The Blood Moons

Chapter Ten

The fastest way to travel about the camp to find the leader of the attackers was for Bug to race at full speed around the camp. With her holding Cyla’s hand, she was able to drag her along at that speed as well. It had taken a moment for Cyla to figure out how to call upon the strength of her fire power while not simultaneously setting her friend on fire. But soon enough, they were running, a trail of ash their only trace as Cyla brushed fingers across the red-eyed invaders.

As Bug ran them around, Cyla tapped into that natural tracking instinct in an attempt to steer them. She’d occasionally tap Bug on the corresponding arm and they would turn on dime. Something pulled her sharply to the right and Cyla barely restrained herself in tugging Bug’s arm. “There,” she said as she brushed her hand along the shoulder blades of an invading witch-shifter. As Bug turned, the woman began to flake and drift away, her mouth frozen wide. Cyla turned to see they were nearly out of the protective arms of the forest and into the wide expanse of the meadow. She gritted her teeth.

“This doesn’t give us much coverage,” she grumbled to Bug. Bug quickly looked back at her.

“I’m only going where you tell me to go,” she grumbled right back. Cyla sighed, wondering why her never-failing instinct had drawn them here. Suddenly, as soon as their feet touched the meadow grass, she felt drawn not in a side to side but rather up. As Bug continued to blur them forward and her hand continued to drift, she allowed her eyes to be dragged upwards. Across from the meadow that was now slick with blood was the beginning of the mountain range that circled their camp and ran through the middle of Vera. And there, on a ledge that jutted out as though the snout of a great sleeping wolf, stood the silhouette of a man.

“There, Bug. Go there.” Even though she knew the figure couldn’t hear them even if she yelled, she found her voice coming out as a whisper. A part of her whispered in her ear, warning her that she knew this person. Bug nodded as she adjusted her course accordingly. They sprinted their way up the mountainside when suddenly Bug stopped running, pulling Cyla to a stop behind her. She hissed, eyes black, as a man stepped out of the shadows into their path. Cyla ran her eyes up and down the man.

He stood tall and proud, nearly as tall as Dinasis but leaner. His platinum blonde hair was cut short on the sides while the middle was slicked back. Violet eyes stared coldly at them. Plain black clothes hugged him, showing off his smooth, toned body. His skin was almost as pale as a vampire's, smooth and perfect. The dual red moons surrounded by starbursts that she was all too familiar with was sewn onto the shoulder of his floor-length cloak. Her stomach twisted, filling with both nausea and pleasure. The image of naked limbs twisted in linens filled her mind as a pleasurable moan echoed from memory. She knew this man all too well.

He sized her up first before turning to her friend.

“Good to see you again, Petunia,” he said, her name dripping off his lips. A false smile stretched across his face. Cyla hated to hear that his voice was almost melodic. He was too beautiful to be as evil as she knew him to be.

“Tox,” Bug spat.

“I'm so glad you aren't as dead as we assumed you to be when your contract did not continue. In fact, we were hoping our favorite little hunter would be by soon in order to deliver us the proof. No bother. Mercotis will be so pleased. He has so many things planned for you." Cyla could feel her friend trembling, but she wasn't sure if it was anger or fear. This seemed to spark the anger she had only just barely managed to tamper.

“What are you doing here, Advisor Tox?” Cyla demanded, forcing her way in front of Bug. She crossed her arms, her dagger resting on her arm as if to dare him to do something. Tox eyed her. The way his eyes roamed over her breasts and legs threw her to the past, to the first time she’d met the Advisor Tox. The way they trained their little minions to resist the provocative nature of vampires was brutal. The first day of her physical training ended with Tox taking her back to his room. It started out as forced. And as soon as the forcing no longer seemed to affect her, once the advances no longer caused a reaction, their relationship had gone from forced to enjoyed. For five years, she’d shared a bed with this man. The flutter in her heart as she eyed him eying her was not one born of affection, but familiarity.

“Ah. Our favorite little bounty hunter.” He c****d his head to the side, taking half a step forward. He smiled a sly little smile, licking his bottom lip slightly. “You seem—different.” Cyla took a deep breath through her nose.

“I said, what are you doing here?” Cyla repeated in annoyance. Tox bit his lip once more before tearing his eyes away.

