"The answer you seek is close at hand," the cat replied.

"That is what you're going by?" David came down the rest of the way. "It could be anything."

"David," Anca put her hands on her hips, she looked around the basement, a frown on face. "Maybe it's time I talked to the council."

"Yeah," David glanced at Saso, before he looked back at the woman.

"Yeah," Anca sighed; turning she led the way back up to the kitchen. She already knew what they would tell her.

"It will work out," David moved to wrap his arms around her shoulders.

"I hope so," Anca turned to bury her face in his chest.

"We are going to have to tell them something was off about him," David pulled her closer.

"I know," Anca held on for a few more minutes before she pulled away. Moving, she gathered up her purse and keys before following David from the house and to his car.

XXXXX

Anca looked up at the building that the Witches Council was in, before she glanced at David in the driver seat. She could see how worried he was and hoped that things worked out. Getting out, she led the way into the building, she was very glad that David was with her.

"Hello Anca, David," the receptionist smiled at them.

"Ann," Anca smiled back at her. "I'd like to see the Council, please."

"Let me check, see what's going on," Ann turned to her computer. After a minute she picked up her phone, Anca glanced at David while Ann was on the phone. "You can go in."

"Thanks," Anca entered the simple office; she nodded to the six people sitting around.

"Anca," an older woman stood and came forward. "What a pleasant surprise."

"Miranda," Anca shook the woman's hand.

"Come sit," Miranda lead the way over to the sofa, she glanced briefly at David. "Tell us what brings you to us?"

"I am concerned about Orion," Anca started softly. "I haven't heard from him in two months."

"He is an adult," Miranda frowned slightly. "And he's a non-magical person; I'm not sure what we can do."

"Something about him is off," David shifted bringing everyone's attention to him.

"Off?" Miranda frowned as she looked at the others.

"He's convinced the Council somehow broke the soul-bond between him and his soul-mate," Anca's voice was very quiet.

"No witch now a day has that power," Vance said as he frowned. "And there would be no reason to."

"It's true," Miranda shook her head. "And we have no way of finding him, but I'm sure he'll call when he's ready."

"I hope," Anca nodded.

"Give him time, David said he'd been through hard times recently," Miranda met Anca's eyes.

"Okay," Anca stood.

"We will keep our eyes opened," Vance moved to touch Anca's hand as the woman nodded before she left the council chambers.

XXXXX

Sean watched his sister, a frown on his face. Sally was doing the dishes from the meal she had made. His frown deepened as he recalled how she and the kids has shown up and she had not taken no for an answer. He had been planning on going out, but Sally had made supper, and all Sean could do was go along with it.

"You can glare at me all you want, Sean," Sally turned to look at him. "You've been promising for the last month to have dinner with us."

"I've been busy," Sean crossed his arms over his chest. "I have important things to do."

"Going to the club to find someone to screw isn't important," Sally's voice dropped low, she raised an eyebrow at him. She waited a few minutes, watching her brother as he stared coldly at her. "What is it you want? Do you want to go back to before? I just do the shopping?"

"No I don't," Sean could see relief come to her face, but his next words took it off. "I really don't want you or the kids in my life."

"Sean, how can you say that?" Sally whispered, tears coming to her eyes.

"I don't have time for you or the kids," Sean shrugged. "I don't want to make time, either."

"Sean," Sally tried again.

"No," Sean shook his head. He moved to the living room to find Jon playing with Echo. "Jon, would you like him?"

"Sean no," Sally whispered.

"It's either that or the pound," Sean didn't even look back at her, he saw Jon nod. "Pack up his stuff and you can have him."

Jon looked at his mother, before he turned to Sean. "Thanks Uncle Sean."

"Victoria, please help your brother," Sally nodded to the pre-teen.

Sean turned back to his half-sister. "It's for the best; you don't like how I act or what I'm doing."

"We're family, Sean," Sally tried. "Is it because that blond left?"

"What blond?" Sean narrowed his eyes at her.

"Your assistant, Jon said he did real well with you," Sally continued to watch him. "Where did he go?"

"It doesn't matter, the blond is gone," Sean turned back when Victoria appeared in the doorway. "And now you and the kids can go, too."

Sean watched as they left; he tried to convince himself that it didn't matter, that cutting ties was for the best. Once the door closed behind his sister, he moved to the living room. The quietness in the apartment closed in around him. With a sigh, Sean grabbed his coat and key before heading out to the nearest open club.

