Mag-log inLulu“By the Moon Goddess, what’s this even supposed to mean?” I muttered under my breath, my fingers trembling over the yellowed paper.I didn’t understand lunar cycles or how they affected sorcerers at all. The only thing I knew was the basic fact that a lunar eclipse usually weakened werewolves like us. But the text in front of me was talking about something far deeper than I’d ever imagined.Like the case of the hybrid wolf’s heart being stolen, the Thirteenth Moon ritual seemed to follow a similar concept. The red dragon’s power would be drained by a fire sorcerer like Thaddeus, and during a lunar eclipse, they would gain a form of balanced power, specifically for fire-based sorcerers.But what was the connection?That was still a mystery, and my thoughts felt completely stuck, like I’d hit a dead end.The sound of heavy footsteps approaching snapped me out of it.I jolted, his scent already thick in the air since earlier that morning.Quickly, I shut the Lunar Cycles book and gr
LuluLast night was a complete disaster, but the vision of my mum changed everything. As I adjusted the pillow, I looked at Caspian, who was still waiting for me to speak, his expression full of worry.“There’s something my mum drew,” I whispered again, this time more firmly.Caspian moved closer, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Did she say anything?”“Not in words,” I replied, trying to recall every detail. I raised my hand, copying the movement I’d seen in the dream. “She made a circular motion, pointing right at the dragon’s heart. Then she pointed at the moon, just as it was nearing its peak.”I let out a long breath, feeling a dull throb in my temples. “That pyromancer mentioned something about the ‘Thirteenth Moon’. Mum seemed to confirm it. She wants me to save the dragon at the right moment. I’m certain that circle symbol isn’t just a random gesture, it’s the key.”Caspian frowned, his hands clenched on his knees. “I’ve no idea what that could mean, Lulu. Problem is, we can’t
LuluI adjusted my bag, making sure the cloak didn’t expose the two of us and the compass in my hand. Caspian had already moved closer to me; our shadows, which had been stretched across the rough wooden floor of the inn, disappeared as we began to move.“Are you ready?” he whispered.I was just about to nod when a sound broke the silence of the room. My baby’s sharp cry stopped us in our tracks.My heart dropped.I quickly went to the basket, lifting the tiny body into my arms. “Sshh, darling, it’s Mummy. Quiet now,” I whispered in panic.Instead of calming down, the crying only grew louder, filling the small room with a pitch that could set off alarms across the whole city.Sandra appeared from behind the curtain, her face looking tired. “Give her to me, Luna Lulu. Maybe she’s cold.”I handed her over. Sandra immediately wrapped my baby in a blanket.But the crying didn’t stop. Caspian stepped closer, his usually firm face now stiff with worry. He tried holding the baby, rocking her
LuluIt’s been two days since Caspian admitted the bitter truth about our imperfect bond. For those same two days, we’ve been taking turns scouring every corner of this stifling city, trying to find any trace of Vane.We move in an awkward silence. Even though Caspian keeps trying small things, like making sure I eat properly or draping a blanket over me when I fall asleep from exhaustion, I still keep my distance.Trust, once cracked, doesn’t mend in a single night of regret.That afternoon, the terrace of our inn is quieter than usual. Normally it’s packed with sorcerers chatting away or lounging about, sipping tea that smells suspiciously like horse dung.We’re sat on a bench a bit further from the entrance when Dren approaches. Without much fuss, he hands Caspian a rolled parchment.“Master Thaddeus invites you to the Velodrome tomorrow,” Dren says shortly before walking off. “There’s a show you wouldn’t want to miss as honoured guests.”I glance at Caspian, and I know we’re think
LuluCaspian quickly pulled off what was left of his torn shirt and wrapped it around me.“Don’t touch me!” I snapped, my voice hoarse, my throat still burning.I shoved his hand away, clutching the shirt tighter around my shaking body.“Lulu, you’re hurt. Let me see it,” Caspian said, his voice frustrated but laced with regret. He sat down on the ground in front of me, keeping the distance I’d asked for.“No.” I stared at him, my eyes stinging with tears that refused to fall. “It still hurts and that’s because of you.”“Sorry,” Caspian cut in. “I had to do it. I just didn’t expect things to go this far.”“Easy for you to say when I’m the one they tortured worse.” My voice rose.“I know, but I couldn’t stand seeing you like that either.”“You should’ve told me!” I shouted, the pain in my chest flaring. “Why didn’t you tell me about Niobe? Why did you let me think she betrayed us?”Caspian looked down, unable to meet my eyes. “Because Niobe’s cover is fragile. The fewer people who know
LuluFor the Moon Goddess’s sake, the stench of corpses around me was even worse than death usually smelled.I was still in Pyrrha’s form. My paws were soaked in a mix of water from Caspian’s attack and the enemies’ blood. My fangs were still clenched tight, bits of one of those fire witches’ flesh caught between them.My eyes locked back onto Niobe. She stood there, at the edge of the shattered ritual circle, looking far too calm for someone who had just witnessed a massacre.Her clothes were neat. Her hair wasn’t even out of place. Compared to me who had just gone through something that felt like being skinned alive.Caspian, who had just shifted back from his feral Morpheus form, looked terrifying even now. Naked, his body covered in cuts and bruises, smeared with blood and mud. But he ignored all of it and walked straight toward Niobe.“Well done, Niobe.” Caspian’s words echoed in my head, hitting harder than any fire spell. “Your report on this ritual came in a bit late, but you
CaspianI woke before the first light touched the horizon. The air in the room was thick—heavy with the sharp tang of magic and the scent of lilies clinging to Lulu, who was still fast asleep beside me.I watched her for a moment—the woman who’d become the eye of every storm in my life.Then, a sub
Lulu“So… we’re still moving rooms, right?” I asked, hoping Caspian would agree.“Yeah,” he said, though he hesitated.I knew why. He didn’t want to disrespect our host’s offer. Refusing would only make things harder for us here. Elaria’s goodwill was the one thing we could use if we wanted to inve
LuluSalt flooded my mouth as I choked, seawater pouring out of my nose and throat in one brutal, burning gasp. My body felt impossibly heavy, pinned down by the water hurled at me with a vicious swing of his arm.When the miniature wave finally receded, I managed to push myself up from the cold, s
Lulu“I just had a dream.”I told Caspian about it after a silence that had gone on far too long to feel normal.We were standing in the room Niobe usually used for private talks. The crystal lamps along the walls glowed dimly, casting long shadows across the floor. The night air was still cool, ye







