The Lycan King and His Dark Temptation by Luna Nova

Chapter 21

WHAT IS THAT MAIDEN ?! VALERIA I had only ever heard of them in childrens horror stories .

They were almost impossible to find , and nearly no one had survived after seeing them .

Beings of pure dark energy and evil rotting , murderous magic .

Its red eyes , like two deep abysses filled with flames , stare at me from that shapeless face , making me tremble in fear .

Its body was made of a black mist , with long , dangling strands that hung from every part of it as it advanced toward me .

Its arms were far too long , disproportionate , with massive , razor sharp claws that could slice me clean through .

I crawled backward , dragging myself across the ground .

I couldnt feel my legs .

My heart was pounding so fast I thought it would stop at any moment .

I tried to get up multiple times , failing each attempt .

It loomed over me , and through the darkness , I saw with terror as it opened a wide mouth filled with crooked teeth and grinned , making every hair on my body stand on end .

AAAHHH ! I screamed , covering my face as the intimidating shadow enveloped me in its darkness , swallowing me whole .

Suddenly , forgotten memories from my childhood came flooding back .

I had been happy with my parents .

We would take vacations at a lakeside cabin .

I went out fishing , exploring freely .

But when I returned , I couldnt find them anywhere .

I saw myself climbing the stairs again , the strong scent of blood reaching my nose .

My trembling hand pushed open their bedroom door and then I saw them .

Their lifeless bodies were sprawled on the floor .

And above them , that same specter , feeding on their blood and flesh .

Hearing my scream at the door , it noticed me and lunged to levour me as well .

I dont want to die I want to live ! I want to live ! Those were my thoughts then and now .

I shifted back into my human form , pain searing through me far beyond what anyone could endure like my skin was being flayed off my body .

Something inside me awakened .

An uncontrollable rage surged through my veins , a power filling every muscle with infinite strength .

I opened my eyes and roared at the darkness consuming me I dug my hands , now bearing long , sharp claws , intol that shadow .

MAIDENT I wanted to consume

circling us , their war cries echoing as they attacked

felt

afraid of me

was weakening , its power being drained as I screamed like a madwoman

now

! I wont let you kill anyone else like you did my parents ! I WONT LET YOU ! A

my connection to them strengthened they followed my

Kill .

Kill Kill .

my mouth to devour the black mist , the evil

underestimated

far

inside me , far too overwhelming knocking me unconscious , leaving me

a bush , I could

mouth

woman lying there on

ravens swirled around her , pecking

… how could she be resisting it ? And worse the specter was screaming

blocked some of my view , but there was no doubt this had to be the woman they were looking

secrets engraved

her if they captured her maybe they would finally

theyd return my older sister

a drum , torn between fear and

the sky , and

it was backing away from her

IS THAT MAIDENT She had completely

for just a moment lost

cost

chill ran down

soaked my

lifted my head , peering over the bush where I hid- The shadow loomed above me , seething with hatred and resentment

distance , I could hear footsteps those

here to capture Valeria

To deliver her .

to scream for help- But the sound

swallowed my

I reached the market just after

bastard was hiding something , but no matter how much I pressed , he refused

was already

me further , Id

mind was somewhere else entirely focused only on

and distant she had become

knew it was

still , I craved the way things used

the market , asking about Valeria

Panic set in .

night was deepening

closing Lifting my head , I sniffed the air , searching for her scent- Something

, bitter stench

, and I broke into a