Seizing Darkness (Fur, Fangs, and Fairies)

by Mariana Thorn

  “Gidget. I’m to send her our plans. She sure woke up on the wrong side of the bed today.” He finished up the popcorn.

  I tried to suppress my laughter. “I could do it for you,” I said when he came in the room and handed me a coffee. I’d already started the movie.

  “Cool. She sent it to my phone – here.” He handed me his phone. He sat back into the couch and watched the movie. It was a spy flick.

  I sat back too as soon as I was finished. We were laughing and making fun of the movie when Val walked in. He smiled at us. The smell of the pizza he was carrying made my stomach growl.

  “I’m gathering that you two have made some sort of a plan and forwarded it to Gidget,” he said.

  “Of course, why don’t you guys join us?” I said, jumping up to retrieve one of the pizza boxes.

  Val and Jenna made themselves comfortable. For the next few hours, we watched movies and joked around. Dante joined us when he got up. About an hour later, everyone else showed up.

  Chapter Nineteen

  We went through the plan with everyone a few times. Then Val called Gidget. “Are you all set?”

  “I’ve been waiting for you. I’ll relay the information as I get it. I need you all to get your gear on. I want to do a check before you go in. The satellite is just coming up now. By the time you guys get on the road, I’ll have it analyzed. I’m sending the places I want each group dropped off to your phones. Since the wolves, Nat and Dek will all be shifting, you won’t be able to talk back to me. You should be able to get the neck straps loose enough to wear while shifted though. That way you can at least hear what’s going on.”

  “Thank you, Gidget.” Val was in a relaxed state of readiness.

  I was sure he’d been through things like this many times. It made me wonder again how old he was. As for me, I was revving to go. My fur was just beneath the surface, eager to come out.

  “Anything for you, Val,” she replied.

  “I’ll call you back as soon as we’re geared up.” He hung up and turned to the rest of us. “I have all the communication devices we need. I know that some of you are opposed to using more mundane ways of communicating, but it is essential that we be in as much contact as possible. I want to reiterate to everyone there is a capture and no kill order on all humans. I expect that to be upheld. There will be human soldiers on hand to take our prisoners for us. Is that clear?” He looked at each one of us in turn. When he was satisfied that we’d all heard him, he said, “Let’s get going guys; the moonlight’s waning.”

  I’d changed into black cargo pants, a black long-sleeved shirt and my black Puma shoes. Everything was easy to take off and would be nice and warm when I was ready to put it back on. Val would be dropping us off and we would leave our clothes in the car. Those few seconds between human and tiger were going to be cold. I was pulling down my sleeves when Radek came in. He looked me up and down.

  “Are you ready, partner?” he asked. He handed me the neck strap with the communication device. He was in a dark pair of sweats and damn he looked good even in that.

  I smiled at him. “As ready as I can be. Let’s go and kick some wolfy tail. What do you say?”

  “I couldn’t have said it better myself.” He held the door as we rejoined everyone else. Jenna was looking a bit nervous and sticking close to Carly. Madon and the other two wolves looked stoic. The vampires seemed bored like always. Val made the call to Gidget. Soon we were all hearing her voice in our ears and checking in.

  “It’s time,” Val said.

  Radek and I jumped in the back seat of Val’s SUV. We were split between three vehicles. It was a snug fit, but we didn’t have far to go. Radek and I were the farthest away and would have to trek the rest of the way in by foot. Val barely had time to stop the car before we jumped out.

  We quickly undressed and threw our clothes in the vehicle. The shift took seconds, but it was a damn cold few seconds. I shook off the remnants of whatever magic allowed for it to happen. I heard the doors slam as I glanced over at Radek. He was next to me stretching.

  “Beta are at the drop point,” we heard Val say over the comm. units around our necks.

  “Proceed to Rally point,” Gidget said.

  Val drove away to drop off the next group, leaving Radek and I alone.

  We kept to the shadows as well as we could as we made our way to our positions. We heard when the others came online. Soon everyone was where they were supposed to be. Madon, Trent, Jake and Carly were making their way toward our location. They were our backup. We would hit the wolves in two waves.

