Ancient Darkness (On HOLD)

Chapter Six - Fury

The knowledge that the little one - Sang - was currently surrounded by men, touched by a man who Owen knew would want her, infuriated him to end. Infuriated him almost as much as the compulsion to linger as long as she remained a mystery - the girl had already delayed his plans and even now he felt the need to know her, find and learn every curve of her.

Until he decided what was to be done with her, she was to be protected, touched by no other. No other had the right to know her mind, body or heart, and any that dared would face a wrath beyond imagining.

Owen paced the length of the veranda and tried to calm the bloodthirsty monster crying out for death, namely the utter destruction of the one Sang thought of as Mr Blyre. Through her eyes he could see that she thought of him as repulsive and invasive but it did nothing to ward off the madness which was beginning to seep through Owen's veins.

"Brother, what has you so rattled this night?" The whiskey smooth voice came from the doorway. It was a comforting one, the sound of his closest friend had kept him grounded when nothing else could. A thousand years the both of them had walked this earth side by side and Owen respected him in a way that was usually foreign between males of their kind, but then that could be said of all their blood brothers - those who had sought to lay down their lives for Owen and their kind at some point during his many years.

After all of the evil he had faced it wasn't easy for him to trust but when found someone worthy, it was with a deep abiding foreverness.

There were eight of them, members of his guard who had come into being at some point or another over the past millennium. For most males, they were a species of loners withering away as they fought to destroy the hybrids and rogues wandering the earth.

They were who he owed loyalty to, they were the ones who he gave faith to. Owen knew that when his time came to an end they would be the ones to continue his duty of caring for and protecting the weakest of the bloodlines.

But this girl - this young, insignificant human girl had managed to turn his head in a way that no other had before her. He felt a need to understand why she seemed to have such power over him - he wanted to kill or contain her and ensure that a creature such as she wasn't left to wander once he was gone.

Although, he had sensed no real threat to them as a whole, he was still wary. How had she managed to find one such as him? Surely coincidence in this instance was too easy an explanation? The strangest full-blood human that he had ever come across had the ability to speak to him and was within miles of his home?

Surely this was a plot to weaken him? And why now?

All Owen knew was that the thought of her being away from him ate at his stomach like the most vile acid and he recognised himself at his most dangerous.

"Owen?" Sean's voice plagued his ears once more and he drew himself from those bloodthirsty thoughts.

"Sean?" He answered, his muscles protesting his mind's decree that he not move, that he stop from taking flight in order to reach the delicate yet threatening human.

"You've not been yourself tonight. Is there something that you'd like to talk of?"

Owen shook his head and turned his sharp eyes to the woods surrounding the house, and the wolves that had currently ventured close enough so that they could watch him in return.

He had been entirely truthful with the young Miss Sorenson earlier, the wolves that roamed this area were more vicious than most when unwelcome guests trespassed on their land. Throughout the generations there had also been rumours that a pack of nine appeared larger and more dangerous than any other, a pack which seemed a little too smart and inquisitive as they roamed close to the neaby settlements.

"There is something that I haven't passed onto you," He paused, not looking back to gauge his brother's reaction to the announcement and his obvious reluctance. He, Owen Blackbourne, had never before hesitated to share information when it concerned the welfare of their kind.

This was different - Sang Sorenson was making it different.

"There is a girl...a human girl nearby and she has managed to communicate with me using pathways similar to our own." He finally admitted with cautious brutality. He knew with certainty that Sean would understand the implications, Owen had not spoken to any human for over a hundred years and the fact that it was a non-physical contact?

Silence, even from the wind, followed and he began to grow restless until a very sharp awareness overtook him.

Sang was very much present in that moment as her thoughts penetrated his, she was seated next to the loathsome Mr Blyre and his proximity was paining her. Something about the man disgusted her beyond the norm and she was reacting with panic, panic Owen easily latched onto.

He tried to question her but, not a gentle man when it came to the things threatening anything he considered his, she tried to block him out, agony ripping through her at the attempt.

Owen waited no more, paid no mind to his companion lingering in the doorway. He launched himself through the air and rose with speed until he was flying through the night sky in order to reach her.

He had already explained this to her! She was not allowed to injure herself or put herself into a situation where the result would be that she was injured! He would be the only one to cause her pain should she prove a threat, no other!

The scenery was nothing more than a blur as he quickly reached his destination. He stood on the threshold of a small inn and slowly made his way inside, grimacing over the smell of humans.

Even an intoxicating scent of gardenias could not obliterate the stench that accompanied the one now known to him as Mr Callen Blyre.

Owen walked through the entry until he stood close enough to look upon a grouping of people in front of a small chaise lounge where he knew his Miss Sorenson perched.

"I believe it'd be best if I escort you back to your room where you may rest for the night."

The sickly sound of a pathetic male made his lip lift. This was the one who dared to invade his little one's space.

He did not think of the consequences as he made his decision, she was completely spoken for until he solved what he saw as a puzzle, "There is no need for that. Miss Sorenson already has plans for the remainder of the night."