Chapter 16 #3
Her voice still echoes through my ears as the power radiating from the oak tree recedes. The light and energy emanating from it ebbs away leaving the glen feeling empty and the old oak tree hollow.
I step away from the tree and stare unseeing at the ground as I try to process what I saw.
The horror of Seth’s murder and the destruction of the ranch.
Lukas crumbling to the ground. Alistair using power I didn’t even know he had.
Conjuring smoke, liquid night and blue fire.
And Gaia’s message. Fall into the darkness to find the light.
Why does she need to speak in riddles? Just tell me straight!
What darkness do I need to fall into to find the light in its depths?
I need to be high to make sense of that one.
I look to Daphne who is pawing at the ground.
“Well what do you think?”
A snort and shake of the head are my replies.
“My thoughts exactly.” I sigh as I climb onto her back to start the trek home.
It’s night before we get back to the ranch. It’s the latest we’ve ever been out but I still don’t rush as we meander down a path we both know well. I need the extra time to think before I face the pack. To face Lukas. Seeing him suffering and then watching his dad… My chest twists at the thought.
Did Seth know that his son was still alive?
I’d like to think so but the sounds of his cries when he saw his sons unmoving body were more heart breaking then the screams when he was killed.
Did Seth attempt to kill my mum? No surely not.
Alistair was right there. He must have seen Alistair coming.
From the angle I saw I could be mistaken but Seth has fast reflexes.
Alistair must have been reaching for my mum and Seth tried to stop him.
The hairs on the back of my neck prickle and I see a shadow pass through the trees overhead. I think I see a flash of white eyes but it’s too dark to see clearly. Daphne gives no indication of seeing it but I scan the canopy and horizon for a while regardless.
We’re half a mile from the ranch when Lukas comes strolling through the trees. His jeans undone and shirt unbuttoned. He must have just shifted back to meet me.
“Where did you go? Your parents are worried.” He says gruffly.
“For a ride, I didn’t realise how late it got.” I reply with a shrug.
“Are you OK? You seem tense.” His tone is worried.
“I’m fine but I need to speak with Mum and Dad.” I try to keep my voice steady but the weight of what I witnessed makes it hard.
“What happened?”
I debate telling him. Part of me wants to speak with my mum first but he’s the pack Beta. He should know.
I sigh and look directly ahead. “I received a message from Gaia.”
His eyes widen and it seems words escape him. We walk in silence for a little while. The only sounds the clip clopping of Daphne's hooves.
We reach the ranch and I take Daphne to the stable and get her tucked in for the night. I give her a kiss on the side of her face before going to the main house. I find Lukas and my mum and dad sitting in the living room waiting for me.
It’s really cosy in here with wood floors and a roaring fire in the large stone fireplace.
A cow hide rug is splayed on the floor with a wooden coffee table nestled between two brown leather, three seater sofas with furry cushions.
My mum is snuggled into my dad’s side sipping a hot chocolate and my dad has his arm around her with a beer in his hand.
They look relaxed but their posture is slightly tense and the hardness of their gaze tells me they're on edge.
I take a seat next to Lukas on the opposite sofa.
Lukas opens a beer and hands it to me which I gratefully accept. I take a long sip before speaking.
“I’m sorry for making you worried. The afternoon got away from me. I found a huge, ancient oak tree in a hidden glen and Gaia spoke to me through it. She showed me the night of Hades attack.” I say softly as I look at all of them in turn.
I feel Lukas stiffen beside me and my dad’s brow knots. As if reliving memories they would rather forget. My mum leans forward and puts her cup down looking at me in wonder.
“What did she say?” She asks in awe.
I tell them everything. Of everything I saw and the cryptic message Gaia told me. Tears fill my mums eyes as she rubs my dad’s arm. Lukas is staring at the floor as he runs his fingers across his jaw. He looks at Carter and leans back in his seat.
“We know one thing.” Lukas says with a smirk. “Alistair suffered immensely for failing Hades a second time.”
I wince. What I put him through was bad enough. To think Hades, his own father would punish him more? I feel sick at the thought. Lukas probably isn’t wrong though. Those cold, silver eyes as he held the flaming dagger at Alistair's face. The promise and the threat. It makes my blood run cold.
