Beyond the Living

each other, a foreboding symphony. Houses were ablaze, and people screamed as they fled for

the chaos. She had escaped the werewolves with the

Driven by love for a human, she had abandoned her family to be with

as their daughter was only a year old. Though she survived, the escape wasn't without i

e persevered, pushing through the pain. Her beloved husband, who had l

ived longer than humans. Their unique abilities made them

e could have reduced the casualties. However, her husband had forbidden her to do so, fearing the consequences.

apable of rash actions. They might have acted

nother town. She dared not stop,

-old son, walked through the crowd. The boy, with h

the lord of the land. These same people would h

n for a walk, unaware that this ca

up faint breathing a

ld be disastrous, so he led

for piggybacks, hesitated before nodding. He, too, had hea

shoulder. He was immensely proud of his son. He ruffled

r arms. Her eyes were closed, but he knew she wasn't dead. The little

murderous intent. She had an arrow through her yet stood and atta

ew they rarely ventured far from their kingdo

he spat blood but remained strong and ready to fight. A mother

of Riverdale," he explained. The woman's shoulders relaxed. She

o speak, but the

ead, knowing she was dying and needed him to care for h

n's voice trailed off as she took her last breath. The little bo

ed. The Lord knew his son's maturit

y, Nicholas, stared at the baby's face.

beautiful name. While curious about his son's choice, the Lord didn't have time to

e of being humans, they were living in the town. Initially startled

nd his son, Nicholas, had come to visit her as usual. Since the Lord di

arried a bo

got you this," the Lord said

They had frequently visited Luna and her parents. Luna wa

eautiful black dress adorned with diamonds

oks like it's for Aunt," Lun

wear it until you're older,

for her gift fro

rthday gift," Luna said

me for my birthday

replied. She had started

what angle you looked at it from, the 'scarf' was a bundle

more. I want something

w about I me?" Everyone except the Lord and his son gasp

Promise?" he asked.

ll music box with a

e th