The Guardian: Full Moon

Chapter 3

“Elder Odin, Elder Athena, please! You can’t seriously believe that Enya is practicing dark magic!” Mrs.Drago pleads with the two heads of the Hunters. “Wolves have been following her around since she was a baby!” Mr.Drago adds in. “We’ve told you before that she and Kai were born during a Blood Moon!” “Being born under a Blood Moon doesn’t explain everything, Adelio.” Elder Odin says sternly, staring Mr.Drago down. “It hasn’t gone unnoticed that over the years Enya has become faster and stronger than a normal human her age.” Elder Odin says somewhat agitated. Elder Athena places a hand on his shoulder, a silent reminder to calm down. “Elder Athena, please believe us.” Mrs.Drago pleads, tears forming in her eyes. “Rumina, you must understand, this isn’t personal.” Elder Athena says calmly. “But Enya has become an entity that we can’t ignore any longer. Especially when the allegations are coming from the honorable and respectable werewolves.” Just then a commotion was heard outside and a werewolf entered the house. “She’s back.”

Enya walked slowly through the mob of Hunters and werewolves as she made her way to the Drago house. All around her the werewolves yelled and howled, growling and snapping at her trying to intimidate her. She ignored all of this as best she could, and walked straight ahead, her head held high. Her wolf friends stuck close by her, not wanting to leave her side even though they were frightened by the larger wolves around them. Enya finally made her way to the front porch, where her parents and the two heads of the Hunters stood waiting for her. “Elder Odin, Elder Athena, to what do we owe the pleasure of you visiting our home at this time of night?” Enya bowed her head in a respectful greeting as she addressed the two elders. Though the slight sarcasm in her voice did not go unnoticed. “Enya Lucine Drago, you are accused of using black magic to e*****e wolves in order to enhance your physical abilities. You will be held by the Hunters until your trial in one week.” Elder Athena spoke out over the crowd of werewolves.

A week passed by in a flash, and Enya now found herself standing in front of the Hunter council and the 10 Alphas of the Southern Pack Region. Elder Odin was the first to speak. “Enya Lucine Drago, you stand before the Hunter council and the Southern Pack Region Alphas under the allegations that you have been using dark magic in order to e*****e wolves and strengthen your own physical abilities. How do you plea?” “Not guilty sir.” Enya replied in a monotone voice. At her response, the younger half of the Alphas went into an uproar. “Silence!” One of the older Alphas bellowed. The immediate silence that followed his command made Enya's own pulse seem deafening to her as it thundered in her ears. No one dared to say a word, and the tension that was building up in the room was nearly palpable. Unable to stand it anymore, Enya choked back any fear she might have had and spoke up.

“May I say something?” She asks raising her hand like she was back in class. All eyes turned to her, a look of indignation apparent on every face she looked at. Elder Athena was the first to break the stalemate. “Well, I can’t say I speak for everyone else here, but I for one am interested in what you might have to say.” The look on Elder Athena's face however, said the exact opposite, but Enya decided to press on regardless. Enya takes a deep breath, steadying her nerves. “From where I stand, it’s obvious you need to decide on how best to prove whether or not I truly am innocent or guilty. If you’re up to the idea, I have a solution that I believe you will find satisfactory.” Looks were exchanged amongst the Hunters and Alphas before Elder Athena spoke again. “Alright Enya, we're listening.”

“It’s common knowledge that one of the first things Seer children learn about when being taught magic, is how to form a familiar contract with an animal. That being said, it is also common knowledge that without regular updates, the contract will wear off.” “What are you getting at Miss Drago?” One of the Hunters asked impatiently. “If I really had formed familiar contracts with the wolves, even forced contracts, without any updates the contracts would deteriorate on their own in as little as 3 months. I suggest that the Hunters watch over and observe the wolves, and I will remain imprisoned. I'm even willing to be imprisoned within the werewolves' territory so they can monitor me themselves.”

All of the assembled bodies began murmuring amongst themselves after hearing Enya’s suggestion. Some of anger, some of shock, most were of disbelief that this young girl would quite literally ‘throw herself to the wolves'. “Quiet, everyone, please.” Elder Athena calls out, regaining composure over the group once again. “Enya,” She says looking into Enya’s eyes, her temperament far more serious than before. “I sincerely hope that you thought it through before presenting this idea of yours.” She says, though her tone made it seem like a question. “Yes ma'am, I did.” Enya says confidently. “Very well then.” Elder Odin says, standing from his seat. “Do you have any objections to Miss Drago’s proposal?” He asks the Alphas. After a unanimous “no” from all of the Alphas, Elder Odin continued. “As the Alphas have agreed, the Hunters will take charge of the wolf pack, and the werewolves will take charge of Miss Drago. We will exchange monthly reports on the condition of the situation as they occur.” And with that final decision, Enya’s fate was sealed.

Enya’s P.O.V

Pain. All I could feel, was pain. Pure, unadulterated pain. Sometimes it was burning hot. Other times it was freezing cold. Most of the time, it just simply was. A constant in my new daily routine. It’s been a month since my trial ended at the end of August, and my hell began. It had been decided amongst the Alphas that it would be best to keep me locked up in the neutral zone between pack territories. The young Alphas that were present at my trial were quick to volunteer their services to guard me, and keep me in line. The rest of the Alphas then decided to send their ‘heir apparents' to learn how to cooperate with the rest of the Alphas from their generation. Needless to say, I was outnumbered and surrounded by bloodlust filled werewolves. Every time they looked at me, I could feel them killing me in their mind, over and over again.

