Queen of Malice and Scars

Prologue

Prologue:

The crisp air becomes colder as the sun sets, ever so slightly kissing the treetops. The forest is enveloped in darkness, for a split second everything is completely and utterly silent. Then the night becomes alive, and so do its creatures, the crickets song rings through the air, as it blends with the wind that becomes night's soft lullaby. From within the shadows, a cloaked figure emerges from the wood into the clearing and steps in the moonlight.

"Come out Celine," the figure's voice rings throughout the clearing. From across the stretch of pasture Celine's silhouette drops from a high tree branch, as she walks towards him her steps are long and graceful strides. Her eyes shift across the area searching for signs of Guardians, then her steps come to a stop as she sees two children fast asleep under the willow tree before her.

"You are late as always Lucianus," she says with a hint of laughter in her voice, " and I see you have brought the children."

"Of course I did, I would never go against Stephan's orders," Lucian replies as he bows his head, which makes his golden hair curtains around his face and shields his eyes.

"Their parents, where are they?" She questions as she nods towards the sleeping children, "Are they..."

"No" he answers, "but Kya is dead."

A wave of regret crashes over Lucian, and the air between them becomes thick with an immense amount of tension builds up inside both of their chests.

"What of Tavian?"

"Octavian and the other children are missing...", He answers, looking at her he can see a flash of uncertainty in her eyes.

"Are you completely sure?", She questions, as she notices the blood on Lucian's shirt.

"Yes, he was nowhere to be found", he replies, " his horse and anything that could be a clue to where he went were gone, just her and the children."

A feeling of relief crashes over Celine like waves then it passes away like the tide, guilt is the side effect and leaves a hollowness inside her. She glances at the willow tree where the two sleeping children lie, a boy and girl, peacefully as they hold each other.

"What are their names?" Celine asks as she turns her face back to Lucian.

"The boy is Kyrin, and the girl is named Raelle," he answers. Celine glances towards the children and notices an Amarok cub, and her head snaps back towards Lucian.

"Lucian, I swear by Gaelel if that is an Amarok cub I'll-" she roars at him loud enough to leave a ringing in his ears.

"What was I supposed to do to kill it?" He questions.

"Yes, that is exactly what you are supposed to do!", she growls, "Do you not understand what could happen if that thing imprints on someone!"

"That is precisely why I didn't," he answers quickly, " it imprinted on the girl, the damn thing nearly tore my arm off when I got to their house." He adds as he looks at the bite marks on his arms.

Celine takes a breath and sighs "What am I supposed to do with a cub?"

Lucian shrugs his shoulder, "I guess you'll have to keep it."

The moon's rays hit Celine's face making it slightly visible to Lucian, and he can see the focus in her eyes as she turns her head towards the trees behind him. A sudden snap of a tree branch sets Lucian's body into a panic, and instantly his hands go for his dual swords on his back. His eyes shift to the wood in front of him, he stares blankly at the figures emerging from the darkness.