Anger rolled in me like thunder. I growled, deep and long, to the cave's ceiling. Then I tore through the throat of the earth, emerging through the cave's gaping mouth like wind ripping through trees. I took to the sky, thrusting my heavy wings in unison with my pounding heart.
My Lady Moon was falling for the Hylander.
Luna is mine.
"Mine!" I roared.
The beast in me was desperate to release its rage. I needed blood. Preferably the Hylander's blood. But I couldn't have it. Having his blood meant forever I would be bound to The Coven of Hallows, never to return to my father again.
But Father did not care. Father knew no love.
Like I know love.
Wind licked at my hair, soothing me only slightly. I swooped downward. The moon threw the reflection of my massive wings down upon the waters of Snow Melt Lake. I landed on the shoreline. Moonlight illuminated the old woman's face as I strode to where she was sitting in her porch swing.
Shock immobilized her.
I could smell her fear growing intensely as I drew near. I hoped her heart would not fail her before I could get the chance to taste the terror in her blood. I needed the terror far more than My Lady Moon believed she needed the Hylander.
Seeing My Lady Moon's eyes while she stared up at the Hylander only refueled my anger.
Just as the old woman began to scream, I lunged, crossing the distance between her and I in the space of a heartbeat. The woman rose to her feet just before I collided into her. I wrapped her frail bones in a cocoon of black feathers and sank my teeth into the pulsing vein just beneath her ear.
Warm, terror-tinted blood drowned my tongue. I suckled from the woman's neck. Her scream was lost in the dark cocoon of my wings but my anger was not.
I had to get to My Lady Moon. I had to protect her from my brother.
But there was not a way I could get to her; Sleepy Hallow was my prison. My father had made sure of this.
I opened my wings and tossed the limp body aside. I dropped to my knees and opened my arms wide, in position to receive my wishes.
"Father!" I cried to the darkness. "Prince of air!" I growled for all the night to hear. "Lucifer, please! Release me from this coven that I may be with My Lady Moon!" Then I dropped my chin. My arms fell helplessly to my sides. Black feathers splayed out around my legs.
It was useless. Father would not grant me my wishes. I was not in the position to receive them. A son of Lucifer having even a thread of love in his heart was a disgrace to His kind.
"You have forsaken me!" I cried. "I will find my own way!"
Proud and strong, I rose to my feet. I shoved off the porch and took to the sky with newfound hope.
If I could not penetrate the territorial borders of Sleepy Hallow then I would have to find a way to bring My Lady Moon to me!
****
Chapter Three
Luna