Page 6 of The Blood Moon Oath

Chapter

Four

FINNIAN -THE GHOST

Torin cradles the girl like she’s some delicate thing, his muscled arms bulging as he lifts her effortlessly from the snow. Her head lolls against his shoulder, a faint streak of blood painting her cheek like some tragic war paint. The blood moon bathes the forest in a crimson hue, casting long shadows that dance around us as we head back to the realm. I fall into step beside Kael, my mind churning.

“This is a bad idea,” I say, my voice low so Torin doesn’t hear. “Bringing her back. She’s a danger, Kael. And while even I can’t deny how... intoxicating she is, we don’t know what she is. Or what she’s capable of.”

Kael glances at me, his sharp profile unreadable. His suit, somehow untouched by the night’s chaos, reflects the faint moonlight. “Your point is valid,” he says, his tone clipped. “But we don’t have a choice. If we leave her here, she’ll start hunting again. And next time, it might not be some nameless warlocks who fall to her.”

I snort, watching as Torin adjusts the girl, her unconscious form limp against his chest. “We could kill her,” I suggest.

Kael pauses for a fraction of a second, his jaw tightening. For a moment, I think he might agree, but then he shakes his head. “We need to know what she is. How she’s been able to attack us. We learn everything we can—then we decide.”

Torin grins, his voice cutting through the tension. “Play with her first, then kill her.”

I shoot him a look, one brow raised. “For you, those two things are usually the same.”

Torin laughs, that low, unhinged sound that always grates on my nerves. “Not my fault women break so easily.”

Kael’s mouth twitches, the barest hint of a smile. “Everything breaks easily when it comes to you, Reaper.”

Torin’s grin widens as he looks down at the girl. He strokes a strand of her hair, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Not this one, though. She’s different.”

A knot tightens in my stomach. Is he getting attached? Worse, am I? My fingers twitch, longing to roll the cool silver of my ring between them as a distraction.

We cross into our realm, the barrier rippling like water before settling behind us. The Keep looms ahead, its jagged silhouette blending into the snow-draped cliffs. Torin strides ahead, carrying the girl like some grotesque prize.

“She goes to the dungeons,” I say, my tone brooking no argument.

Kael shakes his head. “No. If we can feel her energy signature, so can others. If we leave her in the dungeons, she’ll never make it until morning. She stays with us.”

Torin’s grin turns wolfish. “She can sleep in my room, then. I’ll keep her warm.”

I notice him lift one of her limp fingersto his mouth, his tongue flicking over the tip before sucking it gently. “Quit it,” I snap, shoving his shoulder. “She’s not some plaything for you.”

Kael’s gaze hardens. “She stays close. My quarters will suffice. I’ll keep her under surveillance.”

I cross my arms. “Your quarters? The ones that see more visitors than anyone else’s? We need to keep her away from prying eyes, not display her like some trophy.”

Kael narrows his eyes at me. “You have a better suggestion?”

I shrug, trying to appear nonchalant. “There are hidden quarters off mine. No one will find her there.”

Kael’s brow lifts, and he studies me with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. “Hidden quarters? Of course, you’d have those.”

“Insurance,” I reply with a smirk. “In case of intruders.”

I'd rather not share their existence, but I can always build another.

Kael nods, conceding the point. “Very well.”

Torin groans. “We’re really not going to have any fun tonight, are we?”

“Not with her,” I say sharply, leading the way toward my chambers. “Follow me.”

The hallsof the Keep are eerily silent, save for the echo of our boots on the stone floor. My quarters are tucked away on the far side, away from the prying eyes and constant comings and goings of the main hall. Torin whistles low as we step inside, the polished stone floors reflecting the warm light from the sconces.

---