Eric pov.

My finger traced the largest ruby that sat directly in the center of the golden crown. I remember when it was made. When it was cast in the gold stolen from some Spanish ships coming through. My it must have been a bloody battle, father came home with riches upon riches and many new scars. Among them was a chest filled with hundreds of shiny coins. My brother and I were allowed to take exactly one before they were melded and set into this gaudy mess. They were fit into matching necklaces. The purpose of them was meant to be worn as we aged and added to crowns once we were old enough. We never did get to... I lost mine in my last battle as a human. As for my brothers. It was gifted to Aude after his passing, I never did find his remains, just the coin among bodies. I shed a tear just as I placed the circlet on top my head. I allowed myself a moment of silence. A moment to remember my dead. It didn't last as long as I'd liked as a swarm of men decked out in full-body armor burst into the artifact museum. Their heavy artillery aimed at my head. Several orders were barked for me to bow. I simply stood with my hands clasped before me as that vile creature I meant to maim entered.

"Well, look who decided to show face."

"Tell your boys this is our business and ours alone. There's no need for them."

"I don't think I will, although they are idiots. Does he look like a mutt?!"

His tone rose with each word, his men knew better than to answer. They still refused to point their weapons elsewhere. A few of them were familiar. They must know of my reputation. Russel pushed closer until he was within arms reach. A hand rose to touch my crown and I smacked it. A bullet went off in warning. The loose cannon soon fell to their knees and screeched as blood foamed at the mouth until he collapsed. A ruthless grin curled as Russel glared into my eyes and explained to me and his men why that poor boy was murdered in cold blood.

"Look at him. His body is clean. His nails are within perfection. His hair, cut. His fangs, sharp. This is a vampire! A loathsome one but he is, Not a wolf! Now go find me that damn, Elijah!"

By the way, he said that name. It was obviously meant to roust my nerves. To unsettle me. To prove he held some power over me. There's no way he means...

"You're lying!" My tone devoid of emotion. Yet. He knew it wasn't true.

He cackled at my frustration.

"Am not." A smug smirk appeared.

"Where is he?! Prove these lies!"

He stood there bobbing his head and glaring with all the glee in the world.

"Didn't you just hear me tell my men to find him? He's escaped and I see why. He's after you dear boy, I may not have to lift a finger to slaughter you after all."

The information began to settle. The scent of smoke wafting reminded me of why I was in this infernal castle in the first place. It began to fill the room. My face fell slack and I shook in a deep rage. I grabbed hold of the lapels of his suit. The boys didn't react this time but I could see a few were ready to run if need be.

"What have you done with her?!"

There was something in his eyes that told a story of pain. His was voice scratchy.

"Nothing yet. But if I can't have her... neither can you. Such a shame he's free. I've heard the story of how he clipped you dry. It was nothing to how he beheaded your dotting whore. Even I winced as she screamed for you. Yet you were nowhere. How does it feel to know it was him that killed your wife and precious children?"

He cackled and choked on his jealous rage. I tossed him aside. He continued to bellow out in glee at my horror. His men didn't even try to stop me as I raced out into the hall and found nothing but flames. If it's true... If it's possible that my brother is. Alive. Then she's in more danger than I ever knew. I must find her!

"Run little king, run as your father did!"

It took me nothing to snap back into my old ways. To reap. To break those that dare stand up against me. Each of those poor soldiers of his was left broken and bloody. Russel launched himself at me as I drank from the last. We crashed through the wooden floors and fell into a cesspit of creatures rolling and roaring for meat. I was ripped from him and tossed aside. His beasts were ready to lick his sinew from his bones. Several of them turned from the rest and joined his side. Curse his abilities. While he was busy fighting. I felt it prudent to escape. I didn't get far before more fell under and chased after.

