Escape
Aya brought me back to the present. “I was on the verge of death. I knew if I were to survive, I had to send my life force away to someone of my bloodline. So, I sent it to this period. Into the body of a girl born 21 years ago as a wolf who I knew would be my doppelganger mated to his doppelganger. A spell would make sure of it. I sent a message to my mother to do anything she can to capture the moon goddess child of this period.” “I figured maybe I could use my old love doppelganger Roland’s blood instead of waiting for you. I made sure he fell in love with me and trusted me. The spell I used made sure I was chosen as his first mate. I had to wait until he reached an age when I could make the power work. I needed the blood of wolves and vampire bodies alike. So, I kidnapped many of them and killed them, draining their blood. Somehow, he caught word of where my mother was hiding since I left her in charge of the bodies. I knew I had to act quickly. I persuaded him to let me join him, and I warned my mother ahead of time. I was going to kill Roland and wait for you to reach 18 instead. My mother placed a sleeping spell on one side of the building. I assumed that was where Roland was going to go, but he did the exact opposite. When my mother said the spell that created the blast, I stood over Roland to kill him but couldn’t do it. I hadn’t realized I had fallen in love with him. So, I let him go. “I found out he was looking for me nonstop, but I couldn’t allow him to catch me or my mother. So, I killed someone and cursed her heart to smell like trees. That’s what I smell like, Roland,” Aya says. “You blame me for your father’s death, when the truth is, it was you,” Diane sneers. “You are the reason your father is dead. Your father found out who I was by being warned of my identity by another witch. He was about to take you away. So, when I assumed he had left the house, I made sure Ned’s son, David, found a way to make sure you would be forced to go home.” I remember David beating me up in the bathroom at school. I look at Marcus. “I didn’t know Elena, I swear. I would have never let her hurt you,” he says, panting. His eyes were glazing over, as if coming out of some trance. I recognized him as being under a spell instantly, and it all started to make sense. “You were supposed to be home alone when the rogues came, but your father found out and went to protect you. Too bad; he was a nice husband. I sort of liked him.”
My rage at this point was endless. Each time my rage came out, though, I felt myself getting weaker. I tried to control myself. “I tried to make sure the pack kept you weak to prevent you from using your power, and it worked, but you weren’t meant to die. I convinced Alpha Ned to get everyone to beat you on your 18th birthday, but you were weaker than I ever imagined. You were not supposed to die. Not yet, at least. But I underestimated your power. Somehow, you came back to life, and I was happy. That would mean my plan would be back on track. Aya could not use your blood until you came into your power.” Diane said. “Then you were mated to that alpha, and you were almost untouchable after that. Almost. Marcus came to me, begging like a bitch for a way to get you back. So, I told him to bring you to me, and I would make you see the reason. That is what he did at first. Then he found out what we were going to do. He left the pack and tried to kill Aya. My beloved daughter. Tsk tsk. Marcus: That would not do. So, I spelled him out, to make sure in his mind, he would do whatever he could to get you and bring you to me. After which, the spell will wear off and kill him, and here you are. Say goodbye to Elena, Marcus; the spell will kill you soon enough.” Diane cheers I met Marcus’ eyes. All the memories I had with him played in my head. “I’m sorry, my Luna; I never wanted this to happen,” he says, coughing up blood. “Marcus, I forgive you,” I told him. Even in his weakened state, he was still so handsome. It was so beautiful to me. His eyes. Those blue eyes. I realized at this moment that I was still in love with him. “I love you, Marcus,” I told him, knowing he was about to die. And after hearing everything, all I wanted to do was get him and my babies out of here. He teared up. “I love you too, my Luna,” he said. Then he coughed up more blood. Aya laughs at us. “Look, mom,” Aya said. A declaration of love by two forbidden lovers. How sweet.
Diane laughs She walks towards me and sticks me with a needle. Taking my blood. “I would have just taken your blood and let you go, but then you ended up being my love’s second chance mate, and something in me snapped.” Aya says. Once I knew you had your powers, I made my move. I came back to him nine months ago, dressed poorly, and pretended to be beaten. And I knew he missed me. I made sure he ignored you by spelling him, of course. All it took was a kiss, and he would be super in love with me, forgetting all about you. I knew it would drive you away. Each time he came to see you, I would make an excuse. Say something hurt, or my feet were swollen. He fell for it all, but I knew the biggest pain would be through your mate bond. So, I had sex with him, making sure that you felt all of it, and it worked. You left and went back to your old packhouse, which I knew you would do. You made this so easy for me,” Aya taunts. Spelling one of your pack members to get my mother out of jail was nothing. I left her in the dungeons, though, knowing she was getting abused down there. Punishment for letting you die too early., but she knew I was coming. So, we waited, and here we are. “You’re blaming me for something I did in my past life,” I panted. I was trying to get out of my chains so I could free my babies and free Marcus. “That’s funny,” Aya says. “I don’t choose who the moon goddess pairs me with, Aya. You are faulting me for something I do not have any control over. You are trying to channel the powers of the moon goddess and have nearly killed yourself. Your body is not equipped for it. Mine is. Let my children go; remove the curse from Marcus, and I will do anything you want.”
She mocks me. “That’s cute,” Aya says. Fighting for your children and a lover. You are much more powerless and pathetic than your past self. No fun at all. Where is the fight? No matter. I’m close to having everything I ever wanted anyway,” Aya says. This cave is special to Elena. It is where my original spell took place. It is where destiny will be written.
She starts speaking in Latin, putting my blood in a cauldron. Lamia est sanguis
Quod sanguis ex dea
Lupus et sanguis in Lunam
Restituet omnia quae amissa
Restituere plenam potestatem mean
Ita sit
Ita sit
Blood of the Vampire
Blood of the Goddess
Blood of the Wolf and Moon
Restore all that was lost.
Restore my full power.
So let it be.
So let it be. Her eyes are turning orange, and silver mists surround her as she levitates, repeating the spell three times. Diane chanted with her, so neither of them was focusing on me.
I need to get out of here. I know that with enough strength, I could break these chains and teleport out of here. However, I would only be able to save Marcus or my children. I looked at Marcus, who must have known what I was thinking because he nodded. “GO,” he mouthed. I nodded. I channeled Snow. I KNOW ELENA. I used all of my strength, broke free, and raced to my kids. I had them in my arms in an instant. “What the hell?” was all I heard before I teleported. I realized I had been teleported to Serene’s room. I was back in Black Alder territory.
“ELENA!” Serene screamed. “What are you doing here? I saw you captured.” “Serene, I need you to watch my children while I handle some business.” Then I realized what she said: “Wait, what do you mean you saw me captured?” I asked.
“The moon goddess sent me a vision of you being chained and captured by two witches and a male wolf.” She said, hugging me. “I know, it’s a long story, but I have to go back; I have to get Marcus.” I channeled my energy to go back. “What about Roland?” she asked. I stopped and looked at her. “What about Roland?” I asked. “I showed him my vision and told him where you were staying when you left and your location right now. He called your pack warriors, and they all came here,” she said. “Where are they now?” I asked, worried. “They are coming to get you,” she said.