Losing The Light Of The Moon

Home Is Where The Heart Is, Part I

Chapter 49: Home Is Where The Heart Is, Part I

TATIANA

Standing in the foyer of our little cottage, I looked around at the place I had called my true home for two years and our home for many years following with my sisters—a home we even found our way back to when we lost our memories as it was the only one we knew of then—extending my hand out, I sent a stream of green whipping around the room, clearing the dust that had built up in our absence. Smiling as I looked all around our clean cottage, I realized a small part of me had missed the place that allowed me to escape from the world...

Making my way towards my room, I turned the knob, allowing the door to slowly open revealing my private sanctuary—the place I had contemplated life and my sorcery many times. Taking my time going in, I allowed the peace it typically brought me to settle in before walking over to the locked chest at the end of my bed—another place of privacy—the place I kept my secret material possessions locked up in. Bringing forth my key, I unlocked it, carefully lifting the top up before peering down at the hidden treasures inside...several that would need to be dusted off and studied based on what I saw happening soon. 

I knew I would eventually be missed and made plans for that as I gathered together books and notes written and read many times so long ago—ones I had hoped I would never have to look at again—but that and my hope that Frieda would simply accept her fate and live the rest of her life in a solitary existence as penance for her actions forty years ago were dashed now—which made her the one truly forcing my hand to change a decision I made long ago...

As I was rummaging through the necessary books and binders of knowledge, a worn folded envelope fell out of a book onto the floor—an old, dusty book I hadn’t touched since the day I brought my sisters home—causing my breath to still instantly—feeling his presence all around me now...

“Soloman,” I breathlessly whispered out, my tears instant as they always were when I thought of him or heard his name—the man I would always love with every ounce of my being—who guided me for so many years and always understood me when it felt like no one else did.  The man who was a father to me in every way and knew all my secrets...Soloman, who loved and adored me as his own and who I wished I had made the deal with that I made recently to my beloved children—to never leave me on this earth without him.

I hesitantly reached out, picking up his gift from long ago, unfolding it as tears streamed down my face, admiring his perfect penmanship on my cherished treasure—

For My Tati,

This is my last act as Alpha, the one that will always mean the most to me.

I love you to the moon and back, Tati,

My heart is always and forever home to you,

Soloman

“Oh, how I miss you!” I devastatingly sighed out, “I need you so much right now, Soloman!”

***********

HORACIO

I knew this meeting was a bad idea—hell, I was starting to wonder if it was a bad idea to even tell Jace and Nicholas what happened with Tati now.  I also questioned Lorenzo and Priscilla’s knowledge as they informed Alastor without telling me beforehand—following his initial shock, another threat was made against my well-being if I hurt Tati in any way. Something I understood because right now, after he foolishly threatened my Fairy Queen, I wasn’t too pleased with my Alpha, fighting to maintain my calm instead of blowing up at Lorenzo like I wanted to...

“How long should we give her?” Alastor anxiously breathed out, “I don’t like that we upset Auntie that badly, even if she did say she understood why. She’s been through enough heartache and betrayal—Father’s white lie bothers me.”

“This isn’t betrayal, Alastor,” Priscilla calmly replied, authoritatively leaning back in her chair, “The white lie is necessary, especially as it was obvious Tati has no idea what happened between her and Horacio last night. Your father made a brilliant call diverting the blame to himself.”

“I agree,” Jace steadfastly said, anxiously wringing his hand together, “I don’t like it, but it is necessary. I just hope this connection between Horacio and Mother continues to help us along the way until she decides we can know everything. She’s so damn headstrong and independent—it can be quite infuriating, especially when all we are trying to do is protect her.”

I couldn’t take it any longer—I had to know Tati was alright—hopefully I could do so without losing all my hair, but honestly, I didn’t care anymore. It was more important to me that Tati hear my thoughts about the threat she made...there was no way in HELL she was ever going to disappear on me!

“Enough of this, I’m going to check on her,” I impatiently breathed out, storming towards the door, “Wish me luck. Hopefully I won’t go down in flames.”

“We’ll join you,” Nicholas worriedly chimed in, standing up, “Strength in numbers.” 

While I understood and appreciated his support, that really wasn’t what I wanted to hear right now. It meant putting off my talk with my Fairy Queen, but Nicholas was Tati's Alpha, so I had no choice. Bracing ourselves, we all walked down the hallway to Tati’s room only to find she wasn’t there, leading me to wonder out loud, “Maybe she went down to her bench at the lake to calm down.”

Persephone and Reina appeared in the room as I expressed my theory, their eyes filled with concern as Reina nervously asked, “We just came from the lake and there was no sign of her. I can feel her distress—I can always feel when Tati is upset and needs us, but she’s blocked us. What’s happened? Why are all of you here? Did she have a vision?”

Panic started to set in as Tati’s last statement replayed word for word in my mind, attempting to link her myself, only to find I was blocked too, my wolf growling in response. Flashing a hardened gaze at our group, I found everyone else’s expression reflected my fear as those that could were trying the same thing and getting the same result.  

