daemonum angelus: Discovery of the Guardians
Octo

The man’s spine transformed with a sickening crunch. Hisskin burst open as his limbs changed, hair sprouting through every crack. Thebones of his face elongated, making him look like a demon. A shriek of painescaped from between his misshapen lips as his whole body contorted to bendforward.

And then it was over.

In the man’s place, there now stood a wolf the size of astallion, its eyes still distinctively human – green as the one’s he hadreplaced. Its fur was a colour darker than black and its tail was missing.

The transformation from man to wolf disgusted Kiara to hercore. And now, it was happening all around her.

She was in the centre of a ring of werewolves, silver bladesheld ready in each of her hands. Savanna was at her five o’ clock, Tania at herseven.

Just them against a dozen. Three against a pack.

Tania twirled her hunting daggers in her hands andwhispered, “Remember to go for the gut.”

The other two nodded in agreement.

There was a second of complete silence, where each sidesummed the other up. Planning their next move.

The silence broke.

The pack charged with an unanimous snarl.

Kiara barely had time to take a breath before a wolf slammedinto her, knocking her to the hard floor of the alleyway in Maracay, Venezuela.

It was on top of her, fangs sinking into her upper left arm.The monster was heavy, its stench repulsive – and it was intent on killing her.She fought to regain control of her body and managed to replace enough space topunch up her right blade.

It buried itself deep in the creature’s abdomen and thelycanthrope fell, turning human at the moment of its death.

A young woman with auburn hair.

Kiara didn’t have time to get up before another attackerleapt at her. This time, she was prepared. She kicked out at just the righttime to catch the wolf at its highest momentum. It flew through the air;crashed into the cement with a crack! Her weapon was there in a second.

Two down.

A couple of werewolves were battering at Tania fromdifferent sides. The girl was only just managing to survive, knives slashingout to get a mortal shot. Kiara drew a silver dagger from her belt and sent itflying. It missed the animal’s stomach; burrowed into its thigh instead.

Not a lethal shot, but enough distraction to let the blondeGuardian do her job.

Kiara couldn’t watch the second wolf’s demise, as anothersuddenly jumped onto her back. Its claws found grip on her shoulders. She wasyanked backward with a cry. She furiously tried to stab the animal. Herstruggles only pulled her down further.

Then there was another monster in front of her, a distanceaway. It settled into a crouch and then bounded at her with ferociousdetermination.

With a jolt, she realised their plan. One would pin herdown. The other would rip out the organ that kept her alive.

In an awful sense of déjà vu, she remembered her firstconfrontation with a supernatural.

The thing advancedagain and Kiara accepted the fact that there was no escape.

I’m going to die here.

She let out a sob andslid down the wall, sitting with her knees pressed up against her chest. Shebit down on her bottom lip and scrunched her eyes shut, waiting for the thingto kill her.

Please just let it bepainless.

And then, like the first time, the creatures threatening herdisappeared. With the lift of the wolf’s weight off her shoulders, her eyesopened.

Savanna was standing over her like a war goddess, one spearembedded in each werewolf’s spine – straight through into the guts. The redheadpulled the weapons free, grimaced as blood stained her face and said, “You’rewelcome.”

Kiara nodded and got up, surprised to replace that she wasstill in possession of both her blades.

Except for the six deaths Kiara’d witnessed, Tania hadkilled one lycanthrope and Savanna two. There were three attackers remaining.

One for each of them.

The girls were ready, feral snarls on their faces. Thewerewolves were growling menacingly, ready to strike.

Another moment of silence.

Then, as if a switch had been flipped, the latter opponentgave. The wolves suddenly pulled their ears back against their heads and whinedliked pups on New Year’s Eve. They took a few steps back and then bolted.

Savanna snorted and played with the end of a spear. “Well,what da ya know? We made ‘em flee.”

Kiara shook her head, stomach knotting as realisationflooded over her. “They were afraid.”

