Page 70 of Barely Breathing

At the time, I knew nothing about the container belonging to the Freemonts, and the event was significant enough to get me instantly fired. I remember feeling lucky they didn’t think I lost it on purpose. The exact contents of the shipment had been unknown, and Mabel never hinted at what was so important, but I assumed it was likely something highly valuable or magical.

“When I think of how many years and how much money has been put into paying the merfolk and other sea creatures to search the ocean floor for it…” Astrid purses her lips together and shakes her head.

“I’ll reimburse you,” Costin dismisses.

“It’s the principal, not the money,” Astrid quips.

“The container,” I interrupt as I try to focus through the lingering pain and bring them back to what’s important. “It wasn’t on the right ship. They changed the manifest to put it on an ironclad. It arrived earlier.”

Costin’s hands curl into fists.

“The magic must be old and powerful if they needed an ironclad to contain its power for the journey,” Astrid reasons.

“Did anyone ever figure out what was really in it?” I ask.

Costin and Astrid exchange a look that makes my stomach clench.

“Wait.” I sit up straighter despite my protesting muscles. I feel like the answer is right in front of us. “I think I might know what they were smuggling.”

My hands start to shake at the realization. They both stare at me, eagerly waiting for me to explain.

“Well?” Astrid demands.

“In Thane’s sanctuary, I saw an altar with words carved into it. Blood and moonlight. I told you that, Costin. Remember?”

Costin frowns in disappointment. “That means nothing. In vampire and werewolf traditions, blood represents sustenance and familial bonds. It’s how we are born into our new life. While the moon governs our existence as our powers are tied to the lunar cycles.”

“No, it has to mean something,” I insist. I feel so sure about this. “You weren’t there. Thane acted like it was important.”

“I’m sure he did. Thane’s beliefs tend to lean toward mysticism,” Astrid almost seems dismissive. I half expect her to pat me on the head and call me a cute, simple human girl. “The altar is probably some sex prop he uses to seduce women.”

The potion she gave me is making my stomach tingle, like the magic is attacking the pain in my ribs. I take a deeper breath. It’s distracting me from what I’m trying to say.

“Blood has long been tied to both birth and death, while the moon waxes and wanes, symbolizing renewal and decay,” Costin says. “Both could be said to represent duality—life and death, light and dark, creation and destruction.”

“Right, a sacred covenant,” Astrid inserts. “For those who rule the shadows.

“Alchemists saw the moon as a mediator between worlds,” Costin adds, “and blood as the vital essence connecting the mortal to the divine. People put faith in many things. None of that helps us.”

“Just wait…” I struggle to find the words to politely tell them to stop talking while I try to think.

“I’m sorry, Tamara. He’s right,” Astrid agrees. “Vampires and wolves saying ‘blood and moonlight’is as generic as humans saying ‘heart and soul.’ They’re bound to the blood and moon like humans are bound to the physical—their hearts—and the metaphysical—their souls.”

“Would you just listen?” I order, pressing my hand to my temple. I gently rub to ease the headache behind my eye. They keep talking over me. It’s annoying. “Both of you. Just give me a minute.”

They stop talking and stare at me.

“I know it means something. Those same words appeared on Chester’s manifest that night,” I explain.

“Chester’s manifest said blood and moonlight?” Costin looks to Astrid, who shrugs in return.

“Yes, but it wasn’t English. It was another language, just like the altar.” I attempt to say the ancient words. “Sang… sang-something?”

“Sanguis et Lunaria?” Costin fills in.

“Yes,” I nod. “Thane said it means blood and moonlight.

Costin goes completely still. “Are you sure?”

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