Turning my attention back to the sisters, Persephone harshly inquired, “I can tell from all your faces that something has occurred with our sister this morning. Something that obviously has upset her so greatly that she has gone missing. Explain, NOW!”

I discreetly placed my hand on my tattoo, but nothing happened—NOTHING HAPPENED! Apparently, Tati was more infuriated than even I realized—why did I wait so long? I should have immediately chased after her!

My wolf was growing more and more anxious—a feeling that was new to me and confusing because we weren’t MATES—did this have something to do with our connection last night? I didn’t have time to worry about that now...right now, my wolf and I were both frantic that Tati was missing, and she took away my ability to FIND HER!

Fury, fear, and unsettling despair rocked me to my core as I barked out, “Nicholas!”, to which he instantly replied, “We’ll find her—at least I hope we will. I’ll have our guard search every inch of Crescent Moon first.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Aruna’s soft voice called out, calmly stating, “But what you will do is explain to me exactly what was done to upset Tati enough to leave Crescent Moon and choose to cut off communication from all of us for the time being.”

Before we could question her further, Mahan’s voice could be heard from the hallway, “What do you mean Tati left Crescent Moon, Aruna?”

Soren’s voice followed directly after as he bellowed out, “Tati has cut off communication? What the hell is going on around here?”

Aruna smiled, but it was not her usual smile. I never knew that sweet woman could look scary, though her voice continued to be tranquil as she ordered, “That’s what we are about to find out from those who are looking quite guilty currently, Soren. The great room, all of you, now please.”

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

TATIANA

Exiting the house, I walked to my garden, pleased that it was filled with beautiful flowers for me to choose from, picking a few and tying them up with a piece of twine I grabbed from the kitchen on my way out. Walking the small stone path, I made my way down to my parents’ graves, performing my usual ritual, sitting between their headstones...

“I have so much to tell you, though I know you have been watching the whole time,” I grinned, “I got my Jace back and my many loved ones—my family—” I paused, grimacing slightly before continuing, “Though I’m not pleased with several currently.”

Clutching my mother’s moon and stars that hung just below my neckline, I gently leaned my head onto the side of her ornate marker, “I got your treasures back, just like I promised I would. Frieda didn’t make it easy of course, but it was worth it.” 

Placing my hand on my father’s stone, I whispered, “Jace is proudly wearing yours, Father. Like you, he never takes it off. It is so good to see it worn again! I need to bring him here, don’t I? To see you both, allow your spirits that reside here to envelope all around him, just as you do me.”

Tilting my head up in the air, I smiled brightly, “I can always feel you around me, you know. Your warmth...your love—it all resides in my heart. I know you’re always with me, but I feel it so much more here—our special place that so many conversations have been shared over the years, especially when I was all alone. The only two people in this world I had to talk to. I never minded it was one-sided. I could feel your replies.” 

Lowering my gaze, I extended my hand out, gazing at my emerald ring, “I can feel Soloman following me around too. I’m going to need all of you for what I must face, so please—stay with me. But for now, let me catch you up a little more, in case you missed anything.”

I continued to sit with my parents for a while, calming me like they always did. I laughed, telling them all about Horacio and our dirty little secret—and how happy he made me feel again. Although, my King of Fury would probably appear when he found out I blocked his mark, but I was still infuriated and stubbornly not willing to reinstate his new ability, though he would know soon enough where I was. And I would give Horacio back his gift—eventually—as soon as I calmed down a bit more...

I cried, telling them about my return to Crescent Moon and the events that followed, how much I missed them, and what I feared was on the horizon—fortunately, over the years I think they were used to hearing about my visions, particularly the troublesome ones. 

I wanted to end our time together on a higher note—animatedly telling them of Auntie’s army, the children—especially Jace—and how I felt I had a purpose in life again—my returned memories once again providing me such joy in my integrated family—a family I was determined to protect, with my last breath if it was necessary. But I promised them I was going to do everything I could to not allow that to happen—and to finally put an end to what had been our family’s greatest threat since the day I was born...

Standing up, I set the flowers in between them, like I always did, taking two steps forward, before turning back.  Pressing my fingers to my lips, I blew them both a kiss before breathing out, “I love and miss you both—I always will. And I will continue to do everything I can to make you proud—to honor your memories and your sacrifice by leading as you did—loving and protecting our family.”

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

JACE

Luna, Mahan, Loa, Soren, Altalune, and the aunts were incredibly upset with us. Protecting Mother and Horacio’s secret, we utilized Lorenzo’s excuse with our family—he had threatened to force Mother’s hand into giving The Council additional information about her vision.  

Luna informed us that Mother had gone to her cottage to clear her head and hadn’t decided when she was returning home yet—sending her a message to stop us from sending panic throughout Crescent Moon in a mass search for her. She also told her to remind us that she had made a deal to never leave us without her and always kept her promises—her earlier words said in anger—and she would eventually return. But then Luna relayed something that left me with a feeling of great unease—Mother reluctantly warned her directly afterwards that if left no choice, she may have to reconsider that stance temporarily. 

