by Jones, L. A.
He chuckled as Aradia spun around to face him.
She scowled. "What is it with bad guys and weird torturing methods? It's like it turns them on or something."
Holden stopped chuckling. "I am not torturing you even though I am seriously tempted especially with your attitude."
"Oh really?" said Aradia, "I would have thought being trapped in a room with you could be classified as torture."
Holden was definitely not smiling anymore. Instead, he inhaled a long deep breath, and began to circle Aradia's cage.
"You know traditionally in my pack," said Holden, "If a woman were to speak that way to her betters, she would be beaten within an inch of life!"
"Yeah well," Aradia argued with a shrug. "I am not a member of your pack and quite frankly you and your traditions can kiss my little pink witch ass!"
After a few seconds of awkward silence, Holden threw his head back and howled with laughter.
"Forget trading you for Brenna," he said while wiping away the tears of laughter from his eyes. "I am so keeping you both!"
"Say what?" Aradia asked.
"My intention was to trade you for my wife but," he paused while grinning crudely. "After spending a few seconds with you and your sassy mouth ain't no way in hell I am getting rid of you."
"Besides," he added, "What guy wouldn't pass up an opportunity to have it both ways?"
Aradia looked at him blankly until finally saying, "What in the name of Jesus's mother makes you think I would even consider letting you keep me as a prisoner?"
"Because," He explained as his crude grin grew wider. "After I am done with you no man in his right mind would want what is left of you."
Aradia stiffened as Holden walked slowly towards the cage. He was barely one inch away from the bars before Aradia seized him by the shirt, pulled, and began to bash his head against the bars of the cage.
"Dude, I was raped once!" Aradia snapped angrily as she threw him onto the floor. "There is no way in hell I am letting it happen again!"
Holden rubbed his face that now bore the impression of the bars.
He smirked as he stood up. "Honey, what makes you think you got a choice?"
He then plunged his hand into his coat, feeling around for something. His face went blank when he discovered he could not find it. Aradia, however, was now smiling as she waved the key to the cage right in front of his face.
"The witch's hand," Aradia said with a smirk. "Is truly faster than the eye!"
In barely a flash of a second Holden rushed towards Aradia who quickly dug the key into the lock, unlocked it, and swung the cage door right into Holden's face! He leapt back clutching his nose, and moaning in pain. Aradia wasted no time in using the cage door for suspension. Grimacing from the runes as it burned her hands once again, she held on to the bars and kicked both of her feet into Holden's chest. He then skidded on his back, moaning in even more pain. Aradia, however, just let go of the bars and looked around quickly trying to spot an exit. Finally, she saw the sign and her spirits arose in elation only to fall once again upon realizing she would have to climb a long tall iron catwalk to get to it. Worst of all, Holden now lay at the foot of staircase of the catwalk. She breathed deeply, gathered her courage, and ran towards him. Holden was still on his back rubbing his nose when Aradia reached him. He looked up in surprise and even more so, when Aradia leapt right over his entire six-foot length body as easily as a gymnast would leap over a vault. She grabbed onto the railing to steady herself as she began to race up the stairs.
However, once she reached the top of the catwalk her legs began to grow weak.
She stumbled in confusion and muttering, "What...What the..."
From below, Holden laughed softly. "Did I forget to mention that in addition to burning your hands the runes also cripple your powers for the next two hours while making you weak as a stuffed animal?"
"And wouldn't you know it," he said as he began to walk up the stairs. "I just love playing with stuffed animals."
His voice grew softer and more taunting as he started to reach her. "I just love playing with them, toying with them, ripping them apart, and tearing off their heads and..."
"What are you? A sociopathic sissy?" Aradia snapped.
She was struggling to get away, but even trying to crawl was proving to be difficult.
"Jesus," she moaned, "What did you to do me?"
"Oh me? I did nothing," Holden said sneeringly, "At least nothing in comparison to what I am going to do to you."
