Yesterday's End

Yesterday's End Chapter 158

Yesterday's End-158

The following story is fictional and is intended for an adult audience with an open mind.

It is not meant to suggest anything about the sexuality of the celebrities included in this story.

This story is fiction, meaning not real.

It's all for fun and enjoyment.

If you are under age, or it is illegal in your country, or you don't like stories about gay sex, please stop reading this immediately.

Chapter 158

Ridgehaven, Vermont

Sheridan groaned, the man lying in a hotel bed, Carl staring at him.

His blue eyes scanned Sheridan's nude chest, the redness still vibrant and intense above his left nipple where Lucas' blast hit him.

To Carl's eyes it looked like a large burn, the skin scarred and red.

Sheridan's blue pools glared at Carl, the younger man lowering his eyes.

"Go to the nearest pharmacy and get me some burn salve, Carl. I need to clean this up." Sheridan said, moving in the bed, the man gasping.

"How. . .how did Lucas do this to you? What was. . .what was that light?" Carl said, Sheridan glaring at him.

"It was his cursed magic, Carl. The boy's stronger than I anticipated." Sheridan said, Carl looking at him.

"I. . .I can't believe what I saw. The light. . .the magic! You had it too!" he softly said, Sheridan staring at him.

The man moved, rising from his laying position in the bed in their hotel room, Carl backing up.

"His magic is nothing against mine. He just caught me off guard. Now get moving!" the man said, Carl nodding his head, grabbing his jacket, Sheridan's hand going to his arm, stopping him.

"Don't get any ideas of grandeur, slut. I'm still your master. Remember that." he said, Carl nodding.

"Yes, sir. I'll return immediately." the younger man said, moving towards the room's door.

Sheridan watched him leave, the man sinking to the bed again, gasping.

What the hell have you done to me, Carver?

What was that light?
The pain was—and still is—excruciating!

Sheridan lay back in the bed, moaning.

I have to center myself.

Where is your magical relief, master?

Sheridan felt a voice enter his mind.

Calmness, my friend.

You must weather the pain, as I seek to understand it.

"Understand what, master?" Sheridan said out loud, his voice echoing in the room's silence.

This magic is unknown to me.

This veil of pain he's given you.

It is as an entity unto itself.

It has adhered itself to your being.

What he's given you is unusual.

Sheridan felt the being within him searching his soul, his mind and body.

He felt naked against its prodding intrusion.

I have neutralized it, the pain should subside.

I cannot remove all its mark from your being.

But the consuming magic has left.
Sheridan felt the pain in his chest soften, now a soft echo of its former self.

"Thank you, Master." he said in the silent room.

You took a risk, Sheridan.

And you achieved nothing.

The room is now sealed.

His magic is indeed different.

Even my greatness cannot pass across the threshold of the room.

He has surrounded it with a wall of magic.

An unknown magic.

I am not pleased by this at all.

"Forgive me, Master. I only want to retrieve what you asked. I serve only you."

Sheridan felt the magic flowing through him, its sensual caress making his skin tingle.

Yes, you serve only me, Sheridan.

I feel your inner needs, your inner greed.

Greed is nothing without power.

"I want power, master." Sheridan said, the man feeling a trembling caress down his back.

Do as I ask, and you will receive more than you have ever dreamed of.

"Yes, Master. What of young Carver, Master?"

He is on his path.

And all paths lead to me.

What he hides cannot remain hidden.

I will have it all, and I will have them all.

I now have you, and you will see how great my magic is.

"Yes, Master." Sheridan said, the man feeling the magic flowing again.

Your companion returns.

And tonight you will serve another.

I seek the familiarity of this world's desires.

Join with him again.

You will give into my magic.

I want to sense all of the fear and pain, and all of the lust.

"Yes, Master."

Sheridan felt his desires rising, his center going erect.

"Are you alright, Sheridan? You were talking to yourself."

Sheridan's eyes moved, staring into Carl's blue pools.

He hadn't heard the young man returning to the room.

"That was quick." he groaned, Carl staring at him.

