Twin spheres of obsidian protruded from both eye sockets. Unblinking.

That was all he could focus on as the creature circled them, like a shark around a sinking ship. It snarled each time they moved even an inch, bare canines and snapping jaws somewhat a reminder of a guillotine.

Ty shuffled back, shoulders pressing against Tobias when it drew closer to sniff at him. Too close for comfort.

'Not to worry, Brutus is a softy most of the time. Wouldn't harm a hair on your precious head, not unless I order him to,' Grimshaw smirked and brought up a hand to give the creature a hard pat on its rump. Brutus, however, did not seem to agree. The creature looked more than eager to attack, already knuckling the ground with sinewy legs as hungry eyes examined them like that of a starved lion.

The beast was nothing short of heinous. It looked like a rabid, skinned wolf; its discoloured body glistening bloodily amongst the doubling shadows of nearby stalls. A row of boney spikes ran down from its spine to tail. A long narrow snout gaped, revealing needle-points glistening with saliva and blood. And flesh.

It was all Ty could do to tear his gaze from the demonic creature staring him down, focusing on the guy standing proud behind it instead. Despite the cocky stance, he looked tired, unlike the well put together appearance Ty had seen a day ago when he was ordered away with their horses. Dark bags circled his eyes and his red ponytail was a mess. Yet it didn't stop the malicious grin that made its way onto his expression as his eyes raked over the two of them, his hand running down the creature's large back like one would with a pet.

The realisation set in a second too late, and Ty felt his mouth run dry.

A summoner.

Ty couldn't stop his wide-stare. It was until Grimshaw met his eyes, a gaze returned with a calculating intensity, that finally had him looking away. If Tobias was right about his eyes, he couldn't risk being seen with the way it was. That would blow their cover. Ty stole a glance at the demon preening under its owner's hand. One thing was certain – Brutus may be the teeth and claws, but this guy was the one that held their fate in his hands.

'You. The one on the left, ye look familiar,' Grimshaw pointed, striding over when neither boys replied. Brutus remained unmoving from where it was stood, which was a blessing considering the fear that was gripping tight on Ty as the redhead crouched down before them. Up close, it was clear the guy was exhausted. His skin was pale and sickly, as if he hadn't rested well in weeks, and sweat dampened his neckline like that of his fat companion from before. Ty didn't know much of summoners, but it was common knowledge to understand the toll it takes on a descendant when they tap into their powers. For this summoner's sickly appearance, Ty easily chalked it up to Brutus' presence.

In spite of that, Grimshaw still managed a smile; a friendly, if entirely unconvincing one plastered across his face as he glanced between the two, all before resting those grey eyes on Ty, expectant. Then, recognition.

The change in his expression was almost immediate.

'You're the horse thief!' Fury tinted his cheeks as he stalked forwards. Ty threw caution into the wind and seized Tobias by the hand, backing away. Brutus rumbled in the background and leaped forward, the scare stuttering them in their steps, though not quite fully stopping the two until the summoner whistled. Ty watched – hackles raised – as the demon came bounding over freely, large paws crushing everything in its path until it was towering them from behind, cutting their way off.

'I suggest you stop yer tracks before it's too late,' the boy tsked as he caught up. 'Brutus loves a good chase, aye he does, especially with mortals.' Grimshaw eyed them down, lips curling at the sight of Ty glaring back. 'I'm sure he'll find joy chasing after a couple of daft horse thieves.'

It took a moment for the words to sink in, but when it did, Ty found himself stopping short. Confused.

'See, this is why it's important to be brought up by a braw family,' the boy continued, looking over to Tobias with a hand pointed in Ty's direction, as if he was trying to prove a point. 'Saves one from a life of horse stealing, amongst other criminal activities, surely.' He sneered. 'You're extremely lucky you were arrested in the other district. Had I been the one to find you first... Well, let's just say there would have been carnage here sooner rather than later.'

Ty's stomach twisted at the threatening undertone. The summoner wasn't in the know of his 'apparent' powers, aka his identity, he could only guess his eyes had gone back to normal, but they weren't entirely off the hook either. Ty reminded himself of the old woman's body that was devoured not a few minutes ago and knew they were likely going to die whether he revealed his secret or not.

'So, you two brothers?' the redhead asked when the both of them remained resolutely silent. Impatient, he started sizing up Tobias. 'Were you working with him yesterday?'

Grimshaw reached up and shoved at Tobias until he fell onto his arse, jeering as he did so. When he moved to get a kick in, Ty stepped forward and pushed him backwards, drawing a snarl from the demon hulking behind them.

'Stop it! I didn't steal your horses. It was an accident!'

The boy looked surprised at being forced back but he recovered pretty quickly. Brutus was just as swift to back him up. 'And why should I believe you? Yer just a street rat who steal, that's why the guards were after you, aye?'

