Title: Other Worlds
Author: Sairalinde 
Type: RPS 
Pairing: Viggo/Sean B. 
Rating: NC-17 Eventually
Warning: A.U. It’s got it all. Allusion to rape nothing descriptive, magic, 
sort of character death, slight touch of schmoop. 
Beta: Glorfindel 
Disclaimer: This never happened...if it did well let’s just say I’d be really 
surprised! Viggo, and Sean are real people but they do not know me nor I 
them. Nora Roberts is one of my favorite authors and this story A World 
Apart, came to mind as one to slash up, no offense meant. Basically 
retelling the same tale, but my way.  This was written in fun that's all. Not 
for profit.  
Feedback: Yes please send to Sairalinde @ hornofgondor.com 
Archiving: Yes but ask first please. 
Notes: A.U. very loosely based on Bulgarian folk tales about dragons that 
can shape shift and more closely based on A World Apart. Basically I am 
slashing the story up with Viggo and Sean and dragons…what fun ;-) 
Summary: A.U. Viggo is a NY city cop and Sean is a Lamiaslayer 
(Dragonslayer) from another place and time. * Told you it was A.U. * ;-)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 1

The forest was damp and quiet, as the hunter moved silently through the 
underbrush. Sean was on the hunt. His steps fell silently. His eyes-green as 
the jade in the hilt of his sword-were ready to act, with ruthless accuracy. 

For the last four days and nights he had tracked his prey, over mountains, 
hills, and valleys to this forest near the village of Dario. As he tracked his 
quarry he thought of little but the battle that lay ahead. The Lamia was his 
only interest, not the beauty of the forest that surrounded him, nor the 
enchanting sound of the nearby brook. 

The hunt was what he had been born for. Sean was a Lamiaslayer. His 
duty as a Guardian of the Goddess of the White Palace was as a slayer. He 
was honor bound to protect the humans of his world. Sean himself a 
Zmey, was able to transform himself into something as simple as a flower 
garland to his preferred human form, or back to the form of his birth. He 
preferred his human form to that of Zmey however, sometimes he did miss 
his talons. 

Soon he was brought out of his thoughts by a slight shift in the light to his 
left. His sword was brought to bear and he pivoted on his heels to face his 
quarry. The shimmering light started just at the edge of the clearing and 
there the Lamia appeared; then charged. Its yellow scaled body lunged 
toward him and it’s sharp black claws streaked past his shoulder. Sean was 
not ruffled in the least. He simply settled into his stance and waited for the 
next assault. 

This was a young Lamia and quite small. If Sean were in his Zmey form 
he could simply crush it with his front paw but a battle was so much more 
satisfying. Unfortunately this Lamia’s tender age and size were not going 
to make this an exciting battle. Sean sniffed the air then grinned. This 
Lamia was not alone however. Why hadn’t he noticed that before? Ah no 
matter he could take them both. 

The second one appeared just to his right and the younger Lamia snarled 
and took that opportunity to charge. It would have been a smart move if 
Sean were truly human but a Zmeys reflexes were faster than that of a 
human. 

The Lamia could never sense the Zmey in human form. It was one of his 
kind’s greatest advantages. Rather than waste energy on the youth he 
decided to save the real battle for the larger Lamia. Sean began to chant 
softly and summoned a whirlwind that trapped the youth within it. He was 
then able to turn his attention to his new assailant. 

“Zmey!” The larger Lamia cried.

“Yes, and a Slayer of Lamia. Guardian of the White Goddess…come to 
me. Let me send you to an honorable death, beast!” Sean answered.

The Lamia sneered at him. “It is you Slayer who will go to your death. 
You are outnumbered. We shall be slaying you and feasting on your bones 
by nightfall.” 

Sean sensed almost too late two more Lamia appearing beside the other. 
Still the odds were not against him yet. These were not particularly high 
ranking Lamia.   

Sean simply laughed. “This day, you shall go hungry.” 

The battle began with the Lamia who had spoken charging him. He was 
not difficult to dispatch. Normally those of his ilk were all talk and no real 
fight. Sean was not wrong this time. The youth was still trapped in the 
whirlwind so he was of no concern but the other two were circling now 
that he had dispatched the first Lamia by running his great sword through 
his throat just below its dog like head. 

The other two hissed their anger at the departure of their friend but were 
still circling…trying to judge their adversary. The larger of the two lunged 
and Sean side stepped quickly then turned and swung his sword easily 
cleaving the beasts head from his body. The last of them however was 
upon him before he could make any counter moves and Sean was thrown 
to the ground. Sharp pain issued from his shoulder where the beast had 
plunged its dark claws. Sean howled in pain but leapt back up quickly to 
continue the battle. It was a cheap move, but one he should have expected 
from a Lamia. 

Then the Lamia turned, plunged its great clawed paw into the whirlwind 
and jerked the youth out from it’s midst. Then before Sean could do 
anything they unfurled their wings and flew over the tree tops. Sean 
cursed and sheathed his sword then transformed into his Zmey form and 
took flight after the two. When he flew toward Dario he saw the village 
was under attack by a number of Lamia. He also saw many of his kind 
along with human slayers in the fray defending the village and it’s people. 

Why would so many attack this tiny farming village? He wondered as he 
followed the two attackers from the forest. 

Then a sight he never thought he would see almost caused him to falter in 
his flight. Altinor the King of Lamias was in his human form standing in 
front of a great stone where the two from the forest landed and 
transformed beside him. Sean landed and transformed in a dead run 
heading for the stone. He would not let Altinor escape this time. 

The great king simply snarled at Sean and then in a flash of blinding light 
he and all of the Lamias disappeared. 

“What foul magic is this?” Sean asked the wind as he skidded to a halt in 
front of the great stone, his blood still singing for battle. 

Other Zmey and slayers gathered around him. “What happened here?” 
One of the slayers asked in confusion.  The same confusion they all felt. 

“We must see the goddess.” Sean said finally sheathing his sword. “She 
will know what is going on.”

A few Zmey stayed behind to guard the village should further attacks take 
place but the rest of the slayers returned to the Palace of the White 
Goddess. 

When the slayers entered the palace Sean realized he was of the highest 
rank among them so he strode in front straight to the goddesses chamber. 

“My lady, your guardian knights seek your guidance.” Sean announced 
with his head bowed. 

“Yes slayer…but you are injured, should you not be tended first?” The 
goddess asked sweetly.

“I will heal, I must…WE must know what happened today at Dario.” Sean 
said then.

“But were you not there? Did you not see for yourself what happened?” 
The goddess asked. 

Sean frowned. He hated talking to the goddess sometimes. “Yes, but 
though my eyes saw what happened I still do not understand.” 

“Perfect. Come to me slayer…you are called Sean are you not?” She 
asked. “Let me heal you, Slayer.” 

“Yes my lady.” Sean said stepping forward. The goddess touched his 
shoulder and immediately his wounds were healed. 

“You wish to know where the Lamia went?” She asked. 

“Yes.” He answered hoping her ladyship was going to get to the point 
soon.

“They are no longer in our world…they have found another.” The goddess 
answered. “Another world who does not know of the Lamia, or who has 
simply forgotten. They go there to feed more easily, and rebuild their 
numbers. They will return and take over our world and the other if we do 
not stop them.” 

Sean stood there for a moment trying to digest the possibility of another 
world, and the Lamia growing in numbers. 

“We must go after them then.” Sean answered.

“Yes, YOU must go after them, Sean.” The goddess answered.

“Me…alone?” Sean asked shocked.  There were other fine slayers here. 

“Yes. This task is set for you, Sean. Do you accept?” She asked. 

“What exactly am I accepting?” Sean asked warily. 

“The chance to save not only our world but another and answer your 
destiny.” The goddess answered smiling. 

“But why me alone….all of the Lamia went with Altinor.” Sean answered. 
“I accept my lady yes I am a great warrior but I am no match for their 
numbers.” 

“The Lamia did not all make it through the portal, of that I can assure 
you.” The goddess answered smiling coyly. 

“I see.” Sean answered with a grin. The rest were probably awaiting 
execution in her dungeon.

“Only five actually made it through, but their numbers will grow in that 
other world because there are no slayers. They will thrive there if they are 
not tracked down and eliminated. They cannot be allowed to destroy the 
other world for if they do, our own will be destroyed. It is a delicate 
balance.” The goddess said softly.

“Even against five, in an unknown world how am I to track them?” Sean 
asked. 

“You will not be alone, in the other world you will have a guide, a warrior 
from the other world who will aid you. Trust in him, his name will be 
Viggo. He is what you need, without him your quest will fail. Though 
even with his aid there is great risk. Now come with me Sean, you must go 
now…time is of the essence.” The goddess said motioning for Sean to 
follow her. 

Sean followed the goddess into another room. 

“There is much to know of this other world, Sean.  Take my hand, I will 
grant you knowledge of this other world.” The goddess said offering her 
hand. Sean took it and stood facing the great stone in the center of the 
room. Suddenly strange words and images  flooded Sean’s mind.  

“Take this jewel, touch it to the jewel in your sword hilt and it will return 
you home. Now Sean, touch the hilt of your sword to the great stone.” The 
goddess commanded.

Sean held out his sword and touched the jade jewel to the great shiny 
black stone. 

“Go in peace, only with your strength, trust, valor, and love shall you 
defeat your enemies. I will make sure you arrive where you will find your 
guide. Our fate lies in your hands slayer…do not fail us.” The goddess 
spoke softly then brushed a soft kiss across Sean’s lips.  The room began 
to spin and it seemed that he was being sucked into the great stone…then 
just as suddenly he felt himself being spat out again.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2


Viggo was sprawled across his bed nursing a horrible head cold when a 
half naked man dropped on top of him. 

“FUCK!” He gasped under the other mans weight, as he stared into eyes 
of jade. He felt a slight twinge of odd recognition coupled with the most 
unnerving feeling of longing he’d ever felt before complete shock washed 
over him. 

