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Chapter 16
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Luna of the Menae Chapter 17
The roaring of the Blood River’s wild current crashing into the rocks draws me from my sleep. When I open my eyes, I realize I’m laying on the grass. The full moon is lighting up the raging river and everything around it with an eerie glow. The edges of my vision seem misty for such a clear, crisp night. The ground is dry, but the air smells like fresh rain and lilacs. I look around and see the river bank thirty yards away. Its banks overflowing the way they do every spring thaw. There’s a woman standing with her feet in the agitated water. Her white dress has pleated sheer fabric attached to the shoulders. It looks like she’s wearing a cape with her long, backless white dress. A silver rope around her waist holds the dress in place. Black flames with deep purple licking at the edges float two inches above her head, extending into tall, sharp points in the night sky. The points create wisps of smoke that curl in the air and disappear on the gentle night breeze. I look closer and not
Luna of the Menae Chapter 18
“Maya? Andreas?” I drop to my knees, momentarily forgetting about the woman ready to attack Kas. Two of the toddlers rush into my arms. Relief washes over me when I feel my children embracing me. The rest see my arms extended and follow suit. “You’re the Menae. The Leaders and Guardians?” I look around at the crying children, trying to shush and comfort them. How could I possibly know that? It doesn’t matter. They can’t defend themselves. It’s up to me. One boy stands at the edge of the cage, looking through the bars at Kas. He’s not scared. It feels like he’s angry about what’s happening. “Everyone, look at me. Okay? Look this way, away from the river. Alpha’s orders. Don’t turn around, no matter what. I won’t let anyone hurt you.” I turn all the children away to stop them from seeing what is happening by the shoreline. The little boy watching the scene doesn’t move. I place my hand on his shoulder. “Come on, you too, son.” When he turns around, his face has shifted into wolf f
Luna of the Menae Chapter 19
Ashley’s eyes are black and extended claws, with her wolf at the surface. “Let him go, Bronx.” I lighten my grip on Reggie’s arm and stare her down. “Zinnia, calm down.” “NOW!” She growls and jumps forward in her seat, shaking the SUV. Arnie turns in his seat and reaches his arm back. “Gamma, please. Sit back. I’m not trying to restrain anyone here today.” I slowly release Reggie and hold my hands up. “Alright, see, I let go. I apologize, Zinnia. Please give Ashley back. I was sleeping. I didn’t know what I was doing.” “That’s what you said the last time.” She snarls, referring to the time I had a PTSD episode where I blacked out and almost slit his throat, thinking he was an intruder in the packhouse. “No, this wasn’t like last time. It was just a dream, but it felt so real.” I rub my hands over my face. “I’m sorry. Reggie, are you okay?” “I’m good.” He rubs his arm with his hand, then turns to Ashley. “Zinnia, it’s okay. I’m fine. Please let Ashley come forward now.” Ashle
Luna of the Menae Chapter 20
A woman from the airline escorts me when it’s time to board the plane. She makes sure I’m comfortable, then boards the rest of the passengers. I leave my sunglasses on so people can’t see me watching them watch me as they walk past. I try to read my newspaper, but I’m distracted thinking about the color of Andreas’s eyes and how I felt so drawn to Maya. I take the folder out of the envelope Ashley gave me and put down the tray table. I still have to finish answering the questionnaire. I fold up the paper, but notice an article about cryptocurrency, written by someone I know, so I pick it back up and look it over. The stewardess comes by and sets a glass on my tray table while I’m engrossed in the article. “Thank you.” I murmur, not turning my attention away from an article. I take a sip of the glass and feel the familiar burn slide down my throat. I taste the flavor on my tongue and look in the glass. It’s the same bourbon I’ve been drowning myself in for the last five months. I l
Luna of the Menae Chapter 21
Kas’s POV There’s a tiny knock on the door, then the nurse peeks her head in. “Luna, you’re awake.” I shake my head at the thought of being able to sleep, knowing Bronx is downstairs trying to heal Andreas. “Yes, please come in.” I try to sound pleasant. Inside my stomach is full of angry butterflies. I adjust Maya in my arm to make sure she’s getting milk from the bottle. “H-how did it go?” The nurse approaches with the Andreas blanket and sits on the edge of the bed. “See for yourself, Luna.” She sits closer and pulls the blanket away from Andreas’s face. My sweet boy squints at the light and fusses about having to be removed from his warm cocoon. The first thing I notice is that his hair has a tint of color to it. It isn’t the stark white it was when the nurse took him away. “Oh, my sweet boy.” I brush my hand over his head and coo at him. “Look what your daddy did for you.” At my touch, Andreas opens his eyes wide and looks at me, cooing with a grumpy face in response. When
Luna of the Menae Chapter 22
“Kas?” A high pitched, excited voice wakes me up. “Open your eyes! I need to talk to you!” My eyes flutter open to my sister Leticia being inches from my face. “WHAT THE?!! Leticia! You scared me!” “Holy moly, Kas, you look like shit.” She sits me up and touches her fingertips on my face. “I didn’t think you could look worse than you did when you brought us here.” “Ugh. Thanks Leticia. I love you too. The last month has been a little rough, but the twins are born safe and sound. Maya and Andreas.” I sit up on my elbows and look around. I’m in a guest suite in Kardiá tou Menae. The light airy room feels full of positive energy. I breathe a sigh of relief, knowing I’m not in danger for once. “You summoned me? Am I an astral projection?” “Yeah, but I’m not allowed to use dark magic anymore. Since you’re here, that means it was GOOD magic. Right?” She speaks slowly and nods, waiting for praise. “No need for me to go to the Waiting Room.” “Yes, Leticia. If you called me here for a go
Luna of the Menae Chapter 23
My jaw drops in awe at the request. They either haven’t through this through or they are messing with me. I look around at the women, seeing if I can tell if this is some sort of prank. “I- Are… are you sure? You all voted? You want me to be your Luna?” Leticia wraps her arms around me from behind and gives me a strangling hug. Ayrelles looks concerned, but I hold my hand up to let her know it’s fine. “Kas, you’re the best choice for it. You’re already basically the best Luna we’ve ever had, and it’s not even your official title.” “Yeah, Kas. You created this beautiful place for us. We all agree. We can’t think of anything more kind and selfless than using practically every drop of your essence to make sure you family has been taken care of. They are the most important qualities for a Luna. It’s been millennia since we’ve had that. Katherine only wanted control. She didn’t give a shit if we were doing well.” Sunny, one of the Maven, approaches me and regards me with bright, golden e
Luna of the Menae Chapter 24
“Iokaste, wake up, dear girl.” An unfamiliar voice beacons me. The woman’s tone sounds rich, like warm honey on a freshly baked roll, with doves gently cooing in the background. The scent of roses and juicy pomegranate overtakes my senses, making me open my eyes to see where I could be. When I sit up, my hands sink into a deep, plush velvet chaise lounge. It is the lightest shade of blush pink I have ever seen. Instead of brass upholstery tacks around the edges, the sofa appears to be held together with large pearls. There are white satin pillows stacked behind me. The chair I’m sitting on is in the middle of the room that doesn’t seem to have walls, but if it did, they would be adorned in a creamy brocade wallpaper. Besides the chaise, there are two oversized armchairs made of an ivory color velvet. The more I look at them, the more I realize they aren’t just oversized. They are huge. You would have to be at least seven feet tall to sit comfortably. I swing my feet off the side of
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