“Why, to see the show, of course,” he spun around, long arms motioning elegantly to the fighting below them. Cyla curled her lip, Bug growling behind her as if she could read Cyla's mind. Cyla quickly scanned his body again, noticing that he was not visibly armed, and she doubted he had a blade tucked down his tight black pants. Perhaps in his boots or the small of his back. Otherwise, there was nowhere else to hide a weapon. She decided to take the risk and leaped forward, calling on her fire to power her arm and her blade.

But her power failed, sputtering at her inexperience, and she found she wasn't fast enough. Tox spun and caught her easily by the throat. She swung her dagger, just for him to catch it in his other hand. She should have known she couldn’t outwit the Advisor of the Blood Moons. He twisted his arm and Cyla bit back a cry as the wrist cracked, the dagger falling to the ground. Bug growled, leaping towards him.

“Uh uh,” he tutted, looking at the girl as he lifted Cyla up. As if she weighed nothing, he held her in the air, her toes just enough off the ground for her to start choking. Bug stopped, eyes agape in horror as Cyla started gasping. She clawed at his arm, at his hand, at anything she could reach, trying to get her air back. Tox merely watched with complicated eyes. Slowly, he leaned in, placing his lips gently on her quickly turning blue ones.

“That's enough, Tox!” a familiar voice demanded. Cyla slowly swiveled her eyes to see Dinasis step up beside Bug. Though his eyes flickered to where Tox’s lips touched hers, his face was hard as stone. Blood oozed down from a cut on his forehead. He seemed to not care as it dripped into his eye. He never flinched, his mouth pressed into a firm line. “Release her.” Tox chuckled against her lips before pulling back.

“But of course,” he said as he dropped Cyla. Cyla started gulping in the air. Bug vamped over to her, wrapping her arms protectively around the wild-haired girl. Cyla bit her lip, forcing her tears to not fall as she cradled her broken wrist. “You may not know, but Cyla and I, we’re old friends. Better than friends, actually.” Din snorted, eyes flaring angrily. Tox chuckled dryly, looking sideways at the tall older man. “I was never going to kill her. After all, we need you both. Alive. I was merely waiting for you.” Subtly, Din shuffled, positioning himself in front of the girls.

“Leave, Tox. Before others have to die.” Tox laughed humorlessly.

“You think I would just leave because you say so?” Dinasus turned unreadable. “No. This is merely just a sample of what we have. Let them die.” He behaved so callously, so dismissively towards the creatures he'd perverted that Cyla was instantly filled with fury. Tox knew every inch of her, so he would know her powers were new and that revealing such a part of her would almost certainly put her on The Blood Moons contract list. But the flames sparked on her hands anyway, driven wild by the anger coursing through her. Bug fell away from her, hissing in pain as the flames licked at her arms for a moment.

Tox's eyes widened as she stood. Flames covered her from head to toe. Dinasis didn't even bother to move as she walked past him, the flames that touched him leaving him unharmed. “I must admit, though, this is a new thing. How—exotic,” he murmured, tapping a finger to his lips thoughtfully. But Cyla didn’t hear him, her mind and body was too full of rage.

“You took these people, created them into what they are now, and now would so glibly play with their lives? To what end?” Tox seemed to recover quickly as a smirk replaced itself on his perfect face.

“Oh Cyla. You came to us years ago. Searching for this man,” he waved to Dinasis. “We decided then to use you. You see, what good is one phoenix without the other? We trained you harder than we ever trained someone, and always you rose to the top. Even the next one down in the list couldn’t keep up with you. And then, the most delicious part, we sent you out after your own people.” Cyla's mind went blank.

“Y-you knew?” she stuttered, the flames around her sputtering. “You knew I was thi-this phoenix thing?” Advisor Tox shook his head in disbelief.

“Of course, we knew. We always knew. Ever since you were a babe. We watched you grow, and when the time was right, we sent you a little push back into our arms. So you see, you want this to end. And we want you back, our most beautiful creation.”

Cyla's blood ran cold. The fighting below them was so they could capture her. The death of not only the people from the camp but the death of those poor mutated supers. It was all her fault. According to Dinasis, she was and had always been a protector. And yet she had brought so much death to everyone. But, wait, he had said there was a push given. What push? Tox stepped forward, circling her flaming figure.

