I am the Light - His last Redemption (Book 2)

Chapter 12 - Messed Up

For a moment I feel like my entire world has come to a complete standstill. My first instinct is to get River and run as fast as I can. Away from here. Away from any danger.

But where would we go? The world has become a dangerous place. Creatures lurking everywhere. Waiting for their next victim.

“Are we in danger?” I ask as Callie takes her sweet time walking around the bench to sit down next to me.

“Yes and no.”

“Callie,” Willa sighs, “you need to stop doing that. I hate these vague answers. Gives me the creeps.”

Calliope chuckles at the young witch and holds up one jeweled hand in apology, “I am not sure how the events are connected, but I felt my sister last night. She was enraged. So much so, that for a moment I could see through her eyes.”

“What did you see?” Willa and I ask at the same time.

“It was very foggy, but she was standing over two bodies. One of them-,” she turns her gaze on me, “-might have been your mate. I am not sure what happened or if she hurt him, but-,”

“He’s not dead!” I say quickly. I know he isn’t, because River has been talking to him.

“No, but I believe that he killed one of my sister's creatures and I believe that Adeline thought he was dead. She was furious. She usually ignores me, but at that moment she could feel me. I am sure of it and she might be aware that you are here. You and your son.”

“Who is that Adeline person again?” Cillian asks hesitantly.

“She’s a dark which and she was with the Nightshadow. She was drawn to his darkness. It fueled hers and probably the other way around. Chaos likes to stick with its own kind,” Callie explains.

“I think I saw her,” Cillian says, “I tried to talk some sense into Nate and for the fraction of a second I thought he would listen, but then she showed up and his entire attitude changed.”

“Yes,” Callie sighs, “she might have been able to control him. To an extent. He didn’t fight it, because he didn’t have a reason to do so,” her eyes meet mine again, “he does now.”

“Why?” I ask, confused by the sudden change in the Nightshadow. He ignored River the first time. He didn’t believe he was real. What made him change his mind and how did he find out about me?

Callie just smiles and lifts her gaze to the sky. It’s a bright and sunny day, but you can still see the moon. Pale on the horizon. She hints at the Goddess and that everything she does has a reason. I am not so convinced that is true, because I still fail to see why she separated me and my mate in the first place.

“What do you mean when you say that your sister is aware of me and River?” I ask, not sure I like the sound of that, “I mean nothing to her, right?”

“I’m not sure. She needed the Nighshadow for something and now that he’s dead –or that’s what she thinks- she has to find another way to get what she wants.”

“I’m not dark,” I say, “neither is River.”

“No,” Callie agrees, “it’s probably nothing to worry about, but I want you to be aware of the possibility that she might do something we don’t expect.”

“Like what? What would she gain from getting to Mika and the little one?” Willa asks, “River has no magic yet.”

“Magic?” Cillian raises his brows and looks at me, “wait, do you... have magic?”

“Water,” I say with a short nod, “but I have lost my wolf. I guess in a way I have traded powers?!”

Cillian just shakes his head at the information but stays silent.

“Are you worried she’s coming for River? For whatever reason?” I ask Callie with a serious expression, “is he safe here? Are we safe?”

“I don’t know,” she sighs and glances at Cillian, “you have experience with these kinds of things, don’t you?”

“No,” Cillian says, shaking his head, “I have experience with killing creatures that are not supposed to be on this earth, but I don’t know anything about the witches' plans. I don’t have enough information to give you any kind of advice. The only help I can offer is sending someone to his pack and spy on them,” he says, “see what she’s up to?! Or-,” he looks at me, “-we simply wait for Nate to get here and let him fill in the blanks.”

Nate. The sound of his name makes my heart beat a little faster. I might be afraid of him coming here, but that’s only because of the stories I’ve heard. The truth is, my soul is longing for him. Deep down I can’t wait for him to finally get here. I’m not sure how he could possibly know where we are, but I have to have faith, right?

River might have told him about the witches, but we are not the only coven around. There are others. And as cute as it is, River is not very good at pronouncing names. Nathaniel could end up anywhere.

“Nate warned River to be careful,” I say absentmindedly. Watching my son fight the big wolf. Screaming with glee as Logan starts chasing him. I can’t help but smile, wondering if Nate would do just the same with his son. Instead of a brown wolf, I imagine the black one, trolling around with River.

“Did he say anything else?” Cillian asks, but I shake my head.

“If he did, River didn’t tell me. I mean, he’s two, he’s not the most reliable source. He’s trying,” I say looking back at the group, “but he’s too young to understand any of this. He’s just excited that his father is coming home. I’m not entirely sure he knows what that means, but he’s-,” I sigh, “-he’s happy about it.”

“Aren’t you?” Willa asks carefully.

“I’m... scared,” I admit, lowering my gaze so I don’t have to look at them.

“You won’t be once he’s here,” Cillian says, “Trust me!” at his words I look up at him to meet his green eyes. I can’t help but wonder about his heritage. His eyes are slightly turned up, giving him almost an Asian look. Almost. His skin tone and his long, blond hair beg a differ. There’s a small scar on his cheek. I wonder if it’s always been there or if it’s new.

“I’ve witnessed this before and you won’t be able to stay away from him for long,” his voice sounds almost bitter. I wonder what happened back when I still knew him. Was there more between us than he let on? Did I hurt him?

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, but he shakes his head at me.

