The Black Rose Chronicles, Battle and Betrayal: Book 3

by A. K. Michaels

  “I’m glad he’s here,” Rose whispered.

  “As am I,” Kuan confessed.

  “Hmm.” Rose looked around her. “Kuan, I don’t see any strangers, I guess your Angel friend decided not to join us.”

  Kuan nodded sadly. “That would certainly appear to be the case. It’s a pity, he’s rather good in a fight.”

  “Boss!” Valentine alarmed voice interrupted. “Over there, and there, and there!”

  Valentine pointed all around and they saw more groups of Demons, many more. Demons now surrounded their large circle and Rose’s heart almost sank at the numbers. She reached for Cassius’ hand and the safety his touch elicited, whispering, “That’s a lot of Demons.”

  “We’ve got this,” Cassius said firmly.

  “Looks like the party is about to start.” Nicola’s voice hitched.

  Rose spotted Seth, his eyes searching the throng of people around them. He settled on someone, his face a mask of worry, and she turned to see Sue already stripping out of her clothes together with the rest of the Wolves present. “I knew he liked her,” Rose thought to herself, tugging her hand free and walking over to her mentor.

  Seth jerked as she laid a hand on his arm, tearing his eyes from Sue to look down at her. “It’s okay, I’ve got a ton of people looking out for me today, go be beside her, Seth.”

  “No.” Seth shook his head. “I vowed to watch your back and that’s what I’ll do.”

  Rose reached up, cupping his face. “I have plenty of people watching my back. Your job is done, Seth, watch out for Sue, please.” Rose gave him a small smile. “I’d really hate for her to get hurt.”

  “Tell me about it,” Seth huffed out.

  “So go, be at her side, and watch over her as you’ve watched over me for all these years.” Rose prodded him in the chest. “Don’t be difficult, Seth, you know you’re desperate to be with her today.”

  “I’m not sure I could stand it if she were injured,” Seth confessed quietly.

  “I can see that.” Rose gave him a little push. “She’s your future. Go to her.”

  Seth looked confused for a moment before realization dawned in his eyes. His shoulders straightened then he leaned down, placing a chaste kiss on her cheek. “Thank you.”

  “Go.” Rose pushed him again toward Sue. “I’ll see you later when this little dance is over.”

  “Be safe, Rose,” Seth mumbled as he walked away.

  Cassius was snarling as she returned to him. “Where the fuck is he going?”

  “I told him to stay with Sue.” Rose shrugged. “I think they’re going to be a couple and he’s worried for her. I’ve enough of you big bad men to watch my back. She deserves to have him at hers.”

  Cassius stared as Seth joined Sue, giving her a hug and obviously telling her he was going to fight by her side. Sue’s eyes twinkled, a smile playing on her lips, as she nodded once before reaching up to grab Seth’s hair and kiss him. “I didn’t see that coming.”

  “I had an inkling but now I’m certain.” Rose grinned. “I’m happy for them. Now, what are we going to do about all these fucking Demons?”

  Valentine shouted loudly at her back, causing her to jump around. “Stay where you are! Let them come to us. We’re not wasting any energy going to them so stay exactly where you are until I give the order to attack! Anyone breaking ranks will have me to deal with. That’s if you survive the Demons!”

  Rose released her katana from its sheath, loosely holding it down at her side. Cassius nodded towards the blade. “You staying human?”

  “I’m not certain.” Rose shrugged. “My Wolf is still eager to be released. I think I may not have much of a choice, but,” she felt a blush creeping onto her cheeks, “I’m not keen on everyone seeing me naked.”

  “I’m pretty certain that we’ll all have other things to focus on, baby.” Cassius ran a finger along her lips. “If you need to change, then do so, that beast of yours is huge and powerful. You may be better off going Wolf.”

  Brendan’s voice cut in sharply. “She’ll be safer in Wolf form. Her healing will be much faster if she’s injured and Jesus, it’s the biggest Wolf I’ve set eyes on. I’m just about to change myself, so I’ll stay close to you, honey.”

  Cassius slipped out of his long leather coat as he motioned to Valentine and a couple of his personal guards. “Come here and turn your backs in a circle please.”

