The Black Rose Chronicles, Battle and Betrayal: Book 3

by A. K. Michaels

  Rose’s Wolf shook Valentine off her back, stepped forward and lay on the ground, offering herself up to the Dragon that was almost upon them. Cassius’ strangled plea touched the hearts of everyone there. “Rose, don’t. Run. My darling you have to run.”

  The great beast’s head turned, Rose’s eyes staring back at him from within the white fur now splattered with blood. It shook its head once and then lay back down, offering herself like a sacrificial lamb.

  “Oh for goodness’ sake,” a vaguely familiar voice interrupted. “I knew you couldn’t do this without me.”

  Nemamiah stood next to Rose’s Wolf, dressed in jeans and nothing else. His feet bare, and a mammoth pair of white feathered wings on his back. “I guess I’ll need to finish this.” The Angel looked up at the Dragon. “Back off Zee. I’ve got this.”

  Cassius sighed in utter relief when he saw the red Dragon turn over on itself, flying high once again, but more importantly, no longer on a course for his mate. Dropping to his knees, Cassius fell across the Wolf’s back, holding on for dear life as Kuan addressed the Angel.

  “You’re late, as usual.” The normal even tone of Kuan’s voice laced with anger.

  “Sorry.” Nemamiah shrugged. “I was keeping an eye on things and even thought, for a moment, I wouldn’t be required. I was wrong. So, Kuan, I’ll go and deal with my brother once and for all.”

  Cassius watched as the Angel strode toward Basilius who was now also naked from the waist up, a colossal pair of black wings spread out behind him. Basilius growled as Nemamiah approached. “So, brother, we meet again.”

  “This is the last time, Bas.” Nemamiah shook his head. “You’ve been allowed to run wild for far too long. It ends today.”

  “Really?” Basilius snarled evilly.

  “Yes.” The Angel’s voice sounded sad as he went on. “I cannot allow this, Bas, so please walk away and return to hell.”

  “No.” Basilius laughed. “I’m having this realm and I’m having her!”

  “You are not.” Nemamiah sprang forward, and what followed was the most devastating combat any of them would ever witness.

  Both of them used bolts of pure power, trying to weaken the other, before they finally met in a brutal fight of fists and wings. Cassius held his breath as he saw their massive wings used as various things, from shielding one from the other, to using them to pummel against their enemy.

  When Nemamiah’s wing sliced right through Basilius’ thigh, Cassius thought he’s seen it all, and the fight was over. He was wrong. Basilius bellowed in pain before healing in seconds as he beat back against the Angel.

  “Fucking hell,” Nicola’s voice whispered off to his left but Cassius couldn’t tear his eyes from the battle before them to check and see if she was all right, or not.

  “Is he powerful enough to win?” Cassius asked, directing his words to Kuan.

  “Maybe, maybe not,” Kuan said sagely. “But if there is any being that can defeat Basilius, then it is only an Angel as powerful as Nemamiah.”

  Cassius focused back on the fight, neither seeming to have gained the upper hand, and both now sporting injuries that weren’t healing. He assumed it took power and energy to heal and they were using every last iota in the struggle to defeat the other.

  His eyes flitted to the body lying on the ground, Terigan hadn’t moved and he feared the man was dead. One more to join the many littering the ground that, in places, ran with blood. Rose’s beast whimpered as it also watched Basilius and Nemamiah battle for supremacy. Cassius stroked its fur. “It’s going to be all right.” He tried to soothe the beast.

  “I hope so,” Valentine whispered.

  “Valentine,” Valeria interrupted. “I think we should try and tend some of the injured. Some look near death.”

  “If the Angel doesn’t win this there’s no point, Valeria,” Valentine said softly. “I’m pretty sure we’ll all be dead soon after this fight if Basilius wins.”

  “That’s beside the point,” Valeria snapped. “People are injured and in pain, we have to tend to them, even if it’s their last breaths.”

  “Of course, you are right.” Kuan was the one to answer. “Come with me, Valeria, and we will see what we can do. I have some energy left so I can, hopefully, help the most seriously wounded.”

  “Thank you.” Valeria disappeared behind them, but Cassius couldn’t tear himself away, from Rose or the fight that would decide her fate.

