Chapter 20 - The Preparation

Kaleigh and the Luna went to Alannah’s office to discuss their preparations, while Dominick went to his office down the hall. Kaleigh was impressed with Alannah’s office; it was very warm and welcoming. There was cream-colored furniture and light blue walls, with plants everywhere. They sat on the two armchairs facing each other.

“My plan is to place a sleeping spell in Amber before we even get to her cell. I can do it from outside the dungeon. After she is in a deep sleep, you, Felicia, and I can go to her cell to perform the hardest part. We will move her to the center of her cell, lying on her back then we will stand in a triangle around her. Felicia will be at her head while you and I are on opposite sides. Felicia is the one that will keep us grounded, so we need her to emit positive energy throughout the entire spell.” Alannah nodded while listening to Kaleigh but did not interrupt.

"Once we feel Felicia’s energy, you and I will begin our parts. I will do the spell to enter Amber to speak with her wolf. The sleeping spell that I will be using will only affect her human form, not her wolf. While I’m talking to her wolf, I need you to search Amber for anything dark. Don’t do anything to the darkness if you find it. Just try to identify the source and then get out before it picks up on your presence. I am hoping her wolf will be able to answer more questions. I am worried Ambers’ wolf may leave her if we don’t act fast. As you know, wolves will not stay with their human if they begin doing acts the wolf doesn’t agree with. After we are done, we will use Felicia’s energy to pull us out of the spell. Amber should wake up once we are long gone. So what do you think?” Kaleigh had been looking at the Luna the entire time she had laid out her plan. She could not read what the Luna was thinking. Alannah had just nodded from time to time.

“I think it sounds like a good plan. I really hope we can identify the darkness that’s affecting Amber so it can be eliminated. Have you thought about what it could be?” Alannah was astonished at Kaleigh’s insight into her craft for being so young. She spoke and acted like a witch twice her age.

“I have thought that a black magic witch may have placed a spell on her to use the spell as a spy. I don’t know why they would want a spy in this pack unless they heard about you being a witch and possibly wanting to know if you practice on the side of good or evil. It could be many things, and I don’t want to speculate too much until we know more. Have you thought of anything additional that I may be missing?” Kaleigh had thought through this many times. They would not really know until they began the spell.

“No, Kaleigh, I was thinking along the same lines. I have a question for you; it is rather personal, if you don’t mind me asking.” Alannah sounded a little nervous, which was not typical for the Luna.

“You can ask me anything you want.” Kaleigh replied confidently.

“I have been curious how your mother and father were killed by the Dark Sphere witches if your coven is the only one that can beat them. How come your mother was unable to fight them?” Alannah was worried she may be overstepping by asking Kaleigh something so personal.

Kaleigh was shocked by the question. Even her aunt and uncle did not ask this after her parents died. It was something that hurt Kaleigh to think about because, in reality, she was the cause of her parent’s death. She swallowed to prevent her tears before speaking.

“You are right; those of the Emerald Stone coven are the only ones who can defeat the Dark Sphere witches. In order to be effective against them, though, we have to carry the sacred stone. The stone that I have around my neck is the last one in existence that we know of. My mother had it in her possession when she left to be with my father. After I was born, my mother placed the stone into this charm on my necklace. I have been the one to carry the stone from then on. When they placed the spell on my mother, they were able to put a slow death spell on her because she was not carrying the stone. If she had been wearing the stone, they would not have been able to kill her. So you see, it is my fault that they are dead; if I had never been born, they would still be alive.” Kaleigh was openly crying now. She had never told anyone that it was her fault that her parents were dead, but that is how she felt. Alannah came over and hugged Kaleigh.

“Kaleigh, it is not your fault they died. Your mother gave you the stone to protect you. She knew they would come after her, but I know that she was willing to protect you at all costs. Never blame yourself for what happened. Hopefully, you will get your revenge once we eliminate them.” Alannah continued hugging Kaleigh while she cried.

“Thank you, Alannah. I have never told anyone what I just told you. Are you ready to get on with our spells?” Kaleigh didn’t want to think about this right now. Today was already going to be hard enough.

“Yes. Are you ready for me to pull Felicia in so we can go over her part in this with her? Also, Dominick has been in my head asking me for a status update because he wants to be near the dungeon while we are there.” Alannah gave Kaleigh a grin. She could tell her son was in love with his lovely mate, and she couldn’t be happier. Dominick had been waiting so long for her, and the moon goddess could not have picked anyone better for him.

