Coven of Wolves (30 page)

Meeting so many wolves, I suddenly become aware that not all of them are warriors or assassins as I had previously thought. Some are business people and politicians, placed in key hidden locations of government by the Archons to help ensure the clan's safety. Some are day-to-day organizers, seeing that the Archon's wishes are peacefully put through to the lower level wolves. And yet others are simple families, trying to get by as members of a hidden society in the modern day world. Suddenly not everything is so black and white anymore.

The events of the last few hours finally take their toll. Weak beyond words, I excuse myself to collect my thoughts and rest. After a brief nap, my father sees to it that Damon and I are given a hearty meal. Afterwards, I shower and change clothes before I send out my mental call to Luke. They arrive within moments of my transmittal.

Seeing Tobias, Mika and my mother again brings about a great sense of relief for me. I can't seem to stop holding them. Upon noticing their arrival though, Nicholas returns to his usual surly self. I can feel the new bond between Nicholas and I still exists, but his dislike for the 'non-wolves' also becomes very apparent.

Similarly, but to a lesser extent, I notice a few glances from my father and Gabriella at my interaction with Tobias. Their reaction isn't anything sinister or negative, but looks none-the-less that let me know our union is something they're pondering.

Damon, however, seems to accept everyone with open arms. Even Luke. It's very subtle, but I also notice that his interactions with Mika are exceptionally friendly. Mika returns the attention in kind. Damon's reaction in general to my friends does make me happy, but the fact that my father doesn't have the same response somewhat saddens me. My mother seems to be the only exception to the rule. I try not to think about it and instead focus on the task at hand.

I manage to tell my friends and mother everything that's happened since their departure. Once the story is finished, I look at the clock and see that we fortunately still have a little over an hour left before midnight.

Tobias, upon learning I was almost killed, is furious. Not just at the wolves for hurting me, but at me as well for not telling him exactly what I had planned to do. (To say nothing about actually going through with it.) I remind him that we only have a short amount of time to gather ourselves together before jumping into the next battle. This quiets his anger a bit, but I know that the discussion isn't over yet, only delayed.

Taking advantage of the moment further, I also confide in Tobias about Nicholas saving my life with a poisoned dart during the trials. I get a surprised but silent reaction. I then tell him about the new fighting skills I received from Nicholas' sword via the spell we cast in Mika's kitchen. Once my story is over, Tobias slowly turns and looks at Nicholas. In Tobias' face I can still see the anger he has towards Nicholas for almost killing him, but now the anger doesn't seem quite as strong as before.

I then fill-in my father, Damon, Gabriella and Nicholas on Malik's plan to come after us using demon possessed witches sometime after midnight. The very idea makes them unsettled.

My father asks me, "What did you do to make him so angry with you?"

I try to push away the shame in my voice and say, "I told him that I wouldn't be his personal property to use as he sees fit. The same way I refuse to be any of the Archon's personal play thing either. He's mad because I told him 'no'."

Pondering my words, my father then asks, "And what of Tobias? Why is he after him?"

Tobias speaks for himself and says, "Because I wouldn't let him use Devin as a slave either."

Suddenly my pride for Tobias increases. I take his hand, which my father stares at strangely. He then says to Tobias, "If you've saved my son, then you have my debt. Thank you."

Tobias nods. Inside of me I can feel my heart leaping for joy. I try to remain calm though, not letting the others notice my elation.

Nicholas then says to Luke, "What about you?"

Luke lifts one eyebrow at Nicholas and says, "Would YOU want to be possessed by a demon just because your mighty leader isn't getting tail anymore?"

Suddenly all the joy rushes from my body. I stare at Luke with eyes of contempt. Seeing my displeasure, Luke calmly says, "No offense."

We then strategize on how and where we will make our stand against Malik. As we're on shaky ground with the Archons as it is, it's unanimously agreed that using the arena for the upcoming battle would be an unwise move. Another reason being, we wouldn't want any wolves to get caught up in the cross-fire. Both Tobias and my magics are amplified in a natural setting due to our devotion to Gaea. Because of this, it is agreed that we will have our fight with Malik in a forest clearing, away from prying eyes. Luke is especially enthusiastic about the time period as he will be able to manipulate quite a bit of the already existing darkness to his advantage.

