Beneath a Moonless Sky - Book One (Moon Child Series)

Chapter Five

Rectangular windows were set into charcoal brick with cream mortar. The windows had a wavy texture to them, making the world inside seem magical. A sign above the double doors read the same as the card still clutched in my hand. Blue Moon Art Gallery and Photography. My body led me as if I were in a trance towards the doors. The open sign hanging on the door reassured me as I pushed open the door and walked in. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, like a warm hug. I felt my muscles relax and my heart heal a little. It seemed like a magical place and was definitely not like any art studio I had visited before. To my left, instead of white walls with pictures hung on them there were sculptures of trees, very lifelike as if they were growing from the dark grey tiles on the floor. Canvases and frames hung delicately from the branches that reached out from the trees. Fairy lights were strung around the trunks and through the leaves adding an ethereal feel to the gallery.  To my right was an ornate black door, probably leading to a storage room or a photography studio. Just in front of the door against the wall was a receptionegister where Fergus stood tapping on a tablet. His eyes lifted to meet mine and his eyes brows lifted into his hair line.

“Elaina?” At my name I burst into tears and was soon enveloped in Fergus’ arms.

“It’s alright love. Deep breaths.” His warm Irish brogue warmed my soul and calmed me down. My tears slowed as he pulled back from the hug to look at me. “Now, why don’t we go and get you some tea and you can tell old Fergus who he needs to kill for those tears.” I giggled through my tears and followed him to a door discreetly placed behind the trees where the art hung. The door led into a small back room with some couches and a small kitchenette. Obviously, this was their break room. Fergus led me to one of the couches and told me to sit while he prepared the tea. He sniffed at the air confusedly as he sat in front of me on the coffee table, passing me the tea. It tasted of lemon and honey and warmed me through.

“Elaina?” He asked, a confused expression on his face, “I don’t want to make any assumptions here, but your scent has changed a lot since last we met.” I sniffed at myself as I stared at him in embarrassment.

“I’m sorry. I haven’t showered yet. And I’ve been vomiting more than usual today.” Hanging my head in shame. Fergus moved to sit next to me on the couch and grabbed my hands in his as he placed my tea on the table.

“Oh no, love. I’m sorry, that’s not what I meant.” I looked up at him in confusion. “I meant that you smell different because you smell like a witch and you didn’t the first time we met.” I froze, my eyes round like saucers.

“E-excuse me? Witch? I don’t know what you’re talking about?!” I stood abruptly and stepped away from him. What the hell? How did he know? And what did he mean by my scent? How could he smell that? I sniffed myself again. Was it something everyone could smell?! Oh goddess! what the hell was happening?! Was it because of my pregnancy hormones that my scent was stronger?!

Hands grabbed my shoulders and I’m shaken out of my panic. Fergus looked me in the eyes and his firm stare made me feel safe, like I could trust him.

“Elaina love, are you a witch?” I nod slowly, eliciting a smile from him. “And are you pregnant?” I didn’t know how he knew but I nodded.

“H-how did you know?” I stutter. He pulls me back to the couch and places the tea into my hands.

“I’m sure you’ve begun you’re training already, am I right?” I give a nod and sip my tea to calm myself. “And have you begun learning of the other supernatural creatures that make up this world?” Another nod. “Have you read of Shifters yet? Specifically wolf ones?” I nod, my mind a blur before it hit home what he was trying to tell me.

“Oh.” Was all I could say. Fergus nodded and sat back into the couch.

