285
Matt
My heart pounded in my chest as I stared at the old woman, her eyes piercing through me.
"What do you—" I pulled back. "Are you—"
"The protections Eve placed on you are wearing thin." I went still, staring up at her. She withdrew her hands slowly, and with them went the warmth. "Soon, you'll have to make a choice or let the choice be made for you."
I felt a shiver run down my spine as she spoke, her words sending a chill through my body.
"What choice?" I asked, my voice trembling.
The old woman stroked my face gently, almost fondly.
"The choice between life and death, Matt. Between who you really are or giving in to the darkness that threatens to consume you."
I pulled away from her, my heart racing. "What do you mean?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
The old woman leaned in close.
"By now, you realize that Eve knew about your powers, Matt. Don't you?"
I nodded shakily.
"As well as everything else that goes with it?"
I shuddered.
"She tried to protect you, to shield you from the darkness that threatens to consume you, but it was never meant to be forever, and soon, you will have to nothing to hide behind."
"O-Oren."
"Among others."
"What should I do?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
"You must make a choice, Matt. You must decide whether to embrace the darkness that threatens to consume you or to fight against it. But be warned, the choice you make will have consequences, and there is no turning back."
Her words felt heavy and biting. I didn't know what to make of them other than to think that she meant I was going to die.
"How do you know my mother?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
She smiled, revealing pearly white teeth. "Ah, young Matt, that is such a simple answer that you simply aren't ready for. For now, let's say I knew your mother well. She was a powerful healer, just like you."
I recoiled at her words, feeling a chill run down my spine. "What do you want from me?" I demanded, my voice rising in desperation.
The old woman chuckled. "I want to help you, but here isn't the place for this conversation."
I felt a sense of dread wash over me as she spoke, her words sending a chill through my body.
"You're searching for a bookstore," she said. "I can take you there, and we can talk more there."
The train slowed to a stop. I glanced out the window to the empty station. The doors slid open, and I nodded. I pushed myself to my feet and followed the woman out. We walked almost leisurely up the stairs to the ground level.
Then I noticed Cline pulling up outside the subway station, scanning the area for me. I hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to follow the woman or make a run for it. I was about to run when she reached out and grabbed my arm tightly.
"Hey!"
I looked down at her hand, surprised that she was able to hold me in place so easily. My heart was in my throat. As I watched Cline and the others scour the area for me, their desperation was palpable. I could feel the familiar tightness in my chest returning.
The woman's touch seemed to offer a brief respite from the pain, but I knew it was only a matter of time before it returned. We didn't move, but Cline and the others didn't seem to see us. Soon, he and his goons turned to chase someone else down the street, completely oblivious to our presence. It was then that I realized the woman was a witch. Her touch had hidden me from Cline's view, using some kind of spell.
She hummed. "Oren is growing more desperate… Selene must be getting ready to move…"
"Who is Selene?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Selene is the woman you've called the Moon Goddess for most of your life," she said, her voice low and husky. "But she's not who you think she is, and she wants you dead."
My mind reeled as I tried to process her words. "But Lucy…"
"That young girl is tangled in a very complicated web, but she is safe with Fenris-son," she turned and tugged me down the sidewalk. "Let's go."
I followed. "Why would the Moon Goddess want me dead?"
"Because she sees you as a threat… the same way she saw your mother as a threat and so many others before her."
I felt a sense of dread wash over me as I contemplated her words. Could I trust her?
As we continued our journey, I couldn't help but wonder what other secrets she held and what other dangers lay ahead. But for now, I was grateful for her guidance and protection. Her touch was pushing the pain away. I felt relieved in a way I could barely remember being.
We continued walking until we reached a small building. As she pushed open the heavy wooden door, the scent of old parchment and herbs wafted into my nose. It was a familiar smell, one that brought back memories of a time long past. I stepped inside, my eyes adjusting to the dim light. The walls were lined with shelves filled with books, each one bound in leather and adorned with intricate symbols. The air was thick with magic, and I could feel the power emanating from the ancient tomes.
Suddenly, a flashback hit me like a bolt of lightning. I was six years old, standing in a similar store with my mother, maybe even this same store. She had my hand in hers, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
I could see her now, her long, flowing hair tied up in a knot on her head. The way her eyes flickered with light sometimes.
As I stood there, lost in thought, a tall, thin man with a long white beard approached me.
"Can I help you find something?" he asked, his voice gravelly and deep.
I shook my head, trying to clear my mind. "I'm looking for a book," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Potion Efficacy for the Everyday by Eve Ashgrave."
The man's eyes widened in recognition. "Ah, Miss Ashgrave, the Younger." He chuckled to himself. "She was a remarkable woman, a true healer, and so very bright."
I nodded, feeling a sense of pride swell within me. "Yes, she was," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Can you help me find it?"
The man led me to a section of the store filled with books on potion-making. He pulled a dusty tome from the shelf and handed it to me.
"Here it is," he said. "We usually keep a few copies. You're in luck to have snagged the last one."
I took the book in my hands, feeling a sense of connection to my mother.
"Is it really popular?"
"Everyone wants to get a little more bang for their buck. Potions can get expensive very quickly if you have to take them consistently. "
"Do you… mind if I look around a little?"
"Of course not. I'll ring you up at the front." He walked away, leaving me alone in the aisle.
As I flipped through the pages, I could feel her presence. I found the hot chocolate recipe and smiled. I could almost see her in the Blue Moon kitchen. I found her recipe for marinara, too, and chuckled. I guessed I shouldn't have been surprised.
With the book in my hands, I walked toward the front of the store to check out and find the witch again, but I went still as I heard a familiar voice.
"It's been far too long," Trent said, his voice warm.
"She would box your ears. You look terrible, and you saw me just a week ago."
"Too long."
I peeked around the corner, just to be sure, but there he was, standing with his back to me. I could see the old woman's face over his shoulder as they hugged. She rubbed his back.
"You must not run yourself so ragged," she said softly. "She would not want you to meet her so quickly."
He chuckled. "I promise that I have at least several more centuries in me."
She pulled back and looked at me. "Are you going to keep hiding?"
Trent turned around slowly, and our eyes met. I was frozen in place, guilty, fearful, anxious, and a whole host of emotions. Trent hated us. I knew that from all the times Tony had complained about the way Trent and David spoke to him at meetings, but I had never really been in the room with him much. The results of my lineage test floated through my mind.
Species: Witch-Wolf Shifter, Werewolf
Mother: Eve Ashgrave of White Moon
Father: Trent Mountainheart of Gold Haven Coven
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