Viggo barely had time to think yet even admire what he was quite certain 
was one hell of a fever induced hallucination before a sharp dagger was at 
his throat.  Well that felt real enough…Christ, what kind of lunatic had 
broken into his apartment?

“I am Sean.” The almost naked and very nicely muscled man stated in 
what he could only describe as a British accent. “Slayer of Lamia, er 
Slayer of Dragons in your world.” 

“Uh…that’s nice.” Viggo said trying to remember if the medication the 
doctor had given him had Codeine or any derivatives of opiates in it or 
not. This wasn’t the way he wanted to start the day…not by a long shot. 
“Would you mind getting that thing away from my throat?” Viggo asked 
trying to shove the other man off but could not. Definitely not a 
hallucination. 

Sean frowned and then sniffed the man under him and then grimaced. 
“You stink.” 

“Thanks. Can I please get up now?” Viggo asked. So the nut case was 
telling him he stunk…wonderful. Viggo couldn’t smell himself because 
his nose was so stuffed up he couldn’t breathe properly; though he was 
pretty sure he only smelled like Vicks Vapor Rub and cough drops. 

“Yes. You are not a Lamia…you may live.” Sean said starting to roll off 
the other man. 

“Appreciate it.” Viggo decided to go with instinct rather than sanity for 
the moment.  He shoved the other man and snatched the dagger. The next 
thing he knew, the other man had executed a neat back flip off the bed, 
landed on his feet beside it and all with a very large sword raised over his 
head poised to strike. 

“Christ! You win.” Viggo stated and tossed the dagger aside and held up 
both his hands in surrender. Hell it had been worth a shot. Besides his 
head felt like it was inside a kettle drum and he was pretty sure he was 
going to sneeze any second. 

“You yield?” 

“Damn right. Now put that thing down before somebody…namely 
me…gets hurt? Then we can go call the nice people in white coats and 
they’ll come take you home.” Viggo stated then sneezed loudly. His eyes 
were watering now too. ‘Great now I’m seeing two of him.’ He thought 
with a frown.  

Sean was disgusted. He’d landed on a coward, that seemed to be allergic 
to something. 

“What is your name?” Sean asked.

“Viggo Mortensen, why?” Viggo asked grabbing a tissue off the 
nightstand and blowing his nose. The other man frowned then shook his 
head and sighed. 

“We have to hunt, Viggo.” Sean stated still brandishing his sword.

“Sure, no problem…just lemme get my hunting gear.” Viggo said 
reaching into the drawer of his nightstand and pulling out his gun. “Now 
put the fucking sword down, Conan.” Would have been a well executed 
line had Viggo not ended it with a cough. 

“My name is Sean.” Sean corrected staring at the strange object in the 
other man’s hand. 

“Well Sean this is a gun, and unless I’m mistaken gun beats sword, now 
put it down.” Viggo said waving the weapon a bit for emphasis. 

Sean searched his mind for a moment, thoughts swirling with knowledge 
the goddess had given him before his departure. Ah a gun.

“I’d like to have one.” Sean said looking at the strange weapon. 

“I’m sure you would.” Viggo said sniffling.  Now wouldn’t be the most 
opportune time to sneeze. 

Then Sean’s gaze returned to Viggo’s blue gray eyes assessing his own 
and he felt an odd yearning that he needed to tamp down. “I was sent to 
you, Viggo.” Sean stated.

“Fine, we’ll get to that, later. Right now put the sword down. I’d really 
hate to loose my cleaning deposit for shooting you.” Viggo stated still 
holding his gun pointed at the other man’s chest. 

“A gun…those are quite efficient.” He nodded and finally sheathed his 
sword. “Perhaps you are no coward and are a warrior after all. We need to 
talk.” 

“Thanks and oh yes, we need to have a nice long chat, friend.” Viggo 
agreed, lowering his gun.

His brain felt fried. Who the fuck was this guy standing in his bedroom? 
Having a man—a quite gorgeous green-eyed barbarian with long blond 
hair, wearing little more than a pair of  what looked to be leather lace up 
breeches and a pair of tall leather boots and a couple of leather wrist 
bracers leap on him out of nowhere would have been a great fantasy if the 
guy wasn’t wielding a fucking sword and putting daggers to his throat.  

Where the hell HAD he come from? He wondered as the other man stood 
there still eyeing his gun.  Had he really been that out of it he’d forgotten 
to lock his door? 

“How’d you get in here?” Viggo asked.

“The goddess of the white palace sent me. You are a  warrior, have you 
killed many…dragons with your weapon?” Sean asked. He had to search 
out the name for Lamia’s in this world in his mind. He still was 
unaccustomed to this strange place even if the goddess had given him 
knowledge of it. 

“Look, it’s a bit early for Dungeons and Dragons. Let’s just cut the crap 
and you tell me where you came from.” Viggo answered.

The other man shook his head. This was not going well Sean thought, then 
he realized the other man was starting to rise out of the bed.  Sean hadn’t 
noticed before but he certainly noticed now.  Viggo was completely 
naked. 

Sean’s immediate attraction to the other man shocked him. He had felt 
attraction before but not anything like the elemental pull the man seemed 
to have on him. Viggo was as tall as he in his human form. Though not as 
broad in chest as he was from wielding a sword for nearly all his twenty-
eight years but the man was well built all the same. Fine sleek muscles on 
a lithe runners body. Though the other man did seem to be unwell for 
some reason.

Sean pursed his lips and watched the other man. His hair was a deep 
honey blonde and though it was mused from sleep it was a good frame for 
a strong face with prominent cheekbones. Viggo’s eyes were a deep blue 
gray and his chin had an intriguing cleft that made Sean’s fingers itch to 
trace it. He shook his head against those thoughts, he was here to hunt 
Lamia not lust over his guide. 

“You have a fine build.” Sean commented unable to stop the compliment 
before it left his lips. 

“Yeah?” Viggo asked slightly amused. This Sean was certainly a strange 
one. He reached for his jeans he’d left on the floor the night before.  

“Though you do seem unwell?” Sean inquired. 

“Unwell?” Viggo asked with a grin. “You could say that. I have a cold.” 

“Then you should get dressed.” Sean answered.

“No…I am NOT cold, I HAVE a cold.” Viggo said a little irritated.  Why 
was he standing naked in his bedroom with some lunatic explaining a 
cold? Had the fever been that bad and now he’s lost so many brain cells 
he’s gone loopy? 

After a moment Sean realized what Viggo meant. “Oh you have a 
cold…it’s a sickness that makes you feel bad, chills, fever, sneezing, 
coughing?” 

“Yeah all that.” Viggo answered thinking dimly of a Nyquil commercial. 

Sean smiled, proud that he was able to use some of his new knowledge. 
Viggo felt like his knees would buckle right then.  Fucking hell what a 
great smile! He thought to himself. 

“I am a stranger here, and require a guide. I was told to come to you, 
Viggo. That you were a warrior, that without you my quest would fail.” 
Sean explained. 

“Ok.” Viggo said still not sure if the man was putting on an act or being 
serious. He was amazed at that thought…how could he be serious?

“I’m going to put my pants on. I want you to stay over there and keep your 
hands away from that sword.” Viggo stated firmly.

“I have no wish to harm you , Viggo, nor any of your kind. You have my 
word as a slayer.” Sean stated with a nod.

“Thanks, I think.” Viggo said softly. Viggo lay his gun on the bed next to 
him and tugged on his jeans keeping his eyes on Sean the entire time.  The 
other man never moved, just watched him.  Once Viggo buttoned his jeans 
he slid the gun into his waistband and then crossed to the closet and 
grabbed a clean shirt. 

“Ok, now I’m going to make coffee, and you can explain more to me 
then.” Viggo said gesturing toward the bedroom door. 

Sean strode out in front of him into the other room and Viggo followed. 
Whatever shape he might be in he still admired the view…what a view it 
was. Medieval looking leather breeches were highly underrated. He 
decided. 

Viggo glanced over at the apartment door and noted that it was locked, 
bolted, and chained…no way he got in that way. 

Sean turned to the window and gazed out.  It was higher up than he had 
thought.  He had only been in the white palace tower once and had not 
enjoyed being up that high. Then his unease turned to sheer awe when a 
cab came up to the curb and a woman got out. 

“She rose out of the belly of that yellow beast!” Sean exclaimed pointing 
down to the street. 

“You pay the fare, they let you out. Where the hell are you from again?” 
Viggo asked curiously. Then mentally smacked himself. Why was he 
indulging this lunatic? 

“I am from Aryl. In my world, we have no beasts with round legs. I 
don’t—wait…it was a car! A machine for transportation! How 
wonderful!” Sean exclaimed almost childlike in his wonder.

Viggo ginned and shook his head. “Right…uh coffee. Come with me. I 
want you where I can keep an eye on you.” Viggo said passing the 
awestruck warrior on his way to the kitchen.

Sean followed him into his kitchen and began running his fingers over the 
various surfaces. “These are interesting. Do you have great wealth?” Sean 
asked running his hand over the toaster.

Viggo laughed. “Yeah, cops are just rolling in money. So you say the 
goddess sent you?” Viggo asked as the coffee started to brew. He still 
didn’t know why he was even talking to this guy, but there was just 
something about him. In all thirty years of his life Viggo had never 
thought he’d be having a morning quite like this one.  

“Yes, I was sent here to you.” Sean answered, “I know none in this world 
save you.” 

“How did you get here?” Viggo asked unable to help himself. The 
detective in him just wouldn’t let it go even if the guy was a nut case of 
the utmost degree. 

“Through the great stone in the white palace. There are many dimensions. 
Yours and mine are two. The Lamia stole a key and has entered your 
world.  I possess a key to get home with.  I was sent here to hunt down the 
Lamia or as you would call them dragons to kill them or at least drive 
them from your world back to mine where they belong.  They no longer 
belong in your world. I was sent here, sent to you. The goddess said 
without you my quest will fail.” Sean explained irritated at having to keep 
repeating himself. He should be hunting the Lamia not indulging the 
man’s curiosity.

“So you are telling me there are dragons loose in New York City?” Viggo 
asked. 

