"And that's a wrap! Lunch everybody!" Chris, the director, called out.

"Let's go somewhere special and take Allaoua," suggested Tom to Daniel.

"Sounds good. Where is he anyway?" Daniel wondered as he looked around the set as dozens of people were making their way to lunch.

"He's over there with his new friend," Tom said as he waved at Allaoua. The OPEC son grinned, turned and told his friend goodbye and headed their way.

"How would you like to go somewhere magical for lunch?" Tom asked.

"Wow! Really?" Allaoua asked excitedly.

"You betcha," answered Daniel. "Let's head over to my trailer and we'll go from there." The trio trooped off the set and down a short way to Daniel's trailer. Once inside, Tom pulled out his wand.

"Is that real or is it a movie prop?" asked Allaoua.

"This, my little movie star, is the real thing," smirked Tom. "Ready?" Allaoua nodded. They joined hands and Tom flicked his wand. They disappeared and then reappeared in the now familiar dingy alleyway.

"Looks like this place you're taking me to is first class," commented Allaoua as he waved his hand in front of his face, trying to clean the stink in the air.

"Maybe not white linen service, but the best food in London," said Daniel as he started down the alley. Allaoua was quick to follow with Tom bringing up the rear. Allaoua dodged, jumped over and avoided the rubbish along the alley.

"You two need to remember I am the son of a obscenely rich OPEC Oil Minister. I was raised to appreciate the finer things in life and enjoyed them each and every day. This passage is not something I have ever experienced before, nor do I care to experience it again."

"You just wait until you meet Agnus and trying some of her cooking. I'm sure you'll be happy to experience this passageway again," Daniel said with a grin.

"Too right," chimed in Tom.

They stopped in front of a dingy olive green door. Daniel tapped his wand on the brass Lion's head knocker and the door creaked open. Warmth flowed out along with the smell of good food. Cherry voices greeted them as they walked in.

"There's me lads," Agnus greeted as she wiped her hands on her apron and came around the bar.

"Hi Agnus," both Tom and Daniel said at the same time. She gave them both a hug and turned to Allaoua.

"And who's this handsome lad?"

"I-I'm Allaoua," he stammered, suddenly shy in front of the larger than life woman.

"And so ya are. Well, I'm Agnus. I own this place and Allaoua, I'd watch myself around these two. They might get you in a wee bit of trouble."

"Oh, I'm perfectly capable of doing that all by myself." He stared in wonder at the dishes washing themselves in the sink behind the bar. "Miss Agnus, is this place magical?"

"The building ain't exactly magical, but I am." She glanced over to see what had caught the young boy's attention and smiled. "If I didn't use me magic, things would never get done around here."

"I think that's wicked. I just found out recently that I'm a wizard."

"Brilliant!" Agnus gave him a warm hug. "You're gonna love being magical." Tom and Daniel watched as Agnus and Allaoua chatted like old friends as she led them over to a corner table that provided them some privacy.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tiberius walked slowly down the corridor of the guest wing of the Vladimir Estate leaving his sumptuous suite behind and in search of Starr's room. Guilt consumed Tiberius for what Malin had done to his own son. His once closest friend and confidant was slowly being consumed by an evil Tiberius could not define. That evil was gradually sucking the life out of Malin and there was nothing Tiberius could do. He tried when he first sensed the evil in the air of the Malin Estate. It just showed up one day like bed bugs, slowly spreading out and working its way into every nook and cranny in the mansion. It never paid attention to Tiberius, but he knew the evil was not only there, but thriving, growing and becoming stronger every day. Tiberius tried every spell, every charm and even a few different potions. Nothing he tried would drive the evil out. All he could do was watch his friend gradually dissolve into a soulless old man with no conscious.

"Hi Tiberius," greeted Starr. "You look worried. Is something bothering you?" Tiberius looked at Starr and saw how happy and carefree he was and it did his heart good, but it did not overcome his sense of remorse.

"I am wracked with guilt over what I allowed your father to do to you young Starr. I see how happy you are now, but I can not remove from my mind the suffering he put you though. I know it was him that did it, but I still feel responsible. I feel as if I did not try hard enough to stop him. I knew evil resided in the house and I made every effort to make it go away, but no matter what I tried, it refused to leave. It permeated the house and your father."

"Tiberius, I know you tried. I actually saw you brewing potions to eliminate the evil, an evil that I felt too. I felt it in my very bones. It didn't try to consume me, but I knew it was there. The father I once had slowly disappeared and the man became something I didn't even recognize. You, sir, are in no way responsible for what happened." Tiberius wrapped Starr in a warm hug.

"Thank Merlin you survived and are a better person for it. I am amazed that we both survived. And I see the handsome young man standing beside you. I sense nothing but goodness in his heart. You have chosen well young Starr." Starr blushed as Will put his arm around his shoulders.

"Starr is a special person. He made me see me for who I am, and in the process made me whole." Starr beamed and Tiberius smiled from ear to ear.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ceenta, Jon, Daniel and Tom were on the veranda of the Vladimir estate enjoying each other's company and a glass of wine, courtesy of Saduri and his personal selection from the estate wine cellar. Tom was laid back on a lounger with Daniel at his side. Right next to the young movie stars were Ceenta with Jon. The sun was an hour before setting and the rich red tones of the pending sunset were reflecting on the clouds. It was an ideal setting. Everything was good in Ceenta's world. Tom had accepted Daniel being a vampire. Allaoua was safe from his kidnappers and enjoying being in a movie. Starr was safe from his father and had found a boyfriend in Will. Tiberius had proven to be an ally and a good source of information as to what happened to Malen and had become close friends with Saduri.

