Luna's Ascension

Chapter 4: Seeking the Truth

I let the words sink in. Four more members to recruit. That meant four more people would die, in order to fulfill Leo’s plans. 

“That’s what the files on your desk are for.” I finally said, “the others you have selected to turn.” 

“That’s right.” Leo said. 

“What part of I don’t want to hurt innocent people do you not understand.” I growled out. 

“What part of we need to overthrow an insane king who will s*******r everyone you love, and encourage the s*******r of innocents by the thousands until the human species is extinct don’t you get?” His tone expressed pure exhaustion and exasperation. “We can’t do it on our own. I saw the clan we need to build.” 

“Show me.” I said, leaving the room and making my way back to his office. Leo was hot on my heels and edged past me into the office. 

“Here.” He said handing me a folder as he tried putting the other three nonchalantly in his desk. 

“All of them.” I said taking the folder from his hand. 

“Just this one. She’s our next recruit. You’ll know the rest when the time is right.” He refused to make eye contact with me as I took the folder. 

“Who are we turning that I care about?” I asked, relentless to learn the truth. 

“That file is your biological mother.” Leo dropped the bomb on me to distract me from the other three files. Unfortunately, it worked. I opened the file and immediately noticed it was the one that was opened on his desk the last time I was here. Her eyes were a bright blue as she smiled and laughed at the camera in the photo tacked to the corner. Her olive complexion, thick hair, and full curves matched mine, but her hair was a rich shiny black compared to my chestnut brown. I could see more similarities in our face and eye shapes, her nose was longer and sharper than mine but it was nice to finally know what she looked like. In the photo she had no wrinkles and looked no older than Leo. The paper under her photo stated her name was Gabriella Gomez, she was 37 and living in Asheville, North Carolina working as an editor for a big publishing company of romance novels. The report indicated that she was unmarried and had no children. I scoffed at that. “I figured even if you don’t turn her, you would like the chance to meet her and get some answers.” Leo said casually from the other side of his desk.

“When do we leave?” I asked. 

“It’s a three day drive. I was planning on leaving tomorrow.” He answered me. 

“Okay. I’m in.” I answered feeling the nerves begin to tighten my stomach. “What’s the plan?” 

“A lot easier with you coming.” He answered, “We will get there Friday and ask to meet with her, I already have a novel drafted for editing and an appointment set up. I will be posing as your agent, once we meet with her you will introduce yourself, and hopefully she will realize you’re her daughter. From there we can insist on a more private meeting, you can get your answers, and we can make our proposition.” 

“And if she denies our proposition?” I asked. 

“She won’t.” 

“But if she does.” I persisted. 

“If she does we will do a memory wipe of everything vampire and leave.” He sighed, “But she won’t refuse.”

“You seem pretty confident in that.” I eyed him curiously.

“I saw the future, she was in it. Plus if you refer to more than the first page in that file you will see that she has a long online history of purchasing vampire romance novels, along with purchasing supernatural romance books to edit and publish. Her job can be done remotely as most contracts are made online nowadays and most books are published online as well. Plus her search history and current lifestyle indicate a sense of regret over giving you up for adoption. In her spare time she volunteers for the Big Brothers and Big Sisters program and spent her college days working at a daycare. She spent a short while as a foster parent, but quit due to it being too hard emotionally on her when the children were returned to their parents.”

“You sure did a lot of research on her.” I said, eyeing him suspiciously, “You sure you’re only interested in her as a coven mate, and not a you know...mate mate.” I raised an eyebrow at him. 

“I’m not writing off the possibility.” He said with a mischievous smile. 

“Ew. I’m going to bed.” I said leaving the office as Leo laughed behind me. 

I made it to my room and noticed Jesper sitting on my bed. “Jesper, what are you doing here?” I asked. 

“I told you, I could give you company.” He said, looking up at me while he fiddled with his hands. “That is if you would like it…” he trailed off. 

“I appreciate the offer, but I’m in a relationship.” I answered. He was cute, and nice, but I couldn’t even think of moving on until I officially ended things with Matt. And I was in no way ready to confront him yet. Leo was right, with my current feelings for him I would turn Matt in a heartbeat, betraying Mist’s trust, and ruining his life with my own selfish desire of keeping him by my side forever. 

“Well if you change your mind. Just know I’m here for you.” Jesper said, patting my head as he walked by. “You don’t have to isolate yourself and be alone forever.” He whispered before closing the door. I locked the door, because the staff seemed way too comfortable walking into a monster’s room and making themselves at home lately. 

