#Fireshade Diaries

[atheona-darkclaw]

Fireshade Diaries - Ritual

It had taken a bit of trickery, but Trez had been ok with that, and the bastard had it coming. As he stood in the cave waiting, he fidgeted with the dagger. He could sense its power even now and could only imagine how it would feel to slide the blade into Marcus’s heart. He listened carefully for the sound of footsteps approaching, wondering if John had managed to get the pendant to her and if he would even help with the situation. The way Atheona talked about John made him bristle, though he wasn’t sure why. Still, he could put aside the way he felt about the other wolf in order to save Atheona.

Out of the corner of his eye, he watched a large red wolf enter the cave, shaking off its fur from the rain that had started falling outside. Treznor’s sense of smell told him it was John and he fought back the growl that formed in his throat. With a nod of acknowledgement, he turned his back so the man could shift and change into clothes. While his back was turned, he sensed Atheona’s arrival.

“Glad you found it ok,” she said as Trez turned around. John had donned a pair of jeans and in his hand held the Frozen Star. Trez smiled softly at Atheona, tearing his eyes from the pendant in John’s hand. “Wasn’t hard. Just followed your scent.” She smiled and gave him a hug. Trez made sure his eyes never left John’s as he squeezed Atheona to him. He didn’t know why he felt the need to challenge him over her affections, but it wasn’t something he could stop. Atheona pulled away with a pointed jab of her elbow to his ribs. He smiled and shrugged as he let her go. 

“So, how do we do this?” John asked. “Well, I have to put the necklace on and we say a few words. Supposedly the pendant with turn red when my soul has been transferred. From there, you two are on your own. Someone needs to watch my body and someone needs to go kill the bastard. The pendant will also need to be kept safe while all of this goes down.” Trez put a comforting hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “It’s ok, little one. We’ve got your back.” 

With a sigh, Atheona walked to the makeshift bed Addan had made long ago. Laying down on the pillow, she could still catch the faint smell of him and her heart ached. John came and sat down beside her on the bed, his brow furrowed with worry. “Oh, before I forget,” Atheona said, sitting up and pulling out a folded piece of paper. “Here are the instructions for putting my soul back where it should be.” She handed the paper to John. He took it and began to unfold it. “No,” Atheona said putting a hand over his. “Read it later.” John had a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach but he respected her wishes and put the folded paper in his pocket.

Atheona nodded to John and he slipped the pendant around her neck, the stone settling against her chest. She shivered at its cool touch. “Now what,” Trez asked. Atheona smiled up at the two men. “Now I say the words.” She hesitated for just a moment, emotions she hadn’t wanted to deal with welling up. John smiled softly, placing a hand on hers. “I can’t thank you enough, both of you, for standing by my side.” A lump formed in her throat and she swallowed past it, forcing her voice to strengthen so she could do what needed to be done. Looking at John, she said, “You’ll need to let go of me for this, love.” John lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles before moving away.

With a deep breath, Atheona stared at the ceiling. If she watched the two wolves here with her, she would never get through this. She closed her eyes, visualizing the words she’d seen written. 

“Tabharfaidh mé dhuit mo anam. I gael, i ddal. Coinnigh slán, tabhair neart dom. Seo ag guí.” 

 The pain shot through her, blinding pain, like when Taya had hit her with a fireball, but stronger. She felt every inch of her body turn to hot embers. Faintly she heard Trez and John’s voices but if she focused on them, she knew her soul would never go into the pendant. With a cry, her body arching off the bed, she pushed her soul away, felt herself split. 

And then....

Darkness.

It was up to the wolves now.

[atheona-darkclaw]

Fireshade Diaries - The Darkness

As he walked through the eerie woods, John felt as if he was being coated in tar. Evil things lurked in every corner, making his fur stand. He had never felt so much evil and it broke his heart to think that this is where Atheona would stay if he didn’t do something about it. His paws beat a path only his nose could find. Her scent, vanilla and roses, was faint and he’d taken a few wrong turns here and there but he thought he was getting closer. If only for the fact that the darkness seemed to be concentrating on one area of this godless place.

John finally pushed through the brush and found himself in a meadow. In the middle sat Atheona’s cottage, but something wasn’t right. As he watched, John noticed shadows crawling all over the little house. Every inch was covered in dark shapes with evil seeping from them. He steeled himself and walked towards the cottage, unsure of what he would find. Reaching the front porch, he shifted back into human and walked up the steps. The air was heavy and cold. Every instinct he had was telling him to run but he opened the front door and stepped inside.

“Atheona,” he called out softly. He waited for a reply, quietly shutting the door behind him. The house was freezing and dark. He wanted to get out but he wasn’t leaving without her. John slowly made his way through the home, checking the kitchen and living room for any sign of her. As he walked down the hallway, he began to hear a soft sobbing coming from her bedroom. He bolted the last few feet, slinging open her door. 

He found her, curled into a tight ball, in the darkest corner of her room. At first, he couldn’t understand what she was saying. Her lips were moving and there was sound emanating from them, but he couldn’t quite comprehend what the words were. “Easy,” he said as he scooped her into his arms. “Easy, love. I’ve got you.” John carried her to the living room and sat with her in his lap, stroking her back as she continued her mutterings.

Suddenly, she sat up and met his eyes. “You can’t be here,” Atheona said, her hand reaching up to rest on his cheek. “You’re not real.” She squeezed her eyes shut tight and opened them. “No, you’re not supposed to be here!” Atheona jumped off his lap and ran back to her room, slamming the door behind her and locking it just as John reached it. He rested his head against the closed door. This was going to be much harder than he’d anticipated.

[atheona-darkclaw]

Fireshade Diaries - Assistance

John tore into the house, slamming the door behind him and making the windows rattle. His anger was rolling off of him in waves Taya couldn’t ignore even if she tried. She looked up from the piano at his entrance and watched him as he buried his fingers in his hair in frustration. Taya smirked to herself. Ever since John had become one with his wolf, his emotions had stayed close under the surface. Before, he would keep himself in check. Nothing could ruffle the wolf until lately. 

“Problem?” she asked, causing him to turn in surprise at her presence before anger clouded his face again. “She is a child!” he growled, stomping into the room. “She thinks she can just do what she wants without consequence and I’m tired of it!” Taya smiled, watching him pace the room. “Let me guess, are we talking about a certain fireshade?”  “Like you don’t know,” John said, rolling his eyes. Taya shook her head. “Wait, you really don’t know?” “What’s she done now,” Taya asked. John huffed and sat on the bench beside her, leaning his head back and praying the pounding headache would disappear.

John took a deep breath before delving into how Atheona had found a way to get rid of Marcus, how she had asked Treznor and him to remove her soul and protect it while Marcus was defeated. He told how she’d supposedly given them instructions to put her soul back but instead had given them her last request. He pulled out the pendant he’d kept in his pocket. Treznor had wanted to take it, to keep it safe. But John saw red anytime he thought of that man touching the necklace. Taya glanced at the pendant with a frown and mumbled, “That bitch loves a bit of drama, doesn’t she?”

