by Jessica Ryan
Rowan smiled and nodded his head. The two best friends didn't need to speak any words to one another; they knew what the other was thinking just as easily as they knew their own thoughts. Rowan knew that Aster had a plan.
"Choke on your sentiment," Leena said, walking over and slapping the bars where Rowan's face had been pressed up against them.
"I know you're in there, Leena," Rowan said, not flinching as the demon woman got right up against the bars. "You can fight this thing. You can be you again."
"You know nothing," Abaddon said, stepping up to the bars as well. Both of the 'demons' backs were to Aster and the two guards were to his right laughing and mocking his captive friends. They were ready to spring into action at a moment's notice if the dangerous alpha wolf they were escorting tried to escape, but at the same time they didn't notice him innocently rubbing his fingers on his broad, bare chest.
The demons' pride had taken over and now they were busy arguing with Rowan over whether Leena could break the hold or not. Aster had seen that look on Rowan's face before; he wasn't going to back down, and he was ready for a fight come hell or high water.
"I'm going to make an example of your brother," Abaddon said to Rowan. "He's going to hang for his crimes against us in front of you all."
"You'll never get away with this," Eva said, piping up from her spot at Rowan's side. "There are humans in Bucklin. Do you think the police in the surrounding towns are going to stand back and let you take over our town?"
"We're not taking anything over," Abaddon said. "We're only here to kill your alphas and end this town forever. We won't be sticking around. If the local police figure anything out, we'll be long gone by the time they get here."
"Fight, Leena," Rowan said softly, resting his forehead against the steel bars. "Please fight for me."
"You still beg for your sister to take over and save you?" the demon who controlled Leena's body said. "She's the reason we're even here. If she had stuck to the pact and been good then we would have continued to leave you alone."
"You broke the pact," Rowan said. "You weren't supposed to come back."
"As long as I kept my mate," Abaddon said, a deranged gleam in his eyes. "Your buddy Forrest saw to that."
"Because you asked him to!" Rain screamed, jumping up from her spot at the back of the cell and running to the bars. "You set us up!"
"I'm innocent," Abaddon said, putting his hands out to his sides and laughing. "Completely innocent!"
"You son of a bitch," Rain spat. "You know damn good and well what you're doing."
"So does Leena," the female demon said. "She knew it was over, yet she's been reaching out to her old mate for ten years. She's constantly trying to defy me, no matter what we do to try and break her. Well, you know what? If she won't give up, then we will break her. Seeing everyone she's ever loved die a horrific death will be quite enough to shatter her resistance for the rest of time. I like Earth folks and I'm not going anywhere."
"Speaking of her old mate," Rowan said, looking past the demons to Aster. "Why don't you ask him what he thinks about this?"
The two demons turned, their eyes growing wide as they looked at Aster. He relished this moment. He had been waiting for it since he had read the tome at the Order of Apollo so long ago. As he stood there, chest heaving, Leena almost fell backwards into the bars in shock. Abaddon was compelled to read the words scrawled in blood on Aster's chest aloud. The ancient codes required it.
"I challenge Abaddon's vessel to mortal combat," he said, the color draining from his dark face.
Aster smiled and cracked his knuckles. His injuries were quickly forgotten as the adrenaline pumped through his veins. This was the fight he had been waiting for for ten years.
Chapter 15
He's going to do it! Rowan thought as Leena and Abaddon both recoiled in fear.
Aster had told Rowan about his plan ages ago, after he had returned from one of his study sessions with the Order of Apollo. Rowan had thought he was crazy, but now, if the demons' reactions were any clue, Aster had just made the correct move. Checkmate.
"No," Abaddon said, his voice starting to sound like two people talking rather than one. The demon was beginning to separate from the person. "You can't take my power."
It was a disturbing scene to watch. There were shadows dancing around Abaddon now as his face began to stretch like he was a piece of taffy being pulled to its limit. He grabbed at his head and roared, trying to fight the ancient code he was bound by, but neither man or demon had a choice.
