The Luna Trials by Marissa Gilbert

I Want You

Savannah looked up. The sun was setting down, and its rays blinded her as she tried to trace the movements of the woman on top of the wall.

Spikes were still poking out of the old stones, but Mikaela did not seem bothered. She was walking between the sharp blades gracefully without even looking at them. A true werecat.

“Is the little Princess lost? “she sneered, words laced with spite. Cats knew how to give attitude when they wanted it.

“I am.” the Lycaness chuckled. “Why don’t you be so kind as to get down here and help me out?”

“Oh, I am planning to!” Mikaela snickered, “I just want to offer you to give up first. Step on the sun tile,

and I will not throw you somewhere worse!”

“Hmm,” Savvy hummed. “Tempting, but I would have to decline. Nonetheless, I will do the same since you are so kind to me. Step on the sun tile, and I will not throw you somewhere worse.”

They glared at each other for some time, already knowing this wouldn’t end well for one of them. “So be it,” Mikaela narrowed her eyes and jumped down on an empty tile in front of her.

The werecat struck first with her long leg with a sharp and accurate blow. Savvy dodged, stepping on a safe North star tile.

Another blow. Savannah twirled, avoiding it, fast as the wind.

They both jumped from one tile to another, and it started to look like a deadly dance. The cat was surprisingly better at this. She moved with ease and precise aim, her caramel hair flying in the air.

Savvy quickly realised why she dared to attack her. This was her only chance to win against a Lycan. Especially a royal Lycan. Cats were naturals at this. Jumping gracefully and avoiding danger was in their blood. At the same time, Lycans usually used raw force. If it was just about the force, Mikaela wouldn’t stand a chance.

However, Savvy noticed something quickly. Each time before another elegant landing, Mikaela had to look at the signs on the stone floor again. She didn’t remember their position and had to check every time, while Savannah didn’t have much trouble with that. All tiles were imprinted in her memory by now. She could walk through them with her eyes closed.

Mikaela got what happened when a grin formed on the Princess’s face, but it was too late as Savvy had already sped up. She was throwing a few tactical punches to make the werecat defend herself and lose awareness of what was happening around her. Savvy was moving as fast as lightning since she didn’t have to look under her feet much. All while Mikaela was losing her confidence with every second of the fight.

“Fine!” The cat yelled. “Let’s just go our separate ways!” Sawy would have laughed if she had time for this. It was too late for a truce now.

“I don’t think so!” The Western Princess went down, kicked her opponent’s feet in one swilt move,

making the werecat fall right onto the sun tile. The ground under her disappeared in seconds, and, screeching, Mikaela fell into a new silver pit.

Cautiously, Savvy stepped close to the edge to make sure that the girl was all right.

“You didn’t have to do this, you know?!” The cat looked at her with fury in her eyes, clenching her fists. They both knew that for Mikaela The Luna Trials were over. She wouldn’t be able to get out of here.

“This is for Petra,” Savannah said calmly. “You didn’t have to break that child’s teg either!”

Mikaela prepared to say something else, but Savvy wasn’t interested anymore. She had already moved on, continuing her quest.

The tiles went on for quite some time, but knowing which ones were safe, made the task easy. She did not meet anyone else for a while and soon reached the normal part of the Forgotten City,

It was forgotten, indeed. The streets mainly consisted of broken ancient houses built of white stone. They were much smaller than the houses now-each with a fireplace inside to keep the owners warm during cold winters.

Sawy looked up and saw drones in the sky. Three were circling above her head, and she saw several other groups at a long distance. That probably meant that other contenders were not close to her at all. This gave her relief, but she was still cautious about her surroundings.

any other building here, and Sawy frowned when she noticed drones flying

moved as quickly as she could. She

second

finally at the bottom of the shrine when the sun was almost down. Hundreds of steps were before her and she clenched her

thing. That contender was walting

she knew where the rest of them were, it could have been only one person

murals on the walls. It was Fenrir’s temple, so, of course, she recognised the huge black wolf depicted in the stories the ancient pictures told. Son of a God, he was betrayed and chained in the underworld. But even then, he managed to bite the hand of his

spacious ritual room with incredibly high ceilings. One step in the wrong direction, and she would

edge of the bridge

the fire pit, but only one of them was lit-the red

knew who

tired of waiting! What kind of Queen would you be with such results?” Penelope didn’t even try pretending to be nice anymore as she walked out of the shadow

retorted, a confident smile playing on her lips. That woman did not scare her at all, so

all mine!” The words seem to irritate

torch was hers and not even surprised that it

So very naive of her. She probably even thought she would be able to

see now!” Penelope snarled,

chuckled. “And here I thought we

are. You, me and Elene. How disappointing you couldn’t keep your act

becoming the Queen, but it doesn’t matter! I didn’t spend all these years listening to her whining just to lose now, as

you are!” Savvy

and all the sleepless nights for so many years! Do you know that she still has nightmares about her parents being killed? She wakes up in tears almost every night! And i was there for her every time she needed me! I wiped her eyes and gave her a hug when she required onel And I listened about her obsession with your brother for years and years! Do you have any idea

your confession right now,” Savannah nodded,

I worked for it for so long!” Penelope yelled, hitting herself on the chest. Her eyes flashed green as

used a vulnerable girl who considered you her friend just to gain the title with her help. Well, she did help you. She owes you nothing anymore. How far would you have gotten without Elene? That is the

be in the same damn place! Ready to push you off that bridget My family is

Kalonce.” The Northern Princess pointed out, getting closer. “I guess you don’t care about him much

Penelope hissed. “I care about him. We would make a

much love in every word!” Savannah let out a laugh, hoping to stretch the conversation for tonger. She almost reached a sale spot. “It looks to me that all

laugh of a normal human. She looked insane, absolutely

acting was so good, though. I almost bought it. Almost.” Savannah was moving forward confidently. She knew she had to go through the bridge fast as this was probably

“You come from the West, and you think you are

without any warning, ran straight at the other Lycaness, dodging her blow at the last moment and sliding down on the ground right up to the fire pit. She grabbed one of the torches and stuck

darkness as the announcement

now

with Penelope, who was already

some movement behind Penelope’s back and tensed. Who else could be here other

did not see the dark figure that appeared from the back entrance of the shrine. This was probably one of the passages from where the priests were arriving

the rituals.

Savannah saw the familiar white hair sparkling in the light of

freeze on the spot.

Bjorn grasped her hair and yanked her back forcefully. The woman screamed as he threw her to the ground without any pity and

night hair