by Claire Marta
With a yell of frustration, she raised her free leg, bringing her foot down hard onto the furry face.
It snarled, shaking its head slightly, trying to drag her backwards.
Jasmine brought her foot down again, this time with more force. It yelped, releasing her to gain a better grip. It was all the time she needed.
Rolling, she crossed the circle into the sanctuary. Bring her knees up to her chest she laid in a foetal position. The metal in her hand became searing. Magic overflowed from the pendant and into her pores. She could feel it in her bloodstream, sinking into her cells. Eyes screwed tightly shut, she wished Fergus would remember who she was. She needed him now. His courage and his confidence. Everything that made him such an experienced and seasoned agent. Most of all his big heart.
Someone was screaming, but Jasmine didn’t care. Hurt was blasting though her as adrenaline began to ebb. Her limbs felt heavy, shaky.
The pendant was pressed tightly to her breast, her knuckles white with the pressure of her hold. In her other hand, the knife hilt throbbed as if somehow it were alive.
A voice penetrated the turmoil in Jasmine’s mind. Slowly, she opened her eyes. Fergus was kneeling beside her naked, sweat glistening over his skin as he wore a haggard expression.
“Jaz, can you hear me sweetheart?”
She nodded. “How are you taking your human form? I thought during the red moon you were stuck as a wolf.”
Raising her head, she could see another naked male slumped unconscious against the wall. Tamás. A female was on her side near him. Face peaceful as she lay knocked out, seeing Ellen was a shock.
“I don’t know...Fuck, I’m so sorry,” Fergus whispered brokenly, taking in her injuries with her half naked state of undress. Guilt and concern warred in his amber gaze.
Blood was smeared over her limbs. Cuts and bruises were evident. They’d heal. Jasmine’s natural healing abilities had startled even herself.
“Hey, it’s not your fault. Della did this, not you. She was using a magically imbued pendant to control the werewolves in Budapest,” she told him, attempting to lighten the blame he was shouldering. “You didn’t know what you were doing. I’m just thankful to have you now that I’ve stopped her. Why didn’t we pick up that Ellen’s a wolf?”
Carefully trying not to hurt her, Fergus pulled her into a sitting position, using her bicep. Jasmine winced. Her hip and shoulder were pulsing with agony. Biting her lip until it stung, she swallowed down a groan.
“She wasn’t before,” Fergus informed her voice still thick with emotion. “She must be susceptible to our bite, which means someone transformed her this evening.” His awareness moved to their surroundings finally registering the enormity of their dilemma. Shock came first, followed by terror dancing over his expression. “What the fuck is going on?”
Jasmine spared the undulating walls a glance. They were still shimmering and leaking time and space, silhouettes playing behind the thin film barely clinging in place. “Just a billion different planes of existence trying to squeeze into where ours exist.”
Jasmine could feel Della’s anger churning around them. It battered her senses with its body-less rage. Glancing down at the items in her hands, she noted the pendant was blackened and hollowed. She could no longer sense anything from it. What magic it’d had was now gone. The dagger looked untouched. Warmth thudded through it with a mounting need to taste a life. It wanted to kill, surging with thousands of years of pent up hunger for victims.
“Fergus listen, you have to go and bring Tabitha and the housekeeper here. Their hiding in the kitchen. We need to destroy the dagger. The old woman said she knows a spell, and at this stage, I’m willing to attempt anything,” Jasmine’s words were a hurried whisper. “Just trust me and don’t argue, okay?”
Fergus nodded, getting quickly to his feet. “I’ll be as quick as I can, Brat.”
Jasmine watched him go, glad he didn’t hesitate. They needed to end this. All of it. Everything hinged on removing the weapon chosen by Della to kill Tabitha. With the amulet that had controlled the shifters extinguished and the corpse she had been using in pieces, her allies were gone. Somehow, she was still manipulating the mystical objects in the museum to threaten reality itself. The angel was crafty and sly. This close to her goal, she wouldn’t give up so easily; of that, Jasmine was certain.
Using her hand, she wobbily managed to find some balance and staggered to her feet. Below her, the salt was scattered in a mess, no longer a circle. It had served its purpose well.