“Yes. Though it is most likely that they are in their human forms.” Sean 
answered. 

Must have been a head injury or something because this guy was certainly 
a few fries short of a Happy Meal. 

“You can’t just kill people in this world. Men like me lock you up for 
that.” Viggo answered.

“They aren’t people, they are Lamia.” Sean explained. “You are a warrior 
though…aren’t you a slayer that fights evil here?” Sean asked.

“Yeah, in a way…though right now I am on hiatus.” Viggo explained.

“Hiatus?” Sean asked.

“Well for right now I am not allowed to do my job.” Viggo explained.

“Why?” 
 
Viggo sighed. “It’s a long story but basically I broke my bosses nose.” 

“You hit your goddess?” Sean asked in shock.

“Goddess? Uh no I hit my captain and HE deserved it…but well hell we 
were talking about you.” Viggo said shaking his head and then running his 
hands through his hair. He was just thinking yesterday that this cold had 
happened at a convenient time since he wouldn’t have to miss work 
because of it. 

Sean enjoyed watching the man and wished to run his fingers through his 
hair.  Instead he sighed. “You do not believe me?” 

“Sean, part of my job is asking questions. It’s how we learn. I’m not 
saying you are lying, but hell a dragon slayer from an alternate universe? I 
mean come on? Not even the crack heads I’ve arrested have had such 
colorful stories.” Viggo said shaking his head. What was it about this guy 
that made him want to believe him so badly even though he knew this was 
all just a load of bullshit.

Sean began to pace the room. This man was not helping…why had the 
goddess sent Sean to him? Then again he might not believe a story such as 
this himself if the tables were turned. 

“You must be shown, it is the only way you will believe me. I am a Zmey, 
Viggo. I too am what you would call a dragon but I am different. I can 
shape shift into more than one form, and among my talents I can also 
summon whirlwinds.” Sean explained.

“Hang on a minute.” Viggo said shaking his head.  He had read this in folk 
tales. Read about dragons called Zmeys and even Lamias.  Zmeys were 
good dragons, protectors who defended people against the bad dragons or 
Lamias. Viggo shook his head, Christ I must be going mad I’m starting to 
believe him! 

“I will prove to you I speak the truth, Viggo.” Sean said and began 
chanting softly.  A whirlwind began to form in the center of the room 
picking up yesterdays newspaper and spinning it around.  

Viggo stood there for a moment with his mouth dropped open.  “Holy 
Shit! You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” He whispered. 

Then as quickly as it began the whirlwind dissipated and then Sean said 
something else and as if this were some sci-fi movie Sean turned into a 
dog! Viggo stood there for a moment looking at the golden retriever in his 
kitchen and shook his head. 

“I certainly need that coffee now.” He said reaching for the pot and 
pouring a cup. 

Then suddenly Sean reappeared. “Satisfied?” Sean asked. 

“Uhhhh yeah.” Viggo said taking a drink of coffee it was scalding hot but 
he didn’t even notice…he was too stunned at what had just transpired in 
his kitchen. 

---------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 3

The two men stood in the kitchen for a few moments and Viggo collapsed 
into a chair and coughed a few times.  This was just too fucking much to 
deal with. All he wanted was to crawl back into bed and get over this 
miserable cold.

“Alright. You’re a dragon slayer come here from another world called 
Aryl. You’re chasing after some shape shifting dragons that came here 
through some portal, a similar portal that you came through to land in my 
bedroom and the goddess of the white tower sent you to me saying that 
your mission would fail if you don’t have me as your guide. And you are a 
dragon too…and can summon whirlwinds and turn yourself into a dog. 
Have I missed anything?” Viggo asked with a sigh. This could NOT be 
happening, but it seemed too real to be a fever induced hallucination. 

“I can turn into a great many things, not just a dog, but otherwise yes, I 
think you have it. Now Viggo time is of the essence we really must hunt.” 
Sean stated. 

Viggo threw up his hands, “Hold your horses, Sean. New York is a huge 
city with millions of people. We can’t just ‘go hunting’. We need a plan. I 
need to know more about these dragon men and I need to know what to 
hunt for. What do they look like in their human form, and in any other 
forms. Where would they go for instance?” Viggo asked taking another 
long drink of his coffee and even though it was barely nine in the morning 
he was wishing for something a lot stronger. 

Sean sat down in a chair opposite Viggo and adjusted his sword. 

“The Lamia or ‘dragon men’ as you called them are not able to shape shift 
the same as myself. They can be in the form of their birth or human but 
nothing else. Plus when they shape shift into human form they still do 
have other characteristics that make them very un-human. They still have 
their teeth, two rows of them and retractable black claws. They also have a 
distinctive mark on their foreheads. Like that mark on your arm.” Sean 
stated pointing at Viggo’s tattoo. “Or my own mark.” Sean indicated a 
tattoo on his hand. 

“What does the mark look like?” Viggo asked getting up and grabbing a 
pencil and paper from the counter. 

“It is green. It looks like wings inside a circle.” Sean explained. 

“Can you show me?” Viggo asked pushing the items toward Sean.

“Yes.” Sean answered and began drawing. Sean’s hands moved 
confidently over the paper and while Viggo wasn’t expecting more than a 
basic sketch it turned out to be quite detailed. 

“Interesting. So why are they here?  Why leave your world?” Viggo asked.

“They are greedy and seek power. If they can increase their numbers they 
will be able to overrun our world as well as yours. Since they are not 
known here, and there are no slayers or sorceresses in your world to keep 
their numbers in check they will multiply rapidly. They will take over not 
only your world but mine and any number of others as well. They will 
enslave the humans, murder all Zmey and sorceresses so there are none to 
oppose their will. All the forests that were once good and lush will be 
turned to ash. They love to destroy, crops, lives, anything really. They 
feed on the flesh of animals but prefer humans.” Sean explained.

“How many came here?” Viggo asked.

“Only five males made the passage.” Sean answered.

“How can they increase their numbers with just males?” Viggo asked 
praying he wasn’t going to get the answer he figured he might.

“They will take human women and give them their seed. Once the child is 
born they will give the woman to the Lamia to feed on. It is disgusting.” 
Sean answered and noted Viggo’s grimace. 

“They eat their own mothers? Oh for fucks sake!” Viggo said turning a 
little green.

“They do not consider them their ‘mother’ in that sense they consider 
them simply a means of reproduction.” Sean answered.

“What about your kind?” Viggo asked.

Sean smiled, he knew that question would come. “I have a mother Viggo, 
and I love her dearly. She and my father live in a village called Arod 
within the white palace’s domain. My blood is unusual. My mother is or 
was a sorceress and my father is a Zmey who chose to give up his gift of 
shape shifting for my mother. It is not unheard of in my world, although 
rare. That is why I bear insignia of such high order.” Sean explained and 
pointed to the jade in his sword hilt and the small tattoo on his hand. “This 
stone was given to me at the moment of my birth by the goddess of light, 
and this mark was bestowed upon me by the goddess of the white tower of 
whom I belong.”

“Belong?” Viggo asked. 

“I am a slayer, a knight. The goddess of the white tower is my keeper, 
much like I suppose your ‘boss’ you spoke of. The mark is a symbol of my 
rank of Captain.” Sean explained. 

Viggo sat there for a moment and shook his head. This was all so much to 
digest before noon and all with his head still quite fuzzy.  At that thought 
he sneezed yet again. Sean frowned at him.

“You truly are not feeling well.” Sean stated.

“No. I am not.” Viggo said with a sniffle. 

“Perhaps…if you trust me I can ease this cold you have? I have some 
healing powers.” Sean commented. He did not like seeing the man this 
way.  If he were to hunt he would need his strength and not give up their 
position with his sneezing and coughing. He told himself it was for those 
reasons only that he wanted to help.

“If you have a cure for the common cold you will be a hero here in my 
world.” Viggo said laughing. 

“I will need water…is there a stream nearby you bathe in?” Sean asked. 

Viggo laughed. “No but I have a shower…will that work?” 

“A shower?” Sean asked confused. He had to search his mind for the 
knowledge and soon he smiled. 

“A shower would work, though I think a bathtub would be better.” Sean 
answered. 

Viggo stood and led Sean to his small bathroom. Sean looked around and 
then said. “Show me how this works?” 

“Well basically the way I do it, I turn on the water, take off my clothes, 
get in and wash…pretty basic stuff.” Viggo answered with a grin.

“Good…take off your clothes then.” Sean said walking to the shower and 
turning on the water. He adjusted the temperature to his liking and then 
removed his sword belt and started unlacing his breeches. 

“Uh…you’re going to shower with me?” Viggo asked his hands stilling at 
the waistband of his jeans. 

“Well yes…if I am to heal you I must.” Sean answered. 

“I see.” Viggo answered though he really didn’t understand he continued 
to undress.  Both men were soon naked and Viggo made it a point to look 
only at Sean’s eyes.  He was already attracted to the guy he didn’t need to 
let him know about it by getting aroused. 

Viggo stepped into the shower first and then Sean followed. 

“Now turn your back to me.” Sean commanded and Viggo sneezed again. 

Sean laughed. “We will get rid of that very soon.” 

Viggo nodded. God this was weird, but no weirder than watching Sean 
turn into a dog in his kitchen.

After a few moments Sean began to chant something that sounded 
soothing in some other language and Viggo began to feel a bit more 
relaxed. The warrior ran his hands lightly across Viggo’s shoulders, down 
his spine, around his waist and up his chest. Then he pulled back and ran 
his hands through Viggo’s hair, to his temples and his calloused fingers 
even traced a path right down from his forehead to the tip of his nose. 
When Sean removed his fingers Viggo felt all of the stuffiness leave his 
head and his chest cleared, and soon even his muscle aches were gone. He 
felt wonderful, better than he had in ages, but unfortunately Sean’s healing 
touch was also very arousing and Viggo was having trouble controlling his 
breathing. 

Cool air rushed through the door as Sean stepped out of the shower 
leaving Viggo alone. “I will let you continue your bathing, I trust you feel 
better now?” 

