Come Full Circle

Lilitha’s eyes swept across the open space, taking in the sight of chains and iron stakes shimmering under the moonlight. The humans had been busy while she slept, their hammering echoing in her ears.

“I told you so,” Damon said smugly. “Don’t I always say it? Humans are predictable.”

Carmella agreed. “You did say it. Now, can you please be quiet?”

The human heads, now just skulls, swung from ropes, their empty eye sockets and gaping mouths a grim reminder of their fate. Patches of dried, leathery skin clung to the bone.

Lilitha felt a strange sensation as she stopped before another chain. It was shiny and new, untouched by rust, yet to claim its first victim. A cool breeze swept her hood off her head, making her shiver.

That familiar twinge was still there, and she doubted it would ever leave.

“Are you okay?”

Turning, Lilitha nodded and offered a small smile. “I’m fine, just lost in thought.”

Lincoln paused, his dark eyes dropping to the chain. “Damon told me about your past. How they found you. It’s incredible.”

“I guess that’s one way to look at it,” she replied.

“It must be…um…~interesting~ for you.”

“In what sense?”

“To have come full circle. To have been the hunted and now the hunter. To start anew.” He furrowed his brows. “I can’t even begin to imagine. No wonder you’re so quiet.”

“I wouldn’t exactly call it starting anew.”

She glanced toward her clan, a warm smile spreading across her face as she watched Damon and Mateus playfully wrestling. Silus was in Carmella’s arms, squawking with delight as he watched them.

Turning back to Lincoln, she noticed his hood was also down, his long black braids cascading down his shoulders. She took his hand, kissing the back of it, then turned it over to kiss the heel of his palm.

Lincoln gave her a sad smile. “Do I remind you of your father?”

“Everything reminds me of him.” She glanced at Silus. “Some of it’s my fault.” She offered a weak smile. “I don’t want to forget him, even if it hurts. He’s the reason we’re all here. I wish you could have met him.”

“Me too.”

“I’m sorry about ~your~ clan,” Lilitha said.

He shrugged. “It was bound to happen. I just hope they’re okay. The humans are moving fast.” His gaze became distant as he lost himself in thought.

Lincoln had chosen to leave his clan for the north, aware of the danger they faced. “I tried to convince them. I hope they’ve seen the light. I hope they realize before it’s too late.”

“Stay positive, Lincoln. There’s no use worrying.”

“I know.” He squeezed her hand and smiled, then started pulling her toward the others. “Don’t isolate yourself. I was alone for a long time. Never again.”

Mateus was grinning at her. Damon grabbed her face and planted a hard kiss on her lips. “To new beginnings!”

Carmella was laughing as Silus, now much bigger, squirmed in her arms, reaching for Lilitha. Lilitha took him and kissed his head as he grabbed at her hair, gurgling.

Lincoln wrapped his arm around her waist, tickling Silus’s chin. Mateus rested his hand on Lilitha’s shoulder, nuzzling the top of her head. Carmella kissed her on the cheek, then on the lips.

Then they all headed back to their camp.

***

A couple of weeks after Lincoln’s arrival, Silus abruptly stopped breastfeeding. When Lilitha tried to nurse him, he turned his head away and growled like a little kitten.

Carmella grinned. Mateus laughed. They all gathered around to touch him, cuddle him, and tickle him. He already had more teeth and could chew larger pieces of meat.

Lilitha wiped his mouth as pink-stained drool dribbled down his neck. He smelled different, not like her milk anymore. It made her eyes well up with tears.

Lincoln pulled her into a hug. Damon took Silus and started teasing him until he growled like a kitten again. They all laughed.

***

The first delivery came two days later. Only ten victims.

“But it’s a start,” Damon said. “The sooner we run out of food, the sooner we’ll start haunting their homes and they’ll be forced to bring us more.”

Lilitha held back, Silus squirming in her arms, as the two alphas inspected their new stock. It was a bright night, the moon full. But it was cold. Both the Diablons and their victims were bundled up in cloaks.

The moonlight reflected off the cold metal. They were crying, whimpering, pleading. All men, no children, no women.

Carmella and Lincoln stood by her side, watching as Mateus selected their first kill, using the key the humans had left behind. He was an older man, thin and ragged, reminding Lilitha of her first kill, the drunk on the street.

She felt nothing, only her hunger, only the need to feed Silus and join her clan around the fire. Lilitha followed the rest as they made their way back.

The firelight flickered against the trees. Lilitha watched, lost in memories, feeling a sense of nostalgia for the past. ~Come full circle~.

Mateus killed the old man quickly, slicing his throat open with the sharp point of his tail as Damon held him over the bowl. The bowl filled to the brim as the old man’s eyes rolled back, his body convulsing.

Then he was still and the blood stopped flowing. The scent of blood hung heavy in the air around their camp.

Lilitha’s heart pounded. Her mouth watered. But Silus was screaming, his face scrunched up, his new teeth gnashing, his little fists flailing.

Damon filled a bladder with blood and handed it to Lilitha. She helped Silus drink, pouring small amounts down his throat. He smacked his lips between his little growls, his tail wagging furiously.

His eyes were wide as he chewed on the edge of the bladder. He drank again. His eyes rolled back in pleasure. Then he started hiccupping. His chin and lips were stained red.

Lilitha took a deep drink before passing it to Carmella. Holding Silus against her shoulder, she patted his back until he burped loudly. Then he farted, and Lincoln burst into laughter.

Silus grabbed Lilitha’s hair and started sucking on it.

Mateus’s machete thudded as he methodically dismembered the old man. He carefully removed the organs, filling their baskets with the spoils. The man’s head was reserved for a special place among the others hanging below.

After cleaning his hands, Mateus joined the rest of the clan, his horns reflecting the fire’s glow, his eyes sparkling as he distributed their meal.

He settled next to Lilitha, their basket nestled between them. Silus was reaching out for him, his eyes locked on Mateus.

Mateus scooped him up, cradling him securely in his arms. Silus responded with his adorable kitten-like growls, and Mateus playfully growled back.

Suddenly, Silus’s face broke into a grin. He began to giggle, and soon, everyone joined in.

Damon moved closer to observe the interaction. Carmella hurried over, followed by Lincoln.

They all joined in the growling game with Silus, their voices high-pitched and delightful. Laughter echoed through the clearing, piercing the forest’s silence.

Tears of joy streamed down Lilitha’s face. She reached out to touch Silus’s tiny, kicking foot, giving it a gentle squeeze.

Damon pulled her into his arms, kissing away her tears, while Lincoln rested his chin on her shoulder.

Eventually, they all reclined or laid down, content. They listened to the rustling trees, gazing up through the branches at the twinkling stars.

Lilitha nestled her head on Mateus’s shoulder, her fingers gently stroking Silus’s cheek. Then, her gaze landed on Carmella’s meal: something slippery, dark, and valuable.

Lilitha’s heart pounded in her chest, her cheeks flushed with heat. A sudden, intense longing surged within her, a desire she couldn’t ignore.

“Could I have some of that liver before you finish it?” Lilitha asked.

Their eyes met. Carmella’s eyes widened in surprise, then she erupted into boisterous laughter.

Lilitha joined her, their laughter infectious. It took a few moments for the others to catch on.

Their collective roars of joy reverberated into the night.