Rose stared at her sister,speechless.Things had gone horribly wrong with this plan.Not only was their father lying in a ring of red,but now her figuratively and literally blind sister wanted to fight the one responsible for.The one who was killing off all their family.
"It's all right,Rose."Beth told her calmly."It was part of the plan."
She could only stare at the slendor white werewolf,trying her best to take in what she was saying.Part of her dad's plan had been to sacrfice himself and now it looked like Beth would too.He hadn't told them this and that was almost more terrible then his death.
"No,"Rose shook her head."I struggled too hard and for much too long to get to keep my family.I went a lifetime not knowing them and now all of sudden their being taken again!"She bolted forth.
Beth took a step backward as her sister grabbed a hold of her by the neck fur and held her in place,pushing her limits.She could feel the werewolf behind her and she felt hate for him with immensity.
"I won't let you do this."Rose said through clenched teeth."You knew all along.In fact,this was your plan.You knew that this..."
Suddenly,all was silent as it had been the day on the eletronics shop.Even the black werewolf was surprised to hear this news.It was out.The idea for the martyrdom had been all Bethany's idea!
Rose relaxed her grip as her sister moved forward and laid her snowy cheek against Rose's chest in her own form of embrace.
"If it could've been any other way,I wouldn't have suggested it.He knew there was very little option other then this.This way you'll be safe."her sister's words mirrored Rose's own."You'll all be safe."
Before there could be anymore words exchanged,Bethany went charging at the other werewolf while Rose was teleported away.
"Are you all right?"Was the first thing out of Jake's mouth when she appeared atop the roof adjacent to Central Park.He had her in his arms and she could almost surrender herself to her sorrow.
"We defeated the Huntsman and the Dark Dragon."she started saying bitterly."But we couldn't stop him.He's truly unstoppable."
"In my years as The Chinese Dragon I have associated with a lot of magical creatures."Rose looked down at the small Asian man over Jake's shoulder through a mist of tears."It is foretold that if a werewolf dies for a noble cause,their kin will find anewed strength.
And with these newfound abilties will be able to conquer any other magical creature as long a necessary.You see,Rose.While your uncle may have a portion of the Dark one's power to fight with..."
Full realization set in then."Bethany has all of our father's power."
"And his spirit."Laoshi added,smiling.
The three turned as one to watch the remaining events unfold in Central Park as the two werewolves were circling one another.
x.x.x
"You are blind."he said matter-of-factly."Your father is dead and you believe that harebrained,high flown myth that his selfless little sacrifice will make you equal to my power or...moreso then me?"
Beth didn't say anything.All her life she'd for the most part hung on his every word,he had been her mentor and an uncle figure to her as far as a personal relationship went.She now had firm integrity.
"I believe in my family and in my father."
Instantly Roger was on top of her.The two rolled around on the ground with Beth prying his massive jaws apart from coming on top of her.Finally,she was able to knee his stomach and get away.
He snapped an inch from her tail and received a harmless smack across the snout with it.The werewolf sniffed and came back at Bethany when she pawed a claw across his cheek,rearing back.
It hadn't been close enough to really hurt him.Now he turned to her with a wicked sneer,she could sense him gathering up for a menacing attack.But that was not what made her start to reverse.
Dad,Bethany thought with a tremble as thick,cool liquid flowed by her right paw.And her locked mind opened to the horrid reality she had avoided by having to endure the putrid stench of death filling her acute nose.What if he had if fact died in vain;for nothing.
"You've failed him.You aren't strong enough to carry through with this,Bethany.And by fighting for him and by not carrying through on something you say is important to you,you've failed me also."
Her head hung to where the odor intensifed and instead of going to mask her doubts,it eliminated them.The power of his devotion and love for everyone but himself became completely undeniable.
What had father had done for his family became completely clear.
Roger suddenly leapt at her.She waited a moment after he made the first move and darted to the side when his claws were mere inches from touching her.Bethany arched to her uncle's side and nailed her claws into his back to pin him down onto the ground.
He howled in pain and moved to pin her down completely by the arms,a long drip of dribble landing between her sightless eyes.A triumph snicker escaped his throat as he prepared to finish Beth.
"Never..."
Roger was propelled off of her abruptly.
"...lay your filthy paws on my woman again!"
She let the sound of Nigel's voice take over her as she prepared to make her next move.Once she was sure the werewolf was on his side a few feet away,Bethany waited until he stood up again.
Squelching down her lids,she launched herself at him and encased her needle-like fangs directly into his throat.With a brief clasping so as to ensure they penetrated enough,she released him instantly.
Although no tears materialized in her eyes,a near silent cry came out of her mouth and many sobs were tightening in her chest.She felt herself return to normal and nearly broke down on the blood stained grass when she felt arms take her in,prepared to comfort.
"I'll let you stay with me for as long as you wish."He promised.
"Thank you,"Beth whispered into Nigel's ear as they disappeared.
Just as the two brother's laying limp on earth's soil did.
x.x.x
Monday...
"So,how's everything going with Rose's family?"Trixie asked two days after the incident as her and Jake made their way to Laoshi's shop."I mean,she hasn't been around for the last couple of weeks."
"Well,she stayed with me at my house that night."He replied,giving a wistful sigh as he recalled holding her on his bed."After I flew her home in the morning she said she would have to explain everything to her mom.That whole month of not seeing her drove me nuts."
Jake remembered those couple of weeks when he had been only allowed to speak with her at certain times at her house during the week,because apparently Roger had had many,many connections.
And with those connections he had been trying to track them
"With all this shit you'd think a normal person would have given up on pursuing a girl like Rose."Trixie kidded."I mean,two evil girls."
He partially grinned at her."You've been around Spud too much."
"How bout' Nigel?"She asked curiously.
"Thrall?Haven't seen him since he left with Beth to no one knows."
"Hi guys."
They both turned to see a weary-looking Rose.Her outfit was very rumpled and blond hair pulled back in an unkept ponytail.A small smile lessened her baggy eyes as she leaned off the shop doorway.
Unexpectedly,Trixie went to give her a hug."I feel for you girl."
"Thanks,Trixie."She placed a hesistant hand on her back as well.
"Your mom taking it all right?"Jake asked,uncertain of what to say.
"She understood."Rose told him and held out a magazine that had been rolled up in her hand."It took me a while to gather myself up to come here,but I wanted to let you know what Bethany's up to."
"Not caring about her widowed mom and a double-crossed sis."
"That's not it,Jake."she explained carefully."Listen,Mom and I are going on a small retreat after the funeral to reconnect.But I wanted to come by and let you know I'll be okay."Her attention was fully on Jake when she said this,then she opened the magazine to both.
An image of Beth,wearing a T-shirt with a brown werewolf and a pair of jeans,had a child sitting in her lap.She had to help guide the little boy's fingers not because of blindeess,but because he shook.
"Take it slow,Billy."Her image spoke as she helped him with the guitar.
"She just sent me this issue of the Magical Tribune and a letter writing that she's assisting sick magical creature kids at a hospital in Magus Bazaar.For the present,anyway.It's sorta like volunteering."
"Sounds...fulfilling."Jake told her,intrigued by the idea.He looked up into the eyes's of the girl he loved and knew she thought so too.
The End.