HellCat: Guardian Of The Gate
By: Wizardtho
Chapter 14:
I sighed at Hades’ fading chuckle, but was determined not to let this topic go. Sooner or later the bastard was going to return my sneakers, whether he liked it or not.
Then I remembered Captain’s comment, causing me to turn and scowl at him, “Really? I had my sword to his throat, yet all you had to say was, ‘Nice music, Dude… still have several albums’?”
He chuckled as he wrapped his arms around me, offering with a peck to my lips, “You were on edge, Hellcat; ya needed comic relief. Since Emmett was oddly silent, it was my duty to man up. It worked, didn’t it?”
I nodded, releasing a breath, then pecked his lips in return, “Next time, just promise not to compliment the asshole’s choice of glamour. Now, I guess we should head back inside to prepare for our trip. By the way… umm… was Soul Reaver still inside the special weapons chest when I called for it?”
He and Major both nodded, then Captain asked, “Sure was. The lid to that chest hadn’t even been opened yet. How'd ya know the name to call for? I figured you’d call for somethin' at some point, but it would be somethin' you’d heard the name of.”
I shrugged as I walked toward the house with Captain’s hand in mine, “It all comes down to my instincts again. They scream at me. I don’t know how to explain it any other way. When I felt danger and the chill down my spine, I automatically reacted by saying what was echoing deep inside me.”
Carlisle seemed to nod to himself, then offered, “I should look at both the weapons Hades named soon, so that I can determine the reasons they will not work on certain supernatural species. The more you know of your weapons, the better position you will be in. I will have Esme call for the jet to be prepared. Our pilot is a trustworthy vampire, so there should be no issues with bringing your new charges, unless you wish them to teleport once we’ve reached our destination.”
I looked down at Skylar, who was right next to my side, then felt our connection echo inside me. The feeling was of her giving charge of the pups to Mystic, while she came on the plane with us. “Skylar will be with us, but she’ll put a named one in charge of the pups until she calls for everyone after we land.”
Captain and Sky both nodded at my assessment as we entered the house. Everyone gathered in the downstairs bar, so I dove right in. “Carlisle, I know you have a tentative friendship with the kings, but even you have to agree that they’ve become too big for their britches lately. I won’t give them the option to refuse seeing me, nor will I allow them to have the reins during the meeting. I need you to understand this before we board the plane. What I say goes as soon as we reach the castle. You can opt to stay here or go, but you need to understand that as soon as we get there, I have to make a very big and public statement.”
I saw each of the family nodding, then Edward added to appease Carlisle, “You know that nothing less will gain the slightest bit of attention from them, Carlisle. Think of Alice’s visions, and how they would have killed Bella without even knowing if she was mated to a vampire. They’re supposed to be our leaders, our system of justice… but how can a corrupt leadership benefit our species?”
Carlisle patted Edward’s shoulder, then nodded seriously to me, offering, “We will stand with you, Isa. You have our full support to handle the situation as you see fit.”
I let out a breath of relief, then asked, “Alice, can you help the rest of the girls get a few things packed for everyone? I can’t believe I’m saying this, but don’t worry about what shoes to pick, seeing as my balance shouldn’t be an issue now. Boots are preferred, but the Steampunk platforms are good, too. They’ll have the blade in the toes. Think ass kicking statement, and pack for several days. Do the same for Captain and Major.”
Captain hugged me to him as he reminded me, “Ya still need to get a feel for your new arsenal, my little Hellcat.”
I nodded, moving over toward the chests, then said, “I already know the feel of my sword, but you’re right. Let’s start with the two Carlisle needs to identify.”
I held my hands out in front of me, calling, “Demon Slayer. Flame Viper.”
They materialized in my hands one after the other. Captain nodded as he looked at them. “Bowie knives. Small enough to keep on ya at all times. How do they feel?”
I automatically twirled each knife in turn. First around each hand, then twirling in a circle in each palm, feeling how it moved. Both were extremely lightweight, and felt well balanced, so I looked to my chuckling mate. “Easy there, Killer. Now how do they feel?”
I chuckled, then nodded. “Good… super light and well balanced. Carlisle?”
