Land of the Moon

Chapter 9

Ema

As we traveled through the tunnels following behind Nikolaj in his huge dusty brown wolf form, I was getting uncomfortable being beneath the earth for this long. Caves were one thing, but as we traveled deeper into the earth I felt like it was swallowing me up. I stuck close to Cecily, bumping into her when we suddenly came to a stop. The most horrible smell I have ever smelt was now beginning to fill the cave. My stomach began to roll with the rotten smell now coming from in front of us and behind us.

Louisa mentioned creating an opening in the wall to get to another tunnel to escape the noises we could now hear, even more so from the beast. I offered my help and my magic to her. She was making quick work on the earth wall as the others guarded us against each side of the tunnel open to us as another howl echoed through the tunnel, though much closer this time. When the opening was done, I let out a breath that I was not even aware that I was holding as we all raced through to escape the beast closing in on us. As we all made it through to the other side and Louisa closed the earth, we had escaped through we were in pitch darkness.

I felt someone’s fingers close over mine. They were calloused and much longer than Cecily’s. From the touch, I felt a warmth in my heart that raced through my body, bringing a smile and a heated blush to my face as I knew instantly that I was holding Vladimir's hand. I was thankful for the darkness we were now in so that no one could see how pink my cheeks had become. Soon bits of light started to brighten up the tunnel we were now in as Louisa created more witch lights. Our hands fell apart as the tunnel took on the glow from Louisa’s lights. I moved behind Cecily as the heat was slowly starting to leave my face, though I could still feel the warmth of Vladimir’s hand on mine.

After we traveled further down the new tunnel, we soon came to a spot that was a little more open so we could all rest together. Everyone was still on edge. I sat next to Louisa while Cecily sat closer to where we had just left the tunnel to here. Vladimir was staying closer from what I could see, from how he was keeping his distance before. Our eyes would meet now and again whenever we glanced at each other.

“Louisa, do you think we will be in here much longer?” I quietly asked her as we sat there catching our breath.

She gave me a small smile as she answered my question, “ Yes Ema, we will get out of here. These tunnels are just a maze.”

These tunnels were something alright, whatever monster that they held gave me the creeps. I shivered again just thinking about it as my imagination started to make up its own creation of the mysterious creature that was making the horrible noises.

I glanced over at Cecily just as she sat up straighter. I could just faintly make out some rusting noise. We were all on our feet now when a horrific howl rang through the tunnel, making us cover our ears. Cecily shouted, “RUN NOW” through the shared mind link to us all. We all took off running through the tunnel away from the creature. I was right behind Louisa so I could see her hand as she ran touching the wall working on closing the tunnel behind us.

“s**t! It’s a goddamn werewolf.” Nikolaj stated. “Run now, if any of us get caught by that thing we are done.” Was all he said as we all started running. Vladimir grabbed my hand, keeping me close to his side as we ran.

With every question that I asked, the answers were dragging down my hope of whether or not we would all come out of this unscathed. As we ran our way through the tunnels with the tormented and haunting sounds of the beast in there with us as it let us know that it knew we were in its home. I could feel the terror working its way to grip my heart and freeze my blood as another howl was let loose within the tunnels. I listened as everyone worked on thinking of the best and fastest way to get us out of these tunnels alive.

I was the first to notice that Cecily had stopped spinning around to face where we had just run. “Cecily, what are you doing? You heard what Nikolaj said about that creature. If it hurts you…” She had blocked my link to her. Terror was starting to sink its icy claws into my heart. I could not lose her. Earlier that night she had already given me a fright when the assassins were outside the tunnel.

I felt as Vladimir’s free arm slipped around my waist, picking me up and turning me away from Cecily. I could feel the hot tears begin their descent down my face when my feet once again touched down to the earth again. Feeling the gentle pull on my arm, my feet began to run without me telling them to. The tunnel blurred as we ran, Vladimir's warm hand on mine grounding me to the reality of our situation. Leaving Cecily behind because she was giving us a chance to escape.

