WOLF'S CULT (The Circle of four)

he'd cast before he'd gone to the cliffs. He barred

r, and had to fight not to join it there. He would mix potions for he

nts, his sisters and their families

ce and from had been destroyed. He could not harm

life, he swore it now, would be dedicated to her destruction. His eyes, stormy black, wer

t and away. He wondered how he had won that terrible victory? Dave had always been

bs as he shucked off his tunic. Bruises were already spreading, creeping

ge over his ribs. Two were broken, he knew, just as he knew the

rf so the flames glowed red. Over them he brewed yeah. The

her. Once they'd turned the boy who'd pushed their you

ould hear what was left of the storm blowing still, splattering on

ast, not threat. So was left alon

e would never have gone with her had his brother been by his side. Surely his gift would have allowed him to sense what the creature was, de

through evil beyond imagination. He waved a hand toward

om his purpose. Not once had he used his gif

the answer in them, Fine his brother ag

. Light seeped into room and grew, bold and bright and white, to sear his eyes.

rom the turf fire that was st

uty. This was no demon come for blood. He got to his knees. Though

y l

hil

silky waves. She wore white robes trimmed in gold as was her right by rank. Her eyes were green as the moss in the fo

s calle

ve fough

. l have lost

a hand so he would rise. "You stayed true to

have sav

ld have lost him, and yourself. l promise you. You would give your li

k anything of

There is a battle to be fought, the greatest ever wa

must go see my mother. l must tell her l failed t

charged to bear this standard, to use the gift you've been g

dy. l have killed my brother ton

fell from the cliff was not your Dave. Yo

ly to his feet

she said, moving closer to him. "lt hunts the human, the wolf, take lives, much worse, turns that which it hunts and kills into itself. lt has no face, and

? How do I find them? lt wa

nother still. One will come to you and the other you

Five against an ar

my, the five will make a ring. A month to gather, and one to learn, and one to know. You will teach, and you

family, that thing that took my

took your brother

her. l gav

towards this time and this battle. She bear

her now, des

een these times and worlds, her thirst will grow insatiable until only the destruction of all an

milies, everyone else? Without me to protect them, they may

pass. But they w

looked up, he saw stars shooting through the night sky. Those points of light streamed toward her hands, and th

r all time. Blessed be th

goddess's hands were cro

the cross always, day and night. You wil

ded. You will prepare and you will learn and you will grow. lf you are victorious, the wolf's p

fight a vam

e she made. One who was yours before she t

other!

o the fire

p, became towers. Became a great city. Thousands of people

place?" He bare

ars from where we are. Evil still walks the world, as well

erstand. ls h

h you, he must fight by your side.

r than any cathedral, he thought.

them this rings. You must leave them quickly, and go to th

e saw it hadn't been a dream. Not with the blood drying on

tcakes and honey. And the precious rings. He saddled his horse

As the sun cast its first light, he began