Savanna rolled her eyes. “That’s kind of what the word‘flee’ implies.”

“No. Not of us. They were running away from something else.”

Tania’s voice suddenly rang out. “Kiara, what’s that on yourarm? It-’’

She was interrupted by a rasping laugh that echoed throughthe alley. And then another. And another. Three of them, then.

“What was that?” Tania asked.

The answer came from Savanna and Kiara simultaneously.“Witches.”

“Oh, what clever little girls you are,” a high-pitched voicesaid.

The Sagae appearedat the other end of the alley, strolling toward the three Guardians. The leaderhad stark white hair down to her hips, red rose-petal lips and skin as white asice. The other two trailed behind her. They were obviously twins, both with curlsframing their black faces. All of them bore the same slanted pupils – thecat-eyes – that made their kind identifiable.

Savanna cocked an eyebrow. “What are you supposed to be? TheWicked Witches of the West?”

The twins spoke in perfect, eerie unison, “We, you insolentlittle fool, are the Triabus. We are the most powerful Greater Witches of ourtime. We rule over the coven.”

“And we want her.”This came from the leader, who was pointing a pale finger straight at Kiara.

Kiara stepped forward, fists clenched around the hilts ofher swords. “Why?”

The white-haired witch chuckled cruelly. “And why ever wouldwe tell you that?”

Kiara let her right sword clatter to the ground and pulled alighter from her belt, flipping the lid open to reveal a swaying flame.

The three supernaturals gasped simultaneously and shesmirked. “I am sick of being chased down by your kind! I’m putting an end tothis mystery right now. Tell me why you’re after me, or else…”

The leader hissed at her. “You are just like them.”

Kiara was poised, ready to fling the burning lighter at thewitches, who would light up like a Christmas tree.

But then her vision started to blur and her head spun in asudden whir. Nausea claimed her stomach. An agonising stab of pain shot throughher left arm and her weapons fell.

Taking advantage of her moment of weakness, the witchesattacked. When the leader was only a few steps away, Kiara’s legs gave in andthe world went black.

Tania crossed Feminam’slawn slowly, staring at her shoes. Her mind was buzzing with thoughts ofworry. When she finally reached Hollow Tree, Aaron was waiting. His dark hairconcealed the left side of his face and his leather jacket accentuated hisbroad shoulders gorgeously as he leaned against the tree trunk.

“Hey,” his deep voice broke the night’s silence.

She pursed her lips together. “Hi.”

Aaron stepped out of the shadows. “How’s Kiara doing?”

“The same.”

His arms wrapped around her waist and he leaned his foreheadagainst hers. “She’ll be alright, Tania. The wolfs bane will do its job.”

She nodded and then looked into his almost-black eyes. Allher worries washed away. “It’s amazing how you always manage to make me feelbetter.”

His expression suddenly became inscrutable and he clearedhis throat. “There’s something I wanted to discuss with you tonight.”

Tania frowned, her stomach knotting. Her last meeting herehad left her with a broken heart. “What’s that?”

He looked away, but his arms remained around her. “I haven’treally done this before, so I’m not really familiar with the protocol. But –Well – I-’’

“Spit it out, Aaron.”

He took a deep breath and then blurted, “I’m in love withyou.”

Her lips parted in surprise and she broke into a grin.

He finally looked at her and gave a small smile. “Tania, I’min love with you and I want everyone to know that…”

“Oh no; you’re not going to give me a promise ring, areyou?”

He chuckled. “No. I’m not going to give you a promise ring.I just want us to be serious about our relationship. I don’t want you to seeother guys-’’

“I think the word you’re looking for is ‘exclusive’,” shesaid cheekily.

He nodded. “Yes.”

She leaned forward to kiss him, her heart performing thecan-can against her ribcage. She pulled away only slightly and muttered, “Idon’t want you to see other guys either.”

The corners of Aaron’s mouth lifted slightly and he kissedher again.

