The Taming

A Broken Howl

It'll take it less time to reach the humans and rake them open than it'll take me to get to them. Stopping his loping toward the group, he began swaying side to side, electing to keep the Nonis focus on him.

That's right. Eyes on me, little devils. It'll be me that tears you to pieces... In his peripheral, he saw the Cimmerii Guardsman with his sword pointed at the twin men.

But he couldn't look away from the Cimmerii now. If he broke contact with their gaze, they'd attack those that were closer.

Less threatening.

Wincing, he kept his focus on the Nonis. Taking a barely perceptible step at a time. His paws barely lifting, as he inched forward.

Willing the Guardsman. Don't slice anyone, you stupid little man.

Something underfoot cracked and the Guardsman's gaze flew to Sebastian. A feral sleek-furred creature, as pitch as the night. With only the moon's glow behind him to outline his predatory shifts as he came closer.

The Firoque Guardsman opted not to confront the beast crossing the meadow. He hopped atop the coach seat and gave the horses rein. He left the woman and children. Abandoning them to the fate that awaited them.

Alone.

Cowardly bastard.

Leaning over the driver's bench, the Guardsman flicked a piece of metal at the woman. Stinging against her face at impact.

Gasping, she put a hand to her cheek in shock. Numbly touching where it'd struck her, she watched the coach's wheels tossing gravel. Twisting to shield the little ones while one of the twins kicked the vehicle as it passed.

Bast felt the protective surge spiraling through him, at his friend's pain. She looks so scared and small by herself.

He knew her name was Nora Bishop now. But she was the same Fallen he'd known throughout her many lives, throughout the centuries.

She didn't know yet that his alpha had done everything to guide her back here.

To protect her.

She didn't even know yet, that she needed protected.

He worried for her. Hoping that perhaps this time she and Deragan's tale of endless love would have a different ending.

Just once.

Bast's yellow gaze flicked to the coach rattling from view through the iron gate down the drive.

There's a special place for a man that hurts a woman and children. Bast watched the coach whipping around the corner. Back end sliding sideways. Hopefully you wreck it.

It's wise for you to flee before I lose rein on my thin patience.

Nonis smoothly cleared the wheels to skitter along the iron fence, bordering the lawn. Trying to keep up with the Firoque leading them. Far enough to ensure they were from the eyes of all humans.

But not from mine...

One lingered at the corner of the house. Orange eyes vivid. Its gaze was following every movement the family members made.

Time to go inside. Sebastian let this reverberating rumble begin low in his chest before emanating in a growl that shook the field.

Momentarily frozen, the Bishop children stood like startled deer.

Oh? Not enough? Bast was amused by the challenge. Time to scare some children...

Crunching branches shattered the quiet. Without light it was impossible to see what rushed toward them as he ran. Huge lunging movements that cut the distance. His weight thudding over the ground, and vibrating across their strained nerves.

Fleeing up the steps, Nora swept up both the youngest children.

On her heels the twins rushed up the stairs. Grateful when the door opened easily. They tripped over each other as they poured in the front door before slamming it shut.

They hadn't noticed the noni hopping along the side of the house, trying to cut off their path.

Sebastian violently skid gravel along the door and leapt the steps to ram the door a few times. Enough to they wouldn't be coming out, anytime soon.

Then and only then did he give that Cimmerii paused aside the steps watching him, his attention.

It turned to flee but he snatched it in his jaws. Slapping both clawed paws down to hold its body as he ripped out its back. Leaving a gaping hole and a limp creature in his wake.

He rounded slowly. A rumbling snarl still pulsing in his chest. His pants emerged as foggy little clouds stirring the night air.

The other Nonis peered from under the parked coach. Shuffling over each other to get further back.

Don't worry, Little Demons, you're next.

Comforted by the fact the family wouldn't be leaving the safety of the house the rest of the evening, he was free to hunt the Nonis. Watching eagerly as they scattered. Lunging and biting.

As happy as a stable cat to be chasing mice.

Though these are less tasty.

He watched them with keen yellow eyes. Intent on killing every last one.

Not one of you little bastards will be making it home to daddy tonight.

***

WaterRose, Meadow Mountain, Grier Country

Sebastian made it back to WaterRose in the early hours of the morning. When Deragan had arrived to assume watch over Rosewynn and the Bishop family.

He'd headed back home dog-tired and on weary legs that hardly wanted to carry him.

All he wanted was to see Elsabet's beautiful face and catch a bit of sleep

Both would be futile desires this morning.

Elsabet was nowhere to be found.

Purposely avoiding me.

She wasn't in the library. Her chamber had been closed and silent since his return.

He'd laid down. Hoping to fall into the blissful darkness of the Knight Sleep. Something which when it did come, arrived in stages. Generally, they knew when they were exhausted enough to finally sleep. They'd lay down and the world would begin to fade.

Then the Knight's Sleep would meet them in that realm of half-sleep. Dragging them so deeply down that they were nearly dead.

Slowing their breathing and their heart until they could pass for deceased.

They became nearly impossible to wake.

It was when they were the most vulnerable.

Typically, they would ensure someone was close to guard them, they were somewhere secure, or they'd come to the stronghold for the safety to indulge.

Bast had fallen into the point of light slumber and could already sense the reaching presence of the Knight Sleep depths when an anguished cry shattered that sense of peace. Wrenching him from his sleep. A mournful howl far off, which faded into the enraged roar of a dragon.

One of us.