Forever Bound

by J. E. Cluney

  He faltered, veering off to the side as he roared and spewed more flames.

  They didn’t appear to take on any set form, just shadowy forms that fluttered and shot around us.

  Some of them were even dividing into two, creating more and more.

  ‘Hold on,’ Ollie growled, and Lucas wrapped his arms tight around me.

  Ollie pulled up, hovering on the spot while the creatures shot around him, howling and crying out as they tried to throw us off his back.

  He spun around midair, and flames exploding from his mouth, raining fire all around us like a whirlwind inferno.

  I turned my head to shelter myself against Lucas as the heat hit me, and the dying screeches of the creatures rang in my ears.

  A shiver coursed through me as Ollie’s flames died down and more of the creatures burst up through the clouds.

  How many were there?

  Ollie rumbled in frustration as Lucas cursed.

  ‘I’m using a lot of magic to help Ollie maintain his shift. If I use too much to try to stop them, Ollie could lose his form,’ Lucas said, his voice strained.

  Then we’d all go plummeting down. Lucas had no idea how much magic he had left to use. He was almost never depleted due to what he was, but he was using a lot to help Ollie with such a powerful shift.

  ‘Can you siphon my magic?’ I suggested frantically as Ollie struggled to keep them at bay, spewing more flames.

  He was growing weary hovering on the spot, exhausting himself trying to keep us safe.

  ‘I can try,’ Lucas said, and I felt his magic ripple through me with a sizzling energy.

  He threw out his arm, and a magical purple wave of energy hit the cluster of creatures around us, causing them to explode into black clouds.

  It was hard to see some of the others as they lurched upwards, the night sky masking them while they howled and circled us.

  Lucas used more and more of my magic to fight them off as Ollie took off once more.

  ‘His magic might lose strength the farther we are from him. Hopefully, putting some more distance between us will do the trick,’ Lucas said as one whooshed past our head and he cursed.

  I glanced over my shoulder, seeing the rip in his suit and the bloody gash on his shoulder.

  Fear coursed through me. These things wanted to kill us, and they had the ability to do so.

  My banshee reared her head as the creatures moved in, swarming all around us, while Lucas struggled to keep them at bay.

  Ollie was roaring and crying out now as they latched onto his neck and tail, struggling to tear through his tough scales.

  We couldn’t hold them off any longer. There were too many, and their magic was too much for us.

  I gritted my teeth as I leaned down against Ollie’s neck, wishing there was something I could do.

  Suddenly, Walter’s voice pierced through my mind, rising up from my void. ‘I can help. I know my father’s magic, although I’m limited, considering I’m only a spirit. I could draw them away with the help of your banshee,’ he said.

  ‘How?’ I asked as the creatures drew closer, then Ollie shrieked as they finally tore through his scales.

  ‘I can make you like a target. They’ll be drawn to you. I’ll use all my magic in you to guide you down to the ground and send out a powerful wave of energy to destroy them with the help of your banshee’s touch of death. This will draw them away from Ollie and Lucas, who can continue on to the dagger,’ Walter said quickly, and I felt my banshee agreeing to assist in the wild idea.

  Could he do it though?

  ‘Yes. I share my father’s magic,’ Walter said firmly.

  ‘No,’ Lucas barked, but I cast him a look over my shoulder.

  There was no other way. Ollie was in pain now as the creatures tore into him and weighed him down as well, while he struggled to beat his now covered wings.

  I had to protect my mates.

  We needed that dagger.

  I tore Lucas’ remaining arm off my waist as Ollie cried out, then I flung myself off his back.

  My stomach lurched as I fell, staring up at Ollie’s swarmed form.

  The wind tore at my clothing, and I could feel my mates’ panic.

  Everything would be okay.

  Walter’s magic burned to life inside me, seeping out of my inner void and tingling through every fiber of my being as my banshee called out.

