Prisoner of the Night Princes Read online

  As her light came to the end of the hall it revealed a wide, tarnished door. In the middle was a painted symbol, faded and cracked. It was nothing but a swirl of black.

  Danielle stared at it and another growl rumbled passed just on the other side of the door. Her hand shook as she looked down at the knob.

  I don’t know if I can do this…

  But she knew she had no choice. If she stayed back, she would be trapped and never know if she would ever make it out. And being trapped scared her more.

  Quietly Danielle turned the doorknob and slowly opened the door an inch.

  Peering through the small opening Danielle’s eyes widened and she let out a little gasp. She closed the door then quickly turned off her lantern and backed away. She paced the hall for a moment then willed herself to be calm. She slung the chain around her shoulder so that the lantern hung at her side, hopefully making less noise. She readied herself once again and opened the door.

  The door only creaked slightly, but it didn’t catch the attention of those within the room.

  From what Danielle could gather by the little light spilling from the high windows of the room above, it seemed to be a large library, two stories tall. Ahead of her Danielle could see railing and assessed that she was on the second floor. She could see shelves of books all along the walls. Down below were more shelves, a glowing fire in a wide fireplace and a long wooden table at the center with stacks of books and scrolls. Beside the fire sat a figure with its back toward her. It was so large she knew it couldn’t be human. If that hadn’t given it away then its dark blue skin certainly would have. It seemed to lounge in a throne-like chair reading a book. Sharp, shiny black claws flipped the pages. Danielle caught something swaying back and forth beside the creature and realized it was a tail. A long spiny tail with a spiked end.

  A growl rumbled in the creature’s throat like she had heard before and Danielle noticed it sounded more like laughter. A deep, throaty laugh.

  “Master.” A smaller, more animal-like creature emerged from the shadows and crouched down beside the seated monster and bowed. In the flickering firelight, the creature seemed to look reptilian, with short curved horns on its head like that of a goat. The giant monster the little creature called master too had horns only they were longer and sharper. Like a devil’s.

  The monster put up its hand in order to silence the little creature that reminded Danielle of a gremlin, like the ones from the old horror movie she used to watch with her sister every Christmas. She could see its yellow cat-like eyes glowing and sharp teeth poking out from its curved mouth.

  The gremlin bowed its head and waited for its master to let him speak. The monster continued reading and another rumble of laughter left its throat. It turned a page.

  “I always enjoyed this story.” The voice from the monster made Danielle’s heart sink to her stomach. It was like a man’s only with an edge and unnaturalness she couldn’t describe only in that it reminded her of cutting sandpaper with sharp scissors. “The hilarity of the lover’s death always gets me. How careless and stupid.” The monster shut the book and threw it on the table. “Well, Mik, what have you come to bother me with now?”

  The gremlin, Mik, bowed again. “Master. I have heard some very intriguing news from the others. Kril says he spotted a woman laying on the cobbles of the courtyard.”

  Danielle held her breath. She saw the monster turn its head towards its servant.

  “A nightwoman?”

  The gremlin shook his head. “A human.”

  Danielle slowly crouched down to the floor and let the door shut softly behind her. She looked over to her right and saw another door at the other end of the way. On all fours, she began to crawl while watching the two carefully. If they turned even slightly to see her she would bolt for the door. But not yet.

  The monster played with a long silver chain about his neck. “I find that hard to believe... bring Kril here now. If I find that he is spreading nonsense he will be punished.”

  The gremlin bowed and scurried away.

  Danielle got halfway down the narrow second-floor passage when somewhere nearby a door quickly opened and closed shut and another gremlin similar to the first ran to its master’s side.

  “Master,” it said with a creaky voice, “you summon me.”

  “Why do I hear you spreading rumors about seeing some girl in the courtyard, Kril?” The monstrous man asked.

  The creature bowed. “No rumor, Master! I saw for myself. A lovely thing lying in the very center. The moon showed her to me.”

