Night Falls, Bonds Fray

Rosie and her mates—Ben, Remi, Gavin, Asher, and the demon Pan—are beset by chaos as supernatural threats converge on their small Alaskan town. The hellmouth has opened, unleashing demons and plague, and the bonds between the group are strained by secrets, jealousy, and the ever-present threat of death. Rosie, newly turned vampire Queen, struggles to keep her found family together as each mate faces their own demons—literal and figurative. The night is endless, the moon gone, and the world feels on the brink of collapse. As the group's trust in each other is tested, they must decide whether to stand together or be torn apart by the darkness within and without.

Demon Deals and Divides

Pan, the demon mate, is both a threat and a reluctant ally. His presence divides the group, especially as his past bargains with Rosie and his mother, Pestilence, come to light. Rosie's mates are forced to accept Pan as one of their own, even as he manipulates and taunts them. The lines between love, lust, and power blur as Rosie's connection to Pan deepens, despite her mistrust. Meanwhile, Asher's body is a battleground, shared with Pan, and the group's unity is threatened by secrets and shifting allegiances. The cost of every deal becomes clear: nothing is given without something being taken, and every bond is tested by the demon's games.

Plague and Possession

A mysterious plague sweeps through the supernatural community, striking down even those thought immune. Remi falls gravely ill, his life hanging by a thread, and the group is forced to confront the reality that not even their powers can protect them. Asher's possession by Pan complicates matters, and the group's attempts to save Remi reveal hidden connections and old wounds. Rosie's role as Queen becomes more vital—and more dangerous—as she is forced to use her powers in ways she never imagined. The plague is not just a physical threat but a manifestation of the group's fractured trust and the consequences of past bargains.

The Queen's Awakening

Rosie's transformation into a vampire Queen is both a blessing and a curse. Her powers grow, but so does the burden of leadership. She learns that her blood is the key to both salvation and destruction, coveted by enemies and allies alike. The group's survival depends on her ability to harness her gifts and unite her mates, even as they struggle with their own fears and desires. Rosie's awakening is marked by moments of vulnerability and strength, as she learns to wield her power not just for herself, but for those she loves. The Queen's role is not just to rule, but to sacrifice.

Blood, Betrayal, and Bargains

The group's history is littered with betrayal and broken promises. Gavin's past with the vampire Council, Ben and Remi's family trauma, and Asher's demonic heritage all come to the fore as Pestilence's machinations are revealed. Rosie is forced to make impossible choices, bargaining with Pan and others to protect her mates. Every deal has a price, and the cost is often more than she can bear. The group's unity is threatened by jealousy, guilt, and the ever-present lure of power. In the crucible of crisis, they must decide what they are willing to sacrifice—and who they are willing to forgive.

The Council's Judgment

The vampire Council arrives, bringing with them old grudges and new threats. Rosie and Gavin are accused of murder and betrayal, and the group is forced to defend themselves not just from external enemies, but from those who should be allies. The Council's true motives are revealed: they fear Rosie's power as Queen and will stop at nothing to control or destroy her. The group's survival depends on their ability to outwit and outfight their enemies, even as the lines between friend and foe blur. The Council's judgment is swift and brutal, but Rosie's defiance marks a turning point in the battle for their future.

The Sword and the Circle

Asher's true heritage is revealed: he is part angel, part demon, and the bearer of a sword capable of destroying even the most powerful foes. Gabriel, the archangel, intervenes, offering cryptic guidance and a weapon that may be the key to defeating Pestilence. The group's alliances are tested as they prepare for the final confrontation, drawing on every ounce of strength and trust they have left. The circle of salt, once a prison, becomes a symbol of unity as the group stands together against the coming storm. The sword is not just a weapon, but a symbol of hope—and the price of wielding it is steep.

The Feast of Mates

In the calm before the storm, Rosie and her mates come together in a ritual feast, sharing blood, bodies, and power. The orgiastic union is both a celebration and a necessity, as Rosie draws strength from her mates and they from her. The feast is a moment of unity, healing old wounds and forging new bonds. It is also a reminder of what is at stake: the love and connection that makes them strong, and the vulnerability that comes with it. The feast is both a literal and metaphorical joining, preparing them for the battle to come.

Apocalypse Unleashed

Pestilence, revealed as the true enemy, unleashes the Apocalypse with her sisters—War, Famine, and Death. The world is plunged into darkness, the moon lost, and the dead rise to serve the horsewomen's will. The group is beset on all sides by supernatural threats: zombie animals, demonic minions, and the horsewomen themselves. Each mate faces their own battle, drawing on the strength of their bonds and the power of their love for Rosie. The fight is brutal and costly, and not everyone will survive unscathed. The Apocalypse is not just a battle for survival, but a test of everything they have built together.

