by Sy Walker
When the riders met up with Angus and the rebel army the moon was high in the night sky. Many of the soldiers had already shifted. “You’re just in time,” Angus said pointing to the column of soldiers coming down the road. James started undoing his shirt, but William grabbed his hand.
“No, the people need to see you,” William said to his lover, “You are the face of the rebellion.”
“I am much better at fighting as a wolf.” James admitted.
“We will ride in together,” William declared. James lowered his forehead to William’s and they sat for a minute as if in silent prayer. James drew strength from the confidence William had in him. They got down and prepared to fight on foot, James knew that a horse was about to become a liability. William noticed the other two horses they came with were without riders, and he didn’t need to ask who the shaggy brown-grey and the fat red wolf were.
Everything was in place. As the infantry column reached the last barricade, James stepped out of the forest with William beside him. “Lord Stewart,” James called out, “I am here to claim my birthright.” Without a word Lachlan Stewart turned his horse, sword held high and his cavalrymen formed ranks to join in the charge. James and William started a charge as well. The 200 wolves of Clan MacQuarrie emerged from the woods in full stride.
Horses threw their riders and the ones that didn’t took off at a full gallop in the only open direction. The horses took out quite a few infantrymen as well. The column was in disarray. All of the generals and leaders of the army had been on horseback. Wolves ripped through the lines tearing men to shreds and blood spattered everywhere. William stayed by James’ side protecting him as he fought in single combat with Sir Luther. James cleaved the older man in two with a single swing of his great sword.
The column was in disarray and many just threw down their weapons. The worst of the fighting was over. The peasant soldiers came out of the forest to tie up the Stewart army prisoners. It was a great victory for the rebellion. As William watched the life force drain out of Sir Luther, he couldn’t help but wonder what had happened to his father. William had last seen Lachlan with his arms draped around his horse’s neck, clinging on for dear life as the horse beat it down Hammitch Road and Back to Ulva Castle.
The horses were by no means the only ones scared by the wolves. The entire army 2000 strong had been cowed in a matter of minutes. James grabbed William by the waste and raised him up on his shoulder. The rebel army cheered his name as his lover paraded him around the battlefield. The night air tasted of victory.
THE END
RETURN TO TOC
OMEGA’S DRAGONS
Chapter one
“No, I need you to listen to me and stop daydreaming. You’ve been my apprentice for the last four months and still you’re not getting the grasp of this. It’s not rocket science. If you pay attention, I’m sure that you will learn something. I don’t know why I even bother, but something about you tells me that you have untapped potential that you don’t even know that you have.” Eric was my boss at the body shop and he was doing everything he could to make me see how to do this. I think it was more to do with the fact that I really didn’t want to be here, but I had no place else.
“You know that I’m more of a hands on kind of guy. You can tell me, until you’re blue in the face, but it’s not, until I get my own hands on something that I finally begin to see how it’s done. This is the way that I learn anything in my life.” I tried to tell him, but my voice was soft spoken. I didn’t know how to raise it. I’d learned to try and stay below the radar. Growing up, my parents were not exactly the nurturing kind.
Eric threw up his hands and I could see that I was slowly losing the one ally that I had in this world. “I’m getting to the point that I think that you are a lost cause. I don’t want to believe that. I’ve always said that you have something inside of you that has gone unnoticed. I was hoping that I could draw it out of you, but so far it has been an effort in futility. I think that you should just go home and then come back in the morning ready to start again.” I was about ready to toss in the towel and tell him that he could take this job and shove it.
“I think tomorrow that I should try something on my own. It’s the only way that I’m going to learn. I wish that you could see how hard I’m trying. I’m willing to put myself in your hands, but this has to be a two way street.” I had found my voice, but unfortunately the sound coming from my mouth was a whisper. He didn’t even hear a word I said, as he went into his office and slammed the door
That sound brought to mind memories of my childhood. My parents would constantly be at odds. Every time that they wanted to lash out at each other, they instead turned their attention towards me. They were constantly putting me down and telling me that I was worthless. I was a little boy and I could not fight back. Every time that they told me that I wouldn’t amount to much, I started to believe them.
The door opened on his office and he was standing there with his arms crossed. “I told you that I wanted you to leave. I’m getting sick and tired of seeing your face.” This reminded me painfully of how my parents had treated me. I think I knew underneath it all that their animosity was a byproduct of a loveless marriage. They fought like cats and dogs. I thought that was the way that it was supposed to be.
“I’m going.” I was tempted to tell him that he wouldn’t see me again, but I needed the money. I was living hand to mouth and that meager paycheck was the only thing that was keeping a roof over my head.
I stopped at the sliding door and looked at my reflection in the glass. I had stringy black hair and I used way too much mousse to try to keep it in place. I was gangly and I didn’t have any real muscle tone to speak of. I couldn’t speak to girls and they really didn’t interest me anyway. I knew from the moment that I was old enough to know better that my interests lie with a more of masculine touch. I was still a virgin. I had passed by this club that was known to be a hangout for those of a particular taste.
