I do not own Anaconda. I only own Michelle Harker.

Story Start

Dread filled me when the plan was finalized. Westridge was going to go to one tree and tie a rope around it. Terri and Danny were going to go to roots in the river together, and I was going to go to a tree on the other side of the boat near the jungle. My heart was definitely racing at the fact that Denise was going to be left alone on the boat with Serone, who looked way too smug about that.

"He's not worth it, don't go near him, please," I whispered to Denise and gave her a pat on the shoulder before gently sliding into the river. I did not want to make a splash and attract any more attention than necessary. Luna was on my shoulders because she refused to be left on this boat this time. She was even more tense than usual as I waded through the water while holding the rope to get to a strong looking tree.

I was halfway there when a struggle erupted on the boat. Spinning around quickly, my eyes widened in horror as I saw Serone strangle Denise before kicking her body off the boat. "No," I screamed and went to rush back to the boat, but something latched around my legs and immobilized me. My body froze at the feel of scales brushing against my legs.

"You've been claimed," a new male voice hissed in my mind before the anaconda's head shot out of the water to stare me straight in the eyes. "Alaric's scent," he hissed again before the noise from the boat made him look behind him.

Danny was being bitten on the shoulder by another anaconda while Westridge was yelling to attract it and Terri was fighting with Serone. I wanted to help them so bad or even ask the naga to help them, but he still had his coils wrapped around me tightly. With a satisfied noise, the naga looked back at me before noticing Luna, who looked ready to strike at it.

"She will not be harmed, serpent," the naga hissed before we all disappeared under water.

I barely had enough time to take a large breath before the water covered Luna and me entirely. The struggle to not panic was high as the naga swam through the water with no problem while still holding onto me. A quick prayer was all I could think about as we were taken who knows where, and the others were left to fend for themselves. I also prayed that Serone got what was coming to him. He did not deserve to live after what he has been doing to draw the attention of the nagas to the others. My still being alive was a complete miracle right now because I should have been killed the same day that Mateo died.

The naga let out an annoyed sound in my mind when my oxygen reserve in my lungs was becoming lower and lower. I started to hit its tail and body as best I could to get the point across that I was going to die and drown soon if I did not get some air. With another annoyed sound, the naga sped up and soon I was tossed out of the water onto some sand. I coughed and fought to catch my breath while Luna descended from my shoulders to let me breathe easier. She had stayed wrapped around my neck and shoulders the entire time.

"That form can be so constricting," the male naga hissed as he transformed into his naga form before my eyes. He had braided long black hair that was pulled back with colorful braided rope. He had more markings on his face and body than Alaric, and most of them looked like scars as well. He had one broken horn as well. "You're lucky you were marked so you were not killed like the others of your kind will be, but wait, it seems Alaric did more than just mark you for safety," the naga continued to talk as he left the water and slithered towards me.

I backed away as much as I could while still trying to remember what fresh air entering my lungs feels like. My back bumped into a rock wall and I just realized we were in some kind of cave system, which had enough of an opening at the top for sunlight to stream in the area. The naga continued to approach me and I had nowhere to run. I couldn't outrun him. I didn't even know why I had been saved.

"Why me?" I questioned as he paused only inches away from my face.

"Because you interested him. We have not seen humans besides the tribe nearby, who worship us, in a long time. Your companionship with this serpent also increased his intrigue. Alaric is of a curious nature, which is common in our kind who possess magic. If he has more reasons for saving you, then you will have to ask him yourself. Now come, you are to meet Alaric and our king, Szayel," the naga stated firmly and wrapped one of his clawed hands around one of my arms.

Luna wrapped around one of my legs before slithering up to rest around my waist. She stayed away from the naga's hand on my arm even though she looked ready to bite it off. I hoped she did not try anything because this was crazy enough, and I did not want to lose her during all this. I was still worried about the others since it sounded like the nagas went there to kill all of them, but the tight grip on my arm brought me back to my new reality.

I was stumbling along through some type of cave system beside the male naga, who was moving along with no issues. He would just grumble annoyed whenever I would trip or stumble in the dark. The cave did have small bits of sunlight that would stream down from cracks in the rocks above, but not enough for me to see and function normally. I was also sure that my arm was going to be a bit bruised as well when he finally let go of me.

My heart jumped in its chest when we finally reached an area with torches adorning the halls of the cave. More nagas were wandering around throughout the halls, but they froze when they either saw or smelled me. Their forked tongues flicked out to catch my scent, and I wished I had a scarf when their eyes immediately went to my neck, where Alaric had bitten me.

"King Szayel has been waiting," one of the two nagas in armor said outside of the two large doors in the hall, where many of the nagas were wandering.

The other naga in armor opened the door, and soon Luna and I were pulled into a room full of so many nagas. I wanted to die right then and there with how large and intimidating the nagas were in this room, but they were also so captivating. I had always dreamed of seeing them and here I was, standing in a room full of the king of these nagas, Alaric, and many other powerful and imposing looking nagas. Some had jewels or gold on their scales and horns. Others had battle wounds and terrible scars that only added to their uncaring appearance.

Luna looked up at me worriedly and I had never seen her so afraid before. The naga holding me finally released my arm and I immediately cradled Luna closer to me. I knew she would be safer than me, but I just wanted to comfort her. My eyes focused on Alaric, who was smiling widely at the fact that I was standing there ready to pass out or run for it like a madwoman. However, the sparkle of ruby and a small chuckle made me look at the naga sitting in a golden throne at the head of the room.

He had long dark red hair that had a few braids with gold jewelry entwined in the braids. His horns were pure gold and he had black almost tribal type markings made of scales on his chest, arms, and face. A gold necklace hung around his neck and a ruby jewel rested in the center. Overall, he was gorgeous but the aura around him made my hair on the back of my neck stand up straight. He rose from his throne and slowly approached me as his chuckle continued.

"Alaric, I told you to bring me something from the trespassers, I did not know that you brought me a mate, well at least after she has completed the change," the deep and sultry voice of the King naga, Szayel, hissed with a smirk on his face.

"You have been lonely long enough, my king, I thought you would enjoy a queen. She has been very kind to the serpent in her arms, and I thought she would make a perfect female companion for you. Are you displeased my king? I did not want to disrespect your wish for all of the trespassers to die, but she seemed different from the others," Alaric said while bowing his head waiting for the king's judgment.

"Alaric, the other humans will die, that is no concern of mine. However, I am pleased with your choice, very pleased. Take her to my chambers, I will speak with her later. Alaric, you will make sure that her change completes as quickly as possible," Szayel spoke as he ran a clawed hand over my cheek and down my neck before he left the room with a few warrior looking nagas following him.

"Michelle, this way," Alaric spoke in a calming way but I was about ready to have a mental breakdown.

"What change? What does he mean I'm changing? Alaric, what did your bite do? His queen, I'm not even a naga, I'm not even part snake at all," I practically shouted not even caring that unknown nagas were in the room with us still.

"You'll be all right, Michelle, this is a good thing," Alaric said and something weird happened with his eyes. They started to become cloudy and my consciousness started to slip away as he whispered soothingly while his eyes continued to cloud. "You'll be fine, you'll make a wonderful queen," was the last thing I heard before completely succumbing to unconsciousness.