The Land Of Shadows (10 page)

“Calm yourself, Luna. Tonight is not the time for one of your outbursts. We can just rip both sleeves off and get back to the celebration.”

Well, that was a mistake, telling her to tear her gown. She growls at me and then her tiny hands grab hold of my shirt. She yanks hard at my shirt, making the buttons pop off. .

“Now we can both look like idiots in front of everyone!” She hisses in my face. I have to swallow back the laughter building up in me. She’s cute when she’s upset.

“Well done, Luna. You ought to give yourself a round of applause.” I fail and smile, knowing it will only make her angrier.

Luna gasps and my smile fades. Her eyes are glued to my bare chest, a look of devastation clouding her face. Her eyes fill with tears, and her lips start to tremble. She looks exactly the same as she did in the desert and everything in me longs for her in this moment.

“Will you ever forgive me?” Her whisper is raw with an agony that confuses me.

“For what, Love? It is only a shirt. We can just make a quick dash home and get me a fresh one.” She shakes her head, looking heartbroken.

I can’t hold back anymore and pull her into my arms.

~*~

Luna~

Seeing the blue blemish on Storm’s chest reminds me of what I did to him. It leaves a foul taste in my mouth. I struggle to compose myself, as he holds me. I know I can’t stay in the safety of his arms for too long. Being with him is just wishful thinking.

I pull back and force a smile to my lips, hoping he won’t ask about the moment of madness I just had. “I am sorry I ripped your shirt,” I mumble, feeling embarrassed.

I rip the torn sleeve of my dress completely off, and pick at the frayed strands that are left behind. I don’t know why I reacted that way. It’s not like I care much for the stupid dress.

“Walk with me, Love. We can take care of the other sleeve at my house while I get a new shirt.”

I don’t argue and fall into place next to Storm. It’s better than being between all those people anyway. The night air is cool and the grass feels nice under my feet. I’m thankful for the silence on the way there. It gives me time to think on things, unpleasant things in my near future.

I watch Storm open the door to his house and find myself wondering how things could’ve changed so quickly. A few weeks ago I would’ve killed him gladly, but now…

“I will not be long.” I smile awkwardly, hoping my thoughts are not plastered all over my face like Elita’s and Caia’s. I wait outside. I have no desire to make a further idiot of myself tonight and being stuck in confined spaces with Storm might just have me doing something stupid.

“Heading back?” I glance longingly at the woods behind Storm’s house as he closes the door behind him. “Do not even think about it. You are going to have at least one dance like a normal girl before turning into your ill-tempered self.” He is teasing me, but after what Mara told me I can’t even argue with him, or tease him back anymore.

“I would rather not go back. It will only be a risk to be among so many people, and there is no point in me graduating anyway.” I avoid eye contact. He doesn’t need to know the real reason. The last thing I want is his pity.

“Now why would you say such a thing?” I can hear impatience lacing his words. It’s good. I’d rather have an angry Storm than an inquisitive one.

“Because, I can never have a charge. We have gone over this. What use will I be to someone if my touch will only kill us both?” I don’t bother to keep the irritation from my own voice.

“Is that what you think? Maybe if you paid more attention in class you would know that your talent cannot hurt your charge. It is the first law of nature.”

It makes sense, what Storm is saying, but I really can’t care two hoots at this point in time.

“It still does not change a thing, Storm.” I fold my arms around me, hugging myself tightly. “I do not want to go back to all those people.”

“Dance with me, Luna.” His sudden command warms my blood.“Right here.” The intimate whisper makes my arms and shoulders feel even more exposed. I look at his offered hand.

“I cannot dance.” I watch his eyes grow soft in the moonlight and I’m about to beg him to let go of this mad idea of his. “This will be my first time. I really do not know how. I am not just making it up.”

The longing for his closeness has taken me by surprise over the past few days and it makes me want to stay, but running away is the only plausible solution.

“I promise to be a good teacher tonight. Your first lesson is an easy one. Come to me and place your left hand on my shoulder.” His firm voice makes him sound every bit like my trainer and I can’t help but listen.

I take a step closer to him and place my hand on his shoulder. I look up at him, waiting for further instructions.

“Now place your right hand in mine.”

My first instinct is to yank my hand to my chest, but I slowly inch it closer to his waiting one. I need to touch him, to feel his skin against mine. The conflicting emotions war inside me and I fear he will feel the battle straight through my hand.

