Awaken: Book One: London

by Limelan Z

  ‘So he plans this secret attack by embedding spies? Perhaps even Grigor himself! That would take years. And for what? The territories are not neighbouring.’

  Wolfe looked at her and gave a slight smile. ‘The Northlands.’ He had said his claim was the greatest of the packs. And he was physically closest. My brain was starting to hurt. This was all so confusing. Who were we supposed to trust now?

  Cara folded her arms. ‘This is most cowardly and dishonourable.’

  ‘Which is why we will not be. Vincent, arrange immediate transportation to London.’

  ‘You want to meet them? We have no view on their numbers.’

  Wolfe shook his head and attempted to ease upright onto his feet. It was too much so he returned to sit on the side of the bed. ‘We know Carlos is not yet there, and we know his presence in the country was limited or the other packs would have sensed it and challenged. We know at least four of their strongest were sent up here with us, else they could never have expected to take both myself and Ariane. The odds are not so against us.’

  I decided to step in. ‘They are hardly for us. I have no idea how to control my fae powers and can’t bring out Ariane at all, Vince and Cara are only two,’ I turned to Wolfe, ‘and you can barely stand!’

  ‘By the time we reach London I will be well enough to fight.’

  He had healed fast, I had to give it to him. But there had been too much damage. There was no way he would be fighting fit. Particularly when up against a healthy alpha who wasn’t playing fair. He would be killed the moment he tried to get through the door. I told him as much.

  ‘Then we do not go through the door.’

  Ossi was gutted that we were leaving and offended that we’d thought to call an Uber. Brooking no refusals, she rounded up some of the other fae to partner up and fly us to the station. It cut our route in half on the winding roads. I could tell they didn’t particularly want to carry werewolves but they were “doing a steady for Ossi’s baby sis” and had the “future mental wellbeing of the team if they didn’t” to think about. I was also surprised that Wolfe had consented at all given his dislike of flying. Maybe that was only planes and not winged immortals? Or maybe the time saving was important.

  It should have been more exciting – more freeing – but my head was alternately freaking out about getting there before Carlos and his crew (faster, faster!), and getting there before Carlos and his crew (trapped).

  By the time we reached London, Wolfe was barely limping. He had removed all but the bandage around his thigh. His visible skin was still pink and blistered and drawing attention. But, of course, he didn’t care.

  We took a taxi the short distance to Mayfair and got out a few streets away – closer to Green Park – by the corner of a pub called the Kings Arms. He led us along an alleyway, and then through a back gate to a private courtyard sealed off from any onlooking eyes.

  Effortlessly, he lifted a grate nested in the wall and indicated for us to slip inside. We did so silently. Once he’d followed and sealed the entrance behind us, he led the way along a musty, twisting passageway for about fifteen minutes until coming to a stop. I looked around at the network of tunnels but had already lost sight of the way we had come in. Hopefully, we wouldn’t be using this way to get out.

  ‘Ten more yards and we will come up in the pantry. They will scent me as soon as I lift the last slab,’ because of his wounds, ‘so time is of the essence. Any questions?’

  He waited patiently and looked between us. But we all knew our roles. Vince and Cara were to head straight for the cells; if they had kept any of the loyal alive, they would be down there. Wolfe and I would search for Carlos or Leonor. And try not to die.

  He gave a nod and then led us to the final spot. Before he lifted the lid, he reached out and gripped Vince’s neck, bringing him in until their foreheads touched. They locked eyes is some kind of battle-ready prayer. Then he did the same with Cara.

  When he came to me, I felt his touch dissolve my nerves. An alpha’s parting gift to lead me fearless into battle? I gripped him back and kissed him – a desperate gallows kiss.

  ‘Trust in me, Ceri,’ he grunted.

  ‘I trust you,’ I said. Because I finally did.

  And then he pushed up the slab and sprang into the dark kitchen pantry. We followed, put the slab back, and went our separate ways.

  The kitchen was thankfully empty, but the lounge just beyond with the enormous television wasn’t. There were three watching some cooking programme. We had no chance of slipping by unannounced so Wolfe went straight inside.

