The Wicked Luna

Eight

A golden stream of glowing dresses.

My eyes scan around the Alphard party realizing everyone is dressed in a popping silver or gold.

We must look quite odd to those not attending this party I silently remark to myself. My eyes catch on the golden streamers above and a crystal chandelier that screams of beauty. I tug on my long golden dress pulling myself towards the outside balcony.

The air is cold and crisp and a light breeze blows through my dark hair. I allow myself to slightly lean off the balcony my eyes watching as couples outside drunkenly dance in the garden. I'm caught on a particular 2, who are leaning so close together it almost looks like they are bound. The girl with long golden hair is leaning on his chiseled chest and I see his hands gently rubbing her back.

I avert my eyes when the guy notices I am watching. Instead I focus on the night sky. The inky canopy seemed to stretch out into an endless dark abyss. Stars that looked like salt on a black tarp were sprinkled everywhere.

My thoughts begin to run wild, like a pack of wild dogs hunting down prey. I think of the monster out there, still lurking and awaiting an opportunity to strike again. To be able to take more powerful lives. The reason is one I will never know.

"You know you look like a star?" A voice calls from behind and I swivel around feeling my dress slightly raise before lowering.

Cayson stands near the door his golden tie shimmering in the darkness. My nose catches the smell of a fruity drink and I see 2 odd cups in his hand. He must see where I am looking as he explains it was a gift shipped in from his pack. I nod my head and down the fruity drink, a bubbly sensation dancing in me.

"I look like a star? How," I finally answer his first statement.

He stares at me momentarily both of our eyes once again in a feirce lock. Then with precise dangerous movements he moves forward. I would be completely fine with the action if it weren't for the look in his eyes. Those bottle green pools were filled with danger. Almost as if he had a mission in plan.

"You are glowing like the stars above" he murmers and I quickly cast my eyes up.

The charcoal colored sky was lit with life. I could see a golden glow of stars melting into  the smoldering blackness.

"I do not" I mutter barely realizing Cayson was now by my side.
" I assure you do" he says " That's how I found you of course."

His voice is more soft and quite. It's almost as if he was deliberately looking for me. I cock my eyebrow and turn my chin to look at him.

"You were looking for me?"
"No" he says smoothly " I was wandering around but then I saw that damn dress. You know if really does complement you."

My breathing catches at his statement. How was he so slick with words? One minute it was a casual conversation and the next he was slipping honey sweet phrases in. He was too slippery and smart.

My mind slightly wanders back to the dream I had recently and how much it pained me to see Cayson dead. I wouldn't let him in, not if I wanted to be strong. I had always been the cold wicked queen. I was known far and wide for that. Lilith the Queen of sorrows some said. Lilith the Queen of no mercy others whispered. Lilith the Queen of devastation the rest proclaimed. So I couldn't let Cayson break down my walls with his slick words. I could no longer be in solo company with those dangerous eyes. The eyes that made me tremble in slight madness. Those damn delectable beauties that made me so vulnerable.

"Thank you" I say sharply detaching my voice of emotion "so do you."

I turn my head to see him already staring at me. He opens his mouth as if he's about to say something but then decides to close his mouth. We both turn out towards the night sky and I'm beginning to find comfort in the silence when a chorus of shrieks fills the air.

----------------------------------

My first thought is that the beast has returned to finish me off once and for all. My eyes snap to Cayson thinking of how he would become collateral damage in the process. Being killed and disregarded as easily as an intake of breathe.

I clamp my hand on Caysons wrist gritting my teeth as those delicious sparks dance between us. Then in a sharp tug I begin to pull him back into the party desperate for is both to find a way to escape before the beast finds us. Inside the eye screaming colors of silver and gold are scurrying around. Some people look alarmed as they begin a silent shuffle towards an exit while others look amused. Apparently some think it is some kind of joke.

My high heels click against the marble floor and we have almost reached the exit when Cayson snatches his wrist away. I turn around sharply my face knit in irritation. He's giving me an odd look and he mouthes something that is drowned out by another wave of shrieks. This time I see everyone's face begin to drop as they realize this isn't a joke.

"What's going on?" Cayson says again.
"I don't know but come on."
"Not until we know" he states.
"Are you kidding me? What if it is some sort of invasion? Do you want to be dead by day break?"

My tone is choppy and I am growling out he words.

"No if it were an invasion people wouldn't all be crowding towards the back yard."

His fingers points to the back yard doors as I see silver and gold dresses and tuxes running out. I take a sharp breathe nodding my head and beging to turn towards the backyard when a clamy hand grabs my shoulder and tugs me back.

I feel as if I'm falling towards the ground and I hold my breathe prepared to fall into the jaws of a monster when I feel myself being caught. I spin around in dismay glaring daggers at the wolf. His face is in sheer panic and a black dust is coating his skin and clothes. His hands are clamped around my arm leaving the black dust over my skin. I hear Cayson growl behind me and feel his arms snag me back to him.

I know it's a bit bad but I feel pleased with the action.

"Who are you?" I berate.

The man stares at me with large hazel eyes. Something in those eyes is screaming of panic.
Still I stand with my expression blazing waiting for an answer I had yet to receive.

"Luna. Queen Lilith, we need your help," his voice is raspy. It sounds like someone has shoved burning embers down it.
"With what? And you never answered my question" I snap and see him flinch.
"My name is Leif and the west side of Alphard is under attack."

My heart drops at his words. As if a knife has been plunged into me I shake away Cayson's protective arm from my waste.

"What? How, take me" I'm too close to the man now as I see his eyes widen further.
"I'm sorry but I am not going back to that inferno."
"Inferno?" I gasp "what's going on?"

My tone is so harsh that even I almost flinch.

"Someone has set fire to the west side. Everything is caught in a blaze. Wolves, animals, buildings. The west side is fiery flame."