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The Culling
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56
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The Luna's Vampire Prince Nightmare Church
*Ainslee*I’m in front of Lucia, and she slams into the back of me when I stop. “Ouch.”“Sorry,” I mutter, not even feeling the pang from her head contacting my shoulder blade. My eyes are fixed on the shrouded form in the distance.Travis wasn’t kidding. This building looks like the place where nightmares are born. A small structure, it juts out of the ground, none of the walls forming what could be considered expected angles. The roof is caved in on one side, and the spire seems to be reaching up like a hand begging for mercy.A single beam of light reflects off that spire, giving the entire building an eerie gray cast to it. Vines cling to the siding, covering the broken out window frames as the forest attempts to reclaim its territory. On the right, one leafless tree protrudes from the ground, its branches crooked and fingerlike as it attempts to warn people off from entering.“This is it?” Lucia asks, the terror in her voice making it shake.“Yup.”“Goddess. I might rather spend
The Luna's Vampire Prince The Man Beneath the Floor
*Ainslee*Every hair on my body stands on end, a sheen of sweat forming on my otherwise freezing skin. My head swivels in the direction the voice has come from, but I can’t see anything at all, only darkness.Did I imagine it? Perhaps my fear of being caught by one of the vampires is messing with my mind.No, I definitely hadn’t imagined the voice that had greeted me as I’d slid into this confined space. “Who’s there?” I whisper into the void my mind has me convinced must be empty. The idea that we are in a small carved out space beneath the church where just about anything could be hiding, including all sorts of creatures, even the dreaded faepires, has me recoiling, trying to put some distance between myself and the inky blackness where what might even be a disembodied voice originated.My fingers tremble at my side as I consider reaching over to feel through the darkness, but I don’t dare move. I can’t, even if I want to. That panicked paralysis that had held us all at the starting
The Luna's Vampire Prince He's Coming For Us
*Ainslee*Above us, at the far end of the structure, I hear the door open. It’s not quietly nudged the way I had pushed it out of the way when I came in. No, this is a sudden fling that has what’s left of the door creaking on its hinges before it slams into the wall. I gasp, sucking in air, holding it tight. I have no idea where the crypt is, though I imagine it’s closer to this part of the church. Our temples back home, ones no one really frequents anymore since the Moon Goddess clearly quit listening, are situated at the front of the church and down a little stairwell. Maybe that’s where my friends are hiding.In my head, I hear Nelson’s voice. He’s trying to sound calm, but he’s on the edge of panic. “No one freak out. They’re probably just going to do a sweep and then leave.”My breath is shallow but it seems so loud that every exhale must be like a siren going off in the vampire’s mind.If it’s only one. What if it’s an entire clan of them?Next to me, I feel a slight movement be
The Luna's Vampire Prince Right or Wrong
*Rafe*Reports come in from all over the forest. I keep my eyes closed and listen to the telepathic voices in my head, collecting all of the data, all of the numbers.But the number of captured wolf shifters are not just random digits written down on a piece of paper. For every person that we round up, a family is torn apart.“One of them got out before we even fucking released the guards,” Kris told me about two hours ago when the shifters’ time was up. “He ran straight east.”I’d snickered. I knew that wolf shifters always said that was a bad strategy, but it had worked for this guy.As the night wears on, more of the wolf shifters slip out of the forest than have ever done so before, but it’s still not enough. Many, many more are captured. I can hear their screams in the distance and know that they’re not injured; they are devastated. They’re picturing their mothers and fathers, maybe their mates. Some of these people are old enough to have children. None of the villages have rules
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*Ainslee*I stir at the sound of a voice I feel I should recognize but can’t quite place. I blink a few times, confusion washing over me. If my eyes are open, why can’t I see?It all comes back to me as John says my name again. “Ainslee?”It’s not as much a whisper this time, and once again, the sound of his voice sounds familiar. It’s then I realize he’s not just right next to me anymore. At some point, I have shifted over into his area of the floor, and my head rests on his shoulder. It’s a bit harder than I would’ve expected, and I am embarrassed as I scoot away. “Sorry,” I mumble, hoping he doesn’t mind. But then reality comes back to me, and I realize I have more important things to worry about than whether or not I have offended the man stuck in the floor of a creepy, rundown temple with me. “Did they blow the all clear?” I don’t remember hearing the sound of the trumpets Kris had mentioned the night before, and I think I would’ve heard it even when I was asleep, but maybe not.