“Yeah…yeah. That was…wow.” Viggo answered trying to conceal his 
arousal from the warrior.  

Sean laughed. “It is a useful talent, though sadly I cannot use it on myself 
when I fall ill or am injured.” 

Sean dried himself and redressed then left the small bathroom. He had 
become aroused from touching Viggo like that but he needed to focus his 
energy now and purge Viggo’s illness from his body. Yes, Sean could cure 
others, but in doing so he had to pull the injury or illness within himself 
and then use his magic to purge it from his body.  One attempt at healing a 
dying slayer had taught Sean his limits. 

Viggo while not on deaths door truly had been quite ill. That impressed 
him though, the fact Viggo even attempted to fight back earlier that 
morning told Sean that he was dealing with no coward…just not a man 
who was fit for fighting this day. Not until now anyway.  

The only thing bothering Sean was his attraction to Viggo. It had almost 
been his undoing in the shower when Viggo had loosed a small whimper 
as Sean healed him. He would need to keep that in check. Relationships 
with other males were not uncommon or frowned upon in Aryl but 
according to his knowledge humans of this world frowned upon a union 
which could not produce young. 

Later when Viggo emerged from the bedchamber he was wearing clean 
jeans, and a denim shirt, along with a pair of leather boots. He also had 
another shirt in his hand. 

“Thanks for getting rid of my cold…I feel like a new man!” Viggo said 
walking toward Sean. “Here you might catch pneumonia if you plan to 
hunt in this weather you’ll need a shirt. Lucky we’re close to the same 
size.” Viggo said handing Sean the shirt. 

Sean nodded and accepted the item of clothing. He removed his bracers 
and pulled on the worn garment. It was soft and smelled clean but also 
held Viggo’s scent. He put his sword back on and Viggo grinned. 

“You can’t walk around with that thing on your hip you know.” Viggo 
said pointing.

“What do you suggest I do slay dragons with bad thoughts?” Sean asked 
with a grin.

“I see sarcasm is the same in your world as it is in mine. It’s a good thing 
it’s mid winter, I have a trench coat that will do.” Viggo laughed.

“Thank you.” Sean said as he started to button the shirt. 

“Looks good on you.” Viggo commented as he walked over to a small 
closet and pulled out a leather jacket and a longer woolen coat. “I guess 
we should go hunting now?” Viggo asked as he slid his jacket on. 

“We should, they have had far too much of a head start already and I have 
no knowledge of where they would go here.” Sean said pulling on the 
heavy woolen coat. 

“Will they start taking humans right away? Women to breed with, or 
would they feed on animals first?” 

“They may start with animals, build their strength before taking women to 
breed I should think. They prefer their lair underground not high up like 
you here. Do you know of some place they might go?” Sean asked pulling 
his long blond hair out from under the collar of the coat. Viggo stood for a 
few moments watching as the golden strands danced in the air before 
settling against Sean’s collar. He had the most overwhelming urge to 
plunge his fingers into that hair to feel it tangle around his fingers. Viggo 
then cleared his throat and answered Sean’s question. 

“Um maybe the subway? There are not many animals there though…other 
than stray cats, dogs, and lots of nasty rats.” 

“They will not be picky.” Sean stated. 

“What about you?” Viggo asked curious as to what a Zmey would eat.

“Me? I imagine I eat similar things to yourself. Vegetables, grains, and 
meats and yes I do prefer my food cooked if that is what you mean.” Sean 
stated with a grin.

Viggo laughed. “Sorry, didn’t mean to sound insulting.” 

“You didn’t.” Sean said smiling and following Viggo to the door. 

---------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 4


“Try and stay close to me, Sean. New York can be a strange place for 
someone who has never been here, and I imagine for someone who has 
never been to this world before it’s going to be doubly as strange.” Viggo 
warned as he stepped into the hall and went to the elevator. 

“A portal?” Sean asked staring at the doors that just opened in front of 
him.

“Sort of, just basically a box on a rope that goes up and down. Simple 
means of transportation…faster and easier than taking the stairs.” Viggo 
explained. 

Sean smiled as the information clicked in his brain. “The palace tower 
could use one of these.” 

Viggo grinned and pushed the button for the parking garage below the 
building. 

Sean asked what had seemed hundreds of questions just from the moment 
they got to Viggo’s car to the moment they pulled out onto the street. 
Viggo had answered them all calmly and with great kindness. Sean 
realized he must be driving the other warrior out of his mind with 
questions. 

“Viggo, I must apologize for asking so many questions. Everything is so 
new and fast for me and the limited knowledge I was given of your world 
isn’t helping very much. You can answer faster than my brain can divulge 
the answers locked away within.” Sean said after a few moments of 
silence.

Viggo smiled. “It’s alright, Sean. I would be the same way in your world 
I’m sure.”

Sean settled back in his seat and watched the scenery pass by his window. 
This was even stranger than the trip through the portal to this world. Even 
while he was being overwhelmed his mind was still working through 
where the Lamia would go. What they would be doing now? How fast 
they might work in this world with none to oppose them? 

Another thing bothering Sean was his desire for Viggo which was equal 
parts as pleasing as it was irritating. He didn’t have time for dalliances but 
Viggo was strong, intelligent, amusing, and quite handsome. Though not 
knowing if Viggo desired him in return was another matter. Sean also was 
unprepared for the other emotions he felt when he looked into Viggo’s 
eyes. The longing he felt was like nothing he’d ever felt before. It was a 
distraction, and that he did not need. 

“So, how is it that you became a dragon slayer?” Viggo asked as they 
turned down another street.

“It is a gift of my birth. All Zmey are protectors of men, but only Zmey 
who have been blessed by the goddess of light can hold the rank that I do. 
I was trained from a very young age to be a slayer. It is what I am and all 
that I know.” Sean explained. 

“How many are there, like you I mean?” 

“There are twelve Zmey like myself blessed by the goddess of light, there 
are another twenty human slayers who were trained and ordained by the 
goddess of the white palace, and there are one hundred and forty Zmey 
who are guardians of each of the human villages in Aryl. There are 
another one hundred and forty Zmeitsas or female Zmey who guard the 
wilds and free forests and valleys of our world. The female of my species 
are the only Zmey who can transform into bears.” Sean explained. 

“Bears?” Viggo asked. 

“Yes, great white bears…quite beautiful.” Sean explained. 

“So there is exactly one Zmeitsa for each Zmey?” Viggo asked. 

“Yes.” 

“So you would be expected to bond with a Zmeitsa or maybe a female 
slayer such as yourself if you were to bond with someone?” Viggo asked. 

“I would bond with a human or a sorceress most likely. Like my father, it 
is my preference. I think in your world it might be called ‘type’.” Sean 
responded. 

“If I met you in your true form I would probably run screaming for the 
hills wouldn’t I?” Viggo asked grinning.

“I do not think you are cowardly, Viggo. You would stand and face me in 
the form of my birth.” Sean said lightly.

“What would you look like?” Viggo asked. 

“I’m sure you’ve seen drawings of dragons in your world since they once 
lived among your ancient tribes. Not so very different than that I suppose. 
In my true form I am a bit larger than your car and that is not counting my 
tail. I also have talons and sharp claws in my Zmey form.” Sean explained 
with a grin. 

Viggo shook his head. “Remind me not to piss you off.” 

Sean laughed. 

“Here we are.” Viggo announced pulling up to the curb. 

He got out of the car and Sean did the same following Viggo to a stairway 
that led downwards. Halfway down the stairwell Sean stopped. 

Viggo turned back and began to ask him what was wrong but he saw Sean 
sniff the air and then look at him with his jade eyes nearly glowing. 
“Lamia are near.” 

Viggo nodded. He allowed Sean to take the lead and he followed quickly 
on his heels.  Sean led them away from the subway platform and toward a 
side door marked “Personnel Only”. Viggo and he passed through the door 
and continued on until they came to another door that led to a service 
tunnel. 

“They are close…be on your guard.” Sean announced unsheathing his 
sword. Viggo took that as a cue to draw his gun. 

“Shit. I forgot sometimes homeless people settle down here in these vacant 
tunnels. What if the Lamia have gotten them?” Viggo asked worried as he 
pulled out a small flashlight he had in his back pocket and flicked it on. 
Sean looked surprised for only a moment and let it pass.  

Sean sighed. “Why are they homeless?” 

“Lots of reasons, they are societies disenfranchised. Some are mentally 
unstable, others are just broke and have no where else to go.” Viggo 
answered.

“Why are they broken? Why don’t your healers fix them?” Sean asked. 

Viggo nearly laughed. The question was so childlike it was sweet. “No, 
Sean. I don’t mean they are physically broken, I meant they had no 
money. No means to keep a home, no job, and things like that. Although I 
do think that some of them are emotionally broken.” Viggo explained.

“Why doesn’t anyone help them? Are they not humans like yourself?” 
Sean asked deeply disturbed. 

“Ah, Sean you have a kind heart. One that definitely is not fit for this 
city.” Viggo said smiling. He couldn’t recall meeting anyone who could 
make him want to smile the way Sean did. 

“Here, they have been this way.” Sean pointed at last. 

“How long ago?” Viggo asked.

“A few hours at least.” Sean answered then paused. “I smell blood.” 

Viggo grimaced. Great, they were already feeding.

They moved silently in the dark guided only by the thin beam of light 
from Viggo’s flash light and Sean’s unwavering tracking abilities. 

Suddenly Sean spun and his sword connected with a shadow moving 
beside them.  Viggo raised his gun and the flashlight shown on a face that 
was not entirely human though he wasn’t sure what else it might be. 
Another shadow moved lunging toward them and Viggo raised the light 
beam to see the Lamia’s eyes flash red, he fired on instinct. It collapsed to 
the floor and Viggo turned in time to see Sean cleave the other beasts head 
from its body.

“Three left.” Sean stated softly as he began to move forward again. Viggo 
followed stepping over the body of the Lamia he had killed. 

When they came to a larger area of the tunnel the scent of blood was 
overwhelming and Viggo felt his stomach lurch. 

