The Omen of the Crow

Chapter 20

    My paws licked the saturated soil as I ran through the forest. It had disturbed me that Jessel had been able to affect me, magic was foreign to my kind. He had engulfed me in his light and it had affected me somehow. Perhaps I did not fully know the extent of my powers. I suspected the serum may have something to do with repelling the magic. Somehow that did not transfer over during my turning. My eyes were full of rage, my blood felt like ice as it pumped through my heart.

    Just another obstacle I had to overcome, a very inconvenient one at that. I had to find out to what extent magic would affect me. I growled with frustration and annoyance. Life had never been easy for me, why would it be now? I had become complacent in these last years. When nothing can touch you, I suppose it is expected to not care.

    As I charged forward I heard a deep and loud howl as before, which only added to my irritation. I kicked mud up as I arrived at the front entrance of the mansion. I transformed back into my human body, mud and all I walked into the mansion. I was naked of course, but as I said before it had never bothered me. When I turned the corner I came face to face with Erik and Rickon,

    Erik's face flushed and a panicked look over took him. Rickon let out a growl of disapproval before swiftly grabbing my arm and pulled me close to him. I rolled my eyes, how barbaric. He sniffed me and his eyes widened with shock before they turned completely black.

    "I smell another male on you!" He said with clenched teeth. I let out a small irritated sigh which was then followed by a scoff.  I straightened myself and ripped away from his grasp. He let out a growl and reached for me once more but I swiftly slapped his hand away.

    "We need to talk." I said as I walked past him and headed to my room. Erik's face was twisted in between horror and disbelief. I was an alpha in my own right truth be told, I would do as I wished. I heard several growls erupt from Rickon as he sent Erik away, which I am sure Erik was thankful for.

    Rickon slammed the door behind me, which only added to my irritation again. I grabbed a loose dress from the closet and threw it over me. I turned around only to have Rickons black eyes glaring at me, his muscles were taught and his hands were in fists. In the centuries I had been alive I had never had a man show jealousy over me, this was also foreign to me.

    "Where were you?" Rickon took several steps towards me closing the gap between us. I crossed my arms over my chest and rolled my eyes in annoyance. "Does it matter? I can't escape from this anyway." I reminded him. I walked over to a small wooden stool and sat on it. I poised myself with at least some grace, my legs crossed and my hands gently resting on my lap.

    "Your disrespect knows no bounds it seems." Rickon snarled.

    "You have taken my freedom away. I cannot kill you. I cannot leave you. You took my body and soiled it without my consent. And you ask for respect?" I answered. My voice was loud, steady and cold. My words echoed in the cobbled room, they were meant to sting his ego.

    He turned his head slightly to the side and his body relaxed. His eyes flashed from black to their usual bright blue. His face twisted in what seemed like regret.

    "Even after centuries it seems I cannot control my wolf fully. I suppose it's a curse, but if it is then I do not have my freedom either. In a way we are alike." His voice was low and sadness touched his face.

    "We are nothing alike. Even in this condition I am superior, don't you see old king? My wolf is an alpha, but stronger than yours and apparently smarter." I mocked him now. His eyes narrowed and unknown shadows fell over his face.

    "Yes well we will have to put that to the test one of these days." He mocked back.

    "Tell me old King, is it a habit of yours to let your territory go unwatched or unguarded?" I got up then and walked to the window over looking the front gates where the forest began to encroach. He lifted his head in a bout of confusion.

    "Get to the point!" He added angrily now.

    My eyes flashed black for a moment at his harsh command, but I would not give him the satisfaction of seeing me flustered. I paced around the room for a few more seconds before I came to stop in front of him.

    "I ran into a Leprechaun within the territory this morning. He disappeared before I could apprehend him." I finally said.

    "Impossible!" Exclaimed Rickon. " They have been banished for centuries, they haven't come out of their caves or rather they cannot." He continued.

    "He wasn't just an ordinary woodland creature, he was more powerful than he should be. Well trained in combat and magic." I absent mindedly added.

    "He? Is that his smell on you then? Did you fight him?" Rickon's voice was now pregnated with concern. He looked at me as if I was a small child that could be broken easily.

    "This is my territory now and I do not like uninvited guests to roam in my woods. Of course I fought him!" I paced back to the window. "The trickster escaped using magic, coward." I spat. Although I had allowed him to escape, deep in me I had wanted him to stay and fight further.

    "It doesn't make sense, the territory is patrolled at all times. Besides we have trigger systems and cameras! I will check into this immediately." His face was twisted with confusion and concern.

    "Yes, it would be good to know why he is here. He told me his name before adding that he was looking for something that happened to be in the territory." I closed my eyes remembering  the little he had told me. "He was taller than I would think, taller than you. Strong muscular built with blue tattoos over his chest and arms. His hair was copper a shade of red, deep green eyes, fair skin speckled with brown. He was an ancient king of his kind, went by the name of Jessel the Mad Shadow." I added.

    When I opened my eyes I saw jealousy once more on his face. His lip curled in a gesture of disgust. "You got a good look at him I see. By your description it almost sounds like you were charmed by him." Rickon closed the space between us and glared at me.

    "Ah yes, it was one of his tricks. Casting a charm over me, guess it has a lingering effect." I let out a small laugh full of mockery. Rickon's hand was at my throat in a flash. "Dam you!" He growled in frustration.

    "You're going to torture me for the rest of our lives." He scoffed as he removed his hand from my throat and stepped back.

    "Forgive me Tegan. Your defiance is relentless, I don't think I can get used to it anytime soon." He sighed and touched his face, he looked tired. "I will look into it further." He turned his back to me and headed towards the door.

    "Get cleaned up and meet me downstairs. We have an appointment with the physician, I'll explain once you are there." He turned around and gave me a weak half smile.