by Connie Wood
Until fear had woken her in the dark. She caught the line of the light and frantically searched around her. Dirty ice and snow ere compacted loosely together for walls, the floor grimy ice and splattered with something thick and congealed.
Movement at the front of the cave concealed the remaining light. Lea gasped, her hand shooting up to cover her mouth to stop from calling out. She panted through her nose, trying to force oxygen into her body, and attempting not to retch at the foul air as her stomach twisted in fear and revulsion.
The animal at the front of the lair growled softly, almost a laugh and Lea nearly lost all reason. Was this the creature Dane spoke of? Terror threatened at the edges of her mind and Lea wanted the blackness of her subconscious to take over. She just couldn’t handle this fear.
Another movement from the creature bought another flash of daylight through the cave. The light highlighted a mutilated mound of flesh and clothes next to her. Surprised, her heart went into overdrive, threatening to explode.
She quickly scurried away, until she was against the wall, tucking her feet up under her. The monster moved again, as if it was pacing or swaying. Light glinted off something metal beside the horrifying mass. Realizing what it was, Lea quickly grabbed the little hand shovel and clutched it to her body, hiding it just in case the creature saw.
Lea grimaced as she was plunged back into the dark. She sent up a silent prayer for whatever man or woman that sodden mutilated mess had been and a quick thanks for the shovel. Snow and ice would be hard to dig through, but she wouldn’t sit here and wait for that abomination to decide her fate.
Lea felt around with her numb fingers until she found a piece of wall where the snow crumbled at its base. It was as good a place to start digging as any. She took out the freezing cold shovel and bit down in pain as the handle stuck to the skin of her palm. She started to dig and if the creature at the door came for her, at least she’d have a weapon, no matter how feeble it seemed.
Shivering, Lea continued to dig through the walls, her teeth chattering as cold numbness started to seize up her body. Her muscles screamed in agony, adrenaline and determination, the only things keeping her warm. She kneeled, facing the wall, her knees red raw. The skin ripped from them, her pajamas no barrier to the intense cold and they started to bleed.
The animal behind her sniffed audibly. Lea twisted to look at it, her heart in her throat. It sniffed again and growled hungrily, moving slightly, allowing shards of light to stream in. Lea grabbed handfuls of loose snow from the wall and shoved it around her knees, trying desperately to conceal the scent of her fresh blood. The flakes of snow turned pink with blood and Lea packed her legs deeper in the snow.
She waited for the beast to come. Terror gripping her stomach, raising bile to her throat. She tried to swallow and kept her gaze glued to the creatures back, waiting for some movement. It snorted and moved back over the opening.
Lea released a quivering breath. He numb thick fingers felt for the shovel, her legs now shivering uncontrollably. Soon she wouldn’t be able to feel them. Right now she took pleasure in the pain, it meant she was still alive. If the animal came for her later and she couldn’t move because of the cold, all her efforts would be in vain.
A guttural howl echoed outside, slightly muffled by the icy walls. Lea’s entire body jolted and she dropped the shovel. The creature at the entrance to her prison stilled and pure panic bubbled inside her. Another howl, angry and fierce, came from outside and the ground began to rumble. A quick rhythm of footfalls came closer and shook the lair, ice flakes dropping from the roof.
The growl this time was closer, just outside the opening. The creature was breathing hard in response, anger and cruelty oozing from it. Suddenly it launched itself away from the doorway and leapt at something unseen.
Lea lifted a hand to shield her eyes from the onslaught of light. She blinked quickly and tried to focus. White fur and the darkness of the creature flashed in front of the lair’s opening.
Gasping in horror, Lea pulled her legs away from the snow. She cried out in pain as more skin tore from her knees, she dropped the shovel and grabbed at her wounds. She grimaced, stood up, hurried to the opening and stopped abruptly, her breath ripped from her chest.
Dane, in bear form, reared up on his hind legs and yet the creature towered over him. Deep red gashes ran the length of Dane’s chest, his white fur matted all over in blood and dirt. He swiped at the creature, its flesh opening with a sickening ooze. It sniggered throatily and knocked Dane flying.
