Devious Claws

Chapter Six

Shirts.

Blue. Red. Black.

Eyes.

Yellow. Yellow. Yellow.

Eros was staying true to his word, walking close by me in the crowded store. I occasionally stopped to look at a dress or blouse but my eyes never stopped for long enough to actually view the item. My mind was close to bursting with a million questions and concerns, and behind me stood a werewolf. A werewolf. I supposed we looked like nothing more than a pair of friends strolling around, human friends.

"You okay?"

I hung the floral shirt back in its place. "Uh, no - not really."

"I see. Are you afraid?"

"Yes." A growing wound was forming on the inside of my cheek. Yet I kept biting on it. "And I'm confused - I don't understand. Aren't you tempted when walking here?"

Eros furrowed his brows, then a look of understanding softened his face. "You think I'm a monster thirsting for blood."

Suddenly the ugly skirt in front of me seemed like the most interesting thing in the world. I could feel the blood drain from my face. "No," I squeaked out. "Not at all."

"Humans don't taste very well. Especially not here."

"So you don't eat people?" I took a pair of earrings off the wall, looking at the price. Eros didn't respond, and for my own sake I decided to interpret his silence as a positive thing. "That's good, I guess. But then what are you even doing here?"

"In Hillstone? We have been here for a while, not by our own choice." We, I realized he'd said. Somehow that really threw me off. Who knew how many they were. "Humans are not the only ones with complicated politics, Cindy. Wolves are meant to run, to hunt, not prowl around old buildings."

"So what then? You can't just... move out?"

Eros and I stepped back out onto the street, finally looking at each other. His gaze was indecipherable, but I could tell I was being sized up, evaluated before getting in on too much. To anyone passing by, we probably looked like two friends stopping to catch up.

"No, I can't," Eros finally spoke. "There is a fundamental paradigm shift going on in my world and since the king was murdered there is no telling what will happen. I have to keep my people safe, and sadly the safest place is the old factory - even though your friend has caused some commotion."

"Sorry," I said quickly, my eyes drifting to where I'd seen the bullet penetrate his chest. "Did you say king? What king?"

Eros paused, conspicously looking at the people passing by. He got a bit closer. "My people's ruler. He was murdered by some pack in an attempt to take the throne - but the act only caused several people to stake their claim to the position of ruler." His voice lowered to the point that I almost couldn't hear the pain in it. Almost. "Now, my home is a mess of political conflict, war and wolves of different packs murdering each other."

"That's awful," I whispered back, wondering how my brain had so quickly adjusted to the fact that I was discussing politics of beings I had only just accepted actually existed. It was something about the way Eros told the story that just pulled me in. "And so you'll just stay here. There is no end in sight?"

"The king has a son, the next in line according to tradition. Whomever kills him and can carry his head to the throne has a right to claim the position of ruler. It's him everyone is after right now. I suppose once that happens, peace will somewhat be restored."

Someone walked by, looking at us for a bit too long. I began walking, and Eros fell into my pace. I felt some paranoia creeping up my back.

"And where is he now?"

Eros was quiet for a long time. It wasn't until we turned a corner that I felt him falter from my side, stopping. I turned back to face him, but my words fell flat at the sight of the solemn look on his face.

"Do you remember my promise? Your life in return for mine?"

I nodded carefully, thankful nobody was walking past us. How could I forget? The promise had circled my mind day and night - it made me sweat just thinking about it.

"That's a tradition in my family, not to be taken lightly - a royal vow."

"A royal vow?" My eyes shot up, wide. "So you're a royal?"

"When it all happened I took my closest members of the court, the ones I could save, and helped them escape. They have now taken refuge in the old chocolate factory."

"Wait, Eros, what are you saying?" A nervous, pitched laugh escaped me. "You're some prince?"

His eyes said it all.

He was the prince.

Someone rounded the corner, coming up behind Eros. An older woman. I was about to speak but the words got stuck in my throat at the sight of her eyes.

Yellow.

I couldn't help but scream as her face transformed, her nose and mouth morphing into a snout. Her maw opened, revealing sharp teeth dripping with saliva. She - it - was shooting for Eros' neck before there was enough time to react.

He grabbed her by the throat without turning around, forcing a sickening crack! with a swift maneuvering of his hand. The monster fell to the ground, her face morphing back into an old woman's. The yellow was fading, making it hard to remain fearful and instead making dread creep into my head. She looked like a frail, old woman again.

"You killed her." My hands were gripping at my lips, muddling my words. "She almost killed you!"

"Dammit," Eros mumbled. He had already grabbed my hand and was pulling me away from the body, down the street.

"I'm going to throw up!" I pulled my hand out of his. "She's dead. I thought you had to use a silver bullet!"

"Humans do, yes."

Eros caught himself and quieted. He grabbed the sides of my arms, giving a half-hearted squeeze. Once again, he attempted to pull me away but I couldn't get my legs to budge. They were frozen solid - I was frozen solid. The sound of the woman's neck breaking played on repeat in my mind, echoing louder than what ever Eros was trying to say.

I could see his mouth move.

Then he sighed.

And I was in his arms.

He carried me as a husband would his newly wed bride, but there was nothing romantic about it. Over his shoulder, I saw the woman's body slumped against a building wall. I wondered who would find her - who would find me.

As if he heard my concerns, Eros said, "Don't worry, they won't let a human find her. She'll be gone by then."

They.

"Where are we going? Where are you taking me?"

"Just out of the busiest part of town. Once we're out of sight, then we can lose them. Get some real speed."

Eros sounded calm. Too calm. His eyes were focused and his jaw clenched as he passed through back streets and alleys that I had never been in before. I wondered all the secrets and information one could find in his mind.

A prince.

A werewolf.

A murderer.

The woman's neck snapping replayed once more behind my eyelids.

"I have a plan, Cindy," Eros said, briefly looking down at me. I must've looked pretty pale because he looked pretty concerned. "You're not afraid of dogs, are you?"

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A/N

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