The Bride of the Hollow Moon

like a curse that had yet to be spoken. There was a hush across the land that came before someth

crooked signpost, its letters worn down by time: Duskmere. The

outh full of pipe smoke. His voice crackled like dry leaves. "Pl

her neck-a silver crescent moon engraved with forgotten runes. A

ranches arched overhead like the ribcage of a slumbering beast. Thin and curious mist curled

by generations of rain. The windows were dark, watching without eyes. Shadows clung to the corners, thick as ivy. A chapel spire pier

uttered. He didn't look at her as he handed down her tru

covered path. She turned to thank him, but the cart was alr

on

eath caught in her throat as she faced the looming structure at the edge of the villag

roving ancestors. Ivy crept up the stone facade, clutching at it like the fingers of

pushing it open. It

s Is

ulled into a severe bun, and her voice was sharp, not unkind

. The wind carries st

w in the hearth. The walls were lined with portraits whose eyes followed her like wh

You will not wander after dusk. You will not ask about the woods.

linked.

it," said the Ma

arrow, the window barred. As she unpacked her few belongings, the penda

t, she sl

on above was wrong-hollowed out like a skull. The air in the dream tasted of rust and vi

r sheets, her heart th

he moon. Mist licked the roots of ancient trees. Something pulsed

epped

t o

hing step

in the woods, and the

the sensation of being seen. She caught a flash of movement between the trees, a f

voice rose like a whip

e! Bac

g. But when she glanced back over her shoulder

e noticed a faint smear of ash on her palm. No ma

ng, a cold

The children gathered in the common room, whispering stories too old

led black curls-came to her and placed

came," the g

ers shook as

. And in its center, a tree taller than all the

up, but the

shadow fell a

id quietly, eyes fixed on the storm-dark

the stone halls and the walls creaked w

age, faint and distan

lvet, weeping t

ed her pendant like it could

e marrow of her bones,

that rem

nted h