by Lisa Randall
“So?” I asked, eager to know if it worked or not.
“You showed me a memory of you as a child, running through a field of flowers on a sunny day. It was beautiful, thank you,” Rai said, smiling. His smile was breathtaking, and I was also glad it had worked.
*****
My head was spinning and hurt like hell from where it hit the rock. I know I had blacked out for at least a few seconds. I opened my eyes to see Helen being held in the air by the demon. I could sense her panic at what was happening, but something was off. I could sense that somewhere inside of her there was power. Power just waiting to be released. I knew she felt it too, and was scared of it.
Neither of us knew what it was, and I could tell that her fear was keeping it from being released. I sent a wave of calm feelings towards her, and I felt something click into place. I watched as she relaxed, her eyes closed as she began to glow all over. Then something that looked like white fire came from within her, heading towards the demon. It went into the demon, and he screamed, trying to put out the flames that were inside of him.
Helen was on the ground, so I went over to help her up, but it wasn’t necessary. She got up and stared at the demon in shock. I searched her mind to see if she knew anything of what had happened, and she didn’t. I found it was the first time she had ever needed to kill, and it scared her how easy it had been.
I could tell she was trying not to think about it when she asked me about the memory transfer that we had done before the fight. Then she offered to see if it worked both ways. I wondered at what she wanted to show me. Then I saw a child running in the sunlight through a field of flowers. It had been so long since I had actually seen sunshine, and I thanked Helen for that gift.
Chapter 6
We began heading North, to where the human cities used to be, before the wars. I was curious what the now ruined cities had developed into before the wars. I wondered if they ever got rid of those hideous skyscrapers, and developed something easier to look at.
Rai told me after the witches opened up portals for the demons, the humans began to group together, population wise. Instead of being in scattered cities across the world, eventually, they formed one big city, until it was destroyed. Then the humans had to live underground, to escape the radiation, as well as from the demons, the weres (wolf and otherwise), and the vampires. Sometimes they were found, but they still remain well hidden in the many caves they created. Unlike before the wars, the humans are not grouped together like they used to be. They found that making one big cave made them an easy target, so they scattered into many other caves that they either created or found in order to live.
“So now the city the humans had built near the end was occupied by the weres,” Rai told me.
“I still can’t believe it,” I said.
“Yeah, it’s pretty unbelievable unless you see it for yourself.” Rai said.
As we got closer, I could make out huge buildings in ruin. It reminded me of the aftermath of terrorist attacks I had seen before I had slept. It was awful that the humans hadn’t really changed in the end.
Despite feeling sad about the fate of the humans, I felt charged. Rai seemed to feel the same. We had been walking all day, and I knew I should feel tired, but I wasn’t. “Is what we are feeling the result of the radiation?” I asked. I had forgotten about how it made me feel now.
“It’s not just the radiation. It’s from all of the energy left in this place. See, some witches were evil, just like humans, and joined with the demons after they were released. They attacked with magic, as the humans defended with nuclear power. This is the result.” He said, pointing to the many destroyed buildings in front of us.
“I must warn you, Helen. The weres are very territorial, so we must not stay long, or they will think we are attacking them.” Rai explained.
“Really? Are they that paranoid?” I asked.
“Unfortunately, yes.” He said.
As if on cue, forms started appearing from the buildings that had before looked empty. I could hear growling and snarling of many kinds, and it was kind of creepy.
“The weres hate everyone that isn’t like them, and trust each other even less.” Rai said, noting the forms coming closer to us.
“Should we be leaving now then?” I asked. I wasn’t looking for a fight with these creatures, but I knew I could defend myself at least.
“It’s too late for that now.” A voice said from the shadow of the building closest to us.
Rai moved in front of me, as if to protect me. But they had already seen both of us, so what was the point?
“Do you humans have a death wish today? We will be more than happy to fulfill it for you” the voice said. I could almost hear the smirk it was making from where I stood.
