by Raven Moon
“Hey now, you’ve already got to first base, and I don’t even know your name. What would my momma think if she knew?” He belly laughed, “My little kitten, my name is….” He said, his eyes burned orange. I’ve seen those eyes before.
“Is what?” He chuckled. “No more games,” I argued.
“Just because I like you, I will tell you, my name is Danté.”
“Danté, what?” I squeezed out. He ground his jaw.
“Just Danté.” What the hell is he doing? My body collapsed against him. I woke in a small den black as the night sky without the moon and stars.
“I request your presence, oh, spirit of fire I ask for your help, your power I require. Come to me now, oh, spirit of air, I pray for a clear mind. Approach now, I pray, spirit of earth help I do need and prove now my worth. Come to me now, oh, spirit of water, my feelings are clear, your strength is now sought for.”
Someone rendered my powers useless; I had been bound. The scent of pines cones and dried leaves tingled my nose with the smell of Autumn and all earth’s goodness.
“Hello. Who’s there?” I called out. I waited for a response, but my ears fell on silence. Footsteps stomped closer with a heaviness that echoed. I shuffled backward. I felt for anything around me to pick up. I remained silent and listened.
“Rainelle. My dear. Don’t be afraid, I’m not going to hurt you.” a soft voice purred.
“What do you want from me, Danté? I’m just a country girl, nothing more, nothing less.” I confessed. I didn’t know who I was trying to convince, him, or me.
“I know you are so much more than that Rainelle; you are my master. I mean, why do you treat me for a fool? I hide in the dark, unseen. I prowl and stalk my prey. You, my dear, are my prey.” He forced out prey like I was his object to play with.
“I am your MASTER! Why do you treat me like a fool?” I snapped with force. I slowly rose from the ground. My eyes opened wide. I stood still.
“Now, this is how we are going to play this game, Danté. I am your master. I demand that you let me, and my friend go. If you don’t do as I command, I shall kill you.” I affirmed.
My vision adjusted to the inkiness giving me the advantage I needed. Movement stirred to the left of me, I remained calm. Danté inched closer on all fours. His golden eyes watched me. He was beautiful. He had morphed into wolf form. His lean and muscled body moved across the room with ease. His ears tapered to a fine point, his teeth, razor-sharp and snowy white. Just as I stepped back, he drew closer morphing back to human. He was gorgeous, every inch of his bronzed body. I raked up his body stopping at mid-point, and he was packing, but it wasn’t any damn Smith and Wesson.
“Do you like what you see?” Words left me hanging like Samuel. My stomach muscles contracted with a wave of nausea. I closed my eyes. A pair of claws ripped at my insides, tearing them apart. I slowly slid down the rock wall, gripping my stomach. With each swipe of pain, my eyes clenched tighter squishing my face. My facial muscles relaxed at the sight of a beautiful scarlet wolf. She stared at me as she paced like a caged animal. She wanted out. She wanted free. She wanted him. Another pain ripped in my core bringing reality with it. Danté stood in front of me. I peered up to see more than I wanted to see.
He extended a hand, “Take the help. We need to talk. No more playing games.” He called a truce.
“How can I believe and trust you?” He shrugged. He felt safe, he felt like home. I’m a damn witch, nothing more, nothing less, so why do I feel this way? I placed my hands in his. In one fluid motion, he pulled me to my feet.
“You are not darkness, you are not void, you are just a fucking pussy!” I spit before leaving the room I was imprisoned in. He gripped my arm yanking me around to his rock-hard body. With one hand he tightly clasped my hands to my lower back. I tried to break free but was at his mercy.
“You called unto me queen. How dare you spat at me then dismiss me like yesterday’s trash. You’re mine now! If you didn’t want me, you shouldn’t have called to me.” He snaffled.
“You sir are fuck⸺ing delusional. I’m tired of playing this dog and cat game, no pun intended. You said I was your master, then you know the rules. I’m the one that gives orders, not you. So, I’m telling you now, no, not telling you, I command you to let me, and Samuel, go. If you refuse then you already know, I must kill you and I, in fact, don’t want to do that.” He stood like a statue, his mouth gaped, “Did you genuinely think I was going to bow down to you? Did you?” I mocked.
