22. A Silent Name or I Am The Luna Chapter 100 By Moonlight Muse
ZAIA.
I pull on my jacket, glancing at the unmade bed. Sebastian had left early and I’m about to leave for Dad’s pack.
Since I’ve awoken I feel uneasy. I know something isn’t right at Dad’s pack and although I have taken every precaution possible, I still feel on edge. Am I missing something vital?
I rush through a meeting with Mr Harrison. With everything going on, it’s been exhausting but I can’t afford to lose the deal.
I text Dad telling him I’ll be there by noon, although I planned to get there sooner. I’ve also left Sebastian a message telling him I’m leaving since his phone is switched off.
“Alright guys, I’m off,” I say, poking my head through the door of Jai’s room. The kids are playing on the carpet and Valerie is sitting on the bed beside Jai and they were clearly mid- conversation.
Something’s changed between them, I can tell from the way Jai has his leg propped up and Valerie is leaning ever so slightly against it. I hope they have made some amendments. I truly hope so, they both deserve happiness, and I can tell they love one another.
“Take care of yourself, Sebastian going with you?” Jai asks from where he’s leaning against the headboard. I shake my head. “No, I’ll have my guards and some of Atticus’s men,” I say as I enter the room and kneel beside the kids, giving them both a kiss.
This time I didn’t even expect Sebastian to go with me… I guess I need to be more independent, and he doesn’t seem to want to accompany me. I wonder why, but I’m not brave enough to ask him… I just wish I had seen him once before I left.
He doesn’t realise just how much his presence gives me strength, how his simple words of encouragement make me feel like I can take on the world. Jai frowns but says nothing.
“Atticus isn’t either?” Valerie asks.
“No, he needs to handle security around both packs and make sure we are fully equipped. I’m hoping Sebastian managed to get some stuff sorted, although I’m not sure exactly what he’s working on.” I reply.
Hugging the children goodbye, I take my leave. Wondering exactly what Dad wanted to talk about. He sounded…. strange. I am on alert, but what if someone has gotten to him?
I’ll be careful… I have a plan and one I hope gives me the upper hand if this ends up being some kind of trap. I will just need some help. Help from someone I really don’t want to ask for help from, but I have no other option right now.
I now pull up on the corner of our previous home and look in the mirror. I’m wearing a blond wig and have put on several additional layers of clothes. A cap and glasses, just like our housekeeper.
Halfway here I had switched places with one of the female warriors of Atticus’s pack. She is now travelling in my place towards this pack, and I came alone. I’m sure all eyes will be on the cars and my guards whilst I find Dad unseen.
I had taken a shortcut in the small red car, passing through security with ease. I had called Sebastian twice, but his phone was still switched off… I just wish he at least called once…
With one final glance, I slowly get out of the car. Mom doesn’t know I’m coming, as I couldn’t risk anyone knowing. I plan to go inside and ask Mom to call Dad and from there, we’ll see what is going on.
I’ve dressed up similarly to the housekeeper and I’m praying the guards think I am her. Getting out, I grab the large bags of groceries and bend over as if the bags weigh a lot; I pretend to struggle as I walk towards the gate. Just how I have seen her do for years.
There’s no guard at the gate so I key in the pin, trying not to worry. I scan my finger and when it beeps, a wave of relief floods through me; I’m still in the system.
This is the only part I was worried about, getting through the gates. The gate clicks open, and I step inside and spot two guards who seem to be on break as they hang around looking bored near the entrance.
They glance at me but say nothing. I just unlocked the gate, of course, they won’t suspect me… As long as they don’t check the system to see who just entered. Can I trust them? I am not sure.
I keep my pace steady as I slowly make my way to the doors to unlock them with my key, placing the bags down first, with my hand on my hip, just as I have seen our housekeeper do for years. If someone is watching us or has cameras, I can’t let anyone suspect us. Almost inside…
This place is heavily guarded outside, but inside I will be fine. It’s extremely quiet, and I place the bags into the coat closet before I begin searching around the house for Mom. I know the staff has been in and out, but as far as I know, Mom has refused to leave the house since our falling out.
If she thought that would make me come back, she was wrong. I can’t forgive her for all her lies. Yes, I love her. She is my mom, after all.
There’s complete silence, which means not even the staff is here… I was told I’d be notified if Mom left the house. I have heard nothing, so where is she?
I hurry up the stairs when I find she is not anywhere downstairs and head towards her bedroom. I knock on the door lightly, waiting for an answer, there is nothing. but I frown, trying the door handle. It’s locked.
Is she asleep?
I knock again.
“Mom?” I whisper, glancing towards the stairs, hoping no one showed up like the actual housekeeper. The guards would be on alert then.
“Mom?” I call a little louder. The door is locked. She must be inside.
Closing my eyes, I press my ear to the door, trying to focus on any sound. My eyes blaze as I hone in on my surroundings. I can hear my own heart … the sound of the wind outside… and – another heartbeat!
“Mom!” I call a little louder, my voice ringing in the silent hallway.
I think I hear a muffled sound.
“Mom?”
Something isn’t right, and my senses are screaming at me.
Stepping back, I focus on the door as I slowly put distance between myself and the door. My back hits the wall opposite and I inhale slowly.
Ok, Zaia… you got this. Encouraging myself, I take a deep breath as I run at the door and slam my shoulder into it. A surge of orange aura surrounds me, and the door is ripped off its hinges.