Wherever she was, it smelled like antiseptic. And it wasquiet.

Kiara’s eyes fluttered open and she found herself in anunknown room. The entire place was painted white; there were rows ofsteel-framed single beds lining the walls and a medical supplies stationoccupied the centre of the hall.

The Infirmary, Kiara deduced.

She became aware of a dull throb in her left bicep andturned her eyes to investigate. There were sixteen small scars that formed tworows all around her upper arm.

“That’s the wolf’s jaw.”

Her head shot right – to where the voice had come from.Savanna was sitting at her bedside. The girl’s red hair was tied up and heremerald eyes alert as always.

Kiara frowned, realising that she had a terrible headache.“What happened?”

“You were bitten by a werewolf. Don’t worry; we gave youwolfs bane. So, you won’t change.”

The brunette sighed with relief. “Thank goodness.”

The expression on Savanna’s face changed to one of wariness.She eyed Kiara as one would a strange beast. “What are you?”

Kiara scowled. “I don’t-’’

“Usually, when Guardians are given wolfs bane, the biteheals and, within a few minutes, everything’s over. But you… You wereunconscious – trapped in delirium – for three days. Not to mention the factthat you have that scar. It’s like there’s something inside of you that eitherrejects the Change… or the wolfs bane.”

The last sentence was a question, a statement and a threatall in one.

“Savanna-’’

“There’s something else. When you passed out, the smell ofmagic filled the air even though the witches hadn’t performed a spell. And theywent up in flames all by themselves. The fire seemed to come from nowhere. Butsee, I have a theory. I think it came from you.”

Kiara gaped at the other girl in shock. “From me? Savanna, Ican’t create fire.”

“Whether or not that’s true, you’re more than just aGuardian.” The redhead glared at her suspiciously for a few more moments andthen stood up with a sharp intake of breath. “Whatever. I’m going to get Tania.She’s the one who’s supposed to be babysitting you, anyway.”

FROM: RILEY STERN Kiara, I heard about the bite. Are you alright?

FROM: RILEY STERN Kiara?

FROM: RILEY STERN They won’t let me into Feminam. Please let me know as soon as you wake up.

FROM: RILEY STERN Kiara, please.

FROM: RILEY STERN I’m going insane.

FROM: RILEY STERN Kiara.

FROM: KIARA WESTWIN Hi.

FROM: RILEY STERN Oh, thank God. Are you okay?

FROM: KIARA WESTWIN I have a badass scar, but I’m fine.

FROM: RILEY STERN When did you wake up?

FROM: KIARA WESTWIN About two hours ago.

FROM: RILEY STERN Any idea why your body reacted the way itdid?

FROM: KIARA WESTWIN No.

FROM: RILEY STERN Well, the important part is that you came outunharmed.

FROM: KIARA WESTWIN Do you have any idea what Houghs’s reactionwas to all of this?

FROM: RILEY STERN Tania told him that she and Savanna killedthe witches. I think he’s just ignoring the rest.

FROM: KIARA WESTWIN Riley?

FROM: RILEY STERN Yes?

FROM: KIARA WESTWIN There’s something I have to tell you.

FROM: RILEY STERN Yeah?

FROM: KIARA WESTWIN Uhm… Well… Xavier and I are together.

FROM: RILEY STERN Oh. When did this happen?

FROM: KIARA WESTWIN Tuesday.

FROM: RILEY STERN It’s what you wanted, so… I guess congratulations are in order.

FROM: KIARA WESTWIN Riley, don’t be like that.

FROM: RILEY STERN What do you want me to say? That I’m happyfor you?

FROM: KIARA WESTWIN No. I want you to be angry. Tell me I’m ahorrible person.

FROM: RILEY STERN Your heart is already telling you that you’remaking a mistake. I don’t need to do it too. Look, I still care about you andnothing can ruin our friendship. I’m glad you’re awake and well. I have to go.

