His Dark Obsession (Moonlight Muse)

ZEDKIEL.

Both Evangeline and I look at her sharply.

“That’s not true. Whoever told you that crap lied. It’s the vampires who have been on our doorstep. Threatening our kind, that if they did not hand me over, they would wage war.” I snarl, my eyes flashing.

Evangeline is by my side in an instant, her heart racing a little faster as she places a hand on my chest, sending intense sparks through me. They calm me, despite Zerachiel’s rising anger.

‘Zedkiel, calm down… she…’

“Is lying,” I growl.

Zeina raises an eyebrow.

“You are blinded, but that will soon change.” She says quietly. “It’s the werewolves who send assassins to check us off, handful by handful… like cowards. It is the werewolves who have been murdering even the innocent children.” Zeina’s eyes glimmer red, her heart thumping faster.

I frown, about to say something, when Evangeline shakes her head slightly and speaks.

“I can sense that you aren’t lying, but you might just be believing something that isn’t true. There’s a misunderstanding somewhere and we will figure it out.” She says softly. “Besides, these kingdoms are now united through us. We will do the right thing-”

She’s cut off when the sound of a huge explosion goes off.

“What the f**k is that!” I growl as I rush from the room, another violent explosion makes the chandelier on the ceiling tremble.

“She’s hurt!”

“Move!”

I turn sharply as the doors are open and two men run inside, one is holding a bloody dagger, whilst the other is carrying a bloody Ziahra, they are in front of me in a flash.

“We’re… the werewolves are here!” One of the men says.

Ziahra coughs, b***d spilling from her mouth, the strong stench of b***d fills my nose and I look down at her. She’s breathing heavily, her face pale and I see she’s clutching her stomach weakly.

I quickly take her from the men, my hands instantly drenched with b***d.

“Ziahra!” Zeina says, rushing over.

“Listen… you have… go back… it’s not what…” She coughs up more b***d.

I rush to the lounge and place her down as Zeina shouts for someone to bring an antidote.

Evangeline is by her side, her aura radiating around her.

“Will she be ok?” I ask her, trying to hide the fear that’s spreading through me.

What the f**k is going on? Who is attacking and why? Didn’t Adonis get back and tell them anything?

“I will heal her, but Zedkiel, something is wrong.” Evangeline says, her aura pouring into Ziahra, “I need to talk-” “Not now. I need to find out what’s going on.” I say, turning away.

I leave the room and stride towards the double doors to the castle when two vampires rush over and bend the knee before me.

“The werewolves sent a message.” One of them says in a strained voice.

“What is it?” I ask.

“Hand over their Queen or rivers of b***d will flow.” The other one says, before he coughs and tumbles onto his side.

What the f**k…

I crouch down, leaning in and stare at the b***d. I brush my fingers through it and raise it to my nose, sniffing it.

Poison…

“I need to stop this!” Evangeline says as she hurries from the room, her eyes blazing. She’s about to hurry to the door when I grab hold of her arm and stop her.

“It’s not safe.”

“I’m the Goddess, Zedkiel, I’ll be fine. I don’t believe that this is-”

“No, Little Mouse, we need to assess what’s happening. This can’t be right. Why would they attack like this?” I murmur, just as the ground trembles again.

Another explosion…

“That’s what I want to go find out! ” Evangeline exclaims.

‘They hurt Ziahra! Our own people have turned on us! Mate can’t go!’ Zerachiel growls ‘We need to teach them a lesson!’

I hear footsteps behind us and turn to see Zeina standing there.

“She’s stable, thank you, Evangeline…” She says, her face distraught. “She was near death.”

“It was nothing. She’s family.” Evangeline says, but I can see her worry.

Zeina smiles slightly at her before she turns to me, her eyes hardening.

“What will be your next move, King Zedkiel?” She says quietly.

Several vampires step forward and I know their future depends on my answer…

“Say the word and we ride to war.” One says, lowering his head to me.

I can see the empty coldness in his eyes, a being hungry for war…

“I will first go out there and talk to them… there has to be a misunderstanding.” I say quietly.

‘Yes, let’s go but Mate must stay here, it’s dangerous. If they betrayed us, they might hurt her. It must be Chasyn!’ Zerachiel snarls.

I frown as I lead the way out, knowing Evangeline was capable enough. They wouldn’t hurt her. Besides, I will be there with her.

‘She’s coming with me. She is not the Evangeline she once was.’ I tell Zerachiel coldly.

A scream of agony from the room we had just talked in reaches my ears and Evangeline turns and runs back to the room.

Ziahra….

‘Let’s go without her.’ Zerachiel urges.

I hesitate, but hearing Ziahra’s screams makes me turn to the open door.

‘Fine… but I know that Chasyn wouldn’t betray me.’ I say to him, he isn’t like that.

‘If only you saw what I did… you will learn it the hard way.’ Zerachiel says quietly.

I step out through the doors to see the fires that spread through the surrounding forests, an odd fume emanating from the fire.

‘Can anyone hear me?’ I growl through the mind link, trying to reach out to anyone from my pack.

But I’m met with a block.

What is going on?

‘They have closed us off.’ Zerachiel says gravely.

I glance around, sniffing the air, when I realise what ’s happening.

They’re spreading poison through the fire… this isn’t a war… It’s murder…

‘Zedkiel! Ziahra wants to talk to you.’ Evangeline calls through the link.

‘We need to stop this!’ Zerachiel snarls.

‘We have to see what she needs to say.’ I reply.

I turn and head back inside quickly. She’s on the sofa, and Evangeline and Zeina are both trying to calm her, her hands are covered in b***d and she looks like death.

I thought she was healing?

“List…” She chokes.

My heart thunders, “Did you see who did this?” I ask coldly.

Her eyes meet mine, but she refuses to speak.

Why?

“Kash…won’t… b-be…t… ray….this… set up…” Her words are almost incoherent before her eyes roll and once again she falls unconscious.

I stand there staring at her.

‘See? Someone has betrayed you…’ Zerachiel mutters, but his words are distant.

Evangeline is saying something but I can’t seem to focus, anger raging through me.

Ziahra had helped us… and this is our payback?

Zeina doubles over coughing as does the vampire who had brought an antidote for Ziahra.

“Queen Zeina!” Evangeline gasps as she rushes to her side, and her aura fills the room.

How… How do I cope with this?

I’m torn… Stuck between two species and the worst thing is, the species I grew up with are in the wrong

This attack is cowardly, there are children who are inhaling those toxic fumes.

I glance out of the windows, sunrise is coming… but before then… I will have made my move.

My eyes flash as I turn away, clenching my fists. “Tell me how many men we have at our disposal. Get me any maps you can find of this place, and how do I work the mind connection with the vampires? It’s time I commanded my own army.”