"It's been twenty minutes, sir." Carl said, Sheridan looking at him with surprise.

"What?"

"I'm sorry, sir. I was delayed at the pharmacy. There was a line."

Sheridan stared at him, the man rising from the bed slowly.

Carl's eyes began to lower, then widened, his finger pointing at Sheridan.

"Sir! Your scar! It's. . .it's. . .it's a star!!"

Sheridan looked confused, the man moving, walking up to a mirror on the far wall across from the bed.

He stared at his muscled smooth chest, the redness now centered, half its former size, its scarred tissue now resembling a star shape.

"What the. . .?" he said, the man feeling the voice in his mind again.

The fool has marked you, Sheridan.

Why, I know not.

His magic is gone, but you are marked.

Think of it as a mark of stupidity.

Your stupidity at failing.

Sheridan lowered his eyes, feeling the magic increase within him.

"I am sorry, Master." he said aloud, Carl staring at him from behind him.

"What, sir?" he said, Sheridan trembling.

I take all and I will have all.

And you will now feel your punishment.

Sheridan gasped, feeling the magic filling every part of his being, his control of his own self gone.

The man turned, Carl watching his naked form, moving back.

The man took a deep breath, Carl staring into his blue eyes.

"I want you, Carl. Now."

Carl backed up more, staring at his master.

"Yes. . .yes, sir." he softly said, seeing the lust in the man's blue pools, Carl quickly beginning to undress, knowing that look.

Sheridan stared at him, the younger man's clothes now on the floor, his blue eyes scanning every inch of Carl's young muscled body.

"We have failed, Carl. The magic is not happy with our failure."

Carl looked confused, staring at Sheridan.

"But. . .but we were stopped by a greater magic."

Sheridan walked up to Carl, staring at him.

Carl's eyes scanned the man's smooth sculpted naked body.

"It is not happy, Carl. And it wants retribution."

"What. . .what do you mean?" Carl said, hearing a change in Sheridan's voice, Sheridan's hand going to his naked shoulder.

"You are my punishment. The magic has spoken."

"Your punishment? Am I being punished as well?"

"No, Carl. You were only following orders. I am the guilty one in this endeavour."

Carl looked confused, Sheridan staring into his blue pools.

"I want you to fuck me."

Carl looked stunned, staring at the man in front of him.

The tormentor of his soul.

"You. . . what?"

Sheridan moved, the man's body lowering, Sheridan unable to stop himself, the magic within him now in total control.

His head raised, the man on his knees before Carl.

"I am to be yours tonight, Carl. I have given you pain. Tonight you can return that pain. I am yours in any way you desire for tonight only." Sheridan said, his mind unable to stop the words coming out of his throat, his voice sounding different, huskier.

Carl stared at him in disbelief.

"I. . .I don't understand." he softly said, Sheridan staring at him.

"I am yours, Carl. That is my punishment. I am to cower to you." Sheridan said, the man feeling himself move forward, his lips engulfing Carl's soft cock in front of him, the man feeling his throat fill with it.

He backed off again, licking the man's shaft.

"I will please you, Carl. Use me in all ways. I will not retaliate, tonight or in the future. The magic is just." Sheridan said, Carl staring at him.

"Fuck me, Carl. Hit me, punch me, piss on me, do all you desire. I am yours." Sheridan heard his voice say, the man rising to his feet, walking over to the bed and dropping down on it.

Carl stared at the man, the young man moving slowly towards the bed.

Carl's eyes moved over all the man's body, remembering every inch of it, he that body's servant.

He felt the courage come alive in his soul.

"I am yours, Carl. Own me." Sheridan said, Carl's eyes darkening.

"As you wish." Carl said, the young man climbed onto the bed, hovering above Sheridan.

Carl looked into Sheridan's blue eyes, their centers now glowing brightly.

And in that light Carl felt his own needs stirring.

His hand flew, slapping Sheridan across the face.

The man didn't move, staring up at Carl.

"Yes, sir! Own me!" he yelled, Carl's fists flying, hitting him again and again.