  “Alpha, proceed,” Gidget said. “Beta, stand by. Make your way closer. Everyone else hold positions.”

  We did as we were told. There was a tense pause as we waited for it to begin. My tail was twitching in anticipation. We were both crouched on the edge of the clearing. The barn was now in sight. I could feel Radek next to me. He was vibrating in anticipation of the coming fight.

  “Beta, go.” That was our signal.

  Radek and I went for the big doors of the barn. They were wide open. I let Radek go in first to surprise the wolves inside. He made sure they got a good look at him, then we took off back into the trees. We went just slow enough, so the wolves would follow. I put on the speed as we split up. The voices of the others were a distant thing as I focused on my mission and Radek. I was circling around to rejoin him. My breath was coming out in pants of excitement. It was like hunting, but more fun.

  The first wolf caught up to me. He launched at my head. I dodged him. As he was flying by, I rolled over and snagged him with my razor sharp claws. I had his head sliced off and flying through the air in the blink of an eye. Blood rained down on me as I instantly regained my feet. That had given the others a chance to catch up. They hesitated after seeing me so easily dispatch the first wolf. They were all shifted. I could easily take on the seven wolves that followed me. I smiled, showing my fangs as they approached.

  “Beta, two, Beta one is about twenty-five yards to the north of you. He has six. Wait, there is another. Charlie team is on their way to your location. There is a small group of wolves between them and you.” Gidget’s voice sounded in my ear. “There are many more wolves than first estimated. Watch your back and regroup as soon as possible.”

  Another wolf leapt at me I used my giant paw to slice his side and gut open. I was covered in more blood. Two others attacked then. I maneuvered out of the way, caught one between my teeth by its paw and swung it into the other. Only two of the seven wolves were dispatched and I was already breathing hard. Man, I was out of shape. After this I was going to start working out again every day. One wolf was lying down with a broken leg. He was out for the time being.

  There was something nagging at me; I felt it was important to get to Radek. My gut was telling me this. Decision made, I jumped out of the way of an attacking wolf and ran for Radek. I got there just in time. Radek had his focus on the four wolves that remained. That’s when I spotted the cat above him in a tree. I didn’t have time to warn him. The cat jumped and landed on Radek, ripping into the back of his neck.

  There wasn’t any time to hesitate. I leapt into the air. I latched onto the back of the cat’s neck as my body collided with his and knocked him from Radek. I twisted around as we landed, my jaws closing around his throat. My four-inch canines brushed his spine as I dug in. My long claws sank into his pelt as I pushed my whole weight onto him. I felt his neck snap between my teeth. The blood pumped into my mouth for a few seconds, then stopped. He was dead. I gave him a shake in my anger. The growling that I heard was my own.

  The battle going on behind me soon registered in my head. I could hear that Radek’s breath was coming out erratically. He was keeping the wolves off, but just barely. I let the body drop and tried to spit out the blood. A wolf jumped on my back. I rolled with it and leapt aside.

  Madon and his wolves now joined in the fray. There were wolf bodies flying everywhere. Snarls and whines filled the air. The scent of
blood and death were heavy. I needed to get to Radek.

  It took a while before I could make it over to him. I watched him go down. The bleeding hadn’t stopped yet. I leapt for the wolf that had attacked him and latched onto the back of his neck with my massive jaws. I flung him into a tree. I stood over Radek’s body, protecting him from further attack. I couldn’t hear him breathing. Soon the others had finished off the last couple of wolves. I recognized Joshua’s bloody carcass. The wound had most likely been caused by Radek. It looked like Madon had taken a little damage, but was holding his own. I didn’t know what was going on at the house, nor did I care. Radek was down and barely breathing. He was dying, I knew it, and there was nothing I could do.

  The scent that hit my nose next nearly made my heart stop. My growl deepened, my ears were back pinned to my head and I saw red. Madon and Carly were in front of me. He was behind them. All I could think of was ripping him into tiny pieces.