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*Rafe*“It’s just a bunch of bullshit!” Kris shouts at me. I take him a few steps further away from the chapel and into the forest, watching Ainslee say goodbye to her friends out of the corner of my eye. It’s best if she and I don’t have another encounter for a while, so I’m fine if she doesn’t know where I’m at. I don’t need two people shouting at me.“Lower your voice, Kris.” It’s a command, one he is compelled to follow.“Those assholes were hiding in the chapel all fucking night, and Zeke knew about it. He steered me out of there on purpose so they could get away. That’s fucking bullshit, and I’m taking them back to the castle!” He is so angry his face is turning red, quite the feat for a vampire.“Zeke was acting on my orders,” I clarify, digging my fingertips into my hip to remind myself to stay calm. “You’re not doing anything, Kris. Those shifters are free to go back to their packs.”“I would’ve found all of them. I could smell them.”“I understand that, Kris, but that’s not
The Luna's Vampire Prince Welcome to Shadowmanor
*Ainslee*“Why didn’t he just reveal himself to me in the middle of the night?” I ask Zeke as I sit in front of him on his horse. His arms are around me, but only so he can reach the reins. It’s a little uncomfortable, but we are getting to be decent friends, I suppose, so it doesn’t bother me too much.“He couldn’t tell you without striking panic in your friends who would’ve flown out of the crypt and ended up captured by the likes of Kris,” he tells me. I can tell by the way he’s talking he doesn’t want to be the one who explains this to me and answers all my questions. He keeps sighing, urging the horse to go faster. I don’t know why I’m not on the same transport vehicles as the other feeders. That is what I am now, after all. But I have decided not to ask that question when there are so many others I need answers to.“Why even hide in the first place? He could’ve just grabbed me in the woods.” None of it makes sense to me. None of it.And nothing Zeke says helps either. “He had hi
The Luna's Vampire Prince Whose Room Is This?
*Ainslee*“Whose room is this, Zeke?” I ask again, waiting for the burly vampire to respond to me.He lets out a loud sigh and strolls into the room. Reluctantly, I follow, afraid this is some sort of a ploy. Why has it not occurred to me at all since I left home that these vampires might use feeders for more than just their blood? Or maybe they get their jollies from sucking our blood and don’t need to do other things to us.“Look around, Ainslee.” He spreads his long arms out in the middle of the room near the four-poster bed and doesn’t come close to touching anything because the room is so large.I step inside and look things over. The bedspread is a light green color, and it looks so soft, I long to touch it. The bed is huge—big enough for my whole family to sleep in without anyone kicking anyone else. I’m not sure what that would feel like. It’s been so long since I slept in a bed alone, I don’t remember it.There’s a large armoire in the same rich cherry wood, as well as a dres
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The Luna's Vampire Prince A Hopeful Future
*Ainslee*Sophia and Karl kiss, and the ceremony is over in a cacophony of cheers.The High Priestess sets the goblet of blood Karl had grudgingly shared with Sophia back on the altar, and the king waves at the crowd to be silent. “I know you are all excited to begin your celebrations. But we would also like to thank the Moon Goddess for the miracle of Paisley Poe’s birth.”Rafe squeezes my hand and waves while I hold Paisley against my chest.“And for the fruitful union of Marcus and Lucia Lightfoot,” the king continues. It’s kind of him to do this during his wedding ceremony.Lucia blushes, and Marcus pats her belly fondly.“And, let us not forget, Zeke and Annamarie Winters, who were unable to join us today, but I hear are expecting a beautiful baby themselves,” Karl concludes.Everyone claps.“Now, you may all adjourn to your celebrations.” The High Priestess waves us all off.Karl kisses Sophia passionately, and they walk hand-in-hand down the aisle.“Were we that cute when we we
