The Bright Shining Ones Ch. 02

Copyright

This story is in the genre of erotic horror fantasy, set in a magical world, a world of mystery and enchantment. I reserve the right to be listed as the author of this work, wherever it is posted. If found posted anywhere except Literotica.com with this note attached, this story is posted without my permission.

Readers please be warned. Sexual situations in my story may prove very disturbing to some. There are scenes of violence and non consent. Please understand that my villains are very evil, and do things that are truly horrible. I do not mask their deeds, or make allowances for their evil. They act out their true nature. It is after all a fantasy of good vs. evil. Please don't hate them, they can't help themselves.

Please take the time to post your comments and vote...I love hearing from you, the reader, whether you love or hate it.

Edited by AsylumSeeker

Chapter Two A Story Told

It came out of nowhere! As she caught a glimpse of a huge animal running out in front of her car, Bella frantically pushed the brake pedal, swerving the car at the last minute. The jar from the abrupt stop slammed her against the steering wheel, meeting it with a hard thump, and she closed her eyes and said a quick prayer. For a moment Bella could not catch her breath, and pain spread over her chest as it had absorbed the impact.

What had just happened? Where was she? God! How did she end up here, on the road that led to her house? All of these questions muddled her thoughts as they came at the same time. Moving slowly, Bella opened the door and shakily got out of the car. Swaying, Bella tried to gather those thoughts, clearing her mind so she could assess the damage. The air bag had not gone off, so it was not that bad.

Oh God! The dog! Turning around, Bella looked for the animal, hoping that she had not hit it. No! There the beast sat, looking at her with a patience that seemed almost human. Its eyes were not glowing red, as she had thought, when she glanced at it before stopping. It just sat there, appraising her, while giving off the feeling of confusion.

Getting out of the car was not the smartest thing she could have done. The animal could be feral for all she knew. But it just sat there watching her.

"Good boy," she said, her voice sounding weak to her own ears.

The huge dog cocked and turned its head, as if considering whether or not this human was trustworthy. Bella held out her hand, palm up, and kept her eyes lowered. She did not want to challenge the animal. God, could her day get any worse?

"Good doggy, see, I'm not going to hurt you," she whispered as the dog slowly walked towards her.

It was the biggest dog Bella had ever seen. Its coat was black, so black it looked purple in the afternoon light. And his eyes were black too, explaining the red glow she had seen. The dog sniffed at her fingertips as Bella wondered if she was about to lose her hand.

Its teeth gleamed white, long, and very sharp. The touch of a wet tongue let her know that he had accepted her. "Where did you come from, big guy, hum?" Slowly Bella reached out to pet the animals head. He wore no collar and there were no houses close by that she knew of, so that made him a stray.

"Okay. Since we're both all right, what say you we go our separate ways, hum?"

"Oh no! Don't look at me like that!"

The dog turned his head as she spoke, as if he understood her words, then he sat down, his tail wagging. Nudging at her hand to keep stroking his silky coat, Bella looked into his black eyes and knew that he was coming home with her. She could not leave him out here by himself.

"Okay, you win, I just hope I'm not going to regret this," Bella spoke as she turned and opened the passenger side door.

The dog's tail wagged as he jumped into the car and settled himself on the soft seat, as if he belonged there, with her. Bella got in and closed her door. The animal was huge! Looking at him in her rearview mirror, she wondered again if she was not crazy. The beast could eat her.

Sighing deeply, she decided the day had been strange, with nothing going as she had expected. Her visit to Dr. O'Dell had been disappointing. Bella had hoped there was something physically wrong with her that could be treated, but it seemed she needed exercise. Well, the dog would see to that, she thought.

Other thoughts of Mrs. MacRay made themselves known. Not Mrs. MacRay, but Morgana. What a strange, old woman. A scary and strange old woman, she thought, as she turned down the dirt road that led to her house. She'd had tea with the woman and she had been treated to a story. A fantastic story. Shaking her head, Bella got out and let the dog jump to the ground.

"Well boy, we're home," she announced. Looking up at the beautiful old Victorian house, she found something to smile about, home. It was good to be home.

"Come on, boy; let's go find something to eat. And I don't mean me!" she muttered half-jokingly while unlocking the back door and watching the animal bounding inside.

