196
Lucy
A few days after the fairy trip, I found myself in a weird mood. I wanted to talk to David, to ask him about Amelia, but I didn’t know what to say, and I didn’t want to ask something ridiculous. I sighed and headed toward the Hecate Coven’s headquarters to meet with Lucian. I entered the main corridor from the campus and was struck still at the sight of a group of ethereal figures approaching me from down the corridor. They were unlike any beings I had encountered before – tall, graceful, with an otherworldly aura that set them apart from humans or supernaturals.
What were they? They glided by and then I caught sight of a necklace around a woman’s throat that I recognized from one of my textbooks.
They were elves, I realized, my heart quickening with a mixture of curiosity and excitement.
The elves moved with a fluid elegance, their steps seemingly in harmony with the air around them. As they drew closer, their keen eyes met mine, and a sense of acknowledgment passed between us as if they recognized something within me.
"Good day," one of them greeted, their voice melodic and soothing, like the gentle rustling of leaves in a tranquil forest. The woman turned to an attendant nearby. "We are here to speak with the representatives of Hecate."
The attendant nodded, momentarily struck by their presence. "Of course, they're just down this corridor."
She smiled. "Thank you."
As they continued on their way, I couldn't help but watch them go, captivated and curious. What were they here to talk about?
“I love it when elves come,” the attendant said. “They always bring fresh air.”
I blinked and nodded, realizing that the air did feel different like they’d brought air from the deepest part of the forest here.
And then, as if on cue, another figure appeared at the end of the corridor, striding confidently toward me. It was David. My stomach fluttered as he grew closer.
"Hey," he greeted, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Did you just meet the elven delegation?"
I nodded, unable to contain my fascination. "Yes, they're here to talk with Hecate representatives?"
David chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Glad to hear it. I’m sure it won’t take long. Want to hang around a bit?”
I nodded, curious about why he would suggest that. Still, it was good to see him. The awkwardness was gone as he asked me how my classes had been going and what I was in the building for.
I heard the door open down the way. And the elves' voices drifted from down the corridor.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to this.”
David's gaze softened, his hand finding mine and sending sparks through me. "Maybe you're not meant to get used to it all. Maybe you're meant to experience it with fresh eyes, to embrace each new discovery as if it were the first."
His words resonated with me. “Like a baby?”
He laughed, throwing his head back. “Exactly like a baby.”
“I thought I recognized you, young David.”
My eyes widened as the elven delegation came down the hall. The woman who had been leading them approached David quickly. David knew this woman? How? I found myself observing in awe as David stepped forward to greet them. His manner exuded a sense of familiarity. It seemed almost familial as they embraced.
I stood slightly apart, watching in awe as he spoke with them in a language I couldn’t recognize or understand. Elvish, I guessed. The elves all seemed to know him. The woman introduced him to the few who didn’t.
David blushed a little. They laughed, but it seemed good-natured. The woman smiled at him and glanced towards me. He turned and waved me closer. He placed his hand on the small of my back and drew me forward.
"Lucy, I'd like you to meet the notorious—“
“David,” the woman chided and laughed. “Honestly, still so much trouble.”
“You are notorious,” he said, grinning. “This is Arwen of Silverleaf.”
I blinked. The name was familiar from one of my textbooks.
“The warrior?”
“The very same,” she said. “I’m unsurprised they still have that entry in the standard textbooks. It is my pleasure to meet you, Lucy.”
She offered me her hand. I took it, unsure if I was supposed to bow or something, but she shook my hand and chuckled.
“I look forward to seeing you at the Festival. Hopefully, we will have more time to talk then.”
“O-of course.”
“Good luck on your studies, Lucy,” she cupped David’s face. “Anon.”
“Anuwe,” he replied. The rest of the delegation said the same, and they left. I looked up at him. “You seem to know them quite well."
David chuckled a warm sound that held a hint of affection. "I try to be friendly.”
“IS there any you don’t know?”
He grinned. “If there is, I’m not related to them.”
I couldn't help but laugh at his words, a mixture of amusement and disbelief bubbling within me. "Are you serious?”
“Dead serious.”
“Is there anyone you're not related to?"
He grinned, his expression teasing. "Not that I know of. But I wouldn't be surprised if I find out I'm related to them too."
I laughed.
“Excuse me.”
I turned to look at the woman. Her gaze focused on me with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. She paused before us, her eyes locking onto mine with an intent that left no room for doubt. David stepped forward a little and wedged himself between us.
“Uhm, hi?” I said. “Can I help you?”
"Are you Lucy? The Moon Goddess?"
Her words hung in the air. I didn’t know what to say to her.
“What?” I asked. “What do you mean by that?”
“You’re Lucy. Lucy Graves?”
“Well, that used to be—“
She reached for me, and David caught her wrist. “What are you talking about? How do you know Lucy? Who told you that?”
And what did that even mean? Before I could even begin to wrap my mind around what she was asking me or what that could mean, more figures approached. Their faces were a mix of awe and reverence. I instinctively stepped closer to David. He turned, shielding me with his body. He was so tense even as the woman didn’t answer his questions.
David acted swiftly, his movements precise as he used his presence and a bit of force to keep the growing crowd at bay. He guided me out of the building and into his car quickly. As the door closed behind us, the quiet interior of the car provided a brief respite from the chaos that had unfolded. People came streaming out of the building, looking around, but they didn’t seem to notice us. David cranked up the car and said nothing.
My mind raced, questions piling up faster than I could sort through them.
"What was that all about?" I asked, my voice trembling with a mix of confusion and apprehension.
David's jaw was set, his eyes focused on the road as he navigated through the city's streets.
"I'm not entirely sure," he admitted, his tone reflecting his own uncertainty. "But I know you’ve heard of the Moon Goddess and what it means in the werewolf community.”
I thought of that laughing, evil woman and everything Lucian had told me. A chill ran down my spine at the thought.
“Why would anyone think I was the Moon Goddess?”
“Has no one ever mentioned it as a possibility to you before?”
I shook my head. “D-David, I…”
He took my hand. “Deep breaths, Lucy. It’s going to be okay. I need to ask you a few questions, but everything is going to be just fine. This could be a ploy by Oren to try and force the Council into allowing him to take over White Moon, but… it could be something else.”
It could be true what he wasn’t saying. My stomach twisted into knots. That was the last thing I needed.
David's voice pulled me back from my thoughts.
"Have you ever shifted?" he asked, his gaze flickering to me briefly before returning to the road.
I nodded slowly. The memory of that first transformation was still vivid in my mind. "Three times. Once with the twins and then during those evaluations."
“By choice?”
I shook my head. “N-Not exactly.”
His grip on the steering wheel tightened for a moment. "Who else was there during those times?"
I hesitated, my mind replaying those moments of vulnerability. "Just the twins, Hecate's representatives, and the evaluator… Why?"
David's jaw tightened, his expression unreadable. "Because it’s likely that one of them saw something if it’s true… We’ll have to ask Lucian about it, but… I want you to know that I’ll look into where this information came from.”
I nodded. And I squeezed his hand as the Moon Goddess’ laughter seemed to echo at the back of my mind.
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