Moonlit Vows Of Vengeance-Chapter 31: The Kurd’s Lair

The boy stirred an hour later. By then we had moved him to a nearby sitting couch. He sat up slowly, dazed, blinking at the firelight as if waking from a nightmare.

"What happened?" he asked.

"You tell us," Lucas said.

"I... I brought food, then... I don’t remember anything else." He looked at us, eyes wide with fear. "Did I do something wrong?"

"Come," I said. "We need to speak with Lord Genrik immediately!"

—

We found him in his study, a glass of wine untouched at his side, surrounded by stacks of ledgers and scrolls. He looked up as we entered, brows lifting in polite surprise.

"You should be resting," he said. "Was the meal not to your liking?"

"The boy you sent," Lucas said without preamble. "He collapsed. Something happened to him."

Genrik’s brow furrowed. "Collapsed? That doesn’t sound like Dera. He’s served here for years without issue."

"He didn’t faint," I said. "He growled. Twitched. Like something inside him tried to break free."

Genrik’s frown deepened. "Are you suggesting he was possessed?"

"I’m saying something is wrong," Lucas said. "And it’s not just the boy. It’s this entire place. What’s going on?"

Genrik stood slowly, walking to the hearth and staring into the flames. His voice was careful. "There have been... odd moments. Some of the servants report night terrors. Others say they hear things in the walls. But that’s all it’s been. Whispers and dreams. Nothing too serious."

"And you didn’t think that was worth mentioning earlier?" I asked.

He turned back, his expression neutral. "I didn’t think it was relevant. Nobles in these lands are often plagued by shadows and superstition, even poor diet, bad air. There’s always something. But never anything proven."

"We saw a beast in Erid, it almost killed us. In fact, we couldn’t shift. Does that beast have anything at all to do with you?" Lucas asked.

Genrik spread his hands. "I will tell you nothing but the truth. I’ve not been to Erid Hollow in months. If some creature has stirred, it’s likely a rogue monster. The forest has its ways."

He wasn’t lying. At least... not obviously. The old man told us he hadn’t been there since. But he it was obvious he was somewhat involved in it

And something about his words felt rehearsed. Almost as if he was waiting for us to ask and for him to answer.

I exhaled slowly. "Very well. If we hear of any other incidents... we shall still let you know."

"Of course." Genrik smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. "And I’ll ensure Dera is checked by our healers. It’s probably just exhaustion. He works too hard."

Lucas gave a curt nod, and we turned to go.

—

Back in our quarters, silence was filled between us again. I finally broke it.

"He’s definitely hiding something."

Lucas nodded. "But not very well. Either he doesn’t know the truth, or he’s conspiring and that makes it impossible to say it."

I sat by the hearth again, staring into the flames. "Whatever this is... it’s already in the walls. The boy’s mind was touched by something corrupted. It could be the Kurd that’s doing it. I know it has some magical elements in it."

Lucas unsheathed his blade just slightly, the metal catching firelight. "Then we will find it. Tonight, if we can. And then we will leave this cursed place."

I looked toward the window, where the wind barely stirred the curtain.

Lucas crossed the room and snuffed out the lantern. "Let’s get ready to move."

"You’re serious," I said.

He nodded. "The fragment is inside the beast. We wait any longer, and it’ll either get stronger or completely destroy whatever’s left of these people."

"We don’t even know where it’s hiding."

"I have a guess."

I stood. "You’ve been holding out on me?"

"No. Just not sure. I found something earlier before Genrik welcomed us. Behind the stables, there’s a disused trail, overgrown, but guarded by stone markers carved in the old tongue."

I blinked. "Ward stones?"

"Exactly. My wolf scent picked up traces of spellwork. It’s almost faded and barely noticeable. I’m very sure there’s something there."

I grabbed my cloak. "Then that’s where we go."

We moved through Genrik’s estate after masking our wolf scents. We knew how to walk unnoticed when we wanted to.

Beyond the wall, the path was as Lucas described — hidden beneath creeping moss and time-worn vines. It wound between withered trees and forgotten markers, their glyphs carved deep into stone. Faint blue light pulsed from them as we passed.

"What is this?" I asked softly, brushing one with my fingertips. "This trail wasn’t just meant to keep outsiders out. It was meant to keep something in." ƒrēenovelkiss.com

Lucas grunted. "Well, now we know something’s definitely hidden."

The air grew colder with every step. Not the kind of cold that raised goosebumps but the kind that clung to bone, weighty and old. Our wolf-sense sharpened. Somewhere deeper, the beast stirred.

Then we saw the clearing.

It opened like a scar, it was an unnatural circle. The trees had long retreated. The ground was blackened and brittle beneath the moonlight, ringed in white ash. In the center lay a stone pit, cut into the earth like a wound.

Lucas crouched by the rim, his claws brushing deep tracks carved into the soil. "It’s here. I just know it is."

I didn’t need to be told. I could feel it.

The Kurd was near.

I nodded, letting my own senses stretch. My inner wolf stirred, pacing inside me. The fragment wasn’t passive. It thrummed with intent — old, intelligent. I could sense its magical properties.

"When we see it, we can’t kill it," I reminded him. "The King’s orders were clear. Retrieve the Kurd. Intact. And don’t kill the beast that it’s inside."

Lucas’s voice was grim. "I know, storm girl. we’ll just have to figure out how to separate them."

I knelt by the pit. The faint scent of ash, blood, and wolf-magic filled thick in the air. "There may be a way," I said. "If we can draw it out, maybe make the beast burn enough energy, force the fragment to surface..."

"Or if we can weaken the bond," Lucas added. "Make the beast unstable just long enough."

A low growl rolled up from the pit, deep and guttural. Not loud but resonant. The forest itself seemed to hold its breath.

It knew we were here.