Chapter 440: Ava: Giving Bad News

Magister Orion is long gone. Tea stands cold in my cup and my reflection stares back at me from the kitchen window, hollow-eyed and pale.

My phone sits, dark and accusatory on the table in front of me. Twenty-seven dead. Twenty-eight, if I count Ivy.

You're stalling, Selene says.

"I know." This phone call has been put off too long. A single day has felt like a week, but it doesn't excuse how I didn't call my allied alpha to inform him of his sister's disappearance.

And how am I supposed to explain why we believe she's dead?

My fingers shake as I reach for the phone. The screen lights up, too bright in the dim kitchen. Clayton's number is far down the list of recent contacts, untouched since before everything went wrong.

When things were peaceful, and I still thought my world was chaos.

The phone feels heavy in my hand as I press the call button. Each ring echoes like a death knell.

"Rowan speaking."

The greeting throws me off balance. I'd prepared myself for Clayton's voice. Instead, Rowan's steady tone fills my ear.

"Beta Goldstein." My voice is less confident than I want it to be. "This is Luna Ava Grey of Westwood. I need to speak with Alpha Shadowpine."

A pause stretches between us, loaded with unspoken questions.

"Luna Grey." Rowan's voice softens immediately. "I'm afraid Clayton is indisposed at the moment. Is there something I can help you with?"

My chest tightens. "No, I... I need to speak with him directly. It's about Ivy."

Another pause, longer this time. "I see."

replaces Rowan's. "Luna Grey." His formal greeting will forever

fingers press against my stomach, willing the nausea

to

The direct question pierces through my

Like I'm reading

cuts through the line. "How

"Twenty-seven dead, more injured."

us. The kitchen window reflects my pale face, dark circles prominent under my

his emotions. The siblings are

throat, wishing it

"More?"

attack." My free hand curls into a fist as I struggle to find the proper words. "It's not Ivy, but it is likely that it wore her form for some time. The creature was identified as a monstrosity of nature we call a dream-eater. Something created that

"A what?"

exactly,

it's clear he's now understanding the

That the

that

detached, but they're barely a whisper across

her body. I'm sorry, Clayton.

myself." Papers rustle in the background. "Keep the creature contained until I

"Of course, but Clayton—"

before he responds, and I lean back in my chair

* * *

Selene says when I stumble for the

working too hard. I don't

though. The dry winter air

grip on my arm tightens. "Let me help

to the Fae's tireless work. The scent of fresh wood

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