I was dashing from wall to wall. Flying about as they cackled and howled like hyenas. Thankfully. I had an ally. I was joined by William. Normally I'd be insulted but I wasn't going to turn down his help. He and I made quick mincing of the beasts. As they bled out. We just managed to escape the floor before it caved in. Curse that girl. Finally, I could rest. From the scratches covering every exposed inch and the tattered clothes. He needed it more than I did. We were bent over coughing up black slobber and trying to hold our blood. Screams and grunts were all around us. Flames eating the walls. This was the work of my fairy. I'm sure of it. From the damage, she's either lost her mind to fear or to vengeance.

"Where" cough, cough." Is, she?"

"She was with me. I sent her away..."

This fool. Hasn't he learned? She must be watched! She gets up to no good otherwise! Before I could respond. I was hit. By hit, I mean something with the weight of a moving semi smashed right into me. I didn't have time to fight back as we went through several walls and emptied into the great open arms of the night. As we tumbled and fumbled about. Only one thought came into my mind. It was the words of Russel... he had said it was Elijah that had massacred our people. Flashes of that night burst and smacked into my heart. I was suddenly tossed back to a time once forgotten. Sitting by a tree and bleeding out as I gazed at the burning remains of my home. In my left hand were my intestines. While in my right. My ring. The filthy beast tried with all its might to steal it. Yet I still held my bitten-off finger and the piece of jewelry I wore in honor of Aude. It had taken the golden chain holding my coin as a reward instead. The same coin that dangled as the beast transformed to expose my brother heaving himself off me. It was locked onto a heavy chain of silver locked around his neck. I was amazed to see it just as pristine as back then. He's been kept a slave all these years. I let out a horrid laugh. He joined. It was nice. Almost like we were boys. We lay there in the dirt. The moon high above. A wind billowing ashes and thick smog. Our peace could only last but a moment.

"I killed you once... but you're alive?"

"I watched you get sliced open by three men. I searched for your corpse."

"Heh. I was always a mean fight, they bout killed me too. I escaped the battlefield and fell into heat with sick. I was saved by a wolf. I see a bat got you."

"Funny, given that you serve one."

"Not for long."

His words went silent as he transformed once more. It was gruesome to watch his bones bend and snap. Fur sprouted against his quickly darkening leathery flesh. I lay there as a mussel sprouted and yellowed fangs glistened with spit and blood. He bellowed in my face but I wasn't afraid. I reached out to rub his snout. He snapped and snarled at my fingers. I still didn't flinch. He's alive?! I didn't care how. I was just trying to savor the moment before I put him out his misery. It wasn't until he was stopped in his tracks and flung into a tree that I sprung up from the dirt. The culprit was Russel. He was quickly making his way over to me dragging a familiar hammer behind him. I remember just as if it was yesterday watching him smash it into heads of my people. He made sure not a single soul was left. He called out to me in taunt. Edging me on. I stood still watching my brother lying as still as I once did. A possessive and deadly glare in his eyes, yet he was frozen in place. I guess old Russel isn't taking kind of his slave butting in on our battle. He's ready to boast to my enemies. To claim my bones as trophies to house with the rest of his toys of the past. I made a conscious decision to run. Along my way. I snagged my lug of a brother. Several other mutts were on our trail. No matter how fast we raced. They were just a few feet on our heels. I'm much more agreeable to this partner rather than William. Despite our issues. My brother would never allow anyone else to harm me. He'd do it. We kept running until we were at a clearing. We were far enough that Russel's influence was null. It was just he and I. Our backs to each other. Our eyes moving rapidly. Searching for foe to slaughter.

"How many did you see?"

"Twelve. A full pack."

It took only a second to recognize the tone. My brother's voice gets sort of wheezy when he lies. It could be from all that running but I'll be damned if I trust this fool once more. We both turned at the same time. Our hands high in preparation. Our eyes filled with regret and hatred. Our hearts longing for death. We were to battle and I knew only one would leave it. Neither one of us wanted to make the first move, but when those wolves came and bowed at his feet. I knew. If I didn't. The outcome would be the same as eons ago. My shot taken was diminished. As Elijah flew into the air. A shout echoed. A call from a voice that sent my hair on end. Despite them not sounding anything alike. Flashes of days past boiled in my blood.