“Storm?” My eyes plead one last time with his, begging him to understand how hard this is for me. I want to be close to him, but every second I spend in his presence makes leaving him so much harder.

~*~

Storm~

As nervous as she is I need her to do this. I want her to touch me. I need to show her there is still something left between us and that the hope is not just on my part, or in my imagination.

“Your hand, Luna.”

A flash of frustration flashes across her face as she cautiously places her hand in mine. Her eyes turn to deep, liquid silver as I pull her closer to me. She won’t look at me. Her eyes remain glued to our joined hands.

“Breathe now, Luna.” My gentle whisper awards me a glance, and what I see in her eyes almost makes me forget to dance. Could it have been desire? Swallowing, she turns her attention back to our hands.

I keep my steps small as I start the first one to the right, keeping in mind how much smaller than me Luna is. It feels as if her body flows into mine and I hold her closer still, leaning in so I can smell the scent of her silky hair. This is how every night should be with Luna.

“When you are done staring a hole in our hands you might want to take note of the small fact that you are dancing, Love. And very well, I might add.” My voice is hoarse and I can’t help it. It’s the effect this moment is having on me. Luna turns her face to mine and my heart stutters to a sudden death as her warm breath feathers over my cheek.

“I am?” Her breath is sweet on the corner of my mouth and, Awo help me, I am going to forget to be decent tonight! She smiles as she trips and her hands tighten their hold on me. “We were.” Shyly, she admits to bringing our dance to a stop, her cheeks flushing pink.

Luna’s eyes dart up to mine and they are shimmering violets. I can’t live in this world and not believe this woman is not meant to be mine. I
won’t
believe it! The thought of not ever having her pains me and I struggle to take my next breath.

“Am I hurting you?” Luna’s face floods with panic.

“In more ways than you will ever know, Love.” I want to bite my tongue off once I’ve spoken the truth.

Luna tries to pull away. I know she thinks she’s causing me physical pain. I tighten my hold on her waist and let go off her hand. I take hold of her chin and lift her face to mine. Her lips part and her eyes widen, just like the first time I kissed her. I slip my hand into the silky strands of her hair and pull her closer.

I have to know. I can’t wait one more day.

~*~

Luna~

I grab hold of Storm’s wrist and dig my nails into his skin the second his hand slips into my hair and he draws me closer. I can see his intentions clearly in his eyes, only I don’t understand why. Why after all this time is he still trying?

My mind fizzles to a standstill as soon as Strom’s mouth presses to mine. It takes a few seconds before some brain activity returns. Warmth spreads through my face, down my neck, and into my chest where my heart flutters in delight. I want to press myself up against him when the smell of his hot deserts and summer rains clash. I love the smell of rain on a hot summer’s day – the scent of Storm when he’s emotional.

This kiss is different from our first one. He’s not gentle but instead devours my mouth. His tongue slips in and dances with mine. I can feel my whole body melting into a puddle at his feet. Storm breaks the kiss and trails hot kisses down my neck. I struggle to remain standing. The grass looks more comfortable at this very moment.

Storm suddenly stops and I’m confused for a moment, but then he bends and scoops me up into his arms. A soft gasp rushes from me. He walks into the house and kicks the door closed behind us.

I swallow to try in an attempt to wet my dry throat. Storm has never acted like this before and it makes me nervous. He sets me down on the counter and places his hands on either side of my hips, effectively pinning me.

“I adore you,” he whispers. I look at him with stunned disbelief. I’ve treated him horribly and he adores me? I don’t understand.
What does the word adore mean?
I adore my family. I adore Rue! It’s the same as saying someone is cute! Caia is adorable! So he is kissing me because he finds me adorable? Does it even mean he likes me? I need to ask Lucius about this.

“Stop over thinking everything, Luna.” He tilts his head and a smile tugs at his lips. “You will be the death of me yet woman.”

“Then why do you provoke me so?” Sadness floods my heart when I realize I don’t want to be adored, or liked by Storm. I want him to love me the way I love him. Will he ever know how much? Will he know once I’m dead that I died for Alchera,
for him
, for this undeserving village? Thinking of my pending death clears my head. I can’t be here with Storm!

~*~

Storm~

“I have to go.” She shoves me back and slips of the counter. I’m confused by this sudden change in her and for a moment watch as she runs for the door.

