Cloaked Heart (Silent Moments Series: Book 3)

Chapter 29

 Octavia's frustration was palpable as she lamented, "My book is gone." Her voice was laced with a blend of panic and loss. She frantically searched her pockets, her movements quick and erratic, her eyes darting around the sparse room, seeking something familiar in this alien environment.

Relief washed over me as I felt the familiar shape of the flame in my pocket, its presence a small comfort in the midst of uncertainty. Octavia, driven by a mix of fear and resolve, began to bang on the walls with a rhythmic urgency, her fists creating a dull, resonant sound against the cold metal. The door creaked open, revealing a woman whose presence seemed to fill the room. Luna's entrance was marked by an air of quiet authority, her eyes sharp and assessing, her posture exuding a calm strength.

"Luna," Octavia whispered, her voice a mixture of marvel and disbelief. Her eyes were wide, reflecting a mix of hope and desperation.

"Where is Lincoln?" Luna's question was direct, her tone carrying an undertone of concern masked by a veneer of stoicism.

"He couldn't stay," Octavia responded, her voice tinged with a sorrow she tried to hide, her shoulders drooping slightly under the weight of unspoken emotions.

Stepping forward, I locked eyes with Luna. "Lincoln said that you'd help us," I said, my voice steady but imbued with an undercurrent of urgency, trying to bridge the gap of mistrust between us.

"Did he?" Luna's response was cautious, her skepticism evident as she evaluated our plea.

I took a deep breath, steadying my nerves. "Luna, you're the last of your kind. The last nightblood," I emphasized, hoping to convey the importance of her unique position.

Her expression shifted subtly at the mention of Lexa. "So Lexa is dead as well," she said, her voice steady but revealing a hint of underlying grief.

I nodded, a heavy feeling settling in my chest. "Her spirit has chosen you to become the next commander. Titus entrusted me with the flame to give to you," I continued, my hand trembling slightly as I held out the flame to her.

Luna studied the flame, a mix of curiosity and wariness in her eyes. "I recognize the sacred symbol. But what is that?" she inquired, her gaze intensely focused on the small object in my hand.

"This is the flame. It holds the spirits of the past commanders. Of Lexa. Will you take it and become the next commander?" I explained, the weight of history and tradition evident in my voice.

Luna's eyes held mine for a long moment before she gently closed my fingers over the flame. "No," she stated firmly, her decision resolute.

"Hey, wait!" I called out as she turned to leave, my voice tinged with desperation.

We followed her out of the container, stepping into the harsh light of the sun. The sight that greeted us was breathtaking and disorienting. We were on an oil rig, a solitary metal island in the midst of an endless ocean. The sea stretched out in every direction, its vastness overwhelming, the waves gently lapping against the metal structure. The isolation was palpable, a stark contrast to the forests and mountains we were accustomed to. The realization of our isolation hit us with a mix of awe and unease, the endless blue of the sea a reminder of our vulnerability in this vast, unfamiliar world.

 Once the initial shock of finding ourselves on an expansive sea had somewhat subsided, the four of us gravitated towards a group of the younger Flokru. They sat in a loose circle, their faces illuminated by the gentle glow of a makeshift lantern, the backdrop of endless water shimmering under the moonlight. As we joined them, their voices rose and fell in a rhythmic cadence, sharing tales of their lives. The stories were a tapestry of experiences, woven with threads of both hardship and hope. They spoke of times before Luna and her people rescued them, of days shrouded in fear and uncertainty, their voices tinged with the shadows of past traumas. Then, their narratives shifted, blossoming into recounts of life after Luna's intervention, where each word painted a picture of newfound safety and belonging. Their eyes lit up as they spoke of Luna's kindness and strength, their admiration for her evident in every gesture and expression.