by Lee Taylor
Damon ripped another chunk of flesh from Tessa’s back, and with a shredding wet “shlump” noise he continued to chew and swallow. Tessa was now lying limp on the floor; a tear trickled down her face as she looked at me wide-eyed. Damon continued to rip into her like a vulture. He was totally oblivious of my sudden renewal. Kaitlyn took a step back from me as I approached; it still wasn’t enough to notify Damon. She was at a loss for words. I noticed that her tightly bound bodice had been ripped in places; she seemed to be favouring her right side, cradling her left arm close to her chest. I lunged forward in a blaze of speed that could have rivalled Damon's, kicking him so hard in the ass that I could feel bones shatter as my foot connected. I pursued him as he flew through the air. He smashed into and through the cratered wall. He tried to turn to look at me, coughing and spluttering. Shock was stapled on his face. My dark passenger, who had been quiet up until this point, seemed to take great pleasure in his expression; his make-up had been more than smudged from outside when I crushed his skull. It was slightly deformed, parts of bone protruded from his skin, but still he was alive. I grabbed a hold of his chin and stared him straight in his eyes. I could see them darken and glaze over with realization.
“What are you going to do? Kill me? You'll be the same as me if you do.” Damon choked and rasped on the words with a strangulated voice.
“I didn't know that I was a Therian until a few days ago...” I said almost remorsefully, fighting back the urge to scream at him. I picked Damon up by his head. He weakly squirmed in my grip. “You tried to kill me... I can’t forgive you.” I spoke with such vehemence that I was surprised at the sound of scorn in my own voice. Damon’s cocky, fear-filled smile dropped, and he began to squirm more frantically.
“W-wait, don't do it; I was just listening to-”
With a violent jerk, I spun his head around on his shoulders with ease. I channelled so much of myself into the move that when his head dropped onto the floor wide-eyed, I was still holding his body.
I was terrified at my own strength and brutality, I felt a bubbling panic begin to slither into my mind... it took me a moment to re-gather my thoughts. Darting back through the hole to the motel room, Katilyn had vacated the premises, leaving Tessa and Lycaon, lifeless and limp. The Angel's trap had now dissipated around Lycaon, leaving him lying on a pile of earth. He was still breathing... barely. Tessa on the other hand, wasn't. She had also stopped bleeding; the carpet had taken in most of her bodily fluid. I turned her head to face me, her eyes and mouth were open in shock, tear stained and smudged with blood. My mind began to race, my chest constricted, I barely knew her, and a few hours ago she had attacked me... or tested me as she so eloquently put it... But for some reason I felt drawn to her, like she was mine, my property. I had saved her once from Lycaon, and she could of ran, but instead she came back to defend us... why? A bloody tear dripped from my eye, cascading down my cheek it dropped onto one of the many gouges taken out of her back. Her spine was showing in places. The feeling of sickness was clawing its way back. Teeth marks from the expired mime had seemed to fester with black veins that snaked out from each sustained tooth mark. The gouge that my tear droplet landed on sprung to life, slowly knitting itself closed. My mind went blank for a moment as I was shoved aside, and my dark passenger took over, before I realized I had grabbed my wrist and bitten into it. I felt my teeth puncture the membrane. Blood flowed freely from me to her; when I regained my control, I was willing her to recover. Smudging and dabbing at her back with my bloody hand. It really must have been one hell of a grim sight.
“URSINE, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU’RE DOING!” Lycaon shrieked. His voice was hoarse. I looked over at him, tears welling in my eyes.
“She saved us, Lycaon; it’s the least I can do. Come on, Tessa, heal already!” I rubbed her back soothingly, praying that maybe massaging it in would help... I know it was gross, but believe when I said it felt even worse... The room began to sway around me; my heart was pounding so hard that it felt like it was building up pressure to blow before flushing through my system. My veins and arteries swelled, and my muscles cramped, making my hand jar. She cursed and cried out in agony. Her wounds seemed to smoulder like my blood was burning her ailments out of her. Knitting closed, her skin seemed to string together before my blood bubbled off, revealing fresh new skin underneath. She sat bolt upright. Attempting to rub her back, she stood up, scratching at her freshly healed skin. Her eyes shot wide open, and a look of fury overtook her astonishment.