John lifted a brow in amusement. “You really didn’t know?” “No. Well, I mean, I knew she’d had a suicide note written for once Marcus was gone. She’d had a plan to take herself out.” John growled, angry that Taya hadn’t mentioned this to him sooner. “I didn’t know she’d pull something like this,” Taya said. She reached for the pendant John held in his hand but was stopped when a low growl rumbled from his chest. She smirked and folded her arms across her chest. “Something you’d like to tell me?”

“Look, can you help or not,” he asked, avoiding her question. He wasn’t ready to face those feelings, not when he knew Atheona was still holding out hope for Addan’s return. Taya eyed the pendant John absentmindedly stroked. “Possibly. I need to look into a few things first,” she said. “But you need to be prepared to have a pissed off fireshade. She’s not going to be happy you went against her wishes.” “I don’t care, Taya! I just...she needs to be back. Things don’t feel right when she’s not here.” 

“And what happens when she comes back and isn’t the woman you knew before? John, this Curse is bad from what she’s told me. It’s not something to be taken lightly, and you need to decide if you’re willing to deal with the repercussions,” Taya said, standing and heading towards the library.

John sat in the quiet, the pendant warming his palm. He didn’t care what happened afterwards. He just needed to get Atheona back in her body.

[atheona-darkclaw]

Fireshade Diaries - Tell Him

She sat in a booth in a dark corner of the club. She didn’t know why, but there was comfort in this spot. She felt like she could hide in the shadows, hide from the disappointment and concern. Atheona felt like she was getting better, moving past “The Forgetting”. As she sat enjoying her bourbon, the space was filled by a handsome stranger. Meeting his eyes, her heart began to beat faster. She recognized him but she wasn’t sure how. But he obviously meant something to her...or at least he did. His eyes never left her as he took a seat across from her. She couldn’t help but squirm under his watchful gaze. 

“She told me you didn’t remember. I wasn’t sure I believed her until now.” She tilted her head as his voice rumbled over her. Her body quivered just at the dulcet tones of his voice and she idly wondered what else he could make her body do.  “I’m sorry,” she said, truly meaning it. She wished she remembered this gorgeous man. Atheona watched as he pulled a cigar out of his blazer pocket and patted his other pockets in search of a lighter. She smiled, amused, and felt a sense of deja vu. She felt heat at the end of her finger and looked down to see a flame waiting silently as if ready to light his cigar. “Well that’s never happened before.” He grinned, finally finding his lighter, and things low in her body tightened. He was beautiful when he smiled.  “Repressed memory is not a loss of memory, kitten. You just need the door cracked open.” Atheona’s heart fluttered when he called her “kitten”. But why would he call her that? She shook her head and sighed. “I’m afraid if the door is cracked the demons will push their way through,” she whispered. No one would understand why she did what she did, but she stood by her decision. He leaned back in the booth, tapping his lighter on the table. Atheona watched as he seemed to fight a battle within himself. 

 “You’ve never been afraid of demons before. You’re the kind of woman that makes demons keep their distance.” He stopped and muttered, “And there’s a good man out there who I’m sure misses you.” Atheona’s heart almost soared out of her chest. Surely this man couldn’t mean himself? Her luck would not be that good judging by her latest scorecard. She swallowed, begging the butterflies in her stomach to subside. She wanted to argue the point that taking the pills was her way of pushing the demons damn near off the planet but she knew it wouldn’t be any good.  “If I have a man, I’d sure as hell like to know where the son of a bitch is,” she muttered, taking a sip of the bourbon she had in front of her. She watched him over the rim of her glass, a ghost of a smile gracing his lips and she couldn’t keep her mind from wondering what it would be like to kiss him. He lit his cigar, puffing out the sweet smoke. “The white knight is out conquering his beast so he doesn’t kill us both if you...” He laughed sadly, a sneer crossing his face. “He’s doing what he needs to. I can’t help but respect that.” She almost spat out her bourbon as she realized he was talking about John. “You mean John,” she asked shaking her head. “From what I’ve heard, he and I are over. Though for the life of me I can’t think why.” “You got tired of the boy scout act,” he said with a smirk. “But nothing is forever.” Atheona watched as his face fell, his hand clenching as if he was angry about something, or hurt. He cleared his throat, taking another drag from his cigar. “You love each other. I think you’ll remember that when you see him again.” She wanted to scream protestations but she was confused as to why. Atheona’s heart broke at his words. She felt something with this stranger, something that wasn’t just superficial. As she watched him, a flash of a memory came to her. A moment. A cave. Candles. Passion. Heat. Fire. Claws. Love. 

 Her eyes met his and she felt a fire inside her ignite. “Did we...have we...” She cleared her throat, struggling to phrase the question she desperately wanted an answer to. “I mean, I just got a flash of.....something.” He nodded, a minute movement of his head. “We have.” Heat flared deep in her as she watched his body tense, she thought he was remembering their time together. But his face betrayed nothing. She itched to touch him but she didn’t know why. She didn’t know the man but she also didn’t want to question her instincts. Still though, she gripped her hands into fists. She was afraid if she made a move toward him he would shy away. “Did things end with us too,” she asked, hanging her head a bit. He took a few puffs of his cigar and Atheona’s heart sank as she began to fear she had ruined yet another seemingly wonderful relationship. “There was nothing to end. We shared a few...intimate moments. Nothing more.” Atheona felt like her heart was being ripped from her chest. She could feel the tears welling and refused to let this wolf see her cry. She could hear the smirk in his voice when he said, “Pissed off your shining knight enough to satisfy my need to make him miserable.” Anger flared through her, a hot burning rage that almost turned into an inferno. She wiped away the tears before she turned back to face him. “So you like to use women then.” The cold smile that crossed his face was unapologetic and she fought the urge to slap it off his face.  “When it suits me,” he said, tapping his cigar on the table and taking another puff. Something didn’t sit right with her. She may not remember him but her heart knew him, and this asshole facade was not convincing. “Explain to me why you would want to piss off John.” “It’s an alpha thing,” he said, a condescending tone piercing his voice. A tight smile graced Atheona’s lips. “Taya was right,” she muttered, grabbing the glass of bourbon she’d been drinking. She downed the last of the amber liquid and slammed the glass on the table with more force than she’d intended. A curse crossed her lips as the shards of glass pierced her hand. Addan dropped his cigar and grabbed her hand, pulling towards him. His features creased in concern as he grabbed a napkin and began pulling out the pieces of glass.  “You need a stitch or two,” he said, looking at the gashes that marred her hand. “Or I can lick it, your choice.”