  The monster paused in its play of the silver chain. “Is that so?”

  “It is, your highness, I swear!”

  Danielle froze, crouching in the shadows. She remembered she was supposed to retrieve a key within each domain possessed by each prince. She looked closer at the monster and she turned cold.

  He is one of the princes? Oh... God.

  The monstrous prince turned his head slightly in her direction and Danielle slid a hand to her mouth. She caught sight of his face and had to bite her lip to stifle a scream.

  The gleam of his eyes in the firelight was silver. Though he had the vague look of a man, his eyes were too large, like a cat’s, and his mouth too wide, like a snake’s. His nose was scrunched slightly with two narrow slits and Danielle saw a glimpse of white hair between his horns going down to his back like a mane. His neck was long as were his arms. He reminded Danielle of some sort of reptile. She half expected him to flick out his tongue.

  “And why then did you not bring her to me?” The prince asked.

  “I saw her from the palace window and hurried down as quick as I could, master, but when I reached the bottom and went out she was gone.”

  Danielle chanced to shift a little closer to the railing in order to get a better view of the room. In a sudden panic, she realized Torq never mentioned what the key was supposed to look like. Would it be hidden somewhere in the stacks? Or under all the papers? Or was it not in the room at all, but in one of the many others the prince might occupy.

  The prince took to playing with his chain once again and Danielle caught it sparkle in the soft glow. He lifted the end of the chain and between his fingers dangled a silver key with the swirly black symbol at its base. The same painted on the door.

  Danielle leaned in closer to better look at it and the floorboard under her gave a loud creak. The Prince and his servant snapped in her direction and Danielle gasped and stood up. She backed into a shelf, causing several books to fall.

  The prince got up from his seat and Danielle tensed.

  “Well Kril, it looks like you told the truth,” said the prince, staring up at her. His eyes grew wide with excitement as if he had just discovered something truly rare and was eager to capture it. His mouth turned up in a slow smile and then a truly horrifyingly wide grin, exposing long, sharp teeth. “You won’t have to be punished after all.”

  The gremlin bowed and backed away in order to let his master walk past.

  Danielle stood rigid. The prince watched her with his predatory eyes as he slowly made his way around the table toward her.

  “Don’t be afraid little pet. Lost your way, did you? Why don’t you come down here and introduce yourself?”

  Danielle didn’t move. Nor speak. She trembled at the sight of him, her hands clenched into fists at her side.

  “Ah, poor thing, you’re shy. It’s alright. I won’t bite—well…” the prince laughed. “Maybe just a little.”

  Danielle licked her lips, her throat was parched and tight. She glimpsed down the prince’s form and saw he wore a silky dark red robe with a red sash and gold trim. The robe lay open at the top revealing more bluish skin, a lighter shade than his arms. His feet were mostly covered but she could see clawed toes poking out.

  The prince’s tail swayed playfully behind him as he made his way closer. It was like watching a cat stalk its prey.

  Danielle swallowed and opened her mouth. “Please. I just want to go home.”

  The prince grinned and chuckled. More of a hissing noise than then a laugh. “Ah, sweet girl, I’m sure you do. Why don’t come down here and we will help you find your way, hmm?”

  Danielle knew not to trust him. She still couldn’t move and the prince was moving closer. Though he was on the first floor, and she on the second, she had a terrible feeling he could make it up in one smooth leap if he truly wished. This thought caused Danielle to drift towards the opposite door.

  “Now, now, none of that,” the prince said. “Why don’t you tell me your name? I shall give mine. I am Prince Morgin.”

  Danielle stopped and frowned. She looked around and then back at the prince. Then down at the key hanging from his neck.

  “Ah, you saw this?” The prince lifted the key up to her. “It is pretty isn’t it? Would you like to see it better?”

  Danielle would very much like to. But not if it meant getting anywhere near him.

