It's a perfect night for the hellhounds to play. The air is crisp and the full moon is bright, glaring down as a glowing saucer. It paints the open field with an almost fluorescent light; grass streaked with white gently quivers in the breeze. Lupine heal twice as fast under the full moon – it's probably why Rex has asked us out here tonight. They are in their element and I am out of mine, ready to prepare for the taking of a life.

Brittle grass crunches beneath my feet as I make my way to the shooting range. In the distance, Miranda's blonde hair ripples like a silver flame whilst Rex's brown trench coat billows. My features harden as I see them; I have to get my head in the game. At the very least, I can pretend to not be blown apart with anxiety right now. My destiny as the Luminous One depends on my ability to shoot these guns. I have to get this right!

Suddenly, a stone jitters beneath my feet. I pause. The earth starts to tremble. My eyes dart to the side and my heart plummets to the pits of my stomach; something humongous is approaching me. Fast. I catch the glisten of something black. A pair of demonic yellow eyes appear to blaze amidst a storm cloud. They petrify me; all the oxygen rasps from my lungs – I need to run, but I am frozen. There is a hellhound chasing me down. Terror has seized me whole. I can't move. I can't move, I can't move!

I am sent soaring. The ground rumbles beneath me as it slams its paws into my shoulders. I clench my eyes shut and attempt to curl up like a hedgehog with a nightmarish scream. This is it. I always knew I'd meet my end like this!

However, no pain comes. Something wet slobbers across my cheeks. I open my eyes. A long, pink tongue slicks across me. I can barely process what is happening; a great black wolf excitedly pounds his paws above my shoulders, its eyes large and pupils dilated. Somehow, I am alive.

“And dead,” Rex states flatly.

“That was hardly fair!” Miranda snaps. Her voice sounds exasperated.

“That's how it is,” Rex snaps back. “In the wild wolves won't wait for you to realise they're hunting you down.”

The ability to breathe returns to me. Thankfully, it's just Ic, but if we were in the wild, I'd be done for. It's really starting to get real now; I will be duelling with these vicious animals. A sickly sensation prickles through my stomach. One time, it won't be a practice. I really am likely to lose my life here.

Ic's tail vibrates. He licks me on repeat and I can hardly stand it. I shove him away, sickened. I know for a fact that this isn't normal. Lupine don't behave like damn dogs. This is the first time I've ever seen one of these beasts in their wolf form before. The creature is more horrendously enormous than I could have ever imagined.

Ic recoils and his ears droop. He releases me with his tail stuck between his legs. I glower; a nauseating chill prickles down my spine. He had concealed it to stalk me, but now dazzling white light ripples from his fur. It makes his coat glisten like dusty stars twinkling in the night sky. The glimmering light illuminates the sickened expression on my face – it's impressive how something so ghastly could look so beautiful. However, that dazzling light is but a deceit. He may shine like an angel but this is nothing but a sheer devil in disguise.

I get to my feet. My knees buckle beneath me when I realise I have my full body to put its size into perspective. This magnificently evil beast comes up to my eyes on all fours; I shudder to think what it would look like on its hind legs. I stagger backwards, almost sending my behind clamouring into the earth again. Ic whimpers.

Rex catches me staring at him and rolls his eyes. “Okay, first thing first. Pet the dog,” he says.

“Why?” I demand. I don't even want to look at it, much less touch it!

“He's your ally. You're going to have to get used to working with him.”

I scoff.

Rex pulls out a gun. “Pet the damn dog,” he orders.

"Okay, calm down!" I splutter.

I square my shoulders with a sigh. He's the teacher, I suppose. I take tepid little steps like a frightened mouse and Ic's tail steadily starts waving. It gets faster and faster with each step; I extend my hand, wincing. His eyes are large and kind of cute now that they're not accelerating towards me at breakneck speed, but I have been taught to fear these things my whole life. I just can't get over that suddenly. My arm tremors as I reach out slowly with my eyes shut.

