Chapter 3: The Blood Moon Enemy

The silence inside the grand hall lasted only a few seconds, but to Emma it felt much longer. The fear on the faces around her was impossible to ignore. Even the guards standing along the walls appeared tense. Whatever the Blood Moon mark was, it clearly terrified the people of Ravenwood.

'Someone mind explaining what's happening?' Emma asked.

Kael's gaze remained fixed on the guard. 'Are you certain?'

'Yes, my king,' the guard replied. 'The scouts confirmed it themselves.'

Lord Aldric slowly lowered himself into a nearby chair. 'This should not be possible. We watched him fall.'

'Apparently he survived,' Kael said.

Emma folded her arms. 'Who survived?'

Neither man answered immediately.

Finally, Kael turned toward her. 'His name is Malakar.'

'And who exactly is Malakar?'

'The most dangerous enemy Ravenwood has faced in centuries.'

Lightning flashed beyond the castle windows, briefly illuminating the hall in white light. The storm outside seemed to grow stronger with every passing minute.

Emma wished someone would stop speaking in riddles.

'Could you be a little more specific?' she asked.

Lord Aldric sighed heavily. 'Malakar was once a member of the royal bloodline. He was powerful, ambitious, and consumed by forbidden magic.'

'Forbidden magic?'

'Blood magic,' Kael answered.

The way he said the words made Emma uncomfortable.

'Years ago, Malakar attempted to seize control of Ravenwood. Thousands died during the war that followed.'

'And you defeated him?'

'I thought I did.'

The confidence in Kael's voice vanished for the first time.

Emma looked at him carefully.

Despite his calm exterior, she could see the tension in his shoulders.

This Malakar was not someone he wanted to face again.

A horn sounded from outside.

Then another.

The guards exchanged nervous glances.

'My king,' one of them said, 'the council is gathering in the war chamber.'

Kael nodded.

'Prepare the defenses. Double the patrols along the northern wall.'

'Yes, my king.'

The guard hurried away.

Kael turned toward Emma.

'You should remain inside your chambers.'

'My chambers?'

'You are a guest of Ravenwood.'

'A guest who apparently brought an army of monsters with her.'

'You did not bring them.'

'Then why did they appear the same night I arrived?'

Kael didn't answer.

That answer alone told her everything.

The old advisor stood slowly.

'The moonstone awakened when she crossed the gates. Malakar must have felt it.'

'Felt what?' Emma asked.

'Power,' Lord Aldric replied.

Emma touched the pendant around her neck.

The crystal was glowing again.

Faint silver light pulsed beneath its surface like a living heartbeat.

The sight made her uneasy.

'I don't even know what this thing does.'

'Neither do we,' Aldric admitted.

'That's reassuring.'

Kael almost smiled.

'Come. I'll show you your room before the council meeting begins.'

Emma reluctantly followed him.

They climbed a massive staircase leading to the upper floors of the castle.

The halls seemed endless.

Ancient paintings covered the walls.

Most depicted kings, queens, and warriors.

Nearly all of them had wolves standing beside them.

Emma stopped in front of one portrait.

A woman with silver-blonde hair stared back at her.

Her breath caught.

'Wait.'

Kael turned.

'What is it?'

'This woman.'

The portrait looked remarkably familiar.

The same blue eyes.

The same facial features.

The same silver-blonde hair.

'She looks like me.'

Kael's expression darkened.

'She should.'

'Who is she?'

'Queen Elara.'

'And why does she look exactly like me?'

For a moment Kael seemed uncertain whether to answer.

Finally he spoke.

'Because she was your ancestor.'

Emma stared at him.

'That's impossible.'

'Nothing about tonight has been normal.'

Unfortunately, he had a point.

Emma continued staring at the painting.

Queen Elara looked almost identical to her.

The resemblance was too strong to be coincidence.

'My mother never mentioned any of this,' Emma whispered.

'Perhaps she was trying to protect you.'

'From what?'

'From the prophecy.'

Those words again.

Emma was beginning to hate that prophecy.

They continued walking until they reached a large wooden door.

Kael pushed it open.

The room beyond was larger than Emma's entire apartment back in London.

A massive fireplace burned warmly near one wall.

Tall windows overlooked the moonlit valley.

Bookshelves filled one corner.

A luxurious bed stood near the center of the room.

'This is where I'll stay?'

'For now.'

'For now sounds suspicious.'

'Everything depends on what happens next.'

Emma stepped inside.

The room was beautiful.

Yet she couldn't shake the feeling that she was trapped.

Kael moved toward the door.

'Get some rest.'

'You're going to that council meeting?'

'Yes.'

'And what exactly will you discuss?'

'War.'

The word hung heavily in the air.

'You're expecting an attack?'

'I would be surprised if one didn't come.'

Before Emma could respond, Kael left.

The door closed behind him.

For the first time all night, she was alone.

Emma slowly sat on the edge of the bed.

Her entire life had changed in less than twenty-four hours.

A hidden kingdom.

Werewolves.

Ancient prophecies.

A mysterious king.

And now an approaching army.

It felt unreal.

Yet the glowing moonstone around her neck reminded her that it was all happening.

A sudden knock interrupted her thoughts.

'Come in,' Emma called.

The door opened.

A young servant entered carrying a tray of food.

'Good evening, my lady.'

'Please don't call me that.'

'Forgive me.'

The servant placed the tray on a nearby table.

'The kitchens prepared this for you.'

Emma hadn't realized how hungry she was.

The smell alone made her stomach growl.

'Thank you.'

The servant hesitated.

'May I ask something?'

'Sure.'

'Is it true that the moonstone chose you?'

Emma sighed.

'Apparently.'

The servant smiled nervously.

'Then perhaps there is still hope.'

'Hope for what?'

'For Ravenwood.'

Before Emma could ask another question, the servant hurried away.

The words lingered in the room long after she left.

Hope for Ravenwood.

The more people she met, the more pressure she felt.

Everyone seemed convinced she was important.

She wished someone would explain why.

Hours passed.

The storm continued outside.

Unable to sleep, Emma wandered onto the balcony connected to her room.

The valley below was illuminated by hundreds of lanterns.

From this height she could see the castle walls.

Dozens of guards patrolled them.

The kingdom was preparing for battle.

A sudden flash of movement caught her attention.

Someone stood in the forest beyond the walls.

Watching the castle.

Emma narrowed her eyes.

The figure wore a dark cloak.

Even from this distance she could feel something unsettling about him.

Then the stranger slowly raised his head.

Their eyes met.

A terrible chill raced through Emma's body.

His eyes glowed crimson.

Blood red.

The stranger smiled.

Not a friendly smile.

A predator's smile.

Then he vanished into the darkness.

Emma stumbled backward.

Her heart hammered violently against her ribs.

At that exact moment, the moonstone around her neck erupted with brilliant silver light.

The glow filled the balcony.

Far below, alarms suddenly began ringing throughout the castle.

And somewhere in the forest, a voice whispered her name.

'Emma...'