The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over Hera Academy. Faerie walked through the halls, maintaining her usual air of confidence and detachment. But as she reached her locker, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She glanced at the screen to see Luna's name flashing.
"Faerie…" Luna's voice trembled on the other end, almost breaking into sobs. "I... I need you. I can't take it anymore. I need you to come over, please."
Faerie's expression softened slightly, sensing the urgency and pain in her friend's voice. Without hesitation, she made her way to the headmistress's office, requesting a leave, citing a family emergency. Moments later, she slipped out of the academy, her thoughts racing with concern for Luna.
What Faerie didn't realize was that Carter's men, who had been shadowing her for weeks, were quick to pick up her trail. They followed her at a distance, blending into the crowd as she made her way through the city to Luna's apartment, unseen and unnoticed.
Upon arriving at Luna's apartment, Faerie knocked lightly on the door, and it swung open almost immediately. Luna stood there, her eyes red-rimmed and puffy from crying, looking more fragile than Faerie had ever seen her. She didn't say a word before pulling Faerie into a tight hug.
Faerie patted her back gently, leading her inside. "Luna, what's going on? What's got you so worked up?"
They settled on the worn-out couch in Luna's cramped living room, the air thick with unspoken worries. Luna wiped her eyes, trying to steady her breath before she spoke, her voice shaky and broken. "Faerie, I can't stand this anymore. I keep thinking about my real parents... Why they abandoned me... Why I was never good enough. I... I just need to know who they are. I feel like I'm losing my mind."
Faerie's expression hardened, hiding her own pang of sympathy. She reached out and squeezed Luna's hand. "We'll figure it out, Luna. I promise. But you can't let this break you. You're stronger than that."
As the two friends talked, unaware of the eyes on them, Carter's men parked nearby relayed every detail of Faerie's visit back to their leader. Among them was Lucas, watching the scene through binoculars with a keen interest. He listened intently as they described Luna's desperation and her confessions to Faerie.
Lucas's lips curled into a calculating smile as he turned to the others. "Looks like Faerie has a weak spot. Her friend Luna could be our way in."
One of Carter's men nodded. "We could use this. If we play our cards right, we can get close to Luna and learn everything she knows about Faerie. And she'll never see it coming."
Lucas's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "Let's make a plan. Keep following them, but don't let them realize we're watching. If we can manipulate Luna, we might just find out everything Faerie's been hiding."
Back in Luna's apartment, the two girls continued their conversation, oblivious to the dangers lurking outside. Faerie had no idea that Luna's struggle to find her past had just made her a target, and Luna had no inkling that her desperation might soon be exploited.
Faerie sat with Luna, offering a quiet strength while her mind spun with thoughts of her own. She wasn't used to seeing Luna so vulnerable, so broken by the weight of her past. Her thoughts momentarily flickered back to Hera Academy, to the whispers that always followed her there. But those were nothing compared to the genuine pain she saw in Luna's eyes now.
Luna's hands trembled as she poured herself a glass of water, her grip barely steady. "You don't understand, Faerie. I know you've been through a lot too, but... it's like there's this emptiness inside me. I need to know why they left me, why I'm... unwanted."
Faerie reached out, taking the glass from Luna's hands and setting it down. "You're not unwanted, Luna. I want you in my life. Whatever happens, we'll find the answers together. But you need to hold on until we get there. I'm here for you."
Luna gave a weak smile, appreciating the comfort, even if the darkness still lingered in her mind. They continued talking, their voices low and sincere, sharing fragments of their troubled pasts in a way they rarely allowed themselves to. The trust between them deepened in that moment, but so too did the danger that encircled them.
Outside, Lucas watched the apartment door from the shadows of a nearby alley, his hands shoved into his coat pockets. He glanced back at one of Carter's men, who gave a confirming nod—no sign that Faerie or Luna suspected anything. It was time to set their plan into motion.
"We'll need to be careful," Lucas muttered to the others. "Luna's desperate, and desperate people are easy to manipulate, but if we push too hard, she might catch on. Start by offering her a lifeline—make her think we can help her find her parents."
"And what if she gets suspicious?" one of the men asked.
Lucas's expression turned icy. "She won't, not if we play the role well enough. Besides, if she finds out we're lying, we'll just cut our losses and use what we've learned against Faerie. Either way, she's a means to an end."
The men exchanged knowing glances, nodding in agreement. Lucas's plan was as dangerous as it was cunning, relying on exploiting Luna's vulnerability. They began discussing the details—who would approach her, how they'd gain her trust, and what false information they'd feed her. It would take time, but they were patient, knowing that every step brought them closer to uncovering Faerie's secrets.