This story is a work of fiction, none of the characters are based on real people, any similarities with people or places are coincidence, this story contains sexual activities with consenting adult males, if the content of this story is illegal in the area you are in to read this content read at your own discretion it is illegal to copy this story all right are reserved to the author
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If you enjoy this story you may also enjoy Elemental circle Crystal moon wolf
Eric stood in the cool dry library in his family home. The cool internal temperature of the house was a welcome change from the oppressive heat outside. "Eric", Eric turned at the sound of his name. "We did not expect you until tomorrow". Eric smiled at the stern looking man known simple as Grandfather. Grandfather was the patriarch of the family. And as such no one was sure just how old he was. "Grandfather it is good to see you". The stern face that Grandfather presented to the world fell. In its place was a warm smile. "You would be the only one to say so". Eric laughed. Grandfather had missed the easy sound of the boys laugh.
"Perhaps if you smiled more at my cousins they would love you as I do". Grandfather shook his head. "No my boy, they would be happy to see the end of me". Eric's smile faulted, he knew as well as Grandfather that the cousins would happily see the death of the man that had cared for Eric for as long as he could remember. "Come now Eric tell me of school". Eric nodded knowing that Grandfather had changed the subject on purpose.
Eric sat in his old room looking over the many things he had accumulated over the years. He unlike the others had been bought up by Grandfather. When he had spoken about his family to Beth and Paul he had lied. Much as they didn't know his family name. All of these things were simply not worth the headache. He sighed and figured he should start to get ready for dinner. Something that he had been told would be held in the main dining room. Only about half of the cousins had arrived. However a formal dinner was still expected. Eric hated them, if it were just him and Grandfather they would have eaten at a small table in the kitchen.
Paul walked across campus with Beth. Eric had told them that he would be missing for a few days on family business. "Beth do you know what family Eric's part of"? Paul asked, Beth looked at her friend and shrugged. "No, but that's not surprising as most of us keep that sort of information to our selves". Paul nodded his understanding. His parents were a warrior and healer so he honestly had, had little to do with the sorcerer families. "If I were to guess I would say the Contleea family". Beth said with a frown. "They are an odd family almost always at odds with the council". Paul frowned, "How can they be at odds, surly they are represented in the council". Beth nodded but couldn't contain her grin. Paul looked confused. "The council wouldn't work if we all agreed with each other now would it". Paul couldn't help but agree with what Beth was saying.
"Any way the inner council is made up of five people. These five are from the five strongest families. My family is relatively small and is allied with the Contleea family. The problem the council have with the Contleea family is that the preserve the past. They preserve it so well that they won't even destroy information about things that are now outlawed. Which comes to the second problem they are really progressive. Incorporating technology into magic, believe me they have contacts and investments in nearly all new technologies". Paul sort of understood what Beth was saying. He had already been told in his own classes that a possessed sorcerer would be his most difficult enemy.
"Now I don't know for sure but I think that Eric may be Grandfathers ward". Paul was confused again. "Grandfather is the head of the Contleea family no one knows his real name he's just Grandfather". Paul shook his head the more he learnt about Sorcerers the less he seemed to understand. "I can't be sure though only Grandfather and the cousins have seen the ward. Eric fits though right age and sex anyway". Paul just shook his head, he had, had no idea that the sorcerers were so political.
Eric took his seat beside Grandfather. More cousins were present then he had thought there would be. Eric met their power hungry gaze with the ice cold indifference that he truly felt for them. In all the time he had been growing up not one of these people had, had a kind word for him. As the servers entered the cousins ignored them. Eric turned and thanked them as they served him. The servers saw the warmth and sadness in Eric's eyes. As the meal progressed Eric realised he was more pushing the food around his plate. Grandfather lent over to him and told him to eat. Eric knew that showing a lack of appetite in front of the cousins was to show some kind of weakness. Grimacing at his plate he cleared it. The chief knew Eric well and ensured that his plate was never as full as the others.
