Severed Bonds
Chapter 11- Cold demeanor

"Clear." Thomas says. We climb out the back of the van slowly. I position two of the guys to keep watch from this area. Usually we do this at night, so it's better to be more on guard. I can't risk pissing off the council anymore then I have to. I open the back gate of the house slowly, I move aside to let Ali and some of the others pass by. I position one guy on the fire escape balcony, and two on the sides. I slowly open the back door of the house soon as a guy sees me I clench my hand slowly and focus on closing his throat. His pupils dilate as he clutches his chest, being unable to speak or scream. He tumbles to the floor, before I go in the room I sense the area for anyone else. I forceforefully turned him over on his back and pointed the tip of the silencer at his head. I release my hold on his throat to save my energy.

"Where can I replace Caden?" I inch my finger to the trigger and apply more force to the pistol.

"I...don't know!" I jab the point of the pistol in his head a bit.

"Keep it down!" I hiss.

"I said I don't know so piss off!" He hissed back.

"Marty? Isn't?" He remains silent. "I bet the council would pay us a fortune for turning you in." I mock. "I bet, they already have a high bounty for you." I go on this time using a more aggressive tone. "If you tell me where he is, my clan can offer you protection and a deal with the council to let you walk." That ought to do it...any minute now he'll cave, and tell me exactly where he is. He says nothing still, come on man! Don't make me put a bullet in your head!

"The basement." He croaks. I remove my pistol from his head and step over him. I walk slowly to the next part of the house. Suddenly I hear a scream, I turn around and see the same guy out in the back screaming his head off. Bang! He falls limb to the ground, shit... Damn it! Now they know we're here! I swallow hard and take in a couple of breaths, suddenly something rolls on the ground. GRENADE! I use all my energy to make a shield, the shield blocks the blast but not for long. Without me needing to signal, one of my guys from far behind me creates one of his own for me as I run for cover. Gunfire is blasting from every direction I take a couple of guys out and hide for cover, I do the same a couple of times.

"Ian we'll cover you!" Ali yells out. I nod at her as she uses her power to bring down the ceiling from the other room. Brick and debris knock out our enemies, Now's my chance! I run through desperately searching for trap doors or a downstairs anything that can look like a basement. I can hear sounds of more gunfire behind me. Their piling in, I have to replace Caden before they have us outnumbered! That's if he's still there...no! He should be there! Caden is a coward he might even try to flee.

"I need someone covering the front entrance." I demand on the earpiece.

"On it!" Thomas replies. I turn the corner to a kitchen. I notice a door in place and open it. I see a staircase leading down. I hope this is it, I creak down the steps reloading my pistol. I take a look around and have my ears opened for any subtle sounds. Soon as my feet hit the ground a pair of muscular arms grabs me from behind. Argh! I grunt and elbow him in the ribs twice. Once he releases me I spin around and kick his shin hard. He kneels on the ground.

"You will regret this! You and your clan!" I hold the pistol up to his head.

"No...you will, forever... crossing my clan leader and betraying us." He spits at the floor. "It's over Caden." I squeeze the trigger, bang! I lower my pistol and signal the guys that Caden is taken care of. I go back upstairs far away from the body. I figured it's a lot easier to clear my head when I'm not around the dead bodies lying here. I run through the house looking up, not once looking down. If I look down, I won't make it through here. Once I make it out Thomas stands there eyeing me. We all gather back in the van, Thomas takes the steering wheel and drives off. Soon as we make it back to the house we all climb out, Thomas slams the door and walks up to me. "Why didn't you take out Marty when you had the chance?" He stands there firm waiting for me to answer. I can feel all of their glances on me, they stand there by the gate waiting for me to address Thomas.

"I thought he'd be of some use alive better than dead." My voice is clear and strong. I spoke with no fear or hesitation in my voice.

"Use?" He arches his brow.

"Yes." I say back firmly.

"What use could we have for a rat like him?" He demands.

"I figured if we gave him to the council, that will solve our issue of them being on our asses."

"So, you suggest we spare him?" He announces louder. I keep my posture steady and allow my hands to fall flat on my side.

"That's not what I-" I grit.

"So instead of dealing with the rat we should've hand him over to the authorities." He announces. I keep my eyes locked on Thomas. "As a bargain..." He trails off. My hands begin to clench at my sides. I don't look at the clan members surrounding me, they're angry. I can feel their hatred, we barely made it out alive. They're hungry for blood, and they're hungry for mine. Thomas stands in front of my face. "Traitors don't get a second chance! And they sure as hell, don't... get... any mercy! Anybody who fucks with us pays the price! With a bullet in their head!"

"I won't allow my incompetence to get in the way next time." I say looking past his face, that way it doesn't seem like I'm not meeting his eyes.

"Next time? Next time, you won't hesitate!" He roars louder. The clan members push open the gate and file toward the house.