The Blood Moons

Chapter Nine

Cyla straightened her back as she inhaled. The smell of the grass in the summer sun was refreshing, calming. And calming was what she was looking for. She adjusted her hips, her legs crossed atop each other and hands resting loosely on each knee. Her eyes were loosely closed, a serene look on her face. Outwardly, she seemed peaceful, thoughtful. Outwardly. Inwardly was a lot more chaotic. Her thoughts jumped from one to the other, twisting and tangling about, each thought fighting for dominance over the other until they were nothing more than a writhing mass of chaos and confusion. Her core and very being stood tall and strong as a pillar. But the knowledge Dinasis had dropped on her slammed against it like a boulder powered by lightening, weakening it. Then the vines of insecurity, her father’s teachings against all things supernatural, and her loyalty to the Blood Moons slithered about the pillar.

They choked the stone, each vying for control. No matter how much she tried to focus on chopping the vines away, they refused to cut. They tightened their grip and squeezed, making the pillar groan and creak. The already weakened pillar became spidered in cracks. It was suffocating and painful. She screamed at the vines, telling them to stop and to leave her be. But they reached higher and higher. Another great squeeze, and there was a resounding crack. A large fissure appeared down the middle of the pillar.

Cyla’s eyes snapped open, the sudden shift in her inner thoughts breaking all her concentration. She snorted aggressively, a growl bubbling in her throat. She couldn’t even center herself properly. Could she do anything right? She grabbed a clump of the hay-colored grass and threw it across the small clearing she’d found. She let out a yell as the dirt sprayed down on her. Was a little bit of peace and clarity too much to ask for? May The Goddess damn Dinasis for telling her about phoenixes. Damn him for making her think she’s supposed to be one. Damn Mika for apparently knowing all of this and sending her on the path to it all.

“Cyla?” Bug’s sing-song voice echoed faintly. “Cyla, are you out here?” Cyla closed her eyes again, taking deep breaths before she exploded once more. “There you are!” The sound of grass crunching under Bug’s bare feet grew louder and closer before stopping right in front of her. “What are you doing over here?” Cyla peeked one eye opened and gazed up at the girl.

“Hiding,” she groaned, taking Bug’s offered hand. She pulled herself up beside Bug and brushed the dirt from her pants.

“Hiding from whaaaaat?” Bug asked in a teasing tone. She twisted her arms with the fabrics of her skirt, grinning like a kid who was eating candy the whole time. Cyla scowled in annoyance.

“I don’t appreciate my identity crisis being used as some joke,” she grumbled, stomping towards the camp. Bug giggled slightly, rolling her eyes. She linked her arm through Cyla’s, pulling the bounty hunter slightly as she rocked back and forth.

“It’s not a joke, I promise. It’s just, it’s been a week now. What’s so hard that you feel you have to hide?” Cyla clenched her jaw as the question once again came up. What was so hard about hearing you were a phoenix? A supernatural being instead of something that simply hunted supernatural beings? Everything. Everything was what was wrong with it, was all she wanted to yell. Because Din was wrong and Mika was wrong and those pesky, niggling feelings that whispered it was all true, they were wrong too.

“Come on,” she mumbled, pulling Bug along. “I think some food is going to help me find some clarity.” Her eyes darkened and she whispered so not even Bug could hear, “and some f*****g common sense.”

It only took a moment to get back to camp. The woman Victoria flashed a warm smile at Cyla as she passed the girls a bowl of stew and a chunk of bread. Bug readily smiled back and jumped right into small talk with her. Cyla remained stone faced, though responding with a polite word of thanks. Her mind was too muddled with other thoughts. She nibbled on the bread, her confusion stealing her appetite despite its grumbling. Bug was speaking, but her voice was far away. Cyla caught sight of Din walking across the kitchen area and her heart fluttered for a moment.

