Chapter 11: Chapter 11

Shane lay in the dark of the den, listening to Rai breathe deeply. Soft snores escaped her as her nose wrinkled and her ears twitched. The fluffy tail behind her swayed across the hide bedding, barely illuminated by the fire from the kitchen.

His peace was interrupted by bellowing grumblings from the newest room. Reginald refused to leave after Shane had cooked for him, and the man’s snores could wake the dead. Yet, somehow, Rai slept through it all.

I’m going to slowly suffocate him with a pillow, Shane thought as he started slipping out from under Rai.

Rubbing the bridge of his nose, he yawned. What is happening in my life? Glancing at Rai, he smiled. Although there has been a pretty great perk to stealing that vial.

When she shifted and patted the spot he had just vacated, he left the room. She’s used to me sneaking out. I think…

Summoning a small ball of fire to his hand, he left the den in the early hours of the morning. The sun hadn’t risen yet, and he wanted to do one last thing before the others woke.

Sitting cross-legged in the training area, he delved into his body. The figurative dam holding back Rai’s essence was crumbling, and nearly all of her essence was flowing into him. His body was embracing it, even thriving on it.

He had given himself a week to finish adjusting, and that week was up. With a mental prod, he tore down the rest of the dam. The last gush of essence flowed through him, painful yet welcoming.

His tattoo glowed a blazing red as he felt himself assimilate completely with power he never thought he’d hold. His strength and speed were beyond superhuman. Or at least to him they were.

He still couldn’t beat Reginald in a test of strength, and Rai seemed to be increasing in power just as much as he was. Although she couldn’t pin him down, she was fast, sleek, and dexterous.

Closing his eyes, Shane focused on his breathing. The only aspect that he hadn’t been improving was his mental capacity. Rai promised that he could, but they hadn’t had a chance to do any puzzles or training for it.

With the last few weeks devoted to training his body, he had filled out, growing healthy muscle over his body. He was still slim, and he’d never be a muscle-head like some, but he was happy.

I wonder if Marge will recognize me?

Chuckling, he glanced west. The city was waiting for him, and all he had to do was wait for Rai to wake up. They had decided on heading back as soon as they could to stop the platinum-haired lady from using the blood.

Stupid vial… he grumbled.

“You finished?” a strong, rumbling voice came from the den.

Opening his eyes, Shane didn’t turn. “I did.”

“How does it feel to have the true power of a Summoner and Summoned bond?”

“I don’t know,” Shane murmured. “What am I supposed to do with it? How many people am I going to hurt to get the vial back?”

Reginald whistled. “Heavy talk this morning.”

“You know me. Always the serious one before the sun rises,” Shane said.

Reginald summoned a chair and sat next to him. “Yes, people will be injured. No, you will not be able to stop most of it. Yes, it is worth those people to secure the vial.”

“How do you know?” Shane asked. Running a hand through his hair, he sighed. “How can you say that when you hate humans?”

Reginald scratched his beard. “My mate was human.”

Shane froze.

“She was damn beautiful, but when this world’s humans tore open the fabrics of reality and pulled us over, she was killed by the chaotic energies. You see, only what you call Descendants can come through the rift.”

“I’m sorry,” Shane said softly.

“It’s okay,” Reginald said equally as soft. “I’m not over it, but she’d want me to help protect the lives that I can.”

“Is that why you protect that town?”

“Yeah,” Reginald grumbled. “I’ve killed my fair share of humans in my rage, especially when I was first brought over. The pain of losing my wife drove me mad with vengeance.”

“That’s why I wanted to become a Marked,” Shane said. “I wanted the power to end your kind and avenge my father.”

Reginald patted his shoulder. “I wouldn’t blame you either. But there is something more going on in this world. A reason why the Marked were created.”

“Enough!” a voice growled.

Shane glanced over his shoulder and found Rai covered in flames.

“Good morning, beautiful,” Shane said before patting the spot by his side.

Her flames ebbed. “You know why we can’t tell him.”

Reginald nodded. “He doesn’t have the power yet.”

Shane frowned. “I have all of Rai’s plus more from the bond.”

Shaking his head, Reginald grumbled, “It’s not enough. You need more bonds.”

Shane fell onto his back. “Descendants and humans hate each other. How am I going to convince others to bond with me?”

“You won me over,” Reginald’s voice rumbled. “I’ve had a lot of time to think over our talks over the last week.”

Shane glanced at him with a frown. “You’re not my type. I’m sorry to say, but Rai is the only lover for me.”

“Aww,” Rai cooed.

