A dark purple glow enveloped the object, and from it, tiny glowing butterflies began to emerge. They were almost translucent, fluttering in the air, waiting for her command.

  "Go... observe... return to me with what you've seen," she whispered.

  The butterflies flapped their wings and vanished through the window. Luna smiled, knowing that she now had her little spies—unnoticed and elusive.

  Luna sat on the terrace of her hotel suite, leaning against the railing, a coffee in one hand and a cigarette in the other. Her gaze was directed at the busy streets below, but her thoughts wandered somewhere far away.

  The phone on the table vibrated, and she lazily reached for it. On the screen was a message from an old friend abroad—the only person who had been there for her before her life had taken this strange turn.

  "Luna, I miss you. Do you have time to meet?"

  A smile tugged at her lips. It was the person who had once helped her, the only one she could call a friend before different paths had pulled them apart. Luna immediately called Ren, a colleague with whom she had had an affair.

  "Hey, did I wake you?" she asked, even though she knew he wasn't an early riser.

  "Luna..." he mumbled sleepily. "You're lucky I like you, otherwise, I'd ignore you right now."

  She laughed. "I have a suggestion. My friend from abroad wants to meet up. What do you think about inviting her to Japan for a while?"

  "If it's important to you, I'm fine with it," he said without much thought. "Besides, it's nice to see you happy."

  "Then I'll book her flight," she said with satisfaction.

  As she typed a response to her friend, Luna wondered how she would feel about having someone from her past in her life again. Japan had become her home now, but a friendship like theirs couldn't fade so easily.

  Ren sat on the edge of the bed, flipping through listings for luxury homes to rent. "If she's coming with kids, we’ll need something spacious, with a pool and a yard," he said, thoughtfully shifting the cigarette from one corner of his mouth to the other.

  Luna, busy packing, glanced briefly at him. "Agreed. You take care of that, I'll handle everything else."

  "So, all the work falls on me again?" he joked, but was already typing a message to the owner of a villa near Tokyo.

  Luna laughed as she carefully folded her clothes into the suitcase. "You know you love impressing me."

  Ren raised an eyebrow. "I admit, I like seeing you happy."

  While they both continued with their preparations, Luna felt a sense of excitement about reuniting with Ann. It had been a long time since they last saw each other, and even though her life now was far from what it used to be, she couldn't wait to spend some time with her friend—away from the responsibilities and secrets she kept hidden.

  Luna stood at the gate of the villa, leaning against a pillar, a cigarette between her fingers, while Ren stood beside her with a satisfied smile. The wind gently tousled her blue hair as she watched the car pull up in front of the gate.

  As soon as the car doors opened, two little girls burst out, and with excited shouts, they ran straight toward Luna. Her face immediately softened. She flicked the cigarette aside and knelt down to embrace them. "Little mice! Look how much you've grown!"

  Ann stepped out of the car, still in shock from the luxurious estate in front of her. She looked around, then turned to Luna, raising an eyebrow. "Luna… Did you leave something out?"

  Luna simply smiled and shrugged. "It's a long story, but let's get you settled in first."

  Ren approached Ann and offered her his hand with a gentle smile. "I'm Ren. I've heard a lot about you."

  Ann glanced at him, then turned back to Luna with a smile full of curiosity. "I'm sure you have plenty to tell me."

  Luna se nasme?ila dok su svi zajedno kora?ali prema ulazu u vilu, dok su devoj?ice i dalje ?vrsto dr?ale njenu ruku. Ose?ala je mir, kao da su pro?lost i sada?njost na?le savr?en balans, makar na trenutak.

  The sun was high in the sky, and the pool’s surface rippled gently from the game Ren had started with the girls. Their laughter echoed through the yard as they ran around him, splashing him with water. Luna and Ann were seated on lounge chairs beneath an umbrella, drinks in hand, enjoying the light breeze.

  "You know," Ann began, swirling her glass in her hand, "I heard Hari had a total failure with his business. I think he's barely making ends meet."

  Luna raised an eyebrow and waved her hand, taking a sip of her drink. "I don't care about him. I closed that door a long time ago."

  Ann laughed and nodded immediately. "I know, but I had to tell you. Honestly, karma knows what it's doing."