  I watched the swarm of creatures drop off Ollie like flies as they shot down after me.

  ‘Close your eyes, Allison. I need you to remain calm so your banshee and I can do this,’ Walter said softly.

  I obeyed, my heart hammering as the wind tore at my clothes and hair. This horrible sensation of falling was threatening to send me into a panic, but I focused on calming myself as best I could.

  Walter and my banshee would deal with this.

  My descent slowed as Walter’s magic took over, and I felt it roll me onto my stomach as my banshee boiled up to the surface.

  I dared a peek, watching as I soared over paddocks and countryside quite quickly. The howling and shrieks were growing closer, but I knew I was headed back to Maple Grove.

  Once I landed, I’d try to get back to the house and inside it’s warding. That was my best bet.

  ‘We’re coming to get you,’ Ollie said, his voice cutting through my mind sharply.

  ‘No! You keep going. We need that dagger. I’ll be fine. Please trust me,’ I shot back.

  Lucas and Ollie didn’t want to listen, and I knew they were already in pursuit.

  ‘Please. There’s more than just our lives on the line. Find the dagger. I promise I’ll be okay,’ I said, begging them mentally to turn back.

  ‘I hate this,’ Ollie growled after a moment of deliberation.

  ‘Stay safe, Allison. We’ll be back before you know it,’ Lucas finally said, and I knew the pair had turned back to continue.

  The howls and shrieks were growing closer, and I could feel Walter’s magic mingling with the powerful magic of my banshee as I descended even lower over the countryside.

  I closed my eyes as I held my arms out to my sides, allowing them full control.

  Their magic overtook me, and I landed gracefully as the swarm of creatures descended upon me.

  I opened my eyes, staring up at the black swirling vortex closing in.

  My arms raised as the skulls on my hands lit up bright and my hair floated into the air.

  My heart beat steady as an odd calm washed over me.

  I had full faith in my banshee side.

  As soon as the first creature touched me, its icy, wispy limb closing around my arm, the magic within me tore forth in a blinding white light.

  My hands burned as my banshee screamed within me, and I let out an eerie, blood-curdling scream as the white glow intensified and overtook my vision.

  I could feel the creatures being blown away into nothing as my touch of death tore through them, amplified by Walter’s magic mingling with my banshee.

  The moment was one of pure power, and I felt stronger than anything this world could throw at me as the creatures ceased to exist.

  The light faded, and the intense burning in my hands simmered down as my hair fell back down onto my shoulders.

  Walter withdrew into my void, and I knew he was beyond spent from assisting me.

  I stared up at the night sky, only a few clouds blocking out the stars now.

  Not a shadowy creature in sight.

  I winced as I lowered my arm, and I inspected the spot where that one creature had grabbed my arm. An ugly bruise was already brandishing my skin, and it felt icy to touch.

  A ripple of uncertainty moved through me.

  ‘It will pass. Their touch is painful, but you’ll be okay,’ Walter assured me, but his voice was soft and tired.

  I relaxed a little as I glanced at my surroundings, trying to get an idea of where I was.

  I needed to get home as fast as possible. It was too risky being out on my own.

&n
bsp; I stripped down, knowing that in my shifted state, I’d be faster.

  As I morphed into my wolf form, I thought about how Walter had amplified my touch of death.

  There was no question now as to whether Joseph could do it as well.

  I couldn’t let him get to me.

  2

  I tore through the countryside, bounding across the open paddocks and scrambling under barb-wire fences that tore at my fur.

  I’d reached out to Marcus and Skip, honing in on their position and heading for them. I was terrible at directions, so at least my bond helped there.

  I drew in the cool night air, allowing it to wash through me and spur me on as my paws thudded softly on the grass.

  I kept low as I darted past some cows, which raised their heads in alarm as I shot by. They called out as I rocketed off, going as fast as my paws could carry me. I constantly glanced back, making sure I wasn’t being pursued by more horrid creatures.