  He casually walked in, one hand in pocket, and lifted the remote. He flicked it off, drawing confused eyes until they realised who he was.

  ‘Hello, all.’

  The three leapt up and immediately began to change. Wolfe was faster, stronger, and had more to lose. Despite his injury, he had changed and torn the throats from two before the third had even stood.

  Two more ran in, hearing the noise. They paused when they saw me. I tried to give a confident, vaguely threatening smile. That’s right, your terrifying legend is here in the flesh and coming for you.

  Come on, Ariane! Come back to me!

  They took a few steps back in caution. Meanwhile, Wolfe had killed the third wolf. I should have been more horrified, more shocked, more desperate, more anything in reaction to it. I didn’t care. It was nothing less than they deserved.

  He moved to my side and growled at them.

  They decided to run. We followed. I couldn’t run as fast but I was close by as they led us up a floor to where four more were there and ready changed. It meant there were now six against our two. They were watching us both, waiting for our move.

  Now would be a really good time, Ariane.

  Wolfe charged at them.

  One stalked slowly towards me. It was time to test those fae powers again. I tensed my stomach and flicked – nothing.

  ‘Stop!’ I shouted, hand outstretched. Nothing.

  The attacking wolf gained confidence in my pathetic defence and increased the pace.

  ‘I said, stop!’

  This time the light drew from my body – from my core, just like Ossi had said – and shot out at him in a beam. An instant later, the remaining whisps of his body disintegrated into the air. A few of the others, including Wolfe, paused momentarily to watch and then set in again.

  Another charged at me. I blasted back, more confident this time though no less confused about how this was working, or even how much longer it would work for. I could feel it draining me.

  For fuck’s sake, Ariane! Where are you?

  Wolfe had two-on-one, the other was already dead. The mass of teeth and fur and blood jerking around was too mobile for me to attempt another blast – what if I got Wolfe?

  I ran forward with a cry and jumped on the back of one of them, then gave it everything I could until fur became nothing and I fell to the hard ground.

  I was exhausted. Drained. I didn’t think I could move. Wolfe appeared over me. He must have killed the final wolf. He sniffed at my face and gave me a nudge. Get up, he was saying, you’re fine. Only I didn’t feel fine. Despite the danger, I felt light-headed and weak. Whatever magick I had done was taking its toll on me. He whimpered and licked at my face. Then nudged me again.

  I get it, I wanted to say. I want to get up to but…I just can’t.

  ‘Ah, Wolfe.’

  His head shot up with a growl at the figure in the door frame. I rolled my head so I could see the speaker. Carlos. Of course, it was. And with what looked like an army of wolves behind him. They were crammed into the hallway and up the stairs. The arrogant fuck hadn’t even bothered to change. He wasn’t going to fight for this win – he was going to let others do it and die for him.

  ‘It appears Ariane is no longer with us. And this researcher of yours is about to go too. So,’ he said, glancing around at his wolves, ‘which of you will take the heart of Zosimos the Alchemist? And which will take the heart of
Ariane?’

  They began to charge, only limited in their number by the width of the door. Wolfe jumped over me. Despite his injuries, he was ready to fight – ready to defend me – to the death.

  Come on, Ariane! We can’t let him die! Come. On!

  I felt it then. I was lifting. Not standing, not controlling myself in any way. This was all her. She had me. She had come back! She had come back!

  I had changed? I hadn’t felt it at all. It must have been quick, too. Ariane was back and, mate or not, she could see her friend was being torn apart.

  She lunged for one and caught him by the jugular. Effortlessly, she tore out his throat and started on another.

  Yes! Yes, Ariane!

  Blood.

  Gore.

  Guts.

  Violence.

  The whole thing.

  There was a time for it, and it was now.

  I had never been prouder to be with her. She was the definition of mighty. Even as teeth began to catch on her flesh, and blood flowed.

  The other wolves had lost their trepidation. They were attacking three at a time, and most were uninjured.

  You can do this, Ariane, I murmured, hoping she could somehow hear me and tell that I backed her.

