Gauntlet Rite of Ascension (31 page)

              The conversation then drifted into different topics, each more varied as the ale kept flowing. We eventually started talking about different governments and leaders, debating the pros and cons of societies around the world and through history. Even though Abaddon and Oengus had lived through what I was taught in history classes and knew things I never would, they never ignored me or dismissed my opinion. They would show me where I was wrong or how I learned something different than what happened, but I felt I was a part of the discussion and even was being led to give more about my opinions and ideas than they did.

              “Ye can’t have an Empire without a strong determined leader, someone who is willing to make the hard decisions.” Oengus said.

              He and I had almost fallen into a conversation between us; Abaddon sat mostly quiet and added things occasionally.

              “An Empire is only as good as its people. Without the consent of the governed the Empire fades and crumbles to the greed of the governing.” I argued.

              “Bah! That kind of system is slow and cumbersome, never having the ability to quickly adapt to the changing world.”

              “Good! We have seen all too often what happens when governments can be fundamentally changed by the whims of the people. It leads to mob rule and that leads to bloody revolutions.” I said.

              “France was no place to be in 1789.” Abaddon added.

              “Above all else a leader must be strong. Without strength he will fall to the ambition of those seeking power for themselves.” Oengus said.

              “I disagree, yes a leader must be strong, but he must also be wise and humble. When a leader is nothing but strength he falls prey to his own power. When he feels his might is right, he allows the government to violate the rights and freedoms of its citizens for the greater good. It is always for the greater good that the greatest atrocities are committed.”

              “When we focus on ensuring each individual is treated fairly, regardless of rank, or class, we then begin to see the true power of a society. We begin to see a flowering of freedom that grows into the tree of liberty. It is under this delicate and fragile tree that we must live with proud determination, never allowing our strength to override our decency for the collective. It is when we disregard the individual for the collective that the beginning of the end starts. Above all else a leader must understand he is but a servant of the people and it is not his will, but the will of the people that he wields.” I finished.

              I had never said anything like this before. I had never really thought about it until tonight. I had been learning throughout high school and college about the facts of history, but never about the in-depth philosophy of that history and what it teaches us.

              I obviously had a strong affinity for the American system, but had learned about other types of governments, but felt with my whole being that I was right.

              I took a deep pull from my mug, my little speech left me dry.

              Oengus looked to Abaddon and they exchanged a meaningful glance. I couldn’t quite understand it, seeing as how by this point I was seeing double, but I was able to discern something of pride in Abaddon and agreement.

              “It’s getting late and we have a lot to do tomorrow. We should be taking our leave.” Abaddon said.

              Oengus nodded once and raised his mug in another toast. My head swam and I wasn’t sure how many more toasts I could handle. Somehow, my mug had refilled itself and I looked over at Eavan only to see her watching me with open amusement.

              I was never a big drinker, in fact I don’t think up until tonight I had ever drank anything other than a beer Max stole from his dad. It was warm and tasted like ass.

              “Here’s to a long life and a merry one, a quick death and an easy one, a pretty girl and an honest one, a cold pint, and another one!” He said and turned his mug up.

I didn’t want to be outdone so I brought up my drink and gulped it down; its cold wetness filled me with a warm radiance.

I slammed my mug down at the same time as Oengus and Abaddon and we all laughed drunkenly. I looked across the table and was struck again at how beautiful Eavan was with her fiery red hair and deep emerald eyes. Without a care in the world I opened my mouth and said, “Your eyes are the most beautiful I have ever seen.”

At least that’s what I thought I said, what came out was, “Yur eysh ur da mushbeutifl I haser scheen.”

The table came rushing up at me as I passed out and slammed my head on the table, snoring almost instantly.

              I awoke to a terrible headache. The light streaming in from the window shot lances of red hot fire into my eyes as I squinted. I sat up and felt my heartbeat throbbing in my head, pounding a rhythm of painful waves.

              “Unnngh.” I said, holding my forehead in my hand.

              “Hurts don’t it?” Abaddon asked.

              His voice seemed very loud to my sensitive ears.

              “Why do I feel so bad? Shouldn’t my Beast have healed me by now?” I asked, hoping there was some trick to get rid of this hangover.

              “It seems the power of the Beast ends at healing hangovers. Don’t know why really, although I have my theories.”

              “Such as?” I took the glass of cold water Abaddon handed me and drank it all down.

              “The Beast is all about mastering our inner urges, taming our wild side, if you will. Consuming alcohol is a conscience choice to lower your inhibitions, to embrace a simpler mindset. I think the nature of the Beast only rewards those that willfully fight those urges, it’s almost a punishment for forgetting.” He went to the small kitchenette and rummaged in the fridge.

              “You think the Beast is punishing me for drinking too much?” I asked, disbelieving.

              “Either that or it was the eighty proof ale Oengus brews himself.” Abaddon said, laughing.

              The smell of fried eggs hit me and my stomach turned over.

              I forced myself to eat some and finally started to feel halfway normal.

              “So are you clear on what to do next?” Abaddon asked over a large plate of eggs, bacon, sausage and toast.

              “Yeah, we have the cameras up, now we wait and watch. Tonight I try and contact Max and see if he saw anything.”

              “Tell me again why I can’t just monitor the camera signal myself.” I asked Abaddon.

