5 Henry's Dysfunctional Family

Ichabod woke with a jarring jerk of his body. Abigail held him down. "Ichabod,"

The immortal man grabbed on to her and held her tightly. "Oh Abigail I thought that it had you. I…. I could not stop it…"

Abigail hugged him back. "I'm so happy that you are alright."

Ichabod smiled. "I am happy that you are too. I tried to warn you but I could not get free."

Abigail slowly pulled away from him. "What put you there?"

Ichabod touched his now healed chest. His head wound was gone and his strength had returned. He sat up and grabbed the shirt that lay on the bed and began putting it on. "It was a demon from Moloch. We don't know how it got in the house but we think it followed Katrina here."

Solomon frowned. "But how would it get into this house. Henry is very powerful. Someone had to weaken him for this to be so."

Solomon moved closer to the bed and offered Abigail his hand. She placed her hand into his and helped her stand. Connelly took her hand from Solomon and placed her behind him. Abigail looked across the bed at the Angel and the assassin calmly watching the interrogation. She saw Abraham's chest muscles twitch and knew that he was not as calm as he portrayed. Orion's jaw tightened with rage. They would kill for Henry. He was like a father to them. He had brought them all together in this house to keep them safe and others safe from them. He would scold them when they needed; but most of all he loved them always. If Ichabod did not answer correctly the immortal man would no longer be immortal.

Ichabod saw them move Abigail to safety. He glared up at the witch. "What are you saying witch?"

"I know that you did not like Henry."

"I did not like his choices in the company that he keeps; a heartless assassin, a wayward Angel, and an untrustworthy sorcerer…. Who are you?"

Connelly turned his attention from Abigail after answering her question of was there going to be violence against Ichabod. He told her no but told Ichabod something totally different. The red haired demon smiled at the blue eyes of the immortal man glaring at him. "I'll be the one holding you down while Solomon smashes in your face."

Ichabod smiled. "As I have said his choices in friends did not help me sleep at night."

"I can make you sleep forever." Solomon said getting closer to the bed as Ichabod swung his legs over the side and then stood his full height and eye to eye with the witch.

"You do remember that magic does not work on me."

"Who said that I would use magic." Solomon returned with a smile on his lips.

"Where is Henry?"

Ichabod turned his head towards the Angel standing beside his calmer half the assassin. He was the undisputed leader of this ragtag group. Ichabod disagreed with Henry's decision to put the Angel in charge. He felt as if he was more qualified than this lost soul. Henry would hear none of it. He would always leave Orion in charge. What Ichabod could not understand was why Abraham followed the Angel? He could very easily dispatch them all but he did not. This always perplexed him until Henry told him that Abraham's job was to bring them all home.

"I don't know. Whatever put me down there took him. Something is in this house and I don't know what or where it is but it is here. I don't know why you would think that I would let anything harm Abigail. I love her just as much as any of you." Ichabod turned his head towards Connelly and frowned at him.

Connelly smiled. "I love her too."

Abigail smiled from behind him and punched him in the muscle on his back. Connelly chuckled. The tension in the room dissipated.

*()*

"We need to draw it out." Solomon said pacing behind the sofa that Abraham and Orion sat on. Abigail sat in a chair to their right. Ichabod and Connelly sat on the other sofa directly across from Orion and Abraham.

Ichabod shook his head. "That thing was impervious to my blade. The power that it wields almost killed me. What will we do if it comes up here."

"The house must still have the power to keep it below but it will not for long." Abraham said looking at Orion.

"What are you saying?"

"If we don't kill what is below it will open a portal to allow more to come here."

Solomon frowned. "That's just what we need something to tempt you back to the dark side."

Abraham ignored the witch and looked at Abigail and smirked. "I have reasons for not doing that."

Abigail was examining the long tail of the fabric that was tied in her hair and not paying attention to their conversation. As her future mate inspected her beauty from afar. Ichabod followed the eyes of the Assassin to Henry's ward. She was the one thing that they were not allowed to touch. Was Orion playing favorites with Abraham? He knew that a relationship within the group would only cause problems. He was not the one to lead the group. His sense of goodness was warped.