“Fucking hell.” He murmured looking around at blood covering nearly 
every available surface. “What are they doing?” 

“Feeding is…messy.” Sean explained stepping over an animal carcass of 
some kind. Possibly a dog, though he was unsure. “They will be strong, 
they have fed a lot today.” 

“Let’s hope feeding is all they have done.” Viggo said staying close 
behind Sean.

Another Lamia launched out of the darkness toward Sean and before he 
could raise his blade Viggo shot it midair and it fell at Sean’s feet with a 
sickening thud. 

“Thank you.” Sean answered softly. “Two remain.” 

“It seems too easy.” Viggo answered. It couldn’t be this easy, nothing ever 
was. 

“The remaining two will be stronger than all the others as they will be the 
ones feeding most. Hierarchy. Altinor, King of the Lamia is stronger than 
ten of his kind and his lieutenant will be nearly as strong. These were mere 
henchmen, and were quite young, not battled hardened.” Sean said waving 
his sword a bit. 

“They were expendable you mean.” 

“Yes. Expendable.” Sean answered. “Plus they are no match for your 
weapon.” 
Viggo glanced down at his gun and thought he’d rather it was a machine 
gun at this point. 

When they rounded a corner sharp black claws struck out from the dark 
and sliced through Viggo’s leather jacket. He cried out and spun to fire but 
the beast was gone. It was faster than the others had been. 

Sean came to him. “You are injured?” 

“I am fine…keep going.” Viggo stated. 

“No. Let me check.” Sean demanded pulling the shreds of his jacket and 
shirt aside. It did not seem bad enough to turn back. Three claws had cut 
deeply into Viggo’s shoulder blade and the wound was bleeding badly.  
They would return for him once they had his taste. Sean felt infinitely 
disturbed by that knowledge.

“We will continue on.” Sean agreed and began leading Viggo once again. 
Viggo could feel the stinging but willed the pain away as best he could. 

When they reached another open chamber there stood the two remaining 
Lamia and yes they had already started breeding. There were three bruised 
and terrified women in the corner with hardly a stitch of clothing left on 
them. 

“Slayer, you are relentless.” The Lamia spoke. 

“I shall be your death, Altinor.” Sean answered. 

The Lamia laughed. “You first.” He called and then blinding light filled 
the tunnel and three more creatures appeared. They were small and 
extremely ugly, like lizards with big rounded heads and huge eyes and 
teeth coupled with even larger claws.  They did not advance though, just 
stood at the Lamia’s side as protection. 

Sean sucked in a breath. How? 

The Lamia laughed again. “Surprised aren’t we? I found these creatures in 
yet another world…and they are tenacious you see. I rather like my 
new…pets. What do you think Slayer?” 

Sean shook his head it did not matter now. He would slay them too.

“Sean, those women!” Viggo hissed behind him. 

“Do you like my concubines? Are they not lovely? They will bear fine 
young and make good meals for them don’t you think?” The Lamia 
sneered at Viggo. 

Viggo raised his gun but at that moment the dragon pulled someone up off 
the floor. It was a small child no older than five and Viggo froze as did 
Sean. 

“One of the women came with an additional feature. Pretty little thing 
isn’t she?” He asked pulling the whimpering child off the ground by her 
wrist. 

Viggo felt his blood boiling and Sean could sense his turmoil. He placed 
his hand on his arm in a steadying gesture. 

“Wait.” Sean whispered. 

“Let the child go.” Viggo commanded. 

The Lamia laughed. “I prefer not to, human.” 

“Take me in her place, I will provide more of a meal than someone her 
size.” Viggo said stepping forward. Sean nearly jerked him back but 
thought better of it, a sudden move could mean the child’s death. 

The Lamia laughed again. “Oh I will have you, I will have you all, even 
you slayer!” 

Then suddenly light flashed again and they were gone, all of the Lamia 
and the three women and the child…all except Viggo and Sean. 

“Where did they go?” Viggo asked whipping around to face Sean.

“I have no idea.” Sean answered. “The goddess closed the portal on our 
world to him, he must have found one here in your world that leads to 
another where those other creatures were from.” 

“Fuck!” Viggo screamed holstering his gun and then wincing. He’d 
forgotten about his injury until now. 

“You are injured, we must return to your home and make a plan.” Sean 
offered taking Viggo’s arm. 

Viggo shrugged off his grip and walked away back the way they had 
come. Sean stood for a moment then re-sheathed his sword and sighed. He 
had hoped they had not begun breeding. Those poor women. Sean bent his 
head and sent a prayer to his goddess that no more would be taken. Then 
he set off to follow Viggo. 

---------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 5


Sean soon caught up to him. “Viggo wait.” 

He stopped and whipped around quickly to look at Sean. “What were 
those other things?” 

“I do not know. He said he found them in another world.” Sean stated 
shaking his head. 
“I did not expect that.” 

“Well I didn’t expect to wake up this morning with you on top of me 
either.” Viggo spat back. “What the fuck have you dragged me into?” 

“I have not dragged you into anything, it is your destiny as it is mine.” 
Sean replied. 

Viggo opened his mouth to say something then stopped and started 
walking back toward the subway platform. 

By the time they reached Viggo’s car he was woozy from blood loss and 
Sean had his arm around him to keep the man upright. 

“Can you drive?” Sean asked. 

“Yeah. Just don’t let me pass out and kill us both.” Viggo scowled. 

Sean was grateful that the man’s bad temper had passed. He was angry 
about the women being taken and particularly so about the child. Sean 
hoped they would not be too late to save the women. They were surely 
already impregnated and finding them and healing them would be 
something he would have to do quickly. Lamia gestation time was not as 
long as human, it was why they could breed so fast. 

Sean helped Viggo into the car then quickly ran around and got in the 
passenger side. 

The drive back to Viggo’s apartment was excruciating for him. “What’s in 
those claws?” He asked turning into the parking garage.

“There is poison, but once we get you inside to water, I can heal you.” 
Sean explained. 

“Shower again?” Viggo asked.

“Afraid so.” 

“Well I might die but at least I’ll be clean.” Viggo said trying to smile. 

Sean shook his head. “Don’t jest about such things.” 

“Why? What would it matter to you if I died anyway?” Viggo asked a bit 
colder than he had intended to.

Sean was hurt but looked him in the eye. “It would matter.” He stated 
flatly. It would matter a great deal to me. He wanted to add. 

Once they were parked Sean got out and ran around to Viggo’s side of the 
car and helped him out.  Sean cinched his arm tightly around his waist and 
led him back to the elevator. He pushed the button and shifted Viggo into 
the box then pushed the button for his floor. 

“Good memory.” Viggo murmured. 

Sean just smiled slightly and then tugged the keys out of Viggo’s other 
hand. Once they reached the floor Viggo lived on he half dragged the man 
to the door, unlocked it and let them inside. Sean booted the door closed 
behind them, then suddenly he turned and hefted Viggo over his shoulder 
and headed for the bedroom.

“Oh honey, but this is so sudden.” Viggo tried to tease but his voice was 
slurred. 

Sean laid him facedown on the bed and peeled off his ruined jacket and 
tore away what was left of his shirt. 
 
Viggo’s breath hissed through his teeth at the bright burn of pain. “Can 
you be a little more rough, Nurse Ratchet? I live for pain you know.” 
Viggo gasped through clenched teeth. 

“Quiet.” Sean commanded assessing his wounds. They were deeper than 
he’d thought. Four ugly groves and one jagged puncture. The blood that 
had started to clot flowed freely again. 

After a few moments Sean stood up. “Can you get into the shower you 
think?” 

“Yeah…can you help me with my boots and jeans?” Viggo asked but still 
hadn’t raised from the bed. 

“I will aid you.” Sean assured him. He set to stripping himself. Once he 
was naked he then began stripping Viggo still lying on the bed. First his 
boots and socks and then he slid his arms around Viggo and helped him sit 
and then stand. He got on his knees in front of Viggo and began 
unbuttoning his jeans and Viggo looked down at him oddly. Oh what a 
sight that was…but his back was stinging way too much to think much 
further on that. 

Sean nearly carried him to the shower and Viggo was feeling dizziness 
setting in.  Once in the shower Sean turned on the water and Viggo 
howled in pain from the burn. 

“There is no shame in screaming. I know it hurts.” Sean soothed.

That was the understatement of the day. Viggo thought for a moment, then 
he felt Sean slide into the shower behind him.  He heard him begin to 
chant and run his hands lightly over the wounds as the water sluiced over 
them.  

The blood was starting to run red again. It had been nearly green before 
from the poison. Sean smiled at that. He continued to chant and run his 
hands over the wounds letting the water and his magic heal them. Soon he 
stopped. 

“You need to rest to finish healing.” Sean stated and turned off the water. 
“Lean against the wall.” 

Viggo did as he said and stood there waiting for Sean to return to him with 
soft clean towels. Soon he was back on his bed laying on his stomach and 
Sean was pulling the covers over him. 

“Rest and heal, warrior.” Sean whispered and ghosted a soft kiss over 
Viggo’s uninjured shoulder. The gesture did not go unnoticed and Viggo 
smiled into his pillow before sleep claimed him. 

Viggo dreamed, strange, colorful dreams of battles and blood. Sean with 
his sword flashing in the dark shadows. In dreams he knew Sean’s body, 
the feel of his warm muscles under his hands and even the taste of his 
skin. The sound of his voice, low and 
seductive. Viggo could feel it as if it were as real as the pillow under his 
head Sean’s lips upon his. But it was only a dream. 

When he did wake he was aching and this time not from a cold or injury, 
but for Sean. He sat up instinctively reaching for his shoulder but found 
nothing, no wounds, no scar, nothing. Had it all been a dream after all? 
One wild fever induced dream starring the most magnificent man he’d 
ever met? 

The idea that Sean had only been a figment of his imagination depressed 
him greatly. Was the only man who’d ever stirred him on every level just 
a product of his imagination? Sure he had a creative imagination but this 
was too much. He sighed deeply. 

