“I don’t understand,” Ayry said, squeezing her eyes shut.
Phaedra came to the center aisle. “I’d like to understand what’s happening.” She eyed Abel cautiously.
“When Saul was killed, there were four present. We didn’t know who they all were. When Saul died all the power of the necromancer was disbursed, but we didn’t know where or to whom,” Amon explained.
“Abel seemed to have caught some of the power, but very little,” Stasia added. “But some came to me and some to someone else.”
“Why did you take the blame?” Phaedra asked Abel.
“Because I knew that Ayry was a magus and that any necromancer, including myself could be a danger to her. Amon would protect her from anyone and everything.” His expression softened and he gazed into Ayry’s eyes. “I had no idea the stakes were so high.” He smiled and looked at Maynard. “I didn’t know there was so much more than just you to protect.”
Ayry didn’t know what to think or say. Her eyes darted to Stasia. “You’re the one doing the killings. You’re the one that came after me while I was riding.”
“No, that wasn’t me.” Stasia insisted, shrinking back afraid that no one would believe her.
“It wasn’t.” Blake stood up and went to Stasia. “She specifically asked me to keep an eye on Ayry when she went riding. Those things came through the barn after Ayry left, they were looking for her. I shifted and went after them.”
The air in the room crackled, the lights flickered, and a look of panic came over Stasia’s face. “I can’t move.”
Ayry looked to Abel.
His eyes were filled with dismay, “I can’t move either.”
Maynard squealed and pointed to Jezabelle, “Her.”
Ayry focused on Jezabelle who was moving toward them. She held Maynard tighter praying she could protect him.
No one spoke, the only sound in the room were Stasia’s soft whimpers trying to free herself from the invisible binds.
Jezabelle donned a smug smile and weaved in and out of her captive audience. “For centuries the power has been disbursed. I’ve only ever had a fraction of the power until that night. The problem was that it splintered even more, making it very difficult to harness it. And now, finally, it’s all in one place, here for the taking.”
“Jezabelle,” Amon warned. “You can never hold all the power.”
“Can’t I?” She crooked her lips to the side with a sly glance. “You don’t know anything about my power.”
She leaned in to Stasia as though she were going to kiss her. She sucked inward and Stasia’s spirit was drained from her body. Stasia’s eyes darted from side to side helpless to save herself.
Jezabelle smiled as the last bit entered her mouth. “That’s one.”
She turned to Amon with a smile. “Who’s next? Should I take the wolf? The boy? Or you?”
Ayry found herself able to move again. “Jezabelle, you won’t take anymore.” Ayry shifted Maynard to her hip and tangled her fingers with Abel’s. She gazed at him with love and understanding. “Together.”
Maynard pushed his hands toward Jezabelle. “Show your true form.”
Jezabelle’s body began to shake. Dark clouds consumed and tormented her and hit her from the right and then the left, and with each hit more of her form aged and withered. She visibly aged, and her hair streaked with grey until it was white. Deep time telling wrinkles formed on her face. Dark circles formed rings around her eyes as they sank deep in her skull.
Jezabelle shrieked and fought against the shadowy power. Her flesh began to recover. They weren’t strong enough. They needed more power.
Stasia’s body stirred on the floor. She slowly rose to her feet and came to the center aisle to stand next to Abel. She held her hands out and pulled Jezabelle’s darkness into her finishing what Maynard started.
Jezabelle held her hands up in front of her face and watched as they wasted to bone, then dust. The clouds carried what was left of her upward and into Amon’s urn.
Amon focused on Abel with hands stretched outward. Abel froze for a moment and a black oily substance leaked from his skin in a cloud and entered the urn.
The lighting in the room returned to normal, the wind was no longer blowing, and the entire room fell silent.
Stasia was weak and she sat in the closest chair. Blake rushed to her. “Are you okay?”
Stasia was hesitant. “I’ve done what my father would’ve wanted.”
Ayry turned to Abel with a new understanding of why he left. Abel’s fingers slipped from Ayry’s and he respectfully took a step back from her and Maynard. His eyes betrayed him with the yearning to be close to them.
