Ch. 26：No one will zen

It's been three months since I rejected and had Ares thrown out, Two months since I forced my Dad into retirement and a month and half since I started searching for her.
I have no idea if what the girl said was right, but since my Dad started acting strangely after that day, I suspect she was. She claimed to be a seer, yet she couldn't tell me where I would find her. Giving me vague clues and cryptic messages. I would have killed her if she wasn't necessary.
“We've been at this for weeks now, Maverick. It's time we call it off” James said to me. He was against sending her away in the first place. “No one's calling anything off until I say so.” I said through clenched teeth.
I needed to go talk to that seer again. If she wasn't going to say anything meaningful, then perhaps her usefulness is overrated. Or maybe she needed a little motivation, something to get her moving.
“Get up!” I shouted at her. Halting her meditation. No one will zen if I don't get what I want. “Temper, Maverick” she said in that condescending tone as she rose to her feet.
I lift her up with her neck. The more she clawed at my hands wrapped around her neck and released sounds of choking the more in control I felt. The more power I feel.
“If you don't tell me something useful, you might have to die tonight along with the rogues awaiting execution outside.” I said threatening her. I see the fear in her eyes. She knew I would really do it. No remorse whatsoever.
“W-w” she was choking on her words. I release my grip on her, but keep my hands around her neck. “Speak!” I spat at her in fury.
“We are close.” She said, drawing in the air. “How close?” I asked. “I don't know,” she said and I tightened my hand a little. “The spirits said we're so close. You just have to trust me!” she shouted with all her strength. I paused my movement before I released her fully.
“If we don't find her soon, I'm going to detach your head from your body.” I said slowly. Letting my words sink and the fear rise. I knew it was fear. Her heart started racing after I said the last part of the sentence.
I went back to my tent to find Ashley already undressed and waiting for me. It would have been a good sight if she had anything else to offer. Her constant nagging along with James’ was getting on my nerves.
“put on your clothes, Ashley. I'm not interested” I warned her gently. Besides warning me against looking for Ares, I still found her attractive and I don't regret choosing her over her sister. I only regret not taking her powers for myself before I chased her away.
“Why?” She asked in her seductive voice “I'm not in the mood right now Ashley” I sighed. She does as I say and sir beside me. “Will this all be over when we find her?” “Yes. If the girl doesn't fail at performing the ritual that transfers her power” I said
“Okay. Then all we have to do is speed up the process of finding her. Did she say if we were close?” she asked “yes, but she didn't mention how close. Are you sure your parents never said anything about Ares' power? Or give any clue of what it might be?” I question her loyalty again. If she was hiding something, now would be the best time to ‘fess up.
“No. Nothing. They used to whisper at night when she was young, but I never heard anything useful from it. I barely even remember their words” she said
I listen to her heart beat, it doesn't accelerate or change tempo. She wasn't lieing or she was very good at hiding it. “Okay. This might take a while. Don't wait up.” I informed her as I went back out.
I felt like blowing up some steam. What better way to do that than spilling some blood. “Deaton!” I yelled into the night. Footsteps walk towards me. “Alpha” he answered
“Bring out our friends. I want to introduce myself” I smirked. He nodded and left. Two minutes pass before he comes back. Dragging four others with him that were chained together and bruised. Three guys and a girl.
“Hello. Let me introduce myself. I'm Maverick” I said placing back and forth “and I was wondering if you could help with a quest of mine. It's a simple quest” One starts to speak when I cut him off “don't say no just yet. You haven't heard the reward for helping” I smiled maniacally.
“What do you want?” One of the guys asked “simple. If any of you can tell me where I might find Ares, you might have the chance of surviving the night and maybe, just maybe, joining my pack. Eh, what do you say?” I asked, looking each of them in the eye.
“W-we don't know anyone by that name” the girl whispered tiredly “maybe you don't, but I'm sure someone you know does. All you have to do is point me in their direction” I leaned in towards her.
“I-I don't know” she stuttered, bursting into tears. I stood up. “That just makes you useless to me” I signaled to Deaton who bashed her head repeatedly until her brain matter splattered on the floor. Some of the blood splash on my face and I lick the ones on my lips.
“Who's next? Do you also have no idea?” I asked the rest of them. They were shaking in fear now. Looking at the remains of their friend. “Hmm?” I asked again “I h-heard rumors” the one close to the dead girl finally spoke up
“Now we are getting somewhere.” I smiled at him “what rumors?” “I-I h-heard rumors about a lone wolf.” He stuttered in a small voice “speak up!” “I heard that she didn't join any of the rogue clicks, but I also never heard of her joining another pack either” he said.
“And where was the last place she was spotted?” I asked curiously “somewhere near here. I-I could show you. I know where it is.” he stuttered in fear. “My friend, your value to me just rose a tid bit” I smiled at him, placing my hands on his shoulder.
“Dispose the rest. Keep him.” I said to Deaton. I turned to the rogue and smiled “congratulations on surviving the night.”