SIW : Adam and Bronwille.
Hi all, I know it's been a while. Sadly real life has its ups and downs that are out of our control. Writing and the focus were clearly not there and is still not as I want it to be. I can't give an ETA for the next chapter, I have started it but it needs some detailing and some more though put into it.
For the genuine anons, for you few I am sorry that I have turned off anon comments, but if people can't be constructive with their comments and prefer to jump to conclusions, without even looking further than the story page and prefer to treat us a bit like slaves, demanding stories and chapters... well over time I brushed things off like that and mostly ignored those people. But enough is enough. Those who care can hop onto my blog or twitter and know I am around and responding whenever I can, pretty fast in most cases. However I no longer will put up with the few anons thinking they can dictate what "I" should be doing according to them. I write cause I like to write, I write when I can, I try my best to stay consistent, though I am aware those attempts have failed, but I tried. If postings take longer you can be sure it is real life/family related and not because "I gave up the story", "forgot about it". Not once did I put a definite time measure on SIW and I never will.
I know I'm having a bit of a rant here but please dear anons, realize most of us here on Lit write because we like to write, not because it's a 9 to 5 job that we get paid for. In that case complain away, though I don't see you lot sending the same comments to the big writers out there "where is my sequel!!!". Waiting for something is always hard, especially when you love the story, but being rude about it never serves you well. Plain and simple : treat another like you want to be treaded!
Now I'll apologize for my little rant, but I had to get it of my chest one last time. Anons you can still leave private feedback, I'll read it right away and if you attach an e-mail I will reply.
Now sit on the edge of your seat with the next chapters. Many thinks to Mazuri, Nulli and Evilsnoman for their support. Mikothebaby: an excellent piece of editing again!
Chapter Twelve : Endings that lead to new beginnings.
John and Gabriella were pacing anxiously, waiting for Merlin to arrive again. He had dropped off Rupert not long ago, together with an unconscious Ed. They had made sure Rupert was shackled up and had no way of escaping. Merlin eased their mind that Ed wouldn't cause a problem since he was holding him in a deep sleep until they were able to deal with his rogue wolf.
It left them waiting now. They had comforted each other, knowing that tonight they would have to make a decision neither of them liked, yet knew it had to be made and carried out.
Finally, they got the signal they were waiting for. Impatiently, they waited outside for a few seconds until they saw Merlin come out of the cell.
"Chasey is locked up next door and Derrick is shackled up. He's furious that his mumbo jumbo ain't working on me," Merlin shared with an evil glint in his eyes. "I gave him a feeling of what I can do, so he isn't so cocky anymore." He waited a bit before going on, "When you're ready, I'll unblock his powers so you can do your thing Gabriella. I had a poke around myself, he's quite unique with his skills, but still no match for me."
Gabriella looked up at John, "Best get this going. You know I'll be trying to see what his powers exactly are. I'm not gonna pretend it's going to be easy, so promise me already that even when it looks bad, you won't interfere?"
"Define 'not interfere'? If he hurts you, I'll have him hanging upside down by his nuts!"
"I'm sure he will not enjoy that," Merlin jumped in, "I'll make sure it will not come that far during her search. As said, I already had a peek at him but I fully understand Gabriella wanting to understand what made it all possible for him always being a step ahead and always avoiding you at all costs."
John shot him an angry look, "It's my job to protect her, I'm her mate not you!"
"And I respect that, John, I truly do, but I'm afraid that if he has full control over his powers he'll destroy the both of you. I'm not sure how it was even possible but since you both sired him, you really gave him unique powers that combined can be, and have been, very dangerous. Because I know you need revenge and closure, I haven't ended this. I could do that, you know. It would take me less time to do it than to explain how but I don't want to take away what you need to move on," Merlin said pleadingly, before he went on.
"Please, let me make sure you both have the outcome you want. That just means that I control his powers while Gabriella reaches into his mind and does whatever she needs to and we both heed her words of warning and don't interrupt her. It's hard to feel helpless, I know the feeling, but she has to do her thing knowing we won't interfere and make things worse. Ok?"
"I will not risk her life!" John kept raging on. "I don't need you or anyone else protecting her."
"My friend, do calm down. I understand the feeling, you have no idea how much. Sometimes it is out of your control of what you're able to do or not do. I will keep her safe. The moment he even makes a wrong move, I'll bound his powers so tightly he'll wish he was dead instead. Things are a bit different with vampires I assume, but basically Gabriella sees herself as his mother," Merlin gave the woman in question a sympathetic look, "She just needs to know, to understand that she tried her best. She'll need you more than she ever needed you before. This will hurt, even with all the bad thing he did, for you two it will hurt and she needs you to keep a grip on things. That's not likely to happen if you go in there and try to keep her safe. No matter what you'll promise, you will step in to keep her safe. Please John, listen to me, let me handle this and you'll have her in your arms before you know it."
"Why, Merlin, why are you so adamant about this?" John queried.
"As fast as I may be, Derrick is capable of doing a lot of damage in a short amount of time if he sets his mind to it. If you're in there playing guardian you won't be as focused as you should be, you'll be watching Gabriella like a hawk making sure she's ok, giving Derrick ample of time to do whatever he might have up his sleeve. Me, on the other hand, I have easy control over him. I trust Gabriella if she says it will hurt to search his mind but that it is a necessary evil to get to the bottom of it. All I have to do is watch Derrick and his reactions. Should I step in and control Derrick, we still have you to then take care of her and get her out of the room. I already said he ain't no match for me, but if he tries anything at all, I have to be sure I can trust in you too do what is needed."
"That is your reasoning now and I think I get it, but you still haven't answered why. Why don't you want me to protect my mate in there? What makes you so sure this is the right way to go?" John pushed for an answer now.
Merlin took a few deep breaths. This wasn't easy for him, not now, not after all the centuries he spent alone.
"I do not wish for you to have a remote chance of losing your life mate as I have lost mine. The situation is different, the outcome may be the same. I feel the same level of connection between you two that I had with mine. I do not wish it upon anyone to feel the loss it brings should you lose her. Will you heed my words now?" Merlin kept a steady gaze on John now, making sure the tall vampire understood the true and raw meaning of his words and revelation.
John was silent and Gabriella had snuggled up tightly.
"Ok, I'll stand back. It'll be hard for me to stand there idle but I'll be back up. She must have meant the world to you." John sounded a lot more calmer now with Gabriella hugging him tight, her silent plea for him to listen to reason.
"She always will be my world." Merlin was silent after those words, letting the meaning sink in for all of them.
