Moon's Rite

Rescue

"You're going the wrong way."

I blinked at the Prince, not quite sure I had heard him right. "Beg your pardon?"

He jerked his head back the way I had come, soft blonde hair half falling in his eyes with the gesture. "Your friend is in the tower, which is back that way and to the left. Then up the stairs as far as you can go before you take a right and two more lefts, then take that staircase up until you find the right door." He paused, considering me for a moment. "How about you just follow me."

I opened my mouth to protest as he started off, then hurried to follow him. Quickly catching up, I fell into step just behind him. "Why are you helping me?"

Prince Anderan shot me a half smile over his shoulder. "I'm hoping this will make up for my father's stubbornness. I'd prefer to have the Vampires as allies if and when I ascend the throne. Just because my parents are happy hiding away from the rest of the world doesn't mean all of us are."

I regarded the Prince's broad back as he led the way up the first set of stairs. "I meant what I said back there. Things will never be amicable between me and your father."

The Prince stiffened, turning back to face me.

I slowly smirked. "But I can play nice with the Elves if they're willing to play nice with me."

Prince Anderan smirked back and nodded. He continued up the stairs and checked either way to make sure the coast was clear at the top. I followed close on his heels, listening carefully as we progressed much faster than I had been on my own. The Prince halted before we stepped into the base of the tower and whispered over his shoulder.

"I can get you the keys to the room and get you past the guard. You'll have to get your friend out quickly or else they'll start to suspect and come to investigate."

"Got it."

Prince Anderan squared his shoulders and went striding around the corner, speaking sternly again to command the attention of everyone working to guard the prison tower. I carefully peeked around the corner and then softly dashed across to the stairs as soon as everyone's back was turned. I quietly climbed the stairs, listening to the Prince claim the keys and follow behind me.

He quickly caught up with me and passed me the key as we pulled up at the correct door. I swallowed, unsure of what I would find once I opened the door. I just hoped Vladimir was in a condition to travel quickly.

Shoving the key into the lock, I unlocked the door and pushed it open. Prince Anderan waved me in, indicating he would keep watch. I slipped in and softly shut the door behind me. Then I was gritting my teeth as I turned to take in the scene. They had certainly been determined to embarrass him. The only thing they were missing was a crowd of jeering people with shit to throw at him.

They had stripped him down to his briefs. Large shackles had been locked around delicate ankles above heavy cloven hooves. Thick black fur covered the equine shins, thinning and tapering back into something more human somewhere around his knees.

He had a thin tail with a tuft of fur at the end, twitching and lashing back and forth behind his ankles in agitation. A narrow waist corded with muscle flared into a broad chest. Powerful shoulders strained and relaxed as he struggled against the thick stock board that held his wrists immobile next to his throat. A blindfold had been wrapped around his head, just to further throw him off balance, but I doubted that was what was really getting to him.

They had put chains on his horns, thick ones near the base where horn met skull, and tightened them up to an anchor point in the ceiling. Vladimir was being held prisoner by the very things he most hated about himself. The things that were hardest to hide.