SWNOVELS Chapter 10
The days passed, we gathered for the scouting party that had planned to venture after the Boar-wolves. Standing around near the gates at 7:00am just after the creatures retreated for the day, the 9 of us; Sarah, Erik, Jonathan, Thomas, Anthony and Leonus, Zanzabarr, Abraxas and myself, dressed appropriately, exited the gates feeling an icy pinch to our cheeks from the early morning breeze. Slowly, and with extreme caution, treading through the snow, we followed along the length of the wall heading West. Entering Ravenswood; its grand, tall trees loomed high above us, almost as if their branches wanted to reach the morning sky. Growing closer, we could see the disturbance among the trunks and bushes of a mass that had rampaged through.
Continuing forward, glancing around, we listened as birds chirped in their nests, before rustling from nearby bushes sent everyone on alert. Rounding together in a thick cluster, holding our weapons, we sighed in relief, watching as scattered rabbits and foxes scampered away.
“Just a fox.” Leonus grumbled, swinging his axe over his shoulder. As he turned, placing his foot in a pocket of snow, it fell deeply into the hidden potholes, “Watch your footing!” he barked over his shoulder toward the others following his lead.
Adhering to his instructions, I instructed Abraxas to fly above, so he can see the path ahead, melting the snow with hot dragon’s breath.
Scoffing, Leonus shook his head, thinking that if the small annoying rat with wings continued, he would set the forest ablaze, trapping he and the others in the thick maze of tall trees. Keeping his complaints to himself, he stomped along the path.
Closely approaching the other side of Ravenswood, there was a vast clearing that revealed itself with the steep cliff side not too far away. There were old ruins standing before us, some in tact completely but others stood alone or crumbled. Windows held onto shards of old glass still sealed in their frames, while frozen weeds had grown rampant up the walls, even blades of grass peeked through the cracks between the patches of the stone ground.
“What is this place?” I admired.
“It was a church once.” Leonus answered bluntly, “Or at least that’s what Marxus told everyone.” he glanced around, “But this is it.”
“Couldn’t have guessed.” I mocked sarcastically, then glanced over in Anthony’s direction, sharing a brief smile.
“If you have somethin’ to say girl, say it now!” Leonus growled, as he leered down at her from his 6’6 height and bulky stature.
“Nope, nothing.” I ignored his presence, strolling ahead.
Huffing, he turned, shaking his head in disapproval.
“What’s the matter, Leonus?” Erik arrogantly mocked, “Aren’t used to running the show as always?”
“Piss off, pretty boy!” the Scotsman mocked, “Why don’t you just do whatever it is that you do, hmm, leave the rest to the big boys!”
“And if that includes you, god help us!” Erik spat, then walked ahead.
Leonus growled, clenching his fists, releasing a long string of slurs.
Anthony strolled through the ruins with Thomas and Yzavela not too far away, examining the snow covered ground, seeing signs of tracks in a scattered pattern. Cautiously placing his foot, he stepped on a loose cluster of stones that rattled from his weight and just as he turned, it collapsed beneath him. Shouting loudly, he fell into a black pit below. Landing on his back, he gasped, trying to catch his breath from the sudden impact that knocked the air out of his lungs momentarily. As he stared at the hole above him, coughing and continuing to gasp, he watched as snow and dirt showered down, observing two heads that were Thomas and Yzavela, gazing down at him.
“Tony?!” Thomas called out, “Tony, are you all right?!”
“Anthony?!” I worried, carefully leaning over the ledge, “Anthony?!”
“Help!” Thomas called out, looking around, “Somebody help!”
Hearing Thomas and Yzavela shouting for help, the others quickly ran toward their voices, watching as the Italian and Latina knelt over a hole in the ground.
“What happened?” Leonus wondered.
“We don’t know, one moment he was there, and then the next he fell into this pit.” Thomas worried, then glanced below once more, “Are you all right?!” he bit his lip for he and Yzavela received no answer.
