by Laura Hawks
Shara was nearby as she almost always was. His constant companion as well as his girl Friday should he need or desire anything. She had been with the judge for more centuries than she could count, yet even she was unaware of what made him so cold and uncaring. His stoicism was one of the things she admired about him. The way that nothing mattered to him but the job and he would do anything, sentence everyone the same, with no personal involvement or attachment. She stood by his side when the only emotions he showed were fury over another demon escaping and wreaking havoc on humanity. Somehow, for some odd reason, he had appointed himself as the additional savior to innocents. She had often wondered what had happened in his youth that set him on the path he was on, at least, until Clarissa entered his life about a month ago. Shara had seen the difference in him and it didn’t set well with her. She had noticed Mel lose his temper more than once during that time. Even to the extreme of letting his own inner demon out and ravage his body and soul. A torment she knew happened so rarely she could count the number of times she was aware of it on both hands.
She stepped forward.
“My lord? They are right you know. Even you’re aware that things have not been stable since she came here.”
Mel spun on her and his low voice rumbled in a soft deadly tone, “You forget yourself yet again, Shara.”
He continued to glare at her until she dropped her head to her chest, her long chestnut hair shrouding her facial features.
“I’m sorry, my lord, but I worry about how she is affecting you, when I don’t believe she is trustworthy and deserves your attention.”
“I told you before, it was none of your concern.”
“Still, Sir, she has brought nothing but trouble to your door since she has come. Is she really worth it, worth this stress?”
In the blink of an eye, he had Shara by the throat and against the wall, his face very close to hers as he growled out through clenched teeth.
“Don’t discuss this with me again or you may find yourself in my dungeons.”
Letting her go, he turned away from her, while she scurried from the room.
Chapter Two
Clarissa warmed up, stretching in front of the wall of mirrors in the exercise room. Her movements were fluid and graceful with almost a dancers gentleness to her motions. It had been more than twenty minutes since she ate, showered, dressed and reported to this room, only to find herself still alone. She wondered what was keeping Mel but decided to use the time wisely. Once she completed her stretching, she moved over to the black orb he had given her to store her most painful memories. A training tool he used with her in order to get her to focus more and have her enemies less likely to disrupt her concentration. She stared into the inkiness, watched as the black clouds shifted and revealed the memory of the worst day of her existence.
Ironic, since the day itself was beautiful, clear and crisp. She had been playing in the sun, hiding from her brothers and all the farm work that needed to be done. She was the baby of the family and the only daughter to the twelve brothers born before her. As a result, her parents let her get away with a bit more than they did her siblings.
The morning started like every other, busy with cooking, cleaning and the mild arguments of those waiting impatiently for other family members to get out of the bathroom. In the orb, she saw her brother, Johann, as he was that day. He was her favorite brother, overly protective, teased her mercilessly but there for her with whenever she needed, whatever she wanted, he would make sure she got it. He loved her dearly and she him, more than words could say. But that morning she got very angry with him, a regret that stayed with her even now. Johann had told his family he and his new wife, Marinka, were going to move out of the family home. Clarissa was shocked and railed on him. How could he leave her? Why did he have to go and leave their residence? Oh sure, it wasn’t like he was leaving the area they lived in but still, they wouldn’t be there when she got up, nor went to bed at night. Also, his wife said none of the family could stay at their new place. Marinka didn’t like her family much or her. Marinka felt that Clarissa and Johann were just a bit too close for siblings, a bit too affectionate. She missed that feeling of him around her and protecting her.
She missed the way he would tease her, tell her what to wear and whom she could associate with. Most of all, she missed their discussions about everything imaginable.
Johann had made the declaration to everyone that crisp, bright, cold morning. He didn’t even warn her alone, just announced to everyone they would be moving out at the end of the month. Family was only welcomed when they were specifically invited. Clarissa’s heart broke as she ran from the table in tears at the very thought. Johann found her outside, weeping softly. She clung to him as he approached her and begged him not to go. What was she to do without him in her life? How could he be so selfish as to leave them and listen to his wife, leaving his family, tradition and worse of all, leaving her?
She shook her head now at how foolish she was, how young and greedy for his time and attention she had been. She pushed him away that day, yelled at him. Johann had reached out to her, told her he would always be there. But she didn’t listen and she didn’t care what he had to say at that point. Her heart ached. She was going to make sure he knew it and hurt him too. She could never take the words back that she had thrown at him so harshly that day. After his announcement, she had run out onto the front porch, tears streaming down her cheeks. Had she known then it would be the last conversation she had with him, she would have said so many things differently. Who knew her life would change just moments later that day?
As she gazed at the scenes unfolding within the orb, she whispered, “I’m so sorry brother. I need you and love you terribly and I miss you so much. I never meant any of the words I said. I was rash and young. Gods please hear me. Please forgive me. I love you so much.”
Although, she didn’t feel the full onslaught of heartache as she had when she first started this process over a month ago, she still could never undo the hurt she caused Johan as her last words rang in the still, cold, crisp air around them before she turned and ran off. His last act was to save her as he sacrificed himself so she could get away later that day, whereas her last words to him that morning were, “I hate you more than life itself and wish you were dead.”
