Dark Prophecy

People walked the streets of New York completely unaware that the supernatural existed. Over hundreds of centuries, werewolves have wandered these lands without being discovered. They hid in plain sight as ordinary employees, lawyers, doctors, cops and even drug dealers. In this secret society of werewolves there’s also a hierarchy, and no matter where one went on this planet, a hierarchy always called for trouble. The shifter world is ruled by the strongest alphas, and their packs have been following them since beginning of their creation.

However, for this system to run smoothly, all the alphas must follow a code which was created by their ancestors. Although, the one that ruled them all, protected them all and created them, was their goddess, Maya. She was the deity that all werewolves; evil or good worshipped. If someone ever wondered why a wolf howled towards a lonesome moon? It was because that lonesome creature knew that Maya would always listen to his prayers.

Except, the rules were different for rogue wolves. Wolves that had no leader guiding them under their reign were on their own. Rogue wolves had to defend themselves, they had to protect their own otherwise anyone could come and destroy them. The fight was every single day and it was tiresome. The gruel fate of a wolf who was on his own was unspeakable. They were hunted, they were enslaved, they were tainted. And one wolf in particular knew all about this fate.

Elijah Pierce was a slave fighter for over ten years. He was taken from his home and imprisoned in a cruel organization, which tore his soul out of his body and shattered his kind heart. The cage that bound him made him a ruthless mercenary. He had earned the brands of a victor who had legions of deaths on his hands as he navigated the life of a slave. A killer rose from his tainted blood. And that horrific truth that he had to become something vile, in order to, survive was never erased.

Everything that twisted inside him over that decade? Only the goddess and his hollow heart knew.

Elijah lived as a number and accepted his fate, but he didn’t know that one night he would be rescued by the infamous rogue wolf, Zero. She was a warrior which had the power to turn the tables of any fight that she joined. All of that was her own raw strength, because she was the only one that had the courage to fight against injustice. However, this woman was her own leader and her own law. No one told her what to do… No one ever dared. Her will was stronger than fire and her courage burned brighter than the sun itself.

Wherever she went, people watched and without asking, they knew who she was and gave their respect. Strong, prominent alphas stood no chance against her word either. They stepped back when she arrived anywhere, and as much as anyone thought that New York was their city, they were definitely wrong, because the entire city and its people knew that this was that woman’s domain and hers alone. She owned this city and was the one that faced the threats first before the other alphas. Nothing happened without her knowledge of it, and like that, she watched the gates of her city and annihilated any threat to her people.

Elijah was saved by her and she had hired him to join her team, in order to help her in the crusade to keep this world safe from any threat. He wasn’t sure how much help he could provide when she was the strongest force of nature this world had come to know. But he offered his strength and the weapons on his body to whatever she needed.

Elijah knew where his loyalties lied and it was at her feet. She commanded him and he made sure to follow her out of honour and duty. This was his path. Nothing could stand in his way because his purpose was to serve Zero. The world had come to know that about him. He was Zero’s shadow. He was the darkness that protected her as she brought light to the world. There wasn’t anything that could change the trajectory of his rules.

He knew what he had to do and what he had to be. A killer was what this world forced him to become, so he’d make sure that anyone that fucked with him was punished and then executed.

This path was hard, it would require him to walk alone since he was expendable. Zero’s safety took priority over his own. He made sure to keep his focus and remain vigilant. In this war, defeat came to those who have a weakness. Elijah knew that he couldn’t show any, otherwise the mission could be compromised and so could Zero. And there was no way, he would let anything happen to his saviour. He worshipped the ground she walked like many others do, so he would ensure that she stayed on it. Any threat would be and will be annihilated permanently.

-Manhattan-

The dark streets were covered in snow and there was a crisp breeze in the air that slithered under jackets and scarves. Many held onto each other to stay warm while others ran to their cars for cover. However, one man was unaffected by the cold. He was crossing the path ahead in his leather trench-coat, which covered the two guns and six blades he carried. His alert eyes surveyed the entire road, counting every single head and assessing the chance of threat.