“Anthony?!” I pleaded both verbally and telepathically, “Answer me!”
“Oi, Giovanni man-whore…are you still alive down there?!” Leonus mocked, crouching beside Yzavela, crushing the snow beneath with his bulky weight.
“Seriously?!” I turned, pushing the Scotsman away, hearing the utter sarcasm in his voice, “How about I throw you in there too, oh please give me a reason!” I sneered, then turned, hearing Anthony’s voice.
“Vai a farti fottere, scimmia rossa!” the Italian shouted, telling the Scotsman that he scan screw himself, calling him a red monkey.
Low chuckles slipped everyone’s lips.
“Just hang in there, we’ll find you a way out!” I called down to him.
“I’m not going anywhere!” Anthony raised his gaze, calling out to her.
“Hold tight!” Thomas called out in addition.
“Si…sure thing.” Anthony mumbled, then glanced down at himself, dusting off snow and dirt form his coat, pants and hair.
“You two…” Thomas turned to Jonathan and Erik, “you can portal down there and get him out, please…” he stood, pleading to the two Demons.
“Um, sorry but no.” Erik declined.
“What?! Why?!” Thomas argued, pulling the young man forward.
Raising his gaze, hearing an argument taking place, Anthony frowned then took advantage of the time given in the situation. Continuing to slur Italian words, he removed a flashlight from his pocket, examining his surroundings. It was dark, damp and cold, having been an abandoned cellar or basement with large barrels and stacked crates with shattered ones laying on the ground nearby. Kneeling down, examining their contents, they were consumed by age, but looked like nothing more than dirt. Touching the surface, then taking in its scent, he pulled his head away.
“Gun powder?” he wondered with a curious frown, then continued. Aiming his flashlight around the ground, broken glass bottles laid all over the place and in that moment, he remembered when Marxus had mentioned something about a secret stash hidden somewhere on the island once belonging to the Castillion ancestors, and that of all of the previous inhabitants before them. Taking steps forward, placing his feet on wooden planks, he tucked the flashlight under his arm to remove his phone, taking quick pictures. Keeping his back facing the darkness behind, he paused, slowly lowering the phone and flashlight, hearing a rustling disturbance. Turning around, bravely following the sound, he aimed the flashlight toward the location, then shouted out, as bats nestling close to the ceiling, flew form their place, frightened by the intruder. Crouching down, waiting until the flying vermin had returned to their places among the ceiling, or escaping through the hole above, Anthony growled as he carefully looked around, making sure they were gone, “F*cking bats.” he huffed, adjusting his coat as he stood. Shining his flashlight around once more, it was then he was led to another collapsed hole in the ground, or ceiling from above among the frozen roots and vines, “What the hell?!” he observed crates and large chunks of stone stacked tall, creating a makeshift set of steps that led up and out, “Tricky bastards.” he scowled, realizing that this wasn’t made by mortal hands, “Guys!” he raised his gaze, calling out to the others above ground, “Thomas, Yzavela…hello?!” but neither answered, “Sh*t.” he could still hear them yelling and arguing, “Well then…” he studied the ground, examining massive footprints all over the place, belonging to the creatures. Taking several more photos, he tucked his phone and flashlight away, then carefully began his ascent out.
“We are not doing this!” I argued, standing in front of Thomas, then turned to Erik, “Just when you can’t sink any lower.” I scoffed.
“I’ll do it.” Jonathan stepped forward, breaking the tension, “I didn’t say no.” he leered at Erik then looked at Yzavela.
“Thank you.” Thomas appreciated, then turned, crouching above the hole, “Tony….Tony?!” but he received no reply, “Anthony?!”
“Anthony?!” I knelt alongside him once more, “Anthony?!” I looked at Thomas worriedly, then glanced at Zanzabarr and Abraxas who ran and flew around one of the tall walls.
“What’s up with them?!” Nathan muttered, standing nearby smoking.
“Abraxas! Zanzabarr!” I shouted, chasing after them, hearing my feet crunching through the snow.
