The Accords Triptych (Book 3): Heartlines

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The Accords Triptych (Book 3): Heartlines Page 19

by Ian Thomas


  “Might be better if he sits this one out,” Eddie said.

  “Uh,” Chase squeaked, looking around at their group. “We’re a little light on numbers. The more, the merr – okay, can we just not die please?”

  This was a huge deal for Chase. While he may have been quite the renowned archaeologist, media poster boy for all things mildly arcane, and occasional hunter, he was not mentally equipped for this kind of skirmish. Even with a small stash of weapons. He was a great choice to be the acting head of the Eastern Seaboard Chapter House for the Clan Delphae. He was removed. He liked distance. He watched. In a non-creepy way of course, McLachlan thought, his mind latching onto any and every random thought to avoid his barely controlled wont to drain one of these people of blood.

  Go team, he thought, anxiously.

  “They’re here,” Eddie said grimly.

  When the door opened and several figures walked through, Chase leaned to Rowan, “should we have locked that?”

  “Feckin’ traitor!” Will roared, pointing at James.

  “Traitor?” Hale asked, slowing his advance. “Thought they were hostages?”

  “Only the Pack Lord,” Will replied, recovering. “How’d ya think they got him? Leeches needed a wolf to get close. Coerced him, didn’t they.”

  “Firstly,” McLachlan said, stepping forward. “That’s racist. Secondly, you’re a dick.”

  “Not a winning strategy,” Eddie muttered.

  “Look at him!” Will yelled, pointing at McLachlan. “He’s one of them. More than a leech-softy, he wants to be one of them.”

  “That’s just his stain,” Isaac sneered. “Possibly the only endearing trait about him.”

  “Wow,” Chase said. “He really doesn’t like you.”

  “It’s mutual.”

  “Men, stand down,” Hale said to his two War Wolves. He walked to Blackthorne. “Sir, what’s your course of action?”

  Blackthorne wanted to be elsewhere. And it showed. He wasn’t a combatant naturally. He liked the hedonistic pleasures of immortality and power. Fighting was something others did for his benefit. This was the closest he’d gotten to actual combat in a century. Yes, even during the Pack War he’d run when the chance arose. Politicized and grandstanded as much as he could, but rarely had he gotten his claws dirty.

  That was why he’d sired Will. Every man of standing had a guard dog to protect them.

  “I trust Will,” he said weakly. Seeing the sneer on his dog’s face, he continued. “These people have been robbed of their senses and sided with the lee– vampires. The accords are breaking and these are the architects of that disaster.”

  “Architects or pawns?” McLachlan queried, having rolled his eyes at the man’s grandiose statement. “Which is it?”

  “Pawns!”

  “Speaking of pawns,” James muttered, pointedly looking at his pack.

  “This from the guy who wanted to seat a wolf at the head of this court,” Eddie said. “There’s a foundation for dissent.”

  Hale looked at Blackthorne stunned. Questions played out across his face inscrutably.

  “Help me,” a voice groaned nearby. Everyone turned to see Matteo to the stop of the steps, chest bare save for his blood and numerous bite marks. “Tr-treason.”

  This decided it for the War Wolves who moved as one to the Pack Lord.

  “That’s not Matteo,” McLachlan called out.

  “Who else would it be?” Hale demanded, assessing the wounds, his hands soon slick with blood.

  “Colton,” Eddie said loudly.

  Hale ignored him. The other War Wolves held the parameter as Hale checked the Pack Lord over. Below them, McLachlan kept repeating the same warning like a mantra.

  “He’s not Matteo. He’s not Matteo. He’s not Matteo.”

  “Don’t listen to them,” Matteo said to Hale, his voice strained and weak. “They’ve been coerced. They’re working against us.”

  “I’m not listening to you,” Hale shouted at McLachlan, standing and supporting Matteo as they descended the stairs. “You’ve been coerced by the vampires. All of you. You’re working against the accords.”

  “How can you be sure?” Blackthorne called back.

  Hale left the Pack Lord to Isaac and advanced on Blackthorne, claws extended. “This is my Pack Lord. Of that I’m sure. You would do well to step back.”

  “I told you,” Will said. “They’re the enemy.”

  “You!” Hale shouted at Will. “Back off.”

