Page 92 of The Blood Moon Hunt

Damien’s expression softens, his hand brushing a strand of hair from my face. "You’re the one who suggested it, remember? No more taking souls. Tonight, we hunt for pleasure only."

A part of me wonders if this is what normal feels like for us now—this constant dance between the human realm and the world of magic. The power that flows through me now is different than before. More controlled. Stronger. But even with all of that, there’s always a part of me that feels like something could shift again, like the balance we’ve created could change at any moment.

We make our way downstairs, where the others are waiting. Adrian leans against the doorframe, looking effortlessly dangerous, as always. Lucien grins at me, his mischievous charm never far from the surface, and Ronan stands beside him, his brooding presence as magnetic as ever.

"Shall we?" Lucien asks, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

I nod, feeling the electricity in the air between us.This time, there’s no fear. No hesitation. Just the thrill of what’s to come.

We step out into the night, crossing the threshold into the human realm. The streets are alive with the sounds of Halloween—laughter, music, the rustling of costumes and masks. But for us, it’s more than just a celebration. It’s a reminder of how far we’ve come.

We slip into the club unnoticed, our presence barely causing a ripple among the crowds, deciding this year to blend in and enjoy ourselves. The red neon lights flicker overhead, the same as last year. But now, everything is different. The energy between us is palpable, our connection undeniable.

I catch Adrian’s gaze, his lips curling into a smirk as he watches me, his eyes full of promises. Lucien is beside me, his arm slipping around my waist as he whispers something wicked in my ear. And Ronan—well, Ronan’s eyes never leave me. Even after everything, his hunger is still there, but it’s no longer the dangerous hunger it once was. It’s something we’ve all learned to channel. Something we’ve all embraced.

Damien moves in beside me, his hand resting on the small of my back. "Let the games begin."

We step onto the dance floor, the music vibrating through the walls, and I feel it—our power merging once again, surging between us like a living thing. This is what we are now. Something unstoppable. Something more.

But just as I’m about to lose myself in the moment, I feel it. A shift. Something... off. I stop, my eyes scanning the crowd. There’s a presence here that doesn’t belong. A flicker of energy that’s too familiar, too... dark.

Damien stiffens beside me, his hand tightening around mine. "Do you feel that?"

I nod, my heart quickening. "Yes. It’s the same energy as the Order."

"Impossible," Adrian mutters from behind me, but I can hear the tension in his voice. "We destroyed them."

I turn, my gaze locking onto a figure across the club—a woman. She’s watching us, her eyes cold and calculating. And she’s not alone.

As the crowd shifts, I see them. More figures, all wearing masks, their presence sending a chill down my spine.

"Looks like we’re not done yet," Ronan says, his voice low and dangerous.

Damien turns to me, his expression serious. "Stay close."

But I already know this is far from over. Something is coming. Something darker. Stronger. And this time, we may not be the only ones playing the game.

The hunt, it seems, has only just begun.