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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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Shadows in the Dark
            “There’s no one here.” Watson said finally. “No one is going to be here, they are over 30 minutes late.” The doctor was impatient and a bit put out that they were here so late at night in a darkened alleyway. “It was simply someone’s idea of a joke, and we fell for it like a couple of rubes.”
            “Where is your sense of adventure as of late?” Sherlock asked as he walked closer to Watson with his hands in his pockets. “You seem to be in a bad humor most of the time. It’s very unlike you.”
            Watson looked a bit frustrated, realizing that perhaps Sherlock was right. “Perhaps I grow weary of being made a fool of, Holmes".
            “You mean by Blackwood? And his two separate attempts at making his death seem quite believable to a doctor? That wasn’t your failing to notice, as much as it was his talent for illusion. You mustn’t take it to heart so.” Holmes answered.
            “My reputation suffers because of these acts of defiance. Not many are anxious to consult a doctor who has failed to tell if a man is truly dead or not . . . . twice!” He exclaimed.
            “It is not your fault. We must accept that these things were planned long before you or I became involved. Not to mention that these aren’t common or typical methods he is using. It’s not local, to be sure and he seems to spare no expense to find the most obscure chemicals and herbs to produce such results.” Holmes said lighting his pipe.
            The doctor sighed knowing that perhaps Holmes was right, and perhaps he was taking it a bit harder to heart then was necessary. Once the case was resolved then everything would be set right again. “It’s nearly 1 in the morning Holmes, we should return home.”
            Holmes leaned on the wall a moment, before reaching through the darkened doorway and pulling out the ease dropper that had been listening in for some time. Watson was a bit startled that he hadn’t noticed this man before now. “Do you realize how loud your snoring becomes the longer you sleep?” Holmes pointed out to the man.
            “Let me go! I wasn’t doin’ nothing wrong!” He said. “I’ve got a right to be here same as you!”
            The man’s odor was incredible and made one’s eyes water; his breath didn’t deserve any high compliment either. It was obvious he had been at the bottle for some time during the evening. “Gladly,” Holmes said as both his and Watson’s stomach turned. “Just as soon as you give me what you were sent to give me.”
            “I ain’t got nothin’ for ya!” He said taking a clumsy swing at Holmes, who rather simply stepped back out of the man’s reach, causing him to spin around and fall to the ground. Holmes just watched the man struggle around with himself for a moment before leaning against the wall to get back to his feet. “Not without getting a bit of somethin’ in return.” He said rubbing his fingers together.
            “You’ve already been paid for your questionable services; otherwise you wouldn’t be in such a disgusting and pickled state as you are now.” Holmes reached into the man’s coat pocket and extracted a letter rather expertly. “Now you may go.” He said stepping aside.
            The man cursed Watson and Holmes under his breath before making his way out of the alley. “Charming.” The doctor said watching the man disappear.
            “Well then, I believe you said something about returning home. I think it best to get off the streets as soon as humanly possible. Come along.” He said.
            “What about the letter? Aren’t you even curious to see who it is from? If the anonymous writer as yet identified himself if this time that is.” Watson said.
            “Lady Blackwood.” Holmes answered without even looking at the letter.
            “How do you know?” He asked as it seemed Holmes hadn’t even glanced at it yet.
            Sherlock took the envelope from his pocket showing Watson the seal on the back. “There are only two people in the world who use this crest, and I can be certain it wasn’t from Lord Blackwood.”

Contemplation
            “You always said you did like a challenge.” Watson finally breaking the uneasy silence as he watched Holmes pace back and forth with his leather crop lost in thought.
            “Indeed.” He said.
            “We know exactly what is going on now, but at the same time we’ve been hired to interfere should her worst fears come into reality.” Watson admitted.
            “We don’t have to take the commission. I can easily have the money returned to her with an accompanied reply of, ‘no thank you’.” Holmes responded.
            “That’s utter nonsense and you know it. She has nowhere else to turn for help in this matter.” Watson stated.
            “So, then preparations and plans should be made to intervene if need be. There’s no use pointing out how impossible the task is, and our energies are best spent on what is possible.” Holmes insisted. “She makes no mention of wanting any help for herself whatsoever, simply for the child should he turn out to be a she.”