              “We don’t know what kind of technology Vicktor has. We can’t take a chance that he might hack into our computer so the best and most secure way is to have Max hide the signal with the others coming and going from the antennae, then store it on a memory card that we can then download once were in our room, secure.” He explained.

              “The kind of tech you’re talking about only exists in the movies, or in the science magazines about future advancements.” I argued.

              “Stuff like that is commonly held by governments and intelligence groups in secret. It’s a great way of keeping ahead of the game, let everyone think it’s years away while using it against your enemies. The Pack has access to stuff that most governments don’t.” Abaddon said.

              “We don’t secretly have access to blasters do we?”

              “What’s a blaster?” Abaddon asked, puzzled.

              “Not a movie fan, huh?” I asked.

              “I fail to see what movie watching has to do with blasters.” Abaddon said.

              “It’s not important. Forget it.” I said, suppressing a smile.

              I finished breakfast and left our room, making my way outside. The closed confines of the Den had started grating on my nerves and I needed the openness of the outdoors.

              The Den’s territory consisted of hundreds of acres of surrounding forest. This land was considered within the length of my “leash” and I eagerly went outside into the morning light, my headache fading into a dull throb as the fresh air washed away some of the cobwebs Oengus’ ale has spun.

              I walked across the perfectly manicured grass and entered the deep forest. I went over to a large tree and took off my clothes, folding them in a neat pile at its base.

              I took a deep breath and willed my body to shift forms. There was a sweet pain as I quickly changed from my human form to that of the Beast.

              My senses all came into a deeper focus and the thick fabric of the surrounding environment snapped into a clearer reality, the greens greener and the scents full of more complexity.

              The moon’s cycle was getting closer and closer to being full and I felt the nature of the Beast growing in conjunction with that cycle. I wanted to rush off, finding the joy in the run and the chase, hoping to calm some of the unbridled energy the coming full moon provided.

              I stood up to my full height and took a deep and long draw of the air, searching for something to chase or hunt. A wild energy filled my belly and a strong sexual desire swept through me as I detected the strong musky scent of a female Ascended in the forest. My vision began to focus on the trail left behind as I stealthily and quickly began to track the most intriguing and exciting scent I had ever encountered.

              As I traversed the rough uneven terrain I realized that I recognized who I was following. Her odor in Beast form was different than when in human form. The Beast added a frantic energy to her that was only hinted at in her more civilized shape. I could almost see her deep green eyes and her fiery red hair as I let my senses direct me, bringing me closer to my target.

              The deep fragrance of her scent permeated the air as I got closer. I knew I was almost on her and slowed down and willed myself to move in utter silence. I slowly and meticulously inched closer, knowing she was nearby.

              I came to a slight dip in the forest floor and saw her poised to attack. She faced away from me; her entire focus was on the deer that stood twenty feet way, grazing on the grass that grew in a small open area. The light from the sun shone in rays through the small breaks in the trees and the deer was fully visible.

              Eavan crouched with perfect stillness; her posture was wholly one of rapt attention to her prey. Her fur was a deep red, almost crimson. I was struck by the sheer physical beauty she possessed in her Beast form. I felt a pang of sadness as Sara’s face swam in front of my eyes, a memory of feelings threatened to consume me as the deep pain of regret and loss flooded over me.

              I stayed there, waiting for the memories and hurt to fade. Eavan’s sudden movement drew my attention and as she leapt for the deer my hurt vanished as it was replaced with the excitement of the hunt, even if it wasn’t my hunt.

              But it just could be.

              Eavan closed the distance between herself and the deer in a second and hit her prey with astounding force. I was completely surprised when she rolled over with the deer and then got her footing and let the deer go, watching it race off into the woods, unharmed.

              So, she liked to play games with her prey. I had already seen first hand how she liked to toy with them, having been fooled once.

              A small devilish smile grew on my muzzle as I once again used the power of the Beast to stalk closer. Eavan had her back turned to me, watching as the deer lopped off into the trees.

              Without a sound I leapt for her. Perhaps her instincts warned her, or I lost focus and let out the smallest whisper as I sailed through the air, because at the last second she turned her head in my direction and saw me coming for her.

              She tried to react, but I was already on her. I grabbed her and like she did with the deer, I rolled us over and let her go. The look on her face was one of surprise as she realized I had treated her just like she had treated her prey. Her eyes narrowed as her blood rose.

              My heart sped up as the excitement of going claw to teeth with Eavan began to build. We circled each other while never losing eye contact. I was mesmerized by how her deep green eyes showed strong traces of yellow.

              Her scent came to me in almost visible waves; its enticing aroma told me more about her state of mind than any conversation could have.

              It hinted at her initial fear of being attacked followed by the shock at my success of sneaking up on her. Within it I sensed a deep and growing excitement at the challenge of a fight as well the unmistakable and disorientating scent of her sexual arousal. Surrounding it was the positive energy she had towards me, the feelings that I shared towards her that I knew she sensed as well. This form lacked some of the finer aspects of human interaction, but made up for it with the no nonsense truth of the animal world.

              I leapt for her a split second after she launched for me. We slammed into each other with enough force to drive the air from my lungs. She was a sleek and powerful Beast, her speed and strength were evident. I, however, was those things as well and I had an extra fifty pounds on her. By the sheer force of my physical advantage I pushed her back after our initial engagement. She swiped and bit at me, but there was none of the sheer aggression Abaddon showed when we sparred.