“We don’t want any trouble. We just wanted to see the Old City just once, and then we will be on our way.” Rai told the voice.
I wondered why these creatures thought we were humans, and why Rai didn’t want them to know we were vampires. I was thinking this when Rai’s voice came into my head.
If they know we are vampires, they will kill us for sure, and we are outnumbered. If they think we are humans, there is a chance of escape. Just play along.
I stayed hiding behind Rai, just how I imagined a scared human would in this situation. I felt something in my hands, and found myself holding on to the back of Rai’s long sleeved shirt. Wont they figure it out eventually? I thought to Rai.
Just don’t use any of your powers and keep the goggles on and they shouldn’t find out.
“Oh? Doing a little sightseeing today are we? How unusual.” The voice said, remaining in the shadows.
“Yes, my friend here didn’t believe the stories and wanted to see it for herself.” Rai said.
“Well now, let us have a look at you.” The voice said. A figure emerged from the shadows where the voice had been coming from, revealing a large man whose muscles had muscles. He reminded me of what a seasoned biker looks like. Not the bicycle kind either. He had to have been in his late twenties, but life didn’t appear to have been kind to him. He had a large scar on the right side of his face, near his jaw line. His eyes and hair were both a dark brown. He appeared to sniff the air, as if he were smelling us. Maybe he was. He was part animal after all.
He smiled, which put a chill up my spine.
“You should know better than to bring an unmated, unclaimed female into our territory.” He said.
“You will not touch her.” Rai said defensively.
“I am Fen Wolfsbane, leader of this pack, and I will do as I please!” he said, lunging at Rai.
Before Fen could reach Rai, I pushed Rai out of the way and slammed by hand into Fen’s chest, sending him flying through the air. He flew at least ten feet before coming to a stop.
“I will not have someone fight for me!” I shouted. “If you want to fight over me, fight me.” For some reason, I felt as if I had to fight this man. I could feel it in my bones. I didn’t know why I felt this way, but didn’t have time to question it as I had just picked a fight I wasn’t sure I could win.
Fen got up, looking stunned that someone was actually talking back to him, and double stunned that someone was able to hurl him into the air like that. It seemed no one had ever done that in his life, let alone a female.
“Very well. I don’t know what you are, but you intrigue me.” He said, eyeing me.
Helen, what are you doing!? Rai shouted at me, mentally.
I shrugged, not turning to see the look on Rai’s face. “Let’s do this.” I said. I never liked those who believed themselves superior to others for no reason. It reminded me of the bullies in the village I grew up in. They accused those they didn’t like of being witches, and everyone else was either too afraid it was true or too afraid to stand up to them, and it eventually got worse and worse. If someone didn’t stand up to these kinds of people, things could get worse for the innocent very quickly. In this case, we were the innocent ones.
&nb
sp; Fen lunged at me again and again, never hitting me, not even once. I was too fast for him with my vampire speed. He kept this up until he was almost out of breath, and didn’t look like he had much fight left in him. I didn’t underestimate him, though. The next time he lunged at me, we ended up trading blows. He flew back like he had before, and I hadn’t even moved. He was out for what seemed like forever, but was only about a minute.
And then it was over as soon as it had started.
On the way to standing up, Fen took one look at me and then kneeled. I didn’t know what this meant so I simply nodded. Guess I won. Huh.
“What are you?” Fen asked.
“Not sure myself, these days.” I replied.
“Well, you certainly aren’t human.” He said.
“Nope.” I said. Not anymore. Not for a long time, I mused.
Fen stood and turned to one of his pack mates and shouted “Get Selena!” Someone in the crowd went back into a nearby building to get this person.
We waited, standing there, nobody moving until a young woman came out, escorted by the one who had gone to get her. “This is Selena Elmwood, our Pack Witch.” Fen said, introducing her. “Her family has been with us since the Human Wars. She will be able to tell us what you are.”
