Luke held back a moan as Jules pushed her tongue into his mouth; but then she leaned in and pressed herself against him and he couldn’t hold back the moan any longer. The two finally broke the kiss.

“that… hah… was… amazing” Jules sighed out between deep breaths. Luke opened his mouth to reply; but no words came out.

“Luke?” Jules looked at him inquisitively, but Luke still couldn’t say anything and realized that he couldn’t breathe, like his breath was stuck in his lungs, refusing to budge.

“Luke?” she stared at his chest and he too looked down and saw a bloody claw jutting out of his chest, he looked back up at Jules and saw the horrified look on her face.

“HAAH!” Luke woke with a start, drenched in his own sweat. He looked around anxiously for a few moments before realizing he was all alone in his room, no Jules, and no Hyena.

“haa..” falling back down on the bed Luke simply stared at the ceiling, “it was just a dream” he tried to tell himself “just a dream”

XXXXXXX

When Luke entered Chang’s office, he saw that everyone else was already present “am I late?”

“you’re right on time actually” Chang replied without even looking up from the bag he had on his desk. Luke fell in line with the others as Chang pulled out a vial of blood and kept it on the desk “blood of the Laelaps hound”

“Is that it?” Obie looked like he was expecting more “that’s the only ingredient we need?”

“it’s the only ingredient we didn’t have” Phoebe explained “we already have the rest of the ingredients, including, but not limited to… a cauldron, a flame, and even the white stuff in coconuts”

“Coconut meat” Chang corrected her

“How can a plant have meat?” Luke was glad the others looked confused too

“it’s not actual meat, it’s just what it’s called” the adult explained

“How can you call something in a plant meat?” Daphne wasn’t satisfied with the answer.

“I don’t have time for this” Chang rolled his eyes at them “just meet back at my place tonight and we’ll hunt down the chimeras”

“Was it really smart to bring this rare ingredient to school when we’re doing the spell at your home?” Obie asked Chang as he put it back in the bag

“I travelled across the country for this” Chang gave the boy a sharp look “there’s no way it leaves my person” with that the four kids exited the office; but while Daphne, Obie, and Phoebe headed to the quad, Luke went to the entrance of the school.

“Hey baby!” Jules greeted Luke at the entrance hall with a big smile and a quick peck on the lips

“Hey!” Luke smiled back, every time he saw Jules he felt just a little bit giddy.

“You look tired” Luke’s girlfriend noted immediately

“Just a little bit” Luke looked sheepish; he couldn’t exactly say that he was dehydrated due to his new physiology “stayed up late last night playing games”

“hmm” she refrained from commenting but Luke could feel her disapproval “did you study for today’s English test?”

“there’s no English test today” Luke refuted her confidently

“Well, look at you” Jules patted him on the shoulder “Actually paying attention!”

“You know it” the two stared walking down the hallway as Luke escorted Jules to her class.

“it’s just…” Jules paused for a moment as of to find the right words “with your late nights and early morning Pop Club meetings, I’m worried your burning the candle on both ends”

“I’m fine” Luke promised, biting his tongue about the pop culture club Obie had started to hide their activities.

“Oh my god!” Jules suddenly grabbed Luke by the hand and turned him towards her “I didn’t even ask how your wrestling meet went!”

“It was awesome!” Luke was practically bouncing on his feet now “you should’ve seen me I manhandled the other guy like a baby” Luke had very easily and quickly pinned his opponent from their rival school, Mears High

“I’m so sorry!” Jules looked crushed “I go all wrapped up in-”

“In worrying if I was getting enough rest” Luke placed his hands on her shoulders “Seriously Jules you are an amazing person, and no small mistake is going to negate that”

“Thank you” the girl visibly relaxed and gave Luke another kiss on the lips as a goodbye before walking into her homeroom.

“Man, having a girl really just changes your life” Luke thought to himself as he ambled towards his own homeroom; it wasn’t that his friends didn’t care about him, but the way Jules seem to always notice even the minute details about him, it was a level of concern Luke had never gotten, or was comfortable with.

“whatever” he just shook his head as he stepped into class “she’s super hot, and actually into me; that’s all that matters”

The rest of the day went pretty smoothly too, Until Daphne cornered him right before lunch “Wassup?” the confused redhead asked her once they were alone in a classroom.

“What exactly happened at your meet with Mears high?” Daphne didn’t look angry, but there was an air of stiff seriousness about her, So Luke too straightened up “well…”

FLASHBACK

“let’s do this shit” Luke hyped himself up as he stepped into the ring into the neutral start position against his Mears High opponent.

The bell rang and immediately his opponent came at him for a single leg takedown, But Luke easily avoided his attempt and drove the boy into the ground as his opponent avoided going out of bounds.

Luke positioned himself on top of the downed boy and grabbed his arms. It turned to a struggle as Luke tried to pull the opponent’s arms into his own grip and the other boy tried to free himself, but ultimately Luke managed to lock his arms into double under hooks and twisted to pin the boy down.

