Passing the border, the Scottish green hills rolled in various slopes, stretching endlessly. That’s one of the reasons why my mom and I moved to the UK, because of the lush landscape, and of course, Scotland continued all of that magnificent, and magical, beauty. Mother nature blessed us with calm weather, the sky was clear, except for minor-to-mild haziness. Driving down the road swerving occasionally, Marxus passed farmers escorting their farm stock of cattle and sheep across the road, receiving waves in greeting.
However, after two hours, out of nowhere, came clusters of dark clouds, deciding to gather, causing mischief. Sprinkling at first, it quickly became a torrential downpour to the point where Marxus suggested we pull over, waiting until it ceased.
The rain lasted for another good two hours, delaying the time of arrival to Marxus’ desired destination, and whenever questions were asked, he vaguely dismissed them, turning in his seat, gazing through the ran splattered window.
Remaining in the van playing cards, listening to music, even sharing jokes and memories, it passed the time.
Thomas watched as Marxus kept glancing at his watch, while glancing at the empty road several times.
“Marxus, are you all right?” he inquired.
“Yes, Thomas…thank you.” he answered, then turned around, studying all of the curious that looked at him once he called for their attentions forward, “Because of the rain, I don’t want mud and water splashing up into the booster engine, so we’re going to drive the rest of the way, so just fair warning before hand, things could get a little bumpy.”
“But if it’s a hovercraft, can’t you just…I don’t know, hover high above the mud and water?” Sarah mumbled insipidly.
“Didn’t you hear what I just said?!” Marxus groaned, “Water and mud will splash upward from the force of the boosters, it doesn’t matter how high we are from the ground. Make sense, little girl?!” he grew tired of her complaints.
“Oi, that’s my sister!” Nathan growled, flashing a yellow eyed gaze toward the Immortal, “Don’t talk to her like that, yeah?!”
“I can speak to her, however I see fit, especially since she is the one doing most, if not, all of the complaining with stupid comments and questions!” Marxus fumed.
Sarah said nothing, leering at him. Shifting in her seat toward the window, she sniffled slightly, having her feelings stomped on.
“Fine, whatever, but I don’t know we have to be here, since it seems to be all about HER!” Sarah finished, pointing over the seat behind her.
“Exactly.” Nathan added, “None of you like me, so what the bloody hell am I here for?!”
Squeezing the wheel in tight grip, remaining silent, Marxus wanted to lose his elegant composure, releasing his Spaniard temper. Turning on the engine, he steered the craft back onto the road, following it briefly he veered off road, passing over puddles and large potholes; loud complaints and grunts were heard in the back seats from the constant jerking of the tires maneuvering over the uneven landscape.
Time passed.
Jonathan couldn’t stand the silence anymore, because all of the thoughts from his companions were screaming loudly on all sorts of things, but mostly on where the hell Marxus was taking all of them.
“Marxus, can you put a radio on or something?” he asked, “It is way too quiet back here.”
“Agreed.” I added, “Music please?”
Marxus said nothing, glancing at the dashboard where the time of 4:30pm could be read, and turning on the radio, music played classical tunes.
“Bloody hell, seriously?” Nathan complained, “Is that all?” he plugged his ears.
“You wanted music, there it is!” Marxus groaned, “And if you don’t like it, don’t listen to it, but we’ll be stopping soon and once we do, you can listen to whatever f*cking music you like, all right?!” he grew impatient, “There’s a campsite ahead, one where we can rest before venturing any further and if…” he sighed heavily, “I remember correctly, there’s a vendor where you can purchase snacks, hot dogs, sandwiches and drinks, as well as rest for a couple of hours.”
“Does the vendor have liquor, because I think we all need it!” Nathan growled truthfully.
“He’s not wrong there.” Thomas looked at Marxus.
“No, perhaps he isn’t.” Marxus frowned.
“I didn’t know you could purchase rest, unless we’re staying at a hotel or campground with a shower?” I added softly with humor.