“Yzavela!” Thomas shouted, running after her.
“Yza!” both Jonathan and Erik followed after.
“Oh yes, let’s chase after the girl and her pets.” Leonus mocked.
Swerving around one of the half-demolished walls, the small dragon and large wolf growled and roared, staring at the ground hidden, and buried beneath the snow.
“Heel, NOW!” I commanded the wolf, “You too!” I looked toward the small dragon, “And don’t ever…do that again!” I warned, and as I grabbed hold of the wolf’s leather harness pulling his 120 bulk back, I suddenly heard a rustling-grunt. I watched as the wolf perked his ears straight, hanging his tail between his legs, then glanced over in Abraxas’ direction, watching as he crawled along the wall, leering down toward the ground, “What is it?!” I asked the dragon.
“I don’t know.” Abraxas replied telepathically, continuing to watch.
Removing my sword from its sheath, I gazed over my shoulder where the others appeared around me, placing their hands on the hilts of their weapons.
“What is it?!” Sarah whimpered, stringing an arrow on her bowstring.
“I don’t know.” I answered softly.
The 10 warriors watched as snow erupted from another hole, it spat outward violently looking as if something was breaking through and out. Gripping our weapons tightly, holding our breaths, we watched as dirt covered hands grabbed onto the ledges of stone and snow.
Thomas and I dropped our weapons, rushing forward, watching as Anthony’s head emerged, peeking through another hole; his face was covered in soot and dirt, while his hair hung in his face and eyes.
“Tony!” Thomas cheered.
“Anthony!” I praised.
Once Anthony was pulled out of the hole by the helping hands from both Thomas and Yzavela, they pulled him in for brief hugs before he stepped back, needing his space.
“Oh my god, are you all right?!” I worried, gripping his coat.
“Si, little Yza…” Anthony cupped her face, “just clumsy.”
“That’s not funny.” Thomas added, “But are you sure, that was one hell of a steep drop.” he glanced at the ground, “Where the hell did you come from, you fell back there?” he gestured over his shoulder.
“Yes, Thomas…I’m fine.” he placed a hand on his brother’s arm.
“Don’t do that again.” I groaned, holding him close.
Erik stood near the wall, watching the moment between Yzavela and Anthony, then turned away, feeling disgusted, as did Nathan who just continued smoking his cigarette.
“Don’t look so sad, mate…” he mocked the Demon.
“Piss off, Nathan.” Erik leered at the Lycynian, “Or better yet…why don’t you go f*ck your sister instead, hmm? Your scent is all over her, I’m surprised Jonathan hasn’t noticed.”
“What did you say?!” Nathan dropped the cigarette, standing close, face-to-face.
“You heard me.” Erik pushed Nathan backwards.
“Jonathan…” Anthony turned to the Australian, “I found this.” he reached into his pocket, removing another small red boot, “I found it on the steps…”
“Steps?” Leonus questioned, watching as Jonathan held onto the item, while Sarah stood close, holding onto him tightly.
“Yes, steps. These beasts are far more advanced than we thought.” he groaned, feeling flinches of sore muscles across his back. Quickly, he reached into his other pocket, removing his phone, gently placing it in Yzavela’s hands, “Here, I took some photos of the cellar below. I think it’s better to see for yourself, than it is to explain.”
“I’ll look through them later, you need rest after that fall. Please…” I pleaded softly, looking into his dark eyes with affection.
“As sickening as this little reunion is, we should get out of here. And now that we have located the entrance to the Boar-wolves’ domain, I think it’s best to leave.” Leonus glared toward Yzavela, “You can look at all of the pictures then share them with us afterwards, yes?”
“Of course.” I agreed.
“That’s the first time I’ve seen, or heard, Leonus agree with anything you’ve said.” Thomas muttered, “It’s unsettling.”
“I know right?” I mumbled, watching as the Scotsman stormed off, “Let’s get out of here…” I announced loudly, then summoned both Abraxas and Zanzabarr, “And you?” I glanced at Anthony, “You are coming home with me.” I held onto his arm.
