Beneath the Broken

by James Cox

  Bodies.

  Aneen gave a wounded cry when we first saw them. Men, women, even children, scattered among the dirt road with their lifeless eyes cast about that endless sky. Even I wouldn’t hurt children. I’d done some dark things in my life, but I drew the line at harming the innocent. Joen looked away from a small girl with blonde hair, stained red with blood.

  “Anything?” Alexander whispered.

  I sniffed deep and shook my head. I didn’t know what Dullahan smelt like, so picking his meager scent out of this chaos was impossible. “Stay close.” I whispered behind me. They shouldn’t be here. It irked me to no end that they wouldn’t fucking listen.

  An angry hiss sounded from further down the path. “You cannot win.” The voice was not a voice. It was a serious of angry hisses and grumbles. It was like a human was talking through a hollowed-out log. It almost echoed in my mind.

  Aralynn paused behind me.

  I glanced over my shoulder to see her go pale and shiver. I’m guessing that was him. I pointed to the overturned wagon and waited for them to rush toward it before we turned the corner. I can honestly say, I wasn’t expecting this. There was a man, barely a man standing in the street. He probably hadn’t even got his dick sucked yet. A thin line of blood surrounded him created from a wound on his palm. His lips moved and the walls around him shimmered. What the fuck was that? This couldn’t be Dullahan! The young man jerked his head toward us. His eyes were an eerie pale, almost white color. His lips kept moving, blood dripped from his nose and it looked like he clothes were splattered in it. “And that is…”

  “Finnigan’s ancestor.” Dusk spoke from Aneen’s shoulder.

  Finnigan? Finnigan. I knew that name. My gaze jumped to his. Finnegan was the name of the family that cursed the Dullahan to that island in the first place. This was who the fallen god was after.

  “He’s an enchanter.”

  Magic. Well it couldn’t hurt to have him on our side. If he could even fight. He looked like he was ready to fall down.

  “I can smell you.” That creepy voice ricocheted in my head.

  I spun around, checking on Aralynn and Joen hiding before I glanced at Alexander. He looked equally as frustrated.

  “My Aralynn.” He drew out her name.

  “She’s mine now.” I growled, extending my claws and canines.

  His laughter bounced from place to place. “A mutt cannot claim what is already mine.”

  “Big talk from someone still hiding.” Alexander yelled.

  I saw Stefen move toward Aralynn and Joen out of the corner of my eye. Aneen and Alexander went back to back.

  More laughter. “You’re going to fight me?” A shadow shifted from the stone wall covered with blood and formed a man. He was a mass of darkness. Cloak, hood, even his face was hidden in shadows but for his red eyes. They were creepy on Aneen—on this guy they were fucking unnerving. “A werewolf, a half vampire and … what are you my dear?”

  I hadn’t realized it, but Aneen was staring at the ground. She slowly lifted her gaze and Dullahan was so startled he took a step back.

  “You survived.” He didn’t sound as confident now.

  Could the badass god be afraid of his badass daughter?

  Dullahan tilted his head. “You’re mine. Ours.” I swear the word echoed. Bounced until I winced from the sharp pain in my head. “This is your last chance to join me, Aralynn. Your last chance to save our child.”

  Well. Fuck me. I squeezed my hands into fists and couldn’t help but glance back.

  “I-I had a child.” Aralynn’s head popped up from behind the wagon and her gaze went straight to Aneen. “My child.” She ground her teeth and stared at Dullahan. “My fucking child.” She threw a dagger. I didn’t even know she had one. It soared end over end right toward Dullahan. He easily side stepped the attempt, but that’s when Alexander sprung forward. He used his vampire speed to race up to Dullahan and leap. The fucker lifted his hand and shot light at Alexander. I didn’t bother yelling out a warning. He was too close. He was going to get struck. Next best thing was to save the sorry son of a bitch. I charged forward as the light struck Alexander’s side. Aneen screamed, sending a shockwave of sound toward us. My body hit Alexander’s, we rolled out of the way. Aneen’s scream was like a punch. It rolled us away from Dullahan and flung him back onto his ass. His hood fell back.

