THE REBIRTH OF A HEIRESS

e. Luna stirred from her uneasy sleep, her mind still processing the revelations Leah had shared the night before.

. His eyes were far away, deep in contemplation. Luna could sense the tension in him, the weight of the responsibiliti

e stone floor with soft footsteps. She said,

xpression softening. "Morn

eep had been elusive. "I couldn't stop thinking ab

s eyes. There's a lot to take in.

ncertainty of what lay ahead still gnawed at h

nowledge that we do not, knowledge that could mean the difference between life and dea

el-headedness. "You're right. We

r eyes sharp and alert. "We should move soon," she said, her tone all bus

t Luna, who nod

mostly weapons and some scavenged sup

The tall, old trees appeared to be silently judging them, as though they were aware of the difficulties Luna would so

rough the thick underbrush. Elias stayed close to Luna, h

out stone altar stood in the middle, its surface etched with symbols that gave off a soft glow in the low light. L

awakening process is dangerous, Luna. It will put you to the test in an

ls seemed to pulse with an inner light, drawing her in. This place had ancien

ly audible above a whispe

will start. It will awaken the dormant force within you, but it will also make you face your

the betrayal that had led her to this place and the new life she had been grant

rself than to Elias

moved forward. "Keep in mind that you're not

s chilly stone. The symbols flared with light, and she felt a rush of energy rush through her. H

She started to see visions of her past, both as Luna Grey and as Alice Wonder. She r

was her mother, her face kind but lined with sorrow. She appears exactly as Luna had

hispered, her

"My sweetheart, you've come a long way. You've

ears. "I miss you every d

una, I'm with you always. In your heart, in your strength. But you need to let go o

ent she was bitten, the pain and fear that had overwhelmed her. She witnessed th

Luna said, her voice trem

kness. "You can, Luna. You must. For yourself, and for those w

This time, she didn't ignore the pain, fear, or anger that welled up inside o

rength. She felt the power Leah had mentioned rush through her, a fierce and comforting warmth envelop

er hands still resting on the altar. The symbols had dimmed, the

an instant, his eyes sear

ross her face. "I am. I feel... whole.

y taken the first step. Though the awakening has started, there is still m

of determination settling over her. Though the road ahead would

, "We'll do this." "We'll see th

ying stronger, Luna realized that the real journey had just begun. The stor