Sirius grabbed Regan's arms and covered her, eyeing the surroundings and the arrow warily. The snow where the arrow hit, turned green and smoky.
"It was poisoned," he murmured, his eyes never leaving the smoking snow. He tightened his grip on Regan's arm, "You're either going to stay inside the cabin and let me fight, or you're getting killed."
"What? No!" Regan snapped, her voice trembling with fear and anger, "I know how to fight."
"You're not going to fight," Sirius said, his voice final, "I would've killed them if you didn't jump in the sea." He pushed her behind in the cabin but a mocking voice interrupted them.
"Well, well, well. Look what the sea spat out. The demon and his little pet." It was the blond man and his battalion.
They had found them again. These bastards weren't giving up. Sirius wondered. How did they find them again? Did they put a tracker on Regan, or what? Or were they using some form of enchantment.
Regan's anger turned into furry and she jerked her arms away, stepping forward, "I'm not anyone's pet, you piece of shit!" she spat, her voice trembling with rage, "And you can tell Viggo to fuck off!"
Sirius tried to hide his amusement but failed, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"Prince Viggo sends his regards," the blond man sneered, drawing his sword. "Seize the girl!" he shouted to his men. But Regan reacted before they could do anything. She summoned a large burst of fire and sprawled it towards the men. But they dodged, seemingly prepared. Still, the fire created a huge fog that made it impossible to see what was happening, except to hear the shouts of the men. Regan felt Sirius grabbing and pulling her away, but she took advantage, twisting from his grip and dashing from the scene with a run.
Sirius cursed under his breath, but knew he couldn't afford to leave now. He had to get rid of these men before the fog cleared. His daggers were enchanted with fire and he sneaked closer to the men, their eyes still blurred by the fog. One by one, he slayed them, leaving them burning and screaming. The fog cleared and the blond man was untouched, his eyes darting for the girl.
"The girl's gone again, damnit!" he shouted, his voice dripping with frustration. He saw his men scattered in the ground, writhing in pain. The ones that weren't dead yet, anyway.
Sirius stepped out of the shadows, his hands still aflame. He killed them one by one and when he finally thought he was done, he focused on Regan's presence. It had faded away and he tried to summon the ember spell to track her down. However, in the middle of the spell, he felt a sharp pain in his shoulder. He turned and saw a dagger protruding from it. The blond man stood behind him, his face contorted with rage and spite.
"You think this would end that fast?" the man snorted.
Sirius's jaw clenched and he reached out to the dagger, pulling it out of his shoulder. Blood gushed out and he winced, but he didn't let it distract him.
"You think you've won?" he growled. "You haven't even begun." With a swift motion, he kicked the man's legs out from under him, sending him sprawling into the snow. Then, with the dagger still in hand, Sirius flipped it around and brought it down towards the man's chest.
But the leader was quicker than he anticipated, rolling out of the way and landing a blow to Sirius's injured shoulder. Sirius didn't flinch. He lunged again, this time using his fire to create a fiery ring around the man, trapping him. The leader's eyes widened in terror as the flames grew higher, his men's screams of agony still echoing in his ears.
"You're a monster," he managed to squeak.
"And so is your prince," Sirius sneered, stepping closer to the man and shoving him with his foot, the flames licking at his clothes.
He stepped away to let the man burn into the flames, but as soon as he did, he saw an archer hidden behind a tree aiming at him. The archer was clad in dark clothes, and only his white eyes without any iris or pupil were visible. Before he could release the string, the blond man, engulfed in flames hit the archer with a knife from the distance, and killed him. Sirius's attention snapped to the blond man, surprised by his act.
"Have mercy," the man begged, his eyes wide with terror as the flames grew closer.
Sirius's expression darkened with a mix of anger and disbelief. He stepped closer to the man, bringing the dagger on his throat. "Why the fuck did you do that?" he snarled.
"The arrow was poisoned," the man choked out, his voice strained against the flames, "They were going to kill you. Have mercy, please. I have a family"
"Mercy, huh? Mercy is for people who deserve it. And you," his grip on the dagger tightened, "you don't."
"I-I'll tell....tell you Viggo's secrets," the man croaked as the dagger pressed harder on his throat.
Sirius's eyes narrowed with a flicker of curiosity. He knew than man could be lying, after all he just stabbed him in the back. But the thought of gathering information was something he had always done.
"What secrets?"
"He....he has infiltrated one of your people. It's.... it's one within your ranks."