And then Carl began to own him, his own center coming to life, his needs taking over.

And Sheridan lay open before him, the man unmoving, allowing the younger man to possess his body.

In his mind he was screaming, the pain intensifying, the laughter in his mind drowning his soul.

And Carl began to devour him.

Kurucu's Haven

Everyone stared at the two men hugging each other, Lucas smiling at both older men.

The two broke their embrace, Emerson staring at his grandson.

"Your magic gives you great wisdom, Lucas." he said, Lucas smiling at him.

"My magic gives me truth, Grandfather. I see and feel all around me. Always have." he smiled, rising from his seat.

Grayson stared at the young man, Lucas walking around the dining room table, joining the two men.

Everyone stared at the three, Lucas' eyes meeting Chris' staring pools.

"To answer your question, Chris, they are indeed brothers. For all their lives." Lucas said, Grayson staring at him with soft emotion

Tristan was staring at his father and at Grayson.

"Why. . .why didn't you tell me?" he said, Emerson staring at his son.

"Lives walk paths, my son. And magic walks its own path. My father understood that. I agreed with his reasoning." Emerson said, his green pools meeting Tristan's again.

The man walked up to his father and son, staring at Grayson.

"Why didn't you tell me, Grayson? You were like a second father to me." Tristan said, Lucas' hand going to his father's shoulder.

"Grandfather is correct, Dad. We walk our paths." the young man said, Tristan's green eyes looking at his son.

"What's going on here, Lucas? Has all my life been secretive?" he said, Lucas looking at Grayson.

"We all hold secrets in our hearts, Dad. The secrets here are enriched with love." Lucas said, his eyes looking around the room, and upwards.

Grayson's blue pools met his violet, the young man smiling at him with love.

Josh looked at his man, Lucas' violet pools meeting his blue.

"This is amazing, Lucas. And surprising. What is going on here?" he said, Lucas smiling at him.

Grayson's blue pools met Emerson's, his now known brother staring at him.

"Family is a combination of love, life and happiness. I have had all with Emerson." the man said, Lucas nodding his head.

"And you have more."

Grayson stared at him, his blue eyes showing soft tears.

Gabriel moved, his arm going around his man.

"Are you alright, Gray?" he said, his blue pools meeting his blue.

Grayson stared at Lucas.

"I don't think I shall ever be alright, Gabriel. I now have so much love." he said, his blue eyes showing tears.

"That's what life is, Uncle Grayson. That is its essence." Lucas said, the man looking at him.

"When did you reason out the truth, Lucas?" Grayson said, Lucas smiling at him.

"When I saw the eagle."

Emerson looked at his grandson, Lucas smiling at him as well.

"Eagle, Lucas?" he said, Lucas nodding.

"Yes, Grandfather. The bird of truth and liberty spreads its wings upon our lives."

Josh walked up to Lucas, his arm going around him.

"You're being mysterious again, my love." he said, Lucas lightly chuckling.

"I guess I am. I'm beginning to love the mystery. It's like a big jigsaw puzzle. The pieces are falling into place." he smiled, looking at Grayson.

"Paths are not guided by fate always, Uncle. You gave yourself away the first moment you touched me." Lucas said, Grayson nodding.

"You felt my magic that day at the airport?"

Lucas smiled, nodding.

"Yes, Uncle Gray. I didn't at that time sense what it really was. I only felt its presence." he said, Grayson nodding.

"As I felt yours, Lucas. I felt the Trinity in your touch. That set Emerson to send myself on the path to finding you. To find the connection between his own children's disappearance and you. We both never realized who you really were. What fate and magic would give all of us."

"It would give you my love." Lucas smiled, Chris looking at him, then at Emerson and Grayson again.

"Grayson's magical too?!" he said, Grayson looking around at everyone.

Lucas saw his nervousness behind his blue eyes, the young man's hand going to his shoulder.

"Grayson is more than magic, Chris." Lucas said, Grayson staring at him.

"I still don't believe they're brothers, Luke." Finn said, Lucas smiling at his friend.

Emerson's eyes went around the room, everyone staring at him, his eyes going to Grayson's again.

