And Also With You ~The Tooth And Claw Books #3

Chapter Twelve: Betrayed

Kiem Deploy me now! came Changxi's cry and I didn't question her, I just did it.

As I did a Volpura came flying at me, had I not deployed Changxi when I did, well I probably would have been dead, I may be a Custodian Wielder but even I couldn't survive a Volpura to the head, if I had Demon in me sure, but I didn't. The Volpura extinguished harmlessly against my shield, and I turned to see our attack. 

Standing a little over five feet, his skin was clearly of Asia decent, his chestnut hair was a little longer than his  ears, and in one hand he bore Munitio Heavenly-Blade of Fortification, the man now had the red eyes of a Demon and their bat like wings, but I instantly recognized him. This was our traitor, the one that had given Orpheus access to our vault and set all of this mess off. On one hand he bore his Tainted-Mark,  one of the few Dynasties we were allowed to kill on sight. He was now a member of Dante Hades Coven. I let out a feral hiss, and drew Excelsior, my shield automatically shutting off as I did, Absolia still in my left hand, I stepped defensively between Irina and Yuguchi.

"Fucking hell," he cursed out looking at me. "I forgot you had that damned core. No matter our contact in your ranks said you'd be here, and here you are. It's funny how many traitors my former branch has."

"Yuguchi, Jasmine, get Irina to safety, we can handle this." Akio spoke, bringing out her switch blade.

"But grandmother..."

"Yugu one ascended Demon is no match for us, Irina is in no state to fight. You two carry her to safety."

They clearly didn't like it, and flew into the air carrying the weakened Irina with her. 

"Thank you for waiting for me to deal with that." Akio said looking at him.

"Of course its good edict which you always taught me to have in a fight, besides my orders are to capture the Neko nothing more."

With the speed that was faster than most creatures could even see, meaning he was a Vanguard clearly, he came charging at me. I raised Absolia, not risking using her Bale fire right now, the two blades clashed, but only for a moment. The force he struck at was far beyond that which he should have had, it was more on the strength of a Guardian not a Vanguard. I took a quick glace down at Munitio, it's second set of runes were glowing and it was truly living up the to name of Great-Heavenly Blade of Fortification, like the others of it's type it tripled the users strength. It was still nothing compared to my own mind you, I'd only been caught off guard because I wasn't expecting it. I quickly regained my composure, he had already leapt back away from me, I drove Absolia forward, him clearly thinking his Clipeum would keep him safe at this distance, only for the blade to drive into his gut and drive in deep. He fell to the floor, a look of pure shock on his face, and I quickly cut his hand free from his body, kicking his weapon away. I then proceeded to bring Excelsior around, Bale Fire Ignite and cut his head free from his body.

"Damn it Kiem," Akio snapped. "We could have integrated him."

"Sorry I didn't think." I say as I looked at the ashes blowing on the wind.

Before I could say anything else however, I fainted. Having not Fed in a few days, it having slipped my mind, and the battle finally having caught up with me.  

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The next thing I knew Akio was there, her wrist in my mouth, me feeding, and we were in some medical room  I didn't recognize.  I freaked out at first but the moment I realized that I was with Akio, and Jasmine was also in the room checking my Vitals I instantly calmed down.