Reginald laughed. “Shut up and accept my essence.”

Shane sat back up. “You’re serious?” The lack of joviality in his voice made the others shift.

Reginald nodded. “I had to wait until you finished bonding with Rai, but it’s time. I won’t let you take her into the city without me coming along.”

“Did you two…?” Shane trailed off as Rai smacked his arm.

“No!” she growled. “I was a virgin until you came along!”

“A virgin that was into bondage?” Shane questioned. “That’s about as rare as they come.”

Groaning, Rai held her head with her hands. “My mate, or husband, whatever the hell he is, is an idiot.”

“Words hurt, you know,” Shane muttered.

Looking up, she smacked him again. “Take the damn essence!”

“You yell at me a lot,” Shane said while rubbing his arm. “Is it your fiery personality?”

Closing her eyes, she rested her head on his shoulder. “I don’t yell that much…”

Reginald cleared his throat. “If you two are going to have sex right here, I’m leaving.”

Shane laughed.

Turning to him, Reginald held out his hand. Resting on his palm was a thumbnail-sized core swirling with browns and blacks. Power radiated from the small orb.

“Take it, Shane,” Rai whispered. “We need him.”

Shane picked up the core. “You two still haven’t told me anything about what’s going on.”

“Nope,” Reginald agreed.

“It’s something really bad, isn’t it?” Shane asked.

“Beyond anything you can imagine,” Rai said.

Closing his eyes, Shane placed the core in his mouth and swallowed.

Collapsing to the ground, Shane screamed. “I hate you!”

Reginald laughed just before he turned to sand, his ginormous body disintegrating before Shane’s bloodshot eyes.

Rai held him, but he barely felt it. His body was tearing itself apart. Flesh ripped open, spilling blood onto the ground. His heart beat hard inside his chest, feeling like it was going to explode.

Still screaming, Shane watched as Reginald’s sand flowed across the ground. When it touched his blood, it absorbed the crimson coloring and pushed it back into his body.

Just like with Rai, Reginald entered his body in a stream of sand that brought the pain to new heights. The sheer size of the bear shouldn’t have been able to fit inside him, yet Shane took it all.

His wounds sealed, and his body felt heavy and dense. Far denser than when Rai had merged with him. Closing his eyes, he drifted off.

***

A woman with gray hair held Shane in a hug. “You were very brave, young one,” she whispered.

Shane had driven the car to the next city with his dead father in the passenger seat. When he arrived, he was ushered out of the vehicle and promised they would bury his father.

He knew with all that was going on, his father wouldn’t get a proper send off. But his love was all that mattered. He’d always remain in Shane’s heart.

The police and guards of the city passed Shane off to a woman, but he barely glanced at her. He only knew she had gray hair because it was falling over his face.

Swallowing hard, Shane felt numb. His mother was somewhere out there with the death and destruction. His father died protecting him. He was alone.

“Come with me,” the woman said gently. “You can stay at my house with the others.”

Shane kept his gaze on the ground. “Others?”

“Yes, child. The others that have lost their parents. I’m Marge. And your name, little one?”

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“Shane.”

“Well, Shane.” The woman giggled. “I promise you that you’ll have lots of friends.”

Shane followed the strange woman through the streets until they came to a small house tucked away between apartment buildings. The road around the area had been torn up from claws or talons, and the apartments were nearly destroyed, and yet the house was untouched.

Children were laughing in the back yard, and Shane glanced towards the fenced-in area.

“You’re safe now, Shane,” Marge said. “Why don’t you go say hello to some of the others. I’ll put dinner on.”

Shane forced himself to nod.

Walking through the gate, Shane found a playground filled with children, most of them around his age.

A girl with tangled blond hair ran up to him.

“Hi!” She smiled as she took his hand. “This way! We’re playing house!”

Shane frowned, but before he knew what was happening, he was pulled away.

“By the way, I’m Rachel!” the girl introduced herself.

“Shane,” he said.

“Well, Shane. You can be the husband. None of the other boys want to play.”

“O-okay,” Shane stammered just before the dream faded.

***

When Shane woke, his head felt like someone was trying to pickaxe their way out if his skull. His muscles ached more than when Rai had started pushing him to train, and his mouth was so dry that he felt like a mummy.

Thankfully, Rai appeared in his vision and picked up his head. “Drink,” she said gently before pressing a cup to his lips.

There was nothing gentle about how greedily he downed the glass. Water sloshed over his chin and shirt before he finally came up for air.

“How are you feeling?” Rai asked.

“Like you’re trying to kill me,” he muttered.

