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Dark Rituals	By : MarianTheBlackadder Category: S through Z > Sherlock Holmes (2009) > Sherlock Holmes (2009) Views: 3327 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I in no way own any rights to or make any profit from Sherlock Holmes the book, the movie, or any other medium concerning these characters. This is a non-profit story for entertainment purposes only.

Chapter List
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Divination
            “Katherine,” Blackwood said standing behind her as she held a pendulum in her hand letting it hover over the alter as she stared into the candle flame. “We’ll be late.” He said simply.
            She didn’t answer or move for several moments until finally she sat back on her legs where she had been kneeling and sighed putting down the pendulum. He walked over to her and unwrapped the chain from her hand setting it in its proper place. She looked incredibly exhausted.”Still nothing.” She said in a disappointed, almost defeated tone.
            Blackwood gave a nod, “I know. I told you the reasoning for it already. They’re masked from our powers. We cannot find them this way.” He said taking her hands and standing her to her feet. Her skin was pale, and it was understandable. She’d come in and started her incantations hours ago. She was so determined to find a clue that would help them go in the right direction, but after weeks upon weeks of trying she found nothing. Blackwood would prefer if she simply gave up for now, and let him worry about the search for their children. Soon they would have another child to care for, and her attention was best kept on him.
            “Are we terribly late.” She asked him as they walked out of the closet and he closed and locked it behind them.
            “We may just make it.” He said reaching for her cloak and wrapping it around her shoulders. “Honestly darling, you’ve known about our engagement this evening for a while now. You must learn to keep track of time better then you have lately.” He said trying not to sound to irritated that they were going to be rushed now.
            “What am I doing wrong?” She asked him. Blackwood arched a brow slightly. “I’ve done everything I’m supposed to haven’t I? Why can’t I simply focus on them and find out where they are?” She asked. “I’ve been able to do more, see more . . . except the one thing I want most.”
            “Patience.” Blackwood said as they started for the door. “You’ll become stronger with time and training. Simply keep up your hard work, and you will become more powerful then you can imagine.” Katherine had her doubts but simply nodded and went with him.

Good News . . . Sort of
            “America?” Katherine said a bit stunned. “All the way to America?” She asked.
            “Massachusetts to be specific. Somewhere in Boston I’m led to believe.” Holmes reported somewhat enamored with himself that he found what direction they’d been taken.
            “How?” She said in disbelief. She’d never even imagined that they would be taken there of all places. “How did you find this out?”
            “The church may have had its lips sewn shut, but the Captain of the ship that transported them was under no obligations to keep his passenger list a secret. You’d be amazed the sorts of information 20 pounds can get you.” Apparently a bribe had been used to loosen someone’s tongue. Really, Katherine didn’t care who, she was just grateful that they’d found something after all this time.
            “How soon can you leave?” Katherine asked them.
            “Leave?” Watson said looking towards Holmes who was just as surprised as he was.
            “You’re going to retrieve them and bring them home now, aren’t you?” She was as serious as could be when she spoke and looked between the two men.
            “We found them for you, narrowed down the search considerably, and passed on the information.” Holmes explained. “We’re not errand boys, we’re detectives.”
            “I cannot go myself, Lord Blackwood would never permit it. He won’t leave England, there is to much for him to do here. To many obligations and responsibilities as the head of the order.” She said in frustration. “They must be retrieved and brought home at once.” She said getting a little agitated and upset. However her rant was cut short when she seemed to crouch over slightly holding her hand over her stomach. Watson stood and quickly walked over to her helping her sit down.
            “Are you alright?” He asked a bit worried. She seemed like she was in severe pain.
            “I’m fine.” She said. “He’s simply very active today.” Taking a few deep breathes she seemed to be better as she sat back up and regained her composure. “Please. I promise you will be well compensated for your time and effort. We’ll pay for your passage and any expenses that you might have.”
            “Active?” Watson said feeling her face, finding her cold and clammy. “Have you been seeing a doctor regularly?” He asked.
            “Yes.” She said in frustration. “Lord Blackwood currently has three attending me. Will you please listen? I want my children back!” She sighed, “If you can’t get them . . . I’ll find a way to go myself.”
            “That’s utter nonsense.” Holmes commented. “In your condition? On a ship to the Americas?”