“As you wish, Doctor Yza.” Anthony grinned.
“Even falling into a hole can’t dampen your spirits.” Thomas smiled.
“Oh please….” Erik rolled his eyes, turning away.
“You know, just because you’re a miserable bloke, doesn’t mean that everyone else around you has to be.” Sarah mocked him.
“Don’t you worry about me Sarah, I think you have more important things to worry about, like training your dog some new tricks.” Erik rasped to her bluntly, flicking his dark, dramatic eyebrows at her.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” Sarah grumbled.
“Whatever love, whatever.” Erik held his hands up, then turned.
Retreating from the ruins, returning to the tree line of Ravenswood, we suddenly stopped, hearing loud, guttural growls escaping from the ruins.
“What the hell was that?!” Sarah whimpered.
“It wasn’t me.” Anthony added.
“And it wasn’t me.” Leonus groaned.
“I don’t know, but let’s not stand around and find out!” I mimicked their frightful tone, “It’s daylight, so I doubt whatever that was, will be coming out now, but let’s not take that chance.”
“Whatever it was, must have caught Anthony’s scent.” Erik added, as if it were the Italian’s fault, “Shouldn’t have worn so much cologne.”
“Enough!” Leonus barked at the young man, “Regardless if Anthony hadn’t fallen into the pit, they would have caught all of our scents at dusk, and now they will attack the wall with more hostility and rage.”
“Leonus is right. Again.” I agreed.
“Maybe we should have thrown Erik down in there too.” Nathan mocked, pushing his way forward.
“Or you, but then again, they probably wouldn’t be too keen on the smell of cigarette smoke.” Jonathan argued.
“Stop it!” I shouted, “Stop it now! Get your a**es back to the wall!”
“Yes, Sir!” Nathan mockingly saluted her.
“Sir?” I argued, “Do I look like a Sir?!” I held out my arms.
“No, not in the slightest, but…” the young man eyed her up and down, “you’ve got bigger bullocks than most of the men here so, eh.”
Walking up to him, I leered into his blue eyes. Growing a sarcastic grin, I then glanced down at the lower part of his waist before I pushed past him.
“Apparently more than you.” I moaned, then pushed his out of the way with Anthony not too far behind.
Grunting, Nathan growled watching her walk away with her partner and companions.
A massive black bristly snout with large tusks, sniffed the air around the base of the ruin entrance. Catching the scents of strangers, most likely from paranormals and a wolf, the beast withdrew its head back into the darkness for the sun high in the sky shone into the hole like a massive spotlight in two places. With its red eyes, the creature then knelt down, aggressively sniffing around the set of footprints left by the steps and scattered around the ground. Releasing another guttural growl with a snarling snout, it knew they had intrusive company. It was ready, and when the time came, it wouldn’t hold back its full and aggressive strength. As it turned, its large horn scraped slowly along the rock ceiling, startling the bats that squeaked and flapped, before it disappeared down a tunnel that was hidden among the darkness of the shadows.
Returning to the estate, everyone parted ways, taking showers.
“That was too close.” I worried, being held in Anthony’s arms as we sat in my bathtub, soaking in the hot water, “Again.” I turned to him.
“Yes it was.” he whispered, combing his wet hair back. Arching, with a brief wincing expression, he sighed, “But now we know what we’re looking for.” he reached out, gently combing a wet strand of hair behind her ear, “But I’m fine, really.”
Leaning into his touch, I kissed his hand then leaned in, kissing him.
“Just…don’t do that again, don’t wander off next time.” I pleaded.
“I promise.” Anthony grinned.
“You better.” I gently patted his wet, bare chest.
“Ouch, I’m an injured man, be careful.” he teased.
“Oh, poor baby.” I purred, straddling him. Feeling his hand rest on my waist and hips, he and I shared a smile before I leaned in, kissing him again.
“What do you mean you have plans?” Jonathan argued, watching as Sarah scampered around his room getting dressed quickly.