“What the fuck did you just do to me?” Turning towards me, a flash of heat struck me as I attempted to keep eye contact. Her bare breasts were on show as her tattered top had been split and ripped to shreds. Prevailing darkness enveloped me as I blacked out and hit my head on the floor. I was exhausted... and apparently back to my “normal” state of unconsciousness.
***
When I came to, I was in another foreign room, an unfamiliar smell swarmed into my nostrils, and I kicked back the soft, cotton sheet. Lying in bed naked, I rubbed my face checking for lumps or bruises. I seemed okay, considering how suddenly I smacked my face on the hard floor unable to hold myself. My stomach gurgled, calling for my attention.
“I'm glad to see you are awake my friend. Some don't regain consciousness after what you went through.” Lycaon's now familiar voice was like music to my ears; I sat up, rubbing sleep from my eyes and released an almighty yawn.
“I have just had one messed up dream… You were there… and you… and you…” Lycaon looked around seeing no one else and sighed.
“I see your sense of humour survived, too…” I smiled and began rubbing the back of my neck. I was disgusting and sweaty; God I needed a shower.
Lycaon continued,
“Tessa believes you passed out being overcome from the sight of her anatomy, how do you feel?” Lycaon was fighting back a smile; he rose from the bedside chair and placed his book on the side.
I grumbled, “I feel like I have been hit by a train after having a thorough wash in poison ivy, but enough about me, did all of that just happen? Is... Tristan...”
“Tristan is dead.” Lycaon readjusted himself in his chair. “You have been asleep for the past three days, cursing and grunting in the last twenty four hours. Before that, well it looked like you were comatose. Ursine, what you did was incredibly stupid and reckless. Charging blindly into a fight with little experience was bad enough, but to then succeed on syncing with your bear was nearly suicide. Few have ever accomplished that, let alone after mere days of being aware. And then there is the matter with you binding yourself to Tessa.-”
I cut him off before he could continue. “Look, Con, my head is killing me, and your ranting is not helping much. Tell you what; let me go down a bottle of Asprin and something to eat. Then you can keep on bitching at me as much as you want, alright?” My suggestion apparently fell on deaf ears.
“Hmm... Con... I like that.” Lycaon walked from the bedroom, ignoring my little outburst.
“That guy would be a shitty butler,” I commented to myself. Releasing a heavy sigh, I stood, spotting some clothes on the nearby dresser. I glanced at the mirror on the table top, and was stunned, I barely recognized myself. My hair was chaotic. I was impressed. Thin, dark spikes poking in all directions, complete with a cow licked front point. What I wasn't impressed with was that it looked like I had been petrified. A skunk-like, white streak was permeating from my forehead to my neck. I spotted a full body mirror on the back of the bedroom door, rushing over to it I checked myself all over. All of my muscles were tense, and my wrist had a coppery scar on it where I had taken a bite in a fit of panic. My chest was as smooth as before. My attention drew to my face, and I noticed that I had my first proper five o'clock shadow. It's not the first time I have had some facial hair; I mean I could of grown face-pubes for the last three years, but this was different. I was a mix of emotions, I didn't know if I should be happy or depressed as it looked like next I was due my mid-life crisis all before my ei
ghteenth birthday. I crossed the room, picking up the clothes Lycaon had laid out for me. Releasing an ear popping yawn I stretched, a few joints popped and clicked where I had been immobile. My stomach protested again for my attention. I felt a stillness wash over the room, and a tingle of energy rippled up my spine. I turned to face the doorway, pulling on a pair of jeans.
“Hello, buddy... dude … put some clothes on. I had enough of seeing naked old people when I had to sponge bath my grandpa after his nurses quit from sexual harassment.” Mike's voice took me off guard, and I fell over with surprise.
“So, bud, I’d say you would not believe what I have been up to, but from the looks of you rocking that streak, I'm going to say you've become a carnie?”
