Chapter 170

Hannah

Morning neared slowly; none of us had slept a wink. Wren, Sebastian, and I curled up on the couch while Raya started a fire in the fireplace. Liam sat on the love chair, and he looked pale and sick. Listening to the cackling of the fireplace soothed me, but my thoughts kept trailing back to my mother.

Could she be the heart?

I understood that Xander had channeled the moonstone powers into my mother; but why would he choose her if she wasn’t the heart? That wasn’t making any sense.

As the sun began rising and shining through the closed window curtains, the TV was randomly turned on. Jack was displayed on the screen; he stood in front of a podium, and he looked to be in the center of King City. The sight of him turned my stomach. He had a smug smile on his face like he had already won. But he had no idea we were coming back for him with a stronger force than before.

He wore a suit and had his blonde hair brushed back and gelled to perfection. The press was standing before him, and they were all asking him questions at the same time. He didn’t seem to be listening to any of them though or answering them. He waved to those around him before fixating his gaze on the cameras. It was like he was looking directly through the TV and at us.

“Good morning to all. I hope all is well with my citizens this morning. I am pleased to announce that the hospital is starting its renovations this week and we will be opening the new lab this coming year. I’ve also wanted to announce that the invitations to the Bluemoon ball have been sent out and those invited shall receive their invitations soon if they haven’t already. Only the best of my kingdom will be attending this ball. I hope to see you all there.”

As he said those last words, it was like he was looking into my eyes. I stared at him in disbelief. He was playing us like we were his puppets. But the reasoning behind the Bluemoon ball and our invitation was unclear. I looked up at Sebastian to see if he was worried or to get a feel for what he was thinking. But per usual, he appeared unphased

It seems the remotes and the TV were enchanted, just like they were in the underworld. It seems like our land wasn’t much different from the underworld; except the air was breathable here.

“I can’t watch anymore of this,” I said, standing to my feet.

“Where are you going?” Sebastian asked, watching me as I walked toward the door.

“I just need some air,” I answered. “I’ll be back.”

“Hannah, we aren’t supposed to leave our homes for another hour. 6am-6pm,” Raya called after me.

I paused at the door. That was the curfew? That was ridiculous hours. It made me even more furious. I clenched my fists, trying to keep my wolf under control. But she was growing impatient. She needed to stretch her legs.

“I won’t be long,” I told them as I slammed the door behind me.

The cold air felt good on my skin; I finally felt like I could breathe. I rubbed my bare-arms, realizing I was only wearing my nightgown and it was mid-fall. I was half expecting palace guards to attack me as soon as I stepped outside. But it was vacant. I looked around, wondering if there were cameras. ‘

This was a scare tactic; they wouldn’t do anything to their citizens just for shifting. I stripped off my clothes and allowed Nora to take over. She felt free as we ran across the empty streets and toward the forest. There was only one place I wanted to go to at that moment. I needed the guidance of the diseased; a dear friend who lost her life helping us. Gemma should have never died, and I will forever be sorry.

The cemetery wasn’t far; it was in the king’s pack, but it was still located in the forest. The witches had their own section. It seems Arnold was able to pull a few strings and got a statue of Gemma created. I sat at her tombstone, kneeling in the dirt before me. I rubbed my hand against her engraved name; my heart was heavy.

“I’m so sorry, Gemma…” I whispered. “This should have never happened.”

I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath. Feeling the light breeze across my skin and the grass under my naked toes helped to keep me centered. I wasn’t sure what I was trying to do, but I knew I needed to get some sort of answer.

I sat for a long while as the sun continued to rise. The warmth of the sun was soaking into my flesh. It felt like a warm blanket draping around my shoulders, or maybe even like a warm hug. I felt fingers caressing the side of my face, brushing the hair away from my features. For a moment, I thought it was just the wind. But their fingers lingered for a short while before pulling away. I felt I wasn’t alone.

I opened my eyes and gasped as I saw Gemma standing before me. She had a faint purple and golden aura that outlined her. Her hair was much longer than I remembered it and it was draped over her shoulders. She wore a short white dress that rested around her thighs and fit her loosely.

“Gemma?” I whispered, staring up at her in disbelief. She gave me a faint smile and bowed her head briefly.

“I’ve been waiting and wondering if you were going to pay me a visit.”

“How are you here?” I asked, jumping to my feet.

“I’ve been wanting to give you a piece of information. I can’t stay long though,” Gemma said, she had a worried look in her eyes. A knot formed in the pit of my stomach.

“That’s why I came here. I was hoping I could get some kind of guidance…” I breathed, meeting her eyes. “Anything that can help us defeat Xander?”

“The elders are whom you must speak with,” Gemma said, eyeing me carefully. “They have the information you seek, and they can tell you exactly what you need to do to defeat the vampire king. It’s not going to be an easy journey though. You must stick by your husband and child. The three of you are the keys to defeating him; just as the moon goddess had intended.”

I knew we were the keys to opening the portal, but the keys to defeating him as well? Why would the moon goddess choose us?

“I don’t understand,” I said. “Why can’t you just tell me what we need to do? Why must we go to the elders?”

“Because they have the sight, and they can tell you exactly what happens. I am not sure of what happens in the future, but I can tell you exactly what is happening now,” she told me, keeping her tone even.

“Tell me then, what’s going on now?” I asked.

“What would you like to know specifically? Ask, and I will tell you.”

“Wrenley. She has a sight. I don’t know where it’s coming from. What is happening to my daughter?” I found myself asking first.

“She is far more powerful than you realize. The moon goddess had entrusted her to hold her powers. She doesn’t just have sight; she isn’t just a key to opening both sides of the portal. She holds the powers of the moon goddess herself. Your child is the protege the moon goddess had chosen.”