“Luna?” She’s out the door and disappears into the night.

I run after her, surprised by how far ahead she already is. I catch up to her as we reach the trees. I grab her wrist and pull her to a stop. For the second time this night, Luna loses her balance and staggers back against me.

“Why are you so persistent tonight? Let me go, Storm!” She tries to inject as much anger into her voice as possible, but I can hear the tremble hidden beneath it all. I can feel it against my body and I doubt it’s because she’s angry with me.

“What happened to the Luna I knew?” I grind the words out.

She tries to pull her hand free from my grip but I have no intention of making it easy for her. She shoots me a dark glance but I see past it. I see the sadness in her eyes and hope I didn’t put it there.

“You of all people should know what danger I hold to the village. I just want to be left alone!” There’s a desperate note in her voice, and if she’s trying to confuse me she is succeeding.

“Luna?” She turns her head slightly and it brings her mouth closer to mine, but I can’t think of such things now. “Stop talking in riddles and tell me what you mean.”

The deepest ache grips my heart as a silver streak runs down her cheek. I have never seen this vulnerable side to her and it stuns me.

“Please.” Luna’s voice carries a fragile sound that baffles me all the more. “Let go. I am doing what is best for you.”

~*~

The truth can set you free … but be very careful, for it can bind you as well.

Luna~

Luckily, Storm listens this time and lets me go but it doesn’t stop him from asking questions. “What do you mean you are doing what is best for me?”

“Luna! What are you doing out here?” Hearing Lucius’ voice sends a wave of relief through me. He takes one look at my face and then glares at Storm. “What is going on here?”

“Your sister is about to tell me something.” Storm doesn’t take his eyes off me and I feel like a cornered deer. I can’t tell him about Void and I can’t expect Lucius to save me again. I look frantically from one to the other, searching my mind for a good excuse for my behavior.

“Leave her alone, Storm!” Lucius grabs hold of Storm’s shirt. My tongue numbs with fear. I can’t watch them fight!

“Stop!” They’re oblivious to my plea and Storm swats Lucius away as if he’s a fly.

Panic makes my blood rush through my veins. I feel nauseous watching them circle each other like lions – all because of my secrets.

“Do not make me hurt you!” The air chills with Storm’s warning.

I hear a scream disturb the nightlife. Only when I see the men staring back at me do I realize the scream came from me. I hold my hands to my chest, my breaths rushing from me. I say the first thing that comes to mind to save my brother from this fight.

“I am not what I seem, Storm. I sent you to the pits of death once. Once should have been enough. Now leave me and Lucius alone. Just let us be!”

~*~

Storm~

All that remains after her words is a trace of moon dust as she disappears into the night. I can barely breathe.

I turn back to Lucius. “Explain!” She might get away with half an explanation, but he certainly won’t.

“What more do you need to hear? Why do you want to dig up the past?” I don’t care how angry Lucius is right now, he will talk.

“If it concerns me, I need to hear it all!” I snap at him. “I will freeze you to the very ground until you tell me.”

The threat works. With a dark scowl, Lucius starts to finally talk. “She blames herself for what happened to you all those years ago. Luna was there that day – when you died, Storm. She was with you and Raighne in the fields.”

I’m shocked by Lucius revelation. “She was there? But Raighne,” I take a much needed breath, “and I … we always made sure we were alone when we trained.”

“Well you were not! She followed you everywhere. You were her hero.” Now I finally understand why Lucius dislikes me so. I remember Luna as a child, always popping up everywhere I was. It was adorable, and then one day it stopped. I thought it was because she was growing into a teenager and had better things to do than follow me around.

“She was only ten. She should have been playing with her friends but instead she followed you out to the field again. Dad warned us to stay away from the training fields, but she never listened. We had to hide her for days after you died. She would not stop crying. She kept saying over and over how it was her fault.” Lucius’ angry stare becomes too much and I look away. “And then you came back. Somehow Alder brought you back and Luna was beside herself with joy. The fact that you and Raighne decided not to use your talents after that … it crushed her. But what made things worse, was how Raighne treated her from that day on. He constantly reminds her of that day, and the part she played in it.” Lucius stops with a murderous look in his eyes. “Both you and Raighne have caused her enough pain. Stay away from my sister.”