  On and on they fought, both now bloody and battle scarred with wounds that appeared to be mortal. “Come on,” Cassius urged as Nemamiah launched another brutal attack on Basilius.

  This time, when his massive white wings slammed into the Demon King, he fell to the ground, stumbling to rise again. The angel took full advantage, rushing to deliver a severe blow to Basilius’ chest with his foot before turning slightly to the side and snapping one of his ravaged wings down.

  Cassius exhaled sharply as the white wing sliced through Basilius’ neck, decapitating the Demon in a movement so fast that it was impossible to keep track of. As the Demon’s head rolled away, Nemamiah raised his arms and wings together, yelling over at the Demons still waiting. “Go, now, before I bind you all to hell forever. I will send one of my brothers to sort you lot out. But I warn you, he will show no leniency to anyone not prepared to live by new rules, the main one being, stay the hell away from here unless you wish to live in peace.”

  Cassius’ could only stare as Nemamiah’s injuries started to heal, all the while his strong voice directed to the Demons. “If you do not agree with the rule we put in place you will be bound to the hell realm forever. No second chances. Anyone caught harming any being in this realm will be killed immediately. Do you understand?”

  Many of the Demons nodded before blinking out of existence, leaving behind their dead and dying.

  Nicola looked around. “Is it over?” she asked quietly.

  “I think so.” Cassius stood, taking his coat off. “You can change if you wish, Rose.”

  “Thank the freaking fuck.” Nicola spat on the ground. “I hate the taste of Demon blood.”

  The white Wolf rose, its head looking around them. Cassius held his coat out towards it. “Nobody’s looking at you, darling, they’re too busy dealing with the wounded.”

  Rose’s beast transformed in a blink of an eye, her arms quickly going into the sleeves of his leather coat and tugging it closed in front. Her sad eyes took in the carnage in their wake before spinning around. She took off running madly toward Terigan’s body and Cassius took off after her, catching up and keeping pace until she fell to her knees.

  Her hands reached out, cradling the head of the Fire Dragon in her lap. “Oh please don’t die.”

  The other Dragons descended, only one, Zeeandra, transforming to human form. She glided over before joining Rose on the ground, her hands checking the damage done to Terigan, before shaking her head. “He is badly injured, as is Allyssa, they will return with me so I can heal them. Jaxon is also wounded but he refuses to go anywhere but back to his sanctuary to check on the people there. Stubborn man.”

  Rose nodded. “Okay, so how do we do this? Do you want us to tie him to your back or something?”

  Zeeandra smiled. “That won’t be necessary. I’ll carry him.”

  Rose stood, holding her hand out. “I can’t thank you enough for coming today. I’m pretty sure a lot more of us would be dead if you hadn’t helped us.”

  “I can’t exactly say it’s been a pleasure, but I am happy that we could assist you.” Zeeandra shook Rose’s hand before letting it drop. “I’m afraid I need to leave now, Terigan is gravely injured and if I don’t get him to my home soon, he may die.”

  “Oh, yes, go.” Rose stepped away, her eyes flitting between Terigan and the other Dragons. “They’re magnificent.”

  Cassius could only agree. “Yes, my love, they are.”

  “I feel bad they’ve been hurt so badly.” Rose bit her bottom lip as Zeeandra morphed to her Dragon for
m, hovering over Terigan, and gently encasing him in her thick, strong legs, her claws cinching together to ensure he wouldn’t fall.

  “We have our own injured to deal with.” Cassius took her elbow as Zeeandra’s Dragon took flight.

  Jaxon and Allyssa’s magnificent creatures rose up after Zeeandra’s, the white Dragon’s wounds clearly visible. As they rose higher and higher, Rose couldn’t take her eyes from them. Jaxon’s Dragon boomed a final farewell as they soared so high they were barely specs in the sky.

  Cassius tugged on Rose’s arm. “Come, we have to help our people.”

  Rose turned her face up to his. “I thought we were going to die.”

  “I’d never let that happen,” Cassius lied easily.

  “I would die if I were taken from you.” Rose turned completely into his arms. “I couldn’t survive without you, Cass.”

  “I know, my darling Rose.” Cassius leaned down, resting his forehead against hers. “I couldn’t carry on without you by my side either.”

