Moonlit Bound

The Gathering Storm

Emily woke to the soft glow of morning light streaming through the curtains. For a brief moment, she forgot the weight of the curse, the danger lurking in every shadow, and the impossible decisions ahead. All she felt was Liam's warmth beside her, his arm draped protectively around her waist.

But reality returned quickly, its claws sinking deep. Sebastian's warning echoed in her mind, and her chest tightened with the familiar ache of uncertainty. She glanced at Liam, his expression peaceful in sleep, and wondered how long they could hold on to moments like this.

As if sensing her thoughts, Liam stirred. His eyes fluttered open, and when they met hers, a soft smile played on his lips. "Morning," he murmured, his voice rough with sleep.

"Morning," she replied, her own smile faint.

Liam's gaze searched her face, his smile fading. "You're thinking about it again, aren't you?"

Emily sighed, sitting up and pulling the blanket around her. "How can I not? Everything feels so... fragile."

Liam sat up beside her, his hand brushing her arm. "We'll figure it out. Together."

She nodded, though doubt still lingered. Before she could reply, a sharp knock at the door shattered the quiet.

Both of them tensed instantly. Liam was on his feet in an instant, pulling on his shirt and motioning for Emily to stay back. He approached the door cautiously, his hand hovering over the dagger hidden at his belt.

"Who is it?" he called, his voice firm.

"It's me," came a familiar voice. "Sebastian."

Emily and Liam exchanged a glance. Liam opened the door just enough to let the warlock in, his expression wary.

Sebastian stepped inside, his dark cloak swirling around him like a storm cloud. His face was pale, his usual arrogance tempered by something that looked suspiciously like urgency.

"We have a problem," he said without preamble.

Liam crossed his arms. "What kind of problem?"

Sebastian's gaze flicked to Emily. "The kind that can't be ignored. The curse's power is growing faster than anticipated. I can feel its reach extending, pulling in forces that will soon become impossible to control."

Emily's stomach churned. "What does that mean?"

"It means," Sebastian said grimly, "that the curse isn't just targeting you two anymore. It's waking things that should have stayed buried. Creatures. Spirits. They're being drawn to you, to your bond."

Liam's jaw tightened. "And you're only telling us this now?"

"I didn't realize the extent of it until last night," Sebastian admitted, his tone clipped. "But we don't have time to argue. If we don't act soon, the consequences will be catastrophic."

Emily's pulse quickened. "What do we do?"

Sebastian hesitated, his gaze shifting between them. "There's a ritual. Dangerous, but it might be our only chance. It requires both of you to confront the source of the curse—together."

"The source?" Liam repeated, his tone skeptical.

"The place where the curse originated," Sebastian explained. "It's not just a spell—it's tied to something ancient, something that still lingers in the physical world. If you can sever its connection to this plane, you might weaken its hold."

"And where exactly is this 'source'?" Emily asked.

Sebastian's expression darkened. "A place called Shadow's Hollow. It's deep in the mountains, protected by ancient wards and... other things."