Ashes of the Dead

The wind blows against my cheek. My black hair whips around and hits my eyes. I cough and wipe my nose with my fist. The rain starts to fall from the sky and I tighten my jacket around me and keep walking through the dark forest. I see that small light. I almost smile but my teeth are chattering so hard I can’t. I hear their voices. I walk a little bit faster and the wind picks up.

I finally reach them. Aiden, Kingston, and Andres are all standing in the middle of the circle of trees. The small blue fire is glowing dimly. I bow my head as a greeting and put my hands behind my back. The fire gets stronger and bigger. I stare up at the clouds and take a deep breath. I look at Kingston and nod. He picks up the girl from the muddy ground and takes the bag off her head. She gasps and starts to scream. Then she sees me. She stops screaming and stares into my eyes pleading for help. I shake my head and stare into the fire.

“Duke?”

I look up as Aiden says my name.

“What is it?” I ask sadly.

“Are you okay?” He asks concerned.

I nod.

“Yeah…just…” I look up into the cloud and rain pelts my face. “Hurry up. They’re coming for her.”

I look at Kingston and he lowers the girl into the blue flames. She cries out so loud that I have to look away. Aiden is suddenly next to me and her touches my arm. I jerk away and stare at the burning werewolf. She cries out for me and I take a step away from her.

Andres crouches down next to the fire and inhales the black smoke that’s becoming of the girl. His lips part and his fangs slide out of his mouth. Andres takes the girls hand and licks her index finger tip. She jerks her hand away and cries out for me again.

“Please! Duke!” She begs.

I wipe the rain from my eyes and look up at Kingston. He nods and takes the container that is filled with gasoline in his hands. Kingston dumps the gasoline on to her body and suddenly all that is left of her is the burning ashes that are in the fire. Andres takes a deep breath and looks at the ashes wantingly.

He looks up at me with questioning eyes.

“Go ahead.” I nod once.

Andres launches at the ashes and he licks them up. I do have to say, he truly looks like a demon while doing this.

He smiles once he’s done and stands back up. His jeans are muddy and his hair is sticking to his forehead and cheek. Ashes are smeared across his left cheek. I look at Kingston.

“Do you hear them?” I ask.

He nods.

“Less then a mile away sir. Should we be going?”

But it is too late. The werewolves have found us. I smile and turn around slowly.

“What took you guys so long?” I ask while shoving my hands into my jacket pockets.

I keep a smirk plastered to my face.

“Where the hell is she?” Pike asks angrily.

He’s the pack’s leader. He’s taken many, many things from me. I have finally taken something that was absolutely priceless from him.

“Why, who ever do you mean?” I ask innocently.

“You know damn well who I mean!?” He yells as thunder shakes the ground.

“Pike, I wouldn’t know where your whore was even if I liked to know your business.”

The entire pack freezes as I call Pike’s pregnant wife a whore.

“You don’t know what the hell you are talking about Duke!” He screams.

He tail is sticking straight up and the hair on his back is as well.

I smile and turn to the boys.

“Let’s go.” I say and start to walk away.

Pike notices the ashes on Andres’ cheek. He gasps and starts to snarl.

“Now Pike,” I turn my head slightly to the side. “This is your own fault. You should have taken better care of her and…” I start to walk again. “You should have left Lila alone.”