  “Good.” Rose tried to smile but failed. “Now let’s go see what we can do to help.”

  As they walked back, both of them took in the devastation laid out before them. Bodies lay torn apart, others struggled to rise, while some limped around trying to give aid where they could. “So much death.” Rose looked around, checking to see where her father was.

  He was still in Wolf form and limping slightly behind Valeria who was helping Kuan as he healed the most grievously wounded. “He’ll be fine when he has time to heal,” she spoke aloud, convincing herself her father would be all right.

  Then she saw Seth, the body of a Wolf in his arms as he sat on the ground, and she was certain she saw tears on his face. Rose took off running as fast as her tired legs would carry her, throwing herself to the ground beside him.

  “Who is it?” she asked pleading. “Is it Sue?”

  Seth’s tear stained face turned to her, his grief taking her breath away as he nodded silently. Rose sprang back up, shouting, “Kuan! Kuan! We need you here.”

  She watched as Kuan turned toward her. “Hurry.” She motioned urgently.

  Kuan sped over, his eyes seeking the beast in Seth’s arms. “Is it alive?”

  Seth nodded once. “Yes, barely.”

  Kuan dropped down, his hands running over the dark fur of the Wolf. “She is on the cusp of death. I may not be able to bring her back.”

  Seth’s tortured eyes implored Kuan. “Please, I love her.”

  Rose felt his pain, his torment, as Kuan went to work. The revelation Seth loved Sue wasn’t a surprise, Rose had guessed it, but it had taken the battle for him to admit it to himself. She urged Kuan on, desperate to save Seth’s love. “Please, Kuan, do whatever it takes. Bring her back to him.”

  Seth held the Wolf in his arms until Kuan finally sat back, his hands leaving the fur of the beast and sighing, “I’ve done all I can. She may survive, but she may not. I’m sorry I can’t do any more. The rest is up to her.”

  Seth gently caressed the Wolf’s snout. “Sue, please fight. I love you, my sweet Sue, please come back to me.”

  “Can you carry her?” Kuan asked and Seth nodded grimly, standing, then hefting the Wolf into his arms. Kuan nodded. “I’ll take you back now, get her comfortable and warm. As I say, the rest is up to her.”

  “Thank you.” Seth’s fear-filled voice caused Rose’s heart to physically ache for him.

  She stepped away as Kuan touched Seth’s arm and they disappeared. A mere moment later he was back. “I have a lot of work to do.”

  Nemamiah’s voice causing both of them to jerk as he appeared beside them. “I’ll help.”

  Rose smiled up at the large Angel. “Thank you, for everything.”

  “You’re welcome.” Nemamiah looked around. “I think we better get to work, Kuan, some are near death.”

  Cassius was already sorting out the wounded, using a basic triage of wounded, gravely wounded, and almost dead. She watched as those still able helped to arrange the injured then Kuan and Nemamiah got to work. Obviously starting with those near death.

  In a surprisingly short time, those that had survived the battle were healed and collecting the bodies of the dead. Although some of the most badly injured were barely able to stand, even after Kuan and Nemamiah’s help. She was saddened to see that there were several Wolves and also a couple of Fairies amongst the dead. Although she felt sorry for all that had been killed, those two beings tore at her heart.

  Dagda, the Fairy king, insisted on taking their dead back to the forest for burial. Kuan transported them away after she’d barely had the chance to thank him for his help. Dagda had nodded grimly before going back to Central Park to organize the burial ceremony for his fallen men.

  Valentine joined her and Cassius as they looked at the rows of dead. “We should deal with our fallen here, as a memorial of what happened. I can organize a burial detail, or we can do what we normally do for Vampires.”

  “I think that’s a good idea.” Cassius looked over at the vast Plains before them. “We’ll burn them here and the scorched earth will be testament to those that gave their lives.”

  Rose’s throat constricted and she barely held herself together. Cassius’ arm circled her shoulders. “It’s not your fault, Rose.”

  “I know that,” Rose mumbled. “Kind of, but I still feel awful.”

  “And that’s why you’re the person you are.” Cassius tugged her into his side. “I think you should return home with your father and the rest of the Wolves. I think my men would like to do this on their own, with no spectators so to speak.”