  “Fuck, you’re one ugly bastard.” I leapt toward him. His skin was almost translucent. I could see the muscles beneath and the veins. It was worse than the eyes. His neck was scarred, a tangle of old wounds. I managed to roll at the last moment and kick his leg. Dullahan hissed and light shot at me. I rolled, flipped backward and was saved when Alexander tackled him. They fumbled to the ground. The black cloak tangling about them. Alexander punched him in the face and then was shoved upward. He flew at least eight feet in the air, straight up and fell back down with a hard thump. “That had to hurt.” I shoved to a stand.

  “Yup. Yup.” Alexander wobbled to his feet and we stood side by side to face the fallen god.

  “You can’t win.” He hissed and his gaze skipped toward the boy behind the shimmering shield.

  “I think we’re stupid enough to try.” Alexander said. “Right?”

  I growled and smiled. We both charged. I pushed off Alexander and we avoided the light he shot at us. What I didn’t see was his other hand lifting and some dark sparkling fog came at us. I guess we’d find out what the fuck that was in four seconds.

  “No!” The kid in the bubbled yelled. The walls fell to the ground and he flung his bloody hand toward us. Everywhere his blood hit the dark fog faded into nothing.

  It gave Alexander and me enough time to get the fuck out of the way. I rolled left and he right.

  Dullahan bared … fangs. Big fucking fangs and shot light toward the boy. It crackled as it flew over the death strewn path toward that kid. But it was met by Aneen. She stepped in front of him and shoved her hands out. Her bright light met his in a sizzle and a loud boom. Both their lights winked out. “Ah, my child indeed.” He smiled, but it was more like the face I made when an ugly whore offered me her services for free. Not pleasant, kind of insulted, definitely annoyed.

  Aneen didn’t say anything. I think she was too scared to. There was a tremor in her bottom lip that gave away her strong stance.

  Alexander grabbed ahold of Dullahan’s leg and bit down.

  Dullahan screamed low and it made my whole body vibrate. He kicked Alexander in the stomach so hard he went flying backward. I took that moment to grab Dullahan’s arm and shoved my claws into his chest. I had no idea where his heart was, but this had to hurt like hell. Opening wide, I bit down on his shoulder. The blood that rushed into my mouth was the most intense, sour thing I have ever tasted. It was like a rotten berry that’s been dropped in sugar. He slammed his arm into my stomach and I was only too happy to spit the blood out at him. His fist knocked me in the chin and I soared, nearly landing on Alexander, who was struggling to get up.

  “So, this fight’s going well.” He coughed blood and grunted as he stood.

  Aneen burst her light toward Dullahan, but once again the two powers met in a large boom that nearly knocked Alexander back on his ass. She stumbled and fell into the boy who Stefen was trying to pull out of the battle.

  Dullahan smiled as us. “I made you what you are, vampire. You were created with my blood.”

  “Half vampire.” Alexander said as Dusk and Hawthorn charged. They couldn’t do much, but the buzzing around his face gave us a good moment to get our bearings. Alexander charged, punching Dullahan as the Aos Si flew out of the way. The blow was hard enough to split the Dullahan’s lip. But the fucker growled and wrapped his hand around Alexander’s throat. “I made you what you are. Your species serves me. I rule this world.”

  Alexander spit blood. “This is my world now. And Aneen is mine.” He kicked Dullahan in the gut, twisted his arm until I heard some bone snap, and kicked out with both his feet. They separated just
as the Aos Si joined behind the Dullahan. I had no idea what those fuckers had to do to open a fucking portal, but it better be soon.

  Dullahan stumbled back, but didn’t fall. He roared when the air behind him sparked and turned into a spinning blue-purple mist. He laughed and shot his gaze toward the wagon. The same one Aralynn and Joen were hiding behind. “This world is mine.”

  “Fuck you.” Alexander threw sand at Dullahan’s face and then kicked his knee. This time I heard the bone snap and I saw it cave.

  Dullahan landed hard on his knee and shot light out. It hit Alexander in the thigh and he spun about seven times while he was airborne. He landed all the way near the fucking wagon and didn’t get back up. “Your portal is useless. You can’t defeat me.”

