Chapter 190

Hannah

We were met with darkness; as soon as the fire went out, so did all the lights. I could hear the gasps from those around us as they began waking from the trance that Xander had once had them under. I couldn’t feel the powers surging through the ballroom anymore, so, I knew killing the heart had worked. Xander was powerless.

“Mommy?” I heard the whispers of Wren from beside me. She was laying on the ground and she sounded so weak. It was too dark, so I couldn’t see her, but I could feel her.

I wrapped her in my arms and held her close to me.

“I’m here…” I whispered to her. “I’m okay; and so are you…”

“Where’s daddy?” She asked urgently.

I felt around the ground until my hands grabbed onto another set of hands that I knew were Sebastian’s. He squeezed my trembling hands, indicating that he was okay.

“Did it work?” He asked, sitting up beside me. I glanced around, listening to all the murmurs and panic setting in. Those who were brainwashed were freaking out about the lost time. The rest were scattering from the ballroom.

“I think so,” I finally answered, pulling myself to my feet.

My eyes were starting to adjust to the dimmed lighting, and I could see a little better. Caroline was kneeling on the ground beside Liz and Gemma. They were both unconscious. My heart raced rapidly against my chest as I ran in their direction with Sebastian and Wren trailing behind me.

“They used so much power,” Caroline cried.

I lifted Gemma’s head off the ground, and she lay limply in my arms. My heart shattered. This couldn’t be the end of their story. Sebastian was by Liz’s side quickly he touched her features with the tip of her fingers. I could feel his heart breaking as well. It wasn’t easy for him to see his sister as broken as she was, fighting for her life.

I could feel a faint pulse coming from Gemma, so knew she was at least still alive. But for how much longer?

Wren sat between the both of them; her entire body was glowing again. She placed the palms of her hands on their chest and took in a steady breath. The glow only grew more intense as she murmured some words in Latin. I didn’t even know she knew Latin. It must have been the moon goddess speaking through her. Not before long, both Gemma and Liz were glowing as well. Then, they both gasped for air and sat up.

I covered my mouth with my hands to keep from making any sudden sounds. They both looked around wildly and confused.

“What happened?” Liz asked, staring over at Sebastian. “Sebby?”

He wrapped his arms around his younger sister and held her close; I could feel his relief. I felt relieved too.

“You helped save our lives,” I said to them as I hugged Gemma. “You were heros today.”

“Did we win?” Gemma asked, looking over at Wren who gave her a faint smile in return.

“I believe we won,” Wren was the one who answered. “But the moon goddess wants me to reform the shield that she once placed around the underworld. It’ll keep evil forces from escaping.”

I nodded to her, allowing her to go do just that. She went toward the center of the ballroom where the fire once burned. It was then that I noticed that Xander was no longer there. I couldn’t help but worry about where he had gone off to, but I knew he was now powerless.

Scott appeared through the crowd; he looked tired and worn out. Now that I could see due to the lights returning, everybody looked worn out. Caroline jumped to her feet and ran to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. He breathlessly took her into his arms and held her for a moment, his eyes finding mine.

“How did you know it was me…?” He breathed. “The shifter was identical.”

“Caroline had told me earlier that you’re stubborn and don’t ask for help when you need it,” I told him. “So, when the shifter asked for help, I knew it wasn’t you.”

“That was really smart,” he said with a laugh. “Thanks.”

I smiled at him in return.

I noticed Wrenley, who was glowing heavily, raising her hands high above her head and I saw beams of light spreading across her fingertips. The light connected like a rainbow above her head and then went straight up across the ceiling.

Now, everybody was staring at the light that illuminated the ceiling. Everybody was in disbelieved what they were seeing.

I wondered what the palace looked like from the outside; I wondered if it was glowing like the inside was. I wondered what the entire underworld was looking like. I knew her powers went further than just the palace grounds.

“Where are our families?” Someone in the crowd finally asked.

I looked around at all the shocked and pained expressions from the onlookers as they realized something terrible had happened to them.

I didn’t have answers for them, and my heart went out to each of them.

“How did we get here?”

“How long have we been here?!”

“When can we return home?”

I opened my mouth to say something, but one look at Sebastian’s face, and I knew it was better if I didn’t. I wasn’t sure what I would have said. Instead, Sebastian pulled out the time stone that he kept safely in his coat. The time stone will reverse time for the werewolf territory, but it won’t touch the time in the underworld. So, everything we had done here, is still in effect even when we return to our land at a different time.

“Everything is being handled,” Sebastian said, addressing those who used to live under his power.

“Your majesty, how did this happen?” Someone in the crowd asked.

“The vampire king had a lot of control over us. But his powers are coming to an end. Thanks to my family, you are now free from his reign.”

“So, what happens now? Do we get to return to our bodies?”

He looked over at me and I gave him a questioning look in return. I wasn’t sure if they could return to their bodies; I don’t think he knew either.

Gemma approached me and leaned in to speak with us.

“It depends on how far back you reverse time,” Gemma explained softly. “Those who still have bodies preserved on our land will be able to return to their bodies if you reverse time to before they were poisoned and trapped here. Those who have been here longer, won’t be returning. However, their souls are no longer trapped here and will be put to rest. Only those banished to the underworld, remain here.”

“So… Sebastian’s sister…?” I asked, looking over at Sebastian with sad eyes.

“Unless you reverse time to before she was trapped here, I’m afraid she won’t be able to return to your land. But she will no longer be trapped n the underworld. Once you both leave, all souls will return to where they belong. Whether it’s to their bodies or wherever their souls go to rest.”

“She will be free in other ways,” I said; but I couldn’t help the sadness.

“I’ve made my piece a long time ago,” Sebastian said. “I’m ready to let her go…”

I looked over at Caroline who was still watching Wrenley in awe. She’s been gone for at least 5 or 6 years in our land’s time. Her body has decayed.

“Do you know how far back we are reversing time?” Sebastian asked, watching me carefully.

“Yes,” I answered confidently.

The light from Wren’s fingers had dimmed and she was looking at me with a faint smile. I held onto Sebastian’s hand as he handed me the time stone.

“Just think about the time you want to go, and it’ll take you there,” Gemma said, taking a step back.

Everybody was staring at us; Liz was trying to calm down those who were frantic.

I rose the time stone over my head, feeling the powers surge from my touch alone. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, thinking about the time I want to return to. The only time that I can think of. As the day and time surfaced in my head, my entire body became weightless. The only thing I could feel was Sebastian’s fingers entwined with mine.

I opened my eyes and saw the light that was circulating us. All my friends smiling at me with tears hidden in their eyes. My heart went out to Wrenley who gave me a short wave.

Soon, for the hundredth time, everything went black.