"I have not been challenged!" Leena said, stepping up and puffing her chest out. "I will put an end to this before you can destroy my mate!"
"No!" Abaddon screamed, his voice sounding like two mechanical entities fighting for control. "You cannot interfere or we will both be banished!"
"What?" Leena asked. "Then I'll just have to kill his friends. Revoke your challenge or they die!"
Aster looked worried for a second, glancing back at the cell. Rowan shook his head, making eye contact with his old friend. "You can't worry about us, buddy! You have to finish this!"
The determination returned to Aster's face and he nodded, dropping back into his combat stance again.
"Then the choice is made," Leena said, laughing. "They all die."
She turned and faced the jail cell, smiling as she advanced with fire in her eyes. She held out one arm and flames began to dance across her skin, snaking and combining to form one long blade. Rowan had seen this magic once before, when Crow was killed by Abaddon. Rowan didn't know what other magic she had, and he didn't want to find out. It was still Leena's body; he couldn't kill his own sister even if she was possessed.
He felt the sweat beading on his forehead as he began to back away from the bars, his mind drawing a blank for action. For the first time in ten years he felt completely helpless. He wasn't in control of his destiny at all.
"No!" Beorn roared, pushing everyone out of the way and stepping up to the bars. "Listen here, you crazy bitch. These other pitiful wolves might have a sentimental attachment to you, but I sure as hell don't. You want to kill us, then you have to go through me! Remember what I did to your buddy in the grocery store? I'll do the same thing do you, only I'll crush your head with my bare hands!"
With those words Leena stopped and backpedaled, her bravado suddenly dissipating. Beorn sneered at her and put his face against the bars.
"You don't think Rain told me about your conversation? If you destroy the vessel's head, then the demon is expelled. I know you can't just leap from body to body, you have to be placed. I'll crush your tiny head with my bare hands and spit on your spirit while you return to hell. Just watch me."
Flames shot up Leena's arm and the sword completely disappeared, but her smile remained. "Even being as powerful as I am, I can't kill you all at once. Just wait until reinforcements get here." She turned to the two armed guards. "You two idiots! Gather everyone!"
Rowan swallowed hard. They were sitting ducks if someone returned with guns. This had to end quickly. Still, he couldn't let Beorn get away with threatening to end his sister's life. Somewhere inside that mess was Leena. Rowan glared at the bear, letting him know he wasn't pleased with his threat.
Beorn turned to Rowan and tried to stare a hole through the powerful sheriff. If the two of them had been in a different situation they might have come to blows, but for now they just postured. Finally Rain stepped between them, trying to push Beorn back. She turned to her surrogate father and gave him a pleading look. Rowan looked at the ground, pissed that he was being the bigger man and backing down, but it would do them no good to fight amongst one another now.
He turned and looked at what was happening outside their cell. Abaddon was still on the floor, still staring up at Aster while running his mouth. Aster was just standing there, his hands calmly at his sides as he watched the demon's struggle.
"He's stalling, Aster!" Rowan shouted. "Finish this now!"
Aster nodded and began to slowly advance towards Abaddon, who was still struggling. He had dropped to his knees and the dark spirit of the demon was trying to keep its hold on his back as it was being ripped from his body. It was like a shadow was exiting Abaddon's back but fighting and clawing to stay inside.
"The challenge has been issued, demon," Aster said. "Do you accept or will you be banished back to the hellfire you came from for eternity?"
"I am my own master!" the two voices screamed. "I will not be forced by these ancient rules!"
"You have no choice, demon," Aster said. "Power out of your control compels you right now. If you accept you may get lucky and win the fight, and you'll stay in our mortal world. If you lose you can try again centuries from now."
A black cloud rolled through the room. There was a tremendous flash of light and then the darkness took over, blocking Rowan's vision completely. The cloud began to dissipate and re-form in the air behind Abaddon. Slowly it took shape, looking like a twisted, stretched amalgamation of Abaddon. The demon was separated from its host, waiting for the results of the battle. Its face was twisted in unholy anger as it watched, unable to affect the mortal world in any way until the battle was complete.