  Luna smiled and leaned back, watching Ren pretend to lose the game with the girls, causing even more laughter. "Let him deal with his problems. I have my own life."

  Ann looked at her with pride. "And you definitely have one. And what a life it is."

  Luna smiled, raising her glass in a toast. Ann followed suit, and the two clinked their glasses together, continuing to enjoy the perfect day.

  The water in the pool shimmered gently under the moonlight as Luna and Ren floated, enjoying the quiet of the night. A light breeze carried the scent of chlorinated water mixed with the faint perfume Luna wore.

  Ann watched the scene through the window of her room, a smile on her face. She was happy that Luna had found someone with whom she could relax, even if it wasn't love in the traditional sense.

  Luna turned toward Ren, resting her hands on the edge of the pool. "Thank you for everything. For your help, for being here today..."

  Ren looked at her, his eyes saying more than he wanted to admit. He moved a little closer, resting his elbows on the edge next to her. "So, how do you plan to thank me?"

  Luna laughed, rolling her eyes. "You'd turn everything into a game for your own amusement, wouldn't you?"

  Ren chuckled and shook his head. "I had fun with the kids too, don't worry. But if you really insist..."

  Luna pushed off from the edge and gently swam backward, watching him. "We'll see..."

  Ren followed her with his gaze, then leaned back, watching the starry sky. The night was long, and the two of them planned to make the most of it.

  The sun was shining as Luna, Ren, Ann, and the girls walked through the zoo, enjoying the warm day. The kids excitedly ran from cage to cage, marveling at the exotic animals, while the adults leisurely kept pace with them.

  At one point, Ann sighed and stopped next to Luna as they watched the flamingos. "I don't know what to do, Luna... The situation at home is a mess. My husband... I just, I don't know where to turn with the kids. I don't want to drag them into this, but I feel like I have no way out."

  Luna looked at her with a gentle smile, placing her hand on Ann's shoulder. "Don't worry. I'll take care of it. You don't have to worry about those things anymore."

  Ann lifted her gaze, a bit confused, but there was also a sense of relief in her eyes. "How do you plan to take care of it? Luna, I didn't tell you this to burden you..."

  Luna simply laughed and shook her head. "I know, but trust me, everything will be under control."

  Ren, who had been listening to their conversation while holding one of the girls' hands, chimed in with a smile: "When Luna promises something, she delivers. So, Ann, I think you can relax."

  Ann sighed, somewhat confused by Luna's confidence, but decided to trust her. Maybe it was really time to stop worrying and let someone else help her.

  As they walked away from the flamingo enclosure, Luna paused for a moment, deep in thought. She, too, could have ended up trapped in a life from which she wouldn't know how to escape. But her fate had been different. And thanks to that, she now had the power to help those she cared about.

  Ren was sitting in the villa's garden with his phone to his ear, speaking seriously with someone while Luna stood next to him, watching him with a gentle smile. She waited for him to finish, swaying the glass of her drink in her hand.

  "Alright, yeah... I understand. Okay, I'll get back to you later." Ren sighed as he hung up the phone, then turned toward Luna and crossed his arms.

  "You know, I'm not a magician," he said, looking at her from the corner of his eye.

  Luna simply laughed and shrugged. "But you know how to fix things, that's why I asked you."

  Ren shook his head, but a smile still appeared on his face. "Luckily, I have a few contacts who can help Ann. It'll take some time, but we'll get it done."

  Luna stepped closer to him and leaned in. "So, I owe you now? Alright, alright... Add it to the list." She winked at him with a playful smile.

  Ann, who had been watching their interaction while sipping her tea, quietly laughed and shook her head. "You two are really cute."

  Luna and Ren exchanged a glance, then said in unison, "We're not!"

  Ann laughed even harder, and Ren waved his hand dismissively. "Anyway, let's wrap this up. We’ve got work to do."

  Luna smiled and nodded, knowing that, with Ren’s help, Ann could finally get the peace she deserved.

  Ann stood in front of the car with the kids, looking at Ren with gratitude in her eyes. He handed her a white envelope, discreetly pushing it into her hands.

  "This should help you get everything sorted," he said simply, not making a big deal out of it.

  Ann opened her mouth to say something, but instead, she just pressed the envelope against her chest and nodded. Her eyes slightly watered.

  "Thank you, Ren... I really don't know what to say."