Ceenta's list of things and people to be worried about included Malin and Governor Downing. Malin was unpredictable and that made him dangerous. His actions were always volatile and aggressive, not to mention his most recent vile acts against his son. Governor Downing and his cronies were capable of wicked deeds as well. Collaborating with a fired KGB agent known to be capable of victim mutilation went way past the scope of the ministry. The fact that Daniel had been grievously wounded by that agent boiled Ceenta's blood.

He was also worried about the recent manifestation of Merlin. That meant something significant, but he just could not put his finger on why. He appeared to Daniel and Tom, but his actions were on Tom only. Did that have something to do with Daniel? Did that mean Daniel was important to the inheritance? Thinking about it had Ceenta's mind going in circles and the frustration of not knowing often gave him a headache.

"What's got your knickers in a twist?" Jon asked.

"Just thinking about Malin, Downing and, of course, Merlin."

"The first two need killing. The third? I'll let you stew on that one," Jon said with a grin.

"Thanks a lot," Ceenta said sarcastically.

"Just don't forget my thoughts on the subject. Dan could very well be keeping the magical world separate from the muggle world by performing in the Potter movies."

"I know, I remember you speech and in a way, it makes sense."

"More wine, gentlemen?" asked Saduri. Ceenta looked up and noticed a well-dressed and groomed Tiberius grinning while standing next the Saduri.

"Yes, Saduri, please. It is good to see you looking so happy, Tiberius. I see the company of Saduri agrees with you."

"It is the company of the entire household that pleases me, sir," Tiberius said while Saduri filled wine glasses. Ceenta grinned as Tom sat up to have his wine glass filled. Just as he sat up, an arrow streaked across the veranda and hit Tom in the chest. He flopped back against the lounge chair beside Daniel. Will ran out on the veranda and flicked his wand. The entire group was immediately surrounded by a protection charm seconds before another arrow bounced harmlessly off the barrier.

Ceenta immediately stood and surveyed the surroundings with his vampire sense. Jon turned to Tom and gasped as he watched Daniel hold his boyfriend. Tom struggled by arching his back for a moment then dropping down on the lounge chair unconscious.

"NO!" screamed Daniel. "NO!" Tiberius' sharp eyes saw the writing on the arrow and gasped.

"That arrow was meant to you," he said to Ceenta. "Your name is written on shaft just below the fletching." Ceenta's vampire eyes zeroed in on the writing and gulped.

"Tom!" Daniel shouted. "Somebody, please help!" Tom's breathing was shallow and his skin was pale. The arrow had hit him in the chest just right of his breast bone. Jon moved quickly and was at Tom's side.

"Help me sit him up," he said looking at Daniel, who's eyes were locked on Tom's face. Together, they sat Tom up and they saw the arrow protruding a few inches out of Tom's back. Blood was pouring out of the wound.

"I've summoned my surgeon. He should be here any moment," said Ceenta. A soft pop sounded on the veranda. Jon looked up and saw their physician.

"Quick! Help us! He has an arrow all the way through his chest." The surgeon started toward them but ran into Will's protective barrier. Will immediately saw what happened and flicked his wand. The doctor rushed to their side and took a look at Tom. Daniel held his breath as the surgeon examined Tom.

Ceenta's vampire sense picked up a person nearby but concealed with a powerful charm. He sensed the evil presence and his eyes turned red.

Suddenly, thunder resounded in two booming claps across the veranda. Ceenta disappeared in a cloud of smoke. A man at least ten feet tall appeared. He looked down on Daniel and Tom and frowned. He looked back up and out into the forest. The tall man reached out his arm and lightning bolts flew from his fingertips. With a bright flash, a huddled figure appeared on the veranda.

"A dark evil has taken over your soul. There is no redemption from this. There is only purgatory through death. Your sacrifice will purge the evil." Malin looked up and cowered back.

"Who are you?"

"I am the omega. I am the first. I am Merlin and you are dead." A bright green flash came from Merlin's fingers and struck Malin center chest. The resulting explosion scattered ashes into the wind accompanied with a loud mournful cry. Merlin looked on for a moment then turned to Daniel.

"Your love is hanging on to life by a thread. You know what you must do." Two more booming claps of thunder shook the veranda and Merlin disappeared in the cloud of smoke. Ceenta reappeared and looked around in confusion.

While Merlin was dispatching Malin, the physician had removed the arrow from Tom's chest. More blood poured out of the wound. The doctor worked feverously to stem the flow. Daniel could only look on with huge tears falling freely down his face. Jon looked at Tom and then turned his gaze on Daniel.

"Merlin said you know what to do?" Daniel nodded, keeping his eyes on Tom. The doctor took a deep breath and sighed.

"It's just a matter of time now. I've done all I can do, but there is damage inside Tom's chest that continues to bleed. Without immediate surgery to stop the internal bleeding and a transfusion … " At the word 'transfusion' Daniel looked up and locked eyes with Ceenta.

"Go ahead. Your instincts will guide you," Ceenta said softly. At that precise moment, Starr came sliding on his socks onto the veranda. Will grabbed him, quickly filled him in and told him to watch. Daniel leaned over Tom's face.

"I love you, Tom. Please forgive me for this, but we will live together for eternity." Daniel turned Tom's unconscious head exposing his neck. Vampire instincts kicked in as his fangs dropped. Daniel slowly bit into the carotid artery and released his blood into Tom.

Ceenta, Jon, Starr and Will watched as Tom's ashen complexion slowly turned a healthy pink. The wound made by the arrow gradually closed and disappeared altogether.

"He'll need to rest and then he will be confused and in pain," Ceenta said.

"I know. I remember," Daniel said with a nod. Saduri and Tiberius carefully lifted Tom and carried him to Daniel's guest suite.


Chapter Nineteen is being Written
"Movie Premier"
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"Storm Watch"
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