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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
- 15
- 16
- 17
Worries
            “Katherine,” Blackwood said noticing that she had hardly touched her food. “You know you have to keep your strength up so you don’t get sick again.” He reminded her letting her know that he did notice her appetite had fallen off a great deal. Katherine just looked at her plate and poked some of the vegetables around with her fork. She didn’t seem even the slightest bit interested in food. Something else was occupying her mind.
            “I was thinking, perhaps a change of pace . . .a change of scenery would do us both some good.” He said deciding to move to the next subject. “Perhaps you and I could take a short holiday up to Scotland for a week or so.” Katherine shot him a look that he could read clearly. “The children would be well looked after, and well guarded. You didn’t worry about that.”
            Katherine put down her fork and crossed her arms leaning back in her chair looking at him. It was obvious she didn’t believe that and wasn’t going to take a chance of someone abducting them again. Knowing how strongly she felt about it, she was starting to feel suspicious of his motives again. He must have had something else in mind.
            “Stop that.” He said taking a drink from his glass looking away from her. “You know how much I hate that suspicious look you have in your eyes. I could have lived for ever without ever having known it.” She just looked at him waiting to hear what it was he wanted.
            “There are some . . . artifacts in Scotland that I would like to inspect in person. You should know that I do not intend to leave you here, but the children cannot come. They are more vulnerable when taken outside these walls and off the grounds.” Now, he had Katherine’s full attention. “So, you should begin packing your things we leave tomorrow evening.”
            How could he do this? How could he want to leave their boys alone for an instant after having lost them for nearly a full year 3,000 miles away across the ocean. She shook her head. “Arrangements have already been made, and accommodations are also taken care of.” Katherine clinched her jaw that he seemed to be ignoring her protest. Taking her napkin off her lap she threw it down on the table and got up storming out of the dining hall.

             “Katherine, sit down.” Blackwood said not having dismissed her yet and not liking the way in which she was leaving. However she ignored him and just continued out of the hall.
            When she got to her room, she threw the doors open and went inside. Leave? After everything they had gone through? That she had gone through? How could he even imagine that she would want to be separated from them for any amount of time? She put her hands on the dresser, and dropped her head as she bit back tears.
            Suddenly she was snatched up and spun around finding herself face to face with Lord Blackwood. Her eyes went wide not certain what he was going to do to her, but knew she had defied him when she ignored his words and left the table. “I didn’t say you could leave, I wasn’t finished.” He said squeezing her shoulders slightly. It wasn’t as though she could say anything to him. In protest, in defense, even in anger. She was completely at his mercy here, and she couldn’t even scream if he intended to beat her half to death for her defiance.
            Blackwood just stared into her frightened eyes for a few moments until he released her shoulders before wrapping his hands around her waist and picked her up sitting her on the dresser. His hand slid into her hair to the back of her neck as he just gazed at her. Something about the frightened look in her eyes was quite appealing, and the tremble of fear in her body made him even more excited. Like a predator with his prey. Instinctively she leaned back a bit, but there wasn’t much space to begin with. It was a short narrow dresser against the wall, and sitting on it like this was awkward enough.
            Then, he leaned in with a passionate kiss bracing his hand behind her head so she couldn’t pull away. He kissed her again, and again in a feverish manner cupping her face in his hands to hold her in place so he could devour her lips like a hungry animal. Another moment passed and he reached down and took her knees pulling them around him as he leaned against her into the wall.
            Katherine didn’t know what this was but she didn’t like it. They had been passionate in the past when they were together intimately, that was certain. But what had disturbed her was the fact that he seemed to be turned on that she was scared of him. If it was something he enjoyed in the past, to see her frightened like this, she hadn’t seen it. She didn’t want to see it now.
