31. Claws Out
Claws Out
Malcolm
A few minutes before…
“ W ell, with the women gone, what should we do first,” Castian asked, twirling his short cane between his fingers. His blue eyes bled black. “I still owe those fuckers for ruining my family.”
“You’ll have to get in line,” Raijin said, pulling his long coat off and settling it on the table. “They should pay for what they’ve done to Sabina.”
“At this point, you’ll be tearing the poor bad guys apart just to get a piece,” Tiller said, grinning. “I wish we could go there ourselves and greet them; it would only be right.”
“Killing, I’ve missed when we killed,” Alek said, wistfully from where he sat on the table. He glanced at Malcolm. “You’re sure they will be coming here.”
Malcolm nodded. “Beliel said he’d be back for my head.” He turned to Robert, “Uncle, take a few guardsmen with you and have them patrol the area.”
Robert glanced from Malcolm's stern expression to the other strangers in the hall. He’d always wondered what his nephew had been up to when he’d left and feared he’d run into a bad crowd. When he’d learned his nephew was working for the council, he couldn’t pretend he wasn’t upset, and a small part of him felt betrayed.
Yet now, he saw his nephew standing with the four men, not losing in the contest of competing auras of power coming off the other beings. It was clear the five of them weren’t weak nor would they easily fold under anyone’s onslaught. Malcolm had become a sharp blade because he’d been with such tough whetstones.
“Uncle?”
Malcolm called him again; he gave a short nod. “I’ll go and see if I can get one of the runners to go to the border to contact the other clans,” he said before he left, taking a few of the guards with him.
“So, is it true you’re the Alpha here now?” Raijin asked Malcolm, watching him give orders.
Malcolm gave a short nod. “Yes, but it’s only temporary.”
“Why?” Alek asked. “You seem to enjoy it. Plus, my son will be pleased.”
Malcolm shot Alek a heated look. “I didn’t do it to serve you vampires, and your schemes.”
“Whatever pushed you to do it, doesn’t it feel better than serving Tiller?” Castian asked lazily, stopping the twirling of his cane. “I would think so.”
Tiller sent Castian a glare full of venom. “I love how none of you have accepted that I’m the reason you’re currently cuddled up with your witches.” He glanced at Alek. “I mean almost all of you.”
Castian pursed his lips. “I am disgusted that you are partly correct.”
Just as Tiller was going to rebut, the air turned cold, causing all of them to be still. Castian spun his cane and turned around, lifting it up sharply. A curved blade of a scythe slammed into his cane with a clanging sound. He gritted his teeth from the force, his knees bending slightly. “Now, that’s not nice.”
“Greetings, Jackal.” The warlock crooned before leaping back and landing on the balls of his feet. He reached out with his left hand and blew the wall out. The wood crashed down, exposing the army of dolls outside. “Time to exterminate the dogs of the council.”
Castian tossed his cane up. It twisted and undulated in the air until it became a large metal creature with sharp teeth and eyes as black as its owners. “Well, then, I guess I should stop you despite how much I like seeing destruction myself.”
“You can try.”
The two ran to each other.
“Raijin,” Sabina yelled just as she entered the main hall, only for her pause at the sight of Castian facing off with the enemy. “Wha?—”
The walls shuddered, and suddenly, the main hall was filled with people, but they weren’t normal. Their eyes were empty of emotion.
“Sabina, watch out!” Oye yelled as she ran up from behind her.
Bringing up a sharp blade, she blocked a downward strike from one of the dolls. Putting her free hand out, she grabbed the long blade that magically appeared there and slashed wide, cutting the creature across the belly. Straightening, she looked around the room.
“Coral,” she called, and the floor beneath her feet erupted upwards, and roots burst out tearing apart the wooden flooring. “What’s going on?”
“The ground is covered with dolls; the guardsmen are fighting them, and I’m directing the women and children to evacuate.” Coral's voice came through strongly from the flowers that bloomed along the roots. “The transport spell was too fast; I couldn’t give you an early enough heads up.”
“Shit!” Oyes shouted as three dolls ran towards her; she rolled her wrist, holding the sword. She transformed it into a scythe. “Sabina, stay close to me.”
“Don’t have to tell me twice,” Sabina pressed her back to her cousin.
“Lydia,” Oye called; the other witch stepped forward calmly. Her eyes turned a bright blue as lightning ran along her arm. “Burn them.”’
Lydia grinned as she brought her arm forward. “Gladly.” Lightening raced from her arms, towards the dolls that ran towards them. The smell of burning flesh filled the mess hall; just as a growl went up as the werewolves changed, and their jaws opened, revealing their razor-sharp teeth.
Tiller sighed as he watched the chaos erupt, his tails lashing out as he took the heads of the enemy. He felt his ears twitch and sidestepped an attempt to stab him in the back. With a few quick steps, he turned with his foot raised and slammed it into the doll's stomach. “Well, this will be hard to explain to the council later.” He dropped his foot just as the doll flew, breaking through what appeared to be one of the last walls. “I should charge them for renovation.”
“Malcolm!” A loud roar cut through the noise of people fighting.
Malcolm grabbed one of the dolls by the head and, swinging it, tossed it at three that were running after him. Fiery bloodlust was running through him. He’d seen the wizard clash with Castian, and he’d been slowly making his way towards him, avoiding others fighting.
