Crimson Moon
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Chapter
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
Epilogue
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Pandamoon Publishing
Crimson Moon
The Crimson Chronicles Series
Book 2
By
Christine Gabriel
© 2018 by Christine Gabriel
This book is a work of creative fiction that uses actual publicly known events, situations, and locations as background for the storyline with fictional embellishments as creative license allows. Although the publisher has made every effort to ensure the grammatical integrity of this book was correct at press time, the publisher does not assume and hereby disclaims any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. At Pandamoon, we take great pride in producing quality works that accurately reflect the voice of the author. All the words are the author’s alone.
All rights reserved. Published in the United States by Pandamoon Publishing. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
www.pandamoonpublishing.com
Jacket design and illustrations © Pandamoon Publishing
Art Direction by Don Kramer: Pandamoon Publishing
Editing by Zara Kramer, Rachel Schoenbauer, Forrest Driskel, and Heather Stewart: Pandamoon Publishing
Pandamoon Publishing and the portrayal of a panda and a moon are registered trademarks of Pandamoon Publishing.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC
Edition: 1, version 1.00
Dedication
To my husband JD: thank you for being patient with me while writing this, and for being my own personal Nicolai. To my children Lucas, Lily, Lylah, & Kirra: you are the reason I write, live, and love. Without any of you, this second book would not have been possible.
Crimson Moon
Chapter 1
Premonition
The mist covered the ground like the white veil over a new bride’s face. The air was thick with smoke, smelling of death and decay. The birds were no longer singing their sweet songs, nor were there any immediate signs of life in the area. The charred ground crunched under my feet and I realized it was the only sound I could hear in the eerie silence. I looked up at the once milky moon and cringed at its new bright crimson color. What could’ve possibly caused the moon to turn blood red?
When I had left, it had been fall and the trees that had once been graced by beautiful leaves were now dark and barren. It was apparent that something terrible had happened to the world I had fought so hard to protect and it was imperative I found the cause of it quickly.
“Don’t move!” a voice commanded from behind me.
My body stiffened and a strong tingling sensation began to course through my fingertips. This person obviously had no clue who they were dealing with.
“I said, ‘Don’t move.’”
“Am I allowed to breathe?” I retorted sarcastically.
“Who are you, and what are you doing in this part of the woods?”
“You know, I was once asked a question very similar to that one.”
“I don’t have time for your sarcastic remarks. The dark one could be watching.”
“Why do all bad guys have such dumb nicknames?”
“Don’t act foolish. You know exactly who he is.”
“Well, apparently you’ve been misinformed because I have absolutely no idea who you’re referring to.”
The charred earth popped and cracked under the heavy footsteps of the person behind me. The familiar rush of adrenaline pumped through my veins, and my fists clenched in silent anticipation of the situation at hand. Something sharp and cold pressed into the small of my back.
“You don’t want to do that,” I hissed through clenched teeth.
“Are you threatening me?”
Spinning around, I faced my attacker. “No, in fact, I think it’s you who are threatening me.” The surprise on my face matched his once we realized who we were each talking to.
Shocked by this discovery, I blinked and cleared my throat. “Mathias, what are you doing here?”
“I guess I could ask you the same question,” he replied, still wielding the spear-like weapon defensively in front of my face.
“Mathias, put the weapon down,” I coaxed gently. “I don’t want to have to hurt you.”
He looked around nervously before lowering his weapon. “I’m sorry, Angelina. I didn’t expect to see you here.” He leaned in closer and whispered, “If he finds you, he’ll kill you.”
I stared into his dull gray eyes and wondered where their ever-changing color had gone. “Who will kill me?”
He stared at me in surprise. “You really don’t know.”
I shook my head. “No, I don’t.”
He glanced nervously over his shoulder, almost expecting some unseen enemy to jump out from behind one of the charred trees and attack him. “Hurry, come with me.” He motioned for me to follow him. “If he knew I was helping you, he would end my life for sure.”
The fear in Mathias’ eyes and the way he was acting frightened me. He had always been so confident and strong. Hopefully, I could get some answers out of him and find out what was going on.
Chapter 2
Ruins
I followed him through the barren forest and noticed we were heading toward a familiar place. Anxiety settled into the back of my mind, and I rubbed at the soft prickle of arm hair that had begun to push slightly against the inside of my sweatshirt. We were deep in the forest now, and the odd rock formations that hid Nicolai’s family lay ahead.