            Finally, their lips parted but he remained close to her face, and continued to hold her head in his hands. Her eyes were wide as she stared at him not sure what to expect or what was going to happen to her. “How long has it been,” He said one of his hands moving to her neck as his fingertips touched her warm skin. “ since David was born.” He whispered against her lips. He would be nearly 24 months soon. Nearly two years. His face nuzzled against hers slightly as he moved to whisper into her ear. “Have you been hindering me in my endeavor somehow.” He asked having been suspicious for some time now. His free hand moved from her neck down to the front of her dress. “Has someone been helping you?” He said nibbling at her ear slightly.
            Katherine started to become nervous that he was accusing her of something, and quickly put her hand to his chest shoving him away from her a bit finding her back literally against the wall. She shook her head quickly, thinking it a horrid accusation. “We have had four sons, Katherine. It never took you this long before.” He said, looking at her his hands still touching her in every place they could. “Perhaps we haven’t been as diligent as we should be.” He said his face moving exceedingly close to hers once more as he breathed in her scent just enjoying the feel of her body against his. Then his lips found hers once more as he consumed her mouth greedily, pressing his body against hers and rubbing them together a bit.
            The young woman closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the wall, almost dreading what was sure to come next. He was right they had been a bit lax, and it was her fault. She had been avoiding him like the plague and doing anything and everything she could to stay away from him when they were alone in the house together without members of the order or other such important figures that Blackwood used on a regular basis.
            Unfortunately, she did have one Achilles heel. Something that must have been left over from her ‘reconditioning’ that he had put her through. As much as she tried to fight it, as much as she tried to resist, when he began to lavish affections on her like this, it was like a drug that she was hopelessly addicted to. It wouldn’t be long before she simply gave in to the temptation and became as ferocious as he was with passion.
            ‘Please’ she mouthed her eyes still closed tight wanting him to stop before she couldn’t control herself any longer. She hadn’t been able to forget or forgive his transgression. Although she did pretend that it was over and done with, it still ripped at her heart how he had betrayed her. But he had her trapped in every direction. If she didn’t give him what he wanted willingly, he would take it. If she resisted too much and tried his patience, he took it with a vengeance that left her aching and half in tears.
            Blackwood kissed her neck and grinned when he could feel her quiver at his touches. He leaned back for only a moment, pushing her skirts and petty coats up then taking her knees as he wrapped them around him again laying the length of his body against hers before holding her face in his hands and feverishly kissing her once more.
            A moment or two passed before he broke the kiss, both of them breathing deeply. “I do miss the sounds you make.” He whispered against her lips before diving back into consuming them hungrily. Katherine couldn’t hold back any longer and wrapped her arms around his neck returning the kiss, wrapping her legs around him pulling her body hard against his. His grin returned when he felt her finally surrender to those primal instincts, “Good girl.” He whispered against her lips with an evil smile tugging at his lips.

The Nest
            “Katherine.” Blackwood said standing at the door of the nursery. She was sitting beside Gabriel and Michael having wanted to stay with them until they fell asleep. She held David in her arms, as he was fast asleep his head against her chest listening to the soft thump of her heart. Caleb and crawled into Michael’s bed to be closer to Katherine too, and the three boys seemed to be sleeping wherever they flopped next to their mother. “Come on.”
            She frowned as she looked at her sleeping boys and felt as though her heart was being ripped in two. Why couldn’t Blackwood simply go on his own? He had done so before and left her behind. Why would he do this now of all things, knowing what happen to her health the last time she was abroad. Blackwood gave Mary a look and the young woman hurried over to Katherine. Knowing that she couldn’t continue to stay, Katherine carefully passed David into Mary’s arms, before she stood from the bed where she sat and pulled the covers over the boys to keep them warm.
            Katherine turned to Mary who had sat down in the chair to continue rocking David, and mouthed something to her before making a few motions with her hands. Two years since she had lost her voice, and she had learned how to communicate in silence quite well. At least to those whom she lived with, who had learned to listen with their eyes. Mary nodded a few times, before the stroke of the clock caused Blackwood to call her again. “We should have already been on our way.” He said.
            She reluctantly gave them over into Mary’s care and turned walking with Blackwood, her head down and her eyes a bit misty. Not wasting a moment to let her try and talk him out of taking her again, he hustled her down to the carriage that was already packed and waiting for them. As soon as the door was closed, they were off.

