i demanded, my voice Dembling with a mixture of
lief and rage. “You’re working with the Children of the Eclipse? All
Mother remained eerily calm, as if my nutburst hadn’t fazed her at ud. Beneath the flowing black veil that conrealeit her face. could almost feel her cold, calculating stare piercing through me. Her hands were folded neatly in front of her, and despite the cham surrounding us, her posture remained unnervingly crimposed.
“You’re jumping to conclusions, child,” she said, let tone almost patronizing, like a mother scolding a naive child who couldn’t grasp the complexities of the world.
“No,” 1 snapped, shaking my head as anger flared hotter in my chesYou’ve been playing us from the beginning. I knew there were traitors among us, but I never thought it was all of you. The Umbra Society–working with the Children? You’ve betrayed everything you stood for
Austin cursed under his breath, his grip tightening on his ice sword until the blade shimmered with fitry frost crystals spreading from the hilt. Beside him, Isaiah’s shadow daggers grew sharper, swirling faster as his anger flared like a dark tempest. Aler’s flames blazed higher, licking at the ground with an unquenchable fury, and Elijah’s shield shimmered brighter, protecting us from whatever dark magic Mother might unleash. They were ready to strike, but I could sense their hesitation–none of us wanted to be the first to
attack.
Mother’s veil fluttered in the wind, and though I couldn’t see her face, I felt her gaze shift from me to my mates and back again The forest around us seemed to hold its breath, the usual hum of life swallowed by the suffocating tension. I fought the instinct to back down, to lower my gaze like a scolded child. Instead, I planted my feet firmly, daring her to challenge me.
», Stormi,” she commanded, her voice low and firm, brooking no argument.
“Give me the map.
“No!” I shot back, refusing to yield even an inch. We were outnumbered–dozens of Children of the Eclipse surrounded us, and those cursed Umbrankins were chained and snarling at their heels, their pale, elongated limbs straining against their restraints. Their yellow, slitted eyes glared hungrily at us, and the foul stench of decay wafted from their gaunt bodies. I knew the odds weren’t in our favor, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t going to let them have the map.
Mother’s lips twisted into a semblance of a smile beneath the well. “You’re fighting a losing war, Stormi,” she said softly, almost like a scolding parent talking to a stubborn child. “You don’t know who you’re up against! Many will lose their lives and its going to be all your fault.”
I squared my shoulders, raising my chin defiantly. “And you’re on the losing side,” I retorted, my words carrying a conviction that seemed to resonate deep within me. I didn’t know where it came from, but it was like the moonlight itself had taken root in my soul, spreading through every fiber of my being. The power surged through me like a tidal wave, flooding every vein with an ethereal glow
I could feel it–the connection to the lunar essence. I closed my eyes for just a moment, allowing it to flow through me, amplifying my mates” powers in the process, Moonlight radiated from my skin, bathing us in a shimmering glow that seemed to pulse with raw energy. The farest around us fell silent, even the rustle of leaves stilled as if the world were holding its breath, waiting for the next
Isaiah’s shadows grow darker, more substantial, forming barriers and spikes that encircled us protectively. Austin’s ice sword elongated crystalline patterns branching out along its length like frost on glass, Elijah’s shield glowed like molten silver, solidifying Into an unbreakable dome, while Alex’s flames turned pure white, crackling with an intensity that sent scorching heat waves. through the clearing.
Mother’s head tilted as if curious, but there was no fear in her posture. Instead, she almost looked amused. “I love your spirit,” she drawfed, her tone dripping with condescension. “But you’re just as foolish as the rest of your family members, Charging into danger without considering the consequences.”
Her words sent a pang
of grief through me, but I forced it down, focusing on the power coursing through me. “I’m not handing over
1/2
Chapter 106
Mother talked one gloved hand, and the Children at i
scraping against stone filled the
“We are giving vou a choles
thing ancient and vide
The map meta and walk aw
ely seeking
swallowed bard, trying to keep mi composine. That
My blood turned cold, my funds clenching into fists “Must your alw how terrified I really was. I couldn’t let it know how much it une
hide behind versete to speas I taunted, refusing to the me, emuldn’t grow it that catisfaction
Mother–or rather, the Shadow Weaver–laughed. It was that same thing, guttural laugh I remembered from my nightmares deep, hollow, and filled with malice. The sound cut through me, making hiver despite the warmth of my mates at my sides
“So brave,” it mocked, amusement coloring its words. “Your spirit ist as delectable as those before you Falmost regret snuffing them out so quickly. Almost.”
A low growl rumbled from Alex, his flames intensifying until they formed a blazing hallo around him. Elijah’s shield Bickered as his control wavered, anger seeping into his usually unshakable composure. I gritted my teeth, fighting back the memonet that threatened to overwhelm me. Don’t let it see you break, I reminded myself. Don’t give it that satisfaction.
Mother’s body straightened, her hands folding gracefully in front of her as if she were merely hosting a gathering of friends. “You should talk to your mate. Elijah,” she said, and though the voice had returned to Mother’s usual calm tone, it still felt wrong- tainted by that lingering darkness,
Confusion flooded me, and I glanced at Elijah, who was unnaturally still. His shield remained intact, but his expression was tense, jaw clenched, eyes downcast as if avoiding my gaze. A cold knot formed in my stomach, and unease prickled at the back of my mind.
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