Brotherhood of Cain (Werewolf/Mafia)

Chapter One: Citadel Scum *

"You live by the gun and knife, and die by the gun and knife." - Joe Valachi

Chapter One

A decade ago

  The first time I saw her, she was young. The moon had just anchored itself in the sky and silver rays were cast upon the streets. A strong draft shifted through the night and slithered down my spine. She burst into the dank alley behind Franco's Ink, panting and shaking. A black shape kept pace with her, square head scanning the area. A yellow band wrapped around the muscled body of the dog like a beacon. I squinted at the lettering, service dog.

She fell against the wall, snatching something from a unicorn-shaped bag. A syringe. In a quick thrust, she stabbed herself with the needle, and her chest eventually began to slow down. She was sick, that much was evident. There wasn't the usual bitterness that accompanied the street drugs in her needle. Her eyes, a burnt umber, closed on a breath. I took the moment of stillness to study her.

She was small like the kids down on Croft who never had enough to fill their mouths. Her tawny hair was greasy and pulled back into a messy ponytail. A long sweater hung off her body, skimming her knobby knees. The skin was dark and irritated, with small trails of blood trickling down. Little white tennis shoes were stained with crimson.

I shifted uneasily, my fists clenching. I had managed to curb any unhealthy thoughts at the sight of her fresh, unsullied blood. Even though I knew better than to go off on a mad riot and rip her to pieces, the thought still sat in my mind. It wouldn't be hard and her skin would tear like a wet paper towel under my teeth. Nevertheless, we treasured the young.

The dog suddenly whipped its broad head at the shadows surrounding me, lip curled as a growl rippled through him. I stilled. Normally, the dog wouldn't have been a problem, but I was already worked up. I closed my eyes, blocking the sight of the bloodied young girl. A few seconds later, my heart fell back into a steady beat and the sharp tips of my claws receded. I could control myself. I wasn't entirely an animal, although, most would beg to differ.

"Tycho, calm down," she said faintly, her eyes at half-mast.

The dog gave another low growl before turning back to its master. As it stepped into the street light near the girl, I could see the vast array of scars decorating its body; They were as grotesque as my own. However, I had knew where the dog got his. Dog fights were common around Citadel. Entertainment and a nice chunk of change in the pocket, what else could a man want? The girl didn't bring him there though, probably a father, maybe a brother.

She looked like she belonged with the gutter rats in Citadel, but she didn't smell like filth. Her scent was clean, the air after it rained, lavender in bloom. Innocence.

She rubbed a frail hand over the monstrous dog's face. That's when the shouting erupted. Loud, rambunctious yells came from the mouth of the alley. It seemed Little Miss Innocent had a few problems of her own. She bit her lip, dark eyes watering at the sound. The dog backed closer to its owner, determination lighting a fire in his eyes. He would protect his tiny master.

"Come on, sweetheart. Your parents eyeing for ya. Best not keep 'em waitin'." It was the yell from before, with the watered down English of Citadel. I knew he didn't have the girl's parents. Anyone with half a brain wouldn't be consorting with Citadel scum. Those nasty, nasty people. I snickered.

The girl kept behind the commercial dumpster, unmoving. The voice came closer, silhouette prowling down the alley. The man was lean, a rough face with flickering eyes. His skin was pale, red spots littering his exposed arms. A ratty T-shirt hung off of his thin chest. I knew his type. He wouldn't touch the girl, but he would sure as hell sell her to someone who would.

My very few morals seemed to slim everyday, however, I wouldn't just watch a child be taken by some sick pedophile.

"Sweetheart, they comin' now. They ask me to bring you to see them. You like that, huh? You been lost a long while," the man insisted.

He was edging near the dumpster. A strangled breath came from the girl. I heard it and I had no doubt he did too. He advanced on the dumpster, gangly arms ready to snatch her. His lips pulled into a thin grimace.

Two things happened next: the man jumped upon the girl and I left my hiding place.

He didn't have time to react. Suddenly, his legs left the ground and my body smashed against his. I topped him by at least a foot and was a hundred pounds heavier; He stood no chance. Still, he kicked his legs out, but they struck my hard stomach uselessly. Weak men like him disgusted me. Veins popped from his forehead

"Man! Whatchu doin' man!" he wheezed in between chocked gasps.

I shoved him against the brick of the alley, my hand clutching his neck. My fingers tightened their hold across his throat. I continued to strangle him, letting up every few seconds. My eyes watched his every move, testing his reaction. Murky eyes watered and his spindly hands tried pointlessly to stop my game.

Asphyxiation always did seem to scare humans the most. He was scared just like the girl had been when she heard him coming.

He wanted to ruin her.

Defile her.

Dehumanize her.

Suddenly, the game stopped and I didn't let up on the pressure around his neck. Too soon he stopped moving. He stopped choking. His heart stopped beating.

I dropped him unceremoniously.

"Goddamn it!" Even my voice had taken on a different tone. Harsher, guttural, like the growl of a wolf.

I had finished him too soon. My control had never lessened. It had stood up to tests of unbelievable standards. I could surround myself in gallons of blood and not even blink, yet a pint-sized girl had snapped my wire and made me crush a man.

I turned around. She was still lent up near the dumpster. Her face was neutral, except for a pair of blunt eyes that locked on me with an eery sense of appraisal. The mutt at her side quieted under her persistent pets, flashing me keen teeth. He looked up at his master like she made the moon and the stars, and put them up in the sky.

"The hell you starin' at?" I shouted, suddenly agitated with her probing looks. Fuck, I was irritated. This elf had just ruined my night. Now, I had to dig this shitter a grave and spend my time hiding it because the last thing I needed were the police knocking on my door.

"Thank you," she murmured, voice reserved. She was calm for a kid watching what was probably her first death. I admired that.

The girl got up and skittered down the alley, her beast of a dog following at her heels. She gave one last look over her shoulder before sprinting into the night.

Sighing, I heaved the man across my shoulder.

Thank you for reading the first chapter of Brotherhood of Cain! I know this chapter is short but it's more of a introduction to get you guys involved in the cutthroat world of Citadel. I promise the chapters usually range around 4,000 words. It would mean the world to me if you guys could comment what you think!

Thank you to, Deadrot for the awesome banner!

I dedicated this chapter to Beautiful-Music because she is absolutely amazing. Thank you for recommending my book to others and believing in me, without you and my readers, I wouldn't have gotten anywhere. :)

-Fallon