"We are brothers in the sense that we are of the same lineage." Emerson said, Isadora smiling at him.

"Your brotherhood lies in your love for each other. I have seen it throughout our marriage, Emmanuel." she said, Emerson smiling at her.

Grayson looked at his brother, Emerson nodding.

"We are both our father's sons." he said, Lucas smiling.

"But not of the same mother." he said, Emerson looking at his grandson.

"How did you reason that out, Lucas?"

"The shadows, Grandfather. I saw into the shadows. The shadows of our pasts." Lucas said, the man's hand going into his jacket pocket, pulling out the old journal.

Grayson's eyes went to its old leather binding, his eyes meeting Lucas'.

"Emmanuel's book told you my truth?"

"No, Uncle. The new magic within me made the truth show itself. As my note said."

Everyone looked between the two men, Emerson staring at his grandson.

"The note you gave Grayson the day of the trial's ending?" he said, Lucas nodding.

"Yes, Grandfather. In it I voiced the truth Grayson needed to hear. The truth to calm his soul."

Grayson's eyes were tearing, Gabriel looking at his man.

"What did he say to you, Gray? You were so calmed by it that day. You welcomed my returned love immediately." the judge said, Grayson wiping his eyes, smiling at his soulmate.

"He gave me life, my Gabriel. He made me see the trueness of it." the lawyer said, his hand going into his double-breasted suit pocket, pulling out an envelope.

"You asked me to carry this here, Lucas. To keep it at hand. I now see why." the man said, everyone's eyes going between the envelope and Lucas' calm handsome face.

"I think it's time you walked the truer path, Uncle Gray." he said, Grayson nodding, looking around at everyone.

Lucas moved, going to the man's side, taking the envelope from him.

"Do not fear their thoughts, Gray. Remember their love." Lucas said, the older man nodding.

"I'll read my own words, Uncle." Lucas said, opening the envelope.

His violet pools went around the room, Emerson staring at his grandson, everyone else staring as well.

The dining room was silent, Lucas' voice filling the room as he looked at the written page in his hand.

"Uncle Grayson,

I can call you that now, for I have seen the truth.

The truth in your blue pools of glowing love and magic.

Before you stands in this room your salvation.

Gabriel's lost love is here again for you.

You sacrificed much to give even more.

I give you now the greater gift your loving heart needs.

His unending love.

The greatness of you is your love and your devotion.

To your brother, my grandfather, and to your mother.

I know the truth, Gray.

The truth of her sacrifices and of Grandfather Joshua's.

Both of them were true of heart and even truer of life.

Grandfather Emmanuel sought to hide the truth from the evil, and in doing so perhaps created an even greater truth.

The path of destiny.

From magic both came, from love both lived.

Their magic now flows through me.

And truer paths were created.

You are one such path.

You need not hide from my love or my magic.

I have always known the truth of you and them.

Of her sacrifice and of their courage.

She walked in life with love, courage and magic within her soul.

From one generation to another.

And you are the afterglow of that courage, love and magic.

Joshua took you in as his own, his own taking you as a brother.

Paths move, families join.

I love you, my Uncle.

I love you, her protector.

I love you, shade of love.

Your loving grandnephew, Lucas.

Everyone stared at Grayson with wonder, the man's eyes lowering.

"He. . .he's a Shade?!" Finn said, pointing at the man, Lucas looking around at everyone.

"No, Finn. I wasn't referring to him as a Shade, I was referring to him as a shade of a forgotten love. A being created of magic and love." Lucas said, Grayson tearfully staring at the young man.

"Who were you talking of, my love? The she in the letter." Josh said, Lucas' eyes going to Grayson.

"He was talking of my mother." Grayson said, the man's head lowering, then rising again, staring at Lucas.

"My mother was indeed a woman of great courage, Lucas." he said, Lucas staring at him with a deep love shining in his violet pools.

"She was even more, Grayson."

Grayson looked at the young man, seeing the calm love in his eyes.

"You have reasoned out my secret, haven't you?" he said, Gabriel staring at his man.

