I'm going to be taking a little break from posting stories. I'll resume on July 3rd. I just need to take a break.

Chapter Ten- Murder

Atem blinked as he looked at Mahad. "You're…leaving my service and the city?"

"Yes, my pharaoh. I have found a new purpose in life and wish to devote myself to it. I will give you one more day of service before I leave shortly before sundown today."

Atem nodded. "Very well. I will miss you, though."

"And I will miss you, my pharaoh." Mahad rose and left the Throne Room. Yes, I will miss Atem. We were close friends when he was the prince and we grew closer when he became pharaoh. What I have done in the past few days would horrify him but I feel pleasure from my crimes. Mahad put those thoughts on hold as he began his duties. Patrol was done in its usual non-Ring fashion. Mahad no longer cared that his Ring no longer detected evil. He hoped to discover other powers the Ring possessed in the coming days, weeks, and years.

"Master Mahad!"

The secret tomb robber turned to see two guards approach him with alarm. "What is it?"

"Two of our men were killed. It looks like an animal attack. There were paw prints in the sand and in blood around the bodies."

"Where?"

"Near the tomb of the previous pharaoh."

"Clean up the scene and then station yourselves at that tomb. I'll assign two more for night shift."

"Yes, Master Mahad." The guards headed off and Mahad pondered the information. Two dead guards and it had the appearance of an animal attack. It had to be Tyce. In his simple wolf mind, he likely saw the guards as food. He has most likely recalled his actions and feels awful about it. His murder may actually turn him into a criminal but I doubt it. Speaking of which, the tomb where the attacks took place. I have not touched it yet. I'll robe it in a couple of night and I will have no qualms over killing the guards as I will have already killed Tyce before then.

Mahad continued his duties. His students were sad and elated. They did not want to lose their master but were thrilled when told that with his departure, they were no longer apprentices. "I do expect you to keep studying and practicing," he told them.

"Yes, Master," Mana said. "We'll make you proud."

"I know you will. Now, follow me and I will show you where the rest of the spell scrolls reside."

These clothes will not do, he thought as he stood before his chamber mirror. I cannot continue to wear the robes of a priest. I'm a tomb robber and should wear clothes suited to it, but for now something simple will do. He began to use his magic to alter his clothes. When he was done, his cape had been discarded as well as his hat and cuffs. His robes had been shortened to a common man's clothes as well as design. He kept his shoes and the Ring and the moon pendent hung under his clothes. He nodded in approval. And I can acquire other clothes by robbing tombs and perhaps caravans too.

Mahad strode quickly out of the palace after bidding farewell to the court and Atem, his two accessories concealed with a spell. They were all sad to see him go but were happy that he was fulfilling his new purpose and wanting to devote himself to it. He had hinted that he may visit someday and he knew that he may do so in order to steal the other Items. He was certain there was darkness in them and he desired it. Yes, he would steal them and share their darkness with Bakura.

He had left the city for the desert with a sky turning vibrant colors as the sun sank. He licked his lips in anticipation of becoming a wolf again. He breathed deeply and then his nose flared. He smelled a human nearby. He headed toward it with the intention of robbing and maybe killing the human. He knew it wasn't Bakura; his boyfriend's scent was firmly locked in his memory. He sped toward the human and came to a halt a few feet away from his target who had also stopped. "Tyce," he said.

The young man said nothing at first, merely glared at Mahad. "I'll…kill you," he finally said, his voice choked with anger.

"Oh? You think so?"

"I know so," he shot back. "I killed two guards last night and I…I actually ate them." Tyce shook his head in clear disgust. "And it's your fault! You pushed me into the trap and I killed as a simple wolf. I can feel myself turning dark but I'm fighting it. Once you're dead, I'll turn myself in so I can be judged and sentenced."

"You won't be judged as I will kill you," Mahad said.

"You can't. You haven't killed anyone. I have. That gives me the advantage."

"That is true, but you seem to forget that you think as a simple wolf while I do not. I will be able to kill you easily." Mahad growled as the sun went down and he shifted into wolf form. He focused on Tyce who again was a simple but cursed wolf as his senses told him. Tyce went to his belly upon seeing Mahad and crawled to him, whining in submission. Mahad stared coldly at the submissive wolf, his cruel and vicious wolf side that came from the curse, bubbled up to the surface. He growled angrily before he leaped upon Tyce. His claws slashed and tore at the fur and skin while Tyce howled and yelped in pain and fear. The sounds spurred Mahad to greater brutality as he raked his claws over the body before he bit the smaller wolf who yelped in pain. Mahad's claws and teeth became a blur as he mauled Tyce. A flash of his claws across Tyce's throat brought the attack to an end as the black wolf laid on his side, eyes blank and unstaring, and his throat torn open.

Mahad panted from the attack before laughing in a maniacal manner loudly before howling in joy and success. Another howl responded before a silver wolf appeared on a dune before running down to the scene. Bakura looked down at the dead wolf and then at Mahad who had blood on his claws and muzzle. He looked at Tyce again. "Wow, you were brutal in your attack."

"Yeah," Mahad said with relish. "It was easy as he was still thinking as a normal wolf. He didn't fight back as I didn't give him a chance to retaliate. His sounds of pain and fear were music to me and pushed me to be brutal so I could hear more."

"Sounds like fun. It must be quite the sensation."

"It is. Especially in our current forms. Just think: We can choose who lives and who dies. It is a heady sensation."

Bakura licked his chops. "Oh, I would love to experience that feeling."

"I believe that can be arranged." Mahad began to lick his claws, paws, and muzzle clean, talking to Bakura in between licks. "Tyce killed two guards…guarding the tomb of the previous pharaoh. I assigned two for day shift…and two for night shift. I was planning…to rob that tomb in a day or two…but instead I'll do it now…so you can kill and experience how it feels."

"Perfect. Lead the way." Bakura let Mahad run off into the desert before following after him. The trek took hours but soon enough they were within view of the tomb. Both werewolves looked at each other, nodded, and summoned their monsters' invisibility. They slunk low as they approached the tomb and the split up to leap onto the guards. Mahad quickly and brutally killed his target, became visible, and then went into the tomb using the Foresight ability to avoid the traps. He used his magic to fill a sack and levitate it to follow him out. He emerged to see Bakura panting and his tail swishing. "That was great!" Bakura howled. "His screams were a pleasure to hear!"

"Now that you understand, we can ambush caravans and kill the travelers. We will spread a reign of terror and fear across the desert that no one can stop." Mahad laughed darkly and Bakura joined in. Mahad was grateful to Bakura for loving him and nudging him down a path of darkness. I have robbed and murdered. I cannot go back to being good. I am evil and I love it. He lowered the sack, crouched down, and leaped onto Bakura. The two of them tumbled and rolled over the sand, engaging in play and sex as only wolves can. Both slept in the other's forelegs, secure in their future together: A future as vicious, criminal werewolf mates.

The End