Losing The Light Of The Moon

Interrogations and Revelations...

Chapter 13: Interrogations and Revelations...

ALASTOR

As Horacio and Devlin were both scowling at them with death glares, Raven shifted the Blood Horizon rogues back to their human forms. Retribution undoubtedly on their minds, I don’t think the our prisoners knew how lucky they were that she placed them in a protective shield. If it were up to our Beta and head security warrior, there would currently be nothing left of them to interrogate.

I couldn’t deny that deep inside, I felt the same way. My wolf and I wanted nothing more than to rip the two men to shreds for their own deadly intentions this evening. And I could tell from his infuriated expression that my father felt the same way. 

There were several things my father and I felt the same about currently—we were incredibly fortunate to still be alive—fortunate that Aunt Tati had a vision that saved not only us, but several lives tonight—fortunate that she called upon Nicholas and the rest of our extended family to assist—fortunate that they rushed to fight alongside us until our men could arrive to protect our Spirit Walker borders...

I heard their voices in my head before their arrival—voices filled with anger, fear, and deep concern calling out to me. Both Remi and Tink’s reflected intense anxiety, fear, and worry—our deep friendship and connection reflecting in their heartfelt concern and dire need to confirm I was alright. In fact, all my extended family left me feeling overwhelmingly loved and cared for—even more so as I saw all of them breathe out a sigh of relief upon finding all four of us unharmed, protected beneath Aunt Tati’s fortunate shield. 

There was one voice, however, the first voice, in fact, that rocked me to my core as she was made aware of the deadly situation—Vivian’s voice. My wolf let out a protective anguished howl when we heard the profound fear in my Vivvy’s scream, my name resoundingly echoing in my head through our link in her panic-stricken state. I felt every ounce of terror and fright that radiated through her entire being before she arrived and saw that I was safe. It was only after I felt her overpowering relief inside that I felt like I could breathe again. The last feeling shared through our connection meant the most to me, however—the unwavering love and devotion she wholeheartedly felt for me. 

While my heart overflowed with the same love and devotion for my little beauty, an intense fury flowed heavily through my veins that Vivian was caused so much pain and that we were both nearly robbed of the life we wanted and dreamed about sharing together—the life my Vivvy deserved after all she has been through. And for that, the two rogues that spearheaded this deadly attack would pay...

Her hand still shaking slightly as it rested gently on my back, Vivian stood beside me now as Father and I interrogated our prisoners—with my father taking the lead...

“Names, NOW!” Father savagely bellowed out, his jaw locked solid in his overwhelming fury as the two men responded with harsh tones.

“Atakan”

“Berkan”

“Well, Atakan and Berkan, it appears you two made a grievous error in judgement this evening,” Father gravely stated, “If you don’t want to end up like the rest of your men, you will tell us where we can find Kristoff, Luscious, Arturo, and what is left of the Blood Horizon pack.”

Coldly staring at Father, Atakan snickered out sarcastically, “What do you think, Brother?”

His icy glare locked on me, Berkan sneered, “I think we’ll pass, Brother.”

“I would seriously reconsider that, if I were you,” I deliberately replied, “You, along with the three former inner-circle members of the Blood Horizons, planned and executed an attack against the Alpha of the Spirit Walker pack, giving orders to not only kill him, but me, the future Alpha, as well as the Beta, and a head warrior! The only way you live is to tell us where they and the rest of your army are hiding!”

“Our death is sealed whether we give you information or not,” Berkan scoffed, looking over at his brother as he spat out, “The truth shall remain hidden!”

Grinning menacingly, Atakan eagerly nodded, reiterating, “The truth shall remain hidden!”

“It’s only a matter of time, gentlemen,” Nicholas sternly warned, “Your numbers will continue to dwindle until there is nothing left. You are up against the entire Council. Our vast armies will ultimately win this fruitless battle of yours.”

“As long as we take as many lives as possible with us, we don’t consider our battle fruitless at all,” Atakan smugly replied, folding his arms in front of him.

