by Mela Zen
It didn’t even flinch.
“Come on Annabelle, I know you are better than that,” Jax growls.
“Fuck you,” I say I look at my fist and whisper, “da fortitudinem.”
I felt the rise in energy going into my fist and I look at the hollow thing and I punched him, sending him flying across the grass, hitting multiple branches.
“Cheater,” Jax looks at my fist.
“It did the job!” I narrowed my eyes at him.
“Not really,” Zeke rushes towards our side, breathing and bleeding heavily, “It got up and its heading towards Elijah and co.”
“Fucking hell, lets go.”
“Should we shift?”
“I can’t. I have to kill this thing, and I am not going to kill him naked,” I roll my eyes and ran back to the group of witches. Passing the dead bodies, my stomach aches, not wishing to see any of this destruction.
It reminded me of my old days. The days were I just tore up villages, by the numbers, not for blood but for sport. Those days constantly brought me down. I hear Zeke shift, bones cracking and paws pounding the earth following me.
When we got there, the being was bravely attempting to destroy the small barrier casted by the witches. However, it will growl and ache in pain as the barrier is made of pure light. It was so busy focusing its attention on the circle, it didn’t notice us coming behind it.
I look at Zeke and Danny running side by side, catching Zeke’s eyes. He looks at me for a brief second then nods. And with that, I jumped from the small boulder and summon my werewolf nails, scraping the being’s back.
It bleed. But soon it healed up. Then it turned around to face me, ready for the attack, however I too was ready. I immediately ducked and that is when Zeke took a large chunk of his shoulder, gripping it as hard as he could. The being fell to its knees, groaning and wailing in pain.
For a brief moment, I believed we actually could manage to weaken the being so much it won’t have the strength to fight back. But. It suddenly summoned heaps amount of strength, slowly getting up as Zeke maintain its hold. That’s when I realized, it’s getting stronger.
“ZEKE!” I yelled, running towards him. Before I could even touch my brother, then thing slaps me across the face, nearly twisting my neck as I am sent flying across the yard. Forcing my neck to twist the other way, my eyes widen in panic and fear as I see the being grab my brother’s neck, firmly grasping him, yanking him off his shoulder.
Remarkable. Not a single scratch on sight.
Then my brother howels. Whimpers. Screeches. Then, pop.
His body falls to the ground.
Chapter 37
Annabelle
Flashback
“These damn people never learn,” Zeke chucks a human body part into the fire pit we made. I followed the limb with my eyes, my head ducking down as it falls into the pit. The owner of that limb deserved it.
“We came on the same boat as them. Filthy rascals,” I toss another limb into the pit. The fire went up into flames before settling down.
“Quella barca era troppo piccola per 200 persone.”
{Translate: That boat was too small for 200 people}
“Perché siamo tornati qui?”
{Translate: Why did we come here again?}
“Because,” he stops and looks at me with sad eyes, “We wanted to get away from home and try to start a life here.”
“Ha. Yet somehow these Europeans accused us villagers for practicing us witchcraft and then we were hunted.”
“Were they wrong though?” He smirks at me.
“No. What is so bad with practicing witchcraft? Not to be rude, but they believe in this higher power that somehow ‘created’ life yet this being has never shown its face,” I scoff, shaking my head, “And when we show them that we too can create life, they freak out. Claiming we are devils.”
“We kind of are, Sis. I mean, we tend to suck the life out of these poor, stupid creatures.”
“We were them, Zeke.”
“Yeah and look at us now. Feared. Always hated. Seems we never changed.”
“I suppose you are right. But we are most definitely better than these people,” I toss the last limb into the bit. The fire was quickly dying, but I managed to throw in a little more oil and it soon lit up again.
We sat at the edge, drinking the red blood from the bodies we collected. We added a bit, a very tiny bit, of the poppy plant to add a kick to it. We went through bloody hell these past few months, but we managed to survive.
“Sis,” my brother says softly.
“Yes,” concerned raised my voice.
“I vow to always protect you, no matter what. I know you are older than me and maybe even stronger than me, but I will and I can protect you.”
“Zeke…”
“No. You have been protecting me my whole life. Since I was born, you have the instinct to protect me. Now it’s time for you to share some of that burden. I am a big boy now, and I can help,” he smiles softly at me.
“Of course, Zeke. Always,” I let out my pinky, waiting for his to entangled in mine.
“Always,” he wraps his and squeezes it hard.
End of flashback.
He is gone.
I can no longer hear his heartbeat.
I push myself from the ground, crawling towards him. It felt like ages when I finally reached his fuzzy wolf body. I put my hands on his small nose, reaching for his eyes. I saw them and those yellow eyes looked back me.
“Z….ek..e,” I stuttered, my hands shaking.
No response. His pupils looked at me, slowly growing larger and larger. Eventually, they stopped.
Time felt like it stopped.
Everything stopped.
My already dead heart stopped.
That is when I heard the maniacal laughter crescendo into my eardrums. It kept going and going, getting louder and louder. I looked up to the ugly thing that is standing tall in front of me. My rage filled me. I made my fist into a ball, tight enough that I can feel my nails slightly cutting through my skin. It didn’t matter to me, I am already broken.
