Chapter 52: Creatures Of The Night 3

Dominic's pov.

"You can't be serious about this Dominic, I've already sent the Lycan warrior to survey the area and they've found no leads to this so-called creature " Marcus said, his eyes filled with playful grin.

I didn't think the men would believe it, if someone else had come with such a bizarre story I myself wouldn't have.

"I don't joke with matters like this and you of all people should know that, Marcus. "

The other elders kept their eyes on me not daring to talk because unlike Marcus they knew I couldn't bring up such a fable tale. 

Marcus’s grin faltered slightly, but he still leaned back in his chair, unfazed. “It just seems a bit far-fetched; don’t you think? A slimy, ash-turning beast lurking near Dragon River? Sounds more like a hunter’s campfire story.” 

The frost crept closer, a thin layer of condensation forming on the table nearest me. The other elders noticed, their gazes darting toward Marcus in warning. 

“What did it look like?” Elder Finn finally asked, his voice steady but cautious. 

I took a slow breath, the memory as vivid as if it had just happened. “It was humanoid in shape but grotesquely distorted. Its limbs were too long, its claws unnaturally sharp. Its body was slimy, covered in some kind of mucus that glistened even in the dark.” 

The room was silent except for the faint creak of wood as Finn leaned forward. 

“It attacked without hesitation. Its strength was unnatural—like nothing I’ve encountered before. I managed to kill it, but when it died…” I paused, my voice growing colder. “It turned to ash. As if its existence was never meant to be in this world.” 

The frost spread slowly, subtly, creeping along the edges of the room. Marcus shifted in his seat, his bravado faltering. 

“Turned to ash?” Elder Rowan asked, disbelief lacing his tone. 

“Yes,” I said firmly. “And there are more. I heard them in the forest near Dragon River. Their howls were faint but unmistakable. This wasn’t an isolated incident.” 

The elders exchanged uneasy glances; their doubt visible but tempered by the unmistakable chill in the room. They might not believe my words, but they couldn’t ignore the power radiating from me, the icy certainty in my voice. 

Marcus forced a laugh, though it sounded hollow. “You expect us to rally the council, send warriors into the forest, all because of one… creature?” 

I turned my gaze to him, and the air between us grew so cold that frost formed on the glass of water in front of him. Marcus froze, his grin finally slipping entirely. 

“Yes,” I said, my voice sharp as an icicle. “Because if we don’t, we risk everything—our land, our people, our lives. Or do you think this is a risk worth taking?” 

The room erupted into murmurs, the elders whispering among themselves. Even Marcus seemed at a loss for words. 

Elder Finn raised a hand, silencing the others. His eyes met mine, steady despite the frost curling around his chair. “Dominic,” he said carefully, “if what you say is true, then this is indeed a serious matter. But you understand the weight of your claim, don’t you? The Valerians are coming and we need as much strength as we can muster. If we find nothing, the council’s reputation will be jeopardized. We cannot afford to make rash decisions.” 

I stepped forward, the frost following me like a shadow. The Valerians were coming?

"The Valerians?

"Yes, Dominic. "

Marcus turned his face to the side, not meeting my eyes.

I didn't know about that. "They are?"

"We can speak on the matter later, there are more important things now."

I grunt but don't persist.

I know what I'm saying and I know the implications but er have to tackle their things whatever they are. And do you think I would bring this before you if I wasn’t certain?” 

Finn hesitated, then nodded slowly. “Very well. What do you propose?”

“A search party,” I said, my voice cutting through the room like a winter gale. “A small, skilled group. We’ll track the creatures, study them, and eliminate them if necessary. But we act now, before it’s too late.” 

Marcus opened his mouth to argue, but Elder Rowan cut him off. “Enough, Marcus. Dominic wouldn’t bring this to us lightly. We cannot afford to dismiss his warning.” 

I smile at the victory but it doesn't reach my eyes of course, how could it. Summer would have died if I hadn't come in time. Who knows what would happen. We wouldn't even have known what happened to her.

My eyes scroll through the elders and one by one, the elders nodded in agreement, though their unease was evident. 

Finn turned to me. “You’ll lead the search party, Dominic. Choose your men wisely.” 

I inclined my head. “Thank you.” 

The meeting adjourned, and the elders filed out, the tension in the room lingering like a ghost. Marcus lingered; his arms crossed as he watched me. 

“You better be right about this,” he muttered. 

I met his gaze, my eyes like ice. “I am.” 

He shivered slightly, though he tried to hide it, before turning and leaving. 

As I stepped into the night air, my breath misting before me, the faint howls from the forest reached my ears again. They sent a chill down my spine—not of fear, but of anticipation. 

The frost on the ground crackled under my boots as I walked away, my mind already racing with plans. Whatever these creatures were, they wouldn’t evade again.

We have to take action as soon as possible but at the moment I needed to speak to her. The previous night wasn't very pleasant.