“I’ve heard all the rumors and obtained answers myself. I had to see if they were factual. I am your animal to call, but the Master vampire of this city also calls me. He wants you to himself so he shall have you.” A babble of laughter escaped his throat.
“Master vampire of the city? Name, now, wolf boy.” I ordered.
“I cannot give you the name. If I did, he would have my head, but rest assured, you are his by the marks.”
“You are speaking of Trevor? Tell me the truth, and I will spare you Danté.”
“You cannot spare a life that is not yours to spare.” With a flick of my wrist, he folded under my reign.
Chapter Ten
Rainelle
“How did you know I would be in the caves?”
“Trevor sent me to keep you safe. He got word that the werewolves paid the Black Cloak society to hunt you. They really want you dead, and it doesn’t matter who stands in the way, their life means nothing to them.”
“How long have you been following us?”
“Since you entered.”
“Why in the hell are you hurting Samuel?”
His head flung forward in a belly laugh, “That isn’t Samuel. That is a demon. I just wanted to scare you.”
“Who in the Hades do you think you are? I can’t stand the sight of your face,” I fumed, “You’re a sick little man!” Danté averted his gaze, “You can stay the hell away from me, ass monkey.”
“Quick,” Dantè shouted as if someone summoned, “Samuel’s by the river.” He added. I quickly ran past him. If the society is that powerful, then Danté will be my sacrifice. I ran quickly passing small chambers.
As I passed another, I slowed to a halt. My focus went to Dantè. His eyes were haunted, but by what or whom? I broke contact. I cautiously entered the dark passage. A ghostly apparition appeared. Unsure of who I caught sight of, I continued down the tunnel.
“Why haven’t I seen this before?”
He tested, “My queen are you alright?” He asked, “Did you see something?”
I stared icily, “I need to go this way.” My thoughts jumbled as I tried to make sense. “Could it be her? Naw, it couldn’t be, it can’t be. The local police told the family they were good as dead before calling off the search. But the searchers never found their bodies. Could it be that she has been living in the caverns all this time? Some rooms have been set up as living quarters.”
“Wait!” Danté shouted, but I walked faster. I had to get to the area where I saw the old woman.
“Rainelle, it is best if we leave. Forget about what you thought you saw.”
I stopped abruptly and whipped around to face him, “How in the holy hell do you know I saw something?” His eyes burned as he latched onto my wrist, “Danté, you can come with me, or you can stay, either way, I’m going down the mother fucking tunnel.” I jerked from his grip and marched down the long dark corridor with haste.
I felt the blood rise in a wave of heat. My body felt like it was on fire. I took a second look at the figure standing before me. While my brain tried to make sense of what my eyes observed, the power radiated off the feminine shape like a solar flare. My hands rested beside my legs, balled into fists. Energy buzzed in my veins. Dantè stood next to me in wolf form. He snarled, then slowly moved in front.
“Danté, stand down, NOW!” I demanded anger and nerves shook my voice. He stared ruthlessly baring pointed teeth. A growl rumbled deep in his throat. He moved forward, like a lion stalking its prey, “
I said to Stand Down.” I instructed once more, fury rode on the words, “You don’t want to do this Danté. You are making a grave mistake. I’m warning you my last time. STAND. THE. FUCK. DOWN.!” I forcefully charged. Without notice he spun around; his face grim.
“I don’t answer to you anymore Rainelle.” He remarked, not a vestige of humor showing on his face, his teeth clenched angrily around the words, his voice held a savage edge causing a spine-stiffening loathing I’ve never known. I braced myself against the wall. My fists balled tightly. Blood droplets landed on the rocky ground soaking into the parched dirt. Suddenly a bright light blinded my opponent but not before his razor-sharp claw swiped the air. I leaned back, barely missing the force of his hand. I drew back then punched with the energy of a tidal wave. My fist connected on his jaw. He cried out as his head snapped to the left. Blood splattered the limestone wall before his body crashed to the hard ground. Before he got to his feet, my body smashed down on his. He morphed back to his human form as my fists used his face as a punching bag. With each blow, I released all the anger, hurt, betrayal and rage that blackened my cold heart. He caused this, he betrayed me, and now he shall pay.