Ic rubs his face up against my hand. I inch away and then relax; his fur is so soft, it calms my mind a little. I'm not too sure what he wants though. Am I expected to pet him? Tentatively, I reach to stroke his ear and Ic's tail starts thundering. I can tell he really wants to get more excitable as his paws are nearly dancing upon the ground, but he seems to be holding back for my sake. I feel his shining aura warm my palm and, suddenly, my anxiety seems to melt away. He's probably manipulating my mood as these lecherous beasts are said to be capable of, but it's just such a nice sensation that I get a little lost in it.

I can't trust this beast. But when I touch him like this, it really does feel like he's saying I can depend on him to protect my life. I want to believe this facade of his.

The longer I touch him the more comfortable I get, so I decide to move lest I let my guard down too much. I step out of the way and let Miranda have her turn. Ic's tail immediately stops. Somehow, his wolfish face contains a soured expression. Miranda gives him one disgusted glance and taps his head. That is all.

“Okay,” Rex says. He hands Miranda and I a gun. My heart wretches at the cold steel in my palm. “First thing's first, when you're shooting a Lupine, I recommend you go for the eyes. They'll heal at an accelerated rate during the full moon, so don't even bother hunting them then. But if you DO find yourself in that situation, however, the eyes will temporarily blind the beast and the bullet will go right to the brain. A nasty one might be able to heal away some brain injuries, but they'll be immobilised while doing so."

I'm surprised that Rex speaks so clearly. He's clearly imperfect as a teacher as he is hashing through it too fast, but he plays the part better than you'd expect by his unkempt looks.

"Whatever you do, don't lose your weapon – you won't be able to beat a Lupine with your hands. The best attempt you have at survival is to jab out their eyes and pray. The most important thing is being able to keep moving to pull out your soul taser. We'll practice reacting in a scary situation in a bit, but first thing's first: infusing the weapon with your soul. To do this you're going to need to want to harm the beast. Think about what's happened to your church and imagine energy surging around your palm and transferring to the gun. Don't pull the trigger, obviously – you'll send a piece of your soul flying if you do, but you should be able to practice by readying a bullet.”

I grit my teeth as I remind myself that I have to sacrifice a piece of my soul to fire this thing. A whole entire part of my existence just to stand the mere hope of killing the beast. I have to stay focused though; if I can just have this one kill, then maybe I'll be able to create a scenario where no one will have to fire one of these damn things again.

Well, here goes nothing…

I think back to the murder and my stomach churns. Suddenly, I feel as though I have been blown apart. The image of the severed head staring soullessly into my eyes flashes in my brain. Rather than fuel me forward, it deters me. Static electricity crawls upon my arm like insects; I imagine it racing towards my palm, but then realise I will be creating this gore by my own hands and, suddenly, the electricity dies away.

My eyes widen as I glance over at Miranda. Silver light encases her palm causes her hair to waver. Light races through the barrel like medicine injected into a vein.

My heart sinks to the depths of my stomach. She did it already?

“Good, Miranda!” Rex shouts. “Lorelei, bad!”

I release a nervous breath.

Relax, I tell myself, you've only tried once. You've got this.

I try to focus the energy surging into my palm. But all I can think about is Miranda succeeding in something that's supposed to be my destiny. Doubts are sewn in my mind; the electricity boiling in my hand fades away to nothing.

I grit my teeth, growing pale. Not good. I knew I wasn't cut out for this. Why the hell did Apollo pick me?

"Clear your head, Lorelei!" Rex snaps.

I lick my lips. She gains the ability to kill so easily. She doesn't even look phased. I really, really don't like this.

I take a deep breath and close my eyes. I have to get this right. How can I lead my church if I can't even kill the beast we're supposed to slay?

Rex's stare is cold. "Seems like you might need a bit of inspiration," he states.

He rummages through his bag. I hesitate a little as he holds out a photograph for me. Just what does he mean by inspiration?

