Atonement - Book Four (Man x Man)

Chapter 40

I can feel him before I even see him, before the words are uttered from his lips I know exactly who has set this trap for us and it burns me to my core. How much have a suffered from the evils of this man? "Verando?" Tomas asks and I grit my teeth so hard I fear they will break. 

"That's not Verando." I turn to look at the man who stands so ominously in our path. "That's Shellshock."

Tomas snorts. "What the hell kind of name is that?" 

The man glowers, taking quick steps towards me and I put up my hand. "A shit one, get down!" I push Tomas down with my splinted arm as I send a surge of energy towards the man, my body feeds off the humidity and travels like electricity through the mist in a spray of icy shards.

Shellshock dives out of the way but I follow him with my hand, the ice tracking him like a serpent. "Did you honestly think this would work for you? Did you really think you could stand against me on your own?" The ice hits the ground, narrowly missing him as he slides across the dirt. The walkway explodes into dust and rubble. 

"Tomas, you need to get back home and tell them where I am." I hiss under my breath. The wolf is before me, the scarred face wreaks havoc on the wolven form as the tangles of fur are interrupted by the brands. He bares his fangs and I notice he's standing on a metal club where I took his hand. 

"You're not going anywhere." He snarls, his coat is a mixture of white and gray splotches. The dust breaks up his form as he rushes at us and Tomas offers cover fire with his bow and arrow, the wolf dives under the assault. I center myself before delivering a sharp kick that sends a burst of wind through the trees and into the creature, sending him sailing through the sky. 

The wolf twists and flips into the air, landing partway on his feet. Tomas gapes at me and I stare at my own feet. "So you've learned some tricks."

It would appear that outside I'm much more formidable, which would make sense. I feel the surge of energy flowing through me as the universe offers up it's elements to my disposal. But I can't waste all my energy dealing with this man. He rushes us and I allow Tomas to track him with his arrows, keeping him just enough at bay that I feel as though I have a moment to think.

 Why would he come alone? Unless he just wants to drain me, he wants to wear me down until Corina can get to us.

I curse under my breath. "He's not trying to attack us, Tomas. He's trying to distract us and keep us here. You need to get going. Now. He won't chase after you and if he does, I will stop him." I shove him towards Fergus. "Fergus if you have any use at all, please make today the day you chose to show it. Go. Get Verando." 

Tomas reluctantly climbs on. "Nicolas, you can not face her alone."

"Get out of here Tomas!!" I thunder as the wolf returns, fangs bared. I send another kick his way, gathering the wind and circling it in my hands as I eject it from my wrists into his side. I flinch as my arm complains, the galloping hooves echo in my ears as the unicorn disappears over the distance. 

"How noble." The wolf slowly begins to circle me. The eyes of the creature are almost white in color with pinpoint pupils, his ears flat back against his skull. I notice the limp, even with the metal bulb for a foot he's more lame than when he arrived so he has taken on some damage.

I chuckle, the sky begins to blacken as I burn up the atmosphere with my wind attacks. Dark clouds growl and cross across the sky as my mood darkens. "I'm surprised you'd show your sorry ass back here. Want to lose your other hand?"

He barks at me, strings of drool slide from between his teeth at the thought of getting a grip on me once more. I try not to let it break me, I block out the visions of him enforcing his will upon me. I don't dare close my eyes though I can feel the tension in my jaw. "You were one of the filthiest bitches I've ever had. Do you know how disgusting it was to be serviced by you?"