The Moon Shadow : The Wolfrik Trilogy | Book 1

by K. Rea

  “Oh no, I meant your wife,” Bishop said, turning back around to face me. His violet eyes sparkled with malicious delight. Aiden tried to stand and push up against the chains, but he barely moved an inch; he slid on the bloody floor beneath him.

  “Come join us, princess, or I will stick this in his heart, and you can watch him die from there,” Bishop breathed.

  “If you beg, I might even bring him back,” Bishop threatened. The panic I felt now was my own.

  “Run!” Aiden roared, Bishop tsked at him.

  “They blocked the way back. You triggered the alarms the moment you crossed into the stairwell. If you go back the way you came, Gerald will be waiting. He would be happy to see you again,” Bishop said smoothly. I didn’t move from the door.

  “Want to make a bet now, Prince Aiden?” Bishop asked.

  “No,” Aiden hissed.

  “Princess Evelyn, I bet Aiden would inject himself with this poison if it meant saving your life,” Bishop said. “He’s not the cold Dark Prince he once was.”

  “Come out of the stairwell before I force you out,” Bishop threatened before he backed away from my door, keeping it in his line of sight until he reached his table. He picked up a blade and put down the syringe. He walked up behind Aiden and put the knife to his throat. “I said come out, wolf girl.”

  “Don’t do it,” Aiden barked before coughing. He spit up a mouthful of blood onto the marble floors. A line appeared on his throat from the blade. I felt my wolf burning within me and at my fingertips. The wolf wanted out, and it wanted out now.

  My fingers were claws when I wrapped them around the edge of the door and pulled it open. I felt my teeth lengthen in my mouth as I ran and lunged for Bishop. His eyes widen a second before my body slammed into him and Aiden. My momentum carried Bishop and me away from Aiden.

  Before I could lock my jaw around Bishop’s throat, there was a burning pain in my chest. I rolled off of Bishop; the blade he had at Aiden’s throat was deep in my chest. I couldn’t catch my breath; my lungs burned. He had pierced a lung. I looked back to Aiden, he was on the ground trying to get back up and struggling against the chains. Bishop was standing again, holding a remote in his hand. I growled and pushed up from the ground to attack Bishop.

  “Evelyn, pull the knife out! Pull it out now!” Aiden roared; I paused. “Bishop, don’t! Please!”

  Bishop laughed, then clicked a button on the remote. The world went hazy. I couldn’t move a muscle. Pain radiated through my entire body, from the knife to my fingertips. I could see Aiden thrashing, but it was slow. Everything moved so slowly, too slow. White noise was all I could hear. The sweet smell of ozone and burned cotton filled my nose.

  As soon as it started, it ended. I was stiff and laid out on the floor, I couldn’t move. My heart was racing, my pulse all over the place as if I had run a race. Breathing, breathing was the worst. My lungs felt like they were on fire, like I had drowned again. It took a minute to realize Aiden was yelling my name. It sounded warbled and odd. Everything felt upside down and sideways. My wolf’s claws were gone, along with my wolf teeth.

  “A partial shift is impressive; I don’t think she could have lasted much longer. A lightning blade like that has quite a kick. What do you think Aiden, could she handle another kiss from Zeus?” Bishop asked as he strolled up beside to me. I didn’t have the strength to move. I tried, but only twitched. Bishop paced between the two of us.

  “Bishop, tell me. Tell me what will it cost to let her go?” Aiden said, his breath ragged. He looked worse. I realized the wall on the bond was gone; he was shoving tiny bits of his strength at me. He was trying to heal me even as he got weaker.

  “I can give you time to say goodbye before I notify Gaius that she’s here. I can’t promise she’ll live. She’d probably rather not. However, I won’t hurt her unless the king demands it. I want the truth, and I want proof of your commitment,” Bishop demand.

  “How?” Aiden asked. I wanted to yell at them both, but I couldn’t get my lips to cooperate.

  “Inject the frost bane into yourself,” Bishop explained, and Aiden flinched.

  “What truth do you want?” Aiden whispered; his eyes locked on mine. Bishop laughed.

  “You had a human lover once. Rumor has it you had planned to turn her. Make her your blood mate and consort. Gaius found out and sent her to the Court of Darkness as a gift for the king. Did Gaius change his mind and send you to kidnap her and kill the infant?”