  "Don't say anything," he replied, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Just take care of yourself and the girls."

  Ann nodded, and her little girls ran toward Luna, grabbing her hands. "Aunt Luna, will we come again?"

  Luna smiled and knelt down to hug them. "Of course, the door is always open for you."

  Ren, watching the scene, gave a small nod. "Don't say anything," he responded, hands in his pockets. "Just take care of yourself and the girls."

  Luna then turned back to Ann and gave her a strong hug. "If you ever need anything, you know I'm here."

  Ann nodded, and her little girls ran toward Luna, grabbing her hands. "Aunt Luna, will we come again?"

  Luna smiled and knelt down to hug them. "Of course, the door is always open."

  Ann called them to the car, and the girls reluctantly let go of Luna and climbed inside.

  As the car drove off, Luna and Ren stood on the driveway, watching as it disappeared down the road.

  "We did a good job," Luna said, running her hand through her hair.

  Ren shrugged. "I'd say I did a good job."

  Luna flashed him a smile and elbowed him in the ribs. "Don't be boring."

  Ren just laughed and looked up at the sky. The day was coming to an end, and ahead of them lay new stories waiting.

  When Luna and Ren returned to the hotel, the other band members were waiting at the door, visibly unhappy.

  "Where have you been, man?" one of them, the guitarist, crossed his arms. "You disappeared without a trace!"

  "And with her, no less!" the drummer added, pointing at Luna, though there was no real anger in his voice—just curiosity.

  Luna raised her hands in a calming gesture. "Guys, it's not what you think..."

  "Oh, really?" the bassist leaned against the wall. "So, you weren’t out having fun while we were working?"

  Ren shook his head, waving his hand dismissively. "You wouldn’t believe it, but we were helping a friend. Serious stuff."

  "And now what? We're just supposed to forgive you for not telling us?" the guitarist raised an eyebrow.

  Luna leaned on the drummer’s shoulder, pretending to be exhausted. "Come on, don’t be so dramatic. There really wasn’t time to send a message. Next time, I promise we’ll take you with us!"

  The band members exchanged glances, and slowly, smiles began to spread across their faces.

  "Alright, but next time, the whole band is coming," the drummer laughed.

  Ren was already unlocking the door to his room, and just before disappearing inside, he called out, "Just so you know, it’s not easy for me with her either!"

  The whole crew burst into laughter. Luna chuckled and rolled her eyes theatrically.

  "Come on, let's go for a drink—first round's on me!" she said, leading them toward the hotel bar. The night was just beginning.

  (The next day—performance.)

  The stage lights were focused on her as the audience swayed in a trance, following the rhythm of the music. Luna’s voice echoed through the concert hall, blending seamlessly with the sound of guitars and drums. On stage, she looked powerful, captivating—almost magical. She was in her element.

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  But then, in the middle of the song, something unsettled her. A cold gaze stabbed into her like a knife. She didn’t know why, but a faint knot formed in her stomach. Her eyes instinctively scanned the crowd as she kept singing in sync with the music.

  And then she saw her.

  In the crowd of people, among all those unfamiliar faces, one stood out. A woman with long hair and piercing eyes stood still—too still for someone who had come to enjoy the music. It took Luna only a few seconds to remember—she was one of Damien’s wives.

  The sound of applause and the audience’s screams brought her back to reality. The performance was over, and with a smile and a bow, she followed the final notes of the song. The band retreated backstage, but Luna couldn’t shake that gaze from her mind.

  Ren approached her as soon as they stepped off the stage, throwing a towel over his shoulder and watching her with curiosity.

  "What’s bothering you so much? You sang perfectly, but your face told a different story," he said as he opened a bottle of water and handed it to her.

  Luna waved a hand dismissively, trying to smile. "Oh, it's nothing… just tiredness."

  But Ren knew her well enough to tell when she was lying.

  "Luna…" he started, but at that moment, she stepped back and tripped over a cable stretched across the floor.

  In a split second, before she could fall, Ren caught her and pulled her toward him. His arms instinctively wrapped around her waist.

  "You're really not okay," he said quietly, looking straight into her eyes.

  Luna laughed and pulled away from his embrace, nervously running her fingers through her hair.

  "You're being dramatic. I just wasn't watching where I was going," she replied, taking the bottle of water from his hands.

