Losing The Light Of The Moon

Lost and Found, Part I

Chapter 31: Lost and Found, Part I

JILLIAN

I was anxious—Arturo and Lucious were going to be watching me—I was about to come face to face with my mate—something I had seen so many times in my dreams and wanted more than anything. I had to stay strong.  While I was executing their plan, I also had to execute mine—convincing the two hulking men in front of me that it was all part of Amelia’s spell.  

I had to find a way to help my mate escape the death and destruction I feared...although right now, Mattias’ thick scent of musky sandalwood was causing my heart to pound wildly in my chest and my focus to falter.

Fortunately, Lucious and Arturo mistrusted Amelia and Kristoff enough that they wanted to keep them out of this as much as possible—starting with making our first visit when Amelia left the house to search for some ingredients for potions she was working on for Mattias’ friend—an unexpected surprise for me—and Kristoff was out trying to recruit more rogues for their army.

I knew Amelia was the one who could figure out Mattias was truly my mate. She was the threat I feared most...I had to avoid being around her at all costs which could prove a difficult task. Another thing that was going to prove difficult? I had to figure out how to free two Howling Winds now...

Standing in front of his cell holding a tray of food, I stared at my handsome mate for a moment, taking in every feature so I could imprint it in my memory forever. My wolf was frantic inside, desperate to break out and free him. The high-pitched snarling and growling reverberated inside my head, echoing loudly in my ears—it was so painful, I didn’t know if I could stop what my body and my wolf were begging to do. For a split-second, I wondered if I would be able to survive the pain that lay ahead of me when I had to let Mattias go...

Summoning all the strength I could, I pushed the thoughts out of head and forced my wolf to cease its torture, instead allowing Mattias’ scent to calm me as I admired my handsome mate again—I didn’t care if men weren’t supposed to be considered beautiful—Mattias would always be the most beautiful thing I had ever seen in my life. His broad chest and tall, fit physique were beyond anything I ever could have imagined. But what I loved most? Mattias’ face—his diamond shaped face with prominent cheekbones and full lips...there was nothing about him I didn’t find perfect.  He had boyish features yet looked so very manly to me—and soon, he would be staring right at me...I wondered what he would think...especially since I was a Blood Horizon. One of the Blood Horizons holding him prisoner right now...

Out of my periphery, I saw Arturo and Luscious intently watching me, knowing I needed to move forward with their plan. Taking in a deep breath, I dropped the tray from my hands, sending a resounding loud clatter of metal throughout the dirt laden dungeon. Guilt raged through me as I watched Mattias’ startled reaction, inhaling a sharp breath as he sat straight up on the cot—and then it happened—his gorgeous deep blue eyes locked with mine as he gasped out in shock, “MATE!”

**********

MATTIAS

I was unable to move again, but this time, it was because of the overwhelming scent of cinnamon and vanilla and the sight of the beautiful girl on the other side of the bars—the side my wolf and I wanted desperately to be on more than anything now.  I couldn’t help but feel both grateful to the Moon Goddess for her unexpected gift and angry with her for ruining every dream I ever had of this moment—the momentous day my wolf and I found our forever connection. 

I was a prisoner, and she was—well, she was somehow associated with my captors, which I suspected were not only this Amelia, but the Blood Horizons—but the minute I stared deep into her ice blue eyes, I could see her fear, something that sent my wolf into a rage wanting to break free to protect her. But there was something else in her eyes...her heart...and those two things combined quickly showed me she wanted no part of this...

As her eyes widened in horror, her hand flew up to her perfect soft pink lips as she gasped out, “I—I’m sorry! I was bringing you food, but then I saw you and realized...”  

My mouth went dry as I realized I never heard her say the word—she must have said it before she dropped the tray...I didn’t get to see her initial reaction and I didn’t get to hear her call me MATE. I couldn’t help but feel brokenhearted about that. Maybe this was my punishment for the foolish choice I made—but if I hadn’t made the foolish choice, would I have found her? Was that the real reason for all of this? To save my mate?

Swallowing hard, she looked down at the ground and was suddenly panicked, her eyes darting towards the opening to what I guessed was the main house, “Oh no! I—I’ve got to get this cleaned up before they get here! What if they heard me drop the tray?”  

Frantically, she snatched up the tray, keeping her head down as she furiously threw dishes and food back onto it, fearfully choking out, “What am I going to do? I—I’ve ruined the sandwich! There’s dirt all over it! I’m in so much trouble!”

“Hey, we’ll fix it, okay? Just calm down. I’ll make sure you don’t get in trouble,” I softly comforted her, jumping off the cot and taking two quick steps to kneel in front of her, hating the metal bars between us, as I reached through to help clean up the scattered remnants of the sandwich.

Our fingers brushed against one another reaching for a piece of bread on the ground, sending a jolt of electricity throughout my body before she jerked her hand back as I stuttered out, “Just—uh—let’s get what we can back onto the plate—don’t worry about the small stuff. They’ll never know. I’ll take care of it, okay?” 

