The Luna Gypsy

Chapter 2

Randall’s hot breath is fanning against my neck. I can feel him draining the life from me with every bit of blood he takes. The sound of him slurping and guzzling is disgusting. It’s roaring in my ears.

I felt it the moment his fangs pierced my skin that this was it for me. I would no longer be a part of this world.

This is what I saw in Iceland, my final moment. The images from when I got the dagger in Iceland run through my mind. I see it replaying in my head and the moon goddess's words to me bounce around in my mind,

“Only when the time is right, must you strike Randall with the dagger. Not a moment before.”

It’s all I’ve been able to think about since I heard her euphonious voice in the cave, that and getting to Hayden.

I know what I need to do. Now is the time to push the dagger into his black heart, whilst he’s distracted by his blood lust. The blackthorn will be working its way through his veins now, making him unaware of what I am about to do. When Mason suggested we learn about herbs and their uses I laughed but because of him I was able to learn that blackthorn will hurt like hell and keep his mind focused on only one thing, for normal vampires, it’s the pain they feel but for him, it’s my blood.

“Amelia.”

I hear his voice. I turn my head so I can see him one last time. Randall takes the opportunity and digs his fangs deeper into my neck.

Hayden’s full of cuts. His body looks beaten and bruised. Blood covers his beautiful face from a gash under his eye.

But he’s safe.

He’s with his parents and soon, Mason will do what he promised me and watch over him. Now that I have seen Hayden one last time, I can go in peace. I look into his eyes, thankful that I got to love him, that Hayden was mine, and I was his. I can see the fear and panic flash across his face as our eyes meet for the last time. I wish I could hold him in my arms just one more time, but if I don’t do this now. If I don’t kill Randall whilst he’s consumed by my blood, he will kill everyone I love and care about.

I take one last look at Hayden as the images of my time with him now play in my mind. I see our time together and feel thankful that at least I got to experience something so special that not many people will ever experience it. I got to experience true love, pure and passionate love, a love so raw that I could bare my soul to him, and him back. Hayden is the other half of my heart and soul.

I lift the dagger with the little bit of strength I have, the strength that came from seeing Hayden and knowing that I would die a thousand deaths to save him. Because a world without Hayden isn’t a world worth living in.

*I love you, Hayden, now and forever*

I plunge the dagger through Randall’s back and see it come through his chest and his heart. His eyes go big as he pulls away from my neck to look down at me. My blood stains his mouth and drips from his chin.

The dagger starts to heat up in my hand, so I let go just as a blinding light makes me close my eyes.

The last thing I hear is Hayden calling out for me. His voice was full of grief and anguish.

~~~

White.

Everywhere I look is white. I’m surrounded by a blinding white light. It encases me. Enclosing around me, filling me with love and peace.

“Open your eyes, my Luna gypsy.”

A voice that sounds whimsical but calming caresses me, whispering into my mind. It echoes around in the white light, bouncing around the void I’m consumed by.

I hold my hands over my eyes to shield them from the blinding light. As I slowly open them, the light dims and a beautiful woman is standing before me.

Her hair shimmers as she moves toward me. She seems to glide across the surface of the void we’re in. I notice she wears a crown with a crescent moon. It sparkles as the white light bounces off it. Her eyes look deep into mine, the bluest blue I have ever seen. She takes me and holds me in her arms and I feel peace wash over me.

“I promised you my protection, but you have to figure the rest out for yourself. I can’t interfere any more than I already have or the Gods will reprimand me and that’s what she wants. Do you understand?”

I shake my head, not understanding anything she is saying, but I know I can trust her. She makes me feel safe and loved. She smiles at me and I feel her love filling me. I feel myself being wrapped up in it. Her smile shines brightly and I’m in awe of her beauty.

“This is the only way I could help you. I wish I could have done more, but I’m being watched. All will be clear soon though, my Luna gypsy. He will find you. Go now.”

She holds her hand out, pointing behind me, so I turn to see what she’s showing me. The white light starts to fade and a woman’s face comes into view now. I feel a sharp pain on my arm before my eyes flutter closed again.

~~~

My eyes feel heavy. I try to open them, but I don’t seem to have the energy. A loud buzzing is blaring in my ears, making my head hurt. It feels like I’m spinning round and round, but I can’t be. I can’t even open my eyes.

“Amelia no more.”

I hear my name and will myself to move, to sit up, but it’s like I’m paralyzed. Fear washes over my body. I can hear muttering through the buzzing sound, and it’s moving around me. I try to focus on what is being said.

“I gift you this soul,”

A piercing sćrėam rips through wherever I am and panic sets in my heart. I try to open my eyes so I can see what is going on, but they're still too heavy. I try to sit up so I can get away, but my body betrays me.

“Memories forgotten forevermore.”