The immortal man turned his attention to the red haired demon sitting quietly beside him. He was a mystery. The others accepted him because of Abraham but they knew nothing of what he did for Moloch.

"What do you think about this Connelly? You were the last to escape Moloch? What would be the best plan of attack for the shadow and fire that lurks below."

Connelly remained silent for a moment as he thought about what Ichabod had asked him and then he looked over at Solomon. "I think we need tea."

Solomon nodded and began walking to the kitchen. "I think that you are right."

Ichabod turned his attention to Orion and Abraham. "We are going to die."

Solomon frowned at the words from his enemy. "You know nothing for a man that has lived as long as you have. Tea clears the mind. It soo…"

The moment Solomon's hands touched Henry's mug he began shaking. Those sitting in the living room all stood and rushed into the kitchen.

Solomon looked at Ichabod. "The priest brought the demon in the basement. He put something in your tea and Henry's to weaken him and to make you sleep. They have taken my friend somewhere that I cannot see."

Ichabod grabbed his sword from the counter. "I will kill Moran."

"He is already dead. The church was destroyed by ordinary people under some spell."

Solomon looked at Orion. "Henry did that. He struck back but he is weakening. They are trying to break him."

The power coming from the mug vanished and Solomon set it on the counter before him and looked up at those gathered in the kitchen. "We have to find him before they break him."

"First we deal with the creature in the basement. This house is still connected to Henry it may lead us to him if we free it." Abraham said looking from one member to another.

Everyone shook their heads in agreement. Connelly smiled and turned his attention to Ichabod.

"Tea,"

The immortal man shook his head at the demon and followed the others back to their seats to discuss the best way to fight the creature without causing fatal injury.

*()*

"I think that I could find what is not supposed to be here." Abraham raised an eyebrow as he walked into her bedroom. He grew worried when she did not return to the living room where they all sat trying to devise a way to bring out the evil. Ichabod suggested stringing up the Angel in sacrifice. Orion responded with the suggestion of murdering Ichabod and leaving his blood as a food trail for the thing in the basement. Solomon agreed with that suggestion. Connelly was busy watching television. He had no worries Abraham was in the house.

"Just because it found the book for you does not mean it will find the evil here."

Abigail got off her bed and walked towards him. "The fabric is not evil."

Abraham came closer to her. "Because you have it and you are good and beautiful and soft."

His warm touch on her cheek made her smile as she looked up at him. His free arm surrounded her waist and pulled her tight to his powerful frame. He lowered his head and Abigail closed her eyes when his lips touched hers. Her body relaxed and molded into his. Her soft moan made him hold her tighter. The kiss deepened until Abraham heard the unsheathing of a sword. He turned and grabbed the blade of Ichabod's sword and held it firmly. Ichabod pulled it away and cut Abraham on the palm of his hand.

Spiked red hair wrapped around the immortal man as Orion ran into the room to Abraham who was holding his hand and watching the blood slowly ooze to the surface. Abigail moved towards him to try to help him but Abraham put up his hand to keep her back. Solomon came into the room and immediately grabbed Abigail and took her from the room.

"Are you insane!" He screamed at Ichabod as he closed the door after he had walked through with Abigail.

Ichabod watched the Angel remove a feather from his wing and place it across Abraham's cut.

"Abraham," Orion frowned at the blonde demon as his attention went to the man tangled up in Connelly's red hair. Ichabod saw the dark look from the demon and stopped fighting to get free.

Orion shoved Abraham. "ABRAHAM!"

The dark eyes faced the Angel. "We will kill him later. You have to clear your mind for this to work."

Abraham returned his gaze to Ichabod for moment and then closed his eyes and cleared his mind.

"I can help him why did you take me out of the room."

Solomon blocked the door when she tried to open it. "His blood is lethal. One drop will kill thousands. Moloch cursed him with it. Although to that evil beast it is a blessing. Usually swords cannot penetrate his skin but he was not thinking that a supposed ally would try to stab him in the back. If Orion can't stop the bleeding, my power will keep us alive for a while."

