A shriek sounded, cutting her off.
Brand was on his feet in an instant, closing his trousers in a rush.
Another high-pitched screech, followed by a series of strange clicks that seemed to skitter along the walls, dust tumbling from above.
Light engulfed Brand as he grew, the rage overtaking him in the blink of an eye. “Time to go, little moon,” he rumbled, kneeling and stretching out an arm.
She didn’t think to argue. Not with that sound still snaking its way down her spine, leaving goosebumps in its wake. “What was that?” she asked as he scooped her up.
“Doesn’t bloody matter.” Greatsword in hand, he made for the far side of the room. “If it’s down here, it isn’t good. Shield up. And Luna?” He tilted her face with one gigantic finger, forcing her to look at him. “I meant it—we’re getting out of this, so no more flirting with the Veil. I’d hate to have to follow you in.”
Maybe it was the fact that Brand looked absolutely dead serious. Or maybe it was the cold panic seeping into her bones as another splintering howl sounded. Either way, as he crumbled the stone between them and the chasm’s horrors, Lunara couldn’t help the bubble of hysterical laughter that escaped her.
The feeling of hot,serrated knives raking across her body wasn’t something she’d ever get used to, no matter how many times she willfully brought it upon herself.
With as deep a breath as her chains would allow, she sent part of herself towards her hiding spot in a pocket of the Moonweaver’s mind.
She couldn’t leave her completely. Not yet. Had to make sure it had worked. Needed to get there before?—
Oops.
Moth was likely going to feel some of this.
In three, two…
A sharp tsk-ing sound was all the warning she got before pain exploded across her cheek, his fist ramming into her with the force of a comet.
Unbeknownst to her assailant, though, his violence propelled her towards her destination, and she slipped behind the door she’d made there.
“Night take you, you interfering bitch.”
So predictable. She knew he was going to say that.
Honestly, his voice was worse than the agony consuming her. The familiar, imperious tone that had once comforted her was now just one more item on a long list of things that she unequivocally detested.
Funny enough, that list was dedicated almost solely to him.
She tried to open her eyes, but couldn’t accomplish the simple task so soon after her indiscretion. Which was fine, actually, considering the sight of him would probably make her vomit. Besides, she knew him almost as well as herself. Knew what a handsome piece of celestial garbage he was without having to look at him.
“Worth… it…” she said through gritted teeth.
Another pummeling fist. That one broke the skin, a hot stream of blood bursting forth to pour down her face.
Fabulous. It was definitely going to stain her hair. Not that it mattered. She’d forget about it soon. Too much else to remember.
“Haven’t you had enough of this, Endellion? Wouldn’t you prefer a gilded cage at home to the filth of this world?”
Never. Better she be stuck here for eternity. At least the dank cavern walls and teeming darkness told the truth. Besides, there was no way to move the pieces as she needed to from home. No way to save them from so far away.
Shame her most recent attempt had to include her own suffering. So little a thing and she was nearly as weak as the ones she was trying to protect.
“All you have to do is tell me where they are. So simple, and I’ll set you free.”
She fought the overwhelming desire to roll her eyes. Choosing to switch one word for another had beensimple.
‘Do not fearthelight’ would have yielded only death in the long run.
‘Do not fearhislight’ had given them a chance.
