Thanks again to everyone that reviewed! It was a pleasure to here your comments!
The Cat- Sorry it took a little longer then my last one. Hope you like it!
Percieve- The panther shifter will definitely be a main feature in the story in the next couple of chapters. ;) I'm glad you like the story so far!
Incarnated- soul- Sorry about the confusion! I'm going to try and put all the comments at the beginning of each chapter from now on. I'm glad you like 'kitty' :) but trust me, there are very good reasons why she didn't fight as well with him. Though with these shifters I'm trying to see them as the ones from Underworld in strength and speed, and the way the Death Dealers had to fight them. Thanks also for your brilliant comments and awesome feedback! Cheers!
Chapter 9
The room was still dark when Devon woke up. The heavy blue curtains blocked out most of the light from the midday sun so he could only make out shadows and shapes. He rolled over to his other side, tangling the sheets around his waist and froze. A shadow loomed over his bed, tall and broad and so still it almost seemed to be part of the objects in the room.
Except for the fact that it was breathing.
Devon threw himself off the other side of his bed, grabbing the knife he had slipped under his pillow. He gathered the magic within him. A low chuckle reverberated through the room. He paused in mid crouch and squinted at the shadow.
'Drustain?'
The chuckle came again. 'Breakfast is downstairs.' The shadow shook its head as it left his room laughing. 'Ah, you have to love the new ones, always so….' The voice faded as he disappeared.
Devon rolled his eyes and tucked the knife back under his pillow.
He opened his closet and pulled on a shirt before heading into Cain's room. Cain was sitting on his bed, already dressed and pulling on his shoes. His room was identical to Devon's. There was a single bed in the middle of the room, a plain wooden closet in the corner and a mirror hanging on the wall. The furnishings were simple, but Devon could tell that the wood and the sheets were expensive. It was pretty much the same as their rooms in House Gavion except they had to share it with each other.
'So did Drustain wake you up?' Cain asked without looking up.
Devon let out an exasperated sigh. 'Is he planning to do that every morning?' He leaned against the doorway. 'Did he scare the spirit out of you?'
Cain looked up and grinned. 'No, I was already up. He looked pretty disappointed though. No doubt he'll be trying it again tomorrow.'
They headed downstairs to where the rest of the group was. Earlier in the morning the Commander had filled them in on the events that night. It was a shock, and an element they hadn't considered. The first Darsharn during the Purge had been able to use their magic as a weapon. It was an advantage over the shifters and one they had exploited ruthlessly. Physical combat with a shifter in its own territory was bad enough, but without the use of magic to aid you? It was almost suicide. Now the shifters had evolved and their tactics had to change again.
Lee, Luviree, Rowina and Drustain were sitting around the table next to the kitchen, digging into toast with bacon and eggs. Devon could smell fresh coffee, the crisp slightly salty smell of bacon and his mouth started watering. Coffee was a luxury that they didn't have often, and one he enjoyed immensely.
'Sit down boys,' Luviree said as she took a sip of her orange juice. 'We have some things to discuss.'
'I've called in Rayin,' Lee said putting her fork and knife down. 'He should be here later.' Rayin was the best out of all of them in combat and would be a significant help in their current situation. 'When its time to move into their territory I want you all to be carrying ranged weapons. Cross bows, throwing knives, stars, it's your choice but the best way to deal with the shifters without magic is to attack at a distance. But if you are unfortunate enough to deal with one at close range, carry your usual gear on you as well.'
Cain took a bite of toast with bacon. 'When are we going in?'
'When Rayin gets here.' Lee picked up her butter knife and flicked it absentmindedly between her fingers. 'I'll be going to House Obsidian to have a little chat with Daegal and I should meet you back here before you head off. They will be ready for us so I want you to be paired at all times.' She pointed her knife at Cain and Devon. 'That mean you two will have to split up with Rowina or Luviree.' The corner of her mouth lifted in a humourless half smile. 'I hope you're ready for your first field combat, let's hope we survive it.'
Lee sat opposite Daegal in front of his desk, littered with papers and numerous objects. He looked calm and composed, but Lee could see the slight tension in the corners of his eyes and the way his hands were deliberately clasped together. Sometimes inaction spoke a thousand words.
The wounds on her arms were covered by her long sleeve jacket. They had started to heal but the process was taking longer than expected. Lee crossed her legs and stared at him steadily. After a couple of seconds of tense silence Lee asked, 'What is your job as the head of House Obsidian, Daegal?'