Eric lingered at the table as the others moved into one of the large sitting rooms. Eric grabbed the arm of a young server as she cleared the table. "Please have Grandfather informed that I will return before dawn". The server had startled when Eric had first grabbed her arm. However his grasp had been light and his voice soft. "Yes young Sir", was her response. Eric nodded once at her stood and strode from the main dining room.
He left his home through one of the many side doors. He entered the large detached garage. He looked around at all the impressive cars Grandfather had. He had little interest beyond knowing when a car looked good. He walked up to a large black SUV similar to the one he had first started to drive. Shrugging he climbed in there was no point to trying to find the one he had driven so often.
Eric sped down the highway knowing the cops would turn a blind eye to him. There were a few benefits of wealth that he enjoyed. As he came around a bend he skidded to a stop just before hitting a woman that was stood in the centre of the road. The woman didn't move she stood with her head bowed long flowing hair obscuring her face completely. Eric turned the key and pushed the car door open. As he approached the women he knew what he was facing. The woman had clearly once been a normal human now she was the puppet of a Demonic. Eric summoned basic elemental power to himself to throw at the creature. The creature was transforming quickly in front of him. What had once been a relatively slim woman had turned into a hulking gray green beast with horns and razor sharp teeth and claws.
Eric couldn't be sure but he was guessing the substance dripping from the claws was poison of some kind or acid at the very least. Eric didn't hesitate he blasted the creature with a wall of ice to give himself time. He ran to the side of the road and was happy to see lose dirt rather than something more difficult to draw in. The creature that once was a woman burst out of the ice prison he had formed around her. The ice flew everywhere. Shards of it hit and cut the exposed parts of Eric's skin. Eric was startled by the speed of the creature. It heaved a large arm swiping him aside and back onto the road. Recovering quickly he formed another ice prison. Getting up he ran to the side of the road and began to draw the symbols he needed to banish the Demon.
Eric felt the ice once more. It was clear to him that the ice prisons just weren't strong enough. Thinking quickly he changed what he was doing to a simple immobilisation trap. No sooner had he been thrown back into the middle of the road. Eric felt the drain on his reserves as the trap took effect. Struggling back to his feet he moved back to the creature that was held suspended slightly in the air unable to move. He looked at the ground and started to form the correct symbol below the creatures dangling feet. Like all Sorcerers Eric had learnt this symbol from a young age. All sorcerers could draw it without thought they didn't even need to be able to see what they were doing.
Eric looked up at the creature. Instead of the creature he saw the women. He heard Grandfather in his head. Don't hesitate Eric it's their last trick to get you to let them go. Eric poured power into the symbol and released the immobilisation trap. The woman fell. An ear piercing scream came from her as the Demon was ripped from the women's soul and body. Eric stood and watched the body crumple to the ground. The women turned completely back into herself. She looked up at Eric and smiled through her obvious pain.
Eric stood and watched as the women died. He as all sorcerers knew that there was no way for someone to come back from possession. Summoning his remaining strength he burnt the body. There was no other way. If the normal found her body there would have been questions. And questions were something the council did not want.
Ben woke with a start there was a crashing and banging from his living room. He knew of only one person who entered his place so loudly and so early. Sure enough he found a drunk Eric. Eric looked up at Ben and tried to focus. He failed in true drunk Eric style. Ben appreciated his old class mate's effort. Or at least appreciated his appearance. "You know buddy you should call ahead, I could have been with a hot chick". Eric sniggered in response to Ben's comment. He knew Ben was gay, when they had been at boarding school they had discovered each other. The only real problem was that they didn't really love each other that way.
Ben had however always looked after Eric in more ways than one. The first day they had met had been when Eric was being picked on for being too girly in appearance. Ben being the big guy he was stepped in. "I doubt that and if it were a bloke you would just ask me to join in". Ben laughed, by this stage Eric had started to focus. He grumbled to himself about damn sorcerer blood. The magic in him meant he had to drink a lot to get drunk and keep at it to stay that way. "You got anything to drink in this place". Ben knew from that comment that Eric was there for comfort not sex. He turned and walked into his kitchen Eric close behind. "Sure buddy, scotch good", Eric nodded.