Elijah was on a mission tonight. There was someone that needed to be killed for embezzling from the poor and feeding the pockets of the rich. Randy Miller worked at Steele Corporation for a few decades now. But the man was as dirty as a criminal because he stole from the poor and then would buy the loyalty of the rich with it. Elijah didn’t really care about this man, but his name was on Zero’s list and that meant only one thing; kill.

Elijah walked towards Steele Corporation and it had locked down since it was late at night. But Randy was meeting clients and he would be on the forty-fifth floor according to their intel.

Elijah came to a halt at the other side of the road as he glanced at the tall skyscraper. He would have to find a way inside but that wasn’t hard. He spotted a truck entering the underground parking area. He crossed the road, jumped on the back and was holding the door as it drove down the hill into the restricted area. None of the cameras saw him since he had climbed up onto the top of the truck.

Once it parked on the side, Elijah waited for the right moment to get down and sneak into the elevator. However, that was when he noticed that the drivers had passcode keys in their hands, which allowed them in and out without a problem.

Elijah jumped down the truck and just as the elevator door closed, he stuck his black boot between it and revealed himself to the clumsy drivers. They couldn’t let out a single sound before he attacked and they dropped on the floor unconscious. Elijah grabbed the key-card and tapped it on the screen before the elevator climbed up the tower.

The doors pinged open on the forty-fifth floor and he stepped out into the luxuriously black hallway. There was the golden gleam of the florescent light but he remained in the shadows before he saw the large glass walls. His target was lounging on a chair, in a grey suit, cigar in his hand with a drink on the table. He was laughing over the phone as the scent of tobacco filled the air. There was a woman here though. Elijah guessed she was the secretary from the way she was scribbling on her notepad. Dressed in a tight skirt, blouse and heels, she feigned a smile while she left the room and Randy’s eyes followed her.

Elijah didn’t reveal himself until she was at her table, scoffing at her boss’s behaviour. Before she could let out a scream, he covered her mouth and whispered in her ear. “If you don’t want to die, pack up and go home,” he explained. “Nod, if we have an understanding.”

She quickly nodded.

“Run,” he said before he let go of her.

The woman grabbed her jacket and bag before she ran out of the hall and into the elevator. Elijah wasn’t worried if she’d call the cops or not because he’d be finished here long before the cops arrived. He walked around the table over to the room, concealing himself on the side of the door, Randy got to his feet and faced the windows, which showed the city.

Elijah found his chance quite simply. He opened the glass door and stepped into the room. Everything flashed before his eyes on the hundreds of ways to kill someone, which he learned as a slave-fighter. The tattoo that was carved into his throat burned whenever he thought about all the men he killed in those cage fights.

“The policy can be changed,” Randy spoke through the call. “I’m going to make sure every investor knows that tonight-”

Elijah emerged behind the man and towered his height. He lifted his blue eyes off the target and met Randy’s gaze through the glass. Randy’s eyes widened in horror as he witnessed the arrival of a demon.

“Zero sends her regards,” Elijah said before he wrapped his hands around the man’s throat and snapped it in half.

The loud, heinous crack reverberated through the room and left another pulse of a twisted darkness inside Elijah. Randy’s body flopped onto the ground and the caller on the phone was shouting for a response. Picking up the phone with his gloved hand, he cut the call and kept the phone since this could track down all the people Randy worked with or for, which would allow an easier plan to eliminate them.

Elijah left the office and returned back onto the street into the cold night after his mission was complete. Arriving at his black Dodge Charger, he opened the door and sat in the dark space alone. Turning on the ignition, the lights blinked alive and the engine roared. He reversed out and onto the road, speeding through the traffic and making his way back to base.

The drive wasn’t long since he had learned the shortcuts through the city and arrived outside the large forest area, which surrounded Zero’s territory like a dominating fortress. He drove through the winding path the world had come to know. Arriving at a lavish manor that stood on a long plain field, there were two black gates that were left opened. But that wasn’t an accident, the Gates of Zero were always open because it was a symbol that anyone who sought Zero’s help were welcome. However, it also was a grim warning to her enemies that if they came to her gates, then she would send their bodies back in caskets.

