Chapter 291: Chapter 291

Lanie | tried again to mind link with Xander, and again, nothing. The fries arrived, and | thanked the waitress, who gave me a sympathetic look. | must've looked like | was desperately waiting for someone.

But how long was | going to keep waiting?

Five more her if she was that long.

as | told myself grimly. Then | was out of here, and DarkLuna better hope | never found have to wait even simply having me jump through hoops for her enjoyment. Turns out, | didn’t A figure in a dark hoodie, face obscured by the hood, slipped into the booth across from me. As the waitress approached, the figure simply held up a hand with two fingers raised and made a small, silent gesture. The waitress withdrew without speaking to us.

“That’s a neat trick,” | said.

The person sitting across from me tugged the hoodie off to expose a fall of long, dark hair tied at the nape of her neck. It showed off her slender neck and sharp jawline, as well as the crimson slash of her lipstick. That wasn’t what forced a small gasp of surprise out of me, though.

“You're |”

She looked at me, amusement clear in her expression, but didn’t say anything. She looked...young. My age, maybe even younger, so eighteen or nineteen, tops. But how could this be DarkLuna, if she was my age? The posts I'd found on the dark web were at least a few years old. My body tensed as | got ready to flee if this stranger pulled something shady.

“This has to be some kind of trick,” | said aloud but under my breath. How could this pers ny kind of super-knowledgeable contact? She didn’t even look old enough to be allowed inside a hum faked license, same as me.

The young woman leaned over to grab a handful of my fries. She tucked one into her mouth slowly as she studied me. Her eyes flashed a low, bright violet. So, not human, at least.

“Look, | Know wolves age differently than humans, but...

outa “| look too young? You were expecting someone older. Wizened, perhaps?” She grinned and popped another fry into her mouth.

She chewed and swallowed, then pulled my beer across the table toward her lifted that to her lips next. “Mmm. That’s good. I'd have ordered something lighter, a lager, maybe. Not a sto “| wasn’t going to drink it. | just got it because you know what, never mind” | shook my head. “You are... her. Right?”

“Oh, I’m her, all right. At your service.” Her grin widened.

| scowled at her. “I don’t appreciate you making light of this”

dark.” DarkLuna shrugged and sat back against the seat. “That’s what Lunas do, isn’t it? Make light. That’s what you’re going to have to do.”

I sat back, too. “That isn’t what | was talking about, and you know it. And aren’t you worried about being overheard? Talking about Lunas that way. We're in a human bar.”

My voice dipped way down low, but | kept my eyes fixed on hers. Another small flare of violet flashed in them. She leaned across the table toward me.

“| wouldn’t have met you here if | was worried about anyone listening in. I’ve got this place covered. Don’t you worry, little Luna.”

“Don't call me that. Or honey. | didn’t come here for games.” | couldn’t stop the small growl from filtering through my voice, but f uck, if she wasn’t worried about being overheard, | guess that meant | wouldn't be, either.

She sighed and waved a hand. “Settle down. I’ve been around a lot longer than you have. | know you won't believe it, but I’ll be two-hundred and fifty on my next birthday.”

“That’s impossible.”

“Clearly, it's not,” she shot back. “And if | were you, sweet cheeks, I'd start being a little more respectful to your elders. Because one day, this could be you sitting across a table, trying to help out someone who's young and dumb and thinks the world owes them a favor.”

Stung, | crossed my arms over my chest. “The only reason | think you owe me anything at all is because I’ve done everything you requested. I’m here: | promised to trade you information for yours.”

| paused to study her.

“What do you mean, one day, this could be me?”

| already had a sneaking suspicion, but | was here for answers, and | was going to get some.

“| mean that you and me are the same.”

“Hybrids,” | whispered.

DarkLuna nodded sharply. “Yes. But you knew that already.”

“And you think, | mean, you believe, that I'll age...?”

“The sarne as me? Slower than everyone you love? Getting older year by year but never really changing. while they all leave you behind?” Her voice hitched and caught in her throat, and her gaze burned into mine. “Yes. That's exactly what | mean.”