Smoldered Flames: Part I of the Edonia Series
Chapter 53

Eros

I’ve been on edge since I stepped foot on that damn ship. Sweaty bodies that pushed up against me didn’t help with my sanity. At all. Here we are, so close to my mate that I can taste her scent in the air. The sweetness of peaches and cinnamon with a dash of bonfire wood smoke is quite alluring on her. Besides the mate-bond igniting in proximity to Valeri, there is this sudden drive. This urgency to get through whatever trials they want to place us and save her.

Dull pains have traveled throughout my body, right down to my very being. The feeling as if someone is tearing me limb from limb and re-stitching them back again is driving my near insanity. I know the others felt it too. I was trained in the art of observance. So I noticed. I noticed the sweat dripping on Kamau’s face, and the stiff way he holds himself. I notice the way Daxter constantly scratches his arms as if something were crawling under his skin. I knew that Valeri would have multiple mates. She’s a powerful woman, why wouldn’t she? It just pisses me off that Cassius is out gallivanting somewhere with Jillian trying to live in his father’s shadow.

I put off thoughts of Valeri for the moment and focus on the now. The presence of the black-ringed werewolves force my hackles to rise. Something isn’t right about them. They remind me of machines; no life or sense of direction unless the operator wills it.

Mack rubs his hands together. “Now, unfortunately, we can’t allow you to shift. We can, however, allow weapons of your choice.”

My eyes take in the walls made of bleached bones and bloody sand. Weapons are strewn everywhere like a party gone wrong. Kamau will probably have an aneurysm by the end of the day. I smirk at this. He’s always been anal about shit like that. His father had him trained by the very best and expected not even an ounce of imperfection. I spot a few weapons that could be of use to me.

A crowd leaks into the benches of the coliseum. Heavily armed male fill up the first few rows, which is to be expected. What isn’t expected were the many hooded figures following behind more armed males. Instead of the worn leathers and hides, this group sports graphite leather suits with a far darker hood covering half of their faces and masks that are similar to what our enforcers wear. Except, the suits have a gorilla skull eating the sun as its emblem.

The clink of metal on metal interrupts my thoughts as the sound bounces off the cold stone walls and five guards saunter in. They each wear slightly loose, dark blue leather-like material, half of their faces are cowed over with spiked hoods and a black mask to hide their identity.

Mack dashes for a set of steps connecting to the stadium before making an announcement. “Let us begin!”

Soon, a gunshot rings in the air and the wolves are pushing and shoving against one another for the nearest weapon. I see a few of my favorite weapons lying around. I attempt to grab the longsword, but a wolf growls while snatching away. I would’ve put up a fight, but I want to conserve whatever energy reserve I have at my disposal. Getting into a scuffle was not what I would like to use my energy on. Since leaving the mainland, I haven’t fed. But don’t worry, I’m not weakened by the latest. Besides, the sword is blunt and therefore useless in my hand. A rusted trench knife lies under the scarlet sand.

I look over and see that Kamau wields a wicked double-bladed ax, while Daxter checks out a recurve bow. Simple, but deadly in the right hands. The werewolf Beta decides on twin knives, and the others on simple training swords.

Two rounds of shots pop in the air. I duck as a werewolf aims an ax at my head. He takes another jab, but I whirl out of the way before running in a blur, striking the knuckle in his face. Just as he crumbles to the ground, another takes his place. Arrows fly and more wolves fall where they stand. Heads roll in Kamau’s wake. His body, a moving blur. Even Beta Jaques is a force to be reckoned with.

Blood feeds the Earth as werewolves hack through limbs with dull weapons. People shout and scream, demanding more, thirsting for more. I move like a hurricane; wild and brutal, sparing no one. Survival of the fittest after all. Blood pours like a storm. Drops of it hit my lips, but instead of moaning in ecstasy, I about doubled over as wave after wave of nausea hit. I try to shake it off and continue the “culling”. Since the Winter Solstice, I haven’t been able to consume anyone’s blood besides my destined mate. Luckily I can feast upon anyone’s lust at any time. Even if the thought sends shivers of disgust throughout my body.