            “I can’t believe that even Blackwood would be able to kill his own newborn child regardless of whether or not it’s a boy or a girl. He can’t be so completely heartless, even if he is a sociopath. I’m not even able to conceive the thought in my own mind.” The doctor said rubbing his head.
            “Instead of betting on his humanity, I think we had better count on his inhumanity and extract the child before it can be offered up as a symbol of just how ruthless Blackwood is willing to be. With an exit plan of course, and a place to take the baby that it would be safe and perhaps spirited away from London all together.” Holmes said outlining the details that they needed to plan for.
            “It’s certain that this will be one of those ceremonies that all members would be attending. You and I can handle ourselves against quite a number, but there will be well over 100 men there. Perhaps even more. Holding them all at bay won’t be possible, and you know as well as I that religious and occultists are equally fanatical when it comes to their beliefs and rituals.” Watson said
            “Perhaps then, we can’t wait for the ceremony itself to take place. In Lady Blackwood’s letter, she admitted to not knowing all the details of the evening that are planned, but she did know that the baby is to be ‘born’ an hour before midnight. No doubt to give the doctors time to attend to Katherine and insure that she is safe and out of danger before anything else. An hour after the event itself takes place, one of two things will happen at the stroke of twelve. Blackwood will either Christen his son, or sacrifice his daughter for every one of his followers to see.” Holmes explained before sitting down in his chair. “That hour in between will have the doctors attention on Katherine, and everyone else’s attention on the baby. It’s not really the time to attempt an extraction of either one. Obviously Lady Blackwood will be in no condition to be moved, much less help in this endeavor. And as you said, our being outnumbered 50 or more to 1 is a certainty.”
            “But we don’t know if any action will be necessary until the baby is actually born. If it is a boy then he is safe and there is no need to worry.” Watson pointed out. “It’s a 50/50 chance and your guess is as good as mine.”
            “Well then . . . perhaps it would be best if the guest of honor wasn’t to participate in the birthing ceremony.” Sherlock said. “Then, if the baby is born a son then Katherine and her newborn child can return to, Blackwood and no doubt be turned into a good little demon drone. If it is a girl . . . . then perhaps a story could be arranged explaining that the child died when born. Not only giving us time to get her to a safe location, but insuring that no one would go looking for her.”
            “You want me to help her deliver the baby.” Watson said looking at his friend.
            “Are you not up to the task?” Sherlock inquired.
            “I have delivered babies before and attended pregnant women . . . but the entire secret underground of England will be looking for her and we don’t even know who is involved and who is not.” Watson sighed frustrated with himself as he heard more and more reasons why they couldn’t help her and why it was almost ridiculous to imagine they could even try. “As if those reasons weren’t enough to be concerned of, how do you expect to spirit her away to some hiding shelter in the first place? She is constantly watched and attended, under guard, and under lock and key. The closer she gets to her due date, the more Blackwood is going to want to keep her close.”
            “This man works outside the law in his actions, yet his followers work to help him from inside the law. Making excuses and loop holes in every direction for him to slip through, and they all turn a blind eye to the atrocities he’s committed and been responsible for.” Holmes tapped his fingers against the arm of the chair narrowing his eyes a bit. “I dare say that we may need to approach the church once again for aid in this matter.”
            “Good Lord. You aren’t serious, are you Holmes? After what they put her through when we took her there before?” Watson simply stared at Sherlock in disbelief.
            “The child is going to need a place to go where she will be protected, and kept safe. There are many places that the church could confidentially relocate her to, perhaps even Rome itself if they are so inclined.” The Inspector said. “She is an innocent after all. It might delight the church to know they were not only helping save a life, but thwart Blackwood’s plan to offer up a human child as a sacrifice to enhance his power in the dark arts.”

Waiting
            Katherine sat in a corner of her bedchamber, just out of the limelight of the candles. Her legs were pulled underneath her as she rested her head against the wall. Her hand rested on her abdomen as she could feel the baby moving a little bit inside of her. It seemed as though the only thing there was left for her to do now was wait. Yet it felt as though every minute grew longer, and every day never seemed to end.
