by J. B. Garcia
“Niki, my King.” Just hearing the name makes my anger rise beyond all comprehension. There is no way that I will let this girl live. She will be made an example of. Just the thought of holding her neck between my hands gives me great joy.
“Orders my King?” Ares patiently awaits his decision. “Ares, how close to the awaking is this girl?” Ares turns his head to the side in confusion. “Less than 3 weeks my King.” A deep sadistic laugh burrows in Khans throat. “We will wait until she has awakened before we…visit her.” Ares drops his hands to his side and steps closer to Khan, “But my King the Blood Moon is on her awakening.” Khan throws his hand up demanding silence. “Do you not believe that I am stronger than she? Do you not have faith in your King?” He swallows deeply and sweat beads upon his forehead, “Of course you are stronger than she, but why not cut her down before she awakens.” Khans laughs into the air, “What would my subjects think if I killed the girl my Queen released her essence to without a fair fight?” giving Ares a sarcastic smile, “Ares the glory of war is all that is remember when we are gone, and this General…will be remembered.” Ares bows his head to Khan and turns on his heels leaving the Great Hall. He steps echo off the high ceilings and walls reminding Khan that he is utterly alone now. How could she do this to me? I loved her more than words could ever explain and now I am without her and my young daughter. How can life be so cruel to me? I have suffered more pain in the last 2 years than all the 500 years I have lived. Renee was to ride into battle with me against the Human Race. She did not agree with slaughtering the humans but I do not care. They will pay for their ignorance and hatred. The full moon is approaching and I can feel my inner wolf beginning me for war, blood and pain. I will oblige completely.
***
“Ares!” Khan shouts down the East Wing corridor as Ares walks ahead of him with two armed guards. Ares turns immediately jogging back to Khan, “Yes My King.” Khan runs his hands through his jet black hair letting a few small pieces fall in front of his piercing blue eyes. “Where is Asclepius?” Ares looks to the two guards who have stopped and are looking back towards him. “We have not been able to locate her since the passing of the Queen and she only answers to her.” Khan begins to walk towards Ares, making him back into the wall. His step become louder and louder as his anger intensifies. He pushes Ares against the wall, “I am King of the Realm and she will come when she is ordered.” Ares tries to remain still and responds, “My King, perhaps if you call for her and not I, she will come.” Khan backs away from Ares releasing him from the stone wall. The torches that line the corridor flicker as Khan looks up and down the hall. He shouts into the air “Asclepius, I order you to report to me now!” His voice is booming and intense and it echoes down the hallway. At the end of the corridor that leads to the foyer, Asclepius peaks her head around the corner. Khan sees her and turns towards her pointing to the ground in front of him, “Asclepius… come here.” He talks to her like she is his own child. The way the she presents herself and how she speaks show that she is like a child carefree and full of love but in the body of a grown Healer. She walks to Khan as if he is her father and she is about to be scolded. She looks to the ground and stops in front of Khan. She clasps her hands in front of her waist and draws circles on the ground with her foot, “Yes my King?” Khan clenches his hands into fists and places them on his hips. “Why did you not come when Ares called you? I have been looking for you.” She looks to Ares and squints her eyes with anger, “I do not come to Ares. He has no authority over me.” Khan throws his head back laughs sadistically. He looks back down to Asclepius and gives her a half a smile. He then reaches down violently and grabs her by the throat with one hand lifting her off her feet into the air. He begins to shout in her face, “Listen here girl! You come when you’re called whether it is I or Ares. Your Queen has left you and now you are mine. Do as I bid or I will end you!” Asclepius eyes begin to well up with tears and one by one they begin falling down her cheeks and land onto Khans arm. She looks him straight in the eye fearlessly, “You do not own me my King. I am loyal to the Queen. Renee may be gone but there is a new Queen and I answer only to her!” Khan begins to lose himself in rage and his grip tightens around her neck. Asclepius begins to claw at his hand and arm ripping back flesh as she runs out of air. Kicking her legs as hard as she can; Khan throws her to the ground and she hits her head on wall making a small cut above her eye. She takes a deep breath in and her lungs burn as the much needed oxygen flows into her. Blood begins to seep through a cut and run down her eye brow. She runs her hand over the laceration and it begins to heal. Khan stares down to her as if she is nothing to him, just another servant in his home. “Child you must watch the way to speak to me. This is just a sample of what I will do to you if you run to that wench. Your Queen is dead, you are mine now.” She looks away from him and refuses to acknowledge him any further. She shakily rises to her feet and turns back towards to foyer. Slowly she walks back down the hall and out if sight. Khan looks to Ares, “What ignorance!” Ares nods his head. “Ares, how many scouts are out right now? What information have they brought back?”