The moment Addan had touched her hand she had felt her eyes go red. The embers that had ignited when she’d seen him were now a full-fledged inferno raging through her. She closed her eyes as she was flooded with memories: sharing a bottle of bourbon, him ravaging her when he knew she’d rejected John’s mark, nights spent strategizing about the Moon King before he took out the DeVandalls. Panic, love, fear, and heartache broke her into a million pieces as every moment they had shared washed over her. She tried to steady her voice, tried to keep her expression neutral. But he would see her red eyes and he would know. “Lick please,” she said tentatively. She watched as his eyes shot to hers and he smirked, lifting her wounded hand to his mouth. A shudder ran through her as his tongue stroked over her skin. She fought the flames that threatened to overwhelm her. She bit her lip as she let out a soft moan. The man had such power over her, if only he knew. 

 As his eyes came up to meet hers, she closed them from his intense gaze. Her free hand involuntarily rose to stroke through his hair but she pushed it back down. She tried desperately to push the pieces of herself back together. Clearing her throat, she asked, “How goes the research with the librarian?” Immediately, his eyes snapped to hers and he leaned back. “You remember.” Pulling her hand from his grip, running her thumb over where he’d licked, she sighed. “I remember us,” she said, waving a hand between them. “Or whatever has been going on here.” She narrowed her eyes. “And you can stop being an ass now, jerk.” He let out an exasperated sigh. “The research goes nowhere.” She folded her arms and leaned back. She still wanted to feel him, to touch him. His tongue on her was enough to make her want more. “Could that have anything to do with you going AWOL?” That only earned her a glare which she shook her head in response. “What’s happened to you?” This was not the Addan she’d known. This was a man on the brink of giving up, hopeless and scared. Whether he would admit that or not. Picking up his cigar again, he took a few draws from it. “Working my way to the seventh stage, I suppose.” His snarky comments were no longer something she cared to hear and she knew he was being an ass on purpose. Her anger and frustration flared once again. She reached out and knocked the cigar from his mouth. “Bullshit! You need to get your ass in gear. So what if the research with the professor is going slow. Get up and go see the pirate!” “There is nothing,” he roared, slamming his hands on the table. His anger startled her and she tried to back away or at least give herself room to make a run for it should he lash out at her. “And even if there is, even if I get free, what of my daughter? If she dies, it’s all for nothing.” She watched him run a hand through his hair, his eyes meeting hers. “I’m tired Athie.” She felt for him. She knew the frustration, the not knowing, the timeline was all wearing on him. She blinked back tears. She didn’t want to see him give up. “Do you want me to go?” “I never want you to go,” he said, his face softening a bit. But then sheer determination replaced the soft look he’d given her. “But I should. You had something good going here before I came along, Athie. I might not like John, but he’s a good man.” 

 In that moment, her anger boiled over. She was tired too. She remembered people pushing her to choose John, to choose the safer route. But she loved Addan. “No,” she yelled before she could stop herself. She bit her tongue, drawing blood. She hung her head, burying her fingers in her hair. She was tired of always saying goodbye, always wondering when she would see him again. Couldn’t he see how much she needed him? “Please,” she mumbled. “Please don’t leave me again.” Atheona felt him take her hands, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles. “Alright, alright. I’m right here,” he said soothingly. “Maybe we should go somewhere more private though. I don’t want to end up in the Keep Herald again,” he said, a tentative smile playing on his lips. She let him pull her up to stand, squeezing his hand. “I’ll go wherever you want.” 

 TO BE CONTINUED....

[atheona-darkclaw]

Fireshade Diaries - Breathe

Too much. There had been too much going on lately. What with the blood oath with Marcus, Nikki showing back up and things with Addan being completely in the air. But even so, she felt like she was on the right path. After her conversation with Rosie, they’d formulated a plan and one that would work...if Atheona could keep things hidden well enough. It was going to take time and she was going to have to do things she didn’t like but it should work. It had to. 

Marcus hadn’t been around much, keeping a low profile. Atheona could only guess that he was gearing up for something. He knew she was running out of time, and maybe that’s all he was doing. Just biding his time until Marcus was her only choice for a life mate. She shuddered at the thought. They had had something special in the past, sure. But that was before she had killed him and then found out that he was the Diafol. Looking out from her back deck over her garden and the forest below, she wondered how she’d gotten here. Had the curse of the panthers just worn on her so much that she had become a shell of who she once had been?

She suddenly felt the familiar tingle of Marcus’s presence. She tried not to let him know how much he disgusted her. She had loved him once after all. Atheona’s biggest concern about her plan was that she wasn’t the best actress. So she tried to remember how Marcus had made her feel ages ago when they’d been together. His hand landed on her shoulder and she fought the urge to slink away from his touch. An appreciative growl rumbled from him. “You do not run this time, kitten. Perhaps you are learning to enjoy my touch as I enjoy yours.” She could hear the smile in his voice and she wanted desperately to slap it off his face. Atheona continued to look out over the vista. “Nikki is back. But I suppose you knew that already,” she mumbled. His hand squeezed her shoulder. 

“You don’t need to worry about her. She won’t be an issue.” Turning to face him, Atheona raised an eyebrow. “And why is that?” He smiled down at her coldly. “Because I say she won’t.” Atheona fought the urge to roll her eyes at his arrogance. The man had every right to be but he didn’t have to flaunt it so freely. Marcus slid a hand into her hair, his thumb softly stroking her jaw. She watched him curiously. Once again, she wished the blood oath was a two way street. “Atheona, I promise you. She will not lay a hand on you.” Atheona nodded and sighed. She had to take him at his word and, honestly, she should be glad that he would keep the wolf at bay. With her time coming to an end, her powers were weak and unstable. She wouldn’t be able to fight off Nikki even if she wanted to.

She leaned her head against his chest, just taking solace in the solidness of his body. He was rotten, evil, every unsavory thought that had ever graced the world. But he was here and she needed to start implementing her plan. Breathing in his scent, she was reminded of moments they had spent laying in each other’s arms, watching the sun rise. A smile crossed her lips for a moment and she felt him chuckle warmly. “Those were good times, weren’t they, kitten? They could be that way again if you would just let me in.” Marcus kissed the top of her head, inhaling the sweet smell of her hair. He wanted her, she could feel it. But she wasn’t ready to give in and she wanted to make him work for it anyway. If she just gave up the fight, he would get suspicious. 

Pulling away, she stepped back to the railing. Marcus growled, stepping up behind her, pressing himself against her. He tangled his hand in her hair and yanked her head back so her face was tilted up to his. “You will surrender, kitten. And I can be very patient.” He kissed her roughly, splitting her lip and moaning when her blood hit his tongue. She winced and tried to pull back but he kept her steady. His other hand roamed her body, stroking, caressing, and squeezing. But in an instant he was off her and she was once again standing alone on her deck. 

