Gluttony and Greed Walk into a Burger Joint

Chapter 14 - White Knights

 Alus saw Arek's body tense and raised his hand away from Dani to touch his brother's arm, just as Arek had touched his. The Twins grasped each other's forearms, each kneeled over the girl they had saved once, who they found the need to save again. And Alus knew to fight Wrath herself with wrath in turn would only lead to Dani's certain, hasty death. "Villainess of Vengeance..." Alus put as much purr into the flattering title as he dared. A few times, he had even coaxed a wry smile out of Runeak with the cognomen. "Do you see, if she lives, she will have endured more suffering? Do you see she could shine even brighter?"

Runeak froze, the stillness of the huntress. She was listening.

"My Stormy-Tempered Sister, we would make her our pet project. There is potential here." Alus was speaking low and enthralling, a hint of honey and smile in his tone. Arek was gripping so hard onto Alus's bare arm, he was digging into the flesh. Alus held in turn, softer, trying to maintain peace. "What if she suffered even further after surviving this? Think of all we could harvest then, in the end, when she has so much more to lose. Sinuous Lady of Ire, I entreat you, leave her to us!"

Runeak paused as the sirens closed in.

The first tendrils of Dani's soul reached out and grasped the Twins where they held one another.

Arek and Alus simultaneously gasped and looked with their second sight. Dani's body was failing. Her soul was coming to them.

"No!" Arek yelled it and pressed his arm down to her breastbone, forcing her soul back near her body.

Whether it was the tone in Arek's voice, the gasp the Twins had made, or the urgency in their movements which showed Runeak Alus meant nothing of what he said, they wouldn't know. Runeak bared her teeth and lunged at Dani with one hand, because one hand was all she needed to snap the girl's neck.

Alus threw himself across Dani's body at the same time Arek stood and blocked Runeak's attack, hissing between clenched teeth, carefully quiet so no others could hear. "Runeakaelishalentannas, stop!"

Runeak reeled back as if she'd been struck, snarling. Her body moved like it was one muscle, one weapon, and that weapon was intent on ripping Danielle Rosemary Griffin's throat out.

Arek took in a deep breath through his nose and stood, facing Runeak with his hands up, showing no harm. "Runeakael--"

"HOW DARE YOU!"

Wincing, Arek looked past her to where the paramedics were running towards the three demons and one human. Alus motioned them over quickly, helping put her on a backboard, feeding some story about using a piece of hot iron from the burger grill to cauterize her wound, pointing out the bullet entry point.

Arek reached out to touch Runeak and she jerked back. "Runeakael--"

"NO!"

Arek's words were quick and whispered. "Runeakaelishalentannas, you will leave Dani and all aspects pertaining to her alone!" Runeak shrieked and Arek put his hands up to barely catch her wrists. The emergency medical technicians and other personnel were starting to take notice. Police officers began shouting at the duo. Runeak swung around and tried to use the momentum to knock Arek over so she was on top of him. Arek had to shout the end of his thought to complete the binding before she tore him open from neck to tailbone. "By your true name, I command this of you!"

The side of Arek's face was sliced into with Wrath's nails. He bit back a scream as he lost his balance and fell backwards.

Runeak was gone. Arek caught sight of a few police officers who ran in whatever direction she'd bolted. A useless chase.