            “As much as I hate to admit agreeing with Blackwood about anything, I have to say that your going is out of the question.” Watson added wishing that Holmes would employ an ounce of courtesy when he spoke to the young woman. “I think perhaps you should return home and retire for the evening. You don’t look well at all.”
            She shook her head hating the fact that no one seemed to be listening to her. Why couldn’t anyone understand how much she wanted to hold her sons again. Feeling as though it was no use she started to stand and Watson helped her to her feet. “Thank you for your help.” She said in frustration before leaving.

Days Drag On
            Katherine lay in bed on her side, starring at the wall. This was now her world, as she was once again confined to bed rest. It was maddening. Even worse was to be in a nightgown at all times. She was to stay in bed therefore there was no reason for her to dress, it seemed as though she had been restricted from even wearing a house dress. She supposed it was a silent ploy to keep her from leaving her rooms.
            “Is there anything you require mistress?” One of the maids said walking around the bed to where Katherine could see her.
            “What time is it?” Katherine asked not being able to see the clock from where she was laying.
            “It’s nearly midnight, M’Lady.” She answered.
            “Thank you.” She said dismissing the maid who curtseyed and left the room. Right at this moment, Katherine was having all sorts of thoughts. A ritual that she wasn’t able to attend tonight was taking place. Blackwood hadn’t given her many details on what was to be performed, but she felt ill to think that a second episode of what took place the last time she was unable to attend.
            Her eyelids felt like led and she could hardly keep them open. When she closed her eyes for what seemed like only a moment, she found the familiar feeling of the bed moving and the covers being pulled back as Blackwood lay beside her. Her eyes opened and she hesitated not certain if she wanted to let him know she was awake. “Did everything go well?” She asked softly.
            “I thought you were asleep.” Blackwood said a bit surprised to hear her speak. He slid over closer to her under the covers and wrapped his arm around her, before kissing her cheek. “I would have greeted you otherwise.” He said. Her eyes were open and she remained both still and silent, obviously waiting for an answer. “Yes, everything went quite well.”
            “I’m happy for it.” They had argued before he left tonight. She insisted loudly on being allowed to go with him, but it was a battle she couldn’t win and here she lay.
            “It occurred to me, after having arrived at the catacombs why you were acting as you were. Let me put your mind to rest and tell you that no one took your place tonight.” He said truthfully. “A woman wasn’t required for the rituals that were performed.”
            Another silent moment filled the darkness, before Katherine moved a bit clumsily to turn towards him and wrapped her arms around his neck hugging him tight. An overwhelming sense of relief and thankfulness came over her to hear such news. Blackwood wrapped his arms around her and held her against him.
            “I’d forgotten about what had happened before, I had hoped you had as well.” Blackwood said expressing his disappointment that she had recalled the incident.
            “I’ve tried.” She said softly a bit ashamed of herself.
            “No matter,” Blackwood said after a moment before kissing her forehead and pulling the covers back over them. “The doctors tell me that it won’t be long before our child arrives. You need to continue to rest and gain strength.”
            “I’ve done everything they’ve told me to,” She said with a soft sigh. “Why do I feel worse this time then I did before? Isn’t it supposed to get easier with each child?” She questioned.
            “I don’t know.” He answered honestly. “But you have done quite well. I couldn’t be more proud of you.”
            Those words brought a smile to Katherine’s face as she cuddled up next to him and they settled in to sleep.

Terrifying Consequences
            “What are you going to do?” Lord Coward asked as Blackwood stood at the window starring out into the storm as lighting clashed and thunder shook the walls and glass.
            Just moments after Katherine gave birth, the reason she seemed more ill this time and she had a more difficult pregnancy then before was revealed. A second child arrived just after the first. Thus creating a dilemma. The first born was a boy, but the second child was a girl. Fraternal Twins.
            “She hasn’t been told yet.” Blackwood stated. “She was nearly out of her head in pain to realize what was going on around her. They were both taken from the room before she saw them to be tended. The question is . . . how to proceed from here.”
            “Surely you wouldn’t need to dispose of her. After all there was also a boy born at the same time, and they aren’t your first.” Coward said hoping that Blackwood would choose to keep them both. Although he tended to blindly follow Blackwood, the slaughter of children was a bit much for even him to take in.