“My thoughts exactly.” Erik complained, “I’m…” he gulped, “beginning to smell too much like wet dogs.” he leered over at Anthony, then glanced at Jonathan who shook his head.
“Oh yeah?” Anthony barked, “Well, I’m beginning to smell too much like Demons and sulfur.”
“Um, I’m part Demon, so does that include me?” I rasped, as I looked at him.
“Not at all.” Anthony reassured, “If anything, your floral and sweet scent is the perfect balance.”
I didn’t know what to do, but smile, unsure how to take that.
“No hotels, or campgrounds. We’ll be stopping over there, at that abandoned warehouse or barn in the distance!” Marxus gestured off road, “It should provide enough cover until this rain ceases.”
“A barn?!” Sarah raged, “Where there’s animal sh*t just about everywhere, and smelly beasts?! I’d rather stand in the bloody rain, if that’s the case!” she finished, looking around, hoping to get some support.
“Then stand in the ran, because that’s the case.” Marxus said bluntly, “And I can certainly make sure that arrangement is met.”
Everyone remained silent, because Marxus had nailed the last nail in Sarah’s coffin.
“Besides, Sarah…” I leaned in over the seat in front of me, “if you’re related to a smelly beast, it shouldn’t be problem. And it’s not because he’s your brother either.”
Turning in her seat, leering at her, Sarah said nothing.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about…” Nathan added as he turned in his seat, “so zip it, half-breed.”
“Bite me, teen wolf!” I snapped, “And yes, I’m a half-breed but I’d rather be that, than a spoiled little…” I paused, continuing in Spanish; words that unsettled Marxus greatly, “perra que se folla a su propio hermano!”
“Yzavela!” Marxus’ voice boomed loudly, silencing everyone in their seats,“You and I are going to have a discussion later, about things you don’t understand!” he continued, making the telepathic connection to her mind.
“Marxus, come on, it doesn’t take a village idiot to see that’s what’s happening, so perhaps you’re a little too blind!” I said, “If only you would listen to their thoughts, instead of always mine!”
“Just remember, Little One…be mindful who you’re speaking to!” Marxus declared verbally.
“And who would that be?” I leaned forward, gripping the seat in front of me, “The Immortal version of you, or the Demon?” I put him in his place.
Erik, Jonathan and Anthony exchanged expressions, knowing they too had encounters with the two versions of him. They knew though, there were Demons capable of shape-shifting, but wondered why they’d shift into Marxus, especially now?
Marxus sighed heavily then, without warning, he drove off the road across the landscape, listening as everyone let out a series of complaints, sliding sideways in their seats. Avoiding a series of large puddles or potholes, he approached closer to an old barn that was still intact with its doors broken from their hinges, and nearby, a few feet away, was a house in the beginning stages of collapsing within itself. Slowly pulling in through the doors, Marxus parked.
Climbing out, everyone examined ten of the abandoned stalls with broken doors and old bales of hay in the heaves, with old straw spewed all over the wet ground. From the roof through large gaping holes, rain poured creating puddles splashing in loud trickles, but overlooking that, the barn provided enough shelter for the night, with a somewhat dry area to rest to set up camp.
Four hours, we stretched our legs, taking advantage of the coverage we had. Thomas walked over with Anthony, talking about the craft and its engine, agreeing that it needed rest due to the cold, damp weather that could damage the delicate boosters and batteries. Nodding agreeably, Marxus turned to the others, announcing that they’d camp for the night for the unsightly dark clouds rolling in, brought more storms to the area. He was surprised when he received no complaints. As he turned to Thomas and Anthony, the Italian brother offered a shrug then turned to the craft, refueling the diesel engine. To make the environment a little more comfortable, warmer, and less unsettling, Marxus waved his hands creating several iron braziers that appeared in a drier area of the barn, away from dry wood and hay.
It gets better; Sarah and I needed to use the bathroom.