"You killed Aude?! You bastard! She loved you. She never stopped!

A menacing howl echoed in protest. He lunged toward me with passion. A ball of flames was sent at his paws. The offensive little blue ball of light forced him to thrust away with a pitiful yelp of agony. The smell of burnt hair permeated as he limped with his left paw high up and lapped at his wound. The wolves around us howled and bucked in threat. High above there, she was. Threatening to send another if they dared to join. Of course. My sweet little fairy was coming to rescue me. I shook my head as she flapped her gorgeous wings and expelled a heavy wind. I had to hold onto my crown as I gazed up to get a better viewing of her. My reaction was noted.

"Are you alright?" She yelled down.

"I'm kind of busy baby," I called out.

An arrow was shot straight at her. It just barely missed. Guess who rode in on his high horse? This, Raven, was pissed at her. She hissed and touched down into the ring. Her wings folded away. Her hands rose into flaming fists as if she meant to take my brother and anyone else on. I was slightly amused and even a bit aroused. I'd laugh and take her right there but once the wolves parted the circle and allowed Russel to join. My instincts kicked in. Even in his wolf form, I could tell that my brother was perplexed by the addition but was highly intrigued by the outcome. Elijah roared in delight as he understood why Russel had a crossbow aimed at her heart. He detransformed, in all his glory he stood tall and boasted of his findings.

"I see. She is to be your new queen."

His strange-rimmed amber eyes darted back and forth between us. As the picture grew clearer and his rage burned. He fought against his urging of the moon. He's a pureblood... the last known I suspect. All wolves today are shifters. While the blood in his veins is tainted. He was bitten. A true lycanthrope in the flesh.

"Eric... what's going on?" She asked and got closer to me. Another arrow shot out. It barely missed again. Like he can't hit her. As if it would pain him to hurt her himself. So he misses on purpose. Almost as if he hopes she'll run. That she'll bow to his will. My brother began to advance towards us three. A deep possessive gleam in his eyes. His cock heavy. I didn't need to read his mind to know what he desired to do. To defile her. To reap what he deems is his justice for my marriage to Aude. Russel stood there with his crossbow and barked at his mutt to heel. It must be painful to disobey. He kept trying to withhold. To clamber to her to take. But Russel won out. He sat near his owners' feet and whimpered and whined.

"Good boy. Now. Chase!"

She had only but a second to react. I hadn't expected to be lifted off my feet and drug along for the ride. Arrows flew high. Paws chased after us. Each chance they got. They bit and snapped at my heels. She bobbed and weaved as much as she could but truth be told, I was dead weight. She refused to let go. I had no choice but to claw at her hands until she was forced to drop me. I landed in a dense thicket of trees. I could see her flames high above as she called. It was too dark for her to see me. It hurt to keep silent but I have unfinished business and she can't come. I knew I wasn't alone. He was lurking. Waiting. I climbed high and kept my eyes open for Elijah. There he is. I pounced from my tree and landed on top. Our vicious battle commenced once more.

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Bill Pov.

After watching what I can only assume was a lycanthrope bash into that blonde bastard. I felt it was time I found Sissi and we hightailed our behinds out of this here infernal place. If only I could find her. I limped through the holes in the foundation of the castle left by that thing. Anything that dared cross me. Got my fangs. The tainted air greeted me. I took in a deep breath and about collapsed when an unexpected sight appeared before me.

"Bill?"

I'll be. Now I'm not a fan of Pamela. I find her much too rude but I was grateful to see a familiar face. She rushed to me.

"Where the hell have you been?"

"Dyin."

"You look like it. Come on."

I was cradled against her side and helped along. We were rushing through a hell zone that reminded me of my time on the battlefield. Flames were abundant as well as screeches of creatures that had escaped. We tussled and fought our way to the woods when finally I saw my woman. Ah, those wings. She's an Angel if I've ever seen one. Shame crept up. She knows. Oh, she knows... I've never pretended that I was good for her but to see the pain I have caused this here lady. Is sinful. Pam caught sight of where my attention had gone. I didn't miss the huffing and puffing. I don't know why she hates her. In my distraction, I decided to air out my pondering thoughts on the situation.

