Page 97 of Moon Cursed

“Stop it,” Cygnus hissed.

“Castor found out just what kind of a lowlife slug his piece-of-shit father was, and when he tried to stop him—”

“SHUT UP!”

“CYGNUS HAD HIM POISONED WITH WOLFSBANE! HE—”

“Lamond!”

“No!” Ash’s hand shot up to do what... we’d never know.

Cygnus jerked her to the side at the last second, knocking her off-balance and making her trip over her heels.

Melisent was screaming before the sword fell. That scream cut off with a wet, thudding sound so horrible, I pitched to the side, freeing my arm from one of the chains, and vomited.

“Not another word out of you, you filthy lying bitch.” Cygnus’s red, golden eyes bulged out of his head. “How dare you accuse me of harming my boy. How dare you spin fairy tales of poison when all of Wolf Nation watched you kill him!

“Do you see? Do you see, all?” he beseeched the cameras. “The girl’s mind has snapped. We cannot have the spiritual leadership of our nation directed by a madwoman. That is why we had no choice”—he gestured to Ash—“but to appoint High Priestess Ash. Under the guidance of the council, she will represent the true wishes of Lu—”

“No.”

Cygnus ground to a halt. A terrible expression warped his face as he slowly turned to Ash. “Excuse me?”

“No,” she repeated, high and clear. “I will do nothingunder the guidance of the council, but I will do all in service of Luame.” Firm and unafraid, she pushed up off the floor. “Forgive me, Councilman, but I simply do not agree with you or your claim that High Priestess Volana is lying.

“Because she’s right. Charlatans have been punished for claiming power from her that she did not give. Every day wolves are punished for swearing in her name. High priestesses themselves have been severely punished for revealing what they’ve been told in confessions,” she said, brows arched. “But all of a sudden you would have us believe that Luame would allow her to go around claiming false visions without so much as giving her a slap on the wrist? I do not think so.”

Sense was finally being spoken within this nightmare. I should’ve been relieved. I should’ve been cheering Ash on, but all I could do was lie there and cry as they carried Melisent, my friend, away.

“I believe Luame sent her a vision of a better, safer, equal society for all wolves, and for your sakes,” Ash said, sweeping over the council. “You should too.

“But even if you don’t, I will do everything in my power to lead Wolf Nation into that future, because while I don’t believe High Priestess Volana deserves any of the power and authority she’s stolen, I do believe in the mark on her stomach. She is Luame’s chosen, and she will be afforded the respect that honor bears.

“And so, Councilman.” She stepped back, sweeping her hand over the hostages. “You will stop murdering your citizens like the madperson you claim she is. You will send them to a court of law to be tried for their crimes like the civilized society we are.” Her expression hardened in the blink of her glowing eyes. “And you will release the high priestess, because if you think for a single second that I will allow the child of Luame to be chained to a dirty floor andrapedfor all of Wolf Nation to see, you are sorely mistaken.”

Paxton, Edric, and Nyx raised their heads as far as the chains allowed. Sharing a look, they dared to let hope shine in their eyes.

Cygnus hummed, head bobbing slowly. “I see. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me, High Priestess Ash, but before I counter, would you look there for a moment?”

Cygnus pointed to the serving window just as the blinds rolled up. Enclosed in the dark and privacy of the kitchens were four figures. Two secret police officers, and the two boys no older than twelve with swords held to their throats.

“Mommy!”

Rianna slumped like a puppet whose strings were cut, shock draining the strength, blood, and very soul out of her. “Boys?”

“Mom!”

“Boys!” Ash sprinted to them, claws tearing free, and got as far as the fist around her throat.

“Do not move or you’ll find out just how uncivilized I can be,” Cygnus hissed—too low for the cameras, but loud enough for me.

“Why are you doing this?” Ash rasped, her gaze only for her crying sons. “You’re insane! You’re the reason Luame is displeased with the alphas! You’re the cruelty, obsession, andinsanityshe’s turned her back on!”

“I assure you, I am far from insane.” Cygnus threw her.

Ash tumbled across the floor and crashed at Paxton’s knees.

“I am the only one thinking clearly,” Cygnus barked. “You say Luame’s delay in punishment is proof the girl’s lies are truth? If you had any sense in your head, you’d know the only reason she hasn’t punished the girl is because she’s yet to complete the bonds. Until she does, Luame’s true vision of the Golden Age of Wolves cannot be achieved.

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