Steve McHugh - Born of Hatred

Blood magic glyphs flared, the dark marks covering my arms and chest. More screams sounded from above and then all I felt was calm as my magic went to work healing my wound.

The pain subsided in seconds, the wound closing soon after. I had no idea how I'd managed it, or how it was even possible to heal a silver wound that quickly, but I didn't care. The blood glyphs left me, and glyphs of pure white crossed up my arms, taking their place. I got back to my feet, and glanced over at Gordon who was screaming at Elijah about Randal being a cheat. Randal was getting back to his feet, his face a mess of ground meat.

I created a sphere in my palm, using my fingers to cause it to spin rapidly as I placed more and more air magic inside it. When it contained enough, I ran at Randal and drove the sphere into his chest with everything I had. And then I released it.

The devastation was total. The magic that engulfed Randal whirled and roared, it swallowed whatever screams might have escaped Randal's mouth. And by the time the magic had dissipated, there was nothing left to suggest he'd ever been standing there. The unleashed magic had destroyed everything behind him, including both the concrete wall and solid earth for twenty feet, leaving a five foot wide trench between two groups of spectators above.

No one moved, or spoke. I'm pretty certain there wasn't even any blinking, as every single pair of eyes was aimed right at me.

Elijah broke the silence. "Cheat," he shouted. "A sorcerer."

Noise exploded above me once more, only ending when I did something stupid. I removed my t-shirt and unleashed my magic. Orange glyphs replaced the white as two whips of fire were created, one from each of my hands. I walked the length of the pit the noise and smell of burning wood tailing behind me as the whips dragged along the floor, until I stood beneath Elijah. "If you think you'd like to continue where your boy failed, you're more than welcome."

Elijah looked pale. "You are no human," he eventually seethed.

"You never asked," I told him. "That's no one's fault but yours." I walked back to the centre of the pit. "Anyone who wants to step in here with me, I created an easy access for you." I pointed to the crater and the wolves' eyes followed my hand, either transfixed or wondering if they really could take me.

A thud from behind me took my attention, and I turned ready to strike, but found only Tommy walking toward me.

"Could you stop me from falling over?" I whispered. "I think I may have overdone myself."

Tommy embraced me, just as I fell forward.

Gordon was first beside me. "I guess you win," he said with a slight grin. "I've never seen anything like that."

"It'd be awesome if you could get me out of here without dropping me," I said to no one in particular before passing out.

I woke to the smell of bacon. Nothing bad could come from that. I opened one eye gingerly and found myself on Matthew's sofa. I weighed the pros and cons of sitting up and decided it was worth the risk.

"How're you feeling?" Tommy asked in between mouthfuls of a sandwich.

"Is there more bacon?"

Tommy laughed, and handed me a plate full of bacon sandwiches. I ate my fill and instantly felt better.

"So, do you plan on telling me what the fuck happened out there?"

"What in particular would you like me to explain?" I asked drinking a bottle of water that Tommy had gotten for me.

"Let's start with the stabbing. I've never known you to let your guard down like that."

"I don't know what happened. I wanted to kill him; it was all I thought about. To end his miserable existence. It was only for a second, but I guess that was long enough."

"That doesn't explain how you healed from a stab with a silver knife." Tommy produced the knife from the floor, and placed it on the coffee table between us. Someone had cleaned my blood from it.

"I really do have no idea whatsoever. I just accessed as much magic as I could."

Tommy didn't appear too impressed with my answer, but he left it alone. "And that sphere? What the hell was that?"

"Since I learnt that my power has increased, I've been trying to see just what I can do. What I can push. I've managed to create a sphere that contains the power of a hurricane. It's somewhat spectacular when released."

"No fucking shit. They found Randal. Sorry, they found most of Randal. He's alive, but he lost one arm when it vaporised, or whatever the fuck happens when the power of hurricane is contained in something that's eight inches in diameter and then unleashed on one person."

"I've never used it on a person before, lost my temper a bit when he stabbed me."

"Well, it works," Gordon said as he entered the room. "Would you really have fought Elijah?"

"No, I'd have killed him fast. I didn't have it in me to fight. Using the magic in the sphere and being stabbed, sort of takes it out of you."

"You're up," Ellie said as she entered the room. "That was pretty damn impressive."

"I try," I said to her. "Did Elijah tell you about Neil?"

"Within about two seconds of Matthew asking. I called Olivia, who's put together a task force to go get him." Tommy stood and stretched. "I'm going to go talk to my daughter."

"I'd like some clean clothes," I said. My trousers were covered in blood and my t-shirt was probably still in half on the floor of the pit.

Gordon left the room, returning a few minutes later with a pair of dark blue jeans and a green t-shirt. "We have clothes of all shapes and sizes on standby here. You'd be amazed how often werewolves don't think about keeping their clothing safe when they go hunting."

I thanked him and he left to go attend to whatever duties he needed to do. Tommy took the cue and left too, leaving Ellie and me alone.

"I'm glad you're okay," she said.

"Me, too."

"I haven't met many sorcerers who I'd say I trusted. You just made the top of a very short list, Nate."

"Honoured. Sorcerers have a tendency to think only in terms of magic and how it can be applied in life; it makes some of us appear cold towards others."

"Especially werewolves."

"Oh, not just werewolves, all weres, vampires, trolls, basically anything that isn't a sorcerer. We're not picky; we're just better than everyone else." I grinned as I spoke to ensure that Ellie knew I was only teasing.

Ellie laughed. "Humble, too."

"Yeah, sorcerers are basically perfect."

Ellie glanced down at my still naked chest and stomach, and gave me a sly smile. "Yes. Yes, you are."

I chuckled and stood up, putting on my clothes. The t-shirt was a little snug, but at least the jeans wouldn't fall down, although the feeling of clean clothes against my skin reminded me that I really needed a shower.

"Maybe we'll see each other again sometime, Ellie," I said. "Hopefully under better circumstances."

Ellie offered me her hand, which I shook. She pulled me toward her with considerable strength and kissed me on the cheek. "I look forward to it," she said and stared at me with her beautiful blue eyes.

I watched Ellie leave the room, or rather I watched her ass move seductively as she left the room, to be replaced by an entering Tommy.

"Ellie's impressed with you. And she's not easily impressed," Tommy said. "She's turned down half the men in the pack who have been sniffing around her."

"I think my dating life is on hold for the moment," I told him. "How's Kasey?"

"Waiting for me to come home, apparently I'm out after my bedtime. You want to come to mine for a drink?" my old friend asked.

I shook my head. "I'm going to take a look at Vicki's place."

"You don't need to do that, Nate."

"I know, but I'd feel better taking a look myself. Her disappearance is wrapped up with these murders."