PROLOUGE

An organization known only by their initiates by their true name, the Legacy has been around in the shadows for centuries fighting the darkness of the world in all the ways it may arrive, be it demons, warlocks, or the other enemies who would destroy mankind.

Prophecies foretell of things to come, things of good and bad. In this case, these prophecies could bring forth a very evil the Legacy fights or it could very well destroy them from the inside of their very secretive order as well as the bearer of this incredible power, as the Prophecies of Light and Shadow come to be and more than one member of the Legacy is forced to return ‘home’.

CHAPTER ONE

“Someone again remind me why these things happen to us?” a disgruntled young man muttered as he paced the small aisle of St. Patrick’s Church in downtown San Francisco.

“We work with mystics, vampires, witches, etc. Why do you think, Kelly?” another man returned dryly.

Both young men were in their early to mid 20’s and wore around the same type of clothes but that is where the similarities end.

Kelly Robinson’s long blond hair, deep brown eyes and hot temper was a total opposite of his best friend as Pat Anderson wore his lighter blond hair cut short and his blue eyes shined with a temperament usually held in check to control his more rash teammates.

Both young men worked as a subsidiary of Harrison Enterprises, an internationally known corporation, but they were also the top 2 in the Queens Court Raiders, a world class mercenary unit.

Right then, both young warriors looked worn out as they had been on the go constantly for more than a week. The trouble was they were running from something they couldn’t see or shoot.

The reason they were at St. Patrick’s at 2:48 in the morning was the pale, shaking young woman with them.

“I still think we should go to the cops.” Kelly said for the 40th time that night since his nightmare started.

Morgan Harrison, at 25 years of age, had seen and done more than most girls her age would ever dream of. She owned one of the world’s most successful companies, she was a part time government agent with Presidential and UN clearances but it was what else she could do that was causing the trouble now.

Born with powers, gifted or cursed with powers that could be considered good or bad, she was usually in control. Recent attacks had lessened that control and now it was obvious she and her friends were in serious trouble.

“And tell them what?” she countered tiredly, her British accent straining so it was heavier than normal. “That some demon lord or warlock or something is trying to kill me? That some monster from my past has returned to sacrifice me in order to gain control of my power? You think they’d buy that, Kel?”

“Hell, I don’t buy it and I know it’s true.” Kelly muttered, whirling as a step sounded and he barely stopped from pulling the gun. “Father Ortiz, you had better learn to make some noise cause if you keep coming up on me like that…” he left the rest unsaid as the older Hispanic priest just waved his hands.

Father Manuel Ortiz had gotten used to strange things coming to his doorstep yet he knew this night was far different when the top 2 Queens Court Raiders arrived with their employer asking for a visiting friend of theirs.

“Kelly, I’ve never seen you so jumpy.” He knew things were serious even as a shadow fell behind him. “Ah, Father Callahan…”

The young priest who was visiting St. Patrick’s had been surprised when he’d been woken up with the news of the ‘Raiders arrival but then he guessed he shouldn’t have been since he’d been sensing something was wrong for weeks.

Philip Callahan at 30, had been a priest for several years yet not a practicing one since up until recently he had spent his time devoted to the Luna Foundation, a cover for the Legacy’s San Francisco house.

The sandy haired Ireland native had taken his leave of the Legacy when his doubts become too great. His return to the Bay area had been sudden but he couldn’t explain his urge to return until now.

“Morgan.” His whisper stopped his current thoughts as he looked at the beautiful, yet fragile looking young woman and remembered another time, another life when things had seemed much easier for them all.

It had been close to 20 years since he had seen her. Twenty years since they both and Nick had been kids growing up in that big house on the island just outside of the city.

In truth, Philip remembered a little girl with long blond hair and bright blue eyes that had followed him and Nick all over the place. He remembered her as the crown princess of the Legacy as she was Derek Rayne’s goddaughter, his ward and heir.

‘If only things would have stayed so simple’ the young priest thought to himself as he continued to watch the girl from the shadows of the church.

20 Years ago this month that things went horribly wrong for them all as Morgan’s powers and birthright were called into question by other houses and an ultimate act of betrayal caused a trusting naïve 5 year old to run away from her home, her friends and her family.

“I know this is probably a shock Father Callahan but you were the only one she would let me call on.” Kelly Robinson turned to face him as Philip came closer. “Our usual source of mystical advice is obviously ignoring me.”

The boys from H.E. and often members of the Queens Court Raiders Philip had been in contact with due to his work in the church since one could hardly walk in Belfast without running into one of those boys yet for some reason he couldn’t define it bothered Philip to see how closely the mercenary leader was staying to his employer.

“Not really as much of one as you might think Kelly.” Philip remembered the young man from before as well but what really bothered him were Morgan’s silence and her utter lack of color. “What’s so important that it couldn’t wait until the morning though?”

While his voice still carried the mild Irish brogue of his birth, he knew she should still recognize it.

Finally Morgan raised her eyes to look over at him, dull pain and fear easily seen as she slowly removed the black fingerless glove she wore on her right hand. “Mostly, this.”

Philip had tensed when he seen the glove because he knew what he had once seen in her palm and he was now silently praying that he wouldn’t see it again as he slowly neared the pew she was sitting in and reached for her hand.

As the glove came off and she turned the hand, palm up, the young priest hissed out a breath mixed with prayer.

Deeply embedded, as if recently burned, was the brand of the Legacy like it had been 20 years prior when she’d been a child and nearly murdered by more radical members.

Philip looked at the brand then at her eyes, reading in them all he needed to know before gently folding her hand in his and looking back at Father Ortiz and making his final choice.

“Call Derek. Tell him…tell him Martin’s back and the Legacy has trouble.”

CHAPTER TWO

“Don’t like this idea.” Kelly muttered, hating this driveway more than he did the ferry ride over from the city. “Couldn’t they come to us?”

“It’s safer for her at the house Kelly and you know that.” Philip Callahan understood the young mercs tensions since he knew none of the boys had ever liked coming to Derek Rayne’s house. “Besides, when did you ever miss a chance to pick on Nick?”

Kelly Robinson bit his cheek, remembering he had a priest in the van and restrained from commenting. “I stopped picking on guys who are former Navy SEALs, Philip.”

Kelly drove the company van up the winding drive with several of his team behind on their motorcycles until the large castle like mansion came into view and he slowed.

“Damn, I always thought this place would look at home with a moat.” He muttered, pulling the van under the roofed driveway next to the massive front door. “Dragons too.”

“Nick tried to dig one once but Derek wasn’t thrilled with the idea.”

It was the most Morgan had said since leaving St. Patrick’s and beginning the 90-minute trip to Angel Island where the local Legacy House was.

The girl was tired and tense. Aside from recent events she really didn’t want to come back here but Philip and Kelly had agreed and she had rarely disagreed with Philip as a child.

“Did Father O say what Derek said about this?” Kelly wanted to know what kind of welcome they should expect. “He obviously agreed or we wouldn’t be…”

He stopped as the young priest opened the van’s side door, stepping out into the crisp night air and looking back at him. “All Derek said was to come. Kelly relax.”

“Philip, she left under bad circumstances and I don’t want her hurt worse.” Kelly returned shortly, coming around the van just as the front door opened. “Oh joy. I was hoping you’d be off somewhere.”

The young man who stepped out threw the merc a dry grin before his attention was drawn to the van and Philip.

Nick Boyle was 38 years old with short wavy brown hair and clear green eyes. A former Navy SEAL he had crossed paths with the ‘Raiders on more than one occasion but this time his gaze locked with his former teammates and he read the silent concern.

“What, and miss the chance to bug you and your wonder boys Kelly?” Nick smiled over his shoulder. “Never. Now, Derek said we were getting guests he never said…oh hell.”

The smile on his face froze and Philip shot him a look of warning before his senses kicked back in and years of training took over as he looked down at big blue eyes he recalled so vividly.

“Hello, baby girl.” He murmured softly, leaning in the van and shooting the mercs a look. “I thought you’d get better taste as you grew up.”

Kelly growled under his breath but again held his temper as Morgan allowed Philip to help her out of the van and she looked at him. “Funny, that’s what he said about you after that job in Madrid.”