Atheona wiped the blood from her lip. She hoped she was right and that there would be something in Marcus’s records that would at least give a hint to his weakness. But at what lengths would she have to go in order to gain his trust?

[atheona-darkclaw]

Fireshade Diaries - Fire

They kept telling her she had powers. Taya had even pulled fire from her fingers shortly after her memory had been lost. But since then, she hadn’t been able to produce flame again. Well, except for when she was with Addan. For some reason, she felt more of who she was when he was around. But how much longer would that last? She sighed, sitting on her bed and pulling out her knife, she began to sharpen the blade. Her anger and frustration from the recent happenings she poured into every stroke of the stone. Why did it have to be like this? Why wasn’t there some other way to save the man she loved? 

Her hands stopped. Had she really just thought that? She stilled her body, waiting for panic to rise in her throat, for her heart to try to beat out of her chest. But nothing happened. She simply felt warm, content, like everything for once was right. A smile graced her lips as she returned to sharpening her knife. She loved him. Gods, did she love him! Which was why it was going to be so hard to kill him. 

 Suddenly, she was overwhelmed with a memory. Blood on her hands. Her blade in the belly of the man she loved. But it wasn’t Addan she was seeing. This man was different. Not wolf but panther like her. A knowing smile on his lips as he fell to the ground, his crimson blood soaking the grass. And just like that she was back in her room with her knife in her hands. She tried to remember his name, tried to understand why that had happened. How did she find herself in another situation where she would have to kill the man she loved? But this time was different. This time had to be different. Eres would make sure that Addan would survive.

Looking down at the blade in her hands, she noticed her eyes were now glowing red, flames reflecting in the silver of the knife. She held her hand in front of her face and focused, forcing the fire she felt inside towards her fingers. And just like that, flames appeared. She balled her hand into a fist and pushed the fire out, opening her palm and releasing a fireball that blew a hole in the wall opposite her. She would have to fix that later but for now, she relished the fact that she had found her fire. 

 Perhaps all was not lost. But she still needed to tell Addan how she felt...and prayed he wouldn’t turn her away.

[atheona-darkclaw]

Fireshade Diaries - Now What?

Atheona’s eyes bore into John’s as the tension built between them. She wanted to slap him, to yell and scream and cry. She wasn’t supposed to be back. He wasn’t supposed to have saved her. But damnit, she was happy to see him. She itched to touch him, to wrap herself in his arms and take comfort in the solidity of his body. But she knew the second she touched him, she would forget why she was so pissed. She searched his face for answers and found caution, tension, and a bit of fear stretching his features. 

“Brought what back,” Trez asked from the shadow behind her. Atheona didn’t even glance at him. She was afraid if she looked away John would put up his walls and she’d never be able to help him if he did that. “The Dorchadas,” Atheona said quietly. John closed his eyes and stiffened his muscles as he felt the pit inside him stretch at its name. When he looked at Atheona again, she had steel in her eyes while Trez bit back a curse. John heard laughter echo deep in his mind and he shook his head to clear it. “I knew I should have been the one to go get you,” Treznor said. Atheona whipped her head to look at him, flames jumping in her eyes. “The hell you should have! Both of you should have respected my wishes and left me in the Rubicon,” she yelled, her hands balled into fists. 

John shook his head once more, trying to dissipate the dark cloud that seemed to settle around him. He watched as Atheona railed against the young pup’s statements. He wanted to tell her that he was right in going back for her but she may have been right. Perhaps they should have left her on the other side. “So what is this,” John asked, breaking the quiet. Atheona sighed and turned to face him, worry etching lines on her face. “It’s pure evil, the most vile of things that has ever walked all the worlds. It’s like tar that sticks to your soul and mayhem walks in its wake,” she said. 

He felt like he was being split in two. The darkness that sat inside him wanted to stretch, to take over, to show him exactly what it was. But the wolf in him fought it back, just barely. The  Dorchadas was not something to trifle with and he cursed the fact that he had brought it back to this realm. Who knew what kind of problems it would cause? “Does Taya know,” Atheona asked, breaking through his thoughts. John shook his head and Atheona nodded. “I don’t imagine the Dorchadas and her Chaos would get along well.” Treznor scoffed. “Or they’ll get along famously and we’re all screwed,” he said. 

“Then we’ll have to make sure she doesn’t find out,” John said as he stood. Atheona took a step back from him. She’d never been scared of John but this wasn’t him. He had something else living in him and it was just a matter of time before it decided to take over and they would lose the white wolf forever.

[atheona-darkclaw]

Fireshade Diaries - Reunited

Atheona had spent the better part of the day curled in her favorite chair and reading the novel that had been gathering dust on her nightstand. Moments of peace were rare with Marcus still walking around and her constantly having to use her body to keep him satisfied. She shuddered as their latest moments flashed through her mind. Shaking the thoughts away, she tried to get back into the book in her hands. But she was interrupted by a knock at the door. Furrowing her brow, she wondered who could possibly be visiting this late at night. Perhaps Taya with more pizza and vodka. Gods, she hoped not. She wasn’t sure her house could handle more fireball demolition. 

Placing the book on the table beside her, she rose and walked to the door. As she approached, she felt butterflies in her stomach and she wasn’t sure why. She opened the door and nearly stumbled backwards as her past came to her once again. In the back of her mind, Atheona wondered if anyone that had died would actually stay dead. Before her stood Treznor, covered in dirt and grime and looking more handsome than she remembered him being. His smile lit up the night and she felt herself mirror his grin. “Hey there, little one,” he said, his warm rumbling voice soothing her. She threw herself into his arms as her mind tried to comprehend that he was actually here and breathing. Trez chuckled as he wrapped his arms around her. “I guess you missed me, huh?”

Atheona slid from his grasp, stepping back to take in the fact that he was standing before her. She stuttered, trying to understand how he’d made his way back to her. But all she could manage was a soft “how” before the tears started to flow. Treznor frowned and wrapped her in his arms, picking her up and carrying her to a chair. He sat with her in his lap and rocked her, murmuring softly in her ear. “Hey, it’s ok little one. I’m fine. We’re fine.” His hand stroked her hair and back, the other gripping her tightly as if he was afraid she would slip away from him. Atheona breathed in the familiar smell of him and felt herself relax into him. She wasn’t sure how long he held her in silence but she appreciated every moment of it.

Sitting back from him, she searched his face for answers. “How are you here right now,” she asked. Trez frowned a bit. “Honestly, I don’t know.” Atheona wanted to talk to him about what had happened since they’d last seen one another but right now she just wanted to enjoy his company. “Ok, next question, why are you here?” He grinned at her. “You don’t know?” She shook her head. “You’re the first person I wanted to see so I found my way to you.” He hugged her to him, his heart soothed by her presence. Atheona rested her head on his chest. “You feel different,” she muttered. Trez tilted his head to look at her. “How so?” She shrugged, trying to figure out how to explain to him that she felt something different and new with him. They let the silence wrap around them, both lost in their thoughts and the comfort of the other. 