His lips tightened. 'My job, Commander, is to look after the well being and training of my students, it's also to give and receive information to House Draygon and to monitor the surrounding area.'
'I see.' She nodded slowly. 'And do you think you have fulfilled these requirements?'
Daegal's expression was stony. 'I believe I have done my job to the best of my ability.'
The air that was already cold around them became slightly chillier. 'Well maybe I have made the mistake in overestimating your abilities.'
Daegal leaned back in his black, leather chair and crossed his arms over his chest. His braids spiled across his shoulders and arms like writhering black snakes. 'I'm sorry, has there been a problem with the way I have been running this safe house?'
She leaned forward, her palms flat on the shiny surface of the desk. 'I left you as head of House Obsidian after Marvich left because I thought you were competent at your job. Your training is excellent, your managing of the students is good, yet I fail to understand how the obvious appearance of shapeshifters in Craigwood has escaped your attention especially when you are living under the spy master's roof.'
'I believed I had dealt with the shifters we foun-'
Lee stood up and leaned over him. The chair she had been sitting on skidded backwards. 'Yes I heard about that,' she said cutting him off. 'The three shifters you found and terminated, yet failed to file a report on something that important.' Her eyes bled silver. 'Unacceptable.'
Daegal face darkened. His jaw clenched and unclenched rhythmically. 'Commander-'
'Do you know what I found last night?' Lee asked pleasantly straightening up. Without waiting for him to answer she continued. 'Two shapeshifters within an hour. Imagine how many more I could have found if given a little more time.' Daegal opened his mouth to speak and she slammed her fist down on his desk. 'This is an intelligence organization Daegal, yet so far I have seen very little of it.'
'Commander,' Daegal managed to get out between gritted teeth as he watched his papers scatter lifelessly to the ground. 'Our resources have been spread very thinly in the efforts to locate the missing targets and the attacks on our weapon cargoes. The problems with the shifters is something I plan to rectify immediately.'
'Oh, it will be rectified,' Lee said softly flexing her arm and feeling the slight burn of the healing wounds. 'I want ten of House Obsidian's best assassins geared up for tomorrow. Is that clear?'
He nodded stiffly. 'Certainly, Commander. House Obsidian's resources are at your disposal.'
Lee moved away from the desk to the side of the room. 'Is Lord Mascar meeting with me tonight?' Lee said, running her fingers across a piece of red velvet hanging from the wall. House Obsidian had the fortune to collect some of the oldest banners from wars before the Millennium.
Deagal stood up slowly. 'No, he sends his apologies and says a matter most urgent has required his attention. He asks to post pone the arrangement for one more night.'
'I see.' Lee turned around and Daegal took a step back. Lee's eyes were bright and full of power. 'You aren't hiding something from me Daegal, are you?'
Daegal struggled not instinctively turn his body on the defensive. 'No, Commander I am not hiding anything from you.'
'Because if I find out you are, I promise you it will be most unfortunate.'
Lee moved swiftly through the town streets, hood up over her head. The weather had become colder as autumn had crept in like a thief without any warning. Winter was a good time for an assassin on the hunt, as it allowed you to blend in and conceal weapons more easily. Hiding a four-foot blade in summer was slightly more difficult. She decided to cut through one of the small parks up ahead. The grass was freshly cut and trimmed around a small area with wood chips and dirt. Above was a set of swings strung high up on a wooden beam. There was also a bright candy red slide nearby occupied by a couple of kids and a miniature wooden fortress that sported fireman poles and nets all around it. Lee ignored the giggles, laughter and squeals of fun and walked straight passed.
Until a ball hit her leg.
She stopped and looked down. It was a light blue ball with bands of yellow that curved around it. It was also covered in mud.
'Can you pass me my ball?'
She turned towards the voice and felt as if someone punched a hole in her chest. Jamine stared back at her with his big brown eyes.
And the world shifted.
The present tore away from her in shreds and she was back in the past running away from five-year-old Jamine, tearing through her father's corridors with break neck speed.
'Leeandra! Come back!'
She laughed and glanced back over her shoulder, and saw Jamine catching up with her, his face flushed and a big mud stain on the centre of his shirt. She turned the corner sharply and skidded, catching herself against the wall before pushing off and running again.
