Cloud Zapper and the Gifted Crown excerpt

“CLOUD!” Red hooves gripped his. Cloud’s eyes looked up into the blue eyes of Captain Sunride, the other guards fast approaching as they flew or galloped in the gale to reach him. Sunride pulled so hard Cloud felt like his hooves would be yanked from their sockets. Multiple tentacles suddenly rushed forward, one wrapping around Clouds midsection, another wrapping around Sunride’s neck. Cloud screamed as it spread up over Sunride’s face, suffocating him as it dragged them both back towards the sphere. Cloud could see them, his comrades, his friends and family in arms. They watched, screamed and gave chase, unable to help as the blackness drew both him and Sunride in. And their terrified faces were the last thing he saw before the world went dark. - Cloud Zapper and the Gifted Crown excerpt