Chapter 105 Unchosen One

*One*

This was one of those rare times that I wished I wasn't associated with Eric Lockwood. I have to admit, yes, if it weren't for him, I wouldn't have become a rich wolf, but that wasn't enough to die because of a cursed gem.

I should have followed my instincts. I should have refused Eric's black sapphires, but the black wolf was tormenting me in my sleep. Because of her, I had sworn off sleep, not ever wanting to wake up to another bite mark or worse... to never wake up at all.

After I got off the phone with Eric Lockwood, I peered down at the black sapphires which I had placed on my desk. One was now pulsating while the other continued to cast an uneasy red glow. I have kept a wary eye on both and have jotted down every peculiar thing I saw, hoping it would give me answers. I definitely saw four flashes of orange light before the black sapphire I had touched began to pulsate.

All of a sudden, both black sapphires slowly rose in mid-air. I tried to swat the damn gems down, but they just floated back up. I stepped away from my desk and headed towards the door. Fuck this! I don't want any part of this!

I was about to open the door and leave when I heard a voice speak.

"You, the rogue with the black sapphire, I need you to do a task for me," said the voice. It was distinctly female, but it sounded menacing. I turned around and found red flames in the form of a woman floating above the black sapphire which was continously pulsating.

"Me?" I squeaked. " Y-you must be m-mistaken. Y-you d-don't want little old me. As you said so yourself, I-I am just a rogue. Nothing good will come from me. I-I g-guarantee you I-I can't do a thing for you," I stammered, surprised at myself that I was actually talking to this woman made entirely of red flames. "H-how about I find someone who can do the job for you? I know many other hard-working wolves who can do whatever you need...or want."

"No, you will suffice," she said in a monotone, making it impossible to argue with her. "I need a she-wolf. I sense a she-rogue in the vicinity. Bring me to her, rogue." She kept her sentences short like I had difficulty understanding her. Great! Even an evil female spirit made of red flames thinks I'm an idiot.

"Do you mean Twelve? She's the only she-rogue with access to a floor in my building. The other under my employ, Ninth, may act and dress like a she-wolf, but he, I mean she, hasn't gone under the knife yet. But don't get me wrong, I believe him, I mean her, to be all she-wolf," I was babbling like a buffoon making me look more of an idiot. I couldn't help it. I was nervous. Her expression showed that she didn't look pleased at my rambling. I was about to say something else, but she lifted her red hand to stop me.

"Enough. This she-rogue you call Twelve is who I am speaking of. She is above us. Make haste. Bring me to her and I will break the bond you have made with the black sapphire," she promised, which was music to my ears. This evil spirit needed a she-wolf, she will have her she-wolf. I knew Twelve would do anything for me anyway. I was the one who got her off the streets. She was a clever and stealthy pickpocket. Those fast hands of hers have made many wolves lose in my casino.

I took out my gloves from my pocket and put them on. Under no circumstances were I to touch these damn sapphires ever again. After she spoke her promise, she disappeared back inside the black sapphire and both sapphires landed gently back on my desk. I snatched both gems up, placed them in my suit pocket and proceeded to the elevator so I can go to the twelfth floor. When the elevator doors opened, Sixth was inside, heading to his office on the sixth floor. He bowed as I entered.

"Going up?" He asked, looking confused. I rarely went to the upper floors. I had everyone come down to my office, instead.

"Yeah, to the twelfth floor," I answered. "I need to talk to Twelve about something important that I need her to do for me. You know her...she's always complaining she never gets more responsibility." Sixth nodded his head in understanding.

"About that, One, I've noticed there are a lot of absentees. Ninth was pissed Ten didn't show up at the Casino last night while I couldn't get a hold of Second, Third and Fifth before we all fell asleep. Are they on a job?" Sixth asked. The rogues were starting to notice my inner circle of rogues have gone missing. 

"Second, Third and Fifth are retrieving something very important for me. As for Ten, I have him tailing someone," I lied. "They'll be back before you know it. Have you gone to see the doctor?"

"No. I just got a scratch on my thigh just like Seventh. Nothing to worry about. I'll go see the doctor when the queue disappears," he told me. I've always liked Sixth. Sixth was kind as he was smart. The elevator suddenly pinged signaling the opening of the elevator doors on the Sixth floor. "This is me. I'll be handing you my computations at noon as usual. Good day, One." He bowed one last time before exiting the elevator.

I continued upward, nervous and alone, stretching the muscles around my neck and back. I don't pray much, but as the elevator slowly worked itself up, I silently prayed to the Moon Goddess to have mercy on us and for none of us to die. Finally, the elevator pinged once again signalling its arrival to the twelfth floor. My brow furrowed as I exited the elevator and entered the hallway. Why is it so dark and uninviting here?  I shrugged my shoulders and walked to Twelve's office which was near the middle of the hallway. As I approached, I could hear the distinct sounds of Trance music being played. I knocked on her door and waited, thinking the door would open right away, but no. So, I banged my fist against the door.