Ayry matched his steps and threw her free arm around him. “Thank you.”
Maynard giggled and wrapped his tiny arms around Abel’s neck.
Phaedra cleared her throat. “What just happened?”
Amon walked past her. “My grandson just saved Dark Moon Falls.”
Phaedra followed after Amon, “You killed Saul?”
“I had to. We had agreed that’s what would happen if the power consumed him.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked and turned to Abel. “And you? You took the blame?”
“I couldn’t protect Ayry, but I knew Amon could.” Abel’s eyes met Ayry’s looking for forgiveness and understanding.
“What happens now?” Ayry looked at the urn and then Stasia.
“We have to hide the power and pray that it stays hidden,” Amon said.
“Can’t we destroy it?”
“No, everything has to have a balance. If that,” Amon pointed to the urn, “doesn’t exist, it could affect you and Maynard.”
“Dad tried to keep the power disbursed, but it came into him and he lost his way.” Stasia recalled.
Blake put his arm around her and held her to him.
Anabelle stepped forward trying to understand all that happened. “Dad, are you…”
“I am. My time is limited but I know my children and grandson are safe.” A sad smile lit his lips. “I can go now.”
Maynard reached for Amon. “Don’t go.”
Amon leaned into Maynard. “The smiling man will never leave you. You have lots to do in this world.”
“Dad.” Ayry had so many emotions running through her. “Don’t go.”
“I have to,” he said turning toward Anabelle. “I want to stay, but this isn’t where I belong. I love you both and will never be far from you.”
Ayry shifted Maynard to Abel’s arms and ran to her father. She threw her arms around him as tears streamed down her cheeks. “Daddy, please,” she sobbed.
“It’s okay, Ayry. You’re going to be okay.” His form began to fade.
“Daddy, I’m so sorry. I’m sorry for being angry, I’m sorry for not being here. I’m –”
“Ayry, I love you. You have nothing to be sorry for. You did what you thought was best for your son. I would’ve done the same,” he said and reached out to Anabelle.
Anabelle joined Ayry and Amon in an embrace. Amon’s form was going fast until the girls could no longer feel him.
“Daddy!” Ayry cried out one last hopeless time.
Amon disappeared and the only sound that remained was the Ayry and Anabelle’s soft sobs.
Phaedra went to the altar and picked up the urn. She came to where the girls were standing. “I would like to take this and put it in a place of protection in the sanctuary.”
Anabelle and Ayry looked at each other. Anabelle spoke for them, “I don’t have a problem with that, do you?”
Ayry shook her head no. “Just so the power is protected.”
“It will be. It’s too dangerous to be allowed out again.” Phaedra smiled. “Your father was an honorable man.”
Ayry pressed her lips together in a thin line. “I know.”
Phaedra turned to Stasia. “And so was yours, he got a little lost.”
Stasia acknowledged Phaedra and Blake pulled her in tighter for c
omfort.
Phaedra lead the way down the aisle. “Let’s give the family some privacy.”
The doors slid shut, and Anabelle, Maynard, Abel and Ayry remained. Anabelle tilted her head. “Now what?”
“I don’t know,” Ayry said, shaking her head and sitting in one of the chairs on the aisle.
Abel was still holding Maynard. “I’d like to spend a little time getting to know this guy.” He looked at Ayry pleading. “If that would be okay?”
Ayry smiled at Maynard. “What do you think?”
“I’d like that.” Maynard put his arms around Abel’s neck.
Epilogue
Ayry threw another dress on the bed and blew out an audible grunt in frustration. She ran both hands through her long blond hair.
“You’d better make up your mind soon.” Anabelle chuckled standing in the door.
Ayry shot her a look. “That’s not helpful.” She turned and fell backward on the bed hopeless. “I have no idea what to wear.”
“You could answer the door in a potato sack and Abel would think you looked beautiful.” Anabelle went to the drawers and pulled out some clothes and placed them on the bed.
