Second Chance for the Barren Luna (Talia and Jason) novel Chapter 317

Talia’s POV

I didn’t ask Annie about Clara or the other servants. I already had what I needed. The real Nolan and Solon were out there somewhere, searching for me, and the only reason they hadn’t found me yet was that I wasn’t anywhere they’d expect.

Jason was wearing Nolan’s face. It had to be a spell, since nothing else could have stopped the bond from reaching Nolan. The spell was rare and dangerous. It didn’t just cover someone’s features; it interfered with the mate bond itself, tricking it with layers of borrowed memory. It was almost certainly a witch's work. The thought made me furious.

‘We should’ve killed him when we had the chance,’ my wolf grumbled as she continued to reach out to Nolan, Solon, and even Della with no luck.

After what I did to him at the table, I doubted he’d come back tonight. The vomiting alone would keep him down for hours. I had a window of time, and I planned to use it.

I spent the afternoon with Annie.

"Come walk with me. I've been in the bedroom too long," I told her.

“Of course, Luna. Where would you like to start?”

“The lower garden. Then the library. Then the east wing.”

She took me down the corridor and out to the lower garden first. I made a small sound at each rose bush she stopped at, pretending to be charmed by the ones she said were new. While she pointed out the flowers, I counted the guards and noted where the trellises were positioned.

Next, we went into the library. I perused the shelves. Half the titles were books I’d never owned, but I made myself look pleased.

“And the east wing, Luna?”

"Yes, I want to be sure rooms are fresh for guests," I lied.

The east wing had a long hallway of bedrooms. It didn’t match the real Bloodmoon’s layout, but it was close enough that you didn’t know what to look for; you would have thought it was perfect.

By the time we finished the tour, the sun had begun to set. I had memorized the layout and guard positions. I noted the angle of the drop from my window to the kitchen garden below, the route from the kitchen garden to the outer wall, and the corner where the trellis would help me climb over.

I had a plan.

"Annie, I'm tired. I'm going to lie down before dinner," I said.

“I will sit with you, Luna.”

"No. I want the room to myself. Don't come back until I ring."

“Are you sure, Luna? The Alpha said I should stay with you.”

"I'm sure. I'll ring when I want you back. Take some time to relax. You worked through lunch."

She hesitated, thinking about whether to argue. I held her gaze until she decided to listen.

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