DrixNar Saga - Dragon Kings Mate Book 1

3. Fateful Encounter

In the quaint little haven of Mundane Citadel, Anna's house echoed with the stillness of an ordinary night, completely unaware of the clandestine operation unfolding within its walls. The comforting murmur of Vicky's instructions lingered in the air, a stark contrast to the chaos that silently enveloped Anna and her friends.

As the vehicle navigated through the quiet streets of Mundane Citadel, Anna's senses were heightened by the rhythmic vibrations of the engine. The scent of uncertainty mingled with the metallic tang of fear, creating an oppressive atmosphere within the confined space.

Beneath the black bags shrouding their vision, Anna and her friends exchanged muffled whispers, their attempts to comprehend the situation drowned out by the relentless engine noise. The sudden jolt of the vehicle hinted at the changing landscape, and Anna's heart raced in sync with the growing unease.

The distant echoes of the city's nightlife faded into the background as the vehicle ventured further into the unknown. Anna's mind raced with questions, the taste of confusion on her lips, wondering what awaited them beyond the oppressive darkness.

In the depths of the vehicle, Anna's determination burned brighter, a flame fueled by the unknown. Little did she know that the quaint reality of Mundane Citadel was but a facade, and the secrets that lurked beyond its streets were about to unfold in ways she could never have imagined.

In the stifling darkness of the vehicle, Anna strained to hear the hushed conversation among the kidnappers. The question hung in the air like a looming threat, shrouded in uncertainty.

"Which one of them would be going to Nordengarde?" one of the abductors inquired, his voice a chilling whisper that echoed in the confined space. Anna's heart pounded in her chest, the sound reverberating through the tense silence as she clutched onto the desperate hope that Giana remained safe.

As the vehicle continued its relentless journey, Anna's mind raced with fear and apprehension. She longed to comfort her friends, to assure them that help would come, but the tight gag over her mouth silenced any attempt at solace. The black bag over her head obscured her surroundings, rendering her blind to the unfolding events.

Amidst the suffocating uncertainty, Anna whispered a silent prayer, her words a plea for Giana's safety and a desperate wish that she, too, had not become a target of this ominous journey. The metallic scent of fear lingered in the air, and Anna clung to the hope that beyond the oppressive darkness, a glimmer of light would emerge, leading them to safety and unveiling the mysteries that had thrust them into this perilous situation.

The abrupt halt of the vehicle jolts us, and a tense hush settles over the confined space. Whispers filter through the air outside, and my heightened senses strain to catch any fragment of information. Anxiety pulses through me as I try to decipher the hushed exchange, my heart pounding in my chest like a drumbeat of impending dread.

Suddenly, the door swings open, and the vehicle shifts as an unwelcome presence enters. The weight sinks the vehicle, adding a visceral layer to the atmosphere. I squint against the blinding light as the bags are yanked from our heads, leaving us momentarily disoriented. The harsh light stings our eyes, and as they adjust, a foreign landscape materializes before us.

The scene outside the open door is surreal—a place we've never seen before. The air carries a strange mixture of unfamiliar scents, heightening the disconcerting atmosphere. As Diana and Lydia are forcibly pulled from the vehicle, Jennifer and I reach out instinctively, our hands straining to grab onto them, a futile attempt at solidarity.

"No! Don't take them. Please, our parents can pay double what they are paying. Just take us back, and it would be like nothing happened. Please!" I begged as tears rolled down our faces.

The man overseeing the a*******n callously laughs at our feeble attempt. A shiver runs down my spine as he hisses, and dread tightens its grip on my chest. His teeth elongate, and his eyes blaze red, a horrifying transformation that sends gasps rippling through the group. The surreal nature of the situation becomes painfully clear.

"Can I just take one and say we only found three?" the man taunts, his sinister proposal hanging in the air like a poisonous miasma.

"No. They already paid for their packages. They will be here soon for pick up. You don't want to damage this person's prize," the older man asserts, his words dripping with a sense of ominous purpose.

The realization dawns that we are not only captives but commodities and pawns in a dark game whose rules we can only begin to fathom.

Suppressing a scream clawing at my throat, I desperately plead, "Please!" My heart pounds as the door threatens to shut, shutting out my cries. The muffled screams of my friends intensify behind the barrier.

The cacophony of new vehicles invading the scene reverberates, drowning out the panicked yells. Suspended in the limbo between hope and dread, I yearn for a glimpse beyond the door, a window into the unknown that now holds us captive. The uncertainty weighs heavier with each passing second, and I grapple with the silent dread that the unfolding events could be both a salvation and a damnation.

***

Giana

Through the dense foliage of the forest, I traced the scent of the convoy, the same one Anna and I had stumbled upon earlier. Despite my resolve to reunite with my family in Aslos, an unshakable feeling gripped me, urging me back to Anna and her friends, a sense that they teetered on the precipice of danger.

Cloaked by the shadows, I concealed my scent, biding my time as the vampires and werewolves within the group remained engrossed, their trust in each other fragile. Seizing the opportune distraction, I slinked around Anna's vehicle, deftly slipping through the door without a sound.

Anna's startled gasp met my ears as she beheld me. "They got you too?" she whispered, her voice laced with concern.

A wry smile played on my lips as I went to work, freeing their restrained ankles. Placing a finger to my lips, I signaled Jennifer and Anna to maintain silence, the weight of our precarious situation hanging in the air.

Leading Anna and Jennifer through the dense trees, the urgency in my voice echoed, "Run!" We sprinted, the forest enveloping us, but the tranquility shattered as howls reverberated, accompanied by the grotesque symphony of bones snapping – the men were transforming into wolves.

As the menacing sounds drew nearer, I urged my companions forward. "Faster!" I yelled, the fear of exposure lingering. If their human limitations hindered them, the revelation of my true self might become inevitable, risking the fragility of their minds.

The relentless pursuit of the transformed men intensified, their lupine forms closing in. Then, abruptly, we stumbled upon an unexpected obstacle – vampires emerged before us, teeth gleaming ominously in the moonlight. My experience had never entwined with these supernatural beings; they usually kept to themselves. Amidst the chaos, my thoughts strayed to my family, but only one name escaped my lips in a desperate plea, "Michael!" I sensed his presence nearby, a possibility that seemed implausible in this nightmarish confrontation with vampires and werewolves.