Chapter 16
Very mature scene at the end. This story is not, and never has been, for underage readers.
/
"Wake up Ami. I have brought you breakfast".
Ami lie on her little bed, recently filled with fresh straw, and gave a great yawn. She saw Alonus, standing over her with a faint smile. The smell of roasting meat was delicious and permeated throughout the little house. She didn't have to wonder long where it had come from. Alonus had clearly been hunting.
"What is it?"
"Well it's not deer this time, for I've been told you are sick of it." She laughed, a sound that was so strangely human. Ami grinned at her and put her feet over the side of the bed, giving another stretch and a yawn. It was good to feel normal again. Because of Barabas', her health had been renewed, and she was full of energy once more. Alonus handed her a plate; on it were simple strips of meat with what looked like a portion of oatmeal.
"You cook? Where did you get the food?"
The female heradus sat down Indian style on the floor near her, and started chewing on her own raw version of breakfast. "I've learned much about humans. I took the time to study and observe them. So yes, I can cook...when I need to. As for the food, I suppose Goliathus went and got more supplies for you."
Ami frowned, setting the plate on her lap slowly and staring at the floor. "When he goes to get me food, people usually die."
Alonus chuffed, swallowing a large mouthful of meat. "Don't fret. He might have stolen the food from some humans, but he didn't kill them." She finished her breakfast, and stood up, flexing her wings a bit. "I made sure of it."
Ami couldn't help but smile at her again, but she was still uneasy. Goliathus was wickedly powerful and determined. How long would he tolerate his mother defying him at every turn, even if he did care about her?
"But Alonus..."
"Yes?" She was nearly at the door, and looked over her shoulder.
"How will you be able to stop him all the time? He's going to outwit you at some point, or sneak off somewhere, or-"
"There will be failures." She frowned, but her voice remained determined. "But I have already said that I will do everything I can." Pushing aside the deerskin door she motioned for Ami to follow her. With her breakfast largely untouched, she followed her out.
/
Goliathus was hacking away at a large log outside. Ami immediately wondered what that was about, but Alonus seemed to know her thoughts.
"He's building me a bed. I don't like sleeping on cold stone floors...or hay..." she made a face. "It's itchy."
Ami chuckled. She watched her heradus lover and marveled at his incredible strength as he moved the log, from time to time, as if it weighed hardly anything. "He doesn't seem to mind, I don't see any beds for him. He doesn't sleep?"
Alonus shook her head. "A resting state, maybe. But the curse of the hunger keeps him awake too much."
"What about that sleeping curse? Why does it happen? I've always wondered who...set it...if you know what I mean?" Ami sat down on one of the logs near her firepit, watching him, and Alonus sat near her.
"I believe it has something to do with an Old Order of Mages. This goes back even before my time, young Ami. When the first evil happened, they formed the curse to try and stop the obsession, because all humans knew they had no chance to truly fight against us...especially the much larger and stronger males. The curse is so ingrained that apparently to this day it remains. So my son became victim to it as well. The number of his tormentors was twenty-three. That is why his curse was to sleep for twenty-three years and then awaken for twenty-three days. When Ramonus..." She paused. The name of her grandfather always seemed to deeply sadden her, and Ami impulsively put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "...when my grandfather fell prey to this evil, his curse was fifty-five years."
Ami gasped, quite shocked by this revelation.
"His first taste of human flesh instantly corrupted him. He went insane just as fast. And so, fifty five humans died in his first feeding frenzy. Some of them were loyal friends, who adored us." A few tears were brimming in her eyes, so painful were these memories etched centuries into her mind. "Some of them were female humans, friends, lovers. There were at times some of our males who had harems." She grinned slightly, even through her tears. "These harems had far more human lovers than heradus ones, ironically enough. You human women have strange attractions."
Ami giggled, enjoying her sense of humor. "Yeah...we sure do all right. I thought I was the only one. It's good to know I'm not just crazy or weird or something. But can't we say the same about you Alonus? You falling for a human man, that is?" She elbowed her playfully.
"Oh certainly. But we didn't have harems full of adoring men." She laughed then, which caused her son to stop his work and gaze at her curiously.
"I can't see how you didn't, being so wonderful as you are."
Alonus seemed taken aback by the compliment, blinking at her. "Wonderful? I can't say that is true to my own mind."
"You didn't make him this way, Alonus."
