The Price of the Luna's Vengeance

Chapter 3: A High Price

*Kya*

The first thing that struck me about the Prince of Passion were his golden eyes. Almost cat-like, they were mischievous and deep. I couldn’t look away from them. Those orbs were stern as well and were surrounded by a cruel, handsome face.

This definitely wasn’t the way I had envisioned meeting the feared leader of Blood Fang. I planned to walk in with my head held high, my gaze unwavering. Instead, I probably had fear in my eyes as I knelt before him with my hands bound.

This was already not going according to plan at all.

It took me a moment but I was finally able to tear my eyes away from the prince’s face in order to take in my surroundings. I was in some kind of throne room so I was undoubtedly in the Blood Fang Manor, essentially a castle for the Prince of Passion.

The stone ceilings were high and there were gargoyles looking down on us. Torches lit up the space in an eerie orange light that made the room feel almost hot. Or perhaps that was because my face was burning with shame at being seen in this state.

I shifted so that I was kneeling straighter and held my head up high. “Unbind me,” I ordered in as strong of a voice that I could muster.

One corner of the prince’s twisted lips curved up, letting me know that my voice probably wasn’t the least bit intimidating.

The Prince of Passion, in contrast, was the definition of intimidating. Even as he sat on his dark throne covered in purple vines, he was terrifying to behold. He had dark hair the color of the midnight sky. His golden eyes focused fully on me as I resisted the urge to squirm and attempt to roll myself out of the room.

Although he was sitting completely still, he looked like he could spring into action and attack me at any second.

Finally, the prince moved, slowly lowering the hand that had been propping his chin up. He glanced over at one of the guards that were flanking him on either side of his throne.

I recognized the tall dark brute as the one who had captured me in the woods. My eyes narrowed at him and I scowled.

The guard didn’t notice though since he was looking at the prince. “I found the girl just outside of our borders, Alpha,” he said. “I watched her for a while and it was very clear she had every intention of trespassing.”

My cheeks colored at the word “trespassing”, as if I was some kind of delinquent but I kept my mouth shut, waiting for the prince’s reaction. “My name is Kya.”

His expression didn’t change but he did hum thoughtfully as he continued to study me. This time, his eyes raked over me as if searching for any detail that might clue him in on my intentions. “You must admit that your actions were suspicious if what my guard says is accurate,” he said in a hard voice that still somehow sounded like it was made of velvet. “Tell me, little bird, do you know where you are? And if so, why have you traveled all of this way?”

My breath caught slightly. I hadn’t expected him to address me directly. That meant I also didn’t have anything prepared except for the truth. I pulled against the binds on my hands and feet. “Unbind me first,” I said. “Then, I will explain myself to you.”

I probably wasn’t really in a place to bargain but I needed to put my best foot forward if I was going to convince this stern man to help me.

The prince actually chuckled. “That wouldn’t be very wise of me, would it?” he asked rhetorically. “To release a potential enemy before becoming aware of her intentions.”

He had a point there. I gritted my teeth together but complied. I refused to avert my eyes even though I desperately wanted to. “Your reputation has traveled far,” I told him after I found my voice. “It is my understanding that you have mysterious abilities to help those struggling with issues pertaining to love.”

The prince remained mostly expressionless but something in his eyes changed. They might have darkened slightly.

I forced myself to keep going. “I recently lost my fiance and mate,” I said, my voice breaking.

The prince’s face didn’t change but his voice actually had a touch of sympathy. “I am sorry to hear that,” he said. Something about his deep voice still caused me to shiver, despite his condolences.

“Thank you,” I said, rushing in fear that I would start to cry. I couldn’t do that now. I clenched my jaw. “I want vengeance for my fiance. I want his murderer tracked down and killed.”

The prince didn’t react to my dramatic words. He almost looked bored now. “Tell me,” he said in his firm, velvety voice. “What else have you heard of me?”

I hesitated. It was hard for me to read this man. Was he taking any kind of interest in what I was saying? I decided to take it as good thing that he was at least asking questions. That showed some kind of interest, even if it wasn’t in me directly.

