Gauntlet Rite of Ascension (15 page)

“Am I close?” He asked.

“How the hell do you know all this?” I asked.

“The internet, you just have to know how to sift through the crap and find the truth.”

“It’s really your fault, when you called me asking about information on werewolves, that set off all kinds of bells. It set me on the path.”

“But to be honest all I had were theories and assumptions. I was running off of three or four scenarios until I saw those guys jump you.” He said.

“How did you find me?” I asked.

“It wasn’t hard really. I talked to your mom and sister and they said you went off to college. You are a scholarship winner. It wasn’t hard to get your class schedule. I just told admissions that I was writing an article on you and needed your first class to meet you. When I spotted you I followed. With so many people around and you all wonderstruck by all the learning it was easy.” He said.

I just looked at him. I was truly amazed. He had changed. You could tell that. Sure, he had grown some, put on some more muscle, but his demeanor and attitude was different. He had always been so timid. Now he possessed a confidence that fit him well.

“It’s just too dangerous. I know you want to help, but this is more than some conspiracy or alien abduction claim by some inbred farmer. This is deadly.” I said, facing him, hoping to convince him to leave.

“I know I don’t know everything, but I can help.” He said.

“Help? Do you have any idea what these guys are capable of? What I am capable of? No, you have to go.” I said.

“You need me; I’m not scared of you Eric. You didn’t kill your family, you won’t hurt me.” He said, standing firm.

I desperately wanted to say yes, I missed him, I missed my old life, it would be great having him around, but it was too dangerous. If he got hurt, it would kill me.

“No, I appreciate the offer, but no.” I said.

“So that’s it? You make the decision? You get to decide? Isn’t there some pack leader or something I can ask?” He asked.

“That’s not how it works.” I said.

“Then how does it work? Tell me. I know you don’t want me to get hurt Eric, but I’m not a child and I don’t really give a god damn what you say.” He said, angry.

“Why? Why do you want to help?” I asked.

“Besides the fact that you’re my friend? Okay, I’ll tell you. You remember that day you stopped those guys from torturing me? The day I never left you alone?” He said.

“Yeah, what about it?” I asked.

“I had a cousin; he lived in Paceridge, across the river. He was like me, skinny, weird, awkward. Like me he was targeted, the cool kids took aim and gave him hell. For months they messed with him, they did mean vile things to him.”

“I never knew but it really bothered him, he fell into a deep depression, no one helped, no one seemed to notice. One night he posted a long letter explaining everything then he hanged himself.”

“You helped me Eric. You stepped in and saved me from the same fate. You probably saved my life, at least saved it from years of teasing and bullying. I think you literally saved my life. I have always been a little unstable and you helped give me hope that there were good people out there. I want, no, I need to help. You helped me, now it’s my turn to help you. Besides, if it wasn’t for me you’d be a pulp of muscle and bone. That guy with the mace was totally gonna kick your ass.” He said, mischievously.

He stood there with a small smirk. The same one he used when he gave me shit for something he himself would never have been able to do.

He knew I was stronger, faster and smarter, but that never stopped him from making fun of me. He also knew I wasn’t the type to make fun of him for being weaker or slower.

I didn’t know what to do, he had a point, but I didn’t know the rules about this sort of thing. I wanted to let him help but didn’t want him in harm’s way. I decided to take it to Abaddon. He was my pack leader now; he would know what to do.

“Okay, fuckface. You win, we’ll go ask Abaddon, see what he says.” I said, a huge grin spreading on my face.

“What the hells an Abaddon? Are you like his bitch?” He said as we fell into an easy stride.

“No, I think your mistaking me for your mom.” I said.

“Hey, my mom’s not a bitch, she’s a vacuous bimbo, get it straight.” He answered.

We both turned to each other and smiled.

Chapter 16

“What the hell was that anyway?” I asked.

We had left the ambush area and started walking towards the loft at a quick pace. My senses did not detect anyone else near, but they didn’t tell me Katrina was close until she was in hearing range either.

My leg slowly stopped bleeding and the pain had reduced to a dull throb. After a while, I could feel as the skin and tissue started to knit itself back together.

I guess wounds made by silver weapons took longer to heal, if I was stabbed in the heart I would have died, even my healing abilities can’t work when your heart stops.

“Just your average batch of lachrymatory.” Max said. He looked over at me and smiled, clearly enjoying this.

“Lachrymatory?” I asked, confused.

“Tear gas, in layman’s terms. I thought a fellow science nerd like me could have figured that one.” He answered.

“Sorry, I didn’t realize my studies included the chemical name for tear gas.” I said.

“Seriously though, how did you know that was gonna work?” I asked, curious.

“I didn’t, not really. All of my research led me to a few core ideas. There are varying theories on the nature of werewolves’ abilities. Some think you guys only shift forms during a full moon; others say you have the ability to do it at will. I’ve even read about werewolves that don’t change human form at all, but are filled with the spirit of the Beast that gives them superhuman abilities.” He said, looking at me hoping for an answer.

In for a penny in for a pound.

“It’s a combination of all three really.” I said.

I could tell he was dying to ask me more questions but I stopped him with a look. 

“There will be time to answer all your questions once Abaddon gives me the okay. Right now just answer mine.” I said.