Abigail's shocked face made Solomon feel bad. "But…. I have faith that Orion will prevail. I would really dislike it if Connelly was killed. He did say he would help me kill the immortal man."

The smile and snicker from her made Solomon smile. "Be assured this will work."

The blood began to return from the black feather and back into Abraham's body. Connelly tightened his grip on Ichabod and made the man gag. They all could hear Abraham chuckling because of his discomfort. Once all the blood was gone and the cut sealed Orion turned opened his wings and the ridge of his left wing moved under Ichabod's neck as Connelly released him. The immortal man was suspended several feet from the ground. The body of the immortal man slammed against the wall.

The crack on the outside of the wall of Abigail's room garnered Solomon and Abigail's attention. Both went to the door and pushed it open. The Angel's eyes were black with anger. He had the all the weapons that lead to death at his disposal. The halo on his waist glowed with power.

Orion leaned on his wing and the hard bone choked the immortal man. "Did you listen when Henry spoke about us. Did he tell you how dangerous we were to each other and the world? Did you listen when he told you why we are together ….to calm the other and right the wrong done to him. Do you know how much danger you put Abigail in…and everyone else? You say that you love her but I don't think that you do. You love yourself more than anyone else in this room. I would die for anyone in this room if I had to would you?"

Ichabod tried to breathe but the air would not come to him. He began to die. Orion closed his wing and the immortal man slid down the wall and to the floor.

"We should use his blood as food for the thing in the basement." Solomon said hoping that the idea gained traction. Connelly raised an eyebrow.

"I can make him bleed slowly." Ichabod glared up at the red haired demon.

Abigail walked over to Abraham and immediately looked at his healed hand. He smiled as her small warm hand touched his. She was concerned about his injury. She was concerned about him. The fabric moved up to his shoulder and he could feel what was inside of her flowing into him and his smile widened and his heart softened. His anger with Ichabod faded away.

Ichabod slowed his breathing and then spoke. "What is this softness that he has for her. He will ruin us. You are the leader and you allowed this."

Orion frowned down at his teammate. "He will fight harder to keep her alive and us. And it is none of your business. Now are you going to help us find Henry or do I let Connelly bleed you slowly."

*()*

Solomon looked through Henry's books looking for a spell that would bring the beast from the basement. So far, he had found nothing that would bring that to fruition but he did find spells on removing inanimate objects from those impervious to magic.

"We may have to go down there and force it out." Ichabod said.

"That is not ideal." Abraham said watching Abigail as she paced behind Ichabod and Connelly on the sofa.

"I know but what other idea is there."

"We would not escape without injury." Orion said watching Abigail also playing with the fabric. Connelly became suspicious when the two kept watching the female.

"What happened at the church?"

Abigail stopped pacing and looked at Abraham and Orion. "We found a book."

Solomon looked up excited. "A book of spells!"

"I have not looked at it yet…The fabric found the book."

Connelly turned and looked at her. "How did it find the book?"

"It led me to it and then pointed to it."

Ichabod frowned. "How did you come to have this fabric."

Abigail looked at Ichabod, "Katrina gave it to me."

Connelly turned away from her when Ichabod stood and burst into anger. "SHE IS MY ENEMY! She has tried to kill me on every single occasion that we meet."

"She is not evil Ichabod!" Abigail screamed back at him as he waved his arms in disgust. Solomon came towards the warring parties ready to try out his new spell.

Abraham's eyes went to the demon sitting calmly on the sofa as Ichabod ranted and raged about betrayal. His silence was out of character,

"Connelly,"

The red haired demon raised his head and looked over at Abraham. Orion could feel the power flowing in the blonde assassin and soon his attention turned to the red haired demon.

Ichabod stopped yelling and turned his attention to his three silent teammates.

"Who told you?"

"Amelia,"

Connelly nodded and then he felt the blade from the immortal man touch his right temple. "Have you been withholding information from us demon. Are you still with Moloch?"

Connelly growled at his words. "Say that again immortal and I will throw you down into the basement myself."

Ichabod smiled. "You can try."

"Remove your sword from him or I will come and remove it and your hand." The voice of the Horseman was not kind in anyway. Orion saw one of the hairs on Connelly's head slither towards Ichabod.