Ben gasped when he turned and faced Eric again. The living room had been dark. He had turned the light on in the kitchen and now saw Eric's torn shirt and cut up face and arms. "Bud what the fuck happened to you". Eric just smiled and shook his head. This was not the first time Ben had seen his friend beaten up. "Come on you need a shower and to have those cleaned up". Eric just nodded he followed Ben to his bathroom grabbing the bottle of scotch on his way out of the kitchen.
In the bathroom Ben filled the tub realizing Eric probable was in no condition to remain standing in the shower. As he undressed Eric not for the first time he was shocked to see his friend's normal pale skin covered in nasty looking bruisers. If he didn't know better he would have though his friend had been beaten with a plank of wood. "You going to tell me what happened"? Ben asked with concern. Eric took a large gulp of scotch. He grinned at his friend. "Nope, you wouldn't believe me if I did". Ben nodded he had got the standard Eric response.
Eric woke in a large soft bed. He winced as he sat up feeling each of his new bruisers. He could smell cooking from the kitchen. It was clear that Ben had decided to cook for his uninvited guest. "You didn't have to cook for me", Ben shrugged as he flipped the eggs. It was clear to Eric that Ben was not happy about his lack of explanation. "You know I can't tell you the reasons as to why". Ben nodded once he and Eric had been over this a number of times. He frowned at Eric or more at what Eric was wearing. "I didn't see your hoddie last night", Eric froze he had gotten so used to being around people that knew all about him that he had not thought about what he was doing when he dressed.
"You must just not have noticed it last night". Eric tried to explain it away. Ben wasn't buying it. "Eric I'm the one who washed and dried your clothes. Your shirt has massive tears in it for starters. And if you had been wearing the hoddie it would also have tears in it". Eric looked away from his long time friends accusing eyes. "Fine keep your secrets". Eric sat stunned as Ben stormed out of the kitchen. He knew that keeping the secret would always cost him. Sighing he went in search of his friend that just wanted to know what was going on.
Ben had retreated to living room. He looked up sadly as Eric entered and sat on the couch next to him. "Ben you are like a brother to me and have been for so many years. And you are right in all this time I've had the secret". Ben tried to grin at Eric's admittance of his secrets. "If ever we are in a position where I can tell you I will. You mean too much to me to lose you over it". Ben smiled and hugged his smaller friend. "I know, I just worry that's all", Eric smiled softly and wished he could tell his friend everything. "Still breakfast awaits, and I have someone to meet". Ben got a glint to his eye. The glint he got when he was dating someone new. "Well that explains why I was sexually assaulted in my sleep. He must be pretty hot for you to keep your hands of this". Eric ran a hand down his chest causing them both to laugh. "Will you be around long enough to meet him"? Ben asked clearly wanting to introduce his new love interest to his friend. "Can't I'm late back as it is", Ben nodded he understood only to well the kind of family commitments Eric had.
Sean gave the punching bag one going over and stoped. Wiping the sweat off his large hairless chest. He looked around the training gym. He noticed the first year that had been sparring with the slender pretty sorcerer. Sean approached the younger mage. He was typical of a warrior. Well developed muscles short hair and an easy knowledge of his own strength. There was a stunning sorcerer watching the mage. It was clear by the way she watched him that she had already fallen for him. Sean shook his head as he moved over toward her.
Beth didn't take her eyes off of Paul as the older mage approached. "He's away on family business". Sean was shocked that she had answered his question before he could form the words to ask. He knew that sorcerers had an unnerving habit of putting people off balance. "He's noted you watching him". Again Sean didn't know what to say he had thought the sorcerer was oblivious to him. He had checked the collage system and had discovered his name was Eric. The system didn't even give a family name. He knew that if someone was listed without a family name they were high up in the council politics or their family was.