Selena nodded at me as she came closer. She was a thin little thing, reminding me of a fox I had once seen in my youth. She had long reddish brown hair and beautiful green eyes. Her skin was pale, as if she had rarely seen the sun, which I’m guessing is normal these days. “I will have to remove your goggles to get a look at you. The eyes of a being show what he or she really is, despite all appearances.” She said.
I nodded, lifting one of my goggles only long enough for her to see. I was curious as to what she had to say. When she was done, she gave them back to me and I quickly put them on. I didn’t really notice if the sun had hurt or not, but I wasn’t taking any chances.
“I don’t believe it.” Selena said in awe. “It has never been done.”
“Tell us already, Sel!” Fen growled at her.
“She is part vampire, part witch. And I suspect her companion to be the same as well.” She said.
I heard a collective gasp from everyone visible, and saw some tense up, some take a step back, and some even growled at me.
“She is, however…” Selena said slowly.
“Spit it out already!” Fen growled again. He was getting impatient, and I could tell he had a short fuse.
“She is also unmated, and unclaimed.” Selena whispered. “I’m so sorry.” She said to me, turning away to go back into the shadows.
“What do you mean by unmated and unclaimed?” I said. These were unfamiliar terms to me, but the rest of those around us, including Rai seemed to know what this meant.
Turning to Rai, I asked mentally What does she mean? What’s going on?
Rai wouldn’t look away from Fen, who was staring at me intently. Rai? I saw the muscles in his jaw tense and flex. Something was going on, and it wasn’t good.
Finally, he answered me This means that Fen or any other can claim you as their own. They would want to make you their mate, which would in turn make them stronger. I was confused, and Rai must have sensed it. Tell me, Helen. Would you want to be magically bound to someone you don’t know? Someone who tried to kill you just moments ago? To someone who would use you for power and not treat you with the respect you deserve? I didn’t need to think hard on this one. Sounded like being a slave to me. Not something anyone wants. Rai smiled at my thought. Before he could speak again, I had a thought. I didn’t think long on it in case Rai would try to stop me.
“I challenge you, Fen Wolfsbane, to a fight to decide the leadership of this pack.” I heard another collective gasp from those around us. Rai didn’t say anything. He was probably trying to figure out what I was up to.
“What?” Was all Fen could say.
Selena appeared again, seemingly out of nowhere, and said “A challenge has been issued, Fen. Do you accept? Need I remind you that if you decline, you will automatically lose, and be cast out from the pack.”
Fen growled at her, but she stood her ground this time. “Fine.” He said. “I accept. But tell me this, vampire. What do you hope to gain?” I didn’t give him a chance to throw the first punch this time. Ignoring him, I cleared the short distance between us and hit him hard on the jaw. He fell to the ground, and spit out a mouthful of blood. “If I win, then I get to choose who gets to claim me.” I said.
“And if you lose?” Fen asked, getting back up.
“If I lose, than you get to claim me.” I said. “Weapons?” I asked. I could still use the sword Rai gave me against him.
“Of course” Fen said.
I pulled the sword free, and it shone in what little sun was able to get through the clouds in the sky. It seemed to draw the sun to it, it shone so bright.
Giving the sword an experimental twirl, I beckoned to Fen to come at me when he was ready. I knew I could take him.
When he came at me, he didn’t seem to be trying to attack me, more than to try to feel out my moves or something. He also kept going for my goggles for some reason. Thinking he could blind me or something probably, I thought. I must not have been paying attention, because before I knew it, he had my goggles in his hand. Fen grinned as he shook my goggles in front of me, as if to show what he could do. I kept my eyes open for only a minute before I had to close them. The world was so bright, and I still wasn’t used to it. I had to close my eyes, and I knew I wouldn’t be able to see where he was to defend myself.