“Surely you haven’t forgotten what happened ten years ago? Don’t let me feel like such an under-performer.” He leaned in as close as he could to her ear. “We both know that isn’t true. Remember.” A whisp of purple light danced from his lips, slipped through the black flames, and floated in her ear. Suddenly Cyla’s sight was not her own. She was thrown back in time, seeing it all with fresh and unburdened eyes.

The memory Cyla had spent the last decade shoving away forced it way forward. She could see the death and c*****e of the village she had grown up in. She could smell the blood, taste the smoke. She could see, in front of their home, was the man that had raised her. Mika was kneeling in the dirt, hunched forward. A spear pierced him from behind, going all the way through, holding him up. Blood dripped from his mouth, eyes open and empty as they stared at the ground. He had raised her, taught her to walk, talk, laugh, play. Hiding her, warning her, fighting for her, dying for her, that had been the last thing he had ever done. His life had become dedicated to her and had ended for her.

Cyla felt a sob tear through her. She fell to her knees, the sorrow and guilt she'd repressed filled every corner of her soul.

“NO!”

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Hawk snapped down on the arm that reached through the bars. Shaking his head, he ripped the vampire’s arm off. The vampire screamed, falling backward. Blood spurted from his shoulder, spraying all over Hawk’s face. He growled, smelling the foulness of The Blood Moon’s tainting in the blood. It filled his nostrils sharply.

I have to get out of here. I’m a sitting duck stuck in this cage, he rumbled deep in his chest. As if to punctuate his thought, a panther’s paw raked down his hindquarters. He swung around, snapping at the shifter. It was as large as he was, and he was a brute. He tried to face the animal, hitting his butt on the bars. He flared his nostrils at the sting. You want some, come and get some! he challenged.

This will be too easy! the panther mocked, pacing back and forth. The red eyes swirled into a deeper red. Suddenly the cat shifted and a woman stood before him. The eyes continued to swirl, the color so unnerving against her jet black hair. She started chanting, her fingers flicking in strange movements. Hawk could feel his blood starting to boil. He whined, trying to roll around and calm his heating skin. Suddenly, the pain subsided. Hawk looked up to see the woman crumble into ash before him.

Dinasis looked up from the pile of ash, his outstretched hand falling to his side. “Luka, we really need you. She needs you.” Hawk didn’t miss the look in his eye as the man spoke, conflicting pain and fallen pride. Then he pushed it aside as he realized the man had spoken a different name than his own.

Luka? Dinasis walked to the front of the cage, and after speaking a few words, it opened. Without hesitation, Hawk sprang forward, shaking himself as he felt the unconstrained space. He turned to Din, nodding once. Then he ran off.

His paws dug into the earth, propelling him forward towards a death-smelling witch. Strong jaws opened wide as he clamped his dagger-sharp teeth into her neck. She screamed, but he blocked her out. The witch’s blood flooded his mouth, and he fought against gagging at the blackness it tasted like. It really did taste like poison. Pulling back, he ripped her throat out. He spat out the wretched flesh and blood, snarling.

Hawk? That annoying voice was back. Hawk shook his head, willing the voice to retreat. But it seemed determined to stay. Hawk, thank you for protecting me. But it’s alright. You don’t have to anymore. Hawk growled.

No. You don’t know what you’re talking about.

You know that I do. If you think back far enough, you know you do. Hawk growled savagely, yet he reluctantly allowed himself to think back.

No. You don’t need to come back. I have everything under control.

What’s my name, Hawk? If Hawk could, he would have frowned. He leaped towards a giant tan wolf, bowling him over. Without giving the other wolf a chance to counter, he clamped his jaws around the wolf’s throat. Squeezing, he felt the neck snap, and he released. What is my name, Hawk?

Hawk thought back to what Dinasis said before releasing him. Luka.

Yes, Hawk. I’m Luka. It’s time to let me come back.

No. You can’t fight this horde of abominations without me. The voice seemed to consider this.

Fine. But when we are done, you need to let me back. She needs me back.

Fine, Hawk grumbled, looking around. Bodies laid about him. The smell was sharp, a mixture of pure supernatural blood and tainted mutant blood. He kicked at a vampire with her heart torn from her chest. Curious, he sniffed at her.

Cinnamon bread? he questioned. The voice riding in the back of his head perked up at this.

