Page 28 of Monster's Heart

Who else would have done something like this for me?

I wasn’t disappointed either. When I lifted the tissue paper out, I found a note and a smaller box. Inside the box was some sort of spray, and on it was a label that read for your hair.

Trusting Sten, I uncapped the bottle and sprayed a few pumps over my long, now mostly faded locks. I’d wanted to try dying my hair before tonight, but that call with my mother had left me too frazzled to think. I was glad I hadn’t wasted my time because whatever was in that bottle, my hair went from lackluster and over-processed, to a shining wave of ocean blue with cobalt and azure highlights.

“Wow!” I gasped, tearing open the note.

Dearest Luna,

I can’t wait to see you tonight. Please wear this as a token of esteem from my heart to yours. No more secrets, no lies, tonight I will tell you everything.

Yours, Sten

I clutched the note to my heart, turning my head as magical fireworks and music pronouncing the start of the Spring Equinox Festival reached my ears. I slid my feet into a pair of wedge heels, and I paused, wondering if I’d need a coat.

As if the dress heard my thoughts, it began to shimmer and heat up. I watched in the mirror as the layers grew and separated by magic. Strange magic, but magic, nonetheless. Then I was draped in a matching cloak, and when I spun around, I saw the most beautiful images painted across the back.

Moths.

Lunar moths.

Dozens of them.

And Sten’s words came back to me.

“They are harbingers of good luck.”

I inhaled a fortifying breath and straightened my spine. Lunar moths were good, according to Sten. He was good. And he was mine. At least, I thought he was.

The very idea of Gunner McFadden asking to court me made me dry heave. I wanted nothing to do with that Wolf, or anyone. I only wanted Sten. And tonight, I was going to tell him so.

I grabbed my tablet, sending my project off in a magic powered email to Professor McEwan. Yes, I’d printed a copy of the chart and my report detailing how I arrived at my conclusions. Both were ready to go and since I didn’t plan on carrying a bag, I slipped them into a folder to hand off to the professor. Nerves assailed me and I wished I wasn’t walking to the festival alone.

“You can do this,” I whispered as I exited my dorm room, nearly bumping into a tall male with dark wings and the purple-haired Witch on his arm.

“Sorry—”

“Our fault entirely! Are you Luna? I’m Serena, this is Raven,” the Witch said, and I nodded.

“Um, yeah, well sort of. Only Sten calls me that. My name is Amrin,” I said, shrugging.

“He calls you Luna? Huh,” the big male with runes carved across his skin said, seemingly amused.

“Sten sent us to walk with you to the festival, you mind?” Serena asked, and I shook my head.

“When did you talk to Sten?” I asked, falling into step with Serena.

The enormous man, her mate as she informed me, walked behind us and I felt his presence pressing heavily on me. I glanced back twice, but he wasn’t doing anything. Simply existing, and holy fuck was he strong.

“Sorry, Raven can be a bit protective,” Serena confided, and I just giggled and waved it off.

What else could I say?

Um, would you mind asking your giant boyfriend to not be so dang scary?

Yeah, somehow, I didn’t think that would go over well.

“I love your dress!”

---