18 Twins

***POV – Zagon
A screwed-up croaky scream deafens us as a figure bursts into the room, followed by another. Fay – a shitload of fay - floods through the porthole almost all at once - like a wave of death we can’t escape from. And I don’t want to. It’s been too long since my last kill … I need this.
My convicted dark side digs boldly into my muscles and I stab my blade with a big smile into the first person; relishing the feeling of warm blood that runs over my hand. This is me … the real me … a fighter; a killer; a soulless monster born in hell. For a mere second I watch the life drain from the man’s eyes; nothing … I feel nothing.
Instinct kicks in. My left-arm swings back and sinks into the chest of the unfortunate vampire that sneaked up behind me, ripping out his heart. At the same time, I remove my blade from the fay, and the corps drop to the ground.
I catch sight of Blade as he engages another vampire, slamming him in the chest with his foot in a dazzling display of ruthlessness and poise. He spins around; moving like a turned-up ninja, shoving the nether-blade where his foot had been. The vampire’s skin goes grey almost immediately. Our new friend is not half bad. Or maybe it’s because he’s reffed up on my blood. Blade salutes me with a grin and attacks another vampire.
I whip around, stabbing the fay, that’s magically screwing Luan’s brains, in the back. He didn’t even see me coming. My brother shakes his head. That’s gonna leave him with a nice migraine. A small trickle of blood is escaping from the corner of his mouth. He’s pissed. He swings his blade and slices another fay’s neck … blood spurts like a fountain from the severed artery. His dying gargles mix with the sounds of death and breaking bones. I’m on a roll; snapping yet another vamp’s neck. It doesn’t kill him, but it takes him out of the fight. We can always interrogate him later.
From the corner of my eye I see green sparks … shit, fay magic … I swivel to the right, but it’s too late. My shoulder burns. I’m tossed to the side from the force … hitting the floor – hard. But I need to get up. I slip in the messy blood and guts covering the ground. Without any time to recover, a vampire jumps on me … fangs extended. I lose my balance, but my arm flies out and an awkward punch lands on his nose. He swears. And then Luan snaps his neck from behind. Another green wave is barreling down at me again. Fuck! If I move now it will hit my brother full force. Preparing myself for the hit, I stiffen my body.
Puck flies into the way, holding up his tiny hands.
“Puck, NO!” I yell. The green flames u-turn around to hit their creator right in the face. His screams rip through the air, mix with the stink of burnt flesh. I gag. One smell I probably never get used to. I’m aghast. What the fuck happened?
The sprite winks at me. He lifts his hands again and helps Luan who’s fighting three vampires. I’m stunned. What was that? Still confused, I grab a fay clinging to Blade’s back and kill him before he can retaliate. Enough of this shit. Time to clear the room. I stick my blade into another fay and then a vampire … and another … and another … We’ll clear this mess up in no time.
But then a grey hound jumps through the porthole; open jaws aimed at my throat; demanding all my attention.
I fall back; flat onto the floor; avoiding the attack. My legs kick up, connecting his belly; throwing him over my head and against the wall. I shoot to my feet; a swift movement without using my hands, blade ready.
The filthy dog growls at me. I bend my knees slightly; ready for the assault, but he doesn’t attack. Belated I realize my mistake … I turned my back to the porthole. A train collides into me from behind. Or at least, that’s how it feels. Like a projectile, I somersault through the air and crash hard into a wall.
As I collapse to the ground in a paralytic heap, an uncontrolled groan snivels over my lips; I gulp for air; I haven’t been in this much pain since my childhood. What happened? My eyes pop open. Bones fracture. A whimpering Blade slides from the wall to land next to me; a pathetic mass; his condition way worse than mine.
“Fucking warlock,” he croaks, “I can’t fucking move.” I must admit … it’s difficult for me to move as well.
We’re in danger right now; vulnerable. Instinctively I look for my brother. He’s in a corner with Puck, battling off the last two assailants. As if in slow motion, the hound prowls closer, now accompanied by the warlock.
“You’re strong demon …” I struggle painfully to lift myself into a sitting position. He pulls a surprised face and then pouts as if he’s impressed.
“You’re not supposed to be moving right now. But we’re not here for you today … we just need the girl.”