"What's going on, my love?" he said, Grayson's blue eyes meeting his blue.

"I love you, Gabriel. I hope at the end of all this you can still love me." the man said, lowering his head again.

Lucas' hand went to Grayson's shoulder, the young man kissing his cheek.

"There is nothing within yourself--your heart or soul--that would ever change Gabriel's love for you. This, I believe, will only strengthen it."

Grayson's head raised, staring into Lucas' violet pools.

They instantly changed to green, a soft glow pulsating from them.

"I feel your magic, Gray. I feel its love." Lucas said, the young man looking around at everyone.

"Grayson's mother was a woman of courage, love and magic, as I stated. But she was also someone more." Lucas said, looking at Grayson.

"My mother was love personified. And courage flowed from her."

Lucas smiled, his eyes meeting everyone's.

"Let's start with yourself, Grayson. How old are you?" Lucas said, Grayson looking around the room.

Gabriel's arm went around him again, Grayson feeling his love.

The lawyer sighed, looking into his soulmate's eyes.

"I have deceived you, Gabriel. I am almost two hundred years old."

The room was silent, Emerson staring at his brother.

"You have got to be kidding me!!" Chris said, Joey slapping the back of his head, Chris blushing.
"Sorry!" he said, rubbing his head.

Lucas smiled at his two friends, then looking around at everyone, his eyes stopping on his grandfather's green pools.

"It is a surprising truth. But it is no less real than it is."

Emerson stared at his brother, their eyes meeting.

"My brother and I are the same age. We are both of magic, life and love." he said, Grayson softly smiling at him, hearing his brother's love in his voice.

"No truer words need speaking, Grandfather." Lucas said, Emerson smiling at his grandson.

Gabriel's blue eyes stared into Grayson's blue.

"Is that true, Gray?"

"Yes, Gabriel. I have the magic of the ancient lineage. I am as long lived as the Belmonts." he said, looking at Emerson.

"You have a greater magic within you, Uncle Gray. You have her magic." Lucas said, Grayson nodding.

"It was her dying wish, Lucas. I took on her purpose." he said, lowering his eyes again.

"You still haven't spoken of her, Lucas." Savannah said, Lucas' eyes meeting his mother's.

"No, I haven't. For I walk a cautious path." he said, Grayson looking at him.

"You may reveal the truth, Lucas. I am as I am."

Lucas smiled, patting the man's shoulder.

"How do you feel, Gabriel? Has your love changed for my Uncle?" Lucas said, staring at the judge.

Gabriel's eyes met Grayson's again, the two staring into their souls.

"On the first day that we met you told me that you were a man of surprises, Gray. Today you shocked the. . .you have totally surprised me." Gabriel said, everyone seeing the emotion in his older face.

Grayson's eyes lowered again, the man feeling a set of lips kiss his forehead.

He raised his head again, staring into Gabriel's blue eyes again.

"I love you, Gray. Nothing of this earth or heaven, or magic, will ever change that feeling in my soul."
Grayson sobbed, the man pulling him into his arms, the two kissing.

Everyone was silent, taking in the scene before them, Lucas smiling.

"And love continues its path." he smiled, the two men breaking their kiss, both looking at Lucas.

"You knew his heart's truth, didn't you?" Grayson said, Lucas smiling at his great-uncle.

"Yes, Uncle. Love radiates from both your souls. Nothing could destroy that." he said, both men smiling, Gabriel's hand going into Grayson's.

Lucas looked around the room, everyone staring at the two men.

"To understand all this you need to know of someone. Someone who, with courage and strength, aided my own great-grandfather so many years ago. And the two standing here before you are brothers because of that courage and love." Lucas said, Finn looking at him.

"You mean. . .you mean Emerson and Grayson are brothers of blood?" he said, Lucas looking at his grandfather.

"No, Finn. As you've all already been told, my grandfather's lineage was created by magic. From Alsarius down to my own father. I am the only Belmont that can say they are of true blood. There is a specific reason for that." Lucas said, Josh's arm going around him again.

