No longer a stray

"I have to admit, I am curious about it.
Given the right circumstances I think I could do it, I know physically that I could do it.
But mentally dealing with it is a whole other story."

He sighed in relief as she took the kitten from him and leaned his large frame against the wall with his arms crossed against his chest.

Zeke's body tensed and he looked to the floor as he recalled the night he had been changed.
It was the worst pain imaginable and it was messy, very messy and there was nothing you could do the help someone through the change, it was up to them to survive it.

"It's a good thing you have never witnessed it."
He said, the words catching in his throat slightly, when he was imprisoned there was always someone who was going through the change, the enslaved ones died so frequently that they were always making more. hardly a night went by where someone didn't shriek their lungs out.

"Worse."
He replied simply, he did not look up from the floor until she took hold of his hand, he looked to her and gave her a forced smile.

"It's not something that anyone should have to live through, but it is a part of our existence."
He added, his eyes grew sad as he thought of all the young boys who had died part way through the change, it did not kill then instantly instead it let them suffer for hours.

Zeke picked up a few of the books from her dresser and flipped through them, most were about dragon-like creatures.
He looked at the stack and scratched his head slightly.
"What's got you all interested in dragons?"
He asked slightly suspicious, recalling what Taylor had told him about the cold bounty.
It seemed too unlikely that Moe would take a fascination with dragons when there was a chance that Taylor and him would be hunting one.

"I learn new things everyday about you."

He said with a chuckle and placed the book back where he found it and then took a seat in the chair she had cleared for him.


He scratched his head softly, running his hands through his hair, he felt as though there was more of it, but he trusted Moe to tell him anything he needed to know when he needed to know it.

"I suppose they are quite interesting creatures, definitely frightening creatures."

"I fear that I may have to face up against a dragon some day soon.
Taylor has taken up a Cold Bounty and I have chosen to help her,
I can't let that girl get herself fried to a crisp.
She has collected a small group of people with select skills though I thought I could help out with brute strength.
I feel more comfortable knowing she can face this thing with me at her side, I think I owe her one after how badly I tore her up."
He admitted, scratching his arm, he still felt guilty about how much damage he did when he attacked her.

"Brave has nothing to do with it."
He muttered, blowing a piece of hair from his eyes.
"I owe Taylor, you should of seen her when I attacked, I could of torn her to pieces and I damn near did."
He shook his head.

"That girl has a lot on her plate, and she is family to me now, to both of us.
I wont be letting her run into this thing half cocked, you've seen her recently? She is a mess."

"Brave or stupid." He said with a softly chuckle

Healer, Raoul.
Elemental, Hellsing.
Assassin, .......
Assassin in training, Jene.
Strength, himself.

"Who is the other assassin?"
He asked, his brows inching together in confusion as he ran through his mental list, Taylor had not told him about another joining their team.

Zeke's face changed, the smirk that he usually wore melted away, his bright silver eyes dulled as his gaze fell to the floor.

Who's the other assassin? ...I am.
That was the last thing he wanted to hear.

He stared at the ground as his shoulders slumped, his breathing slowed to shallow breaths as he sat deadly still in silence as he processed what she had just said.

Zeke bit his bottom lip harshly, burying his sharp canines into the soft flesh until it bled.

No.

Was all he could think, Moe was so young, and yes should could take care of herself but against a dragon?! Zeke's body shook in silent rage, how had Taylor allowed this.
As much as Moe hated it, he needed to protect her, for her safety and his. He had made a promise to Coilean and Alek to do so.

How could she be so foolish, always placing herself in dangerous situations.
"Idiot."
He replied in a stern but almost silent voice, the words forced their way out through his clenched teeth.

He could not stay here, he could not look at her.
He rose to his feet and rushed to the door, slamming it behind him and almost throwing it off its hinges.
He had to get away from her before he snapped and did something he would regret, he could not refuse to let her join in the bounty, it was her life to live and he had no right to impose rules upon her.
But that reasoning did not quell the rage he felt at the girls foolishness.

Before she had the chance to stop him he sprinted down the halls, his clothes tearing from his body as he transformed while descending the staircase.
He could not control himself enough to be able to hold out on changing until he got outside, instead his large wolf form ran through the entrance the out the door.

Zeke was enraged, his wolf form sprinting across the gardens at full speed.
His ears twitched in annoyance as he heard her coming after him.
He cursed inwardly, the girl could not understand that she needed to stay away, he needed her to stay away.

When he got like this it was too easy to lose control, too easy to snap.
He refused to let her see him like this, he was not a man trapped inside a beast. He was a beast trapped inside a man, and the rage could not be quelled so simply.

He snarled back at her, in warning and protest at her presence.
With in moments he had burst through the mansion gates and was heading deep into the forest, hoping to lose here amongst the trees.