The Horsewoman's Game

Pestilence's manipulations come to fruition as she reveals her true goal: to use Rosie's blood and the group's bonds to end the world. Every deal, every betrayal, has led to this moment. The group is forced to confront the reality that they have been pawns in a much larger game, and that the only way to win is to break the rules. Sacrifices are made, secrets are revealed, and the true nature of love and power is tested. The horsewomen's game is one of deception and destruction, but Rosie and her mates refuse to play by anyone's rules but their own.

Sacrifice and Salvation

In the final battle, the group is pushed to the brink. Ben, Remi, and Gavin fall, their lives hanging by a thread. Pan makes the ultimate sacrifice, giving up his demonic power—and his life—to save Rosie and the world. Asher, wielding the angelic sword, delivers the final blow to Pestilence, but not without cost. Rosie, drained and dying, is brought back by Asher's grace, and the group is reunited in the aftermath of victory. The price of salvation is steep, and the scars of sacrifice will linger. But in the end, love proves stronger than death, and redemption is found in the most unlikely of places.

After the End

With Pestilence defeated and the world restored, Rosie and her mates rebuild their lives in Aurora Springs. The town is healed, old wounds begin to close, and the group finds new purpose in community and each other. Pan, now human, finds his place among them, and the bonds of love and loyalty are stronger than ever. Rosie's power as Queen fades, but the legacy of her sacrifice endures. The group faces new challenges—parenthood, leadership, and the ever-present threat of future Apocalypses—but they do so together, united by the trials they have survived. The end is not an ending, but a promise: whatever comes, they will face it as one.

Characters

Rosie (Roslyn Blackthorne-Donoghue-Mercer)

Rosie is the emotional and supernatural center of the story—a newly turned vampire Queen whose power is both coveted and feared. Her journey is one of self-discovery, sacrifice, and leadership. Rosie's relationships with her five mates are complex, blending love, lust, and deep psychological need. She is haunted by guilt and the fear of losing those she loves, but her greatest strength is her refusal to give up on her found family. Rosie's arc is about embracing her power, accepting her flaws, and learning that true strength comes from vulnerability and connection. Her choices drive the narrative, and her willingness to sacrifice for others is both her greatest gift and her deepest wound.

Ben Mercer

Ben is the rock of the group, a shifter whose loyalty and love for Rosie and his twin, Remi, are unwavering. He struggles with feelings of inadequacy and the weight of leadership, especially as mayor of Aurora Springs. Ben's wolf is both his strength and his vulnerability, driving him to protect at all costs but also making him fear loss and failure. His relationship with Rosie is marked by tenderness and devotion, and his bond with Remi is both a source of strength and pain. Ben's arc is about learning to trust himself, accept help, and embrace the messy, beautiful chaos of love and family.

Remi Mercer

Remi is Ben's twin and the group's irreverent, flirtatious spirit. Beneath his humor and bravado lies deep pain—fear of abandonment, guilt, and a desperate need for connection. Remi's illness and near-death experience force him to confront his own mortality and the depth of his feelings for Rosie and his mates. His journey is one of healing, both physical and emotional, as he learns to accept love and let go of old wounds. Remi's role as both lover and brother adds layers of complexity to the group dynamic, and his willingness to sacrifice for others is a testament to his hidden strength.

Gavin Donoghue

Gavin is Rosie's husband and the group's most complex and conflicted member. A vampire with a dark history and a penchant for control, Gavin struggles with guilt, loss, and the fear of vulnerability. His relationship with Rosie is marked by dominance and devotion, but also by a deep need for redemption. Gavin's arc is about learning to let go of the past, trust in love, and accept the family he never thought he deserved. His rivalry with Pan and his role as protector create tension and drive much of the group's internal conflict.

Asher Henry

Asher is the group's outsider, a man marked by trauma, abandonment, and a secret heritage. His body is a battleground, shared with Pan, and his journey is one of self-acceptance and transformation. Asher's discovery of his angelic and demonic lineage forces him to confront his own darkness and the possibility of redemption. His love for Rosie and Remi is a source of both strength and fear, and his willingness to sacrifice for others is the key to the group's salvation. Asher's arc is about finding belonging, embracing his power, and choosing love over fear.

Pan (Pandemic)

Pan is both antagonist and hero, a demon whose bargains and manipulations drive much of the plot. His relationship with Rosie is fraught with deception, desire, and unexpected tenderness. Pan's journey is one of transformation—from selfish trickster to self-sacrificing lover. His ultimate sacrifice, giving up his demonic power to save Rosie and the world, is the culmination of his arc. Pan's struggle with identity, belonging, and love adds depth to the group's dynamic, and his redemption is both hard-won and deeply moving.

