The Protected Luna

Lost And Found.

Artemis

"Excuse me, do you even know where you're going? We've been walking through this place for so long and yet we're nowhere near the exit," I exclaimed breathlessly as I followed my cloaked rescuer down what must've been the hundredth hallway. He didn't speak, he didn't even reveal himself. He moved swiftly and determinedly without the slightest sign of exertion.

I on the other hand was struggling to catch my breath with every step I took. Ever since we left the room, I've been trying to contact Dimitri, Bria, my father, Aunt Selena—anyone, to tell them I was okay and that I was free, but I couldn't reach any of them due to the wolfsbane that was still running its course through my bloodstream. Until it wore off completely, I couldn't access any of my powers or abilities.

It was a miracle I could move at all after the agony Presha put me through. Thankfully Caroline seemed to be doing okay. She was slowly regaining her strength and was no longer wallowing in sadness. Instead she was up and ready to fight. Ready to fight for her mate, for her pack, for her family.

Suddenly without warning, the man stopped walking and put a hand up for me to stop as well. The manor was no longer silent and I could hear a multitude of voices originating from around the corner. They must be the vampires Presha left behind to guard me. Judging by how many there were, I estimated around five.

"Aramina."

The instant this name left his lips, the same person who appeared before to bring down the barrier spell appeared. "You called, my Lord?"

So, this Aramina character was a woman.

The man pointed in the direction of the voices. "Deal with them."
"Yes, my Lord," the woman—Aramina— nodded to show her understanding and stepped out into the open. Before any of the vampires could react to her sudden appearance, she flicked her wrist in the air and their bodies instantaneously dropped on the floor with loud, heavy thuds.

"Thank you. And now, begone," the man commanded.
"As you wish, my Lord," she bowed respectfully and in the blink of an eye, she was gone.

"Okay that was...weird," Caroline muttered.
"She must be a witch," I said. "And a powerful one at that. These vampires are over a thousand years old. It takes a significant amount of power to incapacitate even a single one. And she did it to five, all at the same time."

"Come. We must hurry. Time is of the essence," the man stepped over the unconscious vampires and continued on his way. I squeezed my eyes shut and carefully walked around them, being careful not to let any part of me touch any part of them. Once the vampires were behind us, we started walking down yet another hallway.

Oh Goddess. Walking through this manor reminds me of the time Dimitri took me to Samsø Labyrinten: a sixty thousand square meter maze in Denmark. It was recognized as the World’s Largest Maze by Guinness World Records. Dimitri's parents were invited to a wedding a few months ago and Dimitri took me along as I had never been to Denmark.

It took nearly the entire day for us to find our way out of the maze.

"ARTEMIS STOP!"

Momentarily distracted by my thoughts, I failed to notice the staircase in front of me and came to a screeching stop just before I tumbled down the fifty or so stairs. Placing a hand on my chest, I let out a sharp breath and leaned against the wall, feeling my heart thumping hard in my chest.

"Watch your step," the man chuckled as he started walking down the stairs.
"Thanks for the warning," I murmured as I picked up the bottom of my dress and followed him.