Page 97

A ripple blasted outward and her laughter filled the air, and Brand…

He was consumed.

The twin moons embraced Lunara,delight in every beam.

They fed and restored her until whatever weakness suffusing her bones was gone. Until raw, earth-shattering power danced on her fingertips, and life—joyous and bursting—was hers again. She soaked it up, ready to use its cosmic healing on her mate.

The Tear Stone dazzled. The well overflowed. She was whole once more, and she was ready.

Brand remembered, had been free from his torment, and she was not about to let him forget it. She didn’t care if it took hours or days or weeks. Once she started, she wasn’t stopping, and it would take everything she had.

At last, she reached a fever pitch. Standing upon the summit of her magic, the excess building around her, Lunara filled her lungs and held it there, preparing for the free fall. A slow exhale, the world slowing, and she set the surplus free.

She only hoped Brand was still with her. That he’d be able to understand when she explained. Even better if he recalled their shared dream himself.

Regardless, Lunara was absolutely fucking furious.

And about to pump him so full of power that he’d be ready to burst.

He was in there, waiting. She just had to get him out.

Lunara opened her eyes to the world again and turned, a grin splitting her face when she noticed Brand sprinting straight for her. The particles eased, lowering her to the ground, and she was off to meet him halfway. There was no controlling it, no reining it in. They⁠—

Pull your head out of your hopeless fucking arse and look at his face!

Lunara skidded to a stop. All it took was a glance, and a pit opened within her.

Blackened. Stained. Eyes dark as the spaces between the stars.

“No.”

She barely had time to summon a defense before they collided.

Abilities that Brand did not possess assaulted her. Whipping arms of shadow lashed out. His fangs were twice their usual length. Lunara did her best to deflect him, but his body was moving in impossible, mind-bending ways. She registered shouts, the others swarming in and surrounding their battle, but they would be of no use.

“Stay back!” she screamed, hoping they heard her above the crushing din.

Light and utter darkness rent the night in bursts. Back and forth. Meeting. Clashing. Pummeling.

And then he spoke.

“I missed you.” The beast.

She refused to gratify it with an answer. “Brand, come back to me!”

“Where did you go, little one?” it rumbled, the sound crawling over her. “I wished to feed but you left me starving.”

Sweet baby Sisters in a cradle. What the fuck?

Illamiata flared, its heat multiplying until it burned. Angry. As furious as she was.

Lunara hissed against it and summoned one of her whips, barely keeping her footing. “Please, Brand. I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Hurt me? Ah, my darling, no. We are beyond that.” His fingers sprouted long claws. “You are replenished, and now, so too shall I be strengthened.” He slashed out, raking deep gouges across her chest.

Lunara screamed as her flesh sizzled, Illamiata growing hotter. Another swipe, but she dodged it that time, missing the arms of shadow. They swept in again, as if to grab her⁠—

Unfiltered power erupted from her chest, searing them away.