Chapter 24 The Locket

(Alexander POV)

I took the Porsche so I could get to Royal Crest as fast as possible. I couldn't even see my entourage in the rearview mirror anymore. I just needed to get there as fast as this car could take me.

Lancaster was such a jackass. He was waiting at the hospital for Hope. What a desperate move. I can't believe he could stoop that low.

I just passed the village when I saw Lancaster's BMW heading toward the opposite direction. What the? Did he just leave them at the restaurant?

I floored the Porsche. Something wasn't right.

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(Hope POV)

"Mom, come back here. I can't explain it, but there's something wrong."

My mom hurries to the patio. "What is it? Is it rogues again?" Fear written all over her face.

"No, Mom, it's not rogues this time. Dad, I think we have to leave." I help him up and gather my mother's things.

"What is it Luna?" asked Oliver through mind link.

"I think it's water. Lots of it. It's going to flood. Since this is the highest point, the water is going to flow down and flood the village." I mind linked him back.

Suddenly, the slight rumble I heard earlier was now audible to everyone. My mom starts to head back to the car clutching my dad. Soon murky water comes gushing from the waterfall.

"Everyone, we have to leave. A flash flood is coming." I yell to all the people in the restaurant. I hurry outside to the car.

"Dad, give David the keys. Get in. All of you. Hurry."

I see Alexander come in a cloud of dust in a Porsche. Panic written in his face.

"Hope! What's happening?"

"Flash flood. We need to get out of here NOW," I tell him.

The staff of the restaurant all came running out. I told those who didn't have a ride to hop in and ride in the back of the Range Rover. I hop in the Porsche with Alexander and hurriedly put on my seatbelt.

As we all exited the parking lot, a loud rush of murky water comes tumbling down the waterfall. It quickly starts filling up the area outside the patio.

We all start driving towards the village. If the water follows the road, it will definitely flood the village.

"Opal, what can I do? If I don't find a way to divert all this water, it's going to flood the village."

"The locket is the key, Hope. Your past is your future." Opal had her ears up, urging me to trust her.

I look down at Adella's old locket. I turn it over to see if I could decipher the writing engraved on it.

I was surprised to see the writing was now in English when previously all I saw were symbols I couldn't understand. I read aloud..

"I, daughter of Lupa, bend thee to my will
Earth, Wind, Fire, Water and Power."

The locket opens and I feel a current of electricity enter my body. I look at my hands and I can see tiny bolts of light swirling around my fingers. A woman's voice spoke to me like a lullaby.

"My child, this gift has been passed on to the firstborn of the Priestesses of the bloodline Lupa as they come of age."

"All elements must exist in harmony. Not one should be above another. To maintain the harmonious relationship between the elements, this locket was made by the High Priestesses of old, in the event one element overpowers the others."

"To bend the elements to your will you must first be one with the elements as they flow through you. Feel the heat of fire, smell the aromas the wind brings you, cleanse yourself with water, give thanks to what the earth has to offer, and wield your power with the essence of all women have of this world... love."

"Use this gift wisely, daughter of Lupa. May the Moon Goddess watch over you."

I look through the windshield and notice we were already at the village. I looked back and the water was already coming down the road.

Alexander parked the car in front of the police station to warn the sheriff. "I won't be long baby. I need to warn the people." He runs inside.

I get out of the car and start walking towards the water. The Range Rover parks beside the Porsche. Oliver comes out. "Luna, what are you doing? Get back in the car!" He yelled at me.

Water starts to swell around my favorite white sneakers. I have to be one with the elements. I feel the heat of the sun and smell the scent of wet dirt. I look ahead and thank earth for the cliff. I bend down and dip my hands in the murky water. I feel the surge of current radiate from my chest down to my hands. I focus on trying to divert the water to the edge of the cliff. Oh, Moon Goddess! Help me help the village. I close my eyes and say...

"I, DAUGHTER OF LUPA, BEND THEE TO MY WILL!"

A white light flashes around me. Suddenly, I feel the heat of the sun surge down on the water. I open my eyes to see leaves floating in the wind, swishing above the water, as the wind pushed the water away from me. The earth beneath my feet gave out a menacing growl. I heard cement crack and felt the earth move. The water starts to flow towards the direction of the cliffs. I look down and the level of water swirling around my wet shoes has gone down.

I hear a loud rumble from afar and look up to see a raging torrent of murky water flowing quickly along the road. For a brief moment, I thought I was going to be swept away by the water. The wind picks up and blows towards the direction of the cliff. I give off a sigh of relief when the flash flood follows the wind and abruptly turns, the water falling off the cliff creating a waterfall of murky brown water.

Alexander runs to me, pulling me in his arms. Are those tears in his eyes I see? "Oh my Goddess, Hope. Another second and you would have been swept by the flood coming down the mountain. Moon Goddess, thank you for keeping my Hope safe." He held me in his arms, his cheek on the top of my head.

"I ruined my favorite sneakers." I sniff.

Alexander laughs. "We'll go buy you new ones. 10 pairs of the same kind."

I could feel his heart pounding rapidly through his chest.

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(Alexander POV)

I don't know what was in that locket, but Hope has been staring at it, not saying a peep, for almost 10 minutes now.

The car was screeching as I sped down the curves of the mountains. I needed to put some distance between the water and us.

The Range Rover was close behind us; David mimicking every move I made.

Finally, the village! I needed to stop at the sheriff's station to give them an update. I already called the Mayor of the town about the flash flood. They have already initiated evacuation.

"I won't be long baby. I need to warn the people." I jump out of the car and rush to talk to the sheriff.

I hear Oliver yelling for Hope to go back to the car. I step outside and see her walking in the brown water. She crouches down and touches the water with both hands.

A light flashes and suddenly the sun bursts forward from out from the clouds. The wind howls and I felt the earth shake. What is she doing?

"Luna Hope! The flood is coming! Luna quick!" Oliver was yelling above the sound of the flood water. Up ahead, a mountain-sized body of water was rushing down towards her.

I ran as fast as I could towards her, trying to get to her in time. Why was the panic in my chest making it so difficult for me to move? I needed to move quickly or I would lose Hope.

I see her standing up like she was challenging the water. No, Hope. That's just too much water. Tears falling from my face, I gave it all I had to get to her in time.

And just like that, the flood turns towards the cliffs. Oh my Goddess. I felt a constriction in my chest. It felt like I was about to have a heart attack.

When I got to her, I pulled her into my arms and pressed her face into my chest. I couldn't show her my tears. If this is what it feels to see someone you love at the brink of death, I would rather die first.

She felt my heart pounding from fear. She put her cheek where she could feel my heart. I felt the fear and stress leave my body.

As for her shoes, I'll have her order all the shoes she wants online.

"Come on, love. I'll let you drive the Porsche." I dangle the keys in her face.

Her eyes lit up instantly.