Blood Moon Magic

by Isobelle Carmichael

I stalk to the restricted section, the stinging nettles as I press through the barrier, lighting my skin on fire for a brief moment. We had to place this barrier on our more dangerous books when some of our initiates started performing spells far beyond their power level. I find the section of spells that are about blood magic and turn to the page I’m looking for. A gasp escapes me as I scan the page. She’s trying to transform into a goddess.

  What the fuck is she thinking!

  I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose as pain begins to creep into my soul. I grab the small bottle of liquid that is my constant companion and gulp it down, waiting for the comfortable numbness to settle over me.

  Once the tonic kicks in, I can think again. I need to tell the rest of the Thirteen. I should start with Elania. She was slated to be the next High Priestess when Maeve began to fade, but then she somehow stopped the process. Now, I know just how. If anyone will be on my side, it is the woman who should be the protector of the shifter races. I head to my room to get some more work done.

  I grab all the spell books I can think of and enchant them to the size of matchbooks, sliding them into my bag. Next, I grab several vials of the potion I must consume daily to handle being away from my mate, Megan. I leave a note for one of the few Elders I know is not a sycophant for the High Priestess, and give it to a trusted acolyte.

  “Give this to Elania, Elder number four, and make sure no one else sees this.”

  He bows and leaves the room in a swish of black robes.

  I check my room, walking in a circle as I make last-minute preparations. At the last second, I grab some clothing. It makes sense to arrive in my ceremonial garb, but I should have some regular clothing for the rest of my time there.

  I slide my bag onto my shoulder and began chanting. In moments I appear in a clearing near the Dama de Noches’ den. Being an Elder has its perks, and one of them is being able to appear inside magical boundaries without harm.

  I have never been allowed to visit her, and can’t help but stare at the beautiful home that belongs to my mate and daughter. It’s hidden in the trees, and if I weren’t already aware of where they lived, I’d have missed it. My heart skips, and I even feel a little nervous. I can’t imagine what’s about to happen, but I highly doubt it’s going to go the way I often imagined in my mind. Megan hates me, and Abby doesn’t know I exist. A more normal man would be running away from a confrontation like this, but I cannot wait to see them, even if their faces will be full of anger when I do. Plus, I don’t have a choice, I have to do this.

  After knocking on the door, I have no choice but to wait for it to be answered. While I could have just appeared inside their home, that seemed like a bad move. I can’t help small tremors of my hands and bury them deep into the pockets of my robes. Finally, a man with grey eyes and blond hair answers. He is tall and broad. He’s also staring at me like he wants to kill me.

  “Who are you? How the fuck did you get past the magical perimeter?”

  “I am Elder David, Council of Thirteen.” I wonder if this one of the men my daughter has Claimed. He looks strong, even with his haunted gray eyes. Whoever he is, his protectiveness clearly extends to the entire pack, which fills me with hope.

  The sneer slides off his face replaced by horror and embarrassment.

  “No, please don’t worry. I didn’t announce my visit. You have every reason to be suspicious of men showing up here. I lift my sleeve and show him the tattoo of the Elders and elegant E with a number superimposed over the top of it. The numbers represent out rank within the council, and they can change as a person gains or loses power. When I first gained admittance to the council, I was number six. Now I’m number two, behind only the High Priestess.

  “Please come in, Elder David. I’ll let the alpha and her daughter know you’re here.”

  “If you could, I’d love to speak with Abigail alone first. I haven’t had the chance to meet with the future alpha yet.”

  “Um, sure. I’ll let her know.”

  He struggled with that, as he should have, but as an Elder, my word is law, so if I want him to hop up and down on one foot, he’s obligated to do so.

  I hate the idea of this being my first meeting with my daughter. But I’m worried if I wait, either Megan will try to shoot me, death sentence be damned, or she will blow things up for me with Abby, so I never get a chance to get to know my daughter. It’s not that I think Megan is spiteful—I think she’s a woman scorned, and I did it.