He was now towering over her and smiling like a sadistic executioner looking forward to wielding the axe. Aradia slowly turned her head to face him.
"Any last words before I brutally ravage you witch girl?" Holden asked while shedding off his coat.
"Yeah," Aradia snapped, "Go to hell!"
Holden scowled, but only for a second as he reached for Aradia. However, from out of nowhere a whirlwind of grey sped towards him, and threw him back several feet. Aradia had barely any time to look up before she realized it was Xan.
"You okay?" was all he asked as he glanced down at Aradia.
Aradia paused only to say, "What took you so long?"
Xan chuckled. "Traffic."
He then glanced back at Holden who was starting to get up.
Xan's smile melted into a serious straight line before saying, "Excuse me for a minute Rai, but I got some business to attend to."
Walking this time instead of using his vampire speed, Xan approached Holden.
He stood facing him with his feet apart, fangs and claws drawn, and looking extremely fierce. Holden, however, chuckled as he stood to face Xan.
For a while, neither one of them said anything until finally Holden said, "I take it if you are here then my wife is not."
"If you are referring to my girlfriend, your ex-wife, than hell yeah she is not here," Xan snapped.
"Why not?"
Xan explained shrugging. "Quite frankly, I think she's better off by my side than yours and I intend to keep it that way."
Holden practically spat out, "Better off by your side? What do you mean? What can you offer her that I cannot? Nothing! Absolutely nothing. If she remains my wife she can have power, status, and people catering to her every damn need and..."
"And be beaten almost every single day, treated like she is less than dirt, be given no respect," Xan interrupted, "But worst of all not be loved by a man she is supposed to be married to!"
"I do love her!" Holden furiously protested.
"Bull!" Xan shouted, "You just want to own her! It bugs the hell out of you that there is one woman in the whole world who sees you for what you really are: a scumbag! So you figure that if you can't make her love you than at least you can own her, and make her life hell. Like owning a wild horse whom you whip every day just because you can't ever ride it!"
"Oh, but I have ridden her you know," Holden said with a crude smile.
"So have I!" Xan snapped, "And to be perfectly honest I think my ride was much more enjoyable than yours!"
Holden scowled, but Xan interrupted him before he could say anything else. "But my point is this Holden, I want you to get over losing Brenna, get over yourself, and get the hell out of Salem!"
"Make me!" Holden shouted.
"Oh I was hoping you would say that!"
Chapter Seventeen
Aradia had barely any time to gasp before Holden transformed into his werewolf form, and Xan raced towards him. Standing on his hind legs and using his paws like fists, Holden dealt Xan a heavy blow. He staggered, but only for a little while. He even managed to turn it to his advantage. Spinning into somewhat of a handstand and using both of his legs, Xan kicked Holden right in the face! Straightening up in a mere second, Xan threw him another kick causing him to fall over the catwalk's railing!
Hearing Holden's cry, Aradia sighed with relief but through the black holes of the iron catwalk's floor, she saw Holden land on his hind legs as easily as a cat!
Amazingly, Xan chuckled
as he turned to Aradia. "Sorry to disappoint you Rai but killing a hidden is never that easy!"
"But then again," he added as he stared down at Holden. "That's what makes it so much fun!"
Without another word, Xan leapt over the railing, and he too landed on his feet ready to face off with Holden. Slowly they circled each other like enemy predators, neither one of them saying a word.
Until finally Holden growled, "I am going to make you pay bloodsucker for stealing my wife!"
Xan laughed as he said, "Dude I didn't steal Brenna away from you! I earned her!"
Holden howled from the insult, and lunged towards Xan who easily dodged the blow with a smile on his face. However, he realized very late that it had been a ploy! Using almost the same tactic that Xan had first used Holden dropped almost to the floor, and used his right hind leg to kick Xan in his face, scratching him deeply! Xan cried out and staggered clutching his brand new facial wound. Almost immediately, Holden exploited the opportunity, and the wound he made. He straightened up, and socked Xan in the very same spot!
