Branded Wings

by S. I. Hayes

  “What? Why?”

  “Power, why else?” Mary added. “He wants Aella and that lance of hers. It’s got the power to command armies, crush her enemies, or bend them to her will.”

  “Fuck me, why did I have to go off like I did?”

  “Your passions got the best of you.” Alewar put his hand on my shoulder. “Come, I’ll help you find her. I swore to Mary I would aid you in helping and finding her.”

  “Then come with me and bring them, because if the feeling in my chest is any indication we don’t have much time.”

  Alewar stopped me as I clutched my scales, ripping my hand away. He simply shook his head. “It’s not her who doesn’t have much time, brother.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “That’s Dragon’s poison, on a soul bond. It’s not lethal to the inflicted mate, but the connected soul.”

  “How would you even know that.”

  “How do you think the first Dragonborn that became a Phoenix died?”

  “I don’t have time for this, either help me or get out of my way.” I shook it off, I couldn’t believe in prophecies or more old wives’ tales. Besides, if it was true, then I really needed to see Aella before I dropped. This tightness in my chest was wearing me thin and I was having a hard time breathing. Alewar lifted me up as I doubled over from, of all things, the smoke!

  “Your Dragon is stronger and can fight the poison. When we get outside, turn, your senses will heighten and you’ll be able to find her all the more quickly from the air. We’ll search the ground, if I find her, I’ll come to you.”

  I coughed and agreed. The Cŵn Arwen met us at the doors. Mary looked terrified and concerned as Alewar opened the door.

  “Don’t go.” She clutched her chest suddenly. “I command you to stay with me.”

  He chuckled. “My Lady Marigold, you know I must do what is right, firstly. And this is what’s right.” He walked to her, towering over her. “But if I must do something that is wrong...” He lifted her up and wrapped his arms around her tiny little body, kissing her so deeply and passionately that I blushed.

  She stared at him in disbelief as he put her down, her legs a bit wobbly. “I couldn’t leave with the prospect of not returning having never done that. My Marigold.” He bowed to her, turned on his heel and walked with me through the door, into the darkness of the night.

  “SEEMS YOU FOUND LOVE again.” I half laughed as I straightened out, the dogs of war circling me, sniffing me, picking up my scent so as not to confuse it with Aella’s.

  “I believe she is my soul’s mate. She is young enough to be the repeat of lost love.”

  “So she is, and may well be. I wish you good fortune, and well, plenty of luck.”

  “There is an anti-venom, find your mate, kill the one who infected her and drink his blood before the venom reaches your heart or it will kill you...”

  “I understand.” I opened up and took on my Dragon form, soaring up above the smoke. In the darkness the still raging fires lit up the night, making it easier to see. There was still some movement on the ground, but it was not anyone for me to care for. There was no sign of Ryane or Gage either. I hoped Father had gotten them out of here by now, and from the looks of it, he had. Then I saw the Science building, the collapse we felt was not from it falling down, but from it caving inward. Something huge had slammed into the side of it, causing it to implode.

  I dove straight for it, watching in horror as Greisen took to the air with something in his arms that looked like Aella, only she was half transformed...

  chapter 86 Keegan

  PLEASURE. PAIN. TO me they have no difference. One transcends the other. Torture was not the way for Father to reshape my cravings. He only managed to reinforce my needs. He bled me dry, that reminded me of the man in tan. I told them about him. His timber, his resolve and the words Hunter’s Association apparently fell from my lips more than once. I heard Jarod and Dodge; they thought I was hopped up on that Werewolf venom. What they didn’t know was not nearly enough. Not anymore, at least. It’s not strong enough.

  “If he knew about what was going on at Grigori now he’d freak.”

  My ears perked up as they spoke in hushed tones.

  “His woman went to see about it. The Boss let her.”

  My blood stirred. I had to get the fuck out of here. I knew things they didn’t. I didn’t wanna hurt them, but this time when they tried to move me, well, they were in for a head smashing good time. They went quiet as they came to me and I braced myself by slumping forward as they flanked me, one to either side to undo my shackles. I fell forward, making Dodge unexpectedly take my full weight. He fell with all three hundred pounds of me on top of him. I immediately slugged him. Jarod tried to grab me, but I had Dodge’s head in my massive hands.

