"Enough!" The words echoed in the now silent cave, striking Parish's senses like a thunder bolt out of the midday blue sky. Was this the end? But why the hell was it not happening, why was he not shape shifting. He was one of them, and everyone knew that. His gaze shifted to the elder meeting with those cold blue eyes that he so much despised. He knew that it was Zed's father ambition to have him dead, and now was just the right time. Would they even believe him would he say he was a god. Parish imagined all sorts of reactions from them at the mention of that and concluded it was just not the right thing.
"Your time is over now." Zed's father spoke, an evil smirk plastered on his wrinkled face. Parish let his gaze settle on this callous man. His face was wrinkled with a purplish complexion. His hair was jet black just like Zed's, and his hind limbs a mix of silver and shiny black. Every female would die to mate with such a colorful snakeman. But again, his face was not the likeable type. He had a long sharp nose and a bushy moustache that looked unkempt.
"Are you done looking at me?" He asked raising a brow. He snorted at Parish who never blinked for once.
"Father? Give him some more time…"
"Enough son. Weren't you the one who came up with this idea?" Zed stiffened at that. He would sure be the cause of Parish's death would something bad happen to him. He would never forgive himself. Parish and he had been friends since they were toddlers, learning to crawl under the harsh and uncertain circumstances. They had gone through much together but Parish had gone through the worst. He was not just going to let him die because of his own stupidity. He should have known better that this wouldn't work.
But why had he taken the risk? God! He cursed for the nth time. He was hoping that parish would shape shift and get accepted in the community that he so much yearned to be part of, all thanks to his callous father.
"Now you step out of it." And turning to two of the men besides him, "get him and have him executed…here!" The crowd cheered at that.
"Kill him! Kill the traitor!" They chanted. Zed watched the whole situation both in surprise and confusion. Everything was happening so fast and he had to act now if he wanted to save Parish some trouble. The two men were already slithering towards where Parish stood as the chanting from the crowd continued. Mike's condition was no good either. His heart was racing erratically like a wild stallion, each passing second proving to be a hell of a ride to him.
"Do something Zed. Save Parish! He's gonna die! Your father is serious about this," he said without taking a breath.
"What now Mike? It was a deal done and closed. I'm afraid there's nothing I can do." He shook his head in regret.
"What the hell are you saying? You were the one who brought about this…and you're saying there's nothing you can do? I won't forgive you if something bad happens to Parish, ever!"
"What do you want me to do. I can't defy Father's orders. I'll be termed a traitor as well."
"Can you hear yourself talking? Fuck off Zed. I can go to great lengths, even if it means dying together with Parish. Please do something before it's too late!"
"I'm sorry!" Zed said, no hint of emotion clear on his face. Not that he didn't want to save Parish. Hell no! The thought of losing his friend alone was a stab in the heart. What he didn't want was to defy his father's orders. He didn't want to be kicked out and be a rogue like Parish was.
"Really? You're just going to stand there and watch as your friend…our friend is being killed?"
"I'm sorry but there's nothing I can do about it."
Parish, who was now being dragged to the center most part of the cave, could hear everything due to the heightened sense. A wry smile formed on his face when he thought of Zed. He could have known better than anyone else… Damn it! Like father like son, two power hungry men. He should have seen this coming. Not that he liked Zed in the first place. He was always cautious around him; a lion in the midst of sheep, lying low while waiting for the perfect time to pounce on its prey. That was in line with Zed.
"Hell I won't!" Mike said before he sprinted towards the direction where Parish was now kneeling on the cold rocky ground. They were already treating him like a criminal!
"Mike wait…" Zed tried to stop him but it was already too late. Everyone's attention shifted to a running Mike who circled Parish protectively, hissing at the two guards.
"And what do you think you are doing Mike?" Zed's father asked slithering closer to the scene.
"I can't let you kill my friend. Over my dead body! You better fuck off before I inflict injuries on your men." Everyone laughed hysterically at that. Mike looked way younger to even kill a fly let alone a fellow clansman.
"Fuck off now before I snap your neck," Zed's father said, his smile now fading to a menacing look.
"No, I won't. I won't let you harm my friend. He's innocent. "
"And why do you think so?"
"Because….Errr… He never consented to the challenge in the first place. It was his idea," he said pointing at Zed. "You're a leader and you know the rules, right?" Mike asked in a high voice. Everyone began murmuring.
'Now this is not good' The elder thought. He shot a quick glance at Zed making Mike crease his brows. Had they conspired to kill Parish? Hell yes! Why was he so blind to see this. He should have known better that Zed wanted to remain in power after his father, and Parish was the only person who would stand on his way.