My mouth dropped open. The once beautiful rune-covered rocks had been toppled over and crushed. My heart sunk once I saw the gaping hole in the middle of the debris. Someone or something had infiltrated their sacred home.
He led me down the stairs and into the darkness. “Watch your step.”
I nodded and put my hand against the cool wall to help guide my way down the steep steps. The light from the gaping hole illuminated our way through the darkness. We rounded the hallway and the once beautiful door that held itself between their world and ours was no longer standing. The walls were covered in blackened grime and charred, wood chunks were scattered around our feet. The smell of smoke hung heavy in the air.
Guilt and sadness filled my heart. Why did I suddenly have the overwhelming feeling that I was to blame for this?
“Be careful,” Mathias warned as he cautiously made his way through the blackened doorway.
“Why?” I asked, immediately answering my own question as I sidestepped the numerous traps that were spread across the ground. I looked up at the dark ceiling and my heart sank. The diamonds that had graced the ceiling of this wondrous place and had filled it with its intriguing glow were gone. The once extravagant buildings were unrecognizable with most of them caving in on themselves. Everything had been destroyed. All of it…gone.
“This way.” Mathias pointed towards Ctephanyi’s house, which was surprisingly unscathed.
“It’s not damaged?”
“No.” He shook his head. “Ctephanyi used the blood of their ancestors to create a magic field that no mortal or immortal could cross or destroy.” He put his hand up against the invisible force field and motioned for me to walk through.
“But you just said we couldn’t cross through it.”
He smiled. “She made it safe for us to walk through.”
“You’re sure?”
“You question Ctephanyi’s use of magic?”
My eyes narrowed in hesitation. “I question a lot of things in regard to Ctephanyi.”
“And understandably so, but you trust me, right?”
Hesitating for another moment, I finally let out a long sigh and nodded. “I trust you.”
I lifted my hand slowly and lay it next to his. A low, electric current ran through my body. I yanked my hand away in surprise and he laughed again. “See?”
Amazed, I touched it again. “It really doesn’t hurt.”
“Don’t let it fool you. This magic field would incinerate anyone other than those protected.”
My eyes widened at the thought. “Well, that’s kind of scary.”
“Well, look at who created it,” he said.
“Yeah, you’ve got a point there.”
We walked through the large double doors and I smiled at the coziness of the normal looking living room.
He motioned for me to sit down on the old worn couch. “I’ll be right back.”
I slid into the comfy couch and looked around the room. It was exactly as I remembered it. My lips formed into a smile. The lemonade, the photo album, Nicolai proposing… Wait. I sat straight up. Where were Nicolai and Snow? I had been so preoccupied by the devastation that surrounded me that I had completely pushed them to the back of my mind. My chest tightened as the panic began to set in.
Mathias returned holding an old tattered scroll. “Angelina, it’s been quite a while, old friend.”
“Tell me, Mathias, what’s happened? Why is the world in such chaos, and where is Nicolai?”
Sadness filled his dull eyes as he sat down next to me. “There is something I must tell you.”
“What?” I croaked.
“You did this,” he uttered quietly.
My eyes widened in disbelief. “You must be mistaken. I don’t remember doing any of this.”
He nodded. “Yes, you did this. What you’re seeing is a premonition.”
My heart ached. “But why? I could never…I would never…”
He put his hand on top of mine and squeezed it reassuringly. “Angelina, he’s returned.”
“Who?”
There was a long pause before he finally uttered a name. “Tristan.”
My mind searched for some sort of recognition. “Tristan?”
“Yes. You’ve met him before.”
I was paralyzed by his words. “I have?”
He nodded and touched my forehead slightly with his index finger. “Remember?”
The memory of a cool breeze kissing my warm skin softly filled my mind. The old screen door opening, a devilishly handsome man with dark, shaggy hair and the most exquisite emerald green eyes walking in…
A gasp escaped my lips. “The man from the grocery store?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t he take me when he had the chance?”
“He knew Nicolai was watching.”
“But why me?”
“Age-old rivalries and power, of course. Plus, I believe he’s in love with you.”
“In love with me?”
“Yes, but, Angelina, listen. Time is of the essence. He will try to trick you.”
“What do I need to do?”
“He’s already taken Laurana. Jeremiah will seek your aid. You must go with him despite what Nicolai says. Do you understand?”
My mind struggled to comprehend everything he was saying. “What could he possibly want with Laurana? Heck, what would anyone want with her?”
“She knows your weakness.”
Then it hit me. “Nicolai,” I said slowly.
He nodded. “Yes. Tristan knows if he can separate the two of you, he has a better chance of claiming your soul.”