  “Hale, you’re not this stupid,” Eddie said, stepping forward. But Somerset rounded on him, slashing the front of his shirt.

  “No one asked you,” the man growled, starting to wolf out. He lunged at Eddie again, his body swelling and changing as he struck. Without batting an eye, Eddie dodged his claws easily, grabbed the wolf by the neck and threw him across the room.

  “That’s for NYU,” Eddie yelled.

  “See they’re against us,” Matteo cried. “My own pack.”

  “You’re against him,” Hale repeated. “His own pack.”

  “Wolf or parrot?” McLachlan asked.

  “This isn’t right,” Blackthorne muttered, caught between his pack, the War Wolves, and McLachlan.

  “Vampire or vessel?” Will threw back.

  “Gobshite or feckin’ bollix?” James demanded.

  “Name calling? Really?” Chase asked no one in particular.

  “We’re with you Hale,” Will said, ignoring the insult.

  “I’m…not…so sh-sure,” the War Wolf said, struggling.

  “You don’t get a choice,” Matteo said, standing upright finally. The glamour disappeared revealing Colton unharmed.

  Before anyone could properly react, the three War Wolves grunted in agony. Wracked with pain, the men struggled as the change was forced on them.

  “Stop!” Eddie cried as Rowan quickly muttered spells hoping to undo Colton’s hex.

  Whatever his spell, it soon passed to Blackthorne, then Liam, and lastly James.

  “Fooking hell,” the Irishman cried as he doubled over in pain.

  Transfixed, McLachlan watched as the men’s clothes shredded and they grew larger and more feral than any wolf he had ever seen.

  Rowan grabbed James and pulled him back, literally and magically, the change subsiding.

  “Thank ya,” he gasped, his body still in pain from the sudden torture.

  “Still might need ya game face though,” Chase said, squaring himself for the fight. Next to him Eddie shifted into his wolf form, smaller than the afflicted wolves but effective all the same. James followed suit, his change slower given his youth.

  “Numbers are not looking good,” Chase said, a tremor in his voice.

  “Tell me something I don’t know,” McLachlan called back. “Rowan?”

  “Can’t get to all of them.”

  “Then don’t,” he replied.

  “Oh no, do,” Colton purred, slipping back behind the large wolves. Once in the shadows, he disappeared. Rowan made a move for him but a wolf slashed at her savagely. The claws caught her arm, red blood soon gushing.

  “Jaysus, what de fook is dat?!” James demanded, all but forgetting he himself was a werewolf. Storm, the largest War Wolf lumbered toward him. On a good day, he was six-six in human form. As a wolf, he got to over seven feet. Presently he was closer to nine. Almost as wide as he was tall.

  “Nothing good,” Chase replied, standing beside the wolf as they were both eclipsed by the oncoming behemoth.

  Soon the lobby was a scene of enraged violence. McLachlan found his stain had given him a little vampire speed and was managing to out maneuver the wolves. With blood splashing everywhere, hunger burned in his gut. He couldn’t give in. He had to fight it. Fight through. But the coppery tang stung his nostrils, beckoning him to feed. Just a taste. No one would see. No one would know.

  James and Chase had somehow waylaid Storm. Both had their share of wounds, torn skin, and bloodied clothes, but the wolf was not fari
ng much better. A pouch of wolf’s bane had singed the fur and melted the skin across his body. Careful not to hurt James in the process, Chase had gotten close to the large beast. Knuckles raised, he managed a couple of good hits before being tossed aside like garbage.

  Eddie was facing down the remaining War Wolves. Their increased size worked to his advantage, allowing to move between them quickly. Faster than they expected. Despite being hijacked by Colton, the War Wolves fought like they normally did. Habits Eddie knew all too well from sparring with both of them whenever he pulled War Wolf duty. Isaac feinted a lot, so however he led a strike, Eddie knew the real hit was to come. A style Isaac was too arrogant to think Eddie had recognized. Hale was more difficult. Seasoned from centuries of combat, he fought like a man with nothing to lose. A ferocity Eddie struggled to avoid.

  Which left Blackthorne and his pack to Rowan and McLachlan. The real threat was Will. Partly changed, he’d never needing Colton’s influence to fight. He was already primed to kill anyone who wasn’t him, allegiance be damned. Not that Colton hadn’t made some adjustment; Will was sporting silver claws.