“Okay, okay. Man, you’ve really became an old lady. So, the one thing that I found that was a consistent thread in all the werewolf myths was their heightened senses. I figured that if tear gas was so devastating to normal humans it must be balls nasty to werewolves.” He answered.

“That’s actually pretty smart.” I said with real admiration.

I never really thought of Max as more than a great friend who had a very eccentric side. Maybe that was an asset.

“Thank you.” He said, clearly pleased.

We walked in silence for a few minutes and the tension between us grew heavy. Something had been gnawing at me and I think Max knew it.

“Did you go to her funeral?” I asked, afraid to talk about Sara’s death but unable not to.

“Don’t do this Eric. I know you. You are not responsible for her death. Whatever happened was beyond your control. It’s not your fault she died.” He said, knowing what was driving my question.

“How do you know that, what if there was something I could have done, what if I was faster, stronger? I might have been able to save her.” I said.

Max stopped and grabbed my arm, turning me towards him.

“What would you have done differently? I don’t know exactly what happened, but I know you. You’re not a murderer and you’re not the kind of person to turn away from someone who needs help. I know this from personal experience. Sara’s death was beyond your control. You have to accept that.” He said.

Maybe he was right. I just kept seeing her screaming a wordless protest as the Beast stalked her while I hid, afraid for my own sanity. Of course I blamed myself; it drove me to excel in training.

I had to control the thing inside of me to make sure another innocent wasn’t killed because of my cowardice.

“Well, accepting it doesn’t bring Sara back, or the two officers. Anyway, were almost here.” I said, ending the conversation.

A look of concern washed over Max’s face, followed by a quick nod.

“Let’s go meet this Abaddon. I’m interested in seeing who your pimp is.” Max said, teasing.

“After you.” I said letting him take the lead up the stairs.

I turned the key in the door and entered the loft. We walked in and saw Abaddon in the arena, sitting on the floor cleaning a sword whose blade shone with a silver radiance. Its twin sat next to him, within easy reach.

“Who is this young man and why do you smell of rotten eggs and your own blood?” Abaddon said without standing up or even taking his eyes off his sword.

“This is Max. He is my best friend. I was attacked by some members of the Pack; Max stepped in and saved my life.” I said.

Abaddon turned to face me when I mentioned the attackers.

He took in my appearance and my jeans whose pant leg was shredded from the attack. He looked Max up and down, assessing him in one quick glance.

“I see Jameson’s mace is still quite devastating.”

“You know who attacked me?” I asked.

“Of course, he is the right hand of Vicktor, the current Pack leader. Your wound stinks of him.” He answered.

“So, we can go to them and have Jameson punished? Attacking me is in violation of Pack law.” I pleaded.

Abaddon stood up and looked at me, then looked at Max.

“How much have you told him?” He asked.

“What? Nothing, he knows some things from the internet, but I haven’t told him anything.” I answered, annoyed at the change in the conversation.

“It is not wise to bring people into our affairs.” He said.

“I didn’t bring him in; he stepped in and saved me from having my head crushed by Jameson’s mace.” I said.

“He saved your life?” He asked.

“Yes, I already said that.” I answered.

Abaddon ignored my tone and walked over towards Max. He stood in front of him and glared at him. This time he took more time in giving him the once over.

I have to say I was proud of Max. He didn’t wilt under Abaddons stare. I was standing next to it and only saw it from the side, but I was unnerved by it.

“How? How did he save you?” Abaddon asked, without turning from Max.

I was about to tell what happened when Max surprised me by telling Abaddon himself.

“I used tear gas to befuddle their heightened senses, then used a recording of a patrol cars siren to make them think the police were coming. They ran like little girls. It was almost too easy.” He said.

I winced, thinking he had over stepped his bounds.

I waited for the sound of impact and Max moaning and was astonished to hear a deep rumbling instead. I looked over at Abaddon and saw his body moving up and down in what I assumed was laughter.

“Smart, very smart. It seems Eric is in your debt. Although Eric is not a recognized member of the Pack it is customary to allow you to have a request fulfilled by the person you saved.” Abaddon said.

“I want to stay here with Eric and be a part of all of this.” He said waving his arm around in a small movement.

“Why? Do you wish to become like us? Do you think we will bite you and you will turn, because if that’s the case you can leave right now, it will not happen.” Abaddon stared at Max with hard scrutiny, judging his answer.

Max started to speak then stopped and took a second before saying, “The idea of becoming like you had crossed my mind I admit. I have followed conspiracies on the internet my whole life, now I have the opportunity to live one while helping Eric. If I never become a werewolf that’s fine with me, so long as I am involved, I can live with that.”

Abaddon took a second before responding, weighing Max’s words.

“Done.” He said.

“Wait, don’t I have a say in this?” I asked.

Both Abaddon and Max said at the exact same time.

“No.”

“It is not uncommon for people to be a part of our lives. We are natural creatures, unlike vampires; we live and exist in the world of the living. It is normal for us to have relationships with people and to even bring them into the Pack.” He said.

“Wait, did you just say vampires?” Eric asked.

“That is not important right now. What is important is that Max saved your life. That is a big deal even in regular human society. We in the Pack hold that particular act in high regard, even more so when it is done by a human. Max is an adult and he has chosen. I would expect you to respect that.” Abaddon said.

I just didn’t see Max as more than the kid who I saved from a Texas wedgie. It was hard to imagine him as an adult. My life was crazy enough as it is, much less adding him to it.