He circled the large round rug that covered the tile floor in the kitchen, then lay down and stared at her with soulful eyes.

"You seem right at home and I suppose you think you'll have steak for dinner, too."

A soft bark confirmed his agreement for dinner. "Well, you'll have to make do with hamburger tonight," she decided after surveying the contents of her refrigerator. She should have shopped for food today, but after her tea party, she had just wanted to get home.

Hours later, sitting in her father's study, Bella went over the events of the day, thinking that maybe she should have stayed in bed. The dog, he needed a name she decided, as he lay beside her. Every now and then his ears twitched, but he seemed to be sleeping. So he should be, after the meal he had devoured.

Morgana's story really bothered her and it was ridiculous to let it. It was just a fairytale; the old woman probably was just very lonely and needed to talk to someone. But the story nagged at her.

~~~~~~~~

"Come with me, I can help you." Those were her words, Morgana's words. She had seemed harmless and kindness was in her blue eyes as she beseeched Bella to follow her into the small house that sat back at the edge of town.

Bella was curious. Mrs. MacRay's home seemed warm and inviting, but how did she know so much about her? Strange, beautiful pictures lined the hallway and Bella stopped to look at them, there were four.

"Ah, you like those, do you? They have been in my family for generations. My great-great grandmother brought them with her when she came here from the old country."

"Do you mean Ireland?" Bella questioned.

"Yes, the beautiful green gem, our homeland." As Mrs. MacRay let her look over the paintings, a small smile formed on her lips.

The paintings were exquisite. One depicted winter, icy and bare, the land empty and cold. The next, summer, it was full of flowers and blooming trees. Rolling green hills and valleys seemed to go on forever. The next was summer, sunshine and flowers spread out over a warm landscape. And finally, autumn. It was very different from the others and Bella felt drawn to it.

A strange land gleamed like silver in moonlight; the world seemed as if it was taken from a fairytale. Strange and beautiful, it seemed to merge with the familiar rolling hills from the other paintings. A thin silver veil separated the two, dividing the worlds, a large bonfire lighting up the night as if to beckon someone.

A chill swept over her skin, Bella could not take her eyes from it. Something about it made her heart yearn for home.

"Come my dear, sit down, here, beside the fire. I know it's not cold enough to have one but the flames soothe my aching bones."

Mrs. MacRay showed Bella into a sitting room that was filled with a comfortable couch and chairs. Warm wood encased the room in richness and a tea set was on the table that sat before the couch.

"Your home is very nice, Mrs. MacRay. It's not what I had expected." Bella looked around the room and noticed that there were no pictures of family. "Do you have children, Mrs. MacRay?"

"No, I was never able to have a child. Though I longed for children, it was not meant to be. Would you like a cup of tea, my dear?" The question came even as she poured the amber liquid into two, delicate rose cups.

"It's a mixture that I make myself, very relaxing and good."

"Yes, thank you." Bella accepted the cup and settled back into the soft plump cushions of the couch. "You have two cups. Were you expecting company?"

"Yes, my dear. I was expecting you." Mrs. MacRay spoke softly. "How is that possible? I didn't know I would be here today." Bella sipped at the hot liquid and felt comfort flow through her body. "You said that you know about my dreams. How is that possible?"

Mrs. MacRay looked over the young woman with sharp, blue eyes. Yes, she was the one. Finally, it would be over.

"I have the sight," she said in a matter-of-fact tone. "I have it as did all in my family, back for generations. I do not know how to explain it to you other than to say I have the knowledge. The gods gifted my family with the knowing. Of course, quite a few of them were burned as witches, but that is another story. More tea, dear?"

"What?" A hot blush covered Bella's face as she realized she had not truly been paying attention to the old woman's words. Somehow, Mrs. MacRay seemed very familiar to her. "Yes, please. It is very good. I don't usually drink tea."

"There now, you settle back and get comfortable. I have a story to tell you and I know it will answer your questions." The old woman smiled at Bella.

"Long ago, gods came to this world. They came from the 'Otherworld'. From four great cities; Falias, Gorias, Finias, and Murias. They called themselves 'Danna's', children of the goddess Dana."

"Skilled with all things, the humans called the beautiful, golden people, gods. They were a handsome race, strong with knowledge, magic if you will. Mighty and clever they were. And when they saw that the human women were fair, they took them for their wives.

