Chapter 8: Philip Harrington vs. Troy ‘Travis’ Stanton~ The beat to his heart … Mistrust!

***

The story of the bank robbers who were mysteriously found with their loot and weapons in a locked police cell was to later become a hot debate in media houses and on social media. Blaze of course sang like a canary, talking about a magician called Troy and his team. Of course the story of the flabbergasted police team who found themselves in another state just as they got to the bank that was being robbed by Blaze and his team, only fueled the story. The story of the Vigilante Magicians was to trend for weeks.

Magicians were urged to help the police do their jobs like the selfless group who had, according to the story of the robbers themselves, given up Blaze and his gang. Among the speculations that were rife on media was the possibility of an alien invasion.

Meanwhile, in a quiet farmhouse, where unbeknownst to the public, the nine original residents had been murdered in cold blood with the help of magic, five warlocks watched the news with grim faces. They knew for a fact that it wasn’t an alien invasion. They heard the name Troy and knew who that was. The warlocks wondered whether Troy was with other warlocks who had been able to escape the bloody battle or with another group of warlocks he’d found. They needed answers…

*

Back in the warehouse, Troy was even more confused…

“Where did you send them?” Troy asked as Paul grinned with relief.

“To the police,” Deloris said as she went to stand beside Gloria and began to soothingly rub the still speechless werewolf on the back. “Now this one here…” She gestured towards Paul.

“I said he was with me,” Troy growled as he shielded Paul with his body. “We will be on our way…”

“You’re not going anywhere, Travis,” Philip said with so much authority, Troy gasped. “Now, tell me exactly who he is and what he knows.”

“First of all, my name is Troy, not Travis.” Troy folded his arms across his chest, his beautiful face scrunched in with a scowl. “Secondly, I don’t owe you any explana…”

“Then he dies,” Philip said with finality.

“What?” Troy bellowed as Paul gasped.

“I’m sorry but he’s human,” Philip said. “You’re not supposed to reveal what you are to humans. If he knows what you are, then he has to die.”

“What do you mean what I am?” Troy growled. “How about those thieves you just delivered to the police? They know I can do magic. Why didn’t you kill them? And you four… you just appeared out of nowhere, showing everyone in this warehouse that you are…whatever you are. What’s the difference between what you did and what I…may have done?” His brows raised challengingly.

“When we got here, we were invisible.” Deloris quickly explained. “It was only after we assessed the situation and unlinked our hands…breaking the connection between us, that you people were able to see.”

“Whatever.” Troy snapped. “At the end of the day, everyone saw us doing magic. Why must Paul die for seeing it too?”

“I’m talking about what you really are, not magical performances.” Philip rasped. “If you’ve told him what you really are, probably shown him your other self, he needs to die. Sorry.” But Philip didn’t sound sorry at all. If the look he was throwing Paul’s way was anything to go by, he seemed to be salivating at the mere thought of killing the boy.

There were rules that supernatural beings, especially, werewolves lived by. Humans were never to know of their existence. If by any unfortunate chance, they got to know, they were not to be allowed to live to tell another soul. The only humans who knew about their existence were hunters. But they, more than anyone, were hell-bent on keeping the existence of supernatural beings, secret.

Their goal was to quietly destroy anything that fell outside the norm, in order not to create fear and panic amongst their fellow humans. To both supernatural beings and hunters, therefore, humans were to remain ignorant about their existence because ignorance, they say, was bliss. The last thing that any werewolf therefore wanted, was to expose themselves to humans since it would mean that humans would have to lose their life.

“Who are you?” Troy whispered with a pained look as he stared at Philip. “Why are you so wicked and heartless? What has he done to you for you to even think of killing him? I don’t get it. I’ve met some real pricks in my life but you…” he paused and pointed at Philip, “…are a fucking cactus.” Jeremy burst into laughter as Philip scowled. Troy turned eyes filled with anger, defiance, and shock to Jeremy as he reached behind him to take hold of Paul’s trembling hand. Who wouldn’t be terrified if they had to endure one death threat after another within mere minutes, Troy asked himself as he glared at the four in the warehouse with him and Paul. “Who are you people?” He sounded so wretched, a sob tore out of Gloria who had her eyes trained on her son the entire time.

“You will know soon enough.” Philip breathed, his furious gaze on the joined hands of his mate and Paul. His beast was going crazy inside of him. “In the meantime, first things first. Don’t worry, I’ll make it quick. He won’t feel a thing. Now, step away from…” Philip trailed off when Jeremy laid a hand on his shoulder.

“Lip, come on…” Jeremy said in a low voice meant for the clearly fuming alpha but his gaze remained on his understandably bewildered brother. “Listen, Troy, how about we do it this way?” Jeremy sighed. “The two of you come with us…”

“We’re not going anywhere with you.” Troy sneered, his eyes flashing.

“What is he to you?” Philip suddenly growled as his eyes turned amber. His wolf was right there on the surface. “Are you two lovers?”

“No.” Paul gasped. “He’s my friend.”

“Can you smell Travis on him?” Jeremy asked Philip in a low voice.

“No, but…”

“Then control yourself.” Jeremy admonished. It was only natural for Philip’s wolf to feel threatened by the affection being shown to another person by his mate. “Trav…Troy, please listen to me…”

“No, you listen to me,” Troy growled. “I’ve had it with…”

“Alpha Jeremy?” Deloris left Gloria’s side and went to stand before Troy and Paul. “I think we need to help Troy make a quick decision.” She whispered a few words and looked up at Troy. Then with a sweet smile on her face, she snapped her fingers. Paul disappeared.

“What the hell!” Troy gasped. “Where did you send him?” He screamed, looking wild. “Bring him back this very instant.”

“Relax…” Deloris said.

“Don’t tell me to relax.” Troy turned angry but pleading eyes on Jeremy. “Please…” He turned back to Deloris. “He won’t last a day in police custody, please. Bring him back. I’ll do anything. Please.” He looked desperate.

“He’s in safe hands,” Deloris said as she pulled out a cell phone from her pocket and dialed. “Cami? Yes, I sent him. Give him some food and talk to him. Yes. Yes. We want to know how he knows Travis and what he knows about us. Yes, everything. Thanks, hon.” She hung up. “He’s with my daughter now. If you want to see him, you’ve got to come with us.”

“You expect me to simply take your word for it that he’s not lying in some police…”

“I’m calling my daughter…” Deloris dialed her phone again. “Honey… put him on, please. Listen…” She pressed the phone to Troy’s ear.”