Page 19 of The Blood Moon Oath

“Is something the matter, Sable?” Kael’s deep voice cuts through the silence, dragging my attention to him.

I glance at him, lifting my chin. “Yes, actually. Why do I have to wear this?” I gesture to the thin nightgown. “You’re all fully dressed, yet I’m still sitting here in this.” Well, except for Torin, of course, who’s allergic to shirts—or so it seems.

Kael raises a brow, but before he can respond, Torin leans forward, his grin widening. “Why would we change perfection, kitten? You look...good enough to eat.” His eyes gleam with wicked intent, and my cheeks flush despite my best efforts to stay composed.

I force my gaze down to my plate, ignoring the unbidden memory of his hands on me the night before, the weight of his body pinning me.Focus, Sable. He’s insane. They’re all insane. This isn’t the time for—I snap out of it and glare at him.

“Stop,” I hiss, my voice low but firm. “You’re disgusting.”

He laughs, low and throaty, the sound crawling under my skin.

Finn’s voice cuts through, calm and measured, drawing myattention to him. He leans back in his chair, one arm draped lazily over the backrest, the other rolling that ever-present silver ring between his fingers. There’s an almost feline grace to him, his lean, muscular frame draped in a dark sweater that clings just right to his shoulders. His sharp features are all cool detachment, as if nothing in this world could truly faze him. Unlike Torin, who thrives on chaos, and Kael, whose authority demands engagement, Finn feels like he’s always observing, always calculating—but never fully present in the conversation.

“If you’re unhappy with your outfit, I can help,” he says, snapping his fingers with effortless precision.

The air shimmers around me, the nightgown shifting and reforming into something new—a sleek, fitted dress in deep green that clings to me like a second skin. I glance at him warily, and he meets my gaze with that same infuriating calm, the corner of his mouth quirking up slightly as if daring me to protest.

“Stop doing that!” I snap, my voice rising. “I don’t want your magic used on me.”

Finn arches a brow, his lips curving into a slow smile. “As you wish.” He lowers his hand, and the dress vanishes entirely, leaving me completely bare.

I yelp, crossing my arms over my chest as heat floods my face. “Give me my clothes back!” I manage to grind out through clenched teeth.

Torin whistles low, his eyes raking over me with no shame. “Nowthat’sa look I can get behind.” He grins wickedly. “Or in front of.”

Kael’s sharp voice breaks through the chaos. “Enough.”

Finn smirks but obliges, snapping his fingers again. My nightgown reappears. “You’re welcome,” he says smoothly, gesturing toward me. “For future reference, there are clothes inyour wardrobe. We’re not barbarians, Sable. Well...” He glances at Torin. “Not all of us.”

Kael steers the conversation back on course. “I'd like to discuss your training.”

“Training for what?” I ask, my tone sharp. My frustration boils over as I glare between Kael and Finn. “You must be insane.”

“To explore your powers,” Kael replies simply.

I scoff, leaning back in my chair. “Why don’t you just kill me and be done with it?”

Kael’s face remains unreadable. “Because we think you can be of use to us.”

My anger flares. “I’d rather die than help any of you.”

Torin’s grin turns feral. “I can arrange that,” he says, his voice dripping with dark amusement. “But we should make it fun first. Don’t want to waste a perfectly good opportunity.”

“Torin.” Kael’s voice is sharp, a warning.

Torin raises his hands in mock surrender, but his grin doesn’t falter. “Just saying, Alpha.”

I shoot Torin a glare, but something about the way Kael glances at Finn unsettles me. There’s a silent exchange, something unspoken that I can’t quite catch.

Finn leans back in his chair, his smirk returning. “You’re feisty. I’ll give you that. But if you’re not careful, you’ll learn the hard way that we like things unhinged around here. Keeps people from getting...brave.”

“Like Rothgar,” Torin says casually, slicing into a piece of meat with unnecessary force.

Kael’s jaw tightens, and Finn’s amused expression vanishes.

The name hangs in the air like a storm cloud. Rothgar. The way Kael and Finn glare at Torin tells me it’s a touchy subject—one I fileaway for later.

Kael’s tone is cool as he redirects. “Eat. You’ll need your strength.”

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