Checking Up
            “Oh you’re going to love this Watson.” Holmes said carrying a letter he had just opened having received it the day before. “This is just to ironic for words.”
            “And I know how much you love irony.” Watson said putting his pen down having been spending the morning updating his files. “So what is it then? A new case?”
            “I haven’t decided yet. Compensation is rather impressive and always a good incentive.” Holmes passed Watson the letter, hardly able to suppress the grin while he waited for his friend to finish reading.
            Watson furrowed his brow before looking up at Holmes, “You’re joking. Tell me this is a joke.”
            “Well I haven’t personally heard of this man before, but he is apparently a lord of some kind. Do you know him?” Holmes asked taking the letter back.
            “No, I can’t recall the name either.” He answered.
            “Well, apparently the Order of the four temples isn’t the only secret society in the world. I already knew that of course, but didn’t realize just how close to home they were.” Holmes stated.
            “If this man is the head of a different order then Blackwood, then why haven’t we heard of him? In the criminal sense I mean?” Watson inquired.
            “Because this one tends to operate inside the laws of the land without making their own amendments to it. It also is based in stars and earth theology, human sacrifices aren’t on the list of ‘things to do’.” Holmes explained. “Much more ancient then Blackwood’s group. Somewhat more respectful of human life, and concerned with the health of the natural world, rather then believing in angels and demons, good vs. evil and that sort of ideology.”
            “Why would he come to us with this? We’re not the members of any secret society yet these people continue to find us somehow.” Watson said. “We’re not talking this job, obviously.” He stated hoping it would sound like less of a question then it was.
            “Why not? I always like a challenge.” He said.
            Watson sighed and snatched the letter back from him and started to read the job description:
            ‘much to my distaste, Lord Blackwood’s ambitions are crossing and disrupting the peaceful nature of my companions and our practices. Seeing that Lord Blackwood is still at large, I see it only reasonable to assume that outside and private investigation into these matters are needed.
            The matter concerns a piece of property that holds a sacred value and ancient reverence for us. Attempting to use bribery, blackmail, extortion, and even intimidation to influence our order in willingly handing it over to him and his followers, he has accompanied these tactics with death threats and other means of persuasion.
            I can assure you that we are well equipped to handle this situation ourselves, but considering our own beliefs and practices, we would like to do so as discretely as possible and avoid violence or brute force. We are neither interested in Lord Blackwood’s doctrines and beliefs, or in the war that could result over what we consider to be most sacred.
            Enclosed are the details and first payment of the proposed contract. We will fiancé any expenses you may encounter, as well as any means you deem necessary to find evidence or proof to limit Blackwood’s strangle hold on England.’
Signed, “Lord Richard Hawks”
            Watson looked at the second piece of paper enclosed with the promised details and sighed. “We only have one real connection with Blackwood and his order that could do us any good. She’s not going to be willing to help us get anything. She can’t even speak.”
            “I think the first step is to understand a bit more about this order and the property that’s in dispute before making a solid decision in anyway. I don’t see anything wrong with putting a bit of research into it.” Holmes said.

Echoes
            When Katherine and Blackwood returned from their trip, Blackwood immediately went to work. He was a bit unhappy about the way their trip had gone, and felt as though nothing was accomplished besides adding more insult to injury. Now he had to work from a different angle and that would take time he didn’t feel he had.
            Katherine returned to spending as much time as possible with her sons. She didn’t want to miss a moment with them, and their safety was always her biggest concern. She of course ate with Blackwood when he was home, but lately he seemed as though his mind was occupied somewhere else. So that when they were together, he didn’t talk to her as much as before. Perhaps because she couldn’t speak back with her own voice, and conversation seemed somewhat pointless. Not to say he wasn’t still ordering her about and demanding she be obedient to his wishes.
            One of the forbidden books of the order that only Lord Blackwood would dare to open and draw from, hadn’t really been used in his role as head of the order. Mostly because the spells and incantations that it held were very powerful, and hard to wield. It required a sacred space that would have energy that the incantations would help them tap into and use in the spells. Extremely powerful, but very dark and very evil magic was involved.
