Chapter 44

Tyson
…. [Shift little wolf.] I commanded. I pressed my forehead to Jang, to access his soul.
[What the hell?] Murmured a male wolf. He’d attracted a large crowd of curious guards who will gossip about how …. Decrepit he looked….
Jang looked so bad that if I took a photo of him and put it on social media, some rich old human would try to fist fight *me* to surrender him to their USPCA.
Now I was in hot water…
He did as he was told, and I kind of interfered… He was not mine to free.
He was not mine to bend…. But I did loosen the bars so he could slip out.
/You are not the master/ He said weakly, and tiredly.
/I am not, but I will be./ I said firmly. /For now, run with me and hide after. I must speak with Xaxas./
He cowered, and turned belly up… Jang’s shifted form was boney, and riddled with parasites, sores, and scabs… Xùnsù must have chewed the welts on his body. He was also covered in hives… They held festering rotted boils… yet I knew they will not, nor cannot heal until I take him…
Jang was a terrible sight to see… but I made up my mind. He will be my charge.
[I will fetch a field medic.] Said one of my bluish-gray she wolf Warriors. I had plenty of werewolves as well, though the female hyenas have almost the same muscle mass and size as a male Warrior.
I personally find it interesting, though, I’m sure some male who thinks only males should have power would find it upsetting.
[Go Sazzia. Tell them to bring parasite medications…]
Ew…
They crawled off his body, and I torched my Sixth, careful not to burn him, just the bugs….
Something told me that if I let them escape… this would make an outbreak of magical fleas from *hell*….. What I’d done could actually get me sent Below if that happened….
Because I *Knew* Xaxas wasn’t paying attention, but would feel offended if his plan somehow backfired…. Even though I also knew he probably never had any plans on *controlling* this new absolutely fucking disgusting punishment.
Regardless, I’d done this in secret… how hypocritical.
*I condemn my brother, yet sin myself.*
The First Prince of Hell will care that he was cheated some of his ‘fun’…. But this responsibility I take as King of the Shifters.
He’s learned *enough*.
He got up, and wabbled on shaky legs. It’d been so long since Jang’s wolf stood, that I could hear the crunch of arthritic knees…. His legs were thin as chopsticks… and his wolf’s eyes weren’t as red as they are in the paintings of the castle.
[Thank you.] he said with a bowed head, and of all the medics to see, it was Dr. Sampson…
I shifted to show I meant no harm, and I shook his wrist. “What you see is magical in nature, but I know you should have something that can aid his suffering fae.” He was no werewolf if he could get here by magic. I smelled it off him, and it was slightly sulfurous… He must be an agent of grandfather; a demon sent to watch us.
Dr. Sampson grinned.
“I’ll do what I can for that bracelet there. It’s old and tattered, but I know I can restore it.” Beamed the doctor… He was a demon; that’s how they usually deal with mortals…
Though… had his mate not been attached to that bracelet, the fee would be fair. That cost is too great.
Wait a minute.
“Didn’t you help my mother with delivery?” I asked. I vaguely remember being born. Mostly just the part where I ended up in grandfather’s hand… It’s just a second’s worth, an almost photo of a memory … but I do remember his face.
“Aye, I’m older than stardust your highness.” He chuckled. “I suspect since we’re not in the castle, you wanted this to be discrete?”
“Yes, however he will not give his mate to you. Her soul is attached to that bracelet.” I said firmly. Jang looked shocked that I’d defend him. I did because he was my Councilman. He has done nothing to offend me, and I feel as though this is penance enough…
[This is already SO much relief… I do not wish to bring you trouble.] Said Jang humbly. [So I do not mind this fate… I cannot give this.] He motioned the bracelet… He was so thin that it didn’t break when he shifted.
When it does, Tia will not have anything to tether her to Urth, and Jang knew that.
“That’s the only magical thing I’d want from him… Do you have any bobbles equivalent to lifting a curse from the God of Judgment?” He asked. “I’m risking my life just talking to you.”
“…Shit… Then do what you can to the flesh. I will speak with Xaxas after our meeting. I have a feeling things need to calm down before I talk to him…”
Too much is happening, and too many mortals are pissing him off.
“I love my work enough that I *would* do it for free, however I have to eat.” He said with pursed lips.
“Charge whatever you think appropriate for his flesh treatment. Should you treat his magical ailments, I can give you the vitality of three wolves scheduled for execution.”
I’d gotten so busy I almost forgot about the trio of Rogues who were caught in Old Hampshire. They were Warriors who poisoned, then challenged their Alpha. They killed about 4 other wolves in their clique to keep them quiet, however it backfired anyway. The strongest of the trio won, but not without the weakest one spilling everything for a reduced sentence.
His sentence was true banishment. He will forever wonder the wilds as a Rogue, a tough, unfortunate fate. Never again will he have access to a pack, its medics, or his mate if she lives within one. Even on the Night of Peace, should she choose him, she will share his fate.
That is because I would never pardon someone who’d betray their Alpha for power.
“…I’ll only recover the flesh. I can tell you rid him of the fleas; those got banished… However, the mange and worms will remain in his wolf’s skin until the curse is lifted. He won’t be able to grow fur or gain relief.” Dr. Sampson warned. “And I decline. I don’t want the vitality of a prisoner; that energy belongs to someone else.” He said referring to the Horned One….
It seemed he gave his own warning… That was not my energy to offer…
“As I said, do what you can fae. I know you’re here because you enjoy challenges. I know you’re also able to teleport, something rare for mortals.”
It was all I said to let him know that I *knew* something was up. I didn’t know *what* though… I will.
I had a feeling that ‘demon’ wasn’t quite right. What is he? Who is he *really?*
“When you live this long, you pick up a few things.” He smiled.
…I’d seen that wicked grin before.
Grandfather…. The Horned One.
I wouldn’t say anything. It’s best that I don’t stir the pot so to speak, because I know he’s doing this behind his son’s back….
After all, Jang’s curse is meant to be an eternal punishment.
There was never room for penance and change… only punishment. That isn’t something grandfather agrees with for the most part.
“Now, stay on your side.” Said grandfather. He either ignored that I knew, or didn’t want to confront me in front of mortals.
That can’t be right. He could give two flying fucks about peop-
[Will the wounds close?] he rasped…
“Yes, the rot was from the fleas.” Said grandfather. “It also helps that you were set alight by the looks of it. The Hell’s flame dispelled most of the skin related ailments.”
[Thank you master.] He wheezed, referring to grandfather… he wasn’t stupid either it seemed, but the others thought he was speaking to me.
“Just your highness.” I corrected, and I got a knowing nod from the Void King.
I let him get soaked in river water, scrubbed raw, patched up. It took an hour, but after the King was paid in human money, he left by walking.
[I feel alive!] Jang howled. [I smell moose!]
My Sixth laughed and pranced around like a pup’s first shift. His tail was like an Alpha’s, though it was still lower than mine when I shifted.
[Good. I’m fucking starving.] I snarled.
My stomach growled, and the Warriors got a bit of a laugh. We would hunt and share this animal. It was a bull, and a big one by the tracks. If only Samira ate meat… I would love to hunt for her one day.
Fucking fresh *meat*…. Real meat.
I kind of scared myself with my own gusto about it.