I turned on the television for background noise as I pulled out my phone from the bag Mist had given me. I started a text for Matt, but erased it. Instead texting Mist about the development with my biological mother. I went to text Matt again, but couldn’t figure out what to say. I’m sorry for being so distant? I’m sorry for abandoning you? Those apologies left me feeling as empty and hollow as they sounded. I wanted to text him the truth, I wanted to go back with the knowledge I have now and change it all. Push Mist away, not leave myself open for their corruption and plan, but since they were vampires, even that wouldn’t be enough to stop them. Frustrated I locked my phone into the bedside table and closed the shades choosing instead to toss and turn in my bed. God, I just wished I could have Matt there to hold me and run his fingers through my hair until I fell asleep. ‘Just know I’m here for you’ Jesper’s words echoed through my mind. I sat up with a groan and unlocked my door. I searched with my mind for his consciousness moving throughout the mansion. When I found him in the kitchen preparing a snack I thought to his mind: Jesper come to my room. I don’t want to be alone. I felt the shock register through him before the realization it was my voice in his mind. I felt the excitement replace the shock as he thought back: be there soon. I sat anxiously on the edge of my bed wearing my sweats and t-shirt as he edged his way into my room, closing the door behind him. 

“How may I serve you mistress.” He asked, but I was still in his mind and could feel his excitement and energy at being summoned. I focused and removed myself from his consciousness. 

“I just need you to lay here with me and pet my hair until I fall asleep.” I said, “Once I’m asleep you are free to leave.” 

“I understand.” He said, removing his shoes and sitting on top of my covers. I got under the blankets and rested my head on his stomach as he began petting my hair, I listened to the soothing beat of his heart and each breath he took. Slowly I felt my mind relax as I focused on the sensations of my hair being pet, the soft sheets, and the rhythmic sounds of him being alive. I soon fell asleep. 

I awoke filled with joy as I felt Matt’s arms around me, thinking the terrible nightmare was over. I rolled over only to see Jesper snoring softly. He was on top of the covers still just holding me, his hair was slightly ruffled, and I quickly disentangled myself from him. Guilt washed over me, but I pushed it aside making my way into my closet where I began packing my belongings for the trip ahead. I heard Jesper toss and turn as he woke up in bed while I was slipping the door shut. Candy was standing in the hall. 

“Good evening, Luna.” She greeted me with a smile. “I was just coming to wake you and give you breakfast.” She motioned towards my door. 

“Oh, uh,” I stammered looking at the door behind me, I threw my bag over my shoulder, “Actually Leo and I are actually leaving for a trip today, so I would like to have breakfast in the kitchen if you don’t mind.” I said beginning to move towards the stairs hopeful she wouldn’t notice the noises coming from my room as Jesper was getting up and putting his shoes back on. 

“Sure thing.” She smiled. 

“Good evening Luna.” Leo greeted me from the dining room table where he was feeding off of Kenneth, “Have you seen Jesper by chance?”. Kenneth glanced up and Candy smiled slightly, it wasn’t an attack but I flinched slightly anyways. 

“Nope. Candy’s the first one I saw today.” I lied. Leo nodded, the look he gave me said he didn’t believe me but was going to let it slide this time.

“Sorry I woke up late.” Jesper said entering the kitchen, his white hair had been combed and I had no idea how he had managed to change his clothes in the short time I was down here. “I guess I didn’t refuel enough after the last feeding yesterday.” he shrugged as he made himself breakfast, and a cup of coffee. 

“Well you just eat up then. I’ll take care of the mistress this morning.” Candy said, forcing a smile as she took out the ribbon holding up her auburn hair and wrapped it around her arm, making her thin veins more prominent. Her blue eyes urged me on and I took a bite letting her blood rush over my tongue. I drank deep until I felt my hunger subside as I released her arm she untied the ribbon putting it back in her hair. “Come on Jesper let’s get to work.” she said, grabbing an orange juice from the fridge and a snack sized bag of chips. Jesper groaned as he followed her, giving me one last look. 

“I’ll join you guys.” Kenneth said, leaving hot on their heels.

“I would advise against sleeping with the staff.” Leo said as he got up. “They know too much, and it is a pain to wipe their memory and turn them loose after so long, not to mention a new servant to replace them. Ugh. Such a headache.” He shook his head, “Plus, it blurs the boundaries between staff and master.” I didn’t bother defending myself. 

“It won't happen again.” I promised him. 

