Page 46 of The Blood Moon Oath

I close my eyes and draw in a slow breath, trying to replicate that same surge of energy. Nothing happens at first, and frustration bubbles up inside me. I press harder, narrowing my focus, willing my powers to rise. There’s resistance—something woven into the lock, a faint thread of Finn’s power. I can feel it, strong and unyielding. Of course he’d be the one to safeguard their chambers.

Gritting my teeth, I push harder, letting the warmth of my own energy seep into the lock. The metal begins to vibrate faintly under my palm, a low hum that travels up my arm. I push past Finn’s power, forcing my way through the barrierhe’s left behind. The vibrations grow, the hum intensifying, until finally, with a sharpsnap, the lock gives way.

I glance down at my hand, half expecting some sort of magical backlash, but there’s nothing. Just silence and the faint tremor of adrenaline in my veins. Slowly, I push the door open. It creaks slightly, and I wince, holding my breath as I peer into the hallway beyond.

The corridor is dimly lit, the sconces on the walls casting flickering shadows across the rough stone. The brothers’ voices echo faintly, distorted by the stone walls. I take a tentative step forward, my bare feet silent against the cold floor. The air feels charged, heavy with tension, and I can’t tell if it’s coming from them or me.

Ahead, another door stands slightly ajar. My pulse quickens as I approach it, the sound of their voices growing louder. I place my hand lightly on the doorframe, leaning closer to listen.

I pause, glancing down the hall behind me. There’s no sign of any traps or spells—nothing to stop me from going further. A quiet chuckle escapes my lips. Finn must not think I could get this far, or maybe he’s too distracted by whatever argument they’re having. Either way, it’s almost insulting how easy this is.

I push the door open just enough to see inside, careful not to make a sound. The brothers are there, standing around a large table, their voices sharp and laced with tension. My heart races as I step closer, keeping to the shadows, and for a brief moment, a flicker of satisfaction curls in my chest. Let them fight. Let them argue about me. Serves them right for kidnapping me.

Torin’s voice carries through the slightly ajar door, sharp and mocking. “She’s just a woman. A dangerous one, sure, but nothing we haven’t handled before.”

The words dig into me like barbs, twisting in ways I don’t understand.Just a woman.Something about the way he says it makes my skin crawl, and I hate that it gets to me.Why does it get to me?

I press my lips together, steadying my breathing. But then Torin, ever the agitator, continues, his tone full of that unhinged glee he always seems to carry. “Which days of the week would you like? I'm partial to Mondays myself. Nothing like starting the week off with a bang.”

A hot wave of anger rushes through me, sharp and unrelenting. The audacity, the absolute arrogance of him. My hand clenches at my side as I try to steady myself, but I can feel the surge of power stirring within me. The door under my palm starts to rattle softly, a warning sign I can’t ignore.

Calm down, Sable. Stay calm.

If I’m feeling this, there’s no doubt Kael can too. The thought sends another shiver of frustration through me.I won’t give him the satisfaction of knowing how angry I am.

Through the crack in the door, I see Kael turn sharply toward Torin, his body coiled with tension. Whatever he says in response is low, growled, and full of authority. But then, to my surprise, Kael doesn’t stay. He turns and walks toward the exit, his movements measured, but I can feel the storm of emotions within him through the bond. He’s raging, his desire and frustration a thick, pulsing thread between us.

Torin smirks, leaning back in his chair as if he’s won whatever verbal sparring they’ve just had. Then he stands, stretches lazily, and starts in my direction. My heart pounds as his footsteps grow louder.What do I do? Hide? Go back to my room?

I freeze, indecision locking me in place. But before I can make a move, Torin stops, his body jerking slightly as if some unseen force has turned him around. I hear a low grumble offrustration from him, and then his footsteps recede down the hall in the opposite direction.

I exhale shakily, relief washing over me. For a moment, I just stand there, staring after him. But then my attention shifts, my gaze falling on Finn. He sits alone now, rolling that damn silver ring between his fingers, his expression distant yet focused. Unlike the others, he always seems detached, but not in a way that suggests indifference. No, there’s something else there, something hidden behind that stoic exterior.

Finn has always intrigued me, though I hate admitting it. There’s a wall around him that the other two don’t have, an armor that feels impenetrable. And yet, in the quiet moments, I’ve caught him watching me, his gaze flickering with something unreadable.

I hesitate, torn between curiosity and caution. But then my resolve hardens.Knowledge is power,I remind myself. That’s all this is. I step forward, pushing the door open just enough to slip inside. Finn’s head lifts, and his sharp eyes lock onto me immediately.

Chapter

Twenty-Six

FINN

The air in the room feels thick, heavy, like it’s waiting for something to happen. I stand by the window, watching the flickering lights in the distance, trying to block out the hum of tension coming from the woman by the door. Sable. She’s standing there like she owns the fucking place, her eyes never leaving me.

She’s been quiet for a few moments now, and I know she’s trying to figure me out. Just as much as I’m trying to figure her out.

“Tell me, Ghost,” she starts, her voice slow, deliberate, like she knows how it affects me, “how did a guy like you end up with your... brothers?” She doesn’t look away. She’s watching me like I’m a puzzle she’s dying to solve.

I force a smirk, trying to hide the nerves scratching at the back of my mind. “What do you think?” I ask, voice low and rough. “I was born into a family of power, so Idecided to screw all that and join the fucking Sabers.” I take a step toward her, letting the silence stretch.

She laughs softly, a low, throaty sound. It’s like a challenge. “Don’t bullshit me. There’s more to it, Finn. You’re not the type to just follow orders.”

She’s closer now, and I can feel the heat of her gaze burn through me. Damn it, she’s got me off guard, and she knows it. Sable doesn’t miss a thing. I know she can see through my carefully constructed walls, but I’m not about to give her anything.

“I’m not like you, Sable,” I say, my tone harsher than I intended, but it’s a defense mechanism, my only one right now. “You don’t know a damn thing about me.”

She shifts on the bed, her eyes never leaving mine. “Maybe not,” she says. “But I’m starting to think you’re just as broken as I am.”

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