Bound by the Moon

-

Stranger at B

layer of snow. The driver gave her a curt nod before pulling away, leaving her alone on the narrow mountain

ense woods. The job listing had been vague, but the pay was more than generous. After losing her ap

rying to steel her nerves. "Jus

r of how far she'd come from the noisy, crowded city. Here, the silence was almost deafening. No birds, no

nd skin. Something about the forest felt ancient, as though it ha

odge came into view. The sigh

rts imposing and beautiful. Its dark wood and glass façade gleamed against the backdrop of the snow-covered mountains. But

s Ha

na whipped around to find a man standing

hide the strength in his broad shoulders. Tousled dark hair framed a face that looked as though it had been sculpted

managed, clutching the stra

most predatory grace. He extended a gloved h

s palm warm despite the frigid air. A strange current ran th

, Mr. Blackstone," she said, h

didn't reach his eyes. "I'm glad you made it safely. Not many a

bly. Before she could respond, the heavy front d

tight bun. Her sharp eyes swept over Luna with the precision

," the woman

ut firm, "our new hire has had a long journey

e, motioning for Luna to enter.

ilings and walls paneled in dark wood. A roaring fire crackled in a massive stone hearth, casting flickering sha

out the key areas. "Dining hall is through there. Staff quarters are in the east win

trying to keep up with

uptly. She turned to face Luna, her expression

wned. "W

a thin line. "The lodge is

a small iron key and motioned toward a narrow hallw

, with a single bed, a wardrobe, and a window that overlooked the dark forest. She d

than eccentricity, but the unease lingered. There was something

g thing, and the lodge groaned as though settling into its ancient bo

mournfu

chest. She hurried to the window, but the fore

pered, trying to calm hersel

gain, louder this ti

dge of the forest. A massive, shadowy figure slipped

in her ears. For a moment, she considered running to

ndow. Even from a distance, she could feel its ga

had appeared, the creature m

ands trembling. Whatever was

hat Blackstone Lodge was hiding f