Page 108 of A Hunter for Luna

At first, there was nothing—just the heavy silence of the stone walls and the distant drip of water somewhere in the depths. But then, faintly, I caught a flicker of something else.

A pulse of energy, hot and wild, like a roaring wind that changed the landscape as it blew.

Moonshifter.

My eyes snapped open, my heart pounding against my ribs. He was close—too close for comfort.

But even as fear coiled in my gut, a new determination rose to meet it.

This was my chance. My chance to listen, to learn, and to use that knowledge against them. Perhaps even to find where they’d imprisoned Benedetto.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever lay ahead.

Now was the time to wait.

To watch.

And to plan my next move in this deadly game of shadows and secrets.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

BENEDETTO

Pain throbbedthrough my skull as I stirred on the soft mattress, a luxury my battered body welcomed. My hand brushed sheets that felt like fine linen. Rising on my elbow, I surveyed the room. Polished wood paneling covered the walls, two cushioned chairs sat bolted securely to the floor. A table, also bolted in place. Nothing I could grab and use as a weapon, though I might be able to shatter the table.

A gilded cage. I swung my legs over the side of the bed. Why?

One of the chairs had a tunic and trousers laid on it. While I didn’t care that I was naked, clothed was preferable. I put them on. Fine cloth, again, and cut for a man of my height and build.

The solid wood door withstood my testing. No windows. Where was Luna? Was she safe? Could I trust Sofia to get her away?

A spike of dread pierced my gut. If they'd caught her...

The door opened.

I bit back a surprised oath.Mother?

She glided in, poised and confident in an elegant dark gown, not a hair out of place. "Good morning. I trust you're finding your accommodations comfortable?"

Several clues clicked into a pattern I liked not at all. Her political machinations, my brother’s condition, my father’s illness… My marriage.

I’d worried about the wrong person betraying me.

"Where is Luna?" Despite my best effort, my hands balled into fists.

Mother waved a dismissive hand. "She's fine. For now. It’s good to know I didn’t underestimate your intelligence."

I gritted my teeth. “Why, mother?”

A tiny smile played on Mother's lips as she stepped closer. Her magic coursed around her, forming a shield around her. Intelligent move. I was angry enough to wring her neck. "When we return to Kalion, you’ll take up the emperor's wreath. The throne. Imagine it, you as the ruler of the Dimare Empire."

I snorted, not bothering to hide my disdain. "And what would that make me? Your puppet on the throne?"

Her smile widened, eyes glinting with dark amusement. "Oh. You wound me. I'm offering you power, true power. Mine will be greater, but at that point ruling the empire won’t be my concern."

Fury mixed with fear surged through my veins. What was she grasping for? "You're working with Moonshifter after what he did to Francesco? How could you betray your own family like this? What are you doing, Mother?"

She sighed, weary patience infusing the sound. "Who says I won’t use Moonshifter to cure Francesco when this is done? Sadly, Francesco is weak and unfit to rule. He's always been a fragile, approval-seeking creature, lacking the strength the empire needs to thrive. The strength you have."

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