  Danielle thought for a moment, then lifted her hand and reached out for the key. The prince stopped and snickered.

  “No, my dear. You will have to come down here if you would like to see it. Come, tell me your name, won’t you?”

  Danielle lowered her hand. “Danielle.”

  “Danielle? Such a lovely name for such a lovely girl,” Prince Morgin purred. His eyes shifted down her form and Danielle felt her face grow hot, realizing he likely could see past the sheer fabric of her dress to the exposed skin underneath.

  “I—I just want to go home,” Danielle whispered while crossing an arm over her chest to hide what she could.

  Prince Morgin moved once again. “Come down and I shall help you.” His voice grew a little lower and quieter. Danielle felt the heat from her face trickle down her chest, going lower. The pearls again became noticeable as they rubbed against her most sensitive parts. The heat of the fire licked softly at her skin and beads of sweat formed between her breasts.

  What is happening?

  Danielle realized she couldn’t look away from him. His eyes bore into hers and held her still. She felt the heat rise in her and an ache pulling at her center.

  “Come down little pet and let’s play…” The prince growled, eyes bright with wanting. Danielle felt herself move toward the spiral staircase that was near the door. The heat grew as did the ache and the only way to relieve it was to go down to him.

  Just as she took a step down on the stair, a door flew open.

  “Master, a girl in the palace!” Another gremlin appeared. “We shall seek her out, Master, and—”

  The prince’s eyes shot down at the little creature with rage and his spell on her was broken. Danielle froze on the step and the heat in her dropped to ice. The prince looked back up at her and frowned deeply. Danielle stared back.

  She shot back from the stairs and looked to the door.

  Forget the key.

  Danielle rushed for the door and screamed when she heard the prince bounding up the spiral staircase behind her. She flung open the door and flew through into another dark hallway. Unable to see her way, she ran blindly down the hall fearing any moment she’d feel Prince Morgin’s arm wrap around her waist or his hand catch at her throat.

  She heard an intense growl not far behind her and nearly slammed into a wall in front of her. Without thought, she whirled left down another corridor and then right down another. The way was more narrow than the rest and she prayed it slowed the prince down.

  Bursting from the corridor she came onto another very large and tall hallway with more skylights and could see at the end a great door with yet another symbol, this time that of a great crow. Pausing only for a second she rushed down the way not looking back. When she came to the door, she pushed her body against it but it didn’t budge.

  Oh God, Oh God, please open.

  There was no knob like the other door and she could see now it was a door with two sides. She pushed on both but nothing.

  Danielle heard something scraping behind her and she made the mistake of looking back. Prince Morgin was squirming his way through the small corridor she had just come through.

  Danielle whimpered and went back to the door. She pounded her fist against it.

  “Open, please open!”

  The door shook slightly and, with a click, crept open. Prince Morgin sprung from the corridor and moved with inhuman speed towards her.

  The door was opening too slow and was too heavy to push open faster. In a panic, Danielle tried to squeeze herself through the narrow opening.

  Just as Morgin went to grab her, Danielle fell through.

  She fell to the cold stone floor and quickly scuttled away. She caught a flash of light and heard a zap followed by a yelp come from the prince and saw him back away from the door.

  The door continued to open and was wide enough now to see into the hallway where Prince Morgin now stood, only he didn’t try to come in after her.

  Instead, he hissed and clutched his hand. Danielle could see it was forming welts.

  “Little brat,” The prince hissed. He paced before her and looked very much enraged and vexed that he hadn’t caught her in time. He watched her with hungry eyes, like a lion that had just been thwarted by its prey.

  Danielle sat up, noticing the prince was unable to reach her. It was true what Torq had said. The boundaries were intact.

  The doors which had opened fully now began to close once again. The Prince growled in irritation and backed away while catching her eyes.

  He smiled. “No matter. I will see you again, my little pet. Say hello to my brother for me. And tell him I’ll be waiting.”

