On the Evil Scale: Keeper of La Tecla (The Key) Book Two

Leonus, Thomas and others that drove in their trucks and Jeeps, had arrived at the wall; the vehicles came to abrupt halts, screeching their tires along the road. Cautiously climbing out, closing the doors in a quiet manner, the warriors approached the outer gate where debris lay smoldered outside, releasing smoke into the air. As the men observed the iron gate with a few dented bars and missing rivets, the warriors cursed their concerns and observations, peeking through the bars, and down the tunnel’s length.

Catching glimpses of figures walking by, Leonus called out for Derek and Wyatt, but his voice went unheard because of the loud shouting that could faintly be heard. Frowning deeply, stepping backwards, he glanced up toward the top of the wall, where he could see figures of Guardians pacing back and forth, tossing pieces of wood and metal over the ledge.

“Oi, hey…you up there!” he shouted loudly, “Open the gates!”

Thomas stepped back, veering upward with many others, watching as heads peeked over the ledge, before the sound of a large wheel could be heard, grinding against its gears. Glancing toward the gate, it only opened half way before stopping abruptly, because of unforeseen and unexpected damage to the mechanisms inside the wheel.

“That’s all we can do!” voice shouted loudly, waving down at them.

“Dio accidenti a questa fottuta isola…” Thomas cursed, letting out a complaint about the island. As he and Leonus crouched beneath the spiked tips of the outer gate, with the other trailing close behind, the men ran down the length of the tunnel in fast, urgent strides. As they entered through the inner gate, their wide eyes scanned the estate and grew shocked, taking in the sight of garbage and debris spewed in all directions, “Anthony!” Thomas shouted worriedly, searching for his brother, “Tony!”

“Thomas!” the man’s voice called out nearby, “Thomas…”

The Italian turned, watching as his brother approached with Derek.

Thomas sighed in relief, dropping his weapon, sharing a quick hug then he pulled away, thanking god that he was safe. Noticing a blood stain on his shoulder, he worried, pestering him about his injuries.

“Thomas, Thomas I’m fine…really, I’m fine.” Anthony reassured, “I wouldn’t have been, if it weren’t for the Jinn, they healed the wound.” he rolled his shoulder, then glanced at Leonus over his shoulder.

“What happened?!” the Scotsman barked gruffly, “And why wasn’t I summoned?!” he leered at Anthony and Derek, then glanced toward the young woman, “You…” he pushed the men aside, stomping in her direction, “why did you call me?!” he roughly pushed her to the ground, causing her dragon to shriek and fly from her arms upon the unexpected impact.

Azir and the Jinn swiftly gathered around her, leering at the 6’6 bulk of a man, gripping the hilt of their weapons tightly.

Anthony rushed around the Jinn, kneeling alongside Yzavela, helping her to her feet. Holding her close, he watched as she pushed her way through the Jinn, standing in front of the Scotsman that leered down at her.

“First of all…” I grunted, “don’t ever f*cking touch me like that!” I bravely pushed him back with an invisible barrier that kept him from laying another hand on me, “And secondly, I didn’t have time to wait for your f*cking a** to arrive and save the day, or argue with me on every step or actions taken.” I steamed, “They came unexpectedly, it wasn’t me that came up with the plans, it was Derek and for that I’m grateful, so I did what I had to do!” I pushed him backwards again, but this time, the force was strong enough to knock him back onto the ground.

Frowning, leering up at her, then over at Derek, he bit his lip before he pushed himself to his feet. Adjusting his shirt and coming his red hair back, he growled deeply, looking toward Derek.

“And you, fighting with the enemy?” he referred to Yzavela, “Didn’t you tell me you hated this lot?” he mocked, gesturing around.

“I never said I hated them, any of them.” the Samoan approached, as he stood face-to-face with the Scotsman, “That would be just you, and only you.” he groaned, then turned to Yzavela, offering a nod out of respect before focusing forward, brushing roughly against the man’s shoulder.

“What’s the sense of having the island’s warriors train if you’re going to do everything your way?!” Leonus complained, leering at Yzavela once more, “Are you going to do this if, or when, the island is under attack from this…whatever the f*ck his name is?!”

“No, you dumba** I’m not, I had a choice. And I made it, so if you, as always, have a problem with that well too f*cking god damn bad!” I argued bluntly, continuing to steam, “We’re all tired, and wounded, but if you want something to do, why don’t you help in the clean up efforts! Or is that too beneath the powerful Leonus Lancaster?!” my hands clenched into tight fists.

Leering at her, then studying the Jinn and Anthony standing behind her, Leonus bit his lip then nodded, before turning away, stomping across the field with one hand gripping the hilt of his sword, and the other tightening in a fist that pierced his palm from his claws.

“God, I hate that man.” I moaned deeply, then turned to Anthony and the Jinn, “Sorry.” I shook my head, then glanced toward the tall, grand manor that remained untouched, “At least that shows no signs of damage, thank goodness.” I sighed in relief, looking at Anthony, then glanced around, seeing bodies laying everywhere among much of the scattered debris and wreckage that burned inside, and outside the wall, “I can’t believe this.”

“War, little one, is inevitable.” Azir spoke softly, looking at her, “But I am afraid that the worst is yet to come, and surely you know that…” he paused, looking around, “material things can replaced, or rebuilt, but lives cannot. Be grateful that none of yours, or ours, were taken.” his gold eyes veered Leonus, “Him, however, I wouldn’t shed a tear.”

“Right.” I nodded agreeably, then glanced toward the dwellings, “I think we should inform the residents that this is over, for now.”

“You go, we’ll make sure everything goes according to your plan here. You should be with your friends and mother right now.” Azir placed a comforting hand on her small, trembling shoulder.

“Thank you.” I appreciated, nodding appreciatively. Turning to my Anthony, Zanzabarr and Abraxas, we strolled toward the dwelling. I could see the dwelling ahead of us down the path, then paused for a moment, wondering how I was going to approach the situation.

“You can do this, my love…” Anthony whispered, wrapping an arm around her waist, holding her close, “and I’ll be right here with you.”

Looking at him, I smiled.

“I love you.” I whispered, feeling tears in my eyes, thinking it might have lost him.

“And I love you, my darling.” he cupped her face, leaning in, kissing her softly. Taking her hands in his, he led her toward the dwelling.