'I'm going to get you for that!' He grabbed at her shirt and she dodged, laughing.
'It's only mud! Don't be such a baby!' she yelled at him.
'Can I have my ball back?' Lee blinked and stared at the face that was so painfully familiar. He was the same age as Jamine had been before he…
She stared at him open mouthed, half convinced he was a spirit and that he was here to seek revenge. That he was here to accuse her for leaving him in the hands of her father and demand retribution. For watching as he died and not been able to lift a finger to stop it. And knowing she was the cause of it.
But the boy in front of her just watched her patiently, as if he had all the time in the world.
'Uh, sure.' She knelt down and picked up the ball and held it out to him. He smiled up at her trustingly and reached his small arms out to take his toy. He had grass stains all over his blue shirt and his black shorts revealed numerous cuts and scabs at his knees. Her throat tightened.
'What's your name?' Lee asked softly.
'Nuwan,' he said displaying two rows of small teeth. He bounced his ball on the grass. 'What's yours?'
'Lee…Leeandra.' His familiar features flashed another smile and Lee felt it, a deep undercurrent of recognition.
There was an old myth about old souls. They were souls that reincarnated again and again to complete some destiny that was left unfulfilled. But she would have never believed it. Never would have dreamed it. He was a link to a past she had tried to forget. And somehow he was here.
She was so shocked she almost missed the shivery sensation crawling up her spine. Horror slammed into her as she recognised it and she fought to keep the expression off her face.
Shifter.
The irony of it all was not lost on her. It was cruel, it was twisted and for the first time she hated who and what she was. Lee knew what she had to do. She had been trained for this all her life. The life in front of her, the boy who wore a childhood friends face was a mark. And he had to die.
She went down on both knees until she could look him in the eyes and grabbed him lightly by the arms. 'Where is your family? Isn't anybody looking after you?' Her voice was intense and slightly rough.
'My brother Jayden was supposed to pick me up, but I think he's busy.' He frowned thoughtfully. 'Sometimes he gets really busy, but he says he is doing important things and that I am too young to come with him.'
She thought quickly. 'Do you know you're way home?'
He shrugged and looked down, his sable strands of hair sliding over his face.
'Is it in the forest?' Lee asked tentatively.
He looked up and her a little fearfully and clutched the ball to his chest. 'We're not supposed to tell anyone that.' He eyes darted around the park as if he was afraid someone would over hear him.
'It's okay.' She hesitated. 'Do you think if I walked you there you'd be able to find your way home?
He considered, and then nodded seriously. His expressions were so adult like that Lee almost forgot she was talking to a child. When she got up to head back across the park towards the university, he reached up and tugged on the sleeve of her jacket. 'I know a back way.' Her eyebrows shot up and she felt a quick stab of guilt. He didn't know what she was and now he was showing her another way into his home.
They weaved through the buildings in town and the people still milling about. Lee pulled the hood further over her face and wondered again what the hell she was doing. Twice she almost stopped and walked away, but her feet seemed to have a life of its own and kept in time with the little boy beside her. They entered another residential section and went down a couple of streets until they came to another area where the forest skirted the town. The sun had begun to set, setting the sky ablaze with colour and giving the trees a fiery backdrop. It was almost like a premonition of what was to come.
Nuwan stopped at the edge and turned towards her. 'I know my way from here.' He said, his familiar brown eyes shinning.
Conflicted, she squatted on the ground littered with pine needles and twigs. 'Don't come out here anymore.' She didn't meet his eyes. 'It's not safe.'
'Why?'
She focused her gaze on his worn black and red sneakers, the laces covered with dried mud. 'Because there are people who might hurt you.'
He laughed and it was light and carefree. 'My brother looks after us.' He took off racing through the trees with agile swiftness. He turned around and waved before disappearing behind the trees. Her heart was beating rapidly. She could almost believe she had imagined him. That he was a ghost.
Lee forced him from her thoughts and turned, heading back to the safe house. She would put off the attack tonight. She would tell Rayin they should go with the Darsharn from House Obsidian tomorrow. And just maybe she would forget what she was about to do.
Drustain was waiting for her when she got back, standing on the porch with a brush in his hand. Some of his long honey coloured hair had come out of his braid and his black sleeveless shirt revealed streaks of blue paint along his biceps and forearms. He looked slightly impatient.
Her lips gave a slight twitch. 'Did Rayin arrive yet?'