I feel something wet drip onto my forehead. The smell of blood gravitated toward me, making me want to get up and get away from here, but my body is unwilling to cooperate. The loud buzzing ringing in my ears intensifies, but I can’t move my hands to cover them up. I feel wetness drizzle over my heart before everything goes fuzzy.

~~~~

“Amelia, I’m so relieved that you’re ok. Come on, let's get you into bed to rest.”

I look at the elderly lady, her dark hair streaked with grey, her tanned skin wrinkled and weathered with age and too much sun.

“Who are you?” I ask as I follow her through some tall grass.

She stops and turns to look at me.

“I’m your mother Amelia. Don’t you remember?”

I try to think, but all I can see is blackness. Like a hole is where my mother should be.

“No, I don’t remember.”

“Oh dear, you really hit your head hard. Come on, let's get you rested. Your sister Kezia will help you from here.”

She holds her arm out and a beautiful woman walks toward me. She has a kind smile but her eyes hold something else. As she moves toward me, I hear the jingle of bells.

“You lost your bells. Remember to put them back on. They will protect you from the evil.”

The old lady says just before walking away.

Kezia takes my arm and leads me into a small hut. It smells of herbs and flowers. The walls are a dirty white and the bed looks like it’s made from straw.

“This is where we live?” I asked the girl I was told was my sister.

She nods her head, helping me out of the things I’m wearing. I glance at a small round mirror above some drawers. It looks tarnished and sullied but it catches my reflection.

“But we don’t look the same. How can we be sisters?”

She seems to hesitate before answering me.

“We are both from the Seraphic clan. That makes us sisters. Sleep. You will feel better when you wake up.”

She leads me over to the straw-filled bed and watches as I lay down.

A loud, piercing sćrėam that sounded like it was full of pain and despair ripped through the quiet room. My eyes went wide with fear.

“Shh, it’s ok we will be ok,” Kezia said as she turned the light off and placed something by the window.

“What was that?” I asked, not sure if I wanted the answer.

“I don’t know, but I promise we will be ok in here. Rest please.”

She gently pushed me back down, and I closed my eyes. I wasn’t sure if I should be resting right now. Everything inside of my body sćrėamed to stay awake, but my eyes became heavy once more. As if I had no control over them, I tried to stay awake, too afraid of what I heard, but it gets harder and harder. As my eyes lose the fight and close, I see the most beautiful emerald green eyes, they captivate me.

I can’t see who they belong to, but I can see them and I’m no longer afraid. I feel safe. I feel myself being pulled toward the eyes. It's like they call out to me and chase all my fears and worries away.

~~~

I’m sitting in the main hut mother teaches us our life lessons in. I’ve come to learn that mother can be quite cruel, so I try to hold my tongue as much as possible.

“So who can tell me why we must protect our lands from other supernatural creatures?”

“Because the land was given to us by our sister, Selene. It’s rich and full of magic. Others want our land and the magic that comes with it.” I answer.

“Very good Amelia.” She smiles at me.

It suddenly turns down. Her face hardened. A shudder runs through my body seeing her face.

“But did you raise your hand?” I shook my head in answer.

“5 lashes.” She snarls.

My eyes go big in fear.

“I’m sorry, mother.”

“10 for speaking when not asked.” I quickly shut up.

Mother rubs the large amulet she wears around her neck whilst looking at me, waiting. I stand up and make my way out to the village center. The trees have made a small altar from their roots that I must stand in front of. I step towards the altar, lowering my dress so it doesn’t get torn. Last time I forgot to lower my dress. I had to endure the spell of restrictions, as you can guess. It completely paralyzed me. I was able to speak, but I couldn’t move my body for hours.

The trees reach out, grabbing my wrist and holding my arms up so the bigger vine has better access to my back.

“This is what happens when you speak, when not spoken to.”

Mother shouts whilst pointing to me so everyone can hear her.

I hear the vine rushing through the air as it whips me across my back. I don’t sćrėam. I’ve learned that she likes that.

“One.”

A tear slips from my eye as the next one hits.

“Two.”

I close my eyes and think of the mesmerizing green eyes I can’t get out of my mind.

“Three.”

The sounds around me have changed. I can hear the breeze blowing through the trees. Birds are singing cheerful songs. I open my eyes and see a man.

He looks broken. I can feel the pain and turmoil coming from him like it’s my own. My heart hurts as I look at him. He lifts something to his lips and I can smell the death leaking from it.

“Don’t drink that!” I say as I step closer to him.

He lets out a deep sigh and lowers it.

“But I want to be with you.”

He lifts it once more towards his mouth and my body reacts before I do. I place my hand over his, stopping the liquid from spilling into his mouth. As I touch him, sparks erupt across my hand, shooting up my arm. His eyes open and he looks at me, making my breath catch in my throat. It’s the eyes I’ve been dreaming about.

They belong to a handsome, broken man.

“Amelia.”

He says my name, and it feels thrilling having him utter it.