Echoes under the Moonlight

home, her legs weak. She couldn't shake the memory of Lucien. His warning. The cre

Kael's rejection still hurt, but no

ter. The smell of herbs and fresh bread filled the air. Lily, always up earl

were out a

but she was tired.

pron and rushed over. "You lo

e pulled her sleeve down over th

She touched Ava's arm s

throat but nodded. "It'

gry. "What a fool! He

at. Instead, she just felt empt

and then nodded. "He lost ou

esting her head in her h

pulled her sleeve back and stared. It wasn

Lily asked, l

it again. "Nothing

re. She went back to her bakin

had seen Lucien. She didn't know why, but something pushed her to return. Maybe

eaves in the wind. She stood in the middle,

whispered, hol

wrong question,"

Lucien stepped from the shadows, a

he said, tryin

n't reach his eyes. "Didn

ot back. "What is this?" She pulled

oser, looking at the mark. He studi

nally said. "But it

d. "What does that m

el." He straightened and ran a hand through his h

ht in her throat.

bit. "War. And you're st

gh Ava. "Why? I'm

ark would choose someone ordinary? No, Ava. You've b

tep back. "I don't

ed, his voice darker now

e mark on her wrist started to glow ag

und you," h

art race

were urgent.

at, chaos erupte