"I see loyalty among the Moloch faithful still holds true."

The situation was not going as anyone had hoped. Ichabod had always been the one that felt cheated and he would use every opportunity to cause them strife. Abigail could feel the pain inside of him even though he tried to seem brave at this moment. Why had she not seen his pain before. The fabric moved over her shoulder and held it in her hand.

Solomon smiled at the rising tension and spoke the words he had just learned and the sword flew from Ichabod's hands and into the ceiling. The immortal man turned towards the witch and drew another weapon and placed the blade to Solomon's neck.

"Utter those words again and we shall see what happens."

Solomon smiled. "Yes we shall,"

Ichabod could feel the hair on his arm and sighed. He released Solomon. Connelly growled at him as the hair ripped the blade from his hand and threw it across the room.

"Connelly,"

Abraham's calm voice pulled the demon from his revenge against Ichabod. He focused on his former general and became docile. He looked at the others watching and then sighed.

"Brekke told that you had deserted them when Moloch sent you on a mission of importance."

"Every mission according to Moloch was of importance including killing women and children for sport."

Connelly grunted. "That never made me go on a mission, I always deferred those to Brekke and he went. When he came back and told me that you were gone, I began to wonder why I was there. I think Moloch wondered the same thing so he decided to send me on an important mission."

Ichabod retook his seat. "What was that."

"He wanted me to kill Amelia. He said that her healing was causing his horde to leave him. Amelia was not the one bringing dissention into his army. His Horseman was the one causing the lack of conviction. If Abraham would leave him, he knew that I was not far behind you."

Abigail returned to her seat and Solomon sat on one of the stools at the counter.

"I told him that I would do his bidding. He sent fifty of his best Horde with me to kill one Dya demon with only the power to heal. We arrived at her home that evening. Amelia knew what we came there to do but she did not run. She looked up at me atop my mount Tragonie with the question of why."

"Did you kill her?"

Connelly looked at Solomon with a smile. "No I winked at her. I don't remember how many of the Horde I killed I lost count after 20. I sent her away to find Abraham and then I returned to Moloch. I knew that he would not kill me. He had already lost one of his generals. He was going to torture me. He sent me to a place that he does not even visit."

"The Bottom…"

Connelly nodded at Abraham. "It is full of trinkets and books and things that only evil can dream up. He has so much evil there but he can't get it out of his lair. He needs a vessel to deliver it. That is when I saw the fabric sitting on a table by itself. The location of this material is not what unnerved me. The hundreds of dead corpses that surrounded the table is what gave me pause. It drains the life-force from our kind…when it wants too."

Abraham looked over at Abigail as she looked at him. The fabric had touched him many times and had done nothing to him.

"You gave this fabric to Katrina."

Connelly looked over at Ichabod. "I gave it to Amelia and she gave it to the witch to take it some place safe."

"But why move it if Moloch can't touch it." Solomon asked.

Connelly turned away from them. "It touched me and showed me what he would do. He would have found a vessel of ill repute and used them to open this world to his. Time was of the essence and I had to act and I did. The fabric is safe here."

"You have centered all of Moloch's power on us, how is it safe." Ichabod asked.

Connelly looked at Abraham and then at Ichabod. "Why are you so against those who want to help save your friend? Why do you fight with everyone? I don't understand. The Horde never did that and they are beasts of ill standing. Have they more sense than you?"

Ichabod chuckled but there was nothing amused in his body. He looked down at some imaginary figure on the floor as he began speaking." They were asked to fight while I never been asked to help defend this house or the humans from danger. I have tried to soften my ways. I have not complained when I was looked over by Orion. He even sent Solomon alone sometimes but never me. "

If the immortal man had lifted his head, he would have seen that he had the attention that he had always wanted from them and no one wanted to stab him for causing it. "I love Henry as you all do. I am to blame for his kidnapping; do not think that that has not lived in my head since the creature attacked me. I should have known that it was out of place for Moran to visit us. I should have smelled the potion on his person. I should have seen the deception in his eyes but all I could think of was myself and the pain I felt of being rejected by all of you. I had one job to do. All I had to do was protect the father and I failed. Perhaps it is a good thing that I was never asked to join you."

