Death Woods 1: The Beginning

Chapter 3

    “Faith!” I yelled, “Let go of her, Steve!” What the hell is he doing here and why the f**k is he carrying an unconscious Faith around.

    “Steve, what are you doing?” Mick demanded.

    I whipped around so fast at the sound of Mick’s voice, I thought I’d give myself whiplash. Why the hell are vampires in the school? I know they don’t die during the day like most legends claim.

    “Trying to get my baby back, just like you.”

    How I wished i had one of my weapons right now first witches, then werewolves and now Vamps. Can’t a girl just have a “normal” day. Sigh, obviously not. Turning back towards Mick I yelled, “Do something! He’ll hurt her!”

    He met my harsh gaze with his own calm one.

    “I can’t stop him. I’m sorry.” He said.

    “Well, if you won’t do anything then I will!” I spun quickly on my heel and glared at Steve.

    “Awww, what’s da wittle swayer gonna do?” He said, in a mock, baby voice. He moved backwards away from me and moved to set Faith down by the wall. I never took my eyes off Steve, carefully watching his every move. He looked towards me with an evil smirk as he brushed his hand gently over her cheek.

    “Leave her be Steve, and fight like the foul scumbag you are!” I snarled, shifting into a fighting stance. I’m not sure how well this is going to go. I used a ton of energy fending off the wolves.

    “Kitty, no!” Mick yelled.

    “Stay out of this, Mick!” Steve snapped.

    Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mick pull out his cell phone and I really hoped he was calling Reid.  

    I quickly glanced at Faith. Her ankles and hands were bound and her mouth was covered with a bandanna. The sight was awful! That bastard was going to pay for this.

    I ran, flipped, and prepared to kick him in the stomach but he grabbed me and threw me into the wall behind him. I yelped in pain and slid to the floor and looked up to see his dark, evil eyes string, unblinking into mine. He walked towards me and crouched down, his eyes never leaving mine. Next thing I know, I’m flying in the opposite direction of the wall, back towards where Mick was; I hit the floor hard with a yelp of pain. The force of my landing left me gasping for air. 

    “Kitty!” I heard Mick yell.

    “Well, well, well, look at the position the leader of the slayers is in. Injured and weak. What will she do?”

    I let out a yelp of pain as I sat up. Steve throwing me around like a ragdoll must have cracked or fractured one of my ribs. This hurts like a b***h; I should call for McCoy. I’m in no position to be going head to head with a vampire right now. Suddenly, I heard footsteps coming towards the gym. The cavalry has arrived thank goodness!

    “Mick!” I heard Reid yell, “What the f**k is going on?”

    Standing, with a moan of pain, I staggered into the wall, gripping my side gently. I  looked towards Reid and Spike. How the f**k did they get here? Hell, I’m still trying to figure out how these other two morons got here. I sighed and used the wall to help support myself and walked towards the boys.

    “Where’s Faith?” Spike demanded, glaring at Mick.

    Glancing at Steve, I said, “Ask Steven, Spike.”

    He glanced at me and watched as I slid down the wall holding my injured rib cage. I groaned out in pain as I shifted to sit on the floor.

    “Kitty, are you alright?” Spike asked, concern in his voice.

    “Don’t worry about me! Take care of Faith!” I snapped, pointing at her. He rushed to her side.

    “Faith, baby, are you alright?” Spike said, undoing her bindings. All she did was moan, obviously out of it. 

    “Steven, what did you do to Kitty?” Reid demanded, rushing to my side. He cupped my face gently, his face filled with worry. I smiled reassuringly at him.

    “Isn’t it obvious? The idiotic slayer tried to save my maid-to-be and got the crap beat out of her. Anymore questions?” He snapped, viciously.

    “Idiotic slayer, am I?” I sneered, noticing a dagger at Reid’s side.

    I was on my feet again but, I didn’t know for how much longer. I’m exhausted. I moved fast and grabbed the dagger Reid had sheathed at his side, spinning around him, I stopped and threw it with everything I had.

    Faith, who was no longer bound and fully conscious now, yelling, “Kitty show him what Slayers are really made of!”

    Glancing towards her with a smirk, I replied, “Don’t worry. I think I just did.”