            When they had gone to the country, Blackwood was investigating a certain place that he had heard was the perfect place to hold ceremonies that were contained in this book, and wanted to investigate it. The reason he had brought Katherine along had become quite obvious when they stepped out of the carriage and walked into the circle of massive stones that had been placed there thousands of years ago. He needed Katherine’s ability to see things, and feel them let him know immediately what sort of power was flowing through this place. Katherine was so overwhelmed by it that she had to leave within moments of arriving. It had answered his question, and he had found the place they would need to cast the spells. It was perfect.
            Unfortunately, the ruins themselves and the property that they were located on were privately owned. A different secret society already had a strong claim and hold on it that would prevent Blackwood and his followers from using it for their purposes. The beliefs that the other secret society held automatically caused conflictions with the other, making them natural enemies.
            If Blackwood was to get what he wanted, it was going to take some maneuvering and be handled with kid gloves. At least until they were certain bare knuckles were necessary.

Uninvited Guests
            “Katherine, what is taking so long?” Blackwood said as the ritual hadn’t begun yet and time was running out to begin it.
            She turned and showed him the fastening that was giving her difficulty with the dress she was wearing. He sighed impatiently and stepped inside closing the door behind. He walked to her as she turned and he began to help her. “If you had just worn it from the house instead of insisting on waiting until we got here, then this wouldn’t have been a problem. There.” He said fixing it for her. “Now get a move on. It’s nearly midnight.” He said turning and exiting back into the hallway.
            She made certain everything she needed was in place and on her person so that Henry wouldn’t get upset with her again for being unprepared. Deciding she was ready, she turned and opened the door going out into the hallway as well. She started to walk down the dimly candle lit chamber where Blackwood and the other members of standing where waiting.
            Much to her dismay, her hurried steps were suddenly stopped as she came face to face with a man she didn’t know. He wasn’t dressed in the traditional garb that was worn during their ceremonies, and she was sure she had never seen him before. It was as though he appeared out of nowhere in front of her.
            “Lady Blackwood, I presume.” He said. Katherine felt a feeling of foreboding wash over her, indicating that this person was not a friend. She took a step back feeling as though she was standing to close to this stranger. “Don’t be frightened. I’m not going to hurt you.” He said looking into her eyes, “But I think perhaps you and I have some matters to discuss. You can help me.”
            He took a step toward her and she instantly took a step back her body going tense preparing to defend herself or run if he came any closer. He stopped and smiled, “My name is Lord Hawks. I’ve no doubt that you’ve been at least told of me.” Katherine couldn’t say anything and the frustration in her face was evident that she couldn’t say anything. She couldn’t even scream for help. “I know you cannot speak. All you can do is listen, and that is what I need of you right now. But not here.” He said knowing that her absence was holding up Blackwood’s ritual and any moment he or his men would come looking for her.
            He lunged out and grabbed her by the arm hustling her down the hallway through a door that led to a staircase. She struggled but he was so much bigger then she was and far stronger.

An Offer
            Katherine sat in a chair in a dark stone room, a single candle was all the light there was to be had. The man who had somewhat abducted her stood with four others who seemed to be his subordinates.
            “You have four children, and have been married to Blackwood for seven years now, haven’t you.” Although a bit reluctant to answer his questions, not understanding who he was or what was going on she gave a slight nod. “You have a family, a home, and a name that is notorious but gives you some level of standing in this strange world of ours. It would be a shame if you and Lord Blackwood were to lose everything you’ve worked so hard to create.”
            Katherine frowned not liking the situation or the sound of the threat he’d just given her. “But you don’t have to. You can keep everything, even the safety of yourself and your children. That is, if your husband doesn’t continue to bully his way to acquiring things that do not belong to him.”
            Her eyes turned away knowing what this was about. It was about the grounds and ruins that she and Blackwood had inspected on their trip out of London a few weeks ago. The man moved closer to her, and reached out with both hands towards her. She jerked back tensing from head to toe, not certain what he was doing.
