Shadow of the Moon

Chapter 4

Estella

My lungs burned, each breath a ragged gasp, the wound in my side a throbbing ache. At least the blood had slowed, thanks to the magic in my blood. My legs screamed in protest, muscles cramping with every stride.

I was a trained warrior, accustomed to physical exertion, but this relentless pursuit under the blazing sun was unlike anything I had ever endured. The air was so dry it felt like it was stealing the moisture from my body with every breath. My vision blurred, and my lips, cracked and bleeding, tasted of dust and despair.

The castle loomed larger with every step, its jagged towers casting long, menacing shadows across the sand. I could hear the faint echo of voices carried on the wind, a chilling reminder that this alien fortress was not just a collection of stones, but a place inhabited by creatures I didn't understand, creatures who might be even more terrifying than the beast at my heels.

A glance over my shoulder revealed the creature gaining ground, its forked tongue lolling from its mouth, its eyes burning with predatory hunger. If I could just shift, just for a moment, I could outrun it. But my mind was too frazzled, my body too exhausted to focus on the transformation. I cursed the blind panic for seizing up my ability to focus.

My foot caught on a tangle of dry brush, the sharp thorns tearing at my skin, sending a fresh jolt of pain through my already aching body. I stumbled, my momentum carrying me forward. The beast took advantage and lunged, its jaws snapping shut inches from my face. I ducked, rolling to the side, narrowly avoiding its hot mouth. Its breath smelled like rot, the familiar stench that a beast who feasts on the flesh of other creatures.

In my desperation, I hadn't noticed the ground disappear beneath my feet. With a gasp of surprise, I plunged over the edge of a hidden ravine.

The world became a chaotic blur of dust and rock as I tumbled down the steep embankment. I bounced and scraped against the unforgiving terrain, sharp stones digging into my skin, thorny branches tearing at my clothes. Every rock on the side of the ravine seemed to pull me like a magnet as my body hit each and every rough patch. The air rushed past my face, carrying the scent of dry earth and something subtly different, something... metallic. With a final jarring thud, I came to a stop.

I laid there, dazed and disoriented. The world spun around me, the sky and the ground merging into a dizzying vortex of colors. A high-pitched ringing filled my ears, drowning out all other sounds. I tried to sit up, but my body refused to obey. I felt warmth leak from my side and head. My wounds reopened and angry.

As my blood filled my mouth and coated my lips, the metallic scent registered. It was the scent of my blood.

A shadow fell across my face, blotting out the harsh sunlight. My heart seized in my chest. Was it the beast? Had it followed me down? I hadn’t heard the beasts stomping footsteps, but then again, my ears were still ringing.

I tried to roll, to dodge the blow, but my body refused to move, so instead I braced myself for the blow, for the massive claws tearing into my flesh, but the blow never came.

Instead, a melodic voice echoed in the air. "Easy there, little bird. You've had a rough landing." A wave of calm washed over me, soothing the fear that had gripped me. I cracked my eyes open, my vision clearing slightly. A figure, tall and silhouetted against the bright sky, stood above me.

"Where did she come from?" another voice boomed, this one deeper, rougher, laced with suspicion. It seemed to come from further away, echoing off the walls of the ravine.

My mind reeled. Who were these strangers? Would they help me? Or would they leave me to the snarling beast I heard still growling from high above. Why hadn’t it attacked yet?

"I'm not sure," the gentle voice replied, drawing closer. I watched as the figure knelt beside me, his movements fluid and graceful. He tilted his head, his expression a mixture of curiosity and concern. I sat up, blinking away the black spots in my vision, the world clearing so that I saw the scene clearly.

I glanced around the ravine. It looked to be some sort of dried up riverbed that carved its way through layers of sand and stone. The riverbed, where I currently was sitting, was coated with various rocks and pebbles. Movement caught my eye, two males were flanking me, one was kneeling before me, the other slowly circling a few paces away. I knew that stance. He was assessing me. Assessing if I was a threat.

I turned to glare at the one kneeling before me, but my gaze lost its venom as I locked eyes with him. My breath caught in my throat. I had never seen eyes like his. They were a mesmerizing shade of amber, flecked with gold and black, like a star-filled night sky. They held a depth and intensity that seemed to pierce me, seeing not just my physical form but the very essence of my being.

He was undeniably handsome. His skin was a rich golden brown, smooth and flawless. His hair, a tousled mane of reddish-brown, fell to his chin, framing a face that was both strong and gentle. I could see his pointed ears peeking through the strands of hair.

Lean muscles rippled beneath his simple tunic, hinting at a physique honed for both agility and strength. Sweat glistened on his brow, a testament to the heat of Eloria. His feet were bare, the soles calloused but unyielding against the rough terrain. But it was his eyes that held me captive, their gaze both captivating and unsettling.

For a moment, we simply stared at each other, the world fading away around us. A strange sense of recognition, a feeling of familiarity, washed over me. It was as if I had known him forever, as if our souls were connected by an invisible thread. His nostrils flared as he took in the scent of my blood as it leaked from nearly everywhere.

A sharp hiss, close and menacing, sliced through the silence. I flinched, my body tensing in anticipation of another attack. The amber eyed male snapped his head up, his gaze finally leaving mine, breaking whatever spell that had fallen upon us. I turned, following his gaze to see the creature charging down the slope towards us, its jaws open, its eyes burning with fury.

He sprung up to his feet and took off, his bare feet easily scaling the loose sand and rocks as he intercepted the charging snarling beast. I expected a fight to ensue, for the male to be devoured. I readied myself to flee the second the beast pounced on him.

But then, something unexpected happened. As the creature neared the male, its advance faltered. Its powerful strides slowed, its snarling mouth closed, and its fiery eyes flickered with uncertainty.

"Cara," the male called out, his voice strong and steady, with a hint of affection. He raised a hand, palm open, towards the creature.

Cara? He knows this beast? My eyebrows shot up in surprise.