She hung her head. "I do not know if I will ever be able to accept that. To stop all of this guilt."
The axe went whistling by their heads suddenly, lodging into a small tree inches from Ami's head. She jerked back, almost falling off the log, her heart hammering in her chest as she gazed at the sharp weapon wide-eyed.
You women talk too much. Goliathus had neared them, and had what looked like a left-over bone from whatever Alonus had killed. He was crunching on it and slurping down the marrow with obvious relish.
Ami had her robe clutched so tightly to her chest her knuckles had turned white. That axe could have been lodged into her skull had he adjusted his throw by mere inches.
Alonus, now blazing with fury, rose up, snarling in his face. "You sadistic demon! Is there need for such behavior? We were minding our own business, no one asked you to listen in."
He chuckled, and still chose to speak mentally. I find it amusing. He didn't seem phased by her anger, and yet he distanced the space between them, heading closer to Ami. He took the spot next to her where his mother had been.
Ami come into the cave.
She finally pried her eyes away from the axe she was staring at, and fixed her eyes on him.
Huh? Why?
Because I said so.
But...I don't want to go in there anymore. I don't even like that-
He snarled at her. What I tell you to do, you will do. I thought I had made that clear a long time ago.
Ami sighed, and looked briefly back at the house. Solarus was still sleeping upstairs in a little crib his father had fashioned for him, he at least was quite handy with building things. But she hoped all this ruckus wasn't going to wake him. Her son got awfully upset when his father treated her like this.
He probably wanted sex. And it wasn't something he ever asked her about, always, always he just demanded things from her, like she was a slave. But isn't that how he's treated me from day one? This is nothing new.
And yet Alonus was here. She had gone eerily silent, listening to their conversation, but Ami knew she was seething inside. If she had this one to protect her...well then maybe Goliathus would have to learn the hard way from now on that things were not going to be as they had been before.
No. I don't want to go in there. I like my little house, I'll stay there. You did that for me, remember?
He growled, blue eyes now intently boring into her. She hated the fear so much. And it just kept coming back, wave after wave like a stormy sea.
Ami was sure he would snap back with some angry, demanding comment, but he didn't. Instead, he huffed, glanced at his mother, then back to her again.
Then you have become useless to me. I have a child now, and no further use of you. Especially since mother here will defend your pathetic pride.
Ami's lips trembled. He was being cruel, and quite purposefully. This battle with him was like taking one tiny baby step forward and two leaping bounds backward. It just wasn't fair, and she knew she didn't deserve it.
"I told you that I loved you, you know." She replied hotly. He only huffed again.
You did. And in that moment of weakness, I allowed myself to foolishly feel, for one fleeting moment, that I actually cared about you. But I don't. He grinned wickedly, glistening malice in his eyes. You are either good for sex whenever I please, or food. It is your choice.
Ami wanted to burst out into tears, shaking badly from fear. She went to try and say something, but Alonus spoke first, causing Ami's head to tingle painfully as the words were loud and full of challenge.
You pile of cow's dung. Do not speak to her that way, ever again in my presence!
Alonus came forward, and slapped him, claws and all, quite hard across the face. It left deep, bleeding rivulets in its wake, and he surged towards her, roaring in fury. Ami screamed, terrified to see them erupt into a fight.
But fight they did, and it was incredibly vicious and bloody. Alonus took great damage, but still her painful high-pitched yells filled the air, and she raked at him with claws, wings, and teeth.
Ami shot to her feet, tears streaming down her face and begging them to stop at the top of her lungs.
/
Inside the house, Patricia Jenner was watching from the upstairs window, horrified and eyes wide as saucers. She was still so emotionally overwhelmed that all she could do was huddle in the corner, watching them and wondering if she were even on the same planet anymore. Their screams and roars terrified her, and she covered her ears, shutting her eyes tightly.
Little Solarus in the other small, adjoining room, was of course awake now and crying loudly. Trisha looked over through the open doorway and actually felt a slight twinge of pity for the miserable creature. It was probably just as scared as she was. But try as she might, she couldn't get herself to go over to him and hold him,or try and calm down. No, she'd rather kill that hideous thing, but her brother's words kept echoing in her mind.
'Don't hurt them Trish! Let Ami handle it! Let Ami!'
Ami? What in the hell was she going to do, with two snarling monsters tearing at each other like that?
Trisha put her head between her knees, and tried to block them out even more.