He came to me then, and took a close look at each blade, then sniffed them in turn while never touching either blade. “Venom and poison, infused in each blade. Flame Viper will not work on vampires, because its blade was infused with vampire venom. It would cause one hell of a sting to us, but would kill another supernatural. The same holds true for Demon Slayer. It will not work on werewolves, because its blade was infused with werewolf poison. Its poison would kill not only vampires, but any supernatural other than a werewolf.”
I nodded, saying allowed, “So Demon is useless on werewolves because they already have the poison in their systems. The same holds true for Viper and vampires… but I can use Viper against this werewolf we’re dealing with, and Demon against James. Better keep these close.”
Captain agreed, adding, “If ya don’t have ‘em in your wardrobe, we’ll fashion some leg holders for ya to keep ‘em on you durin’ the search.”
I placed them on the bar, then held my hands out, calling, “Phantom Strike.”
In the next second, the most kick ass composite bow appeared in my hands with a quiver full of arrows. I couldn’t help but smirk as Major’s eyes widened, “Now we’re talkin’. Dad used to take me out and have me practice in a field with his old bow during the summers. Em! Set up a target at the treeline, please. I wanna test this bad boy out.”
Esme came in then, smiling, “Go on, Isa. We have 2 hours before the plane will be ready to depart.”
Em rushed past her out the french doors, several papers in hand. I smiled as he called to me, “I have five. Pick the distances after I place the first.”
Once he tacked the first target directly in front of me, I called, “Stagger them, Em. I want the farthest to be… hmm... can we get half a mile?”
He called back with a loud chuckle, “Sure thing, Isa. You’ll need to stand in the side yard facing the last target, though. Major will show you where.”
I started walking toward the doorway after strapping the quiver to my back, but something seemed off. I went to call for Ali, but she appeared next to me with a smile on her face. “All the rest are packed, but I thought you’d want these now.”
In her hand, she held two leg harnesses with perfectly designed holsters for the bowie knives, as well as an archer’s brace and a string glove. I grinned widely, handing Captain the bow while I quickly donned the gear Alice handed me. First were the knife holsters. Flame Viper went on my left outer thigh, while Demon Slayer was placed on my right. I pulled the string glove onto my right hand before Ali helped lace the bracer on my left forearm.
When I took the bow back, all felt right, so I smiled as I walked to the back patio. Em was placing the last of the five targets as I stopped and drew an arrow from the quiver. With a thumbs up from him, I nodded before nocking the arrow, taking slow deep breaths as I drew back and took aim. The string came back so easily it felt almost sloppy, though, so I gently guided it back to its resting position before looking to Captain.
He studied Phantom Strike for a second as I explained the problem, then offered, “We should just be able to tighten the screw mechanisms at each end, Isa. No biggie. We’ll go a quarter turn at a time until it feels right.”
I shook my head, “Sorry, but the last handler either never used this, or had a much weaker drawing weight. Dad had me at I think 40 lbs the last time, but I’ve gained a lot of strength since then. Let’s try 2 full turns on each end, then go from there after I test it.”
I sat on the end of the lounger as Captain and Major tightened the string. When Major handed it to me, I lifted my legs out straight in front of me, and drew the string back. I shook my head after only a second, “Nope, but getting closer. Try two more, please.”
They quickly made the adjustments, then handed the bow back. I repeated the process, letting my body get a feel for the weight of the bow, as well as how my muscles remembered this action like it was second nature. I grinned, then stood while saying, “Let’s try this. We might still need to go another ¼ turn, but I need to test and get a feel for her.”
After standing, I adjusted my stance in relation to the closest target, then nocked the arrow and drew back. My breathing was even, the black bullseye directly in the center of my scope. I released the arrow, only to see the arrow pierce below the bullseye by ¼ of an inch.
I released a breath, nodding, “Not bad, but the sights are off.”
I called Ali over, explaining, “When I draw this back, I need you to adjust these two black dials, one at a time, clockwise. Turn the top dial two clicks, and the bottom dial one click. Do not move the bow itself. I will release the arrow only when you’re clear.”
She nodded seriously, waited for me to be in position for my next shot, then quickly did as I asked. Once she scooted back to stand with Major, I looked through the scope and took a slow, deep breath. On the release, which was just as slow, I let the arrow fly.
I grinned when when I heard the wood split, seeing my second arrow in the dead center of the bullseye. Edward mentioned before I could, “You’re still having to pull just a bit too far, though. Your fingers are back near your ear, not at your cheekbone. May I?”