  It was Andrei. He was here. The smile on his face drove me mad. I crouched down, ready to spring. Madon hadn’t seen the vampire behind him, so he didn’t know that I wasn’t attacking him. I didn’t pay much attention to him. I was too focused on Andrei. I leapt at him over Madon’s head. Andrei took off into the trees and I followed. Radek was dead and I wanted to take Andrei out. He came to a stop. I looked for a way to attack. He wasn’t leaving me an opening.

  I never saw him coming. I found myself with my snout in the dirt. I could smell who was standing on me. It was Val. I didn’t understand it though. What was he thinking? I couldn’t move his massive weight off of me. He was growling. I could hear Andrei talking.

  “Well, well, well. If it isn’t the great Valdimir. What, you can’t talk, nasty little kitty?” he laughed. The sound of it ran down my spine like nails on a chalkboard. I was snarling uncontrollably, yet Val kept me pinned.

  “I see that you have your paws full. Just so you know, I’ll get her back and wipe you from the face of this Earth. Of course, that is after I have a little fun with you and your sons. Have a good evening, Valdimir.” And then Andrei was gone.

  I couldn’t stop the roar of my frustration from coming out. I laid there even after Val let me up. I was drained of all energy. My vision started to go. I suddenly heard Val’s frantic voice.

  “Natalya, get up,” he sounded like he was far away. I wanted to know why he sounded like it was so urgent, but I couldn’t get up. I let the blackness take me away.

  Chapter Twenty

  It was four days later. My injuries had been severe. I hadn’t seen Radek or Val since that night. I didn’t know if Radek was alive or dead. Val had taken him somewhere, no one would tell me. I knew we had lost people that night. That’s what had been killing me. What if I’d stayed with Radek instead of running off after Andrei? Could I have saved him? That is the only thing I’d thought about these last four days. I’d been staying with Dante.

  I knew that dawn was approaching, but I didn’t care. I still hadn’t shifted back. I was curled up on the floor with my tail tucked over my nose when Dante walked in.

  “I need you to shift, Nat. Tonight is the challenge for Madon’s pack. We have to finish this.” Dante leaned down in front of me and laid his cold hands in my fur. “Please, come on. I need you to talk to me,” he pleaded.

  I looked up into his eyes and sighed. Fine, I supposed it was time to stop feeling sorry for myself. I stood up and stretched.

  “That’s a good girl. Go on up and shift. Then eat. We will leave at dusk.” Dante sounded relieved.

  At least I would have the day to get ready. It would probably be for the best if I ate before I went over. After shifting, I took a long bubble bath, ate some raw steak and just stared out the window. Just as it was getting dark, Dante appeared.

  “Good, you’re ready.” He gave me an assessing look, but didn’t say anything else. I was glad because I didn’t want to talk. I just got in his car and he drove to Madon’s.

  “We are going to be the officials. Are you sure you’re up to this?” he asked me softly.

  I didn’t look at him. “I’m fine, Dante,” I replied, staring out the window. “Is there any news?”

  “Not that I’ve heard, but that is probably a good thing. We would have been told if he had died.”

  I didn’t say anything and I could feel his glances at me. There wasn’t much I could do about it either. I couldn’t hold in the sigh as we pulled into Madon‘s home. He was on the porch waiting for us. The only thing he was wearing were a pair of worn sweat pants.

  It would be another half an hour before anyone else would be allowed to show up. I opened the door, leaving my emotions in the car. This wasn’t the place for it. Besides the executions, there was a distinct possibility that someone else could die tonight. It could be someone that I considered a friend. I’d already lost too much in the last week. I didn’t think I could handle any more loss.

  Madon had been challenged by two lesser wolves. I didn’t think they could take him, but that was two fights he would have to be involved in. I cared for him. Carly’s position had also been challenged. I cared for her as well. They were my family just like Dante, Radek and Val. This was going to be a long night, I thought.

  I wasn’t allowed to help. Dante and I were here only to watch and make sure the rules were followed. Secretly I was hoping someone stepped out of line – I was in the mood to rip some throats out. I was angry and hurt. I knew Dante was dealing with the same emotions, but he was handling it better than me.

