Page 23 of A Hunter for Luna

“What happens if you can’t contain it?” I asked.

“It destroys you,” Sofia answered simply.

“Why would I want to call a name then? If I don’t know if it will kill me?” asked Rose.

Sofia spread her hands. “A Name makes you powerful and then you can protect others and yourself. Think what life is like if you can’t protect those you love.”

Rose winced and a flicker of anger shot through me even as I had to admit the truth of her statement. Learning weapons and deception was my non magic way of taking a Name.

“And there’s no guarantee that if you call a Name will come. I’ve called a dozen times, and the ritual has always unraveled. That’s why people call me a ‘failed apprentice’.” Sofia’s eyes twinkled. “And how I ended here, doing a job I like.”

Rose, diagram finished, came over and hugged her.

“Do all Sorcerers source their magic from starlight, like you and Rose?’

To be honest, I didn’t like the idea of Rose as a Sorcerer, since as I understood it almost all of them became terrible people because of their power and how people treated them trying to curry their favor. But that was a problem for years from now, not today.

Sofia shook her head. “Starlight magic is an advantage, yes, because most people with it begin training early and learn to use their magic better. But any of the other sources– moon, sun, dark moon– can become a Sorcerer. The only qualifications are calling a sigil and a name.”

I lowered my voice, because what I was about to ask was in the worst of poor taste. “Could someone who sources from the Void?”

The Void was forbidden as a source. People were born to the other four, but sourcing from the Void meant that they forsooktheir original power and sought out the energies from the blackness and emptiness. I’d been told that one and all, learning to source from the Void drove the person insane.

Unshocked. Sofia regarded me with raised brows. “Of course. Having power and talent doesn’t guarantee that you’re sane. Sometimes madness helps with focus. Where a sane person might hesitate, a madman won’t.”

She left me a little shocked by her answer. Seeing it, she chuckled.

Just then, a young servant entered the room, bowing respectfully. "Lady Luna, the Lady Vala requests your presence in her study."

My heart skipped a beat.

What could she want?Vala's summons were rarely a casual matter. "Thank you," I said to the servant, keeping my voice steady. "Please inform Lady Vala that I will be there shortly."

As the servant left, I turned to Rose and Sofia, trying to hide the unease churning in my stomach. "Duty calls, it seems."

Sofia had already picked up my gown and shaken it out. A quick gesture, and a tiny whirlwind of chalk dust rose from the floor and solidified into a stick.

Rose stood, setting aside her embroidery and picking up my bodice. “Let’s get you into this quickly.

It only took a few minutes for me to be dressed so that if I needed to leave the house, I was ready.

Sofia stepped forward, placing a warm hand on my shoulder. "Good luck, Luna.”

I nodded.Trust your instincts.It was advice Sofia often gave me and Rose, and it had never led me astray. I’d keep it in mind.

With a deep breath, I straightened my shoulders and headed for the door, my footsteps echoing on the polished wooden floors. As I headed for the study, my mind wandered to Sofia's reaction to Vala's summons. The way her posture stiffened, her expression becoming even more unreadable... it was a change I had noticed before, whenever Vala was mentioned.

The rich scent of jasmine wafted over me as I stepped into Vala's study, the warm breeze from the open windows rustling the gauzy curtains. Sunlight streamed in, casting a golden glow over the polished mahogany desk where Vala sat, her posture regal and poised.

She rose gracefully as I entered, her dress falling in precise elegant folds. A smile played on her lips. "Luna. Please, be seated."

I settled into the indicated chair, the soft velvet cushion enveloping me. "Thank you, Domina."

Vala's gaze swept over me, assessing. "You've done well, Luna. Your progress in your weapons training and in managing the estate affairs has been excellent. You've proven yourself a worthy member of the d’Alvarez family in many ways."

I inclined my head, a mix of pride and wariness swirling within me. "Thank you, Domina. I've had an able teacher."

Her smile didn't quite reach her eyes, but that was normal. "Thank you. And now, I have another task for you. One that will require all of your skills and charm."

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