/
After ten more minutes the fight was over. Goliathus was still roaring into their minds, his head crest held high, and acting completely crazy.
You are a stupid fool, mother! I told you! A fool! I believe that you would rather be a human, weak and pathetic as they are!
He had many injuries, from huge gashes in his legs and chest to her bite marks all over his shoulders and sides. But he seemed to be an iron wall against the pain, feeling nothing, as his anger flowed. And now, brought back to life, you are even weaker than before!
He came closer again, and Alonus opened her ruined wings, ready to block him with whatever strength she had left as she stood there panting, but he only pointed a clawed finger at her. She is MINE! MINE! I will do with her as I please!
With that he reached around for Ami, who was only about a yard away from them, still crying and trying to calm herself down from the sight of the frightening spectacle of their fight. She screamed out in raw fear when he grabbed her, feeling no more security about anything between them that had once existed...even tentative as it had been.
He grabbed her tightly, and Ami could feel the building energy in his legs, he was ready to take her and fly off to god knows where.
No, no, please Goliathus, please! Let me go!
She screamed again as she felt a claw dig into her side, painful and burning.
I will give you plenty to scream about if you do not shut up.
He opened his wings, and was about to take off, but a sudden, incredible force weighed him down. Trying again he snarled in fury when he realized he still could not move, as if his legs had become stone.
Turning around, he saw his father, his face livid.
You will go nowhere with any intent to harm that woman. Must I always be here now, watching over my son, who likes to have his temper tantrums so he can have his way? You know full well that if you kill Ami you will regret it.
Alonus, upon seeing her love, sighed deeply. Finally, she could relax, and now her body ached with pain from her wounds.
Look at what you have done to your mother! You who has told me how you despised her tormentors for what they did to her, and yet you have harmed her all the same! Look! LOOK!
Goliathus froze as the shame washed over him. Feeling his anger suddenly melt away, he slowly loosed his grip on Ami and she squirmed away from him , quickly running to the priest and trying to hide behind his brightly glowing form.
They all stood there, staring at each other for a time. Then Goliathus gave a loud chuff, spun around and stormed off to his cave...alone.
But Ami heard his words, knowing his parents did not. A thought for her only.
Do not think they can keep you safe. If I want to kill you, I will. Our ties are severed. You are as useless as any other human and nothing but a potential meal.
She gritted her teeth against his bitter cold announcement, and forced herself not to cry again. I don't believe you, and if you want to talk about fools...the only fool I see here is you. You won't kill me Goliathus. You won't. And what I said before...it still stands. No matter what you say.
He stopped for a moment, glancing over his shoulder. Saying nothing more, he flew to the entrance of the cave and disappeared inside.
Ami felt the emptiness within then, a great yawning void of nothingness that made her run back to her own house.
/
The moment she stepped inside she encountered Trisha face to face, who seemed as if she had been ready to run out the door like an escapee. "Oh. I see you're awake."
"What the hell happened out there?" Trisha's voice was hoarse, and she kept looking around as if half-expecting something to leap out of the walls.
"Trisha...I suggest you just stay out of the way. I don't know why Alonus has brought you here, other than maybe she just wants to talk to you." Ami huddled closer into her clothes, there was a strong chill in the Autumn air, making the house even colder. "I need to get a fire going."
"Wait talk to me? She wants to talk to me? About what?" Annoyingly Trisha followed Ami around, like a lost puppy, from room to room, even as she gathered firewood from outside the house to put in the fireplace.
"I don't know. But clearly a lot needs to be said, don't you think?"
Trisha blinked, then hugged herself tighter, staring down at the floor. "I'm so confused. And angry. And..." She remembered what she had seen with her brother and that priest. It wasn't a dream. It had all been real, and it was too much for her to handle. She just stopped talking.
Ami could feel pity for Trisha...after all her brother had been lost to the murdering claws of Goliathus. But liking her was a whole different story. Truth be told, she just wanted her gone.
Gone. Like this nightmare of a life. Back to her little cabin in the woods. Back to safety and normalcy.
Mumma! You ok mumma?
Ami went to Solarus and picked him up, nuzzling him close. I'm ok. Let's go see grandmomma for a minute, hm?
As she left the house, Trisha followed, but still said nothing. Ami hardly noticed, she was more intent on making sure Alonus was all right. But by the time she got back out to the clearing, Alonus was nowhere in sight.
She must have gone back into the cave...