“I have more delightful ways of killing you than subjecting you to this level of pain,” she said with a smirk.

“Do any of those end with me in the bedroom?” he asked before closing his eyes.

Leaning in, she whispered, “If I told you that, I’d have to kill you.”

Chuckling, he winced. “Laughing isn’t good.”

“You did just take a pounding. A bear forced its way into your body in a not-so-gentle way.”

Frowning, Shane opened one eye. “Where is Reginald?”

“He hasn’t come out yet,” Rai said before touching his right arm. “You should see this though.”

Opening his other eye, he forced himself to sit up. His left arm was covered in Rai’s tattoo that extended from his shoulder down to his wrist. Now his right arm was covered in intricate lines, swirls, and jagged edges from his elbow up past his shoulder, and onto his chest and back. Thankfully, it didn’t show on his neck.

“Why do I feel so heavy?” Shane asked.

Rai tilted her head at him. “I don’t know.”

“That’s not helpful,” he said.

Rai crossed her arms. “I’m not an expert on all of this, you know. I was eight when I came over. I hadn’t even finished my education on bonds.”

Leaning in, he kissed her cheek. “I’m sorry.”

“No witty remark?” she asked, smiling.

“Not right now.” Shane touched his tattoo, and it lit up a brilliant brown, nearly gemlike. “Come out, Teddy.”

“I told you not to call me that,” a voice grumbled in his head.

“This is the first I’m hearing of you not liking your name,” Shane said with a smirk.

“Come on, Teddy!” Rai added.

Frowning, Shane glanced at her. “You can talk with him while he’s inside me?”

“Yup!” she chirped.

A grumble vibrated Shane’s chest. “Just a few more minutes of sleep.”

“Come out, you big oaf.” Shane chuckled. “You have a few things to explain.”

A flash of bright light blinded Shane as Reginald appeared. Sitting across from him in his giant humanoid form, his bear ears twitched on his head. His usual wear of a tank top and jeans really highlighted how much bigger he was than Shane.

With his arms crossed, Reginald glared down at Shane. “I’m not a teddy bear.”

“Sure you are!” Shane said. “Now tell me. Why do I feel about two hundred pounds heavier?”

“You likely are,” Reginald said. “Your inherent attributes from my tattoo would have given your body an ore-like quality. Exactly what ore, I’m not sure. But your bones shouldn’t break anymore. And your skin will be harder to cut. The downside is you weigh a lot more.”

“Yes!” Rai cheered.

Both Shane and Reginald turned to her.

Covering her mouth, Rai giggled. “If he weighs more, he can’t dodge as easily.”

Shane rubbed his head. “We are not going to test that right now. But this also means I won’t be on top as often.”

Rai’s humor deflated. “But…”

Smiling, Shane got to his feet. Walking around the clearing, he stretched out his body as he adjusted. “It’s going to take another few weeks before I adjust completely.”

“That’s…likely,” Reginald grumbled.

Rai got to her feet and started towards him, her fist blazing with fire.

“Rai,” Shane warned.

“I just want to kiss you, love,” Rai teased.

Before he could stop her, a fist was burning towards his face. The world slowed down like normal, and he shifted out of the way. His body was unsteady as he moved so much weight, but he proved he could still dodge.

Rai’s fist smashed into the tree behind Shane before she growled. “You can’t keep doing that!”

“Dodging?” Shane asked.

“Yes!”

Frowning, Shane glanced at Reginald. “Am I not supposed to dodge during a fight?”

Shrugging, Reginald said, “I thought dodging was a given.”

“Remember that one time we got jumped by those three men?” Shane asked.

“What three men?” Reginald grumbled.

“You know, the three blokes that wanted to teach us a lesson. Like it was our fault their ladies hit on us. They weren’t wearing rings, so how was I supposed to know to not let you take one to the back room?”

Reginald’s frown grew. “This is the human we’re putting our faith into?”

Rai sighed. “I thought my crying every day would have been enough of a warning for you.”

“Being the gentleman that I am,” Shane continued, “I didn’t take the bait the girls left out. I had my own gorgeous woman waiting for me at home.”

“If you don’t say my name, you are sleeping alone tonight,” Rai said pointedly.

Gulping, Shane nodded. “I was just getting to that point. Man, how did you know you were part of this story?”

Rai patted his shoulder. “Remember that time I threatened to kick you between the legs and end your future children?”

“Yes,” Shane said, crossing his legs.

“I’m going to fulfill that threat if you don’t stop this story.”

Shane backed away. “You always jump to violence. You don’t see me beating you up.”