What are you doing? Cyla cursed at her heart. You don’t know him. You don’t know anything about him or if there are any truths to what he has said. Don’t be so soft. She shifted her eyes away, hoping not seeing him would cause her body to calm down. It didn’t. That pillar started to shift again, the fissure down the center crumbling a bit more in the center.

The sound of howling and growls broke through her scolding. She looked to the side to the large tree that shaded Luka’s cage. Luka was crouching defensively, back to her, as he snapped at the back bars. Will he ever not be so mad? Her heart twisted again and she frowned down at her bowl. She barely recognized when the growling was becoming more frantic, as though warning. She looked to him again, seeing him throw himself time and time again at the bars. He even gripped the bar with his teeth, steam hissing about his gums. Suddenly, just within her peripheral, something flickered.

A regular human would have squinted to see such a distance, yet the foaming, dripping fangs of overgrown animal and the fierce red eyes of fleeting vampires were crystal clear. The bowl of stew fell from her limp fingers, the contents dumping unceremoniously in the dirt.

“Cyla?” Bug asked, concern tight in her voice. This seemed to snap Cyla from her shock as she flashed her white bright eyes.

“We’re under attack.” She said calmly, drawing her sword. As Cyla rushed across camp, drawing looks from everyone, Bug stared off into the distance. Finally, she saw the pinpoints of the attackers, drawing a sharp breath.

“Sound the alarm!” She hollered, grabbing the arm of a nearby shifter. “We’re under attack! Sound the alarm!” The shifter immediately took off deeper into the camp, yelling about everyone finding their places. “Dinasis!” She rushed to the male phoenix. He looked at her, his face grave. “Din, who is attacking us?” He grabbed Bug’s upper arm and started pulling her towards the center of camp. “Wait, where are we going?” He simply continued his march forward.

A group of children and elderly were gathering in a wide-eyed, panicked group. Three witches stood as the points of a triangle around them. They had their hands pressed before them, heads bowed as though they were praying. They hummed a low note that Bug could not only hear but feel buzzing in her blood. The humming increased, their hands beginning to rub together. The air became thick and heavy until the humming seemed to reach a high point. With a final note, they thrust their arms to each side, connecting through air and magic to their fellow witches. Bug watched with her own wide eyes as the air between them rippled and shimmered up from the ground between them. It waved up until all three met at the top, forming a cone over the cowering individuals.

“Stay here,” Dinasis ordered before turning to leave. Bug’s head swiveled back and forth between the group the witches had just covered and Din’s receding back.

“Wait!” she yelped, lunging forward. “What am I supposed to do?” Din planted his feet and half spun.

“You are supposed to protect the kids. The barrier won’t last forever if it’s constantly attacked.” His words were hard with no room for debate. He turned back around and began marching off again.

“But where are you going?” Bug called as the first war yells started at the front of the camp.

“To find the other phoenix.”

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Cyla could feel every conflicting emotion brewing inside her. They clawed and scratched at her skin, begging her to be acknowledged and addressed. It caused her to tighten her grip on her sword, clench her teeth, and flare her nostrils while she glared at the distant beings. Their unnatural appearances and enhanced sizes told her they were bad news. Step after step she closed the distance with the intruders and step after step her need for a fight grew stronger. How dare Dinasis make such assumptions! One step forward, the leading attacker was a vampire, not even its vampire speed escaping Cyla’s hawk-like gaze. How dare Mika keep such secrets from me! The vampire was nearly there, matted black hair wild behind her and clothes tattered and ripped. She bared her fangs, a ghastly rattled coming from her lungs. And how dare these Goddessly ugly things disturb my brooding! Just as the vampire leapt into the air before her, Cyla swung her sword upwards, the tip slicing through the vampire’s belly and neatly cutting through the outstretched arm.

The vampire screeched in anger, head flung back and its arm and stub flailing about.