Atheona didn’t want to but she knew Trez would want to know. With a sigh, she said, “Marcus is back.” She felt him stiffen beneath her and heard the growl that rumbled from his chest. “It gets worse. He knows your back too because of the blood oath between us.” She was all but thrown from the chair as Trez stood and gripped her shoulders. “Are you fucking insane?!?!? You let him bond with you,” he yelled. She cringed at his anger. Treznor was usually so calm and easygoing. She didn’t like to see him mad. But his accusations angered her and she jerked out of his hold. “I didn’t let him do anything! I was taken and tortured and...” Her voice broke and she fought back the memories of the time she’d spent in the cave. She bit her lip against the tears that threatened. Trez wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. “Ok, ok. I’m sorry. I just...how the hell did this happen,” he asked. Atheona shook her head. She wasn’t quite ready to tell him everything that had gone on since they’d last seen each other. For now, she just wanted to be in his arms and protected.

[atheona-darkclaw]

Fireshade Diaries - Admission

“Ok, let’s do this,” John said, slamming the door behind him. Taya raised an eyebrow at his entrance. “Don’t you ever knock anymore?” John simply glared at her, anxious to do this ritual she had found and finally bring Atheona back. “Are you going to sit there and complain about how I enter a room or are you going to help me bring back your bestie?” Taya folded her arms and glared at John. “Depends. Are you finally going to admit how you feel about her?”

John clenched his fists and let a growl rumble from his chest. He didn’t know why he was so hell-bent on not looking too deeply at the feelings he had for the fireshade. Perhaps it was because things had gone to hell the last time they’d tried to make anything happen between them. But he couldn’t deny that something wasn’t there. Taya smirked at his frustration. It seemed like everyone knew how he felt about Atheona...except Atheona. Shaking his head, he sighed. “Fine, fine. I have feelings for her. I can’t admit anything beyond that because I’m not sure what those feelings are exactly. Satisfied?”

She stared at him for a moment, chewing her lip, before nodding. “I guess, if that’s all I’m going to get from you.” She stood and motioned for him to follow her to the library. Next to the chaise lounge, Taya had set up a table with some bottles, a bowl, and the old book she’d had when she told him about the ritual. Butterflies fluttered in John’s stomach as he walked towards the chaise. He didn’t get nervous often but this was serious business. He could be bringing back a pissed off fireshade, or he could not come back at all. 

John took a deep breath and laid down on the lounge, watching as Taya mixed a few potions in the bowl and mumbled ancient words under her breath. He couldn’t tell if she was praying or if this was actually part of the ritual. Taya checked and double-checked that she had everything right before meeting John’s eyes. “Are you ready,” she asked. “Ready as I’ll ever be,” he said, smiling wryly. Taya poured the mixed potions into a glass and came to sit beside him. “I’m going to ask one last time, are you sure you want to do this,” she said. “She may not come back the same woman and you need to be prepared for that.”

“I know, Taya,” John growled. “I know. But I don’t know what else to do here and I can’t just leave her like she is.” His hand subconsciously went to his pocket where the pendant stayed protected. Taya shook her head. “You are unbelievably stubborn,” she said, kissing him before handing him the glass. “Drink. And you may want to hold your breath because it doesn’t taste good.” John swirled the liquid in the glass before throwing it back. It burned as it went down and he immediately felt a cold, creeping sensation in his limbs. He dropped the glass as pain saturated his senses. Taya’s cool touch was on his forehead, her soothing voice trying to calm him as the darkness took him over.

When he opened his eyes, he was in the woods. But there was something off. There was very little moonlight and strange creatures moved in the shadows. He could feel eyes on him in every direction. John sniffed the air and could faintly smell Atheona’s scent on the damp old air. He shifted into wolf and followed the scent, hopeful that he could find her soon.

[atheona-darkclaw]

Fireshade Diaries - Helpless

John’s head hurt. Partially from all the yelling he’d done even though Atheona couldn’t hear him. Partially from trying to think of any way to put her soul back in her body when Treznor returned. The man had been gone for quite a while now and John worried that perhaps the young wolf had failed. He sat by Atheona’s body, his head in his hands as he continued to try to come up with a plan to put her back together. There was no way he was letting her go and he sure as hell wasn’t going to destroy her soul. No matter whether she asked it of him or not. He didn’t know why she would even consider asking him to do something so insane. 

Lost in his thoughts, he didn’t hear Treznor come into the cave. When he looked up, the young wolf was looking at Atheona’s body sadly. “I don’t know why but I thought that after he was gone she would wake up,” he said softly. John stood, eyeing the man. Something had happened but he wasn’t about to ask for the details. Not yet anyway. “So it’s done then,” John asked. Treznor nodded. “Bastard’s gone. Or at least I think he is. I feel like he’s got another few tricks up his sleeve.” “Atheona was certain this was the way to get rid of him.” John pulled the pendant from his pocket, it’s crimson glow lighting up the cave. “She’s still in there so it seems. I guess it worked.”

“Well, what are you waiting for,” Treznor asked. “Let’s get her back where she belongs.” He reached for the necklace in John’s hand but he took a step back. “Don’t you dare touch it,” John said with a growl. Treznor looked at him with confusion. “Come on, man. Just give me the pendant and let’s get her back to normal.” John took another step away from him, his eyes never leaving Treznor’s, as he put the pendant back in his pocket. “What the hell are you doing, John?”

John shook his head. “Look, we have a bigger problem.” Treznor’s face grew serious. “What is it now?” “Atheona didn’t leave instructions for us to put her soul back.” “What are you talking about? Yes she did. She gave you the paper that had the words we needed to say.” Before he was even through his sentence, John was shaking his head. “The paper was a letter, a last request if you will,” John said, pulling the paper from his pocket. He really didn’t want Trez to read the letter but he supposed he had a right to know what Atheona had done.

Treznor tore the paper from John’s hands and began to read the last words Atheona had written:

My loves, it’s time to say goodbye. By now, you have moved my soul into the Frozen Star and one of you is taking care of Marcus. To whom holds my soul, this is going to be hard to hear but I need you to destroy it. I know I would be coming back to a world in which the Curse has taken hold and that is not something I can live with. Shatter the pendant and let me go.

“What the hell,” Trez said, turning around and throwing the letter at John. “How the fuck could you let her do this?” John’s eyes blazed as he looked at the young wolf. “Let her do it? Have you met her? Atheona doesn’t wait for anyone’s permission to do anything. You would know that if you’d been around for her,” John yelled, his voice a growl that echoed off the cave walls.

