LUNAFEY

CHAPTER, 2 PURSUIT

The present

The world was cheerful, but my own was far from okay. I had no idea how I'd become entangled with the most malevolent creatures, but now they were hunting me, seeking my life. Demons, vampires, werewolves, and shapeshifters - the very thought sent shivers down my spine.

As a farm girl, I was skilled at tracking and navigating forests, but this one was unlike any I'd ever encountered. The dense woods were shrouded in towering trees that seemed to stretch up to the sky. I gasped for air as I ran, my mind racing with worry about my mother and sister, who were far from here, back home. I hoped the monsters pursuing me wouldn't harm them.
As I ran, the dense trees swallowed even the moonlight, plunging me into darkness amidst the trunks. My lungs seared with each gasp of icy air, and my feet throbbed in my worn boots. A distant howl sliced through the night, sending a chill down my spine. Too close - they were closing in. I clutched the leather pouch around my neck, the precious leaf inside a desperate hope. Winnie, my friend at the inn, had given it to me, assuring me the pouch would mask my scent. I pushed on blindly, trusting his words.

I had been running for what felt like an eternity, tapping into a reservoir of strength I never knew I possessed. When faced with a life-or-death situation, the human body can achieve remarkable abilities However, the cloaking spell that was supposed to protect me had proven insufficient; my pursuers could still sense my presence. The people - or rather, creatures - after me were no ordinary beings. They were a community of vampires, werewolves, shape-shifters, demons, and every other malevolent entity imaginable. Their motivations for hunting me remained a mystery, but their intent was clear: they wanted me dead. With the sun soon to rise, I hadn't had a moment's rest. My life had been turned upside down just a week ago, when I became a target. My only hope for survival lay with the Harbinger, Fey Richer Harbinger.
I recalled Winnie's words, my old friend and former innkeeper who had hidden me until two days ago. he had told me that the Harbingers were the only ones capable of lifting the bounty on my head. However, finding them wouldn't be easy. All Winnie had given me was a cryptic description: a black brick castle far in the west, looming over a dense, shadowy forest. While I was skilled at navigating forests, this one seemed ominous and treacherous. Yet, I had to press on. I wasn't just fighting for my own life now; I had to survive for the sake of my unborn child. The thought of my baby's fragile existence depended on my success, and that realization steeled my resolve.

As the sun began to rise, I caught sight of a shimmering lake in the distance, its surface reflecting the fading moonlight. The castle loomed before me, casting a long, ominous shadow over the trees and water. The air was heavy and still, as if even the wind feared to enter this foreboding place. I felt trapped, unable to turn back yet hesitant to move forward, weighed down by a sense of dread. Something terrible seemed to lurk within the castle walls, watching me. I had been told that Fey Richer Harbinger resided here, but could I truly believe it? Would a being of his supposed power and wisdom choose to dwell in a place so shrouded in darkness? My strength waned with each step, yet I pressed on, driven by desperation.
I plunged into the lake, trying to run as fast as I could, each step pushing against the water's resistance. But then, my pursuers stopped at the water's edge. Why had they halted? I looked back, wondering what was holding them back. Was the Harbinger as feared as the rumors claimed, or were vampires and werewolves simply afraid of water? I didn't have time to ponder this further. This unexpected turn of event gave me an advantage - I could put more distance between us while they hesitated. "Not us," one of them growled, "but maybe you can't, and we can. We'd best catch her here, or we're as good as dead if the Harbinger finds her first." My heart sank. What had I done to warrant such relentless pursuit? Why were they after me with such ferocity?.
I began to shake, my fear threatening to consume me. Behind me, I sensed it - an aura of evil closing in. I thought it was the end as a tall, dark figure gained on me, its fangs glinting in the moonlight. Just as the vampire was about to overtake me, a man leapt from the castle walls and positioned himself between us. The vampire let out a blood-curdling shriek before dissolving into dust. I collapsed into the stranger's strong arms, panting and trembling with exhaustion. "You're safe now," his familiar voice soothed, but I was beyond words. I tried to express my gratitude, but all that came out was a stuttered "thank k k..." As my vision cleared, recognition dawned, and I finally managed to whisper, "Cedric?".