  Ren shook his head but didn’t press the issue.

  "Whatever you say. But if something’s going on, you know you can talk to me."

  Luna nodded, but deep down, she knew—this was something she had to figure out on her own.

  HOTEL SCENE – MESSAGE ON THE BED

  Luna closed the door to her suite and immediately tossed her jacket onto the chair. The night air of Tokyo still clung to her hair, and the adrenaline from the performance was slowly fading, leaving her in a state of mild exhaustion. She intended to take a shower and finally relax, but the moment she stepped toward the bed—she froze.

  On the snow-white sheets lay a black envelope.

  Luna stared at it, her heart skipping a beat. No one was supposed to be here. Her room was protected by magic, and yet… someone had managed to leave a message.

  She slowly approached and picked up the envelope. On the top, there was only one short inscription:

  "From the Rabbit."

  Her eyes narrowed as memories from the ceremony flooded her mind. One of Damien's wives—the one who wore the rabbit mask.

  Her fingers subtly tensed around the envelope as she opened it. Inside was a small piece of paper with a simple message:

  "Meet me at Luna Park. I need your help."

  Luna lowered the paper, holding it between her fingers.

  "What does she want now...?" she whispered to herself, feeling a vague unease in her stomach.

  Her intuition told her it wouldn’t be a peaceful night.

  The night was clear, and the lights of Tokyo flickered below her as she moved across the rooftops. The wind lashed at her face, and her long blue hair billowed in the moonlight, reflecting silvery hues in the night. She leapt from building to building, paying no mind to the height—her body was light, agile, perfectly attuned for such adventures.

  For a moment, she felt a slight flutter on her shoulder. Her purple butterfly, one of the ones she had sent to monitor the city, had returned to her. Her eyes briefly glowed, and images seen through her spy’s eyes flashed in her mind. The wife with the rabbit mask was already there—standing alone in front of the Luna Park, glancing around as though waiting for someone... or perhaps fearing someone.

  Luna descended from the roof of the last building and quietly landed in an alley near the entrance to the Luna Park. She walked calmly, but cautiously, observing the woman who had called for her.

  When she got close enough, the woman noticed her and quickly pulled the hood over her head. She looked left, then right, and turned toward Luna.

  "I'm glad you came," she whispered, as if afraid someone might be listening.

  Luna crossed her arms and leaned on one leg, watching her sharply.

  "This better be important," she said, her tone cold but curious.

  The woman swallowed nervously, not breaking eye contact.

  "I need your help."

  The night was quiet, and the Luna Park almost empty, except for a few passersby and the sparkling reflections of the lights casting shadows on the asphalt. Luna stood, leaning against one of the fences, her eyes wandering the surroundings, vigilantly watching every movement. She sensed the presence before she saw the figure emerging from the shadows.

  The woman with the rabbit mask approached her with a light step, holding a red candied apple in her hand. Without a word, she raised it toward Luna.

  "Here." Her voice was calm, almost soothing.

  Luna looked at her in confusion but didn’t reach for the apple. "What is this?"

  "Just an apple. It's not poisoned, if that's what you're thinking." The masked woman smiled beneath her mask, tilting her head to the side. "Relax."

  Luna took the apple but didn’t taste it right away. "Why did you want to see me?"

  The woman with the rabbit mask crossed her arms. "Damien sent me on a mission, but I need help. You're the only one who can assist me."

  Luna watched her carefully. "Why me?"

  "Because I found you. And because I know you’re not afraid of challenges."

  Luna gripped the apple in her hand, feeling its sticky surface cling to her fingers. "How did you find me?"

  The woman with the rabbit mask smiled. "I've been in Damien's service for a long time. I know how to find what I need."

  Luna paused for a moment, then leaned against the railing, staring at the sparkling lights of the park. "Alright... what kind of mission are we talking about?"

  SCENE – TASK FROM THE SHADOWS

  Luna crossed her arms, listening intently to the words of the woman with the rabbit mask. The night around them was calm, but her emotions were far from it.

  "In the ruins of the Amazons, there is a jar," the woman with the rabbit mask began, her voice quiet but serious. "Inside, there's a vast amount of magic preserved. Damian wants it."

  Luna furrowed her brow. "Then why don't you just bring it back yourself?"