Nick’s smile was genuine but he still caught the way his former friend was acting and read the signs. “How bad?” he asked, simply meaning he knew she was hurt.

“Typical.” She answered quietly, fingers closing but he caught her hand and looked at the mark. “Nick?”

“Derek’s in his study.” Nick forced his voice to stay even despite the anger he felt. “When did it come back?”

The girl shrugged as Nick led the way inside the beautifully decorated house with antiques displayed as this was the private home of Dr. Derek Rayne and he and his family had been collectors for generations.

Philip kept his hold light as to not seem to be obviously supporting her but Morgan wasn’t paying attention to that. Her attention was drawn to the house and obviously her memories.

“It’s…the same.” She whispered, staring up the well polished twisting stairs that had always been a real treat to slide down and not get caught.

“Ahh, Derek never changes anything.” Nick returned, not feeling the need to rush the girl since he knew this had to be hard on her. “Well, except for that small hole you made.”

Morgan’s blue eyes looked up then narrowed. “Huh-uh. You made that hole in the south wall. You and Philip.” She returned, touching the railing and freezing suddenly.

“Morgan?” Philip and Nick were both beside her as the girl went from tense to outright-terrified right before her eyes rolled back and she fell limp.

“Yeah, great start.” Kelly sighed as Nick yelled for Derek Rayne and Philip gently cradled the girl in his arms. ‘Devan, wherever you are you are a dead mystic.’ He thought sourly.

CHAPTER THREE

“You are not being straight, kid!” Nick was within an inch of losing his temper as he stood nose to nose with Kelly Robinson. “She is way too pale and weak for this to have just started, now what the hell is going on?!”

“Back off Boyle or I am not above shooting you.” Kelly returned lowly, not backing down and hating to be threatened.

Morgan winced as the voices returned with her conscious thought and her head ached with the yelling yet she was surprised not to feel the usual absolute terror she normally did when waking up recently.

“That’s enough. Nick let Kelly go and Kelly? Stop instigating a fight with Nick.”

This voice made her tense for a new reason. She knew it well and thought after 20 years she would never hear it again.

Derek Rayne was head of the Luna Foundation, a charity group, and had been head of the Legacy House since his father’s death several decades earlier when he’d been a mere teenager.

In his mid-to-late 40’s, Derek still had an accent the mercs couldn’t place but Morgan had always loved to hear when she’d been small. Now, his voice brought back all her memories of those last few months in this house.

“Easy.” Philip’s voice soothed as his hand brushed her hair. “Nick and Kelly are being typical.”

Philip’s voice got the attention of the others in the room. “Really? I didn’t think seeing Nick almost throw this kid out the window was typical.” Alexandria ‘Alex’ Morrow commented.

A beautiful young black woman raised by her grandmother, Alex was one of 2 new Legacy members that Morgan didn’t know.

Hearing her merc leader begin snarling, Morgan raised one finger to stop him as her eyes fought to open despite the pain in her head. “Kel.”

“Fine, but I better get a raise for this.” Kelly stepped back and waved Derek off. “I’m fine. Tense. No sleep for weeks does that to me.”

As Morgan opened her eyes she saw that she was laying in the living room, on the couch with Philip beside her and a lovely blond woman hovering over her.

“Her pulse is coming back.” Dr. Rachel Corrigan spoke with relief, looking at Derek with concern. “What worries me is her hand. It looks so bad yet it somehow must not bother her.”

Morgan, on instinct, pulled her hand back closer to her as Derek turned to face the couch but still didn’t look directly at her.

“The brand is actually a mental response to what is going on.” Derek sighed at Rachel’s look. “The mark comes back whenever the Legacy is involved too closely with her.”

Philip must have caught something because he looked up just as Nick finally turned from Kelly.

“She got it 20 years ago this month.” The former Navy SEAL leveled a look at his mentor. “Right Derek?”

“Why would the mark of the Legacy burn itself into this girl’s hand?” Rachel wanted to know, not seeing the look pass between Philip and Nick or the look of warning the young priest sent his friend.

Nick’s smile was cool but ironic as he leaned on the back of the couch. “Because the Legacy put it there.”

There was no mistaking the look Derek Rayne had then, a mixture of discomfort, displeasure and worry.

“Stop it.” Morgan suddenly sat up, willing her head to stop spinning as she batted Philip and Nick off in order to stand uneasily. “Kel did what I asked him to by calling Philip but…it was a mistake. My mistake.”

The girl knew things would get worse because her return was going to bring back the bad times to Nick and it was something he was obviously still sore over.

“Just forget this, forget me and all of this.” She was determined to get out before she passed out or things caught up with them. “Kelly, buzz the boys we’re going back to the city and…”

As Robinson swore under his breath and tried to talk his benefactress out of this idea Derek Rayne had slowly moved to look out one of the massive long windows in the living room.

“Running away again?” he asked casually, seeing all movement stop from the reflection in the glass.

The question made Morgan freeze just at the door, her right hand clenching and her breath stopping. “W…what?”

The older man stayed still, he could easily see the reflections and saw how much whiter the girl had gone. He also had seen Nick’s expression change and Philip mutter under his breath while Alex and Rachel had no clue.

“Do you plan on running again and giving Martin what he wants, Morgan?” Derek repeated, finally turning to look fully at the girl and seeing so much he forced himself to focus on this moment. “That is why you’re running isn’t it? The same reason you ran away 20 years ago?”

Morgan blinked, blindsided by the question and by the memories. “No...It’s...I’m not…” she closed her eyes and took another step toward the door. “Think what you will Derek. I’m a coward, fine. That’s certainly better than what I was called before.”

“Morgan, wait a sec.” Kelly called, giving the older man a look before hurrying after his friend.

“That wasn’t fair.” Philip was angry and it showed in his voice and his eyes. “She came back here for help and you turn her away? You know the reasons she left Derek.”

“They don’t matter to him now just like they didn’t then.” Nick’s tone was low and dangerous as he glared at his friend and boss. “His pals made Morgan out to be a demon child and when the choice came he forgot that she was his heir and let her be thrown to the wolves.

“Well, I couldn’t protect her then though God knows Philip and I tried but I sure as hell can now.” Nick snapped, following Kelly with Philip close behind.

Alex wasn’t sure what to do since this was a side of Derek she had never seen before but soon chose to follow Nick and see what was going on which left Rachel alone with Derek.

“Alright, just what was that about?” she demanded, sitting down in a chair to level a look he knew meant she wasn’t going to give up until he answered her. “I saw you when Nick yelled after she passed out. You looked between concerned and shocked. Now you turn this ice-cold act on and she runs. What the hell is going on Derek?”

Derek slowly moved back to the window to stare out at the night, his mind going back too many years and he wondered how much of this he could have prevented by acting that one night.

“O-Kay, want to at least tell me how it is you know the President of Harrison Enterprises?” Rachel tried again, getting disgusted by the silence. “I can go ask Nick.”

“Nick isn’t exactly unbiased on the matter.” Derek smiled thinly, turning to face the woman. “As you saw, he and Philip are quite protective.”

“Why?” Rachel asked again, seeing Derek’s eyes soften as he finally sat down and handed her a small snapshot he had in his pocket. As she glanced at it, Rachel had to look back to be sure she was seeing right. “IS this…?”

“Philip and Nick both grew up here, Rachel and they treated Morgan like a little sister.” Derek leaned back on the sofa, as Nick’s voice was obvious that he and Kelly were fighting again. “She’s…she was my goddaughter, my ward and would have been my heir.”

Rachel caught the past tense terms. “Were and was?”

“Morgan was born a conflict in the Legacy’s eyes. To some she is a demon child sent to destroy the world while other’s viewed her birth as Earth’s salvation.” Derek shook his head in disgust. “She was a little girl with powers who wanted to follow Nick and especially Philip all over the place. She was happy here, the boys were happiest with her here and I…”

Again Derek closed his emotions off to focus on the story he was telling but this got hard as he recalled the final days. “Martin Duvall and several other members of other houses were a constant battle; they wanted Morgan condemned as evil and banished from the Legacy. More to the point, they wanted her dead and them…nearly got they wish.

