Page 5 of Raven

Unfortunately, I didn't focus on the right one, and I didn't see the other arsehole until the last minute. Too late. A plank of wood smacked me at the back of my head, sending stars through my vision and knocking me down.

"Not so tough now, are you?" one of them sneered.

Falling to my knees, I couldn't stop the momentum of the hit as my head cracked against the wall. I caught myself. My only saving grace. It would not end like this. "Run," I said to the girl, my voice a ragged whisper. "Run ..."

I forced myself to my feet as the Human swung at me again. This time, I was ready. I caught the wood, yanking on it fiercely. The man clung on, exactly what I wanted. It pulled him closer to me, but as he slammed a knee into my middle, the wind was knocked out of me.

A primal roar tore from my throat as I gave it everything. Without fully shifting, I called upon my panther's strength. Together, we fought against the silver, against the men. My fingers morphed into claws. I slashed out, narrowly missing the man's face, but my second blow was spot on.

"You want a fight? I'll give you a fucking fight," I snarled.

The knife guy's nose shattered under the force of my fist; blood sprayed as my claws raked across his cheek. He howled in pain, stumbling back.

Another man leapt at me, the silver in his weapon agonising like ants burrowing through my skin, setting my cells ablaze. Yet, I fought on. As he rounded on me, I grabbed him, my hand closing around his throat. One squeeze, one rip was all it would take. I let him feel the tips of my claws against his flesh, letting his bravado sour.

"Not so brave now, are you?" I growled, my voice deep and menacing.

My eyes must have glowed fiercely, even my teeth elongating, pushing my mouth into a strange shape, deepening my words. "Get the fuck out of here," I growled.

With all my might, I held him in place, then landed a punch in his gut, shoving him back into his companions. "Right now. Or I swear, you'll regret it."

The one I had slashed staggered, his companion trying to assist him. They almost tripped over themselves to escape. "You'll pay for this, you piece of shit," one snarled. "Tomorrow, there'll be a hunt for you, then you'll be fucked."

"Bring it on," I spat back, blood dripping from my lips onto the ground. I struggled to catch my breath, gasping for air. My arm stung where the silver knife had sliced me, but I was okay. The adrenaline was still pumping through my veins, my panther still itching for more.

"Are you okay?" The girl's voice was low as she crouched at the wall, holding her shirt together. The sight of her injuries made my blood boil more. She had her own marks, a cut on her face and another on her forehead. Blood trickled down the side. "Do you need some help?"

I shook my head, trying to calm my racing heart. "I'm fine," I said, my voice gruff. I swallowed, trying to soften my tone. "Are you alright? Did they... did they hurt you badly?"

"I thought they were going to ... going to ..." Her voice trailed off, thick with unshed tears.

"But they didn't," I assured her, my voice gentler now. "You're safe. They're gone." I took a step towards her, then paused. "Is it okay if I come closer? I won't hurt you, I promise."

"It's alright." I managed to look at her then. My teeth had gone back to normal, my claws too, but my eyes hadn't shifted. The world still had that tilt to it. They'd be bright green now, I knew. I tried to push to my feet, my knee aching like a son of a bitch. "Are you okay?" I asked her.

She nodded, her eyes still wide with residual fear. "They ..."

"Yes." We didn't need to say it. What use was it to bring their ugly intentions into the open?

My bag strap had broken during the fight. I went to pick it up, not even remembering when it had come away. Opening it, I took out a spare shirt I had for work. It'd be too big for her, but that didn't matter. "Here," I said, offering it to her.

"It's okay. I ..." But she looked down at her chest, reality dawning on her face.

"Take it. It's yours. Yours is torn."

Maybe she hadn't realised just how much. They'd cut it down the centre, and they'd pulled at it, torn the sleeves, shredded it. She only nodded to herself and took it, her fingers trembling slightly.

It came down to her knees, but it was better than what she had. "I was so stupid," she whispered, wrapping her arms around herself. "I should have sensed they were there. Should have known."

"And they should have been decent Humans," I ground out, anger flaring in my chest again. "And not done what they were about to do. This wasn't your fault." I met her eyes, willing her to believe me.

"Maybe," She touched her fingers to the side of her face and winced. Her blood had already dropped onto my top, dark spots against the fabric.

"Do you want to go into the bar? I can get something to clean that up. We've got balm in the kitchen." It was usually for Clayton, given the kinds of scrapes he often got into, but it wasn't rare to see him come in covered in cuts and bruises.

She let out a shaky breath. "I think I just want to go home and get cleaned up." Moving to stand beside me, she peered down the street, unconsciously using me as a safe base. "Are you sure they're gone?"

"I'm sure," I reassured her, my voice low and steady. Humans often fled like cowards when faced with real resistance. "Can I at least walk you home? I've just finished for the day."

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