Back to reality. He told himself as he tugged on a pair of clean jeans that 
had been laid on the chair by the bed. He didn’t remember doing that 
earlier, then he took a step toward the bedroom door and nearly tripped 
over his jacket. He scooped up the battered material and nothing in his life 
had ever delighted him more than seeing the ruined bloodstained jacket. 
He tossed it aside and bolted for the door. 

Sean was sitting cross-legged in the floor, his nose all but pressed to the 
television screen. 

“I like this box.” Sean announced not even turning around. “This battle is 
interesting.” 

Viggo stared for a  moment and realized he was watching a British soccer 
match. “You like that huh?” 

“Yes.” Sean said standing and crossing to Viggo. “You healed well.” 

“Yeah…amazing. You’d make millions with those hands of yours.” Viggo 
said with a grin. 

“Millions of what?” Sean asked and Viggo laughed. 

“Never mind. Get hungry?” He asked nodding at the bag of chips and the 
beer on the coffee table. 

“You do not have much food that I understood how to prepare but this at 
least took the edge off my hunger.” Sean explained.  

“I guess you wouldn’t know how to use a stove or a microwave. Would 
you like me to fix something or maybe order something?” Viggo asked 
feeling strange about letting a guest go hungry. 

“I am fine. You however I am sure need food, you have endured a lot this 
day.” Sean answered. 

Viggo grinned. “I am pretty hungry.” He started to walk toward the 
kitchen but then felt a little woozy. “What the fuck?” He said wavering 
and Sean immediately was there to catch him. 

“After effects of the poison. I was able to draw it all out but it can still 
leave you somewhat weak.” Sean explained grasping him about the waist 
and leading him to the couch. “It will pass in a few moments.” 

“Man that felt weird.” Viggo said breathlessly and turned slightly to face 
Sean. Their lips were mere inches apart and Viggo badly wanted to close 
that distance but didn’t know if in Sean’s world that was acceptable. It 
certainly wasn’t here really and he didn’t want to meet the end of that 
sharp dagger again. 

Sean however solved the problem for him by leaning in and softly touched 
his lips to Viggo’s. When their lips met it was soft and sweetly hesitant at 
first but Viggo pulled Sean closer and sank deeper into the kiss…deeper 
into Sean. Neither of them dominated the other they shared in the kiss, 
reveled in it. The feeling of Sean’s tongue sliding against his own made 
blood rush and pool low in his abdomen. 

He had wanted Sean since he first looked into those jade eyes.  He had 
wanted him since before then he realized. Always, had dreamed of him, 
even before they’d met. Sean had spoken of destiny, was this a part of it 
too?

Heat flared like a torch within as the kiss deepened, changed, heightened 
somehow. Viggo had never felt such passion, such intensity in a single 
kiss before. 

When they finally drew apart their breathing was ragged and both men 
looked dazed. 

“By the goddess.” Sean whispered. 

“Yeah.” Viggo agreed dragging in a breath. 

“I desire you, Viggo.” Sean whispered softly. 

Viggo had never been submissive in any relationship, with males or 
females but Sean’s softly whispered words made him feel as if he was 
melting. 

“Show me.” Viggo whispered in return. 

Sean smiled at that answer and stood pulling Viggo up with him and they 
headed for the bedroom. 

Sean stopped beside the bed and Viggo pulled him in for another soul 
shattering kiss. 
Then Sean’s lips moved from his mouth to Viggo’s jaw, trailing down to 
his throat and the moan that escaped caused Sean’s blood to turn to molten 
lava in his veins. This want, this elemental need was like nothing he had 
ever felt before with any other. 

Viggo trailed his hands down across Sean’s muscled back lightly scoring 
the flesh with his short nails causing the warrior to moan into his 
overheated flesh. 

Sean could feel the man’s hardness pressing against his own through their 
clothing. Without ceasing his ministrations on Viggo’s throat he began to 
thrust his hips forward slowly, rubbing their erections together. The 
feeling was almost too much and Viggo groaned his pleasure.   

Soon both of them were undressed and on the bed. Viggo was writhing 
under Sean’s hot mouth clamped around his nipple pulling another 
guttural moan from him. 

“Sean, please.” Viggo whimpered needing, wanting more. 

“You wish to join with me?” Sean asked looking up and nearly shivering 
at the blue black eyes staring back at him.

“Yes.” Viggo whispered breathlessly. 

Sean smiled. “Is there…anything to ease the way?” Obviously Sean’s 
done this before. Viggo thought before he pointed to the night stand. 

Sean opened the drawer and found a small bottle then held it up. Viggo 
grinned and Sean settled back between Viggo’s legs. Sean spread some of 
the slick liquid over his fingers.

Viggo bent his legs allowing Sean access to his most sensitive area. The 
warrior moved his slick hand down between his lover’s legs where he 
began to slowly breach the tight outer ring. 

Viggo gasped but pushed back trying to impale himself more. This drew a 
small smile from Sean, evidently Viggo was not inexperienced in male 
joining. When Sean added a second finger stretching his lover more then 
curled his fingers, Viggo moaned loudly and writhed against the sheets. 

“Sean.” Viggo gasped in a huff of breath. 

Sean smiled down at him and leaned in to kiss the slightly darker man. 
Viggo was breathtaking. Sean thought for a moment, an utterly 
breathtaking human. He’d never felt this sort of connection with a lover of 
any kind before. With a trembling sigh, he pulled his fingers back and then 
forward brushing that most pleasurable spot. 

“Please. Sean…please.” Viggo begged barely able to drag in shallow 
breaths. 

“You are enjoying this?” Sean asked smiling. 

“What do you think?” Viggo responded with another groan of pleasure, 
his hips following Sean’s fingers. 

Sean chuckled softly and withdrew his fingers eliciting a beautiful 
whimper from Viggo. 
He positioned himself between Viggo’s legs, added more of the slick oil to 
his member, and then slid into him completely in one long, agonizingly 
slow stroke. Viggo shuddered beneath him moaning loudly as he wrapped 
his arms and legs around Sean. 

“By the goddess, Viggo.” Sean hissed at how wonderful this felt. He had 
never felt this way during joining before. He had stopped moving trying to 
regain his control, the tight heat that surrounded him seemed to brand him 
from the inside out. 

Viggo shifted pushing back toward Sean and soon the blond warrior began 
to move slowly with deep thrusts.  When Sean changed the angle Viggo 
moaned loudly. 

“More.” Viggo called out and the warrior began moving faster, plunging 
deep within him. Both men were moaning with each thrust and Sean 
chanted in some other language that was beautiful. The foreign words 
seemed to blaze through Viggo and he was thrusting back and panting.

“Please, Sean…harder.” Viggo cried out just as Sean began to speed his 
thrusts slamming into the other man with such force the headboard was 
pounding against the wall as both men neared the edge of oblivion. 

Sean reached down and took Viggo’s member in hand and began stroking 
him in time with his thrusts. Viggo cried out as his orgasm slammed 
through his body with such force he was shuddering and barely able to 
catch his breath. A moment later Sean called out his release in that other 
language as he spilled inside his lover. 

Sean collapsed on top of Viggo and they both gasped for air. After a few 
moments Sean rolled away and then collapsed beside Viggo pulling him 
into a tight embrace and kissed his forehead. 

“Viggo, I have never experienced a joining like that before.” Sean 
whispered. No joining had ever been so intense, nor so pleasurable for 
Sean. None had ever caused him to feel this mysterious sensation that 
went far beyond the mere physical. 

Viggo looked into sparkling green eyes and smiled. “Me either. That 
was… astounding.” 

Viggo licked his lips and could taste Sean on them. His mouth the 
intimacy of their kisses had been like feeding each other. Their love 
making yes love making it was more than just lust or sex, there was far 
more here. That made Viggo wistful, what if once the dragons were slain 
Sean had to return to his world? Would he be left alone now after meeting 
the one person who could light fire to his entire soul? Viggo decided not to 
think of that now…just rest and recuperate before their next match with 
the Lamia. 
 
---------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 6

Sean lay back caressing Viggo’s arm idly while his thoughts swirled. 
Poets spoke of such unions, but he’d never believed in it. Romantic 
delusion was all it was he had thought. Unit now. He didn’t wish to leave 
this place, leave Viggo’s side. 

Sean stared at the ceiling and rubbed his lips together, experimentally. 
Viggo’s taste was still there—a taste he would never forget if he lived one 
hundred lifetimes of man. Sean had never known such tenderness and 
passion before, nor believed that he required it. He was a slayer, Zmey. 
Such things were not important, then again his parents did. Their bond had 
been so strong they had given up part of themselves to be whole together. 
That is how they put it, even though they lost part of themselves they 
gained the whole in the other. His mother had given up being a sorceress 
his father gave up the will of his blood, to remain human forever. 

Thinking about them, and about what he was feeling for this man he 
hardly knew brought such a pang, such a wrench of longing his chest felt 
tight as if he might drown. 

Viggo curled against him and kissed his jaw. 

“You make me want.” Sean whispered his voice thick.

Viggo smiled. 

“Isn’t that a good thing?” Viggo asked wondering why Sean seemed so 
sad about that. 

“You make me need in ways I’ve never needed. That is dangerous to a 
slayer.” Sean whispered and Viggo curled closer to him.

“We both lead dangerous lives.” Viggo whispered. “We will do this, 
together Sean. Not to save my world, or save your world, but to save those 
poor women and that little girl. I have to believe that good will somehow 
overcome evil, Sean. I’m a cop, I have to believe that or what I do for a 
living isn’t a waste.” Viggo answered suspecting Sean was worried about 
them working as a team after this. 

Sean sighed and Viggo raised up on his elbow to look down at him. “We 
need a plan…and we need food.” He added after his stomach growled. 

Sean laughed. “Alright.” 

They got up and dressed and then Viggo switched the TV to the news to 
see if there was anything about missing women, or serial killers on the 
loose. He started to call in a pizza order then remembered it wasn’t just his 
taste that had to be satisfied. 

“Is there anything you don’t like to eat?” Viggo asked as he picked up the 
cordless phone.

