บททั้งหมดของ Luna of the Menae: บทที่ 81 - บทที่ 90

“I just scare the shit out of anyone who gets suspicious. Being able to produce panic is a Hell of an ability.” Pan winks at me. “Would you like to see your book now, your Majesty?” “Yes, but, um, please just call me Kas.” I give him a grateful smile. “Blech. What an unfitting sobriquet for such an accomplished Goddess.” He gives me a rude look. “If you insist, I won’t call you ‘your Majesty’, but I will continue to call you Iokaste. I refuse to lower myself to refer to you with an unfitting moniker.” “O-okay.” I furrow my brows at his complex way of speaking, as well as his refusal to call me Kas. Other than Lady Camille and Delilah, no one has ever refused to call me Kas. Not in this lifetime, anyway. If Lex was here, I’m sure she’d have a snappy comeback, but I’ll let this slide. I did him a favor, he did one for me. He gives his head a quick nod and clomps to one of the wooden panels. The engraving has a wolf’s head with five, ten pointed stars above it. I look more closely an

“I have so much to tell you about what I’ve learned from Mother and other wolf spirits who have finished their journeys, but first things first, Kas. I’m starving.” Lex settles herself into her spot in my mind. I feel my body relax, more complete than I have been in months. “Let’s go catch a rabbit… or three… or four.” “We can’t catch a rabbit right now, Lex. We’re downtown.” I sigh and give myself a moment to spend time with her before I open my eyes. “Okay, then a burrito. From that little place across from the bakery. They put that delicious steak inside. Oh, don’t forget the chips and guacamole… and a chicken quesadilla, extra chicken.” She demands. “And extra hot sauce… and queso. Do you think they have churros? I could really go for a churro or three.” “I’m sure Bronx will be happy to get us whatever you want, but I’m pretty sure I can't eat all that at once.” I shake my head and laugh at her. Some things never change. Lex could eat herself to death and die happily. Sometimes

The air in the room feels thin and my vision darkens at the edges. My knees give out, but Leticia and Lady Camille catch me.Bronx jumps up, but Delilah stops him. “Alpha Regent Bronx Andreas Mason, hold your position. We need the energy around the room to remain constant. If you move, it will disrupt the flow.”“Kas, are you okay?” Leticia holds me under the arms, while Lady Camille grips my waist.“Y-yeah. You know how borrowed energy is. It’s not the same as using your own.” I stand and use my cane to support myself. “I’ll be okay.”Pan pulls a pan flute out of his back pocket and blows into it. An intricate song flows through the room, creating vibrations that are almost visible. A blinding white portal replaces the door to the room. I try to look away, but I can’t. Somewhere in the distance, a dog howls. I look at Bronx, but he shakes his head. It wasn’t my imagination. It was a herald of Hecate. Two shadows appear in the portal and step into the room. Their combined energy sends

I stand up from the sofa and look around. France? How am I going to get home from France? I’m so far from my babies! I need to contact someone. Crap. My cell phone is in my purse. I go to the office door where the landline phone is, but the door is locked. Of course it’s locked. That’s where the safe and electronic equipment are. Bronx doesn’t want anyone messing with it. I need the key. Crap. The key is on my keychain at home with the rest of the keys for this apartment. I lean my head against the door and try to think. If I go outside, people are going to wonder how the Hell I got to Paris when they just saw me a couple hours ago in Montana. “Lex? Are you there?” “I’m here. This is so weird, though.” Lex sounds as confused as I feel. “Why did Hecate send us to Paris? This is safer than home? Wait. What was that?” “I don’t know.” I freeze and listen to quiet footsteps creaking above me. I swallow back the feeling of panic rising in my chest. “Hecate said she was going to find a

“KAAAAAASSSS!!!! HELP ME!! HE’S GONE!! HE’S GOOONNNEEE!!!!” A blood-curdling scream pierces the silence. I bolt up in bed and cover my ears to block out the shriek, but the noise continues as a mindlink. The sun shines brightly in the room, forcing my eyes shut. My head feels like a lead balloon and my stomach churns. I uncover my ears and try to focus through the fog in my brain. Somewhere out in the hallway, the voice is screaming the same words that ring in my head. “Leticia?” Leticia’s wailing sounds excruciating, begging and pleading for me to help her. “Leticia?!” I jump out of bed, but I’m too tangled in the sheets and fall face first to the floor. Bronx catches me an inch from smashing my nose on the light gray carpeting and lifts me back into the bed. “Kas, be careful!” He groans, squinting in the bright room. “What’s wrong?” “Kas, go! She needs you!!” Lex whines, trying to push me to the door. “Leticia! Leticia needs me!” I untangle the sheet and scramble off the bed.