“Exactly that, I have plans.” she looked at him, pulling on her boots, “I’m sorry but it’s not something I can get out of.”
“What could it be that’s so important?!” Jonathan wondered, “I need you Sarah, more than ever, but you’re just….pulling away from me, and I don’t know why!” he held out his arms, “What have I done to you, hmm? Or what haven’t I done?!”
Sarah sighed, feeling a sense of regret, keeping secrets from him. As she approached him, placing her hands on his shoulder, she looked into his blue eyes.
“You haven’t done anything, I promise. This is just something that I have to do, something that you wouldn’t understand.” she offered her comforting words.
“Well, tell me. Talk to me, maybe I can help.” he took her hands.
“Not with this.” she pulled away, “Now, please...just leave it alone.”
Nodding, Jonathan was growing tired of the back and forth games.
“Sure, whatever but I can’t do this anymore.” he shook his head, “I won’t be your last resort, I don’t need this bullsh*t and drama, cause in case you haven’t noticed, I’m going through quite a lot and I just thought I could rely on you.”
“And you can, but just…”
“Not now, yeah I heard you the first two times!” Jonathan argued.
“Jonathan….” Sarah rasped.
“Don’t, just don’t.” he turned to his fireplace, “Just go. Don’t want to keep your plans waiting.” he muttered over his shoulder.
“We can meet up later though, then we can talk.” Sarah pleaded.
“Don’t count on it.” Jonathan groaned, “Now get out.”
Feeling a lump in her throat, and her heart pounding in her ear, Sarah grabbed her coat and jacket then swept out of the room. Wandering down the hall, she grunted, hearing a beeping coming from one of her pockets. Removing her phone, she frowned reading the message, and in that moment, she contemplated on what was more important. Spending time with Jonathan who needed her most, or escaping to her secret rendezvous. Tucking the phone away, she made her choice clear. Growing a wide smile, feeling good about her decision, she stood outside a door, taking a deep breath before she knocked. She waited, until it opened.
“Hey.” she smiled.
“Didn’t we just settle this?” Jonathan moaned.
“Can I come in?”
“What are you doing back here?” Jonathan stood in the doorway dressed in his lounging pants with only a white tank that hugged his athletic physique, “Thought you had plans?”
“They can wait. I’m needed here.” she rasped.
“Are you here because you want to be, or because you feel sorry for me. If it’s the latter, I don’t want your pity.”
“No, I’m here because I want to be.” Sarah approached, standing on her toes, leaning in for a kiss that he eagerly shared once their lips touched. Dropping her coat and jacket by the door that she closed, she felt his hands wrap around her waist before carrying her to the bed.
Pulling his tank up and over his shoulders, Jonathan leaned in close, kissing Sarah passionately before his hands quickly helped undressing her small frame. As he laid atop, holding her close, he felt her hands gripping his back, while letting out soft sighs.
Closing her eyes, enjoying Jonathan’s tender touch and passion, she then opened her eyes, imagining that Nathan laid atop her instead. It wasn’t because she didn’t love Jonathan, or because he wasn’t a great lover, but she wanted and needed something more that was rougher, and wild, but Jonathan didn’t seem to satisfy that. Closing her eyes, trying to get him out of her mind, she felt Jonathan’s movements slowly cease.
“Sarah…” he whispered, looking down at her, “where are you?”
Opening her eyes, she looked into his blue eyes.
“Here.” she wrapped her arms around his neck, “Sorry, I’m just…” she covered her lies with the truth, “worried about Lucy, that’s all.” she stroked his hair along the back of his neck, “Now, don’t stop.” she leaned in, kissing him longingly then as he continued his passion, she called out, “Rougher...please!”
“Wh-what?!” he glanced down at her, “Since when?” he panted.
“Now.” she grinned, tilting her head.
Jonathan frowned, adhering to her desires, then complained feeling her nails digging deeper into his back but pushed it aside, thinking maybe she just really enjoyed him.