The ground vibrated as Dane landed. Half a second later, he was back up on all fours, looking dazed and unsteady. The beast was already over him and swiped across his back. Dane hissed as it sliced through fur and flesh.
Panic blinded Lea and she raced at the creature. It was about to kill Dane, she had to do something. Her numb legs moved slowly, she wouldn’t make it in time.
“Hey,” she screamed.
Stunned, both the animal and Dane turned and watched her hobbling through the snow toward them. Dane looked at her with a strange combination of fear and love. The creature’s eyes lit up with dark longing. It almost stopped Lea in her tracks. She forced herself to look at Dane, to keep going.
Dane seized the distraction and reared up, swinging at the creature with all his remaining power. It crashed to the side, plummeting in the snow.
Lea was almost on them, new panic reared, she had no weapon and very little strength. Nothing. Frantically, she searched around, then in desperation patted down her frozen body. Her fingers clutched the broken pendant around her neck and she hissed as it’s jagged edge once again sliced into her. She pulled and tugged with numbed fingers, trying to get the pendant off. Finally she yanked hard, its silver chain fell softly to the white ground.
Trembling with fear, Lea fell on top of the wretched creature in the snow. Using her body weight, she shoved the sharp edge of the pendant deep within its left eye. She cried out in horror as her fingers slid, encased in the rotten, open hole of its eye socket.
The creature bellowed in anger and threw her off. She landed hard on the ground, her face buried in the fresh snow. The air pushed from her lungs and she gulped, her entire body aching. Exhausted her head fell back into the ice, unable to move she listened to her heart beating furiously until Lea finally lifted her head a fraction and saw their horror wasn’t finished.
~* * *~
Dane’s heart stopped for an instant as a foreign emotion assailed him; pure fear. Lea lay unmoving in the snow. He started toward her, she raised her head and relief flooded him. Slowly, he turned his head toward the wendigo, deadly intent in his gaze.
Dane harnessed his remaining power and launched himself at the wendigo. It bellowed in rage, still clutching at the half buried pendant embedded in its eye. It tore is claw from its face and hooked its clawed talons into Danes upper thigh. Dane grunted in pain and bared his teeth in a snarl. He bit into the creature’s throat, both his human and animal halves rebelling in disgust. Still, Dane clenched his jaws through putrid, decaying skin.
Before he could twist his head to tear out its throat, the wendigo clawed at Dane’s face, tearing him open. Dane hissed and tried to bite down again. The creature growled and threw Dane backwards to the ground.
Dane panted in pain and exhaustion. The blows and injuries he’d already inflicted on the beast would have killed any other living creature. The bear in him roared and on instinct of survival readied itself. Dane’s human half filtered through slowly with a memory, a legend, a myth. He suddenly realized why Lea’s pendant caused the wendigo more damage the he’d done in mortal combat.
The wendigo awkwardly rose to its feet and turned to where Lea, now cowering in the snow, silently sat. Her lips and skin were tinged blue from cold, a kind of shocked awe blanking her usually vibrant features.
Dane bounded toward the creature, this time aiming at the silver pendant buried deep with its eye socket. With all his power, he rammed the pendant in harder and the wend
igo bent over, writhing in pain.
With the creature on the ground, a movement behind it caught Dane’s attention. Two men approached, breaching the icy hill, moving toward them fast. Inwardly Dane cursed and he whimpered silently. He was having enough trouble with the wendigo, he didn’t want to have to take on two venators as well.
Growling, Dane braced himself and dug into his reserves of energy. He glanced over at Lea and his heart ached for her. If she didn’t get out of the cold soon, hyperthermia would kick in. He needed to kill the beast first, so it would never be a threat to her again. And if he fell protecting her, at least the venators would look after her. The thought numbed him to the core.