            Then, the door of the room opened and Blackwood entered, before closing the doors behind him and locking them back as they were. He removed his gloves and then his Jacket putting them aside, before walking into the other room and removing his watch, tie and vest.
            The young woman held absolutely still when he said nothing or look her, as her eyes simply followed him as he moved, almost frightened that if she took a breath he would notice and remember that she was there.
            Coming back into the room, he tucked his sleeves slightly since he had removed his cufflinks and put them away as well. His eyes found Katherine in the shadows and it thought it somewhat strange that she chose to sit there. He studied her for a moment before stepping closer. “Are the chairs not to your liking?” He asked.
            “They didn’t feel comfortable tonight.” She said in a soft voice. He arched a brow as he walked closer to her. Weather she intended it or not, she looked as though she was cowering away from him.
            “I think it best now that you find a more comfortable place to sit, you’ll catch your death of cold on the floor.” He reached out taking her hands in his and lifting her to her feet, as she had trouble moving about from an up and down position these days. Releasing her hands, Blackwood walked over and poured himself a nightcap. Katherine sat down on the leaning couch close to the fire place that the servants had kept burning during the day to keep the rooms where she was staying warm. Blackwood finished his drink and put the glass down before turning and walking over to Katherine, sitting beside her. “How are you feeling today.” He questioned.
            “Tired.” She said simply, telling the truth. Every part of her body seem to ache from head to toe and there was nothing to be done about it.
            “That’s to be expected.” He said leaning a bit closer to her. “It won’t be long now.” He said whispering into her ear. Blackwood reached up running his fingers over her shoulder, and following her neck then tracing the line of her jaw. He moved in as if to take a kiss, but found her face turning away in rejection. It had been a behavior that had slowly become more common place since she found she was with child, and since he had ‘returned from the grave’ so to speak. However it wasn’t so bold and clear as it had become these past few weeks.
            He studied her face for a moment as she kept her eyes turned away from him, her breath growing slightly more labored and she clinched her jaw. She was panicked, and didn’t like his being so close and wanting to be intimate in any capacity.
            “Need I remind you of your duties in your role as my wife.” He said seriously. Her eyed turned downcast as she already knew them all to well, but she simply couldn’t put her fears aside. “Then perhaps you’ll enlighten me, as t your recent behavior.”
            “I just . . . I feel very tired.” She said softly. “The doctor said that I should have more rest.” It was the best excuse that she could come up with on the fly, but the way his dark eyes starred at her, she could tell he wasn’t buying it.
            “In the time we have been husband and wife, you have never shunned my touch. Never turned away from me like you do now. Have I not been gentle?” He said before leaning closer and whispering in her ear as he rested his hand on her thigh. “Have I not been generous?” He said before kissing the softness of her neck. Blackwood could feel her body tremble, and instinctively try to turn away.
            He paused his advances, a little irritated by the complete utter rejection he was receiving. “Katherine . . . .” He said.
            “I am your wife,” She said in a hurried voice cutting him off before he could say another word. “I will submit to you if you truly wish it.” Letting him know that if he wanted to take her, it was well within his rights to do so regardless of her own feelings or concerns.
            Blackwood had no further desire to continue with his seduction at this moment. Forcing her to do what he wanted was not going to aid him in making her want to turn to his beliefs, and would more than likely make her begin to hate him. Her words had completely killed his eager mood, causing him to pull his hand back from her thigh and he just starred at her saying nothing. “To bed.” He said simply breaking the silence. The sound of his voice caused her to jump slightly, but she quickly took the opportunity to flee. However when she started to get him, he did help her to her feet before she hurried to change into her nightgown.

Hidden Vital Details
            “Any luck Watson?” Sherlock said when he saw his friend approaching from down the street.
            “None.” He said coming to a stop. “The few leads we’ve had thus far have come to an abrupt dead end.”
            “Well, then we must find some more leads.” Holmes replied as the two men turned and continued on their way down the street.
            “We’re running out of time. The 31^st is at the end of this week and we still don’t know what doctors are intended to perform the cesarean or where the ceremony is to be held. Since Blackwood wants her alive he definitely won’t be doing it himself.” Watson said.