“Rainelle, stop! You’re going to kill him. He is under the spell of the Black Cloak Society.” A familiar voice spoke. I ignored the call and kept punching the still body I straddled. When I pulled my arm back, someone grabbed it removing me from my assailant. I stumbled over landing against the rough-edged rocks. I blinked repeatably at the old woman. Were my eyes deceiving me?
“Are you alright?” Her voice cut me like a sword. “Now, when I say stop, that is what I mean. You need to listen, sweet granddaughter.” My eyes grew wide. I slowly rose to my feet.
“H…H…How is this possible?” I stammered nervously, “I…,” I shook the cobwebs from my head, “You…you’re dead. We all thought.” My stomach pained, “Am I fucking dead?”
“No.” A husky voice confirmed, “You were led to believe that she was though.”
“Hush boy.” Her voice snapped like a whip.
“But why?” I questioned.
“The woman standing in front of you protected my identity. In return, I kept her safe.”
“Who are you?” A powerful figure stepped from behind revealing himself, “I’m sorry Eve.” I stood paralyzed.
“How? We all thought you were dead. How could you? Do you know the hell and pain you caused, your own flesh and blood still mourn your loss?” I thundered, “And just who in the fucking-shitballs are you?” I scoffed at the man standing beside her. His eyes glowed like Fire embers against his tan complexion. The musky scent of forest taunted my nostrils. I knew that scent, I knew those eyes. They were my past.
“Lucian Constantine Black? You knew my grandmother was alive and you knew how I missed her, yet you didn’t mention this to me when we met a few weeks ago?” Heat trailed my words. The ground shook.
“Let me explain Rainelle.”
“Explain, you better fucking run you coward.” Flames engulfed me.
“Rainelle, stop it right now.” The woman posing as my grandmother ordered, “Listen to me sweet pea, this is not Lucian’s fault. He found me bleeding out. Your grandfather, Fletcher, bless his soul, succumbed to his injuries quickly and painlessly, thanks to the Goddess.” She looked like someone had just walked over her grave, “Lucian did what I asked of him. I wasn’t ready to die.” Her eyes drifted to the past, “I had Lucian summon Trevor. I came to peace to die, but I was selfish and wanted to live. I traded my soul for immortality. I made Trevor turn me against his wishes, but what I am, is something that none of us expected.” A small smirk rode her lips, “Later we found out Klyde was the one that attacked us, and that Lucian was in his pack.” She moved closer, “Lucian and Trevor teamed up and vowed to keep me safe until the right time. Trevor knew that once Patricia found out, she would never forgive either of us, but as long as I can save my granddaughter, I can deal with the hatred.” Sorrow lingered on her words. Lucian slowly moved around us.
“And the right time is now? Lucian, why did you keep this from me? Is this why you have been following me at a distance?”
“Rainelle don’t blame Lucian. If it weren’t for him, I would’ve died like your grandpa, but I would have suffered.” Eve explained. What was I supposed to think when my deceased grandmother stood in front of me telling me she is something no one expected? I laughed at first, then her eyes glowed a shimmer of opal as she shook the cracked ground. Rocks tumbled from above crashing to the solid surface under her thought. With a flick of her wrist, a slab of rock smashed against the limestone. Suddenly painful screams faltered my attention.
I took off at breakneck speed down the pitch-black narrow corridor. My eyes adjusted to the inkiness giving way to swirling colors in bright hues of reds, blues, yellows, oranges and whites that gave me the perception I needed to stop short of a rocky ledge moments before Fate would’ve plummeted me into a bottomless pit. The screams amplified. As I stood on the jagged edge, I peered out. I evened my breathing allowing my magick to flow. My energy brightened the Cimmerian shade as I scoured the best way down the slippery path of rough stones leading to what I could only imagine was the depths of hell.
‘Rainelle, stop!’ Lucian’s voice cut across my thoughts. I pivoted to find him behind me standing next to the woman who let everyone believe she was dead for years, “Lucian?” I huffed.