A shout rings into the air just as my blade sinks into another werewolf. I turn around and see one of Beta Jacques’ wolves almost cleaved in two. The beta and his remaining wolf double over in phantom pain, their screams echoing against the wall of bones. It goes unnoticed by other similar cries. When nearly half the amount of males stand, the gun is fired and the crowd goes wild.

A slow round of applause ensues. “My, my, my. It seems the ground gets bloodier with every culling.” I follow the slimy voice to a familiar figure. Alaric, I snarl silently. He looks rather pale at the sight of blood, the coward. “I do believe our newest additions deserve a pallet of cotton for bed tonight. Don’t you agree, Mack?”

Mack shifts nervously. “Yes, yes I agree.”

Alaric smiles widely. “Perfect. Rest well pups. When the day breaks you will enter the next stage of a reformed life. Ta-ta now.”

**********

Valeri

The balmy breeze brings soothing comfort. The waves of the sea washes over me with relief. I look over at Papa and he raises a single hand with a chuckle, all the while sipping tropical coconut rum from a coconut cup with an umbrella. The bright yellow palm tree button up is a wonderful contrast from his umbre skin. You can tell he was once a handsome man with his square jaw and sharp eyes. He’s got the whole “dadbod” down pat. Tall, a little on the husky side, but still fit enough to let someone know he could still beat their ass if they threaten his family.

“Little Helena, what are you up to?” he asks, strolling up beside me.

I give him a toothy grin. “Just thinking about how you would beat someone’s ass for messing with little ’ol me.”

Papa cuts a severe look my way. “Language, little firefly,” he then returns a smile of his own. “Helena?”

“Yes, Papa?”

“I want you to know something.” I give him my undivided attention. “I want you to remember all of the training I’ve provided you. Always remember that your life has a greater purpose than this. When the world is dark, remember that you can restore its light. When the nights are cold, know that you will bring a hearth that can rival a thousand suns.”

I scrunch up my eyebrows in confusion. “Wha-?”

Papa holds both sides of my face in his big, calloused hands. “You are blessed with longevity. I am not so lucky.” he taps the place where my heart no longer beats. “I hope that what I have taught will help in your time of need. I pray to whatever deity listening that you remember this current life which has been filled with love and light so when things get dark,” he taps my head, “you have them here.” Before I can speak, he gives a crushing hug, and I return it.

Safe. I am safe.

Sharp pain burst from my heart. Like icy claws tearing away at its seams. The memory starts to fade to the back of my mind. I’m slammed back into reality and a scream rips from my throat. The pain I felt surpasses what Sirus has done to my body. It surpasses my time spent on the Earthen plane. No. This pain felt as if a part of my soul had me shredded from my very being. But all too soon it disappears, leaving a smiling Sirus above me.

He shivers in ecstasy, reveling in my agony. “Wow! I couldn’t get you to scream like that!” Sirus takes a bloody hand in a lover’s caress. I whimper at the contact with tears leaking from my eyes. “Shhh. There, there now. It’s alright. We are almost done, I promise.”

Sirus traces a scalpel along my face. Its frigid blade slashes through my face. Warmth pools around my neck. Just as he begins anew, the door is flung open. Light footsteps stride with purpose and my traitorous heart pitter-patters with hope.

“I thought you were done with the hybrid, Sirus.” a strong accented voice whispers.

“Little rabbit brings me joy, Aisha. Tell me, how long has it been?”

“It’s been five days, Sirus. Five. You still have your part to play before the ritual takes place.” she huffs in annoyance.

“Ahh, yes. I have to be cleansed.” he laughs. “Why be cleansed, just to have blood on your hands again?”

“Well, get this out of your system now, Sirus. The sacrifice requires a quick, but precise death.”

Sirus looks down at me, and then at the female named Aisha. “Ugh, fine! But you will make up for the time lost, dear Aisha.” he draws the scalpel down to my neck and then to my exposed chest cavity. “Little rabbit, little rabbit. It looks like our time is at an end.”

A silver glint catches my eye as he raises the scalpel in the air. My eyes widen when his hand arcs down in a flash, cutting away at my heart. I don’t give him the bliss from my pain. All I feel is this numbing finality. All of this pain, sacrifice, unrequited love… and for what end? Nothing. I get nothing from it.

Well no.

I do get something from it.

I get…

HATE.

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