The Fray of Werebirds [Discontinued]

Chapter 12 - Malachi

I flinched and instinctively clutched the scar on my chest, faintly recalling the burning sensation I had formerly experienced. I peeked reluctantly from inside our hiding place, dreading what I might see. A buff police officer was slumped on the doorway with dark, thick blood gushing out of his head.

My stomach churned and for a horrid moment I glanced at Gregory, fear crawling through my veins. His emerald eyes showed no signs of bloodlust, though. Instead, they were fixated on a second officer with dirty blonde hair, hazel eyes, and a silver gun in his hand.

"Now who's going to clean this up?" Gregory sighed exaggeratingly, unaffected by the sight of murder.

"Hand over Lady Sirena and I just might spare your life," the policeman aimed his gun at Gregory's forehead.

Gregory clucked his tongue disapprovingly, "Is that a way to speak to your elders? Or is that I am so youthful you mistook me for a fledgling?"

"A flock traitor like you has no right to lecture me. Now where is Lady Sirena?" his voice was brimming with menace.

"Lady Sirena? Why should she be here?"

"Don't mess with me!"

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Gregory dodged each bullet with swift ease. His arms then reformed into plumy wings and his face morphed into that of a bird's. Soon the rest of his frame followed suit until he was no longer a man but a magnificent bird the size of an eagle. Our feathered friend plucked the gun out of the police officer's hand and grazed his face on the way.

"You asked for it," the policeman growled furiously.

With that, he too transformed into a bird with scruffy light-toned feathers. As the two abnormal creatures clashed like swords, jabbing each other with their sharp beaks, Sirena ushered me to a window. She slid it open and sprung outside onto a rusty fire escape ladder. No sooner had I scrambled after her than the glass nearby shattered, sending the birds plummeting out of the building.

Gregory charged, but his foe seemed to have lost interest in him once he spotted Sirena dragging me all the way up the zigzag stairs. We reached the rooftop where the bustling city was spread wide before us and watched as the antagonist alighted a few feet away, transforming back into a human.

"I'll give you a chance to surrender quietly, Lady Sirena," he proposed, "If you do, I guarantee I will end your life swiftly and painlessly."

"I didn't know you were one of Tamara's minions, Malachi," Sirena observed.

"I am not, but I assure you I will be - not just a minion but a sidekick - once I have proved my loyalty to Queen Tamara."

"I was under the impression that she had deceived everyone who wasn't involved in her circle. How did you learn about the conspiracy?"

"Why, with the internet's help, of course," Malachi boasted, "For a long time werebirds have underestimated the capability of human technology, which is why they are currently mourning fruitlessly over your so-called unexpected death."

"What does the internet have to do with any of this?" Sirena raised an eyebrow.

"When I became aware that you are still alive," Malachi continued, ignoring her puzzlement, "Queen Tamara confided to me about your betrayal. You must be thankful to Her Majesty for preserving your modesty by claiming you had died faithful to your flock."

"My betrayal? And you fell for the hellcat's fabricated story?"

Anger came over Malachi's features, but just then a large fishing net dropped from the sky and encased his whole stature. The latter thrashed around, twisting and tangling the net. Gregory shrieked in triumph, hovering above his prey.

Sirena didn't miss a beat. She didn't wait for Malachi to figure out how to free himself. As soon as he hit the ground she tugged me and dashed down the stairs. We reached the bottom to meet Gregory, who was now in his human form and still in his pajamas.

He ushered us into a manhole and this time I welcomed the stench with less hostility. After placing the lid in its position, Gregory hauled a cumbersome shopping bag that I had just noticed and began strolling deeper into the sewers.

It bemused me how laid-back this guy was.

"Let's get rolling! We've got a ship to board."

We trailed behind him wordlessly.

Author's note: If anyone knows a beautiful black haired actress that can cast as Sirena please comment below! Thank you for all the support ^_^