Page 53 of Moth to Her Flame

A knock interrupts the peaceful moment, accompanied by Dante’s amused, “You two decent?”

Before we have a chance to answer, he enters with his tablet, devilish tail twitching with agitation. “You need to see this.”

“Although it’s written in clinical terms, the data we recovered paints a nightmare. Just as we thought, this confirms beyond a shadow of a doubt that Project Chrysalis isn’t just about studying cryptids—it’s about weaponizing their abilities. Extracting their essence. Trying to transfer powers to human hosts.”

“All those smaller cryptids that went missing last year,” Cypher materializes from the shadows, black fur bristling. “The water sprites, the brownies… the date confirms they were victims of the fuckers at Apex.”

“Test subjects.” Dante’s claws tap against his tablet. “None survived the extraction process. But, and this is the most heinous part, they’re getting closer to making it work.”

Riven’s wings pull tighter around me. “The main facility…”

“Still under construction.” Volt’s massive form fills the doorway, electricity crackling between his feathers. “But now we know why they’re building it so big. These aren’t just holding cells—they’re production pods. Once they perfect the transfer process…”

“Mass production.” I feel like a traitor just saying those words. “They’re planning to create an army.”

“Already have buyers lined up.” Dante pulls up encrypted communications. “Military contracts, private security firms, foreign interests…”

“Imagine what they’ll be capable of once the main facility is operational.” Marina coils in the corner, scales reflecting crystal light.

My stomach lurches at the idea as my mind throws me detailed pictures of what this means.

A weak laugh escapes Riven. “At least we know why they wanted me so badly. Adaptive abilities, energy manipulation…”

“Plus the mate bond.” Dante’s tail lashes. “They’re obsessed with how it works. How it amplifies and transfers power.”

My hand finds Riven’s, feeling an energetic connection pulse between us. The crystals in the walls flare brighter, responding to our connection.

“We have to stop them.” My voice sounds stronger than I feel. “Before the main facility opens. Before they can hurt anyone else.”

“We will,” Cliff speaks from the hallway, his deep voice carrying conviction. “But first, Riven needs to heal.”

“He’s right.” Volt’s wings create a canopy of crackling energy. “We’ve bought some time. The computer virus Dante planted hopefully destroyed years of work and will keep them busy. Their temporary facility is compromised.” He glances at Marina, then says, “Thanks for all the flooding—good thinking. Let them chase shadows while we plan.”

“But first, sleep.” Dante powers down his tablet. “Then we conspire about our next moves.”

They file out, leaving us cocooned in slowly strengthening wing-light. Riven nuzzles me, his antennae brushing my hair as he pulls me closer.

“Thank you,” he whispers. “For rescuing me.”

“Isn’t that whatmatesdo?” I let my full meaning penetrate as I thread my fingers through his hair, feeling him shiver as I stroke his antennae. “But next time, maybe we skip the heroic self-sacrifice?”

“Depends.” His probe traces my jaw, awakening arousal that I’ve been trying to tamp down. “Promise to rescue me again even if I’m stubborn?”

“You’re impossible.” But I’m smiling as I kiss him, his wings flaring brighter in my peripheral vision.

Outside our sanctuary, dangers still circle. Whoever is behind Apex hasn’t been touched, and although the temporary facility may be in shambles, they’re building another one.

But for now, there’s healing, planning, and preparation for battles to come.

And in the soft glow of wings and crystal light, something unbreakable grows stronger.

They wanted to understand the mate bond’s power?

They’re about to learn what it can really do.

Chapter Forty-Two

Riven

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