I look at it and, instantly, the blood drains from my face.

Gore. So much gore; my eyes bulge as they scan across the photograph. A woman with her head hanging on by mere strings. She is entirely naked apart from the layers of red drenching her skin. Her ribcage is exposed, her breasts, stomach and thighs are entirely eaten. I start to shake; I wonder if I might be having a nightmare. Suddenly, it feels as though my soul has left my body. My chest is haemorrhaging, yet, still, I can't breathe.

I smash my hands to my lips. I can't imagine the world of pain she must have endured.

Miranda looks at me and storms forward. "Oi, what's–"

Suddenly, I am resurrected with the will to move. I decimate the photo in my fist and shake my head. No. Miranda doesn't need to see something like this.

Rex narrows his eyes. "Her name was Delilah Livingston. The wolf faked being human then killed her after having sex."

I shake my head. Words just won't come out.

Miranda grits her teeth. "Why are you showing him something like that!" she shrieks. "We've barely even started! There was no need to resort to something like that!"

"Because the wolf that did that is our target!" Rex hisses.

I feel disorientated. I hear his voice, but I don't immediately put together what Rex just said. Then I realise: there is no way that they've put us up against something like that for our first kill.

Me and Miranda look at each other.

"What?" she whispers.

"What? Did you think this is a game?" Rex spits. "Have the two of you not realised it yet? That the church wants you dead?"

'Excuse me?" I demand.

"Oh, come on!" Rex slaps his hands onto his thigh exasperatedly. He points at Miranda and then me. "You're a troublemaker and you're too much of an individual! It could not be more obvious that the two of you are being sentenced to death!"

My lips part. I cannot believe the slanderous things sprouting from this man's lips.

Rex stares at me as I bare my gums. His voice softens. "Listen to me. Me and Ic well, we… we need the money. We have to go hunting that thing. But you two… I can say you died. They won't question it since that's what they want to hear. And it's what they expect. I'll let you run away. Maybe you can find a job somewhere and make it. Your chances are certainly better out there than they are here going out on a death mission with the church."

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

I fold my arms. My own parents didn't want me. They sold me away and this is the place that raised me. It is my only home. So many other children had their families killed by wolves and were taken in by the church. In return for food and shelter, we take a vow to God that we won't have a relationship. That is all that is asked of us. And Rex has the audacity to say that the church wants us dead when we are only alive because of them?

Miranda joins me in my standoff-ish position and touches her hand to her chest. "Apollo chose me. He wants me to lead the church to a new era."

Rex looks as though he's expecting Miranda to say she's joking, but nothing but deadpan seriousness comes. He scoffs. She looks him dead in the eye like a dog about to scrap over a piece of meat.

"I'm sorry." Rex takes a step forward, laughing. "Did you just say you think your God will save you?"

Miranda also takes a step forward. Quickly, I shove myself between the two of them; their eyes cut like lasers through my head.

Miranda says nothing but arches her eyebrows as if daring him to continue.

"Do you also believe that you are special?" Rex asks me.

I hesitate. The truth is that I have my doubts. I struggle to have the guts to kill something despite being the one prophesied to lead the church. But Apollo spoke to me personally. He said he liked me. How can that not mean good things for me?

Rex notes my hesitation. His eyes are cold. "I see that if you are told you are special all your life, you start to believe it. How foolish." His voice goes quiet. "I can tell you personally that your God will not save you." He turns his back. "Class dismissed."

"No," Miranda spits. "We need to learn."

"Why?" Rex asks. "God will protect you, right?"

She narrows her eyes.

"You two can keep a hold of the weapons. Practice infusing the bullet with your soul. That's all for tonight."

Rex walks away.

"I'm going to bed," Miranda grumbles.

Damn it! I guess it's not so bad for her cause she could already do it but I could really do with the practice!

"Ic," Rex states as if reading my mind. "Protect Lorelei while he practices."