  The doors closed and Danielle heard the scraping of Prince Morgin’s nails along the door and she flinched.

  Silence fell after and Danielle collapsed to the floor, tears pricking at her eyes. She hadn’t cried since she was a child, but today seemed appropriate. She wiped them away and lay still on the cold ground.

  If Prince Morgin was the first, she didn’t know how she could handle the rest. She had lost the first chance at a key and, worse, if she wanted to unlock the sealed door and escape she would have to face Prince Morgin again.

  Still, she couldn’t stop now. His brother lay ahead. And maybe if she was lucky he wouldn’t be anything like Prince Morgin.

  Danielle got up, lit her lantern and, with a deep, shaky breath, walked onward.

  Chapter Three

  Danielle stood awestruck by the room before her. The hall opened up at the end and revealed a large chamber the size of a football field in length and as tall as a ten story building. Above, the ceiling was made of glass, fixed together by thick metal frames. Like some gilded cage.

  Silent as a cat, Danielle stepped down a wide stairway. The great chamber was lit better than other parts of the palace so far, with lanterns hanging along each pillar that held up several floors on each side. The place was colored a golden tan and warm instead of the dingy, cold grey. The floors above were dark and Danielle shifted her eyes to each side, wondering if anyone was watching.

  At the end of the stair, Danielle stopped to turn down the lantern at her side. In front of her looked to be some sort of orchard. Eight foot tall, black and twisting trees lined each side in rows of four. Their branches crossed together creating a dark canopy. Somewhere in the distance, Danielle could hear a fountain. A great luminescent light shot down in beams from above and when Danielle looked straight up she saw a moon so large she could see every detailed crater on its silvery-white surface. Several tiny shadows blocked out the light, moving in random directions. Danielle realized they were birds flying from one end of the chamber to the other.

  Danielle clutched at the chain of her lantern and looked beyond the orchard to see a giant tree at the end of the chamber. So tall it nearly touched the glass ceiling. At its very top, Danielle could make out a pile of twisting, gold vines and branches strung together.

  A nest.

  “Something tells me that’s where I’ll find a key. I hope there’s a ladder.” And no prince inside. Danielle laughed nervously. She stood uncertain for a moment, then took a step toward the orchard.

  A crow descended from a floor above and landed on a branch nearby. It looked toward her curiously and let out a sharp caw. The flapping of wings surrounded her as crows were descending in droves onto the orchard. A little unnerved, Danielle, rushed by them and passed into the orchard. It was dark, but tendrils of light broke through the branches enough to see without her lantern.

  The crows cawed and hopped about, watching her as she made her way to the other end. Their eyes were red instead of black, Danielle noticed, making them look demonic. Danielle ignored them as best she could.

  At the center of the orchard was a fountain with a shrouded stone figure at its center; their hands outstretched with crows perched on each side. Water gushed and fell from under their feet, creating a murky, shallow pool.

  Danielle stopped and chanced to look at herself in the reflection. She could just make out the hazel of her eyes and the waves of dark hair at her sides. She looked paler than usual.

  A crow landed on the top of the fountain figure’s head and cawed at her. Danielle flinched away and continued onward.

  Breaking out the other end of the orchard, the massive tree loomed like a giant above her. As she walked towards it, she placed her hand on its surface and knew it was real. She turned her face up and searched for any ladder or rope, but of course, there was nothing.

  Guess I’ll have to do this the hard way.

  Thankfully, Danielle wasn’t totally incompetent when it came to climbing though she certainly wasn’t a pro. A few times she had gone rock climbing with her sister and her friends in the summer. Only problem was the tree wasn’t made of rock and it wasn’t exactly a short climb like the ones she had done before, up little cliffs.

  Danielle looked for any sort of ridge or overgrowth in the tree. She took hold of one crevice and propped herself up, looking for any footing. The tree bark was rough and sharp on her skin and she feared she might get a few splinters in the process.