“Yes love, I’m a wolf Shifter. That’s why I could smell what you are. Although yours is a little different to the normal witch, but it could just be the pregnancy.” Oh yeah, the pregnancy. I reached into my handbag and took out the many pamphlets that Dr Grace had given to me. Fergus watched me with patient eyes as I flipped through them. His silent support meant more to him that he would ever know. There were three options for me to choose from: keeping it, aborting it or adoption. I threw the abortion pamphlets away from me, the thought of it making me sick. I had nothing against anyone who made that decision, but it was not for me. I couldn’t do that. Something inside me was shouting no to that option. Next pamphlet in my hand was adoption. I took my time and read through the three pamphlets Dr Grace had given me on adoption. What adoption is, what it meant for me and the baby, and what needed to be done for a successful adoption along with the different kinds. Did I want nothing to do with the child, or did I want an active part in their life? My hand subconsciously rubbed my flat tummy. There was life in there. Life that I had created. Well not alone, but I had my part in it. It was my responsibility to make sure this child was taken care of, whether that was with me or another family. I stared at the other pamphlets about pregnancy and what it would entail. I was lost. Did I want to keep the child, raise the child? I turned to Fergus.

“I can’t decide.” A soft smile took place on his lips and he grabbed the pamphlets from me.

“Love, how far along are you?” I look down and rub my belly again.

“The doctor said I was probably a week and a bit.”

“Ok. So how about this? Call up the doctor and make an appointment for a time that she recommends, it might have to be in a couple of weeks from now when you’re further along. And then when you have that appointment and you see that little one, you’ll know what’s right for them in that moment. Whether that be as yours, or another’s.” I look up at Fergus like he is the only thing keeping me from falling apart, and in all honestly, he was. Right now, he was my rock and I’d only known him for a couple of hours. “No matter your decision love, you have my full support, and probably your parents support as well.” I felt the stab in my heart at the reminder of my parents.

“Not my parents.” I stated sadly. “My mum has basically disowned me unless I abort it and my dad is trapped in the middle. I don’t even have anywhere to go. I’m practically living in my car right now.” I jumped when a growl came from Fergus. Not like a human “argh”, this was animalistic. Well he was a wolf after all.

“What kind of mother can you be to treat your child that way?” He gritted through his teeth. “Love, you will not be living in your car, you can stay here.” My eyes stung with tears as Fergus stood and grabbed a keychain from the bench and walked behind the couch. I followed him with my eyes and saw the door he was unlocking that I hadn’t noticed when we first walked in. He beckoned me to follow him and I scrambled after him from my place on the couch. Behind the doors were a set of stairs that led to an apartment above the studio.

“It’s not much,” Fergus said as he handed me the key, “but it is yours if you want it.” My hand was on my mouth as I held back tears. I’d cried enough today.

“Oh Fergus, it’s perfect!” It was a simple open floor planned flat. In front of us was a lounge area with soft plush brown couches, a wooden coffee table and a wide screen tv sitting atop a matching entertainment unit. To our left was the kitchen with dark wood cupboards and black marble tops. On a raised level behind the lounge and kitchen was the bedroom. There was sliding doors/walls that you could pull across for privacy if you wanted it. A wooden four poster bed the same shade as the kitchen and lounge room stood before a wall of windows with black grid frames. Two doors were placed on a wall to the left of the bed which I assumed would lead to a toilet and closet.

I threw my arms around Fergus’ neck and I squeezed him tight.

“Thank you so much Fergus, you have no idea what this means to me.” A cough from behind us had us turning to see a tall blonde man with his hands on his hips. Fergus smiles wide, his eyes filling with love as he walked to him and kissed him deeply. The other guy was breathless and dazed when it was done.

“My dear one, meet my little pregnant witch friend, Elaina. She has nowhere to go so we are now her adopted parents.” He winks at me and grins cheekily. The man shakes his head to clear the daze before rushing over to me squeezing me tight in his embrace.

“Welcome dear daughter,” he joked, giving me a cheeky grin as well, “welcome home.”

“Thank you…?”

“Connor.” He prompted with a nod.

“Connor. I will be forever indebted to you and Fergus for this. I was feeling so lost and had no idea what to do. Next thing I know I’ve found your business card in my pocket and felt pulled here by an unseen force.” Fergus and Connor pulled me into a group hug, and I felt at peace. I’ve never felt this safe before; aside from when I lay in Lucians arms. These guys were my family, heart and soul and I would do all in my power to repay them.