“You can’t say or do anything in front of them. They can’t know,” she almost inaudibly pleaded, trying to dust off the top of the bread, “Please, Mattias! I don’t know what they will do to either of us if they find out.”

The angst reflected in her gaze and beautiful heart-shaped face broke me completely inside—while the sound of my name passing from her lips somehow put me back together instantly. Even in a faint distressed whisper, it filled my heart with so much love for her. Love like I had never felt in my life, a love so strong that the first instinct I had was to immediately ease her pain, gingerly assuring her, “They won’t know, I promise. I’ll protect you...always.”

Suddenly feeling shy, I quietly murmured, “I see you know mine—what’s your name?”

Her head tilting up to look deep into my eyes, she quietly replied, “Jillian,” before reluctantly murmuring under her breath, “J—Jillie—if you want, but don’t call me that in front of them. It’s a private nickname.”

“Both are pretty names—it’s nice to meet you, Jillian,” I warmly smiled, making sure to keep my voice low as I protectively checked the hallway out of my peripheral, adding in a hushed whisper, “And thanks for letting me call you Jillie. I like it—a lot.”

Silently nodding, Jillie’s lips curled up into a sweet grin as she finished placing everything back on the tray, lifting a small gate at the bottom of far-right corner of the cell, and sliding it inside, solemnly apologizing, “I’m so sorry. I’ll make it up to you at dinner.”

“So, you will be bringing dinner?” I grinned, staring at her, admiring how her beautiful long blonde wisps fell across her cheeks—and those eyes—I could look into her stunning ice blue eyes forever. While my wolf was elated at the news, there was still the urge to break free.

Her eyes dropped to the ground as she slowly stood up, “Y—Yes.”

I stood up as well as she quietly asked, “How can you be so nice to me? You’re a hostage—our hostage—and I—I’m a Blood Horizon. We’re ill-fated.”

Had I misread her eyes? I thought—but what if I thought wrong? I couldn’t stop my mouth from spilling out immediate reaction, fighting to keep my voice quiet in my panic, “A—Are you mad? That I’m your mate?”

Relief flowed through me as she emphatically breathed out a forceful, “NO!”

Smiling brightly, I wholeheartedly murmured, “Good! I’m not mad either, Jillie.”

Bringing her hands up, Jillie slowly wrapped her fingers around two of the bars between us. Smiling, I wrapped mine around them, relishing in the feel of sensational tingles that flowed from my fingers all the way to my heart. Her slender hand was so soft beneath my grasp as I took in another deep inhale of her sweet scent.  

“So, I am being held by the Blood Horizons and their witch, Amelia,” I hesitantly murmured, looking over at Guntur, who was still lifeless on a cot in the next cell, “I thought so.”

“Is he okay?” Jillie quietly asked.

“I hope so,” I desperately sighed out, "That’s Guntur—my best friend.”

“Jillian!” a gruff voice angrily bellowed out in the opening, instantly sending my wolf on high alert as I dropped my hands, “What are you doing? What’s taking so long and what was that noise?”

I snapped my head around, faintly muttering under my breath, “Your eyes, Jillie. I see you. The real you. Remember that.”

Her eyes were on me, I could feel it, but I forced myself not to look at her, instead furiously yelling out, utilizing my wolf’s infuriated growl to fuel my angry reply, “Good! Hopefully you will listen!”

Reaching down, I grabbed the tray from the ground, throwing it as hard as I could, the metal plate bouncing off the bars, sending another loud echo throughout the dungeon. The bulky blonde-haired angrily appeared, charging towards my cell as I spat, “I told her I didn’t want it when I smacked it out of her hands, and she still put the tray in here!”

His hand wrapping around Jillie’s arm, the man yanked her behind him, my blood boiling and my wolf snarling as he yelled, “Get back to the kitchen now, Jillian!” She immediately did as he asked and once again, I fought the overwhelming urge to watch her as she ran off, instead glaring at the man I was ready to kill for putting his hand on her.

Gripping the bars, he growled, “You don’t want to eat, fine, you spoiled little brat! But you’ve got two minutes to clean up that mess! And if you ever do it again, there will be consequences!”

Shooting him one last indignant glare, I began picking up the scattered food off the dirt floor, relieved that it appeared I kept Jillie out of trouble. Even if there were consequences, I knew I would always do whatever it took to make sure Jillian stayed safe because while the circumstances weren’t what I had envisioned, I was irrevocably connected to her—my mate—forever.  So, no matter what it took, I was determined to get all three of us out of here!

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

TATIANA

Staring at Frieda’s house, I felt incredibly anxious about what awaited us inside, wishing the others had listened to me and stayed behind. Frieda had cast a spell rendering me incapable of entering her home long ago—a spell she decided to lift now. Over the years, a huge part of me was glad I never saw the inside, but now, that same part of me was glad I would see it and hopefully find my mother’s necklace. But I knew Frieda—there was undoubtedly danger involved—her games always required caution...