The smell of the earth wafted into the tunnel as a dim light began to grow as we ran closer to it. We had found the end of these tunnels. When we had finally made it into the light of the outside world once again. My chest was heaving as my body was fighting to bring in more air from our running in terror. Now that my body was no longer running, the strength in my legs left me. As I collapsed to the ground, my body trembled as I sobbed, biting my lip to try to keep myself from falling completely apart.

Louisa had kneeled next to me, taking me into her arms as I cried. I'm not sure how long I cried for when I finally felt the link between Cecily and I open again. She’s alive, she's alive. Oh thank you God. “CECILY, CECILY CAN YOU HEAR ME?” I shouted through our mind link. I shifted up, wiping the tears from my eyes as I looked back at the cave. I watched as Cairo moved, waving a hand at Mira before she took off back into the cave. “Cairo is everything ok?” I scrambled up to my feet, keeping my eyes on the cave.

“She is alive. She killed the beast but it wounded her as well. Mira went in to get her.” Cairo said to me as he stepped into my line of vision, blocking my view of the cave. His eyes held mine before he nodded as he glanced behind me.

I felt the warmth and strength of Vladimir's hand on my arm as he gently pulled me back to him and started to walk me down to the base of the mountain. I could hear Louisa telling Cairo that we would set up camp. Vladimir let me lean against him as we walked. If he or the others weren’t here to help, I don’t know what I would do or even how to stand up again.

A shiver ran down my spine while all these negative thoughts rushed through my mind. I took slow breaths trying to calm my chaotic thoughts as Cecily had taught me. So that I would be aware of what was going on. I could fall apart later. When we finally made it to the base of the mountain, we kept walking as the trees thinned out here and there, showing small clearings.

Louisa had cast a spell to find water. We were headed farther from the mountain. Making camp near a body of water would allow us to have a natural resource, especially since Cecily was hurt now. I bit my lip as I struggled to hold in my pain. Mira had to go in after her, so it had to be bad, with what Nikolaj had said about the werewolf and what it could do to them. My spirit felt weak and if I lost Cecily I would probably fall into the darkness of all the loss I have had recently.

“She will be okay, Ema. Whatever happens, I am sure Louisa can fix it.” Vladimir spoke softly to me as he led me to a tree to sit against. “She is a good healer. One of the best that I have seen in a long time.” Vladimir’s voice was reassuring to me. I know he was trying to help keep me strong. My heart warmed to his voice. In all this he was trying to help me to stay strong, to believe. Even if he didn’t realize that is what he was doing for me.

I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath when I felt myself being pulled into his arms. My tears threatened to rain down from my eyes once more as I felt safe in his embrace. I was coming to care for Vladimir more and more with every chance I was around him and getting to know him more. I was starting to believe my feelings were just mine alone and he felt nothing for me. But today, today I know differently, even though it may have come at the cost of Cecily’s life.

I was taught that Elves were reserved and did not show much emotion, yet, Vladimir was here embracing me and telling me in not so many words that it would be okay. I wrapped my arms around Vladimir’s waist, hugging him back as my emotions stormed inside me. Fear for Cecily, love for Vladimir and hope that this would all turn out alright.

I heard the swish of equipment moving as if someone was running. When I looked up, I saw Ciaro and Nikolaj running into our new camp behind Mira, who was holding Cecily in her arms. Louisa had made a fire and had laid out a blanket for Cecily to rest upon. I rushed over to them just as Mira was laying Cecily down. Her face looked pale and there was sweat already, making her dark brown, almost black hair closest to her scalp wet. Her lips were turning a shade of purple like she was freezing to death. My hands shook as I reached out to touch her.

“No Ema, you mustn't touch her right now. She is burning up with a fever as her body is wracked with chills as well. You do not need to be here right now. I will do everything that I can to help her get better.” Louisa whispered to me as she grabbed my hand, keeping me from laying my hand on Cecily.

