Death in the Shadows - 34. Chapter 34: Hazardous Hope

"I beg your pardon?" Stefan's smile turned upside-down. "I gave you the phone with one purpose, and you mock it?"

"Yes, but for good reason. We have something the other wants. Knowledge."

The Italian grinned after he chuckled. "But of course. And what information do you have that I'd need?"

Here we go, Vincent thought. It was a chance, but if he could avoid bloodshed, he would. Stefan's crazy for knowledge. He'd clearly get his hands dirty for it, but is he capable of negotiation?

"Our destiny," Vincent stated. Stefan shifted his weight to one leg, clearly interested. "The one that ties us together."

The man sneered. "So you do know about the divine affinity."

Vincent shook his head. "No, I don't know a thing. But I've spoken with a few people that do. They gave me these." He kicked off his left shoe and sock, then partially shifted, revealing the three bands.

"Rings," Stefan whispered. "You… Three of them came to you?"

"Bol, Terik, and Aliz."

"And you don't have the divine affinity? No additional magic? If I assume you tell the truth, how can that be?"

Vincent was unsure how to answer the questions. "I don't have any other magic, and nothing out of the ordinary has happened. All I know is what's been said to me. We have a destiny, and the Seven can't see it entirely. They can only see what happens after we meet here."

Appearing puzzled, Stefan hummed. "So we're to fight here, correct? This is completely foretold?"

"Yeah, and it's why I'm not ready for a fight. If we put it off, the destiny's path can unravel, but I have a suggestion."

"And that is?"

"We prevent the outcome."

Stefan squinted. "You say that as if something ungodly happens."

"If you win and kill me, you expose the magical community. It causes a war between the States, Mexico, and Canada. Countless lives are lost."

The only noise between the men was a gust of wind breaking the air. Vincent saw the man's mind at work. He's troubled by it. At least he has some humanity left. "I can tell you're not happy with that news."

"More shocked than anything." Stefan rubbed his jaw. "So what's the plan here? Now that I know about the destiny, we… what, pretend none of this happened?"

Vincent felt Mason's glare, but it was to be expected. Sorry, big guy. This isn't about me. "That's what I'm hoping for. Before all of this, it was about getting revenge. I can't be that narrow-minded anymore."

"To save millions of lives," Stefan finished. "You're willing to watch me walk away because of the fated portrayal of exposure and destruction. Forgive me for sounding crude, but you sound just like your father."

Vincent swallowed.

"It's actually quite honorable," the man continued. "He begged and begged for me to spare your life. I've seen men and women grovel, but this was different, somehow. It pulled my heartstrings. To leave a child orphaned. Young enough to not fully grasp the situation at hand. Old enough to remember a face long enough to generate hatred.

"Unfortunately, I listened, and here we are. My act of mercy gave me a rival; someone I needed to keep an eye on. And now you have answers I seek. You've been touched by three of the Seven. That tells me you do have the divine affinity. Perhaps you just don't know it yet."

Vincent raised a black wall as a fireball whizzed toward him.

"Show it to me, Little Vinnie! I need to see that power!"

Falling into the shadows, Vincent darted away from Mason. Can't have him involved! He felt Stefan trailing behind. Contrary to what he expected to feel, Vincent was confident. I had hoped he could listen to reason. Elaine told me he was this obsessed back then. Guess he still is.

Lashing out, Vincent spun and threw a hail of shards, only to see them melt in a wave of flames. Long distance won't work here. He covered his fists with shadows and launched himself.

Vincent connected. Punching the shoulder, Stefan spiraled like a corkscrew across the field. The alpha flashed between the colorful and grayscale worlds to see each one Stefan landed in. Still in the shadows. He wasn't expecting a head-on attack.

No get cocky. Smell. He angry.

Yeah, but that's good. He'll use his energy faster.

But stronger.

Right. Fashioning a dagger in each hand, Vincent steeled himself. Stefan rose, clutching his arm. "We don't have to—"

As quick as Stefan whipped his fingers, another fireball was on the way. Vincent ducked, but Stefan grabbed him by the collar and shook. "I know you have it."

Manifesting his fear, Vincent phased out of the hold and zipped back a few yards. "I don't! If I did, don't you think I'd blast you with something?"

Stefan huffed and muttered, "So he can't use it."

Hearing him, Vincent worried. He's deranged! Does he really think I—

The Italian was on him again, but Vincent was prepared. Spinning behind Stefan, he curled an arm behind the man's back. "I can't use it because I don't have it, you dumbass."