I allowed Edward to make the ¼ turn adjustment before resuming my spot and turning my body toward the next target. This one also hit dead center, and the adjustment Edward made was perfect. As the arrow flew straight and true, there was no sound of it being released, or whistling as it whizzed toward the target. Stealth and accuracy was it’s sole purpose, which it had nailed perfectly.
I shot the next two targets perfectly, then asked my mate, “Show me where the half mile mark is from the last target?”
He grinned, kissed me on the top of my head, then guided me around to the side of the house by his hands on my hips. When he squeezed them gently before turning me, I knew I was where I needed to be. I kissed my mate with a smile, then waited for him to move back a safe distance before pulling another arrow from the quiver on my back.
As I drew back this arrow, I watched the plants at different yard markers. I adjusted my arrow’s trajectory just a hair as the wind shifted. Half a breath later, the arrow was released, but I didn’t move until I heard wood splitting as it hit its mark.
Major quickly ran over to the target, grinning and nodding as he offered, “Direct center, Isa. Excellent shot.”
I let out a breathy giggle as he started to pull the arrow from the tree, but he stopped mid pull with a confused look. After a second, he pulled harder, looked at where the arrow was lodged in a tree, then did something before pulling the arrow free. He called over to Carlisle and Edward, then, who were also trying to pull arrows free from targets. “They’re spring released grapplers, I’m guessing. You need to hold the metal piece right above the spring while twisting the shaft to release it without damaging the trees.”
I quickly pulled an arrow from the quiver on my back, then closely looked at the tip. The arrowhead itself looked to be made of two different metal colors, plus there did seem to be a spring between the arrowhead and the shaft itself. I hummed before Captain took the arrow from my hand, only to shove it in the ground at our feet.
When he ripped it free a few seconds later, we both looked to see that the darker parts of the arrowhead had shot open. Anyone who was shot by this arrow, then tried to simply pull it free, would be in for a big surprise. Though the entry wound would be small, the eight claw-like metal pieces that expanded in all directions made the exit wound about the size of my fist. I grinned at Captain as he breathed an incredulous, “Holy shit!”
Major patted him on the back as he reached us, “Holy shit is right, Brother. Your little mate is bad ass. Phantom Strike is an apt name. Not one sound from the bow or arrows, plus even Isa’s movements seemed shrouded.”
I handed Captain the bow and arrow as I grinned, wanting to check out my final heretic weapon. With my hands outstretched and my smile wide, I called in a normal tone, “Earthshaker.”
What appeared in my hand was the most impressive black, silver and gold warhammer I had ever seen. This thing made even fantasy warhammers look like baby rattles. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud, “Fuck, yeah!”
Captain’s eyes went wide as he saw me with this monster of a hammer in my hands, asking, “How heavy is that? Is it too much?”
I shook my head, beaming, “It’s actually no heavier than the bow. It’s really light. I get the feeling if I were anyone else, though, it would feel a lot heavier.”
I saw Skylar watching me with interest, so I asked in German, “Sky? What would happen if someone tried to pick this up that wasn’t me? Anything magical, or just the hammer feeling extremely heavy to the person.”
She gave me the feeling of heaviness, but no magical undertones, so I nodded, “Thanks.”
I moved into the yard where I had a bunch of room, then swung the hammer in a full circle to get a feel for it. After a few turns and random moves, I brought it over my head and swung down hard, hitting a small boulder in the grass. The result was the boulder turning into dust, and the earth shaking wildly around me.
In my peripheral vision, Esme wobbled slightly while letting out a shocked, “Oh!”
Carlisle stabilized her in his arms with a chuckle as I apologized, “Sorry, Esme.”
She grinned while giving me a dismissive wave, “It’s better we all know now, Darling. You go right ahead and get used to them.”
I shook my head as I handed Earthshaker to Major, who literally buckled under the weight of the weapon. I took it back when he grunted and Captain snickered, then offered, “I think we know enough to get started. We need to leave for the airport soon, and I think Major needs a moment to gain his bearings. You good Major?”
He coughed as he straightened up and brushed off his clothes, giving me a not-so-threatening version of his evil eye, “Guess I deserved that one. That’s the only freebie you get, Isabella.”