Cyla snarled slightly as she reversed directions with her sword, making the vampire backpedal. Using this moment, Cyla spun into a roundhouse. Her foot connected directly with the vampire’s bleeding belly, causing it to fall to the ground. Although we always want them brought in alive, the voice of her trainer rang in her buzzing skull, there will be times when the supernatural criminals will fight back. They might even be too strong for you and you’ll find yourself in need of killing them. The vampire stumbled back to its feet, spittle flying from its blood-red lips. In the case of the vampire, you’ll have to take their heads from their shoulders or pierce through their undead hearts. Cyla gritted her teeth. She knew what she needed to do.

The vampire rushed her, knocking the sword aside and ramming the shoulder of the bloody stump into Cyla’s chest. Cyla grunted as she flew back. The dirt and rocks scraped along her back. She groaned as she lifted her top half up. Her sword had been flung from her fingers, just beyond her grasp. Before she could do anything about it, the vampire was on top of her, clawing at her. Pressing her arm across the vampire’s chest, she succeeded barely in keeping her face safe from harm. But she could feel her strength weakening already under the supernatural strengths of the vampire. She thumped her other fist time after time into the stony face. The vampire lashed out, fingers primed to rip into flesh. Cyla glared as she succeeded, pain stinging across her shoulder. As she twisted and turned her head away from the reaching claws and teeth, she fumbled and groped for her dagger. Her fingertips brushed against the cold metal, picking up just enough traction to pull it up into her palm.

Gripping the dagger tight, she let the vampire dip close enough for her to plunge it hilt deep in its back. It screamed, an unearthly sound, stumbling off of Cyla and desperately trying to reach the dagger in her back. Cyla flipped to her belly, scrambling to her sword. Leaping to her feet, she marched the short distance that separated them. “Looks like head it is,” she stated mutely as she expertly swiped the bladed one-handedly through the air. The cut was so clean it took half a second before the vampire registered the action. It fell to its knees, arm limp at its side. As the body tumbled forward, the head rolled back, rolling a few feet away.

Grimacing, Cyla gripped the dagger and tugged it free. She bent to wipe her blades clean when something bowled her over. In her anger, she had become tunnel-visioned and had forgotten the rest of the unsightly mop approaching. So now she found herself on her side on the ground, blades thrown once more, and a giant-sized wolf snarling at her. The gray coat was falling out in bunches, leaving the skin below a deathly blueish gray. The amount of pain and suffering this creature before her carried brought only one culprit to mind, and it made her stomach twist. She knew her beginner mistake would result in her death as she was woefully unprepared, and yet all she could think to do was cry. Was it possible everything Bug had told her was true? If so, perhaps everything Dinasis had said was as well.

She closed her eyes, breath held as she waited for the end to come. But the roar of battle grew around her and no attack came. Her eyes snapped open to see the wolf being fought back by two healthy looking wolves. All around her, it seemed the rest of the camp had arrived to help defend. “Get up,” a steady voice demanded, her sword and her dagger shoved into her face. Cyla steeled her nerves and climbed to her feet. She turned to head back into the fray, but a strong hand gripped her arm and pulled her to a stop.

“What are you doing, Dinasis?” she demanded, looking up at him angrily. He started dragging her back into the camp. “The battle is back there.” He gave her a look as they walked, one she thought had a small trace of panic.

“Cyla, we are under attack by the Blood Moons and your powers haven't awoken yet—not fully anyway. You can't fight at the front anymore.” They stopped before a group of people, huddled together protectively. The attackers hadn’t gotten this far into the camp, but she could still hear the sounds of war. Cyla eyed this group, wondering what his plan was. Does he really expect me to stay here? Cyla scowled at Din’s pleading look.

“I was a human for twenty-four years. I've defended myself without powers nearly all my life.” In a blink, her dagger was pressed tightly against his throat. “I'm not going to hide,” she snarled. Dinasis wrapped his hand around hers, staring fearlessly at her.

“I’m not asking you to hide.” His eyes connected with hers, staring straight into her. “I’m asking you to be what you have always been—a protector.” Cyla’s hand wavered with her shock. “These children need you to make sure they are safe until the rest of the warriors get here. Please.” Slowly, Cyla lowered her blade. She pursed her lips but nodded reluctantly. No matter her views or feelings, she could never allow innocent children to be collateral.

