The Land Of Shadows (11 page)

“You can what?” Yes, she definitely took a knock or two to the head.

At first I don’t move when Luna steps closer and slips her hand beneath my shirt. She places her hand over my scar. Her other hand slips around my neck, and she pulls me into an embrace. I don’t realize what her intentions are until it’s too late.

~*~

Luna~

I can do this before it’s all over. This way, I won’t leave Storm with any reminders of me. He will be free.

I call to Awo to allow me this one last precious gift. I need to take the darkness he brought back with him from death. If I can take Alchera’s shadows, I can take this pain from Storm. Death will no longer have any hold over him.

“Awo, help me right what I have wronged.” I pray for Awo’s forgiveness and send my light straight into Storm’s heart.

Storm’s reaction is instant as he grabs hold of my shoulders. He won’t be able to pry me loose from him. For now, I am stronger than him. Ripples of energy pulse over his body and I hope with everything in my heart that I’m not hurting him.

“Let me in, Storm. Do not fight me.” I beg.
Please, don’t fight me! Let me do this one last thing for you.

Tiny prickles of light explode in front of my eyes, and I’m finally in. Rain showers open above our heads, melting the ice around us. Thunder roars in the distance, and then I hear them, dark and eerie, as the darkness passes from Storm to me. I let go and Storm staggers away from me, clutching at his heart.

I’ve done all I can for him. “I have repaid my debt to you, Storm. It is best you leave now.” My voice trembles as I struggle to bring my breathing back under control.

“That is it? You are going to hide behind your ill-tempered mask again? We are not going to talk about what just happened? What happened yesterday?” Storm
never
could just walk away, why should I expect any different from him now?

“There is nothing to discuss. Be gone, Storm!” I don’t mean to be so harsh with him, but my hand is burning something fierce. I know if I dare look at him it will only cause more drama, and drama is something I’ve had my fill of for a lifetime.

“I beg to differ. Last night happened. And you just took something that was mine to keep! Make me understand you, because at this moment I no longer know you, Luna.”

I turn slightly to hide my hand from his sight. I glance back at Storm, knowing my next words will hurt him. “I am not your friend, Storm. You were just my trainer, nothing more. There is nothing for you to understand.”

For a frustrated moment I forget and rub over my face. I catch sight of my right hand. It shimmers with the same pale blue blemish Storm had on his chest mere seconds ago.

“You cannot mean that.” I can hear the pain in his voice and hate where this conversation is going. I don’t want to fight with him on my last day here.

“I am done fighting, Storm.” I want to see one thing before I go. I walk closer to Storm and lift my hand to his shirt.

“What are you doing?” Storm grabs hold of my wrist before I can touch him.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, I am not going to kill you. I want to look at your chest.” The sarcasm in my tone is unmistakable and for a moment it brings a grin to Storm’s face.

“You have been trying to undress me since last night. Is there something you would like to tell me?” His grin stretches into a smile, but only for a split-second.

“You should count yourself so lucky.” I let my words hang as I yank free and flip the material aside, exposing his now normal skin. “Just as I thought, your blemish is gone, too.”

I’m done here and start toward the forest entrance. I have to get back to Alchera.

“What have you done?” Storm’s voice is filled with fear behind me.

“I only took back what was rightfully mine.” I don’t even bother looking back.

“Luna, do you not feel it? Do you not hear it?” His words slam hard into me.

I stop a distance away and keep still, allowing myself a moment to feel and listen. A dark feeling creeps over me and then I hear it.
‘Run!’
I flinch from the dark whispering deep inside me. I’m not sure if I should run, where I should run to, or if I should rather dig a hole and hide.

“You took much more from me than just my mark. One does not simply die and come back untouched.” I hear the leaves crush behind me as Storm moves closer. He has never mentioned his death before. It strips me of my sarcasm, wit and temper. Speaking of that day can reduce me to a ten-year-old in the blink of an eye.

