“Come on Luna.” Lucas hissed, rushing to catch up.
Luna followed, taking her time as she turned through the castle halls towards the council chambers. She wouldn’t have time to change and make herself suitable for their meeting, though she didn’t really care. She was more comfortable in her Earth clothes, and they were asking a lot of her, her wardrobe should be the last thing they were worrying about.
Lucas was waiting for her outside of the council room doors as she turned the last corner.
“Aren’t you coming in?” Luna asked, watching as he shuffled his feet, staying outside of the room.
“I’ve been asked to stay outside,” He glanced into the room sheepishly, the council was waiting. “But I will be right here if you need me.” He added apologetically.
“Really?” Luna was surprised that they had changed their minds, what was so different about this meeting that Lucas wasn’t allowed inside with her? Was it because he had defied his father and gone with her into the Gateway?
“I’ll be right here, I promise.” Lucas stared at her, “They need you inside.” He added in a whisper when she didn’t keep walking.
Luna nodded and looked into the room, stepping over the threshold as Lucas closed the door behind her. She walked slowly towards the council, they were staring at her.
“Lady Blackwater.” The King turned to address her, tipping his head in greeting. “We are pleased to see that you have returned unharmed.”
Behind him the cage had entered the room like a spectacle for their amusement. She stared past the King at the creature waiting for her in the gilded cage, wondering what had become of him.
“Lady Blackwater?” The King was staring at her, “Are you alright?” He asked as though he had been talking to her for a while and she hadn’t noticed.
Luna stared at the cage for a moment longer. Inside Alec Blackwater, or the curse that had consumed him, was beginning to regain consciousness. The collar had been removed and her nightmares were flashing vividly in her mind.
Finally she looked away, “Yes.” She answered the King slowly, her eyes turning to him.
“We know it is late, and you have already been through an ordeal this night…” The King stepped towards her, “Do you think you could try?”
It was the very last thing that Luna wanted to do, dealing with the creature that had once been her father. But as she looked around the room at the staring council members she knew that she had to at least try, she wasn’t sure that they would even let her leave unless she did.
Success could mean that Eranox was saved, and judging by how fast words spread in the Kingdom, it would buy them enough time to get the cure started.
Luna nodded, “Okay.” She agreed reluctantly, “Do you have the vial?”
Sir Hawthorn stepped forward, handing her a container. It was much larger than the vial she had used to cure the cat, but a human would probably take more potion to separate the curse.
Luna took the bottle and glanced back at the cage, “How do I get up there?” She asked staring at the top of it.
A ladder was already being brought into the room by two Knights, they rested it against the cage.
Luna nodded, not waiting for their prompt. The sooner she tried, the sooner it would all be done with.
Carefully she climbed the ladder to the top of the cage, wary of the stirring form still resting inside. She uncorked the bottle and poured it atop the shape before he could squirm out of the way or reach his dark hand through the cage to knock over her ladder. And then, as quickly as possible, she climbed back down and got away from the ladder.
Inside the cage the dark creature that had consumed Alec Blackwater had begun to howl, his deep throaty call echoing in the small chamber.
It was terrifying.
“You’ll have to work quickly.” The King stepped back from the cage, leaving Luna there on her own to face the cursed man inside. “He’s calling the others.” He warned.
Luna had nearly forgotten that there were still cursed inside of Eranox. She didn’t want to find out what kinds of creatures her father was calling, his screams echoed around her.
“Okay.” She breathed, steeling herself as she reached her hand out towards him.
The creature inside the cage stopped, and turned towards her, watching her with his dark eyes.
I’m still here. His voice echoed in her head, though the creature continued to howl. Luna stared into his dark eyes, trying to find the spark of him that was still human, it was speaking to her, it was still there. It gave her hope that he could still be saved, though she knew that the curse had had much longer to consume him than the freshly cursed cat that she had already cured.
Luna closed her eyes so she could focus without seeing him in front of her watching. She felt for the curse on him, it was thicker than it had been on the cat, more intertwined with the still-human aspects of him. It had been there longer and twisted through him like a parasite, connected to every part of him. But she could still feel it, like a cold layer that had wrapped itself through him.
The darkness seemed to be more alive, it twisted and wriggled to get away from her as she tried to concentrate. Perhaps it was just that his curse had been there longer, but a part of Luna suspected that it was because night had fallen and the curse was active, it had more energy to fight back.
In her mind she imagined the curse lifting, twisting from his body into the air and turning to smoke. She didn’t want to leave any trace behind so she concentrated harder, pressing her hand into the air in front of her, watching with her mind as the smoke lifted, dissipating in the air above the cage.
She heard the King gasp, but dared not open her eyes for another moment as she made sure that there was no sign of the curse left on the caged man. She dug deeper, reaching into the recesses of his being, drawing out the stubborn dark spots that tried to cling to him and dissolving them into nothing.
Slowly Luna opened her eyes, the world seemed spotted before her. Her head was spinning.