Since Elijah joined, he had agreed that the gates wouldn’t close since Zero kept it that way. But for the security purposes, he had installed sensory cameras and detectors all over the grounds. This way, if anything moved in and out of the gates, he would know right away.

The gate to the garage opened and he drove his car through before parking next to the series of motorcycles and other vehicles. Elijah shut the engine of the car off and got out. He slammed the door shut, which echoed in the concrete chamber. Leaving the car, he climbed up the steps and entered the house.

There were glimmering golden floors, large marble walls with molding and an extravagant ceiling with a crystal chandelier over the large lounge area. A fire crackled in the hearth where there was a antique painting of the owners of this house.

He walked past it towards the stairs and climbed up the deep indigo rug that was cascading down the steps. With purpose in his strides, he made it to the Zero’s office and knocked on the door.

“Come in,” her voice reverberated through the door.

He pushed the brass knob and opened it before he faced the saviour of rogue wolves siting behind an oak table on a mighty chair. In her dark leather gear, she was reading through papers, her black hair left open was cascading down her shoulders. However, when she lifted her head and revealed her sapphire eyes, he straightened from their piercing focus. There was always a stagnant authority that clung to her as she held herself like a regal wolf. Alpha didn’t come close to what she was. The woman commanded influence and she controlled alpha wolves as if they were her pet. Zero saved people, she hunted monsters, and that made her a dangerous force.

And everyone knew the tale of when Zero was brought back to life by their goddess, Maya. Elijah knew that it was no myth, it was real. He had seen it with his own eyes when Zero sacrificed herself to kill an evil man. She was taken from the world, which was a dark night indeed.

Elijah didn’t like to remember the time they spent thinking they had lost her forever. But on a fateful day, somehow with a miracle at play, Zero rose again, and she had returned with the blood Maya pumping through her veins. The blood that gave her immeasurable power and strength. The world may have believed this to be a myth, but Elijah knew that Zero wasn’t just a wolf anymore. She was divinity.

“What’s the update?” she inquired as she put the pen down.

He stood before her. “Randy Miller has been exterminated,” Elijah informed promptly.

“Good,” Zero approved.

Elijah took out Randy’s phone and placed in on the table. “I think we can trace his investors through his call history,” he suggested.

Zero nodded. “Then you know your next mission,” she said.

Elijah put the phone back in his pocket. “Anything else?” he asked knowing she was just going to dismiss him for the night.

But then Zero’s eyes lingered on him and he felt as if she was peering into the tattered soul inside him. Elijah didn’t avoid her eyes even though every nerve in his body wished to hide, so she didn’t see the truth. But that wasn’t possible. Not in front of her.

“When was the last time you slept?” Zero asked as she rose to her feet.

Elijah didn’t know the answer, since he lost count after the second or third day. “A while ago,” he answered briefly.

“And food?” Zero leaned on the table and crossed her arms.

Elijah had been trained to last days without food, it’s just how his body was programmed now. He couldn’t fight the change. “Yesterday-”

“Don’t lie to me,” Zero grumbled.

“What do you want then?”

“You’re not going on any mission until you’ve taken care of yourself,” Zero ordered.

Elijah stiffened. “Wait, what?” he astonished. “Zero, these missions aren’t going to complete themselves.”

Her eyes hardened. “Then have dinner and get some sleep,” she said. “I can’t have you running around town in this condition.”

Elijah couldn’t believe it. “I’m perfectly fine,” he assured.

“I’ll believe that when I can see it,” Zero said as she straightened and matched his towering height with her own. “I know a tired body when I see one.”

“I’m not tired,” Elijah informed.

Zero’s eyes flashed and the blue turned to silver. “You don’t believe that any more than I do,” she said. “Elijah-” she laid her strong hand on his heart- “rest doesn’t mean weakness.”

Elijah took a deep breath of her pheromones which were powerful storm. “Fine,” he gave in because there wasn’t anyone that could win in front of Zero’s stubbornness.

She smiled then as she dropped her hand. “Isn’t it easier when you just agree with me,” she jested.

“Can’t make it too easy for you,” Elijah remarked with a brief smile.

Zero smacked his arm. “Go get some rest,” she ordered.

