The Phoenix's Mark Book 1: Dogs of War

Chapter 9

Laurence and Sarah were lounging on a hamock in the woods, cuddling with one another. Sarah's head lay on Laurence's shoulder as she traced gently circles on his bare abs with her forefinger. There was an opening in the trees that was just large enough to see the moon. It was bright and full. "The moon is beautiful, Laurence," Sarah speculated.

Laurence looked her in the eyes. "Don't worry, Isabelle, not even the moon can compare to you," he told her kissing her gentely on the forhead.

"Not even the woman from last night?" she asked, looking into his eyes.

"Nobody," he assured her.

She rolled over ontop of him and began kissing a trail of soft, wet kisses down the nape of his neck. She moved her lips to his and pressed down gently. His eyes shot open and he pushed her off of him, standing suddenly. His eyes wandered over the surrounding tree line. "What is it, Laurence?" Sarah asked, looking around frantically.

"Hounds," he answered. She screamed as black, shadow-like creatures emerged from the forest. Before either of them had time to retaliate, three of them jumped on Laurence and began dragging him behind the tree line extremely fast.

"Laurence!" she screamed.

"Isabelle!" he screamed back as he disappeared from sight.

Another creature appeared in front of her. Its large, clawed hand reached for her face.

Sarah began screaming at the top of her lungs. She opened her eyes to find herself sitting up in bed, sweating. The door to her room swung open as her family entered.

"What's wrong sweetie?" her mom asked as she knelt down next to her.

Sarah looked around her room. Her heart began to slow and she calmed down.

"Nothing," she answered. "Just a dream. A really real dream." Though, the more she thought about it, the more realistic it seamed, and the more she thought that maybe it was real. Some how, in some way.

Sarah squealed loudly as fingers touched her sides. She turned around and playful punched Laurence in the shoulder. He began histarically laughing. "You're an asshole," she teased.

"I try," he joked, winking at her. He wrapped his arms around her waist as he brought his lips down to hers. His kiss made her recall her dream.  "What's wrong?" he asked, pulling away as if sensing her distress.

"Nothing," she replied. Turning her gaze to the tile floor.

"If this relationship is going to last, we can't keep secrets," he told her, lifting her head to look into her eyes.

"Its just these dreams I've been having. I don't know, its kind of stupid, but..." she let her voice trail off.

"But what?" he asked, raising an eyebrow, his eyes wide.

"But they seam like more than dreams. They're extremely real and vivid. They're more like," she stopped to find the right word.

"Memories?" Laurence guessed.

"Yeah," Sarah agreed, raising her eyebrow. It was her turn to be confused. "How did you-"

"What the fuck is this?" Both Sarah and Laurence turned to find Greg and three of his friends standing behind them.

"This is a girl and her current boyfriend discussing matters that don't include her ex-boyfriend," Laurence answered in a serious and casual tone. "Why, who's asking?"

Greg stepped forward. "Do you wanna get squashed, little bug?" he demanded.

Laurence smiled at him. "Are you gonna sit on me?" he teased.

Greg's face filled with anger as he pulled his fist back to strike him in the face. His fist was stopped by a hand. It wasn't Laurence's though. Emil was now standing between Greg and Laurence.

"Four against two," one of Greg's friends observed. "Now that's not very fair, is it?"

"You're right. You should get more," Emil countered.

"Emil, allow the poor kid his hand back, please," Laurence said, stepping next to him. "He wants to fight me. I can fight my own battles. Emil smiled broadly.

"What ever you say," he said, letting go of Greg's fist and stepping back.

"Now, are you gonna hit me or stand there looking at me like I have two heads?" Laurence asked Greg.

Greg pulled his fist back and swung. Laurence easily dodged it, spun around to his back and burried his elbow into Greg's side. Greg turned and swung again. Laurence easily dodged it once again and brought his fist up into his gut, knocking the wind from his lungs. Greg swung his left hand this time. Again, Laurence easily avoided it. Greg instantly brought his right fist out, striking Laurence in this nose and temperally stunning him. Laurence quickly recovered and jumped, spun, and extended his leg, smashing his foot into the side of Greg's face, sending him crashing to the ground.

"What the hell is going on here?" Laurence turned to see the principal pushing herself through the circle of kids that enclosed the fight. "Both of you to my office, now," she instructed. "And everybody else get to class, or you'll all be facing detention." As soon as she said it, the entire group disbanded in every direction, leaving Laurence, the principle, and Greg. Laurence had a slightly bloody nose, where as Greg had a busted lip, black eye, bloody nose, and an open cut on his cheek.

"Are you okay?" Sarah asked as she approached Laurence, who stood by his bike, waiting for her.

"I'm fine, don't worry," he assured her, kissing her as she approached. He placed his helmet on her head and climbed onto the bike. "I'm gonna have to get you your own helmet one of these days." He told her as he started his bike. The moment the engine started, Sarah tightened her hold around Laurence's waist. She still wasn't entirely comfortable on two wheels. She closed her eyes and felt the wind rush past her as the motorcycle sped down the street.

"I've found him," Griffin announced, barging into the apartment. Oria looked up from his book to look Griffin in the face. "Did you know how close he is?"

Oria's eyebrow raised slightly. "What do you mean?" he asked, setting his book on the table at the side of his couch.

"He's here. In this city," Griffin answered.

Oria stood. "Are you sure?" he demanded.

"Positive," Griffin answered.

"Bring him to me. I want him alive," he answered.

Griffin smiled sinisterly. "Its not that easy to get me to do what you want," he told him.

Oria sighed in annoyance. "And they ask me why I don't like to work with other demons. What is you want?"

"I want my brother raised. Now. He can be very helpful, you know," Griffin answered.

"Fine. Let's get started."