Finishing getting changed I ran over and gave him the biggest hug I could manage, taking in his scent... I am not saying that is exactly a normal thing to do, but I don’t care. I was freaking happy to see him. Something smelt ... weird with him, and when I took a step back, his eyes flicked an electric green.
“Mike what the hell happened to you? How did you find us?” I asked. Mike rubbed his temples, drawing a deep breath.
“We were at your house, looking for a sign of you when Lycaon came rushing in. The dude scared the shit out of me. He was all caped in blood, and before I had a chance to do anything he exploded into a fucking massive wolf. Damn near bit my head off! Fortunately Kit-Kat bailed me out. When he noticed her, he shuddered and changed back. So I had a sweaty, naked dude cover me with fur and ash... I have to admit, dude, if he wasn't so close to “tea bagging” me, I would've kicked his ass. Anywho, afterwards he and she started chatting. I ran upstairs to get his oversized ass some clothes from your room, and he told me to grab some for you as well. So like a bitch I obliged. Afterwards, he brought us here, and voila! Your ass was unconscious; I met your other half, and she was as welcoming as a kick in the balls... Sorry, dude, am I ranting?” Mike beamed, and I was relieved to see that he hadn't changed his sunny disposition, but that still didn't explain his eyes.
“Why is she my other half? You know what, that's not important, Mike, what's the deal with your eyes? You flashed at me before, what happened? You swallow some Christmas lights again? Oh yeah, here's another question, where have you been for the last two months while I was all “Grr” apparently? I thought what's-er-face said something like 'we will be with you right away'. For the last week since I have been aware, I have had like three or four attempts on my life. I don't know whether to feel super popular or like a fucking pariah.” I sighed in indignation; it felt like it was really the first time I spoke honestly out loud. Even though it probably came across as verbal diarrhoea, I always could speak unhindered around Mike. I mean, he had been my best friend since we were in kindergarten. Our discussion was abruptly interrupted when my stomach groaned and gurgled again. I assumed it was a sign of hunger... I now think it was more of a warning as to what was coming. Yep that’s right; I claim to have a precognitive gut!
“Ursine, you stuffed bastard!” Tessa's pissed off tone thundered down the hallway as she marched her spiked, Goth boots towards us. With a sheepish grin, Mike took a step back retreating to safer ground.
With a parting glance he whispered to me, “If you want to know about my eyes, dude? Ask Kitty; I am sure she will love telling you. Now sorry, dude, I love you like a brother and everything, but your missus scares the seven shades of shit out of me.” Mike chortled and scrambled away.
Tessa rounded the corner and stopped inches from my face.
“Ah, hello lover,” Tessa spat the words. “Do you have any idea what you have done to me?”
I could feel my face go pale... Stupidly I shook my head as a response.
“I was a demon... a demon in possession of a human host. When Damon shredded me, if I died, I could have jumped to any other living person and took possession of them... My host would have died, but boo-fucking-who... I could of travelled back to the under realm, and not had a problem. But you bleeding on me bound me, not only to this host, but to you, too. And now we are bound in a most un-fucking holy matrimony. Oh plus... she's awake, and all I hear is her complaining and squealing, ‘I'm hungry,’ and ‘I don't want to wear that much make up I look like an emo,' and don't get me fucking started on Facebook and Twitter... all she wants to do is check her messages or re tweeds... sorry ‘tweets’… she just corrected me!” Tessa's face darkened and she picked me up by the neck. “If I wasn't ordered by a Greater demon to keep you safe, I would spend the rest of your life removing your balls and finding different places to put them.” A look shot across Tessa's face as she gazed at me, before I had a proper chance to register it, it was gone.
“Look, Tess, I wanted to save you. I thought you were dying, and it was the least I could do after you stuck your neck out helping us. It’s not my fault my mom raised me to look after my girlfriends.” My eyes widened as it dawned on me what I had just said out loud. Tessa's lips curled back revealing her teeth; I squirmed, turning my head to avoid eye contact.
“What... made you think I was your girlfriend? Was it them trying to grievously harm you? What... are you one of those masochists? Seriously? I WAS ENGAGED TO ANOTHER, YOU PRICK! NOW HE IS GOING TO FIND YOUAND DESTROY YOU!”
