Bound by the moon

r 1: A

h's

? Because once you step into Moon

ding road. The dim headlights barely pierced the swirling mist

ck with the scent of damp leather and stale coffee, and someth

lly, though my voice soun

e rasp than mirth. "Well, Moonshadow has

l. The tiny dot that was supposed to represent me was frozen on the edge of n

d, hoping to steer the co

he slick road. "But I'd keep your wits about yo

meant, but he fell silent, his

of us, its gnarled limbs clawing at the ground like fingers. I gasp

e ends," he said, his tone oddly c

here!" I protested, but he was al

follow the path." He nodded toward a barely vis

voice wavered betwee

m the trunk and setting them on the muddy ground. "M

bed back into the car, the do

lights were already fading into th

taring at the shadowy forest ahead. A shiver crept

the trail. Each step squelched against the muddy ground, the sound unne

tertwining above me like a canopy of claws. My heart pounded in my chest, each

to myself, though the wo

hitching in my throat. Wolves. The thought sent my mind spiraling. I hurried

d I stumbled into a clearing.

hing toward the heavens. Lightning flashed, illuminating the cracked stone façade and

ched for the brass knocker shaped like a snarling wolf's head. Before I co

through the cavernous s

oft thud. The air was thick with the scent of old woo

nces that cast dancing shadows on the walls. A grand stair

I called again,

re deep within the house, the soun

dows for the source. Nothing moved, but

a voice purred,

taircase. He was tall and lean, his dark hair slicked back,

I said, my voice ba

ments almost predatory. "I wasn't expecting

s fraying further. "The driver-he sa

gh it didn't reach his eyes. "You'

couldn't quite place it. There was an inten

, gesturing toward the staircase

t where else could I go? The storm was raging outside, an

I said, for

se, I couldn't shake the feeling

the hall. He pushed it open, revealing a spaciou

g in the doorway. "Tomorrow, we'll

d, he turned and disa

e fire cast flickering shadows on the walls, and for a momen

h," I muttered,

bed, a voice whispered, s

uldn't h

od ran