“I spoke with Raighne last night,” I whisper. “I asked his forgiveness but he will never give it to me.”

“That is what I wanted to talk to you about! Lucius told me everything and I cannot believe you hold yourself accountable. You were a child, Luna.” His voice softens to a caring whisper.

I don’t deserve his forgiveness. “A child who caused your death! It took every Immortal’s prayer on the night of the Black Moon to bring you back.” I can taste the bitterness I’ve been trying to hold back all these years. I’m flooded with the guilt my heart can no longer carry.

“It was not their prayers that brought me back, Love.” I feel him move closer and wish I could hide in his arms, but there’s no time for self-pity. “I heard only one voice begging me to come back home and I simply followed a silver light. I could never understand why you shied away from me after it was you who brought me back.” Shocked that he knows it was me, I turn to look at him. His stark, cold eyes lock with mine, making sure he has my full attention. “You saw them too … that night when you came to get me.” I start to shake my head, denial on the very tip of my tongue. “Do you see them now?” Storm asks cautiously, as if he’s afraid he’ll frighten me away.

“No!” I don’t even want to tolerate his question. “No!” This time I say it more to convince myself. The whisper I just heard was nothing more than a figment of my imagination. I have to get to Alchera! I can’t do this with Storm. Not wasting a second longer, I run from Storm in the direction of the village.

I only slow down once the houses come into sight. The village is a cozy scene in the twilight with all the houses nestled close together. I take a moment to drink in the perfect picture in front of me. The gardens are neatly kept and boast the prettiest flowers and creepers.

It’s too perfect for my imperfection.

Even the moon vine my mom planted next to the house when I was born feels like it’s mocking me tonight. The beautiful white, trumpet-shaped flowers blossom beneath my window. The sunflowers beneath Lucius’ window shine their yellow faces all day long, just as Lucius shines as the pride of our house. At least one of us will make something of ourselves.

I decide to go home first so I can get cleaned up, before I go to Alchera. After a quick shower and change of clothes, I feel much better. I go down to the kitchen so I can raid the pantry. I hope Mom baked today.

“Pray to Awo for protection child,” Dad growls as I walk into the kitchen. I freeze when I hear how angry he is. “Today I am going to rid your backside of its skin.”

“I can explain.” I was hoping to make this a quick in-and-out, but I guess that’s not going to happen.

“And so you will! Your poor mother was so embarrassed when Raighne called your name and all that appeared was silence. Where did you disappear to last night? Why did you not come home? Again! You have been staying out too many nights, doing who knows what!” Dad really looks upset, and I know better than to hide anything from him when he’s like this.

I hold my hand, palm up, for him to see. “I was with Storm, Dad. He knows now what happened all those years ago, and I healed him today.” Dad’s anger makes way for astonishment as the news sinks in.

“May I?” My parents know to ask permission before touching me. I draw my energy in and nod.

I reach out to him. When he takes hold of my hand and a trickle of energy flows into him, I see his face flush.

“You healed him?” He looks at the blue blemish on my palm and smiles. It’s a good thing. It means I’m no longer in trouble. He knows how important this is to me.

“I did. I took his suffering away with the light of the moon. I could not leave him with it.”

“He must be so relieved now.” Dad’s eyes rest proudly on me and it makes it all worth it. I suddenly choke up. Dad is no guardian, just a simple farmer tending to the lands of the King. But to me he’s so much more, and to see that I have made him proud before I die is absolutely priceless.

“I love you, Daddy.” I pull the cute face I know he loves, and then kiss him on the cheek.

I make another dash for the pantry. “I am starving. Did Mom bake anything?”

Mom shouts from stairway, “Luna, just because you run wild with the moon does not mean you can shred every piece of clothing you have!” She walks into the kitchen with a basket filled to the rim with tattered strips of material. “Look at this mess! Does this make you proud? What will I tell the seamstress?”