"Who the fuck is banging on the door?!" I heard a man's voice say before the door opened a crack. "What the fuck is your-" The man stopped in mid-sentence when he realized it was me. "My apologies, One." He bowed his head. "I didn't realize it was you." He was one of my hired card sharks and was very useful when I needed to end a long winning streak. I didn't know he and Twelve were friendly.

"Did you just say "One"?" I heard a female voice from inside. "Turn the fucking music down and for crying out loud, help me clean this place up!"

"Open the door," I ordered the card shark. He  stepped aside and opened the door wide to announce my presence.

"Twelve, One is here to see you," The card shark said. I stepped inside and took a look around her office. It was a mess and it smelled like piss. There were two other rogues inside with them who each had a joint in their mouth, but were trying to clean up as fast as they could. I cleared my throat and gestured to the others to leave.

"I have an important business matter I would like to discuss with Twelve. Out! Now!" I yelled at all of them. The two rogues scurried out into the hallway followed by the card shark who gently closed the door behind him. I turned my full attention to Twelve, who had a garbage bin in one of her hands, trying to quickly clean as much as she could.

"Sorry, One, I didn't know you were coming," she said while she continued to clean. She cleared up a chair and patted it down for me to sit. "Here, have a seat." I took one look at the chair which had a couple of stains on it and shook my head.

"I, uh, would rather stand," I replied, obviously disgusted. "You can stop cleaning for now, Twelve. Just continue tidying your office when I leave. It's a mess."

She put the trash bin down and straightened herself. She looked like shit. This wasn't her usual self.

"I had a rough night," she said quietly. I guess she noticed the look I gave her.

"Well, me too, but I still have my shit together," I told her. I noticed she wasn't wearing gloves. "Anyway, the reason I'm here is because I wanted you to take a look at these." I took the black sapphires from my pocket and put both in her hand. As she peered down at them, her face reflected the pulsating red glow from the one black sapphire. I could clearly see she was both amazed and confused at the same time. I, on the other hand, felt tense. The pulses had quickened.

"They're beautiful, but I don't understand. What are these things?" She asked me. I was about to answer her when both sapphires rose in the air. While my initial reaction was fear, Twelve's reaction was admiration. "Oh my Moon Goddess, these small orbs are magical. My mother was a priestess until the High Lord Wolf went after everyone who exhibited magic, she included. She once said I inherited her power and I did show some signs, but because of that, I was banished from my pack. They didn't want anything to do with me. Well, I did learn to do something with these hands of mine," she explained, a wistful tone in her voice. I felt pity for her. She would have done well as a priestess.

The pulsating black sapphire magically split into three while the other just stood in position. Why split into three? Can the other one do the same? What did this mean? So many questions were running in my mind. That is the thing about magic...nothing is what it seems.

While I was distracted with thoughts racing through my head, Twelve stood there in a trance with a lopsided grin on her face. She reached up and took the black sapphire in the middle. Then, all hell broke loose.

Red-orange flames engulfed Twelve's whole body. She screamed so loud... ear-piercing, gut-wrenching screams. She collapsed on the floor, her whole body convulsing in seizures. I panicked! I didn't know what to do. I tried looking for a blanket to extinguish the flames, but there was just so much mess. Water, I thought. I need to douse her in water. I ran to the bathroom of the office, covering my nose from the awful smell of wolf excrement. As her screaming continued, I searched helplessly for a glass or anything I could put water in. Miraculously, I found a small dirty basin in the corner of the shower. It would do.

I filled it up with water and rushed back to where she was, but instead of Twelve's body on the floor, the back of a tall woman covered in a black cloak stood before me.

Her unexpected presence frightened me so much so that I dropped the small basin of water. The sound of the basin hitting the floor caught her attention and she slowly turned to face me while I took a step back away from her.

She was beautiful if it weren't for those spooky red-orange eyes of hers, the same color as the flames which engulfed Twelve a moment ago. She had long, curly black hair, a small pointy nose and luscious red lips like that actress who played Lara Croft. She grinned at me showing off her perfect white teeth, however her smile didn't quite reach her spooky red-orange eyes. Hanging from her pale neck in an antique looking pendant was a black sapphire.

"Ah, the rogue who I have to thank," she said, in a low sultry voice. "She is the perfect vessel, descendant of a long line of priestesses," she said while closing her eyes, basking in her new found freedom. I silently wished for her eyes to stay closed...she looked human that way. "Ummm, my Alpha calls to be reunited with his Luna. Thus, I am in need of transportation." She opened her eyes and I felt myself shiver as her gaze settled on me.