  “Touch me again and I snap his neck,” I snarled. He backed off. I knew their relationship even if no one else did. I could see it in the way they worked together, how they moved and spoke. I knew lovers when I saw them.

  “That’s a good boy, now shackle your hand there.” I pulled Dodge up easily. “Sorry for this, but I gotta go and I can’t be off my game.” I cuffed Dodge too, then as they struggled, drained them both until they were docile little kittens. Quiet and sleepy.

  I was on a mission, I had a man to see, and his name was Greisen Calder.

  GETTING THROUGH THE house was easier than I thought, in truth, I think I was allowed to go. I knew my father; the house was rigged with cameras. There was no way my naked ass wasn’t seen ripping through the house for clothes and then stealing my own truck because my keys were missing. I used the built in phone system and dialed Ryane. It rang twice before she picked up.

  “Baby?” I could barely hear her, it sounded like a war zone.

  “Ryane? Where the fuck are you?”

  “Grigori, how did you get out?”

  “Heard you needed me. What’s going on? I’m on my way!”

  “You’ll never make it... hold on.”

  I listened as she mumbled on the other side.

  “Stay put and don’t panic when you see the flames.”

  She hung up, and I pulled over, getting out of the truck. I paced. Stay put she said, she must be sending Sig. It was the only thing I could reason. It would make sense; he could be here in mere minutes, where it would take me hours. I wished I had taken more blood. I still felt the venom in me, but the Half-blood in those two woke up the demon in me well enough. I looked around, catching a whiff of a sweet herb I knew. I laughed, Angelica, just a weed, but brings out the feral demon in us. I grabbed a handful of it and stuffed it into my pants pockets. It would come in handy should I need to fight. My memory of Greisen was his persnickety little voice and then him brandishing fucking wings! I’d need an edge to fight him, as he was more than I’d given him credit for obviously.

  I heard a screeching in the air around me, not unlike a huge hawk. Looking up I saw it, not a bird, but not a Dragon. What the fuck is that thing? As it landed, it became a distinguished looking man of about six three, with age streaked blonde hair and deep blue green eyes. He smiled at me as he put out his hand. “Hans Rembrandt. You are Lord Keegan Teague?” He half bowed as he took my hand. “You are most needed, Sir. Come on now there is little time to lose.”

  “Woah, what’s happened, and Rembrandt? Like Sig?”

  “I’m his father. I can explain when things are not in peril. Please, unless you want your fiancé to end up in a most dire situation.”

  I nodded as he transformed into whatever he was, I climbed on to him and he took to the air.

  Chpater 87 Greisen

  MY HEAD SWAM, BLOOD blurred my vision. Fighting a full bodied Dragonborn was not on my agenda for the fucking day, that was for sure. Neither had been killing my toy, Collette, but that cunt Aella got me so riled up. Uggh, now what was I gonna do? I was sure Sig was on his way, if not somewhere near by now. That was good. I needed him to see her before he died. I wanted complete orphanage. Mother,
well she’d kill herself before long, and I couldn’t have father showing up. No extra Dragons to take the blame. Aella had the acid that they would believe did so much damage. The poison would have her so far gone after seeing him die that she’d not know if it was her or not. Oh, I knew I was a despicable rat. I didn’t really care. I would get my High Seat on the Senate. Since my father was murdered by that horrible little Dragonborn, it would fall to me. I just needed to leave and all would be in place.

  I lifted from the rubble of the Science building, seeing Aella lying in this massive crater, half turned. Her body was a mangled mess, upper torso, her sexy Human, her lower body still mostly Dragon, her wings were broken, torn and tattered. The thing looked more like a Naga than a Dragonborn. I almost felt sorry for her. Almost. She did try to kill me, after all. Who knew she’d manage to break her curse. I wondered what it was that aligned her heart and mind? Or whatever it was she had to do. No matter, I was about to get what I came for.

  I walked over to her unconscious body and stared at her back, the rings were in place, but some had been torn out when she unfurled her wings. That must have hurt something fierce. I reached down, feeling for the magic of her weapon. Then there it was, the zing. I had something in my hand! They really were hiding them under the skin.