Elijah left the room and shut the door behind him. He lingered in the empty hall wondering when his life took this turn. A dark twisted path, which had nothing but thorns. Crossing the corridor, he made it to the room he was given in this house. He opened the door and a dark chamber with a bed, table and multiple windows was revealed. There was a couch in front of a fireplace too, but there were no flames in that hearth, so the cold draft in the room was merciless.

Elijah took off his jacket and dropped it on the chair before he walked into the spacious bathroom. The large mirror was above the sink and he caught sight of his tired blue eyes. He stood in front of the mirror and stripped off the rest of his clothes.

With great strength, he faced his body in the reflection, which showed every single scar on him. His bronzed skin which contrasted against the scars, brought attention to every single memory that they harboured. Each cut from a blade, each lash from a whip, every single puncture from a gun held a memory. But Elijah’s eyes went straight to the tattoo around his throat. The number 134 had been carved into his throat with a collection of other blade cuts, scarring his entire throat like a collar. But that’s what he was for ten years; an animal who was only a number.

These markings all over his body burned through him and reminded him that he was meant to die in that cage. But miraculously, he had survived. He wasn’t even sure how that was made possible when he had committed every single sin, that warranted punishment.

Elijah walked away from the mirror and stood under the shower head, he pressed the button on the wall and the rain poured over him, cascading through his hair and down to his feet. The water was warm, it was a blessing that he didn’t have in the cages.

The cage… his mind lingered as he shut his eyes and tried to focus on anything else but those memories, because they chipped away at him, piece by piece, he was crumbling apart.

Whenever he tried to recollect his days before the cages, it was only in fragments. All he could recall was that he worked on a farm, alone and isolated which made him the perfect target for raiders who abducted rogue wolves.

The small cabin that oversaw a green meadow with the sun over the horizon, he used to the love sitting on the steps and watch as the sun dipped behind the mountains. But he never thought that once he went to sleep that night, raiders would barge through the front door and abduct him. They threw him in a truck before they dragged him to be branded as a slave. He was young, naive and begged to be let free. But no one listened. He learned very quickly that the peaceful life he lived was in the past.

Elijah’s eyes snapped open and he found himself in the shower. He washed off the soap and suds before he got out on the rug. Drying himself off with a towel, he entered the room and got dressed in a pair of jeans and a turtle-neck sweater, which was the only thing that kept his marks hidden.

Elijah didn’t bother with his damp tousled hair and left the bedroom to go to the kitchen. He smelt herbs and spices through the hallway before he climbed down the stairs. He entered the threshold of the kitchen and saw a man dressed in white trousers and a navy-blue polo shirt, his perfect golden hair shined under the lights.

Severin Salvatore was wealthy businessman who had pure-blood running through his body. He was the eldest son of an extremely wealthy family from London and they ran a successful company around the world. Severin was Zero’s mate and they had a perfect marriage. The world knew just as much as Elijah that Severin was the light to Zero’s darkness. He was the heart, she was the mind. He was the calm and she brought the wrath. They completed one another and were devoted like the stars are to the moon. Both rise together and unable to part.

“You are home,” Severin greeted with his posh accent. “I wasn’t aware when you had arrived.”

“It was a while ago,” he informed as he stepped inside.

“How did the mission go?” Severin turned revealing his handsome face and indigo eyes, they shined like gemstones under the golden light.

“Successful,” Elijah said as he grabbed the bottle of juice from the fridge. “But your mate isn’t letting me complete another mission without dinner.”

Severin revealed his dashing smile that won anyone’s heart. “Like my father always said, nothing is ever done on an empty stomach,” he quoted.

Elijah leaned against the counter. “What are you cooking?”

“One of my mate’s favourite,” Severin smiled.

“Lasagna-” they both answered.

Elijah chugged the orange juice as his eyes glanced around. They had another guest at this house who had also kept the habit of keeping to himself. A few months ago, Zero brought Zyran Solomon to live with them. Elijah wasn’t aware of the history of the man. But Zero took in strays, it was her thing.

“Can you watch the oven?” Severin asked as he took off his apron. “I need to summon my lovely mate.”

“She’s in her office,” Elijah told him.