Sirius's mind raced, his grip tightening. It wasn't the first time he found traitors in his ranks and he knew Viggo was good at playing these games. "Who is he?"
"I don't know," the man coughed, flames lapping at his clothes. "I swear, I don't know."
With a growl, Sirius withdrew the dagger and grabbed the man's collar, bringing him on his feet, "Listen here, you little fucker," he hissed, his voice low and dangerous. "If you're lying to me, I'll make sure your death is slow and painful."
"I swear," the man squeaked, "he sent assassins after us. They're hunting you and the girl down, but they want you dead."
Another mass of arrows struck and Sirius created a shield, dragging the man inside the cabin, his mind racing with thoughts. The man could be useful, he thought, but he was alone and didn't have where to keep the man. Plus, he needed to find Regan as soon as he could. His heart raced with worry and he couldn't afford loose ends anymore.
"You're going to follow me," Sirius growled, pushing the man towards the cabin door. "And if you try anything, I won't hesitate to kill you."
The man stumbled but complied, fear evident in his eyes. Sirius found some strong ropes and tied the man's hands behind his back, ensuring he wouldn't try anything.
"What's your name?" he demanded, tightening the ropes harshly.
"D-Derek," the man stammered.
"Derek," Sirius repeated, his voice a menacing chill, "if you're lying to me, I'll have your head. Do you understand?"
Derek nodded frantically, his voice cracking, "I'm not lying, I-I swear."
"And why are you betraying Viggo?" Sirius questioned, his eyes piercing into Derek's soul, searching for deceit.
"I have....I have my reasons," Derek stuttered, his eyes flickering with a mix of fear and desperation.
Sirius's eyes narrowed as he studied Derek's trembling form. "Fine," he said finally, grabbing Derek and eyeing the surroundings warily from the small window, "You're coming with me."
****
Regan ran and ran for what felt like eternity and she finally stopped. She was far from them, now seemingly in a bright area of the city. The buildings were tall and covered with neon advertisements and the pavement glowed in blue. It was terribly cold and the fact that she was all damp, didn't help either. She was shivering extremely with that shirt she was wearing and her hair was frozen like ice.
At least she had escaped them. No one of them appeared and she was grateful. But she had to keep moving. The cold air made her freeze but she wasn't going to give up. She prayed that no one would cross her way again.
She remembered her past actions and cursed herself for not minding her own business as she had done before. The thought that Viggo was a vampire terrified her and she didn't want to hear about him or about Sirius's claims. It was obvious Viggo was alive. She had hoped Sirius had gotten rid of him.
Her magic didn't even help in the cold, but she didn't use it though. She was tired already and didn't want to drain what there was left. Sirius's words haunted her mind and made her furious. She remembered how he said she was his and she also remembered how Viggo said the same. She didn't want to be anyone's. She hated them all and that headache that nagged at her.
But she also felt a wave of guilt. She had never been grateful for what Sirius had done, for freeing her from that fortress and for saving her from drowning. She had just ran away and left him there alone. At least she was aware of her ungratefulness.
Nevertheless she recalled everything he had done-destroyed her land, messed her mind. He had made her feel this way and she hated him for it. She didn't want to be anyone's, she wanted to be free and find her parents.
The place around was filled with bars and clubs and Regan hardly hoped she'd find some kind of help. She loathed these places, they disgusted her and she didn't want to risk getting kidnapped by someone else. If that was what was meant to be, she'd rather get it as kidnapped by Sirius again.
The alley grew narrower and she felt as if suffocating. She wasn't left with anyone who would help her. Her aunt was on earth and had no idea of this. Her parents were disappeared, her sister was not who she thought she was, her friends were nonexistent, and she had only enemies.
Desperation gnawed at her, mixed with anger. She didn't want to die. She didn't want to be a vampire's slave. She vowed that if she'd see any of other Viggo's men or just other men who'd try to get her, she'd kill them all and forget about remorse. She'd make sure they all paid for what they did.
She thought about her mentor, Seraphina. The wise woman. She had helped and advised her so many times. But Regan felt even more helpless. Seraphina was in another realm that was just unreachable.
She felt alone. But her belief in God was strong and she knew there was a way for her to survive. She needed to find it herself, she had to fill her determination up. Maybe she was dragged into this world without her wish, but she could choose how to live in it. She could fight. She could survive. She had to. She had to find her parents.