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*Ainslee*Drake blinks down at Paisley, who is nestled in my arms.Rafe holds him just close enough to get a good look at her but not close enough to reach her nose, which he is trying to grab anyway.“This is your sister,” he says to Drake, pointing a finger. “You’re going to torment each other terribly.”I laugh. “Oh, come on. It won’t be that bad.”“It sure will be. Siblings this close in age are notorious for tormenting each other. Didn’t you see it with Brock and Sinead?” he asks, referring to my half-siblings.I think for a moment then grimace. “Yes, they do torment each other quite a lot.”“Exactly. They’ll fight over toys and chase each other around. It’s going to be chaos,” he says.“Well, there’s nothing we can do about it now,” I remind him. “They’re both here, and we adore them.”He chuckles and kisses each little head, then kisses me on the mouth. “It will be the best kind of chaos.”Drake gets a hold of Paisley’s nose and our little girl squawks in protest.Rafe grins. “
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*Rafe*The ride home gives me a mix of elation and sorrow. Being by Ainslee’s side in the carriage with our son on her lap makes me feel complete, and Ainslee’s family was so happy to get to spend a few days with her and the baby before we left for home. We’re met along the way by my people celebrating our victory and sharing our joy, but among those are those who have lost so much.We stop the carriage when we notice a young girl crying as she is comforted by a woman whom I learn is her aunt. She explains that the girl’s home is in the north and was destroyed in the carnage. Her parents were killed, leaving her with nothing.“I think the gods that she was staying with us,” the woman tells me.Ainslee speaks to her while I pull Zeke aside. “Ensure this family is taken care of.”He nods with understanding. Anger churns inside me at this encounter and dozens more like it along the trip. It makes it that much easier to deal with the evil men responsible upon return.The day after our ret
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*Ainslee*“Why does it still hurt?” I ask after we’ve been holding each other for a while. This is the second thing I ask Rafe after I demand to know where Drake is. While I’m aching to see my baby, Rafe explains to me that he’s the only reason my father is allowing us to be together, so I’ll have to be patient a bit longer. Just knowing that he’s safe and near me is a comfort.“Maybe because we were separated for so long,” Rafe replies. He strokes my cheek. “But I have an idea of how to make it better.”I raise an eyebrow at him. “I’m sure you do.”“Honest. It’s not about sex, it’s about reuniting,” he tells me.“Hmm.” I wonder if either of us have the energy for sex.“It’s worth a try,” he says.“All right,” I agree. I sit up with some effort, and he scoots out of bed to start taking off his clothes.When he looks over at me, he blinks. “I didn’t realize you were in full ballroom attire.”“This was for the mating ceremony that was supposed to happen yesterday,” I explain.His eyes n
The Luna's Vampire Prince A Final Plea
*Rafe*“Are you ready?” Percival asks.The man looks ragged. Whatever he does to make sure I don’t keel over is really taking its toll. For that reason alone, I need to make sure Howard sees the light. I’m afraid Percival is going to die instead of me.“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be,” I admit. I step out of the carriage as it rolls to a stop in front of Howard’s very luxurious looking home.Karl is there to greet me with a wide smile and a warm arm clasp. “Rafe. You look like shit.”“Thanks,” I reply with a laugh. “You look great.”Howard stands off to the side, eyeing me contemptuously.We are already off to a bad start, it would seem. “Alpha King Howard,” I say with a slight nod.“King Rafe.” He responds coolly. “Shall we retire to the conference room? It seems we have a lot to discuss.”“Where is Ainslee?” I ask.“In her bedroom. Lying down. I didn’t think she needed to be here for this,” he replies.My heart thumps in my chest, screaming to tear past the two Alpha Kings and find he