Then something hit me and I was pinned to the ground, my sword landing on the ground a few feet away. I felt power building in me from somewhere, and I didn’t know what to do with it. I just felt like it wanted out. I tried to calm down like before, and opened my eyes to see Fen, grinning on top of me as if he had won. Then he began to scream. Loud. I hear Selena gasp and others as well, but then I heard Rai. Keep doing whatever it is you are doing, it’s working! He said. So I gave it my all, and before I blacked out, I heard someone say I had won.
Chapter 7
When I regained consciousness, it seemed like only a few minutes had passed. I found Rai standing over me, and he nodded at me to confirm this.
You ok? He asked, mentally.
“Yeah, I think so. What happened?” I asked.
“Nobody is really sure” he said. “When Fen tackled you, you opened your eyes and looked at him and he began screaming, but wouldn’t let go of you. Almost like he was being held there by some kind of force.”
“Then what?” I asked.
“Then he fell over and was dead. His skin was all burnt as if he was in a fire.” Selena said, stepping forward from the crowd. “You burned him from the inside out.” She said.
It was like with the demon. Rai said.
I looked over to where Fen lay on the ground, a crispy husk of the being he used to be. I tried not to gag when I saw him. It was hard to believe that I had done that to him. I had killed someone. I had never killed anything other than the rabbits Rai gave me when I woke up, and the demon that had attacked me. I wondered if everything in this new world was going to try and kill me. It was an almost scary feeling to have. Rai saw the look on my face and blocked my view of Fen, helping me to my feet.
Selena cleared her throat and looked at me cheerfully and said “You won Helen. You are the new pack leader!” She had a huge smile on her face and I could tell she hadn’t smiled in a long time. She rushed to me and gave me a huge hug, which I gave back. She reminded me of my friend I had back in my human days. “We should have a party to celebrate!” she said, many people in the crowd cheered at the prospect of a party and everyone seemed to cheer up a little. I nodded at her suggestion and those around us began to get ready for the party.
“We usually just have a bon fire and play music and dance when we have parties” she said. It sounded okay to me. Kind of like a “welcome to the new world” kind of party. Rai looked at me and smiled.
I almost forgot he could hear my thoughts and I would have blushed if I could.
I began to look for my goggles, and Rai handed them to me. He must have gotten them off of Fen’s body when I wasn’t looking. I mentally thanked him for that. I put them in my coat pocket and noticed Rai had done the same.
As the party got under way, someone found an odd looking thing and began playing it, creating music. It looked like a cross between a saxophone and a clarinet, but sounded like bagpipes. The person playing it seemed to know how to play it well though, and soon enough, people all around us began dancing to the music.
Rai looked at me and asked “Would you care to dance, my lady?”
It was odd being asked so formally so I smiled and said “Yes” and we headed towards the bonfire to dance. The way we danced seem to make us stand out, as if they had never seen anyone dance a slow waltz before. Everyone else was dancing in a way I had only seen at night clubs, but more primal. They moved as if they were either fighting or seducing each other. It was getting confusing, trying to figure out what they were doing, so I turned my attention back to Rai. We were dancing slowly in a circle, as if we danced to a tune different from everyone else. I felt I could dance like this forever.
I was still feeling energized, despite being knocked out earlier. We danced for a while until I felt that feeling in my chest like I had earlier during the fight. I got worried and was about to ask Rai what it was when he just smiled and said “Just calm down a little and it should pass.” We slowed our dancing to the point we were almost standing still.
I tried not to think about all of the weird things I had seen and encountered since I woke up. It was all so surreal to me still. I couldn’t believe the world changed so much. This was probably the most exciting day I have had in a very long time. First, I wake up to find the man of my dreams, literally, standing over me; then I learn about this whole new world that changed around me. Then I fight and kill a demon, as well as a werewolf pack leader with some strange power I never knew I had. And I even became the leader of a pack. I didn’t know how to even begin processing everything that has happened up until now, and it was all catching up with me. I focused on dancing and trying to calm down before that power came back. I didn’t like what it could do, especially since I didn’t fully understand it yet.