  My banshee, still on guard, simmered beneath the surface while I climbed a hill, panting hard as my legs struggled.

  A familiar howl rose up somewhere off in the distance, and I shuddered as I pushed on, using all my energy to hurtle over the top of the hill.

  The houses were growing closer now, and I dashed past, my only focus on getting home and into the safe walls.

  ‘You’re not too far off now,’ Marcus assured me as he reached out. He and Skip were waiting at home with Trish, who was just as on edge as they were as she perched on the lounge.

  I flung myself under yet another fence, my paws scrambling on the dirt as I dragged myself under quickly.

  Then I was off, dashing madly as my breaths came in ragged bursts.

  I felt the presence of something only seconds before I was knocked off my feet, and I yelped as I hastily shot back to my feet and stood firm, staring at the dingo before me.

  Its golden eyes settled on me as it sighed, and then it shifted back to man, standing naked before me.

  “You shouldn’t be out right now. The curfew is in effect, and it is recommended everyone remain indoors after dark for their own safety. Did you not get the memo?” he grumbled as he crossed his arms. He was an older man, perhaps in his forties, and I averted my eyes, considering they were level with his junk, which he did little to cover.

  Yes, I knew the memo had gone out. Everyone in the town had received automated texts informing them of the curfew and the recommendation to remain indoors after dark and not travel alone, neither of which I was obeying.

  Then again, it was only a recommendation, unlike the curfew. If you were caught out between the hours of ten at night and four in the morning, you could be dragged back to the station and cop a fine.

  I started to shift back to apologize, but that awful hair-raising howl rose up close by and I snarled.

  The man unfolded his arms, sensing the danger.

  “Get out of here, now!” he barked as the shrieking black creature shot through the darkness and dived down from the sky.

  I didn’t want to leave him here where he could die. Being a shifter, he couldn’t fight that thing. We’d learned only cast magic could fight it.

  He shifted back to dingo state and moved to stand protectively before me.

  The slightest thought of Derek trickled through my mind, of how he’d never have protected me like this. Not all dingo shifters were the same though, as this man made abundantly clear.

  He snarled and bared his teeth as the wispy creature shot down and struck him hard, knocking him to the ground with ease.

  He snarled and snapped, struggling to fight the wispy attacker.

  My banshee flared up, and I lunged forward, ducking my head as I barreled through the creature and allowed my banshee to reach out.

  I felt my body shimmer white for a moment, somehow knowing that my banshee had taken over my wolf form and altered it to make herself capable of touching the creature.

  It screeched as it exploded in a white light, and I turned to check on the dingo shifter.

  He was giving me a cautious look as he gingerly pulled himself to his feet.

  I flicked my head, indicating for him to run before more came.

  But he just shook his head and flicked it at me.

  I knew what he was saying despite the lack of words.

  He was on patrol, and this was his job. I was merely a child in his eyes, despite saving him, and he wanted me to get out of there.

  He stood no chance against those things though.

  I shifted back, and he mimicked me as I awkwardly shielded my nakedness from him, although his eyes remained solely on mine, completely professional and disinterested in my naked state.

  “You can’t fight them. Only cast magic works on them,” I explained quickly in a huff as I eyed the sky for more.

  “How’d you beat it then?” he asked, giving me a fascinated look.

  “Part banshee. Although we should really get out of here,” I said quickly.

  “Right, Allison Smoak then,” he said with a nod, having heard of me. “Mr Brady told us you were to be looked out for if we came across you. Apparently, the warlock wants you,” he said as his jaw set and he scratched his short beard in frustration.

  “Sorry,” I said, but he just shook his head.

  “Let’s get you somewhere safe,” he said firmly. “Then I’ll go and let everyone know about these new creatures and how to fight them. You’re the priority.”

  “I’ll be fine. Home isn’t far, and it’s warded. I have warlock magic protecting me too, and my banshee side. You’re better off letting them know now before more people get hurt or worse,” I said, refusing to allow myself to become the top priority. I was no more important than anyone else in this town.

