Fallen Fury

Chapter 1. “It’s still magic even if you know how it’s done.” — Terry Pratchett

Phoenix dashed down the stairs of her friend’s home. Late, again, she grabbed a protein shake and tossed it in a mug. Grabbing some coffee, she was stopped by tall, dark, and annoying.

“You don’t need caffeine” Dim stated and he took the kettle from her hands. She stood there annoyed. He always acted like he owned her, and acted like he controlled everything.

Dim stood under the balcony of the Flays home, licking the sweet nectar from Lia’s neck. Lia’s head thrown back in delight.

“Dimitree,” Mr. Flay yelled from across the lawn. The party had been going on for days now. Since the Calvert Legion ran out the last of the Talia Legion, The Flay’s house had been crowded with happy residents. The Talia Legion was formed of purebreed only. They killed anyone who could be mixed. The Calvert Shamir was more open when it came to halfbreeds. He believed as long as a person was part demon, that’s all that mattered for the pack.

Dim pulled off of Lia and, with a wink, he turned to his fuming father. Mr. Flay stood tall and strong, muscle protruding from his clothes. Dim walked to his father standing just as tall.

“What are you doing? Where is Trista? You’re supposed to have your eyes on her.” His eyes were black with anger as he pulled his sleeves straight.

“She’s with Phee, sir. I just thought I could have some fun before dusk,” Dim didn’t dare stand taller than his father. His father shook his head in disappointment,

“As future leader of this legion and covenant, I expect better actions from you,” His father nodded towards Lia. Lia sat with a friend, her posture perfect, beautiful red hair laying over her breast, and her black dress cut down to expose her in just the right areas. Dim smiled at her sight, his father swatted the back of his head. Dim looked into his fathers eyes and nodded once while rubbing his head, completely annoyed but didn’t show it.

Dimitree was next in line for Shamir, although his father did not occupy the position, he was second in command. Dim’s Uncle was Shamir. King Cabbette. When he stepped down, Dim would be expected to step up.

Mr. Flay pointed to the white barn,

“Take a walk. Come back when you have yourself collected” his father spat, smoothed his suit jacket, and walked back to the party. Down the curving stone path that cut through the fields, a large white barn sat on the edge of the town. This was expected to be used in situations that didn’t concern others in the home; meaning, when punishment was called for this is where you walked. Many things took place in the white barn, yet mostly was built to hold disputes and angry thoughts or words. Darkness was less common from tension since King Cabbette created this space. He believes the home is to stay sacred and clear of negative energy. That’s why the White Barn was the target of any home disputes.

Dim walked down the path listening to the crickets sing. Hands in his pockets of his jeans, he stood straight and breathed through his annoying thoughts about his father. His father has been raising Dim for Shamir since birth. Dim has grown along his second in command just as his father and uncle did. His concentration was interrupted by a scream. Dim looked up towards the barn and noticed the barn door splintered as if someone broke through. Dim sprinted to the doors. The sight he came to was horrific.

“Enough!” Dim bellowed, scarring off the shadowed man. Dim stood in shock as he looked down at Phoenix laying on her side, bloody and striped in marks created by what Dim imagined the black fog tearing at her from the negative release. Nix had deep marks on her legs, and Her clothes ripped and stained, Dim slid his suit jacket off and lay it over her.

“Phee…” Dim started,

“Please, don’t” she stated through stained tears. Dim shook his head. Nix lifted her wilted body, wincing at every move. The fire in Dim’s stomach turned blue.

“I’ll kill him,” Dim growled standing from Nix,

“No, that will only cause problems for me later. Please just leave it. I’m fine. I will be fine.” Dim shook his head, “Why? What happened?”

Phoenix was strong, but not strong enough to resist a demon’s strength, so she couldn’t fight back.

“I have been awake all night studying my passages. I must have fallen asleep during the last few lines. When I woke up, I was late to Demonology and today is when I was to recite my lines. I hurried to get there, but father was already there. Strike one. When they got to me to recite, I lost what passage I was on. Strike two. Lastly, as we finished with the meal, Lia tripped me while I was taking up my tray. At that point I had been through it all, and I was mad and wanted to get back at her. I unconsciously conjured up a storm that only she could see and possess. Although, no one knew I had done anything, father did. I embarrassed him.” Nix finished with a tear rolling down her bloodied face. Dim’s lit flame grew hotter, as he tried to control himself from shifting.

“We have to tell King Cabbette.” Dim stated, trying to find a way to stay calm for her.

“Please, No…” she started, but Dim interrupted, “Nix, our legion is a melting pot. Cabbette won’t stand for this. Your light is dimmed, he will know someone tried to force the darkness onto you. He will see that someone hurt you. I’m ”

“Then what, Dim? He exiles my father. My mother will go with him, and so will we. I don’t have a choice here. Father doesn’t understand yet. He came from a brainwashed legion. The Talia has him convinced that mixed blood isn’t good. He told me if I do magic, he will bring me here and lash me. As long as I can keep my witch tucked away, he will leave me be. Father can be good. His inner demon is just too powerful. He does love me.” Dim shook his head. As he looked into her sad eyes, Dim felt the crack. He linked to her, he was bonded to her, she was his queen. The steam of their connection pulsed through them both. It wasn’t often that a demon linked with another, especially a halfbreed. Nix felt the sired connection, too. She shuddered as her small body couldn't take much more trauma. She winced as she felt the need to provide him with happiness. She fell over towards the floor, but Dim caught her before she could finish the blow. He lifted her, and stalked back to his home. Nix fell asleep in his arms as he walked. As he approached the house, the party had since left, but Mr. Flay stood in the doorway.

“Did the barn walk help yo…” he trailed off as he could see and sense what happened, he read Dim’s thoughts and felt his anger. Mr. Flay had a better handle on his inner demon. They stormed into the house and laid Nix on the couch. Mr. Flay covered her with a thick blanket. Mr. Flay called for the maids to help her wounds, as he started a fire in the large fireplace that overcasted the room.

“Dimetree, she will stay here until she is healed. I will talk to her mother and father. He can’t control himself. He has been traumatized into these beliefs. When his inner demon takes over, he is a different person altogether. He truly cannot control it. I will make sure this doesn't happen again.” Dim didn’t look at his father. Worried that Dim wasn’t in his right mind, his father grabbed his son’s shoulder. Dim’s eyes were dark, but not fully with anger,

“How can we continue to let him walk in this town,” Dim growled with hate, “taking care of the problem would be to make him suffer as she is.” He spit and His eyes grew with disdain. Mr. Flay closed his eyes to find an answer that was appropriate to help his son and not create further hate.

“I understand your anger, son. As the next King of our Legion, you have to see through everyone’s eyes and not just the way you believe. Our darkness is never something we want, especially with the way it tears at us inside and out. We have to choose what is best for everyone. Him, you, the legion, and most important, Phee.” Dim took a long breath with a clenched jaw, but nodded.

“Dim? What else is bothering you?” Dim glanced down at Nix, while shaking his head.

“Phoenix is my linked bond, Father. She is sired to me. She will be my queen. ”