Chapter:- 2

Jonathan had kept his presence shielded as he watched-looking for an opportunity to strike but also assessing this woman . . . Allena who had apparently broken rank with the other wolf to come and rescue this girl. A girl who was not even her own.

The Vampire Prince could not talk much about her from this distance, only that her hair was dark, stuck to her face and scalp in places with blood-her own or a demon's, Jonathan didn't know. Allena was tall not more than him and powerfully built-the range and aim of her arrows was something to be admired.

Jonathan moved closer, stepping over the dead, ignoring the calls of despair that surrounded him. His eyes were on one person . . . One person who was now slowly moving away from the battle, protecting the girl and helping her to limp back away from the fight.

Well, that wouldn't do . . .

His fingers came up in a flourish, his thumb holding his middle finger in place before it flicked outward, sending a jolt of energy towards the girl. She let out a high-pitched yelp as it struck her side and she fell again, her fingers trembling as they clutched at the invisible wound.

"Nat!" Allena called turning around with wide eyes-eyes that missed the demon coming up behind her. She reached out to help her just as the poisoned blade sliced through the flesh and bone of her back.

The girl lurched forward, heedless of her own significant pain as the other wolf fell to the ground. Her hands trembled in the dirt, but her legs were unmoving. The demon was upon them, intent on finishing them off, but Jonathan needed only to finally reveal himself and give a short jut of his chin.

The demon turned without another sound and scampered off to kill someone else. The girl, Nat, was looking up at him, horror etched on her features. She moved to shield Allena, but the wolf woman grabbed her arm.

"Nat, run," she whispered, and Jonathan found the young woman's eyes were on him.

The girl was trying to pull on her-get her up again, but it was no use. The wound was deep, her spine probably severed. It was a wonder that she was still coherent enough to speak.

She shook her head, her voice catching with tears. "No Allena. I can't leave you-"

The girl was so focused on the other woman that she still hadn't even noticed Jonathan moving ever closer. A stupid girl that should have perished here today, but had instead lived with the sacrifice of a wolf woman. Why had this young woman entered the battle? Jonthan saw no regret in the woman's gaze-no fear or sadness-and that . . . that interested him.

Allena was looking at him, but her words were for the girl. "You-You need to run! That's a wizard, Nat- the wizard."

She finally seemed to realize that there was someone close behind her and she whirled around to face him again. He knew the picture he made standing there over her. Vampire Prince eyes glowing through the smoke and twisted black metal armor covering much of his body. His crowned helmet sported horns that curled up and back making him appear taller and infinitely more terrifying. He didn't really need armor, but he wore it anyway for occasions such as this. He enjoyed the way her throat bobbed as she tried to swallow past her own fear. She held up her trembling blade against him and his head tilted as he smiled down at her.

"You should listen to him, girl," he said placidly. "Runaway-run back to your people."

Spread my tale of fear and confusion into your ranks.

"No!" she said, her voice a bit firmer than he'd have credited her for. It was admirable . . . or perhaps incredibly stupid. He wasn't sure which as of yet. Jonathan waved a hand in a gesture, pointing towards Allena. The girl flinched expecting an attack and then seemed even more unsure when none was forthcoming.

"That girl is already lost to you," Jonathan said logically, his voice even. "She cannot walk and even now her blood stains the ground." The young woman was growing ashen as she steadily lost more blood. Nerves and tissues dying as the seconds ticked by. "She will be dead in moments . . . if I do not heal her."

It was not what he had intended to offer. He'd intended to kill the all the wolf's, but capturing one was just as good, if not a better option.

Allena reached out a trembling hand, brushing her fingers against the girl's hand with the last of her strength. "Please, Nat," she whispered, "get back to Oh . . ." Whatever she'd been about to say was lost as the wolf finally lost consciousness.

Nat turned again, showing her back to Jonathan as she tried to shake the other woman awake again. "Allena? Allena!" she called, her voice taking on a higher pitch towards the end. Her anxiety was clearly taking over her good sense. The wolf woman would be dead soon if not properly cared for.

Jonathan allowed a bit of his magic to flow from his fingers and into her lungs and body. She would be more susceptible to his words. "Even if you were to beat me, you could not carry her, and she would be dead long before you got her to safety."

She looked back up at him. "Why would you help her?"

Jonathan lips spread into a smile. "I'm not . . . nor am I helping you. Now. Go. I will not ask again."

She licked her lips, looking back at Win before letting out a strangled cry and getting back to her feet. She started running and didn't look back. Jonathan watched her for a second or two before looking back down at the broken and bleeding body of the wolf woman. The battle was beginning to weaken-hundreds dead on both sides, but he didn't care about any of that. He moved closer, eventually crouching down to get a better look. His finger ran over the soft skin of Allena face, and he smiled.

The Devil stood back up, his fingers making a sweeping motion as a portal opened below the woman. And just like that, Allena disappeared from the battlefield.

"No!" He heard from off to the side. Jonathan looked back and spotted a man running towards him. His dress identified him as another pure blood wolf-young like Allen, but not good as her. The man cut a large swath through the demons that separated them as Jonathan created another portal behind him. He allowed the man to get close enough to see his smug smile before stepping back and disappearing.

He heard the furious howl of the other man as it closed. He allowed himself a small chuckle before snapping his fingers.

"Air!" he called, as his eyes finally found the injured woman laid out on the cold stone floor of one of his spell rooms. The flow of her blood had slowed considerably from what it had been at the battle. She would be dead soon.

"Air!" he called again and within seconds she appeared.

Her eyes were wide as she caught sight of him. "You're back early. Usually, you like to revel in your victories a little longer."

It was a true enough statement that he did not dispute it. "Other matters take precedence," he said gesturing to the man on the ground.

Confusion warred with disgust as she took in the injured woman. "Is that a pure blood wolf, wait an Alpha woman?" she asked, the last word coming out in a strangled tone as though even saying the word would make her heave.

"Yes," he said simply.

Air looked at him again. "What is it doing here?" she asked with a raised brow.

"You are far more versed in the healing arts than I."

She understood what he was asking, but her confusion was still there. "Why?"

Jonathan shrugged. "She is a Pure and you said alpha too. I will get intel out of her before they have a chance to change their strategies and locations."

She looked dubious but nevertheless, she nodded and crouched down-moving her arms and hands, sweeping them over the hunter. He could see her struggling.

Her breathing was heavy with strain. "Some of her clan mark prevent my magic from working-I can't heal her completely until they fade."

He'd thought that might be a problem. Demons and wizards magic didn't mesh with another creature terribly well. "Do what you can to ensure that she sees tomorrow, then," Jonathan said. Many of the clan Mark would have faded by then. The Devil waved his hand, and the ground gave way to them, Air did not stop her spell as she landed gracefully on the ground while the alpha woman landed in the bed of one of his more nondescript guestrooms.