  “But Mr Brady—”

  “Mr Brady put the protective magic on me. Please, I’ll be home as quick as I can,” I said, interrupting him.

  He sighed, but nodded after a moment.

  “Hurry home. Please,” he said, his voice strained as he turned away.

  We both shifted, and I took off towards home, hoping he could alert all others who needed to know. Hell, hopefully, he’d tell the police, who’d inform the whole bloody town.

  I hurtled through a few more paddocks until I reached a road, and then I flew down it, my paws scraping on the bitumen.

  No cars passed me, and I was glad people were taking this seriously.

  My banshee broiled inside me, and a sense of dread overcame me as I turned a bend and saw a car stopped on the road.

  My stomach dropped as I drew closer, and the scent of blood hit my nose, a thick, metallic aroma that made my chest tighten.

  The car was partially veered over one lane, like it had been abruptly stopped.

  The fresh skid marks I could just make out under the moonlight confirmed that.

  I padded around it, gazing at the smashed in windscreen.

  I shuddered as I stared through the driver’s side at the woman who had her head thrown back against her seat. Her face and neck were coated in thick blood, and her passenger was even worse off as they slumped forward in their seats.

  Had those wispy creatures done this?

  They were dead. That much I knew, thanks to my banshee side.

  ‘I don’t like it. You need to get away from there. They could still be around,’ Skip murmured into my mind.

  ‘I’ll alert the police. I know the area you’re at,’ Marcus added.

  I stared at the two victims, wondering what their final moments would have been like.

  Who were they? How scared would they have been when the strange creatures attacked them?

  I shuddered just thinking about it.

  I turned away from the car, padding into the beam of the headlights.

  I’d be home soon, where it was safe.

  No need to hang here, the police would come and deal with this.

  A faint moan made me pause, the hair standing up along my spine.

  I spun back around, my heart skippin
g a beat. Someone was alive!

  My banshee shrieked within me, begging me to leave the area.

  There was no one living here. She was certain of it.

  I froze up as the driver’s door opened, and a bloody hand reached out to cling to the rim of the doorframe.

  My banshee thrashed within me, but I couldn’t pull my gaze away as the woman dragged herself from the car, still moaning.

  Could my banshee side be wrong?

  She turned as she stepped from the car, dragging a broken foot behind her as she rounded the door.

  Oh, fuck no.

  Her glazed over eyes focused on me, and I knew there was no real life to this woman any more.

  She growled as she spied me, and every zombie movie shot through my mind.

  I guess The Walking Dead was the main one, because I was definitely not expecting her to run at me.

  I yelped as I spun on my heels as she screeched and rushed after me, and I shot off, hoping to put as much distance between us as possible.

  Fucking zombies.

  Joseph had created them once before. Hell, necromancy was his thing, so why hadn’t I expected that?

  I tore off up the street, and her moans and shrieks grew fainter.

  We needed to alert the whole town about this. Were their bites contagious? How was Joseph reanimating them?

  ‘I’m at the station now, and I’m alerting them to this fucked-up update,’ Marcus snapped. ‘Then I’m coming to you. We need you somewhere safe. The police said the whole town has gone into lockdown. This isn’t the first call about an apparent zombie.’

  Zombies. First dragons, now zombies. Seriously? Life had lost all sense of reality, even for the supernatural side.

  I pelted down the road, my paw pads starting to burn from grazing the bitumen in my haste to get the fuck out of there.

  A whoosh of air was a welcome comfort, and I came to an abrupt halt as I shifted back to woman and threw myself into Marcus’ arms.

  “Zombies, Jesus,” he muttered as he held me tight. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”

  “I told you not to come and get me,” I mumbled into his chest.

  “Well, I’m not one for listening,” he said and chuckled softly, but it died off quickly.