“Hearts Entwined: The Shadow's Claim"

Chapter 2

A Shadow Between Us

Astrid’s POV

I started to sense the weird and eerie Moonshadow a few days after moving into the cottage by the forest. Under my skin were the strange sounds at night, the sensation of being watched, and the murmurs that seemed to convey my name. Still, I was resolved to stay and discover some calm in this spooky town—no matter how far away that appeared.

The morning sun hardly emerged from the fog as I strolled to the local shop, so dimly lighting the town. I had to get ready with supplies and maybe find more about the location I had decided to live in. Small and stocked with canned goods, cleaning materials, and other daily needs, the store included I experienced that same uncomfortable sense of being watched as I perused the aisles.

Looking up, my heart almost stopped. Two guys stood by the counter. Though they appeared the same, they exuded quite different emotions. They had arresting looks and towering broad shoulders. The first man's hard look softened with warm brown eyes. His smile at me set my heart racing.

But the other man set my heart racing for another reason. His face was austere; his eyes were a keen steel-blue; he did not grin. He appeared to be examining me, and his focused gaze made me shudder. I turned rapidly aside.

The brown-eyed man moved forward and said, "Hello." His voice calmed me down—deep but soft. You have to be fresh for town. Mason here is my brother Daxon.

"Hi, I'm Astrid," I said, hardly above a whisper. "I just moved into the cottage next to the forest.

Mason nodded, his smile getting broader. We have heard about you. Moonshadow is a small area, hence word travels quickly.

Indeed, I said with a forced smile.

Still looking at me, Daxon moved in front. As he said, "What brings you to Moonshadow?" His voice was colder than Mason's.

I paused, not knowing just how much to say. Just searching for a fresh start, I said vaguely.

Daxon closed his eyes, obviously disbelieving of me. His look seemed as though he could see straight through me, as though he sensed I was hiding something. Trying to relax, I concentrated on the products on the shelf in front of me.

Sensing the pressure, Mason spoke up. Just ask if you need anything. Though first it can be a bit intimidating, Moonshadow's is a great spot. People living here watch out for one another.

"Thanks," I said, appreciative of his politeness but still nervous under Daxon's inspection.

Mason and Daxon looked at each other as I paid for my goods that I quite decipher. Trying to ignore the strange sensation in my chest, I concentrated on getting through the day without bringing additional attention to myself.

But I couldn't get rid of the feeling that my life had suddenly veered as I left the store into the misty morning. Two sides of the same coin were Mason's friendliness and Daxon's mistrust; I sensed they would both be very important in whatever was ahead.

The next few days went in a haze of heated meetings and restless nights. Though I tried to remain to myself and avoid the townspeople, Mason seemed driven to pull me out of my shell. Usually showing up at the cabin without warning, he always had a smile and some justification to see how I was doing.

He advised me to check out the bar that evening one afternoon while I was cutting firewood. "For someone new especially, moonshadow can be a lonely place. Everyone gathers in the pub, hence it would be excellent for you to run across some people.

Uncertain if I was ready to face the town, I paused. But Mason's grin was so real, and his compassion so honest that I found myself nodding despite my misgivings. "Okay," I responded, attempting to exude more confidence than I felt. "I'll head off."

Mason's smile grew wider, and for a split second his presence seemed to drive away the shadows clinging to me. Fantastic! I will be seeing you there.

But Daxon emerged at the edge of the clearing as he turned to go, his icy stare directed on me. Though he said nothing, his manner revealed much. He wanted me to know he doubted me. As I made myself turn aside, my heart hammered.

I felt as if I was going into a trap that evening as I got ready to head to the bar. The fog had increased, encircling the village like a smothering blanket, and the murmurs had returned—this time, they seemed to emanate from the very cottage walls.

My name, "Astrid," was muttered, and a cold ran down my spine. Trying to block them, I pushed my palms to my ears, but the murmurs just got louder and more forceful.

Closed my eyes and willed them to stop. Not alone when I reopened them. In the doorway stood a tall, dark man whose eyes gleamed in the faint light. My heart stopped, then I staggered back, panting for air.

"Mason?” I said softly, my voice shaking.

The man moved forward and the firelight highlighted Mason's recognizable traits. But something wasn't quite right. His typical smile vanished from his warm brown eyes, which suddenly seemed frozen.

"Mason?," I wondered if I kept going more urgently this time.

He did not respond. Rather, he reached out and shivered my spine by brushing his palm across my cheek. "You shouldn't have come here," he continued, his voice low and faintly altered with something I had never heard before.

Frozen, unable to move as horror swept over me. The Mason I knew was not this one. Benevolent under his eyes lurked something sinister and deadly.

"What do you mean?" My voice little above a whisper, I managed to inquire.

"You belong nowhere," he said, lowering his hand and backtracking. For someone like you, moonshadow is not safe.

My heart surged as I sought to understand his words. "What are you conversing about?"

He did not reply, though. Rather, he turned and left me standing there perplexed and afraid. Though the words caught in my throat, I wanted to yell out to him and demand an explanation. Then he left, as if he had never been there at all.

My mind whirling, I dropped to the ground. What had recently occurred? Why had Mason been so far-off and so chilly? And why did his alert feel like a threat?

The whispers came back, stronger this time, their eerily detached voices filling the room. Once more I placed my palms to my ears, but it was useless. Now they were within my thoughts, torturing me, almost insane driving me.

I stayed up late not sleeping. Unable. Every time I closed my eyes, Mason's twisted, chilly face kept coming back to me. You are not fit for this place. For someone like you, moonshadow is not safe.

I was a wreck gripping the pendant around my neck with shaky hands by the time the sun started to rise. Though I felt I was in the heart of something quite, quite wrong, I had no idea where to go for solutions.

Too afraid to leave the cabin, too restless to stay, I passed the day in a haze. The hours passed; the fog never cleared, and as the day wore on the shadows got longer and darker.

I didn't have a knock at the door till dusk. My heart shot into my throat, and I momentarily fell too terrified to respond. But then I remembered Mason's warning, the expression in his eyes, and I knew I couldn't hide forever.

Daxon was on the porch, his face as unreadable as always, when I opened the door. "We have to talk," he continued, his voice tight and low.

I nodded then moved aside to let him in. His eyes were darting around the room as he passed the doorway, as if he were searching for something—or someone.

"What is it"? I asked, attempting to keep my voice calm in face of the anxiety chewing at me.

Daxon turned to see me with fierce eyes. "You should know the truth about Moonshadow, Astrid. Something Mason omitted to tell you.

As I got ready for whatever epiphany was going to strike, a cold sensation rushed down my spine. "what is it?”