I look at Ic. He wags his tail a little, ears perking up. I sigh. This is nothing but a damn dog. I am being ridiculous. Being left with Ic isn't tempting, but I don't want to walk back with them either.

The two of them keep their distance as they head back to the church.

I take hold of the gun and close one eye as I aim at the target. Light illuminates my palm; I get a little further than before, but all I can think about is fear. I don't want to harm a Lupine because I don't want to fight them. I don't want to die.

I can't afford not to practice. Yet, each time I think I am making progress, dreadful gore flashes in my mind. Each time I am ripped open as if seeing it for the first time.

I sigh, forcing myself to push through despite my doubts. I can see this isn't going to be easy.

***

The moon has risen further into the sky. I haven't succeeded, but I've made progress. The bullet lasts a little longer each time before eventually sizzling away. I let loose a weary sigh, frustration boiling in the pits of my stomach. Just as I had feared, Miranda was better at something that was supposed to be my destiny. My doubts that Apollo was correct to choose me ravage me in full force; I try to push forward, but my mind is too distracted. I'm a failure. This seems to be the best I can hope for now.

Just as I am thinking of leaving, Ic trots up to me. It seems Ic can read people better than you'd expect from the lack of communication as, just as my spirits dampen, he nudges my hand with his massive head. His silky soft ears brush against my forefinger and he gives a very slow blink with his big, round eyes. He gives a weary wave of his tail as if trying to infect my mood with his own positive one. Still, I find myself recoiling. It's a psychical effort to remind myself to be on my guard around him. Once the reminder of what this thing is hits me, that this is not, in fact, a massive dog, the anxiety does not settle.

My mood is not helped by his sudden shift. His wolf form is devoured by white light. It crackles like a gunshot; I cower as raw electricity charges against my skin. His wolven form quivers like an ectoplasm before wavering into a ghostly silhouette. Ic’s shaggy black hair settles just past his shoulders as he resolidifies. It’s not as bad when he's a wolf because you can just sort of pretend he’s a massive dog, but when he’s a human it really cannot be ignored that his canine antics are not any normal behaviour for any man or Lupine.

If Ic senses my discomfort, he ignores it. He bares me a big, toothy kind of grin. It’s a cheeky kind of one; his brows are furrowed forward as if determined, yet, it is large enough to eclipse half his face. He taps his chest as if pleased with himself, adorning the smile like a medal.

“Um…” I glance around as if my surroundings will help me understand what is going on right now. “What are you smiling for?”

Ic points to his temple with a smug raise of his head. He repeatedly furls and unfurls his fingers on one hand as if taunting an invisible crowd.

“Uh, okay,” I say.

I don't really have time to be playing charades right now.

Ic places a hand before me as I make my way to leave. I cringe, not liking this thing touching me one bit. I resist the urge to roll my eyes and grit my teeth. Ic points to his lips and mouths something.

"Idea."

I frown. Somehow, I realise that he's telling me he has an idea even though I have never been proficient at lip reading before. How did he do that? Or was that just obvious given the context?

"You… have an idea?" I grumble.

Ic gives a massive nod and dances on the spot a little. He taps his foot very fast – I remember Rex telling me he does that to simulate the wagging of a tail.

Ic outstretches his hand. I give a suspicious narrow of my eyes. Ic stares at me expectantly. Is he…? Is he expecting me to take it?

No. I shouldn't touch a Lupine. Especially not somewhere like the hand. They can manipulate your mind with touch.

"No," I say clearly.

Ic whimpers. His face sinks.

I arch an eyebrow. "If you can make a noise like that then you can tell me what it is you want," I snap.

Ic hangs his head.

I bare my teeth. I don't know what he wants from me, but I don't think I like this. Why is this Lupine so desperate for me to take his hand? Nerves start to rattle inside me. What is he scheming?

No. I've had enough. I have to show him who's boss.