  “Oh, okay,” Rose stuttered, feeling uncomfortable at being thought of like that. “I’ll get us together and ask Kuan to take us home.”

  “It is not a taint on you, Rose.” Cassius chucked her under the chin. “They are a close knit band of warriors that want to pay homage to their lost comrades.”

  “I understand.” Rose nodded. “I can go and check on Sue when I get home.”

  Cassius played with the collar of his coat that she wore. “Maybe you should shower and put some clothes on first.”

  “Yeah,” Rose agreed. “I think I’ll be having a very long shower.”

  “As will I when I return.” Cassius turned and shouted for the Wolves to assemble before Rose asked Kuan to take them home.

  Brendan’s Wolf was reluctant to leave Valeria but she urged him to go, telling him she wouldn’t be long behind him. Finally he licked her hand one last time and joined Rose and the other Wolves, some of which were in human form and stark naked. Rose wasn’t quite sure where to look so kept her eyes fixed on Cassius’.

  “I’ll see you in a little while.” He leaned down and kissed her gently.

  “Okay.” She breathed against his moist lips and a moment later she was moving through time and space to materialize in the foyer of the Plaza.

  She said a quiet, “Thank you.” Then quickly left to head upstairs to clean herself from the stench of the Demons that seemed to permeate her skin. Her father’s Wolf followed and when they entered her rooms he fell down onto one of the rugs and promptly fell asleep. She knew he’d heal quicker so she grabbed a throw and placed it over him before leaving him to rest.

  She took her time in the warmth of the water cascading down over her, then dressed quickly and went in search of Seth. It took her some time to find him, but one of the other Wolves who’d fought with them, pointed her in the direction of Sue’s suite.

  Rose knocked on the door softly before opening it and peeking inside. “Seth, it’s me, can I come in?”

  She heard his strangled, “Yes.” So stepped inside into a small lounge area. A door to the left was open so she headed toward it, seeing a large bed as she got closer. Seth sat on the edge, his back to her as he stroked Sue’s fur.

  “How is she? Any change?” Rose asked as she slipped onto the bed beside him.

  “No.” Seth whispered.

  “I’m sure she’ll pull through.”
Rose tried to sound positive. “She’s one strong lady, Seth. She won’t leave you if she can help it.”

  “What if she can’t?” Seth turned to peer into her eyes, fear shining in his.

  “Seth.” Rose placed a hand on his shoulder, patting it gently. “She cares for you, in fact, I’m pretty sure she loves you, so she’ll fight to come back to you.”

  “I’ve just found her, Rose,” Seth almost whimpered. “And I didn’t even know it until today. I love her, Flower, really love her with all of my being and I was blinded to that fact. If I lose her now I’m not sure what I’ll do. There’ll be no point in carrying on.”

  Rose could feel his pain, his anguish, and she was powerless to help. “Look at the state of you. You’re covered in all kinds of shit. Go and take a shower and I’ll sit with her until you’re back. Magic up yourself some clean clothes while you’re at it.”

  “I don’t want to leave her.” Seth didn’t move.

  Rose gave him a shove. “You stink and you’re making Sue’s bedroom smell like a sewer. She won’t be happy to wake up to that, so go and get clean and I promise if there’s any change at all, I’ll shout for you. Go, now, Seth, please.”

  Seth reluctantly rose, his hand running over the fur one more time. “Sue, wake up, babe, please.”

  “Go.” Rose urged him and he finally turned toward the bathroom.

  She heard the shower go on and she turned her attention back to Sue’s beast. “Sue, if you can hear me, you’ve gotta fight to come back. Seth loves you and he needs you to return to him. He’s a stubborn guy, and yeah, he’s been slow to realize how he feels.” Rose stroked the matted fur. “But don’t hold that against him, just come back and make him happy. He deserves to be happy, Sue. Please.”

  Rose remained silent for the next few minutes, until she heard the shower turn off. “Sue, I’m telling you, you have got to fight this and open your eyes. Let him know you’ll be all right. It’s killing him. He needs you, Sue.”

  Seth walked back in, his hair still dripping, but clean. He’d dressed himself in jeans and a tee, socks on his feet but no boots. “Any change?”