"What is the reason, Luke?" he said, Lucas sighing, looking upwards again.

"That realization will have to wait for another time. Other paths lay ahead."
Everyone stared at him, Lucas seeing a lot of saddened faces.

"Destiny holds secrets, trust in me to reveal them as they should unfold."

"Alright, Lucas." Finn said, Lucas smiling at his friend.

His violet pools met Grayson's blue again, the young man looking around.

"Grayson's mother was a woman of giving, courageous love. And she was something more, as I said." he said, Grayson staring at him.

"You keep saying that, Lucas. To me she was my mother, she was my life."

"I know, Gray. But even you didn't know the trueness of her real self. Even Grandfather Joshua didn't know." Lucas said, Emerson looking at his grandson.

"What do you mean, Lucas?" he said, Lucas looking at Grayson again.

"That is enough, Lucas."

All eyes turned at the new voice, Lucas' violet pools meeting two new green pools.

"You cannot run from the past, Grandfather." he said, staring at the uniformed man standing in the dining room's doorway.

All eyes were on Joshua Belmont.

"I have never run from anything in my life, Lucas." the man said, staring at the young man, Grayson's eyes on Joshua.

"He has learned the truth, Father." Grayson said, Joshua looking at Grayson and Emerson.

"He knows nothing." the man said, walking into the dining room towards Lucas, the young man staring at him with calm determination.

The man stopped in front of Lucas, everyone staring at him, some new faces staring at him with wonder.

"That. . .that's your. . .he's a ghost!" Gio said Gideon's arms going around him and Nick.

"He is my great-grandfather, and I love him." Lucas said, Joshua staring around at everyone.

"Your family grows, Lucas." he said, Lucas nodding.

"Yes, Grandfather Joshua. Today I have gained a new uncle." he said, Joshua's eyes going to Grayson's blue pools, seeing the tears in them.

"Alright, my grandson. I will give you that truth. Grayson is my son. As is Emerson." the man said, Lucas nodding his head.

"I know, Grandfather. Your own father gave me that truth." Lucas said, raising the old journal in his hand, Joshua staring at the book.

"My. . .my father would have never revealed that truth. Even to you, his future hope." Joshua said, Lucas staring at him.

"Your father was a man with his own thoughts and ideas, Joshua. Grandfather Emmanuel's heart had great courage."

"He was my father, Lucas. I knew all of him." Joshua said, Lucas sighing, looking at the soldier.

"No one knows all of a man's heart, Joshua. I love my own fathers, and I know not all their feelings and dreams. Their love is enough." Lucas said, looking at Tristan, then Henderson, both men staring at him with love.

"I have come to stop you, Lucas. The path you are looking to venture down holds no realities. It is the past. You should be focusing on the future."

Lucas looked at his great-grandfather, the man's green pools staring at him with determination.

"I love you, Grandfather Joshua. And I know in my heart that you love me. I have the Belmont soul. I seek all the answers in life as you have, as my grandfather and father have."
"I do love you, Lucas. Because of that love I am asking you to remain silent." he said, Lucas staring at him.

"You cannot hide the past, Joshua. I know her true heart. Even she didn't show you that truth." Lucas said, Joshua staring at him.

"You know nothing of her, Lucas. She walks now as no Shade, or other entity. She is in God's kingdom."

"Perhaps, Grandfather. None of us know of our life's final path. God leads us to our eternity." Lucas said, Josh looking at him.
"What's going on, Lucas?" Josh said, Lucas looking at Joshua.

"My grandfather Joshua is under the illusion that he must show courage to his family. That he must be the courageous soul they all looked up to. He forgets that he was and still is only a man. A man with feelings, with love, courage and fears."

Joshua stared at Lucas.

Grayson moved forward, looking into Joshua's green pools.

"It's time the lies ended, Father." he said, Joshua feeling his now known son's arms wrap around him, Emerson's green pools showing emotion.

Tristan stared at all three, Lucas looking at his father.

"I want to talk of her, Father. I want everyone to know of her greatness. Of her love and courage." Grayson said, backing up, his father staring at him.