  "If it were easy, I wouldn’t be asking for help." The woman with the rabbit mask leaned on the railing. "The ruins are filled with traps—magical and physical. I can't get through all the obstacles alone. I need someone who knows how to deal with unexpected problems."

  Luna remained silent for a moment, considering her words. "And where is Damian in all of this?"

  "He's too busy. The chaos in the demon world is worse than usual. He has to maintain balance, or there will be a war between the clans."

  Luna wasn’t surprised. She knew Damian was never still, but if this mission was so important, why hadn’t he sent someone stronger?

  As if reading her thoughts, the woman with the rabbit mask leaned in closer. "You're the only one I trust to get the job done right. Besides..." She tilted her head. "Aren't you at least a little curious?"

  Luna smiled. "More than you think."

  The woman in the rabbit mask straightened up and absentmindedly ran her hand over the ground. At that moment, the earth before them cracked open, revealing a portal – it looked like a true rabbit hole, deep, dark, and swirling.

  "This will take us straight to the ruins," she said.

  Luna stepped closer to the edge, listening to the mysterious energy emanating from the opening. Her heart didn't race. She felt no trace of fear.

  She had survived too much.

  She had seen too much.

  This? This would be as easy as a feather.

  Without a word, without hesitation – she jumped.

  SCENE – TRAPS OF THE RUINS

  Luna stood firmly on the ground as they arrived at their destination. The damp, thick air of the Amazon immediately filled her lungs, and the scent of decaying vegetation and ancient stone stirred her instincts. In the distance, the sounds of the wild echoed – birds, insects, something that sounded like the whisper of leaves.

  As she stood on that ancient, forgotten ground, one thought suddenly crossed her mind.

  "Damian..."

  How long had it been since she last saw him? His voice, his presence... She missed him more than she was willing to admit.

  "Let's go, butterfly, to new victories!" the woman with the rabbit mask cheerfully called out, interrupting her thoughts. Luna snapped back to focus quickly.

  They began walking through narrow tunnels dug deep beneath the ancient temples. The walls were covered in moss, and the light from Luna's magical butterflies cast shadows that danced across the damp stone.

  The first trap activated as soon as they crossed the threshold of one of the passageways—suddenly, arrows shot out from cracks in the walls.

  "Watch out!" Luna reacted swiftly, instinctively waving her hand to create a magical shield. The arrows bounced off with the sound of metal striking an invisible barrier.

  "You're quick," the woman with the rabbit mask observed, before they continued moving forward.

  A few steps later, the ground beneath their feet suddenly shifted, revealing a pit filled with poisonous serpents wriggling and hissing. Luna quickly jumped back, while her companion skillfully leapt over the opening, using her reflexes to avoid the deadly trap.

  "This is getting interesting," Luna said, a smile full of adrenaline on her face.

  "Oh, we're just getting started," the woman with the rabbit mask replied, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

  They continued onward, each ready for the next trap waiting for them in the heart of the ancient ruins.

  SCENE – THE RIDDLE ON THE STONE WALL

  Luna and the woman with the rabbit mask stood in front of a massive stone wall that seemed to mark the end of their path. The tunnel was dark and stifling, but the faint breeze coming from the other side of the wall was enough to show that they were not at a dead end.

  "This is not the end," Luna said, studying the surface of the wall.

  With a sweep of her hand, she wiped away the layer of dust from the stone slab, but that only made things worse—the fine dust scattered into the air and soon filled their throats.

  "Ah, damn!" the woman with the rabbit mask coughed, trying to wave her hand and clear the dust cloud.

  Luna also coughed, but soon her attention was drawn to something slowly revealing itself beneath the dust—a carved slab with an inscription.

  "Those who wish to pass must find the truth in what is not seen."

  Luna ran her fingers over the engraved letters, pondering their meaning.

  "It sounds like some kind of riddle," said the woman with the rabbit mask, leaning closer.

  Luna paused, then looked around her. The tunnel was dark, but the light from her butterflies reflected off the walls.

  "What cannot be seen..." she repeated softly. Then it clicked.

  She closed her eyes and took a breath, focusing her inner power. Her mind opened to something beyond ordinary sight – energies that surrounded the wall.

  At that moment, glowing symbols began to appear on the surface of the stone, invisible to the naked eye.