There was nothing she wished she could undo more than those words she never, ever truly meant but instead were said in the heat of anger.
The scene within the orb shifted. Once Clarissa had run from the house, she hid in the woods for hours. Finally, she had calmed herself down enough to try and send a mental message to her family. She was still too upset at Johann and Marinka to see them at the moment but she wanted to go home. She tried to call out to her parents through her telepathy but there was no response. She had no idea what was happening, only a strong unease settled around her, a desperation that she needed to get home as quickly as possible. Why did no one answer her mental link?
Shifting into her wolf form she began to run. She knew she was faster in this guise and her gut instincts told her she needed to get there as quickly as she could. She wanted to crawl in her Papa’s lap and have Mama chastise Johann for his announcement earlier but then why weren’t her parents responding to her either? Why were they ignoring her mental calls? Was she maybe linking incorrectly? Could were-wolves send a message to the wrong head, or get busy signals? She had never heard of such a thing but then again, she really didn’t know for sure.
One more bend and she would be home. She shifted back to her natural human form, a coat wrapped tightly around her body as soon as she was able to materialize clothes on her otherwise naked figure.
She rounded the corner and came to a dead stop. She blinked, and unsure she was actually seeing reality. The snows in the road were ran blood red as bodies were strewn about. Intermingled with the still figures of her young nieces and nephews, were the bodies of wolves, their throats cut or their guts torn out, laid next to them in a bloody pile matt
ed with their fur. She was sickened by the sight and shocked. Tears streamed down her face as she ran, continuing to look for other members of her family. Surely they would be safe, it was important that they were okay. They were her parents and her family. They just had to be alright.
She bust into the house, her brothers, more nephews and nieces slaughtered, the floorboards forever stained with their sanguine liquid. She screamed in horror,and in agony. Hearing more noises and some scuffling, shran towards the sound which led her to the back yard. Once there, she saw her brothers Johann and Sebastian fighting five wolves. She stared in horror as the wolves took down Sebastian, tearing him to shreds with their teeth and claws and he soon lay unmoving at Johann’s feet.
Johann saw her and she heard his desperate plea in her head. ‘Take my bike and run away. Never come back. Run and live!’
Wasting no more time, she ran to the shed where the motorcycle was kept. Just before she turned away from the grisly scene, she noticed Johan give her a very subtle nod, spin and run in the opposite direction. Johann knew full well the wolves would chase him and hopefully not notice her attempted bolt for freedom.
Johann swung at the wolves who were attacking him, trying desperately to keep them occupied so Clarissa could escape. She backed up slowly, wanting to flee the nightmare and not gain their attackers attentions but it was too late. One of the wolves smelled her fear on the wind and turned in towards her direction. Snarling, his fangs dripping with saliva and blood, he charged at her. She skidded slightly and then ran as fast as her feet would carry her.
Clarissa entered the shed where there was a brand new red Ducati which her brother Johann had just brought home a week ago. He had taken her for a ride just days before and showed her how to drive it. Johann had held her while she tried to maintain balance and encouraged her to keep trying until she was successful.
She ran to the parked motorcycle but felt the heavy paws of a wolf pouncing on her back, pushing her forward as her face quickly met the floor of the building. The wolf’s fangs sank into her shoulder. She felt the sinewy muscles and tissue being torn as she screamed and kicked, tears overflowing down her already dampened cheeks. Her hands reached out, trying to find anything to dislodge him off of her. Her hand found a crowbar and her fingers stretched and tried to roll it towards her for a better grip. It was just out of reach and kept rolling back slightly. Finally, she was able to grasp it. Getting a good grip on the crowbar, she twisted at her waist and whacked the wolf in the head with as much strength as she could muster. Clarissa kept repeatedly hitting the wolf until he the grip on her shoulder slackened. She squirmed out from under his heavy body and quickly got on her feet. Her one arm hung slightly limp from the shoulder wound, she found it hurt to move it. Blood, her blood dripped down her arm. As the wolf staggered towards her, she growled while and kicked him.
Her father had made sure his children knew how to defend themselves and insisted they take martial arts. She always thought carving wood with him was more fun than practicing kicks and hits but she was never more thankful that he had encouraged she learn.
Once the wolf was back far enough, he took a running leap at her again. This time she caught the beast in the chest with the pointy end of the crowbar, using the metal rod to flip the wolf alongside of her, unmoving other than a twitch or two as he expelled his last breath. She sank to her knees as she let go of the bloodied instrument. Having taken the life of a living creature, she felt she should be remorseful but she wasn’t. That creature helped to kill everything she loved. Everything that made up her life was now all gone. Shakily regaining her feet, she ran to the bike, rolled it out and revved it up. Jumping on it, she sped as fast as she could to get away. A few wolves tried to chase her. A couple of them even materialized in front of her but she skirted around them and kept driving, never looking back as she knew she couldn’t afford to. She was blinded mostly by the tears that streamed down her face but she did not stop. She just kept moving with as much speed as she could and prayed they wouldn’t find her. Yet, a part of her hoped they would catch her so they could kill her also and she would once again be with her loved ones. Her life was destroyed in a matter of minutes.
