Luna's POV
I knocked the training dummy's head clean off with one kick. Splinters scattered in all directions while Mom and Dad stared in astonishment.
"Apologies," I whispered, even though I didn't truly feel regret. It felt nice to be powerful.
"That's... impressive," Dad said, exchanging that worried look with Mom again. I was tired of that look.
"I'm one year old today," I reminded them. "Can we stop training and have cake now?"
Mom laughed, but it sounded nervous. "You don't look one year old, sweetheart."
She was right. I looked in the cave pool every morning, watching my reflection change faster than it should. Today, I resembled a six-year-old girl, rather than a baby celebrating her first birthday.
"It's the Ancient One," I uttered, voicing the name that everyone murmured when they believed I was oblivious. While we headed to the main cave, I abruptly halted. A shiver traveled down my back, a sensation I recognized all too familiar. "It makes me grow fast."