Severin nodded before he walked off in pursuit.

Elijah stared at the oven where two trays of lasagna were being roasted. The heat streamed out through the door and he recalled the incinerators where he had worked. Throwing coal into the ovens to ensure that the compound kept running smoothly. But then, on dark days, he had to throw dead bodies into the fire. Children, elderly, women, no one was spared.

The cheese boiled on top of the tray and Elijah looked away because he didn’t want to lose the bit of appetite that he had gained after so many days.

Eventually, Severin returned and so did Zero. Both of them eager to eat dinner.

“Let’s set the table,” Severin said as he pulled the trays out of the oven.

“Where’s Zyran?” Zero asked as she pulled out wine from the cabinet.

“He’s been locked in his room all day,” Severin informed.

Zero met Elijah’s eyes. “Can you get him?” she asked.

“He won’t listen to me,” Elijah said.

“Then be convincing,” Zero advised.

Elijah pushed off the counter and left the kitchen. Returning upstairs, he made to the room on the west side of the manor. He arrived at the door and knocked. But there was no answer. So, he knocked again and again.

“Zero sent me,” Elijah yelled. “She wants you down for dinner.”

“I’m not hungry,” the voice streamed back.

“Tell Zero that yourself,” Elijah returned. “Even though we both know that she’ll come up here, open this door and drag you down. I can’t fight her off and neither can you-”

The door opened suddenly and a man stood behind it. He was tall, broad shouldered with dark black hair which contracted against his glowing silver eyes. He didn’t have a shirt on, so his tattoos were displayed and they covered his shoulders, arms and part of his torso.

But Elijah saw the heinous scar across the left side of his face, which was as if he had been scorched by fire. A mark that was permanent and hollowed his eyes. Zyran was a man who had committed heinous crimes against many, he had sworn to avenge his criminal family that had been killed by Zero. But when he realized that what he had done wasn’t justice but malevolent, he gave up his vendetta and sworn to imprisonment. But Zero brought him here and told him to right his wrongs. He was related to Azura who was a strong enforcer for the Centauri pack who he also blamed for his family’s demise. But all of that was in the past now.

“Let’s go,” Elijah said.

Zyran rolled his eyes before he grabbed a sweater and pulled it over his head. Both of them made it to the dining room where they heard Zero and Severin’s voices mixed together. They walked in together and Elijah went to his seat while Zyran circled the table and took a seat as well. They served themselves food and thanked Severin for the meal as well, it was delicious.

“You know, from saving the world and taking care of these two, I have my hands full,” Zero remarked.

Severin laughed.

Elijah met her eyes from across the table. “You don’t need to take care of me,” he said.

Zero chuckled. “Yeah, right,” she said.

“Why don’t you give some of your attention to Zyran,” Elijah said. “I’m sure he’s lonely.”

Zyran glared at them. “Don’t get any ideas, Zero,” he said.

“Why?” Zero said. “You love hanging out with me.”

Zyran put his fork down. “You force me to socialize,” he said. “I hate socializing.”

“Oh, it’s not so bad when you have the right company,” Severin said.

“Did you all forget that I tried to kill Zero’s friends?” Zyran retorted.

Zero swatted her hand at the notion. “That’s old news,” she said.

“And trust me, they all tried to kill one another once,” Severin voiced.

“I can attest to that too,” Elijah reassured.

Zero laughed. “It’s how bonds are built,” she told them like it was a completely normal thing to happen.

Well, as far as Elijah was aware, Zero and her friends had a strong bond but that only happened after she pulled them off their dark, twisted path. Those friends now repay Zero with their loyalty and resources. Elijah tried to do to same, even though his path was still as jaded as the start.

The conversation was comfortable during dinner and Elijah tried to focus by nodding and replying, but he wasn’t even sure if he was picking up any words.

After dinner, everyone moved to the living-room for wine. Elijah wasn’t looking to hang around and was about to leave.

“Elijah,” Zero called out. “I need to speak to you and to Zyran as well.”

The men shared a look wondering what that was about. Severin dismissed himself since he wished to freshen up and head to bed. He whispered something to Zero that made her smile before he kissed her and escaped up the stairs. Elijah came around and took a seat by the fireplace. His eyes set on the raging flames, that crackled the wood and smoked up the chimney.