The girl … Enigma … if I don’t stop them … they’re gonna take Eni … she will suffer … or be killed … or raped … Fuck! Fear shoots through my veins like a triple shot of raw adrenaline. I jump up into a fighting stance, ignoring the agonizing pain, twirling the blade in my hand a few times. The warlock’s face contorts into flabbergasted shock.
“It can’t be … how did you … you … can’t be up … “ he stutters in surprise. I give him a lopsided smile and a wink.
“Can’t be … I’ve hit you … can’t be … “ The man is still in shock it seems. He’s starting to sound like a stuck gramophone.
“Enough playing around. I’m more than a little pissed right now. You can’t have the girl.”
My words seem to jolt him back and he tilts his head and gives me a big winning smile.
“Oh, but you see, I must have the girl,” he raises a hand and the next moment mine is stuck to the wall behind me with iron cuffs. Ug, I hate magic. I really fucking hate magic!
“and we need you to stay alive for a little while longer … you know … the prophecy, destiny … and bla bla bla ...“ He swings his hand in circles above his head as he walks away.
I desperately struggle to break free, watching the man and hound leave through the door. Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!
Enigma! I must get to Enigma!
Blade … he is still on the floor at my feet. He hasn’t moved for a while. Is he dead? I look at his skin … nope … he must be passed out.
Luan … where’s Luan? I scan the room and find my brother in the same corner … laying against the wall … his hands on his abdomen; blood oozes through his fingers.
“Luan, are you alright?” He gives me a thumbs up. His wounds are not fatal, but he’s out of action for a while.
Puck … I can’t see him … did he abandon us? Maybe he went to help Eni …
“Where’s Puck?”
“I’m stuck …” his shrill voice shouts out, “under a smelly fay. Get me out, for fuck sake.”
I jerk the chains … trying to rip them from the wall. Feelings flood through me; frustrated; annoyed; scared; helpless; angry. They’re going to take Enigma. And I couldn’t stop them. Some mate I am.
“AAAHHHHHH!” I holler insane, totally losing my shit. Marrok runs through the door. I glare at him. It’s about fucking time.
“Where the fuck have you been?” I scold, wrestling like a bewitched madman to get free. He grabs the chains.
“Been a little busy fighting off ogres … and then the rogues that set fire to the stables,” he starts pulling, “and if that’s not enough, I still need to come here and save your puny ass,” he mocks. He puts one foot against the wall and yanks. Ogres? Rogues? Vampires? Fay? Even a warlock and demon … so many species joined in one attack … it doesn’t make sense. But that’s not important now … Enigma is …
“Enigma … I need to get to her,” I say. Marrok only grunts, his lips pressed together as all his effort goes into hauling the chains from the wall. I try to help by leaning forward. The cuffs slice into my skin … but it works … the chains rip from the wall.
“Get Luan and Blade to the clinic … and find Puck,” I shout, already heading for the door … hands still in the cuffs, but at least I’m free.
I run as fast as I can to Stephan’s office. The door is open and I run right in. The only thing on my mind is Enigma.
“Stay where you are demon or my brother will kill the elf,” the warlock shouts, holding his hand up. I halt instantly.
Enigma is standing in the middle of the room, looking rather bored, the demon hound walking around her in small circles, ready to pounce. He can kill her before I can get to him … I know that.
Patience Zagon … patience … no fight is won in anger. I keep still.
The humans and Amy are grouped in one corner of the room, behind some blue magical shield. Must be Enigma’s doing.
“Little elf, you know you’re no match for us, so just give us the oracle and we’ll be on our way,” the warlock takes in a dominating stance, his arms folded over his chest.
So they want Amy … not Enigma. I’m not proud to say that I’m a little relieved.
Enigma puts her hands on her hips, tilting one out like a stubborn teenager. The hound stops and nudges her with his nose, a fierce growl escapes from me. How dare he touch my mate? The warlock slowly looks at me, realization setting in.
“Oh … isn’t that sweet. You’re fucking the elf,” he mumbles, “but I have to give you that … she’s very VERY pretty. Wouldn’t mind taking her for a spin myself.” I see red. I fist my hands at my side. The dog licks her arm. I’m fucking losing it here and my fist hits the wall. They’re gonna lock my crazy ass in an asylum and Enigma will be the cause. Fucking matebond!