"Hello, Abaddon," Aster said, smiling down at the mortal man who waited on his knees.
"You son of a bitch," the man responded, his voice a little softer than the one that he had used since they had met him. He looked up at Aster with hate in his eyes as he clenched both fists. "You took it from me, you bastard!"
"Then take it back," Aster said, putting his arms out to the side. "I'm right here."
Abaddon began to laugh as he rose to his feet. "I'm a stronger wolf than you, Aster. Even without the demon I will finish you."
"Then make your move," Aster said. "Talk is cheap."
"Can he do it?" Eva asked Rowan.
"I don't know," Rowan said. "I can smell the strength coming off of Abaddon."
"How's that?" Eva asked.
Thorn stepped up to the bars beside them, his eye still swollen shut from the beating he had taken the night before. "Usually wolves can smell the strength in another wolf. They can tell who's an alpha just by scent. Alphas smell different."
"Is he an alpha?" Eva asked.
"Oh, yeah," Rowan said grimly. "That's not an ordinary wolf. There's a reason the demon picked him to be his vessel."
"How good of a fighter is Aster?" Eva asked.
Rowan glanced at her and then glanced back at the two wolves who were squaring off. Abaddon was removing his clothing, preparing to shift at a moment's notice. It appeared they were going to start the fight off in human form.
"He's the best I know," Rowan said.
"Even stronger than you?" she asked.
Rowan smiled and winked at his love. "I would never admit it, but yes. He's the strongest wolf I know, both mentally and physically. He's dealt with things in his life that would destroy the rest of us. He truly deserves to be our alpha."
Eva didn't respond, she just turned back to the fight, her eyes wide in shock. "They're starting!"
Rowan closed his eyes, unable to watch what was about to happen. This was it; they either lived or died after this moment.
Chapter 16
Aster could smell the strength coming off Abaddon. He was definitely one of the strongest wolves Aster had ever faced off with. He knew he could fight; his strength had been built constantly fighting to defend his father's name against the Oakdale kids. He'd just spent the last twenty-four hours cutting a bloody swath through Abaddon's forces and he was ready to finally cut the head off this wretched snake.
Behind Abaddon, Leena stood with the most horrible expression on her face, one of absolute seething rage. He knew it wasn't his Leena who was giving him this look; it was the demon who had claimed her soul.
"I know you're in there, baby," Aster said, fixing his eyes on the demon. Leena's body recoiled in disgust at his words and she tried to shield herself with her hands. "I love you and I know you can fight this."
"She can't hear you now!" the demon screamed as Abaddon continued to undress and prepare for battle. "Your words are futile. She will watch you get ripped limb from limb and then she'll know there is no hope."
"We'll see," Aster said, smiling as he turned back to Abaddon. "Are we going to do this, or are you going to play grab-ass all day?"
Abaddon didn't respond with words; instead, he leapt into action, charging across the room at Aster at full speed. Aster stepped back to receive him but at the last moment Abaddon jumped, using his agility to take him into the air above Aster's head. He landed behind Aster so quickly that Aster didn't have time to react as Abaddon drove his fist into the small of Aster's back. Aster grunted and cried out, collapsing to one knee as the pain radiated through his lower body. It felt like someone had slammed a wrecking ball into his back. Abaddon was strong, even without the demon, and Aster couldn't afford for this fight to go too long.
He feinted standing, causing Abaddon to swing for his head, but Aster stayed on his knees and drove his shoulder into the demon's knees, forcing him onto the floor.
"You don't have a demon to heal you now," Aster said. "You'll feel every bit of pain I drop on you."
Abaddon tried to get up, but Aster quickly slid on top of him, pinning him to the ground under his massive weight. Abaddon began to buck, almost tossing Aster to the side, but he managed to hold on. Just as Abaddon turned to look, Aster took the opportunity to finally deliver a blow to his foe. His large fist slammed into Abaddon's jaw with enough force to kill a human male. Instead Abaddon cried out in pain and covered up as Aster began raining blows down on his face. All the rage inside of Aster began to build as he heard the satisfying crunch of his fist connecting with bone.
