Late Twilight

A distant howl from Sardonix and his pack, called forth Onyx and his own pack. As the sun went down, the Lycans cleared the camp.

None of the other whores dared to escape and refused to follow, so it was just Silvia and I running off into the forest.

We silently agree not to communicate until we know it's safe enough to do so. Otherwise voices travelled far in the thick of the trees.

I lead the way, my eyes better attuned to the dark.

For about an hour or so, Silvia and I travel without interruption.

We both consider that quite lucky, I think because we assumed we'd be pounced on much sooner. But there were no signs of Lycans in the forest near us, and so we managed to escape quite far down the unknown path.

Now we take a break when we round a bend that lights up with blue and green glow bugs and butterflies, around a sweet little pond.

I stand on a slippery root of a tree, while Silvia walks around the pond and admires the tranquillity of our neat little spot.

"It's so peaceful here," Silvia whispers, looking at me, "This was a good idea, Cleo. Considering how it'll eventually end with our demons – this beautiful moment, filled with peace, is worth it. I'm always in hell or the shadows, the club or in a cage... it's all timeless fun... but this is a rare freedom. Open ended too. We can choose any direction. Where should we go next? Maybe we can keep evading them, and play a little hide and seek."

I have no answer right away, so I glance up to the sky first.

I see the sparkling stars, deep blue night... and as I swivel my head, I see the bright red moon, shining down into my eyes. It almost blinds me, sending me into an almost panic.

I quickly look away, averting my gaze.

It almost burned my eyes with it' large amount of demonic energy. Someone had charged the moon with spells. I'd say Sardonix and his brothers had been guilty of that.

Silvia follows where my gaze had been, and she immediately experiences the same sensation, mimicking my extreme sense of panic.

We should move.

We don't say it out loud, but we go together.

I quickly take the lead, running deeper into the forest.

I know I have to sprint, I feel something coming.

Silvia is right behind me, sensing the same urgency.

But we're too slow.

We have to go faster!

The deeper I lead us? The darker it gets.

"STOP," Silvia screams, reaching me as I slow, she barges into me, and she grabs my arm, swinging me around to her, she is whispering madly, "See how dark it is? We're entered the Corridor to Die," she seems panicked, "This leads straight to Hell, Cleo. Other demons might find us. We have to go back. We went too far. F-Fuck!!!"

She swears when she sees something move to the side of us.

I've seen it too.

We both freeze. The bugs cease to make noise. Abrupt silence suffocates us, as I spin to her and she spins as well, we are back to back as we turn around and take in all directions, looking for a safe way out of this dark corridor.

We hear a twig snap to our left, and when we both look again, we see a demon. Close.

Getting closer.

Two red-yellowish eyes from a giant emerald orc with horns and razor teeth, glowing in the red blood moon. He smiles but doesn't make a noise.

We both scream when we realise it's not our fluffy cute Lycans.

Silvia and I immediately sprint in opposite directions.

This was very fucking bad!

I can hear thumping vibrate through the earth, at first it sounds like it's getting distant, but he's quickly back on my trail.

The orc is coming after me. He chose me as the target.

At least Silvia will live!

I am running so fast, I have to gasp in breaths as I whack away tree branches but not fast enough to stop the thorns and sharp edges cutting me up.

I cannot out run him.

There is no way!

I have only avoided capture so far by dodging between thicker and thicker trees, which get closer and closer together.

Eventually I've entered a thick bramble, and I drop to my knees and hands, crawling deeper into the bushes.

Everything cuts and hurts, but I see bunnies also hiding ahead, so I am in a safe place.

I come to a stop by the cowering baby rabbits and their two parents, and when I look around the tiny den, I even see a scared fox.

All of us cower in the thick bush, allies in hiding.

There is renewed silence behind me.

I look and I see two green feet with overgrown black toes. And a large rusted sword, dragging in the soil as he circles the bush.

Oh, no. I'm done for.

But then I hear a jangle.

A jangle of jewellery.

What the fuck.

I recognise it.

More precisely, it's the jangle of piercings, being shaken by a Lycan's head.

On the other side of the bush, I see black claws, furless skin, and gold paint over his legs.

When I look up, I see a miracle.

Anubis is eyeing the orc.

"My kill," the orc says, dry and final.

There is a whistle through the air.

I hear an awful crunch, and when I look at the orc, half his body has been sliced off, and the top side of his torso falls first into the dirt. Some kind of giant spear split through his spine, killing him instantly.

Anubis turns to his pack, who jump out from the trees.

"Good throw, Heaven," Anubis compliments his own.

My heart races. His beautiful dark voice. So smooth, so brutal!

Anubis turns back to the bushes, where I cower out of sight.

"Go home, Cleo," he growls down at me.

Anubis knows it's I!

He turns to go, his claws clicking away from me.