            Blackwood said nothing and continued to watch the storm out of his window lost in thought.
            Katherine fell asleep almost as soon as it was over, completely exhausted from the exceedingly long labor she’d been in. While she slept, the servants helped to clean and change her gown and the bedding for fresh linens. One of the maids took a moment before leaving and braided Katherine’s hair to keep it from getting in her face or making her to hot.
            A while later, the chime of the clock woke her. Her skin was pale and there were black circles around her eyes, and she was still incredibly tired. However she sat up and looked around not seeing the baby anywhere in the room.
            “Henry?” She asked softly. The maid who had been sitting with her stood and hurried over to the bed seeing she was awake and helped push some pillows behind her mistresses back to help her sit up. “Where’s the baby? Is he alright?” Katherine asked catching the maid’s arm.
            The girl didn’t respond and instead had a look of a frightened rabbit, not sure if she should say anything. When she said nothing, Katherine decided to ask something else, “Where’s Lord Blackwood?” Still no answer was received and the maid actually took a step back almost wanting to retreat but knowing she couldn’t when she had been instructed to stay.
            Rather than argue or beg, Katherine frowned and threw the covers back as she started to stand. The maid started to panic seeing this and tried to stop her, but Katherine was more determined than anything now to find out what was going on. She started to sway slightly, but found her balance as long as she had her hand on nearby furniture or the wall.
            The maid started to follow after her, but she yelled at the woman to stay. She had frustrated Katherine beyond words and a strange feeling made Katherine wonder what exactly had happened. If she wouldn’t give her answers, then Katherine would go and find them for herself.
            Making her way down the hall slowly and a bit clumsily, she came to Blackwood’s study. She crossed the hallway and nearly fell on the door, but caught herself before she fell to the floor. Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open expecting to find her husband but found the room empty. She frowned not understanding why this was happening.
            Entering into the study, she slowly made her way around the room before reaching up and pressing the hidden device that opened the passage way to the secret prayer room where their personal spells were conducted.
            She leaned against the wall and walked through the small hallway finding every candle they had lit and she could hear a deep voice reciting incantations. At least that’s what she thought she heard, she didn’t recognize what he was saying as anything she had studied.
            When she came to the door way she paused seeing Blackwood in his ceremonial onyx black cloak with his hood pulled down over his face. His hands were raised over the alter, and it was indeed his voice that she had heard.
            It was odd, she expected to see him when she awoke as she had in the past after bringing their children to this world. Something was strange that she couldn’t quite grasp, and a feeling of foreboding came over her. “Henry?” She said leaning against the wall.
            The figure fell silent and he lowered his arms. Katherine’s breath caught in her chest as she waited for his answer. He stood and turned from the alter looking at her. She couldn’t be certain, the hood was pulled down over his eyes preventing anything besides his mouth and jaw from being seen. Her eyes slowly turned to the alter as her eyes went wide. She felt lightheaded and faint when she saw a baby laying on the alter plate. It wasn’t moving and she saw blood and candle wax all around and over the small body.
            Her eyes turned to Henry as she started to breathe harder seeing the Atheme he had in his hand. “Henry? What are you doing?” She said, but he didn’t answer. Katherine could hardly stand and continued to lean against the wall feeling a panic start to well inside her. Suddenly, a smile appeared on Blackwood’s lips and he raised his arm holding the knife. “HENRY!” She screamed when he turned and thrust the knife down, “NO!!!” She screamed.
            When she cried out, she felt hands on her shoulders and her eyes opened. She was covered in sweat, and nearly hyperventilating. She looked around the room in a panic, but finding she wasn’t in Blackwood’s study or the secret chamber. She was back in her own bed, in her own room where she had fallen asleep. The midwife and the maid were still there keeping an eye on her, and when she started to shriek, both quickly tried to catch her to keep her from moving about to fast and to calm her down.
            “Henry!” She said looking around, “Where’s Henry? Where’s Lord Blackwood!!” She said starting to struggle.
            “Here,” A voice said from the door catching her attention enough that she stopped struggling. Blackwood had heard the blood curdling scream that had come from the room just moments before, and one of the maids that had been in the room ran to find him when Katherine started to toss and thrash about in her sleep. He stood at the door a moment, before walking in and sitting down beside her. “What is it? What’s wrong?” He asked.
