Chapter 47

Kane was bone-weary. He had been running nonstop for days, a burning resolve to reach the witch fueling his every step. He simply had to find her, the one who could break the curse that had left him trapped in his wolf form forevermore. The very thought made his fur bristle with frustration - how could he hunt for his prey as a mere animal? No, this curse was a burden too great to bear.

As he finally emerged from the woods, Kane paced nervously back and forth along the treeline, scanning the nearby town with wary eyes. But he knew he couldn't risk approaching during daylight - a wolf prowling the streets would only cause panic and fear. Instead, he was forced to bide his time and wait out the sun, knowing that the coming night would be his only chance to seek out the witch and beg for her aid.

Kane couldn't quell the incessant fluttering of his mind as it constantly drifted to images of Divina. His heart raced with hope and fervent prayers for her safety, a beacon of optimism amidst the bleak and uncertain path ahead. Yet, he could not ignore the harsh reality that his nephew still lurked in the shadows, and with malevolent intent fixated on Divina. She was his prime quarry, a prize he would stop at nothing to claim.

The languorous ebb of time seemed interminable as the sun stubbornly refused to dip below the horizon. A snarl of impatience ripped through him as he watched the unceasing throng of humanity milling about, their carnal urges mingling with the acrid scent of fermented libations. At last, with an inarticulate bellow of frustration, he let loose a mighty howl that echoed through the urban canyons.

Several hours passed before the bustling streets finally emptied out, save for a handful of late night revelers stumbling about, dizzy and disoriented. Kane emerged from the shadowy depths of the Forrest, cautiously prowling along the pavement. He skillfully concealed his lupine form amongst parked vehicles and darkened alleys, ever mindful of the incessant chatter of those oblivious mortals passing him by.

At last, his journey brought him to a humble establishment adorned with brilliant Nylon lights of a sapphire hue. Etched above the entrance were the words "Crystal's", and Kane surveyed the bustling street before taking his steps towards the door. But as he approached, he realized the cruel fate of his current form - the prey of the curse had transformed him into a ruthless wolf. Two legs meant nothing to him now and it was infuriating that he could not simply twist the handle and enter. His frustration blossomed into a fierce growl that pierced the peaceful night air, his lupine form proving to be an unexpected obstacle.

With all the fury of the Nephilim, Kane propelled himself into the sky, his muscles coiled like a serpent ready to strike. The shop window was his target, and he struck it with an ear-piercing boom that sent shards of glass raining onto his wolfen form as he plummeted to the ground.

Kane gasped in pain as the sharp fragments of glass ravaged his skin, eliciting a pitiful whimper. The sound reverberated through the cramped shop, resembling that of a wounded hound. "Why must you always make such a grand arrival, dear Kane?" A melodious voice cut through the air, slicing into the air like a hot knife through butter. With much effort, Kane raised his head, and his eyes fell upon Crystal who stood regally behind the counter, her piercing violet orbs taking him in.

Crystal scoffed and with a flick of her wrist, the glass shards levitated off the ground and silently extracted themselves from Kane's wounds. He winced at each impressionable sensation as they glided through his flesh, but eventually, they had all been expelled. The shards then soared towards the window, dancing in the air, and in a matter of seconds, it was as good as new. No trace of Kane's lupine outburst remained.

Crystal approached Kane, her steps are measured and purposeful. Her eyes swept over him, taking in the ache etched into every line of his face. “What brings you here?” she asked, her voice gentle, as she knelt beside his wolf.

Kane, his body wracked with pain, could barely breathe. He could feel his bones breaking, one by one, as the curse that had left him trapped in this form fought against Crystal’s magic. But even as he curled into a fetal position, naked and shivering, he couldn't help but feel a sliver of hope.

Crystal’s hands glowed with a brilliant blue light, their warmth washing over Kane like a wave. As she worked, Kane felt the curse loosening its hold on him, inch by excruciating inch. It was a transformation unlike any he had ever experienced, and it left him feeling more vulnerable than he had ever been before. But he knew, in that moment, that he was safe in her care.

"Come with me," Crystal said, extending her hand to Kane. He took it gratefully, his body unsteady and his legs nearly giving out. Crystal steadied him, helping him into the back of the shop and a warm and welcoming home. A wood burner flickered in the centre of the room, casting shadows against the walls. With a gentle hand, Crystal guided Kane to a well-worn couch and left him there while she disappeared into another room. Kane's head spun, the pain nearly overwhelming him. He closed his eyes tightly, sucking in ragged breaths as he tried to push the pain away.

In mere moments, Crystal had returned, armed with a crisp blue shirt and sleek black jeans, which she deftly deposited onto Kane's lap. "Dress," she commanded with an air of authenticity that brooked no argument. Obediently, Kane complied, while Crystal vanished into the ether once more.

As Kane settled back into the couch, his keen eyes watched the flickering flames of the fire dance, caught in a hypnotic trance. Before he knew it, Crystal had re-entered, bearing a tray of sandwiches and biscuits, their composition haphazardly thrown together in a rush.

"Sorry I wasn't expecting guests at such an hour," Crystal confessed sheepishly, casting a rueful glance at the humble offerings. Kane smiled indulgently, teasing her with a sly quip.

"Two-hundred and twenty years of age and you are still yet to learn the manners of hospitality," he jested, and Crystal laughed at his words, her vibrant red hair dancing with the movement and light.

Kane's stomach rumbled as he eagerly devoured the food before him, the gnawing pains of hunger finally dissipating. Crystal, ever-watchful, observed him with an amused glint in her eye. "A wolf's hunger is always insatiable," she remarked, to which Kane responded with a smile.

Her amusement faded as she lowered her head. "Don't thank me, Kane. The curse still lingers, held tightly in place by powerful magic," she explained. Hope shone in Kane's eyes as he leapt to his feet. "Can you break it?" he implored.

Fear flickered in Crystal's gaze, hesitant to answer. "I cannot, Kane. You are not yet strong enough, and attempting to break the curse may lead to your untimely demise," she admitted.

Kane shook his head vehemently. "I would rather risk death than remain a wolf for all eternity," he declared, determined to break the curse once and for all.

"Perhaps that may be so," Crystal mused, her voice heavy with regret. "But I cannot bear the thought of being the cause of your demise."