Mammon Rise of the Shadow Wolf. By J.B. Thomas

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1 Mammon Rise of the Shadow Wolf By J.B. Thomas 1

3 For John, a true survivor 3

4 MODERN PRAYER Almighty Mammon, make me rich! Make me rich quickly, with never a hitch in my fine prosperity! Kick those in the ditch who hinder me, Mammon, great son of a bitch! - D.H. Lawrence 4

5 Chapter 1 Grace squinted as she entered the front hallway. Every light in the house was on. So much light the house seemed to burn with energy, but outside, a gloom hung around the edges. She knelt next to Mum, her hands and knees punctured by grit. She pressed her hands to Mum s head. So much blood. Her arm still splayed out over the concrete, that same lifeless grimace spread across her face. Grace s chest ached. All her life, she had never hurt like this. A bursting pain, where she wanted to scream so hard the sky would crack, destroying the world outside, burning up the darkness that was pressing against the windows. She lifted Mum s hand and kissed it. I m sorry. So cold. The brilliant glow lost forever from her eyes. You let her die. Joe s voice echoed through the house. Dread washed over her, leaving goose bumps on her skin. Don t say that. You should have done something. You know you could have used your power. Grace stood up. Where are you? Show yourself! She ran up the stairs and burst into his bedroom. The room was cleared out just carpet and paint. But the voice persisted. You knew that you could affect other people s minds. Make them think what you want them to think. Why did you let her go upstairs alone? She pressed her hands to her ears. Don t say that! You should have protected her! His voice descended, surrounding her. Go away! She pelted through the front door. A light lay ahead, calling her home. She ran through the Renfield forest as rain spilled through the branches, dripping on to her back. Towards the bonfire and Ivan s arms. 5

6 Oh, she whispered, pressing into him. I was so scared. He pulled her close and spun her. She laughed, watching the world around her whirl past. People danced in front of the bonfire, while others watched her spin. As she whirled some more, she saw all eyes turn to her. The music stopped. Seth, Alex and Sarah began walking towards her. Lightning flashed off the edges of the bark. A fog began to move inward, and she felt the air escaping a vacuum was forming. She looked up at Ivan. His face set hard, unrecognizable. He d never looked at her this way. This was how he would look at a demon. He spun her, and shoved her away. The fog descended on her. She recognized the texture and colours of the cloudy rift. It passed through the others without hurting them. Joe s eyes were on her. The rift closed in, forming a bubble around her. She could see Ivan on the other side. He pointed to her, and barked a command at Joe. Her brother advanced on her, his eyes fierce red. She shook her fists, straining to scream until he would hear her. Don t do this to me! The betrayal brought a deep, resounding pain. She tried to turn, to run but teeth needled into her hands, shredding the flesh from her bones like tender meat. They worked their way up towards her shoulders, mincing her bones into dust. A loud snapping sounded as teeth cracked her skull. Blood washed into her eyes. In the last moment, she heard a crack and as her spine shattered, one last scream was suffocated by the rush of blood through her throat. Darkness again and then a lamp flared near her right eye, casting light on the trees with a dull glow, their spindly trunks twisting into each other. The road curved off to the left, into darkness. A warm puff of air hit her cheek. She looked up. The horse s dark, soulful eyes gazed at her, a lantern hanging from his bridle. This was the silence of the deep country. The forbidden forest near Nan s old place. Something dripped on to her foot. 6

7 She looked up, searching for rain. The blackened sky frowned down on her. There was no thunder, no sound of nature nearby. The night held its breath. The horse whinnied. She reached up to calm him, her hand firm against the silky muscle of his neck. He jerked his head sideways, his eyes white and wild. She grabbed the bridle and held tight. Rearing up, screeching, hard air escaping his nostrils; his hooves clattered. The lantern swung. It moved like a pendulum over her bare feet. She d stubbed the big toe on her right foot. The nail seemed to be coming away. The tip was crusted in blood. Looking closer, she spotted a red blotch on her shirt. Her hand rushed to the stain. It gushed blood, spilling on to her feet and forming a puddle on the road. The horse bobbed his head, and she felt her grip loosen. His eyes frantic, searching the darkness. The harness tore through her fingers as he broke, kicking up a shower of pebbles. She watched the light disappear with him, around the corner. Her eyes felt swamped, like layers of darkness were settling over her eyeballs. Her chest ached. Her throat felt dried up. She drew hard, gulping breaths. A squealing cracked the air. Her neck hairs stood up. Her muscles began the fight: freeze, or flee. Rising from the earth, a deep moan sounded. On top of that, a higher pitch: the dragging of chains. The sound grew, building like an orchestra, becoming louder in the dark. Her feet peeled away from the road but it was like wading through water. She kept her eyes on the distant light from the horse. The sound grew dim as she struggled ahead, pushing around the bend, her eyes homing in on the sparse light ahead. The lantern lay on the road. She fell on to it, scraping her knuckles as she snatched up the metal ring. She raised the lantern, and whirled back. Huddles of deformed trees swayed towards her. Eyes stared out of the black holes in the grey trunks. She swung the light around her, searching. 7