  “King Lucien sent you to spy on us, and now all you ask about is my dead lover and her baby?” Aiden asked, laughing. “You’ve heard the rumors; that’s all they are. I’m the Dark Prince, I’m the one the little pups fear, the monster that goes bump in the night. I have no business raising a baby. Lara was right to rid herself of me.”

  “Answer the question Aiden, my brother needs to know where his daughter is,” Bishop snarled. Brick by brick, I felt Aiden rebuild the wall on the bond between us.

  “King Gaius didn’t send me into Darkness and depths of hell to steal a baby. He wanted to be sure the infant wasn’t mine, and that Lucien was not a threat. I cared for Lara, but she loved King Lucien by the end. I did not kidnap or kill Lara and her child. Lara died in childbirth. What I want to know is why didn’t you or Lucien bring her back? You both have that power.” Aiden asked. “The baby would have been his heir, replacing you. Did you steal her away?”

  “Lara’s body was too far gone by the time we got there. Her soul had moved on to the Court of Stars,” Bishop said stiffly. “Where is her child?”

  “I don’t know where her child is, only that it was not mine,” Aiden explained. Bishop stopped pacing in front of Aiden, the syringe held out. I couldn’t move, couldn’t speak. I tried reaching Aiden through the bond, but the wall he built while spinning his tale was too strong.

  “Bishop, you and I both know only a fool would try to steal a demon child out of the Court of Darkness,” Aiden said before grabbing the syringe and plunging it into his leg without a moment of hesitation.

  THIRTY - TWO

  My heart screamed even as my paralyzed lips remained frozen shut. Aiden grunted in pain. From where I laid paralyzed on the floor, I could see blue-streaked veins climbing up his torso closer to his heart. His muscles cramped and contracted so hard the tiles connected to the chains keeping him bound made a slight cracking noise, and blood dripped from the cuffs around his wrists. Bishop watched, his brow furrowed and his expression tense. Then there was silence as Aiden collapsed onto the floor face-first. After checking Aiden for a pulse, Bishop removed the syringe from Aiden’s thigh. He walked over to the table and placed it down. He snapped his fingers, and the table disappeared in a puff of purple smoke.

  Bishop approached me, frowned, then bent down and pulled the blade from my shoulder. He tucked the blade into his waistband. Without the blade lodged in my shoulder, I healed. With my first deep breath in minutes, I could clench my fists, and with my second breath, I was standing. Bishop watched me quietly.

  “Your brother is the King of the Court of Darkness?” I asked. Bishop nodded.

  “You’re a demon?” I asked, the desire to rip his throat out strong. He smiled; his violet eyes flashed green. The familiar smell, almost like fear and death, wafted off his form. It was overwhelming. I choked on it. “What are you?”

  “I’m a necromancer and a grim reaper. I thought you might have smelled my demon blood that night; not everyone can. Most people mistake it for fear, but you couldn’t get away from me fast enough. I was glad you didn’t choose me; we’re not suited for each other. I’m waiting for my mate. Aiden, though, seems to suit you just fine,” Bishop said, gesturing to Aiden.

  “Gaius and his guard did a number on him before they called me. He took most of the guard down with him, soldiers he’s known a lifetime. He cares for you, more than he should,” Bishop mused. “My niece isn’t the first p
rincess Gaius has sought after, but with his guard decimated, I think you’ll be the last. The Court of Light is coming for Gaius. They’ll be here too late to save your mate.”

  “The effects of the frost bane will wear off soon. It won’t kill him. When Aiden wakes, say goodbye. The king doesn’t intend to let him live past sunset. I’ll take his soul to the Darkness if he wishes,” Bishop said before he turned and walked toward the main doors.

  “What if he doesn’t?” I asked.

  “He’ll join the Starlight Court, the Court of Stars, but only if the Goddess accepts him,” Bishop said. “If she doesn’t, he’ll cease to exist and join the abyss. At most, you have thirty minutes, wolf girl. These doors will lock behind me. Best of luck,” Bishop said with a mocking smile. The oak door was barely closed, and I was at Aiden’s side. The manacles, like my necklace, had no lock. The metal was unfamiliar and didn’t budge. I eased Aiden upright, he groaned.

