Feathers (24 page)

             
I was about to say something back when we both heard loud screams.  They were almost ear piercing, and chilled both of us to the bone.  “That’s…” I started, but couldn’t make myself finish.

             
Raziel took a deep breath, and like me, he didn’t dare to turn around.  “There’s nothing we can do right now.” He whispered.

             
“But she’s…” I whispered back.

             
“There’s nothing we can do.” Raziel repeated.  The pain was there, but he was also telling the truth.

             
However, just as quickly, I felt myself suddenly being jolted back.  And the next thing I knew, there was something sharp to my throat.  Raziel turned quickly to help me, but ended up standing perfectly still as he stared at the one holding me.  I could hear Flint at my ear.  “Leaving so soon, are we?  Now that isn’t very polite.” He said.

             
“Let her go.” Raziel said evenly, though I could hear under his voice that he was shaking now.  With this sharpness at my throat, I knew that he couldn’t really make a move without me being harmed.

             
“Bold words from one who rode right into my trap.  True, I wasn’t quite expecting to catch you two, but you’re serving my purposes nicely.  And I cannot let you leave until the half breed shows up.  After all, what better bait is there then the one he cares so deeply for?” Flint told him.

             
“What did you do to my mother?” I managed to ask.  It was kind of hard though with that blade pressed to my neck.

             
“You’d really want to know?  I didn’t think you were one for mental torture.” Flint noted.

             
“You know he’ll kill you now.  There’s more then enough for us to go after you.” Raziel warned him.

             
Flint just chuckled though.  “I told you before, I have no fear of Nephilims.  Besides, the one I want is already here.” He said.

             
At that, Sean quietly stepped out of the far shadows.  “I figured you’d catch my scent fairly quickly.  I’m here now, so let her go.” He ordered.

             
I watched as he walked over by Raziel.  “Took you long enough.” Raziel muttered.

             
“Sorry, but finding a fox’s den isn’t always that easy.  Although he left us enough clues for it.  Honestly Flint, if you wanted me so badly, why go after so many innocents?  You’ve left yourself open to death if you manage to kill me now.  First you kidnap the two Nephilims, then you murder the wife of another.  I’m beginning to think they told the truth of insanity with you.” Sean said.

But Flint didn
’t seem fazed.  “Say what you will.  But you know you can’t face me without risk either.  I’ve been waiting for nearly eighteen years for this moment.  And I certainly don’t intend for you to walk away from this den.  It’s going to be your grave.” he said.

             
“Very well then.  But let Mia go.  This fight is between us.” Sean told him.

             
I gasped as I was suddenly pushed forward.  Sean easily caught me and handed me to Raziel.  “Keep back.  You don’t want to be in the middle of one of these fights.” he warned us.

             
“You sure about this Fox?  You know you might be outmatched.” Raziel said.

             
“I know. But this is something I have to do.  I’m not losing anymore now.” Sean replied.

             
I really wanted to say something to stop him, but I think I knew it wouldn’t do me any good.  Sean had made up his mind.  And also, I knew in my heart that this fight was inevitable in the end.  Flint had laid the cards out for it, and Sean wasn’t going to stand by and watch the people he’d come to care for get hurt because he felt he was being a coward.  And, if I was completely honest about all of it, I wanted to see him get rid of Flint now.  Flint had apparently just killed my mother.  And no matter what had happened in the past, it still hurt to lose her like that.

             
Flint seemed to regard him quietly as Sean stepped up to about a foot from him.  “Interesting to actually get to see you in person.  I can say that one now.  You don’t look anything like our father.” He commented.

             
“So I’ve noticed.  However, there is something I want to know from you before this starts.” Sean requested.

             
“Very well.  I suppose I can grant a dying wish.” Flint conceded.

             
“Why did you target Missy Renaldi so early on?  Were you that aware of my interest in her daughter from the beginning?” Sean asked him.

             
Flint shrugged.  “Of course not. That was just a stroke of luck that her child turned out to be the same one you picked as a mate.  The woman was more to just bide my time away with until I got bored of her.  However, she did prove more useful in the end.  Now, if you’re done with the questions, why don’t you show your true colors?” he said.  With that, he suddenly changed.  But it was only his ears, eyes, and his having a tail now.  His ears turned to those of a fox, and his eyes turned completely golden.  I was immediately reminded of my encounter with Sean that first time when I broke him.  All I had remembered for a long time after was those eyes, but now I also recalled the ears and tail appearing as well.

             
Sean sighed, pulling off the silver chain he wore on his wrist and changing himself to the same.  Silver ears and a tail, along with golden eyes.  I suppose it was only then that I recalled him talking about it before.  That chain he wore was what he called a Limitor.  Apparently, it held back his powers enough to allow him to appear normal.  “It seems my hand in much of this is forced, isn’t it?” he said quietly.

             
“And this is the proof of the abomination you are.  Without suppressing things, you’d always look like this.  You’d be nothing more then a freak of nature to those humans.” Flint told him.

             
“That is true.  I’ve seen myself as nothing more then an abomination for much of my life.  However, I believe I am learning now that perhaps everyone is born for a reason as well.  And if I have to face you down to protect that reason, then I will.  Trust me Flint, you may have just found yourself in over your head.” Sean replied.

             
“We’d better move.” I heard Raziel say in my head.

