28. An Hourglass or I Am The Luna Chapter 106 By Moonlight Muse
ZAIA.
Night has fallen and I’m sitting in the lounge with Jai, Valerie, and Atticus whilst the children play before the fire.
“So we don’t really know how much is needed… or exactly how to use it,” Atticus says as he examines the pouch.
Rain is pouring down outside, and it’s rather windy. Somehow, it reminds me of the day I met Sebastian again when I first found out Valerie was in a coma…
Oh, how that feels like so long ago. I nod as I sip my coffee, and Sia comes over and climbs into my lap, hugging me tightly.
“Hey baby, is everything ok?” I ask her. She nods. “I just a little tired,” she says with a cute pout, and I kiss her forehead gently, caressing her hair.
“Aww, well Mommy will get you to bed soon, ok?”
She nods, placing her hand under her chin as she leans against me. I wrap my arms comfortingly around her. “I wonder how much is needed.” Jai muses staring at the pouch. We’re speaking French as the children are here.
“I don’t know, but I don’t think we would need much. I guess it’ll be trial and error. As in, would we need a name or not? Do we need to do it under a full moon or not?” I muse.
“We will just have to follow our gut feeling,” Atticus says.
“So, what now?” Valerie asks.
I look into the fire as Zion plays with his trucks, lost in his own little world. Times like that are gone once you are an adult, but I am grateful that through this time they can still be children, despite the fact I am certain they know when things are up.
“One month. In one month, I want everyone to be ready for war. In that time, I will find the enemy… and we will attack…” I say quietly.
“That gives us plenty of time to find out how it works… plus I want to try to find father before then…” I say quietly.
“Sounds like a plan,” Atticus says.
“I want to train though, if you could help me,” I say, looking over at him. The boys look at me, surprised, and I raise my eyebrow. “I just want to be at my best for when we do face them.”
“Me too,” Valerie says with determination.
“Well, I think we can train you guys up.
A lot of women have offered to step forward too.” Jai says with a small smile. “Our packs are made of fighters.”
“Plus, we need to work on our Triquetra. Together, we will obviously be stronger and can call on our powers.” Atticus adds.
Just like when we first touched. “I just wish we had as much time to prepare as them… but time is running out,” I say quietly.
“You have no idea what one can achieve in a short amount of time,” Atticus replies, giving me one of his charming smiles.
I nod, “True…” I smile wryly. “Well, we are not giving them a chance to attack. Everyone needs to be pushed and we need to reach out to our allies, too.”
“Understood,” Jai says seriously. “And when we find them… what will you do?” Valerie asks hesitantly, glancing at the children. “Especially when it involves the Black Beast…”
I cock a brow, feeling almost as if she expects me to go easy on him.
“We will give them war, like I said.” Her face drops, and she looks conflicted. “Why? Is it meant to be different from when I find the other Sable member?” I ask.
All three look at me sharply and I turn my head away, knowing I probably sounded cold. But when you have been burned so many times, what else am I meant to say?
“Zaia… are you ok?” Jai asks.
My eyes flash as I look at him. “Yes, I am. I have a right to be angry, and I can be. Would you want me to cry instead?”
Jai sighs and shakes his head. “Zaia, it’s not that. We were just concerned, Se – The Black Beast he… I don’t know. I feel we need to talk to him-”
“Do not question me. As far as I am concerned, The Black Beast is just another enemy. From this day forward, I expect you all to remember that. He betrayed us- betrayed me, again… It was my fault to let him in again, but I did, stupidly. But he showed he wasn’t worth it. I have screamed and screamed that we need to be honest with one another, that we needed to stick together, but… he didn’t find it important.”
“Zaia, I know you’re hurting-” I cut Valerie off, my eyes flashing, not wanting annoyance to seep into my voice with the children here.
“No. I don’t want sympathy. I messed up once and I won’t again. Forgive me for not allowing myself to feel sympathy for him. He will meet the same end as the others. Whatever that may be.” I say, standing up and forcing myself to smile down at Sia, who is watching me with concern.
“He’s their father,” Jai says quietly, making me pause and I turn back, looking at him.
“And?” I ask challengingly.
“Give him a chance to explain, maybe he had a reason-” Jai begins.
“I said enough! Jai. This is the last time I want this topic brought up. If either of you wish to join his side, you are welcome to leave.” I say coldly. “Take this as my final warning. Good night.”
Silence follows as I place my mug down and look at Zion.
“Zion, shall we head to bed?” I say, sensing Sia watching me intently.
I look down at her, smiling gently as a wave of guilt rushes through me. The children shouldn’t sense that something is wrong. I need to do better.