“We need to focus on Gaia’s message.” My mum cuts in. “Fall into the darkness to find the light in its depths. What she showed Krista followed Alistair’s story. I think her message refers to him.” She looks to me and clear understanding passes between us.
Gaia sees the good in her son and she wants us to see the same.
She wants me to accept the bond between me and him.
To do so would feel like a betrayal of myself though.
To accept the bond with him would be to accept all the awful things he’s done.
How am I meant to feel anything for such a monster?
If there is light in him then I dread to think how much darkness smothers it. If it’s even there.
My dad growls.
“There is nothing redeemable about him. He deserves to suffer. They all do. Gaia needs to accept that her son is a lost cause.”
His anger and conviction leaves nothing for debate. Lukas nods his agreement. Mum takes my Dads hand but looks to me. Worry flashes in her eyes at the secret we both keep.
I gulp down my beer then stand.
“I’m tired.” Is all I say as I go to my room.
Once inside I shrug off my clothes and get in the shower.
There’s something soothing about the cascading water that allows for the perfect time to brood.
I don’t know if I’m capable of doing what Gaia is asking of me.
A mothers love is unconditional. A Moira bond is unconditional.
The love and connection that my parents have is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
I don’t feel that with Alistair. I hardly know the guy and what I do know of him makes me despise him.
What light could he possibly have in him? Gaia sees it so why can’t I?
I finish washing and step out the shower.
Wrapping a towel around myself, I go to the sink and brush my teeth.
I haven’t had dinner but at this point all I want is my bed.
I go to my room and put on a short and vest combo to chill in.
It’s only 7pm and even though I’m mentally drained I don’t feel tired.
I get comfy in bed and shoot a text to Cassey.
Spoke to the goddess of creation today. What about you?
It doesn’t take long for me to get a reply.
You what!?
I barely read it when my phone rings.
“So Gail? No Gaia isn’t it?” She says intently.
“Yeah that’ll be the one.” I give her a lo down on today’s activities and by the end of it Cassey lets out a long whistle.
“So basically… You have a clingy mum forcing you to marry her son? Who is totally the dark, dangerous, sexy type? I mean… I’d be swimming in that darkness by now!” She giggles.
I can’t help but laugh with her. I love her so much!
“There’s a bit more to it than that but…”
“But nothing! Go swimming! I’m sure there will be epic sex involved! You’d think after living for all of time he’d know a thing or too.”
“Have you been drinking? Your telling me to get with the devils demon spawn!”
“Out of this world sexy demon spawn! And yes I have.” I can just imagine her trying to stop the stupid smile spreading across her face as she tries to sober herself.
When she speaks again her voice is a little more serious.
“Listen, I've been doing so much research into Greek Mythology.
Patrick, the philosophy teacher at college has helped a lot.
I always thought that Zeus was this heroic good guy but, he's actually a really bad guy.
He raped countless women. Thought he was entitled to any beautiful women he saw.
Not to mention his obsession with being the most powerful God ever.
I can send you over all the books and research I've done.”
“But Cass, that doesn't make sense. The pack adore him. He's helped Gaia protect Nymphs from Hades. Are you sure you've not got Hades and Zeus mixed up?”
She scoffed down the phone.
“Listen, I know your Dad and the werewolves are all 'Hail Zeus', but I'm telling you, Hades history is sunshine and rainbows compared to what Zeus has done.
He's a complete Masochist. I just want you to be careful because if Zeus created werewolves I'm worried that a bit of Zeus rubbed off on them.”
I struggle to believe what Cassey is telling me but the worry in her voice is genuine. She's only trying to help and look out for me. I would do the same for her.
“OK Cass. I'll keep my wits about me.” I reassure her. To try and stop her fretting. “Honestly I think they're all a little scared of me anyway.” I laugh and she sighs in relief.
I hear her doorbell ring down the phone. “Oh that’s Christian!”
“No worries enjoy your evening. Love you!”
“Love you more! And be careful!” She hangs up and I slump back on my bed, dispelling the air shield I put around myself to stop prying ears.
I glance out my window and see two white orbs watching me. I get out of bed and open my window.
