Leah was sitting by herself in front of the old moonstone altar in the high tower chamber of Barduff Castle when the moonlight spilled across it like silver milk. Under her fingertips, the cool glow of the crystal pulsed softly, answering a call she had always known resided inside of her but had not yet spoken out loud.
Over the past few nights, sleep had become unfamiliar to her.
It had been replaced by visions.
Whispers first, gentle voices muttering from stone, wind, and water. Next, the faces. Silver-eyed wolf spirits. And lastly, the moonlit trail that took her far into forests that had been absent for centuries.
She didn't resist the visions tonight.
She accepted them.
Although there was no breeze outside, a gust of wind pushed open the tower's narrow window. The lone candle's flame violently flickered. A familiar voice echoed behind Leah, who stood up, breathing steadily, and turned.
"Now you can clearly hear them."
With her crimson cloak slung over her shoulders and her eyes shining with knowledge, Gisele stood in the doorway's shadow.
A weary but sincere smile curved Leah's lips. "Every time things are about to fall apart, you come back."
Gisele stepped forward and gently corrected, "I come back when it's time to rebuild."
Leah's gaze returned to the altar. Now, the influence of the Hollow Alpha can be seen everywhere: in broken alliances, tainted bloodlines, and similes. Nevertheless, every vision makes something inside of me burn brighter. It's similar to waking up.
Leah felt Gisele's hand on her shoulder.
It's a waking. Leah, you were more than just a Luna. Long before you assumed that title, you were chosen by the Moon Mothers.
Leah scowled. "There is legend about the Moon Mothers."
"No," Gisele muttered. "They are a legacy. One of the three women created to protect the veil separating realms is you, the Veiled Flame. A spirit-based one. One of veracity. One of giving up something. Leah, you are the spirit's flame.
There was a stunned silence between them.
Gisele went on to say, "Your relationship with your family, your wolves, and even Serafina is more than just love. It has a spiritual resonance. You are light, Leah, and anything that is bound in light cannot be corrupted by the Hollow Alpha.
Leah nodded slowly as she took in the information. "What about the other two?"
"They're near you already. Without even realizing it, you've led them," Gisele remarked. "The truth is Serafina." Susanna will become a sacrifice, but not a death sacrifice. Of pride and power.
The idea of her daughters bearing such a burden made Leah's heart hurt, but it also grew with pride.
"Now what?" Placing a palm over the altar again, she asked.
Gisele whispered, "Now you learn to wield what was once asleep."
The altar stone was split by a ribbon of moonlight as Leah closed her eyes. From the crystal came silent, silver flames that coiled around her fingers without burning.
They hummed instead. alive. devoted.
Gisele grinned.
"Leah, you have till the next blood moon. There won't be any more time for visions after that. Just fight.