Page 34 of Of Shadow and Moon

Alexander smirks, his dark eyes gleaming in the moonlight. “And, as always, you came,” he replies, taking a step closer. He doesn’t have to be near me to make me feel the suffocating weight of his presence. He never does.

His fingers twine through strands of my hair, curling them lazily as if he has all the time in the world. He leans in closer, his breath warm against my skin, inhaling my scent like it’s something he wants to memorize.

I don’t flinch. Fear is a weakness I can’t afford to show. “What’s the mission?” I ask, keeping my voice neutral and businesslike.

“Straight to the point, as always,” he says with a chuckle, though there’s no warmth in it. “I’ve missed that about you, Sel.”

I keep silent. I know he didn’t summon me for small talk.

His smirk widens. “I have a new assignment for you. Eztli Moreno, the Night Kingdom’s general in training. I need you to get close to him.”

My mind races, piecing together the information I already know about Eztli. A rising star, strategic, ruthless, and loyal to his kingdom. The guy who flirts with anything that walks and attends every party in his proximity.

I give a short nod. “How close?”

“As close as you can get,” Alexander replies, his tone smooth and commanding. “I want to know everything. His routine, his weaknesses, and his secrets. You’ll observe and follow, but don’t make yourself known. When the timecomes, you’ll be ready to strike. Until then, you gather intel. Understood?”

“I understand.”

No hesitation. No questioning. This is who I am—what I was made to do.

“Good.” Alexander’s eyes narrow, watching me carefully, as if expecting some sign of resistance, but I give him nothing. I never do. “Eztli Moreno is important,” he continues, his voice low and threatening. “He’s more than just a general in training. He’s key to the Night Kingdom’s future. And that makes him key tomyplans. You can see why this is critical.”

“Of course,” I reply. My voice is steady, but inside, I’m already thinking ahead. I’ve taken down people more powerful than Eztli before. This isn’t new. It’s just another assignment. Another move on the board.

Alexander steps closer, his eyes locking onto mine. “And don’t forget, Selestina. I expect perfection. You’ve served me well for years. Don’t make me question your loyalty now. Especially after the Teptl incidents.”

There it is. The reminder of who holds the leash. But I don’t need the warning. Alexander’s control over me is absolute. He knows that. I know that.

“I won’t fail.”

He watches me for a moment, as if testing the sincerity in my words, then nods, seemingly satisfied. “I’ll be in touch. You know the consequences of failure.”

I nod again. “I do.”

With that, Alexander steps back, the shadows seeming to swallow him as he disappears into the trees. Diego is somewhere near ready to shadow walk him back to whichever kingdom he's working in at the moment. The cold night air settles around me, but I don’t move. I stand stillfor a moment longer, letting the tension roll off my shoulders.

There’s no fear now. No doubt. I’m The Shadow Reaper, and this is just another job. I’ve infiltrated the lives of kings and generals, learned their secrets, and ripped them apart from the inside. Eztli Moreno is no different.

I turn and head back to the academy, the weight of Alexander’s orders pressing against my chest. The fear I once felt is long gone, replaced by cold efficiency.

Whatever Eztli Moreno’s secrets are, I’ll know them soon enough.

Chapter 21

Selestina

Imove quietly through the academy grounds, my footsteps light on the cobblestones as I follow Eztli Moreno. He’s heading toward the training fields, his pace steady and his posture relaxed. He doesn’t seem like someone who’s concerned about being followed. Good. I stay far enough back, keeping to the shadows, just another presence in the night.

Eztli is a fortress of calm, his movements precise, as if he’s always calculating his next step. I keep my distance, watching, observing. He's taller than most, with that kind of build that makes him stand out even when he is trying to fade in. He only seems like an idiot, and I am not quite sure how he is the next in line to command armies at Metztli's will.

I have been following him for days, learning his habits, his routines. He’s always so predictable, but tonight feels different. He takes a sudden turn that leads toward the edge of the forest, away from the academy's safety. My heart quickens. This is new.

Is he meeting someone?

I follow, my breath steady, my body moving on instinct.

I round the bend just in time to see Eztli come to a stop in the middle of the path. Standing still as a stone, as if listening for something. My blood runs cold, and I freeze.

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