“That’s not the point.” She sat up and pulled the clothes into her lap. “I think I should cancel.”
“Absolutely not.” Anabelle sat next to her sister on the bed. “You’ve literally spent thousands of hours with him in your lifetime. You two were inseparable when you were teenagers.”
“That’s the point. We’re not teenagers anymore. So much has changed.” Ayry looked down. “A lot changes in five years.”
“Not a wolf’s one true mate.” Anabelle raised a brow and put her hand on Ayry’s leg. “Get dressed, he’ll be here soon.” She stood and paused at the door. “You should brush your hair though. It looks like you stuck your finger in an electrical socket.”
“Thanks.” Ayry rolled her eyes. “That helps.”
Ayry got dressed, brushed her hair and attempted to apply enough makeup to hide the dark circles under her eyes. She looked in the mirror and could only see all of her flaws. Her nose was too narrow, her eyes too squinty and she had split ends. “I guess this is as good as it’s going to get.”
Maynard was waiting in the parlor on Anabelle’s lap. Ayry came in the door and Anabelle chuckled. “Jeans and a flannel?”
Ayry’s eyes widened as though she was about to lose her mind. “Don’t.”
“I’m kidding. I don’t think he’d know what to do if you actually wore a dress.” Anabelle nudged Maynard off her lap and went to her sister and adjusted her hair. “You look beautiful.”
Ayry bit back her nerves.
“You have no reason to be nervous.”
“Mommy?” Maynard gazed up. “Do you love Mr. Abel?”
Ayry froze and didn’t know how to answer. The simple truth was that she did love Abel but didn’t know how to respond to her son. She didn’t want to set any expectations that she couldn’t control. “Aren’t you hungry?” she said, dodging the question.
“Mr. Abel loves you.” He smiled.
“Why do you say that?” Ayry kneeled down level with him.
“Because it’s true.”
The front doorbell rang and Ayry jumped. Her gaze flew to Anabelle in a panic.
Anabelle laughed and left to answer the door.
Abel rounded the corner into the parlor holding a bouquet of Brown-eyed Susans. He saw Ayry first and his cheeks went flush with a deep shade of red.
“Abel!” Maynard ran to him and jumped into his arms nearly knocking the flowers out of his hand.
“Whoa, hey buddy! How are you?” He cut a half smile into his cheek and handed Ayry the flowers.
“Thank you.” She gazed at the flowers thinking of how he remembered that they were her favorite.
“You’re welcome.” He never took his eyes off Maynard and hugged him a little tighter. “Do you have big plans for Auntie Anabelle today?”
“Yes! We’re going to go to Delight’s and have pancakes for dinner!” he squealed.
“Ana!” Ayry scolded.
“Oh, calm down,” Anabelle said dismissively. She held her arms out for Maynard. “Come on, bud. Let’s get started. I’ve already got the finger paints ready on the back porch.”
Abel hugged Maynard again and handed him over. “Have fun.”
Maynard smiled and his eyes shifted between Abel and Ayry. “You too!”
“Give me a hug.” She kneeled down to him. “Don’t stay up too late.”
“I won’t.” He giggled and put his hand in Anabelle’s.
“We’re going to have some fun.” Anabelle led him down the hall.
Ayry and Abel stood in silence. Neither of them knew what to say or do.
Abel fidgeted and glanced at the floor and then back to Ayry. “Are you ready?
“Yeah,” she answered and picked up her purse. “Let’s go.”
Abel led the way, and he opened the door to Silas’ truck. “I was afraid you’d be wearing a dress and I didn’t think you’d want to take the bike.”
“Really?” she asked, shocked that he would think that. “I miss riding with you,” she admitted.
“Oh, well, shit.” He stood unsure what to do. “Next time?”
Ayry nodded and got in the truck. Abel went around and got in the driver’s side. “Sorry, I just thought that –”
“It’s really okay.” Ayry laughed nervously.
They drove in a long awkward silence. They always had so much to say to each other. They talked about everything, their dreams, their hopes, their future. But now there was only silence.
