Chapter 44

Amy was laid to rest by Divina and her family in the midst of swaying branches and dried flowers as John stood by and watched. Despite his rage and want to rip them apart, John had a plan for dealing with them. There would be no "quick deaths" here. He determined to inflict as much misery as he possibly could on them. He would exact a form of vengeance that Blackclaw would be pleased with. Towards the woods that ringed the cemetery's perimeter, he bowed his head. Six vampires emerged from the shadows and made their way through the ancient and encrypted tombs, carefully making their way through the darkness. John's features began to soften a little. As the casket was lowered into the grave, Divina and the others in attendance were completely absorbed by the priest's speech. They were blissfully unaware of the hungry vampires on the search for them.

When he hired the vamps, John made it plain that they were not to harm anyone who was linked with Divina or her organization. It was only the locals. He'd made the vampires watch Divina 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the previous week. Today would undoubtedly be a day of carnage. Divina and Aidan believed to be out of harm's way at this point in time. Their sadness had engulfed them completely. There's no denying that they were wrong. Today, John was going to illustrate to them that there was a new threat to be aware of. That's much more devastating and bloodier than the one before it. On this day, he was given the nickname "Redclaw." Blackclaw's sole son and rightful heir.

"You're breaking every rule in the book," When John, aka Redclaw, heard the deep voice of Byrd, he clenched his teeth together in frustration.
"Get lost, this isn't important to you." Redclaw snapped, and Byrd burst out laughing.
But, if you go through with this, Divina and her family will not be your only source of concern. You will be apprehended by the Council of Elders." Byrd issued a warning.
"And I'm willing to take them on as well." Redclaw stated his point of view firmly.
"Is one female worth the danger." Byrd swung his head to the side a little. Before Redclaw could respond, a bloodcurdling scream drew their attention away from the conversation. The first of the villagers had been attacked and the assault had begun. A major wound to the neck was gushing blood in an irregular fashion.

Divina's eyes widened and her hands raised from her sides as John stared at her in horror. With only a few murmured words, the six vampires were reduced to ashes. When Divina swung her head in his direction, he let out a growl. In that single second, their gazes locked on each other. Because of his vampire speed, Redclaw was able to disappear in a matter of seconds. Byrd had departed a long time before.
In the dark forest, Redclaw stood with his feet stomping the earth and scanning the ground for danger. It was obvious that he had underestimated Divina's abilities. She has a great deal of courage. Six of his soldiers had been killed, but only one member of the community had been brutally murdered. At the end of the day, it was not enough. That snob would think he was nothing more than a joke, pernicious, and weak.
"Did you think your plan had a chance of succeeding?" Byrd enquired as he emerged from the shadows of the trees.
"So, what exactly do you want?" The muscles in Redclaw tightened.
"Ah, you see," he says after a moment's thought. My involvement in Amy's death was confirmed. I'm sure Divina will catch up with me eventually. We could overpower her if we worked together." Redclaw's brows were furrowed in concentration. A vampire and a wolf collaborate on projects. We would be unable to accomplish the task. In his opinion, vampires were vastly superior to wolves in terms of strength and stamina.
"How about Kain?" Redclaw inquired, his smoldering wrath bubbling up beneath the surface. In the end, Kain would have to pay for his role in his father's death.
“John. This hardly bothers me. He's doomed to a life as a wolf by a curse. In the meantime, my uncle is on a quest to reverse the curse."
Redclaw stood up straight and gave Byrd a dead-on stare. " The name Redclaw will do from now on." "You got that dog?" "I call the shots." His comments were laced with malice. “I’d watch it, John.” The word "John" was drawn out by Byrd. "You aren't as powerful as you believe you are. " "You're nothing but a pale imitation of your father." Taking a few steps away from Redclaw, Byrd turned his back on Redclaw. To which he simply remarked: "Think about it. " With no one to help you, you really do not have a chance." Within a split-second Byrd had transformed into a huge grey wolf and was bounding through the forest.
Redclaw's fists were clinched. Byrd had it right. He had underestimated Divina. However, this would not be the case again.
Redclaw became enraged and kicked a tree stump. That pompous know-it-all wolf was the last person he wanted to associate himself with. But, in the end, did he have much of a choice? If he wanted to have his revenge, he would have to make some sacrifices first, of course. He made a promise to himself that by the time he was finished, no one would consider him to be a mere shadow of his father. They would consider him to be a superior being to the man who had instructed him in everything. The name Redclaw would be one to be feared.
Divina's time on this planet was running out. Despite the fact that he was walking through the woods, Redclaw couldn't stop himself from smiling. He would give Byrd a chance to stew for a bit before bending his head and acknowledging his assistance. First and foremost, he would endeavor to win Divina's trust by implementing his original plan. He'd befriend the girl and gain her trust. It would make the revenge even for sweet. He would make sure that Divina felt the sting of betrayal.