'I was helping someone!' Ty hissed, swallowing down the anger that was threatening to rear its head under this guy's condescension.

'Like someone as lowly as you would help people out,' the redhead sneered. 'I guess I can't blame you entirely, your father would be the one to blame for raising you the way he did. He's already been given the rightful punishment.'

Hearing this, Ty's blood ran cold. Tobias himself seemed to have snapped out of his stupor, jumping to his feet with hands clenched into fists.

'What the hell do you mean by that?' he demanded, heedless of the demon that growled in tandem.

'Well, the farrier disappeared from his stall after we caught the commotion caused by his son—' Grimshaw pointed a look at Ty, '— on the streets. Imagine our surprise when he found him hunkering down in his smithy, sword and shield already aimed at the barred door. Sadly, iron weapons are pretty much useless against one of my demons, and well... let's just say it got a little bit too excited. Your father won't be doing much smithing for a while; burns take a while to heal, especially when the skin is black as coal.'

'You monster!' Ty shouted, the hate burning through his chest like fire. Even Tobias was growling and swearing at the redhead, unbridled. It was an ear-splitting bark from Brutus that kept them from pouncing, but even then, Ty could barely hold himself – and the tears – back. Horrible images of a fire demon searing his adopted father alive flooded his mind.

The summoner only tapped his chin, a cold smile on his face. 'He's lucky, still breathin and alive. Had we found yer father later the results would have been much much more unfavourable.'

He casually turned and examine the state of the street around them. Ty resisted the urge to throw a punch at his smug face, backing down with the help of Tobias gripping onto his arm. The blonde stepped up after a while, a question readied on the tip of his tongue to grab the summoner's attention

'Summoners are outlawed since the war. Why are you here? The council are the ones that sanctioned the ban. Why kill innocent people when the councils are only one district away?'

It was an inquiry innocent enough; anyone would've asked this. But Ty knew the real underlying question Tobias was trying to get an answer for. Why were they looking for him? He was just as curious to know.

The summoner tilted his head, his brows furrowed as if he was confused by the question, but he answered nevertheless. 'Outlawed? We were merely pushed into hiding for a while. Summoners are, after all, one of the many children of Obitus. The council can do nothing to keep our race of descendants in hiding forever.'

He shook his head at the mention of the council, then glanced over to Ty, his eyes lingering for a second too long.

'As for why we are killing people, well, I imagined if you were neglected by the city for the better part of yer life, you would feel vengeful as well.' He looked to Tobias as if seeking agreement. He received one. Tobias' expression had hardened the more he spoke, but that didn't seem to bother the summoner. Already, his attention was back on Ty, a look of curiosity gleaming across his gaze.

'Forgive me, but it seems I had somehow forgo a very important question,' Grimshaw said, eyes scrutinizing as he shuffled closer. 'Last I heard you were taken into custody by the guards.' Ty knew beforehand what the boy was about to ask, and already his mind came up blank for an answer.

'How did you manage to escape?'

That seemed to be the question of the day as all attention turned to him. Even Tobias have yet heard of what happened at the jail block and Ty could only gape as his mind scrambled for an answer. Something sparked in the summoner's gaze and Ty felt his gut plummeting. He wasn't a born genius like Tobias, but he knew this was that moment in his life to lie his arse off.

He only had time to open his mouth when he was cut off. An agonizing howl pierced the crack of dawn, followed by several others echoing from different parts of the city. Some sporadic, others garbled, but each one more petrifying than the one before. Ty only briefly wondered what it was when Brutus unexpectedly threw its head back and unlatched its jaw. He barely had time to cover his ears before the same sound tore through him like a great shard of glass, except this was much louder, harsher.

Grimshaw seemed unaffected, but there was a tightness in his eyes. He barked an order and had the demon kneeling before them, then he made a grab at Ty and Tobias, who were both still partially incapacitated from the howls seconds ago.

'We don't have time. Get on Brutus, now,' he demanded.

But Brutus didn't stay down. In fact, it was on all fours, claws out and saliva spraying. Its back was arched and the spikes lining down its neck stood up like that of a threatened cat. Its predatory eyes swivelled about, dark lips curled behind sharp teeth as it scanned its surrounding, looking ready to attack. Suddenly, the demon seemed beyond the commands of its master. Apprehension shot through Ty like a bolt of lightning.

In the heat of the moment, Tobias instinctively pushed in front of him, as if offering himself instead in the protection of Ty. Briefly, he caught the redhead's desperate yells amongst a blood-curdling growl. He felt the cold sweat that collected on his neck, the trembling in Tobias' form in front of him. And then, he focused on the demon eyes that settled on him.

Brutus reared back, the rise of another growl brewing in its throat. Ty watched as the demon made its leap towards them, too late to do anything but to brace for the excruciating bite that was going to sink into his skin.

He never expected an arrow to strike first.

Then, it happened again.