            “To true. If his past history with young females who had the misfortune of falling into his path is any indication, he would most likely have no objections to gutting her like a fish.” Sherlock looked about a moment deciding what direction they should take.
            “Perhaps Katherine knows something more, something that could help us find these things out. She must know the names of the men who have been looking after her care.” Watson suggested.
            “No. Contacting her at this point is quite impossible. Blackwood’s home is now guarded like a fortress. Clarkey and Lestrade already informed me that the police are watching the house around the clock. The official story being that it is for Katherine’s ‘safety’. “ Holmes sighed, “This situation is getting more difficult by the moment. It would make things considerably easier if the child being a boy was a sure thing.”
            Watson gave a nod, “Then we wouldn’t be needed at all.”
            “I still believe the best way to resolve this is to spirit Lady Blackwood away until the child is born. Yet that idea has nearly become a complete fever dream and nothing more. Not even Lestrade can get near her, and it’s still believed that he his part of the order. Only the members at the highest level have had any contact or allowed any contact whatsoever.” The two men sighed becoming incredibly frustrated with the situation.
            “What if there was some reason that she absolutely had to leave the house. If the situation was that she absolutely could not stay in that house. She’d be more accessible in transit and outside the walls which hold her captive.” Watson speculated.
            “Indeed.” Sherlock said in agreement, apparently having already considered that. “The anticipation that some religious sect might try some sort of attack otherwise security might be a bit harder to obtain. I think that could be used to our advantage.”
            “What do you propose?” Watson asked. A light seemed to gleam in Sherlock’s eye as he took his pipe out of his pocket, and placed it between his teeth and the large and rather devious smile that had appeared on his lips.

Preparations
            “Everything is ready, My Lord.” One of Blackwood’s followers said as they walked through the hall where the ceremony was to take place and he inspected the space. “We have everything we need, and that is required.”
            Blackwood surveyed the work, as the two men walked across the huge pentagram that had been created on the floor. Symbols and crests were in every direction. It seemed nothing was left untouched. “Good.” Blackwood said walking to the alter that had been covered in black velvet, it too had symbols sewn into the fabric and lining the cloth. “More light should be here, so that everyone can see what is to take place and the doctors can see clearly what they are doing. Have more columns placed here. Close by.”
            “Right away, My Lord.” Blackwood came to a stop and picked up the ceremonial atheme that they used for bloodletting in their rites they performed.
        “This blade needs sharpening. The steel has become dull.” He said running his thumb over it. “The finest edge is needed.” He said handing the blade to the man who nodded. “Once the child is born, and Katherine has been attended to, she will need to be moved at once. There is no need for her to stay once she has played her part, and it is best if she is as far away as possible.” The man nodded before continuing in his report.
            “There will be guards posted at every entrance, exit, and opening to insure no interruptions. No one will be able to get near the building much less penetrate this far without an alarm being sounded.” He reported.
            “Excellent. Absolutely nothing can be allowed to interrupt these proceedings.” Blackwood said.
            “LORD BLACKWOOD! Lord Blackwood!” Two men came rushing into the room in a panic, “The manor has caught fire!” They shouted. This immediately caused Blackwood to make his exit. “The fire brigade has already been called.”
            “Get back to the manor and get Katherine out of there and off the premises immediately!” Blackwood shouted sending the men running as fast as they could. “Call the council at once, I doubt very much this was an accident.” He said, nearly at a run himself.

Fire!
            The fire brigade immediately went to work putting the fire out, several of the firemen and the servants came down the stairs of the house, one holding a wet cloth over Katherine’s mouth in an attempt to keep her from inhaling the smoke as they were nearly carrying her across the ground.
            The servants all came to a stop once they were at a distance, panting and gasping for air themselves. Katherine, however, was continued across the grass to a carriage by two firemen who placed her in the carriage and called to the driver who immediately took off. Lady Blackwood was a little confused, disoriented and in shock from the whole ordeal and opened the curtain of the carriage looking out the window seeing the flames coming from the top windows on oneside of her home, and smoke billowing out in every direction.
            “Are you alright?” She heard a voice say realizing for the first time that she wasn’t alone in the carriage. Her eyes lit up a little as she saw a familiar face.