Barabas too, had gone, as if he had never been there at all. But Ami silently thanked him for pretty much saving her life. Who knew what Goliathus was going to do with her had he succeeded in flying off.
"Trisha, you stay here. I need to check on something."
The older, blonde woman shook her head fiercely. "No, don't you leave me here all alone!"
"Go back into the house and just wait for me. You'll be fine."
Trisha stared at her dubiously but slowly headed back for the house, looking over her shoulder several times before finally stepping inside.
Sighing Ami held Solarus a little closer and went towards the cave. If Alonus was brave enough to confront her son in that hell hole, that she had to be too.
/
This is a madness, Goliathus. A madness which you are repeating throughout the centuries.
Her son was ignoring her, working furiously on sewing up his latest kill. It seemed however, that he was barely focused on what he was doing, angrily stabbing the needle into the preserved flesh over and over and making poor progress.
When will you put aside all this hatred and anger? When will you realize what you are trying to deny to yourself?
The needle stabbed viciously through the arm of his victim and hit a bone, breaking it. Snarling, he got up from his makeshift stool and rummaged through an old, rusty metal desk drawer for another one. Finding none, he howled out his fury.
Get out of my cave, mother. You and I have nothing in common. You worship those humans, and I loathe them. Go away, and leave me be.
Alonus felt the sting to her heart at those words, but she held her ground. I will go nowhere.
Then...get out of my way! He shoved her aside as he stormed past, heading for the entrance.
Where are you going now?
To get more supplies. I have no more needles.
The matter-of-fact way in which this was stated disturbed Alonus greatly. Listen to what you are saying? Who cares about needles? Why is this so important to you...to do this mutilation you call art?
He paused for a long moment, teeth grinding. It is what father did. He was an artist, I am an artist. I do it to please father.
Please him? He is not pleased at all to know you murder humans by the thousands and put them on walls! Paint, Goliathus, use paint and brushes! Not bones and skins sown together!
He turned, meeting her stare with narrowed eyes. Paint and brushes. They have no life in them, mother. No expressions, no blood...no energy. He smirked slightly. You cannot feel the agony of a paintbrush like you can feel the life bleeding out of a human onto your canvas. He looked over at the cave walls. My home becomes my canvas. And daily I can look at it, reminding me of the pain and torment I have caused them.
Alonus shook her head, silenced. Goliathus only grinned at her more wickedly. Now I suppose, you understand. He flew out of the cave, leaving his mother standing there and feeling her task impossible.
/
Goliathus only went a short distance before he noticed Ami down below, walking towards the cave with the child in her arms.
Solarus. His training needed to start soon...now was as good a time as any.
He swept down towards her. Ami quickly bent down, trying to shield her eyes and her son from the kicked up dirt and debris caused by his wingbeats.
Goliathus landed squarely in front of her, effectively blocking her path.
The child, human. Hand him over. I will start his training now.
Daddy?
Come, Solarus.
Ami, horrified, only clung to her baby tighter. But Goliathus started to growl in warning.
I told you what your choices were. I suggest you make the right one.
Nuuu daddy. I stay here with mumma.
You will not. You will come with me. Goliathus reached out and grabbed Solarus, who gave a slight squeak of surprise at the rough handling.
Mumma? He reached out his little chubby arms towards her, his big eyes moist and blinking.
Ami was too scared and upset to respond. She merely stared at Goliathus in horror.
Mumma! Solarus turned towards his father and gave him an angry pout. You no take Sollie. Stay with mumma. Daddy is mean! Sollie no like you!
Goliathus snorted. Your mother cannot teach you what I can. No more arguing.
He opened his wings and took off into the sky abruptly. Solarus cried out, kicking and clawing at him.
Ami stood, frozen and watching them until she could see them no more.
/
Goliathus flew on for quite some time. Halfway through the flight Solarus had gone quiet and sullen.
You are a heradus, and so you need to learn hunting.
I hunt. Solarus kept an angry pout stubbornly plastered onto his scrunched up face. I hunt squirl, in tree. I no stupid.
Squirrel? Goliathus snorted in disgust. Not little rodents. Humans. I will teach you how to find them, how to sniff them out, and watch them run like frightened rabbits. He grinned. Much better than any squirrel.
Solarus attempted to snort in response, although it sounded a bit more like a hiccup. No hoomans. Mumma say no hoomans...mumma is hooman! Grandmumma say no hoomans! I eat squirls! Rabbits good, though. Where rabbits, daddy?