“One night Morgan wasn’t in her room. Sloan and I found them in the basement in a chamber I didn’t know existed. They were going to kill her and claim her powers. It was Martin who burned the brand into her tiny palm.” Derek’s eyes were grim as he looked at Rachel, pain clear. “This tiny little girl, tied to this alter in my house with a brand burned into her palm was drugged so much that she was aware but unable to move.”

“My Lord.” Rachel whispered, understanding some of what Nick had said but not all of it. “Why did she run? Why did you turn her away?”

“‘Turn her away’?” Derek repeated, laughing dryly. “Sloan and I managed to save her, drove Martin’s people from the Legacy but I still couldn’t protect her.”

Before Rachel could ask what he was talking about, all hell broke loose in the front of the house.

“Derek! Rachel!” Alex screamed for them right before the whole house shook with an explosion.

“This is not a good idea.” Kelly finally caught up to the girl in the foyer of the house. “Morgan!”

Morgan Harrison was shaking; she could feel the pain and danger and wanted out of this house. “No, I knew this was a bad plan. I knew he wouldn’t listen or care. I want to leave Kelly before things get worse and they get involved.”

“You can’t run from this again, Morgan.” Nick Boyle easily stepped into her path, feeling her stiffen at his touch. “No matter what Derek says, I don’t know what got into him, you’re safe here.”

“Can’t stay. Hurts too much, Nick.” She looked up at him, the pain of the past evident. “Being here, seeing him. I left…” she stopped at the pain in her head and she could hear the noise again in her mind. “No, not here, not now.”

Philip had seen her tense and could feel the atmosphere around them getting thicker as Alex came in after them, demanding answers.

“Not now Alex.” Nick waved her off as he turned on Kelly. “You want to level with me now?”

“It’s up to her, Nick.” Kelly replied firmly, ready for the fight when Morgan suddenly screamed as pain and power erupted and she doubled over. “Damn, damn, damn. Here we go again.”

3 pairs of eyes all stared at him. “Again?” they chorused?

Morgan had gone down to her knees on the hard wood floor as the pain got worse and she could hear what the others couldn’t. “…Hurts.” She whispered, fighting the pain and voices in her head as the powers she buried flamed to a bright glow around her and she screamed.

Kelly swore as he pushed his mirrored sunglasses down to shield his eyes from the lights, going toward his friend but got shoved away in her panic.

“She isn’t letting anyone help.” Nick muttered, not recalling seeing anything like this before while Philip tried a silent prayer the lights got worse and so did the girl’s pain. “That isn’t helping either!”

Alex could feel the girl’s pain and also sensed something else as Derek and Rachel got to the foyer just as the whole house seemed to shake with power. “Derek, this is killing her!”

That was quite clear as Morgan was fighting the pain and an enemy only she could see until Derek suddenly reached into his pocket and tossed what he removed into the center of the light which caused an eruption of another sort.

The lights and power that seemed to be attacking the girl suddenly dimmed with a roar as if someone far off screamed and Morgan reacted to the pain but things had calmed enough that Philip was able to get close enough to grab the girl and hold her, feeling her power radiating and also feeling an unmistakable evil around them.

“You won’t win Martin! The 7 circles of light protect her. She is protected by the Legacy and you can not, you will not harm her inside these walls!” Derek’s voice spoke to the air but he was firm and clearly knew to whom he was speaking. “I command you to leave this girl in peace and…”

Harsh lights seemed to explode from the nearby fireplace but soon Morgan collapsed against Philip with a cry and then all was still.

“O-Kay, that was not fun.” Kelly decided, on the floor beside his friend in a heartbeat. “Morgan?”

Rachel was already looking and cursing soundly. “She’s hurt bad. Derek…”

Derek Raynes had closed his eyes; almost praying he’d been wrong about who had been attacking the girl but this attack proved him right and also proved that it was time to fix the things he had made wrong.

“Philip, take Morgan upstairs to her room. Rachel, please go with him. Alex, get Sloan on the phone for me. And Nick? After you’re done swearing at me, please drag Kelly upstairs to the briefing room. It’s time we get a few answers.” Derek spoke quietly as he picked up what he had thrown and looking at it before gently pressing it into Morgan’s limp hand.

“It actually started a few months ago. We were in England after a job and she started…with the dreams.”

Kelly Robinson spoke low, clearly unhappy but knowing if he expected the Legacy’s help then he had to come clean.

“At first, that’s what she said they were. Just dreams. Then one night she woke us up screaming and it took Pat and me all night to get her calm but she couldn’t really say what the nightmares were about. Slowly though things got worse…she said she could hear things, see shadows when we couldn’t. I thought maybe it was her imagination or the stress of her recent injuries but then about 2 weeks ago she woke me up in the middle of the night and asked me to hold her.

“Derek, in all the time I’ve been with her Morgan has never asked me to do that. 2 days later the first attack came. We were at her New Orleans office and she just screamed. I couldn’t see a damn thing but something hurt her and every attack has been worse.

“Last night when she woke us up, all she’d say is she wanted Philip. That’s…the first time I saw the brand was back and…I knew then we needed some kind of help.”

“It does make sense.” The voice of William Sloan spoke from the screen.

The head of the legacy’s London house, Sloan was an older man in his fifties with thinning gray hair and a well-cultured accent.

“It’s been 20 years since Martin’s people tried their last attempt to gain control of the child’s power and this solstice is their last try before her powers become untouchable.”

Alex had been studying files when she looked up. “There isn’t much in the records on her.”

“There wouldn’t be.” Sloan replied carefully, obviously unwilling to reveal too much. “Morgan’s life is a very delicate issue for reasons that aren’t important now.”

Nick Boyle frowned at that. “Anything that can help stop these nutcases is important Sloan.”

“Martin and his people are hardly nutcases, Mr. Boyle. They are very dangerous and must be stopped. Though, right now the question is how much damage have they already done to the girl?”

“Rachel and Philip are still up with her.” Derek had been silent up until then. His thoughts upstairs.

Sloan made a sound that could have been a grunt. “The solstice is in a matter of days. The important thing is to keep her safe. After midnight of that night, her powers will be untouchable.”

“Keeping her here right now is doubtful.” Kelly muttered, looking firmly at Derek. “She’s scared to death of these attacks and the memories here are worse.”

“Derek, this has been brewing for 20 years. You know it and I know it. We can not allow martin’s people to gain control of…” Sloan started to say grimly.

Nick stared at the big screen, his eyes growing darker in first surprise then anger. “Her power?! What the hell about Morgan herself?” he demanded angrily. “She was a little girl when those animals tried to kill her, burnt a brand into her hand and YOU did nothing!”

Alex and Kelly watched the growing scene as Derek turned toward the younger man. “You know that isn’t true Nick.”

“Morgan begged you to keep her safe after that night but when it came to choose, you chose your duty over your ‘daughter’!” Nick could still recall that night year’s prior as he and Philip listened outside the study’s door as the Legacy met and Morgan’s life was to be decided. “Sure, you and Sloan stopped Martin from killing her but what you did what worse. They tried to kill her for her power….you killed her soul!”

“Nick.” Alex tried to intervene when Rachel stepped through the invisible door to their briefing room.

Rachel Corrigan looked around curiously. “What is going on in here? I could here the yelling from across the house.”

“Nothing.” Nick muttered, giving Derek a cold look before starting out the door. “You do and say what you want but I’ll be damned if I’ll see them touch her again!”

“Yep and you think I have a temper.” Kelly murmured, leaning against a wall casually. “I didn’t want to come here Derek but I was out of options. If you say the Legacy can’t or won’t help then I’ll take her and hope for the best.”

Again Derek Rayne was silent, still hearing the accusations in Nick’s voice and knowing they were well deserved. “No, Martin must be stopped. Kelly, have your people get settled and Alex can fill you in on the island security.”

“If you think you’ll need help, I can be on the first flight over.” Sloan offered thoughtfully.

“Not yet.” Derek replied, shutting the screen down and motioned to Rachel to accompany him while Alex filled Kelly in on security. “How is she?”