FROM: KIARA WESTWIN Goodbye, Riley.

“Xavier, where are we going?”

“I have already told you that it is a surprise.”

Xavier was behind Kiara, his hands covering her eyes. He ledher down corridors, into elevators and around turns until she had no idea wherethey were.

When they finally came to a standstill, he removed hishands. The Training Hall.

“What are we doing here?”

“You have been confined to your room for a week. I know thatyou are yearning for a fight.”

Kiara shook her head. “I don’t know if I’m ready fortraining yet.”

He sauntered into the room. His jet-black hair was still wetfrom the shower and his white t-shirtmade him look irresistible. “You have faced supernaturals and you have facedCora Beets, but you have yet to test your abilities against mine.”

She gave in. Grinning, she grabbed twin swords from one ofthe walls. “All that sounds like a lot of bark. But can you bite?”

A mischievous glint entered those portal-eyes as he pickedhis weapon – a battle axe. “Arrogance is known to accompany lack of skill.”

They moved closer to each other and she giggled. “Honey, Ican’t get hurt. You can. So there’s no version of this where you come out ontop.”

Then they clashed.

Xavier came at her with the dexterity of a wild animal. Theaxe swung toward her head – left and right – with the speed of a lightning boltabout a dozen times. By ducking the blows, she was pushed back.

Back. Back. Back.

She finally managed to bring her blades up against hisweapon’s hilt. She shoved until she could gain some ground again.

He flashed her a smile and stepped aside. Her own momentummade her tumble forward. She regained her balance just before hitting the floorand spun around to face him.

The axe’s blade came leaping, connecting with her cheekhard. Riley would never have gone forthat blow.

It didn’t leave a scratch.

She smirked and started driving her blades towards him,slicing out. He was now on the defence. She headed straight for the far wall soshe could pin him down.

It was almost too easy to drive him back.

When she reached the wall, she realised why. He’d taken herstraight into a trap.

Her blades were caught behind his weapon and he used this tospin them around. He pushed her up against the wall, a feral grin on hisfeatures.

She simpered and brought her face closer to his. “You know,you’re kind of sexy when you’re fighting.”

His lips parted and he leaned in even more. “The feeling ismutual.” His voice came out hoarse.

Riley’s would havebeen smooth.

She kissed him slowly, taking her time to bring her sword upwithout him noticing. She finally pulled away and said, “Never get distracted.”

Her weapon was at his throat.

He let the axe clatter to the ground in defeat and chuckled.“Touché.”

She abandoned her blades as well, hooking her arms aroundhis neck. He had such broad shoulders.

Yeah, but Riley is taller.

Stop thinking aboutRiley!

“There’s something I haven’t told you yet,” she whispered.

His hands settled on her lower back. “Tell me.”

“I love you too.”

Their lips met again and this time, both of them becameoblivious to their surroundings.

Virginia opened Kiara’s old bedroom door, a silver traybalanced in her hands. It bore a plate of food and a piece of paper.

He was in a deep slumber, yellow-brown skin contrasting withthe white bedding. She grinned. It was almost impossible to catch Naru stillasleep.

She placed the tray on the nightstand and kissed hisforehead softly. His eyes flickered open and he smiled sleepily. “Ginia, what’sgoing on?”

He sat up and she positioned herself at his side. “Icouldn’t let you return to Insulam withoutmaking your favourite breakfast.”

She handed him the tray and he beamed. “French toast. Ididn’t think you’d remember.”

“How could I forget? We used to make it very free weekend’sSaturday morning.”

He chuckled gleefully. “Yeah. I remember. You used to drownyours in honey…” Then he frowned and picked up the letter that rested next tothe plate. “What’s this?”

“Just read it.”

He cleared his throat and obeyed:

Naru,

I have made so many mistakes in my life and loved the wrong person somany times. But now everything seems to have turned out alright. Because Kiarais safe at Insulam and you’re back inmy life.