Cyla? Luka was full of concern and Hawk couldn’t help himself feeling the same. The need to find her, protect her, was overwhelming. Follow the scent, Hawk. We have to find her! Finally, in full agreement, Hawk took off running again. He followed the scent of cinnamon all over the clearing. A dead bear shifter stuck in his shift had her scent all over him. Beside him stood a group of people he’d smelled around the camp circled about a group of children and elderly people. He considered them for a moment before he was distracted by the faint smell again. Ignoring them, he picked up the scent once more, dashing off as fast as he could. It led in a zig-zagged pattern, pass piles of ash and embers. While it piqued his curiosity, he didn’t stop. He had to find Cyla.

Suddenly, he found himself flying to the side. He slammed to the ground on his side, the air knocked right out of his lungs. Dazed, he looked up to see a lion stalking towards him. Saliva dripped from the feline’s mouth and blood stained the animal’s muzzle. Hawk was determined to not let his blood be added to it.

He climbed to his feet, shakily starting to circle the lion. The lion roared, the sound reverberating in his sensitive ears. Hawk straightened his flattened ears. He was an alpha. He wasn’t going to let this animal cow him. He lifted himself, standing to his full height, and stared down at the lion. He curled a lip in disgust.

You think you can stop me? he taunted. The lion looked up at him, red eyes glinting.

Easily. I have sharper claws and sharper teeth and I am faster than you. And you are all alone. Hawk lifted his muzzle and howled long and loud.

We’ll see how long I am alone, Hawk said smugly. The lion snorted.

You think they will come? You may have alpha blood, but you have no pack. They are not your pack. You. Are. Alone. Suddenly, they were surrounded by wolves. Hawk looked to each of them, seeing a sea of blue, green, and brown eyes. A slick black panther slunk around the wolves, moving to stand beside Hawk. Hazel eyes locked with his as she nodded.

Doesn’t look like I’m as alone as you think, Hawk retorted. The lion looked around warily at all the shifters. Without another word, he turned and ran. Hawk barked once and three wolves took off after him. As they tackled him, Hawk turned to the panther. Find the others, help anyone who needs it. They are almost all defeated. We need to band everyone together if we’re going to finish this.

Yes, Alpha, she said, bowing her head respectfully. She turned to leave before looking over her shoulder. What about you?

I have to find someone. I’ll rejoin you all when I have. Without waiting for her to respond, he turned and continued after the glorious scent of cinnamon. The scent seemed to lead him to the mountainside. The smell was strongest here. She was probably up here somewhere. Just as he was about to turn the corner, his wolf ears picked up the sounds of voices. He recognized Dinasis and Cyla—her voice sending tingles down his spine—and another man's voice. It was so sweet it was nearly unearthly. And familiar. Dread filled him.

Silently, he crept around the corner. He could see them all—that vampire was here as well? He saw the backs of Dinasis, Cyla, and the vampire, Cyla was covered in black flames. Before them stood a man he had hoped to never see again. Tox, the voice whispered, fear making it quiver. Hawk snarled quietly. He would never let that man come close to him again. Suddenly, Cyla fell to her knees, a sob tearing through the air. The flames around her erupted into a blaze. Hawk took a step back, amazed at the display of raw power. He watched as Bug sped back a few meters, avoiding the inferno. Even Dinasis stepped aside, panic evident on his face. The only one not afraid was Tox. Seeing the look of dark glee on the man’s face sent a shiver of anger through Hawk’s body. Tox even took a step forward, licking his lips hungrily. Hawk knew what that look meant

No! the voice yelled, propelling Hawk forward. He would rather die a thousand times over than let her fall into this man’s hand. In an instant, he had placed himself between Tox and Cyla, the flames nipping at his tail. He snarled a warning at the man. Tox looked up at the wolf and sneered.

“Ah, Luka. Seems you finally decided to come out of hiding. How wonderful.” Hawk growled as the man took a step towards him. Behind him, Cyla continued to sob, the heat licking at his back. Angered that this man had upset Cyla, Hawk stopped thinking. He just acted.

He leaped on Tox, bowling the man over. Snapping his teeth, he tried to reach the man’s face. But Tox had an arm up across his chest, holding him back. He twisted back and forth, pushing closer and closer. Suddenly, Tox got his other arm free and punched Hawk in the ribs. Grunting in pain, he let up pressure for just a moment. It was all Tox needed. He took both arms and wrapped them around Hawk’s neck. Twisting out from underneath the wolf, he climbed up on top of him and squeezed. Hawk could feel his breath struggling to escape his lungs. He tried to growl, but it came out a pathetic yelp. He was close to losing consciousness.