“If you need company you can take the half hour drive to Missoula and pick up a college boy. Or take me up on my offer and visit Matt after we get home with Gabriella.” 

“You seem really dead set on me maintaining my relationship with Matt…”I said, until it hit me, “He’s one of the files. You want me to turn him so he’ll join our coven.” I whispered in horror.

Leo had the audacity to shrug, “What will be will be.” He said, “We should leave now. The sun set half an hour ago, unless you changed your mind about Gabriella.” He raised a brow at me and I sighed heavily before following him out to the car. 

“I won’t do it you know.” I said an hour into the drive. “I won’t kill Matt.” 

Leo only shrugged again, “I saw what I saw.” 

“And the future isn’t written in stone.” I corrected him. “I won’t betray Mist and I definitely won’t hurt him.” 

“We’ll see.” Leo answered, “Now let’s discuss your novel.” He said tossing a manuscript into my lap. “You started writing it your freshman year of high school, and know it still has a lot of kinks to work out. It’s about a wolf-shifter who has to choose between his betrothed and his high school sweetheart, he ends up breaking up with the high school sweetheart to pursue his betrothed. Alone, his high school sweetheart finds out she is pregnant, and gives birth to the child only to finally discover the unconditional love she always sought to be between her and her child. She moves out of state with her shifter child and is found by an alpha of another pack who claims her and the child taking them in. It’s a slow burn romance as the single mother is healing from her broken heart and learning to trust and love again.” 

“God that’s so f*****g cheesey.” I complained. 

“Yup, but that’s what the publishing company sells, so deal with it.” He answered. I rolled my eyes and turned up the music turning on the rock station. I stared out the window watching the scenery roll by until we stopped at the first motel settling in right as the sun started to rise. In the evening Leo settled back into his travel routine procuring food before we took off again. It was three more days of driving, motels, frat boys, and sleep before we reached Asheville. We checked into our motel Friday morning as the sun began to rise. I awoke to the sun high in the sky creeping around the curtain rod. The latest frat boy sitting on Leo’s bed. 

“Drink up, then get ready. We have to be in the sun for a bit today.” Leo said, “here.” He tossed my locket towards me, “I found a witch in Raleigh.” I put the locket on and immediately went to the window opening the curtain. The sun still made my eyes ache and feel tired but I didn’t feel any burning. I wanted to run out in my t-shirt and sweatpants to dance in the sunlight, but Leo closed the curtains. “Even with the locket you’re not immune. You still need sunglasses, long sleeves, and long pants.” Leo warned, “Now go get dressed.” I drank from the frat boy before rushing off to the bathroom and getting ready. I put on a thin long sleeved blouse, and black dress pants looking the part of a business profession just going about their normal day. I wore my sunglasses and we dropped the frat boy back off at campus before driving to the publishing company. 

The knots in my stomach knotted as I paced in front of the receptionists desk the fake manuscript clutched in my hand. The first ten pages were filled out but the rest were blank. “Hello, we have an appointment with Ms. Gomez today. Under King. Yes that would be the one.” I heard Leo purring to the receptionist who only eyed me nervously. “Don’t mind her, my daughter is just nervous as this is her first time meeting with an editor.” I had my glasses pulled up so they rested on the top of my head to maintain a normal appearance but the sunlight was starting to get to me. Leo took a seat next to me with our backs to the window and encouraged me to calm down. My legs bounced and nausea rolled in my stomach from the anxiety. My hands trembled slightly as I pretended to thumb through the manuscript. 

“Ms. Gomez will see you now.” The receptionist said, leading us into her office. Gabrielle didn’t even look up. 

“You can leave now Mercedez.” She waved her hand, dismissing the receptionist. Finally lifting her head as she heard the door close. At the sight of me she gave a slight tilt to her head, before motioning to the chairs across from her, “You can have a seat. Ms. King was it?” I nodded. “And this is your father Mr. King, he’s also your agent?” She questioned referencing the sheet in front of her. I nodded again and then shook my head no. “No?” She asked, “No he’s not your agent or no he’s not your father?” She looked between us. 

“No he’s not my father, and I’m not Ms. King.” I answered. “My name is Cindy Waterloo.” She dropped her pen, and stared at me with her mouth open. 

“You know the Waterloo family I take it?” I asked her. This time she was the one to only nod. “How do you know the Waterloo family?” I asked her. 

“I think you know.” She answered. 

“I have a lot of questions.” I told her. 