I couldn’t help but think of Mother’s past—what if she was planning to disappear and messaged Luna to divert us, giving her more time? I hated that I was doubting her—and I wasn’t the only one with that concern...

“I don’t have a good feeling about this,” Lorenzo anxiously exhaled out, distractedly standing up from his chair, “Not based on Tati’s history and what was said earlier. Her instinct is to vanish into thin air if she feels threatened. We need to go to the cottage.”

Nicholas sounded a bit panic-stricken as he stood up as well, “I’m afraid you’re right, Lorenzo.”

Luna was aghast at Lorenzo’s response, faithfully exclaiming, “Tati would not lie to me in such a way!”

“I’m afraid I actually have the same fear, Aruna” Aunt Persephone sorrowfully said, staring straight ahead with a knowing gaze, “Which is why Reina and I are going to the cottage.”

“We’re all going, Persephone” Priscilla sternly stated, instantly on her feet, “Strength in numbers—no arguments. I just hope our fear is unfounded and we find Tati at the cottage—and if she is there, we are fixing this mess! We aren’t coming back to Crescent Moon without her!”

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

While he was remaining silent, Horacio’s fury was expressed in every inch of his glowering face during the whole conversation in Luna’s great room. As we arrived at the cottage deep in the far-reaching forest of Crescent Moon, he appeared to be growing more and more livid—he had heavily voiced his reluctance about the meeting all along, warning us of his concerns about Mother’s reaction should we be discovered. As it turns out, we should have listened to him...

“Well, Tati has definitely been here—she’s visited Mother and Father,” Persephone lovingly said upon our arrival, pointing towards two headstones in the back, “Flowers at our parents’ graves. She always goes directly to them when she’s troubled. Hopefully, we have just overreacted.” 

Rushing towards the front door with Aunt Reina, Horacio, and I on her heels, Aunt Persephone opened it, quietly entering the home and looking around before telling Aunt Reina, “She’s cleaned—that’s a good sign that Tati is here. Maybe she’s in her room. Hurry, go check, Reina. We’ll wait in the living room. If she’s locked herself in there, you tend to talk her out better than anyone when she’s upset.”

“I’m telling you, Tati wouldn’t lie to me. Hopefully, she won’t be too angry that we’ve come. What possessed you to make that threat, Lorenzo?” Luna exasperated out, as they all walked into the cottage.

A rare fright filled Mahan’s tone as we all curiously looked around the quaint and cozy living room, “I have to agree with Aruna about your threat. That was an incredibly bad decision on your part, Lorenzo. I’m just hopeful it isn’t as we fear.”

“I agree as well, it’s my turn to admonish you, Lorenzo! You knew better than to take that tactic with Tati and provoke her in such a way!” Soren heatedly whispered out, “You and I have been through this process with her many times and while I agree the danger is worrisome, Tati has always handled herself well in these types of situations and quite honestly has always protected herself fine on her own. I get our young inner circle overreacting, but you are being abnormally emotional in your response to the situation! If she has vanished into thin air again, you have to accept full responsibility!”

“I realize that Soren—let’s just work on finding Tati and getting her back to Crescent Moon as soon as possible, shall we?” Lorenzo quietly replied, walking around the room taking in the pleasant décor, pondering out loud, “Not that this is the best time to say this, but I’ve just realized—I’ve never thought to ask about coming here before.”

Horacio was silently standing at the corner of the hallway, his expression intense as he anxiously stared at Aunt Reina who knocked on the door to Mother’s room before turning the knob, nervously calling out, “Sister? It's Reina, my darling! I’m coming in, dear!”

Like Lorenzo, I found myself intrigued about the home my mother spent so many years in, walking around and taking in the soft feel of the décor—a large plush brown couch in the center of the room with several fuzzy blankets laid across the top, two large antique upholstered chairs with bright colorful flowers on them and simple wooden tables—but what I was drawn to most was the wall-to-wall shelves on the long side and back walls, overflowing with books with a small sitting area in front of the fireplace in the center. I slowly walked along it, running my fingers along the large collection of leather-bound literature. Alastor was behind me, commenting that the collection was larger than that of the Spirit Walker library.

“Tati has read them all—every single one,” Aunt Persephone stated in awe, “She would sit for hours in that chair by the fire reading. A trait I believe you inherited, Jace.”

Pulling a book of poems off the shelf, I ran my fingers over the cover before bringing my gaze back up to Mother’s collection, “I did—I could quite happily lose myself in this collection for quite some time. Mother has really read all these?”

“When you are isolating yourself from the world, you have a lot of time on your hands,” Aunt Persephone quietly said, “Tati has always been a seeker of knowledge and takes comfort in them. She already had a vast collection when Reina and I arrived. There are more overflowing shelves in her room as well—her favorite books.” 

Aunt Reina rushed up the hallway then, dishearteningly informing us, “Tati has been in her room, but she’s not there now. Several books are missing and one of the blankets from her bed is gone.”  I could tell from Horacio’s deepening scowl, he was handling the news as badly as I was. Mother had not only disappeared from Crescent Moon, but disappeared from the place where she told Aruna she could be found...