We have our final count. There are forty-four Blood Horizon rogues dead, Alastor, Brady, our Delta, informed me, With the two you have there, that’s forty-six, which means we are missing one if there were indeed forty-seven of them.

Berkan must have seen my expression falter for a moment as he mockingly laughed out, “I’m guessing you have just been told you’re missing a rogue—or if I’m really lucky, you’ve been told something even better than that!”

**************

LORENZO

After hearing the repulsive rogue’s statement, I contemptuously called out, “Alastor?”

“Only forty-six are accounted for, Father,” Alastor scornfully replied, “Perhaps we should have Raven remove the shield and allow Horacio and Devlin assist us further in this interrogation.”

Before I could answer, Priscilla’s voice calmly rang out in my head, Lorenzo, I have one of the rogues currently unconscious in our living room. Thankfully, it seems Tatiana has returned to us—a fact we will discuss later. She quickly thwarted his attempt on my life. I just wanted to let you know we are about to question him. Tati is informing Jace as well as we speak.

My heart stopped momentarily as my wolf furiously begged to be released, intent on slowly torturing and killing the men who ordered the attack on our cherished mate and just recently returned beloved friend. Rare fear reflected in my reply, Are you alright, Priscilla? And Tati? Tell me neither of you injured!

I looked over at Jace to gauge his expression as he conversed with Tati, desperate to know that she and Priscilla were alright. His eyes were locked with Nicholas’, both of their faces filled with shock and deep distress, but not panicking, thankfully.

At the same time, Alastor saw the change in my demeanor, as well as the intensity on Jace and Nicholas’ faces, worriedly calling out, “What’s happened?”  I held up my hand to silence him, concentrating on Priscilla’s reply as his eyes darted back over to Nicholas and Jace.

I am fine, Lorenzo, other than infuriated currently, she assured me, her tone reflecting her deep irritation, apparently Jace and Nicholas just told Tati to wait until your arrival before we question the mongrel. She was concerned there was a witch involved, but they feel his ability to infiltrate our home was from some sort of bag of tricks Roman had. 

Yes, it’s never been found. Do as they have suggested and wait for us before waking him, my love, I comfortingly replied, I’m just grateful both of you are safe. I love you, Priscilla. I’ll be there momentarily.

Returning my attention to our current interrogation, Alastor was obviously made aware of the additional attack as he furiously seethed out, “Raven, get rid of the shield! NOW!”

“Remain calm, Alastor,” Raven gently comforted, “We still need information that only they can provide.”

“Something wrong, future Alpha?” Berkan evilly grinned before a satisfied smirk crossed his and Atakan’s faces.

“Thankfully, everything is perfectly fine, gentlemen,” I sarcastically replied in mocked pleasant tone before I let out an enraged roar, “OTHER THAN YOU ORDERED AN ATTEMPT ON OUR LUNA’S LIFE!”

Jace had a lethal expression on his face as he fumed, “And in turn, endangered the life of a Crescent Moon!”

Horacio immediately demanded in a thunderous deadly roar, “REMOVE THE SHIELD, RAVEN!”

“They’re both okay, right?” Tink furiously blurted out, “Or for once, I agree with the King of Fury here and he officially has a partner—they’re DEAD!”

“Two partners,” Beast growled out in a deadly tone beside her.

“Well, that would definitely seal their fates,” Gavin spat out, his tone incensed.

“Instantly,” Madeline heatedly concurred, “Though, I’m afraid the clean-up would be quite messy.”

Again, Raven remained tranquil and stoic in her reply, though even her undertone reflected a hint of harshness, “Yes, fortunately for these two, they are both fine thanks to quick thinking and a little magic.”

Always patient and calm, Nicholas stated, “Perhaps we should take a small group to the main house, Lorenzo, so we can question the other prisoner.  I think Madeline, Gavin, and Horacio can continue the interrogation here—though I think it wise for me to insist the prisoners remain held within their shields.”