  But we were doomed. Had to be. Some bastard bit straight at Wolfe’s injured leg and he dropped another to yelp in agony. Ignoring her own attackers, Ariane dove across and bit his head clean off.

  A howl echoed up the stairs. Surely not more of Carlos’ pack? He seemed to have endless numbers already. But the Viking seemed disturbed by the noise and his pack split, numbers thinning as some changed direction. Their leader turned and ran upstairs. That had to be good, right?

  A familiar wolf dove over the heads of those in the doorframe. Vince! Relief rocketed through me. Cara was behind him. And Trevelyan. Two more soon followed and we made minced meat of the bastards together.

  Soon, the remaining numbers seemed to retreat up to the next floor. Were we winning?

  Holy fuck! We can do this!

  Ariane gave Wolfe a little nudge to check he was okay. He nudged back and then launched after them. We raced to follow.

  On the landing I saw more of ours. We were still outnumbered but it was maybe two-to-one rather than five or six. Ariane could easily take that number. And Wolfe could thin the herd even in his current state.

  ‘Wait,’ Carlos shouted out from within one of the rooms. ‘Wolfe, I challenge you!’

  Who gives a shit, I wanted to say. That bastard had forfeited his right to challenge when he butchered half of the pack, when he planned a coup to take out a rival and used car bombs.

  But Wolfe had stilled by the door.

  ‘Zosimos the Alchemist, as alpha, I challenge you. As a matter of honour, you are dutybound to accept my demand.’

  Ariane snorted and then moved forwards and gave him a nudge. Go in there and tear his head off, that nudge said. And frankly, my pacifist self wholeheartedly agreed.

  Wolfe was still a moment longer, and then began changing back. When he stood naked, the extent of his injuries was stark. He had been blown up and burned and clawed at and bitten. And yet this honourable, stupid wolf was preparing to walk yet again into certain death.

  ‘I accept.’

  Chapter 29

  One of the cells downstairs had been completely cleared of furniture to give plenty of space for the fight. All around the edge of the room sat the wolves in human form. This would be a fight to the death as humans.

  Carlos was enormous; he fit every possible definition of what a Viking was. Tall – he had inches on Wolfe. Thick muscles – he looked way stronger than Wolfe’s athletic frame. Tattoos, braided hair, the lot. Maybe uninjured Wolfe would have stood a chance by being faster, but today… I didn’t feel optimistic.

  Wolfe was stood with Cara, Trevelyan and Patrick. Cara was tightening the bandage on his thigh. She’d used emergency stitches and staples, and superglued where the wound had split back down to the bone. It wasn’t pretty, but it was more important that it gave some semblance of function for the next twenty minutes or so. And there was hardly any point in attempting to hide it from the room. Everyone could scent the injury, myself included.

  When they stepped away, I went over. He was tightening the tape over his hands.

  ‘I, er…’ What to say? I thought this whole idea was a stupid, unnecessarily, posturing suicide mission. But it was hardly the time to labour the point.

  ‘This Del Boy Trotter,’ he began, rendering me speechless. ‘I attempted to understand why you find him funny.’ He met my eye, seemingly genuinely confused. ‘I watched three episodes of the Only Fools and Horses but I cannot understand it.’

  ‘You have to get into it,’ I said. ‘You need to watch more.’

  ‘Ah.’ He straightened. ‘Perhaps you will watch them with me? After this?’

  ‘Of course.’ A small smile teased away a corner of the worry frown on my face. He bent to kiss it. I chased his lips as he straightened to kiss him properly. Then: ‘Kill him, yeah?’

  He gave a gentle “of course” nod and I went to find Vince. He was sat next to an injured-looking Frankie. The room was eerily quiet. We shared a look and waited.

  For a few moments, both were stood facing each other.

  ‘Ready,’ Wolfe said.

  ‘Ready.’

  And then it began.

  Carlos charged forwards and attempted to repeatedly strike Wolfe on the side of his head. Each time, Wolfe leant away just in time to miss the lightning-fast blow. Next, Carlos came for his chest. One blow cracked Wolfe’s shoulder back but he dodged the rest.