Anger pounded through him and he swiped at the wendigo, sending it flying. He turned to the venator, the one he recognized as Silvan, the man he’d fought earlier. The venator rushed in. Dane dug his hind legs into the snow for stability, waiting for the man to attack. Surprised, Dane watched as he headed straight for the wendigo, brandishing his massive, ancient sword. It shone almost painfully in the light. He swung at the beast on the ground, narrowly missing it as the wendigo rolled and jumped to its feet with worrying agility.
Silvan swung again as the beast rushed him. The sword sliced the wendigo’s arm, foul smelling greenish blood spewing onto the snow. The wendigo roared in rage and smashed the venator to the ground.
Dane moved toward them. He glanced to his side. The second venator stood watching and Dane wondered why Tithe didn’t enter the fray. Tithe raised an arm and effortlessly threw a long silver stake toward him. In an instant Dane transformed into his human form and caught the weapon mid air.
Vengeance bought a smile to Dane’s face. He twisted the stake, turning the cold shaft in his hand. Silently, he closed the distance between himself and the wendigo. Now more nimble as a man, Dane swerved away from the beast’s talons and ducked underneath its mutilated arm.
With all his strength, Dane grabbed the stake in both hands and rammed it up through the wendigo’s chest, piercing its heart. Thick black blood smothered the once silver steak and Dane pushed it deeper.
The animal’s screech echoed through the night, sending shivers across Dane’s skin. It bellowed and convulsed, fighting its death. Dane slammed the weapon in further until the shaft disappeared. The wendigo finally toppled, landing with a sickening thud.
Dane stepped back trying to avoid the foul smelling mess that writhed on the ground. Finally it stilled and only then did Dane look up. Both Tithe and Silvan stood watching the animal until its death. Dane’s revulsion echoed their expressions.
Convinced the wendigo was no longer a threat to Lea, Dane turned. Relief flooded him. Lea sat shivering in the snow, horror and disbelief etched across her face. Slowly she raised her head and saw him. Her eyes brightened and Danes heart swelled. Lea rose to her feet, numb and awkward, and came to stand by his side.
“Are you okay?” Dane asked, thought the question sounded trite even to his ears.
“Is it dead?”
“I think so.” Dane reached an arm around her shoulders, her skin cold to the touch.
“Good,” Lea replied with a venom he’d never her from her before.
“Well, it’s almost dead,” Tithe said.
Dane turned to him. “What do you mean, almost?”
Tithe produced an ornate silver box from inside his snow jacket and placed it on the ground. He took off his coat and gave it to Dane with a nod toward Lea. Grateful, Dane took it, unable to offer her his own garment since his T-shirt was ripped to shreds. Dane wrapped Lea in Tithe’s jacket and felt her sigh in relief as the oversized coat engulfed her.
“I’d give you my pants as well, but then I’d be naked and that would probably scare away the wildlife.”
Dane eyed him.
“It would certainly freak me out,” Silvan said sarcastically, facing Dane. “Relax, bear. He’s kidding, you know. Now let’s get on with this,” he added to Tithe.
Tithe retrieved the metal box and opened it. A small, sharp silver dagger sat inside the blue velvet covered interior. Tithe pulled it out. Curious, Dane watched Tithe approach the wendigo’s body. He leaned over it, using his body to shield what he was doing from Lea.
Dane’s arm tightened around Lea’s shoulder. Her face turned into him as the distinct noise told them Tithe had cut into the creature. The stench hit them, making them all gag and turn away.
Tithe stood up, the silver box in one hand. He bent down quickly and cleaned the dagger on the rags covering the wendigo.
“Disgusting,” he grimaced as he stood again, the now clean dagger brandished in his hand. “The wendigo’s heart,” he explained, holding up the silver box. “It must be buried on consecrated ground.”
“So now it’s dead?” Lea asked.
“Not quiet.” Tithe sighed theatrically. “We now have to dismember the body with a silver axe.” He nodded toward Silvan, who produced the required weapon as if from nowhere. “The remains then have to be salted, burned to ashes and then scattered to the four winds.”
“Anything else?” Dane asked sardonically, raising an eyebrow.
“No.” Tithe smiled. “Isn’t that enough?”
