Page 74 of The Blood Moon Hunt

Everyone falls silent, turning to look at me. Selene’s eyes lock on mine, and for a moment, it’s as if the world around us falls away. I trust her. I don’t know why, but I do. Her power is unlike anything I’ve ever felt. If anyone can stop the Order, it’s her.

Adrian leans back, crossing his arms. “Trust her?” he echoes, his voice laced with skepticism. “Damien, you’ve been... close to her. Closer than any of us. But that doesn’t mean she isn’t a threat. We don’t know what she’s capable of.”

“That’s why we need to go to the altar,” I say firmly. “I felt its power when I was there with her. It’s the key to all of this.”

Lucien rolls his eyes. “The key to what? Getting ourselves killed?”

I meet his gaze, unflinching. “To stopping the Order. You felt it too, Ronan. You know there’s something about her, something different.”

“And what if she’s just another piece in their game?” Lucien snaps. “What if we’re all just pawns?”

Ronan, who’s been quiet up until now, lets out a low, mocking laugh. “You really think you can stop the Order? You’re all so wrapped up in your feelings for her that you’ve lost sight of what’s really going on.”

“What are you talking about?” I ask, narrowing my eyes at him.

Ronan’s smirk widens, his eyes gleaming with that familiar arrogance. “You’re all wasting your time with this nonsense about the Order,” he says, his voice dripping with disdain. “Instead of focusing on destroying something you’ll never defeat, we should be figuring out how to use Selene’s power for ourselves.”

The room goes still, tension hanging in the air. Lucien rises from his seat, his posture rigid, fists clenched. “You want touseher? Like she’s some weapon?”

Ronan doesn’t back down. “That’s exactly what she is. A source of power like none of us have ever seen. And you all know it. If we could harness that—control it—we’d have more strength than the Order could ever hope to match. But instead, you're talking about facing them down like some kind of foolish heroes? You know as well as I do that it’s impossible.”

“You’re suggesting we don’t fight the Order?” Adrian’s voice is calm, but there’s an edge to it, like he’s just waiting for Ronan to say the wrong thing.

Ronan shrugs, crossing his arms. “I’m saying we focus on what’s right in front of us. The Order’s been untouchable for centuries.Noneof us can defeat them. So why not play to our strengths? Selene’s power could make us unstoppable. If we control her magic, we don’t need to concern ourselves with the Order’s games.”

My jaw tightens. “You’re talking about controlling her. Taking away her choice.”

“She has no choice,” Ronan shoots back, his tone sharp. “Do you think she can control this power on her own? You’ve seen what it’s done to her, how it overwhelms her. Sheneedssomeone to guide her, or it’ll destroy her.”

Lucien steps forward, his eyes burning with anger. “You mean you want tocontrolher. For your own gain.”

Ronan smirks. “Don’t pretend you’re any different. I’m just the only one being honest about it.”

I glare at him, feeling the heat of my anger rising. “We’re not using her. She’s not a tool for any of us to manipulate.”

Ronan scoffs. “That’s where you’re wrong, Damien. She’s the key to everything, and if we don’t act fast, we’re going to lose whatever advantage we have. Stop pretending that you can protect her without understanding the kind of power she wields.”

Before I can respond, Selene steps forward, her eyes blazing with fury. Power radiates from her, filling the room like a storm. The air crackles with energy, and we all freeze.

“There is no other way out of this,” she says, her voice steady, commanding. “I’m going to the altar at the height of the Blood Moon. If any of you want to join me, you’re welcome. But I’m not waiting for the Order to come for me. I’m ending this.”

We all stare at her, speechless. The sheer force of her power, her determination, silences even Ronan.

Then, without another word, she turns and leaves the room, the echo of her footsteps the only sound as we’re left in stunned silence.

“She’s serious,” Adrian says, breaking the silence. “She’s really going to do it.”

Lucien shakes his head, still incredulous. “She’s going to get herself killed.”

“No,” I say quietly, my gaze fixed on the door where Selene just disappeared. “She’s going to win.”

Chapter

Forty

SELENE

Iclose the door behind me and lean against it, my heart still racing from the intensity of the conversation downstairs. The firelight flickers across the room, casting long shadows on the walls, and I try to take a deep breath. It’s overwhelming—all of it. The weight of everything that’s happened, the danger, the secrets. I feel like I’m drowning in it.

---