Worst Curse: A Ghostwalkers Journey, Book II

Chapter 21

     Bynan had equipped his tandem animal for a fight with a werewolf. The bison's horns were tipped in silver. Armor plates, covering the head and sides of the body, reflected the moonlight. Standing in the street, the war buffalo gave an ominous presence. While Yasmina was planting her feet for another attack, she failed to notice the soldiers in position around her. Among the rooftops, and upper windows, archers took aim to stop any further attacks. Before the female werewolf could lunge at the buffalo, silver arrow tips began piercing her back.

     Pain sent Yasmina into hiding. Darting toward the base off the building, she hoped to get out of the line of fire. When she noticed what was happening, she turned her attention from fighting Bynan. While pulling arrows out of her back, she continued to dodge new ones. Overflowing with frustration, she tore her way into the building and began climbing. Bursting into one of the upper level rooms, she found herself in a trap. Waiting for her on the other side was a scout's tandem animal. Equipped with armor, and silver tipped claws and fangs, an orange tinted tiger roared at her entrance. From behind, an armored tandem bear, with silver tipped claws and fangs, was released to aid in the defense. Turning to acknowledge the bear, Yasmina allowed the tiger to attack unnoticed.

     A swipe from the silver tipped claws sunk deep into Yasmina's side. Burning pain shot throughout her body. Smacking the bear off balance, she then turned her attention to the tiger. Pouncing, the tiger was unable to defend a large punch to the belly. The force sent the tiger into the ceiling. Landing on its feet, the tiger shook off the impact, and backed into the corner. From outside the window, more silver tip arrows flew in her direction. Backing out of the room, Yasmina was confronted by the bear again.

     Grabbing each arm, she kept the claws at a distance. Battling with keeping away from the fangs, Yasmina looked for her own chance to sink her teeth into the bear's flesh. Using her clawed foot, she tore into the bear's side. Injured, the bear retracted from the fight as the tiger made another effort. Catching the werewolf in a struggle, the tiger was able to sink her fangs into the wolf's arm. Yasmina pushed away from the bear, and sunk her claws into the tiger's neck. Ripping out the animal's throat, the werewolf eliminated one threat. Leaping through the air, Yasmina took ahold of the bear's arm and jaw. Pushing her arms apart she exposed the bear's neck. Using significant pressure, she ripped into the bear's throat, taking it out of the fight.

     Blood drops hit the floor in the middle of the destroyed upper level of the building. Yasmina was hurt, and the wounds from silver continued to burn. In her back, the burning was intense and she knew some of the arrow tips were still inside her flesh. After dropping down to all fours, she went ahead and laid down on the floor. The smell of someone approaching hit her nostrils before the sound of them walking hit her ears. The familiar smell didn't alarm her, she welcomed it. Climbing the steps was a young man she was developing feelings for. His arrival made her happy.

     Austesh reached the top of the steps to find Yasmina in pain. Confused about how to approach the large beast, he showed his palms to signify he wasn't a threat. She watched him, but didn't make any movements as he moved closer. Next to her, he knelt down, and ran his hand across her fur. Petting along her back, he could feel the broken arrow tips. The impact with the arrows sent a shockwave through her body, causing her to growl. Austesh quickly pulled his hand away, but she grabbed it, and pulled it back. The action gave Austesh clarity on what she wanted him to do. Reluctant about how his actions would be perceived, he took a hold of the broken arrow and gave it a jerk. Pulling the arrow from her flesh made her sink her claws into the wooden floor. She looked back at him, gave him a nod, and he knew to continue.

     In the street, outside the gate, Therion caught wind of the Light Witch while she fought with the High Priestess on the stairs. Pilo was a side mission, but now, in his line of vision, was the true mission. He jumped the gate, and one of the vampires controlling the spear stand, let one fly. The tip of the spear glimmering in the moonlight caught Therion's attention. With an overhand swipe, Therion caught the spear in the air, and then charged after its source. Unable to move out of the way in time, the vampire was still at the helm of the spear stand when Therion crashed into it, tearing it apart. Using both of his hands, Therion took ahold of the vampire, sunk in his claws, and pulled his victim in two.