Dane nodded and faced both the men. “Thank you for your assistance,” he ground out, forced to recognize his enemies’ help.
“You’re welcome. It was fitting that you killed it.” Tithe glanced at Silvan. “Come we have work to do.”
“Take your lady home, it seems you both need time to recover,” Tithe said to Dane.
“So, you are letting us walk out of here, just like that? I thought I was your mortal enemy.” Dane asked bitterly.
Tithe looked at him, a strange emotion crossing his hard features and Dane could swear for a split second his eyes glowed green.
“We can be mortal enemies another day. Today we worked together to kill something worse than either of us. You know, my enemy’s enemy is my friend, that sort of thing.” He raised an eyebrow as he looked Dane up and down. “Besides, you look a little under the weather. I don’t think it would be a fair fight at the moment.”
“Yes, I’d still kick your ass,” Dane replied.
Tithe laughed, low and deep. It was the first time Dane ever heard it, it was slightly disconcerting.
Dane nodded and looked at Lea. She was clearly exhausted and freezing.
“Come, I’ll take you home,” Dane saw the look pass across her face. “Not the den. You need to get warm. I have a place on the outskirts of town.”
“Okay.” Lea murmured and stumbled forward.
Dane leaned over and picked her up, cradling her in his arms. Every wound and muscle throughout his body cried out in pain. He felt the warm trickle of blood seep from his wounds.
“Put me down, you’re injured; you don’t have the energy to carry me home.”
“I am strong enough to protect my woman,” Dane grunted.
He lifted her closer to his chest and gritted his teeth. The first step was the hardest. He’d take her home and care for her, nurture her. He would never leave her unprotected again. And if that meant his heart would shatter in the process, then so be it.
Chapter Twenty
The putrid smell contaminated him. Silvan grimaced, he’d never get this smell off him. Surely it would stay with him forever. He stripped naked, peeling the filth encrusted clothes from his body. He dumped them in the garbage bag Tithe had provided, twisted the top closed and chucked it into the corner of the bathroom.
He wrinkled his nose in disgust, the stench and gore clung to his skin. He turned on the shower and stepped inside the cubicle, closing the door behind him with a click. Warm water caressed his skin, massaging his aching muscles, and he sighed in relief. The dirt and grime slid down his body mingling with the water, pooling on the tiled floor before disappearing down the drain.
If only his memories would vanish so easily. They would always be his constant companion. Lurking in the background, lingering just below the surface, ready to make an a
ppearance at the slightest provocation lately. The last few days had brought more recollections to the forefront than he cared to acknowledge. Memories that had been buried for years and now bombarded him mercilessly.
Grimacing, Silvan grabbed the soap and scrubbed himself raw, determined to rid himself of the foul creature they had disposed of tonight. He and Tithe had tracked the creature into the snow and when the saw the bear fighting it, they knew it was right for the bear to destroy the wendigo.
But it had been up to him and Tithe to dispose of the corpse. A task he would have gladly forgone. Typically, they had been left with the clean up. At least he knew with certainty the creature would never harm another. There was no coming back from what they did to it.
Silvan turned off the water, stepped out of the shower and grabbed a towel. It was large, soft and thick and he wrapped himself in it enjoying the luxury. It soaked up the water from his body, droplets disappearing instantly. He dried himself, hung up the towel and walked out of the bathroom.
The small bedroom was warm, the bed very inviting. His body ached from the exertion of the last few days. His mind throbbed even more so. He swept his gaze over the room, surprisingly, a fresh set of clothes sat neatly folded on the bed’s duvet.
Silvan walked over to them and leaned down to pick up the clean T-shirt. He paused as he saw his naked reflection in a full length mirror on the opposite wall. He baulked at what he saw. He was one of the very few venators who bore physical scars. Most venators were physical perfection, their wounds never leaving marks.
His scars were not new. They were very old, almost ancient. Since becoming a hunter, his many wounds never scarred his body. But those that marred his body before he turned stayed with him as a constant reminder of a life once lived and never forgotten.