Their satisfied smirks fell into irritated grimaces as Berkan angrily spat, “You will be wasting your time with Hadeon too! You’ll never find them!”

“But they will find you!” Atakan exclaimed, “Alpha Roman taught us how to outsmart any opponent, including witches like Raven and Loa!”

**************

JACE

After receiving word of what occurred in Lorenzo’s home, I agreed with Alastor, Horacio, and Tink—there is nothing I wanted more than to destroy the men who could have potentially caused harm to my mother, even if they were unaware of her presence.   

Raven quickly had she and our small group—Nicholas, Lorenzo, Alastor, Vivian, and myself—appear inside the main house. When we arrived, Mother—concealed head to toe in a long black cape—was standing with Luna Priscilla in the front entryway. Lorenzo, Alastor, and Vivian immediately ran over to gather around Priscilla, Lorenzo pulling her hard into his chest before releasing her slightly to cup her face as she placed her hands on top of his, assuring everyone that she was alright.

I rushed towards Mother as she met me halfway, my arms instantly around her in a tender embrace, a heavy relieved breath expelling from deep inside my chest as she lovingly assured me, “I’m fine, Jace. All is well here, my darling. Everyone else alright?”

Nicholas kindly assured her, “We’re all fine, Auntie. I’m just relieved that you and Priscilla are alright. Though I have to ask—why didn’t you tell Jace about this part of your vision?”

Releasing her from my hold, I pulled her hood back slightly to peer deep into her brown eyes, admonishing her, “I was just about to ask the same thing. Why didn’t you tell me about this earlier?”

“I’m afraid that is a complicated question,” Mother candidly replied, “While the attack at the border was clear, I only saw a glimpse of Priscilla’s face in my vision, nothing else, which typically means there is only a possibility of danger. That’s why I chose to come here after your arrival—as a protective measure in case a final decision was made that would indeed endanger Priscilla, which regrettably, is precisely what occurred.”

“In the future, please advise us of all possibilities when it comes to your visions,” I emphatically requested, pulling her back into my chest tightly, “You should have said something, Mother.”

Tilting her head back, she quietly defended, “All of you needed to concentrate on the battle while awaiting the arrival of Lorenzo’s men. It was a split-second decision on their part.”

“Regardless of whether any of you had known or not, it would have done you no good to be here,” Priscilla appreciatively interjected, “Tati had to render our four guards unconscious in order to quickly immobilize the rogue currently in my living room. Thankfully, your mother is incredibly efficient in diffusing dangerous situations.”

Stepping back, she pointedly requested, “Now, why don’t we begin our interrogation of my attacker. I want him out of my home! How he exits is up to him!”

************ 

TATIANA

Lorenzo, Priscilla, Alastor, Nicholas, and Jace stood behind the daggers that continued to hover in front of Priscilla’s attacker, who slowly came around after a little assistance from me.  I continued to keep myself concealed as I stood with Raven and Vivian at the back of the room. 

“Hello, Hadeon,” Priscilla frostily greeted, “I suggest before you speak, you look around at what you are facing. The daggers aren’t the only danger to you now. The only way you leave here alive is to tell the two Council members present where to find the rest of your pathetic army.”

The giant man boldly spat back, “The truth shall remain hidden!”

“Wait...that’s exactly what the other two said,” Raven quietly thought out loud, “Word for word.”

“No!” I exhaled out in alarm, immediately throwing a bolt of green aura around Hadeon’s face and head, rendering him unconscious again, causing everyone around him to turn around and look at me in shock and confusion.

As I rushed over towards him, Raven came to the same realization, quickly following me, “The truth shall remain hidden! It’s a spell!”

“So, Tati was right,” Priscilla irritatingly replied, “They are working with a witch.”

“Yes, they are, which means we’ve got to work quickly!” I urgently replied, closing my eyes and concentrating on my search, attempting to access anything I could in my connection with Hadeon’s mind.  Unfortunately, I was receiving nothing in return. 