“Shane,” Rai started, “I learned early that you need a firm hand. Besides, I only ever actually hit you when we’re sparring.”

“That’s fair,” Shane said with a shrug. “So, are we ready to head out?”

“Not until you cook.” Reginald grunted before getting up. “You owe me breakfast.”

“For what?” Shane asked. He felt his face scrunch up as he felt confusion over the statement.

Reginald walked away.

“Teddy! Why do I owe you breakfast?” Shane yelled after him.

Rai took his hand. “Come on. He can eat an entire deer himself. Plus, we have to use up the meat we smoked the other day.”

“Yes, mistress.”

Smacking his arm, Rai giggled. “Too bad we can’t bring those vines with.”

Shane laughed. “I told you that you would like them.”

Rolling her eyes, Rai led him into the den.

***

Rai walked beside Shane in her fox form. She wasn’t as large as Reginald in his bear form, but she was sleek, and she knew Shane appreciated that more.

“What are you thinking about, Shane?” she asked.

“I’m coming up with a plan on how to get into the city.”

Reginald pushed a fallen long out of his way. “It’s easy. We break down the gate.”

“We will not!” Rai growled. Nudging Shane with her nose, she asked, “What are you thinking?”

Shane smiled. “I have an idea, but we’ll have to get to the wall before we can test it.”

“Are we going to meet Old Marge today?”

Reginald turned to her. “Who’s Old Marge?”

Shane spoke up. “She’s the woman that cared for me when I first came to the city. If it wasn’t for her, I’d likely be dead.”

“I’d like to meet her,” Reginald said before stepping around a tree. “Why are there so many damn branches?”

Rai giggled. She was casually slipping through the branches and growth with ease while the lumbering brute was being attacked.

Meanwhile, her human was walking between the bushes and ferns with even more ease than she was, although his footsteps were far heavier than she remembered.

“I’m sure Marge will cook for us,” Shane said.

“You need the lessons,” Reginald grunted.

“Hey!” Shane crossed his arms. “I see how I’m treated around here.”

“Yes.” Reginald chuckled. “You’re the man that makes lunch.”

“Is that all I am to you?” Shane asked.

Reginald rumbled a laugh but didn’t answer.

Rai rolled her eyes before lifting a branch out of Shane’s way. “Will Marge turn us in if we show ourselves?”

“No,” Shane said assuredly. “Also, why don’t you like talking out loud?”

“I like being inside your head.”

“Creepy…” Shane mumbled before stepping closer to Reginald. “Is she going to eat me?”

“It’s likely, yes,” Reginald said.

Sticking up her nose, Rai huffed.

Moving back to her side, Shane started to pet her. “You have really soft fur.”

“Thank you!” Rai chirped.

“Can I ride on your back?”

Pausing, Rai turned to glare at him. “No!”

Holding up his hands, Shane returned to his path. “I never thought I’d see the day where you didn’t want me to ride you.”

“Shane!”

Reginald snorted a laugh.

Chuckling, Shane picked up his pace as the looming walls of the city came into sight. Half of the day had already passed them by, and the sun was setting as fall approached.

“How are we doing this?” Reginald asked.

Shane hurried over to the wall. “It’s only twenty feet tall?”

“Thirty,” Reginald said. “Solid concrete with rebar reinforcement. We aren’t digging through it.”

“Oh, gods, no,” Shane said. Rubbing his hands together, he said, “We’re going over it.”

Rai groaned.

***

Shane laughed as Rai slumped to the ground. Transforming back into her human form, she glared at him. “This was your brilliant idea?”

“I haven’t even explained it yet,” Shane said, crossing his arms.

“We can’t climb that,” Rai pointed out.

“Who said anything about climbing?” Smiling, Shane turned to Reginald. “How good is your throwing arm?”

“No!” Rai snapped. “You are not risking your life to fly over the wall!”

Frowning, Shane turned to her. “We could go under, but then we leave the city open to attack. From things…”

Rai stepped forward and grabbed his arm. “I can’t protect you if I’m inside my tattoo.”

“I love you, Rai,” Shane said softly. “But unless you can fly, we are doing this.”

Kissing his cheek, she wiped her eyes before nodding. “You’re massaging me tonight. Don’t die, Shane Undere.”

Before he could respond, she burst into motes of light and returned to her tattoo.

Turning to Reginald, Shane grunted. “Ready, big man?”

Standing up on his back legs, Reginald nodded. “Try not to die.”

Shane chuckled. “No promises.”

Reginald lowered a palm to the ground, and Shane stepped on.