“There are 10 scouts out right now and 2 have returned. The child and her family are traveling to a vacation home they have.” Khan runs his over his chiseled jaw line, “Where is their vacation home?” Ares clears his throat nervously, “Royals Peak.” Khan looks to Ares, eyes crazed with anger. “Royals Peak! Not only is she turning with Renee’s power on top of the ones she was born with, but she is going to be at the strongest location that the most powerful rulers have descended from with the Blood Moon.” The tension in the room has risen and the guards begin to back away from the situation. Khan is fuming with anger he grabs a burning torch from the wall and throws it to the ground throwing sparks into the air. It lights the bright red carpet that runs the entire length of the hall, on fire. The two guards rush to the small flames stomping them out. The smell of smoke is thick in the air and Khan chokes on the smell, turns and walks out of the hall into the sun lite foyer. The large double doors to the front of the castle stand taller than any man. At least 10 feet into the air, they are beautifully carved in the language of the ancestors, spells and blessings to keep the royal family safe. There are stain glass windows on every wall of previous rulers. Khan looks around the foyer at all the past leaders of the Realm. He glances to the last window closets to the back wall to see that Renee’s image has been added to the foyer windows. She is so beautiful and his heart begins to ache for her. He replaces this feeling of grief with anger and hate. Ares walks up behind Khan and speaks in a hushed tone, “My King, this will be the last time that I ask and please remember that I ask only for my concern towards you, don’t you think that we should eliminate the young Queen before she gains all her power?” Khan rests his open palm on Ares face. Ares straightens up thinking that he has pleased his King. He leans forward and whispers in his ear, “Ares, suggest that again and I will slit your throat where you stand.” He drops his hand to his side and turns away from Ares. “Yes my King.”
***
The days have become longer as Khan awaits his day of glory when he finally gets his revenge on the young queen. The curtains are drawn in the Great Hall and the only light is from burning candles that line the stone walls. He sits in his thrown stewing in his anger and fanaticizing how he will murder Niki. The large doors creek open and Ares steps through. He walks towards Khan and his steps echo is the eerie silence. He reaches the thrown steps and bows. Khan does not acknowledge his presence. “My King, there is a Mystic and werewolf with the young queen at Royals Peak.” Khan looks down to Ares. His face looks as if he hasn’t slept in days and his voice is deeper than normally, “Who is the Mystic?” Ares takes a step forward and Khan raises his hand, signaling for him to stay where he is. “Her name is Denise. She was denied by Renee to join the Royal Court after she was awakened many years ago; also she was bitten during her awakening so she is also werewolf. She may be of some use to us…you my King. Her son T
ravis is with her also. He is a werewolf.” Khan sits up slightly at hearing that she was denied by Renee. This may be helpfully to me. He runs his hands through his now tangled and greasy hair. “Ares, do you know anything else about this woman?” Ares shakes his head from side to side, “Not very much sir. She is married to Charles the messenger and she has been trying to get in the Realm for years with no success. Renee insisted that she was not to be a part of the Court.” Khan places his hands together and closes his eyes. How can I use this woman to my advantage? Khan claps his hands together as an idea pops into his mind. He jumps from his throne and quickly walks down the three steps to where Ares is standing. “It’s so simple! You go to Denise and tell her that if she aids us she will be accepted into the court. Tell her that we need her to give us any and all information about Niki.” Ares smiles and bows to Khan. “Yes, My King and when she completes the task where do you want her to be placed in the court?” Khan turns his back to Ares and begins to walk back up to his throne, “Ares there is no place for her. After she does what I bid…kill her and anyone else in your way.” Ares takes his orders, turns on his heels and leaves the great hall.
