A Deal(2)

Chapter 8 – A Deal (2)

Penelope didn’t ask twice. She grabbed Aria by the shoulder, roughly spinning her sharply before ripping the cloak to reveal her back. The mark on Aria’s back caught the light, glowing faintly beneath her skin. The room fell silent.

“She bears the mark,” Penelope said at last, her tone unreadable. “A Moon-Blessed.”

The brown-haired one smiled brightly. “That’s so cute.”

A murmur ran through the others.

Kael stepped forward slightly. “That’s why we’re here. She needs to learn control. You’re the only ones who can help her.”

Penelope arched her brow. “Help? Or train her to be another weapon?” Her gaze flicked to Aria. “You do realize what that mark means?”

Aria lifted her chin, even though her pulse was racing. “I know that I'm Moon-Blessed,” she said softly. “And I can produce fire.”

The brown-haired woman smiled again. “She's brave.”

Penelope’s gaze was assessing, “You want to stay?” she asked.

Aria hesitated. “I want to understand what I am.”

For a long moment, Penelope said nothing. Then, with a faint, mocking smile, she nodded. “Fine. We’ll take her in and have her train with us.”

Kael’s shoulders loosened slightly. “Thank you.”

“But,” Penelope added, her eyes flicking to Kael. “He stays, too.”

Kael’s jaw tightened. “That wasn’t part of the deal.”

“It is now,” she said coolly. “If she’s to be one of us,” she drawled, staring him down, “You don’t leave her. Not until we say so.”

She smirked, “If you're wise, you’ll take the deal.”

He studied her for a long time, his expression unreadable. Then, finally, he nodded once. “Deal.”

Penelope’s smile widened, though it didn’t seem genuine. “Good. Then welcome home, Moon-Blessed.”

The others lowered their swords, but the air was still thick with unspoken tension. Aria exhaled slowly, her heart pounding. She should’ve felt safe. She didn’t.

Aria glanced at Kael, uncertain. “What now?”

Penelope turned toward a narrow tunnel that glowed faintly blue at its end. “Now,” she said, “we introduce you to the others. Follow me.”

Kael’s eyes flicked toward her, something unreadable passing between them. “Stay close,” he murmured.

As Aria stepped forward, she felt eyes on her back, Kael’s, watchful and wary. The Rune under her skin pulsed faintly in rhythm with her heartbeat.

Her fingers brushed the mark on her back.

They reached the far end of the corridor. Penelope placed a hand on the smooth stone wall, and it shifted open soundlessly, revealing another chamber.

Penelope stepped through the shifting wall first, Kael followed next, his hand never straying far from his blade.

When Aria crossed the threshold, the world opened up.

The chamber was enormous, larger than she could have imagined, its walls carved from stone and veined with silver light that pulsed softly, like the beat of a heart. Moonfire torches glowed along the edges, illuminating dozens of figures moving silently through the space. Women, all of them. Training, sparring, meditating.

Aria’s breath caught. She took a step forward, feeling the weight of their stares settle on her. “There are so many of you…”

Penelope looked over her shoulder. “Did you think you were the only one?”

Aria hesitated. “Well...”

Penelope’s lips twisted, at her hesitation. She continued walking, her pace brisk. “Each of us carries the mark, though not all awaken the same way. Some find it in fire, others in light or shadow. We were scattered once, but not destroyed. Remember that.”

Aria glanced around, trying to take it all in. The scent of smoke and lavender filled the air. The soft sound of blades clashing echoed faintly. Every movement was graceful, disciplined. She had never seen anything like it.

“You’ll sleep in the lower quarters,” Penelope said. “Training begins at dawn.”

“Training?” Aria asked. “What kind?”

“The kind that keeps you alive.”

They stopped before a raised platform at the far end of the hall. Two figures stood there, half-lit by silver glow. One of them, an older woman with white hair braided down her back, watched them with piercing blue eyes.

“Elder Mirelle,” Penelope said, bowing her head slightly. “A newcomer. Marked and untrained.”

Mirelle’s gaze drifted to Aria. “Step closer, child.”

Aria obeyed, her hands trembling slightly.

The woman’s eyes were sharp, assessing, but not unkind. “When did your Rune awaken?”

“A few nights ago,” Aria said softly. “It just… happened.”

Mirelle studied her for a long moment, then nodded. “And what form did it take?”

“Fire,” Aria whispered. “White fire.”

A murmur spread through the room. Mirelle’s expression didn’t change, but Penelope’s brows rose ever so slightly.

“Moonfire,” Mirelle murmured. “It’s been a long time since one has carried that flame.”

Kael stiffened beside her. “It’s what saved her life.”

Mirelle turned to him. “And nearly ended it, I’m sure.”

Her gaze shifted back to Aria. “You must learn control quickly. That kind of power does not tolerate mistakes.”

Aria nodded. “I understand.”

“Good.” Mirelle’s tone softened, almost kind. “Then you will train with us. But understand this, being Moon-Blessed is not just a gift. It’s a burden that must be earned every day you live.”

Aria swallowed hard but managed a quiet, “Yes, Elder.”

Mirelle turned to Penelope. “See that she is settled. Training begins with at dawn.”

Penelope bowed slightly, motioning for Aria to follow. As they walked back through the chamber, Kael leaned closer. “You did well.”

Aria managed a faint smile. “She looked like she could see straight through me.”

“She probably can,” he muttered.

They stopped at a smaller tunnel branching off the main chamber. Penelope motioned toward one of the stone doorways. “You’ll sleep here.”

Aria stepped inside. The room was simple, a cot, a basin, and a low stone shelf with a single glowing crystal resting on it. Despite its sparseness, it was surprisingly warm.

She turned back. “Thank you.”

Penelope leaned against the doorway, arms crossed. “Don’t thank me yet. Training here isn’t gentle. We don’t coddle anyone here. If you want to survive as Moon-Blessed, you fight for it.”

Aria nodded, even though her heart was racing. “I understand.”

Penelope’s eyes softened for the briefest second. “Good. You’ll need that fire of yours. Both kinds.” Then she was gone, the sound of her boots fading down the tunnel.

Kael lingered in the doorway, his expression unreadable. “Get some rest,” he said quietly. “You’ll need it.”