'He came and went,' Drustain said gesturing with his brush and inadvertently spraying droplets of blue paint on the wooden floor. 'They all left about ten minutes ago.'
She stiffened and the blood drained from her face. She calculated the time she had left Nuwan to the time she had arrived. 'Ten minutes,' she repeated.
'Yeah.' His impatience was replaced with a look of slight concern. 'Everything fine?'
Lee moved into action and raced past him into the house. She darted to the living room and slammed open a chest against the wall pulling out a large cross bow and some bolts. She slid her sword down the curve of her back, grabbed a black duffel back with more equipment and raced back out the door.
She forgot and about stealth, she forgot about everything except speed. Lee didn't even remember how she got to the forest but she was there, her feet pounding against the ground and the trees a dark blur around her. Fear ate at her as flashes of the past ran across her mind. Not again, notagainnotaginnotagain…
She heard sounds up ahead and moved faster, branches snapping against her arms and legs. A couple of meters away from the voices she crouched down low and pulled out her crossbow and moved slowly, keeping her body concealed. There was a clearing up ahead and through the trees she saw glimpses of different coloured fur and heard loud curses. It seemed that there was more than one shifter in the fight and from the sound of it; it didn't seem to be going too well. Before she could move in closer, she heard a high pitch scream coming from the west of her.
Nuwan.
She took off towards the sound leaving the rest of the group behind her. Lee tried not to think about what might be happening to him, or what she would do if he was with one of the Darsharn. And then she saw him. He was huddled against the base of a tree, his arms wrapped around himself. His little chest was heaving as if he had been running for his life, broken only my little tremors that racked his body. Nuwan was staring to the left of her as if he couldn't tear his eyes away. Lee turned to look in that direction.
Seven pairs of golden eyes floated in the darkness. It was like seeing bright flickering lights surrounded by inky darkness slowly moving closer. And then suddenly a low howl shuddered through the night at the same time one of those pairs of yellow eyes stepped into a pool of pearly moonlight.
Lee noticed the powerful jaws first which opened to reveal needle sharp teeth. Saliva spilled from between them in a sticky stream that dropped steadily to the ground. They were the werewolves she had heard about. Ostracised from their own people because of their failure to heed to their laws. They had powerful bodies, almost as thick as the old trees that surrounded them and covered in matted brown fur. If they stood on their hind legs, Lee suspected they would be taller than her.
And now they were surrounding Nuwan as if he was an appetiser in a three-course meal.
She took a moment to centre herself. And then her body flowed in a dance it had been trained to know. Her crossbow fired and the bolt hit the nearest shifter in the neck. The shifter turned to look in her direction before crumpling to the floor. And now they knew she was there. Lee dove and hit the ground, rolling to come up between Nuwan and the five other shifters. They snarled at her furiously, baring their teeth as they stalked closer.
Lee turned her head quickly. 'Jamine, climb up the tree.'
Nuwan stood frozen, staring at her in shock. 'Leeandra?'
'Get up the tree!' She unzipped her jacket and threw two throwing stars on either side of her. She grabbed the knife out of her boot and flung it at the one behind. Hell broke loose. Blood sprayed in crimson arcs, hers or theirs she didn't know. Her mind registered the pain dimly as she moved, using her power and speed ruthlessly. Everything was too quick to register the movements in her mind. Her body just responded. Werewolves littered the ground, but more came she couldn't tell from where. She fought viciously to keep between them and Jamine.
Lee decapitated a werewolf savagely with her sword just as one jumped her from behind, teeth tearing into her arm. She hissed and with her other arm grabbed a knife or the body of a dead shifter and plunged it into its eye. Switching her sword to her left arm she turned and stabbed another as they raked their claws down her back tearing into her flesh.
She wasn't going to last much longer. Lee knew she was weakening dangerously.
A scream pierced the air behind her. Lee turned to see a werewolf preparing to leap up the tree to where Jamine clung desperately onto a branch. Without thinking she flung her sword. The werewolf slid back to the ground.
A snarl alerted her but she was too late, the blood loss made her too slow. A werewolf slammed into her, taking her to the ground. Lee felt its claws and teeth sinking viciously into her body. Her eyes blurred.
And then suddenly the weight was off her. Distantly, she heard a whine before it was cut short with a sharp snapping sound. The last thing she saw was a pair of the most beautiful green eyes, before everything went black.