"Luna, there is a message for you."
A guard stopped in front of Nina as she stepped out of the dining room after breakfast, with Moreen behind her.
In his hand was a letter bearing a strange seal.
Nina’s brows furrowed as she stared at the letter. Her hands remained at her sides; she did not touch it.
"Who is this letter from?" she asked. She didn’t know anyone who would send her a letter.
"It was among the letters received at the pack house this morning, addressed to you, Your Grace. I do not know who sent it."
Nina stared at the envelope for a second before taking it.
Glancing at Moreen, she cleared her throat.
"You may go. I’ll join the class later," she said.
"Yes, my lady."
Moreen nodded once and walked away.
Nina stared at the letter for a moment before breaking the seal and opening it.
I’m waiting at the old infirmary. I have all the answers you seek.
Annalise.
Nina’s heart caught in her throat as her eyes lingered on the message.
Someone knew who she was.
And whoever it was, they were here.
Goosebumps crawled across her skin as her fingers tightened around the letter.
Who were they, and what did they want?
Questions swirled through her mind, unease settling heavily in her chest, but it wasn’t enough to drown out her need for answers.
After a long moment, she tore the letter into small pieces and dropped them into the nearest bin before making her way downstairs.
"Where is the old infirmary?" she asked a guard when she reached the ground floor.
The guard blinked in surprise before lowering his head.
"The old infirmary is in the basement, Your Grace. Down the stairs and to the left of the hallway. It has been abandoned for years."
He hesitated.
"Would you like me to accompany you?"
"Not at all. Thank you."
Nina turned and headed for the stairs.
The polished stone gradually gave way to rough rock beneath her feet. With every step downward, the air grew thicker and colder. The sounds from above faded until silence settled around her completely.
At the bottom of the stairs, she paused.
Her fingers tapped lightly against the railing as she studied the dim corridor ahead.
Then she turned left.
Her footsteps echoed against the stone walls.
Cobwebs clung to the corners. Dust coated the old wooden doors lining the hallway.
Thin rays of sunlight slipped through cracks in the walls, doing little to chase away the darkness.
A door creaked somewhere ahead.
Nina stopped.
Footsteps followed from the other end.
Measured.
Unhurried.
She lifted her chin and waited.
The figure emerged slowly from the shadows.
First, a pair of shoes.
Then the hem of a dark dress.
And finally—
All the color drained from Nina’s face.
Lady Emory, the etiquette tutor, stood before her, her hands folded behind her back, a small smile resting on her lips.
Nina stared at her in disbelief.
It was her?
"Lady Emory?" Her voice cracked slightly. "What are you doing here?"
"We’ve waited so long for you."
The smile on Emory’s face widened.
"Annalise."
Nina’s hands curled into fists.
For a long moment, neither woman spoke. Then Nina took a step forward.
"How do you know that name?"
Her voice came out flat and controlled, but her pulse hammered in her ears.
Emory studied her quietly.
"We’ve been waiting for you to regain consciousness. It took you long enough."
Nina’s heartbeat quickened.
"We?"
Emory only smiled.
"Who are you people?" Nina asked, her brows furrowed in confusion.
A flicker of amusement crossed Emory’s face.
"You’ll learn that in time."
She paused, taking a step forward as her expression turned serious.
"For now, there is something more important."
Nina’s brows drew together.
"Before you were killed, you sealed your powers inside the Earthstone."
Nina froze.
Her powers?
She had sealed them in the Earthstone?
Emory’s smile slowly faded.
"You don’t remember any of that because you have no memories of your past life."
Nina’s gaze hardened.
It seemed this woman knew more about her than she had thought.
"Why was I brought back?"
Lady Emory smiled.
"Because you have unfinished business, Annalise. The Blood Moon Curse is incomplete. You have to finish what you started."
"What do you mean by that?"
She frowned.
"The lycans are going to shift into their beast forms on the Blood Moon and be unable to turn back. Isn’t that the curse?"
Emory smiled.
"That is what they think the curse is."
Color drained from Nina’s face.
"What?" she asked.
"Why would we let them remain on the surface of the earth? The true curse is the complete eradication of their species. If they still exist, they can be brought back. Complete eradication wipes them out of existence forever."
She paused.
"Before you could complete the ritual, you were captured by the late Alpha."
Nina could not speak. Her heart thudded against her chest.