I nodded with a smirk as I twirled the hammer in my hands once, “Noted,” then began to walk back into the house. I could hear Skylar and some of the hellhounds snickering as they followed behind me.
Then I remembered Captain’s comment, causing me to turn and scowl at him, “Really? I had my sword to his throat, yet all you had to say was, ‘Nice music, Dude… still have several albums’?”
He chuckled as he wrapped his arms around me, offering with a peck to my lips, “You were on edge, Hellcat; ya needed comic relief. Since Emmett was oddly silent, it was my duty to man up. It worked, didn’t it?”
I nodded, releasing a breath, then pecked his lips in return, “Next time, just promise not to compliment the asshole’s choice of glamour. Now, I guess we should head back inside to prepare for our trip. By the way… umm… was Soul Reaver still inside the special weapons chest when I called for it?”
He and Major both nodded, then Captain asked, “Sure was. The lid to that chest hadn’t even been opened yet. How'd ya know the name to call for? I figured you’d call for somethin' at some point, but it would be somethin' you’d heard the name of.”
I shrugged as I walked toward the house with Captain’s hand in mine, “It all comes down to my instincts again. They scream at me. I don’t know how to explain it any other way. When I felt danger and the chill down my spine, I automatically reacted by saying what was echoing deep inside me.”
Carlisle seemed to nod to himself, then offered, “I should look at both the weapons Hades named soon, so that I can determine the reasons they will not work on certain supernatural species. The more you know of your weapons, the better position you will be in. I will have Esme call for the jet to be prepared. Our pilot is a trustworthy vampire, so there should be no issues with bringing your new charges, unless you wish them to teleport once we’ve reached our destination.”
I looked down at Skylar, who was right next to my side, then felt our connection echo inside me. The feeling was of her giving charge of the pups to Mystic, while she came on the plane with us. “Skylar will be with us, but she’ll put a named one in charge of the pups until she calls for everyone after we land.”
Captain and Sky both nodded at my assessment as we entered the house. Everyone gathered in the downstairs bar, so I dove right in. “Carlisle, I know you have a tentative friendship with the kings, but even you have to agree that they’ve become too big for their britches lately. I won’t give them the option to refuse seeing me, nor will I allow them to have the reins during the meeting. I need you to understand this before we board the plane. What I say goes as soon as we reach the castle. You can opt to stay here or go, but you need to understand that as soon as we get there, I have to make a very big and public statement.”
I saw each of the family nodding, then Edward added to appease Carlisle, “You know that nothing less will gain the slightest bit of attention from them, Carlisle. Think of Alice’s visions, and how they would have killed Bella without even knowing if she was mated to a vampire. They’re supposed to be our leaders, our system of justice… but how can a corrupt leadership benefit our species?”
Carlisle patted Edward’s shoulder, then nodded seriously to me, offering, “We will stand with you, Isa. You have our full support to handle the situation as you see fit.”
I let out a breath of relief, then asked, “Alice, can you help the rest of the girls get a few things packed for everyone? I can’t believe I’m saying this, but don’t worry about what shoes to pick, seeing as my balance shouldn’t be an issue now. Boots are preferred, but the Steampunk platforms are good, too. They’ll have the blade in the toes. Think ass kicking statement, and pack for several days. Do the same for Captain and Major.”
Captain hugged me to him as he reminded me, “Ya still need to get a feel for your new arsenal, my little Hellcat.”
I nodded, moving over toward the chests, then said, “I already know the feel of my sword, but you’re right. Let’s start with the two Carlisle needs to identify.”
I held my hands out in front of me, calling, “Demon Slayer. Flame Viper.”
They materialized in my hands one after the other. Captain nodded as he looked at them. “Bowie knives. Small enough to keep on ya at all times. How do they feel?”
I automatically twirled each knife in turn. First around each hand, then twirling in a circle in each palm, feeling how it moved. Both were extremely lightweight, and felt well balanced, so I looked to my chuckling mate. “Easy there, Killer. Now how do they feel?”
I chuckled, then nodded. “Good… super light and well balanced. Carlisle?”
He came to me then, and took a close look at each blade, then sniffed them in turn while never touching either blade. “Venom and poison, infused in each blade. Flame Viper will not work on vampires, because its blade was infused with vampire venom. It would cause one hell of a sting to us, but would kill another supernatural. The same holds true for Demon Slayer. It will not work on werewolves, because its blade was infused with werewolf poison. Its poison would kill not only vampires, but any supernatural other than a werewolf.”
