Page 99 of The Onyx Covenant

“So, we press them backward? Fifth to first?” Kieran asks, confusion evident.

“No,” Theron says. “We completed the forward sequence, which opened the path. Now we need to complete the reflecting sequence to reach the prize.”

“Starting with the fifth indentation again, then the fourth, and so on,” I confirm, excitement building.

Theron positions his finger over the largest indentation once more. “Here we go.”

He presses the fifth indentation again, then the fourth, third, and second in rapid succession. With each press, the path through the thorns widens slightly.

Then, just as he’s about to press the first indentation again, voices echo from the chamber entrance.

“Well, well. Looks like we found the right place after all.”

We turn to see Selene and Erebus standing in the arched doorway, their expressions a mixture of triumph and displeasure at finding us here first.

Selene steps forward, her dark hair gleaming in the chamber’s strange light. Her eyes fix on the Moonstone, then narrow at the sight of us around the pedestal.

“The Moonstone,” she breathes. “And you haven’t claimed it yet.”

“We’re in the middle of something,” Kieran says with false cheerfulness. “Mind waiting outside?”

Erebus laughs, the sound echoing harshly. “And let you take the glory? I don’t think so.” He steps further into the chamber, his muscular frame tense with anticipation. “The Harvest Ritual prize belongs to the worthiest competitor.”

“We solved the puzzle,” Theron says, his voice low and dangerous. “Back off.”

“You haven’t claimed it yet,” Selene points out, edging closer. “The competition continues until someone holds the Moonstone.”

I meet Theron’s eyes, a silent message passing between us. He understands immediately, subtly repositioning to block Selene’s view of the pedestal.

“You’re right,” he says, drawing their attention. “But we’re one step ahead.”

While he speaks, I quickly press the final indentation—the first in the reversed sequence. There’s a louder click this time, and the remaining branches retract fully, leaving the Moonstone suspended in the air, accessible at last.

The movement draws everyone’s attention. Selene lunges forward, but Kieran intercepts her, his lanky frame surprisingly solid as he blocks her path.

“Sorry,” he says with a grin that’s all teeth. “Finders keepers.”

Erebus moves to assist his partner, but Theron steps between them, his presence alone halting the larger man in his tracks.

“Fuck off,” Theron growls.

I seize the moment, reaching through the now-open cage for the Moonstone. The instant my fingers touch its surface, a jolt of energy races up my arm—a cold fire that burns through my veins, awakening something primal within me. The stone feels both freezing and vibrant, humming with power against my palm as I carefully lift it from its cradle.

“HOLY SHIT, SHE GOT IT!” Kieran explodes, his voice echoing off the chamber walls as he throws both arms into the air. “WE FUCKING DID IT!”

I barely have time to absorb his outburst before Theron’s arms encircle my waist from behind, lifting me clear off the ground in a spinning embrace that makes the Moonstone’s light dance across the walls.

“That’s my girl,” he growls into my ear, his voice thick with pride and something deeper that sends shivers down my spine.

I can’t help it—a wild laugh escapes me, the sound so foreign after weeks of tension and danger that it startles even me. I clutch the Moonstone to my chest with one hand and reach back to tangle my fingers in Theron’s hair with the other.

“We won,” I manage between breathless laughs as he sets me down. “We actually won.”

“Did you ever doubt?” Theron’s eyes blaze with intensity as he spins me to face him, his hands still possessive on my hips. Gone is the careful distance he’s maintained in public—this is the Theron I know in private moments, fierce and unguarded.

Kieran is dancing across the chamber in a ridiculous victory jig that would mortify him in front of his warrior brethren. “Moon-blessed magic fingers solving ancient puzzles! They’re all going to lose their minds!”

“An Elios priestess claiming the prize meant for Umbra,” Selene spits from the entrance, her beautiful face contorted with anger. “You sure as fuck don’t deserve it!”

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