     Spinning the spear in the air put the point in the direction of his next target. Snatching the spear out of the air, Therion pulled back, and slung the spear toward the stairs. The tip was on target for the Light Witch until Pilo exited the spirit realm and knocked it off course. Pilo barely misguided the attack. Trying to keep her attackers at a distance kept the Light Witch distracted at the attack coming her way. She was shocked when the large spear flew by her and stuck deeply in the wall beside her. All of the commotion was enough to knock the Light Witch off balance and she stumbled back into the doorway. Smelling blood, the vampires made their attack.

     Seeing his better half in trouble, Bynan took his focus off of Yasmina, leaving it to his soldiers, and went after Therion. The war buffalo tore up the grass as it charged after the werewolf. Getting involved with the direction of the spear put Pilo back into Therion's focus. Using his speed, Pilo dodged Therion's attempts to grab him. Like someone trying to kill a fly, Therion repeatedly swatted at the vampire eluding his attacks. Having Therion focusing on Pilo gave the buffalo enough chance to get close. The smell of the approaching beast alerted the werewolf of the nearby attacker. Spinning around, just in time, Therion was able to grab ahold of the buffalo's horns, keeping them from making contact. He wasn't in a position to stop the force behind the large animal, and the buffalo forced Therion into the side of the building.

     Taking advantage of the opportunity, Pilo exited above Therion and drove a silver tip into the beast's shoulder. A large furry claw arriving at the source of the pain caused Pilo to retreat. With a horn free, the buffalo twist its head and fought to break skin. Therion still had a grasp on the other horn, and with his supernatural strength he was able to keep the other horn off its mark. Pilo returned to the fight behind the buffalo. Running as fast as he could, Pilo jumped through the air, and put a force behind the buffalo's horn, giving it extra strength it needed to make contact. The silver tip pushed into Therion's side, making him howl out.

     Inside the mansion the howl went unnoticed. Escaping into the spirit realm gave the Light Witch a needed moment to compose herself. Her owl flew to the garden slowly to make sure her pursuers didn't miss her direction. The group of vampires kept close to the owl retreating to the balcony. Entering behind the crowd, the High Priestess casually took the same path. A slow pace gave the High Priestess a moment to be alone. Standing in the foyer, she took some time to look around at her surroundings. Tilting her head, she only moved her eyes from one side of the room to the other. A grin grew across her face as she extended her staff. An incantation brought forth power from the darkness she harnessed, and she released it onto the wall beside her. The dark force expelled from her staff flowed over to the wall. Destruction followed the force penetrating with the wall. As it spread out from the point of contact everything left behind turn to ash. Finding satisfaction in her deed, the High Priestess left the area behind to find out where the Light Witch ended up.

     There wasn't a lot of knowledge on the supernatural entities plaguing the community. Since vampires and werewolves were created by the coven, even the Light Witch had insufficient knowledge on the capabilities of the cursed. Information on vampires had been widely collected over the years from the close relationships they've had with members of the community. Since the werewolves were seen as the pertinent threat, due to their strength, an attempt to wipe them all out was made before collecting sufficient data. Very few alive knew the capabilities of those cursed with hunger. It was that lack of knowledge leading Ghostwalkers to believe they could sneak up on a werewolf and not be seen. Yasmina let the two Ghostwalkers get into attacking distance before she gave them a lesson in abilities. They were thinking they were getting into their attacking range when in reality, they were in hers. The quick movement made Austesh jump. Yasmina popped up off the ground, wrapping her large human like paws around the men. Austesh only saw her chomp down on air. Existing in both realms, when her teeth came together, two Ghostwalkers were decapitated.

     Feeling better, Yasmina remained on her feet, and waved Austesh off. Austesh stepped into the spirit realm, and made his exit. On the other side, looking at the two bodies, he was able to see what her actions were really about. Seeing two of his brothers-in-arms lying dead on the ground, made him question his actions. He was unsure of what side he was on. Not quite sure of where his loyalties lie, he questioned why he helped Yasmina if this was the result. These men were affiliated with those who murdered his dad, but they were just following orders like he used to. Was his anger clouding his judgement of right and wrong? There was only one person to blame for the death of his father, and he was confident he knew where to find him.