  I follow the man into the library and try to stop myself from pacing. I don’t want anyone, least of all her, to know how nervous I am.

  I clasp my hands behind my back and stare at the window, noting the gorgeous shades of the magical perimeter in the distance. The multi-hued magic indicates that multiple witches that layered their magic upon this boundary, and it’s very strong. Worry runs through me, at being in this home. I can already feel the presence of my mate, and my soul feels more complete than it has in years. The dull ache that persisted, even when under the effect of the drug, has waned for the first time since Megan left the Overrealm all those years ago. My hands shake, and I don’t know if I’m more nervous to meet my daughter or to see my mate again. Neither are going to be happy to see me.

  I wonder what she looks like—if she has her mother’s hair, or mine? What her eyes look like, her smile? Will she be short or tall?

  Fucking Maeve! Her sick games are endless.

  I would rather not be meeting my daughter at all, than have this meeting under these circumstances. I’m helpless to stop this, and I hate feeling helpless. How can I convince Megan that I’m on her side?

  The door slams open, and my daughter walks in. No introductions are necessary. This young woman is mine, of that I’m certain.

  Those are my eyes, and that’s my hair. I want to run to her, crush her to me, and protect her. Suddenly it’s all too real. In two short days she could be dead, and all for that power hungry bitch. The dejection on her face is only slightly less than the ire. She knows who I am too, and she’s not going to want a hug.

  I take a deep breath and introduce myself. “Abigail, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Elder David, and I’m your father.”

  Every hope I had for a pleasant reunion fades as her face drains of blood, and her eyes well with tears.

  Nice going, David. That’s how you win your daughter over.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Abby

  Kaden walks into the room, fidgeting and avoiding eye contact. My stomach begins to churn.

  “Abby, um, so there’s an Elder in the study here to see you,” he says.

  “A who is here to see what?” the words come out a bit high and squeaky from my shock.

  “An Elder,” he repeats, and the sense of foreboding that was trickling in begins to pour through me in a deluge of emotions.

  Why the fuck would an Elder be here to see me? And days before the Blood Moon ceremony, no less? I can’t shake the feeling that something terrible is about to happen.

  “I’ll go down to the study immediately, and no, you don’t need to come,” I tell him already knowing he’s going to offer. “I’ll be fine.”

  I walk down to the study, and open the door, wondering what I’m going to find. A sick feeling is invading my body.

  A man is standing by the window, and I can only see his profile, but as he turns to face me, the breath leaves my lungs all at once. Shock kicks me in the stomach as I stare at a face that resembles mine.

  “Abigail, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Elder David, and I’m your father.”

  “My father?” I want to say he’s lying, but the truth is literally staring me in the face. I shatter, hot tears welling in my eyes. Years of whys and hows layer with the bitter betrayal that seeps into my bones like a winter chill.

  I push the betrayal away, as tears threaten to spill over my eyes.

  “You’re alive? Where the fuck have you been all my life?” I growl with barely-controlled fury. Anger is a m
uch more comfortable emotion, so I let it suffuse me.

  I note flowing robes, the unnatural glow of his brown eyes, and the luminescent quality of his deeply toned skin. “You’re one of the Thirteen. You’re really an Elder?”

  He literally just introduced himself as “Elder David,” but it didn’t sink in. I was too busy processing why the man in front of me looks so much like me to hear him clearly.

  Black spots appear before my eyes, and my heartbeat takes off. The ominous signs of an impending attack, but I refuse to let anxiety take me over, “What are you even doing here?”

  My mom slams into the office, and I’m almost pleased to watch the color drain from her face as she takes in the scene before her.

  At least she didn’t know he was coming. She didn’t lie about that.

  “Hey, Mom. Dad’s home.” I say, venom dripping from my tone as I whirl on her. “You know, Dad, the man you said was dead? Funny you never mentioned he was also an Elder, or you know, ALIVE!” I scream, not caring how I sound. I lost the ability to be rational when I saw my father’s face.