“Neither you nor I understood what it meant to be mated to someone. It stung for a while, but I understand it now. We’re fine,” he says with a soft smile, his bruised hand gently touching my knee.

“Maybe we should head back?” Willa says, her eyes shifting from where his hand is resting on my leg, up to him.

“I’m fine,” Cillian says to her.

“Ok then,” Willa sighs and starts rising, “I have somewhere to be. Mika can bring you back to the clinic then,” she almost snaps at him. His brows rise at her little outburst, and she seems to be very aware of his strange look. I watch her blush before she hurries off.

Calliope chuckles next to me, “she likes you,” she says to the Hunter.

“Oh, okay?!” he frowns, “I... didn’t know that.”

“You just woke up. How could you?” Callie laughs and stands up as well, her eyes meeting mine, “would you like to meet me later to practice a little magic? I think you could use some training.”

“Yeah,” I agree. I know how to work my magic but using it in a fight is an entirely different story. It’s about time I learn. Who knows when I need it to protect my family? “I’ll find you later.”

“Magic, huh?” Cillian asks as she walks away, “you never cease to amaze me.”

I laugh a little at his words since I’ve heard them before, “Logan said the same thing.”

“Makes sense,” Cillian nods, watching his friend play with my son. “How come?”

“I don’t know,” I say with a shake of my head, “I would say that I’ve always had it, but I know that’s not the case. I used to have a wolf. Like Logan does. I guess I had that from my father. Maybe I inherited the magic from my mother?!” I glance at him, “you’ve been to Selencity, haven’t you?”

“Yes,” he nods, “but I only met your father. Your mother isn’t... she died when you were just a baby. At least that’s what I’ve been told,” he watches me closely, “are you planning on going back to Selencity?”

“I don’t know. I don’t remember my time there. I don’t remember anything. I know I should feel responsible for the city, but-,”

“You don’t remember, I understand. And you are not responsible for it. Your father is the King, yes, but the city and the packs are his to protect, and from what Logan told me he just went MIA. He left Daphne in charge, which is tragic.”

“Who is she?” I ask.

“Nobody. Before you came back to the city, he needed an heir.” Callies words pop back into my mind, that there always will be a royal wolf. “Daphne offered. Back then the King never succeeded to have an heir. His children usually died before or after birth.”

“That’s horrible,” I say, looking at my son. I can’t imagine what it’s like to lose a child. It would kill me.

“Everybody seemed to be convinced that Daphne’s child would never be born. But I guess after everything that happened and after you;” he hesitates.

“After I died?”

“Yes,” he sighs, “I was supposed to protect you. I guess it was a stupid idea to send me along with you, but we didn’t expect any trouble. Not from the man who was attacking the city. But he was waiting for us. For you,” he says with a shake of his head.

“Who was he?”

“Nate’s father. Gideon. He was a messed up, dark and evil wolf. A rogue. That’s what they used to call him and his kind.”

“Nate killed him?”

“Yes. At least that’s the story. I haven’t talked to him about it. The last time I saw him he wasn’t really in a talking mood. He was just... gone,” Cillian shrugs, “he broke when you died. I never thought it was possible, but I saw it with my own eyes. You don’t remember him, but Nathaniel wasn’t a man that easily broke. Kind of grumpy most of the time, but he was fierce when it came to you.”

“Ruthless even?” I ask carefully.

“I wouldn’t say that, no, but he would have killed for you... actually-,” he chuckles, “you did kill someone for him.”

“I did what?” I ask in disbelief, “I wouldn’t kill a person.”

“I wasn’t there, but your mate challenged another Alpha. Apparently, that’s a thing among wolves. You can challenge an Alpha for his position.”

“Why would he do that?”

“Because the other Alpha wanted to do some testing on you and Nate wasn’t having it. I think he acted on impulse, but I just know the stories. Anyway, the night of the fight, the Alpha's daughter poisoned Nate and he was about to lose the fight. That’s when you stepped in and well, legend has it you made the other Alpha kill himself by just commanding it.”

“Commanding him to kill himself?” I ask with raised brows. I can’t imagine doing something like that. Then again, I would do anything to protect the ones I love. I would do it for River. Without hesitation. “Because of the Goddess?”

“I don’t know, but I assume that’s how you did it. You saved his life. More than once. So, Nate owes you big time.”

“Owes me?” I say hesitantly, “I don’t know if I see it like that.”

“No,” he says, “you never did. You like to be the hero. Saving everyone, but yourself.”

I sigh a little and remember the night the Rougarou's attacked. I did risk my life for my village. For River. “I guess that’s true.”

“I’m glad you are okay,” he says, “things have been messed up ever since you left. It’s like you sacrificed your life for nothing because if you ask me, things are worse than they were before. No offense, but I am not sure your Moon Goddess is as great as you like to think.”

I raise my brows at him, “I wouldn’t say that too loud!”

“Just an observation,” he shrugs a little, “the world has always been a weird place, but it’s getting darker and darker with every passing day. Those creatures we’re fighting, get meaner with every encounter. I’m not sure how much longer we can do this. It just doesn’t feel right. We used to fight just one enemy, but now it’s like you can’t tell who is a friend and who is foe.”

“Well, witches are kind of cool,” I try.

“All of them?” he asks, with a raised brow and I sigh, shaking my head. “It’s messed up and I think this is only the beginning.”

“Are you afraid?” I ask with concern evident in my voice.

“Honestly,” he sighs and glances around the peaceful village. At what’s at stake, “I am!”