"I don't hate her. She's. It's complicated. I know that my maker. Has feelings for her. Which is hilarious considering but I don't like her being around Eric. She's too dangerous. It will never work for them."

"You're afraid of her... huh."

"Wouldn't you know."

We got quiet once again and continued on. Following after that beacon of light and the calls of that fuckers name. I finally admitted to myself the truth. Yes. I am terrified of that creature flying above. As I should be. I have recognized that she's most certainly not of this world. But mostly the fear I hold isn't of her but of losing her. I don't know what I'm gonna do but I can see I have already done that.

A sound stopped us dead in our tracks, it was the sound of a creature hunting. Sticks cracked under its weight just as something launched itself right at it.

"Eric?!"

Pamela called out. I just managed to cover her mouth before it reached the ears of that thing. She struggled to regain her senses. If we were to get out of here alive. We can't be known. She wasn't happy. I could see the fear etched into her eyes. She was fully prepared to run right into their battle but decided to remain with me. Once I felt it safe, I removed my hand. She immediately asked in a hushed voice.

"What's the plan?"

"We get out of here alive."

"I won't leave him!"

"Be quiet. I understand, but I won't risk my head for him. If you want. So be it!"

"She'll never forgive you if he dies."

Her jaw clenched and her body ridged. She shook with conviction. She was threatening to tell. I am her elder. She didn't care. I had no other choice. I took a deep breath and began to climb a tree. She was quickly on my tail. I was up here mostly to get a better view of the idiots clawing at each other's throats' good ways out. She was perched at my side.

"I can't see them."

I pointed over to where the wolf was. Eric pinned underneath that behemoth but was holding his own by choking him with a thick silver chain. It flailed about on top. The unfortunate part. He couldn't keep grip. His face just about got mauled but he managed to slip out like the snake he is and disappeared from the things sight. It bucked and ran about as Eric flitted about.

"Alright. We're gonna head up as a distraction. I'm not getting in close and personal but if desire that is your right."

"Pussy."

"Call me what you want. I'm leaving, alive."

I hopped to the next tree and traced after the scent of Eric. Mostly to cover it up. I found him nursing his ate-up hands. He was hidden and hunched by a fallen tree. His moment of rest wouldn't be for long. The creature had followed after us. Pam was able to distract long enough for him to run but left me out in the open to die. I was grateful to be quick enough but that thing was right on my feet. Its paws clambering. Its breath hot on the back of my neck. I kept my knees high as I raced. I didn't need to run too much longer. I never thought I'd be grateful to Eric but he had doubled back and returned the favor of ramming into that thing. I hadn't expected to hear it yelp. It was lying all limp on the forest floor. A tree had fallen onto its ribcage. A wheezing breath exited its body as it transitioned into its human shape. I about pissed myself from the sight. Eric regretfully sauntered and bent down to yank at the mattered hair of his mirror image. He groaned in deep pain and tried to claw his way out from underneath the tree but he was pinned. Eric gripped the hair tighter until the mirror image submitted and just lay there. An expression of acceptance came.

"Finish this." He begged.

"She never stopped loving you. She'd call out for you in her sleep. She'd whisper your name during. She'd pray over our children's heads with you in mind. Yet you betrayed her! You will tell me why?!"

Pamela has just managed to find us. She was a good distance away. Close enough to witness what came next. But far enough to be powerless to stop it. A flaming arrow flew right past my ear. It was shocking how it had just barely missed my head although I had found the temporary heat sort of peaceful. As it had reminded me of those flames she holds. The distant sounds of her wings flapping overheard overshadowed the screech that came from Pamela as she saw her maker get hit and burst into a fateful fit of flames. He collapsed and rolled around as he attempted to put them out. Pam raced to his side but was stopped by another arrow hitting near her feet. She was forced to her knees to watch as he suffered. I couldn't move as the sound of feet crunched near me to reveal the attacker. The mad king Russel cackled as she finally came down to see him. The flames died but it was too late. His charred body lay there smoking out. She attempted to near him but was snatched into Russel's arms. She pounded her fists into his chest as she blubbered for her lover. He didn't care and continued to hold her against her will. I tried to fight against his allure and couldn't. I was reduced to nothing more than a doll. In the midst of all this chaos. The mirror image had managed to crawl from underneath the tree and was escaping. As he snuck away. He took one last glance at his brother before he disappeared. Isn't it curious how we were just talking about how dangerous their coupling would be?