            “Shhh. It’s alright.” The man reassured her before reaching for her again and wrapping his hands around her neck slightly. His thumbs ran over her throat a moment, as he looked into her eyes. “I’ll bet you have a lovely voice.” He said, she frowned trying to pull away from his hands but the high back of the chair made it difficult to move in any direction to free herself. “I’ll bet your children miss hearing it. And you yearn more than anything to be able to sing them to sleep each night.” Katherine furrowed her brow turning her face away wanting him to release her. “If you agree to help us, change your husband’s mind about his ambition and convince him to leave us be . . . then I can give it back to you. You’re voice.”
            This caught Katherine’s attention as her eyes turned back towards him, how could he possibly accomplish that? They had tried everything and nothing had worked. He smiled at her. “Think about it. Being able to speak again, to talk to your children, to call out to someone in another room. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”
            Katherine looked up at him not sure if she could do what he asked. Henry had been so determined and single minded since he got home, who knows how he would respond to her saying anything that wasn’t in full support of his plans. The man could see in her eyes that she was sufficiently intrigued and smiled. “I leave it up to you.”

Returned
            Katherine had to find her own way back which took a bit longer then it did getting down there in the first place. She had never been so deep into the catacombs before, and with the darkness and unending stairwells and hallways, it was easy for one to get lost.
            What seemed like ages, she found herself at the door that led from the Catacombs up into the house where the headquarters of the order where located. She took a deep breath when she got through the door, the musty and thick air had been hard to breathe. Coughing a few times, she finally was able to get some fresh air and she closed the door heading up the stairs to the main office where she knew Henry would be if he hadn’t gone home.
            A while later, after having written out and reaccounted what happened to her, Blackwood just stared in silence, lost in thought. Of course, the offer she had been given she failed to mention to him. Just the threat that was extended to them if they persisted in trying to take the property.
            “Did they hurt you.” He asked when she had finished. She shook her head a bit, looking down. Blackwood stood and paced slightly. “He and his men entered the catacombs with no detection at all. He must have come in through one of the hidden entrances on the other side of them.” He stopped a moment looking at Lord Coward, “Then he approached and abducted my wife right under our noses before letting her go without a mark.”
            “He’s attempting to intimidate us. To show they have more power then we do.” Coward said.
            “For someone who doesn’t want a war he’s a bit thick, isn’t he.” Blackwood said. “Interrupting our rituals, and threatening Katherine seems like a great way to provoke a slaughter.”
            Katherine stood up and shook her head, not wanting him to start killing people again. “We’ll call a meeting tomorrow night to discuss a proper course of action. But I think it’s best if I get Katherine home. She’s been through enough tonight.” He said, “Katherine.” She nodded and followed after him immediately.

Decisions
            When they got home, Katherine retired but Blackwood didn’t. Instead he sat up in his study, a glass of brandy in his hand in silence. He had a tendency to stare for long periods of time at nothing really. The intense expression and look in his eyes was the giveaway of what was happening.
            A very soft and quiet knock came at the door of the study. He didn’t even have to turn to look to know who it was. “You should be in bed.”
            Katherine stepped inside and closed the door behind her before walking over to him and kneeling down beside him where he sat. She reached up covering his hand with both of hers looking into this eyes.
            Blackwood just gazed at her for several long moments. “I’ll sort this out soon.” He reassured her. “You needn’t be so worried.” Katherine scooted a little closer on her knees and reached up with one hand touching his chest before touching her own. He half smiled, “Picking around in my head again are you.” She shook her head quickly before trying to explain better in her quiet manner. He slid his hand out from under hers and reached up cupping her face admiring her for a moment. “I know.”
            He sighed slightly, “You were there with me, you know how powerful the place is. We need that power, that raw energy if we are ever going to remake the world as it should be.”
            Katherine shook her head a little before wrapping her hands around the one that touched her face. She motioned to everything around her before taking his hands and looking at him once more.