  “I can.” Aneen lifted her hands and streams of bright light cascaded through the air. This time they met Dullahan’s power and they crackled against each other.

  This was a battle I couldn’t possibly get between.

  Sweat broke out on Aneen’s brow and she ground her teeth.

  Dullahan leaned forward, his light advancing and causing Aneen to fall to one knee.

  If he took her down, we were beyond fucked. Ah, damn it. I hadn’t even gotten a chance to have sex with Aralynn and Joen. Fantastic sex in a proper fucking bed.

  The portal was open.

  Alexander was unconscious.

  The only ones left were useless humans.

  I ran at Dullahan before I had too much time to actually think about what I was doing. I hated being the fucking good guy. I slammed my body into his. The light wavered and the heat of it on my skin was like I was touching the sun. We both fell toward the portal. Dullahan’s light snapped off and he grabbed my arms. His red eyes were wide. “Is that fear, you fucker?” I managed to say as he landed on his ass, me atop him. We were skidding backward right toward the portal. This good guy shit sucked. I winced—would this portal ride hurt—and something grabbed the back of my shirt.

  Alexander roared as he ripped me out of Dullahan’s grasp. I fell into him, falling hard.

  Aneen shoved her light out and hit Dullahan in the chest. His skin lit up like he ate fire. It was fucking freaky. She made an angry shouting sound and he flung backward right into the purple portal thing. The moment it closed I collapsed half on top of Alexander and started laughing. Maybe not the most appropriate response, but fuck it, I was alive! “So this is what it’s like to be a good guy.”

  Alexander snorted. “I like it.” He pushed me off him, but didn’t get up.

  “Fuck.” I was aching too much to beat him to my feet. “I need a week of sleep and at least five blowjobs.”

  Alexander laughed, winced, and then groaned.

  “Really, you aren’t going to see who can get up faster?” Joen asked as he ran toward us with Stefen. “You’re both a bunch of pussies.” He knelt beside me.

  Right now, that was the funniest thing in the world. I laughed and a moment later Alexander joined me. We laid on the ground, half broken and laughing. What the fuck was wrong with us? Everything.

  “You dumb fuck.” Joen wrapped his arms around me.

  “I love you, too.” Oh. Shit.

  Joen’s head jerked up and he stared at me so intensely that I squirmed. “What did you just say?”

  I struggled to sit up, wincing and grunting more than I’d admit. “I said I love you, Joen.” If I had to get used to it so did he. “Now help me get the fuck up before Alexander does.”

  He scoffed and helped.

  Yeah, I got to my feet before the half vampire king. Suck that, bitch. Okay, I was a bit wobbly, but I wasn’t falling back down. Aneen and Stefen rushed over to Alexander with the guards. The Aos Si swarmed around the closed portal which is where Aralynn stood. She stared at the blank spot with her hands balled into fists. I limped toward her with the help of Joen. “Aralynn.”

  “Do you think he’s dead?” She stared at the space where the dirt had spun so violent it left a small dip in the road.

  “Yeah, I do.”

  She slowly lifted her head and stared at me. “I slit his throat. To get away. After I felt Aneen kick for the first time. I remember. I felt her kick inside me. My child. Our child. I was so furious all I wanted to do was make others hurt.” A tear fell down her cheek and she angrily wiped it away. “I took a knife while he was inside me and I slit his throat. Over and over until I couldn’t see anything but mangled flesh.” Another tear fell. “I thought he was dead then, too, but he came back. How do I know he’s really dead this time? How do I know I can sleep again?”

  “Because Darrow and I are going to be beside you sleeping,” Joen whispered.

  I couldn’t have said it better myself. “We’re not letting you go, Aralynn.” I glanced at Joen. “We love you.”

  Joen let out this ridiculously giddy squeak and wrapped his arms around Aralynn. “Do you remember what you told me when we first met? With Darrow we’d be safe.”

  She nodded and laid her hands on Joen’s. I stepped in front of them both and wrapped them up as best I could. This felt good, but I’m pretty sure I broke something, because it also hurt like a fucking knife to the side. I tried to keep from wincing and hold onto this moment for a bit longer.