  I grasped the handle and putting my right foot against her shoulder, I began to pull.

  She moaned, opening her eyes, which burned a smoldering orange. The moan became a scream as she flapped her broken wings, dragging them inward, the razor ends catching me by the arm.

  I jumped backward, getting sliced pretty good. “You super cunt!” I shouted, grasping at the wound.

  She fell to the ground, silent again. The bitch’s body didn’t wanna give it up, but she was out cold. Damn it, I was gonna have to cloak and take her. I knew a guy that could get it out if I needed it done messy. Apparently I did. I cloaked, lifting Aella. Boy, did this bitch need a diet.

  WE WERE JUST CLEAR of the Chapel spires when I heard the hawk screeching. Ahead of us was the largest ball of bird on fire I had ever seen and on its fucking back, riding it like a God Damned King, was fucking Keegan Teague!

  “You have got to be kidding me!” I shouted, flapping back, realizing they were coming straight for me. I nosedived for the ground, accidentally dropping Aella on the hood of some car, a windshield broke her fall. Oops. I took off back toward the college, I needed to fucking lay low.

  chapter 88 Keegan

  SPOTTING GREISEN MADE my blood boil, and apparently, Hans felt it, because he seemed to agree with me. Between my legs I felt something rise, which scared the Hell out of me, until I realized it was a sword. A large snake blade that as I lifted it, burst into flames.

  “For me?”

  He nodded his head and screeched. He’d just sworn his sword to me. Perhaps he was some kind of a Dragon after all? I mean, he was supposed to be Sig’s father. Although I did think Sig’s parents were in urns in holes at Sam’s house, but okay. It was a little late to argue it now. We went straight on for him and that’s when I saw her, Aella, in his arms. She didn’t look good, what was worse was the coward tucked it and tried to run, dropping her! My decision was hard, but I landed. Sig would never have forgiven me if I’d left her there.

  I dropped off of Hans, running to her broken body and just as I reached her, I heard the flapping of more wings. Looking up, I saw Sig in his full Dragon form, circling. I didn’t understand why he didn’t turn Human.

  “If he turns, he’s cutting his time,” Hans choked as he stood beside me.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I wasn’t sure, but looking at her now, the poison Greisen has, it’s affecting both of them and it’s going to kill Sig, his Dragon is keeping him alive right now. We gotta wake her up. She’s gotta heal. It will give him more time.”

  “To do what?”

  “Kill Greisen, or say goodbye.”

  I looked at Aella, the damage was extensive, but I could bring her around at least, so she could start to heal herself. I tore into my wrist and plugged her nose, forcing my wrist into her mouth. She gasped, choking down my blood. Her eyes glowing orange, then fading to their golden amber. Her wings receded slowly, and her legs began to reshape. Her clothes were destroyed so I pulled off my shirt, giving it to her to cover up.

  “Thank you, where are we? Fuck, where is Sig, Greisen, he’s, the people he’s killed, the riots!’

  “Easy, baby.” Sig fell down the side of the car. “You just woke up.” He tried to laugh. “You did good babe, but everything is burning to ashes.”

  “Sig!” She slid off the hood of the car and to the ground, cradling him in her arms. “What’s happening? Who are you?” She looked up at Hans tearfully.

  “His father.”

  “No, his father’s dead.”

  “Seemingly not.” I added, still holding the flaming sword. “What can we do?”

  “Nothing. Heh Ouch.” Sig clutched his chest. “Are you okay, baby? Has the poison worked its way through?”

  “My head hurts, did I do this? Cause all the fires? Someone said it was all my fault...”

  “No baby.” He held her hands, as she clung to him. “Greisen, you gotta get him. I swore an oath to protect him so long as I could fight, he thinks I’m an ace, then he took me out. I don’t know what’s in his head, but would someone bring it to me? Because if I’m gonna get out of this I need his blood. So would someone bring me my son’s head please?”

  “Wait, son? What?” I was so confused.

  “Keegan, later. Now it’s time for you to do what you do best. Smash shit!” Sig yelled at me, actually yelled at me!

  I straightened up, “I’m gonna need a lift over there.” I looked at Hans.

