His Forsaken Luna-Chapter 75: Deadly Force

The figure, dressed in a black robe and hooded to conceal their features, moved with unsettling grace. Slender and unyielding, they walked through the fiery path untouched. Power radiated from them in sickening waves, an oppressive force that pressed down on everything; my head was almost bowing in submission.

But the shock of the bodies marred on the ground from the explosion and the scorch marks already riding up the walls of the nearby buildings already set alight kept me from crumbling to this mysterious figure’s will.

Guards shifted into their Were forms, charging at the new threat. They didn’t make it three steps before fire shot out from the figure’s fingertips like a whip knocked them back. Roars and whimpers followed them as the flames lingered and started engulfing them.

"What..." A tremor in my voice halted me from speaking further. I couldn’t lay low like a coward, nor could I show my fear.

But it was hard to control when I had no idea what we were facing. Where did this... creature come from? Why were they here?

Kharis knelt in front of me, glaring at the hooded figure, but he didn’t move, his focus shifting. I watched as his gaze glimmered a little, revealing the conversation he was having with others in his pack, no doubt reporting to Eryx and the others about this mysterious threat.

Although the power of this unidentified being was frightening, Kharis remained calm despite the telltale sign of his black claws slicing through the tips of his fingers.

Sverre hopped to my side, hunching over, close, ever so watchful at the new threat, his arm protectively shielding me as he seemed to wait for my or Kharis’ orders. What did he say once? "We crows have always helped the Weres. It is in our nature to."

"We need to-" Kharis’ words halted when another explosion erupted, this time on a building closer to us.

The hooded figure’s hand was raised in that direction. Were they the cause of such power? A strange sensation like that of slippery steel coated my tongue. Was this their magick?

Balls of fire shot from their hands, blasting towards the buildings and any wolf that came close to them, charring them into nothing more than ash, leaving black stains in the melting snow that would soon liquefy and rid any evidence they were ever there.

The taste grew stronger as the magick washed over me in waves. I pushed aside my horror to see if Kharis or Sverre were affected by it like me but they were too busy rapidly talking to each other about the best course of action to protect me.

More screams and shouts followed the deadly fire engulfing the buildings and any who dared get close to the mysterious magickal creature. Growls and barks merged together in this chaos as more guards, organised this time in groups, shifted into their wolf forms and charged at the threat.

"Princess," Kharis’ hard voice dragged my attention back to him. It was clear this wasn’t the first time he’d called my name. "Sverre will take you back to the palace."

I shook my head. "I don’t need an escort." I glance at the crow shifter. "If you can help in any way-"

"I am not of much help, Lli. This force is beyond anything I can do. At least I can assist in your safety."

I frown, hating that I was again in need of protection. "Okay," I nod in agreement, even though I felt my heart tugging towards what was happening here.

How could I, the Princess of this kingdom, turn my back on this? But I also know how little I can do here as well. I was useless.

My gaze flicked back to the battle—it wasn’t a battle but immanent death—those that had charged at the figure turned to ash instantaneously. Anyone getting close was killed on the spot. My people... My heart fractured at the sight.

"Idalia!" Kharis’ hands shook my shoulders. "Go!"

"Kharis... You’ll..." Die. I didn’t voice it aloud. "Come with me."

Kharis looked at me incredulously, slowly rising to his feet as an easy smile graced his lips. "A warrior doesn’t turn his back on a fight. And one thing you should know about me, Princess..." His eyes glinted dangerously. "I love to fight."

"You crazy..."

"Bastard?" He suggested as his smile broadened more. "Is that the correct term in Isa?"

I just stare at him, confounded. "They all call me that." He winked, then turned his back to me.

"Come," Sverre urged, taking my hand.

"I feel useless," I voice my thoughts as the crow shifter begins to take me away. He doesn’t force me, but he doesn’t allow me to linger on one spot. I’m led away, shuffling backwards as I watch in horror as Kharis shifts and leaps towards the figure, whose sheer presence exudes such magnitude of power.