I wasn’t a bad ass, but I did wear a leather jacket and I had a motorcycle. It wasn’t much and it certainly wasn’t a Harley Davidson. I did enjoy the freedom of the open road. There were times that I was tempted to just keep driving and never look back. I was a wilted flower. I shrank away from any one of authority.
I drove my motorcycle, feeling that engine rev underneath me and knowing that this was the only thing that I truly found enjoyment in. It was 7:00 PM and I suddenly felt like I wasn’t alone. I glanced up and I saw this huge shadow that reminded me of a bird. There were no such birds of that size. It could’ve been a plane, but that didn’t explain the way that the wings seemed to flap underneath the breeze.
I didn’t think much of it and then I heard sirens. They were getting closer. I saw the black smoke coming out of the window of this old brownstone. Suddenly, there were flames and the fireman that was going up the ladder was almost thrown clear.
Two more windows exploded and it reminded me of how the fire had started that killed my parents.
I was stopped at the scene by a policeman that had cordoned off the area. People were looking, but not doing anything to lend a hand. That smell in the air had me back on my carpeting crawling across the floor on my hands and knees to the window.
“I’m afraid that’s, as far as you can go kid. I suggest that you take an alternative route to where you’re going.” The officer was talking, but my mind was occupied with the memories that were now fooling me into thinking that I could be some kind of hero. “This place is done for. The fire is spreading and the fire department is trying to stop it from taking down the whole block.” I don’t know why he was telling me any of this, but somehow my meek and mild persona made me a non threatening entity. I was pretty much wall paper.
He turned his back. I got off my motorcycle and put the kick stand down to make sure that it didn’t fall over. I still had the tinted helmet on. I think it was that feeling of anonymity that had given me something that I didn’t think that I had.
I heard a child crying. I slipped underneath the yellow tape and into the crowd. For some reason, I felt like I was finding that hero.
Everybody was preoccupied and I could hear the chief of the fire department talking to the rest of his men. “I appreciate that you all want to go in there, but I’m afraid that we need to let this burn out. The best that we can do is try and stop it from spreading any further.” They all looked dejected, but the chief was only trying to do what was best for his people. “I don’t want any of you to think that there was anything that you could do.” I cautiously went up the stairs and opened the door with my black leather gloved hand.
I felt the heat, but it didn’t even occur to me that I was putting my life in danger. I saw the flames licking at the walls and melting the wallpaper. I couldn’t see very well, but the visor was helping me to mitigate smoke inhalation. I ducked down, knowing that the air was breathable on my hands and knees. I saw the stairs. The wood was making good fuel for the fire that was dancing its way down the banister.
“MOMMY… I want my mommy.” The voice was coming from the next landing. I crab walked up the stairs, when somebody grabbed me on the back of my leather jacket.
“I don’t know what you’re doing here, but this is no place for a civilian. Let me get you out of here, before you cause more harm than good.” Normally, I would feel compelled to do what I was told. This time was different. I kicked out my leather boot to push him away. He fell on his ass with his fireman uniform protecting him from the elements. He scrambled to his feet, but a beam came down right in front of him to block his path to me. “I don’t think you know what you’re doing.” He tried to get past that beam, but more of the structure was starting to fall in on itself. “Good luck…you’re going to need it.” He disappeared through the black smoke, leaving me with only one option.
I couldn’t go back and the only thing that I could do was go forward. This was not exactly something that was in my comfort zone. I was stepping out and doing something that was ill advised. This was a person that I wanted to be, but was never in a position to finally realize that I had this in me all along.
I looked to see that my leather jacket was on fire. I used my leather glove from my other hand to put it out. I was getting close to where I could hear the child still calling for his mother. I was able to see the little boy holding onto his teddy bear wearing his Scooby Doo pajamas. I reached out to him and the floor in front of me gave way.
Chapter two
I was never more terrified in my life, but that wasn’t going to stop me from making that leap of faith. I crossed my hands over my chest and looked towards the ceiling. I wanted god to know that this was my decision and that I would live with the consequences of my actions. I breathed deeply and steeled myself for what was to come. I moved back a distance. I took one more deep breath and then I ran with all the speed that I could muster. I found myself catching only air and then suddenly I was landing on the other side. I teetered on the edge, my body swaying with the smell of acrid smoke getting into my lungs.
I finally dropped down onto my knees, looking up to see that the kid was quite mesmerized by my feat of bravery. He wasn’t the only one. I really didn’t think that I had it in me to do something extraordinary. I lifted him into my arms and I held him against me to shield him from any of the elements.
“Stick with me, kid. I’ll make sure that you get out of this in one piece. You may not believe this, but this in my first time doing something like this. I feel like I’ve come alive and that there is only one thing that is holding me back. I’m letting my past rule my actions. I don’t want to live by my parent’s criticism. They’re dead and I’m still allowing them to have power over me.” This was the first time that I had finally broken the bond. It was time for me to stand up on my own 2 feet.