Hastening footsteps echoed through the room. Fergus, Tabitha, and the housekeeper appeared in the entrance.
“I’ve got the dagger.” Holding it up, Jasmine showed it to the old woman.
A look of approval fluttered over her winkled face. Heaving her leather bag off her shoulder, she bustled further into the room. “I set up here.” Gesturing to a table that hadn’t been overturned in the werewolf struggle, she laid it on the surface.
Somewhere along leaving and bringing them back, Fergus had found himself a pair of jeans. They fit snuggly over his muscular legs. “Ok brat, explain to me what we’re doing and how we’re going to stop this?”
“Della wants Tabitha dead because of events that happen in the future. She’s supposed to trigger the end of the world, or that’s what this crazy bitch believes.” Jasmine swung her gaze, briefly, to the child in questions. Silent, pale, she was observing the housekeeper laying out an assortment of herbs and glass jars. “As for all the dimensions trying to squeeze us out like tube of toothpaste, I haven’t figured that part out yet.”
Fergus scowled, one large hand rubbing the top of his smooth bald head in anxiety. “You mean this place and everything in it will explode into nonexistence?”
“It not go that far.” The old woman’s voice interrupted them. Hooking the girl by the back of her neck, she dragged her into her side. A curved knife gleamed in her other hand. Resting it against her throat she kept the blade level. “Give me dagger.”
Jasmine groaned in disbelief. “You’re fucking kidding me. You’re working for Della?”
Pressing the weapon’s sharp edge with more pressure into the child’s skin, it made Tabitha whimper in pain. “Vessel of evil must be stopped. My son curse broken when done.”
Fergus tensed, his big muscled body readying for a fight.
“Tabitha isn’t evil,” Jasmine maintained keeping the housekeeper distracted. She was starting to feel like a cracked record on a loop. Why wouldn’t they believe her? Surely, they weren’t all so blinded and dazzled by Della and her violent quest?
“No. Angel said you lie. Give me dagger, now.”
“You’re insane,” Jasmine responded dryly with a humourless smile. “What did she promise you? That she could fix your son? Tamás isn’t cursed. He’s just evolved into a different species.” The boundaries of their world within the museum were on the verge of collapse. Jasmine could see the membrane barely hanging on by a thread. A lead balloon felt as if it had expanded, crushing in her head, and she was surprised her skull hadn’t cracked open.
“Maria will slit the child open if you don’t obey.” Della’s voice vibrated with triumph. She was still a bodiless entity.
“You’re going to kill her anyway, so why are you so obsessed with this?” Jasmine asked, slowly, trying to understand its importance through the excruciating migraine. Turning the dagger over in her hand, she searched the precious jewels that incrusted it for an answer. Why were they so focused on it? They could just kill Tabitha and win. Hadn’t that been their whole purpose? Removing the threat to mankind and all existence?
A snarl broke through Jasmine’s thoughts.
As she turned, everything seemed to happen in slow motion; although, she knew it was really seconds.
Hackles raised, a large wolf bore down on the old woman. Jaws snapping around her arm it tore the one wielding the knife clean off in one deadly bite.
The housekeeper screamed. Blood pouring from the
stump, she unsuccessfully tried to stem the flow with the other.
Lunging for Tabitha, Jasmine yanked the child to safety as the beast sprang for its victim’s throat. Taking its prey down to the floor, it wasted no time in mauling her. Crimson stained its pelt. It was smeared all over its muzzle, lips gnashing in a frenzy of feeding while it ripped flesh from bone.
Tamás.
He was murdering his own mother. Rage and ferocity quivered through every taut muscle of his fur covered frame.
Jasmine was chalk white with shock. Gaze wide and frozen, she couldn’t tear her gaze from the slaughter. There was no mercy. Eyes bright and cold, the wolf didn’t stop until the old woman’s struggles ceased.
Tabitha’s soft weeping penetrated her stunned state. It was terrified and hopeless. Someone so young should never see something so terrible.
“Don’t look, Tabby.” Keeping Tabitha’s chubby face pressed to her side, Jasmine ushered her back a few steps. Dampness of the child’s despair was wet against her bare skin. The damage was already done. She’d live with this scene forever in her memories.
