Blood of the Moon

The moonlight bathed the clearing in an unearthly glow, casting long shadows over the twisted figures that moved restlessly below. Nina stood atop a jagged rock at the center of it all, her breaths shallow as she took in the scene. Hundreds of creatures-beasts with gnarled horns, elongated limbs, and glinting eyes that reflected the crimson hue of the moon-prowled and snarled in eerie synchronization.

Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, her body rigid as though it belonged to someone else. She couldn't understand how she got here, why she stood above them like some sort of leader. And yet, a strange pull kept her rooted in place, a whispering voice at the edge of her mind urging her to stay.

The creatures shifted suddenly, parting like a wave. A figure emerged from the shadows, his gait smooth and deliberate. He was different from the others. Taller. Almost human. His golden hair caught the light of the moon, and his sharp, angular features glowed faintly in the crimson haze. But his eyes-those piercing, unnatural silver eyes-marked him as something far from human.

He stood next to her and smiled at her before speaking. "I'll wait for you."

Before she could ask him what was going on and what she was doing there, a loud beeping sound played in her head.

Nina opened and eyes and sighed in relief at the realization that it was just a dream. She had enough things to worry about so adding a mysterious man who was waiting for her to the list was one thing she didn't want. She got up and dressed before heading for work.

The Copper Tap had seen better days. Its dim lights buzzed with a faint flicker, casting an amber glow over the scuffed wooden bar and the crowd of rowdy patrons that filled its modest space. It wasn't glamorous, and for Nina Adler, it was a far cry from the life she had once envisioned for herself.

She stood behind the counter, her hands moving methodically as she wiped down the sticky surface for what felt like the hundredth time that afternoon. She glanced at the clock on the far wall. Just a few more hours, she thought, willing the shift to pass quickly. Around her, the hum of conversation mixed with the occasional clink of glasses and bursts of laughter.

The click of expensive heels echoed across the wooden floor, drawing the attention of several patrons. A woman strode in, her every step radiating confidence and entitlement. She was strikingly beautiful, with perfectly styled blonde hair and a designer bag slung over her shoulder. Her sharp eyes scanned the room, landing on the bar-and on Nina.

She slid onto a stool with a smirk, her manicured fingers tapping lightly against the countertop. "Excuse me, bartender," she said, her tone sharp and commanding. "I'll have a martini. Make it dry."

Nina forced a polite smile, suppressing the twinge of irritation that flickered in her chest. "Coming right up."

She set to work, her movements careful and precise. Mixing drinks was one of the few things she took pride in, and she had made more martinis than she could count. She added the twist of lemon and placed the glass in front of the woman, the clear liquid gleaming under the light.

The woman took a sip and immediately wrinkled her nose in exaggerated disgust. She set the glass down with a dramatic sigh. "This is terrible," she announced, loud enough for heads to turn. "Do it again. Properly this time."

Nina felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment. Around the bar, curious eyes glanced their way, some of them lingering. She swallowed her frustration and nodded. "Of course," she said, her voice tight.

She remade the martini, her hands steady even as anger simmered beneath the surface. She placed the new drink in front of the woman, determined to meet her impossible expectations.

The woman sipped again and grimaced. "What is this? Watered-down garbage?" she snapped, her voice laced with venom. "Are you trying to poison me?"

The words hit like a slap. For a moment, Nina froze, her grip tightening on the edge of the counter. "I made it as best as I can..." Nina was trying to say when a slap landed on her face.

"Don't argue with me. When I say I don't like it, you remake it. No complaints. The customer is always right."

"Not on my shift, you're not." Without thinking, Nina grabbed the martini glass and tilted it forward, the icy liquid spilling straight down the front of the woman's expensive blouse. The woman mouth was wide open in shock. She definitely wasn't expecting that.

The room fell silent.

The woman gasped, a sharp, indignant sound that cut through the hum of the bar. She stood, her hands flying to her drenched shirt, her face twisting in fury. "You-you little-"

"Problem here?"

The voice came from behind Nina. Derek, the bar's manager, had emerged from the back room, his imposing frame and stern expression instantly commanding attention. His eyes flicked between Nina and the furious customer.

"This girl," the woman shrieked, pointing an accusing finger at Nina. "She ruined my blouse! I just told her I did not like the martini she made me and she poured it on me. Is this how you trained your employees to behave?"

"I'm very sorry, ma'am. I'll talk to her." Derek turned to Nina. "Is there something wrong with you? Why did you pour that drink on her? I never knew you to be the violent type. What happened?"

Nina opened her mouth to defend herself, but the woman cut her off. "She was rude! And incompetent! I am not coming here ever again if it'll mean I'll have to see her again."

"Get out," Derek said, his voice cold.

Nina blinked, disbelief washing over her. "What?"

"You're fired, Nina," he said firmly. "Grab your stuff and go."

"Sir, please, you don't understand. She slapped me..." Nina protested.

"And that makes it okay for you to pour a drink on her? I've tolerated you long enough. Just go." Derek replied, turning away from Nina.

"Sir, please... I..."

"Get out!"

The woman's lips curled into a triumphant smile. She winked at Nina, her smug satisfaction infuriatingly clear. Nina bowed her head and walked to kitchen to grab her bag. She definitely did not think that through.

Nina grabbed her bag and stormed out, completely ignoring Derek who was still trying to pacify the lady who just got her fired.

Outside, the harsh afternoon air stung her cheeks. She walked briskly, her mind a whirlwind of anger, humiliation, and regret. What was she going to do now? Jobs like this weren't easy to come by, and she needed the money-not for herself, but for her grandmother.

Her thoughts drifted to the older woman, to the way her hands trembled as she poured tea, to the warmth in her smile even on the hardest days. Nina had promised to take care of her, to make life easier. And now she'd let her down.

She wandered aimlessly, her feet carrying her further from the bar and the city streets. She barely noticed when the pavement turned to dirt, or when the trees began to close in around her.

It wasn't until the air grew colder that she stopped, glancing around. Tall trees loomed on either side, their shadows stretching long across the ground. She looked at her watch. It was still early in the afternoon-2:47 p.m.-but the sky above was pitch black, as if night had fallen in an instant.

A shiver ran down her spine. Something felt wrong.

She turned back, only to find the path behind her gone, swallowed by dense forest. Panic crept in as she realized she had no idea where she was.

A low growl echoed through the stillness.

Her heart pounded as she turned slowly, her eyes searching the darkness. A pair of glowing yellow eyes stared back at her, unblinking.

Then another. And another.

Wolves.

They stepped into the faint light, their sleek bodies moving with lethal grace. Their growls deepened, lips curling back to reveal sharp, glistening teeth.

Nina took a step back, her breath catching in her throat. The wolves crouched, their muscles tensing.

She turned and ran.

The forest blurred around her as she sprinted, the sound of paws thundering against the ground behind her. Her chest burned, her legs screaming in protest, but she didn't dare slow down.

A root caught her foot, sending her sprawling to the ground. She rolled onto her back, gasping, just in time to see the wolves leaping toward her.