When The Walls Fall

Chapter 1

Hail beat down at the side of Lunam Manor, the people below huddling in their homes for safety. The moon above gave little solace, waning into a dark new moon. Danar liked to look from his window and be sure of his people's safety, but the rain took out the torches and the moon refused its light. Instead he sat by the fire in his study, waiting for it all to pass.

He scanned the many history books that covered the walls starting all the way in the Vamp era of rule. It was the longest standing era to date. 3,000 years they kept the crown, and only four kings to speak of.

For a moment he let himself think about his Father's death that led him to be King of the newly proclaimed Lupus Lunam. For centuries the Wolf community had been on the outskirts of the civilization until his father was able to bring their people together and take the crown from the Nymph leaders that came before them.

Then he died, an arrow to the heart from an unknown assailant. It had been a night of a full moon, just before our scheduled hunt. Just the community began its transformations an arrow, blazing fire at the tip, soar and hit King Yohan. Danar saw what had happened to his father, but in the middle of his change, could do nothing about it.

All he could smell was his father's blood soaking the concrete. He did not hunt that day. Instead, he mourned by his father's half-transformed body and howled until daylight came and he could take his true form once more.

Now there was a crisis that Danar had no idea how to solve, but his father would have been able to. He felt weak and powerless, feeling the weight of the golden crown on his head more than ever.

For weeks people had been disappearing from hunts, patrols, and even a few from their houses. Danar had everyone questioned, from the small Vamp, Elf, and Mer villages outside the city to the people in his own community. No one confessed to even seeing anything.

A knock sounded on the chamber door and Danar looked over as his Advisor walked in.

Desmond stood tall and wide, almost eclipsing the door as he waited for his King to speak first.

"What can I do for you, Desmond?"

He gave a loud grunt to clear his throat, reverberating off the walls. "Highness, we found an intruder inside the city."

Too exhausted and defeated to deal with anyone, Danar tried to wave his Advisor off. "I am tired Desmond. Put the prisoner in the cells and I will deal with him in the morning."

Desmond stayed rooted in his place. "He says he has information on the disappearances of our people."

That got Danar's attention and he stood from his chair. "Where is he."

Desmond and Danar walked quickly through the castle into the ballroom. There, in the middle of the room, sat a tall man on his knees. Danar couldn't see his face, only the top of his silver blonde hair. Dark crimson blood was drying on his pale skin. The prisoner panted loudly as two of the King's Guards held the man's arms tightly behind his back.

"Let him go," Danar commanded. The guards did as they were told, though reluctantly. "Good evening, you former Highness."

The man chuckled deeply, still gazing at the floor, his hands now supporting him as he coughed. When he had finally caught his breath, the last Vampire King looked up at Danar, a twisted smile on his lips. "And to you, Highness."

Danar gave a quick wave of his hand and the guards moved slightly back, still close enough to stop an attack. Danar wasn't worried. "I never expected to see you again Josiah."

Shakily the vampire, Josiah, stood. "Nor did I expect to let you, yet here we are." Though in clear pain the former King stood tall, his full length towering the werewolf's by at least by at least a foot.