Heavy Metal Heartbeat

by Ambear Shellea

  “Dismissed.”

  As the leaders moved back to their spots, Ozzie turned his attention the rest of the men.

  “This is not our first hunt. I don't have to tell you what to do or how to do it. I am just going to say be careful and offer up a prayer for our safe return. If things go bad, and we have to leave, we will meet back at Anna's house to regroup. Understood?”

  “Yes, sir,” they said in unison.

  “We have waited long enough. Team leaders, light 'em up and head out.”

  The large crowd parted like the Red Sea. Two teams moved as one, gliding across the grass and disappearing behind the trees. They became one with the landscape and Ozzie couldn't help but feel proud, but worried. He whispered a small prayer.

  Lord, help us all!

  He slid his glance toward his best friend.

  “Jaxson, any thoughts? You have been quiet.”

  “These are your guys and this is your expertise. I wasn't gonna get in your way. You were handling it.”

  He smiled at Jaxson as he put his night vision aviators back on.

  “Well, let the ass kickin’ commence!”

  Jaxson laughed.

  “Whose? Theirs or ours?”

  Ozzie laughed with him.

  “Probably both,” Sebastian chimed in.

  “Nice to see you made it.”

  “I wouldn't miss it.”

  Together they stepped forward to a mixture of hell and uncertainty. Ozzie turned off his fear and focused on the task at hand. He unlatched his pistol and hit the laser sights button. He gripped the gun tightly as they inched forward and were swallowed by the dense trees.

  Chapter 25

  The wooded area looked just like the clearing in his dream. Tall, wide trees dotted the area, encircling the flat land. The moon's beams played through the holes in the tree limbs and scattered the ground like confetti. The wind rustled the leaves, whispering the unimaginable and sending invisible vapors to trail upon the skin like a caressing hand, chilling into the bones. He shook away the feeling and concentrated on finding Paig.

  The fine hairs on his neck sent him a warning. Something he could not see was there. He tightened the grip around his trusty .45, raising his gun and preparing to fire at what felt like multiple enemies. Quickly he glanced to check on his party. Jaxson and Sebastian stood on each side. His crew was in wing formation, scattered throughout the woods and surrounding them.

  The crackling of broken twigs off to the left alerted them someone was coming. Their moves were deliberate and slow, as if to make a grand entrance. Each snap brought the unknown closer. They stopped just outside the ring of trees, stalking in the shadows. A baritone voice boomed from beyond the ring.

  “It is always nice when the sheep volunteer for slaughter.”

  Ozzie’s gaze frantically darted around the circle, looking for the source.

  “No more games! Man up and show yourself; don't be a coward.”

  The taunting voice sounded again.

  “Oh, I have something to show you.”

  Anna flew into the clearing, landing in a heap upon the dead leaves and debris. Jaxson and Sebastian both cursed loudly. He thrust a hand out, blocking Jaxson's advance.

  “Wait!”

  Her clothes were tattered, making it obvious she had put up a good fight. Her hair, pulled back like always when she trained and fought, hung down in tendrils around her dirty face and neck. When his eyes met her lavender encased in glass eyes, he knew something was wrong.

  He turned a glance to Jaxson who looked as if he were in physical pain. His brow was set in a hard line, matching his lips. His eyes were darker than his mood as he stared at her on the ground, looking like a wounded animal, and his whole body shook with anger.

  Ozzie tore his eyes from his friend and back to the voice.

  “What do you want?”

  A few snaps of debris and they emerged into the moonlight. His breath was stolen, and his mind searched for a safe hiding place as his sanity seemed to slither away, threatening to leave him crazed.

  There before him, in the center of the group, was Tyrik. A tall mountain of a man covered in fur and jeans stood as what looked to be a cross between human and wolf. He was all skin and fur. He was a human body sporting all the good qualities of a wolf, including the big, round golden eyes, which seemed to be searching for souls to steal.

  Ozzie gulped the air, hoping for breath and sanity to return his good sense. The voice in his mind whispered.

