Phoenix cut in sharply.
"How is any of this possible now? When I took her she carried certain energies yes, but nothing at this level. I noticed them but they were manageable. What changed?"
The mage clasped his hands and leaned forward slightly.
"Several things occurred in sequence Alpha and each one compounded the last." He counted carefully. "First, she absorbed the power of Nymortix. A dark and concentrated energy capable of ending most beings entirely. Second, during the child transfer she absorbed a partial measure of her sister's power and a partial measure of your brother's child's power. Both entered her bloodstream during that process."
Phoenix said nothing. He listened.
"This means she now carries her own power, her sister Fiona's power, the power connected to Vangelis through the child and the energy of Nymortix." He paused. "Then your child added another layer entirely. The power your bloodline carries entered her through the pregnancy." He looked at Phoenix steadily. "And finally the Moon Goddess gifted her directly.
Six distinct energies Alpha. All living inside one body. Each one significant on its own.
"How did she encounter the Moon Goddess recently?" Phoenix asked. "She has not left this territory."
"Beta Korran," the mage said quietly. "Would you give us the room please."
Korran bowed and stepped out without question.
The mage turned back to Phoenix.
"Alpha, whether you accept it or not the Moon Goddess operates above every moon worshipper."
"I do not care about theology," Phoenix said. "What I want to know is why every clan is suddenly moving against her. What makes her so significant?"
The mage paused.
"What I am about to tell you cannot leave this room," he said. "Not even the young lady herself should know." He waited.
Phoenix gave a single nod.
"The Moon Goddess wishes to retire," Lord Dante said. "And she has chosen the young lady as her successor. This would be the first time in existence that a Moon Goddess ascends from earth rather than from the divine realm." He folded his hands. "She also carries the authority to appoint anyone she desires to that position if the chosen one refuses. Making her both a successor and a vessel simultaneously."
Phoenix said nothing.
"She is also unclaimed," Lord Dante continued. "Every clan that understands what she is will want to claim her before anyone else does. Whoever claims the next Moon Goddess holds influence over everything her power touches."
"That has nothing to do with my packs," Phoenix said.
"You do not fully grasp the weight of this," Lord Dante said, leaning forward. "Whoever claims her gains the authority to rule over every moon worshipper in existence. Every subsequent Moon Goddess will then come from that same lineage, granting that family immortality and an unbroken line of divine power." He let that settle. "Think about what that means for Redlunar. We are already expanding. With that power every pack will want to exist under the territory of the Moon Goddess. Our kingdom will grow without us spending a single soldier. No wars. No casualties. No resistance." His voice dropped to something quieter and more certain. "We become invincible and unstoppable ."
Phoenix was quiet for a long moment.
Then he rose.
Phoenix was quiet for a long moment.
Then he rose.
He knocked lightly before entering Hazel's room.
Hazel sat up immediately, her hand moving to her chest.
"You are sweating," Phoenix said. "Is something wrong?"
"I am fine," she said. "What brings you here?"
"Are you experiencing any pain?" he asked.
"I am fine," she said again, more firmly.
Phoenix looked at her for a moment.
"I came to sleep here tonight," he said simply.
"There is a couch you could—" Hazel began.
Phoenix was already beside her before she finished the sentence, settling onto the bed without ceremony.
"Be good," he said simply.
He lay down behind her, her back to him, and circled his arm around her waist.
Hazel pressed her lips together. Slowly she brought her hand to her mouth and bit down hard, swallowing the sound that tried to escape her. Her heartbeat climbed without her permission, sweat gathering across her skin until her dress clung to her.
Phoenix lifted his head.
He placed his hand gently against her forehead.
"Is this because I am too close to you?"
Hazel pulled her hand away quickly.
"You are too warm," she said. "That is all."
Phoenix looked at her for a moment then rose and moved to the couch, positioning it to face her directly before lying down.
"Have you been taking the prescribed pain relief potion?"
"I have not felt any pain yet," she said. "So I have not needed it."
"The moment you do, notify me immediately," he said.
"I will," she replied.
The room settled into quiet around them both.
"If you had taken even a minute longer your body may not have recovered," Cassius said, his voice carrying an edge beneath the flatness. "Liora's soul has been inside your body this entire time but her power is too low to sustain it properly. She has been dormant. Barely alive."
Roxanne did not respond. She lowered herself into the chalk circle and lay still.
Corrine began her incantations, the words building steadily in the sealed room until the air thickened around them. Then both bodies opened their eyes simultaneously.
Roxanne sat up slowly in her own body.
She flexed her fingers. Rolled her shoulders. Then she looked at Liora's still form beside her and her eyes shifted to silver.
"By silver and by soul, obey me."
Liora locked instantly. Eyes open and unblinking.
"I command you to sleep," Roxanne said quietly. "Sleep until you reach your city."
Liora's eyes closed without resistance.