    “That’s what you think, b***h,” he said, pulling out a dagger and flinging it at me. I attempted to dodge out of the way but he must’ve anticipated that. The dagger hit me in my abdomen. I let out a scream of pain and hit the floor just as four voices yelled, “Kitty!”    There was a loud snarl as Alpha McCoy came flying out of nowhere and tackled Steve. After a brief scuffle with the vamp, McCoy came out on top and I sighed in relief. I really didn’t wanna explain to his pack why their Alpha had died.

    Faith was the first person to be at my side, then Reid, then Spike, and then Mick.

    Groaning, I pulled the bloody dagger out of my abdomen and tossed it aside.

    “Kitty! f**k! Reid! Spike! Mick! Somebody do something! Quick!” Faith shrieked, hysterically.

    Gently pushing Faith aside, Reid knelt down and put his hands on my bloody abdomen, murmuring a healing spell under his breath. Reid slowly healed the bloody wound.With Reid and Spike’s help, I was still in pain but back on my feet.

    “Thank you,” I muttered, before turning to Mick.

    Glaring darkly at him, I said, “You’re so useless! Get out of here before I nicely ask the Alpha to slay you, too!”

    McCoy growled lowly and started moving forward. The others chuckled at my outburst.

    Taken aback, Mick shrugged and muttered, “Whatever.”

    I scowled at him until he was out of sight. Reid wrapped his arms gently around my waist and pulled me close to him. He kissed me softly on my neck before saying, “We should all meet up at the park at six, alright?”

    Faith and Spike agreed immediately but I hesitated. I was tired, it’s been a long confusing day and I just wanna relax at home. I scrubbed a hand over my face trying to find the words but Faith beats me to it.

    Faith looked at me with concern, “Kitty, do you already have plans for tonight?”

    “No, I don’t. I am, however, exhausted and just don’t know if I’m going to have the energy to go hunting tonight. Hell, I don’t even think I have the energy to follow my typical nightly routine. But I’ll try to catch up with you guys at six thirty or seven, if I’m feeling up for it, okay?”

    Exchanging worried glances, my friends hesitantly agreed to the plan.

Steve

    "You have failed to kill her, Steve. As I told you before, if you are to rule the earth you must kill her family and friends, which will send her into a hole of spiraling guilt and pain, and then she will either surrender, get herself killed, or seek revenge.”

    “Master, I’m sorry. Her parents are being taken care of later on tonight, but there is a problem.”

    “Oh, really? Tell me, what is this problem?”

    “Well, um, on her right hand there’s a ring on one of her fingers.”

    “I see. Isn’t that where rings are supposed to be?”

    “Well, it’s no ordinary ring. It lets her know if her parents are in danger and her parents have similar rings.”

    “Oh, I see, so you’re afraid her parents will come to her aid.”

    “No, Master, I’m worried she’ll go to their aid.”

    “As you know, Steven, the best way for you to take over the world is to kill her. If she goes to the boulevard house she’s walking into a trap and won’t know it. If she goes to save her parents and kill her then nothing’s stopping you. Unless you want to be cruel and kill everyone she loves and cares about.”

    “I doubt she’ll figure out my plan. She may be smart but, I don’t think she’s that smart.”

    “Ever hear the saying ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’?”

    “Yeah.”

    “You may not think she’ll figure it out but, you never know, she may shock you and figure out every single detail.”

    “Yeah, right.”

    “You're being really naïve but that's your problem not mine. I’m going to give you one wish. Use it wisely.”

    “I wish that every time I’m killed I can come back.”

    “I can grant you that wish but, if you are killed by the Sacred Book and the Crystal of Light the wish will no longer work.”

    “Why?”

    “The Crystal and the Book are meant to be used for good not evil. And because of that it over rules my powers.”

    “I will beat her! She will DIE!”

    “Just to be sure I’m going to send my most loyal minion, Jesse, back to earth with you.”

    “What if a mortal sees him?”

    “Females may fall in love with him, others may be disgusted, males can’t see him but, the slayers can see him and will have no reaction to him whatsoever.”

    “Why?”

    “Because the slayers are pure. They are not evil like you, me and Jesse. But he will make it harder for them to win.”

    “Oh, good. Can vampires see him and fall in love?”