“You did it.” The King breathed.
Luna stared at the cage, where there had once been a dark smoky creature there was now a man. His clothes were ragged, and his hair wild, he curled himself into a ball, looking at his hands.
And then he looked up.
His eyes were dark and curious, they reminded Luna of her own. He stared at her for a moment longer, his eyes welling with tears.
“Luna?” He gasped, the word crackling through his dry throat, “Luna…”
A tightness formed in Luna’s throat, she was overwhelmed. There before her, still trapped in a cage, was the father she had never known. She didn’t even know what to say, she didn’t know how he knew her name. Her head was spinning, her knees were weak. It had taken every ounce of energy she had had left to release him from the curse.
The world twisted around her as she fell to the ground.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Something brushed against Luna’s face, she turned her head, her eyes fluttering open. There was a canopy over her head, and warm blankets wrapped up to her neck.
She was back in her own room, or at least her room in Eranox.
“You’re awake Miss.” She felt a bump as Margie sat at the end of the bed staring at her.
Luna sat up, leaning against the heavy pillows to look around.
“What happened?” Luna asked quietly.
She didn’t remember getting to her room, she didn’t remember much at all about the night before. It seemed like a vivid nightmare that she couldn’t shake, the Gateway, the dark man, a cage; it was hard to piece together in a way that made any sense.
Margie shook her head, “The council should have known better…” She tisked, looking Luna over, “They worked you far too hard, when you were brought up you were in very bad shape.”
“Who brought me up?” Luna asked, she didn’t remember getting back to her room, she must have been half asleep.
Margie shook her head, “It took two of them to get
you in here, you were unconscious.” Margie stared into Luna’s eyes, searching for a sign that she was injured.
“I was?”
“You must have fainted.” Margie turned away, “It was too much, they worked you too hard.”
Margie seemed to be rustling with something in her apron, a moment later she pulled out a small glass container with some sort of lotion in it. “Here, give me your hands.” Margie slathered the lotion into her hands and set the jar aside, taking Luna by the palms and massaging the lotion into her skin. “Using powers like that,” Margie looked down at Luna’s hands, “It takes time, and patience… you are lucky that you appear to be okay.” She added.
Luna looked down at her hands, there were scorch marks on her palms.
“What happened?” Luna turned her hands over, looking for more marks.
“You used too much, more than you could handle, it shows.” Margie shook her head, “It will take a little longer to heal.”
“Did it work?” Luna asked, she remembered the smoky man in the cage, the curse lifting above him and evaporating, and then nothing after.
Margie nodded, “They seemed pleased, I think you managed to impress them.” She answered, “How are you feeling?” Margie leaned in closer, feeling Luna’s forehead with her wrist like she expected a fever.
“I feel alright, I think…” Luna looked at her hands again, she didn’t feel hurt.
“You’ve slept for nearly half the day.” Margie tipped her head knowingly, “You must be hungry…”
“Thirsty…” Luna corrected, realizing how dry her throat was.
Margie nodded, passing Luna a cup of tea that she had rested on the night stand to cool, “This should help, and you should probably eat something too, keep your energy up, it will help you heal faster.” She insisted, walking to the door and ringing a bell.
It would seem that there was room service in the castle, and Margie was calling for a meal.
Luna took a sip of the tea, letting it calm her dry throat, “I don’t think I’m up for eating right now…” She tried to explain before it was too late.
“Oh don’t be silly, you just don’t know it yet, but you are starved.” Margie gave Luna a knowing look.
“Really Margie, it’s okay.” Luna finished the tea and tossed the blankets aside, walking towards the wardrobe where her Earth clothes were stored, “I think I would like to go and see the council, I want to know if it worked…”
She tossed her nightdress aside and began to get dressed.
“Here dear, let me help.” Margie appeared at her side with a dress and cloak in her arms.
“Thank you.” Luna took the cloak and tossed it on over her jeans and t-shirt, at least it was warm.
Margie stared at her with wide eyes, “Are you sure?” She asked politely, trying to hold out the dress for Luna to wear.
“This is much more comfortable.” Luna answered, slipping her feet into her sneakers and walking towards the door.
“I should call you an escort.” Margie called, racing across the room to try and keep Luna from leaving on her own.
“I think I can find my own way.” Luna smiled, stepping out into the hall and leaving Margie behind her.
Luna had only been a few places in the castle, so she was sure that she could find her way back to the council room without getting lost. The winding empty halls of the castle carried her forward, and a few minutes later she found herself faced with a Knight, standing guard outside of the council room doors.
“Lady Blackwater.” He tipped his head, surprised to see her.
“I need to see him.” Luna pointed to the closed doors, sure that her father was still in there, caged and waiting.
The Knight looked uncomfortable, “I’ll have to check Lady Blackwater.” He sounded afraid.
Luna nodded, waiting for him to check for her. He knocked on the door, whispering to a Knight on the other side. A moment later he turned back to Luna and nodded, the door swung open for her to enter.
