•CATHERINE•"Hey, Julie," I said into the phone, sitting on the couch on the balcony."Catherine?" Her voice rose in disbelief. "My goodness, I never thought I would hear from you again. Where are you? We’ve been trying to call for days, worried sick.""I’m fine," I reassured her, forcing calm into my voice. "How is Lila?"I felt a knot of anxiety in my chest. I had left her in the care of people she barely knew when I returned with her from Crescent Moon, and I had failed to check in regularly. Guilt twisted in me, and I didn't even know how I was going to apologize to her. "She’s fine," Julie answered, but there was worry beneath her words. "She’s been asking about you constantly. We’re all worried, Catherine.""I’ll be home soon," I promised. "Once I am done with what I'm doing here, I will be home." "Please be," she replied softly. "We need you here.""Can I speak with her?" Lila's voice came through the line, and Julie gave her the phone. "Luna?" she answered. "Lila, I’m so
Last Updated : 2026-01-23 Read more