Page 58 of A Hunter for Luna

The figure's black robes seemed to absorb the weak light, giving the impression that it was a void in the shape of a man. The bones of its face, half-hidden by a tattered hood, were too long, too sharp to be human. Eyes like pits of liquid darkness stared out from sunken sockets, piercing me with an inhuman hunger.

I opened my mouth to call out, to demand answers, but before I could make a sound, a gust of wind slammed into me from behind, nearly knocking me off my feet. I whirled around and gasped at the sight that greeted me.

Pip, my beloved dragon, hovered in the air above me, his scales gleaming like polished onyx. He was far larger than in life, his massive form blotting out the empty sky. His wings, fully extended, stirred up whirlwinds of dust and debris as they beat against the unyielding air.

A wave of dread rose up within me as I met Pip's eyes, glowing with an otherworldly light. There was knowledge in that gaze, ancient and terrible. A warning of dangers yet to come.

This was no ordinary dream, I realized with a sickening lurch of fear. It was a message, a portent of some looming calamity that even Pip, with all his draconic wisdom, could not fully shield me from.

Pip let out a bone-shaking roar that reverberated through my body like a physical blow. Then he dove toward me, his powerful wings propelling him forward at impossible speed. I instinctivelyraised my arms to shield my face as he swooped down, bracing for an impact that never came.

Instead, I felt the lightest brush of scales against my skin as Pip's claws carefully encircled my waist. With a mighty surge of his wings, he lifted us both into the air, the ground falling away beneath my dangling feet.

I craned my neck to look back at the dark figure still standing in the distance, unmoving as it watched our ascent. A chill ran down my spine as I felt the weight of its gaze on me, cold and calculating. Assessing.

As if in response to my unease, Pip tightened his grip, pulling me close to his chest. I felt the steady thrum of his heartbeat against my back, strong and reassuring. But even that small comfort couldn't fully banish the icy tendrils of fear coiling in my gut.

Something was coming. Something dark and terrible, lurking just beyond the edges of my understanding. And I had a sinking suspicion that it had something to do with the shadowy figure from my dream and the arcane tome Benedetto sought so desperately.

I clung to Pip as he carried me away, my mind racing with questions I didn't know how to answer. How much of this dream was symbolic, and how much was literal truth? What did the figure want from me? And most chilling of all - was I already too late to stop whatever wheels had been set in motion?

Anxiety sat like a lead weight in my stomach as the dreamscape around me began to blur and fade, signaling my slow return to waking consciousness. I wanted to rail against it, to demand that Pip give me more answers, more guidance. But the dream was already slipping away like water through my fingers.

As the last vestiges of sleep fell away and I found myself blinking up at the canopy of my bed, one final thought crystallized in my mind with painful clarity. Whatever was coming, whatever dark forces were aligning against us...I had a terrible feeling that none of us were truly prepared to face it.

But ready or not, I knew the confrontation was inevitable. All I could do was try to steel myself for the battles ahead and pray that when the time came, I would be strong enough to protect those I loved from the coming storm.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

LUNA

Sittingin the garden at the center of the de Metteil villa, my cup of sweet and tart hibiscus tea next to me on the stone bench, I enjoyed a rare moment of peace. The warm morning light drew delicate scents from the chamomile and mint growing in drifts by my feet, accented by the jasmine blooms from the surrounding bushes, creating a soothing impression on all the senses.

That peace shattered like a dropped plate when a servant cleared her throat at the entrance and said, "Lady Natalina de Bardi to see you. Are you home to visitors?"

To refuse would be rude, but I was tempted. “Of course, I’m home, escort her here. Bring tea for her as well.”

In point of fact, the visitor was being rude in seeking me out rather than Palma, and I’d mention that if she annoyed me. Few things annoyed people more than being schooled on manners, myself included.

Natalina entered with a bright, charming smile, her tall, broad frame dressed in an elegant gown the color of wine, a deep purple red. It suited her warm complexion.

Her brown eyes swept over me, assessing my gown, the simple necklace clasped around my neck, and possibly the perfume I wore. "Lady Lunetta, my dear, what a pleasure it is to finally meet you."

I rose to greet her, masking my curiosity. "Lady Natalina, I didn't expect a visit. Would you like some tea?"

“Certainly!” she smiled as I offered her the cup from the tray of the servant who accompanied her.

I indicated the bench as I sat down again. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”

Natalina waved a hand dismissively, settling onto the worn stone bench as though she'd known me for years. "Oh, call me Natalina. I couldn't resist checking in on you and Benedetto. I'm an old friend of your mother by marriage, Vala, you see. She speaks so highly of you."

I smiled politely. An old friend of Vala's? The sweet scent of danger suddenly joined the garden’s perfume.

“Please, call me Luna.”

Benedetto entered the garden through the entrance near our room. His expression shifted from neutral to harsh and forbidding when he spotted Natalina seated near me.

"Natalina," he said flatly.

---