Page 14 of A Hunter for Luna

I took a careful step forward.

Father glared at Sofia. “Not today, failure.”

She beckoned me forward. “By the contract, not until Rose is of age. Until then, enjoy the air you breathe, Emilio de Spoleto.”

The word hissed in the alley, as if the stones echoed it.

Despite the agony of my back, I hurried forward to Sofia.

Rose hovered by me as Sofia turned to examine my back. “I can't heal it magically, but there are a lot of things I can do to minimize the scarring. You and you, pick her up and mind her back. Rose, go back with them. I need fresh lionheart and a few other medicinals that I don't normally keep. Take her to her room and lay her on her belly, I will be back as soon as I can.”

The trip back to the d’Alvarez residence blurred in my mind with each spasm of pain. Despite the care that the two guards showed carrying me, each step jolted my back, and I drifted in and out of consciousness.

I came back to full wakefulness as a cool cloth was put on my back.

Sofia's brisk voice came from above me. “Hold still, I'm going to have to soak off the bits of your gown and your bodice out of the wounds to prevent infection. Once I have them free, I'll paint it with lionheart to keep it from festering. Be brave Luna. You'll live, and I can fix the rest.”

“Drink this. "A cup touched my lips.

I drank thirstily. The brew was bitter enough to make me gag, with a strange floral aftertaste. But within a few moments the world started to float.

“Sleep, Luna,” Rose whispered.

I trusted them, and I let the sleep take me.

CHAPTER FOUR

BENEDETTO

3 YearsAfter the Alley Attack

I approached the gates of the converted fortress. It crouched among recently scythed grasses and harshly pruned peach trees. Once it guarded the Deadbridge, but a few generations ago it had become an asylum for the madmen and women of Kalion. Its smoke-stained gray stone walls and barred windows reminded me of an above ground dungeon.

The verdigris crusted gate creaked open when I shoved it. The stench of wet stone and decay from the nearby Volanta River hung in the air as I crossed the lawn.

Nine months had passed since I last passed this gate. A twisting knot of dread and resignation settled in my gut as the gloomy shadow of the building swallowed me. Far afield, I hadn't been able to visit Francesco in months.

Visiting him was like drinking a bitter brew recommended for its healing properties. Short term misery in hope of a reward that rarely materialized. Rather like visiting the family home, which I’d avoided for the past three years.

Memories of my wife’s alluring scent, earthy and floral, like saffron, rose at the thought. Followed close by the fear in her large grey eyes. I shoved the thoughts aside, not without a flicker of regret. I had no ill feelings for her, but taking her innocence was the price demanded by my parents to continue my mission.

So I’d done it in a way to minimize the humiliation for both of us.

If fulfilling my duty as a husband, loveless though the union might be, granted me the money and resources I needed, I’d do it again. I’d done far worse than lay a quivering maiden in my time.

The funds released after I did my duty had gotten me to a port where I’d gotten clues as to where Moonshifter lived. Knowing the location of the sorcerer who shattered Francesco’s mind thirteen years ago meant I was a step closer to my goal.

Francesco healed or the sorcerer spitted on my blade.

Some days, I couldn’t remember which I wanted more.

I slammed the brass knocker hard against the door.

After the attendant manning the door scuttled off, I only had to wait a few minutes. Soon enough, the plump figure of the chief physician waddled into the small antechamber.

"Lord d'Alvarez," he greeted me, bowing his head. "We were not expecting you today. I trust your journey was pleasant?"

He reeked of camphor. While it wasn't an unpleasant scent in moderation, this was almost pungent enough to make my eyes tear.

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