            “It’s always enough with you isn’t it. You have no ambitions of your own, to ulterior motives, no grand plans. Simply, thankful for what you have and content with it.” His hand reached up and traced the line of her jaw slowly, “I’m not so easily contented. I want the best there is. To be the best there is. To show the world my vision. How it can be a dream for each person . . . . or a nightmare if they oppose me.” He said looking deeper into her eyes. “But it all starts here, with this. Human reliability is questionable at best. I have to have the aid of a higher power. A stronger one.”
            How was she ever expected to change his mind about this? He saw what he wanted so clearly in his head, it didn’t matter what she said . . . or rather couldn’t say. He was so hungry for power and domination, she was not an advisor on such matters. He didn’t feel he needed any. She was just along for the ride, wherever it might take them.
            There were one or two things she had learned from the years they had been married. For instance the one power she had that no one else on earth did. She was his wife. She knew how to wear him out so he would sleep late the next day, the only time he was ever practically generous and almost human, and was in the best mood to discuss anything.
            Making her decision on how she was going to attempt to approach the matter, she looked into his eyes a moment before leaning up and kissing him deeply. Needless to say, Blackwood was a bit surprised at her action. For a long time, it seemed as though the only way he could get any affection from her is after he pursued her until there was nothing else she could do and give in.
            Katherine kissed him a bit deeper, placing her hand on the side of his face and resting her other hand on his thigh. After several moments, the kiss parted and her eyes opened and she looked up at him from where she knelt again. Blackwood just stared at her, amazed by the change in her attitude. She smiled a bit, before she stood taking his hand in hers indicating that he should come with her.
            He stood and went with her a bit curious to see where this would lead.

In Darkness
            Blackwood held Katherine in his arms as their bodies lay entwined with one another having just suffered extremely intense final throws of passion. He kissed her deeply as they lay side by side catching their breath. He was stunned at this whole experience but had never been more pleased in bed since their marriage then he was at this moment
            She was insatiable, and at times not very gentle but he enjoyed every minute of it immensely. He chuckled a bit watching her face, and smoothed his fingers through her hair brushing it back over her shoulder. “This is a new side of you I haven’t seen before Katherine.” He leaned his cheek to hers and whispered in her ear, “I like it.”
            The young woman’s hand rested on his chest, as they both could now breathe easier. More naturally instead of gasping for air now that they had had a bit of rest. She felt Blackwood’s body relax and decided she’d waited long enough. She leaned up and found his lips once more, kissing him gently a few times as her hands moved up over his shoulder. Blackwood could feel her starting yet another encounter rather than letting him fall asleep and he chuckled a bit.
            “Wait,” He said between anxious kisses, “Katherine,” as she kissed him again, “Darling . . . wait, wait . . .” He said reaching up and cupping her face in his hands to hold her in place and stop her advances. “Calm down.” He whispered, stroking her face with his thumbs as he looked into her eyes. “Just relax.” When he felt her relent, he smiled looking into her eyes. “If you’re trying to kill me, then I have to say it’s the best way I could hope to go.” She cocked her head with an inquisitive look. It was a strange thing to say.
            She started to kiss him again, rolling towards him so he would lie on his back as she straddled his body kissing him once more. Resting her hands on his chest a moment, she looked into his eyes before she kissed his lips softly, and then trailed kisses down his chin and throat to his chest. She felt to amazing tonight for Blackwood to argue further with her wanting to continue. He closed his eyes, just enjoying the feel of her touch and affections.
            When she continued her way down his body however he felt her lips cross down his abdomen, his eyes opened and he sat up quickly grasping her arms pulling her up to look at him. The violent and fast way he moved frightened Katherine and she shuttered a bit not certain what she had done wrong. “Don’t do that.” He said seriously starring into her eyes. “I realize, you’re trying to please me . . . but I’ll not have you doing such things. It’s behavior that is reserved for unfortunates and prostitutes. Not you. Not my wife.” He touched his fingertips gently to her mouth. “I’ll not have you degrading yourself in such a way.”
