LUNAFEY

CHAPTER, 5 DANGER

Cedric's POV:

Sitting in the tallest room of my castle, gazing out over the darkened forest, I savored the warmth of the tea that Angus, my trusted butler and confidant, had just served. As the fragrant steam rose from the cup, my thoughts drifted to Luna, a curious woman I had crossed paths with only two months ago at the town inn.

Luna was unlike anyone I had ever encountered before. There was an air of mystery surrounding her, an intriguing aura that drew me in. Though our time together had been brief, it had left a lasting impression, igniting a spark within my otherwise mundane existence.
I couldn't help but wonder about Luna's current whereabouts and how she was faring. Thoughts of her injected a dose of excitement and unpredictability into my otherwise structured life. Perhaps it was her unique nature that had captivated me, making me yearn for another encounter.

Lost in my musings, I sipped the tea, the comforting warmth mingling with the anticipation of the unknown. Luna had brought a certain vibrancy to my world, and I couldn't help but hope for another chance to cross paths with her, to unravel the enigma that she was.

Luna...she was an odd one, It had been a dreary business trip until our paths crossed. She possessed a wild spark and defiant spirit unlike any other woman I'd ever met. From the moment I saw her arguing fervently with the innkeeper, I was intrigued.

There was an air of mystery around her, and a defiant spirit that I admired, Yet something told me she kept dangerous secrets as well. Secrets that she was unwilling to share.

Still, I found her fire entertaining where others had grown dull over the years. And it had been so long since anything pique my interest.
As I sat down, thoughts of Luna consumed my mind. I got up and paced the large room.

The desire to see her again burned within me, despite the dark cloud hanging over our past encounter. The memories of the events that had led to our painful parting haunted me, a constant reminder of my own regrettable actions.

I clenched my first hard,
" I should've protected her more, what was I thinking ".

I knew deep down that it was all my fault. I had made choices, choices I now deeply regretted. But despite the pain and guilt, the longing to see Luna again persisted within me.

As I paced about the room, consumed by thoughts of Luna and the unfamiliar emotions stirring within me.

A sudden interruption came . A sense of unease washed over me as a familiar feeling settled deep within my core. Down in the depths of the forest surrounding my castle, there was something amiss, someone was in danger.

In an instant, my focus shifted from my own thoughts to the urgent need to protect and assist. The weight of my four hundred years of existence pushed aside as I embraced my instinctive duty to safeguard those in peril.

Without hesitation, I swiftly made my way towards the source of the disturbance, my mind now filled with a sense of urgency.

Luna !,
I hear my heart scream out at the sight of her, was it my imagination?, because I had been thinking about her all day every day for the past two months.

Was this fate, I couldn't tell, of all the places, of all the days, I must save her.

The present

Always in peril, this little bird - I can't help the excitement I was feeling. Goodbye, boring life, I'm never letting her go.

But why are these ugly creatures after her? A bad feeling began to arise within me - I'll kill them all if I have to. No one's laying a finger on Luna.

As I rush to her aid, I wonder what trouble she's stumbled into. Whatever it is, I'll shield her, keep her safe. This is my chance to make things right.

I won't fail her again.

Seeing the twisted creatures converge on her, my blood was like it was on fire, it boils. All that rage I knew what was coming next, the vampire that was almost digging it claws into her dissolved immediately turning to dust, They howl, but I don't relent - I will protect her, this time I will do it right

"You're safe now," I told her, relief washing over me as I saw her pale, shaken features. Thankfully, I had arrived in time.

"Th-thank you," she stammered, and I could tell she was still processing everything.

And then it happened - the moment I had both dreaded and longed for. "Cedric?" she said, that familiar look of pained recognition crossing her face.

That one look, the same as when we had last parted ways, shattered my heart. Perhaps I truly was not destined for love, after all. Pushing aside the sting of regret, I helped her back to her feet.

"Luna, every time we meet, you're in peril's grip. What troubles did you bring with you tonight?" I asked, my voice tinged with a hint of weariness.

I had hoped our paths would cross again under better circumstances, but fate seemed determined it this way, Still, I would stand by her side.

"Angus," I called, casting a concerned glance at Luna's visibly shaken state. "Take the young lady to safety. She doesn't seem to possess any stamina".

Once Luna was securely in Angus' arms, I turned my attention to the dark creatures before me, my expression hardening.

"Now," I said, the calm facade cracking to reveal the underlying rage simmering within. "What do you want from her?"

The vampire leader stepped forward, his pale features twisted in a malevolent grin. "Lord Harbinger, we were sent by our various masters to retrieve the girl".

My eye turn inside out, the air crackling with the power I barely restrained. "I asked what the lot of you want from a frail woman like her?" I growled, the edge in my voice unmistakable.

"She possesses something our masters desire," the vampire hissed. "," We will not leave until we have what we came for."

"Luna, what do they want from you?" I called out, my gaze shifting to the young woman as she fell unconscious in Angus' arms.

"She stole something," the shape-shifting creature hissed, its eyes narrowing.

"Is that so?" I replied, my voice deceptively calm as I coiled on the ground, facing the creature. "You can't lie to me. Tell me what she stole."

In response, the creature's assistant transformed into a large, green snake and slithered towards the river, attempting to intimidate me.

The snake's raspy, cunning voice cut through the air. "Master Harbinger, permit me to explain. My master, the shape-shifting lord Pierre, is growing impatient. That human has broken a deal made years ago between humans and our kind. Now, she is in possession of something so great, we need it for our rituals."

I listened, my expression unreadable. "And what, pray tell, is this 'something' she has stolen?" I asked, my gaze unwavering. "I warn you, you are on my domain, and I will not tolerate any harm coming to those under my protection."

"Lord Harbinger," the leader of the werewolves responded, "we cannot disclose the details, as it concerns matters of privacy."

I narrowed my eyes, my voice stern. "Then tell your masters that we will get to the bottom of this at a more appropriate time. I will not turn over a woman who has come to me seeking help."

Turning my gaze to the creatures, I continued, "You should all be ashamed of yourselves, ganging up against a weak woman."

The vampire stepped forward, his pale features twisted in a malevolent sneer. "Lord Harbinger, this could mean war."

"I said leave!" I roared.

I watched as the creatures scurried away, unwilling to provoke my wrath further. Once they had disappeared from sight, I let out a heavy sigh, my attention returning to the unconscious Luna.

"Angus," I called, "see to it that she is well cared for. I must convene with the council immediately. It seems we are facing a threat greater than any we have encountered in centuries."

I strode towards the castle, my mind racing with the implications of this new development. Whatever Luna had in her possession, it was clearly of great importance to those dark forces, but I will have to question her first.