What the –

"Wait," I gasp, crawling out to him, "Anubis!" I cry out his name, struggling to free myself from the bush, he keeps walking away with his pack. They had entered the forest with the blood moon as their guide. He saved my life. He deserved a thank you! His giant back is turned away from me as he walks on. He pays me no attention. I go from crawling to sprinting, "WAIT!"

Anubis changes drastically, from walking away calmly, to letting an unholy and demonic snarl rip through the forest – as he spins back to me.

It's a warning to stop.

I skid to a halt and fall to my hands and knees, after losing my balance.

When I look up at him, his teeth are bared and his anger is almost as real as the last time we were together in his Temple.

"Do you feel time?" I whisper.

"We are hungry," Anubis does not answer me, but he leans down and drools in front of me, "Go away."

"Why not eat me?" I ask, sitting back on my heels, "I'd make a fine dinner."

Anubis pauses, looking me over "...you are as clueless as the first day I fell for your idiotic ideas..."

"I also love you very much," I squeak, hands clasped together as I stand up and step closer to him, looking up with wide eyes, "I always have. I always will –"

"And I... will always live with the dead," Anubis snarls at me, reprimanding me, "Stay with the living."

He is cold and unemotional as he looks me over again.

"...with... with Onyx...?" I whisper, "You want me to –?"

"I want you to forget me," Anubis bares his fangs, "...fuck off...or I'll kill you myself..."

My heart almost cracks, "But I –"

He turns around, "You are a thorn in my side bitch..." Anubis speaks so quietly.

"Do not forget me," I whisper.

Anubis does not respond, he walks away with his pack. I stay where I am.

They disappear into the darkness. Into the deeper shadows.

But as they do, I notice something he left on the ground.

A rose quartz stone.

It shimmers with powerful fae magic.

Ooo.

Shiny.

I look around briefly, and then I take a step toward it, hand out.

"...he who protects the dead... can revive the dead... or even heal eternal wounds... I made contact with him to bring back your magic... tiny... fairy..."

That... oh, no, that is a sadistic voice... a voice I am not ready to hear.

I turn my head to see Sardonix leaning on a tree, in human form, his white hair has a red sheen from the blood moon, while his blood moon eyes penetrate my soul.

I hold my hands stiff at my sides, as I glance between Sardonix and the rose quartz left behind.

"What are you waiting for," Sardonix whispers, "Pick it up."

He knew what it was?

Now I hesitate.

"I don't... trust you..." I murmur, "Even as a human, I can tell, you wish I was dead, and that urge is as strong as your need to fuck me."

"All in good time, pick up the rock," Sardonix teases me with a mean streak I don't deserve right now, "...you wanted him didn't you... more than me... more than the King of Lycans himself..."

I lick my lips, "...so?"

"I'll fix you, make you see sense," Sardonix promises me. I have no idea what he means by that.

"...so you got me a gift? Well... let's see," I gulp as I take a step to the rock, and I get down on my knees. I hover my fingers above it. It feels familiar. My small Fate... was missing a lick of flame.

My ability to read auras.

To trick and deceive.

To be invisible.

To fly.

It was all in this rock.

"What is the catch?" I ask Sardonix, with my fingers over the rock, not yet touching the gemstone.

"You've been caught, there is nothing to catch," Sardonix snaps impatiently... harsh...

Truth.

He is telling the truth.

I feel it through the magic siphoning through my finger, without even touching it.

It's real. I trust it now.

I grab the rose quartz in my palm and I lift it up.

As I do, wisps of magic spread out and wind around me, kissing my skin with the sweetest touch.

I giggle uncontrollably as it surges through me, tying wings to my back, pushing magic into my nose and through my open mouth and ears and wide delighted eyes. Anubis' wound a spell into this stone for me. What a sweetheart!

Before I know it, I'm flying a few feet off the ground, my wings fluttering and keeping me afloat.

The only difference? I am human size.

In the air, I can see further through the forest.

Through the dense trees, I see two crimson eyes, pierced at the eyebrows, looking longingly back at me.

Anubis... far away now... he is desperately lonely, but he is different... he is... at peace?

I tilt my head and land on my feet, curious by his change.

Did Anubis grow more patient over time?

I glance to Sardonix, to read his aura next.

I wince, and take a step back.

"What?" Sardonix smirks, "Scared of what you see?"

Surprised. Actually.

His entire aura, is covered in a deep blooming red.

He's falling for me. But not sweetly. Violently.

I didn't know Lycans could love so deeply.

I stare in amazement.

"Thank you," I whisper shyly at Sardonix, blushing, "For my magic."

"You're welcome, tiny," Sardonix holds out a hand, blinking slow, "...so there's something we need to talk about."

"HmmMM?" I shrug, pretending to be oblivious.

"...you're meant to be in a cage... my father told me..." Sardonix murmurs, "But for some reason, you are out here. Why."

"I got out of the cage," I say.

