Chapter Eleven- Court Murders
Mahad grinned with sadistic amusement when he woke up in his bed the next morning and in human form. He had had a thoroughly enjoyable night. He could still hear the screams of terror as he rampaged through the city.
"The pharaoh won't be happy to hear about what you did."
"I don't care. His feelings on the matter don't matter to me anymore."
"My, my. Are you saying you're ready to kill him sooner than you planned?"
"I am. I plan to kill him as he heads for bed. It's the only time when he's alone. So, after the court meeting, I will begin killing the others."
"We will enjoy each and every one of them."
"I hope to provide you with much amusement."
Atem was unhappy, just as the shadows had said and Mahad didn't care, just as he had said. Mahad swore to re-instate the higher security measures and that he would try to determine the source of these attacks. His assurances pleased Atem and the young pharaoh turned to other business. Mahad felt restless and shifted slightly. He felt awkward, clumsy, and weak; not at all how he felt last night and as the other priests left, Mahad brought up the rear, not sure who would die first. It didn't really matter as they would all die, but his feelings distracted him. He heard the shadows say, "We sense strong emotions within you. Tell us."
"I feel inferior is my current form. I no longer wish to be human. I would prefer to remain a wolf who talks and can perform magic." Mahad had stopped in the hall, the others already out of sight and earshot.
"Is that all? We can help with that. Mahad, you shall forever be a talking, magical immortal wolf who will still observe the full moon side effect. Your humanity is no more."
Mahad gasped as he felt his humanity and all emotions associated with that state leave him. He dropped to his hands and knees as he transformed into a wolf for good. He gave a soft growl, savoring the power and strength that flowed through him as well as his heart turning as black and savage as a bloodthirsty wolf's could be. He padded into his room to discard his Item before he was ready to kill. It doesn't matter who dies first; I will kill them all.
He inhaled and the scent of Aknadin reached him. A feral grin came to him. He's nearby. He sniffed again and his instincts fed him information of the scent. He's meditating. Excellent. He won't be able to react fast enough to stop me. He continued to follow the scent, moving slowly to minimize the clicking of his claws. He came upon the old man deep in a meditative state. He suppressed the urge to growl; it would only alert his prey to his presence. Instead, he took a couple of steps before leaping into the air. He sailed forward, knocked Aknadin onto his back, and began to savage him. Aknadin screamed as claws ripped his skin and teeth tore skin away. Blood gushed out and Mahad snarled in pleasure. Aknadin's scream ended as he died.
Mahad left the scene, despite his growling stomach. He desired human flesh, but Aknadin was too old for his tastes. He far preferred younger skin and organs; they were fresher and he deserved the best. He sniffed again, searching for the others. His nose picked up Shada and tracked it down the hall, the scent growing stronger as if Shada was heading his way. Aknadin's screams must have caught his attention. The sound of footsteps came closer and Mahad crouched, ready to run and pounce as soon as Shada appeared. The Key holder came running into view and stopped abruptly at the sight of the wolf. Mahad ran forward and leaped. Shada put up an arm to protect himself as Mahad plowed into him. He sank his teeth into the arm and used his supernatural strength to rip it off. Shada gave a piercing scream as he lost his limb and his screams excited Mahad, triggering his killing frenzy.
He seized a leg and tore it off t make Shada fall onto his back. He tore off the other limbs in a flurry of motion before seizing the throat and ripping it away, ending Shada's life. He laughed, aware that it was tinged with darkness and loving the sound of it. He ripped open Shada's stomach and feasted on the organs there. His ears and nose were alert for intruders as he ate. He swallowed several mouthfuls of skin before he was ready to continue his murders, only he thought of them as hunts instead of murders now.
His murder of Kalim was quick and silent as he had cast a silence spell. Yes, he enjoyed the screams of his victims, but he wanted to kill Seto and Isis in isolated and separate locations. He sniffed as he left Kalim's ripped and torn body behind, trying to find the two remaining priests.
He caught Seto's scent and tracked it to his room. He stalked inside to see Seto looking calm and composed. "I suspected someone in the palace was the werewolf as everyone in it was safe. I didn't tell the pharaoh my suspicions until I was sure of who it was." His eyes narrowed and the Rod glowed briefly. "I see now. It all makes sense; I should have seen it earlier. Mahad, I urge you to stop all this. You are a priest, not a murderer."
Mahad barked a dark laugh. "You don't understand, Seto. I am neither now. I have abandoned my humanity in favor of my current form. I am a wolf now and I kill for food and self-preservation. You know I will kill you so just give in to that."
"No," he said, gripping the Rod tighter.
Mahad sniffed at Seto's refusal before the moonstone on his band flashed as a spell was channeled through it. When the flash ended, a brown dog was in Seto's place. Mahad growled and the dog automatically became submissive as Seto now thought and acted like a dog. Mahad leaped upon Seto and the tore him apart, the yelps being music to his ears.
Four down, one to go, he thought as he left the body behind. He put his nose to the floor and then the air as he searched for the priestess. He smelled guards and hid from them; he still needed guards despite his power and immortality. They can bring me food as they patrol. I strictly eat only humans. He padded through the palace, avoiding guards as he tracked his chosen quarry. His head jerked up and his nose quivered. Isis was nearby! He turned his head from left to right; the scent came from the right. He turned in that direction and saw the courtyard ahead. He smirked. How appropriate. Our love started there and will end there as well. He headed into the courtyard and smelled Isis' scent coming from around a nearby bend. He felt excitement course through him: One more murder and only the pharaoh would be left. He came around the bend…and barely avoided a spear thrust. He leaped to one side and spun around, legs bent to jump.
Isis stood before him, a spear at the ready. He guessed her Necklace told her of the attack, but how much did she know? He relaxed his pose and looked at her. "Isis, it's me," he said.
She gasped, the spear falling from her hands. "Mahad? How?"
"You recall the man who touched me? The dark aura was actually the shadows of the Shadow Realm. I am under their control through the unbreakable charm around my neck. They forced me to kill and lie. After today's meeting, they took my humanity from me, leaving me trapped as a wolf and controlled me to kill the rest of the sacred court. My love for you broke their control." He looked down.
"Oh, Mahad," Isis said softly as she came closer and dropped to her knees. She lifted his head to see unshed tears in his red eyes. "Don't you worry. The pharaoh and I will find a way to remove the band and the shadows from you. We will also work to recover your humanity." She threw her arms around his neck.
"Thank you," he said as she pulled back. He then lunged forward, grabbed her throat, and ripped it away. Her hand flew to her throat as blood poured out. "Mahad, why?" she whispered as she fell forward.
"Fool," he snarled. "I don't feel any emotions but power and anger. I live to be vicious and a killer. I will rule a land blanketed in shadows once Atem is gone!" He laughed to the open skies as Isis died.