Page 17 of King of Moon and Claws

“The kingdom is truly impressive,” Nerys said, leading her down the hallways. “I think you are going to like it here.”

Elora felt the urge to bristle, to assure Nerys that she was indeed not a prisoner but here of her own volition. The truth really fell somewhere in the middle. She did want to be there with the king, as her affection for him was growing, but she also didn’t completely believe she was free to return home at a whim.

So instead, she said nothing, telling herself that getting to know the shifters that inhabited the kingdom would be good for her relationship with Bastian.

Especially if he truly believed they were meant to be together.

Nerys and she walked the short distance into the town village where Nerys showed her the popular spots for dining, dancing, and shopping. Sauntering around with a drink very similar to a mocha latte in hand, Elora quickly fell into the ease of familiarity. The town itself was larger than she expected, and the people who lived there were physically bigger too.

She didn’t miss the exhaust fumes from overly crowded streets. She didn’t miss the frowning, grumpy customers who treated her like dirt. She didn’t miss stressing over buying groceries or paying rent.

A thought passed through her mind, as fast as a racehorse, that perhaps she could one day call the place home.

“There’s a shortcut down here,” Nerys said, pointing between a boutique and yet another eatery. “A tailor that the king uses has a shop down here. I think you’ll love the dresses.”

Without hesitation, bright-eyed and excited, Elora followed Nerys down an alley that was significantly darker than any of the streets they’d passed through thus far. It was far too late when the observation crossed Elora’s mind and the shadows began to move.

Chilled hands reached out from the darkness and coiled around Elora’s neck. They pulled her into the black, muffling her screams with an even colder palm pressed hard against her mouth. to shift. Soon, a wolf burst out in front of Elora.

Elora quickly realized that the hands around her mouth and throat belonged to those of vampires. She could feel their frosty breath on her skin, the hissing and slow, agonizing elongation of their fangs.

Nerys tried to fight while Elora struggled in the dark. But the vampires were ready for them, using the shadows to their advantage and subduing her wolf with their insurmountable strength.

Their eyes glowed a flare of neon red in the dark, their ghastly faces silhouetted by what little sunlight crept into the alleyway. They were in the place where they thrived.

Elora’s mind raced as the vampires pulled her to the side of the building where they had been creeping. She kicked and bit, her teeth rattling against the hard skin. When she was first kidnapped, she didn’t dare to think of summoning creatures for help. She never wanted them to be hurt in her name.

But when the memory came up again, she thought about her rescuer and how her abilities had saved her. Her heels were dragged across the ground. The cool dampness of an indoor building summoned the guttural fear in her bones, and she only had one option.

Bastian, help us!

She had no clue whether he would hear her. She could hear Nerys howling and struggling against the demonic bastards.

By the wonders of sheer will and their profound connection, the king responded as the vampires continued to drag her.

Elora? Elora, where are you? What’s going on?

We’re in the village! They got me and Nerys!

Elora, I’m too far from you. You have to reach out to the shifters around you. They will help you. I know you can do it.

Elora had no clue why anyone would help a lowly guest of the king. But as chains started to jingle in the background, she panicked.

With all her might, Elora expanded the telepathic communication and began to plead for help to any of the shifters who were closer than the king.

Please help us! Vampires have us in the warehouse!

Then the king’s booming voice snuck under her own, commanding and making Elora’s heart grow three sizes.

By order of the king!

Elora was being bound by heavy cuffs when suddenly the vampires froze.

A slow rise of galloping feet was heard in the distance until it became a stampede. Elora’s heart raced with excitement as wolves poured in through the door from where she was taken, many crashing through violently.

It was spectacular really, the sight of so many massive wolves coming to her aid. They paused for a fraction of a moment, snarling at the vampires. The vamps had not come prepared for such a defense, and Elora wanted to burst out into hysterical laughter.

The vampires tried to escape, but the wolves were quick. They went for them, leaping into the air, and slaughtering the bloodsuckers with a force previously unknown to Elora. Bastian remained inside her mind, encouraging her to get out of the way of the attack.

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