Unlike men, we couldn’t just go anywhere, and since the old house was out of the question, Sarah discovered an outhouse behind the barn, a little out of sight from the men. It wasn’t pleasant on the outside, so we didn’t want to imagine what it was like inside. I tried holding the large umbrellas above us, and as Sarah reached out for the door, she barely touched the handle before it completely fell onto the wet, muddy ground, splashing water on our boots and pants. Veering inside?
Oh good god! There were old spider webs EVERYWHERE with god only knows what growing, and SWIMMING inside the filthy, and sh*t stained toilet.
She and I looked at each other, mumbling simultaneously.
“Bush?” then we glanced at the toilet as something bubbled, “BUSH!” we nodded, scampering away.
Discovering a secluded area, near ruins of a stone wall, both of us ducked and squatted behind it out of view; Zanzabarr stood watch like a sentinel, making sure there no one dared to invade on our privacy. That’s one experience I never wish to repeat EVER again, as the grass tickled my legs and butt, and it was even more difficulty trying to hold the umbrella and manage the rest. Thankfully, we had napkins in our bags, that we tucked under nearby boulders, then afterwards, she and I returned to the barn.
“Everything come out all right?” Nathan remarked, watching as the two women shook out their umbrellas. Leaning against the door frame, he gave them a once over in a sexual manner, “I can take both of you up into the eaves to keep your warm, if your cold and shivering, if you’d like?”
“Aren’t you forgetting something, Nathan?” I mocked.
“What’s that, half-breed?” he looked at her smugly.
“There are two women here, one of which is your sister.”
Clearing his throat, realizing his mistake, he quickly tried to correct himself.
“Right, right, well I meant…”
“Oh, piss off brother!” Sarah scolded, pushing past him.
“Well, if you change your mind?” Nathan looked back at the young half-breed, “I have a higher body temperature, being a Lycynian and all, so I’ll be here if, like I said, you change your mind.” he grinned.
“F*ck off, Nathan.” Anthony approached, “Leave her be.”
“No one asked you!” Nathan growled at the Italian.
“Enough!” I stood between the two bickering men. Looking at Nathan I steamed quickly, “I’m good.” then I glanced up at Anthony, placing a hand on his chest, “I’m fine, thank you.” I offered a quick smile then backed away, growing tired of their masculine, macho-sh*t back and forth. Returning to the van, I sat on the seat, watching as Zanzabarr twisted and jumped around in circles, catching the droplets of water. Growing a wide, affectionate smile, he looked just like a puppy, which in my eyes, he was. As the wolf ran around, barking and letting out brief howls, I remembered the day I found him back in the Great City, three years ago this day, actually:
My mom and I ventured into the Great City for the outdoor markets that opened for the season, selling fruits and freshly backed bread. As we parted ways, Lady D going one direction for fruits and vegetables, while I shopped for fresh breads and meats, I placed a few loaves and a wrapped roast in my basket. Passing by an alley, I heard voices laughing and hollering out over the chorus of vendors calling out their products to all of the potential buyers. Veering around one of the table, slowly I approached the scene.
“Ha-ha, look at it, it’s trying to run!” the voice taunted, “Run, run little dog RUUUUNNNNN!”
Quietly coming up behind them, there were six fat boys with their backs facing me, throwing rocks at a little of six, 20 day old wolf-mix puppies with their red, white, gray and black furs dull from the lighting.
“Hey!” I shouted, startling them suddenly. Quickly dropping my loaded basket, pushing them out of the way, I steamed in a faint Aura, burning their bare arms, “Get out of here, you little sh*ts before I roast you here and now like the little piggies that you are!” I warned, as my Aura intensified. Taking a step toward, raising my fiery hands, the six boys ran off, cursing under their breaths, holding onto the burnt arms. Lowering my hands, making sure they were out of view, I turned my attention down toward the puppies. Sadly, five of them were already dead, but the sixth pup, with solid, sleek black fur and larger than the others, tried crawling away as I knelt down. Whining loudly, trying to let out faint howls, my eyes looked around for the mother, but she wasn’t anywhere in sight. Closing my eyes, I took a guess and figured she must have been killed, or caught, taken to the nearby shelter to be released, put down, or maybe she just abandoned them. They were defenseless, and when the helpless pup looked at me, it howled as if trying to communicate. Extinguishing my steam and Aura, I slowly reached out, whispering softly as I picked it up.
