Eighth-Born Luna (Emily and Nathan) novel Chapter 120

Chapter 120

Emily’s POV

The trial left me shaking.

The courtyard was a mess of noise and movement. Rogues were everywhere, watching me like my suffering was nothing more than entertainment for them.

I had barely stepped off the ritual platform, walking through the crowd of rogues as they parted for me on my way back to the castle, when a hand clamped around my wrist.

I jerked back, ready to fight.

“Five minutes. Lower floor restroom.”

The whisper was gone as soon as it hit my ear. The person vanished into the crowd before the guards even turned their heads.

Ryan.

My heart began to drum a frantic rhythm. The rogue beside me shoved my shoulder.

“Move.”

I forced my expression to stay flat. I didn’t look back. I didn’t scan the crowd. I just kept walking. We passed through the massive black gates, and the sudden warmth of the castle felt heavy against my skin.

As we crossed the lower corridor, I caught a glimpse of him. Ryan walked ahead of us, acting casual, before turning into a side hall without a single glance my way.

The guards kept me moving, their boots echoing on the stone. Finally, I stopped and pressed a hand against my stomach, forcing a grimace.

“Oh Goddess…”

The rogue’s brow furrowed. “What now?”

“I think something’s wrong.” I leaned forward, acting like a sharp cramp had just hit me. “My stomach—”

The guard looked away, clearly annoyed and uncomfortable.

“I need the restroom. Now.”

He let out a long, frustrated breath. “Hurry up.”

I didn’t wait. I slipped inside the heavy door and slid the lock home.

The room was empty except for Ryan. The second he saw me, he looked relieved.

And terrified.

Ryan immediately glanced over his shoulder toward the door like he expected Declan to appear at any moment.

“What do you want, Ryan?” I crossed my arms, keeping my voice low and ice-cold. “We’re pushing our luck. If Declan catches you near me again, I won’t be able to stop him from ripping your throat out.”

A flicker of real pain crossed his face.

“The witch has Beatrice’s blood,” he said, his voice barely audible.

My pulse stumbled. “What?”

“She took it months ago.” His jaw clenched hard. “And now she tied the twins to it somehow. If I betray the rogues, the curse activates.”

Ice spread slowly through my stomach.

“She told me the babies would rot inside her.” Ryan’s voice cracked slightly. “I didn’t have a choice, Emily.”

For a heartbeat, I didn’t hate him. Not because he was right, but because I knew what these witches were capable of.

Ryan took a step closer. “But Declan…” He shook his head. “He’s worse than Silas ever was. He doesn’t want territory or a pack. He wants complete world control.”

Just looking at his face made my chest ache. I looked at the bottom of the page and grabbed a small piece of charcoal from my pocket. My fingers were unsteady as I wrote:

Trust him. I’m alive. – Emily

I folded the paper and pressed it into Ryan’s hand. “Give him this first. He’ll know my handwriting. He’ll know it’s real.”

Ryan stared at the sketch for a second before hiding it deep inside his jacket. “If Declan finds this on me,” he said quietly, “I’m a dead man.”

I looked him straight in the eyes. “Then don’t let him find it.”

The second I stepped away from Ryan, a heavy fist hammered against the wood.

“What’s taking so long in there?”

The rogue sounded like he was ready to kick the door off its hinges. I slid the lock back and pulled it open before he could try.

“I’m coming. Relax.”

The guard’s eyes scanned past me into the restroom. Ryan was already hidden. Good.

I crossed my arms irritably. “Find something interesting?”

The rogue’s face twisted in discomfort.

Perfect.

Without another word, he escorted me back through the castle corridors and all the way to my room before finally leaving me alone for the night.

The heavy doors shut behind him.

I leaned my back against the wood, the stillness of the room finally pressing in on me. Goddess, please let this work. Don’t let Ryan betray me.