I heard it laugh some more and that is when I uppercut the son of a bitch. As its body floats in the air for a millisecond, I kicked it to where I could no longer see it. I plopped right back down to my lifeless brother, feeling the tears flow through.
I then remembered that if any of the members of the back have fallen, the howel must proceed. I take in a couple of deep breaths, the last one being my biggest, and I let out my howl. A howl that had pain embedded in it, a howl that would be remembered, a howl that will call to many.
I hugged my brother, hearing the other wolves break through the trees and bushes. I even heard Jax come up next to me, kneeling behind me. Danni scent just hit me and my head picked up, to look at her.
She knew. Of course, she knew. She knew the moment Zeke felt his pain. She felt his pain, his life, snapped away in an instant. A curse of the mating bond.
She too then let out a howl. Her howl also filled with pain.
“Annabelle, look, I know this is a terrible timing, but we have the battle to win. Avenge your brother, Flor. Please, try to fight,” Jax tries to coax me.
I didn’t budge.
“Annabelle, please,” He tried again.
No. I can’t. I am too weak. Too exhausted.
“I get that, but it is still here. We can avenge Ezekiel. We can. We have too, Flor,” Jax rubs my shoulders.
This is why he would have been my perfect mate. Too perfect, though. I love Elijah, I know he is the one, but this is why I loved Jax from the start. He knows me all too well. He should know, though, I am going to stay here until I feel ready.
“Listen, Annabelle. More witches have come, they are helping us. Few more werewolves have joined the battled. I will give you time, but you have to snap out of it. At least for a little bit, please. Just enough for you to use your strength and hit it with everything you got.
Just fight with us when you
can,” he kisses the back of my head and I felt the cold air brush against my back.
How can I fight when the other and better half of me died. I didn’t protect him like I said I would. He kept his promised and protected me. I didn’t. For how strong I am, I sure do suck at protecting people.
I tried to hold back the tears but they burst through the pathetic door. I heard my weeping loud and clear, weak and unforgiving. Then, for the first time in a long time, I blacked out.
Chapter 38
Elijah
As I looked up, the barrier shows droplets of water spreading across it. The sun has gone and it is now covered with gray clouds, droplets becoming heavier and heavier. Then I felt a sudden wave of sorrow filled my chest, not enough to get my crying but enough to feel it.
“You okay?” Anna asks.
“I...the pain...its unbearable,” I breathe out, “It feels like I just felt someone died.”
“My dear, look,” Grace points her chin at the scene.
That’s when I see Annabelle crawl to a wolf, her hands shaking, a stream of tears coming from her green eyes. The being is standing tall over her, head up in the air, laughing. Suddenly he goes flying back to the bushes, but Annabelle, she plops to the ground, sobbing.
She then looks up to the sky, howling.
“Is that….,” Anna asks.
“Yes, Ezekiel has passed on,” Grace confirms.
That is when I moved my feet, I wanted to help my girlfriend right then and there but Grace stops me.
“NO! Elijah, you can’t move now, we are so close to making this. One step and we have to start over and we simply do not have time,” Grace cries out.
“But, Annabelle. She isn’t doing anything! She is just lying there. I have to help her,” I replied with anguish in my voice.
“I understand, but right now she needs you to create this. Help her by doing this. She is a big girl, she will get out of her funk.”
“But…”
“Elijah!”
“Fine,” I resume, focusing my energy on the blade. Although, it is hard to focus on this stupid sword when my heart feels Annabelle’s pain.
The pain is harsh, hurting, radiating throughout my body. It feels like I am going numb, from my chest to my feet. I look at her, her arms trying to cover Ezekiel’s dead body, but she is too small to reach. If only I could console her, help her fight her pain, and just simply be there for her. However, I am here. Making this.
“Fuck,” Anna whispers.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, looking at her. She is getting a tad but pale, beads of sweat appearing.
“Nothing,” she breathes out.
“Anna, come on. Something is clearly wrong.”
“My dear, did you and Jax marked each other,” Grace asks.
Anna blushes and coughs, “Yes.”
“You are feeling his pain. How bad is it?”
“I feel like my soul is crushed and very, very tired. It is almost like I am on the verge of death,” she lightly chuckles but I can see her fear.
“Can you continue?”
“Of course I can. Its just I feel wheezy, that’s all.”
“So many deaths, this has to do,” Grace says harshly, “Annabelle, I pray that you come out of your sense for a few more hours. Please, my dear.”
I look at her body, still in the same place as ever. Her head buried in her brother’s chest, her chest slightly raising in harsh intervals. I know she is crying, even though I have rarely seen her cry.
I look to where the battle is still going, Jax and Danni, trying their hardest with other wolves and witches. I did not look at the scene for too long as the bodies are dropping faster than the rain itself.
Annabelle, I pray too that you get out of this funk and fight.
For your sake.
Annabelle
“Hey sis,” he stupid voices forces me to look up.
“Zeke? You’re alive?” I said through sobs.
“No, technically.”
“Then how are you here?”
“A witches magic, courtesy of our dear mother. She cast a spell in which I can communicate with you in your mind. That’s why it is so dark and only two spotlights are on us. One time thing though.”
