Page 80 of Luna Rising

We ended the social portion of the night at Mrs. Wynn’s house, with our families, including Kiernan. Having lost my father so recently, I wanted to express some sort of sympathy over the death of his parents, but there wasn’t a sorry-my-mate-executed-your-parents meme. From my point of view, as well as according to pack law, they were traitors who deserved what they got. Still, I felt bad for the kid.

In a different pack, his parents would have been heroes, and Ewan and I the traitors. In the eyes of the Zodiac Councils, we were the villains of the supernatural world. For others, we would be the saviors but at what cost, I couldn’t say.

“We’ll hold the service for Merrick tomorrow at sunset,” Ewan said, looking to my brother as if they had already discussed my father’s funeral.

“Before we all sign the accords, so there won’t be any question as to my authority.” Zach squeezed Brooke’s hand. “Our authority.”

“I know Walter and Colleen are handling most of the arrangements but do let me know if I can be of any help, Rosalind,” Mrs. Wynn offered.

Mom smiled. “Thank you. Not for the funeral, but maybe that other thing we discussed?”

The two women exchanged a conspiratorial smile that gave me chills. Our mothers colluding scared me more than those things that came in the up-down hours in Traitor’s Hell.

“I don’t this like.” I waved a hand between Mom and Mrs. Wynn. “We’re already bonded, and we aren’t having kids, so I don’t understand what you two are up to.”

My mother gave me her chastising glared. “It isn’t always about you, Zara.”

Night of the Living Bloodsuckers

Ewan’s phone woke us in the middle of the night, Birch calling to let us know that the vampires had struck again. The attacks were more brazen and widespread, and a few were even filmed. Videos of salivating vampires with glowing red eyes lit up supernatural social media. By sunrise, the human-dominated portion of the internet had picked one particular clip of a woman in an alleyway, drinking her victim dry and leaving him twitching near a pile of trash. The camera caught his blood dripping from her fangs as she skipped off, presumably in search of dessert.

“They’re attributing it to the drug epidemic,” Birch informed us over breakfast. He ate leftovers cold from our fridge, while Ewan and I drank our bottled blood.

“It’s not like we’re totally in the shadows. Humans do know about the supernatural world. Someone in authority somewhere must, right?” I tried to control my expression as I watched Birch dip forkfuls of lasagna in ketchup and shovel it into his mouth. Even when I still ate solid food, I would have found the sight nauseating.

“They do. Nearly every government has a department that liaises with the Zodiac Councils,” Ewan said. “Essie and Walter both have contacts among the human authorities, so we should know soon how they plan to handle it going forward.”

“This is Mat, right? He’s sending his vampires on killing sprees to force supernaturals into the open, yes? Or I am totally off base here?” I glanced between Ewan and Birch for confirmation that we were all on the same page.

Ewan ran a hand through his hair. “That’s the consensus.”

“You don’t agree?” I felt his hesitancy, leaving me a little confused. In my mind, Mat was the only explanation.

“I think Mat is behind the attacks, and I definitely believe it’s part of his plan to drive supernaturals into the open. I don’t know, though. Feels like there’s more at play.” He growled his frustration. “Maybe this is all just a distraction so we won’t try to stop him from breaking out Demi.”

I had considered the same, but I couldn’t wrap my head around one part of that theory. “Who is he trying to distract? Us? The Zodiac Councils? The world?”

Ewan shook his head. “I really don’t know.”

We both turned to Birch. He swallowed audibly. “Don’t look at me. I’ve never met the guy.”

“What about Reggie? Has she sent any updates?” I asked.

Ewan frowned. “No. She hasn’t responded to me either, not since yesterday morning.”

“Should we be worried?” I asked.

His cell buzzed, Winter’s name flashing on the display. “We can ask the ghosts,” he said, hitting accept on the call. “Hey—”

“It’s her! It’s her! The video is her!” Winter’s shrill shrieks pierced my eardrums.

Alarmed, I looked to Ewan for understanding, but he was just as confused.

“Hey, it’s me. Can you open a portal? I’ll come to you,” I told her. “We’re at the house.”

Gold threads of magic appeared in front of the fireplace. I rushed over to the portal and slid through the moment it fully opened. Ewan and Birch followed my heels, all three of us exiting into Archer’s makeshift hospital room.

Winter was on her knees sobbing, clutching her phone to her chest. The guys hung back as I dropped down beside her and took her face in my hands so she would look at me. Her heartbreak tore me in two.

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