Chapter Eight- Acceptance

"A few criminals have been found, but no deaths, my pharaoh."

Atem nodded. "This confirms a theory I developed yesterday." He saw his court hanging on his every word. "I believe these attacks were done by…a werewolf."

"A werewolf, my pharaoh?" Aknadin asked. "May I ask why you believe this is so?"

"We had no attacks like this on the last cycle leading me to conclude the person is newly-turned. Also, all the attacks occurred during the full moon. My research points to werewolves only attacking humans and our only deaths were humans. I believe our werewolf is a criminal for a good person would have either killed themselves or turned themselves in after learning of deaths after the first or second night."

"My pharaoh, how will we find him?" Seto asked.

"There are signs, but two are linked to criminals. Those two are short temper and aggressiveness. The definitive sign is healing quickly. Any injury will be gone in seconds or minutes depending on the severity. Inflicting an injury is difficult as werewolves are exceptionally fast."

"Shall we test the criminals we have in the cells?" Seto asked.

"No. They will simply be judged. If we found our werewolf, the trial should reveal that. Mahad, have the first one brought up."

Mahad bowed and left the room. He thought of what Atem had revealed. Werewolves heal fast. That's interesting. He looked down at his Item, particularly the points. Holding the Ring in his right hand, he slashed a point across his left palm. He hissed in pain as it cut his skin, blood welling up. He carefully licked off the blood and watched as his wound healed itself in seconds, leaving smooth skin behind. Incredible and the pharaoh also said werewolves are fast, short-tempered, and aggressive. I will have to stay calm and patient to avoid attracting attention. The last thing I need is for the pharaoh or anyone else suspecting I'm the werewolf.

"You shouldn't have to conceal it," the shadows said, "You should be proud of what you are and if anyone threatens your life or lifestyle, you can just kill them."

More shadows swirled in his eyes as he replied slowly, "Yes. I will just kill any threats."

Mahad brought up the first prisoner, feeling confident and certain of his condition. He was proud of being a werewolf and disdainful that no one understood the gift he had been given. Yes, he had been horrified the first two nights he killed, but felt pleased on the last night. Yes, at first he considered it a curse, but reassurances from the shadows and the evil power of his Ring realigned his thinking. His curse was actually a gift. He was grateful that the shadows chose him to influence and guide.

The judging didn't take long and soon Mahad was out leading a small group of guards he hadn't killed. "Spread out. Take any criminals you find to the dungeons." The guards spread out in pairs, but Mahad went solo. There was no problem he couldn't handle as his magic was very powerful. He could reduce an opponent to dust if he chose and not think twice about it.

He rounded a bend and came face to face with a man bearing a smug grin and a knife. He pointed his weapon at Mahad. "I suggest you hand over your valuable if you know what's good for you."

"And I suggest you surrender," Mahad answered.

The man growled as he shoved Mahad against a wall and put the edge of the knife to the priest's throat. "Looks like you're the one who will surrender. Now, hand over your valuables!"

Mahad's eyes flared red as he shoved the knife aside and then slashed his hand across his assailant's throat. Blood poured down the man's front and the man dropped his weapon as his hands flew to his cut throat, feeling the blood flowing out and down. He sank to his knees, fell forward, and died.

Mahad stared coldly at the dead man with shadow-filled eyes and a thrill at killing someone while human. He glanced at his right hand and then did a double take before holding up both hands. He had the razor-sharp claws of a wolf on his fingers with the tips of the right claws tinged with blood!

He delicately licked off the blood even though he was shocked. How did I grow claws? Am I stuck with them?

"Your aggressive wolf behavior caused your claws to appear. You are not stuck with them; they'll retract in a few minutes."

His shock faded as he continued to lick his claws clean. "Interesting. It appears I severed the man's jugular."

"You did indeed. You are not upset that you killed him?"

"Why should I? I've killed countless people as a wolf even though I don't remember doing it."

"Correct and anytime you feel vicious or aggressive, a wolf feature will appear and disappear after a few minutes."

Mahad watched as his claws retracted into normal human fingernails. "I have something to confess to you. I am loyal to the darkness within me and I swear to faithfully serve you forever."

"We accept your vow and are rewarding you for it. You can now take wolf form outside the full moon. You will be able to use human speech and perform magic in wolf form. You can change whenever you desire, but you must take it when we order it."

"I understand and will follow your every instruction."

"Excellent. There are two guards coming. Mahad, transform and kill them."

"As you wish." Mahad instantly changed, pleased with the quick change. He was amazed that he was in control of his body while aware of his orders guiding his actions. He crouched down to wait for his victims. They rounded the corner and froze at the sight of the wolf. Mahad didn't hesitate; he lunged at them and tore out their throats; one with his claws and the other with his teeth. He growled and then laughed softly in satisfaction. He then ripped open the bodies to feast on them, desiring to eat while in control of himself. His ears were alert for the sounds of other approaching guards while he ate.

He left the scene once his hunger had faded and ran to another part of the city. Once hidden in the shadows, he looked over his wolf body for the first time. He was completely covered in black fur that blended in with the shadows. He craned his neck to see an enlarged body and legs due to his very large muscles that bulged under the skin. He was impressed with what he saw and was happy to be able to change as he or the shadows wanted.

He resumed human form and casually came out of hiding and the alley. He was still casual while searching for suspicious people when two guards ran up to him, stricken looks on their faces. He knew why they looked this way, but affected an alarmed expression at their faces. "What is it?" he asked.

"Master Mahad, three people dead. Two are guards and they've apparently been eaten. It's our wolf, sir."

"Correction: It's a werewolf. The pharaoh has declared it so and the signs we have witnessed point in that direction. It is imperative we arrest any criminals or suspicious people as they may be our werewolf."

The guards exchanged stunned looks at this revelation before resuming their patrol with fresh determination.

Mahad happily growled softly, a little surprised that he could make wolf sounds while human. Well, I was just granted the ability to freely changed and retain human speech and ability to use magic in wolf form. So, making wolf sounds as a human makes sense. He turned toward the palace. He had dungeons to inspect for criminals and a report for Atem. He knew Atem wouldn't be happy to hear that the wolf had just launched three daytime attacks.