  Rose looked down at her precious blade. The tool she was most comfortable with but Cassius reached for it and slid it from her hand. “I’ll make good use of this.”

  She watched as he placed it on the ground then held his arms wide, his coat shielding her. Rose turned around and motioned with her hand. “They need to stand back a bit.”

  The men shuffled back, giving her plenty of room so she started to strip, muttering, “I feel vulnerable not having my weapons.”

  Her father chuckled. “Trust me, that beast of yours is far more deadly.”

  “I hope so,” Rose grumbled as she folded her clothes in a neat pile on the ground. Her skin rose into goosebumps at the loss of them, shaking her arms and legs she finally let loose her beast that had been fighting her all morning.

  The sounds of her bones breaking and muscles stretching and reforming appeared loud in her ears, making her wonder if everyone else heard what she did. If so, then they would be squirming uncomfortably because that’s what she would be doing. She knew it was mere seconds, but seemed so much longer, before she felt her razor sharp claws dig into the earth beneath her.

  She could feel her fur ruffling in the soft wind as she shook her body, getting a feel for the beast she now inhabited. “We fight. Death to Demons.” Her Wolf reared back, her massive head pointing to the sky as an ear-shattering roar erupted from its huge maw. Rose felt the power within her, far more than when she’d shifted for the first time. This time was different, no longer did she feel at odds with her Wolf, or uncomfortable in its form. No, this time she felt far more powerful than she’d ever felt in her life.

  This time she felt capable of taking on anything that was thrown her way, and defeating it easily.

  Cassius stepped back, shrugging his coat back on and picking up her beloved katana. “Wow. I don’t think I’ll ever get over the shock of seeing just how mighty your Wolf is, it’s magnificent, my darling.”

  Her beast stretched forward, nuzzling against his chest and at that moment, she knew just how large she was. Immense was probably a better word, but damn big would do to. Cassius’ free hand tousled her pure white fur at the same moment a tremendous noise reverberated around them.

  “Kill them all!” Basilius’ hate filled voice was all around them and they could hear the pounding feet of the horde of Demons as they rushed toward them.

  “All right, baby, let’s go kill us some Demons.” Cassius’ steely voice sounded loud to her sensitive ears.

  Valentine’s order resounding out around them, “Stand firm. Do not fucking move until I tell you!”

  The Dragons soared above, splitting off to attack from different directions and she caught her first sight of the man, Terigan’s Dragon. Her Wolf whimpered at the sight of the bright Dragon shaped flames, looping around in the sky before plummeting toward the Demons rushing toward them.

  She watched as it swooped along the heads of their enemy, setting them ablaze, before whooshing straight up again. The sounds of the screaming fire engulfed Demons reached everyone’s ears, a moment before the stench of burning flesh.

  And so the battle began.

  Cassius watched avidly as the Dragons repeatedly attacked the Demons, taking down many before they grew dangerously near. However, it was not at some cost to the great beasts, all of which sported injuries from the Demons sending fireballs, and what looked like electric bolts, up into the sky.

  Although many of them missed their targets, there were some that hit the Dragons hard, causing them to roar in pain and anger. The sound like nothing he’d heard before, and hoped he never
would again. The only one they had no clue whether it was hurt or not, was the Fire Dragon.

  Its body completely made up of flames it was impossible for them to see if it was in fact injured, or not.

  Cassius’ free hand rested atop the white Wolf at his side, feeling its anguish every time a Dragon was injured. “I’m so glad they came to help,” he murmured softly, knowing the beast would hear him, regardless of what was going on around them. “I fear we would’ve been slaughtered without them thinning out the horde.”

  The Wolf huffed and he was sure it was agreeing with him. “Soon they’ll have to retreat or they’ll run the risk of hitting us as well as the Demons.”

  Valentine answered, obviously thinking he was talking to him, “Yeah, and then this is going to get bloody and dirty, real fast.”

  “Yes,” Cassius agreed as he could now see clearly the eyes of the Demons rushing toward them.

  “Get ready!” Valentine shouted, holding an arm high in the air. “Steady now, not yet, not yet.”