“No! LUKA!” Hawk snapped his eyes opened and stared at Cyla from where his face pressed into the dirt. She had climbed to her feet, her gorgeous copper eyes wide. The black flames around her still roared. Suddenly, her eyes turned bright white. She raised her head up to the sky, her hands out wide. The fire responded to her, turning from black to white hot. It became so intensely bright that he had to clench his eyes shut. But his wolf ears could still tell the story. As he struggled to breathe in, he could hear bones snapping. The crack crack crack of a breaking and dislocating body mingled with the roar of the concealing fire. As a shuddering breath exhaled, he could hear Cyla crying out, a sound full of pain, sorrow, and fury. But then the cries turned to a screech, high and piercing. He could feel the fire dim slightly, just enough for him to see again. When he cracked an eye open, he saw that where once Cyla stood was a giant bird.

She stood taller than Dinasis. Large, hand-length black feathers were covering every inch of her body. They had a shine to them that made them appear to ripple where they laid over muscles. Large wings flared out to each side, feathers draping down like a regal gown that morphed into black flames that hungrily licked the ground. Her head turned from side to side, white eyes pinning each of them as she looked at them. Black flames flowed from her head like a long flowing stream, dancing in an invisible wind. Her beak, as black as obsidian, opened, and another piercing screech rang out. A flap of her wings had her hovering just off the ground. Each foot was as large as a man’s, three talons in front and one in back. Each talon was as long as a finger and seemed to be as sharp as a knife. They flexed as if anxious. The heat of her fire rushed Hawk like a warm breath on his cheek, reminding him to attempt to breathe once more.

Thankfully Tox’s arms relaxed and he fell away as he took in the sight. Hawk took a deep, shuddering breath before climbing to his feet and backing away from the dangerous man. Cyla watched him protectively until he was behind her. As Tox attempted to stand, she whipped her head back around, snorting warningly. She lifted her head back into the sky, screeching at an unearthly level. Everyone dropped to the ground, Hawk whining and rubbing his head into the dirt as he tried to cover his ears.

Then he heard the cries of other animals. Inching his way to the cliff edge, he watched as everyone stopped mid-fight, trying to cover their ears. Then, everyone with red eyes fell to the ground, and Hawk knew on instinct that they were dead. Cyla’s screeching stopped, allowing everyone to stand once more. He looked back to see that Tox was finally playing smart as he was crouched, his face finally contorting in fear. fear that had a look of awe leaking through.

“You are more than we ever imagined you would be,” Tox whispered. Cyla continued to hover silently before him. Even though he couldn’t read any normal reaction from her, he could feel the murderous intent.

Leave now, sorcerer, the bird’s voice thundered through the air. Her voice was different than Cyla’s, stronger. Hawk stared at her in amazement. He had never seen a shifter be able to communicate with every mind at once that wasn’t a pack. Yet she had, and to every shifter and non-shifter in the area. She had talked to them and killed every enemy without even lifting a finger towards them.

Tox stood straight, seeming to have finally found his composure. With a wave of his delicate-looking hand, a red-eyed wolf appeared beside him. Hawk was wondering how this wolf was missed when Tox drew an ornate black dagger and held it against the wolf’s throat. Hawk expected the wolf to struggle, but the wolf just stood there. “I will inform Mercotis of our success here today. Until we meet again, Cyla.” With his final words, he sliced the wolf’s throat. He inhaled sharply, humming, and Hawk growled softly as a purple light trailed from the fallen shifter and flowed into a glowing purple amulet around Tox’s neck. Tox closed his eyes and suddenly disappeared.

Hawk blinked in surprise. He paced over to the fallen wolf, sniffing at him. But there was no life there. He waited for the wolf to change back to a man as shifters did upon their death. But he never did, frozen in his animal form. Another warm wave rolled over him, and he turned to face the bird once more. The dark flames danced as she looked at him. Sparks flowed over him again, and the smell of cinnamon once again filled his nostrils. She seemed to chuckle, a deep alluring sound.

Hello, mate.