“Pin” the referee declared as Luke let the Mears High boy go. He had managed to win the match by pinfall in a minute and fifty seven seconds

END FLASHBACK

“You Idiot” Daphne hissed at him

“What?” Luke was genuinely confused

“You used your powers” Daphne got right to his face, making Luke take a step back

“I was totally sandbagging it” Luke refuted her “otherwise you know that I could have finished him in ten seconds”

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“yeah” Daphne conceded, “but if you were human, you would’ve gone three rounds with him and it would’ve been a close call”

“Hey, I was a good wrestler before I got killed!” Luke was getting pissed off

“But you can’t be one now” Daphne wasn’t backing down “because now there are people out there who would take notice in the wrong way”

“Yes, witch hunters” Luke sighed “I remember”

“So why would you stick out your neck like that?”

“I didn’t” Luke pushed her off “I didn’t do anything that would look beyond belief, It might have been big for me, but not to the world”

“it’s stupid and dangerous” Daphne stood arms akimbo

“Fine I’ll sandbag it even more, now let. It. Go.” Luke didn’t wait for an answer and just waked away, leaving Daphne fuming

XXXXXXX

“Alright” Chang nodded “glad that everyone is here on time” the air was heavy with tension, this was their night to track down and finally finish the Chimera Gang

“All right” Phoebe bit her lip as she examined the spell one last time, this was by far one of the most complex spell she had done to date.

“You got this” Obie patted her back, Daphne too nodded in encouragement, while Luke just gave her a thumbs up, which she appreciated.

Taking a calming breath, Phoebe stepped over to the cauldron “Alright, Let’s get started” this spell would require the participation of all of them.

Phoebe poured the Cassia oil into the cauldron until it was halfway full; Obie was slicing the half clove of garlic into even pieces, Daphne was crushing the wings of a bat, Chang was cutting out the coconut meat from its shell and burning it, while Luke was muddling the innards of a rattle snake.

Everyone prepared the ingredients and handed it to Phobe who was completely fixed on the oil; once everything was ready, Phoebe started making the potion.

She chanted as she stirred her brows furrowed in concentration, throwing in the ingredients at different intervals. First the crushed bat wings, then the burnt coconut meat, followed by the snake’s innards, and then the garlic.

The entire time she kept stirring and chanting and the concoction in the cauldron boiled and bubbled; first a dark red, then a deep brown and then into a forest green color that seemed to glow.

Luke and the others continued to watch in anticipation as Phoebe, still chanting, took out a small scoop of the concoction with the ladle and poured it into a small shot glass, her forehead covered with a sheen of sweat; she took the shot glass over to the other table, everyone else right at her heels.

Phoebe placed the shot glass over a large map of Solwood, with four candles burning in the four directions. The blonde witch still didn’t stop chanting and she took out the Laelaps hound blood and a small spoon and dropped out a teaspoon of the blood into the shot glass.

Luke had to stop himself from gasping as the potion in the shot glass turned a pitch black, and the flames of the four candles turned an acid green.

Phoebe finally stopped chanting and now starting forming hand gestures. The shot glass toppled over by itself, but the potion didn’t spill out, instead it poured out without spreading, almost as if it was alive.

The viscous liquid moved across the map before pausing and spreading out into a ring. Phoebe stopped chanting and instantly the acid green flames of the candles went out, the blonde itch stumbled back but was caught by Daphne, while Chang peered at the ring.

“it’s a warehouse in the industrial district” the Asian man declared “that’s where they’re holed up”

“Right beside Elsewhen” Obie noted “close enough to a place they can hunt random strangers, but far enough to keep distance when needed”

“let’s go then” Luke clapped his hands together in anticipation.

“Yeah!” Phoebe tried to stand up but fell right back into Daphne’s arms “Actually I might need a minute” she was struggling to keep her eyes open.

“you can’t even stand” Daphne laid her down on the couch before turning to the boys “we’ll have to go without her”

“it’s too risky” Chang shot her down

“we’ll have the element of surprise” Luke pointed out

“We know they’re there” Obie pointed out “but they don’t know that we know; y’know”

“We know” Luke nodded in agreement

“So, let’s wait a day” Obie suggested “give Phoebe time to recover, and form a proper attack plan, she’s our biggest gun”

Luke and Daphne shared a look of unwillingness but relented, knowing that Obie and Chang were right “Okay!” Daphne finally assented “tomorrow”

XXXXXXX

Luke was up and ready before his alarm had even rung “today” he was too wired

“Hey honey” Andrea was also awake early today “I was thinking tonight we coul-”

“can’t tonight” Luke didn’t even look up from his bowl “let’s do it tomorrow”

Luke was already thinking about the Chimera gang and the Hyena, which was why he didn’t even see his mother’s frazzled and hurt look, even though she sat right across him.

The redhead skateboarded to school faster than he had ever done before “Couldn’t sleep?” Daphne asked him rhetorically as she stepped in line with him as they walked to Chang’s office.