I flinch as it falls onto the carpeted floor and hope no one heard the thud. Even if there is carpet, it is still loud. I look up and my heart almost stops when I see Mom lying on her bed, but that’s not what gets to me.
Her hair is a mess, her arms and legs are tied behind her back, and she’s gagged, She’s lost a lot of weight and bruises fresh and old cover her body. She’s injured. I can see bloodstains on the bed and worry envelops me.
“Mom!” My heart is pounding as I rush to her side, unable to stop my hands from shaking as I untie her quickly.
There are tears in her swollen bruised eyes, old make-up streaks cover her face, and I can tell from the odour she has not bathed in a while.
“Who did this!” I ask, my voice shaking as I remove the cloth from around her mouth. She hisses as I try to help her sit and I realise one of her arms is broken and the goddess knows what else.
“Zaia, leave. Leave my child!” She croaks.
I look around. She needs water!
I’m about to rush to the bathroom when she calls me. “There’s no time, Zaia, please go,” she whispers, her voice full of fear and urgency.
“I’m not leaving you,” I reply firmly, rushing to the bed again. “Who did this?” I ask, my eyes blazing with rage. I will destroy them.
Her eyes are saddened and they fill with tears. “They came… they wanted it… you have to go. Get it first.”
“Wanted what, mom?” I ask worriedly, my heart clenching. I feel guilty. I left her and this is what happened. I shouldn’t have let and sadness get in the way! my hurt Her tears flow, and she looks defeated.
The state she is in is killing me. This is the mother who was always ready to do everything for me despite her secrets… I shouldn’t have left her.
Goddess!
“The dust. It was him, your brother.” Her heart is thumping, and she closes her eyes. “Zade… Zade he- his left eye, it’s not normal. There’s something more… he… they want the dust.”
She’s panicking and I freeze, thinking I heard something. I place a finger to my lips as I listen, but there’s only silence. Standing up, I strip out of several layers of clothes and ready the gun I’ve brought. Just in case.
I need to get Mom out of here, but I don’t trust using my phone not knowing who I can call. Who is close enough to come to my help?
Dad’s strange message is now making me worry about him, too. What if they got him, too?
“Mom, calm down. Tell me, my brother – Zade, he is part of the Sable… What does he look like?” I ask, brushing her hair back gently. She flinches and I feel the matted blood.
How could they do this?!
“Auburn hair, grey eyes, but one- one eye changes.” She says, her eyes widening with horror.
I nod. “And who else, do you know anyone else that you can tell me about? Who did this?” I ask gently, knowing she couldn’t tell me those who attacked us back when we were newborns.
She tenses. “It was Zade… he did this…” She closes her eyes as another wave of tears seeps from her eyes.
How could he…
“You need to know. I have to tell you where the dust is,” she whispers, suddenly looking at me with sharp eyes.
Moon Dust.
“You mean Moon Dust, right?” I whisper. She nods, her heart thundering violently.
“The Dust… it will lead you. Look Zaia, you need to leave, they are out – blood.. The Dust – my old home, under the stairs. In the closet, at the back, there is a floorboard. Under there.” Her words become incoherent, and her eyes become glassy.
I’m listening to everything carefully. Making sure I don’t miss anything she is saying. The Moon Dust, mom has some?
“Are you- listen to me. Tell no one. We have to keep it secret.” Her eyes sharpen as she stares at me imploringly.
“I will, I promise,” I say gently. She nods, and suddenly she seems to still. She looks at me seriously and smiles softly. “I’m glad I got to see you one more time… you know… I didn’t tell them, no matter what they did.”
“Don’t say that Mom, this is not the last time,” I say. She’s scaring me. “I did my best.” Tears stream down her cheeks, and I tilt my head, caressing her face.
“You did well Mom, I’m so proud of you.”
“I want to fix things between us… I… I did your father wrong. I was an awful mate, an awful wife… but I have always loved him and you… I… I want you safe, don’t trust them. There’s more of them That boy who used to play in the woods… he is one of them… M-My father too… He… He was the one who took him.”
She flinches and I frown. What boy?
“Grandfather?”
As far as I knew, my grandfather was not in touch with Mom…
“He is one of them and that pathetic woman who thinks she-” she coughs” Don’t trust A-”
She coughs again, and I see a trickle of blood run down her cheek.
“Who Mom?”
“She was… she is on their side. A- A.” She’s struggling, and I can tell she’s trying her best. She opens her mouth, but no sound comes out as her eyes roll shut. “Ah…”
“Mom!” I say, my heart thumping as I hear hers beginning to fade. “No… no!”
I’m losing her…
Her mouth moves but no sound comes out and over my thundering heart, I’m unable to make out what she’s saying.
My stomach twists as I remember back then she said she couldn’t say or something would happen.
Is this some kind of magic?
Would it kill her?
No, please no!
I need to get help! I take out my phone, dropping the gun onto the bed, but I freeze when I realise her heartbeat is gone.
Mom is gone…
I stare at the bruised, battered body before me, realising I failed her… and now, I’ve lost her. Tears sting my eyes, blurring my vision as I stare down at the body before me.
Lifeless…
The phone slips from my hand, my thundering heart loud in my ears and my breath shaky. I’m about to touch her when I see the faint shadow fall over me.
The shadow of someone silently approaching me from behind…
