Return of the Titans

CHAPTER NINETEEN

I shouted, "Move!", before Lion smashed the sliding door with his ax.

Splintered glass flew and I felt something sharp nick my fingers, but I was too busy shoving everyone out of the kitchen to see what it was. We all made a dash for the front door, and out of my peripheral vision, I saw Lion throw down Mrs. Reilly onto the grass. He growled humorously before chucking his battle ax.

It flew to embed itself into the doorframe. Marshall had reached the door first and was about to swing it open when the ax's momentum forced it shut. Its point tickled Jay's hair, and he blanched as he stared at his reflection against its metal.

I whirled around when I heard a low chuckle, and saw Lion climb over the crushed glass to enter the home. His gaze went to Benjamin, who cowered behind the four of us.

The brute snorted. "You used a defected hound to find me? I thought you were smarter than that, falseblood."

"Ben's special," Jay spoke up. "Leave him alone."

Lion turned on him and I saw whatever courage Jay did muster melt from his shoulders. The scarred Lion-man flared his nostrils as he tasted the air. "You have nerve, storm child," he said. "But I smell your fear. The last of you I ate tasted of the same meat."

When he licked his lips, I felt bile rise in my throat but I held it down. Jay wasn't so lucky. Being the only SST out of all of us, he took it hard. I saw his face twist into a sickening pale hue before his ears turned a burning red, lips pursing themselves into a thin line. His hands visibly shook from by his hips. Water slicked his eyes and he looked like he was on the verge of either running away or crying his heart out. But he kept himself steadfast, which in my mind right about now, had to have been the bravest thing anyone could do.

I lifted my chin defiantly. "Leave them alone, Giant. They have nothing to do with this."

"You're right," Lion agreed. "But my master said to take out all who get in my way." He leaned forward, jagged yellow teeth flashing as he bared them. "And he does not believe in third chances," he snarled and then lunged.

I secretly had my grip on the ax's hilt when Lion came at us. I held down a squeal of discomfort when I felt molasses-like blood stick to my fingers. I wanted to work it out so that I could swing it around and into the Lion-man's head, but it was too heavy and stuck too deep. By the time that I did get it out...

I didn't want to dwell on it. So when Lion lunged, I did the next best thing.

Bracing my back against the door, I bounced my feet up then lashed them out forwards, kangaroo-style. They caught Lion square in his gut, and he let out a dry wheeze before keeling over. I fell back down and that was when I remembered our strategy.

"Jay, now!"

Determination hardened Jay's jaw and he vigorously rubbed at his hands. His palms were a blur as he built up a steady amount of energy, white light popping from his fingers. Lion could only groggily lift his head before Jay slapped him across his face with his electrified hands.

A reaction was instantaneous. From his face on down, Lion's body convulsed in a series of seizures that, from an onlooker's standpoint, was near inhumane. His body went rigid and every strand of fur on his body stood on its end. His mouth locked and his eyes flew open, and for a moment, genuine fear flashed across his face. So when Jay took away his hands and stepped back, the Lion-man still twitched from the remaining electricity that surged throughout his body. I could have sworn that I faintly smelled fried chicken.

And although he was as close to immobile as it could get, I still wasn't satisfied. I saw how much it took to put a normal Lion-man down, and this was their leader. A kick to the ribs and a vicious shocking wouldn't last long.