Clarissa watched the scenes play out on the orb, her emotional reactions minimal from repetition. Which of course was Mel’s goal when he gave her the orb as he knew it would weaken the hold others might attain if they were aware her family was her weakness. When the memory had cycled through, she set the orb back down and checked the clock. Two hours had passed since she entered the chamber and still Mel had not appeared.
She wondered what she should do when Shara entered the room. Clarissa knew Azamel’s assistant did not care for her much, though she was unsure why. Standing, she moved to the older woman, grabbing a bottle of water and downing it as she approached.
“Did something happen?”
Shara shook her head.
“Azamel got called away on business. He asked me to tell you he wouldn’t see you the rest of the day. If he can get away for dinner, he will join you, otherwise don’t expect him.” Shara bit her lower lip as if trying to decide to add something more.
Sensing the hesitation, Clarissa gazed at the woman solemnly. “What else did he tell you?”
Shara had to admit the were-wolf was intuitive.
“I’m unsure if it is my place to tell you. After all, my allegiance is to the judge. However, you should know he was visited this morning by the Elder Council. When they left, he was in a foul mood.”
“What was their meeting about? Do you know? Please tell me.”
“I’m unsure entirely. However, I can only surmise it was for him to finish training you and getting you back in the upper world where you belong.”
“I belong with Mel.”
“No child, you don’t. He has his duties and you cannot be a part of them. Do him a favor and leave before he goes against his orders and suffers greatly. Don’t make him agonize more because of your greed to stay with him.”
“It’s not greed. It’s caring.”
“Then prove it. He will be damned more than before should you stay. For him, if not for yourself. Put someone else’s needs, his needs, ahead of your own selfishness for a change.”
Although he had asked her to come back to this realm with him, told her he would protect her and keep her safe, only once had he told her he loved her. He still kept so much of himself withdrawn and reserved. She had thought it was because he had never opened up to anyone before or at least in a very long time. Keeping her distant would be natural if he knew she couldn’t remain by his side.
“Why,” Clarissa managed to croak out softly. “Why did he bring me here if he was aware of this?”
Shara snorted. “Do you really need to ask? He wants you here so he can have access to the stone without you being so wary.”
Clarissa’s head snapped up at that remark. ‘Yep, I’m definitely the fool. I trusted him and loved him. I believed what he said and I set myself up to be betrayed yet again because I so desperately wanted to believe that he really wanted to help me learn how to protect the stone better and get over my loss of family. I truly thought he cared about me and wanted to protect me cause he loved me. How more gullible can I possibly be?’ She spun away from Shara, refusing to let the other woman know how much her words impacted Clarissa.
Shara remained stoic as she watched Clarissa. She was well aware of how her words affected the young and beautiful wolf. She had not been pleased one iota that Azamel had brought back this woman after their defeat of Xon. Mel claimed he wanted to train her and help prepare her for future antagonists but Shara knew it was only the excuse he gave to himself to justify actually feeling something for Clarissa.
In the multitude of eons Shara had been with Mel, never once had she noticed him behave as he had when Clarissa was around. He cared for her and it showed. It would be his undoing and Shara would do everything in her power to prevent his demise. Besides, if the truth be known, Shara worshipped M
el. A part of her wanted him for herself, desired the closeness built over the ages.
Although centuries of service to him never once made him look at her as anything other than his assistant and some days not even that, Shara still held hope he would one day realize he cared for her. To be honest, she wasn’t even aware he could show affection for anything or about anyone. She had rarely seen any display of emotion from him outside of anger or irritation. At times, she wondered if he even had a heart that could be touched.
When the Gods arrived earlier that morning, Coyote took Shara aside. She was ready to believe all the tales he wove. Although she couldn’t remember distinctly their discussion, her mind entwined her own hopes and thoughts within the whispered notions that Coyote planted within her.
“Help him see that he is endangering himself and your position with him if he continues to disregard his responsibilities,” Coyote susurrated softly.
“How?”
“By reminding them both of what you know to be true in your heart.”
Shara had listened to Coyote’s words, her judgment grasping to straws of hope. Her musings were halted as Clarissa turned back to her.
“Thank you for the information.”
Shara nodded briefly before turning and leaving the room. Only when she was alone in the corridor did she allow herself a little smirk.
Chapter Three
Mani stood in the shadows watching. He had entered Azamel’s reception chambers with the Gods. Undetected in his ghostly form, Mani was able to move past the receiving area by adhering closely to Shara, all unaware he was there. Once he found his goal, the Guardian of the stone, he remained near her. Admittedly, Clarissa wasn’t what he expected for the protector to one of the most powerful artifacts in the world. Young, spirited and alluring, anyone in her presence immediately denoted a strong charisma surrounded her, even if they were unsure why.