            “Doctor Watson?” She said in disbelief. The carriage seemed to slow down for a moment as the door opened and another figure jumped inside slamming the door closed as the driver took off again starting the horses running. Watson moved over to Katherine’s side of the coach and checked to make sure that she was indeed alright.
            “You seem a bit singed.” He said to the figure who quickly pulled off his jacket and hat throwing them on the floor and stomping them out.
            “Somewhat more flammable then I had anticipated.” Sherlock said straightening his clothes. Katherine wasn’t quite sure what to make of all this, or what to think. “I see that we acquired our employer with little trouble.”
            “Blackwood hasn’t returned to the manor yet. But I assume he isn’t wasting any time returning.” Watson said handing Katherine his clean handkerchief. “I doubt even the firemen would have been able to get close if he was in range.”
            “You set the fire?” Katherine said realizing what was going on finally as she starred at Holmes in utter shock. “Are you mad?!”
            “A suppose insanity is not out of the realm of possibility.” Sherlock said reaching in his pocket and pulling out his pipe. “Don’t worry, Blackwood will have it repaired and rebuilt in no time at all.”
            Katherine just stared at him in disbelief. “What was the purpose?” She demanded. “What could possibility be gained by burning my home to the ground??”
            “I’m sorry, Katherine. No one has been able to get a glimpse of you, and there is no other way we can help you save your child should it be that it is in fact a daughter.” Watson said. She looked between the two men not understanding, but more willing to listen now she knew why they had committed arson.
            “How will this help?” She said anxiously wanting to know, just excited that they had decided to help her. The carriage jerked and turned violently causing it to shake and already she was feeling ill from the movement.
            “Simple, should you have a son then you can return to Blackwood worry free. However if the child is a girl, then we can get her out of the country before you return to Blackwood with the story that the child was still born or did not survive.” Sherlock said.
            “Out of the country?” Katherine said a little saddened that she would be taken so completely away. “Then I would never see her again?”
            “I’m afraid not,” Watson answered “It’s the only way that her safety could possibly be assured. If what you say is true, just because the midnight hour on all hallows eve was missed, doesn’t mean she wouldn’t still be in danger of Blackwood using her as a demonstration of how far he was willing to go and there was no line he wasn’t willing to cross.”
            Katherine closed her eyes, feeling her stomach turn hearing those words spoken allowed yet again. How could this be happening? What sort of reality was this? She simply gave a nod, even though she was heartbroken over the thought. She wanted the baby to be safe and would give up her rights as a mother to insure that.
            “He’ll have the entire city ripped apart and looking for you once he realizes your gone. We can’t stay in London, we’re going to take you someplace safe where you’ll be concealed until the baby is born.” Holmes said as the carriage bounced over a large hole of some sort. Katherine closed her eyes and leaned her head back as she was becoming ill and was obviously in pain with every sharp jerk of the carriage. Watson quickly took her hand and wrapped his arm around her trying to help stabilize the movement for her. He looked over at Holmes, letting him know this wasn’t the best idea .“We can’t stop or slow down until we’re well away.” Holmes said answering the silent query.
            Watson sighed and simply tried to help hold her body still to keep her from being tossed about so roughly.

Safety
            Watson came walking out onto the porch where Holmes was sitting smoking his pipe and playing with some sort of experimental device he was in the process of devising. “How is she?” He asked not even looking up at the doctor.
            “She’s resting.” He reported, “She’s exhausted. With her home catching fire, our snatching her without so much as a warning or word, and the roughness of the trip here, she’s had a stressful day. One that if the situation and circumstances were any different, would not be recommended for a women so close to giving birth.” Watson said wishing that there had been some other way.
            “Had we attempted it before today it would have given Blackwood more time to hunt us down and deduce where we had taken her. If we had waited any longer, then we risked losing her all together until well after the planned atrocities Blackwood had in store had taken place.” Sherlock told his friend assuring him that there was no other way. “
            “This could all be for nothing, you know.” Watson said. “If only we knew the sex of the baby, we’d know if our actions today were justified or not.” He sighed, “Someday we’ll be able to tell long before a woman’s due date.”