“If you want to live, this story needs to be told another time.” He begged. Blood-curdling shrills ascended from the bottomless pit taking my attention to the abyss inches away from my feet. One wrong move and Fate would have me pushing up lilies.
“I don’t have time to play the question and never answer game with anyone right now Lucian. As much as I want to know the truth about…” I waved my hand dismissively, “My give a damn is busted, and my fucitol has worn off. And, if you haven’t noticed, I’m trying to survive this hellish survival game. So, unless you have an excellent plan to how I will do just that, then I don’t give two cents to monkey balls what you have to say.” I spouted off, my voice flat, void of emotion.
“You could just try to forgive me.”
“Did you just ask me to forgive you? Really? Do you think if I care if I hurt either of you? Eh, in a way, but I’m the one that is surviving to live in a hole in the ground. I’m not the person that has lied and kept secrets from a person that I love, you, you two have. So yeah, Nah, I don’t give a damn if either of you gets butthurt. Fuck off.”
I closed the distance between Eve and myself who, once upon a time, was the woman that held the moon and stars in my eyes, “My poor mother searched endlessly for you. The sleepless nights, crying herself to sleep. Did either of you care about the hurt and pain this will cause? HELL. NO.!” I blustered furiously watching both their faces for any sign of remorse.
“Rainelle, I’m sorry you are hurt. I, we, didn’t want this to happen this way. I didn’t expect to keep this from you. I wanted to tell you, but you know how your grandmother can be, is…” Lucian lowered his eyes.
“I don’t give a flying pigs ass about any of this. I need to get to Samuel, and Sage, so unless you are willing to help me, then get the fuck out of my way!” I bellowed. The echoes of my voice recoiled. As I scoped a way off the rocky ledge into the pit of hell, I tied my energy to that mystical anchor deep in the earth’s core.
“Mother Earth hear my cry; I seek your guidance.
Give me light to see, give me the strength I need.
I call upon the spirits of the old, upon the air to lift my soul,
for water to quince my thirst, fire to engulf the enemies that do me harm, cause harm against those that hurt my friends…”
I sent that imaginary line down to the Earth’s molten core. Energy pulsed to my fingertips. Spirits soared from the blackened hole.
“Are you seeing this? What the actual fuck am I witnessing?” I glanced over my shoulder to Lucian, fire glowed in his eyes, I looked at the opalescence that shimmered in Eve�
�s.
“Your eyes …” Oh never mind, “Who are they?” I asked.
Lucian shrugged, “I don’t know.”
“They are the witches of white and dark,” Eve stated.
“Holy ape shit. Life as I know it just keeps getting better, NOT!” I scoffed exploring the surroundings. I’m on a mission, a mission to get the man I love and my best friend back to safety, but how? I drift back to a time in the mountains, camping, riding horses and everything that calmed my fears. My heart rate slowed as I relaxed. I imagined bright lights swarming me. My eyes re-opened to flames entwining my body and soul drowning me in a cooling heat. I looked around at Lucian. A figure rushed up behind him. I focused on the movement coming straight for us at full speed, my hands mimicked the forming of a ball, a glowing radiance lit up the darkness.
“WATCH OUT!” I cautioned. Lucian and Eve fell to the ground. My hands thrust forward toward the shadow. The energy exploded on contact. Smoldering remains fell to the ground; the shrill stabbed my eardrums. My lungs closed off. I gasped. The taste of death rode on my tongue choking me. Bile lurched up my esophagus. I gagged on the bubbling acid that burned the back of my throat. My stomach forced the contents out onto the fragile rock.
“Rainelle you okay?” I heard a sweet voice ask. My gaze lifted to Eve. She handed me an amulet. I regarded the charm.
“Where the hell did you get this? Fuckit, who cares? I’m living in a hellish nightmare that I can’t wake from so just kill me now. Stick a fork in me, turn me over and call me done.” I attested; my head hung low in throbbing pain.
A high-pitched squeal sounded; it differed from what I’ve heard. A rush of urgency stormed my body. I sprung off the massive rock. Visions of tormented souls played in the back of my mind like a bad horror flick and weren’t pleasant. Samuels radiant smile comes into focus then quickly turned. Pictures of him tortured blurred my vision; my knees slammed into the ground.