Still, how much should I say? There was something frightening about him and not just in his size or the intensity of his eyes. He looked like a man who could get any information he wanted and harm anyone who dared deceive him.

I decided that it would be wise for me to stick to the truth.

“You are Elias Stormbane,” I said, my voice strong.

Both of his eyebrows rose, which was the most reaction I had gotten out of him at this point. I still couldn’t read the emotion that was behind the subtle change in his expression. Was he surprised that I knew his real name? I wasn’t sure if it was common knowledge. I had to get his name through an accomplice that Mae was working with.

He could have been angry as well but I was under the strong impression already that he always appeared to be angry.

The reaction I had on him then gave me the confidence to keep going, despite the sensitive content of what else I knew about him. “You were a rogue and decided to form a pack of outsiders and misfits. And as I’ve already stated, you have mysterious magical abilities that pertain to romance and attraction.”

Elias smirked. “Is that all?” he asked after a brief silence. He still hadn’t confirmed anything to be true.

I was beginning to wonder if he ever would.

“No,” I said at once. Although, it was essentially all I knew. There were other, more heinous rumors that I wasn’t confident enough to voice, like pertaining to murder. “I know you chose this location in order to separate yourself from any kind of civilization. You like to keep a private, low profile.”

He smiled for the first time, his sharp canines gleaming in the orange light of the room. “And why do you suppose that is, little bird?”

I felt my face grow warm under his scrutiny. I pressed my lips together, suddenly not able to find my voice.

“Surely these rumors that you have heard about me didn’t encourage you to seek us out,” he pressed. “Weren’t you warned not to? I would advise you not to lie, little bird. I will know.”

I gritted my teeth together but knew I had to comply. He made it clear that there was no other option. “I have been warned in the past not to come to these parts,” I finally admitted.

Elias nodded. “Yes, I figured as much and there is a rason for that,” he said, his golden eyes darkening a shade. “Everything that you have heard about us is true.”

I tried not to react to that but I could feel my eyes widening, even though a part of me had gathered that at the very least the ones about his pack were true, that they were dangerous and feared.

Elias’ eyes narrowed as he continued to look down at me. “It was foolish of you to come here,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “That is more true than anything else you have heard.”

I felt my face go scarlet at his harsh words. “I had no other choice,” I said finally, my throat tightening. I held the tears back, feeling anger toward this whole situation threaten to consume me. “Riley was my first and only love. I lost him over a month ago and I feel myself falling apart every day. I need vengeance. It’s the only way I can even begin to heal.”

Another change occurred across Elias’ face but I was too emotionally charged to even begin to try and decipher it. “Despite all of that, I’m afraid I don’t carry out favors for little girls. This world would eat you up and spit you back out.”

I felt desperation run through me as I realized that he was very close to refusing me. I shoved my pride aside. “Please,” I said, my voice a whisper as I dropped my head. “I understand you will carry out favors in return for a hefty price. I am willing to pay it if you would do this for me. Find the killer and eradicate them, and I will pay whatever you deem fair.”

I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for him to deliver the harsh refusal and then probably throw me in whatever dungeon they had waiting for trespassers like me. When I finally raised my head, I was shocked to find that he had a calculating look on his face.

“The cost for what you are asking of me will be quite high,” he said, his low voice full of warning. “I do not normally carry out murder requests.”

I winced slightly at the implication. He said “not normally”, which suggested that he had carried out similar tasks in the past.

My heart soared with hope, however. I had to talk quickly if I was going to solidify this deal. “Please,” I said again. “I will pay whatever you deem appropriate.” I ground my teeth together but once again shoved my pride hard to the side and lowered my head nearly to the floor, showing my desperation quite clearly.

I was well-aware that I was going off of rumors mainly but I trusted Mae and her ability to gather information. She had been doing so for our pack ever since she got her wolf alongside me a couple of years ago.

Elias tilted his head, as if amused by me somehow. “Very well,” he said. “I will carry out your requests if..” he trailed off and I leaned forward slightly, my heart thundering. He parted his smooth lips, grinning wickedly. “You become my servant.”