Never Too Late

[Nox]

Sedation brought dreams but more like memories. He saw the night of the gala, the ijiraq pulling power through him and searing his soul. The pain radiating through his body as it consumed more than he could hold before the beast scattered into the air.

The particles fluttered into an ocean of lava, the horde danced at his feat as he sent them one by one to their fiery deaths. Each one melting his skin, frying his hair. The putrid smell of blood and ash filtered through his nose.

He fought the next scene. Fought with everything he had as the memories drifted front. His worse nightmare wasn't those things, was watching the pain in Raffe's eyes when he knew the truth. Words echoed on his soul.

Hope was dashed on the floor when he opened his eyes again. Pain in his side, his legs, his chest. New scars stiff against his body as he moved to sit up. New pains. He felt flushed, hot, like his eyes might boil out of their sockets.

A voice whispered from the shadows. "You've been out of it a long longer than they expected."

Nox only grunted.

Heavy footsteps fell on the stairs leading to their cells and Nox laid back down with a heavy grunt and closed his eyes.

The voice that sounded just the other side of the cage was cracked with humor. "Look how he dies."

"He should be awake by now. Somethings wrong."

"Too much trouble. Just end it. Feed me his heart."

Ashton gurgled as he was lifted from the ground by the Rougarou. "I want his heart!"

Ashton shuddered. "Okay. Yes, Cedric. We will."

The cold of the stone floor was nice against his warm skin. He knew this was near the end. Even if the Rougarou didn't eat him alive, he wasn't going to live long afterwards. When the monster left the children to their own devices Ashton sat down next to the bars. "If I let you go you have to kill them all."

Nox's voice was empty of all emotion. "Anyone left in this building when I'm done is going to die. Get everyone out you want to save."

Izzy and Ava whimpered, but it was Ava who spoke. "We can't get near Ethan. He's with Edmund."

Nox sighed. "Fine. I'll help him out when I find him." He sat up and looked at Ashton. "Give me my wallet, my arm and get me the fuck out of here."