“I don’t care for the meat of the ground hog.” Sean answered and Viggo 
let out a quick, huffing laugh. “Uh yeah…no ground hogs.” 

Viggo grabbed a couple of beers and handed one to Sean while they 
waited on the pizza. He dropped down on the couch and stretched out. 

“Will Altinor set up a lair of some kind?” Viggo asked.

“Yes, below ground.” Sean answered sliding to the floor in a smooth 
movement that made Viggo grin. He hadn’t met anyone quite so graceful 
but at the same time powerful.

“They like the dark, they may not choose the subway this time, are there 
other tunnels here?” Sean continued then stopped. “What?” 

“You. I like listening to you talk, your voice.” Viggo answered smiling. 

Sean smiled in return. “I too enjoy your voice as well, I find it arousing.” 

Viggo thought he might actually have blushed. “Arousing? Well, never 
been told that before.” 

“Good, I would be upset if another felt this with you.” Sean answered. 

He knew it was ridiculous but Viggo felt as if his heart just dissolved at 
the jealous tone Sean had. 

Once the pizza arrived Sean was happy to be eating. He hadn’t realized 
how hungry he actually was. The food was strange but quite good. 

“Is this a staple in your world?” Sean asked waving his slice around a bit. 

Viggo laughed. “Depends on who you ask, some call it comfort food.” 

“Comfort food. Interesting.” Sean stated then took another bite. 

Sean looked toward the window. “It will be dark soon. Then we hunt 
again.” 

Viggo nodded. 

---------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 7

Viggo decided that if he was going up against a Lamia again he was going 
to have more than one 9mm pistol. He had his pistol in a shoulder holster, 
a backup .38 in an ankle holster, a combat knife sheathed at his back, and 
a switchblade in his left boot. If he had a fucking grenade launcher he 
would have taken that too. 

“Ya know I like my job, being a cop, and I like to think it makes a 
difference ya know?” Viggo said then paused for a moment as they passed 
a few people on the sidewalk, “But this heading out to save the world 
business is a bit heady.” 

Sean smiled. “You were born for it.” He stated with a shrug. “We were 
meant to meet and we were meant to face this night together. Meant for it 
from the moment we were created, Viggo.”

Meant to love each other, and to life alone in two different worlds. Viggo 
thought after Sean’s speech. He knew no one could die of loneliness but 
that thought didn’t comfort him. 

They continued walking down the sidewalk toward the subway.  Viggo 
figured that even the Lamia’s wouldn’t resort to the sewers, at least he 
hoped not. 

As they neared the subway Sean stopped, raised his hand and bared his 
teeth. “Lamia.” He stated. 

He was on the scent and ran like the wind. People scrambled to get out of 
his way, and those who caught a glimpse of the sword under his coat 
scrambled faster and farther. Viggo struggled to keep up. 

“Sean! Sean slow down!” Viggo called. Christ, he was already in hot 
water with his boss, and if they were arrested his buddies would have a 
field day with Sean’s dragons.

“There!” Sean pointed to the small restaurant not far from the subway 
entrance just seconds before a stream of people came screaming out. Sean 
drew his sword and raced through the doorway. 

Whatever Viggo expected it hadn’t been this. He had seen what they had 
done in the subway tunnels but this was wholly different under the neon 
and florescent lighting of the restaurant. The stench of blood, death, and 
fear was overwhelming as he flew through the door with his gun drawn 
behind Sean.  

He saw blood and gore, his eyes tracked it across the floor to where a man, 
no, a Lamia was feeding savagely on a body. A human body. When the 
dragon lifted its head, his jagged teeth glistening with blood Viggo felt as 
if his knees might buckle for a moment. 

Shock, disgust, and fury were the first things to register before something 
hideous pounced on his back. It was one of the creatures from the other 
dimension that Altinor had brought as protectors. 

Viggo spun, ramming his back into the wall attempting to dislodge the 
creature. Cursing, he battered the thing against the wall and finally 
managed to draw out his knife and plunged it behind him.  The creature 
screamed and tore away.  Viggo fell to his knees momentarily.  

“Damn, they just really don’t like leather jackets.” He muttered looking at 
his shredded sleeve. 

Sean was fighting to protect a young woman who couldn’t have been more 
than twenty from the beasts. Viggo raised his gun and fired off three shots 
into the creature that was racing toward Sean’s back.  He raced across the 
room to Sean and stood back to back with him.  

Viggo motioned to the girl. “Come here, stay close to us.” He told her and 
she scrambled across the floor quickly. 

“What the fuck are these things?” She screamed over the fray but Viggo 
ignored her. 

Sean cleaved the head from one of the creatures and Viggo managed to 
shoot two of them as they advanced toward them.

“We have to find Altinor!” Sean shouted. 

“No shit.” Viggo answered pulling the girl up off the floor. “Run!” 

The girl managed to run out the door and Viggo shot one of the creatures 
as it had tried to grab her. To her credit the girl didn’t flinch or scream just 
ran out the door and just kept running. 

“Good girl.” Viggo whispered to himself. 

“Sean we have to get out…sirens.” Viggo advised. Getting arrested now 
was not on his list of things to do for the day.

Sean turned for the doorway and Viggo said, “No…this way.” 

He tugged Sean through the kitchen and out into the alleyway and into an 
empty building. 
Viggo was panting. “So Altinor is left…his lieutenant and God knows 
how many women are pregnant with those beasts, and a couple of those 
other freaks.” 

“No, Viggo only Altinor and the beasts and the women…his lieutenant is 
dead.” Sean said with a small grin.

“I guess you saw to that while I was busy.” Viggo grinned.

“Are you unharmed?” Sean asked concerned looking at the shreds on his 
arm.

“Yeah, claws didn’t get me this time. Those other creatures are pretty 
dumb actually.” Viggo admitted. 

“Yes, to our advantage since there are only two of us.” Sean answered 
then turned to Viggo and motioned for quiet. “He is here.” Sean 
whispered. 

They moved in the dark, guided by the faint light coming in from the 
street outside. 

Viggo and Sean looked at each other when they realized they could hear 
faint whimpers. The women! They walked cautiously though, it could be a 
trap. Those other hideous creatures could be about, and Viggo suspected 
with their big eyes they could see in the dark much better than he or 
maybe even Sean.

“Sean?” He asked quietly.

“Yes?” 

“Are the Lamia large when they transform?” He asked. 

“Yes, though not as large as I am when I do.” Sean said softly. 

“Do they have wings?” Viggo asked. 

“Yes.” Sean answered and then realized what Viggo meant. Altinor was 
above them somewhere inside the vast building. 

Viggo saw something move and fired on instinct. It had been one of those 
creatures. Another one down. He thought.  

Sean turned to him. “I will be right back.” Sean said softly and then took 
off running across the floor chanting in that strange language. As he did he 
turned into an eagle and Viggo’s  mouth dropped open.

“Christ, I’ll never get used to that.” He whispered as he saw more 
movement in the shadows and fired a round. The monster shrieked and fell 
dead.  

“Come on, Sean…whatever it is you’re up to…do it soon.” Viggo said to 
himself. 

Suddenly the eagle swooped down and landed near Viggo and then Sean 
transformed back.

“Shit.” Viggo muttered. 

“He is hiding in the upper levels, he has but a few creatures left from that 
other world and they are protecting him.” Sean told him. 

“Then he is a coward and no King at all.” Viggo answered which earned a 
huge smile from Sean.

“Indeed.” Sean answered. “Come this way.” Sean motioned and Viggo 
followed. 

Once on the third level mezzanine Viggo realized they were in an 
abandoned clothing factory. When they got to where Altinor was only a 
few of the creatures were there. Sean and Viggo dispatched them quickly 
and advanced toward the Lamia.

“Were you born for death, human?” The beast taunted. It’s red eyes 
glowing in premature triumph. Viggo was shocked at first to see it in it’s 
true form, it’s yellow scales and dog like head throwing him for a second. 

“I was born for yours.” Viggo answered.

Altinor laughed. “Such a sense of humor, you humans never cease to 
amaze me how fragile you are at the same time you are strong. Seems 
such a shame to kill a warrior like yourself, and like our Zmey here. But 
that is what I will do.” 

“You will need more than an army of these creatures you found.” Sean 
sneered and Altinor laughed.

“No? I think I have something better than an army.” He answered pulling 
the same little girl up off the floor.  The child was limp as a rag doll but 
obviously still alive. 

“Come to me human…will you give yourself for the child as you offered 
before? Is that how much the young of your world are worth?” 

The little girls eyes were glassy filled with a look of sheer terror that broke 
Viggo’s heart. 

“I will enjoy taking what is the slayers.” Altinor sneered running a black 
claw down the face of the frightened little girl to emphasize that he could 
cut her throat in seconds. “Now human, throw down your weapon and I 
will let the little girl go.” 

“Viggo.” Sean called but Viggo had already thrown down his gun and 
kicked it to the side. 

“Your knife as well…I am not blind nor stupid.” Altinor warned and 
Viggo did the same with his knife. 

Viggo stepped forward and Sean could do nothing but stand and watch. If 
he attacked both the child and Viggo could be harmed. He had to hope that 
Viggo had some kind of plan. 

Altinor released the little girl and she raced across the floor and down the 
stairs to get away.  

“Now come to me human…let me see you more closely, I can smell the 
Zmey on you human. You are lovers…oh this will be entertaining.” 
Altinor said grinning evilly showing his sharp teeth. “I too wish to taste 
you, and then let him watch while you die.” 

---------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 8

Sean stood poised hoping to be able to do something to save Viggo but 
they were so close together there was nothing he could do without risking 
Viggo’s life. 

When Altinor grabbed Viggo’s arm and pulled him forward into a lewd 
kiss Viggo reached down and managed to draw his .38 hidden at his ankle. 
He unloaded the weapon into Altinor but not before the King of the Lamia 
bit into his shoulder savagely and his claws dug deeply into his back and 
chest. Altinor crumpled to the floor pulling Viggo down with him. Sean 
rushed forward to drag Viggo away from him.

“Viggo?” Sean asked trying to assess his wounds.

