THE MOONBINDER'S CURSE

pte

hrough the dimly lit corridors of the Sanctum, her footsteps silent against the stone. The echoes of the day clung to her skin-K

anted to

er had cracked, and no amount of blin

if it meant betraying eve

he ease of years spent within its walls. She knew every hidden passage, ever

had traine

seen, how to be a ghost. They had never conside

e, waiting for the final moment of vulnerability. The guards were statione

ds to slip a

wly, counting d

re

w

n

ow gap between the shifting patrols. Her cloak whispered around her

ded. No shout

the real danger

the forest beyond the Sanctum's reach. The trees stretched high, their s

the truth or if she was walking into a carefully laid trap, but there was one thing s

sound broke the silence. Her hand flew to the

the wind; or s

ating through the ground beneath her boots

g. The growl came again, this time closer. A presence sl

ess and her brea

at lurked in the depths of the wild-twisted thi

ver faced

ak of silver in the darkne

as massive claws raked through the space where she

t not lik

ne was

ething dark. Its eyes burned with a wild, unnatural h

breath

who had succumbed to madness, lost to their own magic. T

one was h

to twist away, rolling to her feet just as its claws slashed toward her. She raised her dagger

irect fight, she nee

h the trees. The feral let out a piercing howl and gave

er fallen logs, her muscles burning with effort. The

to the ground, skidding beneath its swipe. The beast flew past her, its momentum

el, a wet, sic

before collapsing, its massive body

re was

lowly pushed herself up, her gaze snapping

er

he moonlight, his blade drip

late,"

ing dirt from her cloak. "You coul

s blade against the creature's mangy fur. "Y

. "I can han

yes flickering with

ng to waste my time-" Kieran

hesi

ent-the real poi

m now, there would

what she

ound her dagger, the wei

ed and nodded.

ieran's lips before he turne

foll

est. The trees thickened, the air growing colder, charged with an

stone walls etched with faded sigils. The air

ntrance. "Your proof is insi

breath, she stepped forw

-