A Stranger in the Night
Chapter 35

There was an unmistakable smell that flooded my nostrils as we walked the hallways through to a large dining area. The smell was putrid and gave no relief no matter where we walked. It was the smell of death... It was so strong and overpowering, I felt sick to my core, as we walked in single file behind the King. Draven and Jess had me positioned in between them with Antonio following behind Jess at the rear. A couple of times I staggered, trying to contain myself at the foul odour that was assaulting my senses, Jess caught me and corrected me without anyone noticing.

As we entered the large dining room, there was an extremely large ring shape table, with over 2 dozen chairs scattered around the outside of it and a small gap on one end of the table. The King made his way to a large throne at the head of the table. The young girl moved to his left side and sat. The Halflings that followed us dispersed to the walls of the room and stood at attention, observing the room, but mainly, observing us. "Come. Sit", the King gesturing with his hand for us to be seated. Draven and Jess hastily made their way to the chairs further away from the King. Before she sat down, Jess pointed to the ground in between her and Draven's chairs. "Here pet! Come on! Sit down.". I hung my head low, and made my way to sit between them. Antonio following behind me and standing back behind their chairs, keeping watch over the 3 of us. I knew pets were not treated well and that this was all an act but this experience was definitely more degrading than I had expected.

"So, Draven. What's going on with your brothers? From what you've said, it sounds like they've ended up in some trouble?". The King's question eerily sent shivers down my spine. Draven nodded as he leant back into his chair. "Well, you know, I'm not 100% sure and couldn't really care to be honest with you.". Draven's words shocked me enough that I must have let a gasp slip from my mouth. Jess shoved me. "Sssh pet! Your Master is speaking.". Then slowly began to pat my back. I could feel her tracing her finger over my back, spelling out 'I'm sorry' with her finger. The King looked wide eyed at Draven, "Sorry, I don't follow? You couldn't care about your brothers?". Draven smiled and nodded, "Yes sir! You heard that right.". The King smiled, "I'm intrigued. Go on...". Draven let out a low laugh. "Well, I'm only here cause Mum and Dad sent me on this venture to find them. I thought good chance for a bit of a holiday with my love.", he said as he grabbed Jess' hand to kiss it. The young girl seated next the King fussed over her dress slightly as she watched, clearly uncomfortable at the display of affection. "So here we are. So you haven't seen them?". Draven enquired again with the King.

The King leant back on his chair, leaning to one side and resting his chin and his hand that was holding his head propped up. "I would love to help, but unfortunately I can't.". The King said nonchalantly. "I'm not sure where they could be. They did pop in on their way through. Maybe they've gone to one of the other Kingdoms.". I could hear the teasing in his voice that made my blood boil. I noticed small specks of frost were beginning for form on my hands. I quickly brushed them off. "Ssshh...settle pet.". Jess said as she rubbed my back again and began tracing again on my back 'find Alex'. I got that loud and clear, closing my eyes, taking a few deep breaths and focusing my energy onto Alex. My senses were overwhelmed with the stench that was in the room. I had never smelt anything like it before in my life. I tried my hardest to find Alex and pick up on his energy, but it was so weak and took me a while.

"Luna......is....that....you?". He was getting weaker by the moment, whatever they had done to him was killing him now. "I'm here Alex! I am here. I will find you!". My whole being was bursting full of energy trying to will myself to him. I could feel his heartbeat race slightly as he felt my energy and presence. It helped me lock on to where he was. Jess' touch was pulling me back to reality and I tried my best to let my energy flow back through the mansion to the room we were standing in, thus giving me a slow outline of which way to travel. It wasn't till Jess jerked the collar of my shirt that I truly was back. "I mean it! I know you know where they are. If you won't tell us then we will be forced to take it to the Council!". My eyes were still adjusting to the light in the room as the King jumped out of his chair and began storming towards Draven. Flipping the table as he approached. "Who do you think you are to speak to me with such a tone!". The King raised his hand and grabbed Draven's throat whilst digging his claws in and squeezing it hard. Draven began fighting back, clawing and striking at the King. Halflings began filling the room circling around Draven. Jess leapt forward and began swiping at the Halflings, keeping them away. A Halfling jumped on to her knocking her to the ground. Another grabbed her arm and began trying to yank it off. "Nooooo! Jess!" Draven's scream tore through the room. More Halflings began to flood into the room. My anger was beginning to boil and I looked to Draven for permission, but he shook his head violently, "No!". I had to do something, I couldn't wait anymore.