  “Little wolf, tell me you didn’t come back for me. Tell me I’m hallucinating, that this time I’ve finally lost my mind,” Aiden murmured, his voice hoarse. The blue streaking across his torso was receding slowly, further away from his heart at a slugged pace.

  “If anyone has, it’s probably me,” I whispered as I cradled him in my arms. I pulled the canvas pack off my back, pulled a shirt from it, and used it to wipe the blood off his face and body. “You’ve cracked the tile already. Do you have the strength to pull the chains from the floor?”

  “The chains go into the foundation of the palace. There’s no moving them,” Aiden answered. I balked a bit; there were clear cracks in the tiles. He may not have realized it, but he shifted the foundation beneath us.

  “What about breaking them or taking the manacles off?” I asked. Aiden shook his head.

  “They’re charmed and unbreakable. Only Gaius, Ciara, or Alex can remove them unless they’re all dead,” Aiden explained.

  “Where is Alex?” I asked.

  “Safe with the girls and Ruby, I hope,” Aiden answered.

  “Including Lucy,” I whispered; Aiden nodded.

  “You lied to Bishop. What did you do, Aiden? What is she?” I whispered.

  “I took a blood oath; I can’t tell you more. Just know I only did what Lara asked me to,” Aiden choked out roughly. “I don’t hurt the innocent.”

  “I believe you. Do you have any ideas for how to get out of here?” I asked.

  “Go back the way you came, kill Gerald and get the hell out of this darkness damned palace. You must flee, mo ghràdh. Vampires don’t have soul mates, but I would swear you are mine. A blessing from the goddess, even after all the dark deeds I’ve done. I love you. I knew you were special that day in the woods, your soul called to mine. It woke something in me long forgotten. To have known you, loved you, and have had a few days of joy is more than I thought I would ever have,” Aiden said as he rested his head on my shoulder and tried to hug me. With tears in my eyes, I put my hands on the sides of his head and brought his lips to mine for a kiss.

  “I love you too,” I said, “and I won’t leave you to die here alone.”

  “I won’t watch you die,” Aiden said.

  “You won’t have to. She’ll watch you burn,” Gaius said as he emerged from the shadows with Lady Abigail at his side. “It appears Cleo was telling the truth. The girl came back for Aiden while Alex and Bishop betrayed us.”

  “Cleo loves her son, dearly. I told you she would be easy to control with his life at risk. We can deal with Alex and Bishop later,” Lady Abigail suggested.

  “Your pistol, it’s in my pack. It’s loaded, use it and get out of here,” Aiden barely whispered into my hair. “I love you, little wolf.”

  “Guards, put up a post and chain up the wolf. Abigail, wake the houses and call them here. Time to put the Dark Prince on trial for his treason,” Gaius said.

  Gaius appeared healed from whatever injuries Aiden had bestowed except for a patch of burned flesh on his neck. He didn’t bother bandaging it. He walked to his throne; the black obsidian shined in the afternoon light. The smell of jasmine clashed and mingled with the smell of Aiden’s blood and hints of ozone hanging in the air. Masked guards emerged from hidden doors and alcoves around us.

  Three guards walked to a metal plate set in the floor. Two of the guards removed the plate, while the third pushed a hidden button. A wooden post rose out of the floor, the guard strung chains around it, then looked to the king.

  “It’s ready, King Gaius,” a masked guard declared, his voice muffled by the mask. I looked back to the king. He looked back at Aiden and I. Gaius smiled when he saw me looking at him.

  “Lady Evelyn, please cooperate and put the chains on,” Gaius suggested.

  “Don’t do it. You can still run,” Aiden said.

  “No,” I responded.

  “Put them on, or I’ll cut off his hands,” the king threatened.

  “I don’t need my hands. I’m dead anyway, run Evelyn,” Aiden begged. I kissed him again.

  “What are you waiting for? Separate them!” Gaius roared.

  “I love you, Aiden, for all that you are and more,” I said, then rose and walked over to the post. I offered the guard my wrists. He clamped the cuffs loosely around them.

  “Check her for weapons,” Gaius ordered. For a moment, I thought the guard winked at me suggestively as his hands passed over my body. He took his time before he moved Aiden’s pack and set it at my feet. He tightened the chains securing me to the post. I felt something cold and hard press against my leg as he slid it into my boot before his hands moved on, checking my body for weapons.

