Eclipse of the Moon

Chapter Sixteen

Both of them glimpsed at him before both shouting in unison:

"HE DID IT!" "SHE DID IT!"

He gritted his fangs, and stepped closer to the two, prying them apart carelessly. His soulless dark eyes both peered over at the two, perplexed.

Castien's muscles were tense, as his eyes darted between them. "I swear I'm telling the truth." He exclaimed, out of breath.

Astaroth shook her head, "You couldn't believe him. He was with Flarius for a long time." That was the best excuse she could come up with... She wouldn't mind if he died, he was just a nuisance. "Just... Just think about it, he likes her. He lived with Flarius for a long time, he just wants your throne. That's what he's always wanted."

Castien growled, "Me? Want his throne? I wanted Flarius' throne. I'm an agent, I wouldn't be a traitor unlike you! You acted so suspicious when you were with him AND me."

They both gave uneasy glances towards him, preparing to strike at each other once again. Astaroth was shuddering wildly, afraid that he'd find out the truth...

"Castien, get over here." Azure barked, as the dragon slowly slid towards him. Astaroth was relieved, as she sighed and slipped down to the floor. He whispered something into his ear, and glared over at Astaroth. She tilted her head and slowly backed up.

Castien tapped his talons together, nodding. "With pleasure," he said graciously and lunged towards Astaroth, his fangs bared.

"What!?" Astaroth roared, backing up and sliding across the floor. Her heart was panicked, beating as fast as it could.

He turned around and slithered closer, climbing onto the ceiling. Castien bent his wings down, clinging to the wall as he observed her movements. Her eyes widened with fright, as she ducked under him and started to sprint down the opposite way and deeper into the hallway.

Castien launched himself at her, dragging her to the ground as his wings draped over her eyes. She struggled, and tried to slam him against the wall, failing as she was blind. She shivered with fear, and wandered aimlessly, bumping into a wall.

Castien laughed triumphantly and hit her head against the wall repeatedly, as she fell to the floor. He sat on her back, awaiting his next command as his talon slid down to lay across her neck, assuring that she couldn't move. "Plot twist," he whispered down to her softly.

Azure scoffed, and approached the two as Castien beamed happily up at him. He cackled, as his voice became distorted. "Do you really think I'd believe you?" he asked, as Astaroth tilted her head in confusion.

He picked up Castien by the scruff of his neck tightly, his talons slowly sinking into his flesh, blood dripping onto the stone floors. "Astaroth, do what you want with him." he exclaimed, tossing Castien's corpse to the floor in front of her.

Astaroth felt a quick pain of guilt sweep through her, but it quickly vanished into her mind. She narrowed her eyes down at the dragon, remembering that she could have died because of him.

She picked up Castien carelessly, crushing his ribs in her talons. "I'm going to enjoy this," she hissed down at him, and dragged him farther into the hallways, a trail of blood being left behind.

Azure was still displeased with both of them, but was angry with Castien for lying. He was just like Valkryne in several ways, and assumed that they must be somehow related...

Meanwhile, Astaroth was dragging Castien down the hallways by his tail, a sly grin rising from her face. "You are a liar, you insubordinate." He roared up at her, sobbing from the pain in his ribs. The bones were slowly disfiguring and being dragged all over the place, getting out of shape.