"One such god was called Belenus. He was a healer and a poet. He brought the humans music and prophecy. Very handsome he was, also. Golden as were his people, with eyes that flashed with the fires of the sun. He watched the humans, fascinated by them, until he saw one special woman. She was dancing in a field of flowers and he went to her and became one with her, made her his wife.

"All was peaceful and good for the young couple and their happiness grew with the knowledge that she carried his child. All was well until the Danna's battled with the savage Milesians, invaders from across the sea. The Danna's were tricked into promising to give up their land, so they withdrew from this world.

"They went back to their home cities, called 'Tir na n Og', the land of youth.

"Their cities were hidden behind a silver veil, protecting their people from the human world. Hid themselves from the mortal men, they did. They called their homes 'Sidhe', the Otherworld." Bella found herself listening to the story in spite of the fact that she knew inside that she was wasting her time here. Mrs. MacRay was a good storyteller and held her spellbound as the warm, soothing fire from the tea ran through her veins. The tea was so good; she held her cup out for another.

"To go on," Mrs. MacRay said as she poured the sweet liquid and waited for it to take effect, "In the 'Otherworld', the Danna remained young and seemingly immortal in the sense they lived a very long life and remained young, but they could be killed and destroyed, just as any mortal."

Pausing, the old woman let her words sink in. The woman seemed to be entranced and that pleased her very much.

"But, Mrs. MacRay, what does this have to do with me, with my dreams?" Bella asked softly. She needed to know more about the "Túatha De' Danna's", the people of the Sidhe.

"I am coming to that part, my dear." Taking Bella's cold fingers in her warm hands caused more warmth to spread over her.

"Belenus and his young bride left with his people and she became as they were. Gifted with youth, and health and knowledge. And they settled into his world and were very happy. Though the veil divided the worlds, the Danna's made frequent visits to the human world. Sometimes giving them aid or to visit a lover. Sometimes to punish them as they saw fit.

"One day, Belenus left his wife; he went to give aid to the humans. While he was away, his young lover was visited by a Sidhe woman named Morrígan. Morrígan loved Belenus and could not accept that he did not return her love. She was a fierce warrior, a mighty foe. She could not let this human woman take what she considered her own and she murdered the poor lass," her voice sad and regretful.

Totally caught off guard by the swift bolt of pain that pierced her stomach, Bella moaned aloud. She wanted to know more, needed to know more. She had to. Belenus was the name of her dream lover. She remembered that now.

"Please, continue," she murmured.

"Yes, I will," Mrs. MacRay said. "Please my dear, call me Morgana. I feel as if we are old friends." Her eyes sparkled with hidden knowledge.

"Yes, then, Morgana, please tell me more." Bella could not take her eyes from the woman.

"As I said, in a fit of rage and pain, Morrígan killed the young woman. And Belenus returned to find his beloved dying, her blood pooling around her cold body. She died in his arms, promising that she would always be with him.

"Belenus went crazy with grief and he brought about a terrible plague upon his people. In his sorrow and pain he could not control his great powers and the land turned dark and cold. Many of the Sidhe died, many more were scarred for life. Belenus himself did not escape the disease and he prayed for death so he could join his beloved. But he did not die. He was scarred inside and out by the scourge that swept the land."

"How very sad. But I still don't understand what this has to do with me." Bella's frustration was growing along with her unease.

"My dear Belisama, you do know, you must. Belenus' bride's name was the same as yours, Belisama." Morgana quietly waited for her words to sink in.

Bella sat there and let Morgana's story wrap around her. "Are you trying to imply that I'm this Belisama from your fairytale? This is too crazy. I don't know how you know about my dreams, but I'm not listening to any more of this. I'm sorry, but I have to go." Clutching her purse tightly, Bella stood and turned to leave.

"Running away will not change what is true. You are Belisama, reborn, now Belenus comes to you in your dreams. But very soon he will come to reclaim you and take you through the veil. You must have protection, my dear."

Morgana MacRay watched as Bella absorbed her warning. The stupid woman was in more danger than she could realize. There was no way she would let this weak human go with him. She would make sure of it. She had gotten rid of her before, she would do it again.

"Thank you very much for the tea and for your story. I really must go now." Bella felt a sudden need to get out of this house and into the sunshine.

"You cannot run from him. Samhain will be here in a few days and he will come through the veil for you." Morgana willed Bella to listen to her.

But Bella had heard enough, she turned and practically ran out of the house.