  "I can see it," she said calmly.

  The woman with the rabbit mask looked at her curiously. "What do you see?"

  Luna gently ran her fingers over the symbols, and they glowed with a warm blue light.

  "These are ancient magic symbols. I need to touch them in a specific order for us to pass through."

  Slowly, she placed her palm on the first symbol, then on the second, carefully following the flow of energy. When she touched the final symbol, the wall trembled, and then, with a deep rumble, shifted to the side, revealing a passage.

  The woman with the rabbit mask smiled. "It won't be boring with you, little butterfly."

  Luna simply smiled and stepped forward, ready for the next challenge that awaited them.

  SCENE – THE DISCOVERY OF THE POT

  Luna and the woman with the rabbit mask stepped into the ancient chamber shrouded in darkness. The air was thick and heavy with dust, and the cobwebs hanging from the walls gave the room the impression that no one had set foot inside for centuries.

  In the center, on an ancient stone pedestal, stood a jar – covered in a layer of dust and moss, but clearly radiating power that could be felt in the air.

  "That's it," whispered the woman with the rabbit mask, raising her hand and using her power to light a torch on the wall. The faint light illuminated the room, revealing even more dust floating in the air.

  Luna stepped forward, eyeing the jar with a slight sense of distrust.

  "Are you sure I just need to take it?" she asked, feeling uneasy about the situation.

  The woman with the rabbit mask smiled, already starting to open a portal to return. "Of course, Damien wouldn't ask for something without a reason. Just take it, little butterfly, and we'll leave."

  Luna clenched her jaw and extended her hands toward the jar. As soon as her fingers touched its cold surface, the entire room trembled.

  Dust rose from the floor, the walls shook gently, and from the shadows, distant, creaky sounds echoed, as if something was waking up.

  "You said it would be easy," Luna lifted the jar and turned toward the portal, but the woman with the rabbit mask was now staring behind her, startled.

  "Well... maybe I exaggerated a bit," she said, clenching her fists as the shadows began to take shape into vague forms.

  Luna sighed. "Of course you did."

  With the jar firmly in her hands, Luna braced herself for the next challenge.

  SCENE – DAMIEN'S REDEMPTION

  The moment Luna's fingers wrapped around the jar, she felt an intense, agonizing pain. The magic within the jar was far stronger than she'd anticipated, like raw energy burning her skin. Burns quickly spread across her arms, leaving dark, bloody streaks.

  "Dammit!" Luna let out a quiet cry of pain, but she didn't release the jar.

  At that moment, the ground beneath them trembled, and the walls began to crack. Large chunks of stone broke off from the ceiling, falling into the darkness below them.

  "Luna! We need to get out!" shouted the woman with the rabbit mask, desperately trying to stabilize the portal.

  But it was too late – the ceiling above them was collapsing.

  Luna instinctively raised her hands to create a barrier, but sharp pain shot through her body – her wounds were bleeding, and her energy was weakening. She couldn’t focus.

  Just when she thought it was the end, one thought flickered before her eyes – Damien.

  The ring on her finger suddenly blazed with a strong, purple glow.

  The light flooded the room, shattering the darkness and the dust that was spreading.

  And then – from that light, as if from the shadows, Damian appeared.

  His dark eyes glowed in the purple light of the ring as he raised his hand. With a single motion, a massive force threw the rubble aside, clearing a path through the collapsed tunnel.

  Luna could barely turn around before she felt Damian pull her through the portal. The next thing she knew – they were standing before the ruins of the tunnel, bathed in moonlight.

  Breathing heavily and trembling from the pain, Luna lifted her gaze to him.

  "Just in time," she whispered, trying to smile despite her exhaustion.

  Damian looked at her, a shadow of a smile appearing on his face. "You know I wouldn't let you die so stupidly."

  The woman with the rabbit mask simply sighed and remarked, "Well, at least we got the jar."

  Luna then lowered her gaze to her hands – the wounds were still bleeding, but now she knew she was safe.

  SCENE – RETURN TO THE DEMON KINGDOM

  Damian gave them both a long, tired look, as if unsure whether to scold them or simply leave them to their own devices.

  "Do you two take anything seriously?" he asked angrily, his gaze shifting from one to the other.