Just as Regan was walking with her arms wrapped around herself, she saw a shadow on the other side of the alley. Her heart skipped a beat and she pressed herself on the neon walls, hoping they'd engulf her in. The shadow came closer and it revealed someone with a hood.
She didn't know if it was male of female, however it wasn't very big in frame. She swallowed nervously, feeling her heart pounding crazily. Finally she saw the face of the stranger and it was a girl, a girl she knew.
Regan's eyes widened in shock as she saw Iris. The southern girl, the one she had searched for in the bar. She didn't know what to do, what to say. Maybe Iris wouldn't recognize her. Maybe she could just walk past her. She kept her breathing quiet and slow, trying not to draw attention.
Iris stopped a few feet away from her and raised an eyebrow, "Cornelia?" she asked, her voice slightly uncertain. Regan felt her blood turn to ice. She couldn't believe it. Iris was there and she remembered her.
"Cornelia, we've meet before, right?" Iris continued.
A wave of relief washed over Regan. She knew that Iris was still a stranger to her but just days ago they had set to end Sirius's reign of tyranny.
"Iris, I'm in trouble," Regan said, stepping out of the neon wall she was hiding, "I need your help."
"Trouble?"
"Yes, I'm in great trouble, I'm being kidnapped by...." Regan trailed off for who to say, "I need to get away from them, they're going to kill me." She paused, taking a deep breath before continuing, "I don't know who else to trust, Iris. I know we don't know each other well, but..."
Iris hesitated for a moment, clearly conflicted. "Come with me. I'll bring you to my house and then we'll talk it out." She held out a hand, her expression softening.
Gratefully, Regan took Iris's hand and let her pull her up. She felt a surge of hope as she followed Iris through the streets. She was grateful to God for sending Iris, someone that she was searching for. They walked in silence for a while, the night air cooling their faces as they moved in the empty streets.
As they reached a complex of buildings, Iris walked inside one of them, Regan following her as well. They stepped into a platform that sent them upwards, the sounds of the city fading away as they ascended. When they reached the top, they found themselves in a small apartment. The floor was made of wood, the walls were white and blue and the furnitures were mostly of the same colors.
"Come on Cornelia, sit here," Iris gestured, "I'll get you something hot to drink. You're shivering." She led the girl to a plush couch and disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Regan to take in her surroundings. The apartment was cosy, but the chill of fear wouldn't leave her so easily.
Iris returned a few moments later with two steaming cups of something like hot chocolate. She sat down on the couch next to Regan and handed her one of the cups. "Thanks," Regan murmured, taking a sip. The hot chocolate was delicious, just what she needed to warm herself up.
She looked up at Iris, who smiled at her. At the same moment, from the other door, stepped out a guy. He was burly and tanned, wearing a tank top and shorts, and had a cigar in his mouth. His black hair was pulled up into bun.
"Hey Iris, you could have told me we had guests," the guy lazily spoke.
Embarrassment crept on Regan's cheeks. She hated all men already, and now this one was making things worse. She couldn't believe she had to face another one. And the worse, what if he was Iris's boyfriend or something?
"Whatever..." Iris trailed off, "Cornelia, this is my friend and roommate, Jack. Jack, this is Cornelia, part of the rebellion."
Regan didn't know what kind of rebellion Iris was talking about but she stayed quiet.
"Oh, where did you find her?" Jack questioned, sitting on the couch, his weight making the leather groan, "What kind of rebellion is she part of?" He added, taking the chocolate mug from Iris and taking a sip.
Iris groaned in annoyance for having her cup taken and rolled her eyes, "You're ridiculous, Jack. She's against, Sirius, the merciless, the ruthless. I just told you yesterday."
Jack's gaze turned thoughtful as he left the empty mug on the table, "I don't even remember that."
"Cornelia is against oppression. Sirius had destroyed her home planet as just like ours and she's looking for revenge. Therefore, she's with us." Iris explained, her gaze flickering towards Regan.
Regan didn't know what to say. She was already in trouble and what Iris was saying sounded the epitome of trouble. She didn't want to mess with Sirius again, not when she just escaped. She didn't want to lie, but at the same time, she didn't want to reveal too much. She was skeptical as always.
Jack leaned back on the couch, blowing smoke rings with his cigar. "Well, Cornelia," he said, "you've come to the right place. We're a ragtag bunch of rebels, but we're committed to bringing down Sirius and restoring freedom to the galaxy. Or at least, a galaxy without him."
Regan nodded, words eluding her.