He never saw the fist that hit his jaw, knocking him to the ground. John snarled and came up off the ground in a blur of motion, tackling Treznor and knocking him on his back. His fists aimed for any part of the young wolf he could reach. All the anger and frustration from the past few months that had built up were released in a frenzy of fists.

The two wolves hounded each other, neither one letting up. The fight would have been over in a matter of seconds had either one of them shifted. But there was an underlying rule between them to handle this like men. When the two of them separated, both finding solace against the cool walls of the cave, they were bruised and bleeding. Each one giving just as much as they got. Both of them looked at Atheona mournfully, shame spilling over when they realized just how ridiculous they’d been acting.

Whether he liked it or not, John knew he was going to need the pup’s help saving Atheona from herself.

[atheona-darkclaw]

Fireshade Diaries - Oath

He’d stayed away from her for a few days, and he’d hated every second of it. His blood rushing through her veins had given them a connection he’d longed to have. A growl escaped him as he stalked through the woods towards their cave. Atheona had been close with the two mangy wolves. He couldn’t understand what she’d seen in either of them. But he knew that she’d screwed up the relationships with both of them so he could be with her. Marcus straightened his tie as he stepped into the cave. His eyes searched the darkness for his kitten and found her drawing designs into the dirt. Atheona looked up at his approach, and for the first time, she didn’t cringe away from him. In fact, there was warmth in her eyes. If he looked hard enough, he almost suspected that she was developing feelings for him. He tried not to let that affect him. He wanted her, of course, but there was a plan in place and he needed to stick to it.

“Did you miss me, kitten,” he asked. But in the blink of an eye, she had thrown herself into his arms. On impulse, he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her close. She buried her face in his neck and mumbled, “I knew you would come for me. He kept saying you wouldn’t but I just knew you would.” Marcus tried to suppress the snarl that sat in his throat. She thought he was one of her wolves. Anger flared through him but he stuffed it back down. Perhaps he could use this to his advantage. He tightened his arms around her, burying his face in her hair. 

“Of course I came for you, kitten,” he purred softly in her ear. His hands skimmed over her hips as he kissed her shoulder. She melted against him, finally feeling safe in someone’s arms. Her lips brushed across his neck as she inhaled his scent and a low purr rolled through him. Marcus was grateful that she wasn’t wearing any clothes. He’d made sure to strip her naked when he first brought her here. The past few times they’d been together, he’d been rough with her, claiming her body with his and leaving marks all over her. This time, he needed to be gentle. He knew from her sleepy mumblings that her wolves had been tender with her...for the most part. He couldn’t hold back the growl that tore from his throat as he remembered her being marked by both of them. She was his. The letters carved on his arm and the mark branded on her back were proof of that.

Atheona kissed along his jawline, her lips blazing a path to his lips. Lightly, she brushed hers across his, her tongue seeking entrance and he granted it. Marcus’s fingers tangled in her hair as he deepened their kiss. A moan came softly from her and his body heated at her sounds. He couldn’t keep his hands off her. It had been so long since she’d wanted to be in his arms. Not having to hold her down gave him ample opportunity to explore her body the way he wanted to. Her fingers fumbled at the buttons on his shirt as she tried to tear it from his body. But she was too weak from her time in this cave and she whimpered when her fingers didn’t do what she wanted them to. Marcus chuckled and stilled her hands with his own. “Patience darling. Let me help you.” He unbuttoned his shirt and she watched closely as more and more of his skin was revealed to her.

As he pulled his shirt off, Atheona’s hands caressed his shoulders and chest. Her eyes ate him up hungrily and he smiled at her exuberance. Marcus picked her up in his arms and carried her to a stone that jutted up from the floor. He waved his hand and fur blankets appeared, creating a cozy area for them. Carefully, he laid her down and unbuckled his pants, kicking them off before joining her on the pelts. She reached for him greedily, pulling him to her as her lips sought his. He held himself above her, not wanting to crush her beneath his weight. Atheona’s fingers buried in his hair, her teeth nipping his lip as she kissed him. He smiled against her lips and rolled, pulling her on top of him. She settled in his lap as he sat up, kissing her chest and stroking her back. He grew hard under her ministrations and her breathing grew heavier as his hands palmed her breasts. Atheona’s head fell back as she let herself go to his touch. He watched her, heat growing in his gaze.

“I need you,” she moaned. That’s all it took for him to slip inside her. She winced as she felt all of him enter her. He’d wanted to be gentle, wanted to make love to her slowly. But he couldn’t hold back. Gripping her hips, Marcus began to move her on his cock. Her eyes met his as they began to move together. Atheona’s fingers dug into his shoulders. She wanted to move faster, to find her release, but he wanted them to find it together. Their eyes never left one another as their bodies warmed, their hearts beating quickly. Atheona kissed him, biting his lip and drawing blood. He growled and pulled her head back by her hair, exposing her neck. Marcus’s eyes traced line of her elegant neck. He needed her blood in him, needed to complete the oath. He could feel her getting closer to her release. Trailing kisses down her neck, he grazed his teeth against the skin where her shoulder met her neck. She moaned a soft “yes”, begging him to bite her. 

It was all the encouragement he needed. His teeth elongated into fangs and he sank them into her. Her blood filled his mouth; sweet and spiced, like wine. Marcus’s hands splayed across her back as he drank from her. Atheona tangled her fingers in his hair, her body still moving against his. With each draw from his mouth, she felt her release edging closer. Marcus closed his eyes, taking in the movement of her body, the sounds emanating from her lips, and the tang of her blood on his tongue. He growled as she came apart around him and he took one last drink from her vein. Licking the wound, he sealed it just enough to not get infected but to still leave a mark of his own. Atheona went limp against him, her energy gone after their moment together. He smiled at her as he rolled her onto her back, dropping a quick kiss to her lips before standing to dress. She curled up on the pelts and fell asleep. Marcus laughed softly, pulling a blanket over her. She could enjoy the coziness for now, but when she awoke, she would simply be laying on stone.

As he finished buttoning up his shirt, he reached for his connection with her and smiled as he felt her conscience there. She had no idea that they had just completed the blood oath he’d so desperately needed to keep her. Walking out of the cave, he idly wondered which wolf she had imagined as she’d ridden his body.

[atheona-darkclaw]

Fireshade Diaries - Taken

Her night with Addan was...memorable to say the least. Atheona’s fingers came up to trace the bite mark he had left on her neck. Flashes of last night moved through her brain and she shivered. With a sigh, she walked outside to her garden. This was her place of solace and peace. Everything with Addan had been so intense and she felt empty without him there. She folded her arms across her body as she walked through her flowers. He’d marked her. But what did that mean? She knew what it meant to John but maybe it meant something else to Addan. She shook her head, reprimanding herself. She would not be that whimpering little girl who clung to any ounce of love she was given. 

