Moonbound Shadows

Chapter 3 - A Party

The twins found her first.

Lily stood before her mirror, fingers fussing with the gold chain that carried the small lily pendant her father had given her years ago. The soft glow from her desk lamp pooled over her hair as she twisted the top half into place, letting curls frame her face. She wasn’t sure why her hands felt clammy — maybe from the nerves she refused to name — but she shook them out, forcing a breath.

The bathroom door creaked open behind her, followed by the easy weight of Elias’s voice.

“You know,” he drawled, leaning against the doorframe with his usual grin, “it’s kind of funny the founder of this town shares my name. I think that makes me famous now.”

Ezra had already claimed her bed, lying sprawled across the blanket like he owned it. He rolled his eyes before Lily even turned, muttering, “Don’t encourage him.”

Lily laughed under her breath, adjusting the shawl over her long-sleeved black shirt. “Oh, don’t worry, Ezra. We’d never hear the end of it.”

“Exactly,” Elias shot back, winking.

The banter felt easy, the kind of familiar noise that filled the walls of their home. But beneath it, Ezra’s eyes lingered on her reflection — the faint crease in her brow, the too-bright smile. He didn’t say anything, just filed it away, as he always did.

“You two are impossible,” Lily said lightly, brushing past them to grab her sneakers. “And if you embarrass me tonight, I swear—”

Her threat was cut off by the sound of the doorbell.

The three of them exchanged a look. Before anyone could move, Selene’s voice drifted up from the first floor, calm and melodic. “I’ll get it!”

Maria stood waiting on the porch, her loose crop top tucked into plaid-patched denim that flared stylishly over her boots. A pair of black shades rested on her head, keeping her hair pushed back just enough to frame her sharp, bright smile.

“You must be Maria,” Selene greeted warmly, her hand extended.

“That’s me,” Maria said with her trademark ease.

Selene’s touch lingered longer than expected, her thumb brushing lightly across Maria’s knuckles as if committing something unseen to memory. Maria only felt comfort in the gesture, unaware of the magic Selene kept carefully veiled.

The sound of hurried footsteps broke the stillness — Lily descending the stairs with her brothers bounding around her like overgrown pups.

Maria’s smile widened.

“These are my brothers,” Lily said quickly, sliding in front of them before they could open their mouths. “Ezra and Elias.”

The boys grinned anyway, charm on full display. Maria only laughed, giving them a nod as though she’d known them for years.

From the stairs, Selene watched them all with fondness softening her features. Her hand drifted to the locket around her neck, thumb pressing over the sealed clasp — memory tugging at her — before she caught herself and spoke up.

“You girls should go before you’re late.” Her voice was warm, but there was a weight to it. “Stay safe. Have fun.”

The twins were still teasing as Lily slipped out the door beside Maria, their voices chasing her into the night. Selene lingered in the entryway, her hand resting once more on the locket. She didn’t open it. Not in front of them.

---

The drive was easy, Maria filling the space with her brightness.

“I’m sorry about them,” Lily said at one point, cheeks warming. “My brothers can be… a lot.”

“Are you kidding?” Maria laughed, waving it off. “They’re adorable. I’ve dealt with terrors my whole life.”

“They’re seventeen,” Lily explained, smiling faintly. “Still in high school. It’s not that fun having two of them in the same house, trust me.”

Maria gave her a knowing grin. “Bet it keeps things interesting, though.”

Lily let out a laugh. “You could say that.”

Talk of siblings gave way to talk of the night ahead. Maria described the cabin with a sparkle in her eyes — how a former student had transformed it into a safe hangout spot for Greystone College, a place for everyone to gather without question.

By the time Maria pulled off the road, the trees had thickened into a wall of dark trunks. The cabin lights pulsed faintly through the woods, music threading between the branches.

“We walk the rest of the way,” Maria said, cutting the engine.

Lily glanced at the shadows stretching across the forest path, then followed Maria into them.

---

The party swallowed them whole.

Music pounded from speakers set against the far wall, a DJ hunched over his table while colored lights flickered over the two-story cabin. The main floor was a sea of bodies, laughter, and movement. Drinks lined the island counter in the open kitchen, and clusters of friends sprawled across couches at the edges of the room.

Maria stuck close, guiding Lily with a hand at her elbow, weaving through waves of greetings.

Lily tried to stay focused, but her gaze tugged elsewhere — pulled, again and again, toward a figure across the room. Dark hair, cut neatly and swept partly over his forehead, caught in the shifting light. He wore black from collar to shoes, and people seemed to gravitate toward him, lingering, speaking, laughing.

Every time her eyes met his — sharp, unreadable from the distance — her breath hitched. And every time, she forced herself to look back at Maria, cheeks flushed with confusion she didn’t understand.

By the time Maria slowed, they’d reached Sehun. His bold outfit echoed Maria’s flair, his easy smile tugging at Lily’s attention.

“Stay with Sehun,” Maria said brightly. “I’ll grab us some drinks.”

And just like that, Lily was standing alone with him.

“You look nice tonight,” Sehun said simply.

Caught off guard, Lily offered a polite smile before glancing at his vivid jacket. “I was just about to say — your style is bold.”

He laughed. “Parties are my excuse to go all out. It’s what keeps Maria and me friends, honestly. That — and the fact she finally stopped ignoring me.”

Lily tilted her head. “Finally?”

He grinned, launching into the story of how he spent two years trying to befriend Maria until one bold outfit changed her mind. As he spoke, his tone warmed with memory, and Lily found herself listening intently, almost envious of the bond he described.

When Maria returned with drinks, she caught them both looking at her. “What?” she asked, suspicious.

“Nothing,” Lily said quickly, stifling a laugh.

They joined the others soon after — Beck’s quick wit, Chan’s booming laughter, Danny’s quiet humor, and Sam’s steady warmth drawing Lily into their circle. They welcomed her easily, teasing Maria, teasing Sehun, drawing Lily into the rhythm of their banter until she almost forgot how guarded she’d meant to be.

It was then that he appeared.

Maria introduced him last, her voice light but edged with respect. “And this—” she gestured, “is Kai.”

Up close, he was sharper than across the room. His dark eyes were steady, his presence commanding without effort. When Lily’s gaze brushed his, that strange pull shivered through her again, stronger than before.

But before she could think on it, Maria caught her wrist with a grin.

“Dance with me.”

And Lily was pulled into the crowd.

At first, she was stiff, uncertain. But Maria’s laughter was infectious, her movements free, and little by little, Lily let herself match her rhythm. She even smiled, genuinely, forgetting the way her heart had stumbled moments ago.

Until it happened.

A pulse — small but sharp — jolted down her arm, threatening to escape through her palm. Her magic, clawing against the edges of her restraint. She tugged her sleeve down quickly, hiding her hand, breath uneven.

Her gaze darted up — and found Kai much closer than before, his figure distinct among the dancers. His eyes caught hers, unwavering. For a heartbeat, the room seemed to tilt.

Lily tore her eyes away, spinning back toward Maria’s laughter, but the unsettled thrum in her chest lingered.

The night carried on around her, but the air between her and that single gaze felt charged, warning, inevitable.