Dinasis seemed to debate something for a moment before he slowly grabbed the back of her head. Cyla’s breath hitched, frozen with surprise as she suspected he was going to kiss her. As he started to lean down, she closed her eyes and waited. As his lips touched her forehead in a light kiss, she exhaled deeply. “Thank you,” he mumbled against her head. Then he was gone, disappearing behind the tents and the quickly approaching enemies.

Cyla shook her shoulders, loosening all thoughts from her mind and attempting to clear her emotions. Before she had a moment to finish her refocusing, the screech of another vampire came from her side. She shot a dark glare at the frothing beast, daring it to attack her. She dropped to a defensive stance as it danced around her, throwing teasing hisses at her. Cyla waited for her opening, only armed with her dagger as the short distance didn’t leave space for her sword. Without warning, the vampire leaped forward, the same red eyes flashing dangerously. Cyla crouched, and as the vampire came down on top of her, she sprang up. All her strength powered up through her legs into her dagger, plunging it hilt deep through the sternum. Still, the vampire hissed.

Fingers ripped across Cyla's face, catching her cheek and knocking her to the side. Cyla pulled with all her strength at the same time as pushing the vampire away. The dagger tore out, followed by a bloody waterfall, but the sudden release caused her to stumble and fall on her back. Cyla curled up, raising her shoulder to protect her neck, waiting for the pain of the bite to come. When it didn't come, she looked to see the vampire standing frozen. A sickening squelch of flesh tearing and she fell, revealing Bug standing behind her. The vampire's heart was held in the girl's outstretched hand.

Bug looked like a wraith coming for vengeance with her eyes dark and wild, hair whipped back in the wind, a snarl on her lips. She looked down at the fallen body. She spat on the body. “That’s my bounty hunter, you Goddessless f**k!” She threw the heart down on the ground angrily. In an instant she had Cyla up and wrapped in her arms. She touched the cuts that ran over Cyla's cheek and the blood from her arm. She frowned. “Stick with me, we'll tag team any threat that comes at us. Goddess help them if they want these children. And for hurting my best friend.” Cyla nodded, tightening her grip on her dagger.

She and Bug turned just in time to see a brown bear as large as a horse come barreling towards the group of children and elderly. Cyla again noticed the eyes. Those red eyes—they must have had something happen to them. The Blood Moons did this. Bug was right. Dinasis was right. The Blood Moons had hidden much from her and the others. They were a group of abominations--of monsters. She felt her anger return three-fold, coloring all her thoughts. Then she felt her own shame and guilt of helping them, and she screamed with all the negative feelings boiling inside her.

The bear roared in response, challenging her. Bug spun to face it, growling. She wasted no time in speeding towards it, fingers artfully finding the bear's eyes. A quick flick and the eyes were ripped to pieces. The bear screamed, rearing on its hind legs. In horror, Cyla watched as the eyes healed. It was clearly a shifter, yet it healed so much more quickly than it should have. It was almost like it was healing as fast as a vampire.

Adjusting quickly to the changes, Bug continued raining down punches and clawing at the rock-hard head. Blood was dripping from multiple gruesome wounds and still the bear was able to swat her away with ease. The skin on the bear’s face half-healed, half fell off, leaving strips of flesh flapping everywhere as it shook its head irritably. Cyla rushed to her friend, pulling her to her feet.

Bug panted, leaning against Cyla for a moment. “It’s too strong for just one of us,” she huffed, wincing with each breath. “And why is it healing so fast?” Cyla shook her head, her eyes trained on the bear attempting to rip the extra skin off. “f*****g sorcerers.” Bug pulled herself up straight, pressing her shoulders back. “Together?” she asked, looking up at Cyla from the corner of her eye. Cyla pressed her lips together determinedly and nodded.