His father did not respond, as his anger grew. He knew all along the human woman would ruin the child, make him too soft and therefore useless as a predator. Squirrels and rabbits. A disgrace to be reduced to such fare.
You WILL learn to hunt humans. I will show you.
Having finally come to his destination, a camp ground, he landed a few yards off, nearly silent. He hid behind a large tree and peered around, watching the activity. Solarus was clearly getting upset, squirming in his arms.
No eat hoomans.
There was still some light as it was early evening, but the day was cloudy and a bit cold. Goliathus noticed several humans fishing in a nearby lake. Completely distracted in their hobby, they were easy targets.
Now you stay here, and watch Solarus. Watch closely.
He set his son down at the base of the tree, and quietly crept into the surrounding woods, attempting to remain unseen. That he was good at, and while he moved he fished out a long blade from the pocket of his duster, keeping a close eye on one particular man who was bigger and taller than the rest.
Solarus watched the fisherman. One made a strange sort of loud happy sound and yanked a big one out of the water while another human beside him grinned and patted him on the back.
Fishie! Solarus got to his little feet, ready to toddle over to them, but remembered his father's stern words. Frowning, he sat back down and played with his toes as he watched the strange long objects with strings continue to pull one fish after another out of the water.
The pile of fish was growing as the men put them in a big plastic bucket. They talked about eating good tonight as they pried the fish off their hooks.
Goliathus grinned to himself. There definitely would be some good eating tonight. He crept a bit closer, aiming for the larger of the two. Right square in the back, towards the right, where the heart was. That was what he needed to aim for. He drew back his clawed hand, eyes now focused and intent. Like a coiled spring, any second he would release...the man reached down, putting more bait on his hook. Stepped to the side slightly.
Perfect... now...
The weapon flew forward, but was quickly blocked by a flash of black and a sound like flapping canvas.
I told you! No more humans!
Alonus turned and shrieked at the fisherman. They screamed, dropping eveything from fishing poles to the recent catches, and ran off in different directions towards their vehicles. In mere minutes, the trucks and SUVs were down the road, nearly out of sight and kicking up huge clouds of dust.
Goliathus let out his eerie call and spun around towards his mother, his eyes unnaturally wide. However, he didn't attack her. In her arms she held a small deer, perhaps a yearling.
If you're hungry, this will do.
They stared at each other for what seemed endless minutes. Finally he snorted and turned away, but did not take the deer.
Give it to Solarus.
She tilted her head back slightly, eying him suspiciously. That's a good idea. A great one, in fact. Little Solarus, come here.
He perked up at the sound of his grandmother's voice, peering from around the tree he still sat beside.
No hoomans?
No little one. Never a human. I have this deer for you.
Deer! Solarus put his small hands on the ground to push himself onto his feet, his little wings flexing for balance. He came over to her quickly.
Daddy say watch! Hunt the hoomans. But Sollie don't want hoomans, grandmumma. Hewadus no eat hoomans, they fwiends?
She picked him up and rubbed noses. We would like them to be friends. But many of them don't understand us and fear us, so you need to be careful. In fact, you really can't let them see you, unless it's your mother. Understand? Someday maybe, you will find a human friend or two.
Solarus nodded, but the confusion in his eyes lingered. She lay the deer beside him as she put him down, and he eagerly began to tear into it.
While you sit here and selfishly try to fulfill your own hunger, you ignore the needs of your son. You snatch him away from his mother who is far more capable of rasing him than you are.
He must learn.
Learn what? He is learning already in my eyes. Learning that although he loves his father, he must not listen to him. He knows you are wrong. He feels it in his little bones. You frighten him, and he worries you will hurt Ami.
Goliathus continued to stare at her icily, but it seemed his fire had gone out. He scraped the ground with his feet, throwing small rocks aside.
You do not deserve a child, Goliathus. And it is for the best that you allow Ami and I to raise him. I will not...I will NOT, allow you to corrupt his beautiful nature. He is like my mother and father. Like many I can remember now as the memories slowly return. I am going soon, to go and find Dinarius. Solarus needs a protector,a real teacher, a guardian. From you.
Her son remained silent, his face unreadable.
