Second Coming

Chapter 12

    Ayden had to tackle Andre to the floor as he howled and fought. Suri tried to use her magic but it wouldn’t come at her call. With a gasp she realized why. She rushed to the window and looked out. Everywhere nature began to wither and die. “ We have to find a way to bring her back! Everything is dying and I can’t call on my power!” she said panicked. Outside the Sentinels were groaning in mourning and attacking anything that came close to them. Axel wiped the tears from his eyes. “ If she is dead and nature is dying that means the tree of life is dying as well.” Axel whispered. Everyone grew silent. Andre got out of Ayden’s hold and crawled to Ayla’s body. He pulled her into him and cried. “ Please baby, come back. Come back to me.” He begged. It was getting dark in the room. Everyone was slouched against the walls and on the floor. Suddenly bright light filled the room and everyone gasped. An elder from each of the Fae Kingdoms entered the room. They looked like they’d been dipped in starlight. They circled around the huge bed where Andre was holding Ayla. Tears shone in their eyes as they looked upon her cooling body. Each one lay a hand on her and began to chant in an ancient language. Everyone watched as the light that shone so brightly in them left their bodies flowing into Ayla’s. “ When she comes back young Alpha, you must mark her or our sacrifice is for not.” A woman with slightly blue skin said. Andre nodded. One by one the light within them winked out and they sunk to the ground, gasping. Andre started crying all over again when Ayla gasped for breath and colour returned to her. Kai howled in his head. “ Mark her, mark our mate!” he said and Andre opened his mouth where his mark would go and sank his teeth deep.

Ayla was in so much pain. Her power had taken its toll and now she was in a strange place. It was beautiful there. There were lush green plants and trees that were higher than she could see, rising above the clouds. She could hear the gurgling of a river nearby and she walked towards the comforting sound. Once she got there she saw a woman she knew and one she didn’t. “ Mother?” she asked in ancient Feyan. Nyla turned at the sound of her daughter’s voice stiffly. “ My love, you shouldn’t be here. How are you here?” she asked. The other woman turned. She looked old and young at the same time. “ She is dead dear.” the woman said and Nyla shook her head, tears pooling in her eyes. Ayla hung her head. “ My mate didn’t want me. He chose another over me.” She whispered as tears pooled in her own eyes. She hadn’t thought much about it at the time but the small amount of time she’d been in her mate’s arms had meant the world. For the first time, Ayla had felt complete, like she belonged somewhere, with someone. Then he had protected that she-wolf instead of standing beside her. Sobs wracked her small frame. Nyla wrapped her arms around her baby girl. “ Shh, love it’s going to be okay.” She said soothingly. The other woman turned to Ayla with a wise, comforting smile. “ All is not lost dear. Your mate is by your side right now, mourning you.” she said. 

Ayla looked at the woman with a frown. “ I feel like I know you. Who are you?” she asked and the woman chuckled. “ My dear, I am your grandmother.” She told Ayla. Ayla smiled and hugged her grandmother before bowing her head. “ Oh none of that now you hear.” The All Mother chastised softly. “ So what is going to happen to me?” Ayla asked. The All Mother sighed. “ You are going to go back. You are going to restore the light to power so that our people can rejoin the world. We have been away for far too long and when your life has been lived and your mate passes on, you will go to the tree of life and replenish her. That is what I did and what your mother did and when it is your time, you will do the same as all of our line has done.” She said. Both Ayla’s mother and grandmother kissed her head and hugged her then suddenly Ayla was gasping for air and Andre was biting her shoulder where his mark belonged.