  Embrace who you are, Ozzie.

  He tried, but the view before him kept knocking the air from his lungs.

  Surrounding Tyrik were three tall, lean blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauties dressed in clingy royal blue gowns, all with eyes like the sky and hair the color of wheat, all perfect replicas of his one love, Paige. Each one was the same, but different. They looked identical, but they wore separate attitudes and facial features.

  The one on the left, wearing a bright smile and twinkle in her eye, spoke first.

  “Ozzie, I am so glad you made it to the party.” She was cheerful as ever with a hint of music in her tone.

  With her hand out, she took a step forward, reaching for him. He had to fight every fiber of his being, but he took a step back. Something in the far recesses of his mind, hidden deep within, sent a warning. He greedily sucked in much needed air as he moved away from her. His attention fell to the Paige on the right.

  Her face was a sunken depressed montage of bruises and tear stains along discolored, taught skin over fragile-looking bones. There was no glint in her dark gray eyes and no smile upon her cracked lips. Her stooped shoulders showed years of abuse and misery. She rolled her defeated stare his way. His legs turned to jelly and he dropped to his knees. The sound of shattered glass played in his ears as his heart broke. The sight of her pulled painful sobs from his chest. Her harsh rattled voice plunged the final blow to his chest.

  “You will beg for death and he will deny it.”

  Ozzie kneeled on the ground next to Anna and kept his eyes on the scene as tears stung his eyes. The third and final Paige stepped around Tyrik. This face wore the happy smile he had seen many times. It was a seductive smile across plump, red lips. Her tongue slid along, adding gloss to an already beautiful mouth. Her eyes, dark and clouded with lust, stared at him as a teasing growl rumbled in her chest. Her dress, split in many places, barely covered her. Her long, lean legs broke through each slit, exposing her thighs. The V in the gown upon her chest played peek-a-boo with the inner sides of her breasts. She leaned down and touched his face, her dress gaping open. A sultry voice slid past her lips.

  “Ozzie, I have been waiting for you. I need you.”

  Jaxson pulled him free of the image. He stumbled and tripped over Anna, landing next her. It felt like the universe had lifted from his shoulders. He closed his eyes and sighed with relief as Anna whispered in his ear.

  “It's not real...all an...illusion.”

  Careful not to rub the scratches and bruises, he tenderly touched her face.

  “I know. Are you OK?”

  “I am for now. They drained me of my energy...there is no music. They knew Sebastian would make me stay and were waiting as soon as I left the house.”

  Realizing he was lying on his side with his jacket open but hidden from Tyrik, he slipped the phone from his pocket. He ticked a few buttons and then glanced to Anna. He whispered to her, “God speed, Anna!”

  The cold piece of metal slid from his hands. “Bad Ass” by Saliva rattled through the small speaker.

  The rage spread through him like an uncontrolled wildfire consuming everything in its path, intent on destruction. He gained strength and determination as he moved from the ground. Each riff of the guitar pulsed through his veins and each beat of the drum matched his heart. He finally understood―Heavy Metal Heartbeat!

  His bloodline had fused with the supernatural. With his deep-seeded loyalties added and mixed with the best of Anna Skott, he knew without a doubt h
e was a bad ass! He shot Tyrick a cocky smile laced with a growl of his own.

  He waved is hand and called, “Bring it, mutt!”

  “As you wish...”

  Tyrik retreated to the shadows.

  He couldn't believe his eyes when the creature came walking into view. It was poor and pitiful looking. It had the wide, massive head of a wild cat with a slightly elongated nose that sat atop a gangly bone structure and frame of a wolf as white as pure snow. Tyrik, holding the leash as he led it into view, stopped in the center of the clearing, the moon's beam upon them like a spotlight. Tyrik stood staring at the crowd like a magician on stage waiting for the hush of the crowd. The commanding wolf reached down and slapped the poor animal on the side the head.

  “Greet our guests, especially the cocky hunter.”

  The wolf cat cried out with the blow. Ozzie ground his teeth at the mistreatment of the poor animal. He shot a glance to Tyrik.