The figure sets its sights on Kharis, raising his black leather-gloved hand. I brace myself, a shout on the tip of my tongue, but freeze, halting Sverre’s efforts to take me away from the scene.

A giant black wolf emerges from the night sky, leaping from the wall that hasn’t fallen, his claws outstretched, snarling lethally. Was Kharis acting as bait?

Without glancing at Eryx, the figure flicks his other hand in the wolf’s direction and an invisible force hurdles into him. Eryx is tossed aside like nothing. That taste on my tongue had almost become suffocating down my throat, but it started to fade.

I slipped my arm from Sverre’s hold and rushed forward as my heart tugged in Eryx’s direction. "Lli!" Sverre screamed after me, but it sounded distant to my ears as my heart raced, looking past the figure, searching for the Alpha Prince.

The figure flicked its hand at Kharis, a ball of flame growing, but it wasn’t any bigger than a marble shot in his direction. The brown wolf easily dodged it and lunged for them, but he zipped to the side in a blur. In one blink, he had retreated back.

The flames that had acted as a circle around them faded, and smoke floated from the snow with only scorch marks left. More guards and servants rushed to the buildings set alight as others were ordered to follow the threat into the woods. My gaze locked with Beta Hakon’s, his eyes hardened and jaw ticked at the sight of me there.

"Princess?!" He strode in my direction, but I ignored him; the distance between us was already far too great.

I needed to know more about this figure. The taste on my tongue was fading, as was the power that had been washing over me, almost pulling me forward like a strong current. My steps faltered at the large hole in the wall as Faidon appeared out of the darkness behind the figure, blade in hand.

He was too quick, though, even for Faidon. In one swift move, he manoeuvred out of the Shadow’s way, knocking him aside, and twisting the blade from his grasp; they fell over, the cloaked figure on top of Faidon as his hand sliced down brutally.

"Faidon!" I screamed, stepping past the wall. An invisible force whooshed my hair back, and the figure spun on the spot and stared at me, bloodied blade in hand. I still couldn’t see their features, but they tilted their head to the side.

It was enough distraction for a scarred wolf to snap his jaws around their throat. Again, the figure flicked their wrist, and with a yelp, Cohnal flew through the trees. That acrid taste shimmered and almost dissipated on my tongue.

"His magick is growing weaker!" I shouted, not really knowing who could help as I started to rush forward, my gaze on Faidon’s body. Kharis blocked me in his wolf form but before he could do anything else he was swatted aside like a fly from an invisible force, he crashed into the wall, causing more bricks to fall into rubble.

The figure blinked out of existence and reappeared before me. I gasped, tripping over my feet, but their gloved hand held my chin. "And how would you know that?" A lyrical, angelic voice questioned coldly. Tears sprung to my eyes at hearing it. I couldn’t tell their gender, and then I realised they were probably using magick to hide their appearance because their features were blurred.

Any colours I could have deciphered from their eyes or hair merged together, confusing me to the point a sharp headache started pounding behind my eyes. I was frozen to the spot, clutching at their gloved hand. "Because you reek of powerlessness," I hissed, no doubt facing my death.

"Lli!"

"Lli?" The figure chuckled, and although I couldn’t see their face, I could feel their eyes roaming over my features, observing me. "Interesting."

Then they vanished. Their grip on my chin made my head drop, and my knees buckle. Before I fell to the ground, Sverre caught me. My gaze landed on Eryx, who’d been sprinting in my direction as Cohnal, in his human form, hovered over Faidon.

I wanted to go to them, but this time, Sverre’s grip tightened, and he dragged me from the dying flames of the ruined wall and buildings. Eryx nodded at the crow shifter and returned to Faidon, slipping his snout beneath him, his Beta lifting Faidon onto his large furry body.

I saw little else as the wall blocked my view. This time, with adrenaline pumping through my veins and shock draining me of energy, I let Sverre lead me away.