“Ah, come on man … it’s just a girl … we can share, take turns … ”
I close my eyes and take short deep breaths. I’m so going to kill them both … and it’s not going to be quick … they’ll suffer. Extremely. I open my eyes.
The demon licks her again. Eni sighs and with lightning speed, grabs his ears, pulling them back with force; his face is stretched, his eyes almost popping from their sockets. He yelps in pain.
“Lick me again, DOG, and you’ll be swallowing your tongue through your ass,” she hisses before she lets him go. I can’t stop the smile on my face. I feel a lot better now. That’s my mate. You just got to admire this girl’s strength. The hound changes into a naked man; an almost exact replica of the now laughing warlock.
“I’m gonna enjoy killing you bitch,” he threatens, giving the still sniggering warlock a stern stare. Enigma openly stares at his equipment, then giggles rudely and rolls her eyes overabundantly.
The demon squints his eyes and covers his manhood with his hands. The warlock laughs undignified but magically produces some boxers for him to put on.
“So you two are brothers?” I ask the obvious.
“Twins,” the warlock replies, wiping the laughter tears from his eyes. Wow. So some demon knocked up a witch and got two boys … one like dad; one like mom.
“Who’s your father?” I ask taking advantage of the more relaxed atmosphere to try and find out as much as I can. Knowing your enemy is always good for business.
“Desmond. We’re hunters on official Firm business … we need to bring the oracle in alive. And you’re breaking the law by obstructing us.”
Things just got a whole lot more complicated. Not only are they the sons of the demonant … but the law is on their side. And if we don’t comply … TDF will be out for our blood. That’s never good. I can see Enigma is also waving the options in her head. This leaves only one question …
“Why did you attack us and tried to kill us then? I mean since we’re also hunters … ”
“Firstly … we didn’t try to kill you … you attacked us as soon as we came through the porthole.” I scuff … it’s true …
“Secondly, you have no right to obstruct our hunt.” Okay … he’s right … again.
“Noted, now, you take your brother and you can leave … without Amy.”
“Let’s make a deal … you give me the fat girl and we’ll make sure to put in a good word for you with the demonant.”
“Oh, I don’t know … doesn’t seem like a fair trade to me. Why do you want Amy so badly?” I give a small step forward while talking. If I can get closer without them realizing it, I can maybe catch them off-guard.
“We need to ask Selene some questions … “ the demon shunts and he receives a glare from his brother … as if he said too much.
“Let me guess … you’re struggling to find the unwilling bitch?” Their shocked faces gives me the answer I was looking for. But why is this girl so important? What is her part in all this? And could it be Enigma?
“You’re still not getting Amy!” Enigma says calmly, still looking bored as shit.
“Enough! You know you can never win against The Firm. You’ll just put everybody in danger for nothing. It’s not worth it. Now give us the oracle!” The warlock shouts. My mate must have pushed a sensitive button. Actually, she’s pretty good at pushing the wrong buttons.
Eni rubs her temple with her hand as if she’s getting agitated.
“Oh, wow, really …” she points a finger at him, “I was so sure that Zagon was going to be the most annoying part of my day … BUT being threatened by a male witch … that’s a real low for me.” I roll my eyes. Can’t she for just once keep her prudent little mouth shut. But I can’t help being proud. The warlock didn’t like it nearly as much as I did. His face contorts.
“You have a choice to make … either you give me the girl … or else … “ he gives a step forward.
“Firstly … I’m not giving you Amy. And secondly … or else what?” Eni also gives a step forward.
“Or else you’ll find TDF all over you … and everybody who helps you. And you know what that means. And just the same we can easily kill you little elf and just take the girl.”
“You see … that would be true if I were a helpless little elf, which I’m not.” Eni moves in a flash; suddenly gripping the demon from behind, her blade stuck in his chest just below his heart.
“Now you have two choices … either you ask Amy the questions you want here under our supervision and then you and your firm leave us the hell alone, or I push the blade up and we start a war with your brother being the first casualty,” she pouts her lips, mocking the men.
The warlock seems as if in a battle of wills … not knowing what to do. Eni pushes the blade slightly and the demon screams out. The warlock is distracted just enough for me to grab him, my blade against his neck.
“So what will it be?” I whisper in his ear.