Claimed by the moon

: A Deal wi

grew heavier with each passing second. She didn't belong here, not among the glitteri

iet hum of their voices that seemed to resonate in a language her human ears couldn't fully under

ldn't ha

gambling debts, was enough to keep her rooted to the floor. He had begg

y," he'd said. "We don

e was, a lamb in

s Ha

om, sharp as a blade. Ava turned slowly, the

rogance in a tailored black suit that clung to his

pha-who had su

perfectly groomed, and his piercing gray eyes seemed to strip away every layer of her defen

he said, his lips curving into a smi

said, her voice sharp despite the tremb

g a hint of teeth. "Semanti

but she forced herself to stay

cating. The air seemed to ripple with his pow

" he said, his voice low and smooth. "And u

," Ava said, her voice

ugh she were a puzzle he was trying to

way he said her name sen

r?" she asked, though part o

ne-a heady mix of cedar and smoke-wrapped around her. He

ou