Chapter 27
Seraphina met his gaze evenly. “She comes from a small pack p>
Varyn’s expression didn’t change. “That wasn’t my question p>
“That’s all I know,” she replied calmly.
Riven folded his arms. “You expect us to believe that a girl who silenced the curse comes from nothing p>
Seraphina’s eyes flicked to him, cool and measured. “I expect you to believe what I am telling you p>
Varyn studied her for a long moment, then said quietly, “I asked Riven to call you instead of her uncle p>
Seraphina’s composure slipped, just barely but she quickly composed herself.
“I wanted to speak to you,” Varyn continued. “Not as a guardian but as someone who understands what happens when truths are buried p>
Her jaw tightened. “You are assuming far too much p>
“I have lived long enough,” Varyn said, voice steady, “to recognize patterns. Hiding what she is will not protect her, it will only delay the damage p>
Seraphina’s hands curled at her sides. “And revealing it will paint a target on her back p>
“It already has,” Riven said flatly.
Silence pressed in.
“You felt it too,” Varyn went on. “The moment the curse went quiet. That kind of response doesn’t come from chance p>
Seraphina held his gaze, unblinking. “Lyra doesn’t need to know anything yet p>
“And Kaelen?” Varyn asked. “Does he deserve ignorance as well p>
Her expression hardened. “Kaelen Blackthorn is not my concern p>
“That,” Varyn said softly, “is where you are wrong p>
Seraphina turned away, clearly done. “If you will excuse me, Lyra needs to go home p>
As she took a step, Varyn spoke again.
“She is moonblood, isn’t she p>
The word hung in the air.
Seraphina froze.
It was only for a heartbeat but both men saw it.
Then she turned back, her face composed, her smile faint and dismissive.
“Moonblood exists only in stories,” she said coolly. “Legends meant to frighten children and comfort old men who miss their myths p>
She inclined her head once. “Good night, Elder Varyn p>
Without another glance, she walked back toward Lyra.
Varyn remained where he was, his grip tightening around his cane.
Seraphina’s footsteps faded down the hall.
Riven remained where he was, eyes still on the space she had vacated.
“Moonblood?” he asked finally.
Elder Varyn didn’t answer right away.
Riven turned to him. “You said that like it meant something p>
Varyn’s grip tightened around his cane, the faintest crease appearing between his brows.
“It does,” he said slowly.
Riven frowned. “Then why have I never heard of it p>
“Because you weren’t meant to,” Varyn replied.
That earned his full attention.
“I am not a child,” Riven said evenly. “And whatever happened tonight nearly tore the Alpha apart. If there’s something I don’t know p>
“There are things even Alphas are spared,” Varyn interrupted quietly. “Not out of mistrust but out of necessity p>
Riven held his gaze. “Then tell me this much p>
Varyn waited.
“You didn’t accuse her at random,” Riven said. “So what is Moonblood? I thought it wasn’t real p>
He had heard the name but only in stories.
Varyn exhaled slowly, like a man choosing his words with care.
“A name,” he said at last. “One that hasn’t been spoken aloud in decades. A lineage most believe died out or never existed at all p>
“And Seraphina?” Riven pressed.
Varyn’s eyes darkened. “She denied it p>
“That wasn’t denial,” Riven muttered. “That was deflection p>
Varyn nodded once. “Exactly p>
Silence stretched between them.
Riven looked back toward the hallway where Lyra had been taken. “And the girl p>
Varyn’s voice dropped. “If Moonblood has truly resurfaced p>
He didn’t finish the sentence, he didn’t need to.
Riven’s jaw tightened. “Then the curse isn’t the only thing we should be worried about p>
“No,” Varyn agreed grimly. “It’s the least of it p>
[Inside the Car]
The car moved smoothly through the city, headlights cutting through the dark streets in steady lines.
Lyra sat by the window, her forehead resting lightly against the cool glass.
She hadn’t spoken since they left the penthouse. Not a word, not even when the doors closed behind them.
Seraphina noticed, she always did.
For a few minutes, she let the silence stretch, the hum of the engine filling the space between them.
Then she spoke, casually, as if offering an afterthought.
“Rogan had to step out for some pack-related work,” she said. “He won’t be home tonight p>
Lyra didn’t turn. “Oh p>
“You will stay with me,” Seraphina continued gently. “Just for the night p>
Another pause followed.
“That’s okay,” Lyra said at last, her voice quiet and distant.
Seraphina glanced at her profile, the way her shoulders were drawn slightly inward, the unfocused look in her eyes. She had seen this kind of silence before.
They drove on.
Streetlights passed in slow succession, painting Lyra’s face in brief flashes of gold and shadow.
Finally, she straightened a little, fingers tightening in her lap.
“If I ask you something,” Lyra said softly, still not looking at her, “you won’t tell me the truth, right p>
Seraphina’s grip around her skirt tightened almost imperceptibly.
“I will tell you what you need to hear,” she replied after a moment.
Lyra let out a faint, humorless breath. “That’s not the same thing p>
“No,” Seraphina agreed. “It isn’t p>
Silence fell again, heavier this time, layered with things unsaid.
Lyra swallowed. “I don’t feel normal p>
Seraphina didn’t respond immediately.
“I know,” she said finally.
That was all.
Lyra turned her head then, studying Seraphina’s face. “Something happened tonight,” she said. “Not just fainting or being tired p>
Seraphina met her gaze briefly, then returned her eyes to the road. “You were overwhelmed p>
“That’s not what I meant p>
The car slowed as they approached a red light.
Seraphina stopped, the city reflected in the windshield between them. “Lyra,” she said gently, “some questions don’t have answers that make things easier p>
Lyra looked away again. “Figures p>
The light changed.
As the car moved forward, Seraphina spoke once more, her voice quieter now.
“But that doesn’t mean you are wrong to ask p>
Lyra nodded slowly, accepting that for now.
Outside, the city rolled on, unaware that something ancient had shifted its attention.
And inside the car, two women sat side by side, one carrying questions she didn’t yet
understand and the other carrying answers she was determined to keep hidden a little longer.