Xan almost collapsed completely from the pain, but realizing that Holden was going to exploit that as well Xan threw up his own arms to protect himself. For a while the two of them struggled, Xan lying on the floor with his hands trying to choke Holden who kneeled atop of him with his own hairy ones around Xan's throat. For a while, they were in a deadlock until Xan rocked onto his side and threw Holden over him. This, however, did not cause Holden to let go of him. His hands still clutched his throat as they both rolled to the left. Once they hit the wall, Xan used both his legs to kick Holden off him! Holden leapt back, but used his hind legs to help skid him to a stop. As Xan struggled to get to his feet Holden lunged once again, and grabbing hold of Xan's middle and managed to plunge them both right through the wall!
Now they were fighting in the boiler room ignoring the random jets of hot steam, and struggling against the railing of the stairs leading to the floor.
Xan tried hard to get Holden off him. He even went so far as to think of Brenna to motivate himself into getting more strength. As noble as that was, it did no good for Holden still hovered over him with his hands around his throat. He was now grinning like a real wolf standing over fresh kill!
"Man!" Holden gasped. "I always knew Brenna had a thing for weaker guys but I didn't expect you to be this weak!"
"Yeah well," Xan croaked out, "I didn't expect you to be that much of a dirty fighter! I guess we both got surprises today!"
Holden scowled, but only for a second.
When he grinned again is when he cried out, "If it makes you feel any better Xan, I am going to make sure that Brenna will never forget you. In fact, after I am done with her not only will she never forget you but she's going to wish she never met you!"
"Want to bet?" said a voice from behind him.
Holden raised his head to turn slightly towards the voice, only to jerk back clutching his shoulder and howling in pain. Xan quickly looked past Holden to see Brenna holding a shotgun.
"Xan, get down!" she shouted which he hastily obeyed.
Holden stood still looking shocked at Brenna who looked back at him. The expression on her face was similar to a victim of abuse who was finally fighting back! Holden tried to move forward, but another shot rang out followed by another and another!
It was as Holden staggered towards the railing of the stairs that he gasped aloud. "Silver? There are silver bullets in that gun! How in the hell could you possibly afford silver bullets?!"
Brenna chuckled. "What do you think I spent the money I got from the wedding ring on? Huh? My college education? Please!"
The world stood still as Holden leaned against the railing of the stairs, as if he was clutching on for dear life. Brenna cradled the gun on her shoulder looking right at Holden.
Despite the agonizing pain in his body, Holden forced a smile. "Why don't you put the gun down Brenna honey? You know you are not going to kill me! You do not have the guts! You're..."
He was cut off by another shot.
Brenna then muttered darkly. "You don't know anything about me!"
Holden was speechless.
Brenna, however, smiled as she said, "Consider this our final divorce proceedings 'honey'!"
Two more shots rang out before Holden fell over the railing and hit the floor with a loud thud!
Chapter Eighteen
Brenna dropped the empty shotgun and raced to Xan's side.
"You okay baby?" she asked.
"How did you..." He began.
She chuckled and said, "I am a werewolf Xan you can't honestly believe a stun gun would put me to sleep for long?"
"But then why..."
"Well," Brenna admitted sheepishly with a shrug. "I did need time to get the gun and load the bullets. I figured the least you could do was keep him busy while I did that."
"So I was a decoy?" Xan asked bitterly.
Brenna shrugged again.
A moment of silence passed before Xan started to chuckle softly and say, "Well at least you got here in time to stop me from getting turned into werewolf meat!"
Brenna began to chuckle as well, but the mention of Xan's previous situation prompted Brenna to stand up and edge slowly towards the railing. As she looked down, she saw on the dirty floor of the boiler room the still human form of Holden.
"I can't believe it," she whispered, "It's really over. It's truly over."