As I reeled my powers back in, I sighed out in frustration, “Any memories of their location and the witch we are dealing with are gone.”

“She’s quite thorough, isn’t she?” Raven disappointingly murmured, “Your decision to keep yourself hidden tonight appears to be very wise, Auntie. This leaves me to wonder about their witch’s experience and abilities. It also leaves me wishing I didn’t continue to struggle with visions.”

“It will come with your continued training, Raven,” I confidently assured her, “However, like you, I am curious about this witch. I’ll continue attempting to conjure up the answers we need.”

“I’ll ask Zayden to pull the files on all known witches Roman has worked with in the past,” Nicholas unevenly breathed out, “But I’m not sure what good it will do—he worked with so many witches secretly that we know nothing about.”

“While it will complicate matters,” Lorenzo reasoned out loud, “I feel even more fortunate that we have Raven, Loa, and The Power of Three.  You are all a tremendous asset to us...as has been proven already—particularly this evening.”  

His gaze softening dramatically as his eyes locked with mine, he anxiously exhaled out, “Thank you, Tati. You not only saved me for a second time, but you saved my family. All of us at Spirit Walker are indebted to you—forever.”

**************

I wasn’t surprised when Priscilla requested that I stay behind as the rest of the Crescent Moons prepared to leave. I was bit surprised, however, that Nicholas didn’t resist when Lorenzo told him that he would personally take care of the prisoners instead of calling upon The Council guards. But knowing the severity of their actions, I suppose he knew their death was imminent and the Spirit Walkers were entitled to their retribution.

Jace sweetly made me promise to let him know when I returned home and Nicholas kindly asked if he could stop in while I had breakfast with Aruna, though he wouldn’t really elaborate as to why. Before they left, Tink and Beast enveloped me in one of my favorite hugs with Tink asking if we could spend some time together the following afternoon, a request I immediately agreed to, bringing a warm smile to her beautiful face.

Wanting to stay as close to Alastor as possible, Vivian remained at Spirit Walker. As Lorenzo and Alastor were dealing with the three prisoners, she nervously asked if we could talk for a moment before going back inside the house after our goodbyes to everyone.

Taking her hand in mine, I soothed, “I know you are still shaken, Vivian, and understandably so. I’m sure Alastor will return as quickly as possible.”

With tears brimming her eyes, Vivian emotionally replied, “Actually, I’m glad to have a moment with you, Aunt Tati, although I’m having a hard time finding words to express how grateful I am to you. My whole heart was in your hands tonight and thanks to you, my heart remained safe and intact—I came so close to losing my Alastor tonight.”

With a warm smile, I softly replied, “Don’t distress yourself searching for words, Vivian. With your heartfelt expression of emotion just now, nothing else needs to be said, I assure you. I’m just glad all ended well and those that we all love are safe.”

“I’m still in awe of your ability—the visions,” Vivian slowly breathed out, “It must be an amazing feeling to be able to see things that will happen and have the opportunity to change the outcome if needed—to be able to save the lives you did tonight.”

“Tonight does make me very grateful for my gift, Vivian,” I thoughtfully stated, “But, unfortunately, things do not always work out this well. Even when I am given the knowledge of what is to come, fate always has the final say and there are times that nothing can be done to change a devastating outcome. I much prefer the good visions—the happiness in those bring me so much joy.”

I took in a deep calming breath before I dismally stated, “The burden of the bad ones can be overwhelming at times—seeing fate’s deadly plan for someone who is completely unaware of what is to come. That’s what makes my visions feel like both a blessing and a curse. Truthfully, there was a time I felt the same about the powerful sorcery I have been gifted with.”

Her green eyes instantly wide, Vivian shockingly asked, “Really? You felt like being a witch was a curse?”

Memories of my past suddenly bubbled up to the forefront of my mind, surprising me as I felt compelled to freely discuss it now with Vivian—I preferred not even remembering it—but I suppose with everything that has happened over the last few days, my emotions had yet again caught up with me...thoughts and revelations from my youth as a witch about to be revealed...