***
It has been a few days since Ares left to try and convince Denise to work for them. Since he got word of Renee’s death he has not left the Great Hall. He eats and sleeps sitting in his throne rarely leaving the room for anything other than to bathe. He keeps his servants out and the curtains drawn both day and night. Darkness has flooded his heart and it has consumed him entirely. He has convinced himself that he will be avenging Renee by killing Niki. He sits in his throne with his head tilted down and eyes closed. He hears the door creek open and pays no attention to it. Ares steps through the door and sees his King sitting slumped slightly over. He walks down the carpet runner trying not to make too much noise. He kneels and Khan raises his head, “My King, we have a new development.” Khan whips his head up rubbing his face, “Tell me Ares.” He motions for Ares to rise and he follows. “The girl has been bonded…to the son of Denise.” Khan’s eyes widen and he stands erect from his throne. “What do you mean she has been bonded?! Is Denise conspiring against me!?” He stomps down from his throne and heads towards the front door. He rushes out and Ares chases after him down the long corridor. “My King, Denise did not know that this would happen. She did not plan for this. I have spoken with her and I do believe that this was unplanned.” Khan stops in his tracks and turns to Ares. “So you take the word of this wench!? She is a Mystic you idiot she can read the future! You have gathered no other evidence?!” He starts to take steps towards Ares and he back away from him slowly, “My King, I spoke with Niki’s father…well I used my talents and made him talk.” Khan begins to smile and throws back his head laughing, “Oh Ares you never fail me! What did the Father have to say?”
“Between his screams, he gave me all the information he had. Humans are so weak. He is totally unaware of our world. He knew nothing. The Mother and father not only hide the child’s ability from the world, but had her believing that he she was insane. There is no way that this could have been planned. Their bonding was coincidence. Denise has some sort of grudge against Niki and her whole family. She swore that she would never read their futures again. She wanted nothing to do with their family until Niki’s mother requested her help.” Khan rubs his chin and starts to pace from one side of the hall to the other. He stops suddenly turning his head slowly to Ares with a sinister smile. “The boy must over throw me…” Ares tilts his head in confusion, “Sir?” Khan clasps his hands together and it echoes through the silent stone hallway. “Ares you know nothing of our laws! Since the boy has bonded with the wench, if he wants to be with her, he must take my throne!” Khan turns away from Ares and begins to walk down the corridor towards his Chambers. Servants scurry past Khan trying not to gain his attention. They know the rage he has inside and the best thing is to be invisible to him. A young girl carrying fresh towels and sheets doesn’t hear or see Khan coming up behind her as she opens the large redwood double doors that lead into his chambers. Ares tries to run ahead to move the girl from their path but Khan stops him. “Girl!” Her black hair runs down her back in playful waves. She turns her head to see Khan and Ares briskly towards her. He green eyes glitter from the flames of the torches and her face is just as beautiful as the morning sun. She drops to her knees with her linen clutched to her chest. “Yes my King.” Khan stops in front of her with his hands balled into fists resting them his hips, “What is your name girl?” She doesn’t raise her head and her thick Scottish accent cracks as she responds, “Grizel my King.” She turns her head to Ares and looks him in the eye with worry covering her face. He shakes his head no to her and she whips her head back to the ground. Khan continues, “Ahh Grizel, Scottish for Grey Battle Maid. Am I correct?” He motions for her to rise and she pushes herself from the hard cold stone floors and stands erect still clutching onto the clean linen “Yes my King you are correct.”
