Page 71 of A Hunter for Luna

The fact she’d put him in the position where he had to dominate or die wasn’t lost on me either.

"You're playing a dangerous game, Mother," Benedetto said. I heard the slam of his fist on the table. "This isn't just about power, this could get us all killed."

I could just see Vala through the crack in the door without leaning forward and making it too obvious.

Vala's shrug was elegant and dismissive, her tone level. "Power is always dangerous, Benedetto. But it's a risk worth taking. If not for yourself, for your wife and any children you might have. Or would you like to see them all burn with you?"

He stormed out of the room, nearly colliding with me. His face was flushed with anger, but when he saw me, his expression softened. Slightly.

"We're going for a walk," he said shortly. "I need air."

Luckily Rose and Sofia had almost finished dressing after cleaning up, and we were on our way swiftly.

The four of us walked through the streets of Kalion, Pip perched happily on Rose's shoulder, preening and ruffling her blond hair. The city felt gentler and more welcoming when I was with them.

I glanced at Rose's wide-eyed wonder and Sofia's amused expression. Their presence made it feel like it could be a home.

Benedetto walked slightly ahead, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. He scanned the crowd constantly, his posture tense and alert.

Sofia noticed, giving him a tart smile. "Are we really that dangerous at your back? Or are you just worried someone might try to steal your wife away?"

Benedetto glanced back, wary as he always was around Sofia.

"I'm worried about the attacks we've been dealing with," he said dryly. "But if you'd rather I leave you to fend for yourselves..."

I cut in with a smile. "We appreciate the escort. Truly."

As we passed through a quieter part of the market, Rose spotted a small child standing alone, her face streaked with tears.

"Oh, the poor thing." Rose hurried over before anyone could stop her. She knelt down to the child's level. "Are you lost?"

The girl nodded, hiccupping through her sobs.

Benedetto's expression hardened, and he grabbed my arm. "This could be a trap," he said. "We've been targeted before, using a child wouldn't be beneath them."

I frowned, half agreeing with him but torn. He was right, but the poor thing was terrified.

Sofia stepped forward, murmuring a few words under her breath. A soft, silvery light glowed around her hands, and the air hummed with a faint magical resonance.

I stepped away as my magic reached hungrily for her spell.

"Her parents are nearby." Sofia pointed down a side street. "That way."

The magic Sofia displayed was always subtle but powerful. Everyone heard about the destruction sorcerers and their students could rain down on those who opposed them, and I’d heard Sofia quietly mocked for her lack of offensive magic.

Though not using something was not the same as lacking it. Sometimes I wondered why she chose the path she did.

Other moments, like now, I was simply grateful. I didn’t know what Rose and I would do without her. Why had Father made a contract for her to teach Rose and stay with us so long? How could he have afforded it?

We followed Sofia's lead down the side street. A couple came into view, both of them dressed in the plain style of merchants, the cloth sturdy and the color muted.

Both their faces were etched with worry as they frantically searched the crowd. Terrible things could happen to a child alone, even in the day.

When the mother spotted her little girl in Rose's arms, she let out a sob and rushed forward, scooping the child into a tight embrace.

Rose stepped back.

"Thank you, thank you." The father bowed repeatedly. Tears glistened in his eyes. "We thought we'd lost her."

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