Outside on the streets of New York City humans didn’t know about the war goiong on between supernatural races. They didn’t know about vamires and their bloodlined. They didn’t know about the varios therian packs around the world much less the types of therians there were – bears, lions, wolves and almost every predator known to man. Maybe even some not known. They didn’t know that dragons lived among them – as part of them. They didn’t know about the magic around them – the most fantastical world and they were blinded to it.
As we walked I thought about how it would be to not see this world. I looked to Alex who had barely touched on the surface when he’d come here at first, and now, he was one of us. Part of the bigger whole. I couldn’t imagine how hard it must be to join this world. But then again I can’t imagine not living in it my whole life either. I wondered how life would be different if I hadn’t become Cesari, if I didn’t spark out of fear and violence and I joined this world like a normal hunter’s child.
I would have had my brothers my whole life. I might have met Alex sooner. But there really was no point in thinking about what coulda been. I wouldn’t be here right now, in this moment if everything hadn’t happened to me in the past. And I was happy. Alex was by my side and we had a loving family. It might not be the type of family most American live for, or even any supernatural family but I was happy with mine. It had taken years to find it and make it mine. But it was now – mine. And I wasn’t going to let it go.
We didn’t have to walk far. The world outside completely oblivious to what was going on. The doors to the AU building were locked but that was a trivial thing. The AU building never closed so this was a precedence and it gave us a little hope that maybe there would be no collateral damage.
A man stood standing in front of Atlas and I sort of recognized the back of his head. I’d worked with him before. He’d been on my side before. “Lock the door.” I said to no one in particular.
“I just wanted to let you know, Nox. This isn’t personal.”
I laughed. “Killing me? Isn’t personal?”
Walker turned to look at me and saw the other two hovering close by but had let me walk towards the blonde. “Brought witnesses?”
“Something like that.” I said.
“You won’t make it to the council chamber.”
“I will.” I said.
“You have to go throuh me.” He said and drew a gun that pointed at my head. I stopped where I stood and frowned.
I really didn’t want to hurt Walker, “I don’t want to hurt you. But I will if you fire that gun at me.”
Like the word triggered his finger pull, the gun went off and I heared Alex gasp, but the bullet didn’t get far, it hung in mid air between the two of us. Stuck in a pillar of solid air. I walked up to the bullet and it fell into my hand as the air around it disolved into the gas that it was. I sighed, “Walker, didn’t you learn anything working with me?”
He looked at me with a sort of fear and then he turned his gun and fired at Alex. He knew my weakness. Ant pushed Alex out of the way and took the bullet in his left shoulder. He hissed and bared his fangs. The blood dripped from the wound and you could see the bullet working its way out if you cared to look.
Alex surprised me as I felt his mental blast. His emotions powered through the Venatori’s shield and Walker flew backwards.
I looked back at Alex with a smile his eyes were wide he hadn’t meant to do that. We all had a little bit of work to do. Raw power was nothing if you couldn’t reliably use it. Even I needed help.
Walker had tumbled over the barrier that separated Atlas from the rest of the lobby. He leaned against the base of the man and stared at us in fear. He lowered his gun again and fired at Alex. He was going to take what I most loved. And that was not going to happen.
The bullet stopped and I sent the projectile back at Walker. It didn’t miss as it sped through his shoulder with a howl to stick inside the statue behind him. My power was all around, it tickled my skin but it seemed to suffocate Walker as I walked slowly towards him. He wrapped his hand around his throat, the fear in his eyes was apparent and they only grew wider as I stepped closer.
“I don’t want to hurt you but if you try to kill Alex again, I will snap your neck like it was a twig.”
He raised the gun and aimed. He didn’t have time to pull the trigger, his head snapped at an awkward angle with a mere thought. Walker slumped to the ground and I looked up at the glass elevator several feet away. We could take the stairs but it would be a long fight up. And it could be a long ride up the elevator if every floor had another threat.
I pulled out my phone and called Sage. He picked up with a tired voice, “Yeah.”
“You still have access to the AU building?”
“Yeah.” He said.
“I need the Wicked Truth to make all the elevators an express from the bottom to the top only. No getting on or off until top or bottom.”
“Okay. That’s not a problem.” Sage sounded like he was getting out of bed and moved to his computer, which was in his basement which was unusual, but I didn’t ask then. I’d have to check on my best friend when this was done, “Alright, Nox. It’s done. I don’t know what you are doing but be safe.”
“I will do my best.” I said then hung up. Ant and Alex were already waiting by the elevator doors. When I joined them Ant pressed the button and stood in front of us – always the body guard.
The Mind of Nox 