    “No, they can’t fall in love with him but they can see him.”

    “Oh.”

    “Jesse!”

    A tall ferocious creature appeared from one of the many caves surrounding the Devil’s layer. Blood red in color, with a body similar to the build of a “mythical” werewolf, with wild yellow eyes and sharp claws and teeth.

    “Jesse, this is Steven. The King of All vampires!”

    “What is he? He looks like a werewolf.”

    “Ah, I’m so glad you asked. Jesse is an Adlet. A blood thirsty, carnivorous beast! I created Jesse and his father from the basis of the Alaskan Inuit Legend. In the Legend a woman mates with a ferocious giant red dog and has the creature's ten fur covered canine-like children.”

    “Ew! That’s kind of creepy."

    The Devil laughed evilly and said, “Yes, I know that’s why he and his ferocious red father were created!”

Reid

    “Spike, this is so frustrating!” I grumbled, staring at the number of different poisons Kitty’s friends could have.

    “Relax, Reid, if you don’t figure out what type of poison Kitty’s friends have by the time we go hunting I doubt she will be mad at you.”

    “It’s not that, I just have a funny feeling something bad is going to happen to her especially after what happened at her school today. I still can’t understand why the hell Mick and Steve would attack them at school.”

    “No clue, Bro, but Kitty is a very tough girl, Reid. I doubt anything major would happen to her.”

    “I know she is but, back her into a corner and she panics.”

    “What? Why?” Spike asked confused.

    “You can’t tell her I told you this.”

    “Don’t worry, I won’t.”

    “Well, she’s claustrophobic and it’s because of this story I’m about to tell you. It was midnight on a Saturday night, Faith was sick and Kitty was home alone, bored, and decided to go hunting, she found three girls in an alley surrounded by five vampires. Well, she decided to intervene, thinking she could take them all by herself and save the girls.

    “She told the girls to run and to never mention this to anyone; not even to each other. They obeyed her orders and fled leaving her alone with the five vampires and they backed her into a corner of the alley. Kitty fought them and managed to kill the weakest three out of the five.”

    “What about the other two vampires?” Spiked inquired, curiosity blossoming in his eyes.

    “One managed to get behind her and held her as still as possible, while she was still trapped in the corner, the other one attacked her and started drinking from her. Luckily, I was watching out for her or the vampire that attacked her would have killed her. I intervened, killed the last two vampires, and had to suck the venom the one vampire had injected into her system but, she’s lucky I didn’t accidentally kill her!”

    “You didn’t kill her because you love her and that’s why you were able to exercise some restraint and save her life.”

    “I know but, what if I had killed her? Then what? I wouldn’t be able to live with myself!”

    “Don’t worry about the ‘what if’ and worry about the now. Focus on keeping her alive and safe, that’s all that matters now.”

    “Yeah I know. Thanks Spike.”

    “Hey, no problem, man, I’m your brother now, so I gotta help you out when necessary, right?”

    “Yeah, right, I better figure out what this poison is or Kitty will have a cow.”

    “I doubt she’ll be angry if you don’t figure it out what it is tonight.”

    “Maybe, but who knows how much time her friends have. Better to figure it out before she has a bad premonition.”

    “Good luck with that.”

    “Thanks.”

Kitty

    I sighed in relief, it had taken a few hours and mine and Faith’s combined magic, but we still managed to cleanse the black magic from the school. Alpha McCoy made it seem like it was a gas leak and all of the humans were forced to go get checked out at the hospital. The wolves were sent to the pack house to be checked out by their doctor. Faith and I were in one of small conference rooms in the main office waiting for Alpha

McCoy to give us the okay to leave. 

    The door opened and we looked up to see, Grayson, McCoy’s eldest and heir enter.

    “Grayson, how are you feeling?” I asked him with a sweet smile. He was a hunk too, sigh too bad wolves all have mates. 

    He smiled back warmly, “I should be asking you that, Kitty. You fought off six weres, a couple of vamps, and cleansed the school of dark magic. I’m surprised you aren’t passed out in your chair.”

    Faith chuckled, “Not that one, she’s too stubborn.”

    I rolled my and shook my head, “I still don’t understand how this all happened. How did dark witches get into or near enough to the school to use spells? And what spell did they use to block out the sun so the Vamps wouldn’t burn? Then there’s the rogues. Are they all working together?”