“No!” Obie replied as he too stepped in line with them. The three entered the Spanish teacher’s office, only to find it empty.

“… what now?” Luke finally asked the other two

“We… wait? I guess?” all three of them were too wired to sit around, but that was all they could do until Chang came to the office ten minutes later.

“where’s Pheebs?” Daphne asked aloud, it wasn’t like her to be late.

“she’s taking the day off to get some more rest” Chang explained “but she’ll be ready and rested by nightfall, until then the three of you need to go about your day normally” something easier said than done.

“Luke” Jules physically shook him “what’s with you? You’ve been spaced out all day today” it was the end of the school day and the two were hanging out at the quad.

“sorry! Just… thinking” Luke had gone through the whole day in a daze, being told off multiple times by teachers about not paying attention, but he just couldn’t get his mind off the Chimera gang.

“about what?” Jules leaned in closer, and suddenly all thoughts about chimeras were driven out of his mind.

“um…” Luke audibly swallowed as he felt acutely aware of Jules and how nice she smelled “stuff”

“seriously?” Jules raised an eyebrow “stuff? That the best you can come up with?”

“Hey! you came all close and my mind went blank” Luke replied truthfully “but sorry, I’m just not able to think straight today”

“hmm” Jules shrugged in acceptance “it’s okay, everyone has off days”

“thanks for being so understanding” Luke leaned in and gave her a kiss

“you’re welcome” Jules leaned in and gave him another kiss

“don’t know what I’d do without you” Luke kissed her again

“suffer” Jules gave him another kiss

“could you guys please not rub your relationship in my face!” Obie, who had been sitting with them, viciously spat out.

“Sorry!” Jules gave him a smile that was anything but apologetic, before turning back to Luke “also, I gotta leave”

“I’m gonna miss you” the two shared a final parting kiss before Jules took her leave

“You are so smitten” Obie sniggered once she was out of earshot.

“Whatever dude” Luke had a silly little grin on his face as he watched Jules walk off into the distance.

“ohh-kay” Obie breathed out “let’s go, the others are waiting for us”

The moment of peace passed and Luke’s bloodlust was back “let’s go”

XXXXXXX

“hooh” Luke breathed out of his mouth, loosening his hands and legs, they were in the lane adjacent to the warehouse which they had marked as the Chimera Gang’s

“Nervous?” Obie gave his friend a knowing look, they were waiting for the signal, and time was moving far too slowly.

“Just… wired” Luke replied with a half truth “I’ve thought about this so many times… now that we’re finally here, it just feels so…”

“Unreal?”

“Yeah!” the redhead sighed; it was as good a word as any

“you’ve really been consumed by this ‘vengeance drive’ haven’t you?” Obie gave his friend a sideways look

“That Hyena killed me bro” Luke gritted his teeth as the memory of the claw jutting out of his chest flashed through his eyes “what am I supposed to…? Just, get over it?”

Before Obie could reply his phone rang twice before stopping “go time” He hefted his crossbow that Chang had given him” the two crossed the street and ran towards the back door of the warehouse.

Without pause Luke broke the gate wait a forward kick and rushed in, followed by Obie.

On the north side, the front shutter had a hole blown into it from which Phoebe and Chang charged, while Daphne broke the skyline and jumped down with ease.

Luke immediately knew something was wrong, mostly because of the glaring lack of adversaries. “This place is empty” Daphne was the first to speak.

“No! my senses are telling me that there is some foreign magic active here” Phoebe looked around suspiciously.

“Like this?” Obie walked over to the middle of the floor and picked up a doll that was lying on the ground “Looks like a voodoo doll”

“a totem doll” Phoebe realized, nearing Obie “that bitch was never here”

“they were two steps ahead of us” Chang realized as he too moved in to examine the doll, while daphne looked around for any threats.

“So, what she just left her hair over there on purpose?” Luke felt his anger rise “just send us on this wild goose chase to mock us?” they all realized it at the same time; when Luke said it out loud.

This was far too much trouble for a simple diversion; and that’s when the floor gave way beneath them.

Phoebe was the first to react and immediately formed two barriers on her left and right that both got attacked simultaneously; Obie who had been unfortunate enough to be behind Phoebe and was immediately jumped by a chimera, but it was too dark for him to see who it was.

Luke on the other hand could see in the dark and realized that Ryuu was a single bit away from Obie’s throat and grabbed him by the tail and pulled him off the other boy.

On the ground level Daphne had been just outside the falling circle, and had been spared, but just as she was about to rush in, the raven Chimera Tessa attacked her.

Tessa was in half transformation, with her legs turned into talons and her arms into giant wings; and swiped at Daphne who had to roll under the attack, the raven had no intention of letting the familiar regroup with the others.

“they’ve got us” Phoebe realized perilously, her barriers were being worn down and she could still feel the Hyena’s presence ahead of her “they’ve got us right where they want us”