All Chapters of Detective Casie Blackwood and the Moonlit Secrets: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

Casie closed her eyes, trying to focus on the faint impressions flowing through her connection to the Tear. Images flickered behind her eyelids, a younger Seraphina, her face unmarked by centuries of hatred, standing before what appeared to be a Council much older than the current one. The Tear pulsed with something that felt like ancient sorrow."They were rivals," Casie said, opening her eyes. "Seraphina and the first Luna. They both loved the same man, but he chose the Luna." The realisation came with a certainty that surprised her. "That's why she founded the Order, not just to enforce supernatural segregation, but as revenge against the bloodline that took everything from her."Nathaniel's expression darkened. "Personal vendetta disguised as ideological purity. It fits what we know of her methods.""So this whole thing, the attacks on the teenagers, the attempt to corrupt our bond, the Convergence ritual, it's all about settling a centuries-old score?" Rick shook his head, disbel

Nathaniel sat up, his expression shifting toward strategic assessment despite the joy still pulsing through their bond. "We need to adjust our approach. Your safety, both of you, becomes the priority.""I'm still a federal agent," Casie reminded him, bristling slightly at the implication she might need to step back. "And I'm the one connected to the Tear. We can't change the plan now."Rick's hand remained protectively over her abdomen, though his expression showed he understood her position. "No one's suggesting you sit this out, Blackwood. But we need contingencies. Backup plans if things go sideways."The Tear warmed against her skin, almost as if offering reassurance. Casie felt its ancient energy flowing through her, somehow both separate from and integrated with the new life growing within her."The baby changes the stakes," she acknowledged, covering both men's hands with her own. "But it doesn't change our responsibility. If anything, it makes stopping Seraphina more important.

A visible tremor ran through him at the childhood nickname. "Am I? After what I did?" His gaze dropped to the Tear glowing softly against her breastbone. His eyes widened slightly, recognition flickering across his haggard features. "It really is you in there, isn't it?" he whispered. "The first Luna. I can see her light now, without their poison clouding my mind." "What did they do to you, Benjamin?" Casie asked, stepping closer to the glass despite feeling Nathaniel tense beside her. The Tear pulsed steadily, its rhythm unchanging. Benjamin's hands shook as he raised them, the silver restraints clinking softly. "They found me at my lowest point. After rehab, when I had nowhere to go." His voice cracked with remembered pain. "Seraphina herself approached me, t

Rick's jaw tightened, his cop's instincts engaging. "Human trafficking with a supernatural twist," Rick muttered, his eyes darkening with professional fury. "Any indication of who these sacrifices might be?""None specifically," Casie replied, instinctively placing a hand over her abdomen. "But Benjamin mentioned they prefer willing sacrifices. The power of choice freely given supposedly strengthens the ritual."Valeria looked up from the ancient texts, her expression grave. "That aligns with what I've been finding in these records. The Order believes in the power of consent, ironically, given how freely they manipulate minds to obtain it."The Tear pulsed gently against Casie's skin, its warmth a constant reminder of both protection and vulnerability. Through their bond, she felt Rick's growing agitation and Nathaniel's careful strategic assessment, their emotions feeding into her own sense of urgency."We need to get back to the city," she decided, glancing at her father. "If Seraph

"Godhood," Nathaniel said flatly. "The eternal ambition of the power-hungry."The logging road curved sharply ahead, forcing Rick to slow the vehicle to a crawl. Casie tensed as they lost momentum, the surrounding forest suddenly feeling too close, too watchful. Through the bond, she felt both mates register her unease, their senses heightening in response."Something's wrong," she whispered, the Tear burning hot against her skin now. "Rick..."The impact came from the right side, a blur of motion slamming into the SUV with enough force to send it skidding sideways. Casie's head snapped back against the headrest, her vision momentarily whiting out from the shock. The vehicle tilted precariously, teetering on two wheels before crashing back down with a bone-jarring impact. Through the chaos, Casie registered Nathaniel's arm bracing her against the door, preventing worse injury."Contact!" Rick shouted, already reaching for his weapon.Another impact rocked the vehicle from the opposite