Xan wrapped an arm around her shoulders while murmuring into her ear. "Yes it is baby. It is over."
Brenna and Xan buried Holden behind the building not stopping until he was truly six feet under. Aradia had still been too weak from the witch runes to help.
However, she did have the strength to say, "Does anybody want to say a few words?"
She had meant it as a joke, but apparently, no one thought it was funny.
Brenna, however, looked down at the spot where Holden now lay. "Actually I do have something to say."
Taking one huge long breath Brenna spoke only a few words. "I hope he rots in hell slowly!"
She then spun on her heel, and stalked off.
"Aradia!" Dax cried out as he rushed towards her.
He then swept her up into his arms, right from the staircase.
Not caring how many people were staring or grumbling about 'currying her favor', Dax spun her around joyously. "I am so glad you are okay! I was worried sick about you!"
"Yeah right," Roy muttered.
Even that did not divert Dax's attention from Aradia.
He kept spinning her around and hugging her until finally Aradia cried out, "For crying out loud Dax put me down before I get airsickness!"
Dax laughed as he set her on her feet, but barely two seconds passed before he brought his mouth down hard onto her's. Shocked at his actions, Aradia at first tried to struggle until the sweetness of Dax's kiss began to set in. For five long minutes, in front of all their friends, and Aradia's other suitors, Aradia and Dax lost themselves in their passionate kiss.
Until finally Tristan pried them apart by grabbing Dax's arm. "No fair getting an early start man! The choosing of her consort deadline isn't until the end of May! Wait until that time and then you can start laying the hot and heavy moves on her!"
He chuckled while Dax scowled at him, but before Dax even spoke Aradia interrupted. "Actually Tristan, I have decided to choose my consort at the junior prom."
Everyone turned to look at her in shock.
"The junior prom?" Tristan stuttered, "At Salem High? That is a human event! That's..."
"That's the date I have set it upon," Aradia interrupted sharply, "Take it or leave it!"
He grumbled before saying, "God if you weren't so powerful I'd..."
"Yeah well I am!" Aradia snapped, "So get over your disappointment!"
Tristan snorted, and then turned on his heel to leave.
It was while he was on the stairs that he looked towards the crowd. "Well I don't know about you guys, but since the last wit
ch is safe and sound I no longer feel obligated to protect her. Therefore, I am going home where a hot brunette who happens to be my future wife is waiting for me with a bottle of champagne and a mind full of dirty ideas!"
"Poor unlucky bitch!" Al joked making many of the people laugh loudly.
Tristan paused on the staircase before shaking his head, and deciding confrontation was not worth it.
Slowly, the others all followed his lead except for Roy who stayed behind with Dax and Aradia.
Eyeing them sharply still holding each other Roy snapped, "Aren't you coming?"
Dax looked to Aradia who said, "We will be up in a minute."
Roy did not move.
It was only after Aradia threw him a "please understand" look when he finally took off.
Once they were alone, Dax smiled and tried to kiss Aradia again, but she stopped him from doing so by placing two fingers on his lips.
"What?" Dax asked.
"We need to talk," said Aradia.
The last time she said that the outcome had been horrible so Aradia braced herself for Dax's reaction.
Surprisingly, he just shrugged and said, "Okay about what?"
After getting over the surprise of Dax's reaction, Aradia cleared her throat, and said, "Do you know when the next High Hidden Council meeting is happening?"
Dax nodded and asked, "Why?"
Aradia sighed and said, "I think I have an idea of how I can choose a consort without inciting a war."
Stunned, Dax asked, "How?"
Aradia shook her head. "Not until I speak to the leaders. I have to see if my idea will work first."
Dax nodded, but after a few seconds he could not help but ask, "So who have you chosen to be your consort my little Rai of sunshine and rainbow light?"
Aradia smiled before breaking free of his grasp. It was while she was at the bottom of the stairs and in the process of climbing them when she turned to Dax.