The Land Of Shadows by Michelle Horst Page B

can drain a person until nothing is left. My Luna is a killer? I can’t believe that! I won’t believe it. She’s the most innocent person I know. She might have a temper but I know she won’t hurt someone on purpose.
    Today has given me a lot to think about. It is a relief to know the real reason behind why Luna would not let me touch her. She was scared she would hurt me. I go home and start to put all the puzzle pieces together. I now understand why Luna changed so much.
    “What are you so deep in thought about?” Finding Raighne outside my house is not what I’m in the mood for now.
    “Nothing that would interest you.” I am most certainly not sharing what I have found out about Luna with him. I’m not sure how the village would react if they had to find out what she can do.
    “I would like a moment of your time.” Raighne gives me his notorious look, one which intimidates most Immortals, but me. It lost its effect on me a long time ago.
    “It has been a long day, Raighne. Can this not wait until tomorrow?” I open the door to my house and turn to face Raighne. “See you on the training field.”
    I start to close the door, but Raighne quickly steps forward. “I would like to talk to you about Luna.” He places his hand on the door, keeping me from closing it. “I want to talk about how strong she is becoming.”
    “What of it?” I say too quickly and immediately regret sounding so defensive.
    “You saw with your own eyes what happened with Alchera! If Luna can-”
    I hold my hand up, knowing where Raighne is heading with this. He’s hoping Luna can heal Alchera and that’s not the case. Luna will kill Alchera and that would be the worst thing that can happen on Vaalbara. “We do not know the extent of Luna’s talent, and to assume she can cure Alchera would be ill-considered on your part, Raighne. I found Luna and she was in a bad way after helping Alchera.” Raighne’s not listening to me. I can see it in his eyes. He only cares about Alchera’s life, and if he has to crush every one of us to keep her alive, then I fear he will do so. “Go to your wife and let me deal with my trainee as I see fit, Raighne. Nothing good will come of thinking like this.”
    Raighne nods slowly but I can see the ideas forming in his mind. He is a just man…but a man in love nonetheless, and that is a dangerous thing. He will do anything for Alchera.
    ~*~
    Luna~
    I have this urge to destroy something. I have failed myself so miserably today, aside from the part where I got to help Alchera. At least that worked. Next time I’ll remember to do it on a night I have a full moon. I don’t know how long my light will last inside of her, to fight of the shadows.
    “Do you know that everyone is looking for you? What did you do? No one ever asks about you.” I smile at Rue as he walks toward me. I wish I could hug my best friend right now. I need a hug from someone who doesn’t judge me.
    “How many everyone’s are you referring to, Rue? Besides, do you think I care?” He shakes his head. His smile fades as he stops the safe distance from me. I can see the same longing on his face as there is in my heart. He wants to comfort me, and I need that comfort. Rue is good-looking with his dark brown hair and unique eyes, one amber and one sapphire. He might be shorter than Storm, but he can still hold his own when it comes to the girls of Vaalbara. Sadly, Rue’s heart belongs to one girl and she is a blinded fool. Caia sees hearts and stars whenever Raighne is nearby. She doesn’t care that Raighne is married. It hurts me to watch Rue love her when she doesn’t appreciate him.
    I shove the morbid thoughts aside and smile brightly again. “Rue, I did it!” I take a step closer and the impulse to take his hand has never been this strong before. It felt so good to touch Storm. I miss the contact with other people. “I took Alchera’s shadows from her.” He is the one other person besides Lucius I can share my