            “Where’s the baby?” She asked instantly before he even stopped talking. “Where is he?” She asked quickly barely able to get the words out coherently.
            “Shhh.” He said reaching up and smoothing the bangs that weren’t braided with the rest of her hair out of her face. “Take a deep breath, calm down.”
            “Henry, please. Where is he???” She asked starting to get upset again.
            Blackwood looked over to the midwife and gave a nod and she instantly left the room. Moments later she appeared with a bundle in her arms walking over to the bed where Katherine lay. Katherine held her arms out anxiously and the baby was passed carefully to her, and she began instantly checking him over to make sure he was alright. Now she was able to calm down a bit seeing he was alive and well. He’d been bathed and wrapped in a baby bunting, and a blanket to keep him warm.
            “See,” Blackwood said looking down at the boy. “He’s perfectly fine.”
            She nodded feeling silly now that she had let a dream upset her so much and held the young one close letting him grasp her finger causing a bright smile to come to her face. “I’m sorry.” She apologized for making such a scene.
            He smiled, “It’s alright darling.” He said before kissing her forehead. “Are you feeling better now?” She gave a nod as her attention remained on her newborn baby. “Good. I’ll return shortly.” He stood from the bed and looked at the nursemaid, “Stay close and make sure she has everything she needs. The doctor insisted that she have rest for a few days. I’ll hold you personally responsible if she moves from the bed.” The woman gave a nod and Blackwood turned heading out of the room. In the corridor, Lord Coward stood at the end of the hall waiting for him.
            They continued to walk together turning the corner. “See that the body is burned to ashes immediately. I don’t want this to come back to haunt me later.” He ordered.

News from the Colonies
            “This is an unexpected pleasure.” Watson said with a grin when Katherine entered the house carrying a bundle in her arms.
            “I didn’t think Blackwood let his issue out of the house.” Sherlock said in a rather flip tone. Katherine just gave him a look before returning her attention to Watson.
            “He wasn’t happy, but I haven’t wanted to be to far away from him since he was born. His crib is beside our bed, since we’ve basically done away with the nursery until a reputable and trustworthy person can be found to look after him. You can imagine that we are more then attentive to details now when we interview a nanny.” She explained. Watson held his arms out asking if he could hold him. Katherine hesitated a moment before she smiled and gently passed the baby into his arms. Watson smiled seeing the little one yawn. “His name is Joseph.” She said.
            “Considering that the Blackwood family has turned their backs on everything Christian I find it amazing that you seem to be naming your children directly from the pages of the bible.” Holmes commented.
            “Henry thinks that it may be easier for them to stay hidden in plain sight if we don’t name them things like Mephistopheles or Beelzebub.” Katherine had asked why they were naming them from famous figures in the bible thinking it strange, and that was the explanation she was given. “But if it satisfies your assumption we have a pair of black and white Pit Bulls named Abaddon and Cresil.”
            “Interesting. Dare I ask?” Holmes said.
            Katherine sighed wishing he would leave such matters be, but if he truly wanted to know she would tell him. “Abaddon is the king of demons. The Hebrew root meaning to destroy. Cresil is the demon of impurity and laziness.” She gave him a glance when she explained the last name before looking back to Watson. “I want to know what you have heard.” She said cutting from the small talk wanting to get down to business.
            “They’re on route.” Holmes reported. “They are due to arrive in a few weeks.”
            “I would have liked to have met your man before sending him to retrieve my children.” Katherine commented having learned of his deployment only after he had left England. “Are you certain he’s trustworthy?” She asked.
            “Very much so.” Holmes replied. “I can think of no person better for the job. Rest assured, your boys are in good hands.”
            The clock began to chime the hour and Katherine sighed. “I’m due at home.” She said turning to Watson and taking the baby back into her arms. “I have payment awaiting you when my children are safely home.” She said.
            “We’ll let you know as soon as we hear anything, Katherine.” Watson said walking her to the door and opening it for her. She gave a nod before leaving and Watson closed the door. He turned and gave Holmes a look.
            “Yes dear?” He asked.
            “Must you goad her at every turn?” He asked.
