Animal Behavior and Other Tales of Lycanthropy (6 page)

A snarl snapped Adam to attention, and in a blink of an eye a hairy beast lunged from the nearby woods and tackled the creature off the hood of the van. A severed leg dropped to the floor and turned to ash on impact.

He grabbed his shotgun and stepped out of the vehicle.

I should have known if werewolves existed, then other weird creatures did, too. What the heck am I up against?

An all too familiar sound broke the silence: the snarls and grunts of the beast as it tore into its prey. As he walked around the front of the van he carefully eyed the werewolf as its claws slashed and tore into the winged creature.

It’s not the one I’m looking for
, he thought as he raised the shotgun.

The winged creature’s struggle ceased; its body turned to ash. Adam aimed the shotgun and fired. The wolf leapt to the side and the bullet lodged itself in the beast’s hindquarter. Its body toppled over. He took two steps closer, gun leveled on the beast.

The brown fur receded and the top layer of skin bubbled and melted away, leaving a naked man sprawled across the pavement. Adam hesitated. The man’s arm shielded his chest and with one bullet in the chamber, he couldn’t afford the risk of missing.

Can’t be certain I’d get penetration through the arm as well. And if I didn’t, I don’t think there’s time enough to reload?

The man extended his other arm out toward the barrel of the gun. “Please.”

I just need a clear shot
, he thought. He could already see the bullet rising out of the man’s thigh.
I’ll wait until the transformation begins again, then pump another bullet in him to stop it. Hopefully, that’ll buy me time enough to reload.

“Why are you doing this?” the man asked.

What? How dare you
. Before he could lay into the man for his audacity, he was grabbed by the shoulders and lifted into the air.
Another one?

Smoke pierced his nostrils and his flesh roared with pain from the creature’s fiery touch. He pointed his shotgun at the thing and fired. The creature bellowed as the bullet passed through its wing, but it showed no sign of slowing down.

A growl came followed by a deafening screech. Adam was released from the creature’s grip. He plummeted to the ground and landed on his feet, but fell to his backside as his ankle twisted on impact. The winged creature was taken down by the werewolf he had shot.

I don’t understand
, he thought as he watched the werewolf rip into the charred flesh of the creature and eviscerate it. As the organs were hurled into the air, severed from the creature, they turned to ash and soon there was nothing left of the winged creature.

Crap!

He fumbled in his pocket for bullets as the werewolf turned and looked his way. The beast leaped into the air and snatched the shotgun with one of its clawed hands and shoved Adam back against the pavement with the other.

Déjà vu.
He noticed, unlike the hand holding the gun, the one holding him down had no fur and the skin was black as if dead or necrotic.
That’s a regenerated hand for sure.
He’s the one from the report, but why has he remained in this location? He’s taken an awful risk.

The beast stood, relieving the pressure on Adam’s chest. With two hands on the shotgun, it broke it in half and tossed it aside. It looked to the heavens as it transformed back into a man.

Instead of killing me, it just takes away my gun. Doesn’t it know I’ll be back with a new one? He’s toying with me, playing with his food. Well, I’ll show him!

The man stood naked before him. He averted his eyes, uncomfortable with the proximity. His ankle already felt swollen and if he thought it could take his weight, he’d kick the crap out of this fool for not killing him when he had the chance.

“Why did you try to kill me?”

“Are you serious?” Adam asked, and the stern look he got in reply relayed that he was. “You’re a monster. That’s why.”

“And what do you think that was that attacked you?”

“Another monster, just like you.”

“You’re an ignorant man. Those things are nothing like me. They are fallen angels. Demons. Just because I’m different from you doesn’t make me a monster. I’m still human.”

“That’s just a front. I know exactly what you are and what you’re capable of. Better just kill me now, ’cause I’ll kill you the first chance I get.”

The man’s wrinkled brow relaxed as if he suddenly understood
all
of Adam’s pain. “What have you witnessed?”

“The brutal death of my daughter at the hands of one of you.Monster!”

The man sighed. “You don’t understand. Long ago, when Lucifer declared war on Heaven, angels from both sides fell to Earth in their struggle. The Dark Prince’s minions quickly seized their opportunity and cut the wings off those who fought for His glory. Many angels lost their lives.”

“Wait a minute,” Adam said. “I thought God was all powerful, how could He let his angels be killed?”

Joel sighed. “Just because I believe in Him with absolute certainty, doesn’t mean I have insight into how He thinks. Now, may I continue?”

Adam nodded and gave his full attention.

“When the Archangel Ariel fell, a female wolf stepped out of the forest to protect him. She fought valiantly without care for her own safety and when Ariel awoke, he healed the wolf’s wounds and granted her immortality as a thank you.

“Seeing her resolve and ferociousness, when all was said and done and peace restored in Heaven, God asked her to guard the gate of Hell to keep its prisoners in place. She agreed.

“Lucifer feared her power and did the only thing he could: he gave her the ability to shape-shift into a woman, a creature whom he believed he could corrupt. She took on a human name, Elena, and when needed, she transformed into an even more powerful being. One possessing man and wolf’s best traits. Lucifer took every opportunity to tempt Elena and failed each time, so he created more doorways than she could ever manage to protect.”

“That’s a beautiful fairytale, but how stupid do you think I am?”

“Then explain to me the hell spawn that
I
saved you from.”

“Why did you save me?”

“Quite frankly, I have no idea. I’m sorry for your loss, I really am. Did you kill the rogue?”

“Not yet. But I’ve killed others that I’ve come upon.”

“How many?”

“Three.”

“Where?”

“Texas, New Mexico, and Wisconsin.”

The man turned away from him, shaking his head. The moonlight refracted off his backside and Adam had to look away.

