The Luna is a Witch

Chapter 9: Claire

“CLAIRE!”

The world slams back into me like a punch. Air rushes into my lungs. My eyes fly open. The glowing temple dissolves into the dark ceiling of my apartment and LJ’s face fills my vision— tear-streaked, panicked, blotchy.

“OH, THANK GODS,” she cries, grabbing my shoulders. “You scared me—I thought—Claire, I thought you DIED—don’t EVER—don’t you EVER—”

Her words tangle into full-body shaking sobs. Carter, still curled against me, blinks up with sleepy worry. His small hand pats my cheek.

“Momma?” His voice is soft, hopeful. I push myself upright—slowly, carefully, muscles trembling—and pull him tight against my chest.

“I’m okay,” I whispered, pressing my lips to his forehead. “I’m okay, baby. I’m right here.”

LJ sniffles violently. “ARE YOU SURE? Because your eyes rolled back like a demon was repossessing you, and then you STOPPED BREATHING and then Carter started glowing AGAIN—”

“I know.” My voice is barely a whisper. “I know. I’m sorry.”

“You’re sorry?!” she shrieks, smacking my arm with zero actual force. “Claire—I elbowed a bookshelf into unconsciousness trying to get to you!" Despite everything, a huff of laughter escapes me.

She glares through her tears. “DON’T LAUGH. You DIED.”

“I didn’t die,” I lie instantly. Because I can’t tell her what really happened. I couldn’t tell her I wasn’t here. I can’t tell her a goddess dragged me into a vision and said don’t run from the wolf, and you will doom the boy. I can’t tell her I heard prophecy in my bones.

I can’t tell her I’m THE Luna. So I said the safest lie I can think of:

“I just… passed out. The spell drained me.”

LJ narrows her eyes. She knows me too well.

“That’s not all,” she says quietly. Carter tucks his head under my chin, sensing the shift. His tiny fingers grip my shirt again. I swallow, suddenly choking on my own heartbeat.

“LJ, not right now,” I whisper.

“No. No.” She wipes her face with the back of her hand, eyes blazing. “You tell me everything. Claire, I watched you nearly burn your magic out of your veins. You said that spell was forbidden. You said it could kill you. And then you collapse and disappear for thirty seconds like you’re not even in your body anymore—”

“I wasn’t,” I whisper before my brain can stop me.

LJ freezes.

Shit.

“Run that back,” she says slowly, every syllable loaded with dread.

“I meant—” My throat clenches. I look away. “I mean I felt… far. Like the magic dragged me too deep. That’s all.”

LJ narrows her eyes further. “Claire. Look at me.”

I can’t. Because the truth is still clawing under my skin: Awaken, Luna. Before the darkness finds you first.

LJ’s voice softens, breaking. “Claire… please. You can’t shut me out.”

“I’m not,” I say, hugging Carter tighter. “I just… I just need time.”

“To do what?”

To breathe. To understand. To accept. To run. To deny destiny. To figure out why the goddess said Draven is necessary. To hide my terror, so Carter doesn’t feel it.

"I need time to think,” is all I manage.

LJ stares at me for a long, heavy moment. Then she sits beside me and puts her head on my shoulder. “Okay,” she whispers. “But whenever you’re ready to tell me what really happened… I’ll listen.”

I close my eyes. Carter snuggles closer. The apartment hums with fragile silence. And I lie to the person who loves me most. Because how do you tell your best friend— a goddess named you Luna, your toddler is moon-marked, the realms are in danger, and a wolf you don’t want is apparently the key to saving the world?

You don’t.

Not yet.

Maybe not ever.