Omen of War

Chapter 29

Alex Santiago (P.O.V)

I stared at the body of Vivien. Her head was slumped, and her chest had stopped rising and falling. Isabella moved away from me and grabbed her Grand-aunt's shoulders, shaking her.

"Vivien! Please! Wake up! Please!" She cried.

"Damn it!" Mark yelled as he punched the wall. "Where is that bastard?"

"He ran off down the hall. Artemis, Kane, Kyrillos, Dwyn, Adrien, Arthfael, stay here with Isabella. Alex, Mark, and I will go get Luke." April spoke as she cracked her knuckles.

I didn't bother to wait on Mark and April. I turned into my tiger form and picked up on Luke's scent. Taking off running, I recognized that he had run back out into the battle. I roared and charged into battle.

I leaped over Matthew as he dove for me. Spinning around I faced the Javan tiger form of Matthew's and bared my teeth. Matthew charged at me but before he could lay a single claw on me, a Malayan tiger with blue eyes tackled him. I recognized the playful spirit in those blue eyes and launched myself at Matthew. Jaydin was here to help, so I doubted it would be too hard to handle Matthew.

Headbutting Matthew's chest did little to stop him. Matthew reared up on his hindlegs, smacking my shoulders. I felt my legs attempt to give way under the pressure, growling in pain. Jaydin grabbed Matthew's front leg, digging his teeth deep into the skin and fur. Matthew's roar of pain filled the air as he moved his other paw to swipe at Jaydin. With his belly exposed to me, I took a decisive option to ram my head into his stomach instead of slicing open his stomach.

Matthew stumbled backwards and as I stared at Jaydin, a Sumatran tiger with gold eyes ran over. She launched herself at Matthew, knocking him over completely and giving me the room to slip out of that fight with Matthew. I turned into my human form, gripping the hilt of my sword.

Looking around, I spotted Luke locked in combat with a griffin. He seemed to be struggling against the griffin. Mark walked past me, shoving people out of his way, and ignoring if they were friend or foe.

April was close behind him, her knuckles white on her hand that held the sword. I moved to follow April and watched as a second griffin swooped down and pinned Luke to the ground. The fighting stopped around us, and all eyes turned to Luke, screaming, and kicking to get free.

Out of the battle stepped Gretel Finnegan, one of the Hybrid group members. She stopped in front of Luke and dug her blade into the earth inches from his head before looking around at the crowd.

"Arilis is the home of the Tiger-humans once more! This man who betrayed the Tiger-humans will be brought before the council to receive proper punishment that they see fit! He will not be killed today at all! If you were with him or working with him, I suggest you leave Arilis, Zifa, Ranoth, Fortha, and Haven and strike West beyond the Lone Peak! There is plenty of land off over there that you can live with little interference from our people!" Gretel shouted.

I could feel the anger washing from April and I could understand why. Gretel had just spoken for not just the council, but April as well. April moved to step forward and interject, but Mark stuck his arm out in front of her.

"No. It's not the time or place to fight among ourselves. We fight among ourselves right now and the enemy will see it as an opportunity. Keep your composure, sister. We'll get our revenge soon. I promise." Mark whispered to her.

I looked around as people began to disperse, searching for Lily's face. Lily wasn't out here in the crowd. I turned around and looked at the inner building.

She had to be in there if she wasn't out here. I began to walk towards the inner building, followed by April, Mark, Jaydin, and Ragna. We entered the building and I looked at Mark and April with a worried look.