“Thank you.” She tipped her head as she passed the Knight, entering the council chambers.
A new cage had been constructed in the middle of the room where the large meeting table had once stood. Though the gilded cage had disappeared, the captive remained.
It was more like a jail cell, inside the man was pacing, the real Alec Blackwater. He looked up when Luna entered the room.
He had been given real clothes, or at least the familiar cloaks of a High Wizard in Eranox, and looked less disheveled than he had the night before when Luna had seen his real face for the first time.
There were two Knights standing guard on either side of the cage, Luna watched them as she approached the bars, a stiff nod from one of them telling her when she had gotten close enough.
The man inside the cell had stopped pacing, he stood in the center of the cage, watching as Luna approached.
“You look so much like your mother.” He smiled with a sadness in his eyes. “Did she name you Luna? That was the plan…” He trailed off, looking away from her for a moment as he composed himself.
“She did.” Luna watched as he looked back at her.
“Where is she? Is she okay?”
Luna nodded, “She’s okay, she is still on Earth.” Luna answered, more curious about him than she should have been, “So you’re my dad…”
“I suppose I am.” He smiled again, though the sadness was still there, “How long…”
“Eighteen years.” Luna didn’t wait for him to finish the question.
“That long…” He stared off shaking his head, “I can’t believe it’s been that long…” He admitted quietly.
“Do you remember it?” Luna asked, curious about what it was like being cursed. He seemed to be recovering well enough, she wondered if it would be the same for the others when the curse was finally lifted.
“Some.” He looked haunted for a moment, “At times I think I was in control, but that curse…” He shook his head, “It makes you forget things… do things… it was hard to control.”
“You could control it?” Luna hadn’t expected that.
“Only sometimes.” He nodded, “Like when I brought you the necklace.” He pointed to the stone hanging from her neck.
Luna reached up, feeling the warm red stone in her fingers, “So it was you…”
He nodded, “That was the longest that I was ever in control, three days…” He spoke as though it were a well-earned vacation, “and the ring…” He added, looking down at his hands.
“Mom has it now.” Luna smiled.
Alec nodded, a small smile played on his lips, washed away a moment later by the sadness.
“How are you feeling?” Luna asked, curing him had knocked her out long enough to waste half the day, she was sure that it would have affected him as well.
“Like I’ve been frozen for eighteen years.” He chuckled, “It’s nice to be able to move my arms again.” He swung his arms in a circle to prove his point.
“Now what?” Luna asked, “Are they keeping you caged? Are you going to help cure the others?”
What she really wanted to ask was; can I go home now?, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it, not in front of him.
“I suppose I am in quarantine until they figure that out.” He shook his head, “It was impressive what you did.” He added with a twinge of pride. “How long have you been training for that?”
“Training?” Luna was afraid to answer, “I didn’t…” She admitted sheepishly, “It was the cat, and then you.”
“The cat?” Alec nearly laughed.
“Yes, first they had me try it on a cat.” She answered.
His face fell, “So you weren’t trained?” He sounded disappointed.
Luna shook her head, “I didn’t even know about Eranox until last week…”
He sighed, “Then I suppose your mother has moved on…” He spoke quietly, the sadness returning, “I should have expected it, eighteen years is a long time…”
“M
oved on?” Luna shook her head, “She thought you were dead, but she never moved on.”
“Dead?” Alec looked startled.
“Yeah, I never even knew about you.” Luna said quietly, “It’s always just been her and me…”
“But she didn’t tell you about Eranox?” He began pacing again.
“She wasn’t planning on coming back…” Luna whispered, afraid that the Knights would overhead and get her mother in trouble.
“You are a High Wizard, that should have meant something. And to hear that you have never been trained.” He stopped and stared at Luna for a moment in silence, “I don’t know how you did it…” He trailed off thoughtfully.
“Did it?” Luna stared back at him, trying to read his face.
“How did you lift the curse?” He stepped towards her, still staring, “It shouldn’t have been possible…”
“It wasn’t easy.” Luna admitted, not sure how much of it she was allowed to share, “They came up with the plan on their own.”
“And you cured me first.” He stopped, considering something, “So I could help…” He trailed off lost in thought.
“They were hoping you could.” Luna admitted.
“One at a time…” He turned, pacing again, “It could work…” He mumbled to himself. “It would take time… but it could work…”
Luna watched as he paced in his cell, thinking something through. He made several laps before he finally stopped and turned back to her, looking a little more cheerful, eager even.
“They finally found a way, a way without the others.” He smiled, “And once I have survived the night…” He shook his head in disbelief, “We can start to go back to normal…” He breathed.
“Mom’s going to be really happy that you’re back.” Luna smiled, she could imagine the look on her mom’s face even then.
“Why isn’t she here now?”
Luna considered, “It was too dangerous…” She wasn’t sure if that was the right answer. They had only needed Luna, so she hadn’t even asked about bringing her mom with her, “I guess it would have been hard on her… especially if we failed.” She added.
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