“I can’t tell how serious the mental injuries are yet but physically I don’t see how she’s still going.” Rachel answered slowly, noticing that her friend had yet to say the girl’s name. “She has scars that must be 10 years old; some are fresh like they occurred last week but from the attack downstairs Derek she has welts and burns that will need care.”

They walked in silence for a few moments until finally Rachel had to ask. “Derek, from all the yelling Nick’s doing and the look in Philip’s eyes I can guess that things must be bad, but what the hell did happen?” she demanded.

Derek paused at the top of the stairs to consider the question. “After Sloan and I stopped Martin’s people from killing her, several of the other houses demanded her banishment from the Legacy. Morgan was 5 years old at the time. Philip and Nick never forgave me.”

“She was a child.” Rachel whispered. “Derek why?”

“Morgan ran away that next night and I never tried to find her, thinking it might be safer for her away from here.” Derek’s voice turned bitter as he started down the steps. “It wasn’t until you and Kat came that I learned how very wrong I was.”

Before the doctor could ask anymore, Derek walked into his study and shut the door firmly.

“Oh yes, I’m sure this will interesting.” Rachel sighed wondering who would kill each other first.

CHAPTERFOUR

“We can’t blame him totally Nick.” Philip Callahan spoke quietly from where he sat. “Others were involved.”

Nick Boyle had been fuming for an hour, stopping only long enough to help Philip quiet their friend as she screamed in the uneasy sleep she was in.

Now he was stalking back and forth by the window. “Yeah but he should have protected her. He was her damned godfather and guardian, Phil.”

Philip had been with Morgan Harrison since her collapse downstairs some hours earlier. Even after both Rachel Corrigan and the Queens Court Raiders own medic had said the girl was as fine as she could be he still stayed by the bed, a feeling of wariness in him.

“Nick, we have to give him…” he paused understanding his friend’s feelings. “She needs us to be strong but we can’t keep throwing this up at Derek.”

“Yeah, I know but Philip I still see her that night.” Nick muttered, turning from the window. “Seeing her like this is just like she was then.”

The young priest couldn’t argue with that. He just hoped this had a better ending than that did.

“Rachel says to tell both of you to get some sleep.” Alex looked in the door.

“Flip you for staying with her.” Nick offered as Alex left but Philip shook his head.

“Go on, I’ll stay with her.” The priest replied. “Go find Kelly.”

Nick rolled his eyes. “You really want me to kill that kid, right?” he laughed as he paused at the door. “If she needs anything, yell.”

As his friend left the room, Philip glanced down at the girl as she slept by his side. “Sleep peacefully my friend.” He murmured softly.

Not feeling like sleeping Derek Raynes walked the halls of his home slowly as the past returned. A natural physic, he could pick up strong emotions or events and as he walked the things that occurred twenty years prior haunted him.

Recalling the scene downstairs and the fights later with other houses until finally choosing to let go the only daughter he would ever have. Or at least he thought he had chosen to let her go.

‘Oath of honor: I promise to leave the Legacy on this day and never to return on the lives and souls of those I love.’

“Damn them.” Derek swore softly as he stared at the weathered parchment that Rachel’s daughter Katherine found while playing one day and he knew why the child he had so loved had run away.

A strong sense of dread filled him then as he slowly made his way downstairs to the Legacy vaults and to the secret chamber that had started this nightmare.

“Morgan.” He murmured, pausing in the door of the chamber and seeing the young woman standing motionless by the stone alter where she had been bound as a child. “You shouldn’t be here.”

Silence answered the precept of the Legacy as the girl remained still and Derek slowly moved around to her side, finally seeing her eyes were glassy as if in shock but it was her hand that truly alarmed him.

Morgan’s hand was lying lightly on the alter but when he lifted it to try to gain her attention he was shocked when blood began flowing from the open brand in her palm.

“Damn!” Derek cursed, grabbing her shoulders to try to shake her from the trance when he caught the feeling coming nearer. “Morgan!” he tried to pick the girl up when an incredible power flung him across the chamber and the heavy door started to seal.

Whether it was the evil presence in the chamber or Derek’s shout that caused the girl to begin to shake the spell but as the shadow of evil neared Derek Rayne’s prone form Morgan’s eyes flashed in power and raised a bleeding hand to ignite a spell of protection.

“Leave him alone.” Her eyes still cloudy, she felt the danger in the room. “It’s me you want.”

The presence seemed to hover as a mist seemed to fill the room and the shadow increased around them as the pain returned with a scream as the door slammed shut on them.

CHAPTER FIVE

Unaware of what was going on downstairs; Nick Boyle had finally fallen into an uneasy sleep.

After leaving Philip, he had gone and located Kelly Robinson to settle some unresolved issues before going to bed. He lay in bed for what seemed like hours until finally drifting off to sleep.

Nick knew he was sleeping yet he couldn’t get past the cold feeling that something was terribly wrong.

He twisted as a shadow filled his thoughts and a scream tore through his heart.

“Morgan.” Nick sat up, sure something was wrong.

Quickly dressing he headed down the hall to where he left Morgan with Philip yet as he pushed open the door Nick’s blood froze.

“Philip! Alex, get Rachel and Kelly!” he yelled out the door, kneeling next to where his friend was laying unconscious on the floor next to the bed, his face ashen and barely breathing. “Phil! C’mon, pal. Don’t leave me to deal with Kelly alone.”

Even as Nick was fighting to revive his friend, Alex Morrow rushed in with Rachel Corrigan following closely.

“My God, what happened?” Alex asked, looking around. “Where’s Morgan?”

“Help Rachel with Philip.” Nick rushed out the door and caught Kelly by the arm. “Tell your medic to help them, have the others search the ground but bring your best downstairs.”

Kelly Robinson didn’t ask questions, issuing orders over his radio and pulling the .357 Desert Eagle Magnum he always carried and hoped having it blessed by their resident mystic was a good idea.

“I knew I shouldn’t have left them.” Nick was cursing himself as he took the stairs to the basement two at a time and could feel the coldness growing around him. “Kelly?”

“Not in the vault.” Kelly carefully shut and locked the door to the Legacy vault and frowned. “Ideas?”

Nick looked around when he started swearing violently. “The chamber!” he shouted, lunging for the door when heat seared the handle as he touched it. “Damn!”

“Devan!” Kelly yelled for his mystic. “Counter this blasted spell!”

Light suddenly appeared around the door as a glittering door opened in a side wall and a young man with long black hair walked through with a mutter.

“Stone and fire, fire and stone, I call on the master of earth and air to quench these flames and the evil within.” Devan MacShayne spoke the words of his profession as the coldness left and Nick jerked opened the door to the secret chamber and a burst of mist and evil shot out and the young master warlock swore and raised a hand.

“Morgan?” Nick stepped in the chamber with his own Beretta drawn, feeling the after effect of the mist in the room then stepped around the alter and froze. “Morgan?”

The young woman was sitting on the floor in front of where Derek still laid unconscious, her hand still bleeding and her skin was white while her blue eyes stared out past them.

“Morgan?” Nick called again, kneeling down beside her and softly touching her hair. “Kid?”

“We need to get them upstairs.” Devan spoke with an in descript accent as he looked at the scene. “I can teleport upstairs.”

Nick had doubts about that and shook his head. “Too much power floating around. Kelly, you and the kid grab Derek. I’ll take Morgan.” He ordered, gently lifting the girl in his arms and heading back upstairs while the 2 young men got Derek to his feet.

“This isn’t good.” Devan sighed, as an afterthought he sealed the chamber.

“Nick?” Rachel met them and frowned. “Upstairs.”

“Hell with that.” Kelly countered, heading for the living room. “Nick can take her upstairs but you had better deal with him down here.”

“How’s Philip?” Nick asked, heading for the stairs.

Rachel looked back and frowned. “Not good.”

Stanley Blackwell, the medic for the Queens Court Raiders, was waiting at the top of the stairs with Alex. “Ms. Morrow, I’ve done all I can for now. We have to wait to see if whatever hit Father Callahan wears off.”

“What’s wrong?” Nick demanded, going down the hall to his room where he carefully laid Morgan on the bed.

“Philip’s vitals aren’t recovering like they should.” Alex answered him, obviously worried. “What’s going on? Where’s Derek?”