A black spike emerged from Stefan's shoulder, piercing Vincent's. He retreated in pain, but there was no time to shift. A wave of fire approached. Vincent managed to shield himself with a thin, black wall, but there was recoil.

He buckled from the intense magic, fell to the ground, and suffered a burn to his left cheek. The stinging was intense, particularly near his eye. Close call—

Stefan kicked him in the gut, causing Vincent to grunt. "Is this really all Yakob has shown you? Why, it's a little…"

Drowning out the insult, Vincent's eyes rushed with passion. He shrouded his foot and kicked. "Shut up!"

He missed, and Stefan chuckled. "Grown attached to the old man? I'm surprised he hasn't tried to come after me."

"He knew better."

"Knew? He's dead?"

Vincent refused to wait for another insult. He conjured a tendril and swept Stefan's feet. Seeing an opportunity, he ripped his shirt off and partially shifted his shoulder, healing the pressing injury. My face’ll have to wait. He got up at the same time as Stefan.

The man wasn’t breathing hard. A lot like Cyrus. He might have a big gas tank. Vincent had taken from the bracelet steadily, but he guessed only one bead was used. Keeping up the momentum, he threw one of his daggers at Stefan.

A thin tentacle grabbed and flung it back.

Vincent deflected it with his other knife. Gotta keep closing the distance. He prefers to throw things and stay away.

Man catch us in shadow though.

Then we'll either beat him or cut the line. All we need’s a limb. He can't regenerate.

But that what he might want, his wolf argued.

It was a possibility. Stefan was an unknown opponent. Elaine briefed him on his tactics from the library incident, but that was an unplanned and frantic encounter. He could've changed his style too. Still, this is more of a dance than anything.

It continued to feel like one. They threw projectiles at and chased each other. There were a few close calls on both sides. Vincent managed to lacerate Stefan’s left shin and crush his right wrist. In return, he earned another skewering of his shoulder, as well as several burns on his hands, legs, and chest.

It angered Vincent. He's just toying with me. I'll give it to him, he's not letting me heal. I can squeak out a shift every now and then.

Let me.

Your turn.

Switching minds, Vincent's wolf crafted his go-to claws. Prowling, he circled around the Italian. "You kill human's parents."

Stefan smirked. "You've resorted to your animal. How pitiful."

Vincent growled. "You insult!"

"Oh, are you going to give me reason to put you down? I'll gladly do it, dog."

Easy, bud. He's trying to rile you.

He do. Vincent sprinted, eager to take a chunk out of the murderer. As expected, Stefan crafted a fiery barrier between them. Snarling, Vincent breached it, and as his ice melted, he partially shifted his arm. He bit back the pain as the furs singed, but his nails dragged. Hit!

Stefan yelled as Vincent retreated. Keeping an eye on his enemy, he felt satisfied as blood flowed from the human's chest. Yes, good hit. Darkness filled Stefan's deep scratches. The fire mage ran his hand over the wounds and seethed as he cauterized them.

Vincent reverted his claw, undoing the damage. He healed, but we did some damage. Good wor—

His left ankle gave out as a familiar pain erupted. Ink moved up to his calf, then squeezed with a crushing force. Vincent screamed as he pushed back with his magic. It receded faster compared to his last exercise with Yakob. He got us.

Standing, both men were in rough shape. Vincent still had plenty of energy stowed away, but didn't want to give away his bracelet's existence. Then he'll go for it, and I'll be in real trouble.

Stefan laughed. It was low and crazed. "Creative! Quite creative, Little Vinnie." He spat on the ground. Blood dribbled from his lips. "So, this… This destiny Aliz speaks of. Either of us can win, eh?"

Vincent remained quiet. He didn't want to dignify the question with a response.

The fire mage turned slowly. "You know, I don't think I've properly introduced myself."

Just Stefan sped away, Vincent rushed to catch up. No, no, no!

***

The waiting was torture. Complete and utter torture.

There were glimpses of the action around him, but they were mere specks. Two battling shadow mages. How am I supposed to see what the fuck's going on? At times, he would see Stefan tumble to the ground. Sometimes it was Vincent. Dust would kick up every few seconds in different spots as the black wisps zoomed across the battlefield. Dead grass patches would ruffle. Vincent’s scent could be smelled every so often, but so could Stefan’s.

Mason stood by himself, helpless and useless. He heavily relied on his bond with Vincent. I can feel his pain and frustration. There's a lot of satisfaction too. I… I think he's winning. It's going by fast.

