Luna woke to the sound of rain.
It tapped softly against the window, steady and calming, like the world was trying to pretend nothing had happened. Her body felt heavy, drained, as if every muscle had been used and used again.
She opened her eyes slowly.
A cabin ceiling came into focus. Wooden beams. A faint smell of pine and smoke.
Not Kael's apartment.
She sat up too fast and winced as pain shot through her head.
"Careful."
Kael's voice came from the doorway.
Relief flooded her chest. "Where are we?"
"Safe," he said, walking toward her with a mug in his hands. "My family's cabin. Warded land."
She accepted the mug when he offered it. Warm broth. Salty and grounding.
"I passed out," Luna said.
"You burned through more power than anyone should," Kael replied. "Rhea says you're lucky to be awake at all."
"Where is she?"
"Outside. Arguing with the council."
Luna nearly choked. "They're here?"
"Not physically," Kael said. "Yet."
She closed her eyes briefly. "I didn't want this."
"I know," he said gently. "But wanting has nothing to do with fate."
Rain continued to fall as silence settled between them.
"Did I really seal the veil?" Luna asked quietly.
Kael nodded. "For now."
"For now," she repeated. "That's not reassuring."
He gave a faint smile. "It's honest."
Her fingers tightened around the mug. "Adrian said the council would come for me."
"They already are," Kael said. "Just not how you expect."
A sudden pressure brushed against Luna's mind, like a knock from the inside.
She gasped.
Kael stiffened. "You felt that."
"Yes," she whispered. "Someone is… reaching."
The air in the cabin thickened.
Silver light shimmered near the hearth, forming into three figures.
Luna's heart pounded.
They looked human, but not quite. Their eyes glowed faintly, like starlight caught in ice.
"The Moonbound awakens," the tallest one said. His voice echoed oddly, as if spoken from far away.
Kael dropped to one knee instantly.
Luna remained sitting, frozen. "Who are you?"
"We are the Lunar Council," the woman replied. "We govern balance."
Luna swallowed. "Then why am I being hunted?"
"Because balance fears change," the third figure said calmly.
The woman stepped forward. "You broke the cycle."
"I stopped a ritual," Luna said. "People were dying."
"And yet," the man said, "that ritual kept the old order stable."
Anger sparked in Luna's chest. "By murder?"
Silence followed.
Kael looked up sharply.
The woman's gaze softened slightly. "Your compassion complicates things."
"I don't care," Luna said, surprising herself with her steadiness. "I won't be a weapon."
The council exchanged looks.
"You cannot refuse what you are," the tallest one said. "But you may define how it exists."
Luna's breath shook. "Then let me."
The silver mark on her side warmed, not burning this time. Steady. Calm.
The woman inclined her head. "Very well. We will watch."
The figures began to fade.
"Wait," Luna said quickly. "What happens now?"
The man's voice echoed as they disappeared. "Now, others will come. Those who want your power. And those who fear it."
The light vanished.
The cabin felt suddenly small again.
Kael rose slowly. "You stood up to them."
"I was terrified," Luna admitted.
He smiled faintly. "That didn't show."
She looked down at her hands. "I don't feel like a hero."
"You're not," Kael said. "You're something harder."
She met his eyes. "What?"
"Free."
Outside, the rain slowed.
Luna looked toward the window, feeling the moon's distant pull.
The world had not ended.
But it had noticed her.
And it would not look away again.