"Beth leave the poor guy alone. It's clear he's got a hard for our boy Eric". Sean was a little startled by the brash comment from the other mage. The sorcerer giggled girlishly, making her more the eighteen year old she was. Sorcerers had a tendance to be serious and seem older than they were. "He will be back tomorrow. Perhaps you will talk to him". Sean blushed he had not thought he had been noticed. "Or you could just continue to moon over him from afar". Another girlish giggle followed her comment. Sean glared at the giggling pair.
He stalked away from them as they laughed. Sean knew that he had no reason to be angry with them. However being caught out as he had been did piss him off. Andy met him in their dorm and saw the frustrated look on his face. "He reject you", Sean was in no mood for Andy's humour. He looked up at his friend and glared. "No his friends just think I'm an idiot as do you". Andy was taken aback at the anger in Sean's voice. "Hay man I'm sorry I was just yanking your chain", Andy said defensively.
"Sorry his friends wound me up, apparently I had been noted". Andy chuckled causing Sean to glare again. "Sorry to break it to you buddy, but you and half the collage have been drooling over him". Sean was a little surprised at that. "Come on man he's bloody stunning as is the girl he hangs with". Sean frowned it was true his friend had been stunning as well. "Damn they didn't know for sure until I approached". Andy just grinned happy his friend realised he had been mistake about him being obvious. "Still they gave me a good idea". Andy raised an eyebrow waiting for Sean to go on. "If they are used to being watched. They only way to get him to really see me is to talk to him". Andy had the decency to not make comment. To him it was obvious that talking to the sorcerer was the only way to get his attention.
Eric sat in on the meeting between Grandfather and the cousins. They were held every six months. There purpose was to let the cousins express their concerns and such. Eric knew it was a waste of time. The cousins had no real idea. Al they wanted was power and wealth. What surprised Eric was the number of cousins that seemed to be paying attention to his reactions to their concerns. Eric remained with a calm cold expressionless face. He knew they were hoping to gain benefit from him due to his closeness to Grandfather.
"Well boy what do you think", Grandfather asked after the meeting. Eric took a moment to think of his response. "They remain nothing but power hungry fools", Grandfather frowned. "However we should push for a number of their concerns at the council. If for no other reason we can't afford to lose their support". Grandfather smiled pleased to see that Eric knew how to play the game. "Still I would bring my own concerns to you". Grandfather frowned not expecting Eric to have formed any issues of his own. "The number male sorcerers is really on the decline. And the number of attacks are up. I want to know what's being done about both". Grandfather nodded his agreement he understood where Eric was coming from.
"You need a mage Eric", Grandfather started again. "I know you don't think you need one. However they are attracted to your power and will continue to come after you". Eric looked away thinking of the pain he was currently in. Grandfather was right in the past three years the attacks on him had increased. "You were only away from the collage for half a day this time". Eric nodded his understanding. The problem was he didn't want a warrior. He didn't want to put other people at risk for himself. "If you die more people will be at risk and you know it". Grandfather fell silent letting Eric think about what he said.
Eric had always known what was expected of him. He was to study hard and develop his power. As a result Eric was one of the most powerful sorcerers of his age group. He was however no fool and knew that Grandfather still had more power. The other expectation was harder. He was expected to find a strong warrior. Eric knew what was expected of him in six weeks time. It was expected that he would select the strongest warrior mage of the second years. As the strongest he had first pick. As was how it always worked.
"I understand Grandfather and will do what has to be done". Grandfather nodded once understanding what the young man felt about it. "Good. Now I have a task for you". Eric frowned Grandfather had never given him a task before. "You are the only one in a position to perform this task." Eric waited for Grandfather to continue. "I fear that someone has created a portal of souls at the collage". Eric was shocked he knew that few still had the knowledge to create a portal of souls. "It would have to have been a cousin. Our family are the only one with that knowledge". Grandfather nodded his agreement. Eric felt cold. If someone were willing to open a portal of souls there was no telling what else they would do. "I will look into it", he responded with strength he didn't feel. "Be careful my boy, you still need a warrior". Eric nodded he understood what was expected and what he had to do.
To be continued
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