Abel couldn’t take it one more minute. “You’re in school?”
“Yeah. Just finished actually.”
“Cool. What did you go to school for?”
“I got my Bachelor’s in botany,” she answered.
“Awesome.” Silence fell between them again.
Abel navigated the truck over the dirt road until he reached their old spot where Ayry used to love the sunset.
She smiled seeing the old familiar scenery. The trees were a little bigger, the brush a little more grown but it all felt smaller to her. She smiled. “We spent a lot of time up here.”
“I really missed it,” he said as he took a picnic basket out of the back of the truck along with a cooler.
“Yeah,” Ayry said, taking slow steps toward the clearing.
Abel unfolded the blanket and put it down and unloaded the basket. Ayry sat down on one side and Abel poured two glasses of wine. “Legal this time.” He laughed.
Ayry laughed at the memory of them stealing whatever half empty bottles her mother had at the B&B. “I actually discovered that I like wine more than I thought.”
“Yeah, it tastes like shit when it’s been open for a few days.” He handed her a glass.
She sipped it. “This is good.”
“I’m glad you like it. It’s from the orchard I worked in. It’s actually my first time as an actual vintner,” he said with pride.
She picked up the bottle and read the label. “Tempranillo.”
“Yeah, it’s a rich, full-bodied wine, with a spicy, peppery flavor. Very rich.” He glanced down. “It reminds me of you.”
She blushed, “Stop it.”
He paused a moment, nearly paralyzed caught in her gaze. “I could live five hundred years and never create a wine with a flavor as exquisite as you.”
Ayry had no response. She was unable to shift her gaze from his. He leaned over and slid his hand behind her neck and gently pulled her toward him resting his forehead on hers. “I never stopped loving you.”
“Abel –” she started with hesitation.
“I’m sorry.” He pulled back from her.
She lunged forward and tangled her fingers in his hair pulling his lips to hers. She couldn’t wait one more second. Unsure of what came over her, all she knew was that she needed him, to be in contact with him. She pressed her lips against his, savoring his flavor,
his scent.
Abel moved closer to her and gently stroked her neck. Their kiss deepened and revealed emotion and heat that had long since been buried for Ayry.
In a moment of reason, she pulled back. “I’m sorry. I’m not –”
“No, no. Don’t apologize.” Abel widened his eyes.
“I just don’t know how . . .” She lowered her gaze trying to form the words. “You left. I’ve spent so many years being angry with you. You left me without a word, without so much as a fuck you. You killed a man, a man that was part of our family and you left. I don’t know how to recover from that. Even though I know the truth now, that you had to, that you did what you had to for my father, for me. I still don’t know how to stop being angry.” Tears welled in her eyes.
“Ayrabelle,” he said and caressed her cheek and drew her eyes to his. “I don’t want to rush anything. All of this is. . . well we both have a lot to let sink in. A month ago, I was working in the fields in an Oregon winery. Now, I have a son. I’m sitting here with my one true mate and all I want to do is bask in the glory of everything that I have in this moment. I don’t know what tomorrow brings. I don’t know if you’re leaving, if you’re staying. . .” He pressed his lips into a thin line. “I can only speak for myself, and the wolf in me be damned, but you’re my one true mate. When I thought I wasn’t capable of loving someone more than I love you, fate proved me wrong.”
Ayry glanced up at him confused.
“When I saw him, when he ran into the kitchen, I felt the kind of love I never thought possible. My heart exploded over and over in my chest and now all I can do is hope and pray that you will allow me to be part of his life. I don’t know what that will look like. I don’t expect to be an instant family or for you to forgive me. I just need –”
Ayry put her hands on his face. “Abel, you’re Maynard’s father. I want you to be part of his life. I want him to have a dad as awesome as I did and you’re that guy.” She looked down. “I don’t know what that looks like either, but I do know we’ll work it out.” She leaned forward and kissed him again. “I’ve always known you were my true mate too.”
“One day at a time?” he asked, hopeful for the future for the first time in a long time.
Dark Moon Falls: Abel Page 11