 Lost in her own thoughts, she didn’t hear the footsteps behind her. Arms came around her, tightening and pulling her close to a solid body. A man’s hand covered her mouth and panic squeezed her throat. The faint scent of liquid codlata, a sleeping potion, invaded her nose. She tried to fight the darkness that threatened to overwhelm her. She squirmed and fought against the muscled arms that held her still. But all of it was useless. Her last thought before her consciousness fled was a silent scream of Addan’s name. 

 Cold. That’s all she felt. Cold, damp, darkness. Her head hurt as she opened her eyes and tried to make sense of where she was. There were bars on every side of her and she realized she was in a cage in a dark cave, probably deep in the forest. She sniffed the air for any signs of who might have taken her. “Hello, carida.” The voice came from the shadows and sent chills down her spine. She knew that voice. It called to the memories buried deep inside but she couldn’t place it. The owner of the voice stepped out from the shadows into the dim light that poured in from the cave entrance. She furrowed her brow, trying to place the face of the man in front of her. He seemed familiar but she just couldn’t remember. 

 “You don’t remember me, do you fireshade,” he asked, a cold smile on his face. There was no emotion in his eyes, no warmth, no fire. Just cold ice in his gaze. Atheona shook her head and he nodded. “I thought as much. Well, lucky for you, I think I have some ways to make you remember,” he said, walking back into the shadows. She heard metal moving, the slow slither of leather straps, and her body clenched in fear. “Who...who are you,” she stammered out. He came back, carrying keys and a section of rope. She watched as he unlocked her cage and stepped inside to bind her hands to her feet. Stepping back out of the cage, he moved to a pulley and began to yank hard on the chains. Atheona watched as the metal bars slowly rose to the roof of the cave. She would have run but the way in which he had tied her up had her immobilized. She reached for her embers but couldn’t find them. 

 “Looking for your fire? You won’t find it. You see, I took it away from you. At least for a little while.” “Please, I don’t know what you want from me,” she whimpered. Gods, no one would hear her if she screamed but she tried anyway. She was met with a hard slap to the face that busted open her lip. “Shut up, bitch!” He got down in front of her, his face right in hers. “I want you to remember. I want you to remember who I am. I want you to remember that you are mine!” His hand came up to trace the bite mark Addan had given her. She watched anger fill his eyes as he squeezed the raw flesh, blood welling up. Atheona bit her lip, trying to hold back the whimper of pain that he caused. With a smile, he got up and made his way back to the table in the shadows. 

 He returned with a cattle prod and a smile of anticipation. He was enjoying this and she wanted to vomit from that realization. Goddess help her. He was going to kill her before anyone knew she was missing. “Please, someone help me,” she screamed before the electrifying prongs of the prod met her throat. She fell to her side in agony as his boot came up to kick her in the ribs, knocking the breath from her. She prayed with every ounce of energy she had that someone would come for her. The man wielding the prod stepped closer. “Oh I’m going to enjoy making you remember, fireshade. And when we are done, everyone will know you are mine.” The prod came up to meet Atheona’s back and she writhed as pain ripped through her. 

 “Please,” she whispered. “Someone help.”

[atheona-darkclaw]

Fireshade Diaries - Darkness

After assuring Taya that he was fine, John had left Taya with a look on her face that suggested she didn’t believe him. But he needed to get out of there. He needed to get back to the cave and check on Atheona. He considered shifting to get there quicker but he needed time to think and to settle himself. The trip across the Rubicon to reach Atheona had been a trying one. And he didn’t think he’d come back alone. 

Rubbing his chest as he walked through the woods, he felt the heavy ache that resided there. He’d assumed it was just a side effect of crossing the line between life and death. But every time he reached for the spot where that ache pulsated, he felt a darkness so cold and empty it made him sick. John probably should have mentioned it to Taya but she was already worrying over him. So he stalked through the woods, trying not to think about the pit of darkness he had and wondering whether Atheona was okay. 

It was a matter of minutes before he made it to Addan’s cave. As much as he may hate the man for putting Atheona through everything, he did have to admire him for having a safe haven. He just wished Atheona’s safe place was with him rather than the black wolf. John shook his head, putting the missing wolf out of his mind. If he had his way, he wouldn’t be coming back anytime soon. 

Stepping into the cave, he found Atheona still laying on the bed and Treznor kneeling next to her. He seemed to be praying but the young pup had never struck him as someone to believe in the gods. Trez never heard him enter. “How’s she doing,” John asked, startling the other wolf. Treznor simply shook his head. “She’s warmer than she was, and I can feel a pulse but...” Trez let the sentence die on his lips. He didn’t want to say what they were both thinking. Maybe this plan didn’t work.

“Stop,” John said sternly, walking towards the slumbering fireshade. Trez moved out of his way and stood against a wall, watching carefully. “I saw her. I spoke with her. I brought her back. I know I did,” John said, reaching out for Atheona’s limp hand. The second their fingers were within inches of each other, a spark flared between them. John swore he could feel her fire in his blood as Atheona’s body took on an ethereal glow. A glow John was well familiar with. The two wolves watched curiously as Atheona took a deep breath and flung her eyes open. 

She sat up quickly, her eyes shooting around the room before they finally settled on John. “You brought it back. Damnit, John!”

[atheona-darkclaw]

Fireshade Diaries - We Love You

He wanted to follow her but, knowing Atheona, nipping at her heels was not going to make her move any faster. But she didn’t understand, or maybe she didn’t care, that he had limited time to save her ass. Getting up, he walked purposefully to her door and swung it open. She cowered in her corner and John’s heart softened as he saw the demons haunting her eyes. She well and truly thought that once she was back on the other side of the Rubicon that she could become a heartless murderer. 

Part of him wasn’t sure he could handle seeing this fiery woman become so cold. But a deeper part knew that he would keep her from becoming the monster she believed she would be. “Get up,” he said roughly. Atheona glared at him. “I said, get up!” John came towards her, gripping her arm and pulling her to her feet. She tried to shake him off but his grip held true. John didn’t want to hurt her but she needed to wake up. His hand tightened on her as he dragged her to the living room and almost threw her on the couch. 

“What the hell, John,” she said with indignation. Atheona couldn’t believe that John would treat her so roughly. She watched him with narrowed eyes. “You need to listen to me,” he said gruffly, kneeling in front of her. “I know that this is what you asked for but I can’t just leave you in this nightmare on the fleeting thought that you might become a victim of the Curse.” Atheona’s mouth set in a grim line as she listened to him. “And exactly how are you going to keep that from happening, John? You can just promise me that you’ll save me. What happens if you fail?” The vision of John’s corpse pinned to her ceiling sent shivers through her. It was a sight that would constantly haunt her. 

“Damnit, Atheona! When are you going to learn to trust me,” John said, standing out of frustration. He pushed his hands through his hair. He turned and met her haunted eyes, ready to push his point. The gorgeous woman in front of him could be so damned frustrating, but he loved that about her. He loved that she pushed him, she didn’t just sit back and let him take care of her. She was capable, fiery, and brilliant. 

