Chapter Nine- Plotting Murder

Atem pounded his fists on the armrests in anger. "How is that possible? Werewolves cannot take wolf form outside the full moon and definitely not in daylight."

Mahad shook his head. "I don't understand it, either. But the scene and the evidence matches the previous attacks. It is the same attacker."

Atem sighed, his initial anger fading. "We must stop these attacks even if I have to join the search or die killing it. It has to stop."

"My pharaoh, you must not risk yourself."

"I will if that's what it takes. It's possible the werewolf's real target is me only it can't focus on me as it acts on its desire to kill indiscriminately."

"Shall I teach the students spells to ensnare the werewolf?"

"Do it. You and your students may be the only ones to save the city."

Mahad nodded as he left to research his condition before gathering the students. I need to know what will stop me so I can give misinformation to my students. I cannot let others know how to stop me.

Ten minutes later, Mahad stroked his chin as his eyes moved across the scroll. Hmm, fatal hits to the heart and brain and an allergy to silver. He smirked. I can certainly convince my students of different defenses. I will hide this scroll so no one will find out that I was lying. He took it to his room and hid it among his personal scrolls. He then left to gather his students for a lesson.

"Ensnare werewolves, Master?" one student repeated.

"That's right. We seem to have one that can transform whenever it wants and we cannot let it continue. I had just researched werewolves and learned that the only way to kill it is to slice its stomach open." He saw squeamish looks among a few of his students. He smiled gently. "You needn't worry about that. As long as we trap it, our job is done. Amazingly, trapping it will be simple: It has an allergy to gold."

"Gold?" another student repeated.

"Yes. If we pool our magical energy, we may be able to manipulate some gold into an effective trap."

"A golden dome, Master," Mana suggested.

Mahad nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, that could work and if we can shape it into a stake and rope, it may give the guards the opportunity to deliver the killing strike."

"What about something to muzzle it and hold its paws down?"

Mahad shook his head. "If they are to disembowel it, it needs to be able to rear up."

"But Master-,"

Mahad whirled around to face the student, unaware of his teeth turning sharp. "Are you questioning my decisions?" he asked sharply, almost growling.

"No, Master!" he cried in alarm.

"I would hope not," he said, his tongue brushing against his teeth. Alarmed, he turned around and said, "Go to the library and study spells on gold. Be ready to practice when I next call for you."

"Yes, Master," was the immediate reply as well as the sound of feet retreating. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He had exhibited his short temper and, as a result, his teeth had turned sharp. He still felt angry about his student's protest and swept up to his room. Once the door was closed, he shifted forms and proceeded to pace the room, reveling in his body's smooth quick movements. He loved being able to move quickly, enjoyed rending and tearing with his teeth and claws, and smelling the fear when people saw him. He listened to his claws clicking against the floor and like how it sounded.

I can convince anyone who saw my teeth that they had been seeing things. If anyone questions it, I'll kill them.

"Death seems to be your go-to solution," the shadows commented as Mahad resumed human form.

"I dislike being questioned. I answer to no one but the pharaoh and you."

"Yes, of course. Tell us: How would you like to answer to only us?"

"I would like that. What do I have to do?"

"Simple: Kill the pharaoh and the rest of the sacred court. They are determined to stop you to the point that they are willing to kill. Think; once they are dead, you can take the throne. You, Mahad, a pharaoh of darkness."

"Pharaoh of Darkness," Mahad said, his mind's eye showing him sitting on the throne in the clothes of a king and wearing a crown. "Yes, I like it. I will become pharaoh."

Mahad spent the next few days plotting how to kill Atem and the others. He had to plan it carefully. Killing the pharaoh is difficult as he is usually around people save for when he heads to bed. Yes, I could ambush him in the corridors or his bed chamber. The others won't be as hard, especially Isis. There's no question that I will take wolf form to kill them all.

Mahad's thoughts on the murders took time as he had other duties to focus on. He led the guards on patrol, joined the court on judging criminals, and taught his students. The shadows spoke to him throughout these duties, encouraging him to plan the murders and constantly showing him as pharaoh. The images were enticing and Mahad looked forward to when the time would come to kill.

Mahad found the patrols and teaching to be bothersome, particularly the latter. He didn't mind patrols much as he would change to wolf at the shadows' command. He would kill at least one person which angered Atem when told of the death. The pharaoh would step up security and insisted that no one patrol alone, not even Mahad despite his magic.

It was this latest security measure that angered the priest. He tried to keep a lid on his temper and, for most part, succeeded. He couldn't afford to have a wolf feature appear, particularly one he couldn't play off as imagination, which he did when his teeth had sharpened. His students accepted that they had been seeing things and put their minds on practicing gold spells.

Unknown to Mahad, his top student was the only one who didn't buy Mahad claiming it was the students' imaginations. She did see the sharp teeth; they were there! She had never known Mahad to lie and yet he just did. She doubted the pressure of patrols, teaching and wolf attacks prompted him to lie. There had to be some other reason.

She decided to go see him after a tough lesson. Mahad had been hard on them, saying the pharaoh wanted their trap spell ready to go in two days. His harsh attitude was disconcerting to her and the others but they worked hard until Mahad was satisfied with their progress. It was getting dark when she approached Mahad's room. The door was slightly ajar and she could see Mahad through the opening. She opened her mouth to call his name when Mahad shifted into a black wolf with red eyes. A hand flew to her mouth, eyes wide with shock.

Master Mahad is the werewolf!? He's the one who killed all those people!? How could he!? I have to tell the pharaoh! She turned and started down the hall when she felt sleepy and collapsed to the floor.