And for Ami. She loves you, and she has never done anything to turn against you. You tore her from her home. Raped her repeatedly. She got pregnant, and had the child without attempting to harm it or herself. You torment her daily, playing with her emotions and breaking her heart...and yet still she loves you. I fear she would love you even as your claws tore out her throat. Therefore, she needs a guardian too. I will certainly do what I can to protect this rare and precious human, but I cannot be around every minute. By finding my nephew, I believe I will solve that problem. He is nearly as big and strong as you are, if not an even match. You will find things will not be so easy anymore, my son.
When she finally paused, Goliathus chuckled dryly. Every day you prove to me how much of a fool you are. This Dinarius...I doubt you will ever find him. And even if you do, he will be no match for me. His expression changed, and he shifted, his mood seeming to turn uneasy despite his defiant words. As for Ami you can relax. She is right, I will not kill her. But this is because she is a breeder. A treasure, a possession. I will make use of her body again, she is ripe for more children.
Alonus snarled, snapping her wings angrily. You will make certain this is also her desire first. Do not forget about your father. He is conserving what energy remains even as we speak, but until he is certain you have changed, he will stay and stop you at every turn. Even when I am not here. I know he can only do so much, but a spirit as strong as his is not to be contended with. He will not rest until he knows his goals are accomplished. And by the way, listen to how you lie to yourself. You said mere hours ago that you had no more use for Ami. And now you speak of wanting more children.
Slowly he looked away from her, growling. He turned, unfurling his huge wings, and took off without another word.
/
Damn it all to hell. His hunger now fierce, Goliathus had no choice but to find one of those tasteless deer to feast on. Finding them was not difficult, either...they were all over the forests of these lands. Apparently their own natural predators were scarce, allowing for overpopulation.
Tons and tons of dull, boring, and tasteless meat. Still...
He banked to his left, following a strong scent of the animals further up a large hill. As he neared the crest, he saw some moving, feeding on the grass below.
Sighing, he angled down towards them.
It would do for now. But one way or the other, he was going to get more human flesh the second he got the opportunity. His mother's words still echoed in his mind. Her mother and father? What were their names? Did they look like her, black as the night...or like him, grey as the rocks of the mountains?
And this Dinarius...as strong as he was? Someone to challenge him? He chuffed loudly, grimacing. Not possible. Even as he fell upon the first deer and they scattered in utter panic, he wondered if he would ever really have the chance to find out.
/
"He's all right, Ami. Brave little Solarus, he knew better than to listen to his father." Alonus had returned, and was handing over the child to a very relieved Ami. Hanging in the not too-far distance was Trisha, staring at them uneasily.
"Well. I must deal with this woman, it can not be put off any longer."
Ami turned to look back at her briefly. "But what are you going to do? She just isn't going to listen."
"Don't be so sure. Barabas' daughter was afraid of me at first, but after we talked for a time, she grew fond of me. And I of her. It just takes time." She seemed so certain of this as she walked closer to Trisha.
Alonus is so hopeful. I hope she isn't going to be disappointed. But her faith in humans...she has to be admired for that.
As Alonus got closer, Trisha took a few steps back. Ami decided it best to walk away and leave them to talk. Besides, she had someone she needed to talk to as well. Ami crept away with Solarus, heading for the cave.
Not noticing at all, Alonus kept her gaze upon Trisha. "You have nothing to fear from me. Now please, take a seat." She gestured towards the crude logs near the firepit. Trisha slowly moved to sit, watching her every move.
Alonus came and sat nearby, making sure she wasn't too close. Even so, Trisha acted as if she wanted to get up and bolt at any second.
"Did you hear the message from your brother?"
The question surprised Trisha. "How do you know about that?"
"Well Barabas told me he would do this. He said it was important that you heard what your brother wanted to tell you. Now, did listen?"
"He has to be crazy!" Trisha blurted out. "I have to avenge him...and destroy-"
"No. What you have to do is understand what you are not seeing. Revenge will solve nothing. It never did for any of our kind. Look what it did to my son, you know. And Ramonus, and a few others who fell even before him."
"What...what are you talking about? Whose Ramonus?" Trisha wrapped her coat around herself a bit more tightly, as there was a distinct chill in the air.
"My grandfather."
Trisha shook her head, still having trouble with the reality of what she was being told. "A family? There are whole families of you mon-..." she stopped herself, and bit her bottom lip. "Heradus? That's what you're called, right?"
