Page 41 of A Hunter for Luna

Sleep eluded me, my mind churning with thoughts of Luna, of the quest ahead, of the revenge I'd sought for so long.Tomorrow. Tomorrow, I'll focus. I'll put her out of my mind and do what needs to be done.

The lie I told myself left a burn in my chest. Luna had gotten under my skin, and there was no going back. Absent gods keep you, Luna. Far away from me. Because I have a feeling we're both going to need all the help we can get.

The morning sun lit the dining room with a molten pale golden glow. I sat at one end of the table, the scents of herbal tea filling my nostrils and the taste of fresh bread in my mouth. Mother sat across from me, her sharp eyes assessing. Father slumped in his chair, his face grey and tired.

He’d been ill for many years, even before Francesco left to seek his apprenticeship. He dipped his bit of bread in the tea, watching me with hollow eyes.

Mother leaned forward, a sly smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "I heard something intriguing this morning from my maid. Tulliano Lucardi left town last night. Urgent business, apparently. Headed straight for Kalion."

I narrowed my eyes. "Did he say why?"

She shrugged. "I’ve no idea. It isn't technically my business. But it's obvious something spooked him. He left in a hurry, with only a small entourage."

Kalion? What could have dragged him there in such a rush? This could be the lead I'd been waiting for. Especially after we took the book.

"Interesting," I kept my voice neutral. "Very interesting."

Mother's smile widened, showing perfect teeth. "I thought you'd find it so."

I reached for a piece of flatbread, tearing off a chunk and dipping it in honey.Lucardi in Kalion. It might be connected to Francesco. To the curse.

"I suppose I should pay a visit to Kalion myself," I said, popping the bread into my mouth. "See what all the fuss is about."

Mother nodded, unsurprised. "Of course. It would be wise to investigate."

Father stirred, blinking at me as if just realizing I was there. "Benedetto," he said. "When did you arrive?"

A pang of sadness mixed with frustration shot through me.He's getting worse."Last night, Father. I had some business to attend to."

He nodded vaguely, his attention already drifting. Mother's lips tightened, a flash of something crossing her face before she smoothed it away.

"Well," she said briskly, "if you're going to Kalion, you'll need supplies. I'll have the servants pack you a bag."

I inclined my head in thanks, my mind already racing ahead. Kalion. Lucardi. The book. It was all connected. Anticipation thrummed through me, the thrill of the hunt, the promise of answers.

My thoughts turned to Luna. Would she insist on coming? I pushed the thought away.Focus. She will do what she does, and you’ll react then.

But even as I finished my breakfast, my thoughts kept circling back to a pair of fierce gray eyes and a sharp tongue, to a body made for sin.

After breakfast, I strode into the courtyard, warmth and humidity already rising, promising another day of scorching heat. The grooms had my horse ready, a sleek black stallion named Biter, because he did. As I approached, I saw a bay gelding with a white blaze on his forehead already saddled, a familiar figure astride it.

Luna. She sat tall in the saddle, her auburn hair braided back, a long red veil twisted through it. She wore practical riding clothes, leather breeches and a linen shirt, but she still managed to look every inch the noblewoman.

I stopped, folding my arms across my chest. "What are you doing? How did you know I was leaving?"

She rolled her eyes. "It’s not like it wasn’t obvious how you and your mother get along. I figured you’d be gone before breakfast. As for knowing where you’re going, it's not like you ordered the grooms to keep it a secret."

I scowled. "You're useless in a fight, and you should stay here to see if you're pregnant. No point dragging you across the countryside."

Her smile was thin and sharp. "It'll be a week or two before I find out if your seed took, Benedetto," she said. "And if I'm not, I'd prefer to be in a position to try again before I turn forty."

Damn her.I bit back a laugh. "You'll slow me down. I'm not going to wait for you."

"Good," she said. "I’d prefer not to wait for you either."

I studied her for a long moment, weighing my options. I could try to force her to stay, but I had a feeling that would only make her more determined. And loathe as I was to admit it, havingher along might not be the worst thing. She was clever and observant, and I could use an extra set of eyes.

It was not like I could even protect her. Maybe after learning how the world really worked, she’d head back here without argument.

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