Page 43 of The Blood Moon Oath

Tomorrow, I remind myself. Tomorrow, I’ll figure this out. I’ll find a way to win, to survive, to escape—no matter what it takes.

For now, I close my eyes and try not to think about just how good they made me feel.

Chapter

Twenty-Four

FINN

My brothers sit at the table across from me, their faces illuminated by flickering candlelight. Kael's piercing gaze meets mine, his impeccable suit a stark contrast to the rough-hewn wood beneath his folded hands. Torin slouches in his chair, fingers tapping an impatient rhythm on the armrest, the intricate tattoos on his scalp catching the light as he tilts his head.

"Why are we here, Ghost?" Kael asks, his voice low and controlled.

I take a breath, centering myself before calling upon my powers. With a flick of my wrist, a shimmering image appears above the table - Sable, curled up in her bed just a room away, her chest rising and falling in peaceful slumber.

Torin lets out a low whistle. "Well, well. Didn't know you were such a peeping tom, brother," he says with a lascivious grin.

I ignore his jab, keeping my face impassive. "These are myquarters," I reply coolly. "Of course I have ways to monitor them and everyone in them."

My eyes flick to Kael, whose expression remains unreadable. "I would expect nothing less," he says with a slight nod.

As I stare at Sable's sleeping form, a familiar ache blooms in my chest. I push it down, reminding myself of the silver ring I wear, of the vows I've made. But even as I do, I can't help but wonder what dreams might be flickering behind those closed eyelids.

I force my gaze away from Sable's image, focusing instead on my brothers. "I called you here because we have an issue," I say, my voice tight. "And that issue is this girl. I'm concerned she's coming between us."

Torin's eyes narrow, his body tensing as if readying for a fight. "What are you implying, Ghost?" he growls.

Kael remains silent, his piercing gaze fixed on me, waiting.

I press on, steeling myself. "I know what happened yesterday," I say, my words clipped. "With both of you."

A sly grin spreads across Torin's face, his eyes glinting with malicious amusement. "Oh, I see what this is about," he chuckles darkly. "Poor little Ghost is jealous because he hasn't gotten a taste yet. Trust me, brother, she's delicious."

The air in the room suddenly feels charged, crackling with tension. Kael's jaw clenches, his knuckles white as he grips the edge of the table. I can practically feel the anger radiating off him in waves.

I swallow hard, shoving down the jealousy that threatens to consume me. "This is exactly why I called this meeting," I say, my voice strained. "We need to set ground rules. This woman... she's doing something to all of us. It's driving a wedge between us, and that's the last thing we can afford right now."

As I speak, I can't help but wonder what power this humanpossesses, to have three of the most dangerous warlocks in existence wrapped around her finger. And more troublingly, why I can't seem to stop thinking about her, no matter how hard I try.

Kael leans forward, his cold eyes boring into mine. "What do you propose then, Ghost?" he asks, his voice low and controlled.

I take a deep breath, steadying myself. "It's either all or nothing," I say firmly. "We either come to grips with the fact that we can't control ourselves around her and agree to share her equally, dispensing with jealousy..." I pause, letting the weight of my words sink in. "Or we swear off touching her completely. Treat her like the prisoner she's supposed to be and train her properly for the Trials."

The room falls silent as my brothers consider my words. I can see the conflict playing out on their faces, desire warring with duty.

Finally, I break the silence. "My choice is the latter," I declare, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.

Torin scoffs, rolling his eyes dramatically. "Of course it is," he sneers. "Easy for you to say when you haven't tasted her yet. Trust me, brother, if you had, you wouldn't be so quick to give her up."

I clench my fists, fighting the urge to lash out at him. Before I can respond, Kael speaks up.

"I agree with Ghost," he says, his voice calm but laced with an undercurrent of tension. "It was a momentary lapse in judgment, a loss of control. It will not happen again." He meets my gaze, his expression resolute. "I take full responsibility for my actions."

We both turn to Torin, expectant. His eyes gleam with a dangerous light, a wolfish grin spreading across hisface. My stomach tightens, knowing whatever he's about to say will only make this situation worse.

"You two can swear her off all you want," Torin drawls, leaning back in his chair. "Just leaves more of her for me." He licks his lips, a predatory look in his eyes. "I'll happily lap at that sweet cunt all day long. My little kitten's got claws, and I want to experience every... single... one of them."

The crude words hang in the air, heavy and provocative. I feel my face flush with anger and something else I don't want to name.

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