  Cassius could feel Rose’s Wolf tensing beside him. Valentine shouted again, “Not yet! Stand your ground! Wait. Wait. NOW!”

  Rose’s beast flew forward, eating up the ground in great bounds, straight toward the first row of Demons thundering down on them. Cassius sped to catch up with her, as did every man tasked with keeping her safe. Her father’s Wolf fought to keep up and Cassius heard a growl that showed his annoyance at Rose speeding off without them.

  His own annoyance was lessened by his pride as he watched his mate’s fantastical speed and obvious strength. Cassius caught up to her in seconds, giving her rump a swat with her own katana. “Naughty, naughty. You’re supposed to stay beside me.”

  The Wolf’s resulting snarl had him almost smiling. Almost, but then he realized just how close they were to the attacking Demons, and his attention focused solely on the job of doling out death. The first line of their enemy was within striking distance, Cassius pulling out one of his handguns, complete with spelled bullets.

  He fired at almost point-blank range, emptying the gun, satisfied when he saw four Demons disintegrate before him. It caused a small opening within the line and the white Wolf surged forward straight into the gap and into the throng of Demons. “Rose!” Cassius yelled as he fought to follow her.

  He’d never felt fear like it, completely encompassing him, as she disappeared from his sight. Cassius bellowed with pure anger as he dropped his empty gun, grabbed another, and fired as he swung the razor sharp katana. His bullets met a mark each time, the blade completely taking the head of one, two, three Demons, before he broke through and joined the Wolf

  The sight that met him was nothing but utter lethality. The beast swiped with its razor sharp claws, taking the chest of one Demon as its huge mouth ripped the head from another. He’d never seen anything like the death and devastation it meted out as it systematically killed anything in its path.

  He felt the first line thin out as Valentine and his men appeared in his peripheral vision. Brendan’s Wolf was now on the other side of Rose, although meting out his own justice, her father was almost immediately injured and failing. Cassius snarled viciously as he took out another Demon, before shouting to Valentine.

  “Fill the hole.” And then he darted over to where Brendan was under attack from three Demons. Valeria appeared just as Cassius took out one of the men trying to obliterate Brendan’s much smaller Wolf, between them they beat back the attackers and Valeria growled down at Brendan.

  “Get back. You’re injured and we can’t watch you and Rose at the same time.”

  Brendan’s Wolf howled in anger, but fell behind them reluctantly. Valeria was now pitted against a giant of man, eyes yellow and teeth to match. Cassius couldn’t help but smirk as she protested. “Hit the ugly branches on the way down, huh.”

  Then she leaped up, a dagger in each hand and pierced right through the Demon’s bulging eyes, right up to the hilt. As the being fell, she tugged the daggers free and moved onto the next. Her movements swift and graceful, even when doling out death.

  “To your left!” Cassius saw a slimy skinned Demon sneaking up on Valeria.

  She spun quickly, her black leather clad leg snapping out and kicking with a force so great she had to tug her stiletto heel from the chest of the sneaky bastard as she shrieked, “Aww, now I’m pissed. Look at my nice new boots!”

  Cassius felt a nudge at his thigh, Brendan’s Wolf, seemingly healed joining them again. The fight carried on, and on, and even Cassius’ fortitude was tested to its absolute limit as the horde seemed to keep coming. He dragged a breath in, making sure Rose’s Wolf was safe, or as safe as it could be in the circumstances, and saw it still tearing through everything in its path.

  His mate appeared to have more staying power than he did which shocked him. He’d never met another being as powerful, or strong, as he. Cassius was flagging, and if he was being honest, he knew he couldn’t carry on for much longer. The thought cascaded through him like a tsunami, bringing anger, distress and fear in its wake.

  He had to keep going to ensure Rose’s safety. There was no other option. Period.

  A loud bellow surrounded them but he was so focused on fighting that he wasn’t even sure what words had been uttered. Relief flooded him when the Demons retreated, moving quickly away from them and stopping a couple of hundred yards back.

  Cassius sucked air into his lungs, checked Rose was in one piece, and then turned to take stock of their forces. Shaking his head in sadness when he saw broken and bloody bodies lying around them. Brendan’s Wolf limped over to Valeria, licking her hand and whimpering, the beast sporting a gaping wound on its hindquarters.