“So Grizel what is your purpose here?” She looks to Khan confused and then to Ares. Ares widens his eyes at her and motions her to answer Khan. “I replace and wash the linens my King.” Khan walks over to the large chamber doors and pushes them open further. “Well then Battle Maid, return to your duties.” She curtsies to Khan and runs into his room. Khan turns to Ares and begins to walk slowly towards him, “Ares…do you know that girl?” Ares swallows deeply and clears his throat, “Yes my King.” Khan stops in front of Ares with his legs apart and his arms crossed. “And how do you know the grey battle madien?” Ares takes a step back his it echoes down the hall. He looks past Khan and into his chambers to Grizel ripping the old sheets off the enormous bed. Her beauty is so breath taking that Ares lets out a gentle sigh and cracks half a smile. Khan interrupts his silent moment, “God Lord Ares, have you bonded with that servant?” Ares snaps out of his trance and looks back to Khan. For a moment he stays silent, unsure what to say. Finally he summons the courage to respond, “Yes my King.” Jealously rips through Khan and he is overwhelmed with rage. If he cannot have his Renee, then he wants other to suffer just as much as he. He turns back towards Grizel and starts towards her. Ares runs and places himself between Grizel and Khan. “Please Khan don’t do this!” His shrieks are heard down the corridor and passing servants begin to run down the hall towards all three of them. Grizel begins to scream as Khan and Ares collide. Servants try to save Grizel from the fight that has erupted in front of her but they cannot get around Area and Khan. They fall to the ground in the doorway and begin to roll around, wrestling each other, trying to subdue one another. “My King! Please stop!” Ares screams from underneath Khan as he is struggling to break free. Grizel tries to rush around them but Khan catches her by the ankle making her fall to the ground. Her head slams on the stone and a loud crack rings through the air. Her body becomes motionless. Warm crimson liquid begins to stain the floor. Ares stop struggling when he sees the body of his lifeless mate lying on the ground face down. Khan releases Ares and gets to his feet. Ares rushes to Grizel cradling her in his arms. A large laceration extends from her forehead down to her right eye. Blood pours from the wound as Ares clutches her to his chest. “Grizel…please my Love… don’t leave me.?” The servants stand motionless in the doorway staring down at the heart breaking scene before them. Khan is motionless behind them with a grin from ear to ear. His grief has blinded him and nothing is left but the shell of the man he used to be. He looks to his servants as they stare down at Ares and Grizel. “Don’t you have work!?” He shoots at them breaking their trance. They all bow to Khan and scurry away back down the hall. Ares remains on the stone floor rocking back and forth with Grizel cradled in his arms. “Ares are you going to whimper like a woman or are you going to get that bloody mess out of my chambers?” Ares body heats with rage and he turns to Khan who has folded his arms waiting for his response. There are no words that Ares can express that would not anger Khan which would lead to his own death as well. There is nothing to do but take his
mate to the burial grounds to lay her to rest. Ares silently rises from the ground with Grizels lifeless body in his arms. His grey uniform coat is now soaked with the blood of Grizel. He does not turn back to Khan as he carries her down the corridor. As Ares gets half way down the hallway, Khan yells after him, “Send someone to clean up this mess!” Ares heart begins to crumble in his chest. There is nothing that he would rather do then battle Khan till he falls to the ground. What he has done to Grizel is unforgivable, but the fact that he is King makes it very difficult to get revenge. Ares has no choice but to follow Khans orders. “Yes my King.” He approaches the end of the corridor that forks into two different directions. To the left leads to the west wing of the castle that opens up the royal garden or to the right that leads to the kitchen. Servants have gathered at the fork. They all are weeping for the loss of their friend. Ares tries to keep his composure as he walks through the swarm of servants trying to say goodbye to Grizel. “Step back! Don’t touch her! One of you go to the King and clean up the mess he made.” The weeping stops and whispers break out. One young girl with flowing red curls steps forward to Ares bows her head and walks past him to Khans chamber. Ares turns his head back and whispers, “Thank you girl.” She turns her head slightly back with tears rolling down her freckled cheeks to him giving him a reassuring nod.