The Luna's Vampire Prince The Marriage Ceremony
The wind swirls the skirt of the emerald dress around my ankles as I walk to the temple with Lucia at my side. She is somber and silent. I think she has finally accepted the inevitable. Rafe isn’t here, and my father will have his way.Marcus stands at the door of the temple, looking just as somber as Lucia. He is wearing Longclaw black and silver and looks quite nice in it. It should be Lucia approaching him now in a dress suited to her. But instead, it’s me, and my father, standing at the other side of the door, is the only one who looks happy about it.“You don’t have to be here, Lucia,” I whisper to her. “This is going to be terribly difficult for you.”She squares her shoulders. “I would walk through fire for you. Do you not remember the temple where you saved me? I know it’s been a long time, but you hid me in a spot just like that one over there.” She points to a little area near the back of the building where there’s a statue of the Moon Goddess that sort of reminds me of the
The Luna's Vampire Prince Broken Hearts
*Ainslee*I sleep more now. Lucia is concerned, as is Marcus, but my father is convinced once I marry Marcus, all of this will change. I know it won’t.The ceremony is tomorrow. I know I have to go through with it. I don’t want more people of Shadowglade or of Longclaw to die. This constant war business has to end.I’m glad that my mother hasn’t seen me since my illness worsened. She’s been so busy helping with the troops. I don’t want her to see me like this. Only now I realized that on the same occasions that she visited since I’ve been here, my father found excuses to be away. He’d insisted that he felt no pain since she’d remarried, and I wonder if his brain injury had some effect on the severed mate bond.I’m staring at my canopy again when Lucia comes in with tea. “This is chamomile,” she says, helping me sit up and then pressing the teacup into my hands. “It should help your stomach and settle your nerves.”I look at her, and my heart sinks. “I’m sorry, Lucia. I promise, I won’
The Luna's Vampire Prince The End of a Claim
*Geoffrey*Boris tells me we are within a day and a half of Shadowmanor Castle when we meet a real force to stop us. Soldiers in three different liveries come up over a hill as we are marching through a valley. They are very angry, and we are in a bad position, not having the high ground.“Why are there Longclaw and Warfang uniforms among them?” I ask Boris who, thus far, has kept me off the battlefield.“I guess because they’re fighting with the Shadowglade forces,” he replies as though I’m stupid.“If we’re liberating Shadowglade, why would the wolf shifters join forces with Shadowglade’s soldiers?” I ask, confused.Boris looks at the armies bearing down on us, looks at me, then laughs. “Oh, boy, King Maximus said you’d be easy to manipulate, but you really are an idiot. We’re not ‘liberating’ anybody. We’re taking Shadowglade by force.”My blood runs cold. “We’re the aggressors?” I gape.He pats me on the shoulder. “Welcome to reality, Your Majesty. Shadowglade is actually well kno
The Luna's Vampire Prince Disturbing News
*Rafe*Zeke, Percival, and I lean over my desk in my office, looking at the new numbers. “I think you should also push into Tormentia,” Percival says.“You just want King Dartmoth Croft to get it right up the ass,” Zeke snorts.“Why not? He deserves it,” Percival replies.“I’ll have the army push forward into Tormentia,” I agree. “King Dartmoth doesn’t deserve to be responsible for a pet rock, much less an entire people. Reports say soldiers’ families are being threatened. I’d like to take that off their chests so they might surrender instead of fighting for a king who abuses his power.” I rub my chest.Percival puts his hand over my heart again, and the warmth spreads, taking away most of the terrible pain. But I can see it costs him as his shoulders droop when he finishes.“Thank you,” I say. “Really. I know whatever you’re doing isn’t easy on you.”“I’d rather have my king fighting fit and take a few more naps than have you curled in agony on the floor while Zeke and I try to strat