“I won't leave her. I know you can help Louisa. I trust you. Let me help too. Let me do whatever I can to help. Please. I...she is my family.” I looked Louisa in the eyes as I pulled back my hand, balling it into a fist as I fought to keep myself from falling into my grief yet again. She nodded with a small smile.

I watched as Louisa worked running her hands over Cecily without actually touching her as she assessed her with her magic to see what all was going on within her body. I bit my lip hoping that she wouldn’t be able to tell what exactly Cecily was by doing this. I was so nervous that I was a bit startled when Louisa touched my arm.

“Ema, did you hear me?” Louisa was looking at me now.

“I am sorry, Louisa I was a bit lost in thought as I was watching what you were doing.” I spoke honestly to her.

“That's ok. I know why you are, but if you are going to help me, I need you to focus. Do you understand?” She spoke sternly to me. “This is a serious situation and we need to work fast if we are going to help her.” Louisa finished as she started pulling some vials with strange colored liquid and herbs bound together out of her bag.

I took a deep breath to try to calm my frantic heart as I looked down at Cecily. Sweat was beading on her brow, as her wound brought her on to fever. A bucket of water was placed next to me.

“Ema, is she just a wolf shifter?” Louisa asked me as she was grounding some herbs together in a small bowl.

“No. She is able to shift into a leopard, though she won't do that often.” I watched Louisa as she stopped mixing and was looking down at Cecily now.

“Not many half shifters with two different parents survive long unless they only accept one animal counterpart.” Mira spoke softly from where she was sitting by Cecily’s feet. “Don’t worry. Your secrets are safe with us.” Mira reassured me as Louisa started mixing herbs and elixirs again.

I swept the hair from Cecily’s forehead as I brought a damp rag up to wash the sweat from her face. Once I had rinsed the rag again, I then laid it on her forehead to help cool her down. I grabbed another rag and started to clean the blood from her wound for Louisa.

“Here, pour this on it to kill the bacteria, then I will put this poultice on it.” Louisa spoke as I took the bottle she held out to me. As the liquid hit Cecily’s wound the smell of burning flesh arose in the smoke that it created. A scream tore from her throat, dying as quickly as it came. Mira took the bottle from my trembling fingers. “Cecily, please fight this. I can not lose you.” I whispered as my tears fought to be free of my eyes.

“Why don’t we get some fresh water?” When I looked up, Vladimir held out his hand to me. His calloused hand overtook my own as he helped me to my feet. “We won’t be long.” He informed Louisa and Mira, as he grabbed the bucket with his free hand while leading me away. After we had walked a good distance from the camp, Vladimir’s voice softly reached back to me. “She will pull through this.” His hand lightly squeezed my own briefly.

“Thank you, Vladimir.” I whispered back as my tears finally broke free, making their journey down my face only to end in the dirt. I sniffled a bit as I wiped my face with my free hand. By the time we had reached the river, the lump in my throat had lessened as well as my tears. I knelt down next to Vladimir while he filled the bucket with fresh water. I splashed water on my face to help cool down my cheeks and eyes. Whenever I cried, they would get all red and my face would feel hot. Letting out a slow breath, I looked down at the water again. My life has really become crazy. I thought to myself.

Taking another calm breath, I clasped my hands together. “God, fear has wrapped its dark chains around me. Slowly trying to pull me under, to drown my soul. Grant me the strength to fight and break its hold on me. God, I pray for Cecily, that you will heal her in both body and spirit. Let your blessings be.” I looked up to the sky after my prayer, feeling the tightness in my chest slowly starting to disappear.

“Are you ready to head back?” Vladimir asked as he stood up.

“Yes.” I slowly got to my feet, following after him. “Vladimir?” He didn’t stop, just turned his head slightly acknowledging me. “Thank you for bringing me here.” I softly spoke to his back. I had almost walked right into his back when he stopped. I looked up as he turned toward me.

Our eyes locked as a corner of his mouth turned up slowly. “Your welcome Ema.” His voice was a whisper in the cool breeze that swept past us. As he started walking back to camp my face felt hot again but for a whole other reason than crying.