The Last Moon Child

. She felt the warmth of his breath on her skin, sending shivers

his presence seemed to anchor her in the midst of chaos. The moon's

e?" Ember asked, her voi

want to protect you, Ember. Fro

. Power? Misuse? She felt like a p

ore," Embe

secrets are no longer safe. The Order of the Re

t. The Order of the Red Han

e Order?"

society, hidden in plain sight. They seek to

ly's secrets, the moon's power, th

apped toward the trees. "

ened. The night air v

d, pulling her toward the

ould trust Ryker. But the moon's

the trees blurring around them. Ember's

idden among the trees. Ryker open

we going?"

turned grim. "Somew

ght, leaving Ember's dou

g anchor. Ryker's words had awak

darkness, the moon casting a

u, really?"

rearview mirror. "I'm someone

ped a beat. Sworn

d, taking a sharp turn.

we?" Embe

on turned enigma

ing a sprawling mansion

idened. "What

d to a whisper. "You

armth of his breath on her skin, sending shivers down her spine. For a moment, t

d rooted to the spot. Ryker's gaze held hers, a silent

demanded, her voice

hifted, his jaw clen

skipped a beat

e knew the danger was coming. S

reparing someone to protect her? W

ger?" Emb

ere alone. "The Order of the Black Moon. They hunt Moo

n crawled.

er. "The power to control the lu

d. Control the lunar cy

apped toward the house. "

s of her home seemed to darken, lik

h me," Ry

this stranger? But wh

breath, Em

his eyes flashing with

the garden, the moonlight casti

rt pounding in her chest. She had no idea where

ing – her life woul

hing it open with a swift motion. Ember

ist, like a labyrinth waiting to be navigated. Ember'

avoiding main roads. Ember's breath came in

nondescript sedan. Ryker opened

k with the scent of leather. Ember's hea

at, his eyes scanning the rearv

seat tightened. "W

rs. "Somewhere they

life, propelling th

oughts swirled, trying to grasp the events unfolding around her. Ryker's words

jaw set in determination. Who was this man, s

d, her voice barel

eyes locking on

rder's goal?"

ek to harness the moon's energy, expl

Harness the moon's en

, the oceans," Ryker explained. "Ima

ed. The implicatio

he Order?" E

ssius Blackwood. A ruthle

assius Blackwood? The name seem

rees closing in around them. Ember's senses

e we?" Em

. "A safe house. You'

ubts lingered. Could

abin nestled among the trees. Smoke drif

ng Ember out. The night air e

darkness. The cabin seemed is

our sanctuary

rned to Ryker.

softened. "Until

l the danger passes? Woul

d the cabin, its warmt

rackling in the hearth. Ember's tensio

from the shadows,

Ember wh

ster, smiled warmly. "Welco

ghts swirled

Luna's. "Thanks f

. "We'll ke

ween Ryker and Luna. Wha

alls. Ember's heart still racing, she knew