"So, where are you from? Maybe I happen to know your homeland?" Jack asked.
"She doesn't know. She was raised by the wolves and her land was destroyed when she was little. So, she has suffered just like we have." Iris explained, giving Regan a sympathetic look. Regan nodded again, feeling a little guilty for lying. She hadn't been raised by the wolves, she had been raised differently, but yeah, she couldn't just turn the lie upside now.
Jack nodded, "We don't just fight for our own freedom, but for the freedom of all sentient beings in the galaxy. Even wolves." He took another drag from his cigar, the smoke curling lazily around his head.
"And don't mind Jack, he's crazy when it comes to food and he might as well throw us a few names out here and there," Iris explained, giving him a playful shove. Jack only laughed in response, clearly not offended.
Regan forced a smile, although she was restless and kept glancing at the door, fearing that armed men would be there to get her.
Iris noticed her unease and whispered something to Jack. Jack slowly got up and walked carelessly out of the room.
Then, Iris looked at Regan and tried to get to know the matter better, "So, Cornelia....Why were you in the streets at such time?"
Regan swallowed up hardly. She didn't know where to start with or what to say first, she just knew she was in great trouble and she had to hide herself.
"It's complicated." She didn't want to be seen as weak or something. She didn't want to be pitied. She didn't want to tell anything about Viggo, "It's a long story."
"What?" Iris asked.
Regan shook her head, letting her hair cover her face. She didn't want to tell the whole thing. She didn't want to reveal much. Although, her unease was adding up.
"It's a long story. But Sirius is in the city," she managed to say.
The brunette's eyes widened again in surprise, "Sirius is in the city?!" She stood up abruptly, "Sirius, the merciless is in the city?!"
Regan was taken aback by her sudden exclaim, "Yes?"
"How? Where?" Iris continued.
"I don't know. I don't want to know. I don't care." Regan mumbled to herself.
"Oh..." Iris trailed off, "I think there's something else you're not telling."
"I'm sorry," Regan said, "but it's just....I don't know what to say. Just know that he's my enemy."
At the same moment, Jack stepped in the room, his face sweaty, his breath out of place, as if he had run a marathon. He had some bags and left them on the table.
"Iris, I learnt something crazy." He said, out of breath.
"What?" Iris replied.
"I just heard that the dark lord is in the North. He has a great conflict with the king and the prince. He's planning to conquer this place as well."
Iris's eyebrows furrowed, "Cornelia? Is this true? Do you know that?"
Cornelia or Regan, sank into her seat, feeling the heat creep up on her. She was part of all this and she wanted to dissolve into the nothingness.
"I don't think he wants to conquer the North," Regan said, more to herself.
"I don't want to pressure you but we need to know what's going on," Iris said, her voice firm, "We can't just sit here and wait for things to happen. We need to help you."
Jack nodded in agreement, "Yes, we need to know the truth. If you're going to work with us and you're in danger, we have to know."
Regan felt a lump forming in her throat. She didn't want to be protected, she didn't want to feel helpless. She didn't even know what she wanted. She hoped she had never ever been dragged into this mess.
"I'm not in trouble. Not with Sirius, not with anyone else. They're not after me. Not personally." She tried to convince herself as much as them.
Iris raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying her words, "You seem as if you're not telling the whole thing."
"It's complicated," Regan muttered, feeling more and more cornered. She didn't want to say anything. She didn't want to trust anyone. She didn't want to believe that anyone could help her.
"Look, Cornelia," Jack said, his voice soft but firm, "we are rebels. We help people in trouble. And you're in trouble. It doesn't matter if you think you aren't or if you don't know why. You're here, and we're going to help you." His words were reassuring, and for a brief moment, Regan found herself wishing she could believe them.
But she couldn't. Not yet. Not when her instincts were still alarming at her situation, not when she was terrified that they might find her again and might bring her back to Viggo's fortress. She couldn't risk it.
"I'm sorry," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can't tell you anything more. It's a long story." Her words felt heavy and the fact that she didn't want to tell more, felt even heavier.
Iris and Jack exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of disappointment and understanding. "We respect your decision," Iris said finally, "but if you ever need to talk, or if you change your mind, you know where we are."
"I'm very grateful about it," Regan said, forcing a smile.
"It's okay, we got your back." Jack replied.
"Yes, it's okay. You're going to stay here." Iris added.
Regan was more than grateful that she was offering for her to stay but she couldn't help but feel out of place.