Nick cursed this whole mess as Stanley started wiping the blood from his employer’s hand.

“Something happened downstairs in the secret chamber, Derek’s out cold and things are getting worse.” He muttered, sitting on the bedside when Pat Anderson stuck his head in.

“Nick, Sloan’s on the phone.”

“Why me?” Nick groaned, hating to leave but wanting to get to Sloan before he decided to come to San Francisco.

Morgan Harrison blinked as she woke up in Nick’s room, feeling another presence in the room and seeing a soft white glow hovering near the bed.

Unlike the cold feeling that led her to the basement, this presence was warm and safe.

Almost as if hearing a voice in her head, Morgan slowly got out of bed and started downstairs hearing the others from the communication room and Stan muttering in Yiddish about Philip’s condition.

“I’ll go check on Morgan while you see about translating Dr. Blackwell.” Rachel spoke to Alex as they passed the shadowed alcove where the girl was waiting.

Listening to the voice in her head, she entered the living room where Derek was resting and knelt beside the couch.

“Derek?” she shook the feelings off but knew what to be done. “I’ll try to fix this” she promised, letting her power build and cued the one power she rarely used.

“Sloan, I agree with Nick. There’s no reason for you to come here yet.” Kelly was using every ounce of persuasion he had to convince the older man to remain in England.

Sloan eyed both men, knowing how they got along. “If Martin’s people were able to do the things they have then you guys are seriously outmatched.”

Nick was about to argue that when Rachel ran in. “Nick, she’s gone!”

“Kelly, downstairs!” Devan shouted from below.

“Sloan, new plan.” Nick decided as he ran from the room. “Get your butt on a plane now!”

Downstairs several mercenaries were outside the living room door where Devan MacShayne was swearing in a long dead language.

“What’s going on?” Alex asked, hurrying down the steps with Stanley on her heels.

“Morgan’s triggered her healing powers but I don’t know if she’s strong enough.” Devan explained, shaking his head. “Between recent attacks and tonight’s events she’s too weak.”

Rachel stared at this newcomer. “How will this effect Derek?” she asked in concern.

Devan just frowned but Stanley knew the answer. “If the spell works, he should be healed from whatever he experienced downstairs.”

“And if it doesn’t work?” Alex countered. “And what about Morgan?”

“If the spell doesn’t work then both of them are in danger and even if it does, she’s still too weak.” Stan sighed

“Can’t you stop it?” Rachel demanded, wincing as the soft glow of power began expanding.

Neither current mercenary nor mystic answered right away. “No. To halt this now could be dangerous to them both.” Devan finally replied.

Nick threw a curse at the mystic as he stepped into the living room as lights surrounded Morgan as she laid her hands on Derek’s face to allow the healing power to flow.

“Morgan?” he slowly knelt down, careful not to interrupt the power flow. “Baby girl I sure as hell hope you know what you’re doing.”

It seemed like hours before the powers died down and the girl seemed to lose strength as she fell back into Nick’s arms.

“Easy kiddo.” He gently held her close, surprised at the amount of power he could feel from her. “It’s over.”

Morgan slowly looked up at him, her blue eyes still hazy but clearer. “No. It won’t be over until either I’m dead or he is.”

The certainty of her words worried Nick but he chose to ignore that as he lifted his friend up to carry her back upstairs.

“Check Derek.” He whispered as he passed Rachel in the door on his way upstairs.

Stan was already kneeling beside the leader of the Legacy and muttering. “I hate that power of hers’.”

“Is he worse?” Alex demanded instantly, not seeing anything like distress on the man’s face.

“No, the spell worked.” Devan assured her, grinning. “In fact, he should be coming around right….about….now.”

Almost as if on cue, Derek moved slowly with a low groan. “Wha?”

He looked stunned as if waking from a dream. “Where?”

“The living room.” Rachel was cautious as Stan helped Derek sit up. “Kelly and Devan brought you in here after whatever happened downstairs.”

The mention of downstairs caused Derek to sit up straighter and with alarm. “Where’s Morgan?” he demanded anxiously, starting to get up. “What happened down there?”

“Whoa.” Kelly shook his head, easily restraining the man. “Take it easy Derek. You had one hell of a shock down there and only the boss’s power has you awake this soon.”

“The way I see it is Duvall’s power coaxed Morgan down there where she is vulnerable because of her weakness but when you arrived, it threw a serious monkey wrench into the scheme.” Devan leaned against a wall. “She’s susceptible to them right now and I still have to figure out what hit the priest.”

Derek slowly took all that in and didn’t care for any of it. “What about Philip and where is Morgan?”

“Philip was attacked by someone or something upstairs and still hasn’t recovered.” Rachel explained slowly. “We’re hoping with time, it’ll wear off.”

“Nick took the boss back up to his room.” Kelly added, trying to sound unconcerned. “Just rest now. Dev is going to keep things calm tonight or I’m going to shoot him.”

As the young warlock shot his friend a dirty look Derek was on his feet and heading for the stairs.

“Derek, you need to rest.” Rachel argued, following him.

“Check on Philip. I’ll be in to see him soon.” He replied, turning on the bottom step. “I need to see her first.”

Alex started to argue when Rachel touched her arm. “Let him go.” The blond doctor urged. “He needs to handle this before the past can be handled.”

“Kid, I always did say that you were going to be the death of me and Phil but this is ridiculous.” Nick was complaining as he sat on the side of his bed next to his friend. “That stunt scared 20 years off my total life.”

“I made a mistake in coming here Nick.” She spoke softly, the night’s events making her more tired than she had been before.

Nick frowned, reaching over to lightly tug her hair like he used to. “Don’t be stupid. Of course you should have come here.” He smiled in reassurance then turned slightly more serious. “You never should have left.”

This had never been broached between them because since Morgan had returned to the house there hadn’t been time to talk and the former Navy SEAL knew she was wary of this subject.

Morgan closed her eyes in the hopes Nick would let this drop but felt his hand squeeze hers.

“Nick I had to leave.” She whispered, not wanting this discussion.

“Bull. You left because Derek did nothing to stop those nuts from hurting you and he chose duty over responsibility.” Nick countered, anger in his tone but seen her recoil at it. “Easy, hon.”

“Nick, Derek did his best back then but…it was my choice to leave.” Morgan told him, hesitating slightly. “I had to leave Nick. I had to.”

Nick frowned, moving closer as she leaned against the headboard to stare at her hands. “Why? You know the Phil and I would have protected you even if Derek wouldn’t.”

He sensed something was wrong. “Morgan? What else is there?”

The girl bit her lip, not wanting to say anymore but knowing Nick was too stubborn to let this go.

“She left to protect you and Philip, Nick.” Derek Raynes spoke from the door.

Nick’s head spun toward the door then back to Morgan, his frown growing. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Morgan left here in order to save both you and Philip.” Derek repeated quietly, his light eyes quietly looking at the young woman. “Isn’t that right, Morgan?”

She bit her lower lip, crossing her arms as if warding off some chill. “Please. Let this go.” She whispered, refusing to look at either man. “I shouldn’t have come back.”

‘You should not have left and what’s Derek mean?” Nick asked again, looking hard at her but sensing her fear. “Baby, I’m not angry with you but I’d like to know if I have someone besides Derek to blame for you running away from us.”

Again Morgan hesitated until Derek pulled out the sheet of parchment and her already pale face went white.

“Rachel’s daughter found this while she was playing in your old room one day.” He explained calmly, unfolding it carefully. “Morgan, why did you sign this? Why didn’t you come to me?”

The questions were asked gently but still she hesitated until she went to grab the parchment before Nick could see it. “No!”

“Morgan, what the hell is going on?” Nick demanded, catching the paper from Derek and freezing as he read it over and over.

“I think it’s time we talked, don’t you?” Derek pulled a chair closer to the bed as Nick began stalking his room and growling. “Nick, she’s scared enough without you reacting like this. Go check on Philip while Morgan and I talk.” He urged, giving the younger man a look.

Nick really didn’t like that plan but saw that Derek wanted a chance to be alone with the girl.