A while later, Sarah turned over, watching as Jonathan slept, leaning his head against the thick pillows. She grinned, studying the slight, but adorable pout before she leaned in, placing a soft kiss against his cheek. Slowly, crawling out of the bed, she retreated to the bathroom, cleaned off in the shower then quietly scampered around the room, dressing quickly. Approaching the door, leaving a note on the table, she bit her lip then left, closing the door with such care not to wake him.
Hours later, gathering within Ravenstone Manor’s dining hall, the 8 of us, not including Abraxas and Zanzabarr who I left behind in my room, spoke about what would take place in Lucy’s rescue.
Five more brave volunteers stepped forward.
Nick and Caleb offered their supernatural experiences and strengths.
Leonus announced that a new acquaintance from the mainland, a tall Samoan Lycynian named Derek Nanai that arrived during Yzavela’s absence would also add his expertise in hunting and tracking, as well as eradicating the creatures. In brief, he revealed a little about himself, he was an ex-soldier but once becoming a Lycynian, he felt that his presence among the other men in the military, wasn’t the best fit for him and others that were among his unit that were attacked or bitten.
And to add, there were two mortal brothers, Jeremy and Luke.
“Any background is welcome.” I greeted the men, “Thank you, and how do you know Leonus?”
“That’s not important, all that matters is that he’s willin’ to help, no?” Leonus interrupted, “Don’t mind her…” he looked at the man, then leered back at her, “she likes to pester everyone with questions, just to hear herself talk.”
“Mm, no Leonus, that would be you.” I snapped, then looked at the tall Samoan, “But seriously, when this is over, I want to know who you are and where you come from, especially if you’re going to stay on the island as one of the newer residents.”
“Not a problem.” Derek nodded.
He was tall, burly and looked like a true Samoan warrior. His dark hair was tied back in a neat men’s ponytail, with scruff growing around his chin as the beginning stages of a beard. He had a scar just above his left eyebrow, but it didn’t take away from his rugged, but still attractive features. His hands and knuckles were rough, having seen many fights. Down his large, muscular arms, from shoulders to wrists, were tribal tattoo sleeves in a pattern that blended with one another.
“Thank you.” I appreciated then turned away.
“Feisty.” Derek observed then looked at Leonus, “And next time, let me speak for myself, I’m more than capable.” he mockingly slapped Leonus’ back, walking away toward the table where pitchers of both juice and coffee sat on the trays.
Leonus growled, saying nothing more, then wondered how he came to know the the man in the fist place.
“Okay, so now that weapons and supplies have been gathered, when do we head out?” Jonathan wondered eagerly.
He was right, we had gathered weapons and supplies; rope, first aid, glow sticks and extra flashlights, leather bullet proof vests and heavy duty skid proof hiking boots, as well as guns, knives, swords, large bladed machetes and axes. Among the gear upon my strong, and agreeable suggestion, we were to wears masks and goggles that would help prevent us from inhaling the fumes or foul air beneath the ground, and protect our eyes from debris and dust.
Everything was packed near the garage, but unfortunately, a storm unexpectedly hit the island that evening, holding the rescue back for three days, causing much stress, frustration and anxiety, especially for Jonathan and his parents.
Later that night, among the blizzard winds that howled, Guardians patrolling the wall, watched as the Boar-wolves bombarded the grand slate structure, scratching their claws across the rock, leaving chips or chunks laying in the snow. Their leader, hidden among the fog and blizzard winds, pounded against the gates but burned its bulk against the iron. Raising its massive head, glancing upward 60 feet, it made an attempt to jump but its powerful hind legs couldn’t get it off the ground high enough to reach the ledge. Squealing and grunting once landing on the ground, it ran around with the others, thumping loud, and heavy through the snow.
Guardians shot arrows and bullets at the creatures, hitting several for streaks of blood were left in the snow as the beasts retreated back into Ravenswood, but the blood was buried in seconds. The men weren’t sure if they had hit the massive leader but their defense was honorable nonetheless.