Nostrils flaring, Fergus stepped in front, protecting them from attack. He was on the edge of shifting. Tiny electrical currents battered Jasmine’s sixth sense, warning her of its imminence. If Tamás turned on them, he’d be ready to defend.
“No! Must I do everything myself!”
Obsidian wings spread wide, Della materialised from thin air. Madness and fury burned within the depths of her ethereal eyes. Descending in a flurry of black and purple, she fell upon Jasmine with savage intent.
Tabitha was knocked aside with a cry.
Grasping Jasmine’s wrists, they began to grapple for supremacy. All her focus was on the dagger. Desperation cascaded out of the angel in thick vibrations. Movements frantic, she raised her knee.
Jasmine deflected the blow. The pendant, which was now useless, went flying from her hand, skittering across the floor somewhere behind them. There was so much force in each attack that it communicated just how much the angelic being wanted her opponent obliterated.
“We won’t let you murder the kid.” Jasmine blocked another punch, thankful for Asier’s training. His harsh regime had readied her for such a battle.
“You still think I’m after that brat? It’s you I’m here to eradicate,” Della spat with loathing. “You’re a mistake that should never have been left unchecked. The one that was sent to destroy you long ago might have failed, but I won’t. By the time dawn rises, it is vital that nothing of you is left.”
Shock and confusion collided through Jasmine, causing her to pause. “Me? I start the apocalypse?”
The distraction cost her. Pain jolted through Jasmine’s body. A punch to her jaw sent her staggering backwards.
“Don’t listen to her, Jaz. She’s just trying to keep you off balance,” Fergus shouted. He had Tabitha in the haven of his arms. Wavy hair a mess, she was watching them in horror.
Still gripped in Jasmine’s hand, the hilt of the dagger throbbed with menace. Ravenous, demanding, it urged her to feed it. Slice it through the tender flesh of her enemy and let it taste the life of an offering. It was ancient. Malevolent and finally awake. Within its blade writhed the souls of a sea of endless sacrifices that had fallen under its sharp, cruel edge. The call was seducing and staggering. Jasmine had unwittingly become its vessel.
In the blink of an eye, she was transported back to Samaria. A priestess aloft a temple. Below her, a male was bound and naked, his life’s blood flowing in a river from the dais while worshippers knelt bowing in homage. As the vision passed, she realised it was both a warning and a promise. If she did its biding, the world would bow at her feet.
Jasmine felt its dark formidable desire filling her thoughts to fulfil its every need. Resisting it was impossible. Assaulted by so many outside forces intent on breaking her down, it overwhelmed her with a startling ease. Like so many throughout history, she fell to its heinous demands.
Before she even realised what she was doing, Jasmine dived forward, plunging the knife viciously through Della’s chest. It was shear uncontrollable impulse. The metal cleaved between the angel’s leather clad breast with ease. Jerking away Jasmine left it buried in her opponent’s flesh.
A grin split Della’s lips, her fingers winding around the end to claim it. “I have no soul for it to take. It’s useless on me, but you...” Tugging it free, she pointed the bloodied weapon in Jasmine’s direction. “You’re the one who’ll be sacrificed to appease it. What we both saw will not come to pass. Not on my watch.”
“Don’t hurt my friend!” Tabitha screamed.
A grey streak rammed into the angel’s exposed back. Snarling and snapping, Tamás sank his fangs into her shoulder, his full weight taking her to the floor. Della’s scream was filled with anger. Rolling, baring her own teeth, she thrust the dagger into the werewolf’s side. A yelp escaped its throat. Refusing to give up, it bore the injury, attacking with new vigour.
“Pathetic creature,” Della sneered, shoving the blade in over and over. “You can’t stop me.”
She was insane.
Jasmine could see that, without a doubt. Della was a fanatic. There’d be no persuading her from her task. All she saw was the solution to what she classed as her objective. She wouldn’t waver from it. She’d kill them all if she had to. Those who’d sent her had trained her to achieve nothing but the success of her mission.