"T-that I can do i-if i-it's transportation you need," I stuttered. "I-I can have a c-car ready for you downstairs at the l-lobby." She opened her hand infront of her and the remaining black sapphires zoomed into her palm.

"Car, you say? It's been quite a while since I have seen the world. Before, we used horses for long distances and if there were no horses available, we set out on foot. For days we would travel," she explained. "As promised, you are no longer bound to the black sapphire for providing me an adequate host. However, I will require your services. Do I have your word you will provide all I need?"

"S-Sure," I answered hastily, without thinking. I was so scared she would kill me with a flick of a finger. "I just have a few questions that I need answered, if you don't mind. First and foremost, who are you?"

"I am Theodora, Luna to Aranck, High Priestess of the Black Resistance and mother of Bacho, son of Aranck. You may call me High Priestess Theodora," she replied quickly, her words rolling off her tongue, like she was so sure of herself. I decided it was best to bow to her given her rank. "You may ask one other question, rogue. After I have answered your query, I shall take my leave."

"How am I so sure that I am not bounded to one of the black sapphires?" I asked.

"Do you hear your wolf, rogue?" I was surprised she answered my question with another question. And it suddenly dawned on me, I stopped hearing my wolf the moment I touched the black sapphire Eric Lockwood gave me. I didn't notice his absence though, given I was so happy I didn't have the black wolf occupying my head.

"Drift, are you there boy?" I asked my wolf. I heard him howl which made me both happy and relieved, however the howl held a warning. I decided to ignore it for now. I'll figure something out later.

"Yes, I do," I answered Theodora.

"There lies your answer," she replied cryptically. She was obviously hiding something. "Let us make haste. My mate needs me by his side. Together, we will be stronger than ever."

"Wait. That wasn't an answer so you owe me another question," I boldly said. She scoffed at me.

"Very well. Ask one other."

"Why Twelve and not me?" I asked. She snickered at me. She believed me to be clueless.

"I thought it was obvious. You are not fit as a vessel, however you are perfect as my servant. Contrary to belief, cursed gems have certain preferences, as does any other magical gem. You, rogue, are an unchosen," she said, mocking me. I was relieved I was no longer bound to the cursed black sapphire, but now I was bound to this hellish priestess as a servant. SERVANT! "Now, my...what did you call it? Car? Is my car ready for me?" She asked.

"Don't worry, High Priestess Theodora. The car will be waiting for you at the lobby," I grumbled. I walked towards the door and opened it for her. "After you, High Priestess."

One, the servant. How tacky.

_________________

*Wolf Troop Wang *

I couldn't believe we lost Eric Lockwood. I've been going in circles trying to find him. I tried sniffing him out, but I couldn't catch his scent. The perfume I saw him spray on himself at the department store had masked his scent. The huge crowd didn't help either. As a wolf, I detest being touched by humans and being jostled around by them at the shopping center distracted me. That's when I lost him.

I already asked headquarters to hack through the CCTV's along the street to spot him, but they radioed in saying they couldn't find anyone that fit his description on the monitors. I caught a whiff of some awful perfume at this convenience store whose scent ran down the street, but when I followed it, it only led me to a heavy set man in a Santa suit sitting on a bench drunk out of his wits.

I was headed back to the convenience store to ask anyone there if they had seen a man with Eric Lockwood's description when I felt a jolt of electricity run through my legs. I paused for a moment in the middle of the sidewalk, both in shock and in pain. When the pain subsided, I took a step forward and there it was again, the jolt of electricity. I moved to the side along a small alleyway and leaned against a dumpster. It felt like torture.

"Wang, head back to HQ. Chief needs back up. I repeat, Chief needs back up," a voice said through my ear piece. I couldn't tell who it was.

"Can't any of you numbskulls help him? I'm busy over here," I answered gruffly. Another jolt of electricity went through me, but this time I distinctly felt it coming from my pocket. The same pocket where I had placed the black sapphire Chief had given me.

I retreated into the darkness of the alleyway since I was being given curious looks from the people walking past me. I knew the cursed gem would bite me in the ass sooner or later, I was just not counting on it to be so soon. I took out the sapphire from my pocket and discovered the tiny object was emitting a throbbing red light. As I was studying the gem, the red light suddenly turned into flames scorching me in a fiery inferno. The last thing I remember was the feeling of being burned alive and collapsing against a dumpster full of rotting food.

When I woke up, I was in a dark room with a window. Where was I? I walked to the window to take a peek of my surroundings, so I could find a clue to where I was. It was strange though. The outside was moving. I caught a glimpse of my favorite buffet which was a street down from headquarters. The sidewalk suddenly became a parking area along an alleyway. Then, I saw some stairs before coming to an abrupt stop at a door with a sign that read "Fire Exit". What was going on? A manly voice broke my thoughts.

"Let's see what a fine soldier can do against the black wolf," he said.

What have I gotten myself into?