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 .

IS THAT MAIDENT I wanted to consume it instead to hurt it

us , their war

I felt

afraid

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

was it who was now trying

parents ! I WONT LET YOU ! A high pitched screech erupted from

to them strengthened they followed my will , obeying my

Kill .

Kill Kill .

, I opened my mouth to devour

underestimated

far

inside me , far too overwhelming knocking me unconscious

a bush , I could

covered my mouth to

woman … that woman lying there on the

flock of ravens swirled around her

it ? And worse the specter was screaming in pain , as if it was the victim

but there was no doubt this had to be the woman they

could read the secrets engraved on

to her if they captured her maybe they would finally leave us

return my older

, torn between fear and hope But then everything

scattered into the sky , and Valeria lay

it was backing away from her like it

she ? WHAT IS THAT MAIDENT She had

just a moment lost in those

that moment cost me everything

ran down my

my clothes

peering over the bush where I hid- The shadow loomed above me , seething with hatred

distance , I could

called them here

To deliver her .

scream for

swallowed my voice forever

after finishing my conversation

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

was already losing

, Id force the truth

else entirely focused only

and distant she

was for the

still , I craved the way things used to be

the market , asking about Valeria but I

Panic set in .

was

stalls were already closing Lifting my head , I sniffed the air , searching for her

, bitter stench mixed with her trail

through my senses , and I broke into a run heading