Page 7 of A Hunter for Luna

The uneven cobbled streets were nearly deserted as we walked the road, following Sofia's quietly spoken directions. My side ached with each stride, the reminder of Father's blows keeping me moving.

Rose trembled beside me, her face etched with fear and exhaustion. Sofia joined us, supporting both of us with her sturdy strength down that long walk.

By the end of it, I was staggering, and Rose could barely drag one foot in front of the other. The climb up Noble’s Hill felt endless.

In the light of false dawn the imposing shape of the walled d'Alvarez mansion finally loomed before us. I spotted a familiar face guarding the gate, the same guard who’d been at this post when Father brought me here.

His expression remained professionally neutral as we approached. “My lady. You’ve been missed. Are these guests?”

Absent gods be thanked, he’d offered me a way to get them in.

“Yes! This is my sister and her tutor. Open the gate.”

“Of course, my lady.”

Once we were safely within the gate, we collapsed against the wall, gulping in air.

“Would my lady like the house to be informed of her arrival?” asked the other guard.

“Yes, I would.” I straightened, pressing an arm against my aching ribs.

He nodded to the other guard and strode toward the house. After a few more breaths, Rose and I gathered our strength and faced the house. The walk to the door was as long as I remembered.

By the time we got there, the door was open, and a servant greeted us, his features laced with confusion and concern.

"My ladies. Rest here," he said, ushering us to a low couch in the antechamber.

Sitting, the exhaustion and fear overcame Rose and she leaned against me and was asleep in moments.

The servant hurried off up the marble stairs.

Vala glided down the stairs a moment later, clad in a flowing robe, her hair long dark hanging loose down her back. "Luna, what happened? Where did you go? And why have you returned in the middle of the night with your sister and governess?"

"Lady Vala, our father... he was angry.” I kept my voice low, glancing down at Rose’s sleeping form. “He killed Canta, Rose’s mother. We had to leave; I didn’t know who he’d beat next. Please, we need your help. If we can't find someone to protect Rose from him, I'll have no choice but to disappear with her andSofia. I know you’ve been kind, but my duty to her is as great as my duty to the clan d’Alvarez, even if I’m married in."

Lady Vala held up a hand, her expression direct. "Say no more, Luna. Of course you can stay, and clan d’Alvarez will protect your sister from harm. I'll speak with the seneschal and tell him to see that you're properly settled while I make the arrangements. However, I wish to point out that had you planned this and consulted me, it might have been a less perilous adventure for all concerned."

Relief washed over me, tempered by the rebuke. "Thank you, Lady Vala. I’ll do all I can to repay your favor."

Lady Vala smiled, but I couldn't quite decipher her expression. It seemed kind, but there was a gleam of something in it that made the hairs on the back of my neck stir.

"Nonsense, Luna. You're family now, my daughter by marriage. You'll learn all that’s needed for your position while you're here. And once we locate my son, you can attend to the important matters."

I was grateful for the lifeline she had thrown us, whatever other strings it might hold. The d’Alvarez family was powerful enough to protect us even if Father went to the courts to try to get Rose back. “Lady Vala. I'll do whatever it takes."

Lady Vala nodded graciously, then walked back upstairs. As if by magic, maids appeared to help Rose and Sofia and me up the stairs and into a room where a steaming bath stood ready.

Sofa and I stripped Rose out of her soiled garments and helped her into the steaming bath. Her small frame shivered as the warm water washed away the grime of the night, if not the fear.

Once Rose was clean and dressed in a soft nightgown we helped her into bed and she fell asleep again, looking like an exhausted kitten on the huge bed.

The tub was drained, I slumped onto a stool. The tub could be refilled at the pull of a chain, but my ribs hurt so much, and I was so tired.

Sofia hovered nearby, lifting my chin with a gentle touch. “I think I could use magic to clean you and it would work.”

I smiled at her wearily. “If you can, please do.”

She wiped her hand along the damp interior of the tub, water glistening on her fingers before she blew on it, murmuring a phrase in a soft voice. A warm mist surrounded my body and my magic licked at it, but the water didn’t quite touch me. I held my power in as hard as I could.

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