The only bit of agreement I didn't care for is that my mother will have to be with us during the battle. Although the thought of seeing her hurt is a real concern for me, I do agree that it's just not safe to leave her in the main house unguarded. Not only will it jeopardize her safety to have an unattended mortal found hiding in a werewolf compound, but having her found by my new Archon enemies is also something I won't risk. If they were able to capture her again, it wouldn't just be Jason doing the torturing this time but the other clan Archons as well. Fortunately my father has agreed to have her by his side at all times, keeping her out of harm's way.

I learn from Tobias that during their time waiting for me to help save Damon, my mother had repeatedly grilled the three of them for information on myself, my father, and 'the other two with him'. I didn't hold it against them that they finally caved and told her everything she wanted to know. My mother can be pretty persuasive when she wants to be. And when you get her angry? Forget about it. Seeing her now, she's a lot calmer than before. Worse still, a lot quieter. Typically I would call this reaction 'the quiet before the storm'. I don't look forward to seeing what comes next. What could be running through her head is anyone's guess. I just know that if we all make it out of this alive, there's a list a mile long full of apologies that I and my father have to make to her. If she accepts any of them is completely up to her. For the time being, I hold her close to me as much as possible, trying to show her that she is still wanted and loved.

Luke and Mika disappear to gather a few more herbs and other items from a Wicca shop in Portland. While they're gone, I put my theory about both Tobias and I absorbing Nicholas' skills to the test. Holding my Synoro sword I had retrieved from the arena, I ask Tobias to pull out his witch sword. As soon as he does, I swing my sword at him several times, making sure the flat side of my sword is the only part that will come into contact with him should he fail to block any of my swings. Sure enough, Tobias instinctively manages to block each move as if he had years of training to do so. I then ask him to put his sword away and try a few harmless punches and kicks against him. Just as before, his block responses are automatic. Both of us are excited by the discovery. The reaction my father and Gabriella display though comes across as unnerving. Their reaction is completely tame however compared to Nicholas' silent but obvious disgust. I can understand that seeing a human, witch or otherwise, being able to mimic their clan's fighting skills so flawlessly is something very alien to them. In all honesty though, I really don't care. All I know, and am grateful for, is that Tobias has now gotten a whole lot harder for Malik and his coven to kill. That suits me just fine.

Luke and Mika return a few minutes before midnight. Looking around, I notice that all of the wolves (myself included) are dressed again in their full battle apparel. My mother has even been given a black uniform to wear so that she can hide better in the shadows. Knowing Mika is also sword trained, I ask my father if he can provide her with a spare sword to use. Might as well as over half of the people joining the fight have not one, but two at their disposal. My father leaves the room and comes back with a new sword. He hands Mika the sword and returns to my mother's side. Though he never once spoke an objection, I can see a slight pain in his face. Nicholas' earlier words about how only the most revered wolves are allowed to touch the swords comes to mind. I decide not to push the issue.

Tobias takes off the leather wrist band Anna gave him and hands it to Mika. He explains that Malik will be able to sense any other witches in the area. Wearing the band, Mika will possess the element of surprise. She puts it on and as expected, I can't sense an iota of magic emanating from her. Luke and Mika then give Tobias and I equal portions of several herbs and powders they've collected. I thank Luke for his help, but he just shrugs it off. I tell myself that he's trying to focus on the battle, but in my heart I know that he's really just scared and doesn't quite trust us completely.

I look at the time again. Ten minutes until midnight. I ask if everyone is ready. In unison everyone says 'yes'. My father tells Luke the general coordinates of where the forest clearing is. Luke closes his eyes and focuses on the spot in his mind. After a few moments the lot of us are swept up in dark clouds and whisked away from the main house, leaving the wolves supposedly guarding us outside the room none the wiser.

After we finally arrive at the spot, I see Luke stumble somewhat. I hurry over to him and ask him if he's alright.

"I'm fine," he says. "The strain of carrying so many people back and forth is just getting to me."