“Yeah, fine but she better still be here when I get back.” He replied in warning, leaning down and lightly kissing her forehead. “Be right back, kid.”

After Nick left an awkward silence filled the room until finally Derek sighed. “Morgan, I know you’re scared but despite everything you are safe here.”

“Philip’s hurt cause I came back.” She finally stated, tears evident in her voice. “I never wanted to come back Derek. I didn’t want to hurt anyone.”

Derek sat still for a couple minutes before rising to sit on the edge of the bed. “You didn’t hurt Philip, Morgan.” He reassured her, gently taking her unbandaged hand. “Why didn’t you come to me before signing that thing?”

Morgan waited before slowly meeting his eyes, tears shining. “I knew what the other houses said about me and I knew how much trouble I was. I knew that eventually you’d have to choose between the Legacy and me. This has been your life and has been for generations. I couldn’t let you be given that choice.”

“Then they threatened the boys.” Derek guessed, keeping to himself the emotions he felt.

“Said that Philip and Nick could be hurt if…if I stayed or if I ever returned.” She murmured, and then her voice dropped lower. “You too.”

Derek remained silent for a long time, waiting until he was calmer. “You should have come to me about this.”

“They would have hurt you.” She argued, the tears coming more freely as she faced her past. “I had to leave but…I am sorry that Phil and Nick blamed you. It wasn’t your fault.”

“No?” Derek smile was dry, carefully wiping her cheek free of tears. “I should have tried to find you but I thought it was safer that you had left. I thought that you would be safer away from the Legacy.

“Morgan, Sloan and I were more than ready to defend you from any of the others. You were a child, my ward, and had no idea what was happening to you. You never should have been given the choices you were.” He declared, adding gently. “I loved you and wouldn’t have allowed anyone to harm you or the boys.”

Morgan looked at him silently for a few seconds, sleep coming fast. “And now?” was the question she dreaded. “After twenty years, learning all of this and having new members come into the Legacy, how do you feel Derek?”

It took a few minutes for Derek to understand what she was asking and he smiled. “I loved you like a daughter and no matter how many years have past or what may have happened in those years, I will always love you like one.” He replied, hesitating before opening his arms. “We’ll help Philip and stop Martin for good this time.”

The wariness she had felt since entering this house again eased as Morgan went into Derek’s warm embrace, tears coming more openly until finally she had cried herself back to sleep.

Derek held her awhile longer until he was certain she was asleep then gently laid her back on the pillows, smoothing a finger down her cheek and softly closing the door, deciding to check on Philip and see where Nick was when loud voices from down the hall gave him all the answers he needed.

“You’re supposed to be a hotshot mystic, what’s wrong with my friend?” Nick was tired and getting more tired by the minute. His patience was at an all time low right then and not getting the answers he wanted was making him worse.

Devan MacShayne’s blue eyes were blazing and was on the verge of casting a rather nasty spell when Derek walked in.

“Keep the yelling down. She’s sleeping.” He urged, sensing the tense-

ness in the room. “Any change?”

Rachel Corrigan looked up from examining Philip Callahan with a slight shake of her head.

“If I knew what had caused this state then maybe I could treat it but as it is…” she left the rest unsaid.

“Philip has a slight bruise on his temple which could have been caused by falling to the floor.” Dr. Stanley Blackwell put in grimly. “As far as the blood samples we’ve taken, there are no drugs in his system. It’s as if he’s in some sort of coma that has no reason for being.”

Alex Morrow didn’t like the sound of that. “My grandmother would say it’s like the bayou stories of a person’s soul being taken from their bodies. Philip is a shell without a soul.”

“Actually it is within Martin’s power to do such a thing.” Derek frowned, looking down on the young priest as he laid in the bed seeming at peace. “He and his followers have always been adept at such acts.”

“But why do it to Philip?” Rachel wanted to know. “He hasn’t been here for some time. Why attack him?”

Nick thought he may know but kept that to himself right now and gave Kelly Robinson a look to keep his mouth shut as well.

Derek glanced at Nick before choosing to reply. “I think they attacked Philip because of the effect it would have on Morgan.

“As I told Rachel earlier when Morgan was a child she was quite attached to both Nick and Philip but especially to Philip. It was this closeness that allowed others to manipulate her away by threatening the boys.” He explained, feeling Nick tense.

“I read this thing Derek.” Nick gestured to the parchment, obviously uncomfortable. “I’ll admit that I’ve blamed you for Morgan’s leaving and this isn’t easy for me but…”

“I should have done more for Morgan back then Nick so in a way it was my fault that she ran.” Derek interrupted, going on. “Right now what we have to worry about is stopping Martin and helping both Morgan and Philip because I firmly believe the threat isn’t over.”

With that said an eerie silence filled the room even as the doorbell rang and the present mercenaries reacted in their usual style.

“Kel said we blast anyone or anything.” Pat Anderson reminded the team he had inside the mansion.

“Bullets don’t stop mist warlocks or demons.” Brian Farnsworth, a light haired Southerner, reminded his 2nd in command.

Devan’s hand glowed with power as Pat opened the door, his gun held at the ready. “Even if you do know who it is, verify it isn’t an illusion.”

“Derek didn’t want my help but he actually let you hellions back in?” the voice of a disgruntled William Sloan came from the other side.

Derek Rayne looked surprised then saw Nick and Kelly exchange guilty looks. “I’ll assume one of you are responsible for this.”

“Derek, I’d be insulted if I didn’t know that girl never goes anywhere without these hoods but having a MacShayne as well?” Sloan shook his head, sitting his lone bag down and looking at the raised guns. “Do they know guns are of no use in this matter?”

Kelly snapped an order that dismissed his team and latched on to Devan. “Heel.” He hissed in warning.

“William, you didn’t have to come.” Derek stated, extending a hand to

his friend. “Though it may be good you did.”

Sloan looked around, frowning. “Tell me what’s going on then.”

William Sloan shook his head as he finished listening to the tale, frowning in deep thought. “Yes, I actually was afraid something like this would happen.”

“Gee, nice of you to tell us.” Nick muttered, wincing as Kelly kicked him under the conference table. “Cool it, kid.”

“The problem is, Morgan does feel responsible for Phillip’s injuries.” Derek sighed, still feeling tired after the night’s events. “I’m worried about what she may do to help him or to protect Nick.”

Nick muttered under his breath. “She’s not going to ‘protect’ me and keeping her safe is my job. Keeping Martin away from her can be yours.”

“That may not be as easy as it sounds Mr. Boyle.” Sloan replied, leaning back in his chair. “It is clear by recent events that Martin’s power has grown. I’m not sure that even the power of the Legacy can protect the girl.”

“Even so, we will do our best.” Derek put in before Nick’s temper could be shown. “Nick, you’re tired. Go get some sleep.”

“I went to sleep and all hell broke loose. No thank you, boss.” Nick snorted, but still couldn’t hide the yawn.

Rachel Corrigan gave Derek a small smile. “Nick, Stan and I are worried about Morgan being alone after all this occurred. Could you sit with her?”

Nick thought about that for a second then pushed back from the table. “I’m not losing her again to these crazies so yeah I’ll sit with her… IF Mr. Mystic can assure me that Phil will be o-kay tonight.”

Devan rolled his eyes. “I’m doing what I can Nick. Father Callahan is as ‘o-kay’ as he can be.”

Seemingly reassured, Nick did leave at that and Kelly snickered. “I can’t believe he fell for that excuse of sitting with Morgan.”

“He’s tired and scared. Plus I figured Nick would do anything for her.” Rachel smiled, turning serious. “We do need to keep her safe until she gets some strength back.”

Derek nodded. “We’ll get to work in the morning. Kelly’s boys and Devan have a good handle on this now. I don’t think Martin will try another attack tonight.”

“You hope.” Kelly sighed, pulling his mystic friend out of the briefing room so they could talk alone while Alex went back to the computers and Rachel went to check on her patients.

It was several minutes of silence before Sloan spoke. “You know the dangers.”

“I won’t abandon her again William.” Derek replied firmly, still staring at the parchment. “I will not let them hurt her again.”

“I meant the dangers of having her this close to Nick. Things could be more complicated if the truth gets out.” Sloan corrected.