  “Look Rowan,” McLachlan said, “he got his nails did and everything.”

  “Fancy.”

  Blackthorne faltered when he saw the claws. The presence of silver enough to pierce whatever hex Colton had cursed the man with.

  “Nice upgrade huh,” Will bragged. “Won’t do much to these two,” he sneered at Blackthorne. “But pretty effective against wolves.” He slashed open his sire’s chest, the cuts incredibly deep. The fresh, hot blood enraged McLachlan.

  “Hold on,” Rowan said as Liam pulled back. “I’m confused. Whose side are you on?”

  “Mine,” Will growled through extended fangs.

  “Let’s just say not ours,” McLachlan said, fixated on the blood pooling from Blackthorne’s chest. Forcing himself to look way from the wounds and the delicious blood, he surveyed the field. Things weren’t looking good. Chase was down. James was struggling against the largest wolf. Eddie had Isaac under control but was struggling with the nihilistic fury of Hale. Which left him and Rowan. Her wounds weren’t too bad but there was still Will and he was almost too feral for both of them.

  “You!” Somerset roared, getting off the ground and shifting into his full wolf form.

  And there’s him, McLachlan thought.

  But the wolf had a specific a target for his rage.

  Newcomers. A black vampire and a siren.

  “What?!” Rowan cried, confused but appreciative for the reinforcements.

  “Came in through the tunnels,” Rufus said. “And not a moment too soon.”

  “Actually any moment before this would have been outstanding,” McLachlan replied.

  “Nothing’s ever good enough for you,” Eddie yelled, then looked at the newcomers. “Hey man, welcome. Illyana, always a pleasure.”

  _ _ _

  He was the only wolf to share that sentiment as the others caterwauled, reacting to her presence. Like Dominic, Eddie had never had a problem with sirens. Those who didn’t recoil at the presence of wolves that was.

  “Rowan,” McLachlan called as he unleashed a volley of punches into Will. “Mind healing our wounded please? Reinforcements are great but all hands on deck are better.”

  “I do mind,” she snapped. Eddie caught McLachlan’s eye, concern passing between them. The moment opened McLachlan up to Will’s claws. But the tear never came. Rowan caught the hand by an unseen force and hurled the wolf backward. “I can do more than heal you know.”

  “I do know. I wasn’t saying you couldn’t. Just–”

  “I’ll do it,” Rufus said, cutting McLachlan off from an excuse that Eddie knew was guaranteed to make things worse. “I’m fast and can triage them.”

  “Good thinking,” McLachlan said, but cast a glance toward Rowan. She was trapping Liam behind a shield, giving McLachlan a chance with Will.

  “Shouldn’t the War Wolves be fighting with you?” Illyana asked Eddie, joining him against Hale and Isaac.

  “Colton’s done something. Rowan only managed to break it once. Hence they’re super angry and super big.”

  “I saw that,” she replied. “Allow me.” Getting close to Hale, she whispered into his ear. “This is a lie. You’re fighting on the wrong side. You’re being used. Colton is using you.”

  Hale gasped, jerking free of her. Falling to his knees, he shook violently. Slowly getting to his feet, he looked around as though waking for the first time. He studied his enhanced size and then saw Eddie fighting Isaac.

  “Him next,” he croaked, voice tight.

  “Swap?” Eddie asked.

  Without a word, she took Eddie’s place in the fight, traded blows and then caught Isaac by the chin. He struggled at first, but once she started speaking his eyes grew wide, the veil lifting.

  “Now that’s not very nice,” Colton said, appearing out of thin air beside them. Illyana pushed Isaac down to attack Colton, her hands glowing purple. But he had her. Gripping her neck, he lifted her off the ground, his hand burning where he touched her. Violently, he rattled off a spell, spittle on his lips. “Let’s see how you do with no voice.”

  “Hold him!” Rowan yelled, turning from Liam and summoning orbs of raw energy about her.

  Illyana went to scream but nothing came out. Instead she stared at him, hatred blazing violet about her eyes. Shoving her hand at his chest, Colton was the one to cry out in pain.

  Breaking free, he tossed her aside, clutching at his chest.

  “Fucking prick!” Rowan spat, striding forward him and throwing orb after orb at him. Each drove him back several feet. A grunt of pain escaping with every impact. When he found his back against the wall, he vanished as suddenly as he’d appeared. Frustrated, Rowan blew a huge hole in the wall.