It takes a lot of effort for me to lift that gun. The disgusting contraption feels weighed with its many, many sins. But, knowing I have to get used to it, with shaking hands, I point the barrel straight at his head.

Disgust wretches through me and my bottom lip quivers. Suddenly, I feel like crying just by pointing a gun at someone – even a Lupine. I know I can't fire this thing. I've seen enough blood and guts to last a lifetime. But at the very least, I have to make him think I can so he doesn't take advantage of me.

"Enough," I say. I try to say it clearly and sharply, but it comes out more like a panic induced splutter instead.

Ic's brow furrows. Then, twinkling from the full moon above, I see it: a sparkle of emotional intelligence in his eyes. Empathy. I realise then that this is more than a dog. There is a glimmer of a real human soul behind those eyes.

A purifying white light outlines his skin. As his aura brushes against mine, I feel born anew, as if having taken a bath in the clearest, most refreshing of spring water. I can sense from his aura he holds no animosity to me, but I am still not relaxed. I don't appreciate all this funny business with souls and auras given what they can do with them.

I grit my teeth harder. I press the barrel harder into his temple so it leaves an imprint. Ic looks at me, somehow with serene calmness in his mismatched eyes despite having a gun pointed at his head. Maybe he knows I can't fire it as, very slowly, he outstretches one palm with one other raised above his head. My gums bare as my hand spasms wildly against his head.

Ic mouths something. "Trust."

"No!" I stammer. Tears roll down my cheek as I clench my eyes shut. I can't shoot him. He's about to touch me, probably to seduce me or some nonsense, yet, God's above, I still can't ready the bullet and pull the trigger.

My eyes widen as he slowly reaches outward. I tense my body, cursing myself for the failure that I am.

The skin of Ic's forefinger brushes against mine.

Explosive static blooms like a rose from the point of contact. It shoots like a dart and ignites my heart like cocaine injected into the bloodstream. At first, I am agitated, then I feel woozy all around. The surging heat of Ic's aura warms my own like a tender caress. The point of contact glows warmly as static electricity dances upon my flesh; I realise then, that, somehow, my mind is cleared. My tears have all but stopped. But I am too relaxed. He must have done something. Suspicions mounting, I chase that warm light pulsing from my hand and imagine it shooting to my temple. Suddenly, my hand is ignited with golden light. The barrel of the gun surges with power.

Ic stares at me with no fear or animosity in his eyes. I am so stunned I drop the gun. The sound of metal plummeting to the earth snaps me back to reality; did I just… did I just ready a bullet?

Ic's eyes melt with warmth. He gives me a thumbs up.

I stagger backwards. Did he help me with that?

"Was that you?" I ask.

Ic points to me then points to himself. Both of us?

I suck my lips inward. Why would he help me ready a bullet when he had a gun pointed at his head? Just what does he want?

Ic points to himself, makes a gun shape with his fingers, points to me, and then gestures to his blind eye.

"I gun you eye?" I ask.

Ic nods fast and excitedly. Is he asking us to work together? Me to be his eyes while he helps me with the bullet? How would we even do that?

As if reading my mind, Ic points to me and then his back. He lowers his body to the ground and shifts into a wolf again. He looks up at me expectantly. Is he asking me to ride on his back?

I must be a madman, as, for a brief moment, I consider it. If Ic and I touching helps me fire bullets, I'd be able to do it consistently on his back. I'd also be a lot safer as he can move faster than I can. If there is some way I can help with Ic's blindspot, he'd be more useful too.

Then I realise: constant touching could lead to opportunity for seduction. But that doesn't really matter in hindsight, cause if the church catches me working with a Lupine, I'd be done for.

I fold my arms as I look down at him. "No," I say coldly.

I make my exit, deciding it's best to leave so he can't sway me anymore. Ic whines, following behind me like a baby chick. I ignore him, storming ahead. Unfortunately for me, he has to escort me back to the church – I really wish I could just be alone right now.

However, that feeling is quickly retracted. As I get closer to the church, it is then that I hear it: a sound that instantly makes my blood curl.