Derek scowled at his friend. “Another lie that never should have been told. Just let me worry about getting them over this problem before I worry about that.”

Nick Boyle was still muttering as he entered his room, his eyes softening as he looked at his friend sleeping.

“This time, I can protect you.” He whispered, sitting down gently on the bed as Morgan moved closer. “This time, baby girl, Phil and I won’t lose you.”

Rachel paused in the door, smiling as she seen Nick had fallen asleep with Morgan curled against him.

“Will they be safe tonight?” she asked, sensing Derek next to her.

Derek paused, looking in the room. “From Martin, yes. From their futures, I can only hope so.”

Devan swore as lights flickered back at him as he tried to examine Philip Callahan the next day.

“This is stupid. I’m supposed to be one of the more powerful mystics in this realm yet something is blocking me.” He muttered, finally giving up and looking back at Kelly Robinson. “If I didn’t want Sloan or Derek to freak out I’d yell for one of my brothers.”

“Hell, I’d freak out if you did that.” Kelly muttered under his breath, leaning against the wall. “I need answers for her Dev, give me some.”

The mystic sighed, raising his hand to again try to cast a spell past the barrier around the young Irish priest when suddenly he was physically thrown across the room to collide with Kelly as harsh lights illuminated then dimmed.

“Kelly?!” Alex opened the door at the noise and looked shocked at what she saw. “What happened?”

The mercenary leader groaned, shaking his head to clear it. “Someone or something does not want Dev to do his thing.” He replied, glancing at his mystical counterpart. “New plan?”

“Yeah, when I find this guy I’ll burn him to ashes or something equally bad.” Devan scowled, sitting up and staring at the now calm looking bed. “Nobody should be able to block me or my power.”

“Morgan will not like this.” Kelly decided, glancing at Alex. “She awake yet?”

Alex Morrow nodded. “Rachel and your medic are with her and of course Nick.”

“Of course.” Kelly rolled his eyes then waved it off. “Just a small usual thing with me and Boyd. It’s nothing.

“Dev keep trying. I’ll go see the boss.” He ordered, going down the hall with Alex. “Where are Derek and Sloan?”

“In the lab trying to figure things out and get a plan on how to stay 1 step ahead of Duvall.” She replied, pausing at Nick’s door. “I have bad feelings.”

Kelly really hated that but knocked lightly before sticking his head in. “Hey Doc, cool to come in?”

“Of course you can, Kelly.” Rachel Corrigan answered, looking over her shoulder at him and frowning. “What happened to you?”

“Oh, something threw Devan at me.” He shrugged easily.

Nick Boyle looked up at that considered making a remark but held back. “How’s Philip?” he asked instead.

Neither Kelly nor Alex answered right away which told the ex-SEAL what he wanted.

Morgan Harrison was lying on her side, eyes half closed and quiet. Her skin still pale and drawn.

“He needs us.” She spoke softly but the words made all in the room look down as she sat up. “He needs us Nick.”

Nick exchanged looks with the others, sitting next to his friend and actually feeling her fear and pain. “Who needs us kid?” he knew the answer but had to be sure. The logical part of him had to hear it said.

“Philip needs us.” Morgan repeated again, stressing her insistence more by gripping Nick’s hand. Her eyes wide but clear as she stared up at him. “I can feel him, hear him. He needs us.”

Hearing the strength and certainty of her words, Nick looked at Kelly and made a choice that would either help them or doom them.

“Get Derek and Sloan.” He told the younger man while holding out a hand. “We’ll be in with Philip.”

Rachel saw the look in Kelly’s eyes but then he left to find the Legacy’s leader. “Nick, she’s too weak for this. She needs to rest to get over all these events.”

“We’re just going to see how Devan is getting along.” Nick assured her, looking down at Morgan who was holding onto his hand almost like she had done as a child. “Right kid?”

Morgan nodded, meeting his eyes. “Thanks Nick.”

“Baby girl, when could I ever say ‘no’ to you?” Nick smiled, opening the door just as Devan threw up a shield to protect them as flames exploded from the bed. “MacShayne, what the hell is this?”

“Your pal’s situation has gone from bad to worse.” Devan growled, finally having enough of this and decided to cut loose with his powers to counter these attacks. “Keep her back.”

Nick felt the powers rise and held his friend tighter to keep her from entering the bedroom as the mystic raised his hand, spoke his spell in words long dead in this world and hoped it worked.

“Philip!” Morgan screamed, straining against Nick’s arms as the room seemed to explode. “It’ll hurt him.”

“No, Devan won’t hurt Philip but you have to stay here.” Nick could feel panic but wasn’t sure if it was his or hers.

But Morgan was having none of that as her fear got worse she finally got free of Nick’s hold and ran into the power and light filled room.

“Morgan, no!” Nick tried to grab his friend but the door suddenly was slammed shut on him. “Damn! Derek!”

Hearing the disturbance from above, Kelly Robinson beat the others upstairs by a heartbeat to see Nick beating on the bedroom door to no avail.

“What happened?” he demanded, going for his gun on instinct.

Nick was beyond panic at this point and only Derek got his attention by grabbing his shoulder as he and Sloan pulled the young man away from the door to get an explanation.

“Nick, calm down.” Derek Rayne urged, still restraining his friend.

“What happened? Where’s Morgan?”

“Devan had trouble, there’s something attacking Philip and he had to cut loose to break their hold. I tried to keep her out but Morgan kept saying she could hear Philip and got away from me. As soon as she entered, the door sealed and I can’t get in.” Nick explained, slumping back and looking up at Rachel. “You were right. I shouldn’t have taken her near that room.”

William Sloan was frowning, considering these events and how to handle them. “This is bad. If these powers are even stronger than Devan than we may have a serious problem.”

“We need to get the door down.” Alex was standing outside, eyes closed. “There’s pain and fear coming from the room.”

“Can you get Devan to answer?” Derek asked, casting a worried look at Nick.

Kelly was yelling both in his radio and his mind but so far the master warlock had yet to answer. “Either he can’t because he’s being blocked or…” he left the rest unsaid. “If its mystical muscle we’ll need, I can try to get one of his brothers.”

“Lord save us if it comes to that.” Sloan muttered.

“I’d rather save my friends!” Nick snapped, lunging back toward the door but pain suddenly drove him down to one knee.

“Nick!” Rachel quickly was at his side, not sure what to do. “What’s wrong?”

While the former SEAL struggled to answer, Sloan and Derek exchanged worried but knowing looks.

“This is very bad.” Sloan murmured as a sudden burst of light startled them all and the door slowly opened.

Silence greeted the group until finally Derek stepped inside, flipping the light switch to on.

“Devan?” he slowly knelt next to the young mystic, his own senses warning him of danger as he looked around.

Devan MacShayne was lying still in one corner of the room and while Philip Callahan appeared to still be sleeping peacefully there was no sign of Morgan.

“Where is she?” Nick demanded leaning in the doorway, gripping the frame for support.

Before Derek could reply he saw Alex freeze, her dark eyes widening as she looked toward the bed.

“There’s evil here.” She announced. “Massive evil.”

Kelly was about to suggest that it may be a leftover of whatever power Devan had used when a sound made him pull his Magnum as Rachel gasped.

Philip Callahan was sitting up on the side of the bed, his eyes normally passive and calm were now blazing with a power and an essence not his own.

“’You’ve lost again my old friends.’” The voice that spoke from the young Irishman’s body was deep, guttural and totally unfriendly.

“Martin.” Derek whispered, standing slowly and never breaking eye contact with the priest.

“Oh, this is so not good.” Kelly muttered, knowing his gun was useless.

Martin Duvall had once been a powerful member of the Legacy until his ties with the Dark Side were revealed. Now he was a very powerful and dangerous man with every intention of claiming what had been denied him for so many years: the power of the Child of Light and the very destruction of the Legacy.

“What have we lost, Martin?” Derek demanded, still sounding calm despite the emotions in his heart.

Duvall, using Philip’s body, laughed. “You didn’t think you could protect her always, did you Derek?” he mocked. “I knew by threatening the priest I could draw her to me and you should worry more about making sure young Mr. Boyle doesn’t learn that deep dark secret you and William have kept.”

