The Hidden Luna of Blackmoor Valley

ia'

came out

flying to my face. I did not need a mirror to know a red mark was already blooming across my skin

h fury. Blonde hair perfect. Pale blue gown flawless. But her eyes were w

you did,"

. I saw

ed bump I would never have noticed if sh

of Shadowfang arrives. You did this. It's all because of

nce was safer than words, and cheaper than pride. Eve

I did not say

ing to cover up the smell of something rotten. "If you ruin this for me,

odd

nodding was faster than arguing, a

then smoothed her gown, lifted her chin, and walk

close all the w

was on th

aking. They always shook after Celeste's visits-fifteen years of hiding, and my

Warm. It would bru

studied my reflection. Plain face. Dull eyes. Brown hai

hat face

s not my

n was cold against my skin, and the small charm at the end we

ing words echo

mour charm before you

house was burning. Smoke filled my lungs. Flames licked the walls. S

see you. Always wear this

nt back int

t seen h

ed me of setting the fire, called me a

wrong ab

nes every day that she was out there somew

I had to su

se no one bothered to bring me warm water, not even in winter. I put on the same old dress I always wore, t

int. No one loo

r fifteen years, and today was supposed

g told me it

ck came fr

t. Not the impatient bang of a serv

that

ough to see who was there, and

ho knew my secrets. Her hair was messy, her eyes wide, and

eve what I just he

ha

ers were cold. "The Alpha of Sha

at her. "

is going to present Celeste to him. The whole

hadowfang. I did not care about Cel

looking at me

?" I

said. "He a

da

ll window near the ceiling. The sky was pale. The

how I knew th

areful, Talia. Vivienne is pla

planning some

she came-quiet, c

nd her and sat back do

. Vivienne would scheme. And I would stand in the back where I belonged, in my invisible,

rds kept echoi

s planning

now what the Alpha of Shadowfang looked like. I d

one thing f

out what happened to my mother, and to make the

resswood was used against me. I kept it behind my teeth instead. Every sl

ies, and I had not fo

as planning today,

ed fifteen y

could no

ld