As we came to a very familiar area not far from the house, my breath stilled again, frozen in place as I looked down to see Frieda was making an anticipated move of torment—a pool of blood appearing directly in front of me, something she must have put in place prior to Raven’s shield...

Horacio was right behind me, lightly gripping my shoulders when he saw the blood on the ground, his tone puzzled as he asked, “Tati, where did this come from? It wasn’t here before.”

Jace came up soon after with Constance and Raven, looking down and dumbfoundedly whispering out, “Is that blood? There’s no scent—and there’s so much of it.”

Tink, Beast, Carson, Nicholas, and Madeline flanked around us with Tink’s mystified question soon following, “Beast and I were in this spot—and that definitely wasn’t there! Did this Frieda that I want to get my hands on do this?”

“My guess would be yes,” Raven smoothly replied, “It would appear she is continuing to play games.”

I felt Madeline’s eyes on me as she slowly drawled out, “And judging by Auntie’s expression, it was left for her.”

Nicholas was incredibly alarmed, quietly stating, “I don’t think we can allow you to get your way on this visit of yours, Auntie.”

Lorenzo, Soren, Reina, and Persephone joined us then, both of my sisters frightfully gasping at the sight below before Persephone infuriatingly spat, “I more than think, I KNOW!  You need to listen to reason, Tati! If you don’t want Reina and I to go, fine, but someone needs to go with you!”

“All of you are to stay far away from Frieda, but you are right, this was left specifically for me,” I thoughtfully replied, letting out the breath as I resolutely stated, “A reminder of our mother’s death in that very spot. But instead of the desired effect Frieda intended, it has done the opposite. It’s helped me remember to let go of the past but always keep the lessons it taught me.”

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

Nicholas carefully pushed the door to the dilapidated house ajar, allowing it to slowly creak open fully while standing on the porch before cautiously peering inside. The motion from the action sent dust flying up from the floor and furnishings as I saw several spiders scampering towards cover after being startled by unexpected guests. 

“Tink, I think you nailed it! Geez!” Carson exclaimed as he and Nicholas slowly walked in, brushing off the cobwebs that fell from the top of the doorway onto his shoulder, “This place is eerie and creepy! Are we sure this is a good idea?”

“No,” Nicholas carefully replied, his blue eyes narrowing as he looked around, “So be on alert and ready—I don’t trust anything here.”

I hesitated as I reached the front doorstep, soon feeling Horacio’s presence directly behind me as he gently voiced out in my head, You don’t have to go in, Tati. There are enough people here to find your mother’s necklace. I’ll even stay out here with you if you want. Our own private chat so I can talk some sense into you.

Taking a step inside, I appreciatively returned, No. I know you don’t want me to, but I need to do this, Horacio.

Peering around the room I found that it was filled with heavy ornate mahogany shelves and tables, as well as several couches and chairs that were once colorfully upholstered scattered about, all of it now dreary and gray from the thick layers of filth and grime that covered them from being unused and abandoned for so many years. 

“Two chests here,” Beast lowly stated, crouching down to wipe off a small area on the front while Tink knelt beside him, performing the same action to soon reveal initials on the front. 

“P and R,” Tink disappointedly stated in a thick tone, reluctantly gazing up at my sisters before she stood back up and hurriedly walked past them, hurtfully adding, “Guessing those are yours.”

My heart ached as I watched my sisters look at one another with forlorn expressions before glancing down at the trunks, their faces quickly changing to express their shame as Reina quietly stated, “The bedroom to right is where we will find the trophy wall.”

Tink’s expression and tone, however, quickly changed to one full of concern and love as she walked directly over to me, “I know you don’t want us near this Wicked Witch of the Vines, but please let me go, Auntie. And you know where I go, my big guy goes, and I know Jace wants to go and probably King of Fury here. We can all be there—you know—in case she tries to do something to hurt you again.”

Cupping her face in my hands, I lovingly replied, “You do not need to worry about me, Tink. All my magic will return once I leave this forest and Frieda can only perform very limited tricks here, nowhere else. Plus, I am sure the Council guards will remain be very close. I promise you. All will be well.”

I was taken aback as I saw a slight glistening in the corners of Tink’s eyes, biting her lip before ardently replying, “I know you’ll have your powers back and there are guards there, but we always protect what we love most—our family. You are our family—we love you and we just got you back—let us protect you. You don’t have to face her alone this time. Not like when you were a kid.”

Letting out a hastened breath, I kissed her on the cheek before assuring her, “In order to get the information we need, I do have to face Frieda alone again, Tink. She won’t comply otherwise. But know that I love all of you too and will return home to my family Crescent Moon as quickly as possible.”   

Gently leaning forward, I whispered out, “And don’t resent your aunts because of your protectiveness over me, especially not until the story is told. They are not the same witches they were back then, and they continue to be haunted by this as well. They need us, Tink. They need the love you are showing me now. Give them the benefit of the doubt—please—for me.”