“Hey there…” I glanced between its legs, “it’s all right, boy. I won’t hurt you, what happened, huh?” I held him close to my chest, allowing him to feel my body heat and comfortable, but gentle embrace, “Shh, I’m not going to hurt you, shh…” it felt him trying to squiggle out of my hands. I knew he was scared, thinking I might harm him, so turning around, not thinking, I retrieved my basket, placing him inside to keep him safe. I was lucky the food inside were wrapped in bags or else they’d be soiled and ruined. Once closing the lid, I searched for rags or tarps to cover the bodies of the other pups, all I could find were old papers so it would have to do. Tucking their small, frail bodies aside, I stood, regretting not being here sooner to save their little lives. Hearing the pup’s whines from inside the basket, I turned, carrying it awkwardly then rushed down the alley, searching for my mom. Tracking her down by the fruit stand where she argued about the price of oranges and apples, I pulled her away, telling her what happened.
“What?!” Lady D’s eyes grew wide in shock.
“Yeah.” I held the basket closer, trying to support its weight, and after that, she fell in love with him so we took him home, bathed him and fed him, then as the months passed, he grew and bonded to me in ways I can’t describe, other than it was more than just a human-dog relationship. He was registered as my K-9 dog and then…the rest is history.
He was, and always has been, a very unusual dog. I mean, his loyalty and intelligence surpassed that of any normal canine, it was as if he were a mortal, trapped in the body of a dog, if that makes sense. He was larger too, than your average male wolf, with a lean frame and long legs. His piercing gold eyes contrasted beautifully with his short black fur and whenever I walked down the streets of the Great City, patrons steered far clear from me, as they were afraid of Zanzabarr, and let’s just say that I never got robbed.
After a while, everyone began feeling tense, so a workout was in play.
Nathan observed Erik, Marxus and Yzavela share a moment of laughter, watching Zanzabarr barks and jump around at the water dropping in the puddles. Not even something as innocent as an animal playing, enjoying himself, could cheer him up. Looking away in disgust, he sat smoking another lit cigarette which was dangerous because if the ashes caught on the hay, it could burn the entire structure and all of us, with it.
Marxus glanced in the young man’s direction, then excused himself. Approaching the backseat of the van, retrieving two swords, he then walked toward Nathan, tapping his shoulder with the tips of the blades.
“Get up.” Marxus demanded.
Glancing up, Nathan observed the Immortal standing there.
“Not now, Marxus. Leave me alone.” he turned away.
“All the more reason.” Marxus demanded once more, “Surely you can’t be miserable all of your life.”
“If I am, it’s my business.”
“As it is mine. Now get up…”
“Like what?!” Nathan leered up at him, “A stupid animal?! Pfft, no thanks.” he stood, “Tell me, what am I doing here, when I am hated by everyone here?!”
“You’re here because I don’t trust leaving you on the Isle by yourself, that is why!” Marxus argued, “Now take a sword…” he menacingly pressed the sword against his chest, “you and I are going to fight.”
Thinking momentarily with a frown, scrunching his mouth, he glared at Marxus, gripping the sword. Throwing the used cigarette to the ground in a puddle of mucky water, he turned to Marxus, nodding.
“Fine.” he walked away, taking a stance with the sword tight in hand, “You wanna fight, fine. Fight me!” he groaned deeply.
Erik and I, with Anthony and Thomas, Sarah and Jonathan, we all stood nearby watching as the two swordsmen engaged in fierce sword-play. None of us have ever seen Marxus fully in action with the sword, sparring or otherwise. We were in awe, of how swift and precise the Immortal was, and it didn’t matter how skilled Nathan was, the young man needed rest.
Catching his breath, he watched as Marxus stood calmly. As he lunged forward, catching the Immortal’s upper arm, due to an evasion on Marxus’ part, the blade cut clean through as if he were a hologram.