  The executions would also happen tonight. I’d promised Jenna that I would make it painless for her father, and I planned on following through with that promise. It was one of the reasons we were here early. I was standing in front of Madon now. I could see that he was tense. He’d been through a lot too and I felt for him.

  “Good evening, Dante, Natalya.” He greeted us and motioned us into the house. There was no one in the house, but those in the basement holding cells. We took seats in the living room. I just nodded; I didn’t know what to say. I was afraid that if I did say anything then I would start crying and not stop.

  Dante answered for both of us. “Good evening. Are you ready for this, Madon?”

  I could see that Dante was concerned for him as well. It all seemed so unfair. Madon was a good leader. He shouldn’t have to fight for it.

  “This is nothing new. I’ll do what I have to do,” Madon said, his voice void of all the emotion that I saw in his eyes.

  “He did commit a crime that falls under our jurisdiction. Are you sure you don’t want me to carry out the sentence for you?” Dante asked. He was talking about Tain, who was Madon’s brother after all.

  “I’m not sure. What do you think? How do you think it would affect the rest of the pack? Since I’ve already been challenged and all.” I was surprised to see the vulnerability in Madon’s face.

  I wondered at his age. Then I remembered that Val, Dante and Radek had found his father as a pup. I understood it then. He looked up to Dante like an older brother. It made me wonder how much older I was than Madon. Werewolves weren’t as long lived as weretigers.

  “We can fix any issues with the pack later. If anyone has a problem with it, we can always relocate them to a different area. I don’t think you should do this. I’ve talked to Val about it and he agrees,” Dante told him.

  “So have I, and my father as well. They don’t want me to do it,” Madon said. He leaned forward and put his head in his hands. I wanted to go to him, but knew better. He had lost his niece and now he was about to lose his brother. “I think I will let you handle it. Thank you, Dante.”

  “Wait a minute. Both of you have talked to Val?” I asked.

  “It seems that way. I still have no news for you, Natalya, and neither does Madon,” Dante answered. I could tell he wasn’t telling me something again. I supposed I was going to have to get used to it I guess. This wasn’t the time or place to argue, so I just changed the subject.

  “Fine, we can discuss this later.
” I sent a glare his way before I said, “Let me take care of Tain. I promised Jenna that I would make sure he didn’t suffer. Madon, I know he betrayed you, but I also know that you don’t want him to suffer either. I’ll make it painless and no one will know but us.”

  Madon’s dark green eyes met mine. I could see a lot of emotion behind his calm façade. His accent was thicker as his emotions came to the surface. “If you’re sure, then I would be in your debt. Even though he has betrayed me, I do not wish him to suffer.”

  Dante whispered, “Natalya, you don’t have to.”

  I turned to him. “Yes I do, Dante. I made a promise and I will keep it.” I wanted to add that this wouldn’t be the first time I’d killed, but kept to myself that it would just be another black mark on my soul anyway. I knew Dante couldn’t read my thoughts anymore, but he must have read my face. Something had happened that night to break our telepathic connection.

  “Careful, Nat,” he warned me.

  I glared at him, putting on my assassin face. I’d been through worse and he knew it. I could go on, I was just dead inside. More numb than anything. Madon was looking at me more closely as well. Great, just what I needed – another person on my back.

  “How are you doing, Natalya?” he asked pointedly.

  “You want the truth? I’m hurt, angry and generally numb all at the same time. But I can handle this. I need to see this through to the end. Everyone needs to just back off. I’ll be all right, I just need a little time. Dante, you of all people should know that I’ve been through worse.”

  “I know, Natalya. I just don’t want to put you through anything more than you have to experience. It’s not worth it,” Dante sighed.

  Madon looked from me to Dante for a minute before nodding his agreement. We heard the first cars start to arrive. Madon’s face went emotionless. It was time to party. We all stood. Dante and I flanked Madon as we went to the barn. That’s where everything was to take place.