Page 42 of Of Shadow and Moon

I don’t retreat. Not this time. I want to let her know Iheard everything. Let her see that I’m not afraid. Stepping into the light, I clear my throat.

Her head snaps toward me, eyes widening in shock before narrowing into a dangerous glare. “How much did you hear?” she snaps, her voice low but venomous.

“Enough,” I say, my tone calm, even. Inside, my heart pounds, but outwardly, I refuse to give her the satisfaction of seeing my unease.

Nasarea steps toward me, her fury radiating off her in waves. “If you breathe a word of this to anyone, I swear I’ll?—”

“Kill me?” I finish for her, my lips curving into a smile.

Her face hardens, the muscles in her jaw tightening. “This isn’t a game, Selestina. If you so much as hint at what you’ve heard, I’ll make sure you regret it.”

I meet her gaze, unflinching. “I have no reason to tell anyone,” I say, my voice steady. “But it’s interesting, isn’t it? La Princesa Atlacoya hiding in plain sight. How long did you think you could keep that a secret?” I think about how similar they look. The same black curls, the same tanned skin, the same piercing blue eyes. They even have the same nose and asshole personality. I’m a dumbass for not realizing it on my own.

Her composure cracks, the fury in her eyes flaring like an untamed fire. “This isn’t about me,” she whispers. “This is aboutyou. My father wants to know what you’re hiding, what makes you such a threat.”

I tilt my head, studying her, unbothered by her anger. “I am nobody. There is no reason to have me on the water kingdom's radar.”

Her face flushes, and I see the flash of guilt before she smothers it with anger. “I don’t have a choice,” she snaps. “You wouldn’t understand.”

“And you think I’m just going to let you dig into my life?” I ask, my tone laced with challenge.

Her eyes flash, and for a moment, I think she might actually strike me. Instead, she exhales sharply, stepping back as if to regain control. “Stay out of my way,” she warns, her voice dangerous and low. “Or you’ll regret it.”

I smile, tilting my head. “Same goes for you.”

Her jaw tightens, but she doesn’t reply. She turns sharply on her heel and stalks away; her steps echoing down the corridor like the last note of an unresolved melody.

I stand there for a moment, my mind racing. The revelation of Nasarea’s true identity, the weight of her father’s orders, the precarious balance of secrets and lies. It all feels like a puzzle I’ve only just begun to understand.

But one thing is certain, knowledge is power.

And having this secret in my back pocket? It’s everything.

Chapter 26

Selestina

The sun barely peeks over the horizon as we gather at the edge of the Dark Forest, the air thick with tension. I glance around at the other students, each one looking more nervous than the last. I can’t blame them. This is the first trial, and no one knows what to expect.

Me? Well, I can’t shake the chaos of the last 48 hours—it’s all spinning in my head like a storm I can’t control. Who the hell was Etzli Moreno, really? And what’s Kaelion going to do when he realizes he’s gone? Will he think Etzli just disappeared, or will he start putting the pieces together? Etzli was supposed to be the next general in training. Metztli’s council will definitely know something isn’t right.

Fuck. I am so fucked.

I’ve killed higher ranked officials than a general, but had the time to plan it. Make it look like something it’s not. That definitely didn’t happen with Etzli.

And Rhyker… gods, Rhyker. His kindness while I completely fell apart. What the fuck was that about? Did he see it all? Did hehearmy identity? Did he catch Etzlidrinking the vial on his neck? And if he did, why hasn’t he said anything yet?

Then there’s Nasarea and Nazriel. Fuck. As if Nasarea didn’t hate me enough already, she’s going to lose her shit when she finds out exactly what went down with her brother. The fallout is going to be unbearable.

This is one colossal clusterfuck, and I’m right in the center of it. But none of that matters right now. Our first trial in the Dark Forest is finally here, and if I don’t get my head straight, it won’t matter what anyone knows or thinks. I won’t survive long enough to care.

Professor Karr stands at the front, his arms crossed over his massive chest, surveying us with those sharp, assessing eyes. His voice booms out, cutting through the early morning fog.

“Today, you will face your first trial in the Dark Forest,” he says, his tone leaving no room for doubt. “You will be paired up, and the pairings cannot be changed.”

I stiffen, already sensing where this is going. I don’t trust anyone here, let alone want to be paired with them. Especially Nasarea. If there’s one thing I’ve learned since arriving at this academy, it’s that she and I do not get along. At all.

Professor Karr calls out names, and each pair steps forward to receive their envelope. The students clutch the sealed envelopes like they hold the keys to their fates—maybe they do.

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