    “Whoa, slowly down, Kitty. We’ll figure it out.” Faith said, patting my arm soothingly.

    I let out a frustrated sigh but didn’t respond.

    “She’s right and you have the pack’s backing. We’ll help you figure everything out.” A new voice said. Glancing up I saw Luca, Danny’s younger brother, along with Gage and Kade, the future Gamma and Delta. Hmmm… maybe turning into a wolf wouldn’t be so bad after all. Damn they are gorgeous, but none of them have Reid’s regal beauty. I heard Faith chuckle and when I glanced at her she gave me a knowing look. I just shrugged and rolled my eyes. I’m allowed to look.

    “I appreciate that, guys. We may need all the help we can get with this one.”

    “I agree with Kitty. This was a bit over the top. I mean why the f**k are they all working together?”

    “Steve claimed it was to capture you his “maid to be” or some bullshit like that.” I sneered, “Though if you think about this is the perfect place to attack us, Faith. Unarmed and separated with a school full of potential hostages? Sounds like a good way to get your hands on a couple of Slayers.”

    “s**t, I didn’t even think of that way, even though that’s exactly what they did. Divide and conquer. One of us lured the rogues away and the other stayed back to try and protect everyone in the school. We fell right into their trap! We know better and still fell for it!” Faith slammed her head down on the table. 

    “Easy chicky, I know you're pissed we fell for an old trick. So am I but we need to keep cool and stay rational about this”

    “The two vamps that were here. Do they have something against y’all?” Gage was the one that piped up.

    Faith and I exchanged glances. This could cause a problem. “Yes, we rejected their advances on us. It’s against our code to date anything supernatural, which I think is dumb because we ARE supernatural.” 

    “I still say it's certain supernaturals. Can’t date the evil ones. No rogues, no dark witches/wizards, no evil Fae, no vampires.”

    “Vampires aren’t inherently evil but neither are the others. They choose that path and there’s no real way to know which path they’ll pick. They could always switch over at some point. Don’t wanna risk corrupting us.”

    Faith snorted and rolled her eyes. “We minds of our own let us figure it out for ourselves.” 

    “It’s happened before, Faith. Remember the Legends Angelica taught us?”

    “Angelica? Who’s that” Grayson glanced between us confused.

    “Our “watcher”. She has guided Slayers for generations and helped them discover their true destiny.” I responded a bit more dramatically than necessary. The boys all laughed.  

    I yawned and stretched and while doing so I heard my stomach growl. I glanced down and frowned. What time is it? I didn’t have much for breakfast but it still should have held me over until lunch. I peaked at my phone and it's almost one in the afternoon. Time flies when you're saving the world from evil supernaturals. Faith started laughing at me and I scowled at her. The wolves also chuckled lightly.

    “Sounds like someone is hungry.” I heard a deep chuckle from behind the boys. Alpha Malcolm McCoy. Classically handsome, kinda like Johnny Depp, but more rugged with a dangerous aura. Well, when it's needed.

     I nod and smile politely, “Alpha McCoy, everything cleared up? And yes it is a bit later than I originally thought.”

    He gives me a stern then smiles, “Call me Malcolm. You’re not a part of my pack, no need to be so formal.”

    I just chuckle, “It’s merely a respect thing, Malcolm. How do you think the other wolves in your pack would react if I didn’t keep to decorum? I’m sure they would take kindly to a witch and Slayer speaking to their Alpha with familiarity.”

    He sighed and grumbled, “You’re right.. I’ll have to fix that.”

    We all just laughed at him.

    “We don’t you kids go ahead and get out of here? Rest and get food and whatever else you do.”

    “Sounds like a plan to me,” I responded, “I’m exhausted. I might skip training tonight and just sleep. I mean a late night hunting Vamps last night and then this morning's mess.”

    Faith faked gasped in horror, “NO! The infamous leader of the Slayers taking a day off training to sleep and rest? Are you sick? Should we call a doctor?” She reaches over and places a hand on my forehead.

    I swat it away and the guys start laughing at her antics. “Shut up, Faith. It’s been a long day and it’s not even over yet.”

    She just rolled her eyes.

