The Hybrid Legacy (Sequel to the Baile Series)

Chapter 25 A Fire That Burns

Fillan

Paws pummelled the earth like the drums of war, preceding a wave of teeth, blood and gore. An armada of gigantic mega Werewolves tore through a dense forest, crushing trees and fissuring the earth beneath their feet. Paint flagged their pelts in red and white, blurring amongst the earthly colours that surrounded them while they ran.

The setting before me altered, the sounds of crunching, gnashing and growling continuing, forming the soundtrack to the entrance of some figure wearing a long fur cloak that swept the floor. I could only see the figure's broad back as he or she stalked down great hall that had paintings and mounts of possible enemies. Vampire fangs, hair and even decapitated heads decorated the room on the walls and on plinths. Between the macabre collections there were striking oil paintings of regal and fearsome looking men dressed in fur and armour. Their golden eyes seemed to stare through me as I remained disembodied as an observer to the mysterious place that was being shown to be.

The figure ahead of me slowed in his stalking to turn around, his eyes scanning the room and his nose sniffing the air. His dark brown eyes looked startlingly familiar as they locked with my blue ones. If I could have felt some part of my physical form I would have frozen.

The battle-scarred man looked away, his expression confused as if for a moment, he really had seen me.

An ear-splitting roar startled me.

I jolted upright in bed, the sheets tangled at my feet and clinging with sweat.

I wiped my burning face with my arm as I came to terms with having another nightmare. I used to enjoy the comfort and solitude that sleep brought me, but it had become a burden and a fear of mine. Sleep wasn't welcoming anymore, it was Hell.

I managed to crawl out of bed and pull a sweater over my head. I decided to find something to distract myself, considering sleep was no longer an option for me. I found myself drawn to the large windows that gave a glorious view of the stars.

"Hey handsome."

I turned to watch Ella sidle up to me in a loosely tied dressing gown.

"Kenzie told me what you've been doing." I looked away.

"So over dramatic." Ella rolled her eyes, brushing her shoulder against my own as she turned her gaze through the window. "But you're not."

"Aren't I?" I wasn't happy I had been lied too, but I wasn't one to break kneecaps like Kenzie would over it.

"No." Ella stroked my arm. "You're kind."

"Not yelling at you doesn't make me kind." I turned to meet her eyes. "And it doesn't mean I like you."

Something dark glinted in her eyes at my comment, her face hardening. "I know you, you're just hurt and I understand."

"You know what I don't understand?" I asked rhetorically. "Why you're eyes changed colour last time we had sex."

I gauged her reaction. She was definitely rattled, but she was quick to smooth her expression and emotion.

"That's ridiculous, you know that didn't happen."

"I know it didn't happen." I leaned against the window frame as her smooth mask slowly peeled back.

"He told you." It was more of an accusation than a question.

"If our lives are just a game, some sort of experiment or new experience for you, then I suggest you leave." My tone was harsh to my own ears. "Some things may not matter where you're from, but they do here. Don't mess with my family." I moved to leave.