Chapter 62

We stepped to the edge of the forest that surrounded the house that the hunters had made their head quarters. If they weren’t plotting the end of the world, the area would be a perfect little vacation cabin. The yard wasn’t tiny, but a nice medium size, with a flower bed pressed against a wrap around porch. The cabin looked cozy and well cared for.

A sharp, keening howl sounded and then chaos ensued. Shifted wolves rushed out from the woods as hunters flowed from the doors and windows of the cabin. My breath stalled in my chest as I saw the arsenal of weapons the hunters had to use against the claws and teeth of the wolves. I made a mental note that if this was to be a reoccurring thing firearm training may not be a bad idea.

My senses were bombarded with information to sort through. Teeth and claw met against skin, and screams filled the air. The harsh bang of guns followed by pained yips. The smell of blood assaulted my nose, along with the burning of the gun powder. Fear and anger coursed over the field, I quickly reinforced my mental walls to stop the overwhelming flood of emotions.

I stood beside Frode. This was the first time I was experiencing something like this, like battle. I swallowed the emotions that rolled through me at the thought of hurting someone. Taking a steadying breath I reminded myself they wanted to hurt me, hurt my mates, friends and family I’d just found.

“Ready?” Frode asked, watching the scene start to unfold before us.

Our plan was to wait a few moments to let the hunter engage with the shifted wolves before we entered the fray. The goal was to move quickly through the outdoor battle and get into the house. We were a small team serving two purposes, open the house for those who were shifted and also get to Sten and Erik as quickly as we could.

“Yes.” I replied, turning to face Frode.

“Be careful, little one. Be brave, but not too brave. Don’t take reckless risks. Stay with us.” He whispered as he claimed my lips.

“You too.” I murmured against his own.

“Remember, act don’t think. We can sort out the emotions and process it all later, in fact that sounds like a job for Sten. Love you, angel. Let’s go get the rest of our pack.” He winked and kissed me before turning and nodding to Frode.

I took one last look out over the field before us. Wolves versus men, both fighting to protect themselves and their beliefs. I reached for my gift, letting my magic hum in my veins, ready for use.

A yelp of pain pulled my attention to the door of the cabin. Part of me had hoped that Heris would have come out, but I knew that he’d been the cabin, waiting for my mates and me. A flash of white caught my eye as the wolf who had yelped was standing over a hunter.

The hunter was trying to get his knife in a position to kill the wolf, having lost his gun in the struggle. Before he was able to get it, the wolf who’s white coat was turning red from a wound ripped his knife yielding arm from his body. Bile rose in my throat and I felt a steady hand on my shoulder.

“You sure you’re up for this?” Frode asked one last time.

I took a deep breath and nodded. He nodded back and we moved forward. I gripped the large hunting knife I had for protection and followed Frode as Rune stayed behind me. We made it to the house quickly, and relatively unscathed. The shifted wolves preoccupying the hunters that had come. It appeared that large number of them had surfaced to fight outside. I imagine they wanted to fight in the house as little as we did.

“Stay between Rune and I. We’ll search this floor, and move to the basement.” Frode said as we stepping inside the house, leaving the door open.

We moved fast, but with caution. I already head the sound of nails on the floor as a few wolves followed us in. Growls and yells rang through the halls of the house.

My bond with Sten and Erik pulsed as we drew closer. A reminder of how close we were to having them back with us. Frode and Rune felt it too as we skipped searching most of the downstairs and moved to the basement door.

The stairwell was already lit and we moved slowly down the stairs, into the basement. The stairs were against one wall, and then the space opened up into a large room with a closed off room in one corner. The room that held my mates.

 I wanted to rush to the room and get my mates, but a figure standing in the middle had me frozen. He’d done just like we thought he would. He was their last line of defense to get our mates back.

Heris was grinning at us, his posture relaxed. Anger burned through me. How could he look so casual through all of this?

Descendent of chaos. He’s enjoying this. We’re feeding his bloodlust, playing into his wants.

My magic hummed through me. It wanted my mates, but wasn’t pushing me to get them right now. Why?

I focused on it, wish it could communicate. Frode shifted beside me.

Wait. We need to wait. I send through our bond.

Why? Rune snapped, impatient to end this. He’s right there. End this Astrid.

We need to wait. I can’t tell you why, I don’t know. I just know we need to wait.

He’s the descendent of chaos, he feeds off pain and suffering. We’re feeding him his power. Frode replied.

Everything starting lining up in my mind. He was right. Sten and I had researched Heris after we first found out about my parents being killed. Heris got his power from external chaos, but once the chaos stopped his power would drop quickly. If we attack now, he’ll be much stronger, than if we just wait out the fighting.

It only took a few moments and silence settled around us. Shock ran through me at how quickly it all started and finished. Less than an hour and we’d subdued the hunters and just had Heris to handle-not that he was a small task.

I grinned as Heris’s smug look faltered. He realized it was over, he was no longer getting energy. A hint of something crossed through his eyes but I couldn’t catch it.

“Well, it seems you’ve been doing some research, Astrid. At least your big brain is being put to use somehow.” He grinned.

My fists clenched at my side. I wanted to hit him, hard.

“Looks like we’ll have to do this the old fashioned way. Pity, I was really looking to killing you quickly and feeding off your mates pain. Then again, their watching you die slowly may be more satisfying. It certainly was delicious watching your father wallow in pain as I tortured your mother.” His eyes darkened and his grin grew.

He’s taunting you. Frode’s voice rang through my head.

I knew that. It didn’t make the words hurt any less, or make them easier to take. My magic flared in my veins, aching to be released.

Control. I had to control my magic. My magic burned inside me as I tried to quiet it.

Part of me wished I didn’t have to control. I wished I could let it go. I’d never just released it. What if that was why we were always one step behind Heris? Maybe I wasn’t using my full powers.

My magic throbbed in my veins, like it was nodding to my thoughts. I took a breath. I was going to need all of my magic to stop Heris, but that would mean letting go of my control. The last times I’d lost control I’d hurt people, I’d hurt my mates.

I shut down that thought. I had to do this. Heris couldn’t win. My veins warmed as my magic urged me forward.

“Ah, I can see your conflict so well, Astrid. Made a decision have we? Youngest first, then.” He sneered at me.

A growl grew in my chest as I reached for my magic. This had to be the end. Stop Heris, get mates, repeated in my mind as I let me power grow.

I love you. I sent down the bond to my mates.

Before they could respond, I released my magic. A blinding light filled the basement. I heard my mates call my name, but I couldn’t stop. Not when I was this close to finishing this.