BLOOD MOON

r felt heavy, still thrumming with the remnants of the dark power that had tried to tear through their world. The weight of what had just ha

eless form for a long moment, feeling neither satisfaction nor sorrow. He'd chosen his path. But the figure-the one who had

silence first. "W

im. "Luna," she muttered. "We need to get back

Ryan's body, his jaw tight. "And fast. There's n

ssive, like the land itself was holding its breath after the fight. Even the wind seemed reluctant to stir.

silver light, making the air around Luna's simple cottage shimmer like a dream. Luna was

oftly, her gaze falling on t

riumph. "We have the stone. But t

tight line. She glanced at Damian, then back

and wood smoke filled the air, comforting in its simplicity. Luna moved gracefully across the room, her hands deftly lighting a few more candles, though h

od behind her, leaning on his sword as though ready for another battle at any mo

. "But something else-someone else-was there. It came from the

The Void is stirring, as I feared. It feeds on imbalance, on the cracks between our worl

much more than that. Now we're hearing it's one of seven? That it holds the balance between worlds

onstone, like the others, was forged long ago. It is not merely an object of power; it is a part of the foundation of both worlds-the human realm

We've only just started to und

life, death, and others. As long as they remain apart, their full power is dormant. But if someone were to gather all seven, they would have the ability t

e dealing with entities that want to u

r cousin, was but one of many who will be drawn to the promise of pow

ened her to think of how he had been used, how much he'd lost for

," Rose said firmly, straightening in he

others. But be warned-each stone is heavily guarded, hidden in places few dare to venture.

Damian. "We don'

in his gaze matching her determ

faded with age, the ink smudged in places, but its details were intricate. Luna placed her hand on the map, and a soft glow

uins of the Sun Palace, an ancient stronghold once ruled by a powerful empire long gone. But t

s neck. "Sounds like we'll h

on the map, her resolve hardening

o succeed. Werewolves, elves, dragons... all of them must stand together. Only then can we face the

de their old grudges, seemed like an impossible task. But there was no altern

hope you're right, Rose. The clans have their own

se said, standing up from her

'll need supplies, information, and a way

ur victory over Ryan will spread. Others will come for you, both f

om the Void, the one who had taken Ryan's li

hand-a reminder of the perilous road ahead. The stone's glow seemed to

id, already thinking ahead. "The longer w

reement. "We have

ing them. The shadows outside the cottage seemed to stir with a life of their own, and a chill crept up h

't over. It had

.

nknown. The weight of the Moonstone in Rose's hand was a constant reminder of the stakes, of the threat lurking just beyond the horizon. But

took a deep breath, her eyes narrowing in determinat

to focus, to pull back from the edge of her grief. There was no time for mourning. Not yet.

elations from the Dreamscape gnawed at her mind. Her mother had been expecting someone, but there had been fear... and not just from the at

e walked down the mist-laden path of the graveyard, her eyes narrowed in thought. The shades she'd witnessed in the Dreamsca

ce called fro

rn around. She recognized

ped beside her, hands tucked into the pockets of his co

rse than I thought. I don't think the wo

widened. "What

e shades surrounding her death-they don't add up. Someone used her image, her essence

mian's eyes clouded with thought, his mind clearly racing. "So

t question is-why? What were they trying to hid

your mother is missing, then we're dealing with someone who has enough power to manipu

y've made a mistake. If they wanted to throw

, his lips quirking into a faint

ories for any clue she might've missed. "I need to go back to the house," she

you already check the house? I tho

used on finding traces of her death, but now I think I need to look deepe

wly. "Alright, I'

-

oppressive darkness. Rose's family home loomed ahead, its windows dark and l

ped inside, her boots thudding softly against the wooden floor. Everything was

eyes scanning the room as he clo

plica of the past. Her mother had always been meticulous-every book, every scroll, every artifact had its place. It wa

back the layers of magic woven into the fabric of the house. It took time-her mother had left wards and

ulsing hum filled her ears, a vibration

thing here,"

, his brow furrow

ks before settling on one-an old, leather-bound journal that looked out of place

g," she said, f

heart clenched as she skimmed through them, recognizing many of the spells and

cognize. But they weren't the only thing that caught her eye. There, on the margins of the

ian muttered, peeri

l creep down her spine. "These aren

"Targets? What, like...

e people... whoever they are, my mother was keeping t

lved in something dangerous, something that went beyond mere family feuds. Whoever had

ame on the list. "This one," he said, h

d as she read the n

," Damian said, rubbing his

is

dow faction that controls the flow of power in certain parts of the magical world. No

over her. If Isador was involved, this w

dor has your mother, he's not just using her for information. H

. "Then we find Isador.

-

a notorious underground organization known for trafficking magical artifacts. The journey took them to the

pproached the entrance, his expr

he dagger strapped to her

nly sounds coming from the rustling of the wind and the distant hooting of

nsion creaked open, and a fi

igure demanded, his voi

d in a gesture of peace. "We're here t

eyes narrowing as he stu

pping out of the shadows.

His eyes widened in recognition, and he quickly ste

the scent of decay. Finally, they reached a large room at the back of the mansion, whe

asked, his voice

t flinching. "I'm Rose F

Selene Frey... Yes, I reme

of names. "You're on this list. My mother was tracking you, along with seve

est moment, something like fear passed over his features. He

. "But if you've come here seeking to understand her motives, you're barking up the wrong tre

her chest. "Then why were you on her radar

e, but it was devoid of warmth. "Because

e like a blow to

e coming for your family-coming for you, specifically-long before they made their move. She began

t list of names? Those aren't he

Why didn't she tell me?

die. Your mother believed she could handle it herself. She always thought she was strong enough to protect you from the shadow

n ripped out from under her. Her mother's death, the strange behavio