He stopped to savor his work, loving the blood he saw on his knuckles—which was a big mistake. Abaddon took the opportunity to send his fist straight up under Aster's chin, catching him off guard and rocking him. The demon flipped him, finding himself on top but trapped between Aster's legs. It was like a jiu-jitsu fighter finding himself in his opponent's guard, but Abaddon was too strong for something like this to bother him. He reared up and began dropping his forearms on Aster's face. Aster felt blood spray from his nose as his vision began to blur. Each blow broke something, leaving the Bucklin alpha in bad shape.
Aster brought one foot up onto Abaddon's quad, pushing with all his might. The force shot Abaddon's leg backwards from under him, forcing him to collapse with his head resting on Aster's stomach. Quickly Aster sandwiched the demon's head between his two fists, causing blood to spray in all directions.
Aster backpedaled, bringing himself to his feet as Abaddon did the same. Aster didn't give him a chance to catch his breath, charging Abaddon and forcing him backwards into the iron bars of the holding cell. Abaddon let out an audible "oof" as all the air was driven from his body. Like a boxer with his opponent backed into the ropes Aster began to deliver uppercut after uppercut to his opponent's body.
Even without his unholy companion Abaddon still possessed superhuman speed and agility. After he regained his senses he managed to catch Aster's hand, straightening his arm out and swinging him around.
Aster could barely see as he felt his entire front side slam into the iron. He could taste the metallic saltiness of blood in his mouth. His friends were inside the cell looking at him, but all he could make out were their blurry shapes.
Abaddon kept hold of Aster's wrist, straightening his arm out against the bars. He put his other hand into Aster's shoulder and began to push, like he was trying to break Aster's arm in two.
"Come on, Aster," Hawk insisted. "Fight back! Don't let him win!"
Aster could feel himself fading fast. He had delivered more blows to his opponent, but Abaddon was just that much stronger than he was. Each shot Abaddon had delivered had felt like a ton of bricks being dropped onto Aster. Now he knew his arm was about to be snapped, effectively e
nding any chance he had of winning the fight.
"Don't give up," Rain said. "Please, you still have a family. You have all of us. Fight for us."
"You're the strongest wolf I know," Beorn said. "I'd have never stayed this close to Bucklin if not for you. You can get out of this."
Aster's vision slowly returned as another face appeared in front of him—Rowan.
"Dammit, Aster, fight back," he said furiously. "You're my brother and you're supposed to be my brother-in-law. We both love my sister, but we can't save her until you win. Fight back, Aster. Win. I love you, brother."
I love you too, brother, Aster thought, unable to even open his mouth. He could see his life flashing before his eyes as Abaddon continued to try to rip him to shreds. Everything in his life became clear: all his mistakes, all his triumphs, all his failures and all the love he had for the people around him. When he had lost Leena, his love had retreated to the back of his heart, locked away from everyone.
He cut his eyes towards Leena. She was still as beautiful as the day he first met her. Nothing would ever change how perfect she was.
"I'll get you back," he said, looking straight into her eyes. For a moment he saw a twinkle of acknowledgement; his baby was still alive and trying to fight.
Aster tensed every muscle in his body and pushed against the bars, catching Abaddon off guard and driving him backwards. The gang leader tried to regain his composure quickly but Aster leapt at him, flying through the air just as he had done earlier.
Abaddon smiled and prepared to catch Aster, realizing the Bucklin alpha had put himself in a vulnerable position. At the last minute Aster shifted, his entire body changing and twisting in mid-air to reveal the monstrous beast that lived inside of him. Abaddon's eyes grew wide as four hundred pounds of pissed-off wolf landed on his head, forcing him to the ground.
"Let me shift!" Abaddon screamed, trying to fight Aster off.
Aster had no intention of letting Abaddon take his wolf form. The demon code stated it had to be a fair fight as far as outside interference and the presence of the demon's power were concerned, but it didn't say anything about both parties having to shift.