“Yes, you go ahead and bring Felicia in while I talk to Dominick. I want him to know he can wait outside, but no matter what, he cannot come in and cannot distract us, or it could go very wrong. I will be right back.” Kaleigh stepped out into the hallway. She walked down the hall to Dominick’s office, where she knew he would be waiting for her. He came out before she could even get to the door.

“Ash could smell your scent getting stronger, so we knew you were on your way to us. Do you and my mom have everything ready to go?” Kaleigh could tell he was nervous. In the little time she had known him, she understood he did not like surprises and being kept in the dark about things.

“Yes, we have our plan in place, and you can stop worrying Dominick; everything will be fine. I promise you we have safeguards to get us out before things go wrong. You can wait outside the dungeon for us to finish, but you cannot come in, and you cannot mindlink your mom or sister. We must stay focused, and any distraction can alter the outcome. Knowing that you will be there waiting for me when I come out is what I need to get through this. Your love for me will keep the darkness away.” Kaleigh was hoping that she was getting through to him. They could not afford anything to go wrong.

“I promise not to mess anything up or be a distraction. I will wait outside until you are done; just promise me you will be careful. I know how bad black magic can be, and if it has infected Amber, I don’t want it affecting you. I love you, Kaleigh, and that’s what’s keeping me sane right now. Ash is ready to take over and haul you away from here, not letting you anywhere near the darkness.” Kaleigh laughed as Skylar rolled her eyes.

“Skylar said he could try, but she would kick his butt just like I did yours. I think our wolves are ready to mark each other, too. Skylar is getting impatient, afraid that something is lurking in the dark to keep us apart. I keep reassuring her, but she says the sooner we mark each other, the better.” Kaleigh surprised herself at how rushed she was to finish the mating process with Dominick when she had been dead set on rejecting her mate just a couple of weeks ago. Now she never wanted to be without him.

“We will, Kaleigh. Let’s get through today, and then we will start our plans. Lenny and Allie will be back in a few days, too. I was at their commitment ceremony. Why didn’t you come?” If Kaleigh had been there, Dominick knew he would have picked up her scent back then.

“I was scared. I told Allie that I would be part of her wedding, but I did not like to leave our pack. I was too frightened that I would meet my mate and then I would have to reject him. I did not want to be the cause of anyone’s pain. However, if I knew then what I know now, I would have been the first one here, so I could have been with you all this time. I am glad you came to their wedding; otherwise, we may have never met. Thank you, Dominick, for chasing away the fear that I had of finding my mate and being the best thing that could have ever happened to me.” She put her arms around him, pulling him close for a long, tender kiss.

“I am glad that I went to their wedding too. I had been searching for my mate for a long time, and the first time I laid my eyes on you, I was in love. Kaleigh, as long as we are together, I will do everything in my power to keep you safe. Anything that happens to you happens to me as well. We are partners in everything. I love you.” Dominick rested his head on her forehead, looking into her beautiful emerald green eyes.

“I love you too, Dom. Now we better get back to your mom to get this over with. You can come with me and walk us to the dungeon.” Kaleigh took his hand to take him out of his office.

When they arrived at the Lunas office, both Alannah and Felicia were waiting on them. Felicia ran up to Kaleigh, hugging her. She was practically bouncing on her feet in excitement. Her positive energy was so infectious that Kaleigh could not help but smile back at her.

“Thank you, Kaleigh, for letting me help with this. I have always wished I was more like my mom and was a hybrid. My mom walked me through everything, and I promise to keep positive thoughts running through me during the entire spell. I don’t want that darkness getting in one of us, so if there is anything else you need me to do, I will.” Felicia was talking in her usual rapid-fire way.

“I am glad you can help us, and you have one of the biggest jobs of all of us. You will be the anchor to keep me and your mom grounded, so the darkness does not take us over. That is why you are perfect for this role. You are so positive I can feel it radiating off you. Just keep that up, and everything will go as planned. No matter what you hear or see, I just need you to keep up that energy, okay?” Kaleigh smiled at Felicia. She really liked Dom’s sister. Felicia was staring at her wide-eyed with her mouth opening and closing like she couldn’t form words. Dominick and Alannah began laughing.

“Well, Kaleigh, your power must be pretty powerful; you have made Felicia mute.” Felicia snapped out of it and swatted at her brother’s arm.

“I am not mute. I just didn’t realize how important my role was going to be. I promise Kaleigh I will stay strong to keep you and my mom safe.” Felicia had a determined look on her face making her look older than her sixteen years.

“Okay, everyone, I think we are ready to go. Just as a reminder, when we get outside the dungeon, I will place the sleeping spell on Amber; that is step one. Everything else will happen inside her cell. Does anyone have any questions?” Everyone shook their heads no as they headed out the door.