My Mate, My Mystery

The Darkness Spreads

~Athena's P.O.V~

My focus was on our mate and the lack of interest he shows for us. I am a strong wolf from a strong heritage. I am as intelligent as I am strong. Had I been focused on what Xena was doing I would have stopped her from touching it. As my focus zoned in on what her fingers were touching I knew immediately how much trouble we were in.

This magic is not only dark but it is old and powerful, alot of the witches alive today no longer practice this magic. With great power comes great Karma, they realized how dangerous it was and locked it away. So how did it find it way to the woods lining our mate's pack lands and more importantly why? They are a some pack made up of many different blood lines, but none that stick out enough to be attacked with such powerful magic.

I called out to Xena to reassure her even though I knew my words were lies, I truly did not know if we would survive this. I could already see the edges of my world turning black, I knew my time was limited. My mind instantly was trying to figure out what to do as the blackness was spreading and I was becoming weaker. It was happening so fast, I gave out a whimper that sounded so loud on my head.

To my surprise, my whimper was answered by Midnight, Aurora's wolf. I was supposed to be the one protecting her but here she was answering my plea. I didn't have much time, I could feel the darkness consuming me and my life force fading. I felt the warm healing light she was sending me mentally but she was too far away for it to do anything but give me a few more minutes of light. I used those minutes to send her a mental image of what we touched and what happened afterwards.

I could sense the worry from her, she also knew how old and dark this magic was. She sent one last burst of light before my world fell into complete darkness. It was like falling into an abyss or a black hole. The was no light anywhere, no sound and the air felt thin, making it hard to breath. I could feel the hair on my back standing up as my nerves took over. I tried to wait for eyes to adjust hoping I would see something, anything, but the longer I waited the darker the blackness became. Afraid to move from spot I am in, fearing what is in front of me or behind me that I can't see, I lay down with my head on my paws and allow the tears to stream from my eyes.

The darkness didn't bother me as much as the feeling of complete loneliness and not knowing what was happening to Xena. Were we dead, is this what happens when someone dies? Was it just me who was dead? what will happen Xena then, will she survive the loss of me? The anger and sadness filled me so much I let out a painful howl, trying to relieve some it.

My howl echoed through the blackness and seemed to go on forever. Once it stopped the silence took over again but not for long. In the distance I heard what sounded like a faint laugh. I strained my ears to listen, questioning if I was just hearing things. The next time it seemed slightly louder and closer to me. It was definitely a laugh and each time I heard it, it got louder and closer sounding more evil every time. It sounded like it was coming from every direction, completely surrounding me. My fur stood completely up and a low growl came from my chest.

Images started to appear in the blackness before me. They looked like snapshots of the events that had occurred. It started with Aurora’s arrival to out pack, her first transformation, her being crowned Luna, their wedding and the announcement of the twins. My head was spinning, was this midnight trying to communicate with me? Why was it all about Aurora and midnight?

Then images of Aurora’s mother being put to death followed by a strangled cry. Which lead to more current images of someone watching us arrive in Ireland, then the images of what occurred in the woods were right in front of me. I could feel this was not midnight and my anger started to rise. I growled out "why are you doing this? what do you want?"

I was answered with another set of images, these where transparent and hazy, as if they were not memories but a projection of what has not happened yet. My heart stopped and I froze unable to breath as I watched the images before me.

They were images of a very pregnant Aurora getting off the plane. Then her leaning over Xena's body with tears in her eyes. The next image show a pained look on Aurora’s as she touches Xena. I closed my eyes not wanting to see what happens next but I had to know so I forced my self to open them. Then next image showed the magic traveling to Aurora’s belly, to the twins.

I cried out not wanting anything to happen to them or her, but my scream went unheard and images keep coming. The next image showed Aurora on the floor holding her belly as if she was having a contraction. Tears poured from my eyes as I forced myself to watch. the next image was the small old witch holding a black haired baby and a golden haired baby as Aurora lay unmoving on floor behind her. The witches eyes glowed black and she moved as if in a trance.

Then in the next set of images a lady who looked strikingly like Aurora was standing over the twins with a smile so evil it gave me goosebumps. She raised her arms and I saw the dagger in it. I screamed in horror as she thrust the knife down into the heart of the twin with black hair. My heart felt as if the knife had plunged into me. When I caught my breath again I realized I was screaming "Why" repeatedly. I was answered with another image of the magic that was contained in the twin rising up the knife, into the lady who had stabbed her.

The other twin screamed in pain as if she felt everything her twin was going through. Once the magic was fully transferred, the lady grabbed the golden haired twin walked away, killing anything that stood in her way.

The blackness returned with the distant laughter taunting me. What have I done, this was a trap to lure Aurora here and I played right into it. I was the one who was supposed to protect her and I lead her right into trouble. I have to find away out of here and stop it before it actually happens.