I nodded, saying allowed, “So Demon is useless on werewolves because they already have the poison in their systems. The same holds true for Viper and vampires… but I can use Viper against this werewolf we’re dealing with, and Demon against James. Better keep these close.”
Captain agreed, adding, “If ya don’t have ‘em in your wardrobe, we’ll fashion some leg holders for ya to keep ‘em on you durin’ the search.”
I placed them on the bar, then held my hands out, calling, “Phantom Strike.”
In the next second, the most kick ass composite bow appeared in my hands with a quiver full of arrows. I couldn’t help but smirk as Major’s eyes widened, “Now we’re talkin’. Dad used to take me out and have me practice in a field with his old bow during the summers. Em! Set up a target at the treeline, please. I wanna test this bad boy out.”
Esme came in then, smiling, “Go on, Isa. We have 2 hours before the plane will be ready to depart.”
Em rushed past her out the french doors, several papers in hand. I smiled as he called to me, “I have five. Pick the distances after I place the first.”
Once he tacked the first target directly in front of me, I called, “Stagger them, Em. I want the farthest to be… hmm... can we get half a mile?”
He called back with a loud chuckle, “Sure thing, Isa. You’ll need to stand in the side yard facing the last target, though. Major will show you where.”
I started walking toward the doorway after strapping the quiver to my back, but something seemed off. I went to call for Ali, but she appeared next to me with a smile on her face. “All the rest are packed, but I thought you’d want these now.”
In her hand, she held two leg harnesses with perfectly designed holsters for the bowie knives, as well as an archer’s brace and a string glove. I grinned widely, handing Captain the bow while I quickly donned the gear Alice handed me. First were the knife holsters. Flame Viper went on my left outer thigh, while Demon Slayer was placed on my right. I pulled the string glove onto my right hand before Ali helped lace the bracer on my left forearm.
When I took the bow back, all felt right, so I smiled as I walked to the back patio. Em was placing the last of the five targets as I stopped and drew an arrow from the quiver. With a thumbs up from him, I nodded before nocking the arrow, taking slow deep breaths as I drew back and took aim. The string came back so easily it felt almost sloppy, though, so I gently guided it back to its resting position before looking to Captain.
He studied Phantom Strike for a second as I explained the problem, then offered, “We should just be able to tighten the screw mechanisms at each end, Isa. No biggie. We’ll go a quarter turn at a time until it feels right.”
I shook my head, “Sorry, but the last handler either never used this, or had a much weaker drawing weight. Dad had me at I think 40 lbs the last time, but I’ve gained a lot of strength since then. Let’s try 2 full turns on each end, then go from there after I test it.”
I sat on the end of the lounger as Captain and Major tightened the string. When Major handed it to me, I lifted my legs out straight in front of me, and drew the string back. I shook my head after only a second, “Nope, but getting closer. Try two more, please.”
They quickly made the adjustments, then handed the bow back. I repeated the process, letting my body get a feel for the weight of the bow, as well as how my muscles remembered this action like it was second nature. I grinned, then stood while saying, “Let’s try this. We might still need to go another ¼ turn, but I need to test and get a feel for her.”
After standing, I adjusted my stance in relation to the closest target, then nocked the arrow and drew back. My breathing was even, the black bullseye directly in the center of my scope. I released the arrow, only to see the arrow pierce below the bullseye by ¼ of an inch.
I released a breath, nodding, “Not bad, but the sights are off.”
I called Ali over, explaining, “When I draw this back, I need you to adjust these two black dials, one at a time, clockwise. Turn the top dial two clicks, and the bottom dial one click. Do not move the bow itself. I will release the arrow only when you’re clear.”
She nodded seriously, waited for me to be in position for my next shot, then quickly did as I asked. Once she scooted back to stand with Major, I looked through the scope and took a slow, deep breath. On the release, which was just as slow, I let the arrow fly.
I grinned when when I heard the wood split, seeing my second arrow in the dead center of the bullseye. Edward mentioned before I could, “You’re still having to pull just a bit too far, though. Your fingers are back near your ear, not at your cheekbone. May I?”