  Luna tried to smile, even though her wounds throbbed with pain. "Oh, it’s nothing, we were just playing explorers," she said sarcastically, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

  The woman with the rabbit mask nodded, as if confirming Luna's words. "Yeah, we had a blast! Real adventurous spirit!" she added with a laugh.

  Damian groaned and rubbed his temples, as if trying not to get more frustrated than he already was. "You two are hopeless," he muttered under his breath.

  But his gaze lingered on Luna's hands again – they were in bad shape, nearly burned from the powerful magic of the jar. The anger in his eyes was replaced with something deeper, something he rarely showed – concern.

  Without another word, Damian raised his hand and opened a dark portal in front of them. "Let's go. Before I decide to leave you two here to figure things out on your own."

  Luna leaned against him, feeling her strength slowly drain. The woman with the rabbit mask merely shrugged and followed after them.

  They passed through the portal and found themselves in Damian's castle – dark, but magnificent, with red torches lighting the expansive halls of black stone.

  Damian led Luna directly to one of the healing chambers. "Sit," he ordered shortly, as he summoned the demon healers to tend to her wounds.

  Luna smiled, even in her condition. "Well, it's nice to be back here."

  Damian looked at her, crossing his arms. "You really are insufferable," he said, but there was a flicker of relief in his eyes.

  SCENE – DAMIAN'S CHAMBERS

  Luna felt light in his arms, although her muscles were tired and her wounds still stung from the healing treatment. As Damian carried her through the corridors of his castle, his movements were light, almost casual, but she knew there was a power in them that few could understand. His long, black hair floated around him, following every movement, while his eyes, the color of dark blue sapphires, gleamed in the dim light of the hallway.

  Luna watched him with quiet admiration. No matter how intimidating he was to others, to her, he was beautiful—magical in a way she couldn’t explain, yet a demon in every sense.

  His eyes caught hers, and she quickly lowered her head to his chest, breathing in his scent – deep, darkly sweet, like something that could intoxicate the soul.

  “You know, you’ll have to train a lot harder and learn more if you plan to keep going with your little adventures,” he said softly, but firmly.

  Luna didn’t respond. Instead, she simply sank deeper into his embrace, feeling a sense of safety she rarely found elsewhere.

  When they reached his chambers, Damian carefully lowered her onto the bed. His hand slipped through her long blue hair, gently caressing it. She could feel the warmth of his touch, but she knew she would have to be patient – her body was still not ready for anything other than rest.

  Damian sighed, understanding. "You've already caused enough chaos for one day," he muttered, continuing to run his fingers through her hair.

  Luna weakly smiled. "And when haven’t I?"

  He simply smiled to himself, knowing that with her, it would never be boring.

  SCENE – DAMIAN’S CHAMBERS, NIGHT OF SILENCE

  Luna felt the pain slowly fading under the warmth of the soft pillows, but her mind couldn’t calm down. Damian's presence was too strong, too tangible. His hand, which had been wandering through her hair, slowly slid lower, over her neck. His touch was gentle, yet possessive at the same time.

  When his lips brushed against her neck, a slight shiver ran through her body. She felt the warmth of his breath, his magic pulsing in the air around them. She was exhausted, but the excitement from his proximity was something she couldn't ignore.

  Damian lay next to her, watching as she drifted into sleep. Her eyelashes fluttered, and her breathing became slower, more even. His dark eyes traced every line of her face, as if trying to imprint her features into his memory.

  With his magic, Damian gently lit a fire in the hearth. The flames cast golden reflections on the walls, illuminating her features with soft, flickering light. He watched her for a long time as she slept, his thoughts far away.

  Why did he feel such a connection with her?

  He had many wives, many relationships built on contracts, on mutual benefits. But with Luna... it was different. Her spirit was untamed, free, yet... she belonged to him in a way he couldn't explain.

  Watching her breathe peacefully, unaware of his inner turmoil, Damian asked himself a question he had never allowed himself to consider before — could Luna be the one with whom he could have offspring?

  He thought about it for a moment, but quickly dismissed the idea. The world they lived in was too unstable. He knew something was coming. He could feel it in the magic, in the changes that were approaching. Something would soon alter the entire world — and neither he nor Luna would be able to ignore it.

  It wasn’t the time for such thoughts yet.

  But one day... maybe.