The sword slammed into the floor before the immortal man and Ichabod slowly wrapped his hand around the handle to replace it back in the sheath.

"I failed you first." Ichabod lifted his head and looked over at the Angel.

"I failed to make these beings as one. I cut off an arm and now we are bleeding. I sacrificed your involvement with us to win and it has only made us fail. You are a part of us Ichabod and you are not a failure."

Ichabod nodded his head towards Orion who returned it. Solomon walked over to the sofa and patted Ichabod on the shoulder as he walked by.

"I am still going to kill you."

Ichabod chuckled as he sheathed his sword.

"Connelly," the soft voice of Abigail garnered the red haired demon's attention.

"Do you think that I could bring the thing in the basement up here?"

Connelly sighed. "I am not sure what it will do to your kind. You said that it showed you where the book was but you did not know it was even there. I don't know if it will do your will or its own."

"It came to her when she wanted it." Solomon said as he replaced Henry's book with the others.

Abraham moved towards her in the chair he kneeled beside her and she smiled at him. It was a natural smile and the others watched the fabric drape itself over the hell warrior and not steal one ounce of power. Abraham returned her smile feeling the softness of her heart run along his body.

"Can you feel it below us."

Abigail closed her eyes. "Yes,"

Solomon moved beside her. "What is it doing?"

"It is trying to listen to us but the house will not allow it."

Solomon smiled. "Henry is strong."

Abigail smiled and then it vanished. "It's digging,"

Abraham looked over at Connelly and Orion. "We have to get it up here now. "

"Alright," Orion walked away to get his armor.

*()*

"She will not be able to move out of the way when it comes. The power will root her to the ground." Connelly said moving the furniture to make space for the battle to come.

"I will move her." Abraham said as he tightened the sheath straps around his chest.

"The fabric may or may not fight for us. I have seen it envelope a hell wanderer that came too close to the table it sat on."

"Why didn't it attack you?" Orion asked moving the love seat.

"I don't know."

Abraham looked over at Abigail and Solomon in the corner as he spoke to her about bringing out the power of the fabric. She was listening intently. She wanted to help them and save Henry just as badly as they did. Abraham walked over to them and the fabric draped itself over him. The smile on the Horseman's face made the witch frown. Abigail chuckled and gently pulled it away from him.

Solomon sighed. "Abraham I am trying to help her."

Abraham's left arm surrounded her waist and pulled her slightly into his body. "So am I."

Solomon frowned and walked away. Abigail closed her eyes when she felt his lips touch her ear. "I will be there when you need me do not worry about anything. I am here."

Ichabod strapped up his gray armor and then quickly ran into the kitchen. His rapid movement caught Orion and Connelly's attention. The immortal man gently placed Henry's mug back in the cabinet. Orion looked over at Connelly then the two returned their attention to Ichabod.

"It's his favorite. One day I spent two hours looking for this thing because he ranted and raved about us touching his stuff."

Connelly frowned and pointed towards the basement. Ichabod waved his hand at him and walked out of the kitchen.

*()*

Ichabod and Solomon stood at the basement door watching Abigail as she walked towards them. Abraham was behind her Connelly and Orion flanked him.

"Ichabod is going to open the door. I want you to do what we discussed and the beast will respond. Just relax and let it flow. We are right here to protect you."

Abigail smiled when she felt Abraham's arm around her waist and his voice in her ear telling her that no one would beat him to her. Solomon rolled his eyes and sighed until the hell warrior stepped back. Ichabod nodded at Abigail. She took a deep breath and returned his nodded.

The stench coming from the basement made them all take a step back. Connelly had never really smelled what hell smelled like until now. He was seriously thinking that the place dulled his senses, especially his ability to smell.

Abigail closed her eyes and began all the deep breathing and clearing her mind techniques that Solomon spoke of with her. The warlock frowned as she did everything correctly but there was no response from the fabric or the beast. Maybe her power was not like his power. He could not feel the power of the fabric only she could.