  “He’s gonna need protection, there are police patrolling and after my appearance in the sky they’re gonna show up. He’s not really moveable anymore.” He looked down at Sig and Aella, who was pulling away from him after a kiss.

  “I’m going with you. I can help.”

  “How? You’re almost as broken as he is.”

  “Not exactly, I’m Dragonborn and you pumped me full of Pureblood.” She flexed and rolled her shoulders. “I centered my heart, and Grigori is it, those people are it, all of you. You are my charges, and anyone who wants to end the good works here are my enemies. I have no single master or mistress, you see, I have sworn my fealty to no single kind but to all Kind.”

  Her wings spread out from her back, large and brilliant, black and purple tipped in gold.

  “That’s my girl,” Sig coughed. “Go play.”

  “I may not be well enough to transform again, but I can carry us over the wall if we have something that can get us there with... Speed.” She drew out the word as her eyes roamed the street, I followed and there, laying on its side was a ninja motorcycle, the keys still in it.

  “I can drive it.” I went for it as she followed. We lifted it up and were off, she gripped to me and as we hit obstacles, she lifted us up. I pushed down with my force giving us extra height, helping her. She was strong, but we were heavy. We zigzagged through the throngs of people that gathered just blocks from the school, causing them to scatter and scream. I laughed as Hans’ sword lit up once more, he was helping at a distance, all he could. We would do all we could, I wasn’t gonna lose Sig. The boy meant too much to the family. Too much to me and to Ryane. Ryane, where was she now? I had to hope she was okay, that she was with others.

  We took to the top of a cab and I used all the strength in my force push to lift us as Aella steered us with her wings, like a glider plane, up and over the hedges and fence at Grigori University. I heard shots being fired, but wasn’t sure if they were in front or from behind, the place was destroyed. Buildings were burning and smoking fires were everywhere. My heart sank.

  “No, this can’t be happening.” I was devastated, all I could think in that moment was about all of the work that had been wasted as I dropped to my knees.

  “Keegan
, mourn it later. We got a Dragonborn Vampire to kill, before we lose my Soulmate.” This can all be fixed.” She held out her hands, her chest heaving and the stars disappeared, the crescent moon faded and dark ominous clouds began to roll in.

  “What the?”

  She grabbed my hand. “Just come on, the storms will fuck with his scents, he’s only a Halfling. He’s hurt and will need blood. He’s going to head for people. Which means he’s stalking Alabaster Hall right now.”

  Chapter 89 Ryane

  “TO YOUR LEFT!” ALEWAR screamed as I smashed the security guard’s head against the dry wall in Alabaster Hall. The three we had been captured by thought that they would try and have some fun with me, but found that my fangs were too sharp for their little cocks. That was when Hans and the rest had found Gage and I. That was when the call from Keegan came. It was also the same moment that the local police department decided to send in their tactical squad under the cover of night to dispose of the Otherkind still left here on the grounds. Well, fuck that, if they wanted to fight, we’d give them a fucking fight they would not soon forget. I spun left, spiking and ripping the side of a guard’s vest, pulling him head over heels, dropping down onto his chest, I tore into his throat, taking a chunk of it with the blood for which I yearned.

  “Thatta girl.” Alewar smirked, slicing through another guard, his wings lighting up the dark hallways as we fought to the main room. There were underclassmen in there, many who were wounded and unable to fend for themselves. They would be helpless if we couldn’t get to them. The main room had been barricaded, but the back door where we had slipped back in was left unattended, there was no telling how many more were inside. The Cŵn Anwar ran on ahead of us, Kendall had taken his Human form back on to help Gage stay oriented. His wolf had tried to come to the surface, but that would have been a disaster for us, as Gage didn’t have control of him yet. So Kendall used his Alpha status to pin him down back by the clock tower. It was just me and Alewar now, but I was doing well. I was probably what they called feral at this point, but I didn’t care, I was kicking some serious ass. I felt fucking invincible, my body was on fire and my reflexes would have made a cat jealous! I pushed off the floor and vaulted to the ceiling, grabbing the walls to stay off the ground and give Alewar the full use of the hallway for his swings, dropping down like a spider on anything that was dumb enough to get under me, draining the life from it just as quickly too.