Tessa dropped me to the floor, turning she barked profanities as she stormed off.
I stood in shock as the proverbial dust settled… She seemed as spontaneous as a cat strapped to a bottle rocket... I took the time while I shook off her verbal onslaught to admire the houses décor. Okay I was totally shaken and sulking.
It smelt crisp, like it had just been redecorated, where was this place? It looked freaking huge from where I stood. I crept out of my room and scouted the hallway; a feint scent of lavender was in the air, I was pretty sure it was Kitty. I couldn't see any other sign of rampaging demons, and so for that, I was relieved.
The hallway itself was an odd mix of gothic pieces, with a modern edge. The floor was carpeted with a dark red, almost claret, rug. Ornaments hung from the walls, and chains and ancient oil paintings of beautiful women, and oil lamps hung from the walls recesses, apparently just for show, stretching all the way down the corridor. Windows ran adjacent. The view from them was breath-taking; an out-crop of rich greens, as far as the eye could see, under the tinged glow of the sinking sun. It gave everything an intimate feel; it was either setting or rising, I couldn’t be sure. A bank of mist was slowly rolling in over the ocean of trees. The scene outside with its slither of burnt golden light made it eerie to behold. It was so sinister that it was mystifyingly beautiful. My stomach gurgled again at my negligence, still screaming out for my attention.
I guess I can admire the view while I eat. Stepping along the vacant hallway, I was routing for some stairs. There were several open rooms, and I stopped to inspect each... God help me if I found one with Tessa in it. I was glad to see she had changed her top to a black V-neck... The inner pervert in me rejoiced as it wouldn't be limping for the next decade. The structure put me on edge for some reason, though... It was like I didn’t belong there, as oddly comforting as it was... I think it must have just been the hunger driving me crazy. Finally to my stomach’s relief, I spied the stairs.
My gut had me on autopilot. I was pretty happy to ignore everything and just scour for food when I got downstairs. Mike was sitting next to Kitty on a shag carpet by the fire place; she seemed lost in thought, reading through an old tome of some sort. An elderly gentleman was standing with his back to me, swilling a glass of wine. Tessa tutted as soon as I made eye contact, making no effort to hide her feelings from me. The man approached me, setting his glass on the impressive granite looking mantelpiece. The firewood crackled sending embers skittering across the carpet. A warm wrinkled grin spread from ear to ear.
“You must be Ursine. Welcome to my home; I trust you are enjoying your stay?”
Trying to seem polite, I took his hand in the friendly gesture; he lowered his head and looked at me. He looked like he was in his fifties
. He had short, brushed-back hazel coloured hair that receded on his temples. His eyes crinkled around the sides as his warm, almost adoring gaze bored into my own. He shook my hand with a smirk, a neatly trimmed goatee covered his pointed chin, white flicks colouring the side of his beard framed his almost comic expression. He was definitely a “snappy dresser” dressed with an amulet that hung around his head. It looked like a black and golden rosette. I looked at my colleagues dumbfounded. His voice was as warm and welcoming as was his gesture, accented with what I think was a Russian undertone.
“Ivan, you have yet to introduce yourself,” Tessa cooed, drumming her fingers on her armrest. She stood, almost pointing her nose up to the ceiling so that she could look down on me.
“J'es I was getting to that, Tessa... Come. Ursine, tell me how you managed to stomach binding to that devil woman.” Tessa was leaving the room when she heard this. Pausing in her stride, she circled around onto us.
“As memory has it, Ivan, it wasn't all too long ago that you summoned me, hoping I would be your ‘Carnal’ slave.” Tessa sneered; looking at me she huffed indignantly and stomped off with a flick of her hair. Ivan looked at me, arching his brow and slapped me on the shoulder with a bark of laughter. There was a clatter of metal in the kitchen. God I hope she wasn't looking for some cutlery.
I answered honestly, “I still don't get what it means... I thought I was doing the right thing.” A sigh escaped me as I hung my head lethargically.