  “It’s done,” the guard said, staring at me the entire time. His bright green eyes were visible through the mask. The guard smelled like fresh linens and apples.

  “Open the doors, let the houses in,” Gaius ordered. The guards opened the doors, and vampires poured in. The king was dressed in his velvet brocade and black pants. The vampires all looked tired and angry. Some still wore fancy clothes damaged from the wolf rebellion. Not a single werewolf was present. Many vampires had weapons with them, some favored blades, others had pistols strapped to their body. Many black eyes stared at us, fangs on display. Anger and bloodlust rippled through the growing mob.

  “Silence!” King Gaius ordered. “I’ve called you here today to witness Aiden Kensley’s trial. Though short it may be.”

  “Aiden Kensley, you are guilty of threatening your king and assisting convicted moon shadows to escape. We also suspect you are working with the Court of Light to overthrow this monarchy. What do you have to say for yourself?” Gaius said with a sneer from his black throne.

  “I would do it again. You are not my king. This is not my Court. I swear my allegiance to the Court of Shadows’ rightful rulers, the Wolfrik Clan, and my mother’s Court, the Court of Light. Long live the true Queens,” Aiden said as he pulled on the chains to stand. The guard at my side ran to him, his weapon drawn.

  “The Court of Light had forsaken you as a child, and the Wolfriks rule no more,” Gaius hissed, Aiden only laughed.

  “You may not recognize a queen when you see one, but I do. Evelyn Wolfrik is a queen. The true Queen of the Court of Shadows. You’ll never turn her. She won’t break. She will rip you to shreds one day, and if she doesn’t, the Court of Light will burn you to the ground,” Aiden said harshly, a wild look in his eyes I had never seen before.

  “The Court of Light fears me, boy. They send wolves to the slaughter because they do not want to fight me themselves. The Court of Shadows is gone; the time of queens is over. The Court of Light will break beneath my fist. My Court is a Court of Blood. King Lucien and I will see that no queen rules again. Blood will flow, starting with hers,” Gaius threatened, and his rapt audience cheered.

  Aiden pulled against his chains as Gaius blurred to my side. He gripped my jaw in his hands, his fangs lengthened. He pulle
d my head to the side to expose my neck. I looked into Aiden’s wild eyes. I refused to flinch, to beg. I smiled at Aiden.

  I love you, I whispered down the bond as Gaius paused. He brought his hand up to pull the band from my neck. He wrapped his fingers around the metal collar and pulled. Power erupted from the necklace, throwing me back hard against the post. The magic tossed Gaius to the floor. He laid on the ground next to Aiden and the guard.

  “Not possible,” Gaius muttered.

  “Anything is possible. You proved that the day you turned me into a vampire,” Aiden said.

  “What did you do?” Gaius bellowed.

  “Blood magic, you can’t touch her. You can’t hurt her,” Aiden bluffed. The guard had felt me up plenty just moments ago.

  “Bishop did. He stabbed her earlier,” Gaius said, and Aiden tensed. There was a loophole to his protection, and Gaius was already honing in on it.

  “She stabbed herself on the blade,” Aiden said, the lie smooth off his lips except for that slight twitch in the corner of his mouth. That knife had Aiden’s blood on it when it stabbed me.

  “Your blood magic won’t stop me, son,” Gaius scoffed and approached me again. This time the magic threw him back before he could even touch me.

  “You’re wrong. You may have turned me into a vampire, raised me to be a weapon and a villain against my own family, but I am not your son,” Aiden growled. The guard turned his weapon on himself, slit the palm of his hand, and touched the chains. The manacles popped off Aiden’s wrists as the guard dropped the blade in Aiden’s hand, turned, and ran to me. Aiden didn’t hesitate; he gripped the blade and lunged at the king. He plunged the knife toward the king’s chest as the guard gripped my chains and ripped them off.

  “Time to go, she-wolf,” the guard ordered before grabbing Aiden’s pack, gripping my wrist, and pulling me with vampire speed to a window.

  “Alex?” I asked.

  “In the flesh, now move,” Alex ordered. Distracted by Aiden and Gaius, the vampires didn’t notice us. The guards struggled to rescue their king. Aiden fought against five of them even in his weakened state. The king laid on the floor, trying to pull a familiar dagger from his chest. I recognized my father’s blade from here.