Chapter 4: The Council of Shadows

Emma's breath caught in her throat as the moonstone blazed against her chest. The silver light was so bright that it illuminated the entire balcony. Below, guards shouted orders while alarm bells echoed across Ravenwood.

The mysterious figure in the forest was gone.

Yet Emma could still feel his presence.

The cold sensation lingered like invisible fingers wrapped around her spine.

'Emma.'

The whisper echoed again.

She spun around.

No one was there.

The balcony stood empty beneath the crimson moon.

A loud knock rattled her chamber door.

'Lady Emma!'

It was the servant from earlier.

Emma rushed inside and opened the door.

The young woman looked frightened.

'The king has requested your presence immediately.'

'Did something happen?'

'The moonstone activated.'

'I noticed.'

'The council felt it throughout the castle.'

Emma glanced down at the pendant.

The crystal was slowly dimming, but its warmth remained.

'Let's go.'

The servant hurried ahead through the corridors.

The castle was far more active than before. Guards moved quickly between halls. Messengers carried scrolls from one chamber to another. Everyone looked tense.

War was coming.

The realization felt increasingly real.

They reached a pair of massive oak doors guarded by armored warriors.

'The council chamber,' the servant said quietly.

The doors opened.

Emma stepped inside.

A circular room stretched before her. A massive table occupied the center. Around it sat nearly twenty men and women.

The atmosphere was heavy.

Kael stood at the far end.

His silver eyes immediately found hers.

'She's here,' one council member said.

Several faces turned toward Emma.

Most appeared curious.

A few appeared openly hostile.

'Wonderful,' muttered an older woman wearing black robes. 'The human girl who brought disaster to our doorstep.'

Emma frowned.

'Nice to meet you too.'

Several council members struggled to hide their amusement.

Kael remained expressionless.

'Enough,' he said.

Silence returned instantly.

Emma noticed that everyone obeyed him without question.

It was impossible not to respect the authority he carried.

'Tell them what happened,' Kael said.

'I saw someone in the forest,' Emma replied.

'Describe him.'

'Dark cloak. Red eyes. Creepy smile.'

The council exchanged worried glances.

Lord Aldric slowly stood.

'It was him.'

'Malakar,' another council member whispered.

A wave of unease spread around the room.

Emma sat beside Kael.

'Can someone explain why everyone acts like this guy is the devil?'

The old woman in black robes answered.

'Because he nearly destroyed our kingdom once before.'

'And now he wants the moonstone?'

'More than that.'

'Then what does he want?'

No one answered immediately.

Finally Kael spoke.

'You.'

Emma stared at him.

'Excuse me?'

'The prophecy does not begin without the moonstone bearer.'

'So I'm basically the center of this mess.'

'Unfortunately.'

'Great.'

The old woman rolled her eyes.

'Human sarcasm will not save us.'

'Good thing I wasn't offering it as a battle strategy.'

A few council members chuckled.

Even Kael's lips twitched slightly.

The old woman looked annoyed.

'Focus.'

Lord Aldric stepped forward.

'The greater concern is the timing.'

'What do you mean?' Emma asked.

'The Blood Moon appears only once every century.'

'And?'

'According to the prophecy, the ancient seal weakens during its rise.'

'What seal?'

Aldric pointed toward a map hanging on the wall.

It showed the entire valley.

Near the northern mountains stood a symbol marked in red.

'The Moon Temple.'

'What's there?'

'The source of Ravenwood's oldest magic.'

Emma looked toward Kael.

'And Malakar wants it.'

'Yes.'

'Can he get it?'

Kael's jaw tightened.

'Not without you.'

That answer made Emma feel even worse.

'Why does everything keep coming back to me?'

'Because your bloodline is connected to the temple.'

The room fell silent.

Emma blinked.

'My what?'

'Your bloodline,' Aldric repeated.

'Queen Elara's descendants possess a unique connection to the moonstone.'

Emma remembered the portrait she had seen earlier.

The resemblance had been undeniable.

'So my mother knew about all this?'

'Yes,' Kael answered quietly.

'Then why hide it?'

'Perhaps she hoped you would never be dragged into our world.'

Emma looked away.

For the first time since arriving, she felt angry at her mother.

Not because she had lied.

Because she had left behind questions without answers.

Suddenly the chamber doors burst open.

A wounded scout stumbled inside.

Blood stained his uniform.

'My king!'

Kael was on his feet instantly.

'Report.'

'The rogues attacked the northern patrol.'

'Casualties?'

'Seven dead.'

The room grew silent.

Emma felt her stomach sink.

These weren't stories anymore.

People were dying.

'Did you see Malakar?' Kael asked.

'No, my king.'

'Then what happened?'

The scout swallowed hard.

'Something else was with them.'

'Something else?'

'A creature.'

Fear flashed across his face.

'Bigger than any wolf I've ever seen.'

Several council members exchanged alarmed looks.

'Impossible,' one whispered.

'Nothing seems impossible anymore,' another replied.

The scout continued.

'Its eyes were completely black. It tore through our defenses like they didn't exist.'

'A shadow beast,' Aldric said grimly.

Kael looked toward him.

'You're certain?'

'If the description is accurate, yes.'

Emma rubbed her forehead.

'And let me guess. Shadow beasts are bad.'

'Very bad,' Aldric replied.

'Good. Just checking.'

Kael turned toward the map.

The king's expression had become colder than Emma had ever seen.

'Prepare every available warrior.'

'For battle?'

'No.'

His silver eyes shifted toward Emma.

'For evacuation.'

The entire council erupted.

'Evacuation?'

'We cannot abandon Ravenwood!'

'The people will panic!'

'There must be another way!'

Kael raised a hand.

Instant silence followed.

'If Malakar reaches the Moon Temple before us, the kingdom falls.'

No one argued.

That frightened Emma more than anything.

The people around this table clearly knew what was at stake.

And none of them believed they could afford failure.

'What happens if he wins?' Emma asked quietly.

No one answered.

Finally Lord Aldric spoke.

'Then the darkness sealed away centuries ago will return.'

'And Ravenwood?'

'It will cease to exist.'

The words settled heavily over the chamber.

Outside, thunder rolled across the valley.

The crimson moon shone through the high windows like an omen.

For the first time, Emma truly understood the danger surrounding her.

This was no longer about a hidden kingdom.

This was about survival.

And somewhere beyond the castle walls, Malakar was already moving.

Waiting.

Watching.

Preparing for the moment their paths finally crossed.