“I don’t know if I can answer them all, but let’s go to lunch shall we?” She asked me, before turning to Leo, “Who are you? Because you are definitely not her father.” She asked him. 

“Just a P.I helping this young girl find you.” He answered. 

“Well consider me found.” She said with a shooing motion. 

“If you don’t mind, Mr. King put a lot of effort into this case crossing multiple state lines, and is my escort, so I would like him to stay.” I said putting my hand on Leo’s arm. 

“Alright. But we can’t discuss this here. Let’s go back to my place.” She offered, “I’m assuming you have the address?” She sneered at Leo.

“Yes Ma’am.” He answered. 

“Good, because Cindy will be riding with me.” she took on a parental tone, her posture shifting to one of maternal protection. Little did she know she was much too late. 

I got into her Jeep Wrangler and smiled, “I have a Jeep too.” I shared, “I got it for my sixteenth birthday.” 

“Wanna put the top down?” She asked, with a smile. 

Sadly I shook my head no, “Unfortunately, my eyes have become sensitive to the sun lately, which is why I had to have Leo drive me.” I shared the partial truth. She nodded in understanding. 

“Yeah, plus it’s easier to talk with it up.” She smiled softly. 

“Why did you give me up?” I asked the question I had been wondering since I was fourteen. 

“I don’t have a good reason. I was 19 when I had you. Your biological father was the love of my life, we were high school sweethearts. When he broke up with me I was heartbroken, then I found out I was pregnant with you. I wanted to keep you but my older sister and mother encouraged me to give you up for adoption so I could go to college and build a better life for myself. My sister was 25 and married, and her brother-in-law and sister-in-law were unable to conceive but wanted a child. In their late thirties I thought they would be better to provide a better life for you, and so I gave you up. And I am so sorry I did. I moved down here to go to college and get away from all the hurtful memories of Michigan. Every day I have regretted giving you up, but was able to live with myself because I thought I was giving you your best chance.” She was speeding around the mountain roads and it was making me car sick along with all the information I was given. 

“If you regretted it, and were a distant family member why didn’t I ever meet you?” I questioned. 

“Because my sister didn’t trust me, she made sure to bring her daughter Wendy down here to see me, she gave me updates that you were fine and adjusting well with a good life. I was happy to believe her, and kept my distance so I wouldn’t ruin that.” 

“Did Wendy know you were my biological mom?” I asked, shocked. 

“No, Lillian would never tell her that.” my mom said with a laugh. “No. Only Roger, Linda, Lillian, and I know. Well and now you.” 

“What about my biological dad?” I asked. 

“I’m sorry. He doesn’t even know you exist. Once I left Michigan I never heard from him again. Lillian told me he moved out to Vegas with the girl he left me for, and that they had a kid two months after you were born. I guess I didn’t really mean as much to him as he did to me, but that’s enough of my sad story. Tell me about yourself.” 

“Well Roger and Linda were good parents. They took good care of me. Next door lived a little old lady I would help out. Eventually her grandson moved in with her and we became friends. In middle school we started dating, then in High school his grandma died and my parents took him in to live with us. We traveled a lot since they retired. My best friend was Aubrey. I just graduated high school and am figuring out where to go from there.” I shrugged, “I had a pretty mundane life until recently.” I said with a nervous laugh. 

“What about your interests? Do you really write or was the book just a ploy to meet me?” She asked. 

“No I don’t write, but I do paint, draw, and sculpt. I read a lot of supernatural and paranormal stuff along with murder mysteries. I love learning about history and literature. I love old horror movies and am kind of obsessed with the 1980s. I like pretty much any music besides country, rap, jazz, and classical. I’ve always loved animals but wasn’t able to have pets once we started traveling so much. I’m currently taking a break from a cross country trip with my best friend from high school to meet you. I hired Leo on my eighteenth birthday last month to find you, and well here I am. How about you?” 

“Well I also am interested in the supernatural and paranormal. My love of reading and literature is what got me into editing and publishing. I’m not a huge fan of pets, as that’s just more responsibility and it’s hard enough just taking care of myself some days. I am a classic rock fan, but basically have the same music taste as you except I do enjoy country music and sometimes indulge in classical music to fall asleep. I write, but nothing worth publishing yet.” She smiled. “Your P.I is really good, I haven’t been able to shake him off my tail yet, and not for lack of trying.” 

“Yeah he seemed really invested in this case.” I said with nervous laughter not quite knowing where to take the conversation.