  “Was that necessary?”

  “Yes, Ozzie, it was. Your reaction pleased me so. Feast your eyes and look closely.”

  Ozzie, staggered back when the wolf cat turned her big bright sky blue eyes his direction.

  “You son of a-, I will kill you for this!”

  Hell was a calm state of peace compared to the mayhem and chaos that followed.

  Chapter 26

  Anna cursed under her breath when she realized what stood before her.

  Oh my God, what have they done?

  Now she was pissed and energized.

  It is so on! You die, you sick prick!

  She didn't know if it was a mixture of hard core realization that Paige was the pitiful cross creature, or the sound of “Riot” by Three Days Grace playing from the small phone that made her react so strongly, but along with everyone else, she flew into action.

  She collided with Ozzie as they both attacked Tyrick, fists flying and claws shredding. The air filled with the smell of gun powder and blood. The clearing was alive with sounds of heavy guns, battle cries and anguished screams.

  Claws slashed at her back, attempting to pull her to the ground, but she ignored it. She had eyes only for Tyrik. His bloody frame beneath her strong hands traded turns with Ozzie as they unleashed the fury of Hell on the wolfman.

  She kicked Tyrik in chest and sent him flying through the air before turning to Ozzie.

  “Get Paige. I will finish this scum bag.”

  She had expected an argument, but he only nodded. Her eyes darted around the crowd and the mayhem looking for her friend.

  “Where the hell is she?”

  Jaxson appeared next to her covered in as much blood as the rest of them. He answered Ozzie.

  “Sebastian has her. He did his vampire-turning-almost-invisible smoke trick and vanished with her. We have to get out of here.”

  She snapped the head off a wolf that sprang at her. Her surprised gaze slid to Jaxson

  “What? No, did you see Paige? They all deserve to die.”

  She spotted Ozzie fighting his way toward them. “I agree with Anna. That Tyrik is gonna pay.”

  Jaxson spun and in full-on cat mode, split the heads of two wolves together.

  “We are gonna have to fight our way out. Get your team and get the hell out. We will all meet up at Anna's. Trust me. Anna, follow me.”

  Seeing the intense expression on his face, she didn't argue.

  ****

  Ozzie spun on his heels, looking for his team. They were hard to spot in black and green tactical gear among the debris and trees. He zig-zagged between wolves, taking some out while bypassing others. He was intent on getting out of the woods.

  The sky rumbled, the ground shook and the trees came to life with activity. Robed figures lit up the clearing and the dark night sky with fire and lightning.

  He spotted some of his team and made a beeline straight for them.

  “Get your gear and go! Find the others and haul ass.”

  Cuervo ran by and grabbed the man's arm.

  “We are getting out of here. This party just got out of our pay grade. Tell the others, we all rendezvous at Anna's.”

  “Got it!”

  He sprinted, some of his team right behind him, for the tree line. Coming into the thickness of trees, he skidded to a halt, nearly taking out Jaxson and Anna.

  They stood stock still staring at three women. Each of them wore long, flowing dresses of metallic colors from blue to green. The two blondes and the redhead wore the same evil smirk. They only had eyes for Jaxson. The redhead stepped forward. Anna slid into him when Jaxson pushed her out of the way of the red headed woman, screaming his command.

  “Ozzie, do as I say and ask no questions. Taker her and go. Now!”

  His eyes darted to every face, calculating the odds. Not knowing the extent of the power the robed figures and the witches brought to the table, he nodded his agreement. His brain said it was rational.

  Live to fight another day.

  But his emotions said otherwise.

  He is your best friend. You can't leave him here.

  He hesitated for a moment, deciding to stay and fight, until one word filled his mind, answering his dilemma.

  Sebastian!

  Giving Jaxson a farewell nod, he grasped Anna by her wrist and pulled her away. She kicked and dragged her feet in protest. Ozzie tossed her over his shoulder and fell in line with his escaping team. He rushed through the dense trees and burst through the tree line, his Dodge Challenger a beacon of safety in the distance.