"Yes. And of course we had families. Look, I know it's a lot to take in, and I don't expect everything to be fine in one discussion. But please...bring no harm to my grandson." She gave a hard, lingering stare, her expression darkening. "You have had your vengeance on my son. Now leave the rest to me...and Ami. If you continue this mission of yours...you will only find that in the end...you will fail, and quite possibly you will lose your life as a consequence."
Trisha actually managed to jut our her chin defiantly. "Don't threaten me, lady. I have lots of money, lots of power...and lots of weapons."
Alonus smirked. "Yet here you are...trapped, with none of those things. No money, no power...and no weapons." As Trisha's face fell, she continued. "What you have is me protecting you from my son who wants nothing more than to let you join your brother on the other side. I suggest that for your sake, you cooperate, and listen to what I am telling you."
Grunting Trisha searched her pockets for her cell phone . But they were empty. She had absolutely no way of contacting anyone, to call for help or otherwise. And yet...they should come searching for her...soon...
"Fine. You got me there. We'll call it an uneasy truce...for now."
Alonus frowned. "I had hoped for more than that."
"You'll just have to be satisfied with that." Trisha stood up. "Where's my cell phone? It was in my pocket."
"Cell phone?" Alonus blinked.
"Never mind." With that she turned and headed back for the house, the only place that seemed to give her some semblance of sanity.
/
Goliathus was almost done eating his third deer when his eyes caught something moving a few yards off.
Did you actually follow me all the way here?
Ami stood watching him with moist eyes. She pulled at the sides of her tattered robe nervously.
Alonus will think I am crazy and probably yell at me later, but I wanted to talk to you.
Where is the child?
He is safe in the cave.
He went back to eating. Ami sat down on the long grass and leaves, and just waited patiently for him to finish.
Finally, after nearly an hour, of which he seemed to purposefully draw out things, he stood up and stared at her, eyes unblinking.
My mother said something that I actually agree with.
Oh...what's that?
He slowly formed a wicked, leering grin, as usual. She said that you would love me, even if I chose to tear your throat out.
Ami's breath hitched, as her fingers twirled and pulled at the grass.
What a horrible thing to say.
Well, she said it.
And you're saying this to me, because you love to watch me cry, don't you? Yes, the tears were back. She could taste the salty warmth on her lips. Always feeling so weak and helpless against him. How she hated it.
You ARE weak, and you ARE helpless. He chuckled. But... He started to draw closer to her, flexing his claws as he walked. Ami couldn't move, she tried, but her muscles didn't comply. This was the true meaning of being paralyzed with fear. Still, she tried to compose herself and kept her eyes riveted to his.
You can still have a purpose. I think you should get down on your hands and knees.
Ami knew this was no suggestion but most certainly a demand. But she still couldn't move and her big eyes questioned him even as more tears fell.
He growled, but Ami caught the seductive tone. He was still grinning and had come quite close to her, just inches from her face.
You could try and calm my anger. They say it works.
I-I don't understand, what are you talking about? She raised a brow. And whose they?
He snorted, already irritated at her. I speak in general terms. And I don't know what you humans call it, I only know it sounds rather fun.
Ami finally pryed her eyes away from his stare only to see his erection right in her face. She managed to back away a few inches, but he moved like lightning and quickly snatched her wrist, pulling her closer again, the wiry hairs now tickling her face.
Hmmm, my little pet. Go on, calm me. He was still grinning at her with glistening teeth. Ami was so shocked she didn't know what to feel. He couldn't actually be suggesting that she-she... the mental image of what he was implying flashed through her mind. Of course he picked up on it, none of her own damned thoughts were hers anymore.
Yes. I am suggesting. He was purring now, that deep, vibrating growl that sent wicked shivers down her spine. His very presence intoxicated her as much as she feared him.
I- can't. Her face turned beet red. I...don't know how. Now she had to sit here and admit her lack of sexual experiences. She was humiliated and knew he was probably relishing every moment of it.
Goliathus hardly seemed to pay any attention to her statement. He was so highly aroused that he merely pushed more insistently against her, his clawed hands gripping onto her shoulders. Ami tried to drown all of this out...to pretend it wasn't happening, but he kept pushing against her so much that she feared he might break her jaw. Having no other choice she opened her mouth and he jammed his cock inside, going to the back of her throat and nearly choking her.
Oh god, oh god...
Ami certainly wasn't going to fight him in any real sense, she knew better, but every part of her did want to bite down on him.