“What’s this about, Zero?” Zyran inquired.

“You both know about the visions I get,” Zero began.

Elijah stiffened. From the day Zero was reborn, she had not only come back with a stronger body that could withstand bullets and any other injuries. But she had also returned with a strange psychic ability, which allowed her to dream about events that would happen or people she would meet. It was all confusing as hell and Elijah didn’t trust it since psychic abilities were often faulty.

“Did you have another dream?” he asked.

“Yes,” Zero said. “But they only come in fragments.”

“What’s in these dreams?” Zyran inquired as he took a seat.

Zero swirled the wine in her glass. “Memories,” she answered. “I can see through the eyes of the person I am in search of. It’s almost as if I can read their heart.”

“Well, how is that going to help you find them?” Elijah stepped in.

“I’m not sure,” Zero sighed as she put the glass down. “That’s why I need help.”

“I don’t really know what good we can do,” Zyran muttered.

Zero tapped her knee. “I need to figure out how to decipher these dreams,” she said.

Elijah leaned forward, planting his elbows on his knees. “Alright, start with what you know,” he said. “What do you see?”

“I see a wolf, a forest and a man who bears a mark,” she listed.

“A mark?” Zyran said. “What kind?”

“It’s a bit distorted,” Zero said. “But this marks feels as if it’s almost alive.”

Zyran and Elijah exchanged a look.

“Can you tap into theses dreams whenever you want?” Elijah asked.

“I’ve tried,” Zero said.

“This can be dangerous, Zero,” he said. “We don’t know if these dreams are reliable or not. Can’t you speak to Maya about this?”

“Should I go knock on a temple door and ask for her?” she said sardonically. “Maya doesn’t interfere that way. You know this.”

“I mean, she gave you these dreams then she should have made them clearer,” Elijah grumbled.

“He’s not wrong,” Zyran added grimly.

Zero leaned forward and faced them. “How many times can I go running to our goddess?” she said. “She isn’t a shield for me to use when I can’t figure my battles out.” She got to her feet. “Tomorrow, we find the person in my dream.”

“Where in the world are we going to find this person?” Elijah said.

“It’s a big world,” Zero sighed. “There’s bound to be someone somewhere.” She walked off and left them sitting by themselves.

“She’s crazy,” Zyran sighed.

“Yeah, you never get used to it,” Elijah told him since he’s been with her long enough to know that the woman would dive into a fire head first if it got her what she needed.

Zyran faced Elijah. “Why is she finding the people in these dreams?” he asked him.

“Your guess is as good as mine,” Elijah remarked.

“Is it the same reason she brought me here?” Zyran said quietly and it was like he spoke to himself.

“What do you want to do?” Elijah asked as he got to his feet. “Why do you stay by her side?”

Zyran’s silver eyes flashed and the scar on his face twisted. “I’m still figuring that out,” he answered.

Elijah turned around and looked at the painting on the wall. Zero sat on a throne, her sapphire eyes holding the strength of a thousand armies. “I follow her because she pulled me out of the depths of hell where everyone else was afraid to walk,” he told him. “If she needs to find these people in her dream, even if it’s dangerous or costs me my life. I will make it happen.”

“You trust her that much?” Zyran retorted.

Elijah faced him. “Don’t you?” he remarked. “She was the only one that walked into your cage and told you that you had a chance to build a new life.”

Zyran’s eyes softened.

“Zero gave us a chance,” Elijah told him. “Let’s not waste it.” He walked off towards his bedroom and shut the door behind him.

He stripped off his sweater and tossed it on the couch before he laid down on the cold, hard bed. Staring at the dark, lavish ceiling, he remembered the plain dingy cage where he used to sleep. That place was as hollow as a cave. Nothing good came from there.

Elijah shoved those memories into a cavern in his mind and turned to face the windows, where the dark sky blanketed the entire estate. There was no point in dwelling on the past. Zero had a mission and he would focus on helping her in any way he could. That was his duty and purpose. Elijah had to stay focused, it was the only way to survive in this fight.

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