As soon as I touched her, she moved faster than I physically thought possible, catching my hand in her own. The grip was shockingly tight for a woman who appeared so frail. A shriek fell from my lips as I tried to pull back, tugging my wrist but unable to break free. Her eyes rolled back into her head, only the whites showed as her mouth lolled open.
A voice echoed despite her mouth making no movement for speech. It screeched through the room, gnarled and vicious, like nails scratching on stone.
"A child born to shadow
in the light of a waning moon
shall rise through the flame.
They chant
to burn is to be cleansed, little shadow.
To die is to be reborn, child.
A girl lost and forgotten
shall be found.
For a boy scorned and risen from ash
a choice lies in wait.
A war threatens to overtake
the catalyst or the peace?
It is yet to be foreseen.
Tread carefully child
for they are always watching.
To be a daughter of the moon
is to be cursed in this land of fire and flame.
So hide from the light, little shadow
for as long as you still can.
For one day the forsaken will demand
for the salvation shadow will reign."
I was suddenly ripped from the woman's grasp, blinking rapidly to regain my focus.
A child born to shadow.
Had he heard that?
Fear washed over me in waves, my body trembling. Fifteen years of keeping my secret and the Kinslayer of all people would be who discovered my deception.
My eyes flitted about the room searching for an escape, any escape, but there was none.
"Has nobody ever taught you not to touch a Moon Seer's bare skin," he snarled. He shoved me out of his path as he moved to his mother’s side, his hands reaching gently to touch her clothed shoulder. “What did you hear?"
I froze at the question, my mind working in overdrive.