XXXXX

Rion shifted in the hard seat; in front of him were an un-eaten donut and a cooling cup of coffee. He continued to stare out the large window of the diner. Reaching up he rubbed his tired eyes, the nightmares were getting worse. He tried to out run them, tried to exhaust himself to be able to sleep, but still only managed a few hours at night.

Shifting again, Rion let out a sigh.

"Can I warm that up for you?" the waitress asked startling Rion. He looked over to see her frowning at his full cup of coffee.

"I'm sorry," Rion looked up at the woman.

"Are you okay, Hon?" the woman shifted to get a better look at him.

"Fine," Rion nodded. "Just not really hungry."

The woman looked at him for a few, "okay, it's not busy, so go ahead and sit for as long as you need."

"Thanks," Rion turned back to the window as he heard the woman walk away and sighed again. He didn't know how to stop the nightmares, why he was having them. He didn't like how he always seemed to be the one that ended up dead in them.

He had figured getting away from everything would help, that the more distance he put between him and everything else would ease things. But it didn't, in fact he missed his soul-mate even more. He had even gone as far as calling Sean at the office, just to hear the man's voice.

Rion focused on the window in front of him, his eyes suddenly seeing what was outside. A frown found his face as he scooted out from the booth. Dropping a couple bucks to the table, Rion made his way outside, pausing to look around. When he found what he was looking for he made his way towards it.

"Why are you following me?" Rion saw the redhead jump and couldn't help the small smirk that came to his face.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," the redhead looked at Rion before turning to walk away.

Looking around, another frown found Rion's face. "Where is the other one?"

"What?" the redhead stopped, his eyes going to the blond.

"The other redhead, you're not the same one," Rion narrowed his eyes. When the man in front of him tried to walk away again, Rion moved. Almost surprised to find himself pressing the redhead to a wall by his throat, leaning closer Rion hissed. "Tell me now."

"I don't know what…" the redhead choked as Rion's hand squeezed.

"Do not lie to me," Rion felt it, the power that had been just under the surface. His fingertips tingled much like the day he regained some of his memories. He stared into the green eyes of the man he was holding, realizing that sparks danced from his fingertips across the man's skin. "Tell me."

"My mistress has sent us to follow you," the redhead finally replied, the man's eyes wide as he felt the power coming from Rion.

"Your mistress?" Rion gritted his teeth, his hand tightening on the man's neck even more. He had seen this person in his nightmares, had watched as 'they' stood by and watched him die.

"I want you to unhand my brother," a quiet voice said.

Rion looked behind him, reaching up he watched as power danced across his fingers. He could see that both of them watching him wide-eyed.

"Explain to me why your mistress would care about me?" Rion let the one redhead down, he moved so he could see both of them.

"She wants you dead," the quiet redhead whispered. He had moved closer to his counterpart, his green eyes wearily on Rion.

"Why would she want me dead?" Rion questioned, he looked between the two.

"What do you remember?" the first twin asked as he moved to keep the other slightly behind him.

"Remember?" Rion clenched his teeth; he was getting tired of the cryptic crap that they were trying to feed him.

"Of your pasts?" One of the redheads' said.

"You're not supposed to point that out!" the other hissed.

Rion looked between the two arguing redheads. Gritting his teeth, he knew he should walk away but also knew that something about this whole situation was familiar. He just couldn't put his finger on it, and looking between them again he was once again struck by how many times he had seen them in his dreams.

"Sindra, Candra, stop it!" Rion yelled startling both redheads.

"Fuck, you do remember," Sindra moved his brother completely behind him, his eyes warily on Rion.

Rion stared at the two men, his eyes narrowed as he watched them. He was still trying to figure out where they went in the scheme of things. He knew they knew something and they weren't telling him. With a muttered curse he turned away only to turn back.

"I want to know," Rion let his eyes meet both before he settled his gaze on Sindra.

"We can not tell you," Sindra said softly.

"You will tell me," Rion hissed low, anger found him again. He moved towards the redheads, his eyes narrowing as they backed away. Reaching up, he brought his hands to his head as pain exploded.

"Are you okay?" Candra whispered his green eyes wearily on Rion.

"You should go home," Sindra moved to where he could see Rion better.

"I have no intention of going home," Rion looked up from under his bangs.

"You need to return to your soul-mate," Candra backed away as Rion looked at him.

"My soul-mate gave me up," Rion turned away; he intended to walk away from the pair, not caring anymore what they had to say.