I held two golden chalices, one in each hand. Each was elaborate, made of solid gold, the rim decorated with colored gems in the shapes of the moon phases. A chalice rimmed with green and etched with the first quarter moon, the second a coppery color and etched with waxing crescents. A chalice for Thalyra and a chalice for Eryndor.

  In front of me spanned a large, square pool sunk into the floor, about a foot deep. It was tiled with greens and purples, and spanned most of the large room. Across from it sat rows of benches, filled with spectators. On the other side of the fountain stood two large pedestals holding bowls filled with crackling fire. The alters. The smoke from the fires was vented out by a massive open window in the ceiling above them, keeping the air clean though heavily scented with incense.

  Beyond the altars were all the other participants in the ceremony, watching me with the intensity of hunters watching their prey.

  Priestess Lilana smiled, giving me a slight nod. I stepped forward, letting her and a priest of Thalyra pour red wine into my chalices. My hands were sweaty, and my heart pounded in my ears.

  Don’t drop them. Don’t drop them.

  The priest and Priestess Lilana stepped back.

  Here we go.

  I raised the chalices above my head and stepped down into the pool. The cool water lapped against my legs as I slowly walked across the pool, head and chalices held high.

  Don’t trip, please don’t trip.

  The soft candle light that lit the room, as well as the light of the altar fire, danced across the water’s surface. The expanse of water seemed to go on forever, never ending. But then I was at the other end, stepping onto the stone floor of the ceremonial chambers once more, and approaching the altars.

  I kneeled in front of the two altars and began a mish-mash of the sacred prayer. “Oh Thalyra, Oh, Eryndor, goddess of shifters and god of fey, lead me to Lunareth. Grant me your hope and wisdom, heed my prayers, and protect me from the darkness. When it is time, plead for your child to your father and guide me to the Luminous Veil. I vow to serve you, Thalyra, and you, Eryndor for all the days of my life. Let my time on this world bring light to the darkness, and may you use me for good and not forsake me, your daughter.”

  I looked up at the sky through the skylight as I stood. The full moon was just visible through the open window, shining onto my face. I poured the wine from the chalices onto the altars. The flames grew, dancing as they consumed the alcohol.

  I bowed before the altars and walked around them, taking my place at the back of the line. A priestess collected my chalices, and the priest and Priestess Lilana made offerings of salt and wine to their patron gods, closing the ceremony.

  With the ceremony over we all filed out of the temple. The sky was dark but strings of light illuminated the path enough to see.

  “Thank you, Priestess Lilana, for the ceremony,” Aunt Bree said as we joined the couple. “It was lovely.”

  “It is important for fey children to know and understand their heritage,” Priestess Lilana said, grinning. “And it’s so rare for a halfling to be born, it was surely my only opportunity.”

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  We made our way through the gardens as Aunt Bree, Lord Finne, and Priestess Lilana chatted amongst themselves.

  “We’ve decided on a local pack,” Aunt Bree was saying. “I enjoy being so close to the lunar temple.”

  “The temple will gladly take Runa on as a student of the faith, after her high-school graduation,” Priestess Lilana said.

  I rolled my eyes, unseen by the adults as I was walking behind them. I wasn’t popular among the local youths as I was divided between too many worlds. Too human for some, not human enough for others. Not good enough for the prodigies, but still outperforming the regular students enough to be disliked. New and different and a halfling. An anomaly. I wasn’t sure I wanted to stay in a place like this.

  Will you have a choice?

  I paused at a statue of Thalyra, then made the sign of the moon and bowed my head.

  I had never planned for life after I graduated high school. I had never planned for a life apart from Aunt Bree. But I couldn’t stay a child forever. I had always gone along a path set for me by others. I didn’t know what happened when that went away.

  “Give me wisdom, oh mother of shifters” I prayed. “For I am lost and I don’t know what to do or where to go next.”

  I straightened and turned to return to Aunt Bree.

  A flash of white caught the corner of my eye.

  I turned, looking past the statue of Thalyra. I could barely make out a figure in the forest garden, kneeling beside a small reflecting pool nestled into the trees. Something about the posture of the person seemed almost sad, or resigned. Like the person had given up hope.

  A sign from the goddess?

  I turned and looked down the path. Aunt Bree and the others were already out of sight.

  My heart tugged at me. It was none of my business. I knew I shouldn’t interfere. But something told me I was needed.

  I stepped into the forest, picking my way through the trees. Though I made a fair amount of sound, the person didn’t move. All I could see was the dark cloak they hid under.

  I sat beside the figure. A man, now that I could see him better, and younger, based on his hands. His head was bowed and covered by a cloak, so I couldn’t see his face.

  “What a lovely night,” I said, keeping my voice soft and, hopefully, soothing. “I love the full moon. It is certainly a cause for celebration every month.”

  The man gave a small nod, not lifting his head. The silence stretched on.

  I need to finish this up and get back to Aunt Bree before she panics. But…

  The air around this man felt dark and heavy somehow. Like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

  “Is there anything I can do to help?” I asked.

  A slight shake of the head was the only answer I got.

  “What a shame,” I said, leaning back and looking up at the sky. “I’m fairly decent at fixing things.”

  I counted in my head as we sat in silence.

  28… 29… 30. Well, if he won’t talk I should probably head back—

  “Have… have you ever felt trapped?” the man asked.

  His voice was melodic and soft, comforting yet somehow desperate.

  “Just before I saw you I was feeling very trapped, actually.” I said, straightening.

  I didn’t mean to say that. He was just so… sad. Lonely too, perhaps. Just looking at him made me want to give him a hug.

  I hesitated, then reached out and rested my hand on his upper arm, rubbing it.

  The man flinched at my touch, hissing in pain and clutching his arm.

  “Oh!” I said, startled by the reaction.

  “I apologize,” the man said, looking up at me for the first time. “I…”

  We both froze as our eyes met. His eyes… the color of dried blood.

  It was the man from the attack a month ago.

  I was comforting my potential killer.