Betrayal, Zoe, Tharin, Anthony

[Serena Kelley]

She seemed to have no choice but to lead Tharin to Zoe's. She didn't want that. Didn't want to lead Tharin to Zoe, but she had a feeling he'd find her anyway and it was better to do as she was told so he wouldn't have reason to hurt her. After all, she wasn't used to following orders, and therefore she had some trouble doing so blindly. She really didn't want to betray her friend like this.

To spare herself from having to walk around shirtless, she shifted once she'd made her way out of the Pit and ran to Zoe's, shifting mid-run before she reached Jack's front door. She didn't make it that far before she was grabbed by the arm, and this guy was definetly a vampire. He didn't belong there at all. He reeked of death and blood and... Zoe. Had he hurt her friend?

"Let go of me, I need to see Zoe."

The vampire was glaring at the bitemark on her neck, demanding of her who had sent her. He was holding her arm so hard it hurt. Why was he hurting her too? Was this hurt Serena day?

[Tharin Vamavai]

Tharin walked slowly, his face blank as he thought. People stared as he passed, giving him stares of hate. Many probably knew who he was. He didn't care. The vampire scent he had followed had led him in a circle, but he had manage to find someone on his List. After begging for his life(which Tharin took with a smile), the man let Tharin 'borrow' his coat. It was nothing special, just a dark green, canvas jacket that went down about to his knees. He, and the jacket, were covered in blood form his latest victim. That could also be a reason for people staring.

Tharin sighed as a cool breeze hit his exposed chest(he had opted to leave it open), but the breeze carried something else. Tharin stopped dead in his tracks, taking a deep breath. The Vampire and.. Serena? Tharin's pace increased until he was briskly jog. Rounding a last corner, he could see the Vampire gripping Serena by the wrist. He could hear her whimpering, and knew immediately that his grip was too tight on the poor girl.

Tharin walked forward, his long strides bringing him to the two in only a few steps. Tharin reached deep within, and let loose a blood-curdling snarl, one that would have frightened a Human to death.

"Release her, demon."

Tharin had no need for threats. His appearance was threatening enough. Blood dripped down his face, down his chest, dripped from the bottom of the jacket. His face was twisted in anger, and his piercing yellow eyes bore into the Vampires. A low growl rumbled out of his chest. Tharin balled his fists so tightly he was sure the skin would tear. How quickly he could kill this fiend, how easy it would be for him to simply rip his head from his shoulders. Perhaps he would, anyway. He was already covered in it, what was a little more blood?

[Anthony Edwards]

He'd been on his way to Zoe's to give her a nice gift this time rather than replacing something he'd ruined or bloody body parts. Sure, he'd gotten it illegally, killing the person wearing the necklace, but he'd made sure he didn't make a mess this time. For once he was approaching Zoe without being covered in blood and the necklace itself was in his pocket, also clean of blood.

While he'd been on his way, he'd smelled a werewolf approaching at a running pace and intercepted her. Of course, when he noticed she was so thoroughly marked, he had to know who had sent her and grabbed her arm rather tightly.

"Let go of me, I need to see Zoe."

"Who sent you?" he snarled, aiming at the bitemark again. She whimpered, and he grinned, but she didn't have a chance to reply before a second wolf approached.

The guy was ugly as hell. Who would want to be more animal than humanlike? At least Anthony himself was good looking.

"Release her, demon."

So the beast spoke. Wonderful. What next, was he going to attack? Ooh, he was so scared. "I would release her, in more than one way, if you'd just tell me what you are doing here," he smiled slightly. Pulling the female close, nuzzling her throat. Oh God, the creature was covered in blood. He loved blood. Blood was the source of all life.

She struggled to get her arm free, but the vampire wouldn't budge. So she looked at Tharin, pleading, she didn't want this guy to bite her as well, and he was clearly considering it, what with his face being all in her neck inhaling her scent and everything.

[Tharin Vamavai]

"I would release her, in more than one way, if you'd just tell me what you are doing here,"

Tharin snarled again, watching him nuzzle her neck. His fist tighten, and his knuckles cracked. If this fiend wouldn't listen, Tharin would make sure he was the last face he ever saw. Tharin's eyes met Serena's and she could tell she was afraid.