Pestilence (Delta Dubois)

Pestilence is the story's primary antagonist, a being of immense power and malice. Her goal is to end the world using Rosie's blood and the group's bonds. She is both a literal and metaphorical plague, infecting not just bodies but relationships and trust. Pestilence's manipulations are far-reaching, and her connection to Pan and Asher adds layers of psychological complexity. She is a mirror for Rosie, embodying the dangers of unchecked power and the consequences of selfishness.

The Vampire Council

The Council represents the old order, threatened by Rosie's power as Queen and willing to do anything to maintain control. Their judgment and betrayal force the group to unite against a common enemy, and their actions highlight the dangers of fear and rigidity. The Council's presence is a constant reminder of the stakes of the group's rebellion and the cost of challenging the status quo.

Gabriel

Gabriel is both mentor and mystery, offering guidance, weapons, and cryptic advice. His interventions are pivotal, providing the group with the tools they need to face Pestilence. Gabriel's role as Asher's uncle and the bearer of the angelic sword adds layers of myth and destiny to the narrative structure. He embodies the possibility of redemption and the power of choice.

The Horsewomen (War, Famine, Death)

The other horsewomen are both individuals and archetypes, each representing a different aspect of the end times. Their presence raises the stakes and forces the group to confront not just external threats, but the darkness within themselves. The horsewomen's game is one of manipulation, power, and the testing of love and loyalty.

Plot Devices

Polyamorous Bonding and Mate Magic

The story's central device is the polyamorous bond between Rosie and her five mates, each representing a different supernatural archetype. Their connection is both emotional and magical, with love, sex, and blood serving as sources of power and healing. The mate bond is tested by jealousy, betrayal, and external threats, but ultimately proves to be the group's greatest strength. The ritual feast, in which Rosie draws power from her mates, is both a literal and metaphorical joining, symbolizing the unity needed to face the Apocalypse.

Bargains and Sacrifice

Bargains—both literal and figurative—drive the plot, with every deal carrying a hidden cost. Pan's bargains with Rosie and Pestilence, Asher's deal for his soul, and Rosie's sacrifices for her mates all serve to highlight the theme that nothing is gained without something being lost. Sacrifice is the ultimate test of love, and the willingness to give up power, pride, or even life is what ultimately saves the group.

Apocalypse and the Horsewomen

The Apocalypse is both a literal event and a metaphor for personal and collective crisis. The horsewomen—Pestilence, War, Famine, and Death—are both external enemies and embodiments of the group's internal struggles. Their game is one of manipulation, testing the limits of love, loyalty, and power. The cyclical nature of the threat, with hints of future Apocalypses, adds a sense of ongoing danger and the need for vigilance.

Found Family and Redemption

The group's journey is as much about healing from past trauma as it is about defeating external threats. Each character brings their own wounds and fears, and the process of building trust and family is central to the story. Redemption is possible for even the most flawed characters—Pan, Gavin, Asher—through love, sacrifice, and the willingness to change. The power of choice, embodied by Gabriel's interventions, is a recurring motif, reminding the characters that destiny is shaped by their actions.

Narrative Structure and Foreshadowing

The story is told through multiple points of view, allowing for deep psychological insight and the exploration of different relationships. The use of foreshadowing—through Gabriel's warnings, the horsewomen's games, and the cyclical nature of the Apocalypse—creates a sense of ongoing tension and the possibility of future stories. The narrative structure mirrors the chaos and complexity of the group's journey, with moments of intimacy and action interwoven to create a rich emotional tapestry.

Analysis

Lost to the Moon is a bold, emotionally charged reimagining of the paranormal romance genre, blending mythic stakes with deeply personal struggles. At its heart, the novel is about the power of chosen family to heal old wounds and face impossible odds. Rosie's journey from reluctant Queen to fierce protector mirrors the group's evolution from fractured individuals to a united front. The story interrogates the costs of power, the dangers of unchecked desire, and the redemptive potential of love—even for those who believe themselves unworthy. By weaving together themes of trauma, sacrifice, and the ongoing threat of apocalypse, the book offers a nuanced exploration of what it means to fight for a future worth living. The polyamorous structure is not just a source of eroticism, but a metaphor for the messy, beautiful work of building trust and community in a broken world. Ultimately, Lost to the Moon is a testament to the idea that love—messy, complicated, and hard-won—is the only force strong enough to save us from ourselves.

Last updated: September 11, 2025