I call over Tobias and Mika to us. As they come, I notice my parents and the others listening in intently.

"Luke's energy level is a bit low.", I tell them.

Mika says, "So then let's transfer him some of ours."

Luke looks shocked. "You'd...you'd do that for me?"

Tobias replies, "Of course. We're in this together. Besides, if the three of us all pitch in, it won't weaken us as much individually. All of us need to be at our best right now."

I tell Luke, "Hold out your staff."

Reluctantly he does. The three of us each take hold of his cane and focus on the devotional amulet resting atop of it. Inside it we can sense the part of his soul he offered as part of his devotion to the craft. Through his amulet we concentrate and will a part of our own life force energy to transfer over to Luke. He is instantly overcome with newfound vigor. We then stop the flow of power and release our hold on Luke's cane.

Humbly, Luke says, "Thank you." Seeing the expression on his face, I can tell that his earlier catty comment is now something he regrets saying.

The group of us look at our surroundings. The area is dark with a low level fog covering part of the foliage around us. The large trees stretch high into the night sky. The moon and stars above provide a nice view to everything within sight. Yes, this will do nicely.

The werewolf members of our group silently slip into hiding, taking my mother along with them. Mika slips behind a tree as well, staying low to the ground, beneath the fog. Tobias, Luke, Fenrus and I move into the middle of the clearing. Tobias takes out one of his powders and creates a circle on the ground with it. Luke then takes his powder and creates a pentagram inside the circle. With my powder I create rune images of protection along the circle's border. The three of us then place the various herbs and stones Luke and Mika collected along the outskirts of the forest clearing. Once we are done, the three of us meet back with Fenrus in the circle and sit. We focus on our inner power and will for it to stretch outward, toward the circle. Once our strength meets the circle, it takes on a life of it's own. The circle grows and envelopes the entire forest clearing.

"There.", Tobias says. "We did it. Now we just have to wait."

The three of us meditate as we listen to the sounds around us. Bugs chirp and buzz as the sound of an owl hoots off in the distance. As the minutes go by I'm somehow aware that All Hollow's Eve has finally arrived. I brings both a calming and uncertain feeling to me. I pet Fenrus' face, showing him appreciation for his help. I take a deep breath inward, then release

it gently back into the night. Despite knowing I have another battle ahead of me, I feel at peace. I take another deep breath in. That's when I smell it. My heightened wolf senses tell me that we are not alone.

The four of us look above us. A subtle ripple hangs overhead in the night air. The faintest traces of magic trail behind it. We keep on our guard, preparing for an attack at any moment. We sit for several more minutes, our anxiety levels increasing. The smell of foul magic now fills the air.

Luke says, "He's toying with us. He knows we know he's here. Why doesn't he do something already?"

I tell Luke, "Be patient. He'll attack soon enough. Guard your strength in the meantime. We're gonna need it."

A twig snaps to our right. Fenrus immediately growls. I know no one in our group would be so clumsy. It has to be one of the coven members.

Another twig snaps on our left. Then another directly behind us. They're surrounding us. Fine. Bring it you bastards. Just try walking into our circle and see what happens.

Another loud snap sounds in front of us. With it, the sounds of the forest go silent. All that can be heard outside of Fenrus' growling is a very low, very disturbing laugh.

Malik's voice says from the darkness, "Ahh, so you've brought Luke with you too. Good. Saves me the trouble of having to tracking him down after I'm done slaughtering the both of you."

Tobias says, "Why don't you come out and say that to our face?"

Malik laughs again. "All in due time. Wouldn't want to spoil the surprise."

Luke says, "I already told them about your plan. There's no surprises here."

"Really?", Malik asks. "That's a shame. I guess you already know about them then?"

Zack, Cole and Kevin step out of the shadows. They look sickly pale and wet. Very dark circles are under their now red eyes. They are wide eyed and smile devilishly. They cackle in a very unearthly tone, causing a chill to overcome me. I know their souls are damned. You can save a person's soul if they were possessed unwillingly. The three of them though gave up their lives willingly. Because of that, they will never be truly human ever again. Death is now their only salvation.