"...."

Tharin attempted to speak, but couldn't. The beast within was enraged to see the Vampire acting so intimate with Serena. Tharin's eyes look at the Mark he had made on her shoulder, before staring into the Vampire's eyes.

The sounds of bones snapping, followed by a loud howl, erupted in the quiet air. A beast of terror stood now where Tharin had been only a moment ago. Much like his Human form, Tharin's Hybrid form was much more fierce. Shaggy black hair covered his entire body, as well as thick muscles. The beast was intimidating, standing at over 8 feet tall, long teeth that were, like his Human form's, stained brown with blood. Long claws adorned equally long fingers. The beast let out growl, low and fearsome.

Quicker than most eyes could perceive, Tharin's jaws were now locked around the Vampire's throat. Tharin growled at Serena, a language that only Werewolves understood.

Tell him to release you, and drop to his knees, or he loses his head.

[Anthony Edwards]

It was highly amusing how he, just by nuzzling the wolf's neck, made the other wolf so agitated. He wasn't really planning on hurting the girl, not really, he just loved how he had her scared. Someone how still wanted to know if she smelled as good as Zoe when she was afraid and he was proven that she didn't: She smelled too strongly of the other male for that to be in effect.

Anthony tilted his head sideways when Tharin stared into his eyes. He didn't change his posture when the werewolf started to shift, because this was clearly headed towards a fight. Good. He needed one. No wait. Wasn't he supposed to not be bloody for Zoe this time. Whatever. He'd enjoy the fight while it lasted and go clean up before Zoe could see him.

Ok, so maybe the werewolf did look rather intimidating, but fights would cause pain, would get bloody, would be awesome.

Wow. That wolf was fast. Faster than a lot of wolves he'd seen before.
When Tharin changed and charged at the vampire, his grip on her tightened. She didn't like that. Of course, the vampire was now in danger of losing his head. Literally. So she gave him to the message from Tharin, surprised that he was still so calm when his life was in danger.

"He wants you to let me go and surrender. Or you're dead," she said coldly. "I would do as he said if I were you."

So it had come to threats now? Did this girl really mean that much to her master? Apparently. He smirked.

"As you wish." He released the girl, stroking her cheek once before he was let go from Tharin to drop to his knees.

He had no intentions of staying down, so he charged at the wolf with every intention to hurt him, didn't matter that he was the younger one out of the two.

[Tharin Vamavai]

Tharin quickly pushed Serena away, probably with more force than intended. The eight-and-a-half foot tall beast snarled at the Vampire as it charged him. His body was made for things like this, no way such a tiny little fiend would hurt him.

Tharin took the charge full on, sliding back, but giving him the slight upper hand. Powerful hands lifted the Vampire and slammed him against the road beneath their feet, using the momentum of the charge to make the slam that much stronger. Tharin took a few more steps back, shifting back to his Human form. It was stupid of him, yes, to take the Vampire on in his weakest form, but where was the fun in a fight that didn't have any challenge.

Even Tharin had to admit that the small creature had immense strength, and by the way he fought with reckless abandon, did not care if his life was lost in the fight. That alone made him extremely dangerous. Someone without fear of Death fought with ferocity.

"I'll give you one last chance," Tharin said, his voice deeper, more menacing than normal, "Surrender now, and I will spare your meaningless life."

[Anthony Edwards]

When the werewolf met him straight on and he hit the ground, he laughed. This was going to be so entertaining. A good fight. He licked his lips, grinning up at the wolf. Then when the wolf changed back, he was glad that they would have a more even fight, didn't matter that he loved a challenge.

"I'll give you one last chance. Surrender now, and I will spare your meaningless life."

Anothony leered at the wolf, he wasn't going to have this. His life wasn't meaningless, it wasn't useful to surrender to the wolf. No way he was going to kiss the wolf's feet just to live on. Pfft. He'd go out fighting if he was going out. Fighting as hard as possible.

