Page 77 of A Hunter for Luna

She strolled to the window, gazing out with a serene smile.

"If you're looking for Sofia and Rose, there's a manor house owned by Vivaldo. A secret little estate he thinks no one knows about." She glanced back at us. "He probably has them there."

They’d been gone for hours. "And you're just telling us thisnow?"

Vala shrugged, a smile tugging at her lips. "I thought you might enjoy the challenge. Besides, I'm curious to see if you remember your lessons."

Benedetto stepped forward. "What's in it for you?"

Vala's smile widened, showing white teeth. "Let's just say I have the same vested interest as you do in seeing Vivaldodisplaced. You're welcome."

Unease prickled along my skin at the implication behind her words.

Benedetto's scowl deepened, but he didn't argue further, simply jerked his head toward the door. "Let's get moving."

I hesitated, searching Vala's face for any hint of her true intentions. But her expression remained an exquisite mask, betraying nothing. With a frustrated huff, I hurried after Benedetto.

He stood beside his horse, his jaw clenched, and eyes hardened with a determined focus. Several guards were already mounted as well. None of them wore their uniforms, and Benedetto wore unfamiliar armor. Instead of a disciplined troop, they appeared to be poor mercenaries or even bandits

I swung myself up into the saddle, the leather creaking beneath me. As we rode out through the gates, a small weight settled onto my shoulders. Pip perched there, his opal eyes meeting mine. His presence was a small comfort amidst the swirling worry and fear knotting my gut.

This wasn't just about saving Sofia and Rose. I took comfort in the fact Benedetto the stubborn had yielded me the point, and I wondered if that would be enough if his presence got my sister killed.

The clip-clop of hooves against cobblestones filled the air as our group split up to meet at a rendezvous point outside the gates, in the countryside. As I rode with a single companion, the neat rows of buildings gave way to rolling hills and sparse woods.

A few miles from the city we met as a group again and rode hard for our destination. As we neared Vivaldo's estate, the fearscongealed in my stomach, growing heavier with each passing moment.

The manor came into view, a large stone structure partially concealed by dense trees, both grand and ominous.

Benedetto raised a gloved hand, signaling for the guards to halt. "Dismount. This is the diversion; try to draw a response out so I and the lady can slip in."

I slid from my horse, my boots hitting the ground with a soft thud, and surveyed our surroundings, one hand holding my fan.

Benedetto and I approached the wall as the troop headed for the gate.

As the troop drew near the wrought-iron gates of the manor, a group of armed men emerged from the shadows, blocking their path. Their faces were grim, their stances aggressive.

My muscles tensed, ready to move.

Benedetto cupped his hands and nodded at the wall. I put my foot in his hands, and he shoved up.

With the boost, my fingertips caught the edge of the wall and I pulled myself up, Benedetto right behind me.

We hopped down, and the plan was for us to pincer the troop. Benedetto headed in that direction.

I headed for the house. Sprinting, I reached the manor's entrance. Nothing else mattered but finding Sofia and Rose.

My heart pounded in my ears as I slipped through the heavy wooden doors, scanning the dimly lit interior for any sign of my sister and tutor.

I raced through the halls, my footsteps quiet on the rugs covering the marble floors.

Where were they? I had to find them before it was too late.

Dim candlelight outlined a curtain covering a door down the hall on the second floor. I paused and strained to hear any sounds.

Rose’s voice, too low to make words out.

I ran down the hall and through the curtain, my fans at the ready.

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