The Fray of Werebirds [Discontinued]

Chapter 21 - Blood

I pressed my lips against the cut on Sirena's wrist and welcomed the metallic taste of her blood as it gushed down my throat. My stomach clenched and I almost gagged but I pushed the heavy fluid down nevertheless.

Blood sure is thicker than water. I thought.

Although her face was pale, Sirena said, "Don't stop – not until you can feel it react."

I wasn't sure what she meant by "react" until my chest started to burn. My guts cramped, pain struck down my spine, and my body shook so violently I couldn't hold onto Sirena's arm any longer. My knees buckled and I collapsed on the grass, blood trickling down my nose. I lost myself in a fit of coughs before I was heaving all the blood out. I realized instantly that the pool of scarlet liquid I was gasping above was my own blood, not the one I had been drinking.

Sirena's blood was racing through my veins, driving my resistant human cells out and converting the puny ones into werebird cells.

After what seemed like a lifetime of retching and quivering, I lay motionless on the blood-soaked grass, sweating from the exertion. I watched numbly as Brock finished off his opponent and proceeded to help Jay. The defeated jailbird, though, wasn't dead yet. He was bruised and crumpled on the ground in his human form, but his hands were fiddling with something. I tried to open my mouth to warn them but my muscles wouldn't respond. Sirena must have spotted him as well, and bolted in his direction, but she was too late – he had already set it off.

Pew! BOOM!

Multicolored fireworks exploded in the sky. On any other night, I might have thought they looked beautiful, especially as the many-hued sparks bloomed brightly and then faded, becoming one with the stars. But on that particular night, it wasn't a sign of celebration. It was clearly a message for the rest of the jailbirds, and now that our location was revealed, they were soon going to overwhelm us with their numbers.

I was thrown over Jay's shoulder like a sack of flour. My head throbbed and my every muscle ached. All I could see was my arms hanging limply down Jay's back as he ran, causing me to bob up and down with every step. Suddenly, the young man came to a halt and placed me on the ground. I saw immediately what made him stop. It was Fernando with three intimidating convicts slouched behind him. The man aimed a chubby, accusing finger at Brock.

"You nasty little Bogus," he spat, and then pointed at the patch covering his injured eye, "You think you can get away with this?!"

His three sidekicks pounced at Brock, seemingly with no interest in the rest of us. Jay and Sirena intervened, though, forcing each of the convicts to fight against one of them. Sirena managed to knock out her foe first, but before she could move on to the rest, Fernando blocked her way.

"Well, well, isn't it Miss Noblewoman?" he sneered.

Sirena scowled and threw a punch, which Fernando managed to evade despite his sluggishness. The stout man flung his arm, striking Sirena on the ear. That didn't stop her from stomping on his foot, though. He yelped in pain and grabbed her by the hair. With his free hand, he wrapped his fingers around her neck and squeezed. Sirena clawed at him as she struggled to breath.

My chest burned once again. Adrenaline buzzed through my limbs. One moment I was watching the fight, the next moment I was part of it. I couldn't remember getting onto my feet, but I could certainly remember the astonished expression on Fernando's face when I leaped out of nowhere, sending a punch to his stomach.

The jailbird tumbled heavily to the ground, spittle spraying out of his mouth. He gulped down what was left of his saliva and muttered a string of unintelligent words before he received another blow by the newly bred werebird – me.

Energy had never been so generous before. Perched on Fernando's chest, I threw one punch after the other, embracing the impact of his bones against my knuckles, listening with satisfaction to my enemy groaning under me. My palms were wet with sweat and blood, probably both mine and his, but pain was no longer a major word in my dictionary.

Someone seized me from behind and yanked me off the now unconscious Fernando. I turned, snarling like an animal, and instinctively kicked that werebird in the shin, then nailed her jaw with my fist just as quickly. Despite my sudden burst of strength and speed, she pinned me to the ground and slapped my cheek, hard.

"Stop it!" Sirena yelled.

Guilt consumed me instantly. I had succumbed to my new power. I had even hurt Sirena, the very person I had been hoping to protect. The flavor of shame tamed the bloodlust on my tongue. Bitter tears slithered down my cheeks.

"I'm sorry," I sobbed, "I'm sorry, Sirena."

"Lady Sirena," she corrected, but not unkindly.

Although she didn't say it directly, her tone confirmed that she had forgiven me. Her voice was as gentle as piano notes. Her scent, a blend of werebird and feminine odor, floated into my nostrils. My muscles relaxed and fatigue overcame me.

I wanted to thank her, but whatever energy I had earlier was already fast asleep.