~~~~~~~~~~~

It was dark now, the wind had picked up while Bella had spent the last few hours on the internet trying to learn all that she could about Belenus and Samhain. The old woman was crazy but some of what she had said seemed to be a true legend. Samhain, or Halloween, had been celebrated long ago by the Celts. It was an ending to summer and a time to honor the dead.

Stretching, Bella turned the computer off and then walked into the kitchen. She was surprised to find her companion right there beside her; she had thought he was asleep. Taking a glass from the cabinet she ran the cold water in the sink; the water was always cold and refreshing. But tonight nothing seemed to sate her thirst. How she wished she had some of the tea Mrs. MacRay blended.

With a sigh Bella looked down at the dog and realized that he would have to go out again before she could go to bed. Opening the back door, she urged him out and stood waiting for him on the porch. The moon was almost full and it cast a silvery glow all around her house. Bella stood there waiting and started to daydream about Belenus.

The large dog that bounded up onto the porch, almost knocking her over, broke her thoughts. The wind was stronger now, causing a chill to flow over her body. Bella quickly brought the dog inside and closed the door. Immediately he started growling, low in his chest. Bella wasn't afraid of him, but he sounded mean, scary.

"What's the matter boy?" she asked, bending down to rub behind his ear. "Do you hear something? It's probably just a rabbit and you can chase it tomorrow, now its bedtime. Come on."

But the dog turned and stared at the door, the hair on its back was standing up, as he listened for something beyond what she could hear. After a few minutes he relaxed and Bella let out the breath that she hadn't known she was holding.

The dog went back to the rug and waited while Bella turned out the lights and then called for him to come. She thought it would be best if he slept in her room tonight, and he seemed to agree.

She climbed the stairs leading up to her room, but stopped to listen. The dog stopped too. Hearing nothing but the wind, Bella led the way, sleep seeming like a wonderful idea at this moment. After undressing and taking a quick shower, she put on her nightgown and brushed out her hair. Quickly braiding it, Bella decided to read for a little while, and then she would sleep.

She had turned down her bed earlier and though it looked inviting, she instead sat down in a wingback chair and picked up a spy thriller that she had been trying to read all week. One soft light illuminated the room and the chair was comfortable, but she just couldn't get into the story. After reading the same page several times, she gave up and crawled into the bed. Suddenly she was very sleepy. Reaching out she turned off the lamp, and moonlight filled the room.

The dog had settled at the foot of her bed, and she felt safe for the first time in weeks. She lay down against her pillows, allowing the darkness of the night to enfold her. Staring despondently at the shadows that danced across the ceiling, Bella willed herself to go to sleep, as the wind rustled in the trees.

But sleep came slowly and when it did come, he was waiting there for her. She could feel his stare; he was in her room, why didn't the dog wake up? Rubbing her hand over her face, Bella sat up but stopped when she felt him beside her on the bed. His large shadow crossed over her as he bent down and pressed his lips to hers.

Whispering her name, he ran his fingers softly over her face, tracing the shape of her mouth. "Do not fear me, little one. I would never harm you. I am your husband and have come to love you."

Before confusion could give way to fear, his lips took possession of hers. Then she stopped thinking. All was sensation; all was seduction. Pleasure from his kisses caused her heart to pound as he settled beside her. She was terrified of him even as she knew him; she loved him. She didn't understand what was happening, but she remembered the touch of his hands, the way he kissed her.

His breath was warm and sweet on her skin as he brushed a kiss across her cheek, then he moved down to taste and kiss her throat. Blinking her eyes to chase away sleep, she looked up at his face. It was hard and determined. He would have his way with her tonight. His large hands cupped and moved her head and Belenus stared into her beautiful blue eyes.