8 Her eyes locked on to the lantern, and the flame inside. Flickering, waiting to die. Something moved, reflected in the glass. A dark shape lunged behind her. From within the gloom, stretched, distorted faces, their faces twisted, silently screaming, their cold fingers grasping at her. They took hold, filling her veins with filthy black tar. She felt it fill her body, spilling into her eyes. No! She burst ahead, swinging the lantern at her side. She burst into the house once more, and Joe s voice echoed. You let her die. Where are you? Show yourself! She ran upstairs and through so many empty rooms. Before long, she stood on the darkened road yet again. The horse bolted and the darkness swirled around her. Please, she cried, pressing her hands to her face. I can t get out! 8

9 Chapter 2 The cloudy waters of Cold River churned, sending dark ripples across its surface as the Shadow Wolf burned his way towards the City. To an observer, it would have looked like a violent, unseasonal wind tearing up the river. The beast s roar sent dogs squealing into their dens and terrorised birds into unkempt flocks; dark blurs screeched away from the scented trees and into the rich blue night. The Shadow Wolf breached the City streets, leaving a wake of frost along the mirrored sheen of the grand towers and finally slowing outside his club, the gathering ground of the favoured few Hellborn demons who d broken through a Dark Rift just minutes before. His essence began to take sharper, thicker form and the Shadow Wolf wrapped himself in flesh once more. Doormen watched, their eyes glinting in the neon light. They stared at the naked man striding towards them. He can t be serious, one muttered, lifting his hands. Hey you can t come in here like that! His eyes dropped to the blade in the man s hands. Hold on! Mammon threw down the blade. He shot out his arms and grabbed both doormen by the necks. His fingers gouged through flesh, muscle and cartilage scooping a cavern in their throats to the sound of a last breath, wheezing out. Their heads dangled to the side as the remaining flesh collapsed, unable to support the weight. The high demon growled, and let go. With a flick, he removed the gore from his fingers, picked up the blade, and entered the club. He stood at the doorway and watched his generals mingling with an array of young women, doused in thick, musky perfume and wrapped in sultry chiffon. They weaved through the crowd like desert concubines. 9

10 I am here! Mammon strode into the room, nodding as his generals threw him a welcoming roar. They dropped to their knees, hailing the high demon by throwing their fists into the air as he walked towards his throne. Halphas waited, silk robe in hands. Master. With trembling fingers, he slid the robe over Mammon s shoulders, frowning at the blood on his master s fingertips. Two young women rushed forward and began dressing the high demon, wiping his hands with silk cloths, sliding rings on to his fingers and slippers on his feet. Mammon took his chair. Smiling, he lifted his hand to the crowd. Rise, Brethren! His generals stood up and watched, calm and expectant, through a veil of cigar smoke. Wine waiters hurried to the edge of the room and formed a line near the wall. The musicians put down their instruments and sat, heads bowed. Mammon leaned forward and rested his elbow on his knee. Welcome. Your presence is good. Our party will not be as full as I would have liked, but you who have made the journey are strong. And for the strong, there are always rewards. His hand drifted to the woman kneeled to his left. He weaved his fingers through her hair. Enjoy these gifts. But remember one thing. His voice dropped to a growl. His fingers tightened in the woman s hair, drawing a gasp from her lips. This planet is mine. You are my guests. You will benefit from this association. This will not change, unless you cease to serve me. Of course, a general shouted, drawing murmurs of agreement from the crowd. We are with you, Sire! Smiling, Mammon threw him a wave. Enjoy yourselves! Tomorrow, we begin the next leg of our journey! Abigor took a seat next to the throne. Halphas recognised the host body that this particular Hellborn had merged with. Paul Ryan. Senator Paul Ryan, to be exact. 10

11 Mammon relaxed his hand on the woman s head again, stroking her like a prize pet. Abigor took a glass of whisky from a hovering tray. He tapped his fingers on the armrests. What s our plan, Sire? The high demon drew a long breath. Right now, Abigor: pleasure. But, if you must know, I m going to call on your diplomatic skills. He leaned closer. I need you to liaise with the Senate and force the rezoning of protected land. I want Babylon built, post-haste. Abigor nodded. Of course, Sire. Mammon glanced behind him. Halphas! The old man leaned in. Master? Mammon snatched his shirt and yanked him until they were eye to eye. Nobody gets that close to me again. Understood? His grip intensified. Halphas coughed. Master. Do what you have to do! But I don t ever want those filth near me again. Yes, My Lord. Mammon let him go, and turned to Abigor. Very soon, I will control the balance of power on this planet. He gazed out at the room. And it will all be mine. 11

softly. And after another step she squeezed again, harder. I looked back at her. She had stopped. Her eyes were enormous, and her lips pressed

softly. And after another step she squeezed again, harder. I looked back at her. She had stopped. Her eyes were enormous, and her lips pressed You Scared Me Though it was late, the air outside was hot. But here, inside the dark gap in the sheer earth wall, the air was cool. Just a few paces back, it was almost cold. I led, with one hand on the