~*~

Luna~

I run until I reach the outer borders of the woods where the open grasslands stretch out before me. To my far right are the hills that lead to the entrance of the forest, and beyond is a place I have never been to. Maybe I’ll go soon, when the village casts me out. Now that Storm knows what hand I had in his death, they will all seek justice. That’s if they don’t just behead me. The penalty for using your talent on another Immortal is death.

With a pulsating rage that explodes in me, I send spheres of light into the tall grass. A pathway opens up at my feet and soon all that’s visible are pulses of white light and flying grass.

“I am truly the most demented being ever created. How could I have told him? I acted like a child! They will surely have my head by sunrise.” My heart sinks at the thought of my own death looming over my shoulder. “I will explain. It was a mistake, is all. I was so young and did not mean to distract Raighne. I only wanted to see what they were doing. I really did not mean for Storm to get hurt.” I have to explain and try to save myself for Alchera’s sake. I have to save myself from one death so I can suffer another. A bitter laugh bubbles over my lips at the morbid thought.

“Do you intend on destroying all of nature?” The angelic voice washes over me.

“What have I done?” I stop what I’m doing and hang my head in shame. My gown is no longer the beautiful silk from earlier in the evening. All that’s left is a tattered spider web of lace and silk that clings to my body. What a sight I must be in the presence of an angel!

“I am so sorry. I did not mean to fail you, Mara.” I know I’m in trouble if Mara decides to visit me twice in a matter of days. My heart grows heavy and I fear the news she brings with her now. “I did not mean to tell him. I only wanted to protect my destiny. I am so sorry, Mara.” I drop to my knees and it all becomes too much. Tears slip down my cheeks and I see no point in wiping them away.

“What you have done tonight went against everything I have ever taught you – the second time in one month, no less. What do you suppose I do? Make it all disappear?” I can hear Mara move closer to me.“You look terrible.” I dare a glance up at her and I’m surprised to see her scowling face soften. “Tomorrow Void will come but do not fear him, I will be by your side.”

The sound of hurried footsteps crushing the dead grass behind me cuts our meeting short and I don’t get to ask Mara
when
tomorrow. It could be anytime.

“Luna, finally we have found you.” Raighne’s voice, sounding relieved, adds to my list of surprises for the evening. He is never happy to see me.

I stumble to my feet and snag a piece of the already destroyed dress under my foot. I simply don’t care anymore and rip it free. The tearing sound makes Raighne and Alchera stop a few feet away. My appearance must not leave much to be desired and the looks on both their faces confirms this.

“What happened to you?” Alchera is the first to move.

“Oh, please just do not touch me. For heaven’s sake and all that is dear, I cannot endure another round of being sucked dry. Not tonight.” I immediately regret my harsh words, but honestly, I would like to be alone tonight.

“You’ll feel better after a good night’s rest. Come with us so you can sleep–” Alchera’s hope is still high, I can see it on her face.

I dare a glance at Raighne and I’m surprised to see compassion on his face?

“Storm knows,” I blurt the words out. He might as well know. After all, it’s his father who will hand the punishment down if Void doesn’t come in time.

“He knows what, Hon?” I forgot that Alchera didn’t know about Storm’s death.

I take a step back and look up at my almost full moon. Bathing in the light gives me the courage to finally say out loud to Raighne what I believe has been the cause of the rift between us. Maybe he can find it in his heart to forgive me.

“Storm knows it was me who almost killed him all those years back and not you, Raighne.” Silent tears streak down my cheeks and I feel a great relief at finally saying it out loud. “If I had stayed away from your training site … if only I had not been so nosy. I saw him creating those amazing orbs of blue light and I so badly wanted to join in. You could imagine my surprise when my hands started to glow with their own white light.” The anguish of that memory floods through me and into my voice. “If I could take it back I would. Throwing that orb at you was the most unforgivable thing I have ever done. When I saw you ward off Storm’s orbs I got so excited.” My voice breaks but I force myself to finish. “The image of Storm … dead.” I clear my throat before my voice breaks with the penned up emotion. “It will be engraved into the very core of me for all of eternity. Those weeks Alder worked on bringing him back was the worst in my life, and if it were not for the Black Moon he would not be here. I just do not understand why you never told him it was me, but instead chose to never use your talents again. Both of you.”

Alchera’s shocked eyes jump from Raighne to me. This must be the first time she hears the reason why he does not like to use his talent.

Raighne sighs and shakes his head. “What I chose to do back then was for me to decide. You were only ten. You could not be judged before the council.” I want to quiver away from Raighne’s intense eyes, but I force myself to stand still.

