Killing On Command

Chapter 13

The fire had destroyed everything, from ancient documents to the tomes in which sorcery training was taught from. Gold coins had been reduced to soft hot piles of melted metal, and weapons had been cracked and crumpled like paper by the wolves. Alex could see the piles of ash which littered the floor had been piled into neat piles as though they had been poured into a funnel. She started to wonder whether they were the remains of her fellows from burning up in here. She felt her stomach lurch at the thought of it.

Lady Lamia had checked up on Requiem and Alex to see about their well-being after the attack, and had suggested that they both keep on guard, seeing as the Lamia family now knew about her close relationship with their youngest pup. It hurt her to remember Zach's face - bloody and scared as she attacked him. He'd never forgive her, and she knew that she'd have to accept it, but somehow she knew that she'd never let him go. She had to start her training today, due to Lady Lamia wanting her and Requiem on the front line to fight. She'd heard about Alex's skills already, but hadn't seen them in action until the attack.

Presently, Requiem and herself were stood in the ruins of the Treasury, where the main struts of the roof had collapsed in and the ash piles were more frequent. Alex showed no emotion on her face, but Requiem's face showed motives of pure anger and hatred. She didn't understand why, but his anger seemed - at least, she thought - to be aimed at herself. Perhaps this was down to her provoking an invasion. He swiftly turned to face the exit where Lady Lamia was stood. Alex also turned to see her calm face, which contrasted with Requiem's face completely.

"I see you've assessed the damage sufficiently." She pointed out calmly. Alex stood uncomfortably next to her mentor as he faced the Queen. She was completely emotionless, which seemed a little strange. " It's completely despicable, the mongrels should be ashamed of themselves."

"Of course, My Lady." Requiem didn't say much to her, but he glanced at Alex, who was still crouched down, assessing the piles of gold and ashes of scrolls on the floor. She squirmed as she felt his eyes meet her, but felt it a little comforting to her surprise. "As soon as I find out why they were attempting an invasion, I'll-"

"I know why," Alex started. Both of the pale and powerful Bloods turned to look at her in sync. "I knew one of them, he was my best friend before I was-" She paused, clearing her throat. "Before I came here..."

"I understand..." Lady Lamia told her, placing a hand on her shoulder. Alex knew that she wouldn't understand at all, but she smiled a little to show how she appreciated the gesture. "You must understand however, this attack cannot go unpunished. We will wait until the war, but we will taste their blood, and we will overthrow the Millers once more." She went on, suddenly sounding a lot angrier with the Mortals than the Lupines for the attack.

"I understand, My Lady." She stated simply. She had no desire to continue with the conversation, and she had to get out of the Treasury. The fumes from the fire and ash from the small piles on the floor were slowly choking her, along with her heart aching for Zach.

"Come Alex. I'll take you to your training before the sun rises. We should have sufficient time to get there and back to the manor before we burn to death." Requiem spoke quietly in her ear. She was shocked by his bluntness for the second time since they met, but nodded quickly before hurrying out of the door and into a large courtyard at the centre of the estate. The moon was mid sky at this point, and she looked in awe as she saw its chalky but bright outline against the black sky. There were stars in the sky too, and Alex swore that she saw a shooting star dart across her vision in a split second.

"It's beautiful from here," Alex started as she heard Requiem's almost silent footsteps creep up behind her. He sighed as he looked up at the sky with her.