Avenging Blaze

This chapter is a work in progress. I just wanted to post it to give everyone something to read beyond the one complete chapter I added.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter Three: Political Opinion

Anarchiville was a bustling metropolis. The gate Lorcán and I entered through opened into a shopping district. Everywhere Lorcán and I looked we saw activity. To our right was a merchant selling produce, rather good produce judging by the price and crowd. To the left was a clothing bazaar that men and women alike flocked to, myself included. I was looking at a Shadow Web cloak when a man came up behind me.

“Why, hello there, little one. Are you lost?” he asked.

I just looked at him with a blank stare. This usually made people forget about my existence, but it didn’t work this time.

“Tell you what, why don’t you come with me and we’ll see about finding your parents. How does that sound?” he asked, a sly smile across his lips.

On instinct I pushed my mind out against his to scan his thoughts. I was more than a little offset by what I found.

‘This kid is gorgeous. I hope this isn’t the boy the Forsaken are looking for, because if he isn’t then I will keep him as a pet until I get bored with him and sell him.’

I took a step back, and bumped into Lorcán.

“Did you find something that you like, love?” he asked looking at the cloak in my hands.

“Yes, I did. I thought that it would look nice with that black tunic I have, but something smells wrong about it, what do you scent?” I asked, hoping Lorcán would understand my hidden message, which he did. He took in a small breath through his nose. He let out a small growl as one of his personal powers kicked in. Lorcán has the ability to smell intent, which is basically mind reading through scent.

“I would not suggest it,” he said in a quiet voice.

“Neither would I. These cloaks are notorious for tearing and they are so stuffy,” the mystery man said.

“I was talking to you,” Lorcán said as he grabbed the man’s throat and lifted him three feet off of the ground. “If you so much as look at my mate again I will kill you. Now, get lost before I change my mind about sparing you,” Lorcán warned as he dropped the man.

The man spontaneously ran as soon as he hit the ground. As soon as he was gone I looked up at Lorcán. He was looking at me with eyes absolutely full of concern. I smiled at him then leaned up on the tips of my toes and kissed him.

“Thank you for saving me. If you hadn’t shown up, I would have been forced to shift to my True Form in order to gather enough power for a spell,” I told him.

“Well then, let’s get to the castle, but first I am going to get you that cloak. We can keep it as a reminder of what happened today,” Lorcán decided.

We paid for the cloak and then we left for the castle. Lorcán carried me on his back due the thick crowds. When we reached Castle Aethius the captain of the guard came out to greet us.

“Prince Lorcán, allow me to humbly apologize for the actions of the Gate Guard. He takes his job very seriously, probably due to the fact that he was the youngest person to ever join the Guard. To make up for his actions, I will be your personal guard for the duration of your stay. My duties will also extend to your companion as well. If either of you have any questions before I show you to your rooms, please ask them now,” the guard said.

“Do you know who I am?” I asked.

“Yes I do, and I must say that it is good to see you again, nephew,” the guard replied.

“Nephew?” Lorcán asked, completely confused.

“I am Azrael’s uncle Tempest. I was exiled because I spoke out against Doom’s treatment of Azrael, and before you ask, yes I am a Purewere, but since I am an exile I am considered an Unboncal or Clanless one.”

My eyes turned a deep sapphire and filled with tears. I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around my uncle, giving him a hug full of pent up familial affection.

"Uncle," I said as I began to cry.

"Azrael, I am so sorry that I wasn't there for you. I tried multiple times to make my brother see the light and stop your mistreatment, but he wouldn't listen. To make it up to you, I will become the Captain of your Guard," Tempest promised in a tone that allowed no room for argument.

I wiped my nose on my sleeve, then grinned up at him.

"Okay," I said.

"Good, now I have one more thing to say. What you are doing to him isn't fair Azrael."

I was stunned. I thought no one could tell what was going on. None of the telepaths within the Lycanthropes had been able to sense what was happening inside my head.

"What do you mean Uncle?" I asked, playing innocent.

"Azrael, I can see if someone has an Alter, so stop playing innocent and undo the seals you placed on him, he is only a child after all," Tempest said in a stern voice.

"Exactly why I locked him away," I mumbled.

"Well, you're going to have to let him out, or else he will become unmanageable," Tempest warned.

"Okay then," I said as I drew in a deep breath.

I eliminated all of the seals I had locked my Alter behind, releasing him and allowing him to take control.

"Uncle!!!" I cried as I jumped up and latched on to his neck.

"Well, aren't you affectionate?" he asked as he pried me off of him.

"Yep!" I replied.

"So this is Azrael's Alter?" Lorcan asked.

"So it would seem. My guess is this one is his more childlike nature. Tell me little one, what is your name?" Tempest asked me.

"Puppy," I replied.

"Hello Puppy. What part of Azrael are you?" Tempest asked.

"Not just part, Puppy is Azrael too. Puppy is just more childlike," I said with a yawn.

"What's wrong? Are you tired?" Lorcan asked.

"Yep. You can have Azrael back now," I said as I switched control again.

I glared at my uncle.

"Wasn't that fun. Now if you'll excuse me I fell like hitting things, so I am going to go train. Coming Lor?" I ask as I walk down the hallway towards the Training Fields.

"Right behind you love," he replied.