CHAPTER FOUR
386 Words
The Mark of the Moon
When they got to the edge of the old ruin, the blood on Seraphina's hands had dried. Overgrown with moss and vines, the stone tower ruins appeared to be broken sentinels. It was a place long abandoned, yet Ronan moved through it as if he had walked these paths a thousand times before.
"Where are we meeting your friend here?" Seraphina asked, glancing around.
Ronan nodded. "Yes, if he is still alive." A shadow moved near one of the collapsed walls. Instinctively, Seraphina’s hand went to her dagger. Ronan, however, remained still. A moment later, a tall figure emerged from the ruins, his dark cloak blending with the stone. His eyes—sharp and golden—studied them with calculated interest.
Smoothly, the man said, "Blackwood." "I thought you were dead," she said. Ronan smirked. "I get that a lot."
Unable to make out his face, the man turned his attention to Seraphina. "And this? I never took you for a man to escort royalty."
"She’s not royalty," Ronan said. "Not yet."
Seraphina straightened. "I can speak on my own behalf." The man raised one eyebrow. "Then do that. What do you mean?" She bowed her head. "Seraphina of House Vale. Daughter of the late Lady Isolde."
A low whistle was let out by the man. "The lost pup returns. You have no idea the war you’re about to start."
"She didn’t choose this," Ronan said. "She was born into it."
"Aren’t we all?" The man folded his arms. "The king's men are looking for her in every village. The bounty on her head could buy a kingdom."
Seraphina tensed. "And what would you do with that knowledge?"
The man grinned. "You’d already be in chains if I wanted to turn you in, girl." He stepped closer. "You’re looking for sanctuary. I can offer you something better."
"Which is?" Ronan asked, skeptical.
The man’s golden eyes gleamed. "Answers."
Seraphina swallowed. "About my mother? About what I am?"
"About every aspect." The man turned, gesturing for them to follow. "Come. Understanding your inherent power is essential if you are to truly survive this. Seraphina moved forward while Ronan hesitated. She didn’t know if she could trust this stranger, but she knew one thing—
She was done being kept in the dark.
- Writer
