Page 46 of A Hunter for Luna

“That’s why you put up with the biting, isn’t it? He’s a warhorse?” I asked as I kindled a small campfire.

“Partly. And partly because temperamental creatures are more interesting.” A mocking smile curved his lips as he worked. “A reason to keep you around too, though I think Biter’s the smarter of the two of you.”

I rolled my eyes at him, raising my middle finger. "Void eat you, Benedetto."

Absent gods take him, he was an ass.I can't let him get under my skin. Pretend you aren’t annoyed.

He laughed, the sound echoing in the quiet of the forest, the mirth telling me I hadn’t hidden the irritation. I turned away from him, pulling out dried marigold to steep in the heating water to prevent infection and willow bark for a different tea to ease the pain. Quiet fell as I focused on tending to my wound.

As I wrapped a bandage around my thigh, my mind drifted back to the revelation during the fight. Starlight magic. Why would he hide that? What else was he hiding? The questions swirled in my head.

“I’ll take the first watch,” I said.

“Fine.” Benedetto settled by the fire, reading more of the book we’d taken from the library. He spent time every evening reading it, usually with a dark frown.

“What’s in it?” I finally asked.

He regarded me. “Rituals, notes. It’s almost like Ruin was creating a final spell and was putting the pieces of it in here. I can’t figure what the purpose of it was, though. Lucardi’s left notes in it, as well, mostly on other locations he’s seen these rituals and spells in books. Probably searching for missing pieces. When I see him, I’ll be sure to ask how he contacts Moonshifter, since there was a letter from the sorcerer folded in the front page. With instructions for our friend on what research to do, no less.”

From Benedetto’s tone, Lucardi might not enjoy that conversation.

Benedetto tucked the book into his tunic and went to his bedroll. In moments he slept.

With the forest shrouded in shadows, I sat with my back against a tree, listening. My thigh throbbed dully, but I pushed the pain aside.

Suddenly, I heard a soft rustle next to me. I looked up to see a small drake emerging from the darkness in the roots of the tree. It was no bigger than a large cat, with pale iridescent scales that shimmered in the moonlight.

My breath caught in my throat. So beautiful! I closed my fan in my hand, just in case.

The drake sniffed the air, then took a cautious step toward me, making a little sound like it was saying, "Pip, Pip."

I extended my off hand slowly, hardly daring to breathe. The drake nuzzled my palm, making a soft wuffling sound.

A rush of joy filled me, an unexpected connection clicking into place I couldn't quite explain. Maybe the children’s stories that drakes were friendly and bonded with humans were actually true. I smiled, as the drake settled beside me, its warmth seeping into my skin.

I stroked its scales gently, marveling at their smoothness. The drake looked up at me with intelligent eyes, seeming to understand my every movement.

"You're a beautiful creature, aren't you?" I said, careful not to wake Benedetto. The drake made a soft trilling sound in response.

I wondered what brought you here. Was he drawn to magic, like the legends said? Could he sense the power within me?

As if in answer, the drake nuzzled closer, its tail wrapping around my wrist like a reassuring touch. A sense of peace washed over me, a feeling of belonging I hadn't experienced in a long time.

The horses didn't stir. Given Biter was a wary animal, that meant the little drake was good at stealth.

I cleared my throat and said, “Benedetto. We have friendly company. Do not jump up and try to kill him.”

His eyes snapped open, and he sat up smoothly, blinking as he focused on me and then the drake.

“Only you, Luna. Go to sleep. I won’t be able to do that with this creature nearby until we know it’s friendly.”

Not giving him a chance to reconsider, I pulled up my bedroll. The drake snuggled into me, and I fell asleep in a breath.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

LUNA

Pip perchedon a nearby branch as I saddled up my horse, the cool morning mist clinging to my boots. In better light, its scales shimmering blue and white and silver. He regarded me with bright eyes whose color echoed his scales, though with a swirl of red in them. I paused and stroked his head and Pip nuzzled into my hand.

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