Page 105 of A Hunter for Luna

I lifted my chin and glared back at it defiantly, even as my heart pounded. There was no turning back now. I could only pray Sofia came through in time.

The guards dragged me into a vast chamber, dimly lit by guttering torches. Shadows danced on the walls like specters. At the far end, a tall silhouette stood. Moonshifter himself.

He moved with a predator's fluid grace as he approached, his intense black gaze boring into mine. In the flickering light, I could see he was skinny and wiry beneath his billowing crimson robes. A fringe of long brown hair, streaked with grey, framed his balding head. Elaborate runes embroidered his hem and cuffs in a darker shade of red.

"Ah, the brave little wife," Moonshifter said, his voice a mocking purr. "I wasn't sure you'd come. But I suppose love makes fools of us all."

I lifted my chin, meeting his eyes with defiance even as my insides quaked. "Where is Benedetto? I came for him, not for your games."

A hollow, mirthless laugh echoed through the chamber. "You think you're in a position to make demands? How amusing."

He circled me slowly, eyes tracking over every inch of my body. It was repellant and in no way sexual. It was like the stare of a creature considering whether you were worth the effort of eating.

"He's safe—for now. But his fate depends entirely on your behavior."

My fists clenched at my sides. The Sorcerer was toying with me, trying to intimidate me into submission. To be honest, near him in his place of power, I was intimidated. Just not willing to give up.

Schooling my expression, I forced my voice to remain level. "What do you want, Moonshifter? Why did you take him?"

His thin lips curled in a cruel smile, revealing the points of his teeth. "So many questions. Patience, dear Luna. All will be revealed in due time."

He snapped his spindly fingers, and the guards grabbed my arms again, their claws pricking my flesh through the fabric. I struggled against them futilely as Moonshifter turned his back.

"Take her to the cells. Perhaps a night spent contemplating her predicament will help her with that stiff neck." His dark eyes glittered with malice and something else, something hungry and unsettling.

As they hauled me away, I struggled to regain my balance. Pain exploded across my cheek as a heavy blow struck me, snapping my head to the side. I tasted blood, the coppery tang filling my mouth. Rough hands seized me again, dragging me down a dank, narrow passageway.

I thrashed against my captors, my boots scrabbling uselessly against the damp stone floor. Their grip only tightened, claws piercing my skin. I cried out, more in frustration than pain.

Abruptly, they hurled me forward. I stumbled, falling hard on my hands and knees. The impact jarred through me, my palms stinging from the grit on the floor. Behind me, a heavy door composed of silver bars set perhaps an inch apart clanged shut with a sense of finality that made my stomach drop.

Forcing myself up, I took in my new surroundings. A small, filthy cell, bare but for a thin pallet of straw. High in the wall, a tiny, barred window let in a single shaft of weak, watery moonlight. The air was thick with the stench of mold, urine, and despair.

I slumped against the wall, burying my face in my hands. Hot tears pricked at my lids, but I blinked them back savagely. Crying wouldn't help Benedetto. I had to be strong, to have faith in Sofia and our plan.

Though appearing broken wouldn’t hurt.

Clasping my trembling fingers together, I squeezed my eyes shut and took a deep breath.

In the oppressive gloom of the cell, with walls so close I could stretch out my hands and touch either side, it was hard to hold onto hope. All I could do was wait, and hope, and count the hours. I would endure this. I had to.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

LUNA

While the airin the dungeon cell was thick with the scent of mildew, I was warm enough I didn’t need anything more than my cloak to be comfortable. I paced back and forth in a small circle, trying to keep from going mad with tension.

I’d already tried using my magic, but something about the stones of the walls or the bars made it impossible for me to manifest it.

The single window cast a thin shaft of light into the cell. It was well past dawn. Speculating about what might happen had kept my thoughts swirling with fear and anger.

The sound of footsteps echoed through the corridor. A whiff of myrrh and jasmine perfume before she rounded the corner told me who was coming.

Vala stepped into view. She carried a goblet and wore a flowing dark gown. The velvety material seemed to move on its own, making her look as if she wore living shadows.

The torchlight flickered, casting eerie shadows across her sharp features.

"Oh, Luna," Vala said mildly. "You look dreadful. Life on the road doesn't suit you, does it? Believe me, if there’d been any other way I would have suggested it."

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