Glancing towards where Serena was standing, she wasn't in a position to complain, she'd had a chance to be in the middle of the action, but had decided to shy away for her master to fight for her. With a swift motion, he got back on his feet, good thing there weren't any humans around that wouldn't see all the quick moves the two made.

"Why would I surrender to you?" he asked and brushed himself off, getting the necklace out of his pocket and tossing it at Serena. "It's not for you. You get to be its keeper for now."

"So, how about it?" he looked at the wolf, inviting him to make the next move.

[Tharin Vamavai]

"So, how about it?"

Tharin smirked. He turned to Serena, "Toss the rotten thing," He said, indicating the necklade.

Tharin took off the jacket he was wearing. It was too restricting, and with it gone, her cracked both his neck and his knuckles. If the fool wouldn't surrender, wouldn't submit willingly, Tharin would beat him into submission.

Tharin circled his prey, taking in his scent, looking over him. He was small, probably fast, but from what he had seen so far, an untrained, reckless fighter, with no grace or tactful mindset. That made him both dangerous and weak at the same time. Tharin new one wrong move on his part could lead to a severe beating, but the same went for the Vampire. The only difference was Tharin had trained himself to spot these tiny flaws in a fight.

"I haven't killed a vampire since.. I can't remember. Nasty taste your people have.."

He was nothing but a blur as he rained blows down on the Vampire. His movements seemed almost impossibly fast(indeed, he was faster than most), but he knew the Vampire would perceive it as an average, or rather above average, speed. While moving at a superhuman speed, Tharin's blows had not lost any power. Even blocking, or redirecting the blows could still land the Vampire with shattered bones if he wasn't careful.

[Anthony Edwards]

"Toss the rotten thing,"

He growled, warning her not to toss it away.

Then he was facing a jacket less werewolf. Still, he wasn't afraid of the wolf. Wasn't afraid of fighting, or losing really, he'd get over it. Of course the wolf had to circle him, but he didn't move, and kept the wolf in his peripheral vision.

"I haven't killed a vampire since.. I can't remember. Nasty taste your people have.."

"You guys taste just fine," he replied with a grin. "Just did away with two of you a few days back." He grinned, and though the wolf was strong and fast, he was faster still. He dodged most of the hits, then for a split second, he thought the wolf was going to try a different tactic and a blow hit him, and it cracked a rib. That really hurt, but he wasn't going to let that stop him now and and kept moving, though a little slower.

Of course he wasn't going to lose to this werewolf, so he'd have to accept the pain and let it drive him to retaliate. But the best way to do that would be to use dirty tricks and hoping that the wolf would fall for them. And no one had said he couldn't use his own gifts to hurt the werewolf? That be cheating though, so he wouldn't fly to do anything now.

It seemed he had underestimated his adversary, not that he was going to give up just because of that. No. He didn't give up.

"I really meant your plaything no harm," because it was clear that that was all the female served as. A plaything. No, a slave. Anthony himself might've enslaved Zoe, but he would never mark her like the she-wolf was marked, nor would he keep her around if she really, truly, wanted to be left alone.

Smiling at the werewolf, he kicked him hard in the balls. Sure it was a dirty trick, but he didn't care. He didn't want to lose, even if it was possible.

[Tharin Vamavai]

"I really meant your plaything no harm."

Tharin growled. It was what she was to him, but it was more demeaning coming from the Vampire. Tharin saw the Vampire smile, but he was too slow to avoid the next hit. A powerful kick was aimed between the legs, and struck home. Tharin doubled over in pain, coughing, sure a lung was going to come up.

"A dirty trick.. You'll regret it. I think I'll kill the girl now, just to watch the pain in your eyes, fiend." Tharin laughed, deep and full of hate. A maniacal laugh.

Improvising, Tharin kick down a nearby mailbox, breaking pieces off until it was nothing more than a thick wooden beating-stick. He did a small flourish, testing the weight of the thing, before he lunged forward, striking repeatedly. Sure, he would have had a better chance of hitting the Vampire with just his fists, but coupled with Tharin's strength, and the heft of the wood, and blow from the beating-stick would do a lot more damage.

