Sailor Mercury's Arc

Chapter 6 of 6

Mercury closed the hall behind her and met Weldon in the corridor. He fell into step without a word. "You can't be seen near her," Mercury said. "Anyone who remembers your face remembers mine." Weldon nodded. "Then mask it. I'm still useful." He did not argue the risk. He only stated the fact. Mercury drew a thin veil of mist across him before they reached the outer path. His outline blurred. His glow dimmed. They moved past the gardens and into the cold ground beyond, where a pale well sat alone among the stones. Luna Starcrest had come at Mercury's summons, expecting a private word about the ring she guarded. Luna arrived in uniform, hand near her hip. "You said it was urgent." Mercury stepped aside. "It is. The Queen cannot protect the one you promised. I can show you." Luna's jaw set. "Show me, then. Don't waste my time." Mercury lifted the dark orb from her sleeve. Weldon moved behind Luna and pressed his palm to her shoulder. The veil held. Luna stiffened, but the orb caught her eyes first — silver lines spiraling, drawing her promise to the surface. Mercury spoke the binding low and clean. The well behind them lit from within. Luna's knees struck stone. She did not scream. She breathed once, hard, and when she lifted her face, her eyes had gone quiet and dark. "The Queen lied," she said. Not a question. Mercury knelt to meet her. "Yes." Luna's hand closed around the orb. "Then I will turn the others. I can reach what you cannot." Weldon stepped back, breathing slow. The well went still. Mercury rose with two turned senshi at her side and a third weapon she had not planned for — Luna's gift, the slow pull of one heart on another. The leash at Mercury's throat tightened again. The next door was already swinging open.