Stefanie R Morton

Under the Blood Moon Stefanie R Morton

I take a deep breath through my nose as I tilt my head back to the blood moon. Slowly, I release the breath and close my eyes. Hope begins chanting quietly to my right, just next to where I'm standing. Her chants are soft, and weak, nothing like what we need them to be."Hope," I say comfortingly to her. I turn my body, and slowly reach my right arm out to her. I wait for her to look at me, the look in her eyes breaking my heart when she does. I swallow, and genuinely smile at her, not showing my teeth. "Hope, listen to me." I continue, forcing myself. "We have to do this. I can not let John and his people fear me. We will still be safe with your powers. I promise you. You need to start having faith in yourself. You are strong, and fierce, and I am so proud of who you have become. I know, this may be odd, but I see you as my own daughter. I have watched you grow your whole life. You are so kind and loving, and you always put somebody else first. Your magic Hope," I shake my head at her, smiling wildly, "It's a gift. Do not be afraid of it. With a heart like yours, you will be just fine." I wipe at the tears on my cheeks, and smile at her. I take a deep breath, and let it out sharply. "So, we must put John's mind at ease." I continue turning my body back to the east, trying to sound like this isn't one of the worst days of my life. "Put all of my magic in the necklace, Hope."

Esmerelda and Cauis return to face Anubis, a group of werewolves who are hell bent on destroying the fragile peace between werewolves and vampires. Things get ugly and gruesome fast as they race to save their hard fought for peace that spans centuries.

But, in the dead of night, Under the Blood Moon, things become catastrophic.