[Anthony Edwards]

She wasn't sure she wanted to know how this fight was going to end, and she didn't like how the vampire had called her a plaything, though she'd realized by now that that was all she was. Putting two and two together, she figured the necklace was either for Jack (which wasn't likely) or for Zoe, which was why she didn't toss it away like Tharin had suggested. She would give it to Zoe herself, as if it was from her.

The vampire was playing dirty, making Tharin double over like that, while he himself was smiling, chuckling? This guy was mental.

"A dirty trick.. You'll regret it. I think I'll kill the girl now, just to watch the pain in your eyes, fiend."

She cringed. He'd said he wouldn't hurt her friend. Here he was saying he would enjoy to kill her? No, no, no. She couldn't let him win the fight if that was the case. Zoe needed to be kept sheltered from this world of abuse all over again now that she was finally out of her parents' house.

So the wolf had made himself a beating stick. Wonderful. Just what he needed. But he wouldn't let Zoe get killed, not that he wanted to give his life for her in the very litteral way, he just didn't want to lose his new toy. Wait, maybe the wolf would trade Serena for Zoe.

He could tell the female wanted to do or say something, and apparently she wanted to do this right when his opponent lunged at him. For a second it seemed both wolves were going at him, but as he ignored the female and put all his focus on not being hit by the stick before he finally reached out and grabbed the stick as it missed a blow and yanked really hard.

"Seems you've got a few tricks of your own, animal."

Serena crashed into Tharin at the same time as Anthony yanked at the wooden stick. It would've seemed like they'd planned it, if they'd been friends or even familiars they might've, but as it was...

[Tharin Vamavai]

"Seems you've got a few tricks of your own, animal."

Tharin growled as the splintered wood was torn from his hand. He opened his mouth to speak, but something collide with him from behind. Spinning on his heel, he saw Serena. A low rumble started in his chest, before a snarl errupted from him, more ferocious than any before.

"Useless wench!" Tharin lifted her effortlessly by her neck, squeezing the life from her. His uncaring yellow eyes gazed into hers, "I should have killed you.." With that, he tossed her aside as if she we're nothing more than a cloth doll. He would take care of her later, he had a much more dangerous enemy on his hands, and he turned again to face the Vampire.

Tharin growled again, and when he spoke, his voice was deep, hoarse, almost like a growl in itself, "Piece of filth. I have bigger things to deal with than a lowly fiend like you. I give you one last chance," Tharin said, stepping forward until he stood only inches from him. Even in his Human form, Tharin, standing at 6'3", towered over a majority of the population. "Submit, or I will tear your little girl limb from limb, as well as you. I will make your life a living hell, and I will take great pleasure in your dieing screams." Tharin looked in the Vampire's eyes, searching his soul. He could tell this was a man with little regard for life, much like himself. He knew the Vampire had done some horrible things to many people.

"You are like an open book to me, child. I know what you are, what kind of person you are. You are a mindless killer, much like I once was. And that is your doom. I know how your mind works, I was once a lot like you. You do not think, you only act." Tharin stepped back, "Killing you quickly would not bring me joy. You have no fear of Death. That's why I will kill you slowly. I will force the fear of Death back into you, one agonizing minute at a time."

"Make your choice..."

[Zoe Taguchi]

Zoe was wearing a strapless, lavender pull-over dress, and under it she wore her rainbow bikini. She was also wearing her favorite black boots. She had gone to the lake to swim with Jack, but they had taken different paths. Jack had wanted to head down to the marketplace in human territory to shop around (he wouldn't tell her what for), and then he said he wanted to go to the library again. So she, desperately trying to avoid anything that would let anyone know she didn't know how to read, headed home.

She still had a few bruises from her last encounter with Anthony, but they weren't really anything to be concerned about. Sure, she was showing them by wearing a bikini and a strapless dress that only reached her knees, but she didn't really care. No one ever questioned her about it... Okay, so Jack had looked comically surprised when he had seen them, probably because he thought she had been stupid enough to go home to her parents for a period of time (he didn't know they were dead). So, instead of telling him the truth, she protected Anthony by letting Jack believe that her parents were still alive and that they had done it to her.