“Come, let’s get you to bed,” I say gently. She nods and I leave the room with my children and, for a moment, although I’m not alone, I feel it…
Mom was always there, but now I need to step up. I can’t keep relying on Valerie either, since she has her own life. I was and still am a single parent… Mom managed it, and I will too. I just need to make sure I survive this war for them…
I shower them, messing around to distract them, making some bubbles from the soap and giving them soapy beards. They giggle and laugh and for a few beautiful moments; I forget my troubles, the song of laughter like a soothing remedy for the pain within me.
“Ok! Let’s grab our pyjamas!” I say after we have brushed our teeth.
“Oh, is Mommy going to sleep with us today?” Zion asks hopefully. I smile. “Do you want me to?” I ask, crouching down in front of him and towel-drying his hair. He nods vigorously. “Then that is exactly what we’ll do,” I promise with a firm nod of my own head.
“Yes! Mommy can sleep next to me!” Sia says. “NO! Mommy has to sleep in the middle! Mommy always sleeps next to Sia!” Zion frowns.
“Hey… you two, no fighting alright. You two are siblings and siblings don’t fight, right?” I say gently, as Sia looks upset and frowns as Zion looks upset, which is unlike him.
Does he know something isn’t right and is playing up because of it?
“Look…” I pull them both close. “I’ll make sure I am with both of you, and I’ll sleep in the middle,” I say, trying to calm them both.
“See, I said that. It’s always Sia Sia Sia.” Zion says pointedly, rolling his eyes.
“Zion…” I reprimand gently. He sighs and looks guiltily at his sister. “Sorry Sia…” he mumbles before he closes the gap between them, giving her a big hug and kissing her cheek as she wipes her tears away.
“I’m sorry Sia…” He says guiltily.
She shakes her head and smiles up at him.
“I’m sorry too, Zion…”
I can’t help but smile at them both as Zion takes her hand and gently leads her to the bed. “Come on, let’s get ready for bed then.” He tells her. Mommy Sia’s medicine!” he adds before hurrying towards the large cabinet against the far wall.
“Mommy will get it. Here, you two put your pyjamas on.”
“Ok, Mommy.” He says as he hurries back to me, and I smile down at him. Always take care of your sister for me.
An hour has passed and I’m staring at the ceiling. The lights are off and both are asleep. I stare at the ceiling; the shadow created by the trees outside the window.
Can Moon Dust locate things as well as humans? Like the location of a cure.
If Gerard really has one…
I glance down at Sia. If only it could lead me to the cure… I know Valerie was trying and had sent samples out, but I know she is no closer to finding an answer than she was when she started.
I look at the children once more, slowly easing out of bed. I will sleep with them tonight but before that, there’s something I wanted to do… just in case
Returning to the room where Sebastian and I once slept together, I take out something I had spotted from Dad’s office earlier today. A large yet simple hourglass.
I get to work unscrewing the wooden base and carefully emptying the sand into a bowl. I then wipe it down and opening the pouch carefully pour the Moon Dust into the now empty hourglass.
As I pour, a vibrant pinky glow swirls around my hands, the hourglass sending a wave of power through me. With my heart…
I tense as that sudden thought enters my mind and shake my head, suddenly feeling extremely lightheaded.
I look down at the glowing dust that now settles back into the grey powdery sand that it looked like moments ago. The pink glow disappears. With my heart? Was that a hint on how to use it?
My heart is racing as I stare down at the Moon Dust, tempted to try it out, but tonight I promised the children to stay by their side.
Tomorrow I’ll try to use it to find Dad, and if it works… the cure and the Sable will be next. I grab a small plastic packet, placing a little dust in there to attempt tomorrow before screwing the bottom of the hourglass back on.
I place it on one of the shelves next to a clock. Hidden but in plain sight. I pour the sand from the hourglass into the pouch and place it in my safe.
Why did I do that?
I pause as I stare at the pouch. Because I’m scared of my own friends betraying me too… I feel guilty at the thought, but do I have any other option?
No. I do not.
I’ve trusted far too much.
I return to the children’s room and pick up my phone. The messages to Sebastian remain unread and my heart squeezes, but I refuse to dwell on that pain because I know it will crush the fragile state of my heart. I exit the chat and look at the new message from Atticus.
Atticus: Goodnight Zaia, don’t let their words get to you. We all respect your decision. The first training session starts at 5am. I’ll see you then.
Zaia: See you then. I’m going to do this. I’m going to find Dad, find the cure, and destroy the Sable for everything they have done to me and my loved ones.
The Goddess is a woman who needs no mate… so who said a woman needs a man? We don’t… and I’ll prove that.