            “You doctors should get on that right away. I would be very interested if a mother showed physical signs of any type that would distinguish if they were expecting a boy or a girl. Unfortunately I have not had the opportunity to study women in such condition at length.” He admitted.
            “Get married and start a family. I’m certain you will have constant and ample opportunity to study one at close quarters.” Watson replied.
            “Watson, even though I am enthusiastic in my craft, and use any opportunity to further my experience that would help me deduce the answer to centuries old questions . . . I am not a self loathing masochist who would do the marital equivalent of tying himself willingly to a boulder and throw it over a bridge.” Holmes said. “I would sooner volunteer in the maternity ward of a hospital then surrender my freedom.”
            “What a lonely life you have condemned yourself to.” Watson commented on his friends point of view.
            “Returning to the issue at hand,” Sherlock said changing the subject back to it’s original origin, “Do you think she’ll make the proposed due date?” He questioned.
            “I think she could go into labor at any minute.” He admitted. “The events of the day certainly didn’t help anyone.”
            Sherlock sighed as he picked up his revolver and checked the chambers to make sure they were loaded. “Have you everything you need?” He questioned.
            “Everything that’s needed, yes. What I would like, no.” Watson moved to sit down next to his friend. “A heavily guarded fortress to put all of our minds at ease wouldn’t hurt.”
            “She was in a heavily guarded fortress. It was sheer luck that enabled us to extract her today. A million things could have gone wrong. If the fire was as slow to burn as I had expected, it might not have worked the way we’d hoped.” Holmes said.
            “What exactly did happen by the way?” He asked. “I was under the impression that the manor was made primarily out of stone and granite.”
            “Evidently, the substance used to darken the stone, and color the trim was highly susceptible to flame.” Sherlock was still annoyed with not having seen or realized that was what would happen until the flames were already roaring higher than his head.
            “Do you think that Blackwood has found out who has taken her by now?” Watson inquired.
            “I imagine he has a pretty good idea. He has far too many resources at his disposal not to have some knowledge.” Sherlock said. “As to our whereabouts, well that should take a bit more thought and cleverness.” The two men sighed and looked around the darken area outside of the small house in the country.

Unfortunate Surprises
            Katherine woke feeling eyes on her, it was a familiar feeling that she had grown somewhat used to since her marriage. Yet she didn’t expect it here. Leaning up a bit, she turned to see Blackwood sitting beside her. Her eyes went wide, hardly expecting him of all people.
            Her attention turned to the others in the room, then to Holmes and Watson who were on their knees with their hands on their heads. Blackwood’s men stood behind them with guns pointed ready to fire at the smallest hint of movement.
            “I’ve come to take you home.” He said reaching out and taking her hands pulling her to her feet. She started to shake her head a little bit pulling back, but Blackwood reached down sweeping her up into his arms. She had become somewhat heavier but he still had no trouble picking her up. When he turned, he gave her into the arms of another man to put her in the coach. Then he glared at the two men who had ‘kidnapped’ her. “The two of you have caused me enough trouble to last a lifetime. You won’t be interfering with anything again.” He said glancing towards his men.
            Katherine gasped when she saw them preparing to fire and quickly struggled pushing her body away from the man who held her now. He lost his grip and she fell hard to her feet, but regained her balance and ran to Blackwood. “No . . . you can’t.” She said quickly resting her hand on his chest, “It isn’t their fault, I asked them to help me. I hired them, Henry. They were only doing what I hired them to do.” She was trying to speak faster than her tongue would allow her as Blackwood looked at her.
            He didn’t say anything but glanced towards his men a moment. Then he took Katherine’s arm and walked her out the door leaving his men, Holmes and Watson behind in the house. He picked her up putting her into the coach first, before following and closing the door behind him. The coach immediately took off to head back to the city.
            Blackwood just stared at her in silence with a dark look the entire ride back, which was somewhat easier than before, not having to travel at break neck speed. Katherine never lifted her eyes, as her hands rested on her abdomen. She had hoped that Blackwood had decided to let them live, but she couldn’t be sure of that. She couldn’t be sure of anything anymore.