“Remember. Return to your tattoo after you throw me,” Shane said.

“Yeah, yeah,” Reginald grumbled. “Ready?”

“Ye—”

Before he could finish, he was flying through the air while motes of brown light blended into his arm.

The wall blurred past, and a second later, Shane was looking over the city. It was larger than he remembered. Tall apartment buildings and industrial districts stuck out the most. The market square was popping with guests, and he only had a moment to find the slums.

“Home, sweet, home,” he whispered before gravity came back.

He had just barely crested the wall before he started to drop. The street raced up to meet him, and Shane bent his legs to absorb the impact.

Then he hit.

The pavement under him cracked and exploded from the force of his landing. Dust billowed into the air, making him cough as he stood up and shook out his legs.

“That worked.” He blanched as he spat out dust.

“We can’t help you unless it’s an emergency,” Rai reminded him.

“I know, love,” Shane said. Scanning the empty street, he wanted to hurry away before the guards came.

Turning west, he stepped out of his very small crater and dusted himself off. Unlike when he left the city, he was returning in a pair of nice jeans, hiking boots, and a button-up flannel shirt. For the first time in fifteen years, he wasn’t going to look the part of the slums.

***

Shane wrinkled his nose as he entered the slums. The stench of sewage and rot permeated the air like thick cheese. It clung to his clothes, threatening to pull him back into his old lifestyle.

Eyes from the shadows watched him walk past, and he caught several children following him.

He still had the small pouch of coins from his last job, and it was tucked into a hidden pocket of his shirt. But unless he stripped, these kids weren’t going to believe he had nothing on him.

Leaving them to follow him, he stepped into an alley and pushed his hands into his pockets. Lowering his shoulders into a slump, he waited for their ambush.

A young teen stepped into the entrance of the alley from the direction he was heading. Shane sighed as he recognized the kid.

“Are the little ones yours?” Shane asked.

“It’s nothing personal, mister. We need to eat too.”

Half a dozen children walked up behind Shane with iron pipes, ready to beat him down.

Raising his brow, Shane turned back to the teen. “Martin, is that any way to talk to your mentor?”

The kid froze. “There’s no way. You’re dead!”

The pipes fell to the ground as the children ran up to Shane. Martin closed the distance nearly the fastest and grabbed Shane’s arms.

“Shane?” Martin asked. “How are you alive? Jeremy said the Marked had you.”

Smiling, Shane ruffled the kid’s hair. “I’ve been hiding in a hole for the last few weeks. Stole some new threads, got a pair of boots that fit for once, and I’m on my way to see Old Marge.”

“You have white skin?” Martin asked.

“Hey!” Shane protested. “I do know how to clean up, you know.”

Laughing, Martin looked at the children. “Pick up your pipes. Find another mark.”

Shane shook his head. “They start so young.”

Martin’s expression turned grim. “I wish they didn’t need to start at all.”

“Same.” Shane sighed. “At least they’ll grow up. If we can get some money together, some of the shops will apprentice them.”

“Did you suddenly strike it rich?” Martin snorted.

“No. But I’m in the mood to dream big.”

Shaking his head, Martin leaned against the wall. “Where have you been, Shane? Marge has been worried to death with the guards and Marked coming around. Some of the children were taken. The slums were turned upside down.”

Shane froze and turned slowly to Martin. “What do you mean, some of the kids were taken?”

“Marge can explain it better. It took two weeks for things to calm down. Jeremy is still locked down with Rachel.”

“Are they surviving?” Shane asked.

“Their kid is nearly four, but he needs food, Shane.” Resting his hands behind his head, Martin leaned against the alley wall. “We do what we can for the young ones, but…”

“I know,” Shane grunted. “I’ll figure something out. Give me a few days to come up with some supplies.”

“We’re counting on you, Shane,” Martin said before patting his shoulder.

Nodding, Shane left. His blood was boiling with the news, but he knew he couldn’t act just yet. His first priority was seeing Old Marge and letting her know he was fine.

Rai and Reginald stayed quite as he walked the streets. The sun was truly setting by the time he reached the small house that he grew to love. The apartments around it were collapsed and unlivable, but Marge’s house always remained.

Stepping up to the dimly lit window on the front door, he knocked.

Soft footsteps approached. “How many times do I have to tell you kids just to come inside?” an angry woman shouted.

Putting his best smile on, Shane watched the door open. “Hello, Marge.”

A wooden spoon clattered to the ground before two strong hands grabbed him. The familiar face of his mother figure gasped. “Shane?”