#2 When the Moon Turns Red

Evie

I turned on the TV and mindlessly clicked through the channels while I waited for Noah to return. Sawyer was out in the sitting room, giving me some space to process everything that was going on. I couldn’t believe that Noah’s father would plot against us. However, I definitely could believe that Russell would come after us.

I heard a noise outside my window and jumped off the bed. I stared at the window and contemplated getting Sawyer. I laughed at myself,

“Get a grip, Everleigh.” I said to myself. I was just being paranoid, spooked by all the possible conspiracy theories Noah and I had thought up earlier. I shook my head and sat back down on the bed.

I should have trusted my instincts.

A shadowy figure crashed through my window, somehow making absolutely no noise. Once again, I jumped out of bed and started to scream, but was silenced by a cold hand over my mouth.

“Shhhh, tiny human, we wouldn’t want to make a mess.” A chilling voice hissed in my ear. I shivered against the cold, hard hand that gripped my wrist.

“Unless you want to become lunch, I suggest you come with me quietly.” The man threatened.

I was able to get a look at the man’s face and noticed the piercing fangs protruding from his mouth and the red irises that overtook his pupils. This was a vampire. I knew nothing about the real-world vampires. For all I knew, they were immune to garlic and holy water, sparkled in the sun, and got nothing more than a splinter from a wooden stake.

All of the fight left my body as I gave in to my capture. I reached out to Noah with everything I had, urging him to feel my emotions and come to me. I cursed at my lack of ability to mindlink.

“That’s a good girl, come on now.” The vampire cooed, shoving me out the window.

I closed my eyes as the vampire jumped from the balcony and we fell down all four stories. He gripped me tightly and before I knew it, we had landed on the ground. He yanked me towards the bayou and tossed me into an airboat that was waiting on the swamp. He tied my hands and feet, placed a blindfold over my eyes, and a gag in my mouth while someone else drove the airboat.

“You’re going to see the Vampire King, tiny human.” The man spoke after he was sure I was secured on the floor of the boat.

Lucky me.

It was a long ride to the Vampire King, or whoever this guy really was. I was kept bound and gagged even after we left the boat. I knew we entered a building when the ground under my feet turned into hard, stone-like material. I heard the sound of metal gates squeaking open and chains rattling.

Eventually, I was tossed forward. I stumbled and fell on my face, unable to brace myself with my hands. I felt the rope around my hands and feet being cut off, the gag was ripped from my mouth and the blindfold removed. I blinked against the darkness and looked around. I was inside a small prison cell. The man who kidnapped me was standing on the other side of the cage door.

“Your foolish Alpha was so skeptical of our offer I thought getting to you would be harder.” The vampire grinned, his pointy fangs catching the moonlight that shined through the cracks of the walls.

“Who are you?” I snapped, speaking for the first time.

“I’m Gabriel, the crowned prince.” He answered smugly. This was one of the vampires Noah had met with.

“What do you want?” I yelled.

“I personally just want to see that pathetic little puppy overthrown. My father, the Vampire King, on the other hand wants to see him suffer and burn before he begs for death. Then, my father will kill him and name a new Alpha who will follow the Vampire King’s command. With the werewolves at our disposal, we will overthrow the Council and claim power for ourselves.” This vampire was delusional.

“How is kidnapping me going to accomplish that?” I rolled my eyes.

“You are seriously stupid, even for a human. Without you, the Alpha will be a complete mess. He will be weak and vulnerable. We will easily be able to infiltrate his pack and end him.”

I felt a sickening feeling rise up in my chest at the thought of anyone touching my Noah. But, I knew this creep was right. When Noah realizes I’m gone, he will completely lose his mind. He’s told me before that without me he and Remi would go feral.

“Noah will stop at nothing to find me, this will fuel him, not weaken him.” I glared at the vampire, wrapping my hands around the cold metal bars and hoping beyond hope that I was right.

“Even you don’t believe that.” Gabriel smirked before disappearing into the darkness.

“Noah, I love you.” I cried into my hands, reaching out towards him and willing him to hear me.