“I can now.” My whisper is a pathetic attempt at what? Suicide?

“Stop this!” Raighne’s thundering tone paralyzes both Alchera and I. “Enough with the self-pity. We cannot change what happened in the past. The shadows are returning to Alchera and only you can free her of it.” I should have thought better to think Raighne would actually take the time to care about me. He only cares about Alchera.

“I will kill her before I do her any good!” I take a good look at Alchera for the first time. I can see the healthy glow is fading from her. Raighne is right, the shadows are returning and I don’t know if I can free her from their clutches permanently.

“We can do it together. I can send my strength into her while you give her your light.”

I know what he says makes sense but the last thing I want to be is weak when Void comes for her.

“I have never thought of it that way,” I have to buy myself some time so I decide to play along, “but we will have to do it tomorrow night then.” By then I should be dead, but they don’t need to know that. “It will be the Hunter’s Moon, a strong full moon for us to work with.” My need to be alone starts to grow again. “I should really go now.”

“You will meet with us tomorrow night?” Raighne insists for a confirmation.

“I will come to your house when the moon is high. Alchera should go rest now.” I give them a faint smile and then make my way toward the forest.

~*~

Storm~

I grow more impatient as the morning’s activities pass by with no trace of Luna. I was hoping to find Luna on the training field, but as the sun’s rays begin to stretch far and wide, I know she will be a no-show. It’s time to call it a day. There is no way I am going to concentrate on anything else.

I glance at Lucius and Raighne, and to be honest, they haven’t been doing much either. I walk over to them, deciding to hear if they know where Luna is before I head home.

“Have you seen Luna?” My manners are a thing of the past. I only care about finding Luna.

“She never came home.” Lucius barely looks at me.

“I last saw her heading toward the forest last night.” Raighne’s unexpected answer captures our attention.

“You spoke with Luna? When?” I can see my questions are placing Raighne on the spot. I still want to have a talk with him about what Lucius told me.

“Late last night while Alchera and I took a stroll we met up with her in the grasslands. Speaking of Alchera, I have to get back to her.” I’m sure he does! I watch him walk away. I can feel he is hiding something from me. Why has everyone become so secretive?

“I will go look for her and you can wait at home. She has to be between the two,” I instruct Lucius.

I hardly notice that I’m making use of my talents again as I start my search for her. The wind stirs around my feet, giving me the speed I need to get me faster to the forest. Once there, I take in the size of the entrance.

“Awo, where do I start to look for a being so tiny in a forest so enormous?”

My best option will be to send out an electric pulse into the air, and wait to feel if it slams into a similar current. I gather a light current and throw it out. It isn’t much, but still it slams hard into Luna’s energy not far to my left. Now I at least know in which direction I need to go.

The trees grow large and the air is humid as I walk deeper into the forest. There’s not a lot of light due to the condensed tree growth. I catch a glimpse of Luna as she stands near an old tree and for a second it looks as if she’s fast asleep between the entangled roots.

As her whole body comes into view, an icy chill spreads through my veins. I’m horror struck. “By Awo!” My voice cracks as I near her from behind. “Luna, we need to get you to Alder.” For the first time in my life I am at a loss for words.

Luna turns her head to me as if she is in a trance. “Yes, Alder and Aster … Eamar, too.” She smiles sadly. “It is time to face them.” Inch by inch I come into full view of Luna and the ground beneath my feet freezes over with the wealth of emotions that shake me.

“What happened to you?” I reach for Luna’s ribs where root and blood replace a gaping hole in what’s left of her gown. There are dozens of injuries all over her body. She looks like she might topple over at any second.

“Nothing happened. I had a normal practice session. It just went on longer than usual. I need to be prepared today.” Luna’s voice is void of any emotion and it grates at my ears.

My voice drops dangerously low, “You did this to yourself?”

“It happens when I take too much from the moon and my orbs boomerang on me.” She says it as if it happens regularly.

I flip a piece of material away only to see more root and blood blemishing her skin. “I must get you to the infirmary. You need healing, Luna.”

Her orbs must’ve knocked her senses from her too, because she smiles brilliantly, stunning me for a split-second with her beauty. “I am not injured, Storm. This is only dirt and blood.” Her face grows soft as she meets my eyes. “I can take from you what I gave you all those years ago.”