“I have some clothes in my van. Either kill me or get dressed.”

The man narrowed his eyes. “If I wanted you dead, you’d be dead. I am a sworn protector, much like my brethren you maliciously killed. There are evil humans in the world, but we don’t go around killing all of you, now, do we?”

Adam lowered his head. The words weighed heavy upon him.
He’s right. That woman told me I was making a mistake and yet I didn’t ask for an explanation. And I did smell sulfur. No . . . could it be?

“Each one of us guards a doorway to Hell. There are four doorways presently unguarded now.”

Adam immediately took offense, his guilt apparent. “I told you I only killed three.”

“You’re not accounting for the rogue. He obviously abandoned his post. Most likely tempted by the demons.”

“Let me get this straight. Werewolves keep demons in line?”

“We stop demons from dragging the souls of the pure to the bowels of Hell. Some people believe Lucifer’s power grows with every soul that winds up in Hell, but they’re wrong. Only good souls that are trapped in Hell increase his power. They’re unjustly locked away in the pit.”

“Are they killed or kept alive?”

“I honestly don’t know. There may be a chance of rescuing them before their souls are ripped from their fleshy binds.”

How many innocents have they laid claim to because of me?
“How many portals are there?”

“Nine. One for each circle of Hell.”

“I assume it’s too much to ask that they’re all here in America.”

“Yes it is. And now only one is left guarded.”

I can’t believe this. I thought I could handle anything. Yet, here I am trembling. No. I’ve hunted werewolves. I can hunt demons, too
. “I want to help.”

“You’ve done enough.”

Adam fought the pain and stood. He balanced his weight as best he could to his left ankle. “I need to make this right. I can handle it.”

“Let me tell you what you can handle: nothing.”

“But I’ve—”

“What, killed werewolves? If my brethren hadn’t been honoring their vow, never, and I mean never, could a mortal take them down.”

“I almost had you. If that creature hadn’t stopped me, you’d be dead.”

“Your arrogance amazes me. You are no match for the wandering souls never mind the demons of Hell.”

“Then make me like you.”
Did I just say that?
“Is that even possible?”

The man scratched his chin, and then said, “It’s possible. In his arrogance not only did Lucifer give her the ability to transform, but also a means to create an army for him. Through a bite, the power can be transferred, but the Dark Prince would never create a being more powerful than himself. Because of him, silver is deadly to us. A material known for its purity and abundance. Only Elena is immune, and truly immortal.

“It has been decades since we’ve needed to increase our numbers. The question is: are you worthy? We cannot afford another rogue. The world is not ready to handle the truth.”

“Tell me about it. I learned that one the hard way, too.”

“What exactly happened to your family?”

Adam filled him in, no longer concerned with the man’s nakedness.

“That’s terrible. And you say he was black with a gray mane?”

“Do you know him?”

“Yeah.Merik, one of our oldest.”

“He cracked, then?”

“It would seem so. Again, I’m sorry. Your wife’s reaction definitely proves my theory correct. It’s one thing to see it on television, but quite another face-to-face.”

“Please, give me the strength to hunt him down and to take his place.”

“Wait,” said the man as he sniffed the air. “Stupid!”

“Hey! Where are you going?” Adam asked. As the man ran off, he could see his muscles bubbling under his skin.
He’s transforming, but why?

Adam hobbled after him, shifting his weight with each step. He worked through the pain and moved as quickly as his bum ankle would allow him. It was difficult to keep up with the wolf, but the snarls and broken branches kept him in the right direction. Soon he came upon a crumbled stonewall and stopped.

It’s like something out of medieval times
, he thought as he stared at the remnants of an old village. The buildings were made of stone, ancient and blackened by a fire long extinguished. The roofs were partially covered with thatch, the holes either created by the fire, wind, or animals.

Sulfur
. He turned his head side to side, but there was no sign of a demon or the werewolf.

“Where are you?” he asked as he climbed over the fallen stones.

A rustle in the nearby bush caused him to quickly turn to the right. The beast snarled as it leaped out from the underbrush. Its jaws clamped down on Adam’s left hand. He screamed as the fangs went straight through his palm.

“ARGHH!” Adam shouted.

The bite released and he inspected the four holes. Blood ran down around his wrist, trailed his forearm and dripped to the ground from his elbow.

“You could have given me a warning,” he growled as beast changed to a man.

“Just wanted to prove my point.”

Oh whatever
. He had to bite back tears. “I don’t feel any different. Except for the throbbing pain.”

“Give it time. Slowly you’ll notice your senses heightening. Your skin will itch and no amount of scratching will relieve it. The first time you change it will be out of your control, but once you change back to a man, you will be able to change at will.”

“Okay, that’ll give me time to get the van fixed up. Tell me why you ran off?”

“Another demon tried escaping.”

“Did you kill it?” he asked, then ripped his shirt to use as a bandage.

“Sorry to say, you can’t kill a demon. Only send it back to Hell.”

Adam wrapped his hand. “But I saw you rip the other two apart and they turned to ash. If you can kill an angel, then you can kill a demon. Aren’t they supposedly of the same species?”

“Impressive. Are you a scholar?” he asked.

“No,” Adam said.

“When the demons breach our world, they are not whole and so cannot truly be killed. A part of them is left in Hell for safekeeping. Think of what you’ve seen today as a shadow of their true selves. And total dismemberment is the only way to send them back. That’s why we make the perfect guardians.”

“I suppose. So what is this place?”

“It used to be my home. Unfortunately, man cannot live near the gateways. They’re susceptible to influence. Here, the town leader set fire to each house in the middle of the night. My father got me out of the house in time, but he went back in to get my mother and neither of them came out.