Another crashing sound put a hole in the wall. He could now see the fighting going on outside. He hoped those who couldn’t fight had already run to hide. Just as he was almost at Castian’s side, someone shouted his name.
Malcolm stopped in his tracks and half-turned.
Standing in the doorway, his red hair bright under the light of Main Hall, stood Beliel. His clothing was traditional, and his leather bands crisscrossed his arms along with scars. Bloodlust spilled off him in waves. Baring his teeth, he grinned, his bright yellow eyes filled with killing intent. “I’m here to finish what you started.”
Malcolm inhaled deeply. Turning around, he made his way towards Beliel. “You know, I’ve been wondering something.”
“And what’s that?”
“Why are you so intent on dying,” he said, pausing a few feet away. His eyes turned a bright yellow, as his claws peeked out. “I want to know why I’m tearing your throat out, at least.”
“Ha,” Beliel released a barking laugh. “You don’t know?” He shook his head. He lifted his thumb and pointed at himself. “Did you forget already? You’re the reason I was banished.” He pointed at Malcolm with the same hand. “You killed my brother, Damon. The previous Alpha.”
Malcolm tensed, thinking back to Damon and the minute he’d defeated him. He looked down; for a second, he felt guilty. But it was only for a second.
“So?” he said, as he smirked, facing him. “He deserved to die.”
Beliel seemed surprised by his casual reply: “I tore him apart piece by piece, and I will do the same thing to you.”
Malcolm felt his bones begin to shift and move as he allowed the beast in him to grow. The raging violence that he’d been holding a tight leash on took over his mind, and the man, Malcolm, changed into a blood-drunk monster and leaped at his enemy.
His wolf form dwarfed the other, and he clashed with a changed Beliel. Their growls filled the air, and they rolled outside, clawing at each other. Their blood covered the ground. Malcolm didn’t think of anything other than taking down his enemy.
He’d spent enough years feeling guilty and wallowing in the past. The minute he’d met Eliza, he’d decided to move forward at all costs. Beliel was the brother of the man he killed; okay, he’d face him head-on.
He dodged another swipe for his face, and turning around he avoided a bite at his throat. With a growl, he turned and changed back into a human and slammed his hand into Beliel’s wolfen chest with all his might. He grabbed the man’s heart and growled as he pulled, tearing the heart from the confines of Beliel’s chest with a sickening sound.
Breathing harshly, he stood still as the wolf form of Beliel’s body slowly tilted from where he’d been posed in mid-attack before it hit the ground.
Malcolm stared down at the heart in his hand, to the body before he threw his head back and released a savage howl. In return, those around him let out answering howls; the enemy's bodies were tossed everywhere, appearing like broken toy soldiers. Breathing hard, he tossed the heart aside as he turned to find Raijin and the others making their way to him.
Castian threw the warlock's head to his feet and grinned. “And here I was hoping he’d give me more of a workout.” He gave the somewhat destroyed area and injured people a glance over. “So, this is what war feels like.”
“Humph. This is nothing compared to the fight with the Unseelie,” Tiller said, wiping blood from his cheek. “At least I think so, from what my grandfather told me anyway.”
“Malcolm,” Sabina called, assisted by Raijin as she walked around the bodies quickly. “You have to go after them.”
Malcolm looked down at her, confused. “What? Go after who.”
“Eliza, she—” Sabina shook her head. “I think she went after his lordship. She said she was going to finish this whatever that means.” She opened her hand, revealing a silver coin. “Lanias latched on to her and left me with this.”
Malcolm felt his heart squeeze. “What?” He grabbed her arms, “Why didn’t you say anything earlier.”
Sabina winced, and he felt a heavy hand land on his shoulder and felt the bite of Raijin’s grip.
“Release her,” he said calmly.
Quickly letting her go, Malcolm took a step back. “I’m sorry.”
“I-It’s all right.” Sabina held out her palm once again. “This should take you to them.” She grabbed his hand and dropped it into it. “You have to save them, and bring them back.”
Malcolm looked into her sincere gaze gripping it. “Got it.” He turned to the others. “Who’s coming with me?”
Castian, Oye, and Alek stepped forward. Caspian spoke up first, “I couldn’t see myself not going; I need to kill a few more people.” He glanced down at Oye. “I’m sure my love feels the same.”
Oye grinned, punching her other hand. “You know it.”
Alek rolled his neck; his clothes were splattered with blood while his platinum hair was still immaculate. “Lanias is reason enough for me to go.”
Malcolm nodded and held out his fist. “Well, let's go and end this.”
The three placed their hands atop his, and a bright green-black light swirled up, swallowing them whole and out of sight.
Sabina felt Raijin come up behind her. “I don’t know why, but I feel weird watching them go.”
He leaned down and pressed his lips to her cheek. “Everything will be fine. They’ll rescue your sister and your friend.”
Sabina wanted to believe Raijin, she truly did, but something told her they wouldn’t be that lucky this time around.
“All right, my love birds,” Tiller said with a clap of his hands, “it’s time to clean up after ourselves.” He motioned to the destroyed surroundings. “And let’s hurry before the council comes because we’ve filled this area with enough magical energy to shut down the entire state.”