Blood Ties And Moon Fire

und Aria Moonwell, its branches heavy with fog and memory. She crouched near the bank, her dagger resting across her knees, her reflection staring back at her eyes glowing faintly, hair streaked

rom the shadows. "You're not easy to find."She spun, blade drawn, every muscle coiled for a fight.Luca Blackthorn stepped out from between the trees. The moonlight hit his face, pale and perfect, his crimson eyes reflecting the same red shimmer that da

to listen to a vampire's lies.""Not

through water. "You think your pack's slaughter was my father's doing. It w

me to believe that the great Vampire K

rip of leather. It pulsed faintly with red light, like a heartbeat. "This was found in the ashes of your pack's temple."Aria's breath caught. The symbol etched into the

itch who cursed the blood of vampires and werewolves alike. They called her the Mother of Shadows. She was imprisoned beneath the Moonwell centuries

e said. "Our bloodlines are tied. The war, the hatred, the endless killing it all feeds her power. And if we don't stop it, she'll rise again."Aria's fingers tightened around her dagger. "Why tell me this? Why risk coming here?""Because," Luca said softly, "she's using m

kind did to mine?" "I expect you to want answers as badly as I do." His eyes softe

body in the river.But instead, she reached out and gripped his hand.The moment their skin touched, the air crackled. The river shimmered violently, the reflection of the moon rippling into wild wav

hook his head. "I didn't do anything. The witch did."For a long moment, they just stared at each other, the forest silent around them. Somewhere, a nightbird shrieked, and the sound shattered the fragile stillness.Aria forced her voice steady. "If this curse is real, if she's truly rising

ntly. "You're

lattery won't save yo

id. "If I wanted you dea

t wasn't arrogance it was truth. She h

t. "A truce. But only u

d his head

her. The witch. What does she show you?"Luca's jaw tightened. "A throne made of bones. The moon burning black. And a voice that says our love will destroy the world."Aria stopped walking. "O

nned and the ruins of an old watchtower loomed. They climbed the broken stairs in silence. From the top, the world spread out before t

ey are," Luca said. "But it won't be easy to get inside. The King watches everything.

ern cliffs. Follow the river until you see the black rocks."Aria nodded, still watching him. "And if you betray me..." "I won't," he said simply. "I think fate already has enough of a plan for both of us." She hated that his words made her chest tighten. As he vanished into the shadows, Aria looked down at her wrist at the faint moon-shaped mark glowing under her skin. It p

loods e

ate r

death, the witch

The pact had been made forbidden, unbrea