The Wicked Luna

Nine

"Let me come with you."

"No."

Cayson follows me to the entrance of my home and I have to resist the urge to yell at him. He insisted that he should go with me to the west part of Alphard but I have continuously told him no. I would continue to tell him no and even demand he be held in a prison cell to keep him in my home. It was too dangerous and if I were to help my pack I couldn't be worrying about him dying.

Still right on my heels he follows me and I take a sharp breathe as people from my pack pour into the castle. Most have the black dust on their faces like Leif, others have other noticeable wounds. I could see large angry red burns running down their arms. The flames had licked their skin turning the different shades into a raw red. My eyes catch on a particular little girl who has burns up her neck and down her forehead. Her sleek black hair has been singed and I notice her mother holding her ever so tightly to her chest.

When people realizes I am here they begin to reach out for me. Some crying in panic and others worried of those left behind. In comfort I give a quick squeeze to each hand before directing them to the ball room. Everyone in the west side of Alphard could stay there for a while.

"Lilith " Cayson says in a harsh tone "please let me come."

I turn around to see him burrying his nose into the sleeve of tux. His eyes were slightly watering and I could tell the smell of burning flesh and smoke was having a drastic effect. If he went with me he would surely pass out.

"Cayson no. I need you here. Direct those to the ball room and get blankets and pillows. Get them some water to down and medical attention. If the ballroom runs out we will figure something out."
"Are you going then?"
"Yes."
"Then let me go. I can-..."
"I said no" I snap my eyes turning like ice chips.

He looks at me momentarily before nodding his head. I close my eyes and slightly massage my temple before taking a long cautious breathe. Hopefully there wouldn't be too many lives lost to the scorching flames.

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Inferno is the perfect word to describe the scene that lays before me. Human torches run around desperately diving into the river for a cool comfort. Flames scorch the lemon and baby blue colored houses. Turning the once vibrate colors to a coal black. Around I hear screams of people. They scream in a high pitched tone letting you know they were in a great deal of pain.

My eyes catch on the civilians stumbling away from the flames. Some run while others drag themselves across the ashy floor all headed toward my home. The rest stand outside their home watching memories burn. My golden dress lights up in a glowing orange, and I can't help but think of how I must look like a flame.

My heels click down the cobblestone road and I feel tears climbing in my eyes. I will not cry. Clearing my throat and continuing deeper into the west I watch more wolves run out of burning houses. Most in pj's while others are in bright party clothes. I mange to catch my eye on a couple who are badly burned. The girl is blackened and I see blood gushing from a burnt wound. The male holds her trying so desperately to not collapse himself. I run over to them slightly tapping him on the shoulder.He spins around his eyes filled with fear.

"Luna" he says his eyes widening "Luna," he says again as if suprised I am real.
"I'm here to help. Hand me her," my skinny finger points to the girl and with caution he sets her in my hands.

I drag her from the flames and I tell him that I am giving refuge to the people of Alphard at my castle. He momentarily nods his head before wrapping his burnt hand back around her dragging her towards what he hopes is safety.

I'm about to head back to my castle desperate to be of more help there when someone grabs my shoulder and yanks me back into the flames.

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I tumble towards the patchy dry grass my eyes widening as a women stares at me with desperate eyes. Black dust coats her entire body and it almost seems like she's been dipped in a thin layer of black paint. I bare my teeth at her and watch as some more of her golden hair fall to the ground as it is on fire.

"Help me please" she says in panic but I can't seem to trust her.
"Why? With what?" Im growling now and I try to raise to my feet slightly wincing.
"My daughter, she's stuck in our house. It's on fire and I can't get to her. Please help me."
"If you can't get to her how can I?"
"Please Luna. You are my last hope. She's everything I got" her eyes are glassy and I see tear trails down those dusty black cheeks.

Slightly I nod my head ready for her to take me towards a horror. Surely the little girl must be badly burned. Quickly she drags me down the cobblestone street and my eyes blaze as I see many beautiful homes now charred. When we stop in front of a lemon yellow 3 story house I almost want to run away.

Thick black smoke is running out of the house and flames dance so wildly inside. I'm not sure that there is any hope. Still I must try. I run to the front door slightly pushing the flaming hot wood open. When the black smoke fans at me I cough roughly and fall inside my golden heels betraying me at this very moment.

I walk around the odd house and yell out for the little girl. My skin is on fire and I feel like ripping my clothes off and panting when a small cry is heard from the up stairs bedroom. I sprint up, not caring that flames were now engulfing my golden dress. Burning away the thin lacy material as I tried to reach the girl. I find her inside of a bathroom her head tucked into her knees as black smoke envelopes her. Her eyes are blood red and I can see her small chest rising a bit too quickly.

"Here come here we are leaving" I say briskly and watch as she flings herself into my arms.

I gulp momentarily and I'm about to turn on my heel when the roof collapses.

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Hot wood burns at my bare skin and I shriek in pain turning back into the bathroom with the girl. With an unhealthily cough she moans leaning her head into my shoulder. I look at my hands in shock to see angry red burns spreading. My eyes look at the collapsed roof in front of us and I cry out in frustration seeing there would be no escape to this inferno.

I sit on the steaming baby blue tiles holding the girl in my arms and biting my cheek as more pieces of hot ash and wood pop and sizzle like grease. A low creak comes from above and I know if i can't find a way out of here we both would die a slow gruesome death. My eyes catch on a small window and I scamper over leaving the girl to lay on the baby blue tiles. With a fight the window slowly but surely creaks open and I see nothing but a hard drop below.

I scoop her up and take her to the window eyeing the roof that was only a foot away. Could I possibly make the jump with this small child? It was either try or die. I take off my golden shoes and fling them out the window yelping as the searing heat consumes my papery skin.

I'm about to jump when a crashing sound is heard above. With a swift movement I throw the girl barely being able to watch her hit the roof with an intense force. Then I gyrate around and watch in the mirror as I go up in flames.