Rachel saw Derek tense and Sloan’s face darken as Nick frowned and looked between them.

“What the hell is he talking about and where is Morgan?” he demanded, staring hard at the sneering face of his friend. “Duvall, you so scared that you have to use Philip to talk to us?”

‘Duvall’ chuckled. “I have things to prepare for Nick. A sacrifice that will give me enough power to slay all my enemies. Your sister will assure me that power.”

Nick froze then his anger took over. “You are so nuts! You don’t even know what you’re saying.”

“Nick.” Derek was grim, eyeing the possessed priest. “Calm down.”

“Calm down?!” Nick scoffed, glaring. “This creep is using my best friend as a mouthpiece and he’s managed to get Morgan despite our best efforts and now he’s talking crazy.”

Duvall’s smile turned from mocking to cruel. “Ahh, William. Derek. I’m disappointed. I thought after 20 years you would have told the boy just how connected he is to the girl. Though I guess since in a matter of hours she’ll be dead it really doesn’t matter if he learns who she really is.”

“You won’t win Martin.” Derek vowed firmly, trying to ignore Nick and hearing Kelly muttering behind him. “I will not let you harm either that girl or these boys. Let them go.”

“Oh no Derek. I’ve waited 20 years for her death and if you want the good ‘Father’ returned to you, all you have to do is find us and free his soul.” Duvall replied. “Though you have to ask yourself if your petty little house wouldn’t be better off preparing for the end.”

With this, the light left Philip’s eyes and he collapsed. “Damn.” Kelly caught the young priest as he fell forward and laid him back on the bed.

“Stan, get up and help Dr. Corrigan!” he called into his microphone, turning to look at Derek and Sloan. “Not good, right?”

William Sloan and Derek Raynes were both silent for a long time as Alex helped Devan who was starting to recover.

“No Kelly, it isn’t good.” Derek sighed, meeting Nick’s eyes. “Nick, I know what you must think but this has to wait.”

“Wait? Morgan’s gone, Philip’s soul is rotting away somewhere and you and Sloan are keeping something from me.” Nick was angry and scared and both showed in his voice. “What is it? What was Duvall babbling about? He talked like Morgan was really my sister.

“I mean, sure I love her. Hell I never denied Phil and I doted on her and sure I treated her like a little sister but that’s all there is to it.” He declared, sounding like he was hoping he was right. “I don’t have a sister.”

There was a long silence in the bedroom as Stanley Blackwell came in but was wise enough not to ask about the mood in the room.

Sloan started to reply to Nick’s words when Derek put a hand out to stop him.

“No William. It’s time to put a stop to all this. It never should have been allowed to go on this long.” Derek’s tone was grim but he met the younger man’s eyes fully.

“Derek, this will cause more trouble than we need.” Sloan argued.

The leader of the San Francisco Legacy house shook his head. “And what will happen if I don’t tell him? He needs to know.”

“Know what?” Nick demanded, a strange sense of dread filling him. “I need to know how to help my friends not worry about some delusion about having a sister that doesn’t exist.”

“It’s no delusion Nick.” Derek sighed. “Morgan is your sister.”

CHAPTER

“I get knocked out for a little while and you lose all control of things.” Devan MacShayne muttered, wincing as he lightly touched the bump he still had and fought to dim down the emotions in the house he was getting.

After Derek Rayne’s startling announcement things seemed to get progressively worse for the group.

“What in the hell does that mean?” Nick’s voice was low as he stalked around the briefing room, glaring. “I don’t have a sister.”

Alex Morrow looked up briefly from the computers while Rachel sat quietly at the briefing table. Derek’s face didn’t change as he stood at the wall of computer screens while William Sloan remained stoic and grim.

“Yes, you do.” He corrected calmly, turning to face the younger man and his eyes registered pain and regret. “Nick, sit down.”

“You tell me I have a sister and expect me to sit down like nothing has happened?” Nick glared at all of them as he paced. “Screw you and…”

Kelly reached out and pulled him into a chair, shoving hard as Nick started to rise. “Sit down, shut up, let him explain so maybe I can save my boss before it’s too late.”

Nick started to snap back but held back, seeing the concern in the young mercenary’s eyes. He took a deep breath, let it out and slumped back in the chair.

“Fine, you have my attention. Talk fast while you have it cause then I’m outta here.” Nick replied coolly.

It was several minutes before Derek spoke. “Nick, I know this is hard but first you have to understand that this was kept from you due to the dangers to both your family and to Morgan.

“Several years ago there was a young girl who came to the Legacy for help. Her family has been connected with us and we agreed to help her.” Derek began seriously. “She was a very shy, withdrawn girl but a sudden developing power thrust her into a deeper shell. Her family is very rich and powerful and was horrified by this. They sought us out in order to both learn about her powers but also to bring her out of her shell.”

“Sad, what does it have to do with me?” Nick demanded, wincing. “Hey!”

Rachel sat back after smacking him in the head. “At least seem interested Nick.”

“No, there’s no need to explain it all.” Derek spoke. “Nick, one of the reasons I never told you was I knew of the problems you had with your father and I knew your mother would never believe or understand...”

“What wouldn’t she understand?” Nick demanded, staring hard.

Derek paused, considering exactly how to phrase what needed to be said.

“Joseph Boyle, your father, was a charming man when he wanted to be. Lauralee was a naïve innocent girl who trusted and believed in what Joe said.” Sloan declared before Derek could speak.

“Joe seduced the girl, left her pregnant and never saw her again.”

Nick looked at the older man, eyes shooting daggers and his vision blurred with anger.

“You’re lying.” He gritted, fingers curling on the table edge as he stood. “You’re a goddamned liar, Sloan.”

Derek had stood and tried putting a hand on his friend’s shoulder but was shrugged off.

“No Nick, he isn’t. Joe started an affair with Lauralee but it turned violent and she ended up with a child.” He felt the boy trembling. “Lauralee had the baby, a beautiful little girl, but her parents disowned her due to the disgrace and she was depressed. One night she left her room, went down to the beach and we assume walked into the ocean because her body was never found.” Derek sighed, feeling eyes on him as he went on.

“Because I had been named Lauralee’s guardian, I went to court and fought her parents. They wanted the infant placed in an orphanage but I… well, just felt she was something else.” He hesitated. “I became her guardian and things progressed from there but it became clear that she was something very different.”

Nick closed his eyes, fighting to understand. “Morgan?” he whispered. “She’s…”

“Your sister.” Derek finished. “It’s one of the reasons I believed you always felt close to her.”

“I looked after her because she had no one else. She was a little girl growing up in a world of chaos where half the people in it thought she should be destroyed.” Nick snapped back, eyes blazing in anger and betrayal. “If she is what you say she is then you had no damn right to keep it from me!”

Derek went to reach for him, laying a hand on Nick’s arm when the former Navy SEAL reacted instinctively by whirling and lashing out in anger.

Not clearly thinking, Nick’s fist lashed out and cleanly caught his leader on the jaw knocking Derek back against the wall of screens as the younger man stormed out.

“Nick!” Alex called, starting to go after him but Sloan held her back.

“Let him go. We need to concentrate on finding Martin before they can carry out his plans.”

Kelly Robinson disagreed with this but chose to stay in the room as Rachel Corrigan left to follow Nick.

“So, do you have a plan Sloan or should I just let Dev call on one of his brothers?” Kelly inquired, still unsure of all he’d heard and how it would eventually affect his team.

“Actually, I was hoping Mr. Boyle would be able to help us.” Sloan spoke grimly, eyeing Derek coolly. “However due to this latest event I don’t see that happening.”

Alex snorted, looking up from the computer. “You expected him to take it well?”

“No and that was exactly why he should not have been told.” Sloan replied. “It had always been decided to keep the truth of the girl’s heritage from them both due to the dangers they’d be in not only from other Houses but from other people.”

“I had to tell him William.” Derek sighed, struggling not to rub his jaw. “It was never right to keep it from Nick, especially since Morgan was so close to him.”

“Well, now I just hope it doesn’t end up costing us everything.” Sloan stated grimly.