Just as I was about to unleash a shot of ice at a Halfling, Lucas and the pack broke into the room into their wolf forms. They were grabbing Halflings left, right and centre. Lucas was making a be line for the King and Draven. The King dropped Draven and began striding towards Lucas, rearing his fangs and growling deeply at him. He lunged at Lucas and dug his claws deep into his back. Lucas was snapping at him ferociously and bit him hard on the arm, causing one of his claws to release from his back but incurred and incredible bite on the shoulder from the King. I couldn't watch anymore. My trembling was become noticeable now and my anger was through the roof. I held my hand out towards the King and in a trance like state that was out of my control, unleashed the biggest ice blast I had ever manifested. It didn't freeze the King but caused him to jump back and stare directly at me.

"Ahhh so there you are my sweet. I've heard alot about you Luna. Meredith! My precious daughter, won't you join us. There's someone here to see you.". Out from behind a deep red, heavy, velvet curtain, Meredith strode slowly. Eyeing me as she made her way into the open area that separated us. "Hello Ice Princess. We meet again.". I looked deep into her eyes, "My name is Luna and I will make sure this will be the last time we meet. What have you done to Alex, Silvano and Marco?". She threw her head back and laughed, "My dear, you are no match for me. You got lucky last time. This time, you don't stand a chance. Alex will never be yours!". She raced towards me, ducking and weaving the icey blasts I shot at her. Her scream sent chills through my bones as she came crashing into me and began tearing at my skin. She flung her head back and drove her teeth into my neck. My hands grabbed onto her neck as I began sending waves of ice and frost through her. She ripped her teeth out harshly, tearing my skin deeply as she did. "Bitch! I will drain you right now!". Shiloh knocked Meredith from the top of me and sent her flying. I stumbled to find my footing, feeling slightly weak after the encounter I just had. As I stood and focused myself, I sent another icey blast at Meredith, this time catching her arm. She tried her best to smash the ice away by hitting it, but it was no use. I sent another that knocked her over and left her on the ground.

My anger still pulsing through my veins, as I approached Meredith. I leant down and placed my hands on her head and encased her with a blast of ice. Meredith's body laid limp on the floor, frozen solid like a piece of ice thrown on the floor. I let out a deep sigh and tried to catch my breath. In the chaos of everything going on, I remembered. Alex. Shit! "Draven! Jess! Lucas! I'm going to find Alex!". At the sound of my voice, the three of them tore in half the Halflings they were fighting and raced towards me. "Like hell you are going by yourself Luna!". Lucas scowled at me. "Fine! But we need to hurry. He is not in a good state.".

I tried my best to find my way to the last spot I remembered in my back tracking from Alex. It took me a short time to find a corridor that turned onto a staircase that led down to the dungeon. As we tried to navigate our way through the dimly lit walkways, Lucas transformed into a wolf. He bit onto my shirt and pulled me to follow him. He had picked up Alex's scent and we were getting closer to finding him. Lucas transformed back and bolted to a side corridor. "Down here!". We all ran in the direction that Lucas took off in. We pulled up behind Lucas as he stood as still as a statue and slowly began shaking. A soft voice, out of the darkness called to me. "Luna, I am giving you only 1 chance. Hand yourself over and your friends will all be spared.". The girl that we had met when we first arrived stepped out into the light and towards us. Lucas twirled around, his face contorted and frothing at the mouth. "Stop it!" I shouted at her. I held my hand up at her, "I mean it.". She smiled but before she could say a word, I sent out a blast of ice directly at her.

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She moved gracefully and avoided the blast. Draven stepped forward and held his hands in the air. "Lilyanna, I know this isn't you. You never had a bone in your body that would willingly hurt another being. You have been that way since we were children. Please. Help us find Alex.".

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