Semua Bab The Banished Luna's Awakening: Bab 121 - Bab 130

Elara's POVBefore any more word could be spoken, Ryker snapped his head toward the door, realizing just how many eyes were lingering near the open threshold. The young servant who had summoned us was still standing nervously by the entrance, and two pack guards were hovering outside in the hallway, trying to catch a glimpse of the unconscious girl."Out. All of you," Ryker commanded, his voice dropping into a harsh, absolute rumble of alpha authority. "Clear this corridor and post a perimeter at the end of the hall. No one enters this wing without my direct permission."The guards straightened instantly, bowing their heads before ushering the frightened servant out and pulling the heavy oak doors firmly shut behind them. The loud click of the lock echoing through the space signaled our absolute isolation. Only the four of us and Elspeth remained.I stared at the glass in Elspeth’s trembling hand. “What mark?” I asked quietly, my voice almost swallowed by the silence in the room.Elsp

Elara's POVLucien leaned over the wooden frame of the couch to inspect her closely, his sharp jaw set in a hard, unreadable line. "Stella, look at me," He said, his voice laced with a sharp edge of protection. "Do you feel any pain in your chest? Any pressure behind your eyes?"Stella's breathing suddenly became uneven. Her eyes widened as she clutched her chest, and I barely had time to wonder what was happening before a deafening pulse of translucent silver energy erupted from her body.Fortunately, I was far enough away that I wasn't caught in the worst of it, though I was still in the room. The shockwave slammed into the walls, sending shards of glass flying as the tall windows shattered outward.Lucien was knocked off his feet, his grip torn from Stella's waist as the force sent him crashing onto the hardwood floor.Kael, caught completely off guard at the foot of the couch, raised his arm to shield his face just as a jagged shard of glass flew toward him. A deep, ugly tear ripp

Stella climbed down from Lucien’s horse, her boots sinking into the mud. She took one look around and went still.Wounded soldiers were everywhere. Some were being carried into the tents while others lay on stretchers, barely conscious. The smell of blood filled the air.“Stella, stay behind me,” Lucien said, catching her arm. “Don't look.”She pulled her arm free.“No. I came here to help.”Before anyone could stop her, she dropped beside Commander Vance.“What are you doing?” one of the medics snapped. “Get back! He's critical—”“Let her,” Kael said from behind her.Stella pushed her sleeves up and placed both hands over the commander's wound.For a moment, nothing happened.Then the Aetheris mark beneath her skin began to glow.A warm light spread from her palms and into the wound. The dark veins around the silver-poisoned flesh slowly faded. The silver began to work its way out, and the torn flesh started closing beneath her hands.Vance's breathing, which had been ragged and weak

I frowned, displeased by his cautious phrasing. "That's not what I mean.""I know.""No, you don't," I insisted, my voice dropping even further. "That wasn't an innocent smile. She knew I was watching her and wanted me to see it."Kael leaned against the wall, studying me carefully as if trying to piece together a puzzle. "Did she say anything?""No.""Did she threaten you?""No.""Did she do anything else?"I hesitated, forced to admit the truth. "Not today."Kael's eyes narrowed slightly as he pushed for specifics. "Then what makes you think she's trying to take your place?"I looked at him, deeply frustrated that I even had to explain something that felt so obvious to me. I opened my mouth to defend myself, then stopped as the silence stretched awkwardly between us. He wasn't really believing me. His questions weren't those of someone who shared my instincts, but rather the inquiries of someone searching for a solid, logical reason to take my suspicion seriously.Looking away, I sh

Elara's POVI stared at her for a moment before shaking my head, regretting why I even gave her a minute of my time“You still don’t believe me?” Stella whispered, but her words cut through the ringing in my ears.Before I could pull back, she stepped forward, her movement unnaturally fast, and pressed her open hand directly against my solar plexus. The moment her skin touched my tunic, my entire body violently convulsed.A scream caught in my throat as a sharp, tearing pain ripped through my chest. It wasn’t from anything hitting me. The pain came from deep inside, spreading through my body like something was being ripped away from me. My lungs locked, and I struggled to breathe. The golden light between us suddenly flared, so bright it hurt to look at. Its energy turned hot against my skin, burning through my clothes.My knees gave out.I would have fallen, but Stella caught my shoulder with her other hand and held me upright. Then she leaned closer, her lips almost brushing my ear.