“Together.” Roaring with their own fury, the two women charged at the bear, coming at both sides. Cyla wielded her sword, slicing back and forth at the front legs while Bug slashed at the back. “Bug!” She yelled as an idea formulated in her head. “Up!” Without a sound, Bug jumped atop the bear’s back. She slashed at the meaty neck, causing the bear to roll its shoulders to try to dislodge her.

Cyla jumped back, escaping the flailing limbs. She sheathed her sword and drew her dagger. She adjusted her grip a few times as she timed for the right moment. The bear lumbered in a circle, bucking around angrily. As it turned its back to her, Cyla charged, and just as she was about to hit the rear end of the bear, she dropped to the ground. Her momentum allowed her to slide along her side under the bear, stabbing upwards with the dagger. She slid from back to front, a long gush of blood falling over her from its wounds. She pulled the dagger out as she slid beneath the chomping jaws. A twisting jump had her up and facing the bear once more. She punched out, slamming her knuckles into the tender snout.

“Now!” she signaled as the bear roared, its head dipping down and digging its nose in the dirt. Bug, as if she understood, wasted no time in wrapping her arms around the bear's neck. She leaped down to the ground, twisting as she went. The bear twisted with her, trying to save its neck. But it left its underbelly exposed. Cyla could see the muscles and organs through the cut she made, the wound rapidly healing. She knew she had to be fast. Climbing atop the giant bear, she plunged the dagger in again. This time, it went into the exposed heart muscles. The bear went limp instantly.

“Like a vampire,” Cyla panted. “It died like a vampire. Bug, somehow they've become like vampires. We have to kill them like vampires.” She looked to the side to see a red-eyed wolf shift into human form. He waved his hands and vines wrapped around a vampire from the camp that had been coming to help defend the children. She watched with horror as he shifted back and bit down, ripping the head off the friendly vampire. “May-maybe not like vampires,” she stuttered. Bug looked over, anger immediately vibrating through her.

Bug screeched and made to rush the wolf when suddenly Dinasis appeared. He stood tall over the wolf at his height of six and a half feet. He reached down, looking almost regal as he laid an open palm on the wolf's head. Cyla gasped as the wolf started to crumble under his hand. Smoke and embers traveled down the length of the body until it was nothing but a pile of ash. Dinasis lifted his face to hers and Cyla was shocked to see sorrow in his eyes. She remembered then that he had said he had never killed another supernatural. This must hurt him immensely, she thought. Her heart hurt again. Shut up, heart! Now is not the time for feelings! She connected their gaze once more. A sudden group of refugees ran towards the group from behind him. Before they engulfed him, he nodded once at her before he stalking off to find another to help.

Bug stood at Cyla's shoulder as the group took over the protection. Cyla clasped the girl's hand. She glanced around her, seeing all the bloodshed. Despite what she had demanded of her heart, sorrow filled her to see creature set against creature. Suddenly, her hatred for the Blood Moons blossomed. The vine of loyalty she felt for them crumbled and disappeared, allowing for a great shadowed chain to take its place around the pillar and snapping the pieces back into place. She thought about what they must have done to these strangers. What they had done to Luka to make him as feral as he was now. What they had done to her with their training and lies. For wasting the last five years of her life.

Suddenly, that black chain heated white hot.

“Cyla,” Bug whispered. Cyla trailed her eyes down to see the black flames had returned. They crept down her arms to concentrate on the dagger. She could feel the power coursing through her. It made her strong. She reached out towards a wolf running at her, willing the fire to leap from the blade to the animal. A great, black line shot out of the dagger and surrounded the wolf. It yelped once in pain before it was consumed, crumbling at their feet. “Your eyes are doing it again.”

“Doing what?” Cyla asked, anger seething through her.

“They're bright, almost like white-hot fire.” Cyla turned these bright eyes to Bug. Her breathing was labored, her nostrils flaring with the force.

“Come on. There’s got to be a leader to this miserable lot somewhere.”