• Prologue Part 1



    Sitting atop of the tall, ivory tower that was part of the large white castle, Astrid looked out onto the prairie ahead and frowned upon the smoke rising and listened to the clanging of metal on metal on flesh on bone on claw. Today would be the eleven thousandth year of the war that broke out among their races. Her own race, the angels, have been on the top three of the winning side for several decades now. But her father, King Tropholos, worries that they might be surprise attacked by the werebeings and lose their rank. Sighing, she stood up and craned her neck to the sky above. "Gods of the Earth, please have mercy on us for we know not of what we do." Sighing, Astrid flew off the tower to the courtyard below.

    ~~~~~


    Bursting through the doors, Crean roared in disgust. Arikos, Crean's father and king of the animagi, sighed as he filled his glass full with scotch. "What is it now, son?"
    "Take them out, now!" Rubbing his temples, Arikos couldn't help but ask. "Who, Crean?"
    "The soldiers! They have been out there for five months, they need to rest! Send the replacements out, just bring them back! They're tired and their families are worried about them."
    "Just because some people are worried over them doesn't mean I have to risk all of us to an attack as we're replacing all troops!" Growling, Crean stomped his foot, crushing the marble floor beneath it. "Damn it, father! They can't last out there much longer! Take. Them. Out."
    Sighing, Arikos waved his hand. "Fine. But if there are any casualties, it is you who will receive the whip. Understand?" Nodding, Crean walked out and closed the doors with telekinesis. Arikos went to drink the glass of scotch, but thought it over and finished the bottle instead. "Damn child. Has to learn to rule with an iron fist, not a bleeding heart."
    "If only someone could teach him."
    Arikos shuddered at the musical voice behind him. "Not now, L'Aracheal. I'm extremely angry and I'm not afraid to kill you right now."
    L'Aracheal, the vampire queen, walked out from the shadows and wrapped her arms around his neck, making his entire body shake from her cold touch. "You know I hate that, leech."
    "And you know I hate leech, Arik."
    Arikos growled. He really hated this woman. "What do you want?"
    She smiled and drifted off, dancing in small circles. "I didn't hear the magic word." At five foot six, she was only at chest height to Arikos's towering six foot seven. "Don't mess with me, blood sucker. Just tell me already."
    "Nope."
    Arikos had her pinned to the wall by her throat. His hand turned to that of a bear's claw as he held her down. "Talk. Now." L'Aracheal choked as she tried to speak. "I...have a-a...proposal..." Letting go, she dropped to the floor gasping for air as Arikos stood a few feet away. "Alright. I'm listening."
    Smiling, she stood up and whispered in his ear. "It's about your brother....."


    End Part 1