  “M-Mother.” Aneen’s voice was soft. Stefen was helping Alexander to his feet behind her.

  Aralynn pulled away from us. “Hello.”

  “You remember me?”

  “Some. Things … things I don’t want to remember.” She swallowed hard. “Things I’ve done to hurt you.”

  Aneen nodded and wrapped her arms around her body. “Don’t forget the good times, too.” With that she turned and walked to her kings.

  I grabbed her hand just as Joen did and we stood there watching as the sun finally rose over the fallen town of Little Fairaine.

  Chapter Sixteen

  So, yeah, they spared my life. Surprised right? I thought my ass was doomed, too. Although I was hoping for a few weeks with Joen and Aralynn before I was executed. The two guards with us took a wagon back to the castle to gather more of them. We needed help wrapping these people and sending them over Death Falls, as was these humans’ tradition. There were some people that survived. That Finnigan kid, Shaw, I think he said his name was. I just kept calling him Shimmer Boy and I don’t think he liked it. We were patched up, fed, and I slept like I drank some of Joen’s potions. I came to in the back of the wagon well past sunset. Joen on one side and Aralynn on the other. They were both tucked into me, curved to share body heat. How the hell did this happen? How could I have fallen in love with two people? It was like the gods above decided to reward me for my shitty childhood. Fuck, I’d take what I could get. The wagon rumbled to a stop in front of Joen’s house. Another surprise.

  “It’s going on record, the queen’s assassin didn’t survive his wounds in the first battle.” Alexander said as he turned in his seat.

  I gave him a nod. Any more shocks and I’d doubt this was real. I did hit my head a few times during that fight.

  “I’d change your name, too.”

  “Darrow fits me.” I grinned, showing my canines.

  “Just don’t go growling at people and threatening to rip their heads off.” Alexander said. “Humans tend to not like that.”

  I scoffed and waited for the others to get down.

  “Darrow…”

  “Yeah, asshole?”

  Alexander grinned, “We make a good team.”

  “You ever need help again…” I hopped off the wagon and did a ridiculous bow. “Ask someone else.” I smiled, yes, me smiling. Then turned to see Joen heading inside his hovel and Aralynn standing there staring at Aneen. Neither of them was saying anything. I walked to Aralynn’s side and stared down at the new queen. Shit, she saved me from being executed, I guess I should start calling her mine, too.

  “Eventually, they’ll know what you did.” Aneen spoke softly. “To save us from Dullahan.”

  Aralynn nodded. “I-I…” She lifted her chin.
“I can’t change what happened between us.”

  “I know.”

  “But in the future. Maybe … someday we could talk again. If you’re willing.”

  Aneen opened her lips, but no sound came out. It was Stefen who wrapped his arms around her and spoke. “Maybe. Everybody’s been through a lot today.” The voice of reason.

  Aralynn nodded and turned, but paused. “I’m glad you found them.” She looked over her shoulder. “The best thing I ever did as a mother was hire Alexander to kidnap you.”

  “Damn right.” Alexander yelled from the wagon.

  “Shut up, shithead.” I started walking toward the door.

  “That’s King Shithead to you.”

  I laughed and covered the sound with a cough. By the time we got to the front door they’d all packed back into the wagon and headed toward the castle. The street was quiet but for the distant splashing of the ocean. The two moons were high, but clouds dotted the horizon. And Joen’s house … looked the same. With the exception of the shattered window and the broken front door. Great. I patched up the window with Joen’s help as Aralynn took a bucket bath. She curled up on the bed, leaning against the wall. I shoved the front door in place. “We’ll fix it tomorrow.”

  “Deal.” Joen yawned. “Are you both really going to stay here? I’ve got one small bed, a leaky roof, a fireplace that takes an hour to heat up and dies twice as fast. I’m not exactly up for house guests.”

  “Don’t call us that.” Aralynn yawned, her lids slowly lifting. “I’ve got money. I think. Yes, I do. Everything will be fine.”

  “Will it now?”

  “Yes.” She laid on the bed and closed her eyes. “Come join me or shut up.”