Chapter 26: The Connection.

CALEB. 'Yes sir, the contractor has accepted the request. They resume work, Monday." 'Alright, we will converge later." I said, dropping the call. I rubbed my eyelids. Today has been nothing short of stress. I pressed the call button underneath my desk, signaling for Jessica to enter. She walked in smartly, dressed in a gray suit, white shirt and a similarly gray skirt that stopped just short of her knees. It reminded me of how Helena admired office work. 'I'm leaving the office early today. You and Harold should lock up early too. Grab a drink or something." I said the moment she walked in. I got up from my seat, closing my laptop and adjusting my shirt. She shot me a puzzled look. 'Did I stutter?" She stiffened, arranging her thoughts before she replied, 'Um..no sir. Thank you." She bowed before leaving. I didn't mind her reaction, I was hard headed to a fault. Sometimes I felt like they worked a little too hard, but I never showed it. They all did. Maybe one day, I'd treat them all to a vacation. I stared at the ring in my hand, my mind drifting to long hidden memories. *Flashback….* 'Don't you dare!" Helena's voice echoed through the halls as I chased her with a water gun. Her laugh was magical, peaceful yet full of happiness, and I always wanted to hear it. I always wanted her to be happy. Her eyes were beautiful when she smiled, her voice carrying waves of music as she spoke. She was beautiful beyond comprehension. I watched as she ran, pretending to be too weak just so I could catch her. 'Oh you better run little wolf!" I roared playfully as I landed the first shot. Water splashed across her face and she screamed in glee. She produced another gun behind her and splashed it on my shirt in a surprise attack. 'Gotcha!" She laughed as she ran. I dropped the gun and chased her, grabbing her from behind. She stiffened, then giggled and tried to break free. I was trying to catch my breath, and I nipped her ear. 'You're so beautiful." I whispered. She stopped struggling and turned to face me. I buried my face in her neck, inhaling her sweet scent. I was addicted to this woman. So fucking addicted. *End of Flashback…. 'Sir? Are you there sir?" Jessica's voice snapped me out of my reverie. I took a minute to recollect my thoughts and faced her. 'What is it Jessica?" I sighed, running my hands through my hair. 'There's a man outside insisting on seeing you. Me and Harold tried to tell him to leave, but he's causing a scene." 'And what happened to security?" I snorted. It wasn't the first time idiots tried to barge into my office, 'insisting". 'He said his name is Marcus. He even threatened us if we dared touch him." She was visibly shaken, fidgeting with her skirt. I glanced at my phone, sure enough, there were 2 missed calls. Two fucking missed calls and he's causing a scene?! 'Bring him in." I said, getting up from the desk. She scurried out. A few seconds later, a very paranoid Marcus barged into my office, holding three envelopes. 'And what is wrong with you?" I asked. My alarm bells were already going off, and I didn't like it. 'I found the fucker. Don't worry, you're safe. I'm on the run from someone, so I can't spend much time here." He shoved me two of the three envelopes and tipped his hat. 'It was nice knowing you." He said, walking briskly out of my office. I sat there in a daze. Marcus….on the run? Who had he fucked with now? He had always been so tough. I'd worry about that later. I picked up the first envelope, examining its neat brown covering. There were two files inside, one containing names and addresses, and another one, with a letter. I opened the letter first, skimming my eyes over the small words. My heart dropped. I punched the table beside me so hard my knuckles hurt. Why is he here? AARON. Thane roared in my face, loudly, his breath filled with blood and consuming rage. His eyes glowed even brighter, and I could sense the magic in his hands flowing. It made my stomach churn. 'I cannot wait to finish you off." He sunk his teeth into my arm, draining the blood. A fresh surge of adrenaline flashed through my veins and I threw him backwards, clutching the arm. I took a moment to glance at it. Another bad gash. He lunged again, his teeth bare and his claws even sharper. I attacked back, spearing him with my uninjured shoulder. I grabbed his throat with my claws, sinking them in and grabbing as much flesh as I could, and ripping it out. He yelped, clutching it. It would be gone in a couple of minutes. If I could just land another attack… The atmosphere changed again. The faint purple light I had seen behind Thane earlier was gone, and the demon was materializing again. I recognized its eyes. It was the same one who saved me from Ryker earlier. The demon stealthily moved its slender fingers, waving it in the night air. The forest was eerily quiet, animals and birds scurrying for their dear lives. Thane paused, obviously sensing the shift in energy. He turned around, locking eyes with the demon and smirked. I shifted to a nearby tree, holding my injured arm. The blood was stopping now, and just like my throat, there was a huge gash. Thane laughed loudly. He wasn't in control of himself. Whatever it was that gave him the 'magic", was obviously the one taking over. No matter how strong a wolf was, we would never challenge a demon. They were too strong, and most times too ruthless. And this one was highly ranked. We were both fucked, if the real Thane was still inside there somewhere. The demon narrowed its eyes at Thane, before glancing at where I was. It moved towards him, and I heard a low voice. It was powerful, calm, stern and held so much authority at once. 'Thane." Its voice sent ripples through the air, causing some trees to crack, and bushes to lay flat. The call must've dragged Thane out of his crazed state, because he was now trembling slightly, avoiding the demon's gaze. It was still walking slowly towards him, and he was backing up against a long electric pole. ‘Run!', I was tempted to shout at him. But this idiot tried to kill me. I'd watch him die like his brother. The demon seized him by the throat, lifting him up from the ground. Strange determination burned in his eyes, and he fought back. He thrashed, clawed, bit, everything his werewolf form could do. I had expected to see some of his ‘magic' on display, but I guess it's only job was to heal wounds. Shrubs were wilting away quickly, and the demon's evil seeped into the forest floor. It was even making me nauseous. Thane's attacks were merely scratches to the demon. It dodged each attack, retaliating with sheer efficiency. 'You hunt the wrong prey, Thane, the one who killed your brother still exists in darker places than you can imagine." The demon spoke in between the combat. Thane's eyebrows shot up for a second, and he glanced at me, probably wishing he listened. I snarled. Thane's magic couldn't catch up, and soon, he was bleeding furiously. I watched in horror as the demon finished him off, ripping out his heart. My heart thudded painfully against my chest. My turn I guess? I closed my eyes, taking an oddly deep breath. My throat kicked at me, and I winced. I need to get out of here, if I didn't die first. The demon turned away from Thane's lifeless body, watching me with piercing eyes. I held the gaze, whether it be from fear, or curiosity , I couldn't look away. The lines that formed its mouth curved upwards, and I flinched. It moved towards me, and placed its long fingers on my shoulder and throat. I froze, glancing down at its arm. Demons' essences were almost invisible, and only occasional ripples formed the outline of its body. A cold feeling washed over my body, and I noticed the gaping wounds on my hand slowly knit together. It was healing me. I glanced up at its eyes. Strange warmth. My heart thudded faster. The heck is going on here? There were so many questions running through my mind, but I couldn't speak. I just stood there, where the demon crouched as it finished closing the rest of my wounds with its energy. Then, it got up and disappeared as mysteriously as it came. I sat on the forest floor, trying to put piece by piece together. Why did this demon protect me? There was no visible emotion in its eyes. No explanation. Nothing. This was all too crazy. Maybe Luna would know something about it? It was an unlikely call, but she seems to know everything. Or maybe I was somehow connected to it. Somehow. My mind drifted to Lunaville. That cursed place. Had they sent him after me?