    “Alrighty kids, head out. You have everyone’s contact info here right you two?”

    We nod and respond together, “Yes Malcolm.”

    He nods with an amused smile, “Alright call if you need anything.” 

    When Faith and I were finally headed outside to my car after retrieving our belongings from the locker room, I asked, “When are you getting your truck out of the shop?”

    Faith owns a black Dodge Ram with an emerald green viper on both sides, her parents went all out with. Mine did too with my baby but that’s neither here nor there.

    “Saturday.” Was the tart reply.

    “What’s wrong? I know that tone all too well.” I told her, stopping at a red light.

    “Ever since the fight in Death Woods last night you’ve been getting attacked and hurt. Green light.”

    “So,” I said flatly, putting a bit of pressure on the gas, “That’s nothing unusual. It’s actually pretty normal.”

    “I know being attacked is normal but, they’ve never attacked us at school before. And never three types of supernaturals at once. I’m worried something doesn’t feel right.”

    I just sighed, “I know. I sense it too but, until we figure it out there isn’t much we can do right now.” I respond as I pull into her driveway. Her house is just down the street from mine but I always drop her off instead of making her walk.

    “I know and that’s the part that freaks me out the most.” She sighed as she got out, “Just be careful and keep me posted, got it? Love ya, chicky.”

    “Same.” Was my mild reply, as the door slammed shut. As I was pulling out of the driveway I had a sudden premonition, which caused me to slam on my brakes. I saw myself with a bloody hole in my abdomen! I was on my knees and a dark figure was standing over me laughing! A few seconds later the horrid vision was gone but, I was left shaking.

    I quickly pulled out of the driveway and headed for my own cozy home. As I was  pulling into my own driveway, cell phone started to ring.

    “Hello?”

    “Kitty,” came Faith’s worried voice, “I saw you slam on your brakes while you were backing out of my driveway. What happened?”

    Putting the car into park I got out and grabbed my book bag out of the trunk.

    “Nothing serious. Just thought I saw an animal run out behind the car but nothing to worry about. So, you can rest easy.” I replied, unlocking the front door and stepping into the deserted house. I hated lying to her but she was freaked out enough.

    “Hmmm. I’ll feel better when this threat to Star and Winnie’s life is over with, though.”

    “You and me both. That’s odd.” I said, staring at the answering machine.

    “What? Did someone break in?” Faith asked, concern in her voice.

    “No,” I replied, rolling my eyes, “Four messages on the answering machine.”

    “Yeah, that is odd. Most  people just call your cell.”

    “I know. I’ll holler at you later. I have some calls to make, alright.”

    “Bye.”

    “Later.”

    Hanging up my cell, I hit the play button on my answering. The first message was from my grandma, the second message was from my least favorite aunt and uncle, the third was from my cousin Lauren, and the fourth message I found very odd; it was from friend Star, a fellow Slayer. The one in the hospital. “Kitty, a couple of vampires, they called themselves Steve and Mick, knocked Winnie and I out and gave us a deadly poison called ‘Axiom’. The side effects are high fever, red spots, kinda like chicken pox, discoloration of the iris, change of skin tone, and it only travels through blood. It is very deadly to Slayers. Something about our genetic makeup or something. Winnie and I don’t have much longer and I know where the antidote is located. It’s somewhere inside that creepy, old house at the end of the boulevard; it is heavily guarded by vampires but, according to the vampire named Mick, only you can retrieve it from its hiding place. You will need back up, at least I wouldn’t go alone. I need to go; I am very weak. Please hurry!”

    " 'Axiom’ and it is only deadly to Slayers? This is definitely not good. This also sounds like another f*****g trap.” I murmured under my breath.

    I was about to call Reid but, thought better of it. Kitty had said I was the only one who could retrieve the antidote but, what if it was a trap? While I was sitting on the couch, perched next to the answering machine, lost in my thoughts, my dogs, Artemis and Prince, walked into the room and started barking and freaking out. I frowned where were they at this morning? Normally they greet me when I wake up. I frowned thoughtfully they were probably outside since they have an automatic doggie door that lets them come and go as they please.