My hand instinctively covered my heart. “No. I won’t allow it.”
Mathias smiled. “There’s the Angelina I know.”
I studied my old friend. “Your eyes are so dull now, Mathias. What happened to you?”
He looked down shamefully. “I’ve done something terrible.”
“What, Mathias? What have you done?”
“None of that matters right now.” He looked back up. “If we don’t stop Tristan, none of us will have a future.” He placed his hand on mine and his eyes ran through a plethora of colors.
“Mathias, your eyes…they’re changing!”
“Angelina, you’re the key! You can change the future,” he answered excitedly.
“The key to what?”
He smiled. “To our future, of course.”
“I’m so confused. This might actually be worse than when I was trying to remember my past.”
“I highly doubt that,” he said.
“So, what do I have to do?”
“Once again, you’ll be tasked with making a choice.”
“What kind of choice?” I asked.
“You will face the hardest decision of your life. You must choose between those bound to you and the entire world.”
My life consisted of always making some sort of choice. “But why, Mathias?
“You were put on this earth to do some amazing things, Angelina, but sometimes life can be cruel. However, its cruelty shall be our salvation. You must decide, and though you may not want to…you must do it.”
Images of Nicolai, Jeremiah, and my father filtered through my mind. Losing any one of them would devastate me. How could I possibly choose between them?
“If you do not make a choice, the death and destruction you’ve witnessed will come to pass. Angelina, you’re the key to the future of the world. When the Crimson Moon rises, you must choose, and choose wisely. The fate of the world lies on your shoulders.”
A thick mist began to roll inside the room, making it almost impossible to see. “Mathias, where are you?!” I called out frantically.
I heard a faint whisper. “Choose wisely, Angelina. Listen to your head and not to your heart.”
Warm hands grabbed me by the shoulders, shaking me gently. I grew dizzy and struggled to breathe. The panic had finally taken full control of my body. The taste of death and darkness was bittersweet. I closed my eyes and let the darkness carry me away.
Chapter 3
Kidnapped
The strange hands held onto my wrists firmly as a faint, familiar voice yelled my name through the thick fog. “Angelina, wake up!”
“Nicolai!” I called out helplessly. “Where are you?”
His voice drew closer. “Angelina, you’re dreaming. Wake up.”
I opened my eyes and drew in a long breath of fresh air. Nicolai’s orange-ember-colored eyes stared back at me in bewilderment. Snow whimpered and pawed at the side of the bed, her pure white fur standing on end.
“Nicolai? Where am I?
” I stuttered. “Where’s Mathias?”
He released his strong hold on my wrists. “Angelina, what are you talking about?”
There was a loud knock at the front door. My heart fluttered and my knees grew weak. I glanced at Nicolai before jumping up out of bed and throwing on my silk bathrobe.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m going downstairs to answer the door.”
He gave me a stern look, but it was too late. I was already rounding the corner and skipping down the steps.
“Angelina, it’s three in the morning, let me answer the door.” He called out from the bedroom, heavy footsteps soon following behind me.
“Did you forget we live in the quiet town of Buffalo?” I asked, ignoring his plea. “I’m probably the scariest thing here.”
Heavy fists pounded on the outside of the door again. I turned the lock and braced myself for the unexpected. Nicolai grabbed my shoulder softly and pulled me close. “Please, let me answer it.”
Nodding, I took a step behind him. A gasp escaped my lips when I saw my childhood friend standing in our doorway. “Jeremiah?” I whispered. “You’re here.” Jeremiah had carried the weight of Cole’s, the wolf that had protected me since birth, death hard. We hadn’t spoken since the terrible battle in the forest.
He fell to his knees. “Angelina, you have to help me…they’ve taken her.”
I freed myself from Nicolai’s grasp and rushed to Jeremiah’s side. Mathias’ predictions were coming true.
Nicolai gestured for me to come to him. “Angelina…”
There was a hint of jealousy in Nicolai’s eyes, but watching my childhood friend suffer was far worse. We had grown up together. My mother had practically raised him as her own. “No, Nicolai, Jeremiah needs me.”
His face embodied disappointment. “I see.”
Frowning, I ignored his sarcastic remark and went to my friend. “Jeremiah, what happened?” I asked, inviting him inside.
He rose and stepped inside, and for a moment I saw the damaged kid I had grown up with. Worry and lack of sleep could be seen in the creases and dark circles under his eyes. His dirty blond hair was a mess, and his strong stature had been replaced by fear.