“When are you going to listen to what I need,” she countered. Flames burned along her skin as she let her anger get the better of her. Atheona closed her eyes, trying to calm herself before she set him on fire, if that was even possible here. John couldn’t help the growl that clawed its way from his throat, causing Atheona to look at him with concern. He turned away, ashamed that she would ever think that he would lay a hand on her. But if what Taya said was true, he just might have to be the one to stop the fireshade. 

Kneeling in front of her, John took her hands in his. “I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for a good reason. We need you...I need you, Athie.” He hoped that he could convey what he was trying to say through his gaze better than his words ever could. John squeezed her hands and took the plunge. “I love you, Atheona. When are you going to trust that?”

A bright red light pierced the dark and cloudy sky out Atheona’s bedroom window, stealing their attention away from the moment. “Shit, now look what you did,” Atheona said, pulling her hands from John’s grasp and running for the front door.

[atheona-darkclaw]

Fireshade Diaries - Fight It

John’s presence outside her bedroom door did nothing to soothe Atheona. She knew he couldn’t be here. It just wasn’t possible. She was living in a nightmare and if he was here, that meant that he had gone against her last wishes and was trying to bring her back to the land of the living. As she stayed curled in her corner, she prayed to all the gods that he would come to his senses and leave her here. But then the doorknob turned and the door slowly creaked open.

“Hey, can we talk,” John asked, his eyes pleading and sad as he took in her state. Atheona watched him, like a mouse being stalked by a large cat. John wished there was something he could fight for her, something he could protect her from. But this was all in her head, something she had to do on her own. He just hoped she would want to win. He walked towards her and sat in the floor a few feet in front of her. He wanted to reach out and pull her into his arms but feared that would probably make things worse. So he sat, his hands clenched in his lap, and he watched her.

Atheona refused to meet his eyes, using her hair to hide her face from him. She couldn’t stop shaking and muttering “I’m sorry” again and again. “Hush now,” John said, reaching to brush her hair back. But she flinched at his touch, and he withdrew his hand. “What do you have to be sorry for,” he asked softly. “For killing you,” she said, her voice shaking. John sat up in surprise. “Atheona, you didn’t kill me. I’m right here.” He reached for her hand again. She fought him at first, keeping her hand balled tight in a fist. John stroked her knuckles, trying to soothe her. “Here, feel,” he said gently placing her hand against his chest.

He tried not to wince at how cold she was. It was like ice against him. But it was worth it to watch her expression relax as she felt his heart beat against her palm. John wanted desperately to push light into her, to help heal her somehow, but as he reached for his light he felt a wall blocking him. Atheona frowned pulling her hand back. “You’re not real. You can’t be! I saw you. I saw your...corpse...,” she said, her voice cracking. John clenched his fist, trying to figure out a way to make her believe he was really there for her. 

He inched closer to her, maintaining eye contact. Atheona furrowed her brow, watching him curiously. John brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, stroking her cheek with his thumb. He leaned forward and softly brushed his lips against hers. Instinct made him want to pull back from the icy cold touch of her lips but instead, he pushed harder, pouring a bit of himself into her and he smiled when he felt her melt against him. 

But just as quickly, she pulled away. Fire filled her eyes, anger decorating her face. “You’re not supposed to be here, John,” she growled before standing and storming out of the room. John hung his head. At least, he’d made a bit of progress.

[atheona-darkclaw]

Fireshade Diaries - Fight

Treznor hated leaving Atheona behind in the cave. Every part of him wanted to stay with her, to protect her. But he had to trust that John wouldn’t let anything happen to her. After all, he had loved her at one time. Maybe even loved her still. Though Trez couldn’t understand why a man could ever let a woman like that go. He got the feeling that John wanted another chance with Atheona and he was damned if he was ever going to let that happen. She didn’t need more heartache and Treznor was almost certain that Atheona giving her heart to John again would guarantee she would get hurt. 

He gripped the dagger in his hand as he approached Marcus’s home, pushing all thoughts of John from his mind. It was time to finish this. He forced his senses outward through the darkness, searching for where the Diafol was residing. It wasn’t long before he found him, lounging in the library of course. The man sure did love his books. Trez slowly opened the back door and crept along the hallway to the doors of the library. Marcus knew he was near, knew he had the dagger that would end his life and yet he still made no move to stop him as Treznor entered the room.

“Took you long enough,” Marcus said, sitting with his feet resting on his desk, a large tome on his lap. His black eyes met Treznor and a cold smile crossed his face. “Come to save our fiery damsel in distress, have you?” Treznor growled, wanting nothing more than to attack the man, but he knew Marcus was simply baiting him. “If you hadn’t been such a back-stabbing bastard, she would be here handling you herself,” Trez spat. Marcus laughed and stood, closing the book and sitting it on his desk. “Do you think a mere dagger and a piece of jewelry will stop me from having her? She is mine and she will know it yet,” Marcus said. 

Trez saw red and lunged for Marcus, clearing his desk and landing on the other side. But Marcus was quick and slid to the side, dodging the tip of the dagger and laughing as Trez righted himself. “You have much to learn, pup.” Treznor eyed Marcus, walking towards him slowly, pushing him back. He watched as Marcus’s weight shifted and waited for the right moment to make another move. As Marcus shifted his weight to one leg, Treznor dropped and slid under him to kick his supporting leg out. Marcus hit the floor with a grunt and Treznor lunged with the dagger, narrowly missing Marcus’s leg.

Marcus leapt to his feet, brushing off his suit and smiling with amusement at Trez. His eyes took on a sudden intensity as he threw out a hand and mumbled just one word, “Athrú!” Treznor felt a burning in his body that he hadn’t felt since he came back. He watched the other man as a red haze came down over his eyes. He was shifting, he could feel his bones cracking to accommodate his new form. But his desire and determination to end Marcus tonight overcame him. 

With a fierce cry, Treznor pushed back the change. His eyes still only saw red and he was using every bit of mental energy to keep his body from changing. Gripping the dagger in his hand, he threw himself at Marcus, using his force to slip the dagger between his ribs. “Go back to hell where you belong, you son of a bitch!” Marcus gripped Treznor’s hand that held the dagger, his breath coming out in shallow gasps. Yet still he smiled.

“You’ll be seeing me again soon...hellhound,” Marcus said as the light left his eyes. In slow swirls, his body became smoke. As his form dissipated, Treznor could swear he heard his laughter echoing throughout the room. Looking down at the bloodied knife, he frowned. That had been much easier than he’d expected. And what had he meant by hellhound? Shaking the thoughts from his mind, he shifted into his black wolf and made his way out of the now empty mansion. As he ran through the woods to get back to Atheona and John, he didn’t notice his red eyes or the flaming pawprints he left in his wake.