The sound of a piano being played.

Instantly, I am transported to a hellscape. Lifeless, glassy eyes flash in my mind. As do strings of flesh oozing red. I stagger; I clutch my hand to my mouth, chest heaving. It's just someone playing the piano. It could mean nothing, yet also everything. It could be Miranda practising for the recital, yet it could also mean the calling card of another corpse.

I don't know what to do. I could be overreacting, but another one of my kin could be dead. Cold sweat dribbles down my face and my legs waver; I don't know if I should run or hide. I look at Ic to find his hair standing on end like great jagged spikes. It seems he has picked up on the bad vibes also. He lowers himself to the ground, stealthily stalking forward without a single sound. His aura has vanished. He is in hunting mode.

My pulse quickens. My mind is a nonsensical rush of madness; run or hide? Run or hide, run or hide, run or hide?! I grip the gun tightly in my hand. The sweat nearly makes it slip from my fingertips. I know that the ancient doors are too creaky to not alert our presence. We will not be able to ambush. And Ic will not be able to tell us what the killer looks like if they get away. They may even be in his blind spot. If they escape, the opportunity will be lost with them forever.

The music speeds up as the song reaches its climax; my erratic heartbeat syncs along like a drum, putrid nausea gushing into my mouth. I have to go in. I don't want to hide out here on my lonesome in case he escapes back through the doors. If they are a Lupine, they will most certainly smell me. I will be done for.

I have one chance to prove myself as the fabled saviour of the church.

I have to do this.

Heart racing, I reach my trembling hand out to the door.

Suddenly, the music stops. I hear the pounding of footsteps. Somehow, the killer has been alerted to our presence. I have to move. Now.

I rush forward without having the time to think about my actions. The great doors screech as I push them open. It's too dark to see anything; vaguely, I see a black blob moving. My heart accelerates. Ic's paws batter against the ground as he sprints. My hand strangles the handle of the gun – a black figure is rushing to the main hallway. It's too dark though. I have to use my powers to light the place up to try and shoot them from long range…!

I use all my strength to summon golden sparks within my palm. But as I do so, it suddenly feels as though my hand is on fire. Great amounts of light, unlike anything I have ever produced, erupt like a volcano from my fingertips. I scream. Within milliseconds I have lost control; I hear the sound of a door being pushed open, but I can't see a damn thing. Blazing white light instantly consumes the room. Tears roll down my eyes as the light burns through my sockets. I get down to my knees, burying my face in my hands to shield myself from the agonising light. Icarus's screams are guttural. He sounds like someone scorned by Apollo's wrathful, golden light.

I sob in frustration, knowing they're getting away, but unable to do anything about it. It feels like if I open my eyes right now, I might never be able to use them again.

I huddle into a ball like a holy man begging his God for forgiveness. The white light scorching through my eyelids falters. To my immense relief, it eventually dies down. I still can't see a thing though. Blobs of white light scald my eyes.

I pound my fist on the floor and gnash my teeth. Nothing like that has ever happened before. Why did it have to happen now of all damn times? I, the supposed saviour of our church, have let the killer get away. My heart sinks to the pit of my stomach. God dammit, I'm such a failure!

I get up and stagger. I have to move to try and chase them. I refuse to, no, can't live with myself if I let someone die here!

I find Ic curled up into a ball on the floor, face buried into his hands. He is as pale as a ghost, shaking as if taking a fit.

"Get up!" I bellow. "Chase them!"

I know it's my fault but now I feel like blaming him. I try to pull him to his feet but Ic snatches his hand away and curls up again. He half whimpers, half screams with terror – I know it was painful, but acting like a bright light gave you a damn PTSD flashback is a bit much!

I stagger my way to the doorway realising that he is of no use. I have to do this myself.

It is then that I see that the door leading into the hallway hangs open.

The killer did not leave the building. Instead, they have escaped into the dormitory behind us.