Prologue

Bran Cornick was usually a patient man but whatever was bothering him had really unsettled him. He knew there were others out there like him but he didn't expect a human one. She was so young and fragile in so many ways. No wonder she had the beast within her forcibly sealed. It was expected of her lack of control over it. But for someone so young to suffer. . . . No. He would not dwell on such thoughts now. It wouldn't help him in the least. But he still couldn't decide if to take up her offer.

Chapter 1

She broke her pencil and cursed silently. The dreams were back now and more intense than ever. It left her shivering, drenched in sweat in the middle of the night,
afraid to go back to sleep. It might have helped if she could remember what she had dreamt but by morning there was nothing but the faint memory of terror within
herself.
The broken pencil was carefully placed within the second draw on her left. Lately these things were happening more than usual so she kept them to keep count of
how long she'd been this way. Also she had the habit of collecting odd things that appealed to her. She drew a deep breath and released it slowly. 'Get a grip.
Nothing's about happen now so just relax' she thought to herself. She also had a habit of talking to herself.
A loud knock on the door pulled her back to reality. She stood up abruptly, genuinely startled. As she made her way to the door, she glanced nervously at the
clock. It was only two a.m. far too early for any visitors. She quietly took the large umbrella that was leaning against the wall and called out, "Who is it?"
"A friend," a gentle soft voice replied.
She gripped her umbrella a little tighter and cautiously opened the door. She found herself face to face with a six foot something guy who was every bit imposing.
Every bit frightened, she took a step back and swung the umbrella. He caught easily and pulled it out of her grasp. Then proceeded to slam her into the wall by her
throat.
"Stop!" his companion shouted. She turned to see that a girl who looked about her age with soft straight black hair, dark brown eyes and pale translucent skin rest
her right arm on the hand that still held her throat. He loosened his grip on her but still didn't let go. Maybe it was the sheer terror she felt that reached beyond what
she felt when she had those dreams or the exhaustion she felt for the past few months. Something deep inside her stirred. She didn't know how or why but that
thing needed to stay asleep. Her instincts told her that it was dangerous. She struggled but it escaped and pushed her out of control of herself. Her arm rose and
grasped his hand firmly. There was a sickening crunch as his wrist broke. Howling in pain, he dropped her body. She landed on all four and stilled. Her senses
were heightened. She took a deep breath and sighed in contentment. It was going to kill those two. She knew it and it was all her fault. The blood would be on her
hands. The girl slipped back and drew a sign in the air in her own blood. It hung suspended in the air for a few seconds before it laid itself on her body. A screech
escaped her lips as the thing writhed in pain with her. She dropped on her knees as the thing receeded deeply into her until it settled to sleep. But it was still there
and that unsettled her.
"Thank . . you," she whispered as she tried to even out her breathing.
The girl offered her hand to the man but he shook his head and rose to his feet by himself. She walked towards her and knelt beside her.
"Have this happened before?" she asked softly.
She shook her head and gripped the carpet tightly.
"Maybe you should give her a moment to calm down," the man said placing a hand on her shoulder.
The two stepped away from her. It took only a few minutes for her to consider trying to stand. She was not as weak as she thought she was. Just tired. She rose to
her feet and turned to look at them both.
"So," she started nervously. "It's not that I'm not grateful or anything for you just did for me but what are you doing in my house?"
"It's alright. No offense taken," she said smiling. "I have many names but I'd let you choose what you wish to call me." At that, a crow flew in through the open door
and perched on her shoulder.
"You're a witch," she whispered in awe.
"Among many things, Rahmiel," she whispered. The guy snorted but was stopped by a single look from the witch.
"Oh, but my real name is-"
"Hush. We don't use real names. There is a lot of power attached to a person's name. I'll call you Rahmiel and it fits you. It's your turn to choose a name for me,"
she chided with a soft gentle expression on her face.
"Raum," she said gesturing at the crow. The witch laughed softly, genuinely amused. The guy relaxed a bit at this and even cracked a small smile.
"You are too kind. This fellow here is somewhat like you," she indicated with the slight nod of her head and he stepped forth.
"How so?" she muttered taking a step back. He frowned and the two of them was beside her.
"Have you not guessed what you are?" he whispered turning her to face him. She had heard him clearly. How, she wasn't sure. She took another step back and hit
the wall.
The witch gave a glare that made him take a step away from her and raise his hands in air.
"Alright, I'm backing off," he muttered with a forced smile on his face. The witch hit him lightly on the shoulder.
"You're the best person who could explain this to her," she chastised smiling.
"Fine," he muttered and taking a step towards her and shifted til he was seeing eye to eye with her.
"Listen. I don't mean to come off as mean or anything but the truth is . . ." His eyes shifted to a bright amber that shone despite the dim light. "I'm a werewolf and so
are you."
The shift in his eyes had triggered a very faint memory in her mind. The thing inside her was a wolf.
Now the monster had a name. It still didn't make a difference. She felt the thing, no wolf, stir inside her and surface but different. It wasn't making much of an effort
and settled back to sleep inside her.
The change had scared her. She was so tired and afraid. She closed her eyes and let the weariness of the wolf spread to her
and envelope her in sleep.
The guy caught her before she slipped down the wall. "Dammit," he muttered lifting her easily off the ground.
"Rest her on the sofa," whispered Raum already walking off towards the living room.
The guy rolled his eyes and shifting Rahmiel in his arms, strode behind her. There was a wide plush sofa in the room which was surrounded with long candles of
varying colors. She shivered as he gently rested her down.
"It's cold and late. Maybe you can take a rest with her, Ian. But not too close. Remember, her wolf doesn't like you," she muttered as she pulled the blanket over
Rahmiel's body. She turned and left the room. Ian glanced down at her. She looked so harmless but he knew what new wolves were capable, especially a wolf like
hers.
He started to strip off his clothes and transform. Fifteen minutes later, a tawny red wolf shook his fur. She was right, he was exhausted. He curled up on the carpet next to the sofa. Tonight, he knew he could rest with ease. After all, the witch still had use for him so he wasn't in any danger yet.

.

.

.

.

My first fanfiction and I'm not that good of a writer so this piece is pretty poor excuse of a fanfic but it's a start