"So you disobeyed Onyx," Sardonix says, dry, losing humour. His aura changes. A hardness appears. He is strict. This is not teasing.

"Well," I try to think of the right words, "I..." I purse my lips, as he tilts his head the other way, "I did," I decide to tell the truth, "I disobeyed."

"It's good you told the truth," Sardonix takes a step forward, "But that's not going to change what happens to you now."

"...oops, I guess," I take a small step back, as Sardonix steps to the side, and starts to circle me.

"Go," Sardonix barks and I jump out of my skin.

He's not admiring me, he's just rounding me up, directing me toward the camp.

I start to walk.

"I will do as you say," I promise him as I start to walk forward, with him behind.

I feel the heat of his gaze and when I do a quick glance over my shoulder, Sardonix is staring... right at the back of my head. Why?

No my ass, not my wings, not my naked skin... my head, and now my eyes.

What did he want?

Bloody young-blooded Lycan. 30 years old was young for a Lycan. Onyx, comparatively, was ancient. Even so, Sardonix is my demon escort. Very strict. Mean.. and still sadistic.

He is making sure I don't run.

He doesn't say anything else.

I face forward and keep moving.

"...I am sadistic..." Sardonix whispers, "...you're right about that..."

"H-have I ever... called you that?" I ask, confused, without stopping. When he says nothing, I glare at him over my shoulder again, and he's staring at my head again, "What are you looking at?" I ask, worried.

He says nothing.

So I look forward.

And keep walking.

Strange...

"The rose quartz was poisoned, Cleo."

I stop abruptly at his admission.

Sardonix walks up and puts a hand on the back of my head.

"Feel me?" he asks, cryptically.

What did he mean by that?

I'm in your head.

No!

How the fuck –

How was he in my head?

Why?!

For what purpose!

How long would it last?

It's permanent, bitch.

I stop breathing. He is not just talking to me, in my mind, he is side by side with me, in my body, like a full on possession... and I can't kick him out.

And as for the poison?

What poison.

Well.

He tells me.

I'm the poison, Cleo. You're dying with me in here. As slow... or as fast... as I choose.

"That's not fair," I whisper, now terrified to the core.

And I'm no longer terrified alone.

I have the cruel demon in my fucking head, knowing that.

"I don't play fair – have you learnt nothing from my father? He taught me brutality – and the demon is in my blood," Sardonix walks past me now, casually, completely relaxed, "Come on – it's just for forever, bitch," he looks me over once in demonic approval, then he leads the way.

His aura is full of sick pleasure.

He feels like he is a King.

He walks like a King.

Sardonix is like... my King... or something.

"HEY! You bastard, stop influencing my thoughts," I yell, terrified Sardonix must be controlling them.

"I didn't put that in there. You know you're my bitch and I rule over you," Sardonix scoffs, annoyed but also amused, "...you're thick, I'll tell you that... and you're just a little bit gullible..." he really teases me now, "You think I'm leading you to the camp, don't you?"

He asks it so seriously.

Why wouldn't he be leading me back to the camp for the normal camping experience?

"Where are we going?" I ask, my heart now fluttering in my chest, like my nervous paper-thin translucent wings.

"We're already back in the Corridor to Die. I'm taking you to Hell, where my service is being held, because you need to pray," Sardonix looks back at me, making sure I don't run, "I'm dead serious. You won't ever disobey my father again and get away with it. We have your soul to bleed... sorry... tiny Fate."

"Um. But. Pray to who?" I ask, totally confused, "I don't believe in anything!"

Sardonix gives me an exasperated look, and tries not to laugh in the encroaching pitch black. Soon I can only see his glowing crimson blood-red eyes. His aura shifts to be purely malevolent, as he promises me, "Baby... you're praying to me. In The Lycan Temple."

"It's a real place?"

"Yes, it's real," Sardonix continues to smirk in the dark.

"...I'm so excited to see it..." I whisper my own admission.

"Did Anubis ever tell you, you're really fucking clueless about a demon's intention?" Sardonix asks me, flashing his canines, as he morphs... from human to giant Lycan.

He grows enormous, and he turns to swipe up my unsuspecting leg before my wings can lift me off and take me away. Sardonix could sense the muscle memory beginning to fidget before I even thought about flying. Turning around, he now drags me through the black forest.

"Be careful, you brute! I'm already bleeding from all my wounds!" I complain, trying to beat his leg but missing in my swings because I can't see!

Sardonix snarls brilliantly in the darkness, causing other lurking demons to scurry off and trip in the roots as they quickly back away, making haste.

"I know," his demonic drawl sweeps through my ears, straight into my fevered brain and my tiny heart, "I can smell it."

I've entered Onyx Lycan Nightclub into a Thriller Book contest on Inkitt [ link via my author website www. cswallownovels . com which i put in my wattpad bio] if you want to vote for it or leave a rating / review for it on the Inkitt app or website I would appreciate it :) thank you :D