Page 86 of A Hunter for Luna

"Look who's pretending to be a lady of the court. And your little sister, too. How quaint."

Rose instinctively moved nearer to me, trembling, her expression fearful. "Father."

The shopkeeper had vanished, probably sensing a fight between noble families, where he and all he owned could be crushed.

The guards, as was normal, had remained outside the shop, probably hindered now by Emiliano's men.

He'd cornered us on purpose.

Anger flared alongside my fear. "What do you want?"

I moved in front of Rose, shielding her from his gaze.

Emiliano's lips curled into a cruel smile. "I’ve come to collect my property and deliver it to its new owner. Remember your place and hers, Luna. My daughter is mine to give to whomIwant. And no pervert, a woman who wants to be a man, will stop me."

He twisted around me and grabbed Rose's arm, yanking her forward. She let out a small cry of pain, and I saw red.

"Let her go," I snarled. He had no rights if he were dead, and I’d live with the stain of kinslaying on my reputation and soul.

Pip leaped from my shoulder with a hiss, landing on Emiliano's arm. The drake snapped at his face, drawing blood just below his eye. Emiliano cursed, slapping Pip away as he released Rose.

"Void blast and rot you," he said, clutching his bleeding cheek. The very air cringed from the force of his oath. “Stupid bitch! That drake has a taste for forbidden magic, does it?”

Let him bleed. Let him feel some of the pain he'd caused us. I’d make him bleed more if needed.

He focused on me, blazing with fury. "The right is mine!"

Sofia watched, silent, as Rose retreated to huddle against her.

"Might makes right," I said. "That’s your code, isn’t it? Strength is on my side right now. And you won’t take her to feed your own twisted ambitions?"

Emiliano's face contorted with rage as he stepped forward again. "You insolent girl! You think you can defy me and get away with it? I am her father, and I will be obeyed!"

Never again. I'd never let him control me, control us, again.

I unfurled my fan. "I am not your property. I won’t give you Rose. One more step and you bleed more."

Could I really stand against him? Was I strong enough to protect Rose, to protect myself?

But looking at Rose's frightened face, at the way she clung to Sofia… I had no choice.

Who had he sold her to? That enemy needed to be added to my list.

Emiliano raised his hand. The air around us chilled, magic flooded the shop. My own surged to consume it.

"You will know no restful sleep," he whispered, pointing at Rose. "Not as long as you defy me. You will know nightmare and fear, until you honor your duty."

The air sizzled with the tension of our magic clashing. I didn’t feel any get by me, but Rose gasped, clutching her head as if in sudden pain. "No! Luna, make it stop."

My hands shook with fury.

"You think you've stopped me?" he said. "You have no idea what's coming. I have powerful allies now. Vivaldo knows the value of loyalty, unlike you. He’s divorced his wife and agreed to take Rose."

I stared at him, stunned. "You're working with Vivaldo? You've aligned yourself with him?"

And good thing he was out of Kalion for the foreseeable future.

Emiliano's smile was sharp and cruel. "Why not? He's willing to help me regain the proper standing for my clan. He understands power, unlike that useless husband of yours. Do you imaginehe could love an ugly skinny bitch like you? He’s a fool and a madman."

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