Into The Enemy’s Kingdom

The journey from the sanctuary was silent.

Aurora walked between Lucien and Kael, the Blade of Selene secured against her back and the Moonstone glowing faintly beneath her clothes.

For the first time since her awakening, she wasn’t running from the supernatural world.

She was walking directly into it.

But there was one problem.

She still didn’t know which kingdom she was walking into first.

“Where are we going?” Aurora asked.

Lucien glanced at Kael.

“Ravenfall.”

Kael scoffed.

“Of course you’d say that.”

Aurora stopped.

“Wait.”

Both men turned.

“You said we were going to both kingdoms.”

“We are,” Kael said.

“Then why Ravenfall first?”

Lucien answered calmly.

“Because your enemies already know about the sanctuary.”

Kael nodded reluctantly.

“And my territory has been compromised.”

Aurora’s eyes widened.

“So neither place is safe.”

“Not anymore,” Lucien said.

A cold breeze moved through the trees.

Aurora looked around.

The forest seemed strangely quiet.

Too quiet.

Then Kael suddenly stopped.

His entire body became tense.

“What is it?” Aurora whispered.

He raised his head.

“I smell blood.”

Lucien’s eyes darkened.

“How much?”

Kael looked toward the trees.

“Enough.”

A branch snapped.

Aurora instinctively reached for the Blade of Selene.

“Who’s there?”

Nothing.

Then—

A figure stepped from the shadows.

A young woman.

Her clothes were torn, her face covered in dirt and blood.

She stumbled forward.

“Please…”

Aurora rushed toward her.

Kael grabbed her arm.

“Wait.”

The woman collapsed to her knees.

“They’re coming.”

Aurora frowned.

“Who?”

The woman looked directly at her.

“The hunters.”

Lucien’s expression changed.

“Which hunters?”

The woman swallowed.

“The Royal Hunters.”

Kael cursed under his breath.

“They’ve already arrived.”

Aurora looked between them.

“Who are the Royal Hunters?”

Lucien’s voice became cold.

“An ancient order created to eliminate supernatural creatures.”

Kael added, “They don’t care whether you’re vampire, wolf, witch, or human.”

“They kill anything they believe threatens their world.”

Aurora looked at the wounded woman.

“Why are they after me?”

The woman gave a weak laugh.

“Because everyone felt your awakening.”

She pointed at Aurora’s chest.

“Your bond wasn’t just felt by vampires and wolves.”

Aurora’s stomach tightened.

“Who else felt it?”

The woman whispered:

“Everyone.”

Suddenly, an arrow flew through the trees.

Kael knocked Aurora to the ground.

The arrow struck the tree behind them.

Lucien looked at the shaft.

Silver.

His expression hardened.

“Run.”

Another arrow flew.

Kael shifted instantly.

His body transformed into the enormous black wolf Aurora had seen before.

He charged into the forest.

A dozen masked hunters emerged from the trees.

Their weapons gleamed beneath the moonlight.

Aurora pulled the Blade of Selene from her back.

The sword burst into silver flames.

The hunters stopped.

One of them whispered:

“The Chosen One.”

Another raised his weapon.

“Take her alive.”

Aurora’s eyes narrowed.

“Try.”

The first hunter attacked.

Aurora raised the sword.

CLANG!

The impact sent the hunter flying backward.

She stared at the blade.

“I did that?”

Lucien appeared beside her.

“You did.”

Another hunter charged.

Aurora swung the sword.

A wave of silver energy exploded from the blade.

Three hunters were thrown into the trees.

Kael tore through the remaining attackers with frightening speed.

Within minutes, the forest fell silent.

Aurora stood frozen.

She stared at the sword.

“I’ve never fought before.”

Lucien looked at her.

“You don’t need training to awaken power.”

Kael shifted back into human form.

“But you need training to control it.”

Aurora looked at him.

“Then teach me.”

Kael raised an eyebrow.

“Me?”

She nodded.

“You said I need to learn.”

Lucien stepped forward.

“I can teach you.”

Aurora looked between them.

“Both of you.”

Neither man expected that answer.

Aurora smiled faintly.

“If I’m supposed to survive this war, I’m going to need both sides.”

Kael smiled.

“Fair enough.”

Lucien nodded.

“Then we begin tomorrow.”

Aurora looked toward the dark road ahead.

“And tonight?”

Lucien’s expression became serious.

“Tonight, you meet the vampire kingdom.”

Kael sighed.

“And if you survive that…”

He looked toward the distant mountains.

“…you’ll meet mine.”

Aurora took a deep breath.

The castle lights of Ravenfall appeared in the distance.

Massive towers rose against the night sky.

Thousands of red lights burned across the mountainside.

Aurora stared in awe.

“That’s…”

“Ravenfall,” Lucien said.

The gates slowly opened.

But as they approached, Aurora noticed something strange.

There were no guards.

No welcoming ceremony.

No sounds of celebration.

Only silence.

Lucien stopped.

His crimson eyes narrowed.

“This is wrong.”

Kael’s wolf growled beneath his skin.

Aurora looked at both of them.

“What happened?”

Lucien slowly drew his sword.

“I don’t know.”

Then the castle gates slammed shut behind them.

And from somewhere inside Ravenfall…

a woman screamed.