"Abigail,"

She opened her eyes and looked towards Solomon beside Orion. "Forget all that I told you,"

"What,"

"Your power is not like my power. Your power is inside. Use Love…use the love that you feel for Henry."

She stared at him for a moment and then turned around, closed her eyes and the effect was immediate. The fabric came alive and began doubling and tripling in size. It swirled around her and then around them and began to fill the room. It swarmed around the house, running down the halls, spreading into the bedrooms. It stretched against the roof and then began heading down the basement.

The entire house shook and the creatures below bellowed. Ichabod looked at the others. "There is more than one."

Abigail opened her eyes and saw four pairs of eyes looking back at her and then they were running up the steps towards her. She could not move. She started screaming trying to move her feet but something kept her rooted to the spot.

Power enveloped her as the left arm of Abraham surrounded her waist. She felt his body side step out of the way with her pressed tightly against his chest. His axe slammed into the head of the first dragon like creature that reached the top of the stairs. He flicked his wrist and sent the beast flying into the kitchen, where Connelly's spear pierced its chest. Abraham twirled with her in his arms as Orion ran at the next creature trying to bite Abraham. The Halo sliced through its neck and the black blood sprayed on the walls as it screeched its last words. Orion felt the presence of another coming and leaned backwards as the third creature crawled over its dying brother. Ichabod's sword blocked its claws from slicing Orion's face. He pulled the sword to the left slicing off the creature's claws and it howled in pain. Ichabod then ran the sword across its neck as it reared up and then it fell on top of its brother.

Abigail began looking around frantically for the fourth beast as Abraham held her in his arms. "There are four!"

Solomon closed his eyes and then suddenly opened them and looked at Connelly in the kitchen. The red haired demon stopped stabbing the beast he had killed and looked up feeling eyes on him. he looked over at the witch. Concern filled his body when he saw the big ball of magic the witch threw at him. Connelly ducked just as the creature jumped for him and the ball of magic disintegrated it. Connelly slowly lifted his head and saw that the creature was gone. He smirked at the witch.

Ichabod chuckled as he sheathed his sword. "He was aiming at you the entire time."

Solomon made a face. "I pride myself on having perfect aim in case I have to throw things at supernatural monsters."

Orion smiled at his family as they all worked together for the first in a very long time. Abraham fussed over Abigail trying to see if she was hurt in any way. She giggled and fought him as he tried to look down the front of her dress to see if he had crushed her chest.

Ichabod looked over at the Angel when he called his name. Orion nodded to him and then smiled. The immortal man nodded and returned his smile.

"Abraham is she back."

The hell warrior chuckled as Abigail escaped his arms and walked over to Orion smiling at the things he had said to her about taking all that delicious power from her body once they found Henry. She was going to start payments on their contract. Abraham faced Orion and then closed his eyes.

The house was partial to Abraham. He was her protector as well. The smile that crossed his face made the others smile. Abraham opened his eyes. "She's back."

The house began to tremble and objects began to move around the rooms. The creatures flew into the fireplace and dissolved. The blood, bones, claws, teeth and scales all followed the body into the flames. The cracks and scratches on the walls healed. The stench from the basement ceased to exist and the lights returned to the lower level. Power flowed from room to room healing and ridding the structure of evil.

Solomon closed his eyes and let his body absorb what the house freely gave. Ichabod looked around as the structure brightened and expanded. He raised his head and spoke.

"Magda…where is Henry?"

The far wall began to dissolve and form into a picture of a housing complex. The buildings were still under construction. The vision dove deeper into the structure and down deep into the bowels of the place. There sat about fifty men and women cloaked in yellow chanting something ancient and evil. The vision moved over the chanting group and focused on a badly beaten and bloodied man tied to a stake in a pile of wood. The old Warlock Henry slowly raised his head and looked at them before the vision ended.

No words were spoken or needed to be said as the group moved towards the front door. They were going to get their father back as bloody and violently as they could muster.

Author's Notes

I hope that you enjoy this chapter. I certainly enjoyed writing it. I worked hard to get it out before the holiday. May your heart and soul be filled with love and your belly full of turkey. Forgive any errors and thank you for reading~Frostbytefire