That's when the smells hit her. She smelled blood. Anthony's blood, actually, and a vaguely familiar scent she couldn't put her finger on. She also, for some reason, smelled Serena, though her scent was less strong. That meant that Anthony and the other guy, the werewolf (not Serena), were bleeding. It seemed like Anthony had gotten in another fight.

So she, concerned for her... What was he to her, anyway? Boyfriend? Master? Friend? She didn't know. Anyway, concerned for Anthony, she ran as fast as she could in her skimpy dress and high-heeled boots to where the smells were coming from. The first thing she saw was Serena on the ground, gently holding her throat. Zoe, without even thinking about hesitating ran over to her friend and dropped to her knees, trying to help her friend.

While she gently looked Serena over (noticing finger-shaped bruises forming on her neck), she smelled her surroundings. Smelling Anthony, she looked up and found him with her eyes. He didn't look good. He looked pretty battered, actually. Then she looked at the werewolf male. He looked and smelled vaguely familiar...

No, please God, please no... It was Tharin Vamavai. He was back. Things just kept getting worse for her, didn't they? First Anthony (though he was being sweet to her and taking care of her half the time), now this. Great, just great. It was wonderful how God had decided to mock her, just perfect.

[Tharin Vamavai]

Tharin stopped, inhaling deeply. He didn't need to fight anymore. He had his trump card, and it was running straight towards him. He waited a moment, letting her get closer. As she kneel beside Serena, he spun on his heel to face her, a smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth.

Faster than most eyes would percieve, save probably Anthony, Tharin was behind Zoe, pulling her to her feet. He wrapped one arm around her waist, and the other gripped her neck, tightly, but not enough to choke her. "Hello, dear Zoe," Tharin whispered softly in her ear, "It's been quite a long time, hasn't it? I told you I would find you again, didn't I?"

Thrin looked up at the Vampire, "Now.. I suggest you drop to you knees and surrender." Tharin's grip on Zoe's throat tightened, "Or you're little girl dies, slow and in pain." To accent his point, he placed his hand on her hip(the arm that had been wrapped around her waist). He gripped her hip tightly, his claws digging painfully into her flesh. Tharin smelt the blood as soon as it began to trickle from the wound, "Delicious," He said, more to himself than anyone, dragging his claws from one hip to the other, creating 4 thin, but deep gashes along her waist.

[Zoe Taguchi]

Before she knew what was happening, that stupid, bastard werewolf was behind her, yanking her up to her feet. He had one arm wrapped around her waist, and the other hand was firmly holding her neck.

"Hello, dear Zoe," Tharin whispered softly in her ear, "It's been quite a long time, hasn't it? I told you I would find you again, didn't I?"

She hated the feeling of his breath in her ear, something that sensual should be limited to Anthony. Then again, she knew he didn't intend it that way. He was trying to be menacing. She wasn't going to just stand there and take, oh no, not from him. From Anthony, sure, from anyone but Tharin, really. But not from this bastard.

Tharin then addressed Anthony. "Now.. I suggest you drop to your knees and surrender. Or your little girl dies, slow and in pain."

Zoe scowled. Oh, how she hated him. She had never hated anyone before Tharin, but there was always a first for everything, right? He had been the first person she had ever truly loathed, if one could even call him a person. Before him, she hadn't even known how to hate.

She inhaled sharply when his claws sunk into her. He slowly dragged them across her torso, and Zoe squeezed her eyes shut and refused to make a sound. All she could think about was how much like her father he was acting right now. Her father used to always claw at her, while her mother delivered the punches and kicks. When she had been enduring the beatings from her parents, she had learned to remain absolutely silent, which is what she was doing now.

She couldn't stand the fact he was doing this to her, Anthony had promised her (though not in words, but through actions), that she would never have to deal with this level of abuse ever again. She wasn't having it. She wouldn't let him do this to her without a fight. Wow, she had really changed since Jack, hadn't she?

So she lifted her leg high and slammed her stiletto heel into his instep, and jammed her elbow into his ribs at the same time. When he let her go (out of surprise or pain she didn't know), she immediately leapt out of his reach and bounded over to Anthony, standing behind him. What else was she supposed to do? Fight him herself? No way. Anthony was a good fighter, right?