"Thank you for the dance." His face was once again closed off and his tone gruff.
I nodded, stepping back. I felt like I had just been doused with cold water. I shivered even though the thick jacket was still around my shoulders. I walked away from him, finding distance to be the best thing for my well being right now.
At first he was hot then cold. I didn't want to bother guessing which side I was going to get every half an hour.
"Excuse me."
I thought someone wanted to get to the bowl of strong alcohol and moved out of the way, my mind far away. But when the voice cleared its throat again, I turned with a curious expression.
It was a man a little taller than me, dark skinned with a rough beard and deepset eyes. He looked to be about in his forties. He looked like he was smiling but I couldn't tell, mainly because of his facial hair and partly because I was way past heady. "Luna." He bowed slightly.
I looked at him with suspicion. Don't blame me, I'd gotten enough death threats to be instantly suspicious of someone even when they were being nice. "Hello."
"I am Magnus. I am the head of the council of the Whitebane wolves." He extended a hand.
"I already know what you think of me." I interrupted, I already knew where he was getting to. It would be faster if I got to it before him. He didn't think I was a worthy Luna, it would be a matter of time before I was killed. Blah, blah. "I heard it quite vividly the other day."
I heard a chuckle pass through all the hair. "On the contrary, my council members may have been – quick to assume things. You are human, yes, but I don't doubt you'd make a suitable Luna. You have that inner fire. It would be a pleasure to be at your service."
My brows couldn't fly any higher. "You would be at my service?"
"Yes, is it an odd statement to make where you're from?"
"I mean – yes. But–" Since coming here, I've been met with hostility and indifference. Most of it coming from my own husband. It was surprising, is all. "Thank you."
"My pleasure." He stood beside me, watching the dancing throng with a casual interest. The dancing hadn't let up. It seemed it wasn't every night they had flowing booze and the freedom to do whatever they wanted. I was certain the couple that disappeared past the trees a while ago were having a bit too much fun.
"Tell me something, Magnus." I turned to the man, an idea sparking to my mind. I mean he did say he was at my service. "How did the former Luna die?"
"Ah," Magnus sighed. "I will gladly answer any question that's not that, Luna. It is the Alpha's story to tell."
I wanted to scream in frustration. What horrible thing happened to her that everybody seemed to magically shy away when it came to talking about her death? "Okay." Then the thought of the creature came back to my mind. "Are there other – species aside from you wolves?"
"Oh yes," He eagerly revealed, grateful he didn't have to discuss the other topic. "Many, even. Vampires, pixies, sirens, the fairytales they tell in your human world are real here. Although werewolves are solitary creatures, you might not encounter one on our side of the forest."
I nodded, not bothering to tell him that I did see one. It was close enough to feel its breath on my cheek. "Mermaids?"
"Over in the north, yes." He laughed at the excited look. "They are not friendly creatures however, so I would advise against seeking one out."
"I won't." I bit my lip, swallowing back the question I really wanted to ask. "How come other humans can't come through the void?"
"It was a precaution after the war, to protect the secrets of the Hidden World. And to protect humans as well." Magnus said. "Humans tend to be very curious, especially about things that are dangerous to them." He gave me a pointed look.
"I wasn't curious." I raised both hands in surrender. "I don't even know how I got here, and if I could, I'd leave this instant."
Magnus looked at me with something akin to disbelief. "You don't know how you got here?"
I shook my head. He turned, staring down at the ground with a furrow in his brow. I could tell I shocked him, but I thought everyone was aware of this already? I was about to say something else when a loud scream pierced the air.
"Did you hear that?"
"What was that?"
"I didn't hear anything."
It was coming from the forest and suddenly the loom of trees looked darker than normal.
Where there was merriment and joy a few minutes ago, the pandemonium slowly dimmed to confused looks and anxious glances.
"Luna–"
"Magnus." I felt him behind me before I heard him call the older man's name. I turned, it seemed he was the only one who was calm. "Get the guards."
Magnus disappeared through the people. I turned around fully, and Kaison gripped my hand to stop me from moving any further. "What's happening?"
"I don't know." His voice was oddly calm. He shoved me behind him, and he didn't need to raise his voice for everyone to listen in rapt attention. "The party is over. Go back to your homes."
There were several low grumbles but they began filing away. Elion ran to our side, he glanced at me behind Kaison in worry. "What's wrong?"
"I don't know." He repeated, this time with a slight tinge of annoyance. "Escort Amara to her room."
"I can walk by myself." I yanked my arm away from his grip and glared at his stubborn wall of back. "I don't need an escort."
"Knowing you, you definitely do." Kaison grunted, flexing his hands involuntarily. "Elion?"
"Right." Elion placed a steady hand on my shoulder and they exchanged some bro to bro glances that I rolled my eyes at. I didn't need a babysitter and I could tell Elion would rather leave with Kaison than stay with me.
He left me with the blonde man who looked and smelled drunk, but his eyes were surprisingly rapt. "Let's go, princess." I could tell he was trying to sound breezy and unaffected, but he kept shooting glances at the direction where Kaison and a bunch of other men had run off. Towards the screams that had subsided now. Towards where the monster was.
I darted into the crowd of people, using my short height as an advantage to lose Elion. Pushing through the people headed for the castle, I muttered a few sorries over my shoulder. My ultimate goal was to shake Elion off and I ducked behind a tree.
"Amara!" I heard him yell. He sounded not too far away and I willed myself to stop breathing so loudly. "Amara, this is not funny! I did not sign up for babysitter. Shit! Kai's going to kill me!"
I waited until he ran in the other direction, still yelling my name, before I slipped out from behind the tree and began making my way towards the ruckus. It was deeper in the woods than I thought and I probably should have worn shoes before embarking on this little adventure. By the time this was all over, I would have blisters the size of canyons on my feet.
The moon illuminated my path so I wasn't completely alone and I was grateful for that at least. Not everything was going horribly.
I smelt it before I came into the clearing. It smelt like rotting flesh. Or food that had stayed out too long. Instinctively, I plugged my nose with my fingers but nevertheless moved on. I needed to find out what was going on. I was so sick of being kept in the dark and Kaison ordering me around. This was my life, and he had no right to tell me what to do.
When I stepped into the space, pushing past several rough looking men I assumed were guards to see what was going on in the middle, I wish I hadn't. The little I had eaten that morning turned in my stomach and my gasp made Kaison turn his head to look at me.
The two bodies which must have been people at some point now looked like husks of flesh. Their bodies were pale and streaked with black, their eyes white and unstaring. It was like a horror movie.
My hand went up to cup my mouth and my knees nearly buckled at the sight.
Kaison made his way over to me, the rage thick in his voice as he gripped my arms. "I told you to go home–"
I couldn't even look at him. Pushing him with as much force as I could muster, I bent over and vomited right on his dirty black boots.