  “Bitch!” Somerset growled, advancing on Illyana.

  “Wow, we are not so much with the PG trash talk today, are we?” McLachlan asked, finding Isaac suddenly beside him against Will.

  “Maybe you could hold classes,” Isaac suggested. “Not like you do much else. Apart from, you know…fuck everything up.”

  “No one likes you,” McLachlan replied.

  “I don’t wanna drink vampire blood,” James argued, resisting the wrist held up to his mouth. “But I would prefer something a little hoppier.”

  “Do I look like a brewery?” Rufus demanded. “Take the damn wrist.”

  “Alright, alright, no need to get yer panties inna bunch.” The Irishman took the wrist and bit into it, sucking down the blood. After a mouthful, he pulled back. “Dat is a wee bit nasty for me liking. No offense. You’re a lovely chap and all but how ye live on dis shite is beyond me.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Right ya are, tanks,” James blushed. Then saw Storm getting up, having recovered from the last hit he’d taken. “Oops, best be doing the fighty, punchy ting. Tanks again.”

  James sprang at the largest wolf, caught him by the neck, and used his momentum to pull the wolf backwards.

  “How’re you holding up?” Eddie asked, taking a moment with Rufus. Gradually, the tide was turning in their favor. Seemingly all down to Illyana. Not only had they reclaimed two wolves, but Somerset was already worse off, freeing her up to join James’ struggle with Storm.

  “Not great,” Rufus replied. “With it being daytime, I’m not at my best.”

  “Neither’s Mac,” Eddie said, amazed at his friend. Not since the Pack War had McLachlan been overwhelmed by his stain like this. He'd survived that, Eddie hoped he’d survive this. As for the vampire, one stray shaft of sunlight and he was toast. Literally, toast! “But you’re doing good.”

  “Everyone’s healed that I could get to. The witch wouldn’t take my blood. The human resisted but took some. The War Wolves accepted easily.”

  “Mac?”

  “Didn’t go near him,” Rufus replied. “If I had, he’d probably drain me dry.”

  “What about you?” Eddie aske
d. “This taken a toll on you?”

  “Some. Any chance we can get more vampires? It’d help finish this thing real quick.”

  “Thanks but no,” Eddie replied. “We’re not breaking these accords. We get more vampires involved and it would change everything. And not for the better.”

  “Good point.” Rufus grabbed Eddie as James was flung at them. The Irishman tucked himself to bounce off the wall and back into fray.

  “Here,” Eddie said, offering his wrist. “You need strength.”

  Hesitantly, Rufus looked at the limb. “You sure?”

  “You didn’t think twice when you offered yours.”

  Without waiting to be asked again, the vampire seized Eddie’s wrist and sunk his teeth into the flesh. Wincing at the pain, Eddie focused on the battle. They stood a chance. Just would have been good to know where Matteo actually was. Gasping, Rufus pulled free of the blood, his skin flooded with color.

  “Thanks,” he said, startled to realize the hands holding Eddie’s arm were tipped with claws. A wild beard trimmed his jawline. “Forgot about that. Picking up blood traits.”

  “Me too,” Eddie said, seeing Will kick McLachlan in the chest, sending him to the ground.

  “Break their necks!” Will shouted, grabbing Hale by the neck and snapping his head around. The War Wolf fell limp to the ground. “Can’t heal so quick then.”

  “Bastard!” Eddie seethed.

  “Nothing I can do about necks,” Rufus said.

  “Then protect the non-wolves,” Eddie urged, charging into the fray.

  James fell next, then Isaac. Eddie picked up with Storm, the ferocity of the large wolf boundless. Whatever Colton had tapped into was dark.

  “You made me remember,” Somerset growled, slashing wildly at Illyana.

  Unable to reply, she continued to fight, her face marked with grim determination. Her strikes were deft, punching either about the head or torso, the siren’s touch cause great pain. Not as great though as her presence in his mind.

  “This is the real me,” he roared in response to her psychic attack.

  “Then you are truly lost,” Eddie muttered.

  As Somerset swiped at her, Eddie say the claws become coated in silver. The wolf howled with rage and pain but made his mark, her skin opening easily as the claws dug in. Colton was still running the field, he thought angrily.

 

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