CHAPTER 50 #3
Werewolf humor was something Lenore still couldn’t grasp quite yet as a wave of laughter rolled through the crowd. While she internally cringed at the gory image, Varek turned to lock eyes with Edmund, grinning widely.
“And we have something else, too. Vesren Edmund has been blessed with a gift.”
Lenore held her hands to her chest, watching with wide eyes as Edmund moved forward in smooth, quick strides. The crowd before him split apart, all eyes trailing after him as he headed toward the stairs. His cape rippled behind him, fluttering to a stop as he stood a step below Varek and Kyrie.
Facing the crowd, Edmund lifted his right hand. The silver claws fitted over his fingers gleamed as he flexed them—their tips glowing pure white as strands of moonlight intertwined with the armor.
Excited whispers spread through the crowd.
The air thrummed with sharpened resolve, the tension crackling with the promise of battle.
Lenore looked around, feeling almost like a stranger to the barely leashed ferocity that surged through the pack.
She took a breath to calm her nerves as she kept her eyes on Edmund, his calm demeanor matching the chill of the night.
As Edmund closed his fist once more, the pure light faded away. “The One who was with Ieric hasn’t left us.” He lowered his arm, his steely gaze set toward the others. “Let the Lucyn be reminded of their failures and their blood poured out under the moon that they so zealously reached for.”
Dozens of werewolves shifted into their upright forms and lifted their muzzles to the sky, letting out howls that shook Lenore to the core. Agreeing barks and snarls surrounded her.
I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this. Lenore pressed her knuckles against her lips as she watched, a cold thrill of awe and fear running through her.
Varek’s grin grew wider. “If anyone has their tails tucked, I’ll give you the chance to cower in the corner with the children back home. My mate and the other pregnant women will protect you from any danger.”
A round of laughter followed next. Kyrie smirked slightly.
When no one backed down, Varek nodded approvingly.
He turned around toward the arch, armored fingers brushing against the stone while his other hand disappeared into his suit’s chest pocket.
A rim of white moonlight illuminated the edges of his figure.
Out of the pocket came a faint blue crystal.
Lenore’s eyes lit up in recognition. It was a small Eilaralith crystal—a miniature version of the large ones used back in Arkhaven and other cities for teleportation.
The moment Varek lifted it toward the arch behind him, it hovered out of his hand, floating right in the middle of the structure.
Sparks of light pulsed within the crystal, until its own light fully enveloped it for a brief moment.
As the light calmed, two glowing rings of prism-like dust drifted in slow circles around the crystal.
Varek turned back to the others, raising one arm up as he shouted, “To the Lunar Ball then!” As the werewolves roared in response, he reached out to squeeze Kyrie’s hand gently in his, nodding at her while she bowed her head back.
Kyrie stepped down to the same step where Edmund was, both of them moving aside, watching as Varek reached out to the crystal.
It grew brighter—tiny glowing particles sparking out as Varek’s body became a mist of light that was pulled into its vicinity.
The moment he disappeared, the werewolves next in command followed up the short flight of stairs, teleporting as soon as they reached out.
The crowd dwindled quickly until only a few remained in front of Lenore.
The chilly night air was kept at bay by the heat of her skin, adrenaline rushing through every vein.
Her eyes stayed on Edmund, who had remained until the very end.
As Lenore went up the steps, Edmund met her at the top, reaching out to grasp her hand in his just as the last werewolf before her disappeared.
“May the Moon’s Sovereign bestow victory over you,” Kyrie said. She was the last one by their side. The crystal’s glow softened her stony gaze. In a gentler voice, she added, “Take care of Varek for me. And come back with stories to tell my children.”
Edmund’s eyes flitted over to his sister, allowing his guarded expression to ease. He nodded. “I will.” He looked back at Lenore. “Are you ready?”
She took a breath. “Ready,” she said. Their eyes stayed on each other, holding onto the moment for as long as they could before they both turned toward the crystal. They reached out.
Light flooded Lenore’s vision. An uncomfortable tug formed in her stomach. The cold air disappeared.
Then, suddenly, she felt a shift all around her.
Lenore blinked as she took a step forward.
Her boots clacked against white marble. Light flooded around her, where star-shaped fixtures hovered within the columns, nestled into carved niches, their pointed edges glowing with a soft, radiant heat.
Far above, the full moon shone over the central building—the glass dome roof designed to let moonlight flow through.
They were here.
The Lunar Ball has begun.