                 She couldn’t quite understand his reaction. She had been told by the women in the house who had frequent encounters with men that it was it was something they all enjoyed, more than anything else in fact. To be honest, she gagged in the back of her throat when one of the maids first told her and described it to her in such great detail, and felt as if she was going to vomit right there. Yet the maid went on to explain a few things more, until Katherine had to leave not wanting to hear another word, finding most of it distasteful and disgusting. Even though that was her feelings on such acts, tonight she had to try anything and everything to make sure that Blackwood was beyond satisfied. When he stopped her, she couldn’t have been more relieved.
                He smoothed his fingers through her hair again, before kissing her softly and pulling her against him. Then he turned them over so he was lying on top of her, between her thighs. “I prefer to see your eyes, now that your voice has gone silent.”
                Blackwood leaned down and kissed her, and she wrapped her arms around him returning the passionate embrace. It was still several hours until morning, and she intended to keep up their activities until the break of dawn.

Details
            Katherine sent Mary with a letter to post in town, and asked that she did so quietly without letting anyone else know of it. Mary hadn’t been an experienced nanny or governess when she came into their service. To be perfectly honest, she was still just a child herself. Blackwood decided that it would be better to take someone who knew nothing, and mold them into what they wanted for their children. Mary was exceptionally bright and eager to learn. She had been brought to live in the Blackwood home from a work house, so she was also anxious to please Katherine so she could keep her position. She had almost no religious upbringing at all, so she had no set opinions on what went on and the strange practices in the Blackwood home either way.
            The letter was addressed to Sir Richard Hawks, but Mary paid it no mind and posted it anyway as Katherine had said, without a word to anyone. Katherine stayed with the boys while Mary was gone, a bit nervous not sure if it was a wise decision she had made, or what the consequences would be if Mary was caught with the letter.
            She rocked David slowly in her arms always keeping an eye on the clock, while his older brothers played about them. Caleb, seemed to be somewhat different from the other three, even though he wasn’t the youngest anymore. It was something that Katherine noticed from time to time. He was quiet, and more subdued then the others were. Sometimes, she would find him just sitting by himself, alone in a corner away from the others, but he always came to Katherine when she was there. Always anxious for a hug, or to be held for any length of time. He seemed like he was lonely even though he had three brothers he was with all of the time. It was strange, and Katherine didn’t know what to do to help him.
            Finally, Mary came into the nursery taking off her things and putting them away. Katherine stood and looked at her anxious to know if everything had gone alright. “Everything was fine, Lady Blackwood. No one even noticed I’d left.” She reported. Katherine gave a nod as Mary came over and she passed David into her arms. It was past the boys nap time, and so the two women went to work putting them down for an hour or so.
            When they were seen too, Katherine returned to her own room trying not to be nervous. She’d have her answer in just a day or two, but so many things could go wrong between now and then. Worst of all, Henry finding out that she had sent that letter. Just that alone would enrage him without knowing the contents of the letter.
            She needed her voice, she wanted to speak again. If this man could help her, then perhaps Blackwood’s plans could be postponed at least for a little while.

Chains of Events
            Blackwood and Katherine stood at the altar in the catacombs as the other members present were chanting the same words over and over. Blackwood read from his book, and Katherine stood close assisting him however she could.
            There had been rumors and whisperings that all negotiations between the two orders had failed and the war had begun. Up until this point, violence had only been theoretical. Now it was beginning to materialize among members of both orders.
            Holmes and Watson had been trying to sort out things on both sides of the fence on this matter, and it now that it had spilled over into the streets so to speak, it was plain that a solution needed to be found and implemented quickly before things got completely out of hand.
            The first sign they had that it was starting to escalate to dangerous levels is when Holmes and Watson had been called to the scene of several murder investigations. They 9 in all thus far, and all were two separate styles of ritual killings. The victim usually being left in pieces, bits of their body placed about in some sort of manner that had meaning only to those who committed the murders.