His heart skipped a beat when he saw Vincent briefly. He's burned. It didn't look bad though. Probably stings like a mother-fu—

He heard a yell from behind him, and it was lower-pitched. Stefan. Mason turned and saw a nasty wound on the man's chest. He was tempted to jog closer but decided against it. No. Vinnie's got this. That bastard's faster than me. Can't get involved.

"You know, I don't think I've properly introduced myself," Stefan stated, just out of Mason's hearing.

Introduce? Mason's blood pumped. He's coming after me! When Stefan took one step towards him, Vincent appeared in front of Mason. "Vin—"

"You're fighting me," his mate growled, his wolf clearly at the helm.

"Oh, so protective. It's quite touching," Stefan murmured.

Vincent sent a volley of shards, which melted easily.

"So nasty! Is it usual for the pack leader to cower behind a smaller man? He must not've gotten tenacity from the mother."

The lycan's muscles trembled with irritation. Mason snarled, "Keep talkin'! I'll snap your—"

"Mace," Vincent warned.

"Yes, Mace," mocked Stefan. "Hide and watch me kill your precious mate."

Like hell! He gripped his shirt collar and tore it. Just before he grabbed his shorts' waistline, love poured into his chest through the bond. Mason stopped. "Pup."

"He using you."

Mason glared at Stefan. The mage oozed confidence and pride. He wanted nothing more than to rip the man's throat out. "Just one shot," Mason uttered.

"No," his mate said sternly. "He mine. I kill. He threaten mate."

Both mages vanished. A fireball whizzed past Mason's head, and icicles flew to his left. Realizing he was a sitting duck, he removed his shorts and shoes in record time and shifted into his wolf. Gotta move!

Darting away, flames came from different directions. Mason dodged several before getting clipped by one on a hind leg. That does it! Pivoting, he ran towards a shadowy trail. Can't tell which one’s him.

Run away.

What? Mason demanded. And leave Vinnie?

Yes. Run, be distract for mate.

Got it. Heeding his animal's suggestion, he sprinted away. This way, Stefan's after me and Vinnie can take him out. Evading a few more attacks, Mason noticed they slowed. Probably focusing on Vin.

No, be alert. He trotted for a while and found the wisps dancing again north of him. Keeping his distance, Mason expected a fireball, maybe a dark spike coming from the ground. What the hell's going on?

***

Vincent was trying to stay calm. He had no doubt Mason could handle himself, but he could not imagine what the alpha was going through. Fighting an invisible enemy. That's rough. At least Stefan is expending more energy. Still, got to get this fight away from Mace.

Following Stefan, Vincent manifested his magic and formed a tendril. Just as the Italian hurled another fireball, Vincent lashed out, slashing his opponent's shoulder.

Stefan grunted and turned to face him, holding a black whip. He cracked it, latching the end onto Vincent's previously healed ankle. The magic crushed it again and did not let go. Instinctively, Vincent pushed the creeping rubber gunk off.

But it did not budge. Getting to his good foot, he channeled his energy and focused on the clash. As Stefan attempted to attach small tentacles from the side, Vincent deflected them and tried the same.

Every so often, his opponent sent a fireball toward Mason, and Vincent capitalized on it by gaining leverage. He's being reckless. It doesn't make sense.

He cause distraction. We do same?

Vincent's wolf snapped his fingers and chucked the ward. When it hit Stefan, he faltered for a minute but persisted. "Parlor tricks, Little Vinnie? I thought better of you. What shame." The man's eyes quickly went from lavender to red-orange. The shadows between them grew stronger in Stefan's favor.

The strand connecting the two of them thrashed around. Vincent struggled to maintain the connection. No, this—

A spike emerged at blinding speed, staking Vincent's forearm. He cried out and, manifesting his fear, phased out of Stefan's grip. He managed to escape for a split second before being ensnared again. Given another impaling to the thigh, Vincent collapsed. His blood poured out freely, and he felt cold.

Vincent was truly frightened. This was a different opponent from when they started fighting. It’s like he’s done and wants to finish it! Stefan sauntered closer, and even though Vincent hurled shard after shard, the man's face was expressionless as they were blocked or melted. In a last-ditch effort, he phased through the magic binding him and bolted towards Mason. G-gotta go! I… I don’t think I can win!

Get to the EC basement. He’ll… He won’t—

His body jerked to a halt, mere feet away from Mason. The world around him went from gray to colorful. When his mate pivoted, a warmth came from the left side of his chest. A-and my back?

It felt wet, and the heat quickly turned cold. His feet gave out from under him. There was a large, pointy shadow sticking out of him. Vincent heard Mason cry out before everything faded to black.