“I am so glad I get to see you!” I ran and hugged him, I am sobbing so hard right now. I let go and looked at him and he laughs.
“Dude you look so terrible right now. If I could get this on camera that would be great!”
“Seriously Zeke, I just watched you die and you are cracking jokes?” I groan wiping away the tears and some drainage coming out of my nose. I bet I look like a mess.
“Yeah...well...I am here to tell you to stop being a little cry baby and fight!”
“What?!”
“Yeah, I said it. A weak, little crybaby and not putting her effort in the fight. You’re not fighting for me. Quitting already? Shame. We happened to the almighty Annabelle, the tribrid?”
“Zeke, I am going to strangle you,” I growl.
“Hmmm too late, I am dead. Why are you weak?”
“I am not weak.”
“Clearly you are, considering your just hugging my wolf body and not helping Jax or anyone else for that matter.”
“I just lost my brother, I am allowed to cry.”
“Yeah, but you never cry.”
“You told me I should try it sometime.”
“Oh wow. I am valued. Thank you very much you decided to try a new experience when I am dead. Some sister.”
“Asshole.”
“Listen. What I am saying is fight. Fight for me. Fight for us. For Elijah. Jax. Danni. Everybody. Then cry.”
“But.”
“No buts!”
“Fine. But then I am allowed to cry.”
“Yes.”
“Fine!”
“Oh and Annabelle.”
“Yeah?”
“I know about the blade and your plan. You sure you want this?”
“Most definitely.”
“Hmm, not that I can stop you. Good luck. We will see each other soon.”
“Not going to talk me out of it?”
“What’s the point. You have already made your decision and from years past, you never listen. If this makes you feel better then do it. Just make sure you come to terms with it. No regrets.”
“Got it. No regrets.”
“Now fight, sis. Show that son of a bitch what you are made of.”
I raise my head from his body, coming to peace with his death. My eyes look to the fight, bodies dropping as is the heavy droplet is water. The storm is coming. And I am glad I am coming with it.
For me and for my brother this will all end.
Chapter 39
Annabelle
For now, I cast the sadness aside. For now, my sole focus is on defeating this monster and saving the people I can save.
For now, I have to be what I was created to be.
Powerful.
I look at the lifeless body that once carried my brother’s soul, shutting my eyes for the last time. I wipe away the tears I have left and said to myself that this is it. It has to be. I sigh, finally looking up and analyzing the scene in front of me.
Everyone has either fled or given up. I don’t blame them.
I turn to face Elijah, Anna, and Grace, all focused on the blade that looks to be almost done. I sense Elijah’s worrying; his body tensing up and trying to calm himself down. Then the grunts and thuds against the ground forces me to look at the being, who happens to be fighting Jax. And the being is winning.
I shut my eyes, now I am focusing all my anger and rage that I have. I felt this enormous amount of energy I have buried deep within my soul. I forgot I had such power, it almost feels like I have been reborn. I straighten my back, held my head up high, letting my arms fall limp, focusing on my power.
“Audi me: terra mater,” I begin to chant. The thunder begins to crack louder in the night sky, trembling the ground, “Sit corporis exterriti. Ostendere
iram tuam!”
That is when the final thunder hit and the ground created this frighteningly calm power and heat, radiating towards me. I felt it seeping in me; I finally let this out. That is when I open my eyes and stare at the being who stopped fighting Jax and is now looking at me. The dirt and water from the rain begins to form a circle around us: just me and the being, big enough for a large fight.
“Let’s fight,” I say and I charge at it.
It tried punching me first but me being clever, I dodge it and hit its back. Then I spin around to kick it towards the mud-like wall. Instead of going through it, it bounced back rolling to its side and getting up quickly, afraid of what just happened.
“You killed my brother,” I shout running towards it to punch it.
To my surprise, it grunted.
I point my hands towards it, lift it up and slam it as hard as I can to the ground. I did so repeatedly, until I felt myself tire out. I spread my hands wide apart and shouted from my lungs, “Corpus operit pulvere consurge servitutem et immane factus est!”
The mud from the ground and part of the wall begins to encircle the being, trapping its arm against itself, it struggling for freedom. Once my hands clapped together, the ball of mud exploded and for a second I hoped that being did so as well.
But not to my surprise, it didn’t.
It was slow to get up, struggling to find its footing. I didn’t even give it a chance as I rush towards it again, this time using my fist. I landed the first blow onto its stomach.
“You took a part of me.”
Punch.
“You destroyed me.”
Punch.
“You.”
Punch.
“Are.”
Punch.
“Going.”
Punch.
“Die.”
Punch. Punch. Punch.
This is too easy.
That is when I hear its nails stretch from its skin and it stopped my blow and slice my face. I roll off of it, my face burning in pain. I wipe the blood off of my face only to see it dissipate in the air. Before I knew it, it lifted me with those lanky but strong hands, gripping my neck tightly, squeezing the very little air I have left. I felt my blood vessels popping, my heart beating faster, my mind racing. That is when the mud-like ring falls flat on the ground, rain is still pouring, but the scenery is all the same.