  Valeria dropped to her knees, her voice hitching as she snuggled her face into the Wolf’s fur. “You silly man, now look at you. You’re hurt.”

  Cassius hoped the animal would heal quickly because he wasn’t foolish enough to think the fight was over. However, he was grateful for the respite, his body slowly recovering from the vicious battle. Valentine jogged over, covered in blood, and breathing just as harshly as Cassius.

  “Boss, look.”

  Cassius followed Valentine’s pointed finger and saw Basilius standing in front of his recalled Demons, a sneer on his face. “Shit.” Cassius wondered what would happen now.

  Basilius shook his head then pointed straight at Rose. “You’re going to regret every single one of my Demons you’ve killed. I’ve had enough of this, Rose. I’m coming to deal with you myself.”

  “Fuck!” Valentine spat out. “I think he means business, Cass.”

  “So do I,” Cassius snarled as the King of Hell started to stride toward them. “Protect Rose, Val, don’t let anything happen to her.”

  “I will,” Valentine confirmed coldly.

  Basilius grinned like a maniac as he grew closer, almost half way between the Demons and where they waited. A flash in the sky tore their eyes upwards, Terigan’s Fire Dragon swooped down, its flaming claws grasping Basilius’ shoulders and darting up into the sky.

  “That’s not something you see every day,” Valeria whispered, her eyes wide.

  A fleeting moment of relief ran through Cassius before Basilius opened his mouth wide. Cassius thought the Demon was about to roar in anger, or with pain, instead a bolt of blinding white power spurted from his mouth and right into the belly of the Fire Dragon.

  What happened next made his stomach drop. The Dragon released its grip, Basilius dropping to land on his feet, and then the Fire Dragon transformed, Terigan’s body dropping like a stone to crash into the ground.

  “Oh fuck,” Valentine’s curse barely a whisper.

  “And so the fight continues,” Cassius ground out through clenched teeth as Rose’s Wolf bellowed loudly in anger and frustration.

  Kuan appeared on the other side of Rose’s Wolf, his face pinched, and his clothes covered in blood and gore.

  “We cannot allow him to prevail,” Kuan mumbled. “It is impossible to permit him to captur
e Rose. He will use the power within her for unspeakable acts. I refuse to allow that to happen.”

  “I’m with you on that,” Cassius said before Kuan’s words made it completely into his brain. When they did he turned, looking down at the Chinese God. “Was that a play on words, Kuan?”

  Kuan looked over at Cassius, sadness and regret shining in his eyes. “I cannot, Cassius. I will not permit him access to her.”

  “Don’t even fucking think about it.” Cassius sped around his mate, standing between Kuan and the Wolf. “I mean it. Do not contemplate taking the action I see mirrored in your face. I will not tolerate what you’re thinking.”

  “I may have no other choice.” Kuan looked skyward, Cassius following his eyes to land on the injured red Dragon who immediately changed directions and sped toward them.

  “Don’t do this,” Cassius snarled angrily.

  “I’m sorry.” Kuan shook his head forlornly.

  Cassius reached behind him, shoving the massive Wolf. “Run,” he bellowed, trying to keep his eyes on the red Dragon and Kuan at the same time.

  “What’s going on?” Valentine asked confused, looking at Kuan, Cassius and then the Dragon closing in on them.

  “He won’t allow Basilius to get Rose so he’s taking matters into his own hands.” Cassius finally realized the truth of his words as Kuan’s sorrow filled eyes locked with his.

  “No!” Valentine sprang forward, throwing his body on top of Rose’s white beast.

  Basilius was closing in on them, as was the Dragon, Cassius snapped an arm forward, grabbing Kuan around the throat. “Call her off, now!”

  “I’m sorry,” Kuan gasped, putting up no fight at all. “I cannot.”

  “Yes, you fucking can,” Cassius’ shouted, anguish and pain in every syllable.

  Kuan only returned his look, his own pain visible to all. “No!” Cassius shrieked, knowing he’d die on the spot if he lost Rose.