  Why was he not fighting back? Why was he letting himself be marched backwards around in a circle? In films, this was because the goodie was letting the baddie tire himself out by swinging and missing. But this wasn’t a film and these were werewolves. They weren’t going to tire so easily.

  Was he learning his fighting style? Buying healing time?

  There was a kick; he dodged it.

  Carlos feigned one way then went another, gaining hold of Wolfe’s arm. With speed he aimed a kick at the shoulder – to dislocate? Tear it off? – but jumped and cushioned the impact. Then he spun and flicked himself back.

  The dance continued. Carlos charging. Wolfe dodging. And all at such speed.

  Then a crunch signalled bone breaking as a knee connected which Wolfe’s ribs. He let out a grunt but the need for immediate recovery gave Carlos a window to reign down blows. All connected. Blood began to pour from Wolfe’s brow.

  Carlos raised his leg, ready to kick – to jump – on Wolfe’s bloody face. As he did, Wolfe pulled his other leg from under him and flipped him over. Then he jumped onto his back, wrapping his legs tight around him, his arm locking on his neck.

  Kill him, don’t die, kill him, don’t die.

  Carlos tried to flip him off but couldn’t. Even as his face turned purple, he lifted himself and started charging backwards into the far wall. The pack moved out of the way, Wolfe bearing the impact. Despite it all, his expressionless face tightened his grip. I will him to go tighter, to snap his neck if he could.

  Then an increasingly desperate Carlos dropped a hand from his throat and gripped Wolfe’s bandaged thigh. A clearly involuntary cry left his mouth. His bore his teeth. More blood seeped. His throat-hold would be weakening as Carlos started laying blows on the injury.

  Then, in an instant, Wolfe had changed his game. He released his neck and gouged fingers into Carlos’ eyes, plucking them clean from the socket. Carlos fell forwards choking, Wolfe fell back and flicked the eyes away.

  That had to be good, right? If Carlos couldn’t see, he was going to have a hard time winning.

  Wolfe limped to one side a little, giving Carlos a wide birth.

  ‘You take my eyes?’ Carlos spat in his direction. ‘Coward.’

  ‘You took mine with that bomb.’ Wolf circled his mass on the floor. ‘And I intend to take more. First your tongue that you used to o
rchestrate this treachery. Then those hands that gave dirty commands. I will pull the head from its shoulders that devised your betrayal. And then I will eat out your heart. If it exists.’

  A brutal declaration but I had to admit I wasn’t revulsed by it. I was driven, inspired. How many wolves had died because of Carlos? Had it not been for chance then Vince would have died too, and Wolfe and Cara and me. I had come to terms with my current bloodlust. In this instance, violence was entirely justified.

  Carlos made to reply but Wolfe launched forward and tore his tongue out with his bare hands. Then step by step he ruthlessly enacted exactly what he said he would. Carlos put up a fight, of course, but it was too late by then.

  It was done.

  When he was done, Wolfe stood tall in the middle of the room, the weight off his injured leg. He looked at us all and then declared: ‘Honour has been satisfied. The challenge is concluded. Those of you who were not my pack before are welcome to rest here. Those of you who fought for Carlos too. Tonight we are united.’

  One by one they all began to change into their wolves. Ariane nudged me to do the same too, so I stepped back and let her take over. And then we howled in cheer and in triumph.

  Epilogue

  Armande was excitedly flipping through the photos on his phone of his new kitten. Franck. It was a hell of a name for a kitten but I was starting to get used to his naming conventions. It was ginger and it looked adorable.

  Vince nodded at the pictures. He was not a cat person. ‘I still don’t get why you didn’t just take the old cat,’ he said. I sent him a look. ‘What? If I could do magick, I’d use it to make my life easier. Can you imagine not having to fill out those stupid health and safety things we have do all the time?’

  He had a point. I ignored him.

  ‘That is the cutest kitten I have ever seen,’ I said, cooing.

  Armande gave me an approving nod. ‘She is.’ Franck was a she. Of course.