Naru, you are my best friend. When we stick together, there isnothing we cannot do. You’ve been cheering me on and that’s all that has gottenme through. Your arms are the ones I’ve always been comforted by.

You are my best friend, but you are also the love of my life. Myheart. My soul. The one I want to be with from now until forever. I realisethat now. Maybe I’m a couple of decades too late, but…

I love you, Naru.

He put the tray on the bedside table and looked at her;tears welled up in his chocolate-coloured eyes.

“Why are you crying?” she asked.

He took both her hands in his. “I’ve been waiting for thatfor twenty-five years.”

She kissed him.

Their lips had never met before and Virginia couldn’timagine why; everything just sort of fit. Kissing Naru was like coming home inwintertime to replace a fireplace crackling in the corner and your favourite movieon TV. Like hot chocolate on an icy day. Like the morning sun on your skinafter a long night.

He pulled away and she almost groaned in protest. “You’remaking it very difficult for me to leave,” he said.

Her eyes lit up suggestively. “I’d say you still have anhour or so.”

He grinned and gently pulled her down on top of him.

“This better not become a habit.”

Tania was glaring at the envelope that lay white andunopened on Kiara’s bed. Kiara stepped up beside her, hands trembling slightly.“You think it’s from the same person?”

The blonde raised her shoulders in a shrug. “There’s onlyone way to replace out.”

Kiara picked up the envelope with trepidations and opened itto reveal another letter. She read it anxiously.

Kiara,

I send you this and ask that you trust me in the sameway that I am trusting you. Show this to no one who need not see it, since amessage from a vampire will no doubt arouse suspicion. There’s a warlock who iscreating an entire army of Ambulans Mortuus in order to take over some of theworld’s largest cities. He is currently positioned in Alexandria, Egypt. He isplanning to create a portal in the Graeco-Roman museum through which to send his zombies. Actquickly or it will be too late. For any further help, visit me at Castle Felis in Transylvania, Romania.

Realise that I trust youwith many lives, including my own.

Yours sincerely,

Dominic Quentin

“Well, it’s not another threat,” Kiara observed and handedthe sheet of paper to Tania.

Tania scanned through Dominic Quentin’s letter and thenthrew it down on the bed. “We have to give this to my father.”

Kiara’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. “Are youinsane?”

“Taking this to the Headmaster is the only sane thing to do.”

Kiara gesticulated passionately. “He won’t believe any ofit. He’ll just send us to Transylvania to kill this Dominic.”

“Which is our job,” Tania countered. “How do you know heisn’t just another supernatural trying to kidnap you? And even if you believethis vampire’s story, my idea makes sense. The warlock is trying to take overthe world. That’s serious stuff. We can’t do this on our own.”

Kiara sat down, pleading now. “Tania, please. Ever since Icame here, I’ve been meandering around without a purpose. This could be mypurpose.”

Tania put her hands on her hips. “To do what? Get both of uskilled?”

“To help supernaturals whilst still protecting humankind.”

“You can’t do both.”

“You know you don’t believe that. Look, we won’t be goingalone. We can take Aaron and Riley with us.”

Tania was almost shouting now. “We? Do I get any say inthis?”

Kiara folded her hands together and held them in front ofher chest. “Come on, we could save the world and kick some zombie-butt whiledoing it.”

“So, what? We just up and go to Alexandria?”

Kiara shrugged. “Pretty much.”

“We can’t use a portal, because everyone on Insulam would feel it…”

“Is that a yes?”

Tania rolled her eyes. “Fine, but the boys are coming withus and we’re taking enough weapons to slay an army – which is apparentlyexactly what we’ll need to do.”

Kiara jumped up in excitement. “Thank you, Tania.”

“We’ll need help getting off the Island.”

Kiara grinned. “I know just the person.”

FROM: KIARA WESTWIN I need your help.

FROM: NARUTA ISHIDA Whatever you need.