  “Ozzie, no! I am not leaving him to them. You don't know what they are capable of, what they did to him...” She started to cry. “What they made him do.”

  He pulled open the car and sat her inside.

  “Anna, I know! I also know that I can't help him and neither can you.” Slamming the passenger side door, he leaned in the window. “But Sebastian can!”

  Her tear-filled eyes blinked and she nodded her head.

  “We need to get back to your house. We can help Paige, and Sebastian can help Jaxson.”

  Chapter 27

  Neither of them spoke the entire drive back to Anna's; both had their minds on other things. His brain seemed to run in all directions as he worried about his friend's fate and the situation he might walk in on back at the house with Paige and his father.

  Lord, please don't let them pay for my mistakes.

  The rock station provided nothing but background noise. He stared out the window watching the road as he sped down the highway. His heart beat to the riff of the guitar, and he felt drained. Every muscle ached, his chest grew tight and his breathing became labored. He needed to feed, and he needed to get to her.

  He ran his hands down the front of his jeans, removing the remains of battle. Dried blood and saliva, crusted on his hand like mud, cracked and flaked off. He was so focused on getting free of the wolf gunk stuck to him that he had forgotten Anna was with him until she spoke.

  “Do you think he is all right?”

  He slid his gaze her way. She sat biting her nails, staring out the window, tears rolling down her face.

  “Jaxson is very smart and quite the opponent to tangle with. He isn't the scared and confused man he was the first time they found him. He can hold his own, Anna. He is as strong as an ox and built just like one.”

  His heart fell into his stomach when she looked at him. The lavender in her eyes had darkened, her gem-like shine smoldered.

  “But Ozzie, they are witches.”

  He kept his voice low, unable to keep the fear from it. “I know.”

  As he turned into Anna's drive, his headlights flashed across the darkened house. Lights switched on behind the closed curtains. He pulled the car to a stop and shut off the engine. Anna was out before the engine died. He climbed out of the car, hot on Anna's heels as they rushed into the house. The door swung open. Sebastian stood bathed in sixty watt light, blocking the doorway. He motioned them back outside.

  “The patient—”

  Anna could wait no lo
nger.

  “Sebastian, you have to hurry. Jaxson needs your help. They have him. The witches have him, Sebastian!”

  Ozzie was knocked out of the way when Sebastian flew past and grabbed Anna by her arms.

  “What did you say? Calm down and say that one more time.”

  Tears ran down her face and her words jumbled with her cries. Sebastian shook her. Ozzie stepped in, putting a hand on Sebastian's shoulder.

  “You heard right the first time. It’s the witches, the ones from his past. They are working with Tyrik. That is how they were able to ambush us before.”

  “Tell me what happened after I fled with Paige.”

  “Anna and I both jumped Tyrik as hell broke loose. My teams and Tyrik's wolves emerged from the woods and everyone was fighting. There were way more than we thought and somehow they were able to move faster than us. Magic, no doubt. I guess Jaxson felt it or something. He found us and told me we needed to get out of there. I started getting my teams together and told them to leave and he took off with Anna.”

  Anna joined in.

  “We didn't get very far before they showed up out of thin air and blocked our path. Ozzie showed right after that, dragging me away like Jaxson told him to.”

  Sebastian narrowed his eyes, glaring.

  “You left him?”

  “He told me to get Anna out of there. I wasn't going to. I am not inclined to run from anything, but I had no idea what they could do or what they are capable of. My instinct was to come and get you. That is what Jaxson was really trying to tell me.”

  He watched as the vampire worked it out. His eyes slid to Anna.

  “Anna, this trap was never for you. It was for me.”

  “What?” Anna tried to ask, but Sebastian was gone.

  Chapter 28

  Ozzie stood staring off into the dark, hoping to see Sebastian. He could tell by his scent in the air that he was already miles away and mad as hell. He turned to the opened door and walked inside, looking for his father and Paige.

  Dr. Phillips, sprawled on the couch, sat up and rubbed his eyes as they walked in.