Looking closely, widening my eyes, I kept the observation to myself, then glanced at Thomas and Anthony who seemed to notice it themselves. Removing my glasses, I blinked several times, thinking maybe it was just my eyes.
“You okay?” Erik asked.
Raising my gaze, looking at him, I nodded with a smile, then as I placed my glasses back on, glancing back toward Marxus, he paused the sparring session, catching my gaze for he knew I, and the others, witnessed what occurred.
Telling Nathan he was finished, he turned walking away.
Nathan stood, panting heavily, tossing the sword at his feet. As he too, walked away, left the sword laying on the ground.
“That’s not the warrior’s way, throwing your weapon away.” Anthony stated, approaching the young man, picking it up, “You used it, you put it back!” he shoved it against the young man’s chest.
“Why,I I’m not the one who got the f*cking thing in the first place! Marxus did, why go f*ck yourself, pimp!” Nathan spat, pushing the blade away.
“I didn’t catch that, what was that?!” Anthony mocked.
“You heard me…pimp!” Nathan taunted, “I mean, that’s what you are, isn’t it? You get paid to have sex with women.” his blue eyes scanned Anthony up and down, “Gee, why didn’t I think of that, but wait, that’s not a pimp. You’re a prostitute!” he laughed loudly, looking around, “That’s even better, male f*cking prostitute!”
Anthony raged, lunging toward him, swinging a strong fist; it knocked Nathan backwards until he lost his footing, falling into one of the nearby muddy puddles, causing a violent and explosive splash. Taking steps toward him, cursing at him in Italian tongue, Anthony was interrupted as Thomas stepped in, pressing his hands against his chest, keeping from doing anything further to the young man.
“Anthony, no…” Thomas pleaded, looking into his brother’s eyes that were a bright yellow, “not here, not now, and not in front of the little ones.” he glanced toward the two women.
Letting out a deep growl, Anthony looked toward Sarah and Yzavela, seeing the surprise and shock on their innocent and young faces. Closing his eyes, grunting under his breath, he nodded, gripping his brother’s shoulders. Taking pride with elegance, he combed his fingers through his dark hair before adjusting his jacket. Clearing his throat, he walked around his brother, standing alongside Nathan, leering down at him.
“This isn’t over, fleabag.” he mocked.
“You bet…pretty boy.” Nathan barked, pushing himself from the ground, feeling mud soaking into his trousers and jacket.
Sarah rushed forward, following her brother as he stomped to the van, reaching for his bags inside for a clean pair of clothes. Hoping no one would notice, as they stood behind the doors, she inquired softly, watching as he undressed,
“Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.” he groaned, removing his shirt, revealing his buff, lean build.
“Nathan, I’m serious.” Sarah pleaded.
“And I said…I’m fine.” he looked at her, “But I could be a bit better.” he hinted.
“Nathan…” Sarah backed away, feeling nervous, “no.”
“Why not?!” he rasped, leaning in close, whispering in her ear.
Sarah closed her eyes, biting her lower lip, then quickly they jerked open, hearing Jonathan’s voice calling to her.
“You better go.” Nathan backed away, unbuckling his belt, “I think your lover is calling for you, don’t want to keep him.”
Shaking her head, Sarah felt torn.
Witnessing the entire encounter between the Brye siblings, in the back of my mind, I knew there was something a little unnatural between them, but I didn’t want to believe it, for Jonathan’s sake. It was the way she touched his touch and the soft stroke of his back, followed by the flirtatious sparkle in their blue eyes. As she turned, walking away, my suspicions were confirmed; Nathan turned, eyeing her up and down in a way that a normal brother wouldn’t do. It wasn’t my place to say anything so I turned away, forgetting about it, and before I could begin my sparring with Erik and Jonathan, Marxus walked over with a stern expression.
“Uh-oh.” I mumbled.
“We need to speak. Now.” he affirmed, “And I wasn’t asking.”
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