Luna. Chapter 157

Lyra's POV

I was making lunch when it hit me. The pain was sudden and sharp, like lightning striking my spine.

"Mom?" Asher looked up from his homework. "Are you okay?"

I gripped the counter, trying to breathe through it. "I'm fine, baby. Just a little dizzy."

But it wasn't dizziness. It was the curse.

The silver marks started appearing on my arms, spreading like wildfire. I'd hoped this was over. I'd hoped I was free.

"Mom, you're scaring me."

"Go to your room," I managed to say.

"I'm not leaving you."

"Asher, please. Just for a few minutes."

"No."

The marks were spreading faster now, covering my hands and moving up my arms. The pain was excruciating.

But something was different this time. Instead of feeling helpless, I felt angry.

I was tired of this curse controlling my life. Tired of it threatening my family.

"Get out of my body," I said through gritted teeth.

The marks pulsed, but they didn't spread any further.

"I said get out."

I focused all my energy, all my will, on pushing the curse back. I thought about Kael and my children. I thought about our future together.

The silver began to fade.

"Mom, what's happening?"

"I'm fighting back."

And I was. For the first time since this all started, I was actually fighting the curse instead of just enduring it.

The marks retreated inch by inch, leaving clean skin behind.

"Mom, you're glowing."

I looked down at my hands. He was right. There was a soft white light emanating from my skin.

The last of the silver marks disappeared, and the light faded.

"How did you do that?" Asher asked, his eyes wide.

"I don't know." I flexed my fingers, amazed. "I just... decided I wasn't going to let it win."

"Does this mean the curse is gone?"

"I don't know. But I'm stronger than it now. I can feel it."

Asher hugged me tight. "I'm proud of you, Mom."

"Thanks, baby."

But even as I held him, I knew this wasn't over. The curse might be retreating, but whatever was behind it was still out there.

Still coming for us.