             
The two of us quickly flew up to a nearby ledge.  It seemed it was just in time too.  Flint and Sean were ready to begin their death match.  Honestly, I hadn’t really thought of what these foxes could do up until I was seeing it.  They could make weapons out of anything.  And Flint also had something extra.  He could create fire.  I suppose it was a good thing that Sean had a good head on his shoulders.  If he hadn’t been able to make a shield, he probably would’ve been burned into nothing.

             
As we watched though, the two of us became aware of other presences.  Looking across, we saw that Michael and Raphael had come there as well.  I had the feeling they were more then happy to see us too.  “Thank God you two are safe.” Michael said as he hugged me.

             
“How’d you find this?  I’m taking it you didn’t get a chance to follow Sean.” Raziel said.  Leave it to him to notice such a thing.

             
“Let’s just say we ended up with a bit of help.  But it looks like the real fight’s just beginning between those two.” Raphael noted, looking back down at the two foxes.

             
“Do you really think he stands any chance against a full blood?” Michael asked him.

             
“I couldn’t say.  I’ve only heard the stories of these foxes fighting for various reasons.  And never a full and a half breed.  However, if beating a Mantis is any indication, there might be a slight chance for him.” Raphael admitted.

             
“Isn’t there anything we can do?  We can’t just let him kill him.” I whispered.

             
“It’s your choice Michael.  You could go after him yourself now.” Raphael said.

             
“Not yet.  I don’t intend on that unless I have to.  I’d like to see Sean prove himself now by getting rid of him.” Michael said.

             
At that time, I didn’t quite understand why he’d say such a thing.  But now, I do.  Michael wanted to see just what Sean was made of.  And if he really wanted to be part of our family, he had to prove he could protect me.  And that included killing the one who had tried to harm me.

             
“Enough games.  I’m done playing with a half breed.” Flint suddenly said.

             
As we watched, he transformed himself into a full fox once again.  And once again, he seemed very intimidating.  The size of a large man, he looked at Sean with his hackles raised.  But Sean wasn’t backing down either.  Instead, he transformed as well.  He was a bit smaller then Flint, but no less intimidating either.  Both growled for a moment before going after each other.  I really didn’t want to watch this, but found that I had to.  I just couldn’t bare to think if anything happened that I’d missed it.

             
To my surprise though, it looked like Sean had more of the upper hand.  Throwing Flint back against one of the den walls, he stood there for a moment before speaking.  “I don’t want to kill anymore Flint.  So just leave now and crawl back to your hole in the Realms.” He ordered.

             
“What the hell are you doing?  You can’t just let him go!” Raziel yelled.

             
“Should we be willing to accept that much?” Raphael mused.

             
“As much as I’d love seeing that fox dead right now, I could honor it.  If he came back, then it would be another story.” Michael admitted.

             
I found myself agreeing.  Enough blood had been spilled over this.  If Flint limped away with his wounded pride, that would be enough for me.  Even if he was a monster, I just couldn’t make myself want to kill another living thing.

             
Flint just chuckled though as he pulled himself up.  He was limping a little, but certainly not willing to give up.  “You’ve been tamed.  I can feel it in your bite.  You allowed that little Nephilim to break you, to make you a servant.  And it made you soft.” He told him.

             
“You make it sound like it was a bad thing.” Sean noted in an almost matter of fact tone.

             
“A tame fox is worth nothing.  Allow me to prove this fact to you.” Flint said.

             
To my surprise, several spikes suddenly came up from the ground.  Sean let out a loud whimper and fell to the ground where one ran through his leg.  “Sean?!” I heard myself say.

             
Flint chuckled as he limped over to him.  As he moved, he seemed to be getting more steady though.  Not good at all.  “You still have instincts and your tough fox ways, however, you aren’t a match for an elder.” He told him.

             
“Enough is enough.” I heard my dad say.

             
But before he could really move, Raphael stopped him.  “Wait.  Listen.” He said quietly.

             
Indeed, there were now sounds of something coming.  Two very large somethings.  As we watched, Flint looked up as well.  Sean turned his head and followed his gaze to the far entrance.  In it, two more large foxes came out.  One I recognized right away as Manake.  Completely black with many tails.  The other was very large, even larger then Flint and Sean, and silver in color.  Like Manake, he also had quite a few tails.  Counting them, I realized that there were nine.  This was another very old fox.

             
“Is that Musket?” Michael whispered.

             
“Looks like Manake managed to find him.  This could get very interesting now.  Let’s just hope he’s on our side.” Raphael said.

             
“Who is he?” Raziel asked.

             
“Sage’s brother.  Sean’s uncle.” I whispered.

             
“You’ve got to be kidding.  A fox that old showing up?” Raziel said in quiet disbelief.

             
Flint backed up a step or two as they moved closer.  “So, you actually decided to come this time.” He said.  He didn’t sound too happy over seeing either of them.

             
“Flint, you realize this grudge match has always been your doing.  But you’re foolish as well to think that I would not look for you now, after what you’ve done before.” The silver fox, Musket, said.  He had a very deep, commanding voice.  It definitely felt like it showed his age.

             
“And you were all too willing to bring him, weren’t you Manake?  You’ve always been good at being a second to this den of foxes.” Flint said.

             
“Actually, this was not exactly my doing this time, though I did set out to find him.” Manake admitted.  He didn’t sound too worried about any of it though.