I allowed Edward to make the ¼ turn adjustment before resuming my spot and turning my body toward the next target. This one also hit dead center, and the adjustment Edward made was perfect. As the arrow flew straight and true, there was no sound of it being released, or whistling as it whizzed toward the target. Stealth and accuracy was it’s sole purpose, which it had nailed perfectly.
I shot the next two targets perfectly, then asked my mate, “Show me where the half mile mark is from the last target?”
He grinned, kissed me on the top of my head, then guided me around to the side of the house by his hands on my hips. When he squeezed them gently before turning me, I knew I was where I needed to be. I kissed my mate with a smile, then waited for him to move back a safe distance before pulling another arrow from the quiver on my back.
As I drew back this arrow, I watched the plants at different yard markers. I adjusted my arrow’s trajectory just a hair as the wind shifted. Half a breath later, the arrow was released, but I didn’t move until I heard wood splitting as it hit its mark.
Major quickly ran over to the target, grinning and nodding as he offered, “Direct center, Isa. Excellent shot.”
I let out a breathy giggle as he started to pull the arrow from the tree, but he stopped mid pull with a confused look. After a second, he pulled harder, looked at where the arrow was lodged in a tree, then did something before pulling the arrow free. He called over to Carlisle and Edward, then, who were also trying to pull arrows free from targets. “They’re spring released grapplers, I’m guessing. You need to hold the metal piece right above the spring while twisting the shaft to release it without damaging the trees.”
I quickly pulled an arrow from the quiver on my back, then closely looked at the tip. The arrowhead itself looked to be made of two different metal colors, plus there did seem to be a spring between the arrowhead and the shaft itself. I hummed before Captain took the arrow from my hand, only to shove it in the ground at our feet.
When he ripped it free a few seconds later, we both looked to see that the darker parts of the arrowhead had shot open. Anyone who was shot by this arrow, then tried to simply pull it free, would be in for a big surprise. Though the entry wound would be small, the eight claw-like metal pieces that expanded in all directions made the exit wound about the size of my fist. I grinned at Captain as he breathed an incredulous, “Holy shit!”
Major patted him on the back as he reached us, “Holy shit is right, Brother. Your little mate is bad ass. Phantom Strike is an apt name. Not one sound from the bow or arrows, plus even Isa’s movements seemed shrouded.”
I handed Captain the bow and arrow as I grinned, wanting to check out my final heretic weapon. With my hands outstretched and my smile wide, I called in a normal tone, “Earthshaker.”
What appeared in my hand was the most impressive black, silver and gold warhammer I had ever seen. This thing made even fantasy warhammers look like baby rattles. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud, “Fuck, yeah!”
Captain’s eyes went wide as he saw me with this monster of a hammer in my hands, asking, “How heavy is that? Is it too much?”
I shook my head, beaming, “It’s actually no heavier than the bow. It’s really light. I get the feeling if I were anyone else, though, it would feel a lot heavier.”
I saw Skylar watching me with interest, so I asked in German, “Sky? What would happen if someone tried to pick this up that wasn’t me? Anything magical, or just the hammer feeling extremely heavy to the person.”
She gave me the feeling of heaviness, but no magical undertones, so I nodded, “Thanks.”
I moved into the yard where I had a bunch of room, then swung the hammer in a full circle to get a feel for it. After a few turns and random moves, I brought it over my head and swung down hard, hitting a small boulder in the grass. The result was the boulder turning into dust, and the earth shaking wildly around me.
In my peripheral vision, Esme wobbled slightly while letting out a shocked, “Oh!”
Carlisle stabilized her in his arms with a chuckle as I apologized, “Sorry, Esme.”
She grinned while giving me a dismissive wave, “It’s better we all know now, Darling. You go right ahead and get used to them.”
I shook my head as I handed Earthshaker to Major, who literally buckled under the weight of the weapon. I took it back when he grunted and Captain snickered, then offered, “I think we know enough to get started. We need to leave for the airport soon, and I think Major needs a moment to gain his bearings. You good Major?”
He coughed as he straightened up and brushed off his clothes, giving me a not-so-threatening version of his evil eye, “Guess I deserved that one. That’s the only freebie you get, Isabella.”
I nodded with a smirk as I twirled the hammer in my hands once, “Noted,” then began to walk back into the house. I could hear Skylar and some of the hellhounds snickering as they followed behind me.