            “Absolutely. She is an interesting case to say the least. However, I don’t know if you have noticed, but we seem to have accepted turning our heads the other way and ignoring who her husband is and what he has done.” Now it was clear why he seemed so agitated every time Katherine was around, and insisted on irritating her.
            “Only temporarily.” Watson replied. “Her children were innocent and abducted, then spirited out of the country. I think that’s good cause for a truce to be called for a short time, so that all available resources can be focused on getting them back. Once they’re back we can return to our hounding and studying of Blackwood until he makes a mistake or gets clumsy.” Watson fell silent for a moment, looking towards the door lost in thought.
            “Something troubling you?” Holmes asked.
            “Do you remember how large she was the last time we saw her before giving birth? Much larger than with her first two children.” He paused a moment, “The child was smaller than average. I noticed when I held him for a few moments.”
            “Then why was she so incredibly large?” He questioned.

Sleepless Nights
            Katherine lay on her side of the bed in the dark, as both she and Blackwood had retired hours ago. Yet she wasn’t asleep. Her eyes remained glued on the bassinet that was moved from the nursery to their room where their son slept. She had now had that dream several times, and it was almost as though she was afraid for fear of having it again or even worse, it coming true while she slept.
            She watched Henry like a hawk whenever he was around the baby or interacted with him and she saw no malice or ill intentions whatsoever. Instead, he seemed rather happy and proud of his newest son. She even witnessed the rare phenomenon of Blackwood smiling from happiness with no dark ambition behind it. It must have just been all the stress of the past year. Her boys being abducted and her fears about their safety as well as the newborns.
            “I find it odd that the sound of silence when you’re not snoring wakes me.” She heard Henry say.
            Her eyes went wide as she rolled back and looked at him. “I don’t snore?” She said horrified that she did.
            “Not a loud, lumbering, window shattering snore.” He said. “A quiet one. But apparently in the years we’ve been married I’ve grown accustomed to the sound.” He said reaching over and smoothing the hair back from her face. “You must try to sleep, Katherine. You cannot remain awake for the rest of your life.”
            She sighed softly and rolled back on her side, her eyes returning to the bassinet. “I’ve got to watch over him. Make certain that he’s alright, and safe.”
            “He is.” Blackwood said sternly. “The house is well guarded, he is here, with us in our room. You needn’t worry Katherine. I’ve gone to great lengths to insure the safety of my family.”
            “Gabriel and Michael will be home any day now.” She said feeling as though she was going to burst waiting to hold them.
            “Good.” He said simply. “They’ve been gone far too long. If they’ve been harmed in any way, the ones who took him better start praying to their God for deliverance.”
            “The word that Inspector Holmes and Doctor Watson received is that they were tucked away in one of the new founded churches in the colonies. They’re very poor and just starting to get on their feet, but they were well cared for.” Katherine reported remembering the letter that they had shown her the last time she’d been to their home.
            A moment of silence filled the darkness before Blackwood started to speak again. “I cannot express just how trying this entire episode has been.”
            “You needn’t try.” She said having felt the same hopelessness and loss. “I feel like a part of me has been missing.”
            “Have you arranged with Holmes what we discussed?” He asked.
            “He’ll contact me, and they will keep them hidden and their return a secret until they’re home.” She said confirming that the plans had been made. Another moment of silence passed before she spoke again, “Please Henry. They’ve helped us. They found our children and are bringing them back home.”
            “And for this you think I should spare them.” He said. “Do you honestly think they will stop hounding me once this temporary truce is over? Highly doubtful.”
            “We hired them . . .” She paused before correcting herself, “I hired them and they’ve more than lived up to the contract. They deserve to be rewarded, not punished or harmed.”
            Blackwood was silent for several long moments before relenting. “Until our account is settled,” He said “I suppose we can remain civilized. Dare I ask how much is owed?” He questioned.
            “I’m not certain, they said they would count up expenses once their man returned with the boys.” She said softly.
            Blackwood wrapped his arm around her and lay her back on the pillow as he leaned up and looked down at her. “Still, far to kind hearted for your own good.” He commented before reaching up and running his fingers through her soft locks. She frowned a bit when he did this, and saw the look in his eyes. Yet knowing what resisting and protesting had gotten her in the past, she simply remained silent not wanting to repeat her mistakes.
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Dark Rituals