  Joy and sorrow intermingle, tossing me around like I’m on the high seas. I have two parents, and here they are together in one room. Am I happy or sad? I don’t know, but the most prominent feeling is the bitterness of betrayal that strangles me.

  “Well, it looks like you two have some catching up to do, don’t you? I can’t stop the words that are coming out of my mouth. “Oh, but wait you see him what ... once a year when you go to make the alpha sacrifice, right?” Their faces are set in matching grimaces. “So the only one who needs to catch up is me.” Hot tears stream down my face as the devastation of this moment breaks me apart.

  “Fuck you both. How could you do this to me? You’re both assholes, liars, and … and assholes!” I can’t even think clearly long enough to come up with another insult.

  “Abby, I can explain this,” my mom begins.

  “No, you most certainly cannot. I literally don’t see how you could explain this to me.”

  I hear my men through my connection, sounding extremely worried. It’s no wonder, since there is no way my emotions aren’t being broadcasted to everyone at full volume. I want to apologize, but it’s pointless. I can feel them all lending me their strength and offering comfort while also respecting me enough to stay on the other side of the door until I ask for them.

  “What would you like to explain mother? That you lied to me for twenty-five years about my father, or that you lied when you said you have no idea,” I punctuate the words with air quotes, “how my witch powers are so strong when I asked you about it?” My alpha powers fill the air, and I’m powerless to stop them.

  “What lie would you like to tell me next?” She closes her mouth and stares at me, so my father takes over. Their attempt at parental tag-teaming makes me want to scream. I’m so pissed off I can’t stand it. I can see their Bond from here, and I want to tear it apart with my teeth.

  “Abby, I’m here to save you. To warn you,” my father starts.

  “Warn me about what? You should have started with, ‘telling you I fucking exist.’ I want to hear nothing about your bullshit explanations!”

  “Abby, stop it now,” my mother calls out, trying to subdue me with her powers, but for the first time in my life I shake them off. I don’t know if she just didn’t put enough oomph into it or not, but I’m not staying around here.

  “I won’t stop ... you ... you …” I continue to struggle with a good insult, but nothing comes to mind.

  “Look, I just want to tell you not to try anything at the ceremony; to ensure that you give all of your power to the Elders because if you don’t, they will kill you,” my dad says, and his voice sounds so sincere I believe him.

  “Please don’t say they like you’re not one of them,” I bite out, “and I hadn’t planned on trying anything, so I don’t know why you’re so worried. Go fuck yourself!” The lie coats my tongue, but I owe this man nothing.

  “Abby, you don’t understand. A few of the packs have been trying to turn against us, and the High Priestesses is upset. She’s thinking about declaring war on the shifters if it continues.”

  “If what continues? I’m not part of any conspiracy, so I’m safe!

  I hear my mothers gasps and turn to look at her.

  “You’re not forgotten, Mother. We will have a conversation about this, but right now I need to get out of this room before I do something stupid, like try to kill an Elder or an alpha, and get sentenced to death!”

  “Abby, your life is in danger. Your mother promised your powers to the Elders in exchange for your conception, and this weekend you have to transfer your powers to us. And there’s a chance you could die.”

  “David! How could you?” she snaps at him.

  “Mom, is this true?”

  I literally feel my vision blinking in and out, as I struggle for breaths. I can’t focus right now. The room is getting smaller, and I have to get out of here.

  I throw the door open, and it’s ripped off the hinges as my power catapults around me.

  “Abby, please. We can talk about this,” my mother says, moving to stand in front of me.

  Chest heaving, I push past my mother, shaking off the hand she places on my shoulder. I careen into the hallway, out of control. All of my mates are waiting for me, and they look livid.

  “Holy fuck! Abby, come here.” I’m stunned that the first arms to close around me are Marcus’s, but I don’t care. I can feel him using his elemental powers to pull the anxiety from my body and calm me down. I would normally tell him not to take away my feelings like this, but I know when to ask for help.

