All Chapters of The Luna He Left To Burn: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

AVAThe hall registry wasn’t what I had expected for a mid-morning. Only a handful of staff moved between desks with the particular efficiency of people who had learned to look busy regardless of what was actually in front of them.The woman at the front reception looked up when I came in and her expression shifted from neutral to attentive in the space of a second."Miss Hale," she said, straightening. "We were told to expect you.""Thank you," I said.Dorian had followed me a half step behind. He exchanged a brief word with the woman at reception before she gestured toward a corridor to the left. He turned to me."Right this way," he said.He led me down the corridor and stopped outside a room near the far end.It was smaller than I had anticipated, a working room more than a meeting room. Just a space suited for keeping things documents contained and keeping the worker busy rather than comfortable. On the table inside sat a folder, closed, positioned in the center like it had be

AVAI acted clueless with curious feet.Walking calmly with my cane until I got close enough to the doors. But I hadn't gotten close enough to pull one of the door knobs open when one of the guards stepped in my way."Miss Hale," he said, polite but immovable. "There is a closed session in progress. This corridor is restricted until the meeting concludes."For some reason I felt if I had on dark glasses I would have sold the act. But it was too late to consider being blind over acting blindly."I understand," I said. "I was just looking to confirm something with one of the attendees.""I'm afraid that won't be possible until the session is over," he said.The second guard, stationed a few feet to the right, didn't look at me but his posture said everything the first one hadn't needed to.I held there for a moment and then stepped back."Of course," I said. "Thank you."I turned and moved back toward the pavilion, my mind already working through options. There was a side corridor on th

AVAI walked out of that room a human library.Just like Dorian had said, I couldn't leave with a single file or piece of paper. No copies, no photographs, nothing that could be traced back to the time he had bought me in there. So, I walked those documents with my eyes and tried to hold as much of it as I could, key words, patterns, names, the shape of arrangements that had been deliberately obscured but not obscured enough.I tied the pieces together in my mind making a strings with various knots holding it all together, and hoped it would hold long enough to be useful.Everything started to look different the second I stepped outside. When an alliance could determine what could be built, what could be traded and what shouldn’t. For someone who always believed in unwavering loyalty. I found myself thinking if I lived in the reality built on my beliefs."Miss Ava." Dorian walked up to me as I continued on my way to the front. "I hope you weren’t overwhelmed?”“Puzzled is more fitting

AVA"What do you mean?" Mother asked, confused.Father looked even more confused, but his expression morphed into frustration."Ava, speak clearly," Father said."Breathe, Ava. Don't rush it," Mother said, even though she looked more anxious than Father."Ever since I woke up, it feels like half of me is not responding anymore," I managed."Where exactly do you feel pain?" Mother asked. "Is it here? Or here?"Mother said this while touching my legs slightly, but I jerked, making her flinch backward."It is everywhere," I said with another loud sob, letting out a sharp scream when she attempted to massage the muscle.They could not find any sense in it, but now was not the time to waste precious moments thinking."Amina!" Father barked."Yes, Alpha?" She snapped to attention, though her voice was still quivering."Get the pack doctor on the phone now.""Yes, Alpha," she said and dashed off to obey the command."Oh, Goddess," Mother said, panic taking over as she began pacing around the

AVA"Amina, don't bother with the water," mother instructed.After the revelation, the least thing anyone at this table was interested in was hydration. All that surrounded me was an atmosphere hungry for answers. The silence itself felt like a question waiting to be asked."Yes, Madam," Amina said, setting down the pitcher and taking the empty seat at the end of the table. Her actions weren’t questioned. She deserved a seat at the table as well. Also, I’d prefer if everyone was up to speed.I didn't need to ask. A silent agreement on the first question had already been made. The looks on their faces said everything. But that was not the question they would ask first. They would start smaller.Mother reached across the table and took my hand."First, I'm glad you're fully walking again. Though I wouldn't think of celebrating just yet. How long?" she asked."Three days before I locked you in," I said, unapologetic, and mother took it with a slow nod.Father was still fiddling with his