Raving Moon, Lords of the Night Book One

Chapter 37: The Shadow of Death

"Roddy!"

"Don't move. Everyone's been acting strange all of a sudden."

Her people fanned out and I saw it was more than just her team. She'd gathered the stragglers, all beaten, their eyes haunted. She pointed down at Jack's body, slowly disintegrating.

"How do I know you're all in your right frame of mind."

I studied them, their eyes weren't as unwavering as Rodmilla's.

"I have to ask the same thing."

Without saying a word, Our eyes met and we shared more than a hundred years of familiarity and comradery. She nodded, I nodded, and we lowered our weapons. That's when another wave of Magaven's power rolled into the room.

Roddy's eyes burst into flames, rat men squealed, lancers covered their ears. The old monster laughed and mad werewolves dropped in through the ceiling. Madness took us all.

Bullets flew through the air, hitting friend and foe with equal indifference. Wolves moved through our ranks, biting, clawing, killing. I ducked and dodged, slashing where I saw openings, deflecting to protect myself. All the while my father's condescending voice filled my ears.

If you die here, you'll prove yourself the disgrace I knew you to be.

Rodmilla dropped her pistol and threw her hands wide, fire fanning from her palms. The room filled with smoke, flames, and fear. Bright orange and yellow tongues of flame illuminated the gloom, igniting specter suits and fur as easily as trash and debris.

A burning wolf ripped out a lancer's entrails and tossed them aside. Rushing towards me, I backpedaled and lost my footing as the beast tackled me.There was a moment of frantic slashing and clawing followed by the sound of neglected wood flooring groaning. The floor fell out from under us and we were airborne.

Falling. Crashing. Claws and teeth. Fire.

I hit my head and pain rushed through my battered body. My vision went dark and I lost all sense of time...

I eventually heard voices whispering in the darkness. At first, unable to separate the prattling words, they gradually asserted themselves.

You did this to me, Tiffany accused. You stole my sight, ruined my life. You made a promise to make things right, but where did you go? You disappeared. You're a liar.

I wanted to argue, but I couldn't. The guilt weighed on me even in that moment, battered and bleeding i knew she was right. Instead of staying true to my promises, I'd run away...

Now you're full of self pity? the old monster asked. I thought I'd beat that out of you. Maybe you need more time in the oubliette.

No.

Yes, you need a few months in the darkness, licking blood off the walls. Do you remember the isolation? Freedom is only for the strong. If you can't be strong, you deserve no mercy.

No!

My eyes opened to fire and ruin. Smoke was everywhere. Flames danced on hunks of burning wood all around me. Plaster and dust wafted down through the holes above. Embers and ash swirled in eddies of hot air. I could see up into the burning building. I'd fallen down to the basement.

The smell of burning fur filled my nose. My body ached all over, limbs heavy and fatigued.

"What's owed is owed," growled the darkness. "The debt must be paid, son of Ifa." Eyes of sparkling violet appeared in a warped doorway.

"I don't have time for this," I said, trying to get up. Pain shot up my spine like electricity. My feet kicked feebly. Back injury, but I was already healing.