"There. There, my little bug. I know. But you must learn. I won't tolerate anyone else. Now be a good girl and take a look."

He drug over to Eric's side and made her see. She fought him some more. He was getting off on her struggle to not see. To not view what her infidelity has brung. She finally stopped and collapsed at Russel's feet. His excitement was evident. His hand caressed her head as she sobbed and screamed for Eric to wake. To get up. Nothing but smoke rose. She pounded her fists into the dirt as tears poured freely. Russel left her side. As he walked away. He demanded that she come home once she has collected herself. He reminded her that she should be grateful he's allowing her time to mourn and that he expects her to never shed another tear for her slut once tonight's done. She belligerently foamed at the mouth how she would never forgive him. That she would reap justice if it's the last thing she does. He shouted back to her that it's her fault for capturing his blackened heart. That he knew she won't forgive him but if he can't have her love. He will take her hatred with a smile. He bowed before her. During this petty show. A visitor touched down. I didn't miss the expression of shock marring Russel's face once he rose.

"I heard you kicked the bucket."

The visitor didn't respond. He just kept walking toward the burning man. His gait was pained but his stride held power. Russel didn't waste time leaving us. The further he got. The less his power held. Pamela was first to move to this visitor's side. He greeted her unwelcomingly. He wasn't in the mood. She bowed before him and expressed her deepest sorrows. Bloody tears dripped onto his expensive leather loafers. He moved past her until he was standing directly behind Sissi. She had lain her body over Eric's as she whimpered and wept. She was oblivious to any of us but once he spoke she shot up. Her spine was straight and rigid. I could smell the fear permeating from her.

"I said. Move." He ordered.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Godric."

He ignored her. He simply bent down before her. He snagged her hand and held it. His body trembled as the other reached inside his trench coat pocket to remove a blade. He ordered her to move once more. She eyed the blade and crawled away but not far enough to miss what he did. He sliced his wrist and bled right into the barely open crispy mouth and spoke to his nearly dead son with a grave angry tone.

"I told you, I told you over and over. Not to go after Korun. You don't listen! What did you think was going to happen? Now, look at you! The mess you've made boy."

He picked up his son and cradled him to his chest. As he carried him. He called out to his grandchild and ordered that she follow. He stopped before me and said.

"You make sure she gets home."

"Yes, sir..."

I couldn't help by keep my eyes on Eric. He didn't look good. But if there's any chance. The blood of his maker could help. The three vanished from sight. While I was left staring at her. She refused to even look at me. I was grateful she didn't fight me once I finally had the courage to get up and help her. It was a long walk out of that forest but eventually, we came upon another unexpected sight. On the outskirts, waiting was her brother. I knew I wasn't welcome. So I simply made sure she got in their vehicle which just happened to be a stolen semi and watched as the love of my death left me. As I stood there watching it disappear into the distance. The sound of heels clicked. I knew it was Lorena. Her claws dug into my shoulders as she hugged me from behind. A kiss on my neck made me flinch. It took me nothing to turn around and bury myself into her and sob like a newborn babe. She shushed me and coddled me and said she told me so, that Sissi was a no-good hussy and didn't deserve my love anyway. That momma would make it all better. I ripped right into her neck until her head popped off. Claps abounded. The culprit. The Queen.

"I take it, you'll be wanting her back? You see. I think we can be of help to each other. If you're agreeable that is?"

"Why, yes. I think I am."

My new partner and I left behind the body of my maker to be eaten by buzzards. While I swung her head as we walked and talked about our plan to set things right.