break. It exploded into a

t was a massive, gray-skinned wall of muscle, its transition from human to monster not yet complete. Pat

Elena!" Ma

d him. Both brothers were hauling heavy iron wood-axes they usually used for the winter timber. They

ut the creature didn't even flinch. It backhanded Mark, sending him flying across the roo

Elena c

nd. The golden blood was warm and sticky, staining Elena's apron. The Fae

Mark, moving with a quickness born of years of manual labor. He dodged a swipe from a second Orc that had squeeze

rls upstairs!" Mason ye

was the peacemaker of the family. She wasn't a fighter, but she was Elena's favorite. She was the one w

m, trying to pull her away from the ca

hird Orc w

ed. It wasn't interested in the men. It wanted the golden b

. A wet, tearing noise f

her stomach. Dark red blood began to seep throu

a's voice was a

chaos of violence. Mark was struggling to stand, his face covered in soot and blood. Mason was being pinned against the wall by two of

e looked at the Orc that was now looming over them,

Elena didn't just

ht didn't just glow. It erupted. It filled the kitchen, the parlor, and the forest outsi

rls drifted around her head as if she were underwater. Her eyes were

gh," s

was a command that vibrated

wl, but the sound died in their throats. Their massive, gray bodies began to shrink. Their bones cr

ds, the four terrifyi

yes, their whiskers twitching in fear. With a collective squeak of horror, the mice turned and scrambled out

ckering orange glow from the tipped-over candles. Elena collaps

y with me," she wept, her power

the atmosphere in the Obsidian Cas

le of his grand dressing room. He had felt the surge of power. He had felt the moon

ape, ready to leap from the balcony and sp

en, he

was slightly messy from his five-decade nap. His silk tunic was a bit wrinkled.

Silas, asked from the doorway. "You seemed to be in a hurry. I

elt the pull of the goddess in his chest, but he also felt th

nd serious. "The daughter of the Moon. The one the p

for poultry, Sire? Because you are currently wearing

a confused Duchess had gifted him in 1742. They were very comfor

ic aura deflating like a popped balloon. "And I am actually quite hungr

shall draw a bath. Perhaps you can save the kingdom tomorrow morning? Af

to Elena was still there, humming in his blood, but the thought of

las? Make sure the rabbit slippers are hidden. If the prop

sound of the rain. Elena held her sister's hand, unaware that her "beast" was currently