Grayson saw the emotion in the man's green pools.

"Grayson is correct, Father. It's time this was all in the open." Emerson said, Joshua's eyes looking between both men.

"It is close to my heart, my sons. We all loved her, myself most of all."

Lucas walked forward, as Emerson's arm went around his father.

"Yes, Grandfather. You all loved her. For she gave all so we could have all." Lucas said, Joshua's eyes meeting his now green pools, the man's own green pools widening.

"Your. . .your eyes! They're Belmont green!" he said, Lucas nodding.

"Yes, Grandfather. It is the green hue of a great magic. And another hue of something else." Lucas said, his eyes suddenly changing, their centers a sparkling blue, then returning to his normal violet hue.

"Paths of destiny, Grandfather. The mixing of all destinies."

Joshua stepped back, Lucas staring at him.

"I know who she was, Grandfather. For I have walked with her in my dreams." Lucas said, Joshua's eyes widening.

"You. . .you can't have!" he said, Lucas sighing, raising his other hand, Joshua staring at the ring on his hand.

"Where. . .where did you get that??!! This is impossible! She said. . .?" he stuttered, everyone's eyes widening, another person now staring beside Joshua.

"It is the ring, sire! The one I saw at the graveyard!" Arlo Hammond said, the man having magically appeared, now standing at Joshua's side.

"Who. . .who are you?" Emerson said, staring at the man.

"Hello, Arlo. I have heard great things about you." Lucas said, the caretaker staring at the young man.

"And I you, sir." the man said, Lucas looking around at everyone.

"This is Arlo Hammond, everyone. The caretaker of the graveyard in Westonshire, Massachusetts."

"What. . .what are you doing here, Arlo? You're. . .you're dead." Colton said, staring at the man he'd known all his life.

"Hello, Colt. Yes, I have passed onto another existence. I work for my friend Joshua now." the man said, the man looking around at everyone.

His eyes spotted Rosa Sharon, the young girl smiling at him.

"Hello, Arlo. Welcome into his love."

"Rosa Sharon? What. . .what are you doing here?" he said, the girl smiling at him, remaining silent.

"She is here with love, Arlo. She has returned to life's path again." Lucas said, Arlo's eyes meeting Joshua's, the man lowering his.

"You did not have to come, Arlo. Return to the shadows. The evil is close." Joshua said, the older man looking around.

"He did not come at your request, Grandfather Joshua. I asked him to venture back into this world."

Joshua looked shocked, looking at the man standing beside him.

"His magic drew me, sire. I felt the love within it." the caretaker said, Lucas smiling at him.

"The evil is not here, Arlo. I have protected this house for now from its intrusion. We can speak with open hearts and truths." Lucas said, Joshua staring at him.

"You can't stop the evil, Lucas. It is unending."

"Love is unending as well, Grandfather. And I have a greater magic now." Lucas said, raising his hand again, both men in front of him staring at the golden ring.

"It is the ring, sire. The one from the graveyard." Arlo said, staring at it.

"Where did you get that ring, Lucas?" Joshua said, Rosa Sharon moving, walking up to them, Arlo staring at her.

"From me, sir." she said, Arlo's eyes widening.

"You? You took the ring from there, Rosa Sharon? After that evil robbed Caleb of his life that day in the graveyard?"

"No, Arlo. She took it long before that. Before even Rosa Sharon passed into the light. That ring was the reason for her death."  Lucas said, Arlo looking confused.

"But I saw it that day, young sir. The evil was after it. It took it from Caleb, devouring him." Arlo said, Lucas nodding.

"Yes, it did. But it took something not quite true." Lucas said, Josh looking at him.

"You mean it was a copy, my love?" Josh said, Lucas nodding.

"Yes, Josh. Someone was trying to deceive the evil."

"What are you talking about, Lucas?" Joshua said, staring at the ring on his great-grandson's hand.

"This ring is magic, Grandfather. A great magic with a great power. The path was righted, the ring led to myself. I have her to thank for that." Lucas said, looking down into Rosa Sharon's blue pools, the young girl smiling.