Jasmine watched helplessly. Black spots flashed before her eyes. The agony behind them was so intense she clamped her hands around her head. She couldn’t take it anymore. There was no relief. It was constant, making it hard to breathe.
A howl rang out. Large, powerful, with fluid movements, another werewolf joined the struggle. Jasmine recognised him immediately.
Fergus.
He had taken to his pelt to aid Tamás. Mouth clamping around Della’s wrist, he pinned her knife wielding arm to the ground.
It wasn’t enough. With an almighty bellow, the angelic assassin flung the wounded beast aside. Twisting, she head butted Fergus.
Tamás lay limp. Blood pooling beneath him, eyes open and glazy, his corpse shifted back to its human form.
Jasmine could barely believe it. She had never witnessed a werewolf die so swiftly. They were powerhouses of muscle and strength. Silver weakened them, and only severe damage could slow them down or kill them. The injuries he’d received should never have been fatal.
Della grinned manically in her direction. “While you live, Earth is threatened. You’re a danger to all those you’re close to. Death is your gift. You’ll bring it to everyone you love. There’s no escape from the inevitable, Jasmine Hunter.” Crimson was plastered over her jawline. Locks of purple hair had come free from where she had it pinned on top of her head.
“Bullshit,” Jasmine shouted. “Do you even know what I’m supposed to do to start it? Tell me? We write our own destinies, and I won’t be the catalyst for the end of the world!”
“Then, come. Meet your end,” The other woman beckoned. “I’ll make it swift and merciful.”
“You don’t know, do you? You’re obeying orders blindly.”
The assassin’s attitude remained coldly aloof at Jasmine’s question. “It’s an honour to serve. I bring justice and the wrath of the heavens down on the unworthy. They will hail me as a hero when I return home.”
“What if it’s you, not me,” Jasmine countered. “You feel the merciless potential of the weapon in your hand. Wielding it, you’re unleashing it and won’t stop with just us. It wants the world. I know you must hear it whispering promises too. You aren’t immune to it.”
Della’s expression shifted fractionally. She wasn’t as confident as she portrayed. As Jasmine had guessed, she was just as affected.
Snarling, Fergus attacked.
Apprehension squeezed Jasmine’s chest when he whelped. A trickle of red marked where the soul sucking blade cut him when Della retaliated.
She was going to kill h
im to get to Jasmine. Stab him and end his life. The fuck she’d let that happen. This was all a shitstorm of epic propositions, but Jasmine wouldn’t let her friend die. Everything was spiralling out of control.
Magic.
It shimmered and flowed around Jasmine, leaking in a torrent from every artefact and item housed in the place. Combined, they were an energy to be reckoned with, all now enhanced by the primal blood moon. Instead of keeping her inner walls high, Jasmine opened herself up. She’d never been able to connect with anything other than Twitch’s magical essence. Tonight though, she prayed that wouldn’t be the case. Alone, she was no match for the assassin. Della was an angelic being. Immortal. Crafted by the hands of God.
Around her, the membrane keeping reality in place ruptured further. A gaping chasm of gaseous vapour spewed out. A forsaken landscape lay beyond. It was in constant movement. Seas, mountains, green valleys, they smashed together in a rhythm of destruction. Creation being unwritten before once more taking shape. Jasmine was sure she was staring into the abyss. Hell.
A disturbance in the air beside her sent goose bumps racing over her skin. It was like passing through an ice-cold shower. Even without looking, she knew it was the ghosts. Translucent, eyes black as wells, they floated around her. Standing hand in hand, the children led the group.
They were emotionally linked to the place. She’d experienced their lives and personalities when they’d tried to possess her. Even now, their minds brushed subtly against her own. It had woven a bond. An understanding deeper than she’d realized. Now, they floated resolutely at her side. Allies. Jasmine could sense their determination. They wanted Della gone. To end her reign of terror. It was everything Jasmine needed. Latching onto the enchantments, spells, and sorcery, she funnelled it towards Della, using them as a guide. Amplified and strung together, it was raw and primordial.
Fergus must have sensed what was coming. Leaping back from a deadly slash of the angel’s weapon, it barely missed him.
Light exploded, sending tingles over Jasmine’s bare skin.