“Sean? Is he dead?” Viggo asked. 

“Yes, I think so.” 

“Mission accomplished…the little girl?” Viggo asked. 

“She got away.” Sean answered. 

“Good. I’m pretty fucked up here.” Viggo said coughing up blood. 

“I will heal you.” Sean whispered his voice thick with tears. 

“I already feel it Sean. I’m going under.” He was cold, cold right down to 
his bones. 

“No…no I will heal you.” Sean cried tears running down his cheeks 
unchecked. 

With that Sean scooped Viggo into his arms and transformed into an eagle 
once again. He flew as quickly as he could back down to the bottom floor 
and transformed again. 

Did he have enough time? Time to heal Viggo and save the women from 
their doom? He had to choose between the man he loved, and his duty. 

“No one should ever have to make this choice.” Sean whispered before 
going to the women. He had seen a fountain with running water when he 
had flown to the top level of the building. It was on the northern most side 
in a small park. 

Sean herded all the women and the little girl there while carrying Viggo. 
His charges didn’t ask questions, just followed him willingly. The women 
were already swelling with the dragon seed and if he didn’t heal them 
soon, they would all perish. 

“I can help you…all of you, get into the fountain.” Sean told them. He lay 
Viggo along the edge of the fountain and the little girl sat next to him 
stroking his hand. This man had saved her from the monster, she didn’t 
want him to die.   

The five women got into the water and Sean went to each one, drawing 
away the pain, the poison, and the seed of the Lamia before it became too 
late. When he was done he turned his attention to the little girl next to 
Viggo. 

“I’m not hurt sir.” The little girl whispered and moved away so Sean could 
take care of Viggo.  Sean smiled grimly at her and pulled Viggo into the 
water cradling him in his arms, chanting through his tears and trying to 
heal him. Viggo was nearly gone. 

“I cannot loose him now.” Sean said softly. “By the goddess, whatever 
magic is in my blood, save him.” 

Sean drew the poison from the wounds and healed Viggo, but Sean could 
feel himself slipping away. The previous healings had drained him and he 
knew the risk, but he couldn’t let Viggo die. 

Later Viggo awoke wet and cold. The little girl was next to him crying and 
another woman probably her mother had her arms around the girl. The 
other women were sitting around him in a circle sobbing. He sat up and 
saw Sean laying lifeless beside him. 

“Sean!” Viggo called shaking him. 

“He’s dead.” One of the women whispered through a near choking sob. 
“He saved all of us, healed us all, then you…and now…now he’s dead.” 
The woman said in a strangled sounding voice. “We watched him heal 
you, saw your wounds heal and then he collapsed. We pulled you both out 
of the water and lay the two of you together. We don’t know what else to 
do.” She continued to explain and then began to shake and cry once again. 

Viggo gathered Sean’s lifeless body into his arms. “This can’t be it….I 
won’t let it be!” Viggo cried out and pulled out Sean’s sword and the stone 
he had shown him. The key to go back to Sean’s world. 

“What are you doing?” One of the women asked. 

“Saving him. I hope.” Viggo answered and tugged Sean close, laying 
across his legs and touched the sword to the stone. A blinding light flashed 
and they were next in a room filled with bright white light. Viggo looked 
around for a moment and saw a beautiful woman in white robes standing 
before a large black stone. Sean was laying on a slab of white marble and 
clad entirely in white. Viggo looked down and he too was clad in white. 

“Welcome, Viggo.” The goddess said softly. Her voice sounded like birds 
singing. 

“Where am I?” Viggo asked. 

“My palace of course.” She answered moving toward him though she 
seemed to float rather than walk. 

“He…he died for your world and my own. He died to save five human 
women and a child, he died to save me…is there nothing you can do?” 
Viggo asked. 

“No, there is nothing I can do, but you can.” She answered. 

“Me?” Viggo asked wondering what he could do besides get Sean killed. 
That he obviously did quite well. 

“You have power, Viggo, a power far stronger than my own.” She 
answered. 

“I have no power, lady. I am just a New York City cop. Nothing more 
nothing less.” Viggo answered. 

“Ah, but there you are wrong.” She said smiling softly.

“You sent him to me! You can save him!” Viggo argued. 

“Not I. Destiny, Viggo.” The goddess answered moving a bit closer to 
him.

“Destiny?” Viggo spat out. “Who weaves a destiny that asks a man to 
fight, to risk his life in battle, destroy the enemy, and lay down his life for 
others? And for this courage, for this valor, he is repaid with this? Who are 
you to demand such sacrifice?” 

“There are no answers to the questions you ask. What did he bring to you, 
other than the gift of healing, and life? What was your gift to him, 
Viggo?” 

“Love.” Viggo answered softly.

The goddess smiled. “Then there is a way. Courage and strength, vision 
and love. With these there is a way for you, only you, to save him.” 

“How?” Viggo asked. “I will do anything.” 

“A kiss.” 

“A kiss?” Viggo asked confused this wasn’t a fairy tale. 

“The gift of breath of live, and love. If your love is true, and if it is pure, 
one to the other, the power of that kiss, of the love in it, will overcome and 
life once more shall be. Sean will forever be human, will no longer know 
the gifts of magic or healing. He will be as you are, a man, not Zmey. Will 
you take this away from him to save him?” She asked. 

“If this is the only way he can live, then yes.” Viggo answered. 

“Then come, there is little time. The magic in his soul has not left his body 
yet.” She said taking his arm.  

“If I fail, may he stay here? Sleep, as he is sleeping now?” Viggo asked. 

“Would you wish that for him? An eternity of nothing?” She asked. 

Viggo closed his eyes and sighed. “Then I will not fail him.” Viggo 
answered thinking about how he always asked that if he is ever on deaths 
door to not leave him in a hospital on a vent as a vegetable the rest of his 
days. 

“Trust in your magic, Viggo for it is there and strong. Your gift from 
Sean.” 

When Viggo approached Sean he looked only as if he were sleeping. “He 
is…beautiful.” Viggo whispered and the goddess smiled. 

“If he is brought back, we will have to part won’t we? Your world and 
mine are in balance and if one of us stays in the other too long it will upset 
the balance won’t it?” Viggo asked. 

“No. The balance will survive, you must both return to your world. 
Without his magic, no longer a Zmey, no longer a slayer, Sean will need 
to return to your world if he is to survive.” The goddess answered.

“Yes. I understand.” Viggo answered. With that the goddess raised her 
arms and vanished. 

“All that I am is yours, Sean.” Viggo whispered laying his lips on Sean’s. 

Love and life, he thought as he breathed both into his mouth. Life and 
love. Strong, and pure. Heart and soul, magic and light. Pain vibrated 
through Viggo, but he kept his lips warm and gentle upon Sean’s. Dizzy, 
he braced a hand on the marble slab next to Sean’s head, and gave all of 
himself over to the man he loved. 

“I would die for you, as you did me.” He thought. “I would live for you.” 

Sean’s lips moved under his only slightly. When he stirred, Viggo slid 
bonelessly to his knees beside the bed. It had worked! Sean was alive but 
still asleep. Viggo put his head down and let the tears come. 

Sean dreamed of swimming, fighting through a black and churning sea 
that was swallowing him whole. He broke through the icy void, searching 
for Viggo, battling the greedy waves that sucked him back from his goal. 

He awoke with Viggo’s name upon his lips. Viggo lifted his head with 
tears running down his face as he gripped Sean’s hand. 

“Sean! You’re alive!” Viggo cried out. 

“Yes…yes I am alive. How? I felt life leave me?” Sean asked. 

“Love.” Viggo answered. 

“What? Why are we inside the white palace?” Sean asked suddenly 
recognizing where they were. 

“I used the key, brought you here to the goddess.” Viggo explained. 

“So she was able to heal me?” Sean asked confused. 

“No. I did.” Viggo answered. 

“You did?” Sean asked even more confused. 

Viggo explained his conversation with the goddess. Sean nodded. 

“So I am no longer a Zmey, no longer a slayer?” Sean asked. 

Viggo nodded unsure for the first time. What if Sean preferred not to live 
at all if he can no longer be who he was born to be. 

“I am sorry.” Viggo said then.

“Sorry?” Sean asked. 

“You aren’t angry with me?” Viggo asked suddenly feeling very 
uncomfortable. 

“Why would I be? You saved my life…brought me back to life…how can 
I possibly be angry with you? I am no longer a Zmey? I had considered 
doing the same as my father had. I have to admit no longer being a slayer 
does bother me slightly. Not quite sure what to do with myself now.” Sean 
answered.

“You can come home with me.” Viggo offered hopefully.

Sean smiled at him. “I somehow think that isn’t exactly a request nor 
offer, it’s the only way is it not? I know how the goddess works.” Sean 
said knowingly.

“Yes. She said you must live in my world. Does that bother you?” Viggo 
asked. 

“No as long as I am with you I don’t care where I live.” Sean admitted 
with a grin.

The goddess entered the chamber. “It is good to see you are among the 
living, slayer.” The goddess said smiling. 

“Yes, indeed it is, my lady.” Sean answered.

She turned to Viggo then with a brilliant smile on her beautiful face. “The 
women of your world and the child, who suffered at the hands of Altinor 
will have no memory of what happened. Sean healed their bodies and their 
souls, and I will grant them the ability to forget. It is the only gift I can 
offer.”.

“Thank you. It means a lot to know they won’t be haunted by all this.” 
Viggo answered, he’d worked enough rape cases to know that the victims 
are never the same even after they are healed from the physical scars. He 
was glad to know the goddess was offering these women this gift. 

“Your time here is finished I am afraid. To keep the balance in order I 
must send you back now.” The goddess informed them.

Viggo and Sean both answered. “Yes, we are ready.” 

 Suddenly light flashed and they were back in Viggo’s apartment. 

“Whoa, not sure I could ever get used to that.” Viggo murmured shaking 
his head to clear the dizziness. “So you aren’t sure what to do with 
yourself?” 

“Well for the time being at least I can think of a few things.” Sean 
whispered huskily closing the distance between them.

The End.