Within Darkness

Within Darkness - Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen: Mary’s heart thudded once. Twice. And stopped.

Dmitri looked up to see Alexander focused on something; he glanced that way and saw Bronwen. He was wearing rags that fell off even as he walked but he stood tall and did not falter as he made his way towards the throne, eyes never leaving Alexander even as he absently batted zombies away. Dmitri quickly realised that he must have been kept prisoner by Alexander, not killed as they’d assumed. Alexander stood and walked towards him. The two met in the middle.

Bronwen launched himself through the air, intending to smash Alex into the throne. However, Alexander's leg swept out in a wide, graceful arc, connecting with Bronwen's stomach, leaving him stunned and sprawled on the floor. The subsequent tunnel vision cleared with just enough time to roll away from a kick to the ribs. Alexander smiled gleefully as Bronwen flipped backwards onto his feet. He laughed mockingly,

“Is that the best you have? Come on, Bronwen. Do my training a little more credit.”

“I’m going to kil-”

“Too late, little child. You know, I drank just a half hour ago and I have a lot of experience in controlling it and stopping it from making me the slave. You don’t have a hope.”

Bronwen refused to waste time on words, or contemplation of Alexander’s, and attacked again, this time going for a sneakier round house kick. Absently, Alexander stepped aside, although not quick enough to avoid a glancing blow. Mind working furiously, he backed up a few steps, leading to cheers from the watchers. Alexander paid them no heed as Bronwen grinned triumphantly. Curious, Alexander sniffed the air delicately. He frowned. Bronwen had definitely drunk fresh human blood. It explained his speed. And his clumsiness.

“Who’s the donor, old friend?” Bronwen froze and Alexander slowly smiled. He crept forward and whispered, “Fancy sharing?” Leaving all rationality behind, Bronwen flung himself at Alexander, nails outstretched. Alexander merely took one step forward and brought him to a complete stop with a hand around his throat. The following gurgle was not pleasant to hear. With his other hand, Alexander gripped Bronwen’s hair. He was about to rend his head from his shoulders when he saw drifting splinters around him and heard a loud tearing sound.

Alexander turned at the interruption. There was a small, pale human behind him with a broken plank of wood. His eye moved between that plank and the one on the floor, it having broken into two when the girl had slammed it over his head. Alexander bent his head back and laughed. He absently noted that the girl did not look scared. He dropped Bronwen to the ground, forgetting him instantly. Alexander tilted his head curiously to the right as he began stalking her. The human still didn’t look scared but she moved backwards until she bumped into the throne. She stopped and looked at him. She looked into his eyes as she asked clearly,

“Why are you doing this?” Alexander raised his eyebrows.

“What does it matter to you? Why are even here, pathetic little human?” He flicked a look at the still bleeding wound on her arm. “I’m afraid that when I‘m done with Bronwen, every drop of your blood won‘t make the slightest difference.”

“I’m not here for that. I’m here because your zombies killed my sister. And my father. And your brother threatened to kill my mother and my brother.” She shrugged as the fighting around them began once more as it was clear Alexander was not going to be killed by Bronwen and no one nearby wished to fight him. Dmitri and Bronwen frantically tried to reach them but were delayed by the attacking zombies. “I had thought to join you as revenge but meeting Bronwen put me off that idea.”

“Oh. How so?”

“I could never join a coward.” Alexander’s face darkened.

“Coward?”