He seemed to tense and growl in frustration as the seconds went on. Ami's eyes were tightly shut, fighting back the tears as she tried to start sucking, but his cock was too big and stretching her mouth painfully. She could barely breathe let alone try to pleasure him in this fashion.
Stop it, STOP IT!
He pulled away, allowing her to get a blessed breath, but this moment of respite ended quickly with a painful slash across her chest. Too shocked to scream, Ami just trembled and stared at him wide-eyed as the blood trickled down over her breasts. He snarled.
I think you are supposed to be doing something.
I CAN'T, with you fucking nearly choking me!
How pathetic. Then what use have I for you, if you can't even act like the bitch you are, and pleasure your master?
He grabbed her again, bringing her up close to his face and digging his claws ever so painfully into her sides.
No, Goliathus! No!
Listen to how you squeal like a bleeding pig. He laughed. Should I put you on a spit, and roast you like one as well?
Ami was beyond terrified at this point. Shivers of fear and pain were wracking her body, and she didn't know what to do. A memory suddenly came to her of their first meeting. How she had appeased him then. She knew she had better try something, even as she wondered where Alonus was. Surely...she would come soon?
I am blocking her out so she doesn't know what is going on. We can do that, you know. Goliathus snorted and licked some of the blood off of her chest. Ami squirmed, the wounds burned as he did so.
Please Goliathus...why are doing this to me? Why?
He titled his head, as if actually contemplating that question. Because you will not pleasure me, and I told you that if you were not good for this, then I have no other use for you. His eyes narrowed. My mother has been denying me human flesh. You can blame her. It is making me...cranky. Deer. Forced to eat deer...
He bit down on her arm, and Ami shrieked so loud a bunch of birds in nearby trees burst out of hiding and took off into the sky at the sound. She flailed and kicked at him furiously, but his teeth only sank in deeper.
No, no, NO! Please let me go! I'll try, I promise, just let me go!
He did actually let go, the blood now pouring down her arm where he had bitten her.
Ami scrambled to her knees after he dropped her, trying to stop the hideous shaking of her body. Trying to ignore the pain of her wounds she reached with trembling fingers and grabbed his cock, guiding it back to her mouth. Goliathus seemed to instantly calm down, still breathing hard in his building bloodlust but watching to see what she would do.
She took the head into her mouth and sucked, trying to massage the rest of the length with her other hand. Goliathus groaned, obviously pleased with this, and started to purr all over again. Ami went on in this fashion, and as his groaning continued she increased the pressure and massaged him more roughly. After several more minutes of this he opened his wings and cried out his orgasm, filling her mouth so much that she coughed and sputtered, pulling back from him.
Hmm. Much better.
He finally stepped away, back towards the deer carcasses as if looking for anything he may have missed. Ami spat into the grass several times, then angrily wiped the sides of her mouth with her grungy sleeve, wincing at the soreness of her jaws.
I...I hate you! She screamed at him in her mind, still shaking and bleeding from the horrible event.
So? Should I care, that any human would hate me?
You're a fucking sick monster! To have raped me like this and forced yourself on me in such a fashion when I would have willingly done this for you...had you only asked. Ami drew out the last words, breaking down into sobs.
Hmph. So you say. But I always take what I want, when I want. Not when you want.
I HATE YOU! She got to her feet, her eyes blazing with fury drowning out her fear in the moment. "I HATE YOU!" She decided to scream it out loud too for good measure.
Good. Because I hate you just as much. I don't want this pathetic emotion you call love from any human. You are a breeder,and only good for breeding. When I choose. Now I hope this little lesson is over. He turned, glancing at her and then looking skyward.
Time to go home.
I fucking hate you.
Yes, you made that clear. We're going home. He walked briskly towards her and grabbed her tightly. If you kick and fuss too much, I'll drop you in mid-air. Then catch you just before you hit the rocks. We can have fun with that game too, if you'd like.
You're an asshole.
He chuckled a bit and then lifted himself into the sky with a few mighty wingbeats.
Good, mission accomplished. No more useless babbling and questions from this woman. He wanted her body for breeding, not her feckless emotions. She needed to fear him.
Not love him. Fear him.
/
End chapter 16.
Sorry for the delay in this chapter, but I lost power for a week due to hurricane Sandy. :/ And if the end of this chapter shocked you, good. That was my intention. ) There's a very good purpose for it though. Try to see the psychological aspects of it. Next chapter coming soon!