A Beast Among Gods (The Mac Tire Chronicles) by Garnet Davenport (big screen ebook reader txt) 📗

in the Commander’s office,” one guard came up from behind me and said.

“What if I don’t go?”

“I’ll be forced to escort you there myself.” He growled.

I’d like to see him try. I scoffed and then stood. I came to the same height as him. I saw his Adam’s apple move once up and down. He knew exactly what I was. Everyone did now. I was the freak who turned into a beast. Not ogre. Not mac tire. I walked past him and into the hall. He was quiet as he walked behind me. I turned to ask him which way to go, but he had started to move around me. He was cautious and avoided getting too close to me.

I liked that. I didn’t want any of them close to me. They smelled like a fungus. It made me wrinkle my nose whenever I was close to them. I’d never noticed the scent on me before, but it had to be there. I wondered if they could smell something different about me. Was that why they wouldn’t get close?

“Through here.” He growled.

I followed him into an office area where he went to a large dark wood door and knocked.

“Come in.” A familiar growl came from the other side.

I remembered it from when I was young. I had wanted to play quietly in the floor of my father’s office, but every time I asked, he would growl at me and call for my mom to take me away from him. I had wanted to spend time with him once upon a time, but that quickly had changed, and I spent much more time with my mom.

I saw him sitting at his grand desk, just like when I was little, and he barely looked up to acknowledge me at all.

“Sir, your son,” the guard said.

My father looked up from the leather-bound book he had been writing in and scowled.

“Sit,” he ordered.

I immediately felt like I needed to sit. I forced myself to stand. He’s eyes glowed an emerald green, and I dropped to the floor. Both knees on the hardwoods, my head down, and completely at his will.

“That’s better,” he said, standing from his desk. “Leave us,” he ordered to the guard.

He quickly left, closing the door behind him. When we were finally alone, he walked over to a tall wood armoire and opened the door. He pulled a braided leather riding crop from the door.

“You see, William, when you ride a horse, that horse must be broken. And you are just like the horse.”

He gently brushed his hand over one end and then flicked it out with such speed that it whipped out and hit the side of my face.

I felt it hit and tear open the skin just below my cheek. I pulled my finger away and saw blood.

“You will remember your place.” He moved back to his desk and set down the whip.

“I don’t want to be here. You should have stopped looking for me.” I growled back.

“Now, why would I have done that? You are my blood. A Fabrizio.”

“I’m not a Fabrizio. I have never been.”

He roared and slammed his fists on his desk. “If you want your friend to remain safe, you will accept who you are and stop fighting back.”

“What friend?” I snapped, hoping he wouldn’t mention Jamie.

He looked down as if he was reading something and then back up at me to answer. “J. Dawson.”

I tensed hearing his name.

“That’s what I thought. You want to protect your little friend. If you don’t break like one of the wild mustangs, then your friend will find out what it’s really like without protection.”

I ground my teeth together and growled, “Fine.”

“That’s better. Now, go back with the others and continue to train. You will be pushed through the ranks quickly.”

I got up off my knees and turned my back to him.

“One more thing.”

I turned back around, silently questioning him.

“Dawson needs to get better or he’ll be removed. Permanently.”

I felt my mouth go dry. I was Jamie at one time. I needed someone to protect me, and they did. This man in front of me was the one who has torn down every person who ever cared for me. I wouldn’t let it happen to this boy. I would be the protector this time.

I went back to find Jamie and apologize to him for how I treated him earlier. It wasn’t right. But at least now I knew he was here to make sure I stayed in line. His life was literally on the line.

Inside the training room, there were several pairs of boys using Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Gripping and pulling each other to the floor. At the back, I found Jamie paired with a boy that looked twice his size. The boy was about to break Jamie into two. I moved quickly, using a burst of mac tire speed, and rushed to them. I pull the boy from him and threw him against the wall. His body slumped to the floor, and he curled inward, groaning.

“Are you okay?” I asked, bending down toward Jamie.

“Fine.” He huffed then brushed himself off to stand.

I went to help, but he pulled away.

“I’m fine,” he snapped.

“Okay,” I said, holding my hands up and backing away.

“Just leave me alone,” he snapped and walked off.

I would have to make it up to him some other way. I made the choice to protect him, and I was going to make sure that he was safe. No matter what.

“Ohhhhh,” the boy groaned from the floor.

“Don’t ever touch him again.” I growled.

➣ Chapter 11

Forgiveness to Friends

I followed him at a distance until he got back to his room. He shared his room with three other boys. As soon as he was through the door, two of them had stood and took a step toward him. When they saw me come in behind Jamie, their eyes widened, and they took a step back.

“Get out.” I growled.

They quickly moved around us and