            When they finally arrived back in London, they weren’t taken back to the manor. Repairs had already begun, and the damage had been extensive enough that it wasn’t livable until everything had been rebuilt. Instead they were taken to a house in the city, that had once been his real fathers home before his untimely death. His death that was actually caused by Blackwood’s hand.

Breaking Ice
            The room was quiet, and still Blackwood said nothing. His glare spoke volumes of displeasure but it seemed he wasn’t going to comment on her foolish behavior simply because of how foolish it was.
            Katherine on the other hand couldn’t take it another moment. All Hallows eve was the day after tomorrow, and there was no hope of escape now. “You’re going to kill our baby.” She said directly. Blackwood furrowed his brow that that was the first words out of her mouth since she had been retrieved. “I heard you . . . and Lord Coward speaking of what would happen to the baby if it was born a girl.” Her voice was shaking and her heart was fluttering wildly in her chest with her boldness.
            “It’s unfortunate.” He said, “As I was keeping certain details from you for your own protection.”
            “My protection?” She said in amazement, “What about my baby?”
            Blackwood seemed rather unconcerned that she knew such details. As though what was planned was simply how it was going to be weather she knew it or not. “Our child,” He began reminding her that the baby was not hers alone, “Has a purpose. A destiny. What that precise destiny will be, will be determined when it is born.”
            Tears started to form in her eyes at the thought of all of this. At the sheer reality that she was trapped in, “Why do you hate women so much?” She whispered as tears ran down her face. “That you would murder your own daughter?”
            Blackwood looked at her with a puzzled look on his face. “Hate women?” He said in surprise. “What on this earth ever put such an idea into your head?” He questioned. “I have nothing but admiration and reverence for the female sex.” Now it was Katherine’s turn to have a puzzled look on her face. “Whose been filling your head with such nonsense?”
            Katherine didn’t understand, she couldn’t understand. “What?” She asked. “The newspapers, they . . .” She stopped a moment wiping the tears from her eyes and attempting to draw in enough air to speak. “When you arrested . . . they said the people you killed were young innocent women. Inspector Holmes said that Lord Rotheram told him that there were dozens more that you had killed, all young women.” She said.
            Listening to her words and studying her for several moments, Blackwood stood from where he sat and removed his jacket putting it aside before sitting down next to her. “What does your bible tell you about sacrifice?” He said. “What was it that you’re God required when sacrifices were offered up to him? That the best and most flawless were to be given to him, in praise and offering for his favor. His mercy. ” It was true, she had read that many times in many places growing up. “A perfect sacrifice, nothing less.”
            “I don’t understand.” She said feeling incredibly ignorant at this moment. “You . . . you sacrificed those girls, . . . to God?” She questioned.
            “No.” Blackwood answered. “I gave the purest, most sacred, most perfect sacrifice to my master. In return for each offering, I received greater power in return. He has granted me his favor, and has sent me with purpose. To rebuild and expand Britain into a wondrous new Empire.”
            She closed her eyes as her body trembled hearing him speak, “How can you serve a master that asks you to slaughter the innocent.” She said softly.
            “The master you have been told to serve from birth, has required many more lives over the course of centuries. Millions of people have died in your God’s name. Not all of them deserved death, and many of them were innocent. But his followers made no distinction.” He explained, “At least the lives that my master requires, are given special meaning, a destiny to each one. Otherwise meaningless creatures that your God has placed carelessly on this earth with no reason, called to serve a greater purpose.” He reached up and touched her chin turning her face towards his so he could see her eyes. “I bare no ill will towards women, Katherine. They are sacred to me.”
            Katherine starred into his eyes for several long moments, as a few more tears escaped her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. Blackwood wasn’t so foolish as to imagine that she would be willing to give up her child, that she would be even remotely anxious to do so. But perhaps it was best that she knew the reasons and intentions behind what was going to happen.
            He gently stroked her cheek a moment before kissing her forehead, “You need your rest. You’ve had far too much excitement as it is.” He indicated. “You’ll need your strength.”
            Blackwood helped her to her feet, before exiting the room to give her privacy to change into her nightgown. Katherine simply watched him as he disappeared, the sound of the door closing feeling like a sword through her heart. She rested her hands over her abdomen, wishing she could simply keep the baby inside of her and safe forever.
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Dark Rituals