“You’re not very sneaky you know.” I raise my eye brows.
The Strix swoops down silently and lands on my windowsill with a little hoot. I stroke down its chest. Its midnight black feathers are soft like silk. I know I should be freaking out at it showing up but with everything going on in my head and the day I've had why not add a bit more crazy?
“How is he?” I ask.
It hoots again and tilts its head to the side narrowing its eyes slightly. As if to say ‘ask him your damn self.’
“I don’t know if I’m ready for that yet.” I mutter.
It gives me a playful nip and ruffles its feathers. The way they fluff up makes it look like a black pompom. I can’t help but chuckle.
It freezes and stretches its neck to look around me at the door. I turn just as footsteps are heard coming along the landing. I look back at the Strix and see its shadow disappearing into the night sky. There’s a knock at my door.
I open it to find Lukas with a plate of pizza.
“You didn’t come down for dinner and Penny fired up the pizza oven.” He holds it out to me. “Ham and pineapple, your favourite.”
I take it from him and the smell of it makes my stomach rumble.
“Thanks! Fancy sharing?” I step to the side inviting him in.
His face lights up. “Sure!”
I go over to a table just inside the double doors that lead to my balcony.
There’s a bit of clutter on it that I shove out the way to make room for the pizza.
My old bag falls to the floor and Lukas bends down to pick it up.
As he does a phone slips out of it onto the floor.
He grabs it and puts it on the table and hangs the empty bag on the back of his chair as he takes a seat.
“Krista you OK? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” He asks gently.
I didn’t realise I was still standing, staring at the phone on the table like it’ll bite. I shake my head and sit down grabbing a slice of pizza.
“Yeah I’m fine. I just forgot I had that.” I say nonchalantly nodding to the phone.
“Your phone?” He says as he tucks into the pizza as well.
“It’s not mine. That’s the phone I took from Alistair after I…” I struggle to finish the sentence. Captured, maimed and tortured him and forced him to face more torture at the hands of his own father. “…I used him to free you all.”
“Have you looked through it? It might have information we could use.” He says as he tries turning it on. The battery is dead.
“No point. It only unlocks with his fingerprint.”
“I could give it to Caleb to check out? He can hack almost anything.”
“Yeah why not.” I dig into my third slice of pizza. Penny’s cooking is second to none.
Lukas pockets the phone. There’s a comfortable silence as we finish the pizza. He offers me the last slice but I’m stuffed. I lean back in my chair and bring my knee up to my chest. Out of the corner of my eye I watch Lukas’s gaze trail along my exposed leg.
“I had another reason for coming up here. I wanted to check how you were doing after today. It sounds like you saw some pretty intense stuff.” His brow creases in concern.
I sigh. “Yeah I’m still trying to process it to be honest. I knew that night was awful but seeing it firsthand…
Seeing him. Even though it was just his eyes and the rest of him was surrounded in shadow…
” I try to hide my shiver as I see Hades's ice cold eyes.
“ And seeing you and your dad…” My chest tightens.
Lukas leans across the table and takes my hand. “He died protecting you and Gwen. His death was an honourable sacrifice. I would gladly give my life to protect you as well.” The raw emotion in his eyes, the pain and determination threaten tears in my own.
“I hope you never have to. It’s my turn to protect you all now.” I smile reassuringly. “You and Seth saved my mum and me and then I saved you all from Hades. I guess that makes us even.”
“Do you really think that we are waiting on a war?” His voice is almost a whisper. “Surely Hades saw how strong you are and won't attempt an attack.”
“Hades is as old as time and he made it his mission to wipe out Nymphs and Werewolves.
Probably as a slight to Gaia and Zeus. I don't think he'll come for my Mum and Me. I know he will.” I sigh.
“The fact that I stood up to him and threatened to kill his son.
.. I just made his game an even bigger challenge.
I just need to hope I'm strong enough to take him down.”
“Well then you need to get training. Let’s see just how much power you can channel and how you can use it against him.
I said I'll take you to the top of the 'cano.
So we'll go tomorrow morning.” He stands picking up the empty plate.
He leans down and plants a soft kiss on my cheek.
“Get some sleep. It's gonna be a long day tomorrow.” He winks and leaves the room.