Page 106 of A Hunter for Luna

“Believe you?” I choked. "What are you doing here? With the man who drove your eldest son insane?"

I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stand tall.

She sighed. "Sacrifices must be made when the prize is rich enough, and Francesco was always the lesser brother, even if he was older. I appreciate that my lessons in punctuality and faithfulness bore such fruit. You've arrived right on time. Had it been Benedetto alone, he would probably have arrived much too early or late. Or gone to a completely different location."

What was she up to? Whatever it was, it couldn't be good. Her lust for power must've overcome her sense. But she was loyal to family, so it couldn’t involve harming Benedetto. I could try to persuade her to turn on Moonshifter.

I approached the bars and curled my fingers around them. "What are you planning?"

Vala set the goblet on the floor, her expression almost regretful. "Oh, it's a simple thing, really. And for the betterment of the world. We need a conduit, to touch a greater power with the disruption and absorption of the dark moon's magic. And now we have what we need to do so."

A conduit? My stomach dropped as realization dawned. No… she can't mean…

Vala nodded. "Yes. I'm talking about the child."

I took a step back from the bars, both hands moving to my belly, as if to protect it.

"I had my suspicions, but seeing you up close, it's obvious you're pregnant. The flux of magic around you is greater, and your aura more disruptive. Moonshifter noticed it as well. If the baby carries the dark moon's gift, like you, then it's perfect for the ritual. It won't resist being used in the magic, unlike an adult. And it will have a blood link to me, so that I can use its magic, since I can't tap yours. If it carries the dark moon, of course, there's always a chance it takes after its father." She frowned.

I recoiled another step, wishing I had a weapon. "You planned this from the start?"

"Of course. I’ve trained from the start that planning is important, have I not." Vala stepped closer to the bars separating us, her eyes on mine, her tone gentle. "Why do you think I pushed so hard for you to get pregnant? I needed a vessel, one that carried the right kind of magic, that was of my blood. And you, my daughter, were the perfect candidate to create it."

I stared at Vala, my heart pounding as the familiar cold, calculating gaze met mine.

"You see, the beauty of this plan is that Moonshifter believes we're working together. He thinks the ritual will benefit us both equally." Her lips quirked with genuine amusement.

I stared at her in even more shock. Every word that came out of her mouth stunned me anew. "You're planning to betray him. A sorcerer. You're planning to try to betray him and take all the power for yourselfwhile you’re in his void blasted tower?"

She was insane.

Vala shrugged, a delicate gesture. "Well, it would be a shame to share, wouldn't it? He's served his purpose. But after tomorrow, he'll be nothing more than a pawn—a steppingstone to my goal."

My mind raced. She hadn’t threatened me, yet. What did she plan for him?

Before I could ponder it further, Vala gazed down at my belly, her eyes gleaming with the light of a spell. I stiffened, unable to block it.

"Let's make sure, shall we?" she murmured. "Ah, yes, it's there—the dark moon's gift. How fortunate. If it hadn't been, we'd have had to try again, which would have delayed the ritual by a year."

I jerked back, tears welling up. "You're a monster. You’d use an innocent child for your twisted magic? Will she be harmed?"

Weary sorrow flitted across her face. "It will die; being so unformed, it won’t survive the magic channeled through it. You and Benedetto will have plenty of time to make others though. Think of this as a necessary sacrifice on your way to the throne.”

“We don’t want it!” I screamed at her.

“Too bad. Dimare needs an emperor and a god. Benedetto and you will rule, and I’ll take the mantle of godhood and raise the empire to even greater heights.

Become a god?

The fact of her madness chilled me to the bone. "Scald the moon."

Vala laughed. “Perhaps I will. I’ll see you later, Luna.”

Moving with care, she set the goblet in a clever contraption on the cell door that allowed her to pass it into the cell without opening the door. Then she walked away.

I didn't want to drink it, but I was very thirsty. Sniffing, it held notes of hibiscus and honey. I tasted it with my tongue. No aftertaste; it seemed to be a simple tea.

I took a sip and settled to wait for the effects before I took another.

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