    I jumped off the couch and rushed to the kitchen to grab one of the large knives from the kitchen; I began to search for the intruder that had upset my dogs. I heard a door slam shut upstairs and I knew I wasn’t alone. Quickly grabbing my cell phone I sent a group text Faith and the pack members to let them know what was going on in the confines of my home. I also shot Reid a text telling him the same thing. I prowled slowly up the stairs; I was about half way up the stairs when I got a text from Grayson: ‘Kitty don’t do anything stupid. We’re headed your way. Wait for us to get there.’  I hit reply on my phone and wrote back:     ‘Don’t worry, I’ll be careful. At least I’ll try to be. I have Artemis and Prince with me, though the intruder is hiding somewhere upstairs. See if you can get a hold of Faith. I had a really bad premonition, but I never told Faith about it. I didn’t want her to worry.’

    After I had sent the message, I went back to my sleuthing. I checked all of the vacant bedroom, bathrooms, and closets. Nothing. My parent’s room was empty. The only room I hadn’t checked was my room. Just as I was about to open the door, my cell started to vibrate.

    I walked a good distance away from the door, to keep the vampire or whatever from hearing my conversation.

    “Hello?”

    “Kitty, what in the Underworld’s name is going on?” Came Faith’s voice from the other end of the line.

    “I don’t know. I’m investigating now. Whoever it is, is in my room. Grayson called you? Have you talked to Reid or Spike?” I asked, laughing nervously.

    “What was the premonition about?” Faith demanded, ignoring my hasty response to her call.

    “What Premonition?” I asked, feigning confusion.

    “Kitty!” She growled a warning in her tone.

    “Oh, alright,” I grumbled.

    “Oh, now you’re going to tell me!”

    “Yes, I’m going to tell you because you won’t shut up about it! Well, I saw myself in a dark room with a dagger in my stomach, again, and I guess I had collapsed to my knees, holding my bloody stomach, with a dark figure standing over me laughing. I don’t know who it was. Now, can we hang up so I can get rid of… whoever is in my house?” I asked.

    “Wait a minute! Kitty, what if the person is in your room waiting to fulfill your premonition? This could be a trap wait for us.”

    I bite my lip. I knew Faith was right and that she was just as worried about my safety but I couldn’t just leave an intruder in my house and wait for backup. Granted Faith house was only a ten minute walk from my own but that’s not the point.

    “Well, then what do you propose I do? I desperately need a shower and all of my clothes are in there.”

    “Just wait, until we’re all together later on tonight and we will all handle it then, alright?”

“Hmmm. . . I’d rather not leave a stranger in my house Faith. And if I attempt to just leave they may just come after me.”

    “I didn’t think about that. I know Grayson said they were on their way to you. The pack house is a good twenty to thirty minutes out depending on how you drive. I’m changing and heading your way just be careful.”

    “That depends on if they went right back to the pack house. They could be in town still. Alright, then, I guess I’ll see you in a bit.”

    “Bye.”

    Hanging up the phone, I reluctantly turned around and went back downstairs to wait for Faith, Grayson and his boys. I didn’t like this. Nothing was stopping whoever was up there from coming down here. I hoped they hurried. I reached to grab a random box of cereal on the top of the fridge when I heard a noise and paused to listen.

    “Kelley, Kelley, Kelley,” the voice whispered, drifting down the stairs. It was super quiet in the house. Guess the pups went back outside. Can't say I blame them.

    I slowly set the box of cereal down and picked up the knife I had grabbed earlier. Slowly and silently I started working my way back up the stairs. I inched closer and closer to my bedroom door. The stairs lead down into the kitchen and there is a banister with a hall overlooking the kitchen. It was a weird design but my bedroom was to the left of the stairs and across from the banister.

    I grabbed my phone out of my pocket and redialed Faith.‘Come on, Faith, pick up the phone,’ I thought desperately. Straight to voicemail. s**t. I can’t wait anymore. 

    “Kelley, Kelley, Kelley,” My name was called as low as a deadly whisper.

    “Mick is that you?” I called hesitantly, slowly walking towards my room. I seriously doubt that, he needed dark magic to get into the school earlier.

    A cold, high-pitched, maniacal laugh came from my room. The door swung open and something blurred  out. I let out a scream as I felt a sharp pain in my stomach before falling backwards over the second floor banister.