“I want my mommy.” I had no idea why I was confessing any of this to him. It could’ve been that youthful face and the fact that he really didn’t understand what I was saying. I made my way through the building, knowing that there was no way that I could go back the way that I came. This whole place was becoming condemned and even standing in the middle of it was going to cost us both of our lives.
“I know that you do and I’m going to do my best to get you back into her arms.” I shouldn’t have promised anything and I had no idea if his mother was even alive. She could’ve been caught in the blaze. “You’re safe with me.” I believed that, but there was something that was making me think that this was never going to work. It was my past raising its ugly head.
I saw a black shadow along the window within the darkness. I heard that same flapping sound and then the window exploded inwards. I put my hands up to protect the child, not even caring about my own well being. I lowered my arm and I was now seeing a naked man. If this was what heaven looked like, then I had no reason to let them resuscitate me.
He pointed towards the stairs and I followed them down, while looking back over my shoulder to see, if this man was real or a figment of my imagination.
I came out and I placed the child in the arms of a fireman. They turned their back for a second and I used that, as an opportunity to slip out, before being scrutinized. I didn’t want the attention and I had not done it for any kind of fame or fortune.
I made my way away from the scene, choking on the black smoke that was infecting my lungs. I had my hands on my knees and I was wheezing like an old man about to succumb to some kind disease that was ravaging his body.
“I’m not usually impressed, but you showed me that there’s something in humanity that is worth taking a second look at.” I lifted my head and I saw this beautiful specimen standing in front of me. What I had seen in that building was very much reality. “I had no sense that you were anything special, but you looked inside yourself and found something. Most people would ignore it, but you embraced it.” This man was obviously deranged, but strangely he tugged at a part of me. “You could stay here and be part of the scenery, but maybe there is something that you want more. Your instincts have potential and Jake will be most pleased by my discovery.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I really don’t think that it’s appropriate that we have this discussion right now. I have no idea. if I am suffering from smoke inhalation. I might have to go to the hospital and…” I didn’t get a chance to say anything more. He descended on me, until we were kissing. I was no longer coughing and I felt better. I tried to pull away, but the kiss was very healing and there was no way that I was going to put up that much of a fight. He finally let me go with a glazed over expression on my face.
“What I’m talking about is for you to have the chance to become the man that you were supposed to be. You don’t have to be weak, when there is strength lurking underneath. Jake and I can help you with that, but only if you’re willing to step outside your comfort zone. This city is ours and you may not be aware of this, but we are the protectors. We make sure that those that commit crimes are punished accordingly.” I gasped out loud, as his wings expanded with his arms outstretched. He changed, until he became something of the mythical creature called a dragon. His eyes glowed this red color that made me feel like there was no way that I could say no.
“I have no idea, if I’m having a stroke or something along those lines. I could be still in that building suffering and clinging onto the last vestige of life. I sense that you have good intentions. I want something better for myself, something more than just going through the motions. I should be running the other way, but something was holding me in place.” This mythical creature could’ve easily burned me where I stood, but I didn’t think that he was going to do that.
“My name is Jasper. You think that you know this world, but you haven’t even scratched the surface. There are other shifters including wolves that look to us for guidance. Jake and I are the rulers and we make sure that our existence remains a secret to humanity. We have our own rules and we govern them with an iron fist. We cannot have shifters thinking
that they can overthrow the world. Experience over the years has taught us that humans have a different way of dealing with those things that they don’t understand.” I hadn’t realized it, but I slowly became painfully aware that I was not standing on my own 2 feet.
His claws had dug into my shoulders and were lifting me into the air effortlessly. If Jasper had dropped me at any time, I would have plummeted to my death with horror in my eyes. I found the idea of flight exhilarating. Feeling it like it was a part of me made me realize what I was missing out on.
“This whole thing is a little daunting. I don’t know what to tell you. What happened in that building was not something that I would’ve normally done. I shy away from those things that scare me, including that of my own damn shadow. I try to toe the line, but something inside me dies every time that I cower in self defeat.” We were high up over the city and the lights sparkled. I wanted to reach out and grab them with my hand like some kind of god able to smite their enemies with one thought.
“Aidan, this is entirely your decision. If you don’t feel that there is a place for you with myself and Jake, then I will not try to force you to stay someplace that you don’t want to be. I don’t know what Jake is going to say to any of this, but we are about to find out.” We sailed over the city with Jasper’s red scaly hide looking like some monster from some B movie reject. “We want you to be our Omega. If you don’t know what that means, then let me plainly state that you will be our lover. We’ve been looking for a long time to join with the humans, but nobody has ever been able to survive the process.” In all the years that they lived they hadn’t found anybody that was worthy of stepping in their shoes.
We landed far outside the city away from populated areas in a field that had this scorch mark burned into the ground. “I’m taking that this is a result of your lover Jake.” I turned to see that he was now human again. I had barely registered that his wings had now folded back in on themselves. He took my hand man and I looked down to see that he had placed it on his meaty member. The heat of his flesh against my fingers made it impossible not to get down to take a closer look. I’d always wanted to find a man that would be my equal, but maybe I was looking in all the wrong places.