I bite into my bottom lip, a giggle threatening to bubble over my lips. “Tell her I am a growing woman.” Snickering at my own quip, I open the pantry and take out the nearest tray. Muffins, oh yummy! And it’s banana, my favorite. I grab the nearest one and take a huge bite.

“Do
not
be smart with me! You have not grown an inch since you were fourteen. It looks as if you run with wolves every night. I still have not forgiven you for cutting your hair and now you destroy the only dress I get you to wear.” She scowls at me. “Oh, for goodness sake, get a plate and sit down. Eat like a lady!”

I swallow my grin along with another bite of muffin.

“Sage, be calm. You are overreacting now. Luna can take care of herself, and a few scraps of clothing can be done away with. No one has to know.”

A sudden banging on the front door silences Dad and brings him to his feet. “You did nothing you should not have, Luna?”

My mouth is stuffed full of muffin. All I can do is shake my head. I hope Storm didn’t hand me over to the Elders after all, or Raighne! I swallow the muffin down with the rest of Dad’s tea and run after him to see who’s at the door.

“Peace be, Raighne.” Just the sound of his name launches my heart into my throat.

“Luna, where is she?” Raighne’s panicked voice has me rushing forward.

“What?” I barely get the words out when Raighne grabs hold of my hand. I’m not prepared for the sudden contact and my energy flares up in my defense. I don’t get time to warn Raighne. His body is thrown back by my energy slamming into him. He doesn’t let go of my hand, and my body jerks forward. He does not let go of me immediately and another wave of my energy blasts him harder than the first, finally separating us. My whole body hums with energy.

I’m suddenly overwhelmed by whispers echoing in my mind. Grabbing at my head, the whispers become louder, until … familiar voices echo through my mind, taking me back down to my knees.
‘Alchera, Alchera, Alchera…’
The chant is constant and then one voice becomes louder, standing out from the others.
‘Luna, you have to stop Alchera. You have to stop Void!’
The desperation in Carter’s voice brings me back to my feet, ready to fight.

“Where are you?” I feel fear for Alchera’s safety flood cold through me.

‘I wish I could show you myself. I wish I could help you. But I am the reason she is on her way to this land where the dead do not even find peace.’

“How do you know this, Carter?” I close my eyes and try to focus on his voice, as the whispers of the other voices become louder.

‘Stop her, Luna. Do not let her become like me. I cannot be saved anymore.’
He doesn’t sound the same as the other day. He sounds panicked and almost defeated. I can feel him leaving.

“Carter!” I run down the steps, not sure where I should go.

‘Save Alchera! Do not let her become like me. Do not let Void suc…’
Carter’s voice disappears but two others remain, louder than before. They echo Carter’s words like a maddening mantra.
‘Save Alchera, Stop Alchera-’

I stop and tears fill my eyes as recognition dawns. “It cannot be! You
cannot
be in the Shadowedlands. You died such noble deaths.” My voice falters and I can’t bring myself to say their names.

“Luna!” I hear Storm call. He grabs hold of my arm and I squeeze my eyes tightly closed, scared to look at him. I fear what the voices might have hidden in the depths of my eyes, and I don’t have the strength to share the latest heartbreaking news with anyone.

“Who are you talking to?” Storm’s voice is low.

“Myself.” I don’t sound convincing at all as my voice trembles.

“The whispers! You can hear them? Admit it.”
Storm knows about them?
I dare a peek at him, but seeing the turbulent look swirling in his eyes makes me glance away. Still, he knows about them!

“You have been listening to them and just left them there?” I ask hoarsely, not being able to keep the accusation from creeping through my voice.

Turning away from him, I start to go back to the house, with my shoulders sagging under the weight of a brand new problem.

“Are you telling me you can communicate with them? What did they say to you?” He grabs my arm to stop me, and it makes me flare up all over again. The sun is setting and my full moon is close. I can feel its energy already. I look Storm over to see if his concern is real. I can’t believe he would just leave them there.