The Beasts Inside Us

Chapter 13

"Well, this is interesting." An all too familiar voice comes from behind me.

I whip my head around towards the intruder.

Just like the last time we met, the air around us turns ice cold. I shiver, taking in his dark presence, my fear doubling what it was before.

"What are you doing on our territory?" I feign bravery and face him with my chin up. I have no weapons with me, but I am ready for hand to hand combat.

"Never mind about that.. I think you have other things to worry about." His black eyes lock onto my claws.

He steps closer when I continue to glare.

"What a fascinating creature you are." He whispers in awe as he reaches toward my hands.

I jump out of reach and clench my fists, careful not to stab myself with the claws, "all the better to claw your eyes out with... Now tell me why you're on our territory." I tilt my head in question, gritting my teeth.

I'll admit, I'm trying–and failing–to be intimidating.

Tavarious chuckles, "why, you are braver than I thought you were, I'll give you that." He grins, "no need to worry about my presence on your territory—I was invited."

I step back, confused. He was invited?

"By who?"

"By Caide, of course—Oh!..you didn't know?" There's a gleam in his eyes that I don't like.

"Know what?"

Tavarious feigns a sheepish grin, "well, this is awkward.. I was under the impression that you knew about our deal."

"He- he made the deal?" Caide had told me I didn't have to go. Why would he agree without my permission?

I shake my head at the thought. I shouldn't jump to conclusions, I don't even know if he agreed to it.

"No. Caide would never give me away, especially to a monster like you."

Tavarious laughs, "aren't we a little pot calling the kettle black," he picks up my hand, getting a closer look at my claws, "I must say though, mine are better than yours.. But that's okay, I can help you learn how to properly take care of them when you come to live with me."

I yank my arm back, trying and failing to retract the claws.

"What do you mean? Caide never agreed."

"He called me just ten minutes ago saying he couldn't control you anymore. He said you are too much of a monster to keep in the castle. That you are a danger. It was either this or keep you in a cage in the dungeons."

I shake my head, backing away, "no.. No, he wouldn't say that! You're lying!"

Tavarious growls when I raise my voice, "if I were lying then how would I know about you attacking that maid?"

A tear escapes my eye.

"Face it, Allie. You are more like me than you think. They are nothing like us, they are humans. Come with me willingly and I can show you your true potential."

But I am human, right?

I just have the ability to turn into another creature. That doesn't make me not human.

Just a little.. Different than Caide and everyone else.

I sigh.

Caide agreed to hand me over to Tavarious.

He said I'm too dangerous.

But isn't that why he kept me? To be a 'bodyguard'? Doesn't he need me to be dangerous?

Not to the staff, Allie. The voice in the back of my head answers.

More tears run down my face.

Maybe this is good for them.

I don't know what I was thinking. Ava is obviously a better fit for them.

For Caide.

I look back up at Tavarious, who watches me intently.

This will be good for them. It will take away danger and get Tavarious to help them.

"Ok."

A slow grin crosses his face, "splendid."

¶∆¶∆¶∆¶∆¶∆¶∆¶

I am silent as Tavarious leads me through the forest, out of my—Caide's territory. I feel an emptiness in my heart that grows the farther I cross.

My eyes stay locked on my feet, not wanting the reality of where I'm going to crash onto me.

I'm not ready to bare the weight.

Twenty minutes of walking later, Tavarious' black boots finally come to a stop.

I hear a creak of a door opening and then feel a hand grabbing mine.

Jumping back, I pull my hand out of his grasp and cradle it to my chest. I continue to step back before peering up.

Tavarious stands in front of me with a blank look, still holding his hand out.

My eyes widen when I glance behind him.

A tall, black carriage towers above us. An ominous man with a black coat and top hat covering his face, sits rigidly in the drivers seat. Looking even further, I stare in wonder at the sight of two beautiful black horses. They appear almost ghostly with a light black mist hovering around their feet. They whinny and fidget, obviously very impatient.

"Are you coming or not." Tavarious growls, following the horses' lead in their impatience.

I nod silently, ignoring his hand and stepping into the carriage.

Its interior is an eery dark red and I have to wonder if Caide really did make a deal with the actual devil.

A shiver of fear runs down my spine as Tavarious follows behind me and closes the door.

"I know what you're thinking." His deep voice thunders in the silence.

My eyesight, sharper from the wolf half of me, helps to give me a clear sight of him in the darkness.

"And what exactly do you think I'm thinking?"

He grins, letting me get a peek of his pointed canines.

"You think I'm a monster that's going to lock you in a cage as soon as we get to my castle. You think I'm going to torture you and starve you."

"Well.. Are you not?" I can't help but ask.

"While the first part may be true, dear.. I will not lock you in a cage. In my castle, you will get a regular room to yourself. As for the last part, well we'll just have to see how you behave later."