Page 104 of A Hunter for Luna

I frowned, a spark of anger flaring in my chest. My magic wasn't a commodity to be bartered. But I bit my tongue, waiting for Sofia to finish.

"He'll be interested," she said, "but you need to be careful not to overpay. Don't offer your firstborn, or a favor to be named later. Nothing that isn't spelled out in precise terms."

I considered her words, my thoughts racing. "Does he bargain personally? Or does he send a representative?"

"He bargains in person," Sofia said. "The deals he makes are binding, so he prefers to oversee them himself. It's part of his code."

A code. The idea settled like a weight in my chest. Hard but fair. That was something I can work with. But it also meant I couldn't afford any mistakes. One wrong move, one poorly chosen word, and I could lose everything.

I leaned forward, possibilities running through my mind. "What's the relationship between Soulrider and Moonshifter? How do they feel about each other?"

Sofia laughed, a sharp and almost mocking bark. "They tolerate each other at best. Moonshifter annoys Soulrider, and they thwart each other's plans. They've crossed paths before in person, and it didn't end well."

"Good," I said, smiling slightly. "If there's tension between them, that might work in our favor. I can use that."

This could be the key. The realization pulsed through me like a heartbeat. If I could pit them against each other, it might give me the distraction I need to free Benedetto.

A strange sound filled the air, a faint, fluttering noise like the beating of wings. I looked up to see a creature swooping down toward me, its body glistening in the moonlight. It was a bat, but not an ordinary one, its skin resembling raw, shimmering blood.

"Summoning from the Void is forbidden," Sofia said coldly, watching as the bat landed on a nearby branch.

The bat opened its mouth, and a raspy message emerged. "Bring yourself to Moonshifter's tower by dawn, alone, or your husband dies. There will be no second warning. Send the failed apprentice far away, or your husband dies."

My lips curled into a cold smile. "Is that so? Tell your master I'm on my way."

The bat dribbled blood as if it were relieving itself, then flew away.

I turned to Sofia, willing her to understand. "Wait a bit before you go back. Tell Rose what I want and where I am, but not until I've had a chance to confront Moonshifter first."

Sofia raised an eyebrow, looking both amused and impressed. "You're playing a dangerous game. Remember, you can’t get anything for free in the world."

Yes, tell Soulrider I want to make a deal, to come see me. I know I’ll have to pay if he fights Moonshifter. And you said he was with Rose, so I don’t need to mention his name.

"Pip should go with you as a sign of good faith. Rose will want to see him again."

Pip’s long angry hiss made his opinion of that clear.

Sofia touched my cheek, her fingers warm against my skin. "I'll speak for you as well. I'll leave at sunrise. And I’ll take the horses with me, once I find where they ran."

I leaned into her touch, drawing strength from her presence. "Thank you. I don't know what I would do without you."

She smiled, a glint of mischief in her expression. "Probably get yourself killed, or worse."

I laughed. "And you're doing a fantastic job so far."

Sofia grinned, then grew serious. "Luna, be careful. Moonshifter is cunning and ruthless. Don't underestimate him."

I held her stare, resolve hardening within me. "I won't."

The wind chilled me to the bone as I trudged up the rocky path, leaving Sofia behind. Moonshifter's tower loomed ahead, a tall narrow black spire piercing the night sky. Twisted bones of the mountain cast shadows in the eerie moonlight. My hair whipped across my face, stinging my cheeks, even though I’d wrapped myself tight in the cloak.

He wanted me to come alone. The scheming void-eater thought he had me trapped. But I had a hole card, one last desperate gambit. I just needed to buy enough time for Sofia to bring Soulrider. Absent gods willing, we might still have a chance.

As I approached the tower entrance, a pack of grotesque guards emerged from the shadows — half-human, half-beast abominations with snarling jaws and claws. One seized my arm in its vise-like grip, puncturing my skin.

"Let go," I snapped, trying to wrench myself free. "I'm here to see Moonshifter. He's expecting me."

The creature shoved me forward with a growl. "We know who you are. You don't give the orders here."

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