FINALLY! This is the last chapter before the epilogue, which has already been written. That should be up in the next day or so.
Gah, I love being back.
Jack and Bill came up over the roof of the eastern most building and stopped. The lights in the courtyard below were bright but they could make out the two forms they'd been looking for.
"There, right in the middle." Jack pointed and turned to the silver wolf. Bill nodded. Jack turned back. "Looks like they already have company." Before they had a chance to rest, Tony reared back and let out a long howl. This time as Jack turned to his partner, his eyes were glowing. "That's the signal, let's go."
The signal echoed as the first few wolves descend on them. Michelle ducked, trying to remember everything Tony and Bill taught her. She swung wide with one arm and missed but before the wolf has time to counter she sees Tony's long arm reach out and grab him by the head. A sickening crunch later and the wolf dropped to the ground, neck broken.
This time when the next tries she swipes dead center and he draws back staggering, clutching at the gashes along his chest. Michelle glances over her shoulder and sees Tony is busy with two others. Pain shoots through her shoulder and she turns back to claw at the wolf who's shaken off his pain and sank his fangs deep into her back. Howling she reaches back frantically and bends, pulling him over her shoulder to the ground. It doesn't take long for the wolf to jump up and Michelle starts backing toward the wall of the closest building. Tony is still working with his two and this one is advancing on her. Movement over the wolf's left shoulder catches her eye and before he can turn, a bloody fist shoots out the middle of his chest and retreats as quickly as it came. The wolf staggers for a few moments looking down at the hole before hitting the ground. Michelle's breathing is heavy from the encounter but she makes a knowing growl.
Jack just smirked and shook the blood off his hand. "You didn't think we'd let Tony have all the fun did you?" He'd barely finished before he was off dealing with another wolf. They were coming faster now and the courtyard was a flurry of violence. Pushing off the wall she randomly chose another wolf and set in to show them what she'd learned.
Stephen hadn't moved. His eyes tracked the multiple battles going on down below. Marcus glanced his way every now and then. He seemed so calm, like he was waiting for something. Marcus, on the other hand, was a bundle of nerves. He paced and watched as his teams fought bravely, but were being thinned ever so slowly. He glanced back up at Stephen. Something didn't seem right.
"Had you planned on us winning this fight?"
Stephen smiled but it was without mirth. "Marcus, you were always so short sighted." His eyes never left the courtyard. "This fight means more than you can even imagine."
Marcus gave his friend a confused look but his words were cut off as Stephen pulled back on the railing and jumped down into the violence below. Pushing his way past several of his own men, Marcus sees he's making his way to Almeida.
Stephen's skin begins to burn and itch as it stretches and pulls into the wolf as he readies to ambush Tony. He pulls one massive claw back, his feral grin already anticipating the damage he's about to do, when Tony bows low and his strike just misses digging into his shoulder. Stephen growls low in anger and the two circle each other.
Tony strikes first this time, lunging and biting into Saunders forearm. Stephen is a bit taken aback at how fast Almeida is. He swings his other arm down, breaking Tony's hold. Before Tony can reset his stance, Stephen pulls a knife and brings it up, just missing Tony's right eye but managing to slice him open anyway. Blood pours between Tony's claws and he hunches low, growling up at Stephen.
Saunders had changed back human, the smirk planted perfectly on his face. "Does that sting? Looks like it hurts like hell."
Tony shifted back human as well and the burning around his eye told him it was no ordinary wound. "Silver. Of course." He reached back behind him and from what Saunders could only say was the shadows, Tony pulled two swords. "Too bad you brought a knife to a sword fight."
Without any warning, Tony lunged, the blades making a whistling sound as they swiped at Saunders. He pulled back, the swords just missing him. Turning, he ran toward the side of one the buildings and began to scale it, Tony hot on his heels. The fighting around the courtyard had died down; everyone wanting to watch the two enemies.
Stephen got to the top of the building first. As Tony came up right behind him, he didn't expect the fist that came over the side. Stunned he lost his footing and landed face first on the roof of the building. Saunders didn't waste his chance and shot forward, bringing the dagger down quickly toward Tony's back. Almeida rolled to the right and the dagger cracked the black top. Tony swung his arm out blindly and managed to nick Stephen's arm.
He grunted and grabbed at the flesh wound. Blood dripped from his fingers as he pulled his hand back to check the damage. He looked up at Tony as the hybrid got back on his feet. Saunders smiled.
"What's so fuckin' funny?" Tony was panting, sweat rolling down the front of his chest.
"You have no idea what is happening tonight. How important this all is."
Tony rushed him again and Saunders jumped over the side of building, heading back down to the courtyard. He didn't expect Tony to throw one of the swords at the last minute. He shrieked as the blade dug deep into his back. Instead of the graceful landing he had planned, he barely broke his fall with his hands. He could feel the broken bones in his legs and feet start to heal. Blood dripped from his mouth where he'd cracked his teeth together. He stood and turned, glaring up at Almeida. He reached behind him and pulled the sword out, the blade falling to the ground beside him.
A little dazed from the stab wound and his fall, Stephen rocked back and forth on his feet trying to keep his eyes on Tony. Again, he looked at the hybrid and smirked. "Tell me Tony...where is your son?"
Almeida was standing on the edge of the building and Saunders watched his eyes begin to glow bright blue. He could even see his knuckles turn white on the handle of the blade he still carried.
Behind Saunders, Michelle heard what he said and moved towards him slowly. Fear and confusion tinted her voice. "Why...why would you ask that?"
Stephen kept his eyes on Tony but motioned toward Michelle with his head. "You left him with the older werewolf female. Isn't that correct?"
Tony heard Michelle gasp and he jumped. Everything seemed to go in slow motion. Stephen barely had time to raise his arms in defense as Tony descended, his sword pulled back behind his head in both hands. Michelle held her breath. He was beautiful, her husband. Dark and graceful as he came down through the air. She felt the breeze of the sword as it flashed in front of Saunders and Tony landed smoothly next to him. Stephen just stood there, Tony kneeling beside him but she noticed the sword. The crimson wetness looked almost black and it dripped from the hilt onto the ground. That's when Saunders fell to his knees.
Almeida stood and turned towards him just as Stephen's back met the ground. Michelle had to cover her mouth with her hand and turn away. What was left of Stephen's chest was split in two. The angry red flesh pouring blood down his torso and pooled underneath him. Tony raised his sword and pointed it in the werewolf's face.
"What've you done?" For the first time, Michelle noticed the wound over Tony's eye was still bleeding.
He coughed and spit up blood, but Saunders still managed to choke out a laugh and then an answer. "I've started the war, my friend. I've started the war."
Karen took another sip of her coffee and turned to the next page in her book. She only brought it out when Bill wasn't around. She'd never admit to reading such filth, but every now and then a woman needed a good bodice ripper. The breeze on the porch was nice but she could feel a storm coming. In more ways than one.
For about the millionth time that night, she sent a wish that everyone came back safe and sound.
Her chair rocked back and forth smoothly, another breeze trailing across the porch. It was sudden, but she smelled something.
Rather, someone.
She was right. A storm was on the way. Thunder rolled in the distance and as she stood from her chair, the flash of lightning was just bright enough to show her visitors.
Karen didn't wait, she just turned and tried to hurry in the house. But she still heard every word the woman said.
"I'm sure you know why we're here. Hand over the boy."
Watching the older woman scramble to get inside the house, Nina turned to her companions. "Kill her and bring me the boy."