"She led me to it, Luke." she said, Joshua looking down at the young girl.

"What are you talking of, child? Who led you to it? Where did you get it?"

Lucas' violet pools looked into Arlo's brown eyes.

"You need to tell your friend what you found in her tomb, Arlo."

Joshua's eyes went to Arlo's brown, the man staring at him.

"What's he talking about, Arlo?"

The caretaker's eyes lowered, the man feeling Lucas' hand going to his shoulder.

"You followed his request to the letter, Arlo. It's time to tell all of it." Lucas said, the man's eyes raising and staring into Joshua's green pools.

"I searched that tomb as you requested, sire. With diligence, respect and reverence, as you asked. I have always honored the dead. But it was actually for naught."

"What do you mean, Arlo?" Joshua said, Lucas eyes looking at him.

"The tomb was empty sire. The lady's body wasn't there."
Joshua looked shocked, everyone staring at the caretaker and him with confusion, Lucas' eyes on only Joshua.

"That. . .that's impossible, Arlo!" he said, Lucas voice entering their conversation.

"No it's not, Grandfather Joshua. You only need to look upon yourself to see that truth." he said, Joshua's eyes meeting his.

"She. . .she died, Lucas. I buried her there myself!" he said, everyone hearing the emotion is his voice.

"Yes, Grandfather. You laid her there in loving repose. She chose not to abide by your feelings."

"Lucas, that's. . .that's impossible!" Joshua's hand went to his shoulder.

"No, Grandfather. It's more than possible when you know the truth."

Lucas' eyes moved to Grayson's blue, the man staring at him with guarded concern.

"Life moves on its own, paths renewing. Your mother had a beautiful soul, Gray. And she spread that soul and magic through all her lineage."

His now green pools moved, looking around at people, stopping at three who stood together.

Savannah's violet pools staring at her son, Isadora standing with her and Vivian.

"Such is the heart of magic, love and life. All ladies of magic continue." he said, his eyes moving to Grayson's, then Joshua's staring pools.

Lucas stared at Grayson, the young man sighing.

"Your mother's alive, Uncle Grayson. She still continues her path."

Joshua looked thunderstruck, Grayson's blue eyes staring at him.

"That. . .that's impossible, Lucas!" he said, his voice etched with trembling emotion.

"Not when you believe in destiny, Grandfather. Her heart could never die. As the ages have shown." Lucas said, Joshua staring at him.

"Your sacrifice was noble, Grandfather. It bore a greater truth that you didn't know."

"She was. . .she was my soul, Lucas! What you said is. . .it's not true!"

"You loved her, Grandfather. As her son loved her. As Grandfather loved her. But she was always more. She, in the end, understood that. I think it's time you did as well. All three of you."

Lucas eyes looked at Grayson.

"You may change your name, you may remain silent, but you cannot hide your magic from me, Grayson. I feel the ancientness of it. I feel her soul."

Savannah stared at her son.

"We have another of family among us, Mother, Aunt and Grandmother. Welcome into your hearts Grayson Carlisle, the only son of Almira Carlisle and Joshua Belmont. He is magic and he is love. And I am not the only one of true blood."

End of Chapter 158

Interesting to say the least.

Grayson is a Carlisle?
The son of the lady buried in the tomb in Westonshire, Almira Carlisle?

A tomb that's now revealed to be empty.

It seems Lucas had that all already reasoned out.

The book sheds more secrets for him.

What of the ring he now wears?
Was it hers?

It seems she may have guided Rosa Sharon to it.

What happened to this mysterious woman?
What are her real ties to Joshua Belmont?

Sheridan's evil self seems peeved at the now sealed room in Kurucu's Haven.

What lays hidden in that room?

Carl now has benefited from that evil's displeasure.

And Sheridan has been punished.

What will they do next?
And will Sheridan really forgive Carl's abuse of him?

Next up: Truths open.

And a wedding comes.

On to the sunshine and paradise.

Let's hope they all find theirs.

Hugs, Angel.

Email: music-fan-1@hotmail.com