            The tenth murder, being more disturbing than the others, as it wasn’t just one victim but three. The wife of one of the practitioners of Blackwood’s order was found skinned and dissected along with their two children. It was a gruesome and ghastly sight that even made Holmes and Watson too ill to stay on the scene very long. The pattern of murders was somewhat even more disturbing as it seemed as though a countdown had begun. The murders, at least on Lord Hawk’s side, had moved from members to their families. Not knowing very much about the opposing order, and having learned quite a bit about Blackwood’s through inside sources and even Katherine herself, it became clear that each member that was attacked, or his family, was higher in ranking closer to Blackwood.
            The threat itself became clear, that Katherine was in danger of being on the list of candidates for the next murder. Even worse, Katherine had expressed concern to Watson that she might be pregnant yet again. Both Holmes and Watson felt that this made her even worse of a target then before having witnessed the nature of the other murders and the viciousness and brutality of each one designed to send a clear message. What better way to send a final and severe message to Blackwood to back off then to kill his young wife that was carrying his child.
            Holmes and Watson had to explore the options and possibilities available to put an end to this blood bath as quickly as possible. The yard was being left to clean up the aftermath of these monstrosities. Many of the officers were finding it difficult to stomach and had nearly had enough of it. Understandably so.

Two Options
            “Either Blackwood needs quickly and quietly have her removed from London to a safe and secure place far away, or she stays and is watched until the murderers are caught in their attempt.” Holmes stated.
            “You mean offer her up as bait?” Watson asked. “Oh that’s brilliant Holmes, and I suppose when the attack does happen she’ll just call out for help.” Watson said sarcastically.
            “Have you a better solution? The only reason we ever got as close to having Blackwood hanged as we did . . . on two separate occasions . . .” It was still quite the sore subject with Watson so Holmes slid past it as soon as possible, “Is because we caught him in the act. The girl he had splayed on the alter wasn’t killed, but it gave us the evidence we needed to put his head in the noose.” Holmes explained.
            “Just barely.” Watson pointed out, “With a great deal of luck we managed to get to her in time, but the knife was at her chest when you got to her. Just a split second longer and she would have been another in Blackwood’s long list of victims.”
            “Obviously we can’t do it ourselves like we did that time. Blackwood, I’m sure, will be most willing to aid us in our endeavor for Katherine’s sake. He seems to have an obsessive nature when it comes to expanding his family.” Holmes commented.
            “So we’ve gone over to the other side now have we? We’re helping Blackwood, taking his side against the enemy he himself made?” Watson questioned.
            “One evil at a time, Watson. Get this mess sorted out before it goes any further then we can return to my lifelong ambition of handing Blackwood’s head to the King in a hat box.” Holmes said. “Two secret societies warring in plain sight like this, is bad for everyone’s health.
            “What happened to the peaceful nature of this other order that you found so fascinating.” The doctor asked.
            “Apparently murder is justified in their eyes in the pursuit to preserve and protect what they consider to be sacred. I’m sure you noticed that the most brutal and merciless wars in history were religious wars. Fundamentalism has a tendency to bring out the extremists in their followers.” Holmes stated.
            “She hasn’t told him yet.” Watson said changing the subject somewhat.
            “About the newest addition to the Blackwood household?” Holmes asked.
            “Maybe she’s trying to keep it a secret, so that she won’t be such a viable target.” Watson suggested. “It’s not for certain yet, and besides her we are the only ones aware of the possibility.”
            “I assume that Blackwood himself must have some idea as well. They are married after all, Watson.” Holmes added.
            “You’d be amazed what determined wives can hide from their husbands, Holmes. Now that she’s a mute she runs even less of a chance of saying something that might give her away. Although I have advised her that if she is, indeed, with child that she needs to seek medical care immediately considering her history.” Watson said.
            “Well, as soon as the cat is out of the bag her days will be numbered, if they aren’t already. There has to be some middle ground to find here. We just have to look a bit closer, that’s all.” Holmes said.
            “We’d better come up with something quickly. I have this strange overshadowing sense of our time running out.”
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Dark Rituals