Complete eradication...
The image of him flashed before her eyes, and she looked away from Emory.
Her heart squeezed painfully, and for a moment, it was impossible to breathe.
She cursed them...
Why would she be so heartless?
"Why did I place this curse? Surely there are lycans who do not hurt humans. Why would I curse all of them?"
Emory’s expression darkened at her words, and then she laughed dryly.
"When rot reaches the basket, you don’t sort the fruit—you burn the basket."
She paused.
"You had your reasons. Reasons strong enough to sacrifice everything."
Emory turned toward the window and walked to it.
"That is why you need your memories back. They hold all the answers you seek."
A moment of silence passed before Nina drew a breath.
"How can I get them back? My memories."
Emory stared at her for a moment before taking a step closer.
"The Vothraki—the vault of forbidden spells—contains a ritual that can restore your memories."
She paused.
"You have to find it and bring it to us."
Nina raised a brow.
"You want me to bring the Vothraki to you?" she asked, a hint of sarcasm in her voice. "Why would I do that?"
Emory fell silent for a moment before a small smile touched her lips.
"And how exactly do you plan to perform a magic ritual without your powers?"
Nina’s expression hardened.
Emory held her gaze.
"Before your death, you sealed your powers inside the Earthstone. Then you concealed its location with a Hidden Location Spell."
She paused, letting the words settle.
"Without your memories, you cannot find the Earthstone, and without your powers, you cannot perform a ritual."
A beat of silence passed.
"So tell me, Annalise—how do you intend to do any of this alone?"
Nina remained silent, her jaw clenched tightly.
She didn’t trust this woman one bit, but she was running out of options.
"The Alpha is in possession of the Vothraki. You have to bring it to us, and we will find the Earthstone and complete the curse."
She paused.
"You must do this before your time runs out."
"What do you mean, my time is running out?"
"You should have started experiencing the side effects of the magic by now."
"Side effects?"
Nina frowned.
Was she talking about the fainting spells?
Emory smiled and took a step toward her.
"Black magic comes at a price. You must regain your powers in this body, or you will die."
Nina’s heart thudded against her chest, and her eyes fluttered.
"Why would I believe a word you’ve said? With no proof, you’re trying to get me to bring the Vothraki to you."
Lady Emory smiled.
"Really? Don’t you think I know too much to have no proof?"
She took another step toward Nina, but Nina did not move.
"Tell me—do you want to wait and see if I’m right, or do you want to listen to me and live?"
Nina clenched her teeth so tightly it hurt, but she said nothing.
Emory straightened.
"You choose. I have nothing to prove to you, Annalise."
"How long do I have?"
Nina’s lips pressed together.
Beads of sweat had appeared on her forehead, and Emory could see just how shaken she was.
She smiled.
"Six full moons."
Nina froze, her face pale, her heart racing.
She looked away from Emory as a thousand thoughts flooded her mind.
Emory took a step back and bowed.
"I have delivered the message to you. If you need my help, you know where to find me, Your Grace."
Then she turned to leave.
"Wait."
Nina’s voice stopped her in her tracks.
Emory turned around.
"My mother," Nina began. "The woman who gave birth to me."
She hesitated.
"Was she a witch?"
Something flickered across Emory’s face before disappearing.
"I cannot answer that."
Nina’s eyes narrowed.
A long silence stretched between them.
"You won’t tell me who brought me back, and you’ve refused to reveal my mother’s true identity."
Emory smiled.
"I am only a messenger, Annalise. I am forbidden from saying more."
Nina drew a breath.
"Then I don’t believe a word you’ve said."
She held Emory’s gaze.
"I see," Emory replied.
"Then I have nothing more to say."
She paused.
"But do not forget—you are running out of time. If you need anything, you know where to find me."
Nina held her gaze, her jaw clenched.
"I will not seek you out, Lady Emory."
She turned away.
"If you have the answers I need, then you can come find me."
With that, she began walking away.
"Annalise."
Emory’s voice echoed through the hallway.
Nina’s feet came to a stop, but she did not turn around.
"About the Alpha..."
"He is your worst enemy. His father killed you, and he would do the same if he finds out what you are."
She paused, letting the words sink in.
"You cannot get attached to him."
Nina stood still for a long moment.
Then she squared her shoulders and continued down the hallway.