The Shadows Listen

Prologue & Chapter 1

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~Hello there readers! Friendly reminder that all of my book content is original and came straight from me, Cidalia G S. The only thing that does not belong to me are the photos I use as visual aids and the few media items, such as movies, books, artists, songs and more, in my story that are not mine. You can go search them up if you want and support the original creators of those specific items. Without further ado, thank you for choosing to read my book!~

Unknown POV

The throne room was dark and musty, as usual. The people of the Umbra Kingdom hid in the darkness, waiting for something. A big empty room with white particles floating around. How distasteful.

The minister walked through the blackened doors, alone.

With each of his steps, I could sense creatures crawling up the walls, peering through the glassless windows. He looked beautifully uncomfortable. I always love the looks on their faces when they come through the borders into my land. Utter disgust. Probably the smell.

"State your business," I grumbled.

He fumbled with his posture. He was trying to decide where his hands would go.

"Your highness, Queen Wisp has another message for you," he stated.

I waved my hand, already clearly bored. Let's make this difficult for him, today.

"I think there are more and more shadows turning against you for every moment that passes. I'm not telling you this as just a mere messenger, but your friend," he began.

"I have no such thing. You are but a simple minister. You hold no title to me."

He shuffled his feet.

"Your majesty, you must take action," he shivered. I could see his muscles become more tense.

After all these years, he is still afraid of me. How pitiful.

"Why should I even think of considering your terms? You walk in here whenever that sorry excuse of a queen asks you to, telling me how to rule my kingdom? Has it never occurred to you that my people haven't left the borders since my coronation? They might not trust me, but in this kingdom, you have only the choice of ruling with fear."

"Pardon me my queen, but-"

My laughter quivered. I could feel creatures sink deeper into their hiding spots. If they had hearts, they would have stopped.

"How would Wisp feel about your words, minister? I am not your queen. You belong in the palace of headaches and nuisances."

Did my ears deceive me, or was that a slight chuckle?

"You have been able to control your people, but Queen Wisp believes that the shadows have gotten too close to the borders. She fears that they have grown tired of waiting for destruction. After all, they are dark spirits."

I sighed.

"Oh Tristin, it is not that easy. If only you could understand the difficulty of keeping all of the damned monsters in lock. Of course they want to wreak havoc on the Lux kingdom, it was what they were born to do. Since I am still alive after all of their efforts to kill me, I reign supreme. My people know the consequences of crossing the borders."

"But the threats! Every day the darkness slowly creeps closer to the Lux people. The other day, one of your monsters took a sacred creature of our forest. We receive threats and nightmares constantly, by creatures that you are supposed to control. Lux is getting restless. People are afraid to sleep. You need to realize this."