Their favorite past time since I arrived here, is to see how much pain I can endure before passing out. Then they would heal me, though not completely, just enough that I could regain consciousness. Then it would start all over again. They allowed me to have only one meal before I slept at night. And that was my routine: wake up, get beaten to a pulp, healed, tortured, healed, eat, sleep, repeat the next day. “Wake up, bitch.” One of them says as he kicks me in the side. I open my eyes and peer up at him, holding my side. As we make eye contact, a wicked grin flashes across his face. “It’s time for some fun.” “Oh joy.” I think to myself, rolling my eyes and sitting up. It’s going to be another long day.

“How are the wolves doing?” Elder Athena asks the Hunters currently on watch. “They seem to grow more listless every day.” One of the Hunters says. “It doesn’t make sense Elder Athena. Shouldn’t the wolves show signs of less distress, instead of more?” “I’m not quite sure. Has the report from the Alphas come in yet?” Elder Athena asked the Hunter. “Yes ma'am. They report that Miss Drago's demeanor has not changed, and she has yet to answer any questions.” The Hunter reported. “I see, thank you.” Elder Athena thanked the Hunter and walked away, her mind filled with more questions than answers.

Meanwhile, the Drago household had been covered by a dark cloud. The family was sitting down to eat, the tension nearly thick enough to choke on. The same questions filled everyone’s minds, yet none wanted to ask them aloud. They were all too afraid that they might say the wrong thing, and make the situation worse. It was especially hard for Kai, who had been having nightmarish visions ever since Enya was taken. “Mom, may I be excused?” Kai asked, his voice betraying the emotional pain he felt. “I don’t have much of an appetite.” “I don’t think any of us have much of an appetite son.” Mr.Drago said heavily. Mrs.Drago reached for her husband’s hand, and held it tightly. “You’re excused Kai.” She said, blinking back the tears. “Thank you.” He said standing up from the table. He took his dishes to the kitchen and headed upstairs to his room.

Kai's P.O.V

It’s dark. My eyes are open, but I can’t see. I try to speak, but no words come out. Every breath I take feels like I’m choking. I feel like I've been buried alive, and yet at the same time I can’t feel anything. Then I hear a scream. I hear her scream. I have to close my eyes as a bright, white light blinds me. I open my eyes to see red. It’s blood. I’m enveloped in a sea of crimson red blood. I can feel it hot, sticky and slick on my skin. I can taste it in my mouth, salty and metallic. The smell of copper heavy in my nose. And I can see her. She screams, begging for help as her blood pours out of her ever increasing wounds like rivers. Even her tears have turned to blood. I try to run to her, but I can’t seem to get any closer. I trip and fall. I’m drowning. She calls out to me, “Kai”.

“Enya!” I bolt up in bed, drenched in a cold sweat. This nightmare had been one of the worst ones yet. Every night since her trial, I've only dreamt of Enya. I hoped the nightmares were merely from the stress and worry of missing her, though I doubted it. Ever since we were young, I could always tell if Enya was hurt or sad. It was like an empathy link between us. I don’t know if it’s because we’re twins, or because of the Blood Moon. Frankly at this point, I didn’t care. All I care about, is the fact that my sister is suffering, and I can’t do anything about it.

As Kai laid back down to try to get some sleep, a shadow crept past his window. Nearly indecipherable from the darkness of the night. The shadow retreats into a stand of trees nearby, where it morphs into a man with pale skin, black hair, and eyes that glowed an icy blue. “Such a wonderfully horrid nightmare.” He thought to himself, licking his lips in a rather perverted manner. Then another man, this one with orange-red eyes, appeared out of the shadows beside him. “My prince.” The orange-red eyed man said as he knelt. “Was your meal satisfactory?” “Oh yes.” The blue eyed man said in an eerily hollow voice. “In fact, I think I found my new favorite snack.” He said practically moaning. Without another word, both men melded back into the shadows, leaving no physical trace of their presence.

The second month of Enya’s imprisonment was passing just as excruciatingly slow as the first month. Enya had become accustomed to the physical pain she received daily, and now hardly made a sound when they beat her. Of course, this infuriated the werewolves that had now begun to lose interest in their “toy”. Now, instead of seeking a perverse enjoyment out of her pain, they sought to break her. They would try to break her, in mind, body, and spirit. They just didn’t know how yet.

The second month passed, and Elder Athena was once again waiting for the report from the Alphas. Just then, a Hunter approached her. “Elder Athena, one of the young Alphas is here.” “Thank you.” She said acknowledging the Hunter. “Could you bring him to me?” “Yes ma'am.” The young Hunter replied and rushed off. The Hunter returned shortly after with the young Alpha. “Elder Athena.” He said with a curt and respectful nod. “It is an honor to meet you. My name is Leon Sterling of the FireHeart pack.” “Please, the honor is mine.” Elder Athena says with a gentle smile. “I was about to go check on the wolves. Would you care to join me?” Leon smiles and laughs shyly. “As long as it isn’t a bother for you, I would love to.”

Leon and Elder Athena exchanged polite conversation on their way to check on the wolves. They were about five feet away when the wolves visibly started to become agitated. With every step they took towards the wolves, the louder they barked and growled. “Have the wolves acted like this before?” Leon asked Elder Athena curiously. “No.” She says confused. “They’ve always been calm and friendly.” “I think you should stay behind me Elder Athena.” Leon says moving to walk in front of her. They were inches from the wolves' enclosure when one of them lunged at Leon. Leon barely dodged and shifted into his wolf form. As prepared as he was to defend Elder Athena from the wolves, he was not prepared for the onslaught of angry thoughts from the wolves. “Blood…Her blood…Alpha…You hurt her…You hurt Alpha!”