Aftermath
“Get up.”
Luna’s eyes fluttered open at the sound of a stern voice.
She yawned and went to stretch her arms, unaware she’d even nodded off, until her motion jerked to a stop; chains tugged against her wrists. She groaned. “Why didn’t you come earlier?”
A while after Nina had left, Marion returned to the basement, but no matter how many times she called her, Marion refused to acknowledge her.
“You’re fine.” Marion’s tail twitched. “You don’t need help.”
“Umm . . . Considering where I am, I’d say otherwise.”
Whatever lesson Marion was trying to teach, Luna was finished learning. How she wished she was waking up in Damien’s arms right now. A sorrowful smile briefly touched her lips. Those arms had always given her warmth and protection, and now, because of her poor judgment, he and his family were going to suffer the consequences. The thought made her heart sink. Would he ever forgive her for ruining his chance to bring his sister home?
Luna rose, her legs shaking. “I can’t even explain what happened. Everything’s a blur.”
Marion barely glanced her way as she opened the cell door. “It’s too early in the morning for stories, Nina.” She grabbed Luna’s hands and flipped them over to unlock the cuffs.
Nina?
Panic clutched Luna’s heart, stilling it. That couldn’t be what she heard. “Why are you calling me that?”
Marion stared straight through her, unmoved. “Would you prefer I call you adifferent name?”
“I’m not Nina. I’m Luna.” Her voice cracked around the words, her hands moving to her heart like that could somehow prove it.
With one hand holding Luna’s wrists, Marion took out a key and unlocked the cuffs. “Mhm, sure you are.” The reply was far too sarcastic, too dismissive, for Luna’s liking. “And I’m aqueen.”
The cuffs fell with a hard clack, and Luna’s stomach twisted. She forced her shoulders back, trying not to look as small as she felt.
“Well, that was fun.” With a not-so-gentle shove, Marion turned Luna around. “Game’s over, though. It’s time to get moving.”
Marion went to bind her wrists together, but Luna pulled away. “It’s not a game,” she said, breath catching. “IamLuna. Why don’t you believe me?” Was she having another nightmare? Surely this couldn’t be real.
Marion whistled sharply.
A set of heavy footsteps echoed down the hall, then Gregory appeared, sweat forming on his brow. “I’ve been waiting by the door in case you needed help . . . I figured you might.”
Luna’s knees nearly buckled as the reality of the situation dawned on her. They thought she was Nina. That meant . . .Skies above, no.
They were going to exchangeher.
“Nina has informed me that she’s actually Luna,” Marion explained to Gregory with a hand on her hip, lowering her voice like it was a joke, “and she’s rather convincing.”
Gregory stifled a laugh while Luna fought against the bile stinging the back of her throat. Dipping his chin, he peered through his lashes at her. “Not your lucky day, Nina. I just finished having breakfast with Luna upstairs. We know you’re you.”
“That snake—” Luna hissed, her upper lip curling. Nina wasn’t supposed to be able to use her magic, it didn’t work in the temple.
“Don’t call her that,” Gregory snapped. In two quick strides, he closed the distance between them, his hands clamping down on her arm so tightly his fingers pressed painfully into her flesh. “You might not care that you’re her mother, but she’s the only one who gives a shit about you. Show some respect.”
And what a mistake that was.The pit in her stomach hardened as anger took hold and Gregory forced her hands behind her, binding them tight with rope.
“No! You don’t understand,” she pleaded. His ears didn’t so much as flick towards her as he pushed her forward, marching her towards the stairs. She tried again. “I’mLuna.” She craned her neck back to look at Marion. “You gave me five minutes last night to visit Nina, and she tricked me. I’ve—” Her voice was cut short by a cloth being rammed in her mouth.
No. No. No. No!The gag muffled her screams. This couldn’t be happening—they had to believe her! Tears welled in her eyes, warm streaks sliding down her cheeks.
Gregory let out a huff as he secured the gag around her face. “Nice try, but these tricks aren’t funny anymore.”