“Oh well. We’re here anyways.” She said whipping into a driveway. She pushed a button that opened her garage door and pulled in closing the door behind her. We exited the Jeep and entered her home. It was homey-feeling and felt like walking into an outdoor magazine spread with it’s rustic decor. “Make yourself comfortable.” She called to me as she opened the front door for Leo. “You can come in Mr. King.” She said, motioning to the couch that overlooked a large window with the view of the mountains. I sat and Leo settled next to me. Gabriella walked to the bar on the far wall, pouring herself a finger of whiskey, “You drink?” She asked Leo. 

“I could have a drink.” He answered. She poured another for him, and a third for me. 

“There’s no way you're my daughter and don’t like Jack” she said with a wink handing me my glass. I took a hesitant sip and felt the familiar burn. It started to rush through my body relaxing me. “So Mr. King, why are you so invested in this case?” She asked, turning her full attention to Leo. Leo took a nervous sip. 

“Well you see..” He started. 

“We might as well tell her.” I said. She looked between me and Leo with suspicion, “Oh God no it’s not that.” I said, putting up my hands, “That would be a lot easier to explain.” I laughed nervously. “So you see, God this is going to sound so stupid and you won’t believe me, but Leo is my mentor.” 

“You want to be a private eye?” she asked. 

“No. Not quite, you see. Well, um, my friend I told you about Aubrey. She ended up turning me into a...God you are not going to believe me. Aubrey turned me into a vampire, and well, Leo here, er um, Mr. King has been teaching me to be a good vampire.” I closed my eyes waiting for her to laugh but she didn’t. 

“So vampires are real?” She asked me. I looked up and didn’t see doubt on her face. 

“Yes.” I answered. 

“I knew it.” She said more to herself than to us. Remembering we were there she looked at Leo and I, “Can I see your fangs?” She asked, getting up and coming over. 

“Uh, sure.” I answered, smiling to reveal my fangs. She pressed her finger against one and pricked her finger. She shoved it into her mouth before the scent of her blood reached the air. “You’re taking this a lot better than I did.” I looked at her still waiting for her to freak out and go into denial. 

“No, no, you have to see this.” She said, taking my hand and leading me upstairs to her office. 

“You’re a witch.” Leo said, letting out a low whistle as he looked around the room. Her Grimoire was open on the table, jars filled with herbs and what appeared to be animal body parts lined one shelf along the wall, and the other shelves were filled with leather bound books that upon further inspection were lore from multiple cultures with multiple pages having tabs sticking out of the top. Crystals and dreamcatchers hung everywhere, the room smelled of a rich herby incense and there were pillows and fuzzy blankets scattered around. 

“One of my coven members had heard rumors of vampires and shifters existing and I’ve been spending all my spare time doing research on the lore trying to find definitive proof.” She said, excitedly pulling book after book from the shelf going to her bookmarked pages to show us her literary proof. 

“Well how would you feel about becoming a vampire and moving to Montana?” I asked her, “I would love to get to know you better.”

“Really? After all I did you would give me a second chance?” She asked, tears filling her blue eyes. 

“Of course.” I smiled back at her, “You are my mother after all.” 

“Well if you give me a month, I can settle all my affairs here and transfer to working one hundred percent from home, then move out there. Other than my coven and job I don’t have much for me here.” She said gesturing around, “And the house would sell for a pretty penny so I could afford the move, but am I still welcome if I’m not one hundred percent on being a vampire?” She asked, looking now at Leo, “I don’t think I can keep my magic if I become a vampire.” she answered, running her fingers along her Grimoire. 

“That is fine, Gabriella. Get your affairs sorted, come be with me and your daughter. You can continue your research there and I will answer your questions to the best of my ability to help you make the final decision. Here’s my number, and Cindy’s.” He said, using his hypnotic voice and handing her a card he had written on. “Unfortunately, we haven’t gotten much sleep today and need to return to the motel.” he shifted back to his normal conversational tone.

“Absolutely, not.” She said, shaking off the daze of receiving her hypnosis command, “I have more than enough room here.” She led us down the hallway and opened a door on the right. Closing the light cancelling curtains she fluffed the pillows and motioned for Leo, “Here you can sleep here for the day, and Cindy you can sleep in my room.” She said, abandoning Leo to lay in the bed I followed my mother to her bedroom. Her favorite color had to be blue as it was all over her bedroom. Blue light cancelling curtains hung in the windows and matched the blue comforter and sheets on her bed. The sheets were buttery soft and I fell asleep almost instantly.