Lahat ng Kabanata ng BETRAYED BY THE MOON : Kabanata 31 - Kabanata 40

Amara’s POVDarkness, silence, and pain.I had no feelings.Was someone killed?I attempted to move, but my body refused to cooperate. It was all numb. Chilly. I yelled in my head, but I made no sound. I was stuck, lost, weightless, drifting in a void.Then there were voices. Muffled, distant, yet familiar."Amara!"Darius? His voice was raw with emotion and harsh. I wanted to call him, but I couldn't."She's not breathing—""Help her!""No pulse—""Amara, don’t you dare leave me!"I wanted to respond, to let them know I was here, but the shadows drew me in.It was oddly silent on the battlefield. The battle was over. The adversary was vanquished. But it felt like a hollow win. Warriors watched my body sprawled on the blood-stained ground in disbelief.Someone broke down in tears. Others prayed in whispers.Darius knelt next to me and stroked my face with trembling hands. "No. "No, no, no." His voice broke. "Amara, open your eyes. Please.No answer.In a desperate attempt to find a pu

Amara’s POVI had to keep it hidden.I was constantly reminded that something was amiss by the burning mark on my wrist. However, I was unable to inform Darius. I was unable to inform anyone.Would they trust me if they knew?Would I still be considered their Luna?Or would they perceive me as something else—a threat?As I firmly bandaged my wrist, the early light poured in through the windows. My hands were shaking.Beneath the cloth, the mark pulsed. It seemed to be alive.I inhaled deeply. Everything is alright. Nobody will be aware.I flinched as I heard a knock at the door. "Amara?"Darius.My heart was racing.With haste, I rolled down my sleeve and faced the door. "Come in."Darius entered as the door creaked open. His amber eyes scrutinized me intently. "You didn’t come to breakfast."I tried to grin. "I wasn’t hungry."He clenched his jaw. "You didn’t sleep either, did you?"I looked away. "I’m fine."It was a falsehood.I didn't feel good at all.Last night the whispers had

Amara’s POVThe muttering continued.Viktor's voice slithered in my head every time I closed my eyes, tightening like a suffocating vine around my thoughts.Luna, small, you are mine.I clenched my jaw, attempting to block him out. "No. I’m not."You will be.A searing ache pierced my wrist. I looked down, gasping. The mark, the black, odd symbol, blazed under my skin like a fire.My teeth were clenched. I have to stop letting this get to me. I would not allow it.I was forced to fight.However, the darkness seemed to be encroaching on me more and more with each second that went by.Furthermore, I was running out of time.The burning feeling raced through me, and I spent the majority of the morning in my room, holding on to my wrist.The murmurs were no longer merely words. They were tugging at me and making me think in different ways.I sensed that something was hiding beneath my skin.Something is amiss."Amara?"I raised my head.Darius waited at the doorway, his golden eyes deepen

Amara’s POVThe air was heavy with the aroma of burning plants, and the shaman's tent was barely illuminated. As I watched him set up the ceremony, my hands shook. The only thing preventing me from running was Darius's proximity.My chest began to feel heavy with the impending event.It was this.Either I prevailed, or I permanently lost myself.A circle of luminous stones, each pulsing with energy, was spread forth by the shaman. He spoke in a language I couldn't understand and moved slowly and deliberately. Then his piercing eyes met mine as he raised his head.He remarked, "You must be sure," "Once we begin, there is no turning back."I took a deep breath. "I know."After examining me for a while, he nodded. "Viktor's darkness will be removed from you by this ritual, but it won't be kind. You have to struggle to stay alive.I balled my fists up. "And if I’m not strong enough?"The shaman's face grew serious. "You'll be lost after that. Forever.Beside me, Darius tensed up. "That wo

Amara’s POVI felt uneasy when I opened my eyes. I felt as though there was a void inside of me where my magic formerly was. I sat up, feeling the comforting warmth of my strength deep within myself, my fingers shaking. Nothing. A cold panic took hold of me. My breathing became laboured."Darius," I said, my voice hardly coherent. "Something’s wrong."In a moment, Darius was by my side, his golden eyes full of worry. "What is it?"I forcefully gulped, attempting once more to conjure up even a glimmer of strength. Nothing has changed. My chest constricted. "I can’t feel my magic," I said quietly, my voice cracking.His hands encircled me. He tried to reassure me, saying, "Maybe you're just weak from the ritual." "You were worn down by it. Allow time.I gave a headshake. "Darius, no. It is no longer there. I sense it. As if something had been torn from me." With the dread gnawing at my throat, I raised my voice a little. "Now how can I keep them safe? "How do I fight?"Darius drew me in