  Shaun walks up and hugs me from behind. The cocoon of these two strong men is exactly what I need to help me breathe, but the tears that started in the library don’t stop. I can still hear my parents shouting at each other.

  “We heard you broadcast your side of the fight, and the shouting filled us in on the rest. We’re so sorry; how can we help?”

  I give a most undignified snort, as his words bring a broken laugh from me.

  Crushed doesn’t cover the sickness that invades me. Not even when I was down in that dungeon watching Nathaniel torture Ronnie did I feel this damaged. At least then, I could find the strength in me to want to live. Now, everything that I thought I knew has been ripped apart and shredded like emotional confetti.

  My body shakes with sobs, and I don’t care if I appear weak. My mother lied, my father is alive, and I am about to be served up like some sacrificial lamb to the Elders.

  I scream, and my power rips through the hallway shattering pictures. I am nearly dropped on my ass as Marcus stumbles.

  “Wow, my love! That was impressive. I love you, but your power is also a bit horrifying.”

  “Why would they do this? What was the point of this? What would have the Elders so worried they would send my father here to ensure that we perform the ceremony properly?”

  “I have no idea, but I will find out, Princess. I promise you that I will figure out what’s going on.”

  “Come on, let’s get out of here. It sounds like your parents are going to kill one another in there, and I don’t want to be a witness.”

  I slump in between my dragon sandwich and let their feelings of love sink into me.

  Justin comes over and finagles me into his arms, holding me close to him. My connection is so open I can hear every one of my guy’s thoughts, but they’re comforting, so I don’t try to block them. Justin sends waves of healing power towards me, but I weakly lift my hand to his chin.

  “Sweetheart, you know that’s not going to work on the kind of pain I’m dealing with, but the fact that you tried is so fucking sweet.”

  He smiles, “It was worth a try.”

  The guys bring me to my suite and lay me down on the bed, Marcus on one side and Kaden on the other. I lie between them and let the rest of my tears fall before they finally dry up. When I stop crying, Marcus gets up to move and kisses me sw
eetly.

  “I’m going to go get you something to eat, and a large glass of whiskey,” he winks at me.

  When he leaves, Justin takes his place, and after some jostling and what I’m sure was a heated telepathic conversation, Kaleb replaces Kaden on my other side.

  “Where’s Shaun?”

  “I’m here, Abby. I’m just trying to take care of some business and see if we can verify what your father said about the ceremony.”

  “I think you’re wasting your time. I get the feeling that no one else knows.”

  “It’s worth a shot. Sometimes alphas know these kinds of things. And if there’s information out there, my dad has it.”

  Exhaustion covers me like a blanket, and I yawn, giving in and letting sleep claim me for a while. When I wake, it’s to the smell of something divine and a large tumbler of whiskey, as promised. I grab the whiskey first, choking down a few swallows. The burn fills me with warmth, and I sip on it some more. Wanting the oblivion of drunkenness to dull the ache inside of me may be stupid and a tad childish, but everyone should be able to drown their sorrows in drinks after earth-shattering news. My plan is foiled when my glass is taken from me.

  “Abby, I need you to eat something, and then you can have some more whiskey,” Marcus chides.

  I shrug, the pleasant mellowness of the whiskey already spreading languidness throughout my body.

  “Sure, sounds like a deal,” I agree, and chow down on the bowl in front of me. I don’t really taste what’s in front of me; I just eat it because I want another drink. I plan to get hammered tonight, and adult tomorrow. It seems like the best of both worlds.

  I look around at my very sober mates and alter my plans. I’m